We are ready! After the planning, fundraising and team meetings the team is as prepared as we will ever be. We have open hearts to be used by God to share the love of Jesus with the people of El Salvador. We are excited for the plans that God has for the team. May everything we do and say bring glory to God!
Friday, February 17, 2012
We are ready! After the planning, fundraising and team meetings the team is as prepared as we will ever be. We have open hearts to be used by God to share the love of Jesus with the people of El Salvador. We are excited for the plans that God has for the team. May everything we do and say bring glory to God!
Monday, November 21, 2011
El Salvador - Forever in My Heart
Today is our first day back home and the thoughts and images of the people of El Salvador continue to flood my mind. It is hard to get even the smallest of tasks accomplished without stopping to think about and pray about the multitude of situations we encountered and the people that we met. I'm hoping it doesn't stop - God didn't send us there to spend a week and then put it behind us. He sent us there to change lives - both theirs and ours, and I truly believe he did that. I shed a lot of tears over the past week, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. God melted my heart through the precious people of Los Brisos, San Felipe and San Antonio Camino, as well as through his servants in San Vicente. As God used us to extend his hand to the new homeowners, he offered them the hope of a better future, and more importantly, the hope of eternal salvation. They have been blessed to be a blessing, and we saw clear evidence that that will indeed be the case.
When I signed myself and my son Caleb on for this trip, it was my hope that it would change our hearts and help us to focus on God and what he would have us do with our lives. Caleb is already talking about returning in March if God opens that door, and while I wasn't planning to do another trip for a couple of years (when Aaron turns 16), I'm not too sure that I'll be able to stay away that long either. Our hearts were definitely changed as God has began a work in both of us. All of us first-timers were shown this week why Valerie and Dennis are so in love with these people and so committed to sharing the love of God with them. If you've never been on a missions trip and have reservations about going because of age, health, a lack of confidence in terms of how you could contribute - let God worry about those things and go anyway. I went into this with all of those fears and concerns (and a cold from beginning to end, to boot), and I would go again in a heartbeat. Everyone sacrifices something to go, but it is so worth it.
Before I sign off, I want to send a special thankyou to our hosts in San Vicente who are pouring their hearts into the missions work there day in and day out - I won't mention them all by name, for fear of missing someone, but I do want to thank Phil Hartwig (our homey), Carlos and Patricia for the special friendships we forged with the three of you this week - continue the good fight - we will pray for you daily. And last, but certainly not least, thankyou to all of you here at home who supported us through your thoughts, prayers and financial contributions.
When I signed myself and my son Caleb on for this trip, it was my hope that it would change our hearts and help us to focus on God and what he would have us do with our lives. Caleb is already talking about returning in March if God opens that door, and while I wasn't planning to do another trip for a couple of years (when Aaron turns 16), I'm not too sure that I'll be able to stay away that long either. Our hearts were definitely changed as God has began a work in both of us. All of us first-timers were shown this week why Valerie and Dennis are so in love with these people and so committed to sharing the love of God with them. If you've never been on a missions trip and have reservations about going because of age, health, a lack of confidence in terms of how you could contribute - let God worry about those things and go anyway. I went into this with all of those fears and concerns (and a cold from beginning to end, to boot), and I would go again in a heartbeat. Everyone sacrifices something to go, but it is so worth it.
Before I sign off, I want to send a special thankyou to our hosts in San Vicente who are pouring their hearts into the missions work there day in and day out - I won't mention them all by name, for fear of missing someone, but I do want to thank Phil Hartwig (our homey), Carlos and Patricia for the special friendships we forged with the three of you this week - continue the good fight - we will pray for you daily. And last, but certainly not least, thankyou to all of you here at home who supported us through your thoughts, prayers and financial contributions.
Highway To Hell
When I awoke this morning I did one of my favorite things - I listened to my heart. I found myself processing the experiences of this past week. I am sure the members of the team will be doing the same this week and the weeks to come. For some reason I was reminded of the song called Highway To Hell by ACDC. In the song the singer celebrates the fact that he is on a highway to his promised land (Hell). It is not the promised land that I am going to! When I thought about this a bit further I soon realized that the highway to Hell runs right by my house. If you check, I think that you will find that it runs right by your home as well! John 3:18 says "Whoever believes in him (God's Son) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." Unlike the singer in ACDC, not everyone on the highway to Hell is there by choice. Most don't know it. One thing is true for both. The highway is powerful. It is like the riptide that swept Patricia out to sea on Saturday. Just like Patricia was helpless and needed a physical savior, Patricia, you and I need a spiritual Savior. The people on the highway that runs by your house need one too.
John chapter 4 tells the story of Jesus' conversation with a Samaritan Woman. You might want to read it yourself to get the full effect. In summary, Jesus is tired from his journey, sits down beside a well and asks the woman for a cup of water. She is shocked by this request because Jews and Samaritans did not associate with each other. Long story short, she becomes a believer. According to verse 39 many of the Samaritans from her town became believers because of her testimony. Imagine with me for a minute if the woman had decided to keep her testimony a secret like we often do. What am I doing with my testimony? What are you doing with yours? I have to admit that there have been times that I have been afraid to share what Jesus has done for me with others. If this is your experience you are not alone.
Saturday night I found Patricia outside the hotel still trying to get over the events of the day. After a while she was brave enough to share her testimony with me. It is amazing!!!! I hope you get to hear it someday. I could tell you some of it, but I don't want to rob her the joy of telling it. What I will tell you is that she has been in God's hands her whole life. I believe God has amazing plans to use her for His Glory! I tried to encourage her to share her story with her fellow Salvadorians. I think she will.
In closing, I want to share with you the words of a song by MercyMe. The song is called Here Am I.
"On the other side of the world / She stands on the ocean shore / Gazing at the heavens she wonders / Is there something more / Never been told the name of Jesus / She turns and walks away / What a shame. Just across the street in your hometown / Leaving from his nine to five / Gazing down the road he wonders / Is this all there is to life / Never been told the name of Jesus / He continues on his way / What a shame. Chorus: Whom shall I send / Who will go for me / To the ends of the earth / Who will rise up for the King / Here am I send me / Here am I send me. Whether foreign land or neighbors / Everyone's the same / Searching for the answers / That lie within your name / I want to proclaim the love of Jesus / In all I do and say / Unashamed. Chorus. Bridge: How Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news / Proclaiming peace and your salvation / Chorus.
Will you join us in shining your light for the whole world to see?
For the glory of the risen King!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Adios
We are at our hotel in San Salvador and we are leaving today. We have to say adios to all our friends old and new that we have bonded with this week.The team truly had an incredible week with lots of God moments. Our hearts are still processing all we have seen and felt. It really is a lot to take in emotionally in a week. We have seen poverty up close and personal. We have heard the stories of the incredible suffering that the people of El Salvador have to endure every day. We have looked into the eyes of the children who have seen more than they should at their age.
On Friday we held the key giving ceremony. It is always so bittersweet. The familes are receiving the blessing of a new home but we are having to say our goodbye`s. I have made many close friendships with some young teen`s in the village of San Felipe as we have built homes there for a few years. Two of my close friends Adonai and Hennry were at the key giving ceremony so I asked them if they wanted to come with us to hand out the food that we had purchased to give out in San Antonio Camino. They said they would love to come. I loved hanging out with them and walking through the village of San Antonio sharing this friendship that God blessed us with. I asked them if they had been to the village previously and Adonai had not been before. When you live in poverty you cannot afford to travel or see your own country. He had never been there and it is only about 30 minutes from his own village. I am counting the days when I will see my special friends again. I told them that there will be some day that I will not be able to return to El Salvador (when I get too old)but that I will never forget them. They are in my heart and there is not a day that goes by that I don`t think and pray for my amazing friends in San Felipe. They said they felt the same way. May God use these special young men to impact the world for His kingdom.
The first year Dennis and I were in in El Salvador we built a home for Yanira and her family. As many people know Yanira was raped and murdered last year. Her daughter Esmeralda was 18 years when her mother was murdered and she is now the main caregiver of her 4 younger brothers. She also has a son of her own named Kevin. Through Trent and Stuart and their wives Dennis and I have been able to connect with them again. They are living in the house the Bethany team built. We were able to visit them and in Las Brisas and bring them pictures of their mom that I had taken. We were also blessed to have the family come spend the day at the beach with us. I can`t explain the joy I had reconnecting and having fun together at the beach with this special family whom I love so much. I was devestated when Yanira was killed and when I was told that the family had moved away it my heart broke. I prayed that God would look after them and that they would come to know him as their personal Saviour. He heard the cries of my heart and answered my prayers. They are attending the church in San Vicente and they are being cared for. God is so faithful.
Well this is a sad day for me. I have to say adios to this amazing country that God has called me to serve in and has given me a burden for. I am counting the days until I return. Dennis and I have had the honour of serving alongside this amazing group of people on the Bathany team. Please know that we have seen a lot. Be patient with us as we process it all. It is not easy coming back to the land of plenty and seeing the abundance we have when we just left a country where people are suffering. November is especially hard as back home every one is beginning the preperations for Christmas. May God work on our hearts and may we never forget what we saw or experienced this week. May we never go back to life as normal!!!! May we use our time, resourses and gifts to help the poor and suffering.Jesus said to whom much is given much is expected. We have been given so much.Now He expects us to give much back.
On Friday we held the key giving ceremony. It is always so bittersweet. The familes are receiving the blessing of a new home but we are having to say our goodbye`s. I have made many close friendships with some young teen`s in the village of San Felipe as we have built homes there for a few years. Two of my close friends Adonai and Hennry were at the key giving ceremony so I asked them if they wanted to come with us to hand out the food that we had purchased to give out in San Antonio Camino. They said they would love to come. I loved hanging out with them and walking through the village of San Antonio sharing this friendship that God blessed us with. I asked them if they had been to the village previously and Adonai had not been before. When you live in poverty you cannot afford to travel or see your own country. He had never been there and it is only about 30 minutes from his own village. I am counting the days when I will see my special friends again. I told them that there will be some day that I will not be able to return to El Salvador (when I get too old)but that I will never forget them. They are in my heart and there is not a day that goes by that I don`t think and pray for my amazing friends in San Felipe. They said they felt the same way. May God use these special young men to impact the world for His kingdom.
The first year Dennis and I were in in El Salvador we built a home for Yanira and her family. As many people know Yanira was raped and murdered last year. Her daughter Esmeralda was 18 years when her mother was murdered and she is now the main caregiver of her 4 younger brothers. She also has a son of her own named Kevin. Through Trent and Stuart and their wives Dennis and I have been able to connect with them again. They are living in the house the Bethany team built. We were able to visit them and in Las Brisas and bring them pictures of their mom that I had taken. We were also blessed to have the family come spend the day at the beach with us. I can`t explain the joy I had reconnecting and having fun together at the beach with this special family whom I love so much. I was devestated when Yanira was killed and when I was told that the family had moved away it my heart broke. I prayed that God would look after them and that they would come to know him as their personal Saviour. He heard the cries of my heart and answered my prayers. They are attending the church in San Vicente and they are being cared for. God is so faithful.
Well this is a sad day for me. I have to say adios to this amazing country that God has called me to serve in and has given me a burden for. I am counting the days until I return. Dennis and I have had the honour of serving alongside this amazing group of people on the Bathany team. Please know that we have seen a lot. Be patient with us as we process it all. It is not easy coming back to the land of plenty and seeing the abundance we have when we just left a country where people are suffering. November is especially hard as back home every one is beginning the preperations for Christmas. May God work on our hearts and may we never forget what we saw or experienced this week. May we never go back to life as normal!!!! May we use our time, resourses and gifts to help the poor and suffering.Jesus said to whom much is given much is expected. We have been given so much.Now He expects us to give much back.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Trip to San Salvador
So the reason I didn´t post yesterday was because I ended up in the private hospital in San Salvador about an hour away from where I´m staying. Here´s the whole story.
I was getting in the truck and decided to climb up and sit on top of the cab because I´ve been doing it all week. The spare tire is what I always use as a step but the problem is, when you get on the tire, you´re facing where you want to sit. So you have to turn around. This time i didn´t move my feet, only my legs and the rest of me... Then my knee popped out of it´s place and I just started screaming because it hurt so badly. Finally someone noticed my knee was sticking way too far out to be normal and moved me into Trent and Stuart´s van so I could go see their friend Doctor Carlos. When we got there, he was in San Salvador and said he could try to come back. In the mean time I had to get a needle (those are my worst fear) and Karrie Lyn tried to keep me calm in the back with my dad. After the needle, we found out that traffic back to San Vicente was too bad and that we had to drive to San Salvador to see the doctor and go get it popped back in. So we dropped off the people who didn´t need to go and Karrie tried to keep me distracted from looking at it and the pain. A little over an hour later, my knee had kind of slid back but not much and we met Carlos in front of this Costo type place. He took us to the private hospital and used his connections to get us in the ´Doctors only´ parking lot and a gurney bed thingy and stuff. In the car he popped it back in and didn´t tell me he was going to and it was the worst feeling ever. The pain didn´t really go away. I do have pills though, they´re really strong because I can only take 1 every 8 hours and it actually works.
So that´s what happened yesterday. Today was just a bunch of sappy goodbyes that I don´t really need to explain. Good night!
I was getting in the truck and decided to climb up and sit on top of the cab because I´ve been doing it all week. The spare tire is what I always use as a step but the problem is, when you get on the tire, you´re facing where you want to sit. So you have to turn around. This time i didn´t move my feet, only my legs and the rest of me... Then my knee popped out of it´s place and I just started screaming because it hurt so badly. Finally someone noticed my knee was sticking way too far out to be normal and moved me into Trent and Stuart´s van so I could go see their friend Doctor Carlos. When we got there, he was in San Salvador and said he could try to come back. In the mean time I had to get a needle (those are my worst fear) and Karrie Lyn tried to keep me calm in the back with my dad. After the needle, we found out that traffic back to San Vicente was too bad and that we had to drive to San Salvador to see the doctor and go get it popped back in. So we dropped off the people who didn´t need to go and Karrie tried to keep me distracted from looking at it and the pain. A little over an hour later, my knee had kind of slid back but not much and we met Carlos in front of this Costo type place. He took us to the private hospital and used his connections to get us in the ´Doctors only´ parking lot and a gurney bed thingy and stuff. In the car he popped it back in and didn´t tell me he was going to and it was the worst feeling ever. The pain didn´t really go away. I do have pills though, they´re really strong because I can only take 1 every 8 hours and it actually works.
So that´s what happened yesterday. Today was just a bunch of sappy goodbyes that I don´t really need to explain. Good night!
Celebration Day
Friday is another sunny,blue day. Today we present the keys to the home owners and pray with them then a celebration follows. Then off to another village to hand out the bags we prepared ahead of time to the villagers. The honk has honked so we must leave for breakfast. God is working.
Chris Frere
Chris Frere
I am filled with anticipation and excitement today! The team will be going to be doing the key giving ceremonies for each of the 6 families. What a blessing. I cannot even imagine what it will be like for the families and the team. The key giving ceremony means it's times to say goodbye but I just can't bear it, instead it will be until we meet again. Please pray for us all as we continue to share God's love.
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