Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Howdy from Uganda. I have been so impressed by God this week by so many things. No matter what you feel like God has called you and compelled you to bring to a place like Uganda, God will give more back. It proves you can't out give God. No matter if it's health care, knowledge, or training the relationships that God allows to form and the love to be expressed is entirely from God.
It's neat to see the diversity of all the people on the team here. So many different backgrounds and so many talents and God uses them all for His glory. No gift is too small. No touch and no smile are small in the eyes of these people. That has really blown me away.
The coolest thing is, the fact that sometimes during the day you may think, "I'm just digging in the dirt" or "just painting a face" but you're not. You are apart of God's perfect plan. We get to be involved in His plan. A plan He ordained before the beginning of time. It matters. We may just be a tool in rusty shed but we can be used. That's humbling.
Today after the ladies group had finished their lessons, the interpreter had to leave for a short time. And she asked the class of women and said, "they (the team) has given something to you so you must give something back." So these women stood up and began to sing the most beautiful African worship songs and some even in English that we knew. They didn't have a lot to give but what they did have they gave freely. They gave us their praise to God and an opportunity to worship God on a mountainside in the middle of Uganda. I don't think I will ever forget that little girl singing to God in my mind.
Trey Reed
Roanoke, AL
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Uganda 11/25/2009
Today was a very great day of service to God’s people of Uganda. Many success stories were shared tonight during our sharing time. One of which I’d like to mention. Melodi, Natalie and myself have been teaching the women in the different villages about hygiene, taking care of their bodies both physically and spiritually, the story of Ruth and living Godly single and married lives. Today was a wonderful day of teaching and discussion from the women. They had many questions and concerns. We were able to address them all from the Word of God.
During our teaching time, there is an interpreter to translate from English to Ugandan. This particular interpreter was 16 years old and we discovered later that she was of the muslim faith. She repeated everything that was said to her from the Bible to the women. She read directly from the scriptures and I even asked her to interpret my altar call for salvation. Amazing, she really taught the gospel as we spoke it in English. She was such a sweet spirited young lady. We gave her gifts and a bible afterwards for doing such a great job. I truly believe in my spirit that either a seed was planted or watered today and God will allow someone to reap that harvest.
Matthew 5:16 says Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Praise God that we loved on that young girl, we did not offend her religious belief, but we embraced her and showed her the love of Jesus Christ.
We ask that all of you back home pray that God will send laborers into His vineyard for truly there is a great harvest to reach.
God bless you all.
Genece Arnold
Atlanta, GA
During our teaching time, there is an interpreter to translate from English to Ugandan. This particular interpreter was 16 years old and we discovered later that she was of the muslim faith. She repeated everything that was said to her from the Bible to the women. She read directly from the scriptures and I even asked her to interpret my altar call for salvation. Amazing, she really taught the gospel as we spoke it in English. She was such a sweet spirited young lady. We gave her gifts and a bible afterwards for doing such a great job. I truly believe in my spirit that either a seed was planted or watered today and God will allow someone to reap that harvest.
Matthew 5:16 says Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Praise God that we loved on that young girl, we did not offend her religious belief, but we embraced her and showed her the love of Jesus Christ.
We ask that all of you back home pray that God will send laborers into His vineyard for truly there is a great harvest to reach.
God bless you all.
Genece Arnold
Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Uganda 11/24/2009
We just finished with our evening share time and the devotion tonight talked about the value of a rubber band. It's value is only determined by how far it can be stretched- today we were definitely like rubber bands- very stretched. We traveled to a remote village called Moomba to do ministry today in a church. We were greeted by many of the church members in their "sanctuary" which was really some small branches tied together with pieces of torn banana leaves and covered by a tarp. They were singing worship songs when we arrived and then they treated us to a "traditional African dance".
Everywhere we looked there were eyes watching us...it was quite obvious that many of the village people have not seen many Americans- they were very timid, shy, and some where actually afraid of us. The medical team shared tonight that when they were able to start this morning (broken down bus along they way) they were given a booklet with 220 names in it- these were the names of the people that had spent the night next to the church last night just because they heard that there was going to be a medical team and medicine in their village today. The team was able to see all of those people, but when they left this afternoon there were as many people still outside the building as were actually seen today. The optical team has a similar story- many people helped, but many more left behind without treatment. The children's carnival had at least 150 children or more and once the children realized that there was nothing to be afraid of if someone was "blowing bubbles" or balloons, they had a wonderful time.
The women's ministry was not actually in a building or structure because they just pulled a few benches out beside one of the structures and then we began. At first the women were very shy, but once we began sharing with the women, they really began to interact with us. We shared with them about Christian marriage principles, hygiene topics- including a lesson on how to floss your teeth(something they had NEVER heard of!). We also studied the book of Ruth. It occurred to me tonight as we were sharing that one of the points that we have been learning from this study is that God had a plan for Ruth in the midst of her despair, in the midst of her hurt- He had a plan for Hope and Peace. That is what we are standing on with our brothers and sisters in the Moomba village- God has a plan for them, a plan for Hope and Peace. He is the all powerful, and all knowing Provider for them- not our medical team or optical team or carnival team. In fact- even though we have already run out of a lot of supplies- the most important thing that we brought with us is the Holy Spirit in each of us. His strength is perfect, when we are at the end of ourselves.
Melodi Isbell
Church of Brook Hills (SCMD)
Everywhere we looked there were eyes watching us...it was quite obvious that many of the village people have not seen many Americans- they were very timid, shy, and some where actually afraid of us. The medical team shared tonight that when they were able to start this morning (broken down bus along they way) they were given a booklet with 220 names in it- these were the names of the people that had spent the night next to the church last night just because they heard that there was going to be a medical team and medicine in their village today. The team was able to see all of those people, but when they left this afternoon there were as many people still outside the building as were actually seen today. The optical team has a similar story- many people helped, but many more left behind without treatment. The children's carnival had at least 150 children or more and once the children realized that there was nothing to be afraid of if someone was "blowing bubbles" or balloons, they had a wonderful time.
The women's ministry was not actually in a building or structure because they just pulled a few benches out beside one of the structures and then we began. At first the women were very shy, but once we began sharing with the women, they really began to interact with us. We shared with them about Christian marriage principles, hygiene topics- including a lesson on how to floss your teeth(something they had NEVER heard of!). We also studied the book of Ruth. It occurred to me tonight as we were sharing that one of the points that we have been learning from this study is that God had a plan for Ruth in the midst of her despair, in the midst of her hurt- He had a plan for Hope and Peace. That is what we are standing on with our brothers and sisters in the Moomba village- God has a plan for them, a plan for Hope and Peace. He is the all powerful, and all knowing Provider for them- not our medical team or optical team or carnival team. In fact- even though we have already run out of a lot of supplies- the most important thing that we brought with us is the Holy Spirit in each of us. His strength is perfect, when we are at the end of ourselves.
Melodi Isbell
Church of Brook Hills (SCMD)
Monday, November 23, 2009
Uganda 11/23/2009
A Warm Welcome
“We are happy to receive you” was the message our Uganda team heard over and over as we arrived at Hope of Glory Church in the village of Myanzi today. As we walked off the buses following a 2 ½ hour trip, we were immediately greeted by villagers of all ages, shaking our hands and wishing us well. The message was repeated as we entered their open-air church covered by torn tarps that flapped in the wind. As soon as we were seated in the best seats available that had been reserved for our team, Pastor David Ndibanunula greeted us warmly and reminded his congregation of the long hours of travel that brought our team to Myanzi from the United States. The appreciation expressed by Pastor David and everyone we encountered today was both humbling and overwhelming. We were serenaded by the children of the church as they offered their songs of appreciation and welcome.
Soon, it was off to work for each of our teams as we set up in sheds and any spots we could find on the bare dirt grounds of the village. The medical/pharmacy and optical teams were quickly overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help. By day’s end, the optical team had seen 65 patients and the medical/pharmacy team had treated more than 200 patients. Our fatigue was offset by the tremendous offering of love and thanks we received today. One of the most phenomenal parts of our day was that the medical/pharmacy team was able to save the life of a severely dehydrated baby by giving IV fluids. What an impact that simple act made! The optical team had many success stories as well, including finding the right prescription for Pastor David and making him a pair of glasses. He was very grateful.
The men’s and women’s ministry teams shared important information with the villagers and were well received. Steve, one of the men who had worked in this village last year, shared with the team how surprised he was that the men were receptive to his group’s teaching this year. Last year, this was the hardest group for him to reach, so he sees progress being made. Praise God! Last but not least, the carnival team had amazing success as they entertained and loved on more than 200 children.
On a personal note, I was moved today by the attitudes of the people of Myanzi. They recently lost most of their school and church and many of their homes (including Pastor David’s) in wind and hail storms, yet they greeted us like royalty and worshipped God with a fervor and passion that most of us could never imagine. They truly represented “light in the darkness” as their faces demonstrated love and joy in the midst of horrifying poverty. As I pulled my exhausted body onto the bus this afternoon, I was ashamed that I even felt any exhaustion considering how these people live on a daily basis. I was also reminded of the devotion shared by Bro. Richie Farrow before we departed this morning. Using a passage from Acts 20, Bro. Richie implored us to avoid letting our fatigue or other circumstances derail our efforts. He added, “Finish the race. When you leave Uganda, know you have done your best.” We may not have helped everyone today, but I know we did our best.
To our prayer warriors back at home, please keep it up! We have a lot left to do in Uganda. We love you.
Stephanie Kirby
“We are happy to receive you” was the message our Uganda team heard over and over as we arrived at Hope of Glory Church in the village of Myanzi today. As we walked off the buses following a 2 ½ hour trip, we were immediately greeted by villagers of all ages, shaking our hands and wishing us well. The message was repeated as we entered their open-air church covered by torn tarps that flapped in the wind. As soon as we were seated in the best seats available that had been reserved for our team, Pastor David Ndibanunula greeted us warmly and reminded his congregation of the long hours of travel that brought our team to Myanzi from the United States. The appreciation expressed by Pastor David and everyone we encountered today was both humbling and overwhelming. We were serenaded by the children of the church as they offered their songs of appreciation and welcome.
Soon, it was off to work for each of our teams as we set up in sheds and any spots we could find on the bare dirt grounds of the village. The medical/pharmacy and optical teams were quickly overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help. By day’s end, the optical team had seen 65 patients and the medical/pharmacy team had treated more than 200 patients. Our fatigue was offset by the tremendous offering of love and thanks we received today. One of the most phenomenal parts of our day was that the medical/pharmacy team was able to save the life of a severely dehydrated baby by giving IV fluids. What an impact that simple act made! The optical team had many success stories as well, including finding the right prescription for Pastor David and making him a pair of glasses. He was very grateful.
The men’s and women’s ministry teams shared important information with the villagers and were well received. Steve, one of the men who had worked in this village last year, shared with the team how surprised he was that the men were receptive to his group’s teaching this year. Last year, this was the hardest group for him to reach, so he sees progress being made. Praise God! Last but not least, the carnival team had amazing success as they entertained and loved on more than 200 children.
On a personal note, I was moved today by the attitudes of the people of Myanzi. They recently lost most of their school and church and many of their homes (including Pastor David’s) in wind and hail storms, yet they greeted us like royalty and worshipped God with a fervor and passion that most of us could never imagine. They truly represented “light in the darkness” as their faces demonstrated love and joy in the midst of horrifying poverty. As I pulled my exhausted body onto the bus this afternoon, I was ashamed that I even felt any exhaustion considering how these people live on a daily basis. I was also reminded of the devotion shared by Bro. Richie Farrow before we departed this morning. Using a passage from Acts 20, Bro. Richie implored us to avoid letting our fatigue or other circumstances derail our efforts. He added, “Finish the race. When you leave Uganda, know you have done your best.” We may not have helped everyone today, but I know we did our best.
To our prayer warriors back at home, please keep it up! We have a lot left to do in Uganda. We love you.
Stephanie Kirby
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Uganda 11/22/2009
Wow! Where do we begin? Jesus is Amazing!
I am not a writer but I was asked to share a story with all our readers so here it goes. Yesterday, our first day here in Uganda, I asked one of our two bus drivers if he was a Christian. I had already asked the other the night before, he was a Christian, but the 2nd one, Adam, told me no I am a Muslim. I am not sure how many of you have ever had a chance to witness to a muslim but let me tell you they are very, very difficult to reach. But I began to talk with Adam about Christianity and Islam as we traveled.
I shared Jesus with him and how that the bible tells us in Acts 4:12 there is no other name by which one could be saved. I could see the conviction on face and in his eyes but he would not submit because of his mother who is also muslim. As I left him I shared with him how I was going to be praying for him and I encouarged him to attend our church services at Grace Fellowship the next day. I shared how that I would be praying that the Holy Spirit would speak to him again. Once meeting with the team I shared with them to be praying for Adam, which they all commited to do.
Sunday morning I woke up at 5:00 with Adam on my mind. I began to pray and God began to give me scriptures to write down for him to read. Once he got to the Motel I gave him the list and encouraged him to read them. I did not see him again till we got back to the hotel after a day in the field where we saw 14 people give their lives to the Lord. Praise the Lord!
When I saw him tonight, he had a bright, big smile on his face. His first words were thank you for the scriptures I read them and then he opened his Gideon bible, which he gotten somewhere, to the very last scripture I had written down Acts 16: 33-34. He had underlined the two verses. He said I am a Believer now. I began to question him on when he had accepted Jesus and had he told anyone. His answer, " no I have not told any one and I did this morning during the church service when the young man maybe younger than me was speaking at the church." That young man was Jerry Cotney. I am sharing this one story with you to let you know how prayer works and how Jesus works. He used everyone on our team to reach Adam. Some plant, some water, but Jesus gives the increase. With Adam we had 15 people saved today. All Praise goes to Jesus.
Keep praying for us.
Richie Farrow
High Pine Baptist Church, Roanoke
I am not a writer but I was asked to share a story with all our readers so here it goes. Yesterday, our first day here in Uganda, I asked one of our two bus drivers if he was a Christian. I had already asked the other the night before, he was a Christian, but the 2nd one, Adam, told me no I am a Muslim. I am not sure how many of you have ever had a chance to witness to a muslim but let me tell you they are very, very difficult to reach. But I began to talk with Adam about Christianity and Islam as we traveled.
I shared Jesus with him and how that the bible tells us in Acts 4:12 there is no other name by which one could be saved. I could see the conviction on face and in his eyes but he would not submit because of his mother who is also muslim. As I left him I shared with him how I was going to be praying for him and I encouarged him to attend our church services at Grace Fellowship the next day. I shared how that I would be praying that the Holy Spirit would speak to him again. Once meeting with the team I shared with them to be praying for Adam, which they all commited to do.
Sunday morning I woke up at 5:00 with Adam on my mind. I began to pray and God began to give me scriptures to write down for him to read. Once he got to the Motel I gave him the list and encouraged him to read them. I did not see him again till we got back to the hotel after a day in the field where we saw 14 people give their lives to the Lord. Praise the Lord!
When I saw him tonight, he had a bright, big smile on his face. His first words were thank you for the scriptures I read them and then he opened his Gideon bible, which he gotten somewhere, to the very last scripture I had written down Acts 16: 33-34. He had underlined the two verses. He said I am a Believer now. I began to question him on when he had accepted Jesus and had he told anyone. His answer, " no I have not told any one and I did this morning during the church service when the young man maybe younger than me was speaking at the church." That young man was Jerry Cotney. I am sharing this one story with you to let you know how prayer works and how Jesus works. He used everyone on our team to reach Adam. Some plant, some water, but Jesus gives the increase. With Adam we had 15 people saved today. All Praise goes to Jesus.
Keep praying for us.
Richie Farrow
High Pine Baptist Church, Roanoke
Sudan Team Arrives Safely
Eleven team members have arrived safely in Sudan to begin their work with the persecuted church. They will be conducting Men's Leadership Training and building wells in partnership with Neverthirst. Be sure to stay tuned for updates as we can get them out. - Gary Clark, Wadley, Alabama
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Uganda 11/21/2009
"Welcome to Uganda", Tripp said on our bus ride from the Entebbe airport last night. We'd been traveling for 30 plus hours straight. 3 plane flights later, I was tired, but Tripp had me beat. It looked like he'd been up for about 3 days preparing for our arrival. You know that glowing sheen on the face and greasy hair that happens on mission trips. But Tripp did it with pleasure. I realized the amount of preperation necessary for this team's arrival in that moment.
"TIA will explain a lot for you this week", Tripp went on, "meaning This Is Africa." He went on to explain how differently things work here that may not make sense to us, but that's just how it is here. As always, we were reminded to be flexible, expecting sudden changes in schedule and plans, and allowing those things to happen without becoming frustrated.
Today was spent seeing a cultural landmark and touring the Watoto orphan village as we recovered from the long travel. The landmark was the former palace of the Ugandan king. He now lives in a modern home, his monarchy alive and well, just not politically. The palace consisted of the world's largest thatch hut, inside of which we learned of the Ugandan history. Currently, their government is run by a president and the king is sort of a cultural figurehead, much like the situation in Great Britian.
The Watoto orphan village was our next stop. We walked on school campuses, and homes built by the hands of God for his orphaned children. The birth and development of this creation is truly phenomenal, so I encourage you to visit watoto.com to learn more. We held babies that had been thrown away in trash dumps, abandoned at police stations, and rescued by the loving arms of this ministry. Watoto raises the kids into responsible christians and productive citizens of Uganda.
After a nifty pizza dinner, we got our first dose of TIA. Our bus driver hadn't been feeling well and didn't accompany us inside. Once we were finished, we got back to the bus, but there was no driver. He must have decided to go home, we don't know. This Is Africa.
Tomorrow, we're splitting into sub-groups to worship in Nelson Kasoka's church and various church plants around Kampala. Pray for us as we begin using our God given talents for his glory tomorrow and the week to come. Thank you!
Jerry Cotney Jr.
Roanoke, AL
"TIA will explain a lot for you this week", Tripp went on, "meaning This Is Africa." He went on to explain how differently things work here that may not make sense to us, but that's just how it is here. As always, we were reminded to be flexible, expecting sudden changes in schedule and plans, and allowing those things to happen without becoming frustrated.
Today was spent seeing a cultural landmark and touring the Watoto orphan village as we recovered from the long travel. The landmark was the former palace of the Ugandan king. He now lives in a modern home, his monarchy alive and well, just not politically. The palace consisted of the world's largest thatch hut, inside of which we learned of the Ugandan history. Currently, their government is run by a president and the king is sort of a cultural figurehead, much like the situation in Great Britian.
The Watoto orphan village was our next stop. We walked on school campuses, and homes built by the hands of God for his orphaned children. The birth and development of this creation is truly phenomenal, so I encourage you to visit watoto.com to learn more. We held babies that had been thrown away in trash dumps, abandoned at police stations, and rescued by the loving arms of this ministry. Watoto raises the kids into responsible christians and productive citizens of Uganda.
After a nifty pizza dinner, we got our first dose of TIA. Our bus driver hadn't been feeling well and didn't accompany us inside. Once we were finished, we got back to the bus, but there was no driver. He must have decided to go home, we don't know. This Is Africa.
Tomorrow, we're splitting into sub-groups to worship in Nelson Kasoka's church and various church plants around Kampala. Pray for us as we begin using our God given talents for his glory tomorrow and the week to come. Thank you!
Jerry Cotney Jr.
Roanoke, AL
Friday, November 20, 2009
Uganda 11/20/2009
Hello friends and family of Four Corners Ministries. After more then 3000 miles of traveling we finally arrived in Uganda. We settled into our hotel rooms and are ready for a day of ministry unto the Lord.
Check back for updates as we will try to post them daily. Thank you for your prayers and support and praise God for our time here. We pray that God will open the hearts of the people here to see His glory as we partner with Pastor Nelson in this mission. God bless you all and keep you.
Check back for updates as we will try to post them daily. Thank you for your prayers and support and praise God for our time here. We pray that God will open the hearts of the people here to see His glory as we partner with Pastor Nelson in this mission. God bless you all and keep you.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Lynch, Kentucky Mission Trip Day 3
Have you ever been blessed by God beyond your wildest dreams when you thought He was sending you to bless others? I have. My name is B.J. Hill and I am currently a sophomore at Troy University. This is the third mission trip that God has allowed me to partake in, and I am extremely grateful. I strongly feel God has called me to the mission field so I am very excited to see what He has in store for me in the future. This trip in particular has turned out to be a major blessing in many ways. The theme of our week was entitled "My Story" and I had the pleasure to hear one particular story full of faith and love for our one and only true God.
Drew Baldwin is a man who shared his own personal story with me as I got to work side by side with him during our trip here in Lynch, Ky. I had the privilege to work at The Stables at Creekside, which is a branch of Merinzo Ministries, where Drew is the director of the stables. I began working at the stables on Friday and I had no idea why God would choose to put me there where I had no idea what to do. It didn't take me long to absolutely realize that God places us where He knows we need to be; He truly works everything out for a reason to fulfill His purposes and bring glory to His name. God placed me in a circumstance where the true life story of a man full of faith was clearly revealed to me.
Drew was born in a small town in Tennessee where he grew up and later attended Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Upon graduating from Union University, Drew decided that God wanted him to attend seminary in North Carolina. When he was praying and trying to figure out the plans that God had for him he was offered an opportunity to participate in Meridzo Ministries as the stable director. As with all good things that God presents to us there was a catch...some might call it "drop everything and follow me." Drew left everything to pursue what God had written in his life story long before Drew was even born. The most amazing part o fhis story that really blessed me in many ways is the fact that upon leaving everything to come to Lynch, Ky to work, he also came to work for nothing but the glory of God.
Drew lives on the estate that the ranch and soon to be youth camp are located. He doesn't have to pay for his home that was God-given, but he pays bills for utilities like every home owner does. He does this in a different way than most people do...because he has no salary Drew depends on faith that God will provide the money when they need it. As a testament, they have never had a bill unpaid or behind because our God is always on time and provides when we have faith that He will no matter the circumstances. Drew also gives free riding lessons to children in hopes that they will see God in one of His most beautiful creations. As I am sitting here writing this story Drew walks in out of no where and just adds to the blocks of faith that him and his wife have built their lives upon. Drew's wife Leah has been needing a new car to replace her 93' Jeep with a little over 300,000 miles on it but of course the expenses weren't there. After a while spent in prayer and the faith that God WILL provide, an old friend from years past made a "God-call" and told them she felt God wanted her to give them her 2000 Odyssey van.
After reading this I hope you can feel the power of faith sweep over you like I have. I have never had my life changed so much by another person's life story than the one told just above you. Faith is not something that we can create ourselves, but it is what we use to cling to by believing in our Lord Jesus Christ and the amazing things he has done and will do in our lives.
Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."
B.J Hill
Community LIFE Church
Drew Baldwin is a man who shared his own personal story with me as I got to work side by side with him during our trip here in Lynch, Ky. I had the privilege to work at The Stables at Creekside, which is a branch of Merinzo Ministries, where Drew is the director of the stables. I began working at the stables on Friday and I had no idea why God would choose to put me there where I had no idea what to do. It didn't take me long to absolutely realize that God places us where He knows we need to be; He truly works everything out for a reason to fulfill His purposes and bring glory to His name. God placed me in a circumstance where the true life story of a man full of faith was clearly revealed to me.
Drew was born in a small town in Tennessee where he grew up and later attended Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Upon graduating from Union University, Drew decided that God wanted him to attend seminary in North Carolina. When he was praying and trying to figure out the plans that God had for him he was offered an opportunity to participate in Meridzo Ministries as the stable director. As with all good things that God presents to us there was a catch...some might call it "drop everything and follow me." Drew left everything to pursue what God had written in his life story long before Drew was even born. The most amazing part o fhis story that really blessed me in many ways is the fact that upon leaving everything to come to Lynch, Ky to work, he also came to work for nothing but the glory of God.
Drew lives on the estate that the ranch and soon to be youth camp are located. He doesn't have to pay for his home that was God-given, but he pays bills for utilities like every home owner does. He does this in a different way than most people do...because he has no salary Drew depends on faith that God will provide the money when they need it. As a testament, they have never had a bill unpaid or behind because our God is always on time and provides when we have faith that He will no matter the circumstances. Drew also gives free riding lessons to children in hopes that they will see God in one of His most beautiful creations. As I am sitting here writing this story Drew walks in out of no where and just adds to the blocks of faith that him and his wife have built their lives upon. Drew's wife Leah has been needing a new car to replace her 93' Jeep with a little over 300,000 miles on it but of course the expenses weren't there. After a while spent in prayer and the faith that God WILL provide, an old friend from years past made a "God-call" and told them she felt God wanted her to give them her 2000 Odyssey van.
After reading this I hope you can feel the power of faith sweep over you like I have. I have never had my life changed so much by another person's life story than the one told just above you. Faith is not something that we can create ourselves, but it is what we use to cling to by believing in our Lord Jesus Christ and the amazing things he has done and will do in our lives.
Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."
B.J Hill
Community LIFE Church
Friday, September 25, 2009
Lynch, Ky Mission Trip Day 2 Part 3
I spent the day at Freedom Center in downtown Lynch. We handed out shoes and coats to whoever came up. There was a steady stream of people all day long and as the people poured in I began to realize God was working on both sides of the equation.
On one side, God's love is being showed through helping people get the things they need. On the other side, I am fulfilling my calling through the Great Commission and showing my faith through my deeds. I watched as the Body of Christ came together in unity and became His hands and feet to this community starving to feel the love of Christ.
I spoke with a guy named Josh who had been a Christian for 2 months. He was working in the area helping in the local ministries. I noticed the girlw ith him and asked if it was his wife.
He responded, "Not yet!"
I asked him to explain.
"Well, as I got to reading the Bible, I realized that by me living with this girl, i was living in direct sin against God. And so, i've got to do the right thing before God and marry her."
I couldn't help but notice that he said that he had to do what was right before God. He didn't say that he had to do it for his girlfriend or his son that was on the way. To be such a young Christian, it was amazing to hear those words. He actually got it.
It wasn't about what everyone else thought was right, but that he answers only to God and no one else.
Trey Reed
Community Life
On one side, God's love is being showed through helping people get the things they need. On the other side, I am fulfilling my calling through the Great Commission and showing my faith through my deeds. I watched as the Body of Christ came together in unity and became His hands and feet to this community starving to feel the love of Christ.
I spoke with a guy named Josh who had been a Christian for 2 months. He was working in the area helping in the local ministries. I noticed the girlw ith him and asked if it was his wife.
He responded, "Not yet!"
I asked him to explain.
"Well, as I got to reading the Bible, I realized that by me living with this girl, i was living in direct sin against God. And so, i've got to do the right thing before God and marry her."
I couldn't help but notice that he said that he had to do what was right before God. He didn't say that he had to do it for his girlfriend or his son that was on the way. To be such a young Christian, it was amazing to hear those words. He actually got it.
It wasn't about what everyone else thought was right, but that he answers only to God and no one else.
Trey Reed
Community Life
Lynch, Ky Mission Trip Day 2 Part 2
I worked with the Sacks of Love today.When we were getting ready to go all I knew was that i would be putting food in back packs to send home with little children who would not have food for the weekend, little did I know that these children would touch my life in a way that no one else can.
As the day began we started off packing up back packs with food while we talked about how the ministry got started. Then the children began coming in and I shortly realized that food was not the only need these children had. From children asking for wipes to wash their faces with to wanting to know if we had a pair of socks they could have because they had been wearing there parents all week, or even needing a notebook so they could complete their school work, all the supplies were there and all the needs were fulfilled.
One thing that I believe touched my heart the most was this one little boy who came in all red faced and breathing hard. When we asked him why he had been running he said "I wanted to make sure I got some raisins in my back pack cause I sure do love those raisins!" When I got to thinking about how excited and grateful this little boy was over a box of raisins it made me realize how much I take for granite everyday.
I had always heard that God works in mysterious ways and sometimes wandered what his plan was for me in my life, but through one little boy and his love for raisins God taught me that i do have a place in this world and I realized that he not only bought me to Lynch,m Kentucky so that maybe I could touch lives but that he bought me here so that my life could be touched!
Grace Jackson
Rocky Creek
As the day began we started off packing up back packs with food while we talked about how the ministry got started. Then the children began coming in and I shortly realized that food was not the only need these children had. From children asking for wipes to wash their faces with to wanting to know if we had a pair of socks they could have because they had been wearing there parents all week, or even needing a notebook so they could complete their school work, all the supplies were there and all the needs were fulfilled.
One thing that I believe touched my heart the most was this one little boy who came in all red faced and breathing hard. When we asked him why he had been running he said "I wanted to make sure I got some raisins in my back pack cause I sure do love those raisins!" When I got to thinking about how excited and grateful this little boy was over a box of raisins it made me realize how much I take for granite everyday.
I had always heard that God works in mysterious ways and sometimes wandered what his plan was for me in my life, but through one little boy and his love for raisins God taught me that i do have a place in this world and I realized that he not only bought me to Lynch,m Kentucky so that maybe I could touch lives but that he bought me here so that my life could be touched!
Grace Jackson
Rocky Creek
Lynch, Ky Mission Trip Day 2
This evening, I watch as the afternoon showers continue to roll through Lynch, Ky and the clouds roll down the mountains like a blanket, tucking this sleepy little town to bed.
Today was our first day out in the field. We had six different teams serving around the city. We had a team serve in downtown Lynch working alongside Freedom Center Ministries. They spent the day passing out shoes and coats to those in need. They took time to pray with each person that came up today.
We had two teams serve at Maridzo Ministries farm. One team cleaned and maintained the horse stables and learned how to lasso. The other team finished roofing a small building that will be used in youth and teen outreach around the area.
One team served at the local elementary schools and handed out backpacks filled with food and school supplies.
Another team worked at Fish and Loaves ministry organizing and preparing food to be handed out later this month.
The final took on a personal job at a local families house. They took the time to build a handicap ramp for a disabled child.
I got the wonderful opportunities to see each of these ministries in action as I traveled around and took pictures. Each time I held the lens up to my face, tears filled my eyes as I saw the Body of Christ at work. it wasn't about one specific church or organization making a difference, but simply the Body working as it should-serving as the hands, the feet, and the voice of Christ. I watched as the love of Christ was poured out upon these people unconditionally and I watched as lives were changed.
The stories we have collected from our encounters today have forever changed our own lives and we hope that we will be able to share some of those stories with you soon. The sun continues to set and the clouds have finished their journey. As for us, greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.
David Pike
Community Life Church
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Arriving at Lynch Ky
We arrived at Benum,KY around 5:30. We viewed the muesum and learned some of the history about the rise and fall of this mining town. From there we continued on to Lynch, Ky to Solomon's Porch. This is were both teams will be staying. The Bethel East team and the Roanoke team. We all had a safe and fun 9 hour trip that only seemed like 5 hours. HaHa. We all hope to be able to spread God's love thuough work and testimony while we are here. Continue to pray for us that we will grow in faith in the lord and allow him to work through each of us. It is very beautiful here. Gary had a wonderful meal waiting for us. We will leave for our duties at 8:00a.m.. We are broken into 5 groups. Our theme for the weekend is "What's your story". So pray that our personal stories will touch someone and allow us to share what God has done for us in each of our lives.
Thanks for all your prayers,
Alabama Mission Team
Thanks for all your prayers,
Alabama Mission Team
Lynch, Ky Mission Trip Day 1
Well, we finally made it. After 8 hours of travel filled with packed vehicles and a few wrong turns, we are here. The ride was long and tiresome, but well worth it. Not only did I become closer with my fellow Christians, I began to understand a little bit more about myself; more about where I fit into the big picture-my portion of the story that God is writing.
As we traveled up the steep mountains and back down into the deep valleys, I was reminded of a similar trip I took almost 10 years ago with my youth group. We traveled to Bluefield, West Virginia. Another coal mine town similar to Lynch. In fact, it was almost a replica of the same thing I had experienced so long ago.
The roads up the mountains were lined with medium sized houses that had not been kept up in some time. The yards were unkept and many of the houses and buildings looked abandoned. My heart immediately stung with hurt for these people.
I couldn't help but notice how ironic it was that God was bringing me back to a similar place that I had once visited in my story and that I would be ministering to alot of the same demographics of people. It seems, I had become so worried about the starving children in Africa as of late, that I had forgotten about my own countrymen who had not experienced the love that comes from Christ.
Tonight after dinner, Lonnie, the owner of the place that we are staying, spoke to us about his story and how fully relying on God and realizing that nothing he had done or accomplished was his to boast about anyway-that everything came from God. The words he spoke hit home with what my own heart had been telling me. It had been crying out to express the same things- that nothing else matters except fully relying on Christ for your every need and that He wants to pour out His gifts and blessings onto each of us, if we will just trust Him.
David Pike
Community Life Church
As we traveled up the steep mountains and back down into the deep valleys, I was reminded of a similar trip I took almost 10 years ago with my youth group. We traveled to Bluefield, West Virginia. Another coal mine town similar to Lynch. In fact, it was almost a replica of the same thing I had experienced so long ago.
The roads up the mountains were lined with medium sized houses that had not been kept up in some time. The yards were unkept and many of the houses and buildings looked abandoned. My heart immediately stung with hurt for these people.
I couldn't help but notice how ironic it was that God was bringing me back to a similar place that I had once visited in my story and that I would be ministering to alot of the same demographics of people. It seems, I had become so worried about the starving children in Africa as of late, that I had forgotten about my own countrymen who had not experienced the love that comes from Christ.
Tonight after dinner, Lonnie, the owner of the place that we are staying, spoke to us about his story and how fully relying on God and realizing that nothing he had done or accomplished was his to boast about anyway-that everything came from God. The words he spoke hit home with what my own heart had been telling me. It had been crying out to express the same things- that nothing else matters except fully relying on Christ for your every need and that He wants to pour out His gifts and blessings onto each of us, if we will just trust Him.
David Pike
Community Life Church
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Returning Home from Honduras
Saturday July 4, 2009
What an eventful day this has been!! We left Orphanage Emmanuel this morning at 6:00AM local time in order to try to get to the airport early and hopefully avoid any political demonstrations. About halfway throught the 2 hour drive, we encountered a roadblock and were stopped by the Honduran military. All the men were ordered off the bus and made to line up facing the bus and with our backs to the soldiers, presumably so that we could be searched for any weapons. Tito, our bus driver, explained to the men that we were Christians from America. After a few minutes, they decided that we posed no threat and allowed us to return to the bus. No harm done - these young men were just doing their job in a very difficult time for their country.
We made it to the airport, got checked in, and went to the food court to have lunch. Everything was going according to plan. The Alabama team was to depart at 12:15 and our North Carolina team along with Kevin Neely was to leave on the 2:20 flight. The Alabama team left as scheduled, but at about 1:00 pm those of us assigned to the second flight were told that the airport was closing and there would be no more flights out today. That turned out not to be true, but for a while there we were unsure exactly what was going to happen. What we later learned was that the situation outside was growing more serious and the military was about to take control of the airport. American Airlines rushed everyone onto the plane and we left about 45 minutes early, on what we understand was the last flight out.
It has been a week of fun and hard work, of good food and fellowship, and a total dependence on God to handle a situation over which we had no control. So now we are home in the relative safety of the United States, with a freedom that we often take for granted. We need to remember to pray for the Honduran people, as these folks have a great love for their country just as we do for ours. All of those I talked with are deeply saddened by what is happening in their country right now.
As for those of us on the mission teams, we must now struggle with returning to our "normal" lives, whatever that might mean. We will never be the same after this week - the Holy Spirit has taught us things we could not have learned in any other circumstance. Although our teams had never met before last Sunday, June 28, we have come together as brothers and sisters in Christ, something that just doesn't happen apart from God's work in our hearts and lives.
I think I can speak for the team in saying how much we appreciate Gary Clark. His faithfulness to God's call and his love for the people of Honduras is evident. It has been a joy to work with you again this year, brother!
And now, "Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy!" (Psalm 67:3-4) May His Name be praised for ever and ever and ever!
Tim Kerley
Mountain View Baptist
What an eventful day this has been!! We left Orphanage Emmanuel this morning at 6:00AM local time in order to try to get to the airport early and hopefully avoid any political demonstrations. About halfway throught the 2 hour drive, we encountered a roadblock and were stopped by the Honduran military. All the men were ordered off the bus and made to line up facing the bus and with our backs to the soldiers, presumably so that we could be searched for any weapons. Tito, our bus driver, explained to the men that we were Christians from America. After a few minutes, they decided that we posed no threat and allowed us to return to the bus. No harm done - these young men were just doing their job in a very difficult time for their country.
We made it to the airport, got checked in, and went to the food court to have lunch. Everything was going according to plan. The Alabama team was to depart at 12:15 and our North Carolina team along with Kevin Neely was to leave on the 2:20 flight. The Alabama team left as scheduled, but at about 1:00 pm those of us assigned to the second flight were told that the airport was closing and there would be no more flights out today. That turned out not to be true, but for a while there we were unsure exactly what was going to happen. What we later learned was that the situation outside was growing more serious and the military was about to take control of the airport. American Airlines rushed everyone onto the plane and we left about 45 minutes early, on what we understand was the last flight out.
It has been a week of fun and hard work, of good food and fellowship, and a total dependence on God to handle a situation over which we had no control. So now we are home in the relative safety of the United States, with a freedom that we often take for granted. We need to remember to pray for the Honduran people, as these folks have a great love for their country just as we do for ours. All of those I talked with are deeply saddened by what is happening in their country right now.
As for those of us on the mission teams, we must now struggle with returning to our "normal" lives, whatever that might mean. We will never be the same after this week - the Holy Spirit has taught us things we could not have learned in any other circumstance. Although our teams had never met before last Sunday, June 28, we have come together as brothers and sisters in Christ, something that just doesn't happen apart from God's work in our hearts and lives.
I think I can speak for the team in saying how much we appreciate Gary Clark. His faithfulness to God's call and his love for the people of Honduras is evident. It has been a joy to work with you again this year, brother!
And now, "Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy!" (Psalm 67:3-4) May His Name be praised for ever and ever and ever!
Tim Kerley
Mountain View Baptist
Honduras Day 6
Friday July 3, 2009
Waking up this morning at 3:45 am was not as planned. One of our fellow team members forgot the time difference and so she decided to take a shower in the middle of the night. Continuing our day at the normal time, we painted, handed out stickers and shoes, and played with the kids. Before lunch we had a tour of the entire orphanage, and had a brief update on the history of each building and how it came about. We were told that Orphanage Emmanuel was founded in 1989 by David and Lydia Martinez who were led by God to raise orphan Honduran children and teach them the way they should go. All the kids have a story behind where they came from. Even though they have been in bad situations, God had a plan for them to come here. This is where we come in.
At the very beginning of our day, we all woke up and joined a circle that was really big. It consisted of every child who lives here and us. We worshiped the Lord by singing songs and listening to Pastor Tim Whaley. Afterwards we ate breakfast and broke up into our groups to minister to the kids one last time. Some went to the toddler house and showed their affection towards the youngsters, which was really needed. Others went to a building to paint columns. Although there were no painted bodies today, there was fun within the group. Anything we do for God, we should always rejoice in it. Everyone else went to see the children with special needs, except Hali, who decided to help with laundry. These special kids are very special so they were the children who had the hardest time letting go.
After our delicious lunch made by the older girls living here, we continued to do what God called us here to do. All the children were sad to see us say our goodbyes since we are leaving tomorrow. Some of the children cried and some of us cried too. It was a very sad time for us all. No one wanted to leave the children here so someone talked to us about sponsorship. Several of us want to sponsor a little kid that we had met while here. After this, we all got on the bus and headed to a local restaurant where we enjoyed fried chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and a dessert of ice cream.
When we returned we had a quick bible study and then headed off to pack the rest of our belongings. It has been a week of praise and fellowship. We have made friendships that will last a lifetime. All of the North Carolina team will return late Saturday night along with part of the Alabama team. The remaining will return Sunday. We have all enjoyed this week and would like to stay, and will most definitely return again.
Bethany, Cameran, & Terra
Mountain View Baptist
P.S. Please pray for our safe return to the United States.
Waking up this morning at 3:45 am was not as planned. One of our fellow team members forgot the time difference and so she decided to take a shower in the middle of the night. Continuing our day at the normal time, we painted, handed out stickers and shoes, and played with the kids. Before lunch we had a tour of the entire orphanage, and had a brief update on the history of each building and how it came about. We were told that Orphanage Emmanuel was founded in 1989 by David and Lydia Martinez who were led by God to raise orphan Honduran children and teach them the way they should go. All the kids have a story behind where they came from. Even though they have been in bad situations, God had a plan for them to come here. This is where we come in.
At the very beginning of our day, we all woke up and joined a circle that was really big. It consisted of every child who lives here and us. We worshiped the Lord by singing songs and listening to Pastor Tim Whaley. Afterwards we ate breakfast and broke up into our groups to minister to the kids one last time. Some went to the toddler house and showed their affection towards the youngsters, which was really needed. Others went to a building to paint columns. Although there were no painted bodies today, there was fun within the group. Anything we do for God, we should always rejoice in it. Everyone else went to see the children with special needs, except Hali, who decided to help with laundry. These special kids are very special so they were the children who had the hardest time letting go.
After our delicious lunch made by the older girls living here, we continued to do what God called us here to do. All the children were sad to see us say our goodbyes since we are leaving tomorrow. Some of the children cried and some of us cried too. It was a very sad time for us all. No one wanted to leave the children here so someone talked to us about sponsorship. Several of us want to sponsor a little kid that we had met while here. After this, we all got on the bus and headed to a local restaurant where we enjoyed fried chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and a dessert of ice cream.
When we returned we had a quick bible study and then headed off to pack the rest of our belongings. It has been a week of praise and fellowship. We have made friendships that will last a lifetime. All of the North Carolina team will return late Saturday night along with part of the Alabama team. The remaining will return Sunday. We have all enjoyed this week and would like to stay, and will most definitely return again.
Bethany, Cameran, & Terra
Mountain View Baptist
P.S. Please pray for our safe return to the United States.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Honduras Day 5
Today was another wonderful day at Orphanage Emmanuel. Some activities included painting one of the dining halls, finishing installing a fence, building a shelving system for holding bags of coffee to sell at their store, and playing with children. An additional experience for some was the necessary slaughter of quite a few chickens to help provide food. It was messy on the front end, but the fried chicken at supper was excellent! ;-)
A special treat tonight was having the founders of the Orphanage address the group. They gave complete detail of how God gave them a vision for this ministry, the initial sacrifice in leaving the security of their home, and the many steps of faith taken over the past 20+ years. It was such a humbling experience hearing how they trusted God so many times and He always answered above and beyond their expectations. I think all of us left challenged to follow God’s call regardless of the cost. Our experience here this week is a living testament to the important mission God had for this couple. They have laid up rewards in heaven, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be here and show the love of Christ to these children.
We cannot believe our week here is almost over. God has spoken to our group in different ways and taught us many things over the past few days. It is our prayer that what we have learned will continue to impact our lives upon our return.
Andy and Jenny Blevins
A special treat tonight was having the founders of the Orphanage address the group. They gave complete detail of how God gave them a vision for this ministry, the initial sacrifice in leaving the security of their home, and the many steps of faith taken over the past 20+ years. It was such a humbling experience hearing how they trusted God so many times and He always answered above and beyond their expectations. I think all of us left challenged to follow God’s call regardless of the cost. Our experience here this week is a living testament to the important mission God had for this couple. They have laid up rewards in heaven, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be here and show the love of Christ to these children.
We cannot believe our week here is almost over. God has spoken to our group in different ways and taught us many things over the past few days. It is our prayer that what we have learned will continue to impact our lives upon our return.
Andy and Jenny Blevins
Learning to be a Servant
Today was a beautiful day in Guaimaca. As the alarm sounded at 5:00 am we
made our way to our first cup of coffee. We then joined the children in
several locations throughout the orphanage for "Morning Circle". This
time was quite special as the boys and girls listened to the Word of God
and praised Him for the blessings of life. The staff which leads Circle
gives the guest and residents the opportunity to share what God may have
laid on their heart during the night or even first thing in the morning.
As the circle disbanded, we headed for a nutritious breakfast of pancakes
and cereal. Gary then handed out assignments giving everyone a choice to
use their talents where they feel comfortable. Some of the ministry
opportunities included building fences, scooping cattle poop, working
with special needs children and painting. While I would love to share the
experiences of others, I, unfortunately, was assigned to painting. Now
for those of you who know me, I am NO painter. However, God would not
allow me to abandon this opportunity because He knew I dreaded it so
much. I will end with the spiritual lesson learned at the end of this
journal entry.
Following our assignments, I tried desperately to waste as much time as
possible uploading all the blogs and forwarding my personal journal entry
to Karen. This, of course, did not last long and I made my way to the
first of three painting assignments for the day. With a heart filled with
great disdain, I found myself sitting on the hot cement floor painting a
wall that, in my opinion, could have gone at least one more year before
repainting. As I said yesterday, this place is kept in such excellence
that I was ashamed for even thinking such a thought. I had just sat down
and one of my co-laborers asked Hali if she had initiated me. With great
fear and trembling I somehow knew what was about to happen. Hali made her
way to me with a roller filled with paint and preceded to paint my right
leg a beautiful sea green color. Realizing I had no other option but to
accept my initiation into the club, I laughed and continued painting my
assigned section. It was then that God began to reveal to me that my
hatred of painting had nothing to do with the work as much as it did with
my vanity. Painting can be a very NASTY job. I knew going into the
situation that painters always go home with as much paint on them as they
had used and this was about to be me.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "in for a penny in for a pound"? We
finished our first painting project and began cleaning our brushes for
the next job. It dawned on me that this would be a great opportunity to
take revenge on Hali. Knowing that this was going to open a proverbial
can of worms, I took the paint brush and watered down paint bucket and
slung it on my already NASTY co-laborers. While most escaped, Hali, of
course, was my main target. She then found me with my back to her and she
painted my head with a full brush of the same paint she painted my leg.
It does not take much smarts to know what happened next. Most everyone on
the team joined in and all was covered with paint spattering. What fun we
had and what a great lesson God taught me about being willing to do
whatever was needed even if it was something we despise.
Our second project was painting the bakery. This is a building that was
built to help teach the girls how to bake while at the same time
supplying baked goods for the orphanage. While we were not sure if we
would finish before lunch, the crew set out to accomplish the second
project and we did indeed finish as the dinner bell rang. Yes, we went to
lunch looking worse than any “neglected” orphan you could imagine. It
began with the looks, then the stares and finally the hearty guffaws and
jokes but our team held our heads up high and ate lunch taking great
pride in our accomplishments.
Although I begged Gary to "need" me with coffee distribution, I knew that
the lesson God was teaching was not over. So, with paintbrush in hand and
only half our crew we began our final painting project for the day. Two
of the men, Tim Kerley and Andy Blevins from the North Carolina team were
given the task of mixing paint for the cook house which was our next
project. They did an excellent job. We began painting and had two-thirds
of the outside of the building complete when Cyndal Maddox noticed a
bluish tint in what she had painted. OOPS! Because of the fun we had
earlier, we had failed to wash completely the roller she was using and
the blue paint began to fade into the cream color mixture used by
everyone else. As we paused to determine our next course of action we
could do nothing but laugh and repaint. While we were trying to be
excellent in what we were doing, our resources are limited and we had
to do what we could do. We mixed once again some more paint and got it as
close as we could to our original color. It looks great, but don't look
too closely. We painted for at least three hours until we were asked to
exit while the staff prepared to feed the children.
Heading immediately for the showers, it took me thirty minutes to wash
the dry paint out of my hair while all the time thinking murderous
thoughts toward a sixteen year old. (just kidding D.Ann). I think I now
have a bald spot on the top of my head from the hair lost in washing it
at least four times. Once out of the shower we readied ourselves for the
mid-week worship service in the chapel. Each of the mission teams on
campus along with more than two hundred of the students gathered for an
awesome time of worship, teaching, and praying. This time was incredible
as we listened to both English and Spanish speaking children of God raise
their voices singing How Great is Our God. I have chills running all
over my body even as I think of the beauty of such praise. There could be
no better way to end our day of service to Jesus.
Following dinner we moved to another room for a time to wrap up and
share what God had done in our lives during the day. What I shared was
the spiritual lesson I wanted to pass on to you as I mentioned earlier.
As Christians we can say that we love God and desire to be His servants
but unless we are willing to do even the things we despise or hold in
great disdain, we are not servants at all. We can go on mission trips,
give generously to our churches, love our spouses and children and even
sacrifice something important to serve God but unless we are completely
obedient to Him, we have accomplished nothing. God wants to take us out
of what we are comfortable with and place us in situations where we must
trust Him and be ready to learn whatever He wants to teach.
Steve Dean
made our way to our first cup of coffee. We then joined the children in
several locations throughout the orphanage for "Morning Circle". This
time was quite special as the boys and girls listened to the Word of God
and praised Him for the blessings of life. The staff which leads Circle
gives the guest and residents the opportunity to share what God may have
laid on their heart during the night or even first thing in the morning.
As the circle disbanded, we headed for a nutritious breakfast of pancakes
and cereal. Gary then handed out assignments giving everyone a choice to
use their talents where they feel comfortable. Some of the ministry
opportunities included building fences, scooping cattle poop, working
with special needs children and painting. While I would love to share the
experiences of others, I, unfortunately, was assigned to painting. Now
for those of you who know me, I am NO painter. However, God would not
allow me to abandon this opportunity because He knew I dreaded it so
much. I will end with the spiritual lesson learned at the end of this
journal entry.
Following our assignments, I tried desperately to waste as much time as
possible uploading all the blogs and forwarding my personal journal entry
to Karen. This, of course, did not last long and I made my way to the
first of three painting assignments for the day. With a heart filled with
great disdain, I found myself sitting on the hot cement floor painting a
wall that, in my opinion, could have gone at least one more year before
repainting. As I said yesterday, this place is kept in such excellence
that I was ashamed for even thinking such a thought. I had just sat down
and one of my co-laborers asked Hali if she had initiated me. With great
fear and trembling I somehow knew what was about to happen. Hali made her
way to me with a roller filled with paint and preceded to paint my right
leg a beautiful sea green color. Realizing I had no other option but to
accept my initiation into the club, I laughed and continued painting my
assigned section. It was then that God began to reveal to me that my
hatred of painting had nothing to do with the work as much as it did with
my vanity. Painting can be a very NASTY job. I knew going into the
situation that painters always go home with as much paint on them as they
had used and this was about to be me.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "in for a penny in for a pound"? We
finished our first painting project and began cleaning our brushes for
the next job. It dawned on me that this would be a great opportunity to
take revenge on Hali. Knowing that this was going to open a proverbial
can of worms, I took the paint brush and watered down paint bucket and
slung it on my already NASTY co-laborers. While most escaped, Hali, of
course, was my main target. She then found me with my back to her and she
painted my head with a full brush of the same paint she painted my leg.
It does not take much smarts to know what happened next. Most everyone on
the team joined in and all was covered with paint spattering. What fun we
had and what a great lesson God taught me about being willing to do
whatever was needed even if it was something we despise.
Our second project was painting the bakery. This is a building that was
built to help teach the girls how to bake while at the same time
supplying baked goods for the orphanage. While we were not sure if we
would finish before lunch, the crew set out to accomplish the second
project and we did indeed finish as the dinner bell rang. Yes, we went to
lunch looking worse than any “neglected” orphan you could imagine. It
began with the looks, then the stares and finally the hearty guffaws and
jokes but our team held our heads up high and ate lunch taking great
pride in our accomplishments.
Although I begged Gary to "need" me with coffee distribution, I knew that
the lesson God was teaching was not over. So, with paintbrush in hand and
only half our crew we began our final painting project for the day. Two
of the men, Tim Kerley and Andy Blevins from the North Carolina team were
given the task of mixing paint for the cook house which was our next
project. They did an excellent job. We began painting and had two-thirds
of the outside of the building complete when Cyndal Maddox noticed a
bluish tint in what she had painted. OOPS! Because of the fun we had
earlier, we had failed to wash completely the roller she was using and
the blue paint began to fade into the cream color mixture used by
everyone else. As we paused to determine our next course of action we
could do nothing but laugh and repaint. While we were trying to be
excellent in what we were doing, our resources are limited and we had
to do what we could do. We mixed once again some more paint and got it as
close as we could to our original color. It looks great, but don't look
too closely. We painted for at least three hours until we were asked to
exit while the staff prepared to feed the children.
Heading immediately for the showers, it took me thirty minutes to wash
the dry paint out of my hair while all the time thinking murderous
thoughts toward a sixteen year old. (just kidding D.Ann). I think I now
have a bald spot on the top of my head from the hair lost in washing it
at least four times. Once out of the shower we readied ourselves for the
mid-week worship service in the chapel. Each of the mission teams on
campus along with more than two hundred of the students gathered for an
awesome time of worship, teaching, and praying. This time was incredible
as we listened to both English and Spanish speaking children of God raise
their voices singing How Great is Our God. I have chills running all
over my body even as I think of the beauty of such praise. There could be
no better way to end our day of service to Jesus.
Following dinner we moved to another room for a time to wrap up and
share what God had done in our lives during the day. What I shared was
the spiritual lesson I wanted to pass on to you as I mentioned earlier.
As Christians we can say that we love God and desire to be His servants
but unless we are willing to do even the things we despise or hold in
great disdain, we are not servants at all. We can go on mission trips,
give generously to our churches, love our spouses and children and even
sacrifice something important to serve God but unless we are completely
obedient to Him, we have accomplished nothing. God wants to take us out
of what we are comfortable with and place us in situations where we must
trust Him and be ready to learn whatever He wants to teach.
Steve Dean
Honduras Day 4
Hey everybody,
It is so beautiful here!!! God has really shown all of us so much, like that we can trust Him, and we should be faithful to him. This morning we all had a great time at circle, circle is in the morning. This is the kids devotional and worship time. Michelle, Tim, Julie, Cameron, Courtney, myself, and others went to the older girl circle. The rest of the team went to either, younger girls, older boys, or younger boys circles. Personally I have had a great time here at Emmanuel. The service at church tonight was so amazing, first we would sing in English and then move into a song in Spanish. The kids here are so awesome to be around! I thought that I would lean more towards the younger children, but surprisingly we have made eight new friends between the ages of 14 to 18. The best part for us was that we have sponsored a girl for 8 years now and we finally got to meet her, she sat with us in the service and then we prayed for her at the altar. We told her how special she was to our family and that really made her feel so good. She cried!!!! This will be a trip for us to remember since it is mine and my mom’s first mission trip and we get to do together. Please be praying for us as will be trying to come home on Saturday. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.
In Christ Jesus,
Ashley and Michelle Rafferty
P.S. Sarah, Maggie, and Susu we are doing great and can not wait to see you. Love you all bunches. See you soon!!!
It is so beautiful here!!! God has really shown all of us so much, like that we can trust Him, and we should be faithful to him. This morning we all had a great time at circle, circle is in the morning. This is the kids devotional and worship time. Michelle, Tim, Julie, Cameron, Courtney, myself, and others went to the older girl circle. The rest of the team went to either, younger girls, older boys, or younger boys circles. Personally I have had a great time here at Emmanuel. The service at church tonight was so amazing, first we would sing in English and then move into a song in Spanish. The kids here are so awesome to be around! I thought that I would lean more towards the younger children, but surprisingly we have made eight new friends between the ages of 14 to 18. The best part for us was that we have sponsored a girl for 8 years now and we finally got to meet her, she sat with us in the service and then we prayed for her at the altar. We told her how special she was to our family and that really made her feel so good. She cried!!!! This will be a trip for us to remember since it is mine and my mom’s first mission trip and we get to do together. Please be praying for us as will be trying to come home on Saturday. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.
In Christ Jesus,
Ashley and Michelle Rafferty
P.S. Sarah, Maggie, and Susu we are doing great and can not wait to see you. Love you all bunches. See you soon!!!
Seeing with a Different Perspective
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
As I sit here in the courtyard of the orphanage in hills in the middle of a Third World Country to reflect on the day that was, I can’t help but consider this verse.
Today was a great day. We awoke around 6 AM to make it to Circle. Jessie and I went with the group of older boys. Knowing the foundation of their day is the Word and sharing and worship really encouraged me. These children are getting the structure children, and even adults, so crave.
After Circle, we ate breakfast and broke into our work groups. Jessie went to build and repair barbed-wire fences. I went to paint the soccer court. It was a great day to be painting. The weather was perfect and the fellowship was nice as none of us complained and did the work needed as joyfully as possible. And we all managed to get painted almost as much as the wall in the process.
We had lunch and then I went to the Toddler House and enjoyed my time with Jose and Natalia and Oscar and Luis and Luisito and Yency and several others. My goal for the week is the learn all of their names. I have a ways to go. But they are all wonderful children and a great blessing to be around and love on, so I look forward to the challenge.
Once I got back from the House, I helped label the first batch of Emmanuel Café which is coffee to be sold as a business venture to help support the Orphanage. I feel privileged to be in on the ground floor of it.
Then off to the Wednesday worship service. It was quite a blessing being a part of the bilingual service. Singing songs in Spanish, although we had no clue of the meanings of those words, was great because I knew God honored it and blessed our worship together.
Being here and being apart of something so much greater than me is awe inspiring. I am so thankful God choose me to be in on these blessings. I know He is using this to increase my faith and trust in Him in order that, by His grace, He can conform me into His image and shifting gaze upward.
On the flight in, my thought was the higher we got, the smaller the world looked. As my gaze has shifted higher and moved toward God throughout this week, the “stuff” here means less and less.
Keith Jones
Grace Fellowship Community Church
As I sit here in the courtyard of the orphanage in hills in the middle of a Third World Country to reflect on the day that was, I can’t help but consider this verse.
Today was a great day. We awoke around 6 AM to make it to Circle. Jessie and I went with the group of older boys. Knowing the foundation of their day is the Word and sharing and worship really encouraged me. These children are getting the structure children, and even adults, so crave.
After Circle, we ate breakfast and broke into our work groups. Jessie went to build and repair barbed-wire fences. I went to paint the soccer court. It was a great day to be painting. The weather was perfect and the fellowship was nice as none of us complained and did the work needed as joyfully as possible. And we all managed to get painted almost as much as the wall in the process.
We had lunch and then I went to the Toddler House and enjoyed my time with Jose and Natalia and Oscar and Luis and Luisito and Yency and several others. My goal for the week is the learn all of their names. I have a ways to go. But they are all wonderful children and a great blessing to be around and love on, so I look forward to the challenge.
Once I got back from the House, I helped label the first batch of Emmanuel Café which is coffee to be sold as a business venture to help support the Orphanage. I feel privileged to be in on the ground floor of it.
Then off to the Wednesday worship service. It was quite a blessing being a part of the bilingual service. Singing songs in Spanish, although we had no clue of the meanings of those words, was great because I knew God honored it and blessed our worship together.
Being here and being apart of something so much greater than me is awe inspiring. I am so thankful God choose me to be in on these blessings. I know He is using this to increase my faith and trust in Him in order that, by His grace, He can conform me into His image and shifting gaze upward.
On the flight in, my thought was the higher we got, the smaller the world looked. As my gaze has shifted higher and moved toward God throughout this week, the “stuff” here means less and less.
Keith Jones
Grace Fellowship Community Church
Fruitful week in Uganda
It's Thursday afternoon in Kampala. It's been an unbelievably productive and revealing week, but Harold and Tripp and I are dragging a bit. Our minds are in pure overload. I'm not sure we can absorb anything else as we get ready to come home tomorrow night.
We've visited with at least a dozen ministry sites this week, with numerous in-depth, multi-hour, intensive conversations at several sites. We've met with attorneys and CEOs and pastors and house parents and children who were raised in villages for orphans. We've looked at land and talked to land agents. We collected several pounds of business cards. We've asked hundreds of questions. We've heard dozens of stories, both encouraging and cautionary. We've met some wonderful people in the sites we had planned to visit, and have been referred to other wonderful people along the way. We've also met some people that clearly would not mesh with FCM's calling. God has opened and closed many doors for us throughout the week. We decided earlier today that we have seen and heard more in one week than we ever could have imagined on "Africa time".
Oh, and we found a really, really good Mexican restaurant last night. Imagine this...a woman named Yam, from New York City, owns and runs a first-class Tex-Mex restaurant in the middle of Kampala, Uganda. Go figure. Also, go and eat there if you are ever in Kampala. I think the name was Lotus Mexicana. They even had real sweet tea! I'm pretty sure we'll all drink sweet tea at the banquet tables in heaven.
They say variety is the spice of life - and if this is true, then our Mexican meal last night was a good description of our week. We've seen an extremely broad spectrum of ministries.
At one end of the spectrum we met a couple (from the U.S.) who pours their lives into 10 Ugandan children, being their literal "for life" adoptive parents. They do this in the most beautiful home and gardens I've ever seen on 4 acres of land on top of a hill overlooking Lake Victoria. They raise these children to know that they belong to their true Father, and that their earthly parents are merely a reflection of the One who loves them perfectly. They also have adopted children they raised from Ukraine, as well as their own biological children, who are all helping to raise these Ugandan children in one of the most unique family environments I've ever seen. Their calling is to invest their entire lives into a small number of children who will grow up to be kingdom children, not Ugandans or Americans. This ministry, called The Father's House, is the deepest practical and spiritual investment imaginable in a very small group of kids.
On the other end of the spectrum we saw a ministry that cares for and educates 515 orphans on about 100 acres of rocky land outside Kampala. This ministry has built dormitories for the kids, with 515 kids in three cramped dorms - with kids sleeping on triple-decker bunk beds. These kids are loved and educated and given clothing and a dry place to sleep every night, but they have no electriciy, and they only eat beans and corn mash every day for every meal. The ministry struggles to afford even water for this large number of kids.
In between those two extremes we saw many others, including Watoto (which we talked about in the first blog entry). We had a chance to meet with their CEO yesterday and ask questions for over an hour. He answered every question, and has offered to provide anything we need, including blueprints for their buildings and their training materials. It was obvious that they were not territorial or possessive or controlling of the ministry, although their standards were very high at the three Watoto ministry sites we visited. At this time it seems that our hearts are being pulled somewhere between Watoto and The Father's House.
We met for lunch with a group of young people today who were leading a ministry founded by a 19 year old American girl 6 years ago. She's 25 today and still leading the ministry. She shared very candidly their journey of learning hard lessons and provided some of the clearest insight for us in how to walk alongside the Ugandan people in a way that was mutually beneficial to both us and them. They were so helpful and had an amazing amount of God-given wisdom for people their age. In her story I had a glimpse of the unwavering heart for God and people that I pray develops in my own daugthers (I have three, 7 year and under), but I can only imagine how hard it was for her parents to hear their 19 year old daughter come home from her first trip to Africa and say, "God has called me to pour my life into Uganda...".
We also met with legal counsel and learned that it will take at least six months to set up the non-profit in Uganda, which is necessary before land can be purchased. That's probably a good thing, since there are many things to pray about and research and consider before purchasing and developing a property. Good property is not cheap or plentiful here. The properties we saw today strongly reinforced this truth: God will have to lead us to the right place at the right time. And He will.
The visit also reinforced that there will need to be a lot of American presence as the children's village is built and begun. Perhaps some of you who are reading this blog will have the privilege of one day sharing in the adventure of being part of a ministry team that rotates into Africa to help facilitate care for these helpless children.
The needs here are endless, about the size of the ocean. Even our best life-long efforts will only be a drop in the bucket. But consider this. In God's eternal view (the only one that really matters), every drop is precious. Every child is precious...even the littlest things matter, if they flow from His Life. "Even a cup of cold water given to a child" matters.... We may not see it that way naturally, but ask the Lord to show us what He sees. If we learn to see with the eyes of a heart that is intimately connected to Him, then we begin to see a completely different reality. A world where large and loud and impressive are sometimes much less valuable than quiet hugs or a simple cup of cold water given in His name to one child. Or five or fifty children hugged and given water every day until they are adults.
The only work that matters is the work that flows from the Spirit of God. Everything else, no matter how impressive, is wood, hay and stubble in God's eyes. Right?
When God is the source of our life and ministry, then what we do is eternally valuable - no matter how large or how small it looks to us. We are realizing that whether we care for 20 or 100 or 2500 kids is not the question before us. The question is, "What does the Father want? What is He inviting us to join Him in doing?" And we can only know the answer to that as we know and listen to Him. So we are wanting to trust Him to show us His direction for this village - all of us who He has given a desire to be part of this. And we are more clear than ever that this village will have to happen in His time, and in His way.
Do you know what that truth does? It lets us rest in Him. It relieves us of the pressure of figuring it all out.
I was a paratrooper in the Army many years ago. When we would get in the plane we always had a jumpmaster who was in charge. He would pay attention to what was ahead and know exactly when it was time for us to jump. As soldiers with parachutes inside the plane we had no idea where we were, or what was below us. We would train and prepare and work hard to get ready for our mission, and once on the plane we would sometimes fly for hours. Then when it was near time to jump we would line up and hook up and move toward the door. The door would open and then we would...continue to wait. Our eyes and ears were only on the jumpmaster as we waited to go. If we jumped on our own time, early or late, we would not land in the target zone, and might instead land in a lake or a highway or worse. We would also miss fulfilling the mission for which we had prepared.
When, finally, we were over the jump zone the jumpmaster would yell "Go" and the lights above the door would turn from red to green - and we would go piling out the door, jumping out into the pitch black night, totally dependent on the jump master to get us over the right landing zone. We literally had no idea where we were or how to get there. All we did was jump when it was time, and then take care not to land on a fence or in a tree.
I think that's a glimpse of where we are in this journey towards a children's village in which God will rescue and nurture and heal helpless, precious little children who presently live without hope. We're in the plane, ready and willing to jump, but we don't yet know where or when. Only God knows, so we're going to keep our eyes and ears on Him as we continue to wait and to work on the little things.
When He finally says "Jump!" then we'll know it's time to begin this work. And just like jumping from the plane it will be simultaneously exciting and scary for those involved...and only He knows where we will land...and we will have no choice but to trust Him in that, just like I had to trust the jumpmaster.
If you are one of Abba's children, I hope you know that He is so pleased and delighted with you today. Yes, there are changes He wants to bring about in you. Yes, there are places He still wants to touch and heal within you. Yes, there are thorns and struggles and sin patterns that He wants to use as opportunities for freedom and victory in your life. Yes, there are hurtful, sinful things you do or think or say along the way that He doesn't like. But He likes you. No, really. He does! Today you are exactly where He knew you would be in your journey, and you are totally acceptable to Him today. You were totally acceptable the moment Christ covered you with His blood and filled you with His life. You don't have to hide from Him, or work frantically to be acceptable to Him. Rest in His love, and ask Him to continue to open your heart to living in the realities of the truth and grace and freedom we have already been given in Christ. That's the abundant life He desires for all of us, and offers to each one of us. You are so loved by the perfect Father. Rest in that today.
Grace and peace to you,
Allen
We've visited with at least a dozen ministry sites this week, with numerous in-depth, multi-hour, intensive conversations at several sites. We've met with attorneys and CEOs and pastors and house parents and children who were raised in villages for orphans. We've looked at land and talked to land agents. We collected several pounds of business cards. We've asked hundreds of questions. We've heard dozens of stories, both encouraging and cautionary. We've met some wonderful people in the sites we had planned to visit, and have been referred to other wonderful people along the way. We've also met some people that clearly would not mesh with FCM's calling. God has opened and closed many doors for us throughout the week. We decided earlier today that we have seen and heard more in one week than we ever could have imagined on "Africa time".
Oh, and we found a really, really good Mexican restaurant last night. Imagine this...a woman named Yam, from New York City, owns and runs a first-class Tex-Mex restaurant in the middle of Kampala, Uganda. Go figure. Also, go and eat there if you are ever in Kampala. I think the name was Lotus Mexicana. They even had real sweet tea! I'm pretty sure we'll all drink sweet tea at the banquet tables in heaven.
They say variety is the spice of life - and if this is true, then our Mexican meal last night was a good description of our week. We've seen an extremely broad spectrum of ministries.
At one end of the spectrum we met a couple (from the U.S.) who pours their lives into 10 Ugandan children, being their literal "for life" adoptive parents. They do this in the most beautiful home and gardens I've ever seen on 4 acres of land on top of a hill overlooking Lake Victoria. They raise these children to know that they belong to their true Father, and that their earthly parents are merely a reflection of the One who loves them perfectly. They also have adopted children they raised from Ukraine, as well as their own biological children, who are all helping to raise these Ugandan children in one of the most unique family environments I've ever seen. Their calling is to invest their entire lives into a small number of children who will grow up to be kingdom children, not Ugandans or Americans. This ministry, called The Father's House, is the deepest practical and spiritual investment imaginable in a very small group of kids.
On the other end of the spectrum we saw a ministry that cares for and educates 515 orphans on about 100 acres of rocky land outside Kampala. This ministry has built dormitories for the kids, with 515 kids in three cramped dorms - with kids sleeping on triple-decker bunk beds. These kids are loved and educated and given clothing and a dry place to sleep every night, but they have no electriciy, and they only eat beans and corn mash every day for every meal. The ministry struggles to afford even water for this large number of kids.
In between those two extremes we saw many others, including Watoto (which we talked about in the first blog entry). We had a chance to meet with their CEO yesterday and ask questions for over an hour. He answered every question, and has offered to provide anything we need, including blueprints for their buildings and their training materials. It was obvious that they were not territorial or possessive or controlling of the ministry, although their standards were very high at the three Watoto ministry sites we visited. At this time it seems that our hearts are being pulled somewhere between Watoto and The Father's House.
We met for lunch with a group of young people today who were leading a ministry founded by a 19 year old American girl 6 years ago. She's 25 today and still leading the ministry. She shared very candidly their journey of learning hard lessons and provided some of the clearest insight for us in how to walk alongside the Ugandan people in a way that was mutually beneficial to both us and them. They were so helpful and had an amazing amount of God-given wisdom for people their age. In her story I had a glimpse of the unwavering heart for God and people that I pray develops in my own daugthers (I have three, 7 year and under), but I can only imagine how hard it was for her parents to hear their 19 year old daughter come home from her first trip to Africa and say, "God has called me to pour my life into Uganda...".
We also met with legal counsel and learned that it will take at least six months to set up the non-profit in Uganda, which is necessary before land can be purchased. That's probably a good thing, since there are many things to pray about and research and consider before purchasing and developing a property. Good property is not cheap or plentiful here. The properties we saw today strongly reinforced this truth: God will have to lead us to the right place at the right time. And He will.
The visit also reinforced that there will need to be a lot of American presence as the children's village is built and begun. Perhaps some of you who are reading this blog will have the privilege of one day sharing in the adventure of being part of a ministry team that rotates into Africa to help facilitate care for these helpless children.
The needs here are endless, about the size of the ocean. Even our best life-long efforts will only be a drop in the bucket. But consider this. In God's eternal view (the only one that really matters), every drop is precious. Every child is precious...even the littlest things matter, if they flow from His Life. "Even a cup of cold water given to a child" matters.... We may not see it that way naturally, but ask the Lord to show us what He sees. If we learn to see with the eyes of a heart that is intimately connected to Him, then we begin to see a completely different reality. A world where large and loud and impressive are sometimes much less valuable than quiet hugs or a simple cup of cold water given in His name to one child. Or five or fifty children hugged and given water every day until they are adults.
The only work that matters is the work that flows from the Spirit of God. Everything else, no matter how impressive, is wood, hay and stubble in God's eyes. Right?
When God is the source of our life and ministry, then what we do is eternally valuable - no matter how large or how small it looks to us. We are realizing that whether we care for 20 or 100 or 2500 kids is not the question before us. The question is, "What does the Father want? What is He inviting us to join Him in doing?" And we can only know the answer to that as we know and listen to Him. So we are wanting to trust Him to show us His direction for this village - all of us who He has given a desire to be part of this. And we are more clear than ever that this village will have to happen in His time, and in His way.
Do you know what that truth does? It lets us rest in Him. It relieves us of the pressure of figuring it all out.
I was a paratrooper in the Army many years ago. When we would get in the plane we always had a jumpmaster who was in charge. He would pay attention to what was ahead and know exactly when it was time for us to jump. As soldiers with parachutes inside the plane we had no idea where we were, or what was below us. We would train and prepare and work hard to get ready for our mission, and once on the plane we would sometimes fly for hours. Then when it was near time to jump we would line up and hook up and move toward the door. The door would open and then we would...continue to wait. Our eyes and ears were only on the jumpmaster as we waited to go. If we jumped on our own time, early or late, we would not land in the target zone, and might instead land in a lake or a highway or worse. We would also miss fulfilling the mission for which we had prepared.
When, finally, we were over the jump zone the jumpmaster would yell "Go" and the lights above the door would turn from red to green - and we would go piling out the door, jumping out into the pitch black night, totally dependent on the jump master to get us over the right landing zone. We literally had no idea where we were or how to get there. All we did was jump when it was time, and then take care not to land on a fence or in a tree.
I think that's a glimpse of where we are in this journey towards a children's village in which God will rescue and nurture and heal helpless, precious little children who presently live without hope. We're in the plane, ready and willing to jump, but we don't yet know where or when. Only God knows, so we're going to keep our eyes and ears on Him as we continue to wait and to work on the little things.
When He finally says "Jump!" then we'll know it's time to begin this work. And just like jumping from the plane it will be simultaneously exciting and scary for those involved...and only He knows where we will land...and we will have no choice but to trust Him in that, just like I had to trust the jumpmaster.
If you are one of Abba's children, I hope you know that He is so pleased and delighted with you today. Yes, there are changes He wants to bring about in you. Yes, there are places He still wants to touch and heal within you. Yes, there are thorns and struggles and sin patterns that He wants to use as opportunities for freedom and victory in your life. Yes, there are hurtful, sinful things you do or think or say along the way that He doesn't like. But He likes you. No, really. He does! Today you are exactly where He knew you would be in your journey, and you are totally acceptable to Him today. You were totally acceptable the moment Christ covered you with His blood and filled you with His life. You don't have to hide from Him, or work frantically to be acceptable to Him. Rest in His love, and ask Him to continue to open your heart to living in the realities of the truth and grace and freedom we have already been given in Christ. That's the abundant life He desires for all of us, and offers to each one of us. You are so loved by the perfect Father. Rest in that today.
Grace and peace to you,
Allen
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Loving the Children of Orphanage Emmanuel
Let me begin by saying we have an incredible team! Everyone has been so
unified and ready to serve and work where needed. The tension within the
political realm continues to mount and yet our team presses on with one
goal in mind, to love the children of The Orphanage Emmanuel. We left
this morning at 6:15 local time and traveled three hours by bus to a
village called Guaymacia (wi maca). We entered a guarded compound which
was built as a safe respite for children who were abandoned or taken from
their homes due to abuse or neglect. To describe the beauty of this place
would make anyone think we were vacationing at a “high dollar” resort.
With over four hundred children to house, clothe and feed the spotless
campus speaks well to the control of only ten full-time staff members.
The beauty and excellence of this place can be attributed to many
churches throughout the states who have given time and resources. One
familiar church to those in Randolph County is First Baptist Opelika.
Although the beauty and excellence of this place is breath taking, the
needs are overwhelming to a small staff of people. One of the greatest
resources needed is people. I pray that God will give our church and
other churches the opportunity to help meet some of the needs here at The
Orphanage Emmanuel.
As I said earlier, we begin early this morning with a two hour bus ride
to our destination North of Tegucigalpa. When we arrived we were greeted
by some of the staff and given the opportunity to rest and fellowship
with each other because of the unexpected early arrival. While this time
seemed to be wasted, our team was given the opportunity to know one
another more closely.
Following lunch we walked to the "Toddler House" where we played with
children who ranged from two to four year olds. These children were
amazing. They desired to be held, touched, and played with and we could
not love them enough. What seemed to be only minutes of play with the
children was actually two hours. The Orphanage has a very strict schedule
and at 4:00 we were asked to exit so that the children could be fed and
readied for bed. The campus comes to a halt following dinner and all the
children are expected to be in their cabins soon after. This may seem
quite ridiculous to have children in bed by 6:00 pm but their day begins
as early as 4:00 am with chores followed by a worship time and Bible
reading at 6:30 which they call “Circle”. Following “Circle”, they eat
breakfast and attend school. Tomorrow will give us a better idea of what
a typical day holds for these children and I will tell you more about it
as we learn.
Now on to what I know most are waiting to hear. The political tension is
worsening in the major cities of Honduras. The president has vowed to
return to office on Thursday and the military has declared that he would
be arrested for crimes against the state as well as drug trafficking. The
latest news can be found at CNN.com. We are safe and feel confident that
God is going to see us through this time.
Because of the uncertainty of what might happen, Four Corners has chosen
to cut our trip short and evacuate us as soon as possible. Gary spent
more than two hours on the phone this afternoon rearranging our tickets
for a flight out of Honduras on Saturday. This was the only time that all
twenty-seven team members could fly to Miami together. While we will be
back in the states on Saturday, most of us will be spending the night in
Miami and leaving out Sunday for our return home. Please pray for the
people of Honduras as they begin a very trying and uncertain time in
their lives. We know that God will watch over us and cover us with His
mercy and grace. We do ask that you remember us and the work we must
complete here at The Orphanage Emmanuel.
Steve Dean
unified and ready to serve and work where needed. The tension within the
political realm continues to mount and yet our team presses on with one
goal in mind, to love the children of The Orphanage Emmanuel. We left
this morning at 6:15 local time and traveled three hours by bus to a
village called Guaymacia (wi maca). We entered a guarded compound which
was built as a safe respite for children who were abandoned or taken from
their homes due to abuse or neglect. To describe the beauty of this place
would make anyone think we were vacationing at a “high dollar” resort.
With over four hundred children to house, clothe and feed the spotless
campus speaks well to the control of only ten full-time staff members.
The beauty and excellence of this place can be attributed to many
churches throughout the states who have given time and resources. One
familiar church to those in Randolph County is First Baptist Opelika.
Although the beauty and excellence of this place is breath taking, the
needs are overwhelming to a small staff of people. One of the greatest
resources needed is people. I pray that God will give our church and
other churches the opportunity to help meet some of the needs here at The
Orphanage Emmanuel.
As I said earlier, we begin early this morning with a two hour bus ride
to our destination North of Tegucigalpa. When we arrived we were greeted
by some of the staff and given the opportunity to rest and fellowship
with each other because of the unexpected early arrival. While this time
seemed to be wasted, our team was given the opportunity to know one
another more closely.
Following lunch we walked to the "Toddler House" where we played with
children who ranged from two to four year olds. These children were
amazing. They desired to be held, touched, and played with and we could
not love them enough. What seemed to be only minutes of play with the
children was actually two hours. The Orphanage has a very strict schedule
and at 4:00 we were asked to exit so that the children could be fed and
readied for bed. The campus comes to a halt following dinner and all the
children are expected to be in their cabins soon after. This may seem
quite ridiculous to have children in bed by 6:00 pm but their day begins
as early as 4:00 am with chores followed by a worship time and Bible
reading at 6:30 which they call “Circle”. Following “Circle”, they eat
breakfast and attend school. Tomorrow will give us a better idea of what
a typical day holds for these children and I will tell you more about it
as we learn.
Now on to what I know most are waiting to hear. The political tension is
worsening in the major cities of Honduras. The president has vowed to
return to office on Thursday and the military has declared that he would
be arrested for crimes against the state as well as drug trafficking. The
latest news can be found at CNN.com. We are safe and feel confident that
God is going to see us through this time.
Because of the uncertainty of what might happen, Four Corners has chosen
to cut our trip short and evacuate us as soon as possible. Gary spent
more than two hours on the phone this afternoon rearranging our tickets
for a flight out of Honduras on Saturday. This was the only time that all
twenty-seven team members could fly to Miami together. While we will be
back in the states on Saturday, most of us will be spending the night in
Miami and leaving out Sunday for our return home. Please pray for the
people of Honduras as they begin a very trying and uncertain time in
their lives. We know that God will watch over us and cover us with His
mercy and grace. We do ask that you remember us and the work we must
complete here at The Orphanage Emmanuel.
Steve Dean
Honduras Day 3
June 30, 2009
Today started at 5:45 AM, Praise the Lamb!! We had breakfast at the hotel and then began our very lengthy bus ride to Orphanage Emmanuel. After 2 long hours we finally arrived. We were pleasantly surprised with our accommodations for the week as well as the orphanage itself. After settling in we got to visit the toddler house. How fun was that!! The children crawled on us, hugged on us, rode piggyback, and played Legos forever and ever. They longed for love and attention which we gave willingly. Though their physical needs seem to be met completely, we were glad to meet other needs as well.
Even though we are one day into our trip, God has revealed so much already. The orphanage is over 900 acres. It’s in a fairly unpopulated area with limited resources. We couldn’t help but think what we could do back at home with as many resources as we have available. We are so willing to help out here in as many ways possible on our “mission trip” but really how often are we that willing at home to meet the general needs within our families, friends, and community? It seems like there is so much more work we could be doing at home.
We have lots to do this week and we are still so very excited in spite of everything that has happened in the city. We have grown to know our teammates and enjoyed the fellowship tonight after dinner. We played some dodge ball, cards, even sweated together! J We know that God has us here for a purpose and it is evident that HE is in the center of this place and our work here. Keep praying for us and we love yall!
Goodnight,
The Bethel Gals
Today started at 5:45 AM, Praise the Lamb!! We had breakfast at the hotel and then began our very lengthy bus ride to Orphanage Emmanuel. After 2 long hours we finally arrived. We were pleasantly surprised with our accommodations for the week as well as the orphanage itself. After settling in we got to visit the toddler house. How fun was that!! The children crawled on us, hugged on us, rode piggyback, and played Legos forever and ever. They longed for love and attention which we gave willingly. Though their physical needs seem to be met completely, we were glad to meet other needs as well.
Even though we are one day into our trip, God has revealed so much already. The orphanage is over 900 acres. It’s in a fairly unpopulated area with limited resources. We couldn’t help but think what we could do back at home with as many resources as we have available. We are so willing to help out here in as many ways possible on our “mission trip” but really how often are we that willing at home to meet the general needs within our families, friends, and community? It seems like there is so much more work we could be doing at home.
We have lots to do this week and we are still so very excited in spite of everything that has happened in the city. We have grown to know our teammates and enjoyed the fellowship tonight after dinner. We played some dodge ball, cards, even sweated together! J We know that God has us here for a purpose and it is evident that HE is in the center of this place and our work here. Keep praying for us and we love yall!
Goodnight,
The Bethel Gals
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Team Ministers in San Matias Community
Our team was instructed to be ready to leave with all luggage this
morning at 8:00 a.m. in the event we were unable to return to
Tegucigalpa. While we have not experienced first hand any political
unrest, the climate is poised for any shift at any time. I must say that
the local police department has done and excellent job in being
pro-active in what could be a volatile situation. Because of the
pro-activity of the police department, they have issued a mandatory
travel document for all transport companies. Our bus driver, Tito, was an
hour late to pick us up because he was procuring the proper documents for
our travel to a village approximately ninety miles up the mountain and
into the woods. It was there that we spent the entire day ministering to
our new friends.
As we exited the bus it seemed as if we had been working together for
years. Everyone knew exactly what they were going to do and begin setting
up various ministry stations to love and care for these beautiful people.
Our Community LIFE crew went to work in several areas. Kenneth, Loretta,
Karen, and Hali helped take hundreds of pictures and print them
immediately for the children and adults to have. Kenneth commented in our
share time that he had never seen such huge smiles on the faces of
children over a simple photo. We do indeed take so much for granted. Most
of the children, with which we ministered to today, have never even seen
themselves in a mirror much less a photo. This was made obvious as they
began to fall back in line for another “shot” at a photo. Trey threw a
Frisbee and kicked a soccer ball until his hands were blistered and leg
muscles were frail from exhaustion. I, of course, roamed for a while but
found myself tying balloons into swords and animals. Before sculpting
balloons one must start by blowing them up. I was given this task because
they informed me I was a “big blow hard” and matched my skills with what
was needed. I eventually graduated to sculpting when I proved myself.
(O.K. so they just needed to take a lunch break) Needless to say, we all
had a terrific time sharing the love of Jesus with simple task as
pictures, balloons, and kicking a ball. Some of the other ministry teams
painted faces, taught a Bible school lesson and even fitted some of the
senior men and women with reading glasses.
We ended our time with our new friends by worshipping together in songs
of their native language and I was privileged to preach the message. I
and the interpreter shared the story of Zacheus with great animation and
the people responded by understanding God’s love for them through Jesus
who knew them by name. Several people prayed to receive Jesus as their
Lord and Savior and of course this was the greatest blessing and miracle
of all. Following the worship service, the local pastor proceeded to give
out food bags for each family in attendance. Our team assembled these
bags on Sunday night for the families and they were well received. Each
fifteen dollar bag of food would feed a family of five for at least one
week. I want to challenge our folks, when we return home, to adopt some
families in this village and help continue what was started this week.
There is no greater joy than to see that we have met not only a spiritual
need but a physical need in the lives of families around the world.
Gary, our fearless leader, had been in contact with the folks in
Tegucigalpa all during the day and informed us that we would be returning
to the Hotel Excelsior for the evening. At this point we were ready for a
hot shower and a warm meal. The peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
followed by a “hot” coke were good but not what our spoiled taste buds
were accustomed too. As we entered the city our bus driver was taking
what he thought to be the safest route back to our hotel. As we
approached one part of the city, we all noticed heavy black smoke and as
we turned the corner, a group of protestors had set tires on fire outside
the residence of the president. Tito, our bus driver, instructed us to
squat down and keep our faces covered so that the protestors who might be
anti-American would not be given the opportunity to express themselves
violently toward us. He immediately turned the bus around and we took a
much longer route back to what was going to be our final destination for
the evening.
The dinner plan for the evening was to enjoy the local Honduran cuisine
at a restaurant called “El Patio”. However, just before leaving for
dinner, the Concierge informed us that an evening curfew had been set and
no one was to be on the road after 6:00 p.m. Leaving everyone else at
the hotel, Gary, Tito and I traveled downtown to pick-up some “take out”
for the team. It was an eerie experience to travel downtown in no traffic
when just one hour before it was bumper to bumper. The only place we
found open was Quiznos that was just about to turn out the lights when we
entered. We ordered and immediately returned to the hotel where the team
was nourished once again.
Tomorrow we begin our day with a three to four hour journey to the
orphanage Immanuel. We will spend the remainder of our time here in
Honduras loving on the children and workers at their 900 acre ranch. From
what I have been told, the operation of this ranch is a sight to behold.
I wait with great expectation to see what God has for us to experience in
the following days.
Steve Dean
morning at 8:00 a.m. in the event we were unable to return to
Tegucigalpa. While we have not experienced first hand any political
unrest, the climate is poised for any shift at any time. I must say that
the local police department has done and excellent job in being
pro-active in what could be a volatile situation. Because of the
pro-activity of the police department, they have issued a mandatory
travel document for all transport companies. Our bus driver, Tito, was an
hour late to pick us up because he was procuring the proper documents for
our travel to a village approximately ninety miles up the mountain and
into the woods. It was there that we spent the entire day ministering to
our new friends.
As we exited the bus it seemed as if we had been working together for
years. Everyone knew exactly what they were going to do and begin setting
up various ministry stations to love and care for these beautiful people.
Our Community LIFE crew went to work in several areas. Kenneth, Loretta,
Karen, and Hali helped take hundreds of pictures and print them
immediately for the children and adults to have. Kenneth commented in our
share time that he had never seen such huge smiles on the faces of
children over a simple photo. We do indeed take so much for granted. Most
of the children, with which we ministered to today, have never even seen
themselves in a mirror much less a photo. This was made obvious as they
began to fall back in line for another “shot” at a photo. Trey threw a
Frisbee and kicked a soccer ball until his hands were blistered and leg
muscles were frail from exhaustion. I, of course, roamed for a while but
found myself tying balloons into swords and animals. Before sculpting
balloons one must start by blowing them up. I was given this task because
they informed me I was a “big blow hard” and matched my skills with what
was needed. I eventually graduated to sculpting when I proved myself.
(O.K. so they just needed to take a lunch break) Needless to say, we all
had a terrific time sharing the love of Jesus with simple task as
pictures, balloons, and kicking a ball. Some of the other ministry teams
painted faces, taught a Bible school lesson and even fitted some of the
senior men and women with reading glasses.
We ended our time with our new friends by worshipping together in songs
of their native language and I was privileged to preach the message. I
and the interpreter shared the story of Zacheus with great animation and
the people responded by understanding God’s love for them through Jesus
who knew them by name. Several people prayed to receive Jesus as their
Lord and Savior and of course this was the greatest blessing and miracle
of all. Following the worship service, the local pastor proceeded to give
out food bags for each family in attendance. Our team assembled these
bags on Sunday night for the families and they were well received. Each
fifteen dollar bag of food would feed a family of five for at least one
week. I want to challenge our folks, when we return home, to adopt some
families in this village and help continue what was started this week.
There is no greater joy than to see that we have met not only a spiritual
need but a physical need in the lives of families around the world.
Gary, our fearless leader, had been in contact with the folks in
Tegucigalpa all during the day and informed us that we would be returning
to the Hotel Excelsior for the evening. At this point we were ready for a
hot shower and a warm meal. The peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
followed by a “hot” coke were good but not what our spoiled taste buds
were accustomed too. As we entered the city our bus driver was taking
what he thought to be the safest route back to our hotel. As we
approached one part of the city, we all noticed heavy black smoke and as
we turned the corner, a group of protestors had set tires on fire outside
the residence of the president. Tito, our bus driver, instructed us to
squat down and keep our faces covered so that the protestors who might be
anti-American would not be given the opportunity to express themselves
violently toward us. He immediately turned the bus around and we took a
much longer route back to what was going to be our final destination for
the evening.
The dinner plan for the evening was to enjoy the local Honduran cuisine
at a restaurant called “El Patio”. However, just before leaving for
dinner, the Concierge informed us that an evening curfew had been set and
no one was to be on the road after 6:00 p.m. Leaving everyone else at
the hotel, Gary, Tito and I traveled downtown to pick-up some “take out”
for the team. It was an eerie experience to travel downtown in no traffic
when just one hour before it was bumper to bumper. The only place we
found open was Quiznos that was just about to turn out the lights when we
entered. We ordered and immediately returned to the hotel where the team
was nourished once again.
Tomorrow we begin our day with a three to four hour journey to the
orphanage Immanuel. We will spend the remainder of our time here in
Honduras loving on the children and workers at their 900 acre ranch. From
what I have been told, the operation of this ranch is a sight to behold.
I wait with great expectation to see what God has for us to experience in
the following days.
Steve Dean
FCM Team Arrives Safely in Honduras
On this day twenty-seven followers of Christ met together in Miami,
Florida to begin a week long ministry to the people of Honduras. With
luggage and supplies in hand, we begin what will unfold in the following
pages. Our expectant hearts await the blessings God has for each of us as
we willing share his love through word and deed to the people of
Tegucigalpa and the Orphanage Immanuel. Knowing that God’s plan is
greater than we can possibly perceive we step out in faith to experience
God’s loving hand on each of our shoulders.
Sixteen of our twenty-seven member crew hails from Alabama while eleven,
ten of which were from North Carolina and one from Tennessee met us in
Miami to begin this great adventure. I along with Trey and Loretta were
scheduled to take a later flight to our final destination, but after some
sweet talk and charm we were able to travel with our fellow teammates. At
this point, however, we are unsure if we will ever see our luggage. The
decision to travel together and take a chance was based on the political
unrest we learned about just hours before our trip. The Honduran
president was arrested and based on speculation and rumor we just learned
that the power to all of the country has been shut down and martial law
instated. Doing only what we know to do, we called our fellow believers
and ask them to begin praying for our safety. With confidence in God and
the knowledge of American Airlines, we proceeded with our journey. I
write this as we are flying from Miami to Tegucigalpa.
When we arrived in Tegucigalpa the team gathered and one by one we made
our way through customs with no certainty what awaits us on the other
side. At baggage claim, Trey and I wait with baited breath to see if our
bags had traveled with us. As we watched for our entire luggage, around
the corner comes my back pack and just seconds later Trey’s. What we had
been told would be impossible to accomplish God found a way. The entire
luggage arrived and our team met our fearless leader, Gary Clark, and
proceeded to our bus where we met some locals who were graciously waiting
to assist us.
With watchful eyes we scanned the parking lot and surrounding area for
signs of unrest and discovered that the electricity had been turned back
on and there was no sign of any danger or trouble. This day seemed to be
as any other day through out the city. The government had already
anticipated problems and secured the areas where there may be unrest. We
made our way to lunch at the local Pizza Hut and watched what appeared to
be a news conference which of course none of us could understand.
However, those dining with us seemed not to be worried in the least. I
believe their attitude helped to calm our spirits and reassure us that we
had made the right decisions in continuing our journey.
Because of the unrest and curfew that had been set in the city, we made
our way to the hotel Excelsior where we will be spending two nights
before traveling two hours into the mountains to the orphanage Immanuel.
The time we spent together as a team today helped build a bond that will
ensure great success on the field to which we have been called to serve.
Each of us awaits a good night’s sleep and look forward to a great day of
ministry on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa on Monday.
Steve Dean
Florida to begin a week long ministry to the people of Honduras. With
luggage and supplies in hand, we begin what will unfold in the following
pages. Our expectant hearts await the blessings God has for each of us as
we willing share his love through word and deed to the people of
Tegucigalpa and the Orphanage Immanuel. Knowing that God’s plan is
greater than we can possibly perceive we step out in faith to experience
God’s loving hand on each of our shoulders.
Sixteen of our twenty-seven member crew hails from Alabama while eleven,
ten of which were from North Carolina and one from Tennessee met us in
Miami to begin this great adventure. I along with Trey and Loretta were
scheduled to take a later flight to our final destination, but after some
sweet talk and charm we were able to travel with our fellow teammates. At
this point, however, we are unsure if we will ever see our luggage. The
decision to travel together and take a chance was based on the political
unrest we learned about just hours before our trip. The Honduran
president was arrested and based on speculation and rumor we just learned
that the power to all of the country has been shut down and martial law
instated. Doing only what we know to do, we called our fellow believers
and ask them to begin praying for our safety. With confidence in God and
the knowledge of American Airlines, we proceeded with our journey. I
write this as we are flying from Miami to Tegucigalpa.
When we arrived in Tegucigalpa the team gathered and one by one we made
our way through customs with no certainty what awaits us on the other
side. At baggage claim, Trey and I wait with baited breath to see if our
bags had traveled with us. As we watched for our entire luggage, around
the corner comes my back pack and just seconds later Trey’s. What we had
been told would be impossible to accomplish God found a way. The entire
luggage arrived and our team met our fearless leader, Gary Clark, and
proceeded to our bus where we met some locals who were graciously waiting
to assist us.
With watchful eyes we scanned the parking lot and surrounding area for
signs of unrest and discovered that the electricity had been turned back
on and there was no sign of any danger or trouble. This day seemed to be
as any other day through out the city. The government had already
anticipated problems and secured the areas where there may be unrest. We
made our way to lunch at the local Pizza Hut and watched what appeared to
be a news conference which of course none of us could understand.
However, those dining with us seemed not to be worried in the least. I
believe their attitude helped to calm our spirits and reassure us that we
had made the right decisions in continuing our journey.
Because of the unrest and curfew that had been set in the city, we made
our way to the hotel Excelsior where we will be spending two nights
before traveling two hours into the mountains to the orphanage Immanuel.
The time we spent together as a team today helped build a bond that will
ensure great success on the field to which we have been called to serve.
Each of us awaits a good night’s sleep and look forward to a great day of
ministry on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa on Monday.
Steve Dean
Monday, June 29, 2009
Honduras Days 1 and 2
Hey guys!! It's Cortney here in Honduras. We are all so excited to be here!! We can definitely see the great things God is doing here.
Yesterday was a very trying day for all of us. We met at the church at 2 a.m. and I think the churches from Alabama got up even earlier than that. When we reached the Miami airport, things were looking fine. However, 10 minutes before boarding our flight, a woman in the airport tried to convince us that Honduras was unsafe because of the political unrest. We made a split-second decision to get on the plane, and I think we are all glad we didn't miss out on this opportunity. After being picked up at the airport by Gary and Tito, our bus driver, we headed to Pizza Hut and back to the hotel for rest. Then we packed the food bags to take out to San Matias today. We are all having a great time fellowshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ from different churches.
Today, we got up early and headed out to San Matias. It was a pretty long and curvy bus ride, but finally we arrived. Even though I have been to Honduras and Venezuela multiple times, the poverty is still shocking. In San Matias, we did a carnival with the children, including face painting, games, coloring, and pictures. We all had a lot of fun! These children are so sweet, humble, and giving. They just longed for love and a physical touch. I know it was awesome for my sister Cameran and I to see some girls that we met last year come up and recognize us. The children are still wearing the shoes we were able to provide them with last year. We saw the seeds that we planted last year actually growing. After the carnival, we gave the people food, which they were very gracious for. Overall, it was a wonderful day and I know that God is certainly working in Honduras.
Sometimes the city is a little interesting with everything going on, but we all feel safe and happy to be here. Tomorrow morning we are heading up to Orphanage Emmanuel and are leaving the hotel at 6:00 a.m. Yikes!! It is going to be amazing to work with the children at the orphanage.
I think we are all excited to be here, and tonight we discussed the idea that the safest place to be is in the center of God's will. We are all certain that we are in the center of God's will, and have a peace about being here in Honduras. Your prayers are very much appreciated! Keep up the prayers and we will keep you all updated. See everyone soon!!
In Christ,
Cortney
Yesterday was a very trying day for all of us. We met at the church at 2 a.m. and I think the churches from Alabama got up even earlier than that. When we reached the Miami airport, things were looking fine. However, 10 minutes before boarding our flight, a woman in the airport tried to convince us that Honduras was unsafe because of the political unrest. We made a split-second decision to get on the plane, and I think we are all glad we didn't miss out on this opportunity. After being picked up at the airport by Gary and Tito, our bus driver, we headed to Pizza Hut and back to the hotel for rest. Then we packed the food bags to take out to San Matias today. We are all having a great time fellowshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ from different churches.
Today, we got up early and headed out to San Matias. It was a pretty long and curvy bus ride, but finally we arrived. Even though I have been to Honduras and Venezuela multiple times, the poverty is still shocking. In San Matias, we did a carnival with the children, including face painting, games, coloring, and pictures. We all had a lot of fun! These children are so sweet, humble, and giving. They just longed for love and a physical touch. I know it was awesome for my sister Cameran and I to see some girls that we met last year come up and recognize us. The children are still wearing the shoes we were able to provide them with last year. We saw the seeds that we planted last year actually growing. After the carnival, we gave the people food, which they were very gracious for. Overall, it was a wonderful day and I know that God is certainly working in Honduras.
Sometimes the city is a little interesting with everything going on, but we all feel safe and happy to be here. Tomorrow morning we are heading up to Orphanage Emmanuel and are leaving the hotel at 6:00 a.m. Yikes!! It is going to be amazing to work with the children at the orphanage.
I think we are all excited to be here, and tonight we discussed the idea that the safest place to be is in the center of God's will. We are all certain that we are in the center of God's will, and have a peace about being here in Honduras. Your prayers are very much appreciated! Keep up the prayers and we will keep you all updated. See everyone soon!!
In Christ,
Cortney
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Impacted by the Watoto Children's Village
Hi folks!
After a delightfully restful 22 hours of wandering through aiports, relaxing in the plush, extra roomy seats on KLM Airlines (or is it cattle lines), and eating in-flight meals that would make the Cheesecake Factory turn green (and not with envy), Tripp, Harold and I landed safely in Entebbe last night around 8 pm local time.
Harold's and Allen's bags also arrived safely, and we were grateful to see them. We were even more grateful once we realized that KLM kept Tripp's bag. It's a really nice bag, or so he told us. After waiting in line for another hour, the cattle line told us they were optimistic he'd get his bag back sometime this week.
I held my bag extra close on the ride into Kampala, thankful once again for the little blessings.
In the meantime Tripp has no underwear (don't tell anyone, it's a secret) and is borrowing clothes and toothpaste from me. You share a lot on these trips, sometimes more than you want. In case you're wondering, I did offer to share a pair, but not very enthusiastically. Tripp declined, quickly. We guys have our limits on fellowship and sharing.
This morning we met Fred Erisata from Watoto Children's Villages and Pastor Nelson Kyasooka from Grace Fellowship Church, and spent the day touring Watoto's ministry sites that are in the Kampala area. What an unbelievable ministry God has birthed here in Kampala!
Here's the story, as Fred told it. By the way, Fred is a 23 year old law student at Makere University here in Kampala. He is an articulate, outgoing and happy young man who wants to practice international law as an activist for human rights. His father died when he was 5 and then his mother died when he was 8. He was one of the first Watoto kids, and they are still supporting him - all the way through college - which is what family does. Right?
Watoto was started by a small church led by a Canadian pastor. In 1994 this small church in downtown Kampala became convinced that God was calling them into a ministry that went beyond bible teaching, fellowship and worship. The Father birthed a desire in their hearts to reach orphans and widows, in the midst of a country overflowing with ignored orphans and widows.
By the way, they had little money and few resources and no experience.
But they stepped out in faith and rented a house and placed a widow and 8 children in that house. The church could barely afford to feed them, so the widow worked hard to grow food for her and the kids in a little garden site next door.
In time they added a second house and then a third, as God began to provide some support from outside the church body.
In 1996 they decided to send a kids choir from the first village on an international tour to tell the story of the orphans in Uganda. They sent 18 kids and 10 adults. Fred, our tour guide today, was one of those kids who toured the U.S. and other countries in 1996. They've sent 36 choirs on tour since then.
Today Watoto has three children's villages (2 near Kampala and one in the north in Gulu), a babies home, a retirement home for house mothers, as well as other ministries I don't remember.
By the way, they now care for 1,750 children, ages birth to 23 years old. They have 400 staff, most Ugandan, but supplemented by international staff from Canada, the U.S., Australia and other places. They take chidlren who are in desperate circumstances, most of whom have no family or support to live.
Today, we first visited Bbira Children's village, which hosts 828 children, in the midst of a park-like setting, covered with beautiful trees. Then we visited a second brand-new village at Suubi on top of a huge ridge, overlooking miles of beatiful valley.
Children live 8 per home, with a mother caring for each group of 8. Some of the house mothers have up to 2 children of their own (part of the 8 they care for). If the mother has two female children, then she cares for 8 females. If two male children, then all males. If the house mother has a boy and a girl, then she takes both to make up the 8. If no children, then she gets to decide how to arrange the family. It's a great arrangement.
The homes are simple but well-built, clean and functional - with tin roofs and painted mud-brick walls, and nice concrete floors (about $30,000 each to build, add utilites, and equp with furniture and stoves and fixtures). The house we visited had a genuine warmth to it. It did not seem at all like a home for orphans.
Each village has children's homes, a kindergarten, a primary school, a middle school a high school, a medical clinic, a library and computer center, athletic fields, water pumping station, security guards, fence for security. One site was 75 acres and the other was 194 acres. The 194 acre site at Suubi also has a vocational school.
The villages are unbelievably beautiful and well-designed and well-run, from all we could see. Actually, they were stunning. Neat, clean, creative, happy, active, manicured, practical, fun...instead of the misery of livign on the street that all of these kids would have known, if they had survived at all.
We ended the day by visiting the home for babies in Kampala, they care for over 100 babies, premature to 2 years old. We asked where all these babies come from. And they told us the heartbreaking story of many babies in Uganda.
Most come from the "rubbish heaps" where people throw newborns they don't want, or can't feed, or who are deformed or premature. Sometimes people find them in time, rescue them and bring them to Watoto. Sometimes the parents leave them at a hospital and sometimes at a police station. These newborns have no hope of survival, all of whom would have died in the trah, or in a street alley, or in the bushes.
We walked in to the babies home and, oh my. I have three little girls so it's hard to write about it. There were 19 children under 6 months playing on the floor in the room where we were. They were all clean and well fed. Their eyes...always searching yours, wanting to be held and hugged and loved on. So we did.
It was perhaps the most beautiful place we've seen. They intentionally built it to look like a palace so that they babies could come from the trash heap into a palace (like Moses, they say). They have mothers who work in two 12 hour shifts that take care of a cluster of babies. And there are babies everywhere...so beautiful. We got to hold some of them. I sang to the ones I held and several smiled back at me. You could tell they were well cared for. And they are all permanently adopted by Watoto, who will raise them through college or vocational school.
We met a young lady named Annie, from the U.S., who leads the home (since it was built three years ago). What an incredible place.
We had to pry Harold loose when it was time to leave the babies. He may have snuck out of the hotel and already gone back to hold more babies while I was writing this.
I think we could spend our entire week there, just taking care of the little ones that came within hours of dying alone and unknown. But they were never alone for one millisecond of their life, and there is a Father who knew every one of them - even the ones who die before they are found.
There is so much overwhelming demand for a place to take unwanted babies in Kampala that they are presently building a second babies home - for 200 babies.
So here we are. Amazed at what we've seen. Aware that Watoto is a drop in the bucket of the need here. aware that watoto has taken 15 years to get to this place. Not yet sure what God is doing or where He is taking us on this journey...but aware that He is doing something and taking us somewhere - somewhere special - if we will only be willing to go with Him.
Just like the babies, He knows us. He is with us. He has our lives in His gentle hands and He knows what He wants and where He is taking us.
Pray that we will hear His voice and see His movement as we walk forward listening and watching.
So why do I write all that about Watoto, when I am with Four Corners?
Because I want you to know it's possible for a little group of people with a God-planted desire to do the immpossible.
It looked impossible in 1994 for thise group to do anything more than care for 8 kids and one widow in a ramshackle rental house. Now they are nourishing and cherishing 1750 kids to a hope and a future that is much brighter than what most of these kids parents could have ever given them.
I have a sense that we, along wtih Pastor Nelson and his church famiiles, will one day get to hold babies and play with children who were rescued off the streets and out of the trash heaps through the love of the Four Corners ministry team and all of you who are reading this - if we are willing to patiently wait on the Lord and when it is time to leap off the cliff of faith into whatever adventure of trust that our loving Father has for us.
Ask the Lord if He wants you to jump. He told Watoto to jump and they did - with empty pockets and no idea where He was taking them. He has provided everything they needed, when they needed it - through people who were delighted to give.
I hope it happens again. There is SO much tragic need here among the babies and children, but there is also something much greater than the tragedy of hundreds of thousands of orphans. There is infinite hope and joy in a rescuing God who delights in lifting up the least of these, and delights in touching them through those who are the least of these, like me. And probably you.
I hope you know how delighted your Father is with you today, if you are one of Abba's kids. I hope you have had a glimpse of how much He loves you. He loves you just as much as the baby they're bringig in off the trash heap right now.
Grace and peace and love to all of you from Kampala,
Allen Haynes
After a delightfully restful 22 hours of wandering through aiports, relaxing in the plush, extra roomy seats on KLM Airlines (or is it cattle lines), and eating in-flight meals that would make the Cheesecake Factory turn green (and not with envy), Tripp, Harold and I landed safely in Entebbe last night around 8 pm local time.
Harold's and Allen's bags also arrived safely, and we were grateful to see them. We were even more grateful once we realized that KLM kept Tripp's bag. It's a really nice bag, or so he told us. After waiting in line for another hour, the cattle line told us they were optimistic he'd get his bag back sometime this week.
I held my bag extra close on the ride into Kampala, thankful once again for the little blessings.
In the meantime Tripp has no underwear (don't tell anyone, it's a secret) and is borrowing clothes and toothpaste from me. You share a lot on these trips, sometimes more than you want. In case you're wondering, I did offer to share a pair, but not very enthusiastically. Tripp declined, quickly. We guys have our limits on fellowship and sharing.
This morning we met Fred Erisata from Watoto Children's Villages and Pastor Nelson Kyasooka from Grace Fellowship Church, and spent the day touring Watoto's ministry sites that are in the Kampala area. What an unbelievable ministry God has birthed here in Kampala!
Here's the story, as Fred told it. By the way, Fred is a 23 year old law student at Makere University here in Kampala. He is an articulate, outgoing and happy young man who wants to practice international law as an activist for human rights. His father died when he was 5 and then his mother died when he was 8. He was one of the first Watoto kids, and they are still supporting him - all the way through college - which is what family does. Right?
Watoto was started by a small church led by a Canadian pastor. In 1994 this small church in downtown Kampala became convinced that God was calling them into a ministry that went beyond bible teaching, fellowship and worship. The Father birthed a desire in their hearts to reach orphans and widows, in the midst of a country overflowing with ignored orphans and widows.
By the way, they had little money and few resources and no experience.
But they stepped out in faith and rented a house and placed a widow and 8 children in that house. The church could barely afford to feed them, so the widow worked hard to grow food for her and the kids in a little garden site next door.
In time they added a second house and then a third, as God began to provide some support from outside the church body.
In 1996 they decided to send a kids choir from the first village on an international tour to tell the story of the orphans in Uganda. They sent 18 kids and 10 adults. Fred, our tour guide today, was one of those kids who toured the U.S. and other countries in 1996. They've sent 36 choirs on tour since then.
Today Watoto has three children's villages (2 near Kampala and one in the north in Gulu), a babies home, a retirement home for house mothers, as well as other ministries I don't remember.
By the way, they now care for 1,750 children, ages birth to 23 years old. They have 400 staff, most Ugandan, but supplemented by international staff from Canada, the U.S., Australia and other places. They take chidlren who are in desperate circumstances, most of whom have no family or support to live.
Today, we first visited Bbira Children's village, which hosts 828 children, in the midst of a park-like setting, covered with beautiful trees. Then we visited a second brand-new village at Suubi on top of a huge ridge, overlooking miles of beatiful valley.
Children live 8 per home, with a mother caring for each group of 8. Some of the house mothers have up to 2 children of their own (part of the 8 they care for). If the mother has two female children, then she cares for 8 females. If two male children, then all males. If the house mother has a boy and a girl, then she takes both to make up the 8. If no children, then she gets to decide how to arrange the family. It's a great arrangement.
The homes are simple but well-built, clean and functional - with tin roofs and painted mud-brick walls, and nice concrete floors (about $30,000 each to build, add utilites, and equp with furniture and stoves and fixtures). The house we visited had a genuine warmth to it. It did not seem at all like a home for orphans.
Each village has children's homes, a kindergarten, a primary school, a middle school a high school, a medical clinic, a library and computer center, athletic fields, water pumping station, security guards, fence for security. One site was 75 acres and the other was 194 acres. The 194 acre site at Suubi also has a vocational school.
The villages are unbelievably beautiful and well-designed and well-run, from all we could see. Actually, they were stunning. Neat, clean, creative, happy, active, manicured, practical, fun...instead of the misery of livign on the street that all of these kids would have known, if they had survived at all.
We ended the day by visiting the home for babies in Kampala, they care for over 100 babies, premature to 2 years old. We asked where all these babies come from. And they told us the heartbreaking story of many babies in Uganda.
Most come from the "rubbish heaps" where people throw newborns they don't want, or can't feed, or who are deformed or premature. Sometimes people find them in time, rescue them and bring them to Watoto. Sometimes the parents leave them at a hospital and sometimes at a police station. These newborns have no hope of survival, all of whom would have died in the trah, or in a street alley, or in the bushes.
We walked in to the babies home and, oh my. I have three little girls so it's hard to write about it. There were 19 children under 6 months playing on the floor in the room where we were. They were all clean and well fed. Their eyes...always searching yours, wanting to be held and hugged and loved on. So we did.
It was perhaps the most beautiful place we've seen. They intentionally built it to look like a palace so that they babies could come from the trash heap into a palace (like Moses, they say). They have mothers who work in two 12 hour shifts that take care of a cluster of babies. And there are babies everywhere...so beautiful. We got to hold some of them. I sang to the ones I held and several smiled back at me. You could tell they were well cared for. And they are all permanently adopted by Watoto, who will raise them through college or vocational school.
We met a young lady named Annie, from the U.S., who leads the home (since it was built three years ago). What an incredible place.
We had to pry Harold loose when it was time to leave the babies. He may have snuck out of the hotel and already gone back to hold more babies while I was writing this.
I think we could spend our entire week there, just taking care of the little ones that came within hours of dying alone and unknown. But they were never alone for one millisecond of their life, and there is a Father who knew every one of them - even the ones who die before they are found.
There is so much overwhelming demand for a place to take unwanted babies in Kampala that they are presently building a second babies home - for 200 babies.
So here we are. Amazed at what we've seen. Aware that Watoto is a drop in the bucket of the need here. aware that watoto has taken 15 years to get to this place. Not yet sure what God is doing or where He is taking us on this journey...but aware that He is doing something and taking us somewhere - somewhere special - if we will only be willing to go with Him.
Just like the babies, He knows us. He is with us. He has our lives in His gentle hands and He knows what He wants and where He is taking us.
Pray that we will hear His voice and see His movement as we walk forward listening and watching.
So why do I write all that about Watoto, when I am with Four Corners?
Because I want you to know it's possible for a little group of people with a God-planted desire to do the immpossible.
It looked impossible in 1994 for thise group to do anything more than care for 8 kids and one widow in a ramshackle rental house. Now they are nourishing and cherishing 1750 kids to a hope and a future that is much brighter than what most of these kids parents could have ever given them.
I have a sense that we, along wtih Pastor Nelson and his church famiiles, will one day get to hold babies and play with children who were rescued off the streets and out of the trash heaps through the love of the Four Corners ministry team and all of you who are reading this - if we are willing to patiently wait on the Lord and when it is time to leap off the cliff of faith into whatever adventure of trust that our loving Father has for us.
Ask the Lord if He wants you to jump. He told Watoto to jump and they did - with empty pockets and no idea where He was taking them. He has provided everything they needed, when they needed it - through people who were delighted to give.
I hope it happens again. There is SO much tragic need here among the babies and children, but there is also something much greater than the tragedy of hundreds of thousands of orphans. There is infinite hope and joy in a rescuing God who delights in lifting up the least of these, and delights in touching them through those who are the least of these, like me. And probably you.
I hope you know how delighted your Father is with you today, if you are one of Abba's kids. I hope you have had a glimpse of how much He loves you. He loves you just as much as the baby they're bringig in off the trash heap right now.
Grace and peace and love to all of you from Kampala,
Allen Haynes
Friday, June 26, 2009
FCM Staff Arrive in Uganda
FCM began bringing teams to Uganda in 2007. Since that time, God has laid it on our hearts to build a children's village that will include homes for orphans, a medical clinic, a church and a school.
I arrived in Uganda last night, along with Harold Harmon, one of FCM's Board members, as well as Allen Haynes, one of FCM's strongest supporters. The three of us have come to Uganda to meet with individuals that lead organizations that are involved in taking care of orphans. We are also planning to look at potential sites for the children's village that we hope to break ground on in 2010.
Please pray that God will give us wisdom and discernment during our time here in Africa. The pain that so many of these children have endured is to great to fathom. They need to experience love more than ever.
For the Joy,
Tripp
I arrived in Uganda last night, along with Harold Harmon, one of FCM's Board members, as well as Allen Haynes, one of FCM's strongest supporters. The three of us have come to Uganda to meet with individuals that lead organizations that are involved in taking care of orphans. We are also planning to look at potential sites for the children's village that we hope to break ground on in 2010.
Please pray that God will give us wisdom and discernment during our time here in Africa. The pain that so many of these children have endured is to great to fathom. They need to experience love more than ever.
For the Joy,
Tripp
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sowing Seeds of Love
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The energetic crew from South Luverne Baptist Church headed to SIFAT¨s new "dream project" today. The construction team dug a gaping hole in the earth for the foundation of a 4 story day-care facility (the dream yet to realize), and the VBS team entertained, taught, and loved on dozens of Ecuadorian kids with Bible lessons, skits, and various activities. We convened for lunch at the VBS site with the SIFAT staff and shared some laughs guinea pig. Not really, it was chicken, but you never know in Ecuador.
Before you skim over this part, read this....
I was standing in our project, a four foot deep hole, looking up at Will Tate, our team leader, and our Ecuadorean compadre, Rafeal. Rafael oversees construction on this project and also serves as the pastor of a local church. We were working on the foundation by digging holes in which to bury the columns to support the four story building. Rafael was holding the tool of choice of which we have become very familiar this morning - a pick ax. The dialogue that ensued went something like this...
Rafael (R): In the U.S., how is this work done? By hand, like this? (holding the pick-ax)
Will (W): No, we use machines.
R: Ah, yes.
W: How much does it cost to rent an excavator here?
R: Oh, about $50 an hour.
Will looked around and saw 5 holes that were all 4 feet deep. Each one, including the one where I stood had to be picked away, bit by bit down to 8 feet. The shovel and pick ax was already wearing on our hands, backs, and our will. I was elated by the idea of renting an excavator. We could knock out what it took 5 men working about 3 days in just one hour for only $50 bucks!
Humbly, Will says, "You know, we can afford to rent an excavator if you prefer to do it that way."
Rafael responded, "Nnnnno. It is better by hand. You are sowing a seed this way....for the children. It is more difficult, but you will remember this for the rest of your life."
WOW. I was floored. Will was too and agreed. We continued the rest of the day, and will the rest of the week, sewing seeds of love for the children of Ecuador, one stroke at a time.
-Jerry Cotney
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Fun Trip to the Equator
As we get used to the altitude of Quito, we walked through a series of scientic experiements and laughs along the equator today. Some team members even succeeded in balancing an egg on top of a nail head standing straight up. I still don't understand that one.
SIFAT briefed us on what God is doing here and what they expect God to do through us this week. Our group of nearly 40 will split into construction, medical, and VBS teams tomorrow.
We appreciate your prayers and hope to report great news throughout this week!
-Jerry Cotney
FCM Team Arrives Safely in Ecuador
The short term mission team from Crenshaw County, Alabama arrived in Ecuador late Saturday night about 9:30 PM and then escaped airport immigration and baggage claim to get back to our hotel at 11:30PM. All in all, traveling was good, a little turbulence here and there and a little flight delay in Miami for about an hour but we have all our luggage so Praise God. Everyone was tired and exhausted.
Today it is Sunday and we are headed to the Middle of the World (Equator). What do you wear to the Middle of the World? We will tell you all about that later tonight. We will go to worship service later today and meet some of the residents here and experience worshipping the one true God together. We are looking forward to making a difference in Ecuador today. Please pray for God to lead and protect us as we serve Him.
-Tracy Watson
Today it is Sunday and we are headed to the Middle of the World (Equator). What do you wear to the Middle of the World? We will tell you all about that later tonight. We will go to worship service later today and meet some of the residents here and experience worshipping the one true God together. We are looking forward to making a difference in Ecuador today. Please pray for God to lead and protect us as we serve Him.
-Tracy Watson
Monday, June 1, 2009
FCM Prepares for Community Development Trip to Uganda
FCM began working in Uganda in 2007. After several years of ministry God has given FCM's Board of Directors a desire to construct a children’s village that will rescue hundreds of orphans that live on the streets of Uganda.
I am excited that FCM has raised enough money to take an exploratory trip on June 25th for the sole purpose of learning the best way to move forward as we prepare to break ground on the village in 2010. The village will contain homes for orphans, a medical clinic, a church, a school, recreation fields, and gardens to help feed the kids. Please pray that God will give us wisdom to know where to purchase land and where to plant this vision.
-Tripp
I am excited that FCM has raised enough money to take an exploratory trip on June 25th for the sole purpose of learning the best way to move forward as we prepare to break ground on the village in 2010. The village will contain homes for orphans, a medical clinic, a church, a school, recreation fields, and gardens to help feed the kids. Please pray that God will give us wisdom to know where to purchase land and where to plant this vision.
-Tripp
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Sam Childers: Making a Difference in Southern Sudan
A friend of mine that joined me in Sudan last year recently gave me a copy of Sam Childers book, Another Man's War, a gripping story of how God is using this man to make a difference in
Southern Sudan. Below is an news story about Sam that recently appeared in The Christian Post.
"To some he is known as the mzunga (white guy) preacher. To others he is a bad boy gone right. And still to others he is known as the machine gun-toting pastor. But to the little children of Southern Sudan who are at risk of death or slavery at the hands of the vicious rebel group Lord’s Resistance Army, he is simply a savior.
Sam Childers is a man who didn’t even finish high school, started using drugs at age 11, and got into more fights than he can remember. But this troubled man, whom many had written off as a lost cause, was captured by the Lord and used to demonstrate His love in the midst of extreme brutality and hopelessness.
“I think the biggest thing people need to know is it doesn’t matter how far you went over the line. It doesn’t matter what you used to do. It doesn’t matter who you used to be. The only thing that matters is what you can do to change what is going to happen in the morning,” said Childers during an interview with The Christian Post.
He added, “I mean if I can change, anybody can change.”
His story sounds more like a myth than reality when you first hear it: a white guy from the United States carrying an AK-47 in the back country of Sudan fighting crazy rebels with his small band of Sudanese soldiers. Sometimes the odds of him coming out alive is slim to none, such as the time when it was five against 200.
But the unconventional pastor will explain time and again that God’s protection is the reason why he is still alive. He will also state that he is fighting God’s battle.
“Even in my wildest years, I had a passion for fighting another man’s war that continues to this day,” Childers writes in his new book Another Man’s War: The True Story of One Man’s Battle to Save Children in the Sudan. “I loved fighting then. And I still love fighting now. The difference is today I’m fighting for the children and families God sent me to protect.”
Sacrificing the comforts of life in the United States, the machine gun-toting preacher has spent most of the past ten years in southern Sudan and northern Uganda building the Angels of East Africa Children’s village and filling the orphanage with children he rescued from the deadly attacks of the LRA.
Childers recalls in his book grisly scenes of LRA raids. In one village, he recalls smelling the “sharp stench of burning flesh” and hearing cries of those injured.
One young woman was drenched in her own blood from a breast that had been half cut off with a machete by the LRA soldier. In other attacks, LRA soldiers burned people alive and forced acts of cannibalism. They even forced children to butcher their mothers or else be killed.
Children who are captured alive are forced to join the LRA as child soldiers, sex slaves, or supply carriers.No one knows what the LRA is fighting for as they mindlessly terrorize villagers in southern Sudan and northern Uganda.
“I don’t condone violence at all,” Childers responded when asked about his use of heavy firearms. “I don’t believe in violence but at the same time I don’t believe that children should be raped, murdered, or cut up."
“I look of it as a self-defense and I look at it as I’m helping God’s children,” he said. “I’m not a person out to murder. It’s not that I like hurting anybody. But at the same time these people need to be stopped.”
Since 1998, Childers has worked with the Southern Sudanese government and local Sudanese to save the children from LRA rebels. His ministry, Angels of East Africa, distributes 2,400 meals a day through its feeding programs in Sudan and Uganda. The children’s village has dormitories, a primary school, nursery school, a clinic, a playground for the children, and a church.
Overall, his African operation has rescued more than 900 refugees of all ages, with over half of them being children who had been captured by the LRA.
“I absolutely believe that a normal preacher with a college education could never do what I do,” Childers says in his book. “Not because he doesn’t have the desire, but because he’s not equipped with the experience God has given me."
“Had I died during those years, I would surely have gone to hell,” the former drug-addict and dealer admits. “But once I surrendered to Him, a new plan came into play, and a new ministry was born.”
Childers grew up in a Christian family but was caught up in drugs, sex, and violence during his teens and part of his adult life. But the constant prayer of his wife, Lynn, who came to accept Jesus Christ as her savior first in 1987, helped lead him to recommit his life to Christ during a revival meeting in 1992. He made his first visit to Sudan in 1998 as a volunteer for a construction project managed by a Christian ministry. But the injustice and desperate need he saw during that trip captured Childers’ heart and led him to decide to devote his entire life to helping the people of southern Sudan.
His wife and daughter, Paige, have supported Childers in his ministry. For many years the family was separated as his wife and daughter stayed in Pennsylvania while Childers ran his ministry in Sudan. The separation placed great strain on his marriage and relationship with his daughter. But Childers said his now grown-up daughter understands the sacrifices and the good that has resulted from their sufferings and has joined the ministry.
“Yes, I was tough and mean in a way that caused a lot of harm, but that toughness and meanness prepared me to survive in a hostile environment where very few preachers could go and come out alive,” Childers writes in the last chapter of the book. “God was toughening me up and training me to be his man in Southern Sudan and Uganda.“I can’t reclaim the years I lost,” he reflects, “but God can.”
Southern Sudan. Below is an news story about Sam that recently appeared in The Christian Post.
"To some he is known as the mzunga (white guy) preacher. To others he is a bad boy gone right. And still to others he is known as the machine gun-toting pastor. But to the little children of Southern Sudan who are at risk of death or slavery at the hands of the vicious rebel group Lord’s Resistance Army, he is simply a savior.
Sam Childers is a man who didn’t even finish high school, started using drugs at age 11, and got into more fights than he can remember. But this troubled man, whom many had written off as a lost cause, was captured by the Lord and used to demonstrate His love in the midst of extreme brutality and hopelessness.
“I think the biggest thing people need to know is it doesn’t matter how far you went over the line. It doesn’t matter what you used to do. It doesn’t matter who you used to be. The only thing that matters is what you can do to change what is going to happen in the morning,” said Childers during an interview with The Christian Post.
He added, “I mean if I can change, anybody can change.”
His story sounds more like a myth than reality when you first hear it: a white guy from the United States carrying an AK-47 in the back country of Sudan fighting crazy rebels with his small band of Sudanese soldiers. Sometimes the odds of him coming out alive is slim to none, such as the time when it was five against 200.
But the unconventional pastor will explain time and again that God’s protection is the reason why he is still alive. He will also state that he is fighting God’s battle.
“Even in my wildest years, I had a passion for fighting another man’s war that continues to this day,” Childers writes in his new book Another Man’s War: The True Story of One Man’s Battle to Save Children in the Sudan. “I loved fighting then. And I still love fighting now. The difference is today I’m fighting for the children and families God sent me to protect.”
Sacrificing the comforts of life in the United States, the machine gun-toting preacher has spent most of the past ten years in southern Sudan and northern Uganda building the Angels of East Africa Children’s village and filling the orphanage with children he rescued from the deadly attacks of the LRA.
Childers recalls in his book grisly scenes of LRA raids. In one village, he recalls smelling the “sharp stench of burning flesh” and hearing cries of those injured.
One young woman was drenched in her own blood from a breast that had been half cut off with a machete by the LRA soldier. In other attacks, LRA soldiers burned people alive and forced acts of cannibalism. They even forced children to butcher their mothers or else be killed.
Children who are captured alive are forced to join the LRA as child soldiers, sex slaves, or supply carriers.No one knows what the LRA is fighting for as they mindlessly terrorize villagers in southern Sudan and northern Uganda.
“I don’t condone violence at all,” Childers responded when asked about his use of heavy firearms. “I don’t believe in violence but at the same time I don’t believe that children should be raped, murdered, or cut up."
“I look of it as a self-defense and I look at it as I’m helping God’s children,” he said. “I’m not a person out to murder. It’s not that I like hurting anybody. But at the same time these people need to be stopped.”
Since 1998, Childers has worked with the Southern Sudanese government and local Sudanese to save the children from LRA rebels. His ministry, Angels of East Africa, distributes 2,400 meals a day through its feeding programs in Sudan and Uganda. The children’s village has dormitories, a primary school, nursery school, a clinic, a playground for the children, and a church.
Overall, his African operation has rescued more than 900 refugees of all ages, with over half of them being children who had been captured by the LRA.
“I absolutely believe that a normal preacher with a college education could never do what I do,” Childers says in his book. “Not because he doesn’t have the desire, but because he’s not equipped with the experience God has given me."
“Had I died during those years, I would surely have gone to hell,” the former drug-addict and dealer admits. “But once I surrendered to Him, a new plan came into play, and a new ministry was born.”
Childers grew up in a Christian family but was caught up in drugs, sex, and violence during his teens and part of his adult life. But the constant prayer of his wife, Lynn, who came to accept Jesus Christ as her savior first in 1987, helped lead him to recommit his life to Christ during a revival meeting in 1992. He made his first visit to Sudan in 1998 as a volunteer for a construction project managed by a Christian ministry. But the injustice and desperate need he saw during that trip captured Childers’ heart and led him to decide to devote his entire life to helping the people of southern Sudan.
His wife and daughter, Paige, have supported Childers in his ministry. For many years the family was separated as his wife and daughter stayed in Pennsylvania while Childers ran his ministry in Sudan. The separation placed great strain on his marriage and relationship with his daughter. But Childers said his now grown-up daughter understands the sacrifices and the good that has resulted from their sufferings and has joined the ministry.
“Yes, I was tough and mean in a way that caused a lot of harm, but that toughness and meanness prepared me to survive in a hostile environment where very few preachers could go and come out alive,” Childers writes in the last chapter of the book. “God was toughening me up and training me to be his man in Southern Sudan and Uganda.“I can’t reclaim the years I lost,” he reflects, “but God can.”
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Sudan: Anglican Head Warns Nation Could Return to War
I have been thinking this for some time but now a number of people in African leadership are talking about the likelihood of Sudan sliding back into civil war.
Recently, the head of the Anglican Church in Sudan, Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, wrote a passionate letter to representatives of the international community in the country appealing for their increased support for implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which ended the civil war in 2005. He said he had recently toured many parts of South Sudan and witnessed first-hand the suffering of the people due to growing insecurity.
"In the Church's opinion, this is the biggest problem in Sudan today, and prevents any further material or economic development, as well as the free and fair elections desperately needed in February 2010 and the referendum on Southern secession scheduled for 2011," the archbishop said.
This issue needs to reach the radar of Congress and the President. The United States, is a guarantor signatorie of the CPA so our country should do everything within its power to assist the people of Southern Sudan.
Recently, the head of the Anglican Church in Sudan, Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, wrote a passionate letter to representatives of the international community in the country appealing for their increased support for implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which ended the civil war in 2005. He said he had recently toured many parts of South Sudan and witnessed first-hand the suffering of the people due to growing insecurity.
"In the Church's opinion, this is the biggest problem in Sudan today, and prevents any further material or economic development, as well as the free and fair elections desperately needed in February 2010 and the referendum on Southern secession scheduled for 2011," the archbishop said.
This issue needs to reach the radar of Congress and the President. The United States, is a guarantor signatorie of the CPA so our country should do everything within its power to assist the people of Southern Sudan.
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