One Way Ministries

Expectation of the Gift

2011-12-05T09:26:00.000-08:00

We all are in the midst of the "Holiday Rush" as so many call it. Black Friday, sales in every store and lots of planning for the Christmas season all are consuming more and more of our time. We all fall prey to the advertisements and ads that seem to fill every inch of the page, both printed and electronic!

Yet, those of us who know the TRUTH, know what this season is really about. We all know that we are approaching the date on which we celebrate the incarnation of the God! You and I say to all of those around us that we are focused on the real reason for the season. We talk about the hype and share our opinions about how we all are too focused on the "mas", the more of Christmas than Christ. Yet, we all also are searching for just the right gift this season.

Last night I enjoyed a great time of fellowship with friends around a meal and an anticipated announcement. We eagerly awaited the news and announcement that would cause us to celebrate with shouts and excitement for the future. I am reminded of all through the Gospels and the New Testament we read of the coming again of our Lord. I am eager for the day!

Today I am being worked over by the Holy Spirit concerning my excitement for THE DAY! Each week we gather for worship with the Body and have fellowship with the whole assembly of our local church. We should eagerly anticipate the gathering of the Body each week together with the same anticipation of the gifts we will give and receive on Christmas day. We really should gather and talk about, search for, seek out, everything we can that tells us of the Day we will meet Him face to face!

Today as you look forward to the gift of Christmas, anticipate the celebration with family and friends, eagerly wait with expectation the time of celebrating with those closest to us Christmas, look forward to the day we all will gather with HIM!

Are you looking forward to the day we all will be with Him? Do you anticipate Sunday gatherings with eager expectations? Are you seeking, studying, discussing every detail of the coming events of corporate worship, small group gatherings and holiday celebrations?

Let's all look to the days ahead with such an eternal expectation that every holiday occasion becomes a Pre-Eternity celebration. As you join with family and friends this season, talk about the greatness of our God and how we look forward to the day that He comes to get His church and we all are with Him for Eternity! Let's live in full expectation of the completion of the gift that was bought on Calvary's cross for each of us! Celebrate His Coming Again!

In His Eternal Grip,
JT

When Helping Helps!

2011-11-17T08:03:00.000-08:00

For many years the church in the US has been sending short-term mission teams all over the world to do ministry in various contexts. The method of serving has not always been helpful though. In fact sometimes the helping we have sought to do has ended up hurting the long-term ministry on the ground. To this end many have recently become more aware of the motivation and methods of doing global missions in various contexts. Some books and articles have helped bring this concept to our attention.

Last week we as a ministry were able to join the church in Guatemala and see how helping helps. Our team last week was able to do several things during our week in Guatemala that clearly were seen as help to the local church and ministries in Guatemala. I want to share these ideas with you today to challenge the short-term team leaders, participants and supporters to ask the right questions to lead to effective ministry support on the field.

Our partner church in Guatemala is Jerusalen Church where our staff family, Greg, Kathy, Hannah and Haleigh Brown have begun investing their lives. This church is an amazing servant-filled church with a passion to reach their community and the indigenous Mayan communities of Guatemala. Through a patient, intentional development of a complimentary partnership we have been able to hear their heart and see their vision for their country. It has taken a couple of years of asking the right questions and seeking to humble our US pride to hear the real needs and desires of the ministry the church is doing on a regular basis.

We have been blessed to walk a road of church planting from the beginning in a community just outside the city known as Sacajvilla. this past week we were able to join the Jerusalen Church ministry team to provide a Festival Biblical infantile (FBI) event that ministered to the children and teens of the Lantana community within this village. We were also able to literally walk with the local mission church into the community on home visits and share the hope of the Good News with many families as we shared a bag of food to help sustain their lives. It is such a joy to walk with the local church and allow them to lead the work of ministry on the ground. this is a challenge for our task driven US short-term teams who want to feel "productive" and "busy" for the Kingdom. Yet, the reward comes in watching the faces of children like Evan, a severely handicapped boy in a remote region of the village, explode with excitement as pastor Juan, the mission church leader from Jerusalen Church, walks into his home and loves on the family! When these great men and women of the mission church open the door to these humble houses of tin and cardboard the lives they are touching come alive with joy and thanksgiving.

This trip we were also able to carry with us 160 pairs of new shoes from Soles 4 Souls to share with the community. As we journey through the airport and to our field of service, the thoughts of how we will see faces light up for joy because we bring them shoes fills the team's thoughts. Yet, when we arrive, the church has a plan of ministry that does not allow for the giving away of the shoes. this is an internal struggle as we walk with the local church throughout the week. Then mid-week I am struck hard at the core of my motivation as i hear our host pastor share they have been collecting shoes for the community and have a list already of names and sizes of people within the community they are planning to give new shoes to the following week!

What a great God we serve! He had a plan for the team who has the resources to bring to the local church what they need to fulfill the vision for ministry they already had received from the Father. The lord had it in the works already to provide shoes to this community, He simply wanted to demonstrate Psalm 67 to us by using us to provide resources for His ways to be made known and His salvation to be shared through the local church!

This week I sit at my desk with a new understanding of how helping does help. I see in a fresh new way how when there is need within the body there is a provision for that need within the body. Last week the need in the local church in Guatemala was to complete a list of needed sizes of shoes for a community in need. This week the local church has the resources in hand to complete its mission. Thank you to Soles 4 Souls for allowing the body in Guatemala to receive the much needed shoes to finish the task they had been called to by God. I pray that as we continue to serve the church in Guatemala, we will help them by selflessly giving to them the resources for them to reach their community! I realize it is not the typical experience to carry the six bags of shoes through the process only to hand them over to the local church and walk away. yet this week I am learning how Helping helps the local church fulfill its role within its own context as the avenue through which the Gospel message is spread. I realize that I do not need to be seen or heard or thanked by the child who will receive the shoes we carried to Guatemala. I need to support the work of the local church and allow them to give shoes and serve the community for the sake of His great name and for the sake of His Gospel.

Helping helps when we serve the local church and support them as the agent of transformation used by the Holy Spirit to reach their world. Helping helps when we teach His Word to the children and teens of a village who will share what they learn form us to their families and friends and be used by the Father to reach their world. Helping helps when I am willing to ask the right question, "How can we help you do ministry that God has called you to do in your community?" Helping helps when we are willing to become the support crew for the local church to fulfill its mission of reaching its world and teaching His Word in their communities to grow the Kingdom! Helping helps when we are willing to listen to the needs of the local church and promote their ministry through their faith family members! Let us all be willing to help in a way that helps!

Psalm 67 Follow-Up

2011-10-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at The Church at Brook Hills, our pastor David Platt shared from his heart the message of Psalm 67 and how that applies to our going to the nations. I agree with David that a clear understanding of this Psalm should motivate us to GO! Not just go to church. Not even just to go on a mission trip. We should be motivated by this Psalm to go to that place of servant sacrifice we all know we should go.

Being a servant is what we saw in the model of Jesus' earthly ministry. he went to the hurting, hopeless and helpless. Jesus spent His time on the earth ministering to those who needed hope the most. At the same time he invested His intimate time with the twelve men closest to Him. If I believe this model to be accurate about Jesus' life then I should seek to follow this model in my own faith journey...right? If this is the model I am to follow then we must ask the question how should I follow?

In Matthew 5:17 Jesus spoke to His disciples and said, "Follow me and i will make you fishers of men." Where did Jesus go? But, more pointedly, where is He going now? Jesus is in the slums of Kampala, Uganda among the street children and forgotten orphans of that city. Jesus is in the dump in Guatemala City among the desperate families surviving on less than $2 a day. Jesus is in the villages of northern India among the thousands of rural people seeking truth in a god who will answer. Jesus is in the hills of New Mexico among the Navajo teenagers who are searching for some reason to continue to live. Jesus is among the indigenous people of each region who are looking for a Savior whose name they have never heard. Jesus is all over this globe among the desperate, forgotten, impoverished people groups.

One Way Ministries 2012 Trip Schedule
January 3-14 New Mexico
March 3-10 Guatemala
March 18-24 Guatemala
March 31-1 New Mexico
May 26-2 Guatemala
June 2-9 Guatemala
June 16-23 New Mexico
June 23-30 New Mexico
July 7-21 Africa
July 14-21 Guatemala
July 21-28 Guatemala
August 24-27 Guatemala
October 6-13 New Mexico
November 3-10 Guatemala
December 26-2 Africa/Uganda

If I am to "follow" then I must go where Jesus is! In the words of an old Gospel song, "Its time we the people stand up for what is right...its time we squared our shoulders back and raise our swords to fight...for the Bible is my weapon ...and the Spirit is my shield...the Church needs more of its members to be workers in the field." We have been promised a blessing that no one can take away. The blessing of grace poured out on us without measure is being poured over our churches in America! It is time we stand up for what is right and become a bride on the move!

For far too many years the church has remained silent...or at least real quiet in our culture. Many of us have never even shared one-on-one with another person the entire Good News of Jesus. It is time you as a follower of Jesus follow Him into the field and serve the world in which we have been planted. This will require sacrifice! Jesus taught us to serve and to sacrifice. He showed us how to live and how to die! But Praise be to God He did not stop there...He showed us how to live again! As Nicodemus heard the eternal impact of the rebirth we hear the resounding echo of the saints of old shouting AMEN to those amazing words, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." We hear the Samaritan village of the woman at the well shout in unison," we no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

It is time we sacrifice our comfort for the cross! It is time we give up our plenty for His power. We must sacrifice our excess for their eternity! Yes, as Psalm 67 teaches us, our abundance is provided by the Father to us so that His ways will be made known and His salvation will be shared with all! The eternal opportunity of the world is literally within our own check books! Where is our excess being used and we can determine where our hearts are being drawn! Are we really living within the necessary level of our provision and sharing the rest of what the Lord provides for the sake of eternity around the world?

Can we really call it sacrifice when so much is gained by our giving? Jesus taught us the value of laying down our lives, everything we have for the sake of those who need what we have to give! How then will we lay down our lives for the sake of those whom He has entrusted into our hands? How will we show the eternal significance of the Savior of the world? How can we serve the world by going to the places where Jesus is and following Him? Or should we ask, how will we go?

Many opportunities are available for you to join a ministry, a missionary, a church planter, a servant, a team, a church. It is not a question of whether or not there is opportunity. The question is will you go right now? in your heart will you commit to allow the Father to guide your heart and carry you to the slums, the dump, the hills, the valley, the village, the city streets, the house across the street? Will you commit today and take action on that commitment? We have been blessed beyond what we need for the purpose of carrying the Gospel to the people all over the globe who need to hear of His judgement and His grace. Come on and join us as we walk into the field and become His hands and His feet! Go!

2012 Summer Internship

2011-10-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

Are you a student searching for a way to serve Christ?

Join us for an internship in 2012!

Interns are a vital part of our ministry. Through their servant leadership,

we are able to lead teams on the ground, in mission sites, to fulfill the plan of

Reaching the World....and Teaching the Word!

Interns go through an application process and
are selected by our staff and board members.

If you are interested in being an intern next summer, please go to this link and download an application packet.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

http://www.1wayministries.org/interns.htm

New 2012 Calendar

2011-09-20T18:03:00.000-07:00

We are blessed beyond words for what Christ has done through the ministry this year! He has shown us His perfect timing in so many situations, His provision and His grace. We thank God for those of you who gave of your time, your money and your servant hearts to join us in the field and better serve His kingdom. We could not have done it without you, THANK YOU.

In obedience with His word, we will travel again this year and seek to serve the desperate, forgotten people groups of the world. We ask that you examine your hearts and ask Him how you can serve Him in 2012? Maybe it is to stretch yourself... to go beyond what is comfortable....to go to Guatemala or Africa. Maybe you feel you need to stay within the US this year, we can accomodate trips right here in New Mexico. Maybe it is being a financial sponsor for someone else to attend a trip. However God is calling you to serve....we ask that you pray earnestly, follow your heart and step out. He is waiting for us to meet Him in His plan.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth" Acts 1:8

We are pleased to launch our NEW 2012 calendar...

January 3-14 New Mexico
March 3-10 Guatemala
March 18-24 Guatemala
March 31-April 7 New Mexico
May 26-June 2 Guatemala
June 2-9 Guatemala
June 16-23 New Mexico
June 23-30 New Mexico
July 7-21 Africa
July 14-21 Guatemala
July 21-28 Guatemala
August 24-27 Guatemala
October 6-13 New Mexico
November 3-10 Guatemala
December 26-Jan. 2 Uganda

Please look over it and see where you can be of service.....

Many Blessings!

Karen

Today is the Day...

2011-09-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

Well it has been quite a while since I have written a post on the ministry blog site...and today seems like a good day to do so...9.13.67 began a journey that has brought me to this day some 44 years later and greatly blessed! I have seen many things change in my lifetime. I have watched the gallons in my gas tank decrease as the dollars out of my wallet have increased. I have seen the country move further out and the city seem closer in than ever before. I have felt the days weigh heavier on my stature and the burden of performing daily grow lighter and lighter.

The Father has chosen to pour into my life in s many ways and through so many people. As I reflect today on my birthday I realize God has blessed me beyond belief! It is hard to imagine having so many people wishing you a happy birthday would call you friend! WOW...how blessed I am to have had so many people touch my life! I am so overwhelmed with the number of people who have been a part of the journey so far.

Today as i walk this road of faith I realize today is the day...today is the day to say what is on my mind...today is the day to share what is on my heart...today is the day to speak those words that God has planted deep in my soul through the years of investment and impact from all of the wonderful people He has used to shape and mold my life into what it is today!

Jesus is the Way is what is proclaimed in John 14:6. Whether you believe all that the Bible has to say or not, the only way to the throne of grace is through the way of Calvary! All sin will either be pardoned at the cross or punished in Hell for all eternity! Today is the day to settle that issue for yourself. If you are reading this, you now have no excuse...today is the day you have been touched by the truth of His Word made alive in Jesus! The sin debt you and I have been born under is not eternally held against us! The Good News of the Bible is that Jesus paid a debt you and i could not pay and bought us freedom from sin and death! We have the opportunity to have our sin debt pardoned by the cross and not punished in Hell!

Today is the day for you to settle it forever...Today is the day to not think about it, wonder about it or dance around it! Today is the day to recognize you have no choice but to sin and fall short of every measure acceptance Gods has, yet He has provided a way! Jesus came so that we would have hope beyond this sinful life we were born into. Jesus came as the eternal Redeemer of all creation! Today is the day you can see your sin as the thing that separates you from His grace and confess your sin to Him. Today you can confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord of your life and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead as a victory over death, Hell, and the grave for you. Today Jesus can redeem you from eternal punishment to set you free to live eternally for His great glory!

Where are you today? Not where are you sitting right now as you read this, where are you in relation to eternity today? Have you confessed and been redeemed for all eternity? Has Jesus become your way? Are his ways being made know in all the earth through your life? Is His salvation being made known in every occasion of your journey in this world? Today is the day! Today you can be set free! Today you can confess and believe! Today is the day!

Even though I was born this day 44 years ago, May 29th 1979 I was born again and set free. Free to live a life He has planned for me. I am not wealthy in this world's eyes. I have not been a glowing example of success in the standards of this world's economy or success. I am not the expert in any field or skill. I have not accomplished great things for mankind that have changed the way this world lives. I am not known by famous people all over the world. I am not comfortable with a retirement plan and security of daily provision in my bank account.

I am a child of the King who knows, my past is redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is secure! This is the day to celebrate the joy of my salvation and remember I have a redeemer who knows everything I have been through, everything I will face and will walk with me through the fire to the end of the age and beyond! this is the day of salvation and the day to celebrate LIFE!!!

God's lessons from the summer

2011-07-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

I was going to post this when I got back from Guatemala, but I got busy and forgot so here it is...

God taught me so much this summer, but the one thing that He has been working on my heart is waiting on His perfect timing. God showed me last summer that He wanted me to move to Guatemala to do mission work, but He has me back in the states to finish school until He calls me there. It can be really hard because my heart longs to be there. I think about Guatemala everyday and all the love that the people there have for me, but God says wait because I know what is best for you right now and I know what I have planned for your life.

This summer God allowed me to do mission work in New Mexico for two weeks and mission work in Guatemala for three weeks. I wanted to stay in Guatemala for the whole summer, but that was not God’s plan. He had me going to New Mexico. When I first got to New Mexico, I dreaded being there. God turned that around. He showed me that I was not there for myself, but for Him and His people. Later in the first week of the New Mexico trip, God showed me why He brought me to New Mexico. There was a girl there about my age that was going through the same mess that my birth mom went through. I could tell that this girl was longing for hope. She said that she read the Bible, but they were just words on a page. We gave her another Bible and she said that she was going to read it. I was really encouraged by that, but what gave me the most encouragement was one of the people on the Texas team, Mikki. When we got back to the church that we worked with, she asked me questions about my childhood life. I told her the story of my birth mother and all the things I went through. We both cried our eyes out and then she told me her story. She said that she was very encouraged to hear my heart even though I went through some hard stuff in the past and it showed her that adopting kids going through hard stuff was good. She said that in the past, she would be scared to adopt kids going through stuff I went through. I believe that was another reason God brought me to New Mexico so my past could help her see that kids going through hard things like me needs a loving family and that we are not bad people. He also opened my eyes and showed me that I could help people that are going through the same stuff I went through and experienced.

God did some amazing work in Guatemala. He opened the hearts of the lost and they surrendered their lives to Christ. He allowed me to share my life with some high school kids. There was one school we went to that was close to the church that we worked with. One of the ladies on the team was telling a Bible story and the guys in the back were cutting up and acting like fools, but once I got up there and shared my story they stopped and listened with open ears and an open heart. I could tell that they were taking in every word by the faces they were giving me.

I am so blessed to be able to travel and share the Gospel with the unreached and lost people. I consider my life as an Esther. Like in the Bible, God allowed her to be picked as Queen to help her people even though she hated the idea. As for me, God allowed me to go through those hard times so He could use my life to help His people. What a powerful God we serve and I will be waiting on His perfect timing even when it is hard.

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” ~Esther 4:14

~Brittney Cleveland

2011-07-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

As I awoke Friday morning and was preparing for the day, I prayed that God would let us be sensitive to His Spirit as we went out and finished out our last day of ministry here in Guatemala and on the field this summer..I prayed that lives would be changed, hearts of our team and the hearts of those we were going to visit. Well, God is good and to Him be the glory for everything that happened yesterday!

During the morning we broke up into two teams, each going to do four home visits. On our first visit, we were able to pray with and encourage a sister of the church who had just recently lost her sister and was struggling greatly. God, being the awesome and sovereign God that He is, equipped our team with just the right people. One of our team members lost her dad as a child and was able to relate to the struggles of this woman. Our second visit brought us to a Catholic couple who had been in and out of church a lot. The gospel was presented to them and they prayed for the forgiveness of their sins and confessed Jesus as their true Lord! We continued on to our third visit then and met an older lady who was a church member who had not been in a while. We walked in to find her reading her Bible! As we began talking with her, she shared with us that due to her diabetes and bad knees she isn’t able to walk to church anymore. Hannah Brown was in our group, and she shared with the lady about how her diabetes can be a daily struggle for her as well. She prayed for the lady and you could feel the Holy Spirit in that home, uniting us as believers..encouraging one another like scripture calls us to. Then, we gave the lady a food bag and she immediately began to weep tears of joy and thanksgiving. Our whole team was in tears by the time we left. To see how much a simple food bag can bless the life of someone like her was truly a moving experience. Then on we went to our last visit. We visited a lady who was in desperate need of a job and who continuously needs strength to provide for her son, Kevin, who is in the daycare at the church. Again, one of the team members shared very similar struggles and was able to relate to this young woman.

To God be the glory!! All through this summer God has shown us how great He truly is. In America, we have doctors and running water and access to food, so we don’t really need God for a lot of things..we may not necessarily mean to, but we do not depend on Him! So, it was incredible to see the faith of some of the people we came into contact with this summer. These families have to depend on God for everything, every day! What an inspiration and motivation it was to see the faith and hospitality of the people in Guatemala. Even if all they had were dirt floors, they would offer any seating that they had and make us sit.

This last day’s experiences were just a glimpse of how God moved this summer. My prayer as I travel home is that God continues to speak to me by His Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church. I pray that as I obey the guidance of His Spirit, I continue to learn to truly trust in Him through experiences like these this summer.

Romans 12:9-21
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

-Lindsey

God's work this summer :)

2011-07-21T21:12:00.000-07:00

This is my last blog post and the summer is coming to an end. God has taught me so much this summer. One thing He has taught me was to wait on His timing. I am a very impatient person. I am ready for Him to tell me to move to Guatemala, but I know He has a plan for me while I am in Alabama. I don’t have much to write about so I will post pictures to show all the work God did this summer.
~Brittney

God's work in the next generation..

2011-07-20T21:23:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow God is going to move in a mighty way. He has an incredible plan, and is going to work powerfully in the lives of those He allows us to touch and speak to in Lantana. I am amazed at the work He has been doing here, and am preparing myself to be absolutely awed by the power of His name tomorrow. He has placed mighty men and women of faith here to whom He has revealed what He is doing, and what He is about to do in Guatemala. They are praying and acting out of obedience and belief. Jesus is being made known among the nations! We have been blessed to have the opportunity to pray over the next generation of followers of Jesus Christ, to lay our hands on them and be used to pour His love and power upon them. When we pray, God hears us! My prayer for this summer was that God would perform the miracle of rescuing sinners and redeeming them… I have seen Him do this. When we praise, God hears us! Worshiping alongside believers from all over has been a wonderful experience… To truly worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). When we seek, God hears us! God has caused me through the Holy Spirit to seek Him and His wisdom. And He has heard me. He has revealed Himself, His purposes, and His ways. I have heard His voice and have come to know Him even more. God has shown me this summer what He can do with faith like a grain of mustard seed – He can move mountains. The enemy has attacked, and will yet attack in a multitude of ways, but God will have the victory because Dios siempre gana! God always wins. Please pray with me for that victory tomorrow and days to come in Guatemala. Pray for Pastor Morales and his family, for the Brown family, for their church family, those who God has planted here. They need His strength! Apart from Him we can do nothing. We should go out relying completely on our Lord. One plants, another waters, but it is God who gives the growth. Please pray for healthy and plentiful seed! Please pray for pure and clean water! Please pray for God to give that growth! I would encourage you, don’t just sit back and watch as others plant and water… God has commanded you to do the same. Join Him in His work. Listen to His voice and obey. Pour yourselves our and give it all to Him who is worthy! Think in terms of eternity.
"If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" –David Livingstone
“…For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
-Morgan

Tuesday..

2011-07-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

Today we did home visits once again in the community of Lantana. We broke into three groups, each visiting two different homes before lunch. My team was welcomed in the first house by a lady and her two (very shy) children. As we shared with her, it was evident that she understood what we were sharing with her. However, she also shared that she attended a Catholic church. The more we talked with this lady, the more clear it became that she had head knowledge, but there was a disconnect between her head and her heart. We gave her a food bag, and she was very grateful. We prayed over her then, but I ask that you continue praying for her. I pray that she comes to realize that it’s not about a religion! We often here the phrase, “It’s not about a religion, it’s about a relationship” and that is so true! However, so many people fall under that false teaching.

The second house we visited belonged to a mother of three precious girls. The family was all believers in desperate need of encouragement. As we began to ask questions about their life and how we could pray for them, their need for encouragement became more and more pressing. They had recently moved to the community and the daughter was struggling very much with the move. She was 15 years old, and dHaleigh was able to share with her about their move to Guatemala and how she understands the girl’s struggles. She prayed for her, and you could feel God encouraging presence there. The mom also shared with us that they weren’t really going to church anywhere since they were new to the community. What an opportunity! As we presented the food bag to this family, the mother and the older daughter immediately began to cry. The mom shared with us that they have been struggling very much economically, and just this morning she cried out to God…telling Him that they were in need of food and His provision..and then we showed up only a few hours later!! How great is our God! We prayed over the family and after a few more minutes of talking we went our way. Then, during the afternoon two teams went out to do more visits and a team of us stayed back at the church to hang out and love on some of the neighborhood children. A few minutes into it, the family showed up! It was such an encouragement to see them already eager to get involved with the church.

Being in these homes really brought things back into a much needed perspective. Many of the families we visited today live on only a few dollars a day. Many do not even have any type of flooring. Their homes are a few pieces of tin nailed together and many have dirt floors. The houses are typically just one big room, with a few beds along the walls. And we complain about our orders at a fast food places being wrong….the line in Starbucks is too long…and continue and continue to spend our money in foolish ways, not truly recognizing the significance of what $20 could do for the families here.

My prayer as we wrap up our time here in Guatemala is that hearts would be changed. Not only hearts repenting of sin here in Guatemala, but hearts of the team..my heart, as we head back to the states would become aware and changed. I pray the images we saw today will never fade away. I pray we always remember the bigger picture of why we’re here…to give everything we have in service to God! He gave us the things we have for a reason, and we are using our resources oh so selfishly! We must learn to give, give, give, give, and give some more..not of just money, but give our love and time to the people who need it.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6
-Lindsey

God uses my past

2011-07-18T21:43:00.000-07:00

So this afternoon, we went to a high school close to the church that we work at. It was really cool because these kids were close to my age. We told them a Bible story and then I got to share my testimony. I have shared it before, but this time it felt different. When one of the ladies was telling the Bible story, the boys in the back of the room was playing and acting up, but once I got up there and started telling them how Christ changed my life, they sat up and listened. It was really cool to share my life with them and they listened. It would have been totally different back in the States. The kids in the States would have played and acted up the whole time. I really love how God allowed me to use my past to share with those that are going through the same things I went through. I know God never wanted me to go through all that mess, but He is using it to bring him glory so I believe God wants to me share my story with you. I grew up in a non-Christian home. Both of my parents were druggies and were always drunk. My father was never around. My mother was abusive and hated me. She always slept with many men and they were abusive also. My grandmother was a Christian and would take us to church when my mother let her. My mother didn’t believe in Jesus and always told me that what my grandmother believed was not true. When I was 11, I went into foster care. My foster parents showed me the love of Christ and how He loved me. At first, I was confused because I never really saw what love was really like. I went to a Christian class and a year later I surrendered my life to Christ. I was then adopted at age 14. Now Christ is calling me to mission work. He is calling me to Guatemala to share my story with those that went through the same things I went through. So God has changed me in ways no one has ever seen and I praise Him every day for it.
~Brittney

Psalm 108:3-4

2011-07-17T20:05:00.000-07:00

“I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Psalm 108:3-4
This morning the team and I got to live that Scripture out! God again gave us the amazing opportunity to worship alongside our brothers and sisters in Guatemala. We gave thanks to Him among the peoples and praised Him loudly among the nations… It is always a unique experience to worship at New Jerusalen. As Lindsey has already blogged, it truly is like a glimpse of heaven! For me, it also raised the awareness of other believers all across the globe who are worshiping and seeking after Jesus Christ just as we are. It is such a beautiful thing when we all come together and are connected by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us because of what Jesus has done for us. Guatemalans are especially good at being incredibly warm and hospitable. It is definitely something I want to take back with me!
This afternoon was different than any of our other days with the church there because for lunch we got to serve them. Or at least we tried to. Haha, we had trouble getting them to just sit down and let us take care of it! This is the place to learn to be a true servant. Their hearts are so generous and loving! It can be overwhelming.
I am excited about this week. God has already shown Himself powerful, completely sovereign, and that He is at work here in many ways. It is a huge blessing to be able to join Him in His work and be used as instruments, knowing that we are totally incapable of doing anything of our own strength, but that it all comes from Christ in us. We can rely on Him, because He is faithful! I have come to know Him on a much deeper level as I have seen and experienced Him in so many ways. What a gracious and patient King we belong to! May we strive to live as the body of Christ, daily pouring ourselves out for Him so that He can fill us back up. Remember to pray for the nations!
-Morgan

When we pray, when we praise, when we seek...God hears us!

2011-07-16T20:53:00.000-07:00

This morning as we were talking with the team as they prepared to leave, I really got to thinking about everything God has been teaching me so far this summer. When we debrief with a team before they go home, I answer the questions knowing that I’m not quite going home yet. However, this morning I realized that the summer is almost over. Just one more week left before we travel back the Turners and then back to Tennessee for me.

God has really been opening my eyes recently to the true power of His word and prayer. They seem like such simple things, but so often we do not give them enough value.

Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” And then Paul continues and says, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving (4:2).”

When we debrief, JT often asks, “What is one thing you’ve learned on this trip that you can do and take home with you?” For me, one answer would be to pray more intently and intensely. How powerful would it be if we as a body gathered more often to pray!
Another thing that I’ve learned is how much more you can learn when in a true sense of biblical community!! Being surrounded by other believers during the entire course of the summer has had such a huge impact on me and what I’ve learned and how I’ve grown! The time has enabled me to share with others what God is revealing to me each day, which has helped them to challenge me to live out what I’m learning. How great it would be to have that at home! This time together has also shown me how powerful prayer can be when done together with the body more often. I have learned so much from other believers by being around them on a daily basis, living and sharing together. Even just this morning as the team was preparing to leave, I had a really great conversation with one of the lady’s who has shared some of the same struggles as I have. And how great it was to see how God has worked through her life and to learn from some of the simple things she shared with me just about life in general!

My prayer as we wrap up this summer and spend one more week in Guatemala is that God would place people in my life at home that I can have that daily communication with. People to continually pray with, share with, and people who will challenge me. My prayer for this week is that as we go into homes to encourage and share, God would continually show us people at home who need those same visits, that same encouragement, and that same prayer. I pray that our hearts would be sensitive to His spirits’ leading this week. I pray through everything that happens His name will be glorified...and that we will come to know Him by experience as we obey Him and share His name in this nation.

-Lindsey

God's Blessings

2011-07-15T22:09:00.000-07:00

As I sit in Guatemala, God reminds me of how blessed Americans are. Kathy Brown told me about a home that she visited today. It was of a little girl named Alma, who is 13 years old. She was so excited to hear that our team was coming to her house. We did go to her school, but since she can’t walk, then she can’t go to school. She has to stay at home and take care of her little siblings while her mother is at work. This story just brought me to tears to think that this little girl is longing to go to school, but she can’t. Looking at how the people live here also brings me to tears. God has blessed us so much, but yet we Americans are so unthankful. God has given us a nice house to live in and three meals a day sometimes more. He has given us good health, but yet we still want more. It hurts me to hear how a person in America spends their money when there are people in other places that are dying of lack of food. The pastor also told us today that he and his church were praying for us and our country. Wouldn’t it be cool if people from America say the same thing? This is what has been on my heart for a while and I felt that God wanted me to share this with all of you who are reading this blog.
~Brittney

To listen & obey...

2011-07-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

This summer God has grown me so much! He is teaching me to listen to Him… To really listen to Him! And He has taught me to say “yes, Lord!” In New Mexico, He enabled me to obey His voice, and I was blessed to be used by Him to share the Gospel with the people there. Yesterday was a different and completely new scenario for me though. He impressed upon me that one of the team members needed to share their testimony with the class in Lantana, but it was suggested that I share mine, so I agreed. In agreeing, I disobeyed God. He had already told me the other person needed to share. But I, in my haste, failed to heed His voice. As I shared my testimony, it felt wrong, and I have never struggled so hard with my words. I learned in New Mexico to jump up and share, but God taught me yesterday that there are times when I am not suppose to share. I am suppose to insist on the person God has planned to use to share what He, in His sovereignty, has given them to share. Because of His power, He can still use the things I shared with the classroom yesterday, but because of my disobedience, they did not hear all that they needed to. They might have heard part of it, but not the entirety. I am so thankful to have learned from my failure. And I praise God that He is mighty to save, regardless of our failures. This experience has opened my eyes to a lot. And this summer has been an incredible opportunity to grow in Jesus Christ and His word. I am blown away by Him… I have been seized by the power of a great affection! I am striving to listen, and to be still and know He is God. There are times we all need to stop doing, and start being. We need to stop the clamorous, selfish prayers and listen to His voice. We keep on asking Him things, but never stop to hear His response, because we are too busy repeating the question, or asking the next. The conversation must become two-sided instead of one! God is speaking.. May we listen and obey.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
-Morgan Eberts

2011-07-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

Our day begins by doing VBS in Lantana. We share a Bible story with them, testimonies, and do a craft. We play soccer and other games outside with the children at the local school. What an experience! The children are so well mannered and so attentive and ready to hear what we have to share. What an opportunity God has given us to be able to work with the school there! After a good morning of VBS at the school, we go to a local house to eat our lunch. Then the rain begins. Rain, rain, and more rain. We had planned on doing several home visits this afternoon and giving out food bags, and our chances of being able to do that seemed like they were getting more and more slim. Everything between the rain and..car troubles..made it seem as if nothing was going to come of our afternoon.

As always though, God has different plans…part of our team goes back to the house to work on the van, and the rest of the team toughed out the rain to go on three home visits. As the afternoon progresses, we begin to learn a LOT.

I think our team realized how the church in America fails so often at truly living out the word of God. When we share the gospel, so often WE speak, not letting the Holy Spirit guide us. So often, we give our own opinions and don’t even share scripture with those we are in contact with. So often we pressure people into repeating a prayer when it is not a prayer that saves! It is through the power of God’s word, yet we rely on our own words and methods when trying to share the truth of Christ……then, sometimes we wonder why there isn’t more of a response…..but we must realize, did we do the talking or did God’s spirit move through us? God’s word is enough!!!!! As a church body, we must work on this issue together, praying that God would teach us how to share with obedience as in scripture. Tonight as we talked, God really opened our eyes and really helped us to realize our failures and mistakes. Now we must be obedient to study in scripture how we are to share with sound scriptural truth. My prayer is that God continues to work on our hearts, and as the week continues we will be sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit..following it and not our own ways.
-Lindsey

2011-07-13T05:40:00.000-07:00

As I was reading God’s Word today, I came across Romans 8:38. It says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This verse really hit home. Nothing can separate us from God’s hands. Once we are His, then we can never leave His hands. This verse can be very comforting when we are going through some hard stuff. We can always remember that we will always be in His hands and that He will always be there for us when we need Him. What a wonderful God we have that will always love us even when we sin against Him.
~Brittney

2011-07-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

We are three days in as a team and are already beginning to feel like family! The biblical community is already taking place, and it is wonderful, as always! Today was the team’s first day doing VBS at New Jerusalen. The day starts out with prayer as we wait for the arrival of the kids, and before we know it they are pouring in the doors, smiling and looking at the “gringos” with curiosity and excitement. One of the most amazing parts of the day is at the beginning, after we have sung the silly songs with crazy and tiring motions, they have the kids sit down and close their eyes. They then play a certain song, and as it plays all the members of the team move among the kids to lay hands on them and embrace them as we pray and cry out to God on their behalf. During that time today, I really felt the Holy Spirit moving. I know He brought each and every child there for a very specific reason, and He is already at work in their lives. I know that from those little boys, He will raise up bold leaders who will proclaim His truth and His Gospel. He will raise up godly men He is going to work through to bring the people of Guatemala to Himself. And from the little girls, He will raise up strong women of faith who will raise their children in the admonition of the Lord and share the Gospel in love. Though there is a language barrier, you can tell the kids know what is taking place and they, too, feel the Spirit moving. In that moment, He is the one touching them and embracing them! It is a joy and a blessing to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
The beautiful thing about today is that we had planned to go to a village called Lantana, but through a series of events were unable to. As someone in the group said, while we had to go to plan B, it was still God’s plan A! He never goes to plan B because He is in complete control! Just listening to the stories as we debriefed tonight reaffirmed that God’s will was accomplished in His way and His timing. There was so much packed into today that I do not have the time and space to describe it all to you, and it is only the first day! I know and expect to see great things from Jesus and the power of His name this week. Please join us in prayer for the work God is doing in this place. To Him be the glory!
-Morgan Eberts

A Glimpse of Heaven.

2011-07-10T21:32:00.000-07:00

1 Tesalonicenses 5:17 “Orad sin cesar”

As we drove to the church this morning with Greg and Hannah Brown, I was excited to be back at the church again...for several reasons. When we walk into the church, the local church family greats us with hugs and kisses and they have the most sincere smiles. As worship begins, God’s spirit fills the place, and how AWESOME it is! Even though the songs are in a different language, I enjoy it oh so much. Without knowing the words, it gets my mind focused in a way that is impossible in the states. Without knowing the words, I am not distracted by the insecurity of my voice or the people around me. I am focused on the God who created the world. The God who is in control of all of us. The God who put us here together to accomplish His work this week. The God who gives us so much when we deserve nothing. This morning’s worship was so powerful for the fact that we were singing together (trying our best anyways)….in a completely different language, and the experience is truly like a glimpse of heaven. All of us praising together...I can’t wait for the day when there is no language barrier and we are all together in Heaven on our faces praising our sovereign God!

As the summer continues, I am realizing more and more the true power of prayer. God has really opened my eyes the past few days to how much of a lack there is of that..prayer. True and sincere prayer. What would happen if we as a body prayed together on a regular basis? What if we gathered together in true biblical community, not just on the field, but at home, and prayed together? Paul tells us to pray without ceasing! Rejoice always!

Tomorrow we begin our work out in the communities. Please be in prayer that the Holy Spirit would move and that our hearts would be sensitive to its’ guidance. As we have mentioned, not our plans..but God’s! In chapter 2 of 1 Thessalonians, Paul is speaking about his ministry to the people there. In verse 8 he says, “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” We must give everything! As Greg and JT have been sharing with the team, we have to leave it all here. If we pour out everything we have, God will then fill us up again. However, we have to pour it ALL out before HE can refresh us again!

-Lindsey Clayton

God's plan not mine

2011-07-09T18:20:00.001-07:00

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

I have really taken this verse to heart after God called me to the mission field. I was seventeen years old when He called me to mission work, but I did not want to listen. I thought I had my own plans for my life, but God said no you are going to do what I want you to do. So at age nineteen, I listened to what God was saying. He wanted me to do mission work in a different country. I thought it was Africa, but He was really calling me to Guatemala. When God called me to Guatemala, it was if He spoke it to me. It was as clear as daylight. I am not sure of what He wants me to do in Guatemala, but I know He will show me in His perfect timing. Until then, I will learn Spanish, pray for His plans for me in Guatemala and do the mission work He is calling me now to do.
~ Brittney

It all depends on perspective...

2011-07-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

As I sit here in Guatemala sifting through the many thoughts in my brain that I want to type up for this blog, Proverbs 27:1 is what God has laid on my heart. It says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” He has been hammering this into my mind and my heart and teaching it to me through things that have taken place this summer. God has impressed upon me that I really am not guaranteed tomorrow! Therefore, I need to be living every moment pouring myself out, serving Him for His glory. I need to be making most of the time by making Him known, like Paul who “decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified”. I need to jump at every opportunity He gives me to share the Gospel with those around me. Evangelism is the one thing you can’t do in heaven! He has given me many opportunities, and I have told Him “no” or “not now” far too many times. It is time to say “yes, Lord!” It is time to put aside the pride that prevents us from speaking when we most need to, the pride that causes us to do things for our own glory and not for the glory of Him who made and redeemed us. Instead, let us embrace perspective which puts everything in its rightful place, the perspective which shows us that this life is not to be wasted, but used to serve our Lord and share Jesus who is mighty to save, the perspective which enables us to use our time wisely. May it clear our minds of the things of this world and focus us on eternal things – on kingdom work! We need to lose our pride and win perspective.
-Morgan

The Summer Thus Far...

2011-07-07T14:09:00.000-07:00

The summer thus far…

As we pack and prepare to leave for another two weeks in Guatemala, my mind reminisces about the summer thus far. The past few weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions. My heart has rejoiced over seeing God move in numerous ways, my patience has been tested, my heart has grown close to team members and children in both New Mexico and Guatemala. Most of all, I’ve grown more and more thankful for everything Christ has given me that I do not deserve. Hearing about the poverty in Guatemala was one thing for me, but then seeing it with my own eyes has put a whole new perspective on things. Hearing about the wild fires here in America was one thing, but then hearing from two ladies in Red Hill (a community we did VBS at in New Mexico) about the smoke was another story. They said just the week before we got there they could not even go outside because the smoke was so heavy they couldn’t breathe! This summer has made me so much more thankful for the small things. Even the time I spend with the Turners in between trips has been a learning experience that I am SO thankful for. Being an elementary education major and a girl who can’t wait to have children of her own someday, it’s been so awesome to see parents with Christ focused minds like theirs as they raise five children. They do such an incredible job! I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a family with such sincere love for Christ and each other.

We’ve kept pretty busy, often times only getting a few hours of sleep. We’ve shared many laughs (often deriving from the lack of sleep), and shared quite a few tears. We’ve seen God do only things He can do…we are doing some work, but His name is getting all the glory! I am so thankful that He has allowed me to be a part of the work He is doing this summer, because with or with us He is going to work. How awesome that He has given us the opportunity to join Him!!

As I pack my clothes and bags for Guatemala, I know that He is not done yet. I pray for hearts of the team members joining us the next two weeks. I pray that together, we work with our minds focused on the eternal picture. I pray that our hearts will be sensitive to listen to what God is doing in Guatemala. I pray that His spirit will guide us in all that we do, and that we remember our purpose for being there. I pray that hearts in Guatemala will be open to us and most importantly to the love and forgiveness of Christ. I pray that we remember that whether we are in Guatemala, the airport, or at home, that we are ALWAYS witnesses, reflecting Christ…..

“For those who live according to the flesh set their mind on things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their mind on things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” –Romans 8:5-6

-Lindsey Clayton

We have our own plans...

2011-07-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

As we drive through the desert during the two weeks we are in New Mexico, it’s not hard to see God’s beauty. Breath-taking rock formations, vibrant sunsets, and the smiles on the faces of the children all reflect God’s splendor. Even with the dust storms and harsh wind, God is there and He is at major work in the Navajo nation; He overcomes (and continually overcame) the small hindrances we faced while in New Mexico. On the night of arrival, we ate at a local restaurant named Earl’s. When our food was brought, Morgan prayed for us, and we ate. We conversed for a while, talking about the work to be done over the next two weeks, expectations, etc. Then, towards the end of our meal, our waitress brought us the check and asked if we were believers. We said yes, and she shared with us that she had been a believer for a little over a year now and that God had really pulled her out of some rough situations. She said that she saw us praying and that it really encouraged her to see other believers praying. What a great start to the trip! We are ALWAYS witnesses for Christ. Even when you’re just going to have some dinner and your mind may not be in “mission trip mode”…God is still at work around you! It doesn’t matter if you’re doing a VBS or not, if you’re on a mission trip or not, people are always watching…and God is always working somewhere. So, we must always be good examples of Jesus, because if she saw us, then others in the restaurant probably did too! As our two weeks continued, God taught me a lot about His provision and power over all situations. We may just be going for a drive to explore the city or going out to eat, but God has His purposes…so we must be sensitive to listen to His spirit and always be ready to share and to show the love of Christ.
-Lindsey Clayton (a.k.a. Rocky Top)

God has taught me so much while I was in New Mexico, but the one big thing that he taught me was how He can use my past to help others that are going through the same situations I went through or experienced. It all happened at a laundry mat. Every day a group of nine people would go to a laundry mat to share the gospel. We would walk in carrying a Bible and a little snack bag of laundry detergent. We just walked up to people in there and would start talking to them. On our last day at a laundry mat, there was a couple that walked up, but didn’t walk inside the building. I felt God telling me to walk over and talk to them, but we were about to leave. A lady on the trip, name Mikki, walked over there with me and we started talking to her. She told us about her son and her son’s father. The guy that she was with that day was not her son’s father. When this guy was standing next to her, she tried to act all cool and tested my faith to see if I really believed what I was speaking. It was hard, but God gave me the words to say. When her boyfriend walked off, she started speaking more about her life. She said that she was in and out of jail and did all kinds of drugs. She also said that she read the Bible while she was in jail. She asked her what she thought, but they were just words to her. This hit me hard because she was about my age, but it was as if I was standing in front of my birth mother and listening to her story. God used my past life to show her that God was love and that she needed Him. I could tell that she was hungry for Christ. This is a day that I will never forget. This young girl will always be on my heart and in my prayers.
-Brittney Cleveland (a.K.a Karate Kid)

It was a Tuesday morning in New Mexico, and the second time we had gone out as a group to a laundry mat. We all had our plans, our own ideas of how the visit should go, and were beginning to develop a set pattern of how the conversations should go so that we could share the Gospel with the people there. At least I did! But things were not to be so. At the first laundry mat we entered that day, the people were all closed doors. As hard as we tried, they simply were not open to conversation. My hopes and expectations for the day had been high considering how well the day before had gone, but things were not panning out that morning. That is, they weren’t until a little girl named Shelby walked in carrying a tray of jewelry to sell. She came up to me and a couple other ladies with our group, and we admired the various earrings, necklaces, and bracelets she had to offer, but did not have money to buy them. Instead we offered her something – a Bible with a tract tucked into the pages.. We told her we were with First Indian Baptist Church, and in response Shelby quickly said, “We don’t have enough money to go to church. We live in a hotel, and my dad is working so that we can buy a house. That’s why I’m selling jewelry – to help my family raise money.” We explained to her that the church didn’t want her money! That they wanted to share Jesus with her and what He has done! After talking to her a little more, she walked off to try to sell jewelry to the other people in the laundry mat, and we wandered outside to leave for the next stop. As we were climbing into the van, one of the ladies suggested we give Shelby a bag of toys that we had brought to hand out and gave one to me to chase her down with. By the time I made it over to her, she had already gotten into the car with her mom, so I bent over to hand it through the window. I could tell that Shelby was telling her mom what we had said. She smiled so big when I handed her the toys, and her mom began asking questions about the church. She told me she had been looking for a church, but hadn’t found one yet. I made sure she had all the information she needed about the church, and I told her that God had us meet that day for a reason and encouraged her to come to the church that Sunday so that they could just share and pour into her about what Jesus has done. You could tell God was working in the life of that mother. And I realized that they were the reason we were at that laundry mat that Tuesday morning. God’s sovereignty was displayed. His purpose was revealed. Though I felt rejected by the other people in the laundry mat, it was evident that God was not yet working in their lives. God was working in that woman’s life! He sent a group of 9 people to ensure she heard from Him! God showed me how He truly is working all around us, and it is often not in the way we expect!
-Morgan Eberts (a.k.a Una Sabia)

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Snapshots from Guatemala....

2011-06-08T19:26:00.001-07:00

As we walk away from a trip, there are always snapshots that stick with us. They flash through our memories often and flood our soul with emotions. We asked our interns to share a couple of those pictures with us from this past trip to Guatemala. Here they are:

We visited a family in Lantana. The father of the house was going through the same thing that Greg Brown went through. He was into alcohol. His wife was a Christian and she wanted to share Christ's love with him. He said that he believed in God but was a little confused about Jesus. I guess what really got me was when we prayed with the family. The daughter that was about my age wrapped her arms around me and cried on my shoulder. I started crying also. God just gave me the understanding of what they were going through. After we prayed, the preacher gave the father his Bible and I felt peace in the house. The mother and daughter kept thanking me for listening to them. Tears were pouring from my face.

We begin each VBS lesson following along and doing fun songs with the children led by the members of New Jerusalem church. Even though the songs are in Spanish, it is so fun to dance and sing these songs with the children. After we finish the songs, someone from the church explains to the children why we are here, and then begins playing a soft song in the background...the only familiar word is "hallelujah"....as the song begins to play, the team breaks up and finds a group of children to pray with. Words can not describe how God seems to work through this song with every group of children. Today, I prayed with a group of three girls and one boy (all pre-teen looking). Once the song was over, I gave them a big group hug and the girls began to walk away. As I began to stand up, I saw the boy pull his shirt over his face..he was crying and wiping away his tears. Once I realized this, I gave the boy another big hug, and we just sat there for a minute hugging and then wiping away tears. Seeing a man cry ALWAYS gets to me....but seeing a preteen boy like this crying..not caring that older boys were around..not caring about how it made him look..not caring about anything, really tore my heart out. I don't know what this boy is going through at school or at home, but I can't imagine it was anything good. However, I know that no matter where you go, a hug is a hug. A prayer is a prayer. No matter what language you speak. To know this for me was one thing, but then to see God at work in this time and to use something as simple as a hug was amazing.

Lord, help us to never forget these images. May they burn into our memories so that we live each moment for your glory alone. Show us how to live and follow You in a way that gives you all the glory, honor and praise!

Blessings & Burdens

2011-06-02T05:57:00.000-07:00

As we walked the road with Pastor Morales yesterday we heard his heart for the people and vision for the village mission church. After a time of prayer on the side of the road, we ventured up the hill to visit a couple of families he knew. The blessing of this amazing man of God overwhelms me every trip! We were blessed to watch his heart love on children in tough situations with the most authentic expression of Christlike compassion. His example is such a wonderful picture of the Father's heart and the Savior's hands!

The burden of the day rushed into my heart as I played with a group of boys in the street. Rich Stewart and I were being schooled in ball handling skills by some young boys in the street in Lantana, when I realized how close we were to the road we had just walked. The burden of Pastor Morales' heart came rushing over me... The mission church in Lantana needs a permanent location in the village. Earlier we had paused on the road to pray for a piece of land to build a church and continue reaching the community. As I stood in the street I saw just how perfectly positioned this piece of land is for the mission.

With every blessing here in relationship we build with the local church and the families who are building the Kingdom here, come burdens for more people! Burdens to reach more. Burdens to give more. Burdens to be more of the body! Will you join us as we take up this burden in prayer alongside the local church for land? Will you pray with us for favor with the owner and his willingness to sell a piece of choice land to the mission! The blessings far exceed the burdens when we walk this journey together!

In His Grip,
JT

Prayer Always Changes Things

2011-05-31T21:59:00.000-07:00

For those of you following the ministry blog, I apologize for the delay in an update. I will try to be more regular with posts and updates in the days and weeks to come.

Today we experienced the power of prayer in a powerful way. Our day yesterday was tough as the children seemed out of control and not ready to listen. As we shared with the leadership at Jerusalen Church about how the day went we were reminded that we had not gathered to pray before the children joined us. This was a humbling moment for us all! We were so eager to get busy working we had overlooked a basic step of obedience.

As we gathered together today in the sanctuary before any children arrived, prayers were lifted and the Father granted our team focused hearts. All morning the team experienced group after group of children listening and learning. Praying over the children and again praying before the afternoon sessions brought more of the same. The children listened, learned and responded today in an amazing way!

Thank you to our faith family here in Guatemala for helping us refocus and recenter our obedience! We look forward to one more morning tomorrow with children at Jerusalen Church and then on to Lantana to visit and share in homes. We will carry food bags and the Gospel tomorrow as we walk with the young Lantana church into their community. Pray with us as we seek His will for our remaining time here in Guatemala. Pray for open hearts and boldness to come not in the absence of fear rather boldness to come in the presence of obedience!

In His Grip,
JT

Why Should I Take a Short-Term Mission Trip?

2011-04-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

Are you spending your money on something worthwhile? Why not spend it on something eternally worthwhile.....like a mission trip?

There are many positive things that can come from taking a short term mission trip....

■You will see and experience a different culture. Even within the United States, there are people that do not live as you do. You will see the way they live, how they look at life, and gain an understanding of different people and their needs.
■You will see that in general all people are alike. We all have the desire to be loved, included and cared for. We all have hopes, desires and feelings. We are all human and created by the Father.
■You will gain compassion and empathy for others. This is a taught behavior; we don't just wake up with it one day. Parents, teach your children in this valuable way. It changes them forever.
■You will be more grateful for what you have or don't have. You will stop feeling sorry for yourself. You will have a more thankful heart and less desire to complain.
■You will not come home the same. You will be less inhibited to share Christ with those around you after serving on the mission field. You will be more comfortable to pray for others and witness to those around you.
■You will be more likely to help with missions in the future. You will see first-hand how missions work and will meet and care for real people who need and depend on your help.
■You will be more likely to commit to God and carry this forward after you return home. You will want to get more and more involved in your church, local community and global community.
■You will be making a difference in the Kingdom of God. Through your work, your prayers, your encouragement and your love, you will be making a difference in winning souls for Christ.
■Large numbers of people taking short-term mission trips can make a huge impact on missionary work being done. When we do building work, construction projects, Vacation Bible School, Crusades, Block Parties, etc. we are working to better that community and they will benefit from it. When we share our voices through song, our talents through instruments, our testimonies of how God has blessed and changed our lives, we are showing them Christ first-hand.
■Finally, many who do short-term mission work feel Christ calling them to long-term missions.

So, what are you waiting on?

"And the King will say, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! " (Matthew 25:40)

Contact is at www.1wayministries.org for more information on a short-term trip in your near future.

I Don't Have Time.....

2011-03-23T04:30:00.001-07:00

"I don't have time" for Jesus was the woman's reason for not becoming a Christ-follower. I have to help my husband make shoes. I have 2 children. I have to provide for my family. I just don't have time.

The passion inside of me was about to boil over as I listened to this woman, living in a 2 room, delaphidated old house in Lantana, explain her situation in life. I am standing on a dirt floor and can see through the roof. Her two children are seated on the only two seats I can see in the house trying to finish their homework. The local pastor is pleading with the woman to give her life to Christ. I am appalled at her excuse...until..God Himself reminds me that we are rebellious. Our sin is NO different. Our lives are the same...filled with things to do and places to go. Overflowing with excuses for not spending time in His presence. I am humbled...He is using her life to remind me of my sin and the debt I owed.

One of the ladies from the local church, in a very pointed way, shares that we all have time for things that are important (these are the times when having our translator is handy for the simple delay in the relay of information). Then, the pastor asks several of us to share with the woman.

I have NO clue what was even said at that point except that God was glorified. Scripture was read and quoted and relied upon unashamedly. God's Word is POWERFUL, and His Gospel is true. God has spoken through His Word, and it is the best tool to point people to Christ!

The woman changed...her countenance immediately brightened...the load was lifted. Her new status was as a Christ-follower. My heart rejoiced. God took that moment in Guatemala to show me how powerful He is and how He draws people to Himself. We have NOTHING to do with salvation...He ALONE does all of the work. We just have to obey what He tells us to do...and He will be glorified.

What do you have time for today?

Holding Down the Fort

2011-01-18T04:24:00.000-08:00

Next Monday, January 24th, our entire family will board a plane for Africa. We have no idea when we will return. Our court date is up in the air for the adoption, and there are many hurdles, setbacks and delays in the process. But, we're going. You see, our children, Zeke and Elly, are there, and they are waiting for us.

JT recently wrote the following for an upcoming newsletter that explains our hearts:

"Paul speaks in Romans 8 of our waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons! The journey to our adoptive children has typically been more about our eager wait than theirs. How is that used to show us about our own relationship with Him?
One joy that comes in adoption is the excitement of the first time for so many things. The first grape eaten, the first flight on a plane, the first night in a bed of their own, the first meal where they get full! Yet, when we look into the heart of our heavenly Father, we see that the adopted child eagerly anticipates the adoption. I am not sure how much the children we are bringing home really wanted to be adopted because they did not know it was even an option in their lives until we showed up. I believe this is the concept that I have learned that motivates me the most. I know of the possibility of adoption. Therefore, I know the joy that will come and the anticipation is overwhelming at times.
God has known throughout our entire lives what we would do in response to His offer of adoption. He has orchestrated every detail of our journey to draw us to Himself. Now, I am not sure how I would respond if I were in Zeke and Elly’s shoes right now…but I do know how hard it can be to recognize the times when love does not flow from their mouths for me. I do know the days of concern when the glimpses of the past peel through and they do not wrap their little arms around your neck and squeeze!"

In our absence, we are honored and blessed two have two new semester interns from Samford University working with us. Kelly Zimmerman and Meagan Sloan will be working in the office while we are gone. They will answer emails and try to sort through everything that needs to be done for upcoming trips.

Karen Katchuk, one of my best friends in the whole world, will be helping from Kentucky. She is my "go-to" staff member who can help mission trip participants finish their paperwork, encourage people to go on trips and just be the overall OWM spokeswoman!

Rashel Ross, another great friend, who I had the privilege to serve in a local cancer foundation, is also stepping up. She's helping to write the checks, make the deposits and keep OWM financially afloat while we are gone!

I'm so thankful for each of these ladies and their willingness to pinch hit for us while we are gone. Without them, we would not be able to do what we are doing. Thank you all for your love and support during this time!

Africa's Calling....

2011-01-01T15:37:00.000-08:00

Since our first trip to Africa in 2007, it's been on our hearts and minds consistently. On that trip JT had prepared the team for not knowing what we would do, what we would eat or where we would sleep. So, we boarded the plane not knowing much but preparing for God to direct our every move...and we were blessed beyond measure. As with all trips there was little to no access to the outside world via technology, and it was refreshing to see how little we missed it. All of the distractions were gone, and we could totally focus on God's plan for us. What an incredible time of total dependence on the Father, late nights discussing His Word, and amazing hours of prayer! Oh, to be in that place here...I LONG for that. I commit to that.

Again Africa is calling to us, but this time for a different reason. We are boarding a plane on January 17th to head to Uganda. JT has been multiple times, but this will be my first trip (Sheryl). I'm eager to see all of our friends and to soak up the culture again. I LOVE Africa...I've prayed that God would send me there for the rest of my life...I adore the culture, the pace of life, and the people.

But, this time we're going to adopt our two youngest children, Zeke and Elly. They are not biologically related to each other and have never met. They are our children already, and we long for them to be here. We are following God's direction to adopt them. We will be the ones who are blessed. We are humbled and excited and scared and honored....

None of the pictures above are our children, but you won't have to wait long. We covet your prayers and thank all of our OWM team for walking this road with us. We are amazed at God's faithfulness and grace...to Him alone be all the praise!!!

I'd Rather Have Jesus!

2010-10-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

The song goes, "I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I'd rather have Jesus than riches untold, I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land, I'd rather be led by His nail pierced hand. Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sins' dread of sway, I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world can afford today!"

How about you? Can you sing this song with the passion of life that has come from the very breath of God in you? As I sat this morning listening to this song over and over again I was reminded of some very important yet simple truths. I have begun to see the world much differently over the past several years in light of these simple, profound truths. Jesus is life. Jesus is provider. Jesus is Redeemer. Jesus is Lord. My thought today is how have these truths about Jesus impacted our view of this world?

In the Experiencing God study by Henry Blackaby we find this great word, "People who struggle to spend time with God don't have a scheduling problem; they have a love problem." It is the love of God that draws us to Himself to develop this love relationship He has begun with us. It is love that compels us to become more crucified than comfortable. It is love that drives us to go into all the world with the Gospel message of hope. It is love that stirs our heart for His Kingdom work.

So in a short word today from my heart, can you this day realistically say you would rather have Jesus than anything this world has to offer? The worries of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth causes the life-breath of every Christ-follower to be strangled out and cut off to hinder the work of the Spirit in each of us. The root of this is not in the influence the world has on us but in the impact we allow Jesus to have on our heart. It is not the focus on the don'ts of this life that bring about a strong faithful journey. Rather it is the intense gaze and grasping for the "do" of this love relationship.

Sing the song whether out loud or quietly in your heart and ask yourself, can I truly say this is true of my life and my heart? Today ask the Spirit of the living God to teach your heart to cry out this day, I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world can afford today!

In His Grip,
JT

Reflections On My Days...

2010-09-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

Today marks my 43rd year alive on the planet. This morning as I have read messages, listened to encouraging words and experienced the love of my family, I have begun that process of reflection and looking forward.

I have reflected today on how the Father has blessed me with some amazing friendships and the most incredible family a man could possibly have. Just yesterday I was reminded by the Lord of His love for me and His overwhelming grace that has been demonstrated to me through friends and fellowship with close relationships that have come because of His love for me. I am a blessed man with many many things in my life to be thankful for every day!

I listened this morning to the lyrics, "this is my story this is my song...praising my Savior all the day long" and I am doing just that today. Yet, I have realized something in the midst of this reflection. In the middle of looking back on the ways the Father has taken care of me and guided me back to Himself time and time again, while looking back at the amazing ways He has blessed me with friends who are the same to me yesterday and today and will be in the days to come, while listening to His voice remind me of the sovereign control and freedom He has granted me in this life...I have an amazing opportunity!

I have an amazing opportunity to look to the future days and see His glory revealed in my journey. So many times we look at life through the lenses that have been clouded and colored by this world's struggles. We see situations and people with a less than perfect clarity because of our own past experiences. We have allowed the enemy to cloud our view and as a result we look at everything from a slightly wrong angle. This awkward angle causes us to respond in a completely different manner to all of life.

Well, today is the day the Lord has made! This is a day to rejoice and be glad in His grace and His mercy and His love. Even though I clearly understand that I bring nothing of value to the table with God in and of myself...In Christ I bring an eternal value that releases His Spirit to teach, guide and bless my life in many ways. The Father has marked my days and my journey. He has a plan to help me grow and become more like His Son everyday. The Lord has ordained the days of my life for His glory and for His purposes. So, what am I waiting for?

What is it that we all are waiting on to experience God in His fullness? Well, I know what I have been waiting on...ME! I have no power over the waves of the ocean. But I do have power over the waves of my emotions. I may not be in control of the clouds and the rain, but I am in control of the position of my life under the clouds of His Spirit as He pours out His Word and His blessing on my life. Today I choose to stand beneath the wings of the King and recognize my place at His table. It is time to start acting like His child and focusing on the future He has provided and stop trying to fix the past. This is my story and this is my song! He has ordained my days. He has mapped out for me a race that will end in victory. I have nothing to fear as a child of the King! It is time to live in the hope of the future and anticipate His glory being revealed in and through my life at every turn in this journey.

Today as you look forward, will you join me in releasing the grip you have on the things of the past. As the line in the Fellowship of the Unashamed states, "My past is redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is secure." It is time we walk fully in His light as a redeemed child of the King and face the coming days as the greatest days of our lives!

Thank you to all of those people who have been used by the Father to be a blessing to me. I cherish the memories and hope for the future. You have been a willing tool in the hands of the Master to help shape and form the journey He has allowed me to walk. Please know that I am thankful to my God upon every remembrance of you and eagerly await the next time in our journeys that He allows our paths to cross! Blessings to you all as we build His Kingdom together!

In His Grip,
JT

The Day Is Almost Gone...

2010-09-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

As we sit and watch sunsets and marvel at their beauty, are we mindful of the days that are gone? Gone are the days of my youthful football career. Gone are the days of my worry-free eating of anything I wanted whenever I wanted it. Gone are the days of someone else thinking about tomorrow for me. Gone are the days of all night lock-ins with teenagers. Gone are many days of things I did when I was younger!

The more I ponder my days and consider how many are gone, the more I think about what each day I have in the future will hold. The sun is setting on many lives each day. This picture from Africa reminds me of how many children will close their eyes for the last time while you read this blog! The sun is setting on the day for the church. The Father has clearly given us a mission to reach the world! How are we going to finish this race He has set before us?

All across the globe the church is gathering. People in places all over the globe are seeking the Father in these last days. The church is alive and turning its heart to Him. In Uganda this summer as well as in Guatemala, I saw the church praying for revival. According to Henry Blackaby's model of revival the people of God have a choice to return to God for revival or to die! Across the globe men and women are returning to Him. Yes, world religions are on the rise and false prophets abound in every land. Religion is very popular in coffee shops and bars alike these days. The world has a very spiritual sense about her in this post-modern age.

Are you...am I taking advantage of the open hearts and minds that walk into my life's path every day? Do I see the people around my journey as those the Father is placing in my path specifically for me to speak to concerning the truth? Am I gathering with the church globally to humble myself, seek His face and pray, turn from my wicked ways and hear from heaven?

The time is at hand! The evening is coming and soon the sun will be gone! The time for the Body of Christ to rise to her feet and speak boldly the whole truth of God's Word is now! Will you join the gathering? Will you join the others around the foot of the cross? Will you go to Him as a small child with purity of heart, full expectation and complete dependence? The day is slowly fading away as we walk this journey. The darkness is creeping in on every side, thinking it has won! The Father is waiting to start the feast until all the children have come home. Will you join the search party as we go into all the nations seeking out the lost and hurting children of the Kingdom? Will you reach the world and teach His Word?

In His Grip,
JT

Who Are You Listening To?

2010-09-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:3

Today the Christian community is being overshadowed by a rapidly growing Islamic population. We see in the world today a weakening of the Christian influence among people groups across ethnic and nationalities like never before. Reports come out every day spreading the statistics about the rapid growth of Islam and its influence in communities in every corner of the globe. Christianity is slowing its once rapid progress into unreached and forgotten areas of the world. WHY?

As I reflect on what the Lord has been doing in my own life this year I see a very critical thing happening in my own faith journey. My bookshelves are lined with the latest books by this person or that whom I have determined to be a great man of God and a writer who will inspire me. I have awaited the next book in a series of books by guys out there who seem to have answers for my struggles with this journey and my issues I face along this path. I have built a list of quotes and concepts in my head of great wisdom from men who have been down the road of ministry or are walking this road with amazing stuff happening to them and their church.

Like never before in my faith journey I have seen my desire for someones words to motivate me overshadow the motivation of His Word! I have seen this year the Church communities draw in close to men of faith and listen to what they are saying and repeat their quotes on every social media outlet possible. Yet, the Word of God is far from our lips in our coffee shop conversations. We will sit for hours and debate the theological implications of this or that persons views on doctrinal thought while struggling to get out of bed and spend quality time listening to the One who breathed His life into our bodies!

Islam is growing all across the globe. However, it is not simply because of its strategy to invade every culture and community with its doctrine that is bringing this rapid growth about. As we have seen before in our faith journey, it is because of the relative silence of the Body of Christ that others' voices are being heard. Other world religions are not growing because they have stumbled onto some amazing new method to produce their message on the global scene. World religions are growing in popularity because the church is relatively quiet on the world scene.

I have found myself stumbling into this less vocal and more subdued mode of communication of the Gospel is due to one primary thing...I have begun to listen to men more than the Father! Who are you listening to? Who is the most influential person in your life right now? Whose words are you quoting when responding to life's difficult times? Whose words are coming to your mind when you are facing the difficult decisions of this journey?

Today we must return to the truth of the past! (2 Tim. 3:14-16) It is time we as the Body of Christ return to the simple truths of the Word of God and rally our lives around His Words to face the day. I know within my own journey I have relied on others words to help me face the day and I have allowed those words to take the place of the very Words of Jesus! Today I recognize I must return to the words that transform lives. I must again plant the Words of Christ deep within my bones so I will respond to the world's attack with words that carry eternal power. It is time to evaluate who it is that I am listening to and return to the place of knowledge and understanding that brings about Biblical wisdom and discernment.

Will you join me today? Will you come along on this journey back to the Word? Will you take some time to evaluate who it is that you are listening to and find your way back to His voice and His Word?

This picture was taken by Sam Torres while with us in Uganda. I am reminded of the simple truth behind the picture. Our children trust us to teach them the truth. When we pour into them they will proclaim what we have taught them with their whole life. Who we are listening to will be proclaimed by our children. Who are you listening to?

The Dump

2010-08-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

This is a post written by one of the summer interns, Michael Di Giacoma. It gives great insight into the differences in dumps in the US and the dump in Guatemala City.

I went with my dad to the dump today.

Now many people would say that going to the dump is not on the list of exciting places to go, in fact they might look at you funny.

At first I thought it was just an ordinary delivery of garbage to a common dumping area. The smell had started to pierce my nostrils the instant we got out to unload. We finished unloading the trash and drove to the scale to be weighed. The bill: $30.89 for 989 lbs of junk lumber. Just under half a ton. Which for Delaware is 1 ton of trash is $80. We left and it was finished.

I give this context for the following. I went into a different dump today. Completely different from the one I was in over four weeks ago. In Guatemala City its called the "Dump", in Uganda they call it the "Dustbin" and in the US we call it the "Landfill". Sure there was trash and garbage trucks and people working and it stinks. But as a I am breathing in the filth of my home county, the one thing I notice is that this is not a place in which people live; where children work alongside adults; where people horde their earthly belongings.

This is the trash dump and here is where you get fined for stealing trash. Where you spend $80 for removal of the unwanted.

What I believe I am trying to say is that I am very blessed to have been born in the United States not in the sewage of the city dump. Not to live close quarters with my neighbors, not to work along side my parents as they earned $2 for the day. God as a human being I cannot comprehend what it would be like to be those people in the dump. You have a plan though. You are in control. When the rain comes and washes away a family's home or the family itself you have a plan. You have a purpose. I trust in you and when I become annoyed with life in this bountiful country and I begin to complain about the minuscule problems I have, let the stench of trash reach my nose and remind me that there are those who have it harder than me.

It is the dump that I have heard some of the most interesting stories. Women who have lost husbands to land slides and children who have lost parents to drugs and fathers abusing their own daughters and water trucks and many other stories, but the one that has come from a few different people is that of women who have nothing but trash proclaim Jesus as Lord and trust Him to provide for their every need. I can't tell them to sacrifice for the Lord, I can't speak anything into their lives but I can pray for them. God help your church to reach out to the hurting universal church, help me to reach out to the hurting church.

Clear the Way Through the Wilderness....

2010-08-13T04:28:00.000-07:00

Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting,"Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!"
(Isaiah 40:3-5)

Revival In Africa!

2010-08-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

After a few days of catching my breath, I am now beginning to fully grasp some of the things I experienced this summer. The most significant lesson I learned in Africa about the church this summer is about revival. For years now I have been asking the Father to guide me in the3 journey toward revival. I have been praying to see and be a part of a movement of revival with a freshness and passion unlike anything I have ever experienced. For the past couple of years I have been reading and searching out truths about revival experiences across the globe.

Upon arriving in Africa this summer I felt an urgency that I had not felt in my heart before. I had a team of young adults with me who were eager to share the truth of His Word with 1000+ children and then coast through a pastor's conference for a second week. The Lord had plans that we were unaware of as we made our way to southern Uganda.

After a couple of awesome days in Kampala with the Divine Farm Church and a couple of other churches we have relationship with through their pastors, we made our journey 4 1/2 hours south. Along the way we reflected upon the trauma that hit Uganda just one day earlier as terrorists attacked a large gathering of young people and tourists watching the World Cup Finals. The shock and fear of the event was felt over the entire country.

Our first week was a direct contradiction to fear and terror! Watching 300+ children and adults surrender their lives to Jesus brought an excitement to the team that most had never experienced. The stirring had begun in my heart for revival in Africa!

The following week I saw first hand the stirrings of revival. As we arrived for the first morning of the pastor's conference I was overwhelmed to find the church full of pastors and church members praying. They had been there for over 2 hours praying and singing. Throughout the next few days I would be reminded of the true foundations of revival. The church in Uganda is embracing the words found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. They are humbling themselves, and praying. They are seeking the face of God and turning from their wicked ways. Forgiveness is coming and a healing is beginning. Uganda is on the edge of revival sweeping the entire land!

I am so excited to be in relationship with so many pastors in Uganda who are seeking to follow hard after the heart of the Father. This summer He used their passion and commitment to stir in my heart the passion for revival. I have seen the beginnings of a revival movement in Africa. I have come home praying for the Lord to share that passion with the American church through our times of sharing and leading with teams on the field. God is so good to us to show us revival beginning and then stir our hearts to carry the excitement to the church in other parts of the globe.

It is time we the church seek His heart for a real fresh wind of revival and a true brokenness in our hearts. We need to turn to Him and turn from our own ways of thinking. We need to hear from Heaven!

In His Grip,
JT

I'm Unaproachable...

2010-07-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

Just the night before, Brandon B. from Ft. Wayne, Indiana, had told one of the group leaders that he thought he was unapproachable. Brandon is 6'4 so he easily stands out in a crowd...how would that work in the dump of Guatemala City?

Brandon couldn't even talk about the experience that night as tears streamed down his face. But, when group members were asked to share a snapshot of their day, many pointed to Brandon. They had watched Brandon enter the Tabitha House that morning to find several children gathering around him. Can you imagine what Mr. Unapproachable thought....can you imagine what these little children thought of him?

As they walked through the dump that day, Brandon was carrying a little girl. He held her most of the time they were there...over 2 hours... Many people described their snapshot as the little girl asleep on Brandon's shoulder. What a contrast...what irony that the person who thought he was most unapproachable would be carrying a little girl...what a God story!

There's a great line in a song by Mandi Mapes that says, "I already know Who's gonna save you, I already wrote the end of the story." While Brandon was thinking he was unapproachable, God was writing a different story. Praise Him for changes in our lives that reflect His glory!

The group is finished two houses in the dump today as well as taking care of children at The Tabitha House. They are all exhausted and emotionally drained. Pray that they will be renewed by His strength in the morning! He is able to do far more than we can ever ask or imagine!

Where do I fit in????

2010-07-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

On Monday night the team met and discussed the day (which is a usual part of our day). J'Nelle shared something that struck me...it is a thought that usually invades the mind of every mission trip participant. Where do I fit in? What is my niche in this group?

On Sunday night, we told the group the options for the next day...VBS at New Jerusalen Church with 150+ kids, construction in the dump, or working in the Tabitha House. Each person prays about where God is leading, and he/she is assigned to that team. J'Nelle shared that she didn't really feel comfortable working with children, so she figured construction was her team.

The next morning each team gathered necessary supplies and headed out to their sites. J'Nelle's team found out that the contractor didn't have the necessary supplies yet, so they were going to make home visits in the dump. That morning they stopped on the way to pick up food....each food bag has corn meal, sugar, milk (non-refrigerated), oil, rice and beans...so, they made 10 food bags in reusable bags (for all of you guys who bought these bags, you were a part of what is about to happen...).

At the third house, Carol (our liaison in Guatemala) asked a group member to share their testimony. As Andrew and Michael recounted, all of the group except J'Nelle took a step back, leaving J'Nelle to share. J'Nelle has never been one to "cold call" people by just sharing her faith...she prefers to build a relationship and then share. But, God had other plans this day. The pain in her past was about to be revealed in such a way that God alone would get the glory. He had prepared her for such a time as this...

J'Nelle shared her life's story, and the eyes in the room were glued fast to her. They heard the Gospel, and people came to know Jesus. How awesome is our God!!! When J'Nelle didn't understand the pain in her life, God did. When J'Nelle didn't see the purpose of the pain, God did. When J'Nelle didn't see how things would bring Him glory, God did. When J'Nelle didn't see her niche on the team, God did. When J'Nelle didn't see how her testimony could be impactful, God did. And now, there are new believers in Christ...because God did it!!!

Do you ever wonder how you will fit into a mission trip? No need to figure it out..God already has the plan, and it will bring glory to Him alone!

Seeing the true bride...

2010-07-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

As we all stand in New Jerusalen church this morning in Guatemala City, we are struck by the concept of the "whole world." When we think of heaven, do we truly picture "the church" as the bride of Christ? Do we only see white people who speak English? That is an unbiblical picture of the bride of Christ.

We saw the bride today in church. While the songs are being sung in Spanish, we get a glimpse of heaven. There will be many people there from all tribes, tongues and nations. What a beautiful picture of His kingdom!

Today, the group is preparing for many ministry opportunities tomorrow. We will have 3 teams. One will lead VBS in New Jerusalen Church for over 100 kids! Another team will work with Fernando and Michelle as they teach a trade to the women in the Tabitha House. The third team will be building a house for a family who lives in the dump. Please pray that we will each seek God's plan for us tomorrow.

Everyone is feeling well, and our accommodations are great. Julia and Paula are taking great care of us and feeding us lots of fruit and veggies (which we love). We will try and post pictures later today!!!

We are here!!!!

2010-07-24T12:09:00.000-07:00

The team from Birmingham has arrived in Guatemala! We just met the Lopez family, and we are getting ready to eat lunch. Then, we are heading to a local store to buy clothing and toiletries for the interns. Next, we will get to our house, and they will take showers!!!! We will be ready to meet the Indiana team later tonight. Pray for God's work to be done!!!

Around the world in just two days...

2010-07-24T05:16:00.000-07:00

The team left Uganda on Thursday afternoon and has still not arrived home. After many discussions and much prayer, the group split into 2 teams. A group of 4 (Sam, Zippy, Meggie and Ryan) spent the night in Detroit. They will fly into Birmngham this afternoon. JT and the interns took a shuttle to Flint, Michigan. They boarded the only flight that would get them to Atlanta this morning. They have just landed here (8:20 am) and will board the flight to Guatemala City in an hour!

Pray for them as they haven't had showers in 3 days and have no luggage. But God is making a way!!! Praise Him!!!

Faith Alone...

2010-07-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

As the pastor's conference came to an end yesterday, all of the pastors gathered at the farm church. They wanted to express their gratitude to the team for all that happened in their lives over the past few days....

Pastor after pastor told about what Peter and Phoebe, the team and the conference meant to them. Here's two of those stories....

One pastor was traveling from northern Uganda where fighting has still been rampant. Refugees have fled to his part of the country from many other war-torn nations. The pastor had 5,000 shillings in his pocket (that's only about $2.50). The cost of the ticket (one way) was 20,000 shillings. The pastor proclaimed that God told him to go to the conference despite the fact that he didn't have money for the bus. So, he packed his bag and went to the bus station.

At the bus station, he met another pastor headed to the conference who offered to pay for the remainder of his bus ticket. He came with NOTHING in his pocket...he had no idea what or if he would eat at the conference and how he would get home. What he didn't know is that some believers in the United States had given money so that he could eat...and so that he could get home. What a step of faith!!!

Another pastor told about his daughter who was very sick. The parents thought that she had malaria, and they needed to buy medicine. The pastor approached the Lord in prayer and laid his burden at His feet. It's either medicine for my child or this conference Lord...which one? The Lord told him to pray for His child and go to the conference. As a parent, I could feel the hairs standing up on my arms at this point...really? Would I do that?

The man prayed for his child and left. He called his family and was told that his daughter was healed. The sickness had left her body. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

We praise the Lord for all things..both good and bad! We praise Him during the difficult days, and we praise Him for the blessings! His name is good!!! He is worthy of all praise!

Our team has boarded their first of 3 flights home. Please pray for rest, strength and endurance. JT as well as the interns have to turn around and be back on another plane on Saturday!

Time to be serious....

2010-07-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

After the morning session of the pastor's conference, the team assembled at the farm church for lunch. During the break, Phoebe said that a local primary school was expecting the team (this was a surprise to everyone). So, Ryan, Meggie, Zippy, Lonnie, Brittney, 1st Nation, Elizabeth and Kathleen went to the school.

The group at the conference worked together to share how God speaks to His people. Each person shared how God speaks differently - through His Word, prayer, the church and circumstances. The pastor particularly identified with Sam's story. He told of how he grew up in Venezuela, learned another language, came to the US, lack of work for his father, and the battle to get a green card. Going through those times prepared Sam for such a time as this. It was the moment that God used him most to share God's story of grace and mercy in his life. The pastors identified their own struggles with his. God is good!

Meanwhile, the team at the school shared testimonies with the 100+ students. Then, Ryan, who was very shy when this journey began, boldly proclaimed the Gospel message. When children were asked who wanted Jesus to be Lord of their lives, EVERY single hand in the school was raised. So, Phoebe stepped in and told the kids that it was time to be serious. Perhaps they didn't understand the seriousness and the commitment they were making. She presented the Gospel again. They ALL raised their hands again. So, she started over....again. For a third time, they all raised their hands and exclaimed that they wanted to follow Christ. Hallelujah - what a Savior!

Continue praying for the work of the Holy Spirit to be manifest in Uganda. He is on the move.....

The Sabbath

2010-07-19T04:26:00.000-07:00

The team has had a packed week with ministry opportunities everywhere from sun-up to way past sun-down. Sometimes, I would get a text at 6:00 pm our team saying that they were just finishing meeting and heading to bed. That's 2:00 am there, so they must have been exhausted!

However, Sunday is the Sabbath! The team went to the Jjogo church yesterday which is a very poor community outside of Kampala. They were supposed to lead a youth rally, but due to security concerns and the Sozi's desire to really see the Sabbath be the Sabbath, the team rested! They went back to the home of Peter and Phoebe Sozi and cooked the goat that Sam T. had purchased at the auction.

Everyone is now well...although riding long distances on the bumpy road makes most of them sick! But, praise God, they are all doing well now!

The pastor's conference began today at 10:00 am. Conference will last through Thursday morning. Mainly JT and Tyler will help with this, and the remaining team members will be leading VBS for all of the kids (about 100-150 of them). On Wednesday, the team will be going to Jinga in the afternoon to visit the source of the Nile...

Keep praying for the team, as all of the interns and JT will arrive in Birmingham on Friday afternoon (early). We all have to be at the Atlanta airport the next day at 9:30 am for a flight to Guatemala. Pray for wisdom, discernment, strength, and endurance!

Animal Kingdom in the van....

2010-07-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

This is the first text I get from JT this morning..."In case you are awake, we are at the school auction and just bought a goat for the pastor's conference next week. It's a big event and we're going to try and buy a cow too!" What a wake-up message!

Divine Grace School was holding a fundraiser today to raise money for a new kitchen and dining hall. Many of the students and teachers had arts and crafts to sell, there was food available as well as an auction of animals! The community showed up as well as government officials. The next text informed me that the local governor, council chairwoman and parliament representative had arrived as well!

The team bid on goats as well as a cow! They won the cow and everyone was very excited about how many people they could feed next week! They purchased 2 coats, a cow and two bundles of matoke (a dish in Uganda that consists of green plantains).

Thus, they were traveling back to Jgogo with the two goats, all of the plantains and now, three chickens!!! They will swap a bull at the farm church for the cow. They gave the cow to the school so she could reproduce there! I wish I had a photo of all of the team in a van with the animals! I'm sure they took plenty of pictures!

During the pastor's conference, many of our team members will be able to lead the children in a VBS type event (this was not planned but is exciting to know)! The cow and goats will be a TRUE FEAST for the pastors from the Upland, so this is all reason to rejoice!

Praise be to the Father. And thank you all for your prayers for the sick ones. They are all doing much better today! Continue to pray for them as they lead next week!

Last Day at Divine Grace...

2010-07-16T11:29:00.000-07:00

Today was the team's last day at the Divine Grace School. Each day, the community has been invited to join the team, and their numbers have been growing with the dawn of each morning. Today, over 750 people came from the community...that means there were over 1500 people at the school to hear the Gospel!!! Praise God for His grace and mercy!

Several of the team members were sick today, but they were able to rest while the remaining team members carried on! A soccer game was held this afternoon with some of our team (JT, Tyler, Indy, and 1st Nation) as well as a few community members. They played against the school's soccer team on a regulation sized field. They ended the game in a tie of 0-0. It was fierce! JT said that he started running toward the goal at one point, and many kids were sitting on the very edge of the field. They thought a big white man was going to run over them...so they started screaming and running away. Needless to say, no one was injured!

This afternoon the team took a one lane dirt road to the community secondary school (high school). JT had sent me a text earlier in the day indicating that there were 250 students there...JT's estimation skills were off. The school staff said that 500 students were there listening as Tyler presented the Gospel in a clear and concise way. Over 25 students made first-time decisions today. Pastor Peter then called for disciplers to come forward and take each person....one on one. Now, each new believer has a disciple-maker teamed up with him/her. It is a great way for the students to begin growing in their faith!

Tomorrow morning, the team will head back to Divine Grace for a "market day" where students and community members display their arts and crafts. It is a fundraiser for the school and a time for the team to say goodbye to everyone. Then, they will head to Jgogo for the remainder of the day (which is 45 minutes out of Kampala).

On Sunday, they will go to the church at Jgogo and then spend the afternoon at a youth rally. Monday will be the beginning of a pastor's conference in the same area. Please continue to pray specifically for sick team members, for rest and rejuvenation, and most importantly, for God's glory to be revealed and made known to the nations!

The Bride of Christ...

2010-07-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

As JT is quickly relaying details of the last two days to me, I am frantically writing...but in my mind, I see the bride of Christ. I see her getting ready...preparing and planning for their wedding. Oh, how I long for that day. The church in Africa is longing too....

Divine Grace School currently has over 700 students, but this week, they have invited the community to the school. So, the population swells to over 1000 each day as the team arrives. Today was a day given to the team, full of opportunities to share the love of Christ, and they took full advantage of it!

Just yesterday, Deanna stepped up to share with the crowd. She described how she too is from a tribal people. She spoke of a time when white man came to her tribal ancestors and gave them part of the Gospel. The people believed, but they didn't have the FULL Gospel...only parts. Thus, they were led astray and did not know the truth. But, what was about to be shared was the TRUE GOSPEL in its entirety from the Word of God. The people were able to relate to her and she spoke truth into their lives.

Today, Tyler and Megan A. led the Bible study time. They shared about Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life! Pastor Peter shared that today was the day of salvation for many of them. The harvest field is ripe in Uganda. Over 120 MORE people came to know Christ today!!! Every day, new people have been invited and have accepted the invitation to be a part of God's Kingdom. Unlike in the US, people are called to repentance and confession. They pour out their lives before the community and church. They are carefully walked through the Gospel to make sure they understand the life-long commitment they are making. Lives are being transformed. The pastors there quickly combine new believers with people in the church to start discipleship!

All of the community is gathering each day, and with the generosity of several of you, we have been able to feed them lunch! What a blessing this has been as many of them walk for hours to arrive on the school grounds. Today, they had indicated that they needed to leave after lunch in order to get home. But, still they lingered for over 2 hours because of the impact of Biblical community.

Here's a rundown on all the team members:

Sam is an incredible team member who is having a blast playing with the kids each day. His eyes are being opened to the continent of Africa. He is already picking up on the language!

Tyler has been placed in a position of leadership to preach to the adults each day. He has been leading non-stop and is a rock-solid leader for the team.

Megan A. is loving life in Africa! She has all of the community ready to come tomorrow because they have NEVER seen a girl who can truly play soccer! She will be in the huge soccer game to be held tomorrow at the school!

Lonnie is doing an outstanding job! She is the administrator/coordinator of all the crafts. Without her, the team says they wouldn't stay on task!

Meghan H. is taking hundreds of photos (probably more like thousands)! JT said he can lean on her for anything because she knows him best. She will always do whatever is needed!!

Deanna is sharing with the community each day. JT said he has been like a proud Daddy watching her boldly proclaim her faith!

Brittney is having a following of children each day wherever she goes. All of the kids and adults want her to stay at Divine Grace forever! She is always ready to jump in and do what is needed, and she is the most consistent presence on the team!

Kathleen has grown tremendously this summer! She is seeing the great need to learn from others on the mission field (don't we all wish we realized our need to be teachable at the age of 18). She celebrated her 18th birthday yesterday with a motorcycle ride (keep in mind there are no other vehicles on the roads there!).

Michael fulfills the servant-leadership role constantly. He is the first one to volunteer to do anything and does it with a smile! He has taken a great deal of video footage that will help to promote sponsorships there!

Zippy spent a good deal of yesterday crying...that point that every participant comes to of knowing that you just can't help everyone and the need is overwhelming. But, today she has spent most of the day laughing. It is truly a joy to watch her with children!

Elizabeth has connected with children well. She is always willing to jump in and play with kids or dance with them!

Ryan has come out of his shell completely. The first day, he was paired with Michael, and he was encouraged to step up and share boldly. Well...he has! Ryan is taking every opportunity to share the Gospel message with anyone who will listen!

Meggie loves Africa and knows that God is calling her there! She has a way of loving on kids that meets them right where they are. What a blessing to watch her connect with kids who need it most!

Please pray for the team as they head to the outskirts of Kampala on Saturday. They will be leading a pastor's conference next week. Specifically, JT asked that you pray for the pastors for the "Upland" (referring to the ones from the northern part of Uganda). These pastors come from a volatile part of the land and rarely get any encouragement or support. However, the team has been able to host them at the farm church all week! What a HUGE blessing this is to the pastors as well as the team. There will be a great deal of time for supporting the bride of Christ and walking alongside of them during difficult days.

There have been lots of pictures and video taken, but we cannot upload any of them from Africa! But, we'll keep you posted!!!

Great Day at Divine Grace...

2010-07-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day for the team. I have just gotten off the phone with JT, and here's what is going on....

The team arrived at Divine Grace School this morning and spent half of the day with the 5th-7th graders. This afternoon was focused on 3rd and 4th graders. Tomorrow will be for preschoolers-2nd graders!

The team is teaching the "I Am" sayings of Jesus in the book of John. Tyler wrote a song to teach all the sayings which does a great job of helping the children to remember the words of Christ! The children LOVE the song and want to sing it over and over again.

Today's lesson focused on "I am the Light of the world," so the children heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. Each child was given a candle (with the memory verse on the drip holder), and they were all surprised that they could keep the candles. The children had never been given candles before...useful for their homes and a good reminder of the lesson.

Phoebe told JT that she felt led to have an altar call today (this is unusual in this type of setting), but they did it anyway. God's presence was clearly there, and over 30 kids made decisions for Jesus today. Praise be to the Father! He is good indeed.

One side note of the day is that when JT introduced all of the interns, he gave a bit of insight on each one of them. When Brittney stepped up, all of the kids remembered her from last year. They beginning clapping for her. They were cheering her name and were so thrilled that she was there. What a way God has to connect the body!

Please pray for the team as they continue to work with the school in Rakai this week. God has some amazing opportunities for the team...pray that they obey whole-heartedly! Continue to pray for Peter as he will join the team tomorrow (after the burial of his niece today). The country has been rocked by this violence and needs time to heal. Only God Almighty can heal them all now.

Monday Morning...

2010-07-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

Overnight, we received an official message from the US State Department. Here's the details:

The bombings on July 11 at the World cup viewing events at the Ethiopian Village Restaurant and the Rugby Club, which resulted in 64 dead and scores injured highlighted the vulnerabilities associated with visiting large public gatherings in Uganda.

At this time, the Department encourages U.S. citizens in Uganda to strongly consider the risk of attending large public gatherings because these events can provide vulnerable targets for extremist or terrorist groups.

U.S citizens in Uganda not directly affected by today's events are strongly encouraged to contact friends and family outside of Uganda to notify them of their well-being.
.

The missionary we are partnered with in Uganda, Peter Sozi, lost his niece in the bombings. Their family is grieving, so please pray that our team will minister to them in ways that bring glory to God alone.

We are receiving regular updates from the US State Department and will pass those along. Please continue to pray that what man intended for evil, God will use for His glory!!!

Bombs in Kampala

2010-07-11T19:18:00.001-07:00

Last night around 10:00 pm, there were 2 bombings in the capital city of Kampala. The team was already back at the place where they are staying. So, the team is safe and sound. In fact, they didn't even know about the details of the bombings until I called. JT had indicated that they took a different route home and their morning schedule would be different but they didn't know the reason.

Apparently, the two venues that were hit were restaurants where people (especially foreigners) were watching the World Cup soccer final. A mission team from the US was at one of the locations and they are among the injured.

Continue to pray for our team. Updates will come as they are available. We will only post actual information that comes from our team in Uganda.

First Full Day....

2010-07-10T17:45:00.000-07:00

The team had a late breakfast this morning after everyone had some much needed rest! They were able to go to the "farm church" today. This was the first church plant of Divine Grace, and it meets under a tree on the dairy farm. Phoebe Sozi shared her life story with the team, and they were able to understand the beginnings of Divine Grace Ministries.

Pastor Silva, the pastor of the farm church as well as the leader of the staff, took the team to visit in homes of church members. He spoke of the growth of the farm church. Now, there are over 100 kids who come each Sunday! In addition, over 25 youth showed up to walk the property while the team was there. When asked what they were doing, the team was told that the students come to prayer walk the property and then practice for leading worship on Sundays. What an honor to watch teenagers serve the Lord so faithfully.

One of the women from the farm church who went with the team to visit in homes has 2 children that attend the Divine Grace School nearby. However, she has four other children at home that she cares for along with 7 orphans. Because we are adopting from Uganda, this led to many questions from JT!

During the evening, the group met with Pastor Henry's church. Deanna shared her story and encouraged the body of believers. Tyler preached and challenged the teenagers to live lives that would bring glory to God alone.

Tomorrow the team will worship with the farm church and then eat a late lunch (it's always late on African time). In the evening, they will attend Pastor Ben's church on the other side of Kampala (one of the poorest sections). Monday will be their first day at Divine Grace School which now cares for over 1000 children. Please pray for the team as they follow the Holy Spirit in however He leads them!

Arrival!!!

2010-07-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

The team has officially arrived in Uganda! They just touched down a few minutes ago, and all is well. The team has a huge opportunity in front of them, and they all want to be obedient to what God is telling them to do. Pray for them as they settle in to the 8 hour time difference and head to church on Sunday morning! On Monday, they will travel to Rakai (pronouced Rock-eye). For 6 days they will minister to over 1000 kids from the Divine Grace School as well as the community. Your prayers are coveted and appreciated!

Air Travel Antics...

2010-07-08T16:18:00.000-07:00

The group (all 14 of them) made it to the Birmingham airport with no problems today. Everyone was on time, had their passports and yellow fever cards and got through security with few issues (note to travelers: peanut butter can go in your checked bag but not in your carry-on!). Their flight to Detroit was 45 minutes late which made their connection evens shorter (30 minutes).

When they arrived in Detroit, their 2nd flight had been moved UP by 20 minutes, which now left them 10 minutes to deplane, get to the 2nd gate, and board. JT called me while running through the airport (I would like to remind the team that God prepared them for this run a few weeks ago in Atlanta....). I called Delta and they were being rebooked on a flight to Amsterdam 2 hours later. However, as I finished talking to Delta, they made it to the gate. The gate agent was calling for the final boarding, and the group was thankful! God's timing is always perfect!
The kids (Christy, Kaitlyn, Madison, Jett) and I cried many times as we are going to miss them terribly. We took the opportunity to go to Treat Your Self in Hoover to eat some yogurt. I inserted the picture above of Christy and Jett pretending to be intertwined and feeding each other.

Please pray for this time as they have a HUGE ministry opportunity in front of them. Pastor Henry posted today that they were having an all night prayer meeting in preparation of the team's arrival. This is ministry that only God can accomplish. May He work in such a way that He alone gets all the glory. We praise Him in advance for what He is about to do!

It's a New Week...

2010-07-04T17:02:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will be the last day of our "official" resting break between coming home from Arizona and leaving for Uganda. Here's what we've been doing for the past few days...trying to catch up on much-needed sleep (so far, we're all still very tired), going to doctor's appointments, cooking/cleaning/eating together, talking through and praying about Uganda, planning, and most importantly spending time in God's Word.

On Tuesday all of the interns will be back together at our home. Currently, we are housing Indy, DiGi and 1st Nation all the time. Duckett has been in Louisiana with her fiance making plans for their wedding next summer. Lonnie, Brittney, Tyler and Kathleen have each been spending time with their families who live in the Birmingham area. We have seen Stick (Lonnie) and Navi (Brittney) several times though during this break! All of the interns enjoy spending time together and have become quite close. We prayed that they would develop life-long friendships, and they have definitely done that! It blesses our hearts to hear them sharing their lives with one another!

When the group comes back together we will be planning the rest of the details of the Uganda trip. There will be a lot to do there, and as the details are determined, I'll share them here in order that you may all know how to pray specifically for the team! The team will be 14 people including JT, all of the interns, Sam, Meggie, Ryan, Elizabeth and Zippy. They will be ministering at Divine Grace School, leading a pastor's conference and ministering to those in need everywhere they go. The schedule is FULL....they will definitely need prayers for strength and sustenance. Pray for their health while they are there in order to continue to minister with all that they have each day.

As far as the personal goings-on (that's a Southern term for all of you Northerners) here, DiGi had 3 hours of dental work done this week. Thank you Dr. James Sanderson for your generosity. You blessed him and us immensely! Indy is praying through her future and what God wants for her. We have developed an American dream of graduating high school, going to college, getting a well-paying job, etc, etc. That is not always God's way...we must each listen to what God wants us to do and not the world! 1st Nation has taken every opportunity to go to Starbucks that Lonnie offers....seriously, those two crack me up.

Crispy is leaving for Australia this month. Just when Indy brought it up today, I cried on the way home.....it makes me sad to think of her leaving but I know that it is God's plan for her life. I will miss her terribly, and a part of my heart will be in Australia for a while.....

Lonnie comes over quite a bit, and we definitely miss her when she's not here. She is loved by everyone and makes friends easily. She makes us all smile throughout the day, so we really miss her when she's not around.

As we begin to come back together as a family, pray that our hearts will be unified for the cause of Christ alone!

Arizona

2010-06-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

While I was in Arizona the past 2 weeks, God showed me how great and faithful He is. He allowed teams to go out and boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how it is the only hope and unchanging truth in this world that we have. I had the opportunity to go into a couple of villages. The one that I was really excited about was Gunsight, because I had went there with a group from my church last year. The kids get older and it makes you really happy to see them and love on them, but what really stood out to me was how much they remember. When we interacted with them one on one and asked them questions about the gospel and their sin and what Christ had done to reconcile us to Himself, I could see the Holy Spirit at work. He was allowing them to recall and ponder the truth that was set before them about Jesus Christ through the Word of God. Even though none of those kids came to know God's grace in a saving way that last week that I am aware of, I know that God graciously allowed us to plant seeds that He will sow. Through continually speaking the gospel and showing it through our actions in the ways that we loved on the children and played with them,God will do what will most glorify Himself. And I praise Him for that. It reminded me oh so much about how we have no problem walking into an area such as that and being fully ready to proclaim that glorious truth yet how we won't branch out and walk next door and share that message of hope and salvation to our neighbor or doctor. God has
given me a deeper burden and desperation to reach the lost this week and humble
myself before Him who is great and able because I on my own am unworthy to
share the gospel. Yet encourages me to encourage you to cling to the cross of
Christ because He took what we deserved (the wrath of God) and our sinful souls are counted free. Therefore freeing us to share the gospel with boldness, lovingly obeying our GREAT KING.

Coming Home....

2010-06-27T20:05:00.001-07:00

As we travel home, our hearts are heavy with emotions, burdens and joys. We find ourselves missing Arizona in many ways...

-Biblical community that sleeps, eats, ministers and worships together every day.
-The absence of the distractions of email and television.
-The joy of hearing about transformed lives daily (from people who have never seen it before).
-Being tackled by numerous kids who just want to be hugged and loved.
-Corporate worship daily.....

Of course there are things we don't miss including flies in our food, dust in every fiber of our clothing (and bodies), 110 degree weather, etc. But those things pale in comparison to the glory of our great God. We will gladly endure these small inconveniences for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Isn't He worth more than our comfort? our priorities? our wants/desires? our opinion? YES, He is! He is worth more than my schedule, my plan, my time, my desires, my way.... I surrender it all to Him and Him alone! He gets all of the glory for anything good that comes of the work done on the reservation. We have done nothing...He has done everything.

Thank you all for your prayers for us while we were in Arizona. We are coming home to Birmingham for about 8 days of rest before we leave for Uganda. The team will be in Uganda for 2 weeks. Please pray for the team as they will be working daily from before sun-up until late into the night. They are expected to lead in ways many of them have never done (e.g. lead conference topics for over 1000 pastors). They will be stepping far outside of their experience and education. This is something only God can do. And, He will do it. He has called us to it, and He will accomplish His work. Please continue to pray.

Loving on those in need

2010-06-23T16:20:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to Santa Rosa. This was my third time there, but my second time to do VBS. I went last year and became friends with a boy named Gabriel. I didn't want to go last year because I wanted to go to Covered Wells. I had a good relationship with all the people in Covered Wells, so I wanted to do VBS there. I knew God was calling me to Santa Rosa last year, but I didn't know why so I went.

That was when I became friends with Gabriel. He didn't want to have anything to do with my group so I hung out with him and showed Christ's love. This year I got to hang out with him. One day while we were outside watching the kids playing in the water, he told me that he didn't believe in God. I as not shocked by this because I guess last year that he didn't. I asked him If he had always never believed or just now not believing. He said that he use to believe, but now he is not believing. I asked why and he told me his story.

He said that when he as younger, he was abused by his parents. He said that he prayed to God to get him out of this, but he was never taken out of it. Years later he was finally taken out of this mess and was sent to live with his grandmother. I knew something was up with his family, but I was not quite sure. He wouldn't talk the rest of the VBS becuase he was emotionally overwhelmed with what he just said to me because I'm the first person besides his family that he told his story

It really hurt my heart and I cried for him because I went through the same thing he went through. He was like a new kid the next day. He said that he was very happy that I knew what he went through and I was able to understand what he was walking about. He said that he was relieved to get all that off of his chest. He is doing a lot better, but I ask that you all pray for him becuase he still needs love and people to talk to. We both are going to stay on touch so people pray for me about that because I want my words to be Christ centered. May God bless you all.
Brittney

Monday is full of firsts...

2010-06-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

The Monday of any mission trip in the desert is full of firsts, even for those people who have been before. Though we have two groups (one from Indiana and one from Louisiana) who have been with us before, Mondays still bring newness.

Today, one group is going to Hickiwan, a new village to them. They have been to Topawa before, but this time, they were assigned Hickiwan. The leader of the group, Art, said that when he got the assignment, he picked up the phone to call and ask for the old village. But, God said "No, I want you in Hickiwan." So, he submitted to God's calling, and today, they are going to Hickiwan for the first time. We are praying for God to work in mighty ways in and through that group.

Monday is a day to meet new people and begin to establish new relationships with the T.O. people. Taking God's glory and fame to the nations....a new day for that especially!

It's a new day for the heat...it will be over 104 today. The predictions go up to 110 this week. But, we press on for His mercies, grace and strength are NEW every day. Praise Him for the newness. May we never forget that He alone causes the NEWNESS in each day.

Please pray for all of our staff, as the length of time here and the heat and the amount of work are wearing on all of them. Pray for continued health, strength and perseverance. Pray that God would receive all the glory for anything that is done or said. To Him alone be the honor!

On the Res....

2010-06-21T08:57:00.000-07:00

It’s a new day on the reservation. Just as we get to see the sun rise over the desert each morning, we are in constant awe of God’s grace and mercies that are new each morning. While we go to bed completely exhausted and worn out from the day, we are refreshed and reminded of God’s goodness every day!
This past week we have seen groups come from Texas and Georgia, as well as many individuals from Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Alabama, and Delaware. Groups went to villages each day including Santa Rosa, Kaka, Little Tucson, Menegers, and Choulic. What a blessing to hear the stories of lives changed each day! God moved, and we witnessed it.
Today, the interns as well as Jodie, Lindsey and Sam helped to completely clean the church and Mosaic building. It was a TON of work, but we saw the entire team come together to make it happen. We are so proud of everyone giving their best effort. Christ was showing through each person as they worked diligently.
This week the groups are going to Chui-Chui, Hickiwan, Gunsight and Topawa. We are eager to see God at work in each of these communities. More than that we are seeing our ministry team become more aware of God’s goodness in EVERY thing. From the beautiful sunset to the gift of water on a hot day…or the opportunity to eat…or to have a bathroom…inside. God’s goodness can be seen every day in everything. We just have to be aware of His Sovereignty and thank Him for His gifts. We are awed to get the privilege to serve so that others can come to know His name! It’s all for His glory! Praise Him and Him alone!

The return of 1st Nation to the 1st Nation

2010-06-17T09:55:00.001-07:00

It has been one week since I (Deanna) have returned home to the Tohono O'odham Reservation and so far it has been an exciting, frustrating, eye opening, confusing, and overall, a difficult first week home. In Guatemala I witnessed people living in the worst conditions ever: famine, malnutrition, disease, rats (the size of cats), all living in a dump...literally. But, in the middle of the dump I met people, mostly single mothers and their children with absolutely nothing and yet they were so happy that if all they got from this life was that they received and knew the love of Christ, they would be content and happy with that. But, I come home and the people here are so unsatisfied with how much they do have, they want more and more and more, and they don't realize all they need is Christ's love. Bottom line, to know the love of God is all we really need.
I want to explain to people here the things I have witnessed and about the kids and adults I got to love on. But, no one will ever truly understand the picture that is forever in my mind of Guatemala and that makes it hard share because I know that I won't be able to change everyone. However, God CAN and this is something I have to constantly remind myself of.

Pictures will be up soon, we are having technical difficulties.

She Won't Go Away.....

2010-06-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head that won't go away? Something childish or annoying, and you can't make it stop? Or perhaps an image you saw years ago that keeps reminding you of something you've done? The image I have is a little different...it's a person..her name is Concepcion.

I met her last year in the dump of Guatemala City. She and her husband were both working. She made tortillas for a business, and he recycled items. However, Concepcion's husband was killed this past year by gunshot. He left behind 5 daughters, and Concepcion had to raise them by herself.

Earlier this spring, Concepcion's home was taken away by the "developer" of the dump, and she had to move to another area. As bizaare as it may seem, there are rules that govern the community of the dump. So, she left behind her home and had to start over. She was sent to a new area of the dump..right next to the fresh heaps of trash that are trucked in daily.

With funds sent by various people, a new shack was built for her with wood and tin. It has no holes and provides adequate shelter for them. The biggest gift...according to Concepcion..is a bunk bed that has 3 mattresses. All of them sleep on beds now (2 to a twin mattress). She is thankful beyond words.

As we talk with her, she begins to cry about the mattresses. She is so grateful to have them. But, she doesn't know how she's going to provide food today. You see, it's been raining for several days straight (including a tropical storm), so workers in the dump can't work as usual. They would fall through the trash and get hurt. No one is working right now, so there is no money. Keep in mind that Concepcion generally makes $1-$2 per day, so this is a great loss for her.

My heart breaks. The image of her crying and asking God to bless us overwhelms me. Did I even thank God for my mattress this morning? Did I thank Him for the ability to work? Am I just a healed leper who finds comfort in my own healing without thanking The Healer?

When we left the dump that day, a friend told me that Concepcion was longing for the day when she could own her own tortilla business. She could make more money and provide for her girls if she had her own tortilla maker. The thought never left me...God stirred us to make sure that she was able to have it. Now, she does. But, her image still lingers in my mind. I must get back to her...I must go...I must.

Guatemala at a close

2010-06-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

After a three hour flight from Guatemala we landed safely in Atlanta. With some slight setbacks at the airport and on the travel home, we arrived safely in Birmingham. Now a time of rest and recovery for the brave expedition party before they set out on their next adventure. With only a few having grave illness the party is expected to leave on the schedule departure date.

This was written by Michael DiGiacoma and spoken in a wonderful accent. It is only funny to those of us within listening distance. Hopefully, he will learn his lesson that he is communicating through the written word on a blog.

Mattress is a blessing...and time in the clinic...long day!

2010-06-05T05:04:00.000-07:00

What a long day for the team. From playing with children in Tabitha House to delivering food in the dump to a small team without a translator in need of a doctor, God showed Himself faithful yesterday. God sustained us in ways we could not imagine! He is Faithful! He is Good! He is Provider! He is our Father! We give Him all the praise for His precious grace and mercy!

We had a small team (Rich, Angelia, Amanda, Brittney, Lonnie and me) go to the new home of the Browns in order to clean and organize. We wanted to get it ready for their homecoming here! We spent the morning mopping, cleaning, washing and just getting it clean for them. Have I mentioned there are mucho escaleras in their house? We had no translator with us because we felt that we didn't need one to clean a house...

The driver couldn't come get us in time for lunch, so we all walked to the small tienda at the front of the neighborhood. Should I tell you how we got lost in the neighborhood and had to ask for directions? Yes, that makes me feel...well, let's just say it's a small neighborhood. But, we made it. Without many options, we ate Doritos and cookies and had Cokes to drink. Actually, Brittney got an orange soda...that was important though we didn't know it at the moment.

There was no shade anywhere except right inside the open air tienda. So, we asked if we could sit on the bench, and the owner said yes. This is God's provision too. The owner brought out several stools which gave us all a seat. I was sitting on the ground originally, but now I had a seat beside Lonnie. Angelia was offered another stool but decided to sit on the bench with Lonnie and Britt. While none of these decisions alone were significant, they all worked together to show God faithful.

While we were eating, Lonnie's eyes started blinking quickly, and she began to slump. We all watched her faint and then have a seizure. Eyes rolled back in the head...we saw glass instead of her beautiful eyes...and her body began to convulse. God kicked in the Mommy instinct in Angelia and me, and emotions went to the back burner. We held her up and waited for it to end. Lonnie can't remember what happened during that time, but we all do. It was frightening...it was overwhelming...it pointed to the love of Christ. God sustained us. He provided for us. He is Good!!!

We were able to get some orange drink in Lonnie and get some sugar in her. We weren't sure what to do medically but that did help. The sweet owner's wife gave us water for her to drink. While normally I wouldn't have allowed her to drink it, it was greatly needed. God showed Himself strong.

We were able to get Lonnie to a clinic after several more episodes. Apparently, she overextended herself this week (if you know her, she gives 110% to everything and is "all in" all the time) and hasn't eaten well enough (as a vegetarian, there have been few options here for her to eat). So, we tucked her in bed last night praise God Almighty for His goodness and steadfast love in this situation.

Meanwhile, the group in the City was able to go the dump. Several people specifically mentioned a scene from the day. The group took a mattress to the home of Flor. She lives in a one room shack in the dump. Flor told the group how blessed she was to get the mattress...it's a mattress, for the love! How many of us take our mattresses for granted? I do! She asked that God would bless the group for the way they blessed her! What a humbling time for the group. What a reminder for all of us to be thankful for the provisions for God!

Psalm 67 reminds us that we ARE blessed. For what reason? So that His name can be known among the nations! We are NOT blessed for ourselves...we are blessed in order to spread His fame! So, we give away what God has given for His glory. Praise Him!!! His plan is good, and His ways are perfect!

God is faithful to His promises! He will provide...He will sustain..He will bring glory to Himself! All honor and praise go to Him!

On a lighter note, someone asked me to tell about the names/nicknames of the interns. We have 8 interns this summer, and some of them have nicknames (by the end of the summer, I'm sure they will have one). Some interns have no nickname yet - Katie Nolin and Brittney Cleveland...we're working on that. Tyler's nickname is El Tigre...not sure how that one came about but it means the Tiger. Seems easier for everyone in a Spanish speaking country to say that. It fits him. Lonnie's name is Stick...look at her and it's self-explanatory! Deanna's nickname is First Nation. She is a Tohono O'odham Indian, and she's always saying, "We were here first!" Thus, her nickname fits her.

Christy (our semester intern..not included in the 8)has the nickname "Crispy" simply because Jett calls her that. It stuck, and it's sweet. Michael D's alter ego is DiGi because it's the first part of his last name. There have been many other names, but that one works best. Megan A. got to be called "Indy" because she's from Indiana. It reminds me of Indiana Jones too which totally goes along with her adventurous personality. Meghan Harris is named "Duckett" (also pronounced Du-kay) because her fiance's last name is Duckett. It helped us distinguish her from Megan A. and reminds her of her new last name coming next summer! I think that's all of them. They sure are a blessing from above!

New Mercies....

2010-06-04T05:05:00.000-07:00

As I sit in our room waiting on the group to wake up, I'm reminded that God's mercies are new every morning. Every day in Guatemala, God is literally pouring us out...we are physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. Yet, when we awaken, His mercies, grace and strength are new! Praise be to the Father of all good things! We give Him all the praise, honor and glory for everything that has happened here.

This group has been AMAZING. With an influx of bugs, rampant lice, volcanic ash in the air in the air and on the ground, mudslides, a tropical storm, and abject poverty, we have encountered a multitude of difficulties. Yet, NOT ONE TIME have I heard anyone in this group complain. They have laughed, cried and encouraged...what a blessing! It is rare to find a group so willing to be poured out without any grumbling. It is truly a gift from the Lord.

We have seen God use each and every person who is here for a specific purpose. He put one lady on our team to specifically identify with a teenager in the dump, another was here to love on children, and another to pray over the needy. We have seen God's purposes fulfilled in each person's life in some way this week. I have seen God say, "This is why I put you here..for such a time as this." Wow!

Speaking of "Wow!," I have to say that we are immensely blessed by the summer interns. They have shown God's love in so many ways. They are literally emptying themselves on His altar each day as they give all of their time, energy, and attention to the needs here. I've watched them sing with enthusiasm, love with total abandonment, pray with passion and seek the glory of God each day. We are so proud of all of them!

Today, we will clean and organize the Brown's home, welcome the Brown family to Guatemala, love on children in the Tabitha House, visit families in the dump (taking food and the Gospel of Jesus), and plan for our day tomorrow. Whew... Tomorrow will hold a prayer conference at the seminary where we are staying. It involves children from all over the country - mainly street kids, orphans and AIDS patients. We will love on 300 of them through Bible study and song. Then, we will spend the afternoon with the ladies from the Tabitha House teaching, praying and ministering to them.

Keep praying...we know that God is at work. He is showing Himself as Faithful, Sustainer and Provider!

2010-06-02T20:05:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! This is Tyler. Just wanted to give a quick update on all that God is doing in and through the group this week. Our God is living and active, and his work is readily apparent in all that we have seen. Today was a day that personally I have been preparing for, yet was blown away by a variety of emotions, thoughts, and prayers that just wouldn't leave my mind. I was able to visit the dump today, and I have never seen such abject poverty in my life. These are the people all the statistics are about. Words cannot adequately describe the sights, sounds, smells, and spiritual warfare that just was unlike anything I've ever experienced. I've seen things on TV and heard stories, but to walk into a home smaller than my bedroom made of tarp and tin sheets that houses 5 people is just an image that will never leave you. We were able to share with a woman named Judy who is caring for her sister's kids. Her sister (named Flor) lost her husband during the storm at the dump, and they have no source of income whatsoever anymore. Judy was not a believer, but to be able to speak Christ into her life is a seed that hopefully he will water to fruition later by His grace. One glimmer of hope we saw that just floored me was a girl who makes jewelry at Tabitha house named Beatriz. She lives in the dump and is no better than anyone else, but she has recently taken in a woman with two kids who lost her home as well as a 16 year old kid who has been sexually abused and running from the gang. Her husband is an alcoholic that wastes all his income, and so she is giving up her home and comfort to serve these people and show them Christ as a believer. What incredible faith! What an incredible example! We were able to pray with her and encourage her, but she encouraged us in an incredible way. As I said, this poverty is unlike anything else. This is poverty plus sexual and physical abuse, prostitution, drugs, alcohol, gang violence, and murder. These people are under the attack of the evil one, and only Christ and his light can penetrate such thick darkness. Something very strong that we talked about is that we will never completely change the dump. We will never build enough houses or give enough food bags. But we can change the lives of the people at the dump for all of eternity. So we preach Christ and nothing else. When we see kids who have been given crack and alcohol since they were babies and cannot speak or comprehend things at 5 years old, we preach Christ. When we go to perhaps the most dangerous place in all of Guatemala not knowing what will happen, we preach Christ. When we see Satan do everything in his power to blind others and keep them slaves to their sin, we preach Christ. For we are not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation for all who believe. As we saw with Beatriz, God is still living and active. He is in control despite what we see and think sometimes. And so now we as a group are responsible for what we have seen. Two weeks ago I was not coming on this trip. God has been sovereign in allowing me to join Him in his work, and now I must go to college in the fall and live my life with those kids and this place in my mind. I must set my eyes on Christ in all, and above all, we must pray people of God! I feel like God has been closer to me than ever before. Not so much a spiritual high as much as God's continuing presence as he has helped me to Abide in Him. It makes me wonder how I could ever not think or not expect God to walk with me as he did Adam and Eve in the garden. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who finds refuge in Him! I love this group, I love the interns and everyone else and praise God for their work this week. I have been filled to the brim with thoughts and emotions, and am still trying to process it all! Continue to pray for God's work in VBS the rest of this week and for unified effort to see God raise up leaders in Guatemala who will change lives for his glory! Dios le Bendiga and Adios!

Tag Team in Tabitha House! - Megan Anderson (aka Indy)

2010-06-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

Today the team split into two groups. One group went to the city dump, and another group stayed at the Tabitha House. I stayed at the Tabitha House. The Tabitha House is a ministry that is similar to a day care. It is a place where women leave their children when they go to "work" these women could sell drugs, or be prostitutes. Its a really rough situation, and these children experience this daily. Its so heartbreaking, yet some of these kids are the happiest kids I have ever met. These children need two things, the gospel and to be loved on.For me the language barrier was extremely difficult because I wanted to talk to them so bad. These kids come from broken homes and an extremely impoverished environment. We could not even begin to comprehend what kind of things these children have to deal with. Today God showed me how to die to self in some areas of my life. Its not about me or you its about His will being done, sharing the gospel with people and living for Him daily by pursuing a love relationship with Him. He showed me part of that through kids hanging on my back constantly. These kids are very young and have no one to love on them or play with them or show them any attention. It was a really humbling experience to have 5 little Guatemalan children hanging on my neck giggling and yelling "Indy, Indy" they need someone to love them in ways that people can't.They just like us need a relationship with Jesus Christ. And I am so so glad God has given me the opportunity to be His hands and feet and sit and love on those kids. To show the love of Christ with my actions and proclaim Him with my lips. Because the situations these kids come from will literally break your heart. And God is calling people to

Hugs and Kisses...- By Meghan Harris (aka Duckett)

2010-06-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

Today was an absolutely amazing day full of smiles, laughter, hugs, and blessings. We started off our day by driving to an area that had been affected by a mudslide that displaced nearly 50 families. They were being housed in a community school and ministry that opened up their doors to them. We began our time with them by singing songs in spanish with the many families there. While I only knew one of the songs we sang in spanish, it was such a blessing to watch the people from the area sing along and praise God in the midst of a crisis- in the midst of wondering where they will rebuild their home. It was also a blessing to watch another of the interns, Tyler, lead worship in spanish and also communicate fluently with the people here. I love being able to see God use Tyler, and many of the other people on this trip.

We also did VBS while we were there with the kids. Although the language can be a barrier, smiles and laughter are definitely universally understood. I loved seeing the kids enjoy themselves throughout the morning in spite of everything they may be experiencing in their lives. After VBS, we were able to give brand new shoes to a few kids from the area. As I watched Sheryl remove the worn and tattered shoes from the first girl, my heart began to break for these kids. I must have nearly 50 pairs of shoes (yes, 50.) and these kids had only one. Seeing the kids faces after they looked down at their new shoes was priceless. I was able to put new shoes on a little five-year-old named Javier, and as I helped him stand up, he immediately wrapped his arms around my knees and repeated "Gracias". Knowing that God used me to make a difference in Javier's life was a wonderful blessing. As we loaded up into our vans to head out to do VBS in another area, several women surprised us with tortillas they had made for us while we were there. It's always funny to me when I have this mentality that I'm going out to bless someone else, and instead I am the one who receives the blessing.

This afternoon we did a VBS in another area called Lantana. This was the second time for our team to do VBS in this area; however, it was my first time to be there. I loved seeing all the kids enjoy our efforts for VBS. Watching them do the motions to all the songs and bounce a ball on a parachute for a million times just warmed my heart. As we prepared to leave Lantana, we handed out a small pack of cookies to each of the kids. It was such a joy to see them offer us some of their cookies, then they gave us all hugs and even kisses on the cheek. It's so wonderful to be immediately accepted by these people. I did not expect it to be that easy. But it is clear so far on this trip that God is definitely working here. He's made countless ways for us to get where we are now, despite the volcano and despite the tropical storm and despite the long travel to Guatemala City from San Salvador. It is already clear that God has big plans for us while we are here, and it's amazing to see how He is already working through us. I can't wait to see what else God has in store for us this week.

Day 1- Guatemala City, Being a Voice for the Voiceless

2010-06-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

Today I was able to go the dump communities. In Galatians 2 it says to not forget the poor, in fact we are to remember them continually. I came face to face with poverty today. Children without food or water; mothers digging through mountains of ash; and Satan's strong hold on these desperate people. In the morning we went to the lower, poorer dump to make house visits to some of the local church members. God burdened my heart for my brothers and sisters living in this daily nightmare, but God reminded me that He alone is all that any of us need. Not that we should not serve these people by meeting their physical needs, but that we should not be consumed by the magnitude of poverty and make their lack of (fill in the blank) our focus instead of the God who overcomes and is good in everything. In the afternoon, we met these precious girls from the Tabitha house. Their story, of sexual abuse, forced prostitution, unwanted pregnancy, abortions, and utter darkness, broke my heart.

We went to see the family, who had forced their daughters onto the street for drug money, my instinct was disgust towards the parents. Yet Christ calls us and shows us that we are to love those chained to sin, for we are all sinners, each of us has gone astray and He died for and loves each of us. So how does loving this man that openly mocks us, commits incest and abuse, and this mother that sells her daughters for drugs look like? I could only fall to my knees in prayer as they sat in front of their daughters, blaming their daughter for everything wrong that had happened to them and openly showing they didn't care for any of them. I wanted to scoop up all 5 of these girls and run out of there as I thought about what had happened in this shack. Thoughts of "What has happened on this bed I'm sitting on?", "What have these 3, 5, 7 years old girls seen?", "How could this rapist sit two feet away from us and these girls without any sign of guilt, remorse, anything?" We were finally able to take the two oldest to the Tabitha House permanently, so that they could be cared for and go to school. The parents' only requests were that we keep them locked up in a room all day, everyday, and the father said we could take all of them for all he cared. The third youngest latched onto me as we left begging me with each smile and laugh for me to take her with us. It broke me to have to leave those innocent beautiful children in this place so held by Satan. But when the two girls that we could take finally made it to the van, the looks of relief and hope that flooded their faces. When we pulled up to the Tabitha House, the oldest turned to me, and said with breathless relief, "Finally, I am home." God is already using them for His glory.

He awakened us to the reality of Satan in this world, His heart for the voiceless, and radically realigned my heart and focus to Him. For He is the only one that saves and heals, and this is what each person I have met desperately needs. Please continue to pray for them.
Kathleen Nolin

Loving the unlovable...

2010-06-01T04:46:00.000-07:00

As soon as the crew awakes this morning, we'll have 2 guest bloggers...interns, of course. Their perspectives on yesterday will be different and they have a lot to share. So, stay tuned!

WARNING: If you are 18 or under and reading this, please ask a parent for permission. This is not an easy or appropriate read for younger people.

A group of us spent yesterday afternoon in the dump. It was a rough time. Meeting a murderer (keep in mind my father is in prison for murder) was a piece of cake. We weren't sure about the next house on the list though. Carol and Patty (one of our dear friends and translator for this particular journey) prepared our team at Tabitha House for this (partially). We were told that we were going to a house where the father abuses (in EVERY way) his 5 girls. With a house the size of most of our bathrooms, it is easy to conclude that the mother is aware of the situation.

We had two of the daughters with us (one is 15 and the other 11). The oldest has become pregnant twice by the step-father. They have both been abused extensively. We are taking them so that Carol can ask for the oldest to stay at the Tabitha House. She has had NO education and is beginning to act out her rebellion (can't imagine why...). None of us is prepared for what we see or feel while we are there.

It is obvious from the moment we step in the door that this is going to be a showdown between the Father and the enemy. They step up to battle. We hear the mother and father verbally abuse their children right in front of us. Satan says look what I can do. Carol continues to plead for the oldest child. The parents refuse. Satan is winning this battle. The father berates the children and they bite their fingernails down to the quick.

The team prays and is clearly becoming angry. The Spirit of Almighty God stirs. They sit on the lice infested bed. Kathleen begins to hold one of the younger children who sticks like glue to her side. The two oldest children are rocking bath and forth, biting their nails and crying. I sit beside them. Patty is getting upset too. Carol is pleading again. Satan is laughing.

Carol asked the team if anyone had a word...yes, I have a word. Let's go out back and let us beat the snot out of you. That's a word I would like to share. But, God restrains our tongues. Holly Wade reminds me that the Words says children are a blessing and an inheritance from the Lord. That's not where I was going with this whole "word" thing...but God speaks through her.

God opens my mouth and begs for the children to have freedom to know Him. I don't remember what was said. But, it wasn't me. I wanted to beat the ever-living daylights out of them both. I wanted to personally make sure they hurt like they hurt their girls. But, God spoke. He interceded on behalf of His children. We prayed. Our tongues and fists were restrained. We cried.

Holly W. spoke up and shared her story. She begged for the parents to show their children love. She relayed her own story. She wept and the team wept for her. God allowed her journey for such a time as this.

The Spirit of God was in the house. The parents relented and sent the girls on their way. In fact, they wanted to send all 5 (another topic for another day). We left with two girls in tow knowing that they were free for the moment. No more abuse, no more prostitution, no more stealing....

God won this battle. He alone gets all the praise.

A New Day in the City...

2010-05-31T06:28:00.000-07:00

Good morning friends and family. We are so thankful that you are following the blog while we are out of the country, and we will update you as often as possible on what is going on here.

First, we want to praise our Father for His goodness and mercies. His mercies are new every morning...isn't that amazing! He has given us all a good night's sleep, and we are refreshed and ready for His work! Second, He is always faithful to His promises. He promised that He would show Himself powerful and strong (more so that any tropical storm, volcano or flood), and He has done that!!! Praise the Father!!!

Please pray for our interpreters, Patty, Wendy and Angie. They were scheduled to leave Quetzaltenango at 5:00 this morning and make their way into the city. It is normally a 3 hour drive but could take much longer due to the bridges and roads being out. Please pray for their safety and for their strength.

For all parents of interns, your children are safe and sound here. They are all doing well. Tyler, along with Lonnie and Brittney, are leading music for VBS this afternoon. They spent quite a bit of time learning Spanish songs last night and serenading the seminary campus. Megan A. and Deanna are going to work with recreation as well...Deanna has been holding out her Spanish skills on us! Michael, Duckett (Meghan H.) and Kathleen will be working in the Tabitha House while the others are at VBS. We are so proud of all of them. It warms my heart to see them outside in the morning spending time with the Father before the day begins.

Speaking of my heart, it overflows right now with gratefulness for all the people on this trip. They are amazing, gracious and patient people. Once again, God ordained the right people for the right time for the right task. He is good! When we surrender our thoughts, ways, plan and will to His...surrender our own for His thoughts, ways, plans and will, He will be glorified! We give Him all the glory!

PS Maggie Coe is an amazing young lady, and I send out props to Bob and Ann. She is full of life and seeks to serve the Lord. I pray that my kiddos end up like her!

We have arrived...

2010-05-30T19:51:00.001-07:00

Our group was able to depart Atlanta this morning on time, and we landed in San Salvador around noon. With no lost luggage and no problems in passport control or customs, we made it to our buses with everyone in tow. It took us 6 hours to reach Guatemala City due to the mudslides and road conditions, but we are safely here.

We have eaten dinner and made plans for tomorrow. God is giving us the opportunity to work at the Tabitha House in the morning as well as make visits to the people of the dump. In the afternoon we will be able to lead VBS in a local mission as well as continue work with children of the dump.

Everyone is doing well. After some showers and a good night's sleep, we will be raring to go in the morning. Please feel free to send any questions or emails to me at sheryl@1wayministries. We will have access to email daily.

Thank you all for your prayers! God is moving in mighty ways!

Our God Reigns!

2010-05-29T08:29:00.001-07:00

Some of you have asked about more details from yesterday and today, so I'll try and type it all. First and foremost, all of the praise, honor and glory go to God our Father. He is Yahweh...He is Faithful...He is Provider..He is All-Sufficient..He is Great...We give Him all the glory for everything that happened yesterday, and for all that will happen today!

Our team (or at least 19) of us were scheduled to meet at The Church at Brook Hills yesterday at 2:30 to leave by 3:00. But, God had other plans. During the mid-morning yesterday, we were made aware of the volcano, Pacaya, erupting in Guatemala. There were some deaths and ash was raining on the city. God burdened our hearts for the people who live in the dump with no roof over their heads. Please pray for them!

We met at the church and began calling Delta. After 3 previous phone calls (made during the morning hours), our flight on Saturday morning was officially cancelled. So, we hit the phonelines....hotel has to be cancelled in Atlanta, flights have to be changed for 26 people (21 of whom are in a group, 5 are individual tickets and then there's actually another person flying out of Memphis who has to change her ticket too). Then, there's the other 5 people who are flying American Airlines and having to deal with their flights being cancelled. Many of you who truly know me know that talking on the phone is among my least favorite things to do. And, God called me to it....so I obeyed.

First, I talked to Delta and was told we could get a flight into Guatemala City on Wednesday at the earliest....people have taken off work, plans have been made....no, that wouldn't work. Then, we call again, and we're given the option of flying into nearby countries...Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. What to do? What to do? Using the brains on our team, we determine the nearest airport (San Salvador) and try again.

Another call to Delta (keep in mind that each of these calls is at least a 1/2 an hour) is made. They don't fly into El Salvador but they do have a flight to San Salvador. What? Do they hire people who don't know geography? Truly, this is a sign that I must hang up and call again. So, I ask...you don't have a flight into El Salvador? No, Delta doesn't fly into El Salvador. Okay, I say, but you do have a flight into San Salvador? Yes, we do. Ummm...the capital of El Salvador is San Salvador I say. She replies...but we don't fly into El Salvador.. But, you do have a flight into San Salvador? Yes, she says...okay, I'll take it. I should have recorded this conversation...it did make me laugh. Perhaps geography was not her forte.

Then, we are told that the flights will cost an additional $170 per person although the $150 change fee will be waived. Now, $170 for one person is not bad, but multiply that times the total number of participants, and we're talking $4800. NO WAY!!!!

Despite my tears and realization that this is an impossible situation (and against my personal desires), JT takes the information to the group. I prefer not to burden others with the administration details of a trip...that's my burden to bear. But, that's my opinion and my opinion only...and does not allow the body of Christ to participate. So, the information was taken to the group. The body of Christ went into prayer mode. They prayed.... then, they were motivated to get others to pray. They sent text messages...Facebook...Twitter...social networking for the cause of Christ. I was still on the phone with Delta, so I was unaware of all of this until later.

I had moved my "office" to the van so that I could recharge my phone. My friend, Angelia has joined me and we're tag-teaming the details. As a sidenote here, I am so thankful for her administrative skills...God has us on the same page, and we were a great team. Then, I talked to Barbara Sinke at the Atlanta Delta office. After 45 minutes she said that she would call me back in 45 minutes and she would try everything she could to help us. Let me back up by saying that the conversation with her was extensive (over an hour) and there were lots of tears.

In the meantime, we continued to pray. We prayed that God would make a way where there was no way. We were desperate for Him to act in a way that could only bring glory to Him!!!

Then, the mission trip participants (most of whom are high school and college students with limited funds) started streaming out of the church. They began coming one by one to the passenger door and telling Angelia how much money they could give. It was like a scene out of a movie...have you ever seen Rudy where the team members come in and give the coach their jerseys? It's for Rudy coach... They all come to the coach and give up their jersey so that he can play. In a very similar way, they gave up their high school graduation gifts, college funds, savings, and more. Our hearts were overwhelmed with their generosity. Then, our friends began to send messages and call....how could they give? God poured out His blessings in and through the obedience of the body of Christ. He broke us. He overwhelmed us. He blessed us.

I was not hopeful that Barbara would call back...but she did! She said that she had good news. She could get us on the flight to San Salvador the next day, and there would be no charges!!! What??? God had shown us that He would receive the glory..He just wanted us to obey Him and depend fully on Him. We were overwhelmed.

Okay, four more hurdles....3 individual tickets (one of whom I couldn't help because she lived in Memphis)and 1 group of 3 together. First, the individual tickets...for Kathleen and Tyler. I talk to Alma, and she helps me get those tickets..and then, we get cut off. I don't even know if these two tickets go through or not. I call back (please Lord...I've been on the phone for 3 hours at this point). I get Ed in Tampa...he assures me that those 2 tickets were good. Okay! Good news! And, then the person in Memphis gets her ticket changed too...NO charges there either!

While I'm on the phone with Ed, Alma calls me back and leaves a message. There are NO more seats on that flight. My final three people (Christy, Deanna and Michael) are going to have to fly to Salt Lake City and then Los Angeles and then fly into San Salvador...a day later. No, that won't work. But, Ed finds a way to get them on the same flight. I am overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy. He made a way!!!! He is good!

We all gather in the church lobby and circle up. The good news is shared, and Tyler leads us in song and worship. We sing "Great is Your Faithfulness" and God showed Himself powerful and strong. We praise His name!

Afterwards, Kathleen's parents, Denver and Susan Nolin, invite the entire group over for dinner at their house. We are shown unbelievable hospitality and enjoy time together as a group. Today, we depart for Atlanta...then, on to San Salvador. Praise the Father! He is good!

His Mercies are New....

2010-05-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

Today was the day. We were leaving for Guatemala City to leave our friends, Greg and Kathy Brown, as missionaries. We were taking 32 people on a mission trip. But, it didn't happen. I'm sitting at my kitchen table in Alabaster, Alabama typing this. Why? Because a volcano has erupted several times this week, and the ash is still covering the city. So, we wait.

After much time on the phone and even more time in prayer, God made a way where there was no way. NO, Mrs. Turner, we can't get you all on a flight until Wednesday (we're supposed to leave on Saturday). NO, Mrs. Turner, we can't get you all on the same flight. We can break you up into groups of 2. NO, Mrs. Turner, we can't fly you into Honduras...or Belize..or El Salvador. NO! NO! NO! But, God had other plans.

Okay, YES..Mrs. Turner we can fly you into San Salvador the next day but it will cost $4800. NO! NO! NO! We can't afford that!!! We are a ministry...we don't have that much money! But, God had other plans!

JT went to the group and told them the dilemma. One by one they came to us and told us how much they wanted to give. One college student handed me $200 cash....another recent high school graduate emptied his checking account and gave $1000...another one wanted to give $600...and on and on they came. God placed us all in a place of total surrender and submission. Give your all....I want it all. All of you and all that you have.

Then, Delta called back..."Mrs. Turner, I have good news for you. We got you all on the flight to San Salvador. And, we're waiving all the fees!" God made a way where there was no way. God showed Himself strong. He did what ONLY HE could do. He gets ALL the praise. He gets all the glory. We just got to watch Him do it. What a privilege to be His servant. He is worthy of ALL praise!

Guatemala On Our Hearts....

2010-05-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

Just two weeks from today, we will be leading a group of 31 people to the heart of Guatemala City. What a privilege and blessing to know that we will be ministering among some of the poorest people in Central America. People call the dump "home" each day and live their lives in filth and danger. Yet, our hearts are drawn to them because of our God. He calls us...we follow Him.

During that trip we will be helping the Brown family move to Guatemala. The Browns will be living their lives among the people of Guatemala City to make His name known among the nations and to take His glory to the people there. We are awed by the way God has called them and moved in their lives. We are proud to call them friends. We will miss them terribly.

Please pray with us that God will use them in ways that show the Father as faithful, glorious and mighty. May He receive all the glory for whatever they do and say. May the nations come to know Him through their obedience.

Summer is gearing up...

2010-05-05T17:27:00.001-07:00

Well, it's been a while since we've updated the ministry blog, so now is the best opportunity! We have been working with Tekeme Studios out of Pennsylvania to redesign both our ministry and personal blogs, and I'm excited to show them to you all soon! I can tell you this....they captured EXACTLY what we envisioned from day one. I highly recommend them!

The summer is upon us, and we are working frantically to get all of the trip details completed...menus, schedules, transportation, finances, paperwork, etc!!! One of the most exciting parts is the intern program! We have been blessed beyond measure this semester with Christy Barton, our semester intern from Samford University. While I'm typing this, I tear up thinking of what a blessing she has been to the ministry and our family. She has literally become a part of our family, and we will forever cherish the time we have had with her. She will be on the May Guatemala trip, and we are so encouraged by her leadership. This summer she will be moving to Australia to work with Youth With a Mission (YWAM). They are blessed to have her!!! We will miss her greatly and are already planning a trip to see her soon!

We do have 8 interns who will be traveling with us to Arizona, Guatemala and Uganda this summer! They are amazing young men and women, and we know that God has a great plan for all of them. Please welcome Brittney Cleveland, Megan Anderson, Meghan Harris, Deanna Garcia, Kathleen Nolin, Lauren (Lonnie) Tarr, Michael DiGiacoma, and Tyler Werk to the One Way Ministries' staff this summer!

Arizona Mission Outpost

2010-01-04T11:34:00.000-08:00

As 2010 begins it is clear to me that the Father is already planning some major things in AZ. I have been praying for two months about the work in AZ and where the Lord is going to take us this next year. As I begin to see the year unfolding in our plans I thought of the need to communicate to all of you who are reading our blog about some needs we have for you to get involved.

Often times we plan trips during various times of the year and then try to fill them even with a small group to fulfill the trip. This year we have planned fewer trips to AZ with the thought of focusing our attention on larger trips have a bigger impact on the rez. If you have been before you know how much ground there is to cover and the time involved in getting around to every village. if you have not been, imagine with us connecting to 15 communities in an area of 3 million acres. We need teams to go into the villages.

This year we need our trips to be full of teams ready to go and invest in the villages and communities that hold the hope of the future for the TO Nation. The future is in the lives of those who will follow after the heart of God and spread the Good News of Jesus to every corner of the reservation.

March 13-20 is the first trip of the 2010 year to Sells, AZ. This is the first opportunity to go to the nations and share the story of freedom and hope with a people who are in need of workers in the field. First Papago Church is situated and ready to serve the TO Nation by leading the people into the faith journey. They need help in the field of the harvest! God is moving through the small band of Christ-followers there in Sells and stirring across the reservation. The hearts of many people are being touched by this small congregation who takes seriously their role and responsibility to reach their nation.

I need you to help! The March trip is anchored by an outreach event called Rez 2 Rez. this is an event for youth outreach as the church hosts a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for the young people. The desire is to gather as many young people to the church and play basketball with an intentional focus on sharing the Gospel and loving on young people in the name of Jesus.

Will you consider getting involved in this event in some way? We need teams to go and help be coaches for the teams, serve food to the community that gathers, share with those whom the Lord brings and support the church as they reach out to their nation. The following week we have the opportunity to follow up on decisions and continue to reach into communities across the reservation. Will you consider joining the team?

We have three weeks of ministry planned for May and June. These trips are full of ministry to the individual communities spread across the reservation through VBS, crusade and evangelism. Please check out the dates and seek His face for where the Lord would have you invest your life in AZ!

This year our hope is to see house churches begin to meet across the rez as the church grows through discipleship and evangelism. Will you get involved and GO with us? The more teams we can spread across the rez the more communities we can impact and the more of the harvest field we can cover. I am asking the Lord of the harvest to send workers...will you ask the Lord of the harvest if you are one of those He is sending!

In His Grip,

JT

2010-01-02T17:27:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Dearest friends....As we reflect back on 2009, we are reminded of many wonderful memories. God has been ever present in and around us and we praise Him for that. God has used many of you to impact the kingdom this year and we know He will continue to do the same in 2010.

His word never fails or never grows old. His word is refreshing....
powerful....filled with hope! He can shine through the darkest situations that so many are facing right now. He transforms lives every day!

God provides people to go tell this Good News, and for that we are ever thankful. We carry His word to the desperate, impoverished people groups of our world and tell of the life-changing news of Jesus Christ. We must join together, follow His lead and carry out His mission. We must continue...we must not slow down...we must not stop. There are people who are waiting on us! Life is too short, we can not tarry when He tells us to GO. I ask you today to pray about where He is leading you this year. Get quiet and allow Him to speak to you. Ask Him to help you step out of your comfort zone, whether it be pride, fear, finances, self-confidence, etc. Ask Him to help you think of others first and be obedient to His calling.

We are praying that all trips this year will be full, that we can glorify God to our fullest potential. Every trip we offer is an opportunity from God to join Him in His plan. Will you accept the opportunity that has been placed before you?

I ask you now to pray about your plan and ask God where He wants you to go.
Let's make 2010 a year to remember!

God Bless each one of you....

Karen

2009-12-01T05:12:00.000-08:00

We are happy to announce an upcoming event, Global Link, that will be held at The Church at Brookhills in Birmingham, Alabama.

One Way Ministries will host a booth at this event and we invite you to come visit us. There will be people there to help answer questions you may have about a trip, tell you about the trips available and help you find a trip best suited for you.

Global Link
The Brook Hills Short-Term Trips will be posted soon, and the Global Disciple-Making Team wanted to create an opportunity for Brook Hills members to:

- Meet the Team Leaders who are leading the trips
- Learn about trips Brook Hills Member Organizations are conducting, and
- Learn about the short-term trips on the Brook Hills calendar for 2010

Global Link will be in the main worship room in the Student Building Sunday, December 6 from 5pm until 7pm. Everyone is welcome to come and go as they please.

We hope this time will be helpful to learn how to be involved in taking the gospel to the nations.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Do You Want Your Life To Count?

2009-11-29T21:02:00.000-08:00

The Little Man

A couple weeks back I snapped this picture of a 6 year old boy in the city dump of Guatemala City. This little man listened for several home visits to the team as they shared the Gospel and provided a bag of food to families. He then proceeded to urge with great passion our team to follow him to his house, "quickly." He shared he had to go "to work" soon as the trucks were coming out of the dump with metal and he had to be there to get what he could to carry. He led us to a small structure and introduced our team to his family. As the team began to minister, he cared for the open fire in the corner of the doorway and then quickly vanished into the street to meet the trucks.

Since this meeting I have been struggling to grasp the whole picture of this one little man's life. Today, it rang clear and all the blurriness is gone. This monring my dear friend Peter Sozi from Uganda shared with our students at church. His message was an amazing passionate plea to make your life count! Pray and seek God's face and turn from your wicked ways and God will respond. It all came clear...The Father's desire is to use one life to radically challenge and transform another.

It is God's plan for your life to count to the one whom He places in your path to touch. The little man in Guatemala was a reminder that the children see it all clearly. It is the simple ways that the Lord desires. No degrees or professional expereince required. Prayer of the one will be powerful and effective.

How about your life? Do you want your life to count today? How about right at this very moment you punch the pause button on everything and seek Him, pray, turn, listen to your name being called by the God of this universe and respond to His call to make a difference!

Remember the story of the boy throwing starfish back into the ocean? Thousands of starfish stranded on the beach in the hot sun losing all life by the moment. As he tosses each one back in the elder walks by and scoffs, "son there is no way you can make a difference in this mass of starfish...why are you trying to save them all...it does not matter." the young boy picks up a starfish and boldly declares to the elder man, "It matters to this one!" As he tosses one at a time each starfish back into the sea, he concludes, it matters every time picks one up. It matters every time you speak the truth. It matters every time you pick one up!

Do you want your life to matter? Lord today may my life be counted as yours and may i be used to impact one. It matters to that one!

In His Grip,

JT

Memories of Guatemala November 2009

2009-11-20T09:53:00.000-08:00

After being home for a little less than a week, I can look back at how God was working in and around us during our most recent trip to Guatemala, and truly be inspired and thankful. While we were there He provided for Tabitha house, through sacrificial giving. He provided for us as a family, showing us where and with whom we would live when we arrive, prayerfully in May. He changed hearts and healed the sick and He saved souls, all in our direct line of sight. I am wondering this morning why these things shock or amaze us? He IS the creator, the King of King's, the Lord of Lord's, the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the ancient of days, El Shaddai, Almighty God! Do we forget so quickly who He is? And then I realize we are the same as the Israelites being brought out of slavery in Egypt. They saw the Red Sea parted and they crossed on dry land. They were fed by Holy manna from heaven and drank from the rock. They were guided with fire by night and a cloud by daylight. And yet after Moses was on the mount for 40 days they forsook all of that to worship a golden calf. I would say to you that we are just like them.
God is at work all around us. We must ask Him to make us aware of what He is doing so we can be a part of it. When we were at Tabitha house is May, we saw children who were hopeless and unloved and when we returned last week those same children were smiling and playing and they even put on a show for us. God provided a woman, Carol, to go to the dump and love and care for women and children who otherwise would not get that love, or even more, probably not survive. There are women, who just 6 months to a year ago were on drugs, in prostitution and some even thinking about selling their children to get more drugs or just to make money. Now they are working and providing for their children by legitimate jobs and they are working with Carol to care for and feed these impoverished children. These are changes only God can bring about.
They opened up more area in the dump for people and it was said to house 650 families. It was a squatters camp, like a refugee camp. No solid structures. Tarps held up by wooden posts, anything they could find to hold it together. They call this home, some smaller than most of our bathrooms or even a walk-in closet. I am hurting right now thinking about some of the families we met who just need someone to love them and show them the hope found in Jesus Christ. It's the same hope that most of the people we know right here need. The question for all of us is, are we willing to live and love as the Bible instructs us?

Greg Brown

Guatemala

2009-11-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

Wow! God is good...no awesome! How many times do we question things in life? I do it quite frequently. While packing for Guatemala I began to question whether we had enough medicine, school supplies, clothes, diapers, etc. When we arrived we took inventory...GUESS WHAT we had so much stuff we didn't know what to do with it all.
This week has been tremendous. I don't even know how to put it into words. The team is made up of the most amazing people. Again God is great! He knows our every need. He knows how many hairs on our head. He knows every child that is staying at Tabitha House and everything they need. He knows every person that lives in and around the Guatemala City Dump and what they need. What we need to understand is that the most important thing they need is JESUS! We have seen people come to Christ. It was not anything thing we said or did while witnessing. It was the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us. It was the power of the Holy Spirit working in the people we witnessed to. God does not need us to save people. Yet He instructs to go and make disciples!

Right now we are looking at a house near the city. We are praying for guidance! This is very exciting and I can't wait to move here. Please pray for us.

In Christ,
Kathy Brown

Have you felt your knees lately?

2009-11-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

I recall the words of my brother Claud Crosby speaking to our team in South Africa a few years back. He shared that too many times we work for the Kingdom of God and pray for His blessing on our work. We will see the power of God move when we seek His will and spend the time we should in prayer first. Then the 30 minutes we spend in the field serving Him will accomplish more in the power of God than 3 hours or even 3 days of me working in my own strength!

My question today is have you (and I) felt our knees lately? Have we been on our knees so much seeking the presence and the power of God that the physical impression of His presence is evident in our body? It is very clear and widely accepted that the remedy for revival in our land is prayer and humility before a Holy God. Are we on our knees praying for His power and His Spirit to work in our land?

Daily we see the headlines and the news reports of chaos in our leadership. Random acts of violence are common place in the first five minutes of a news report. Medeocrity and compromise are now the norm for most leaders. Regularly we hear the reoprts of a fallen politician, pastor, or even family member. When will it all be enough to drive us to our knees? How much more do we have to see and hear before we will humble ourselves and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways? How much more?

Right now....yes right at this moment...stop reading...get on your knees and cry out to Him for help. Take a minute out of the crazy business of our self-driven culturally mandated slammed schedule and pause...wait on Him...listen to His voice...He is speaking to us all. Pause and listen to the sound of the throne...Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty...who was and is and is to come!

Let's begin now to change our daily routine and instead of seeking to formulate a list of to dos that will accomplish all that I have to do today...I actually pasue and seek His wisdom and listen to His heart for today. Am I willing to surrender all, all to Jesus I surrender, all to him truely owe, all to His will I will surrender. Today make the change...right now...stop and really listen to Him...He desires to pour into you and to me the full power of the Gospel. He desires to see the person in front of you find grace and mercy just like you did.

In His Grip,
JT

Confession and Revival

2009-10-29T07:15:00.001-07:00

This line that we cross every time we travel south to Rakai in Uganda is a reminder. This reminder is that we have a line in the dirt of this planet called the equator and it never changes. The constant nature of the magnetic qualities of this position of the globe teaches us a very important lesson. You see on one side the water spins one direction and on the other side it is reverse. Yet, no matter what you do to it, the water runs straight down the center on the line!

No matter what you and I feel from this day to that, the center of His will is always the same. Obedience is always better than sacrifice! His will for our lives is to remain the line in our lives that never moves. Daily we all struggle with the walk He has called us to follow. Daily we all struggle with the little things of this world that draw our eye away from the line. Every day we all seem to stumble through the day trying and working at being good. Yet, it is very clear in His Word, we will never be able to walk this road on our own strength.

Revival is the only thing that will turn the heart of the Body of Christ back to the center of its true life. Revival will only come when the Body repents and turns from her ways. We can only repent when we first confess sin. Whether it is the sins that we commit daily or the sins of neglect daily we all sin. We all are in need of some confession. We all need to be driven to our knees with a humble heart to repent and turn from the ways we have been following.

We need revival to sweep our Body. We need a fresh encounter with the Holy One that will drive us down to our faces and allow Him to pick us up and send us out. He so desperately desires to see the lost come to faith in Him. We are the tool He has chosen to reveal His love to this fallen world. It is our calling and responsibility to humble ourselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, so He will hear from heaven and heal our land. As a result of true revival among His people spiritually blind people will see, spiritually deaf people will hear, and spiritually dead people will rise again to life!

How about some confession today to start down the road of reaching this world for His Glory!

In His Grip,
JT

What are you planning for 2010?

2009-10-27T08:40:00.001-07:00

I am in the midst of mapping out the 2010 schedule details and have been overwhelmed with thoughts of the teams we will see on the field. 2009 has been a tough year as we have seen a decline in participation in many of our locations. We hear people say all the time they want to go, yet many simply never get there. This is especially tough these days with so many things competing for our money and attention.

I wanted to write today to the few who will take serious the challenge to go! Now is a time of the year many of us begin to focus on the holidays and the business of the seasons that are coming. I would like to challenge you to consider making a commitment before the busy seasons overwhelm you and overtake your budgets. The harvest is plentiful bu the workers are few is the truth we hear from scripture. That being the truth, we need to go into the fields and get busy. It is a great time to consider what you will do with your 2010!

We are all given the same 24 hours and seven days. We all have the same access to the same Father who owns it all and is in control of it all. We regularly recognize His sovereign rule over everything. Will you today allow Him to speak to you about the days and hours He will give you in the coming year?

We often wait until the deadlines that are imposed upon us to commit to a project, complete a task or even sign up for a trip. I am going to ask you to consider making that commitment now! Will you consider where the Father is sending you in 2010 and make the plans now? Will you consider calling a friend or family member right now and asking them to commit with you? Will you take the step of faith and as you hear the Father direct your heart follow through with your hands and call or email or sign up today!

One of the most encouraging things I have seen in the past month is a trip posted on our 2010 calendar as full! Yes, we have a trip in 2010 that has a group committed and deposits paid! Now you want to talk about faith...I believe they are acting on a faith that is active and alive and moving forward. That is the kind of faith the world is literally dieing to see and experience.

Come on...go to the website...look for the dates...make a committment! Let's get started on 2010 together and make it a year of Kingdom building that overwhelms us all and reaches across the world with the Gospel and into communities and hearts with the teaching of the Word! Come on let's GO!

In His Grip,
JT

Arizona October Trip

2009-10-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I wanted to update you all on the recent trip that OWM made to the TO reservation in Arizona. This was actually the first time I'd been there that wasn't in the summertime. I was excited to experience the desert in a new way...with much cooler temperatures than the scorching summer heat that I had experienced many times before. The days were warm but ideal for the many construction projects we were doing, and the nights and early mornings brought a chill that was cool enough to need sweatshirts and jackets. Aside from just the weather, other things that differed from previous trips I had taken were that the children are in school now, the team was rather small (which allowed for us to get to know everyone better), and we did a different aspect of ministry than the summer VBS.

Our week on the reservation entailed many different aspects of ministry, from visiting the nursing home to fixing the steeple on the church, with everything in between. Our team worked really well together and God used us to get many things accomplished for the Kingdom. We were able to have a block party in a village we had not been into previously! That night was special also because several members from the church went with us and we served together. It was exciting to see God working there. The wind was blowing excessively, leaving us with dirt all in our hair, ears, teeth, etc...BUT it did not keep the people from coming. We served food, gave away clothes, school supplies, and Bibles, and just had a great time talking with one another. Even in the middle of a remote village in the desert GOD IS THERE. This is a reminder that no matter where we are, or what circumstances we find ourselves in, God is always there with us.

Each morning we would spend a few hours at the nursing home in the center of the reservation. It was such a privelege to be able to talk with elders of the TO nation who had experienced and seen a different way of life than the current generation. We were told stories of past times, how things used to be on the reservation when people were dependent upon the land, and just general things - like one woman sharing of her travels from the rez, to Phoenix, to San Diego, and back to the reservation. She shared with me her life story, and I felt blessed to be able to just sit and listen to her as we worked on a doorhanger craft together. The elders especially enjoyed the presence of the children who were on the trip with us as their laughter echoed throughout the room, and they entertained by singing, dancing, and just doing what kids do. God used those children to bless others (including us on the team).

Back at the church we were involved in a couple of work projects like finishing the ramada we had begun this summer and fixing the steeple on the church. We were able to get much accomplished in a short amount of time. It was a blessing to me to see how everyone used their gifts and talents to work together to accomplish tasks, and how people were also stepping outside of their comfort zones to do something they wouldn't do on a normal basis. My favorite part of each day came when the kids got home from school and I was able to invest time in them. I have grown to love those kids over the past few years and it is always brings a smile to my face when one yells my name out to come talk to them, play a game, or even if it is just because they need a fork, seconds for dinner, or a drink. Those children are amazing kids and it blessed my heart so much to see a couple of them the last night hang around while we had worship outside. It was cold and late, yet they sat there listening as we sang praises to our Lord and shared about our week. God is indeed doing a mighty work in the desert, and I hope that some of you in the future will feel moved to go and serve even just a week of your time in that place. I promise you will be forever changed because of it. I hope you all have a blessed week!!

In Christ,
-Autumn

Save the Children!

2009-10-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

We are familiar with the passage from James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans and widows in their distress and keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Many of us in Birmingham are hearing weekly a full explanation of this passage in context of the entire book of James. Our hearts are touched by the pictures of children in need and the orphans around the world that have no hope. Regularly our hearts are stirred by the facts and figures that follow the tear producing photos and videos. Yet, the majority of our money and time is spent on ourselves in our own churches and our own programs.

Mission Maker magazine 2009 shares these stats:
During a 60-minute Lunch Break here is what took place around God's globe

2,738 people died from starvation
342 people died from malaria
76 mothers died from childbirth issues
9,582 babies died from induced abortion
8,898 infants and children were abandoned
4,650 rural poor people migrated to cities
$2,088,751,996 personal income was earned by church members
$2,737,851 was given to global foreign missions
$2,966,005 was embezzled by trusted church leaders
20 Christians were martyred

These stats remind me of another passage in James...anyone who has spent much time around me has heard this passage before, James 4:17 says, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

We need to be motivated by the call of the Father to do what is right rather than led to an emotional response based on how my tears motivate me to give up a little of my excess. When we as the church return to the truth we already know and practice the Holiness that the Father demands, the children will be saved!

What are you doing today?

In His Grip,
JT

2010 TRIP SCHEDULE

2009-10-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

2010 Trip Schedule

March
12-20 Outreach & Work Crew AZ
13-20 Outreach & Orphan Care GUA

April
3-10 Outreach & Work Crew AZ
3-10 Discovery Trip NM

May
29-5 Outreach & Youth Conference GUA
29-5 Outreach & Work Crew AZ

June
12-19 Sports Camp & VBS AZ
19-26 Crusade & VBS AZ

July
8-22 Outreach & Children’s Camp UGA
(Possible Pastor/Worship Conference)
24-31 Outreach & Orphan Care GUA

September
3-6 We R The Body Gathering TC@BH

October
1-3 Women of Faith Conference AZ
2-9 Fall Harvest Revival &
Work Crew AZ

November
6-13 Outreach & Orphan Care GUA
6-20 Africa Outreach Mission UGA

December
18-20 Project Christmas Blessing AZ / GUA
26-3 Youth Conference UGA / AZ

Back to the Truth of the Past

2009-10-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

God our Father is calling us back to Himself!

The primary relationship we all are to focus our attention on is the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father. So many of us are very familiar with the intimate feeling we had at one time with God and His will for our lives. We can reflect on a day when it seemed like everything was just as it should be. I recall times in my life when this was the case.

I look back and see times in my life when God was very real and personal. I remember days in Canton, GA when the student ministry was working on a Judgment House event and feeling the very presence of the Lord walking the halls with us every step of planning and working. I recall nights on the streets in Philadelphia watching the Lord stir hearts of teenagers for the lost and hurting on the street of this cold and dark part of the city. I remember the experience of crusade in Arizona when 70 people were baptized in one night. I remember the excitement of sharing from village to village and hearing the response of decisions and salvation being normal and expected.

I look back even further and recall times in my life when God was so real and personal in walking the streets in Salt Lake City and sharing boldly the whole truth of His Word and watching the Word bring freedom in lives. I recall the experiences of watching mission teams walk into nursing homes in West Palm Beach and love on elderly men and women for the sake of the Gospel. I remember even further back walking the streets of Chicago with a group of fellow college students sharing the Gospel and searching for the needy and hurting. I recall visiting church after church in college and the joy one evening of stumbling into one country church north of Birmingham where God had been stirring for several weeks. I realized He did not need my words He wanted me!

Since the summer months much has been happening on the home front with admin. type work for the ministry. Yet, just in from AZ I am sensing the refreshing wind of the Spirit. God is stirring in the midst of the church. I am sure that He desires a new movement of obedience and ministry among the Body. I sense Him calling us back to a place of revival. Our need is overwhelming for a fresh encounter with the Lord. He is searching our hearts for a new avenue of commitment and obedience to once again settle on our hearts and step radically into the world.

Children all over the world are dying daily without the saving knowledge and truth of Jesus because the church is unwilling to return to the truth of the past. There was a day when the Body of Christ was willing to gather for a time of fellowship and worship without the need for any form of technology being needed. At one time we gathered for prayer meetings to actually pray. Pastors at one time were bold enough behind the cross to speak the whole truth of His Word and watch as the Spirit of God transformed lives in front of their eyes without any desire to report a number or accept any credit for the work of the Spirit.

NEW STEEPLE AT FIRST PAPAGO BAPTIST CHURCH IN SELLS, AZ

All over the world right now there are children who need to hear. All over the country there are children who are in need. Right now in your neighborhood children live in darkness. All of these children are in need of a Savior. Yet many do not know it because you and I sit at home or even in the pew at church and soak up more truth and more blessing and more hope. The whole time we are soaking, the world is seeking.

When will we go? When will YOU go? It is time we begin to walk into the communities of the world with the whole truth of God's Word on our lips and allow the Father to use us as His mouthpiece to spread His Word...GOOD NEWS...JESUS SAVES...FORGIVENESS IS FOUND IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD..THERE IS ONE WAY...JESUS IS THE CHRIST THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD AND IS ALIVE TODAY SPEAKING TO THE FATHER ON YOUR BEHALF!.

We as the body need to get back to gathering for revival and renewed commitments to His plan. We need to refresh our relationship with the Father and seek the journey many of us once were on with Him. It is time we get back to the truth of our past...

Our 2010 schedule is now available and waiting on you to join in on the journey to Reach the World and Teach the Word! Join us today!

2009-08-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

Two Different Worlds Worshiping the Same Lord

2009-08-06T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone, This is Holly. When we first landed in Uganda, I knew something was completely different, I could just feel it. The initial meeting with Peter and Pheobe Sozi led me to know that we were going to be treated with the upmost hospitality. In the city of Kampala, even though there was millions of people there, we were treated with so much respect. The dirt roads in Uganda would have to be the worst roads I have ever been on in my life. Of course, out in the bush life was totally different. Instead of many buildings, cars, buda buda's, and homes... we found just about nothing except a few huts every now and then. The people that lived out there have absolutely nothing. They live off of their land and that's about it. Even still when we would go to visit some of the homes they would greet us with so much thanksgiving. Almost always saying "Mukama Yebazibwe" which means Praise the Lord. Most would go in there homes and bring out rugs for us to sit on instead of having to sit in the dirt as well as others would invite us inside. The school that we served at for a few days was almost like an oasis in the bush. We found that some of the children had to walk 8 miles + (one way) every day just to come to school and then would have to leave by 4:00 in order to get home by dark. Even though, these children live such hard lives they still praise our Lord and Savior. At this school, these children are taught the love of our Father and His presence is evident among them. This is only the beginning of what an organization called Divine Care Ministries does. While we were in Uganda we were able to see of course the primary school but also the secondary school. At this school, 34 of the Divine Care Sponsored Students are boarding there. This was so great to see because it just helped to show how the money we give to sponsor children really helps them to get an education. We also were able to meet with a group to the College age that were Divine Students. We met one afternoon and had a time where we shared with each other what God was doing in our lives and prayer request. This meant so much to me because it let me know that even though we are on totally opposite ends of the world we still have the same hopes and dreams, we still go through the same hardships.. even though they may be different circumstances, they are still struggles of the heart and most importantly we worship the same Lord and Savior!! Another thing that really sticks out to me is Sunday morning worship services. One imparticular sticks out to me the most. It was the 2nd Sunday we were there. We had Worship undernieth a giant tree at the Divine Care Farm. I could feel God's presence there all around me. Some would say, it could have been because their weren't 4 walls around me.. and well, I can't say that I wouldn't agree to some extent because God's presence was everywhere. In the people,the singing, the shouts of praises, the trees, the breeze, and even the animals. Even though a lot of the time I couldn't understand what they were saying because it was in Lugandan, it translated just fine to my heart which went to the Lord. Sometimes in America we like to put up a mask and won't give everything we have to our Lord.. not in Uganda!! There is no such thing is a "mask". When Autumn and I were leading worship that morning, there was NOTHING there to hold me back from my Lord. I could have stayed right there in that exact place with God forever and would have been happy. All of this to say is that it is such an encouragement knowing that there are other people on the other side of the world praising the same God we do over here. We should take note to not only praise God in the Church, but to praise Him in our schools, in the office, on the streets, in our homes.. EVERYWHERE!! Because God is at work all around us. We just have to join Him!! "Mukama Yebazibwe" Praise the Lord!!!

Day 4 back home

2009-08-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone this is Adam. We were asked to write an entry if we wanted to so I had a few minutes and thought I would give this a go. First of all having signed up late for this trip I was so unaware of the talent this group had. It seemed while we were in Uganda there was no task to big or too small for the group. Kelly helping with web design, Michael fixing computers, fixing the accounting part of Divine Care at one point I seriously thought the dude was going to take over the entire office!!! But it was awesome to see, Matthew holding Q and A sessions, and in one of those sessions Autumn showed she had serious talent when she did something no one else could getting stuck in the desk and causing a scene. Drew and Kelly being stretched to their limits in the clinic but able to do everything asked of them. The list goes on and on and it does that for every member of the team, kids being drawn to Autumn, Holly, Brittney and Lacey, Holly and Autumn rocking our socks off during worship and at one point there was confusion during the soccer game when what looked like pele and David Beckham turned out to be Matthew and me teaming up for a goal, who would have thought it out of two American Football players? I say all that because God brought each of us together to bring glory to his name in Uganda, each person brought so many talents to the table and those talents were turned over to God so he could use them.
You always wonder what it will be like once you get there, you always wonder how God will change your heart once you seperate yourself from the world you know, but I tell you I dont think anyone could have envisioned the reception we received at the school, 760 kids clapping and singing to you, some orphans, some being cared for by an elderly grandmother, they sang their hearts out for us, they had been standing there waiting for hours on us to arrive so at that point I thanked God for the heart of a child and I also thanked him for the man who invinted sunglasses to cover the overwhelming amount of emotion pouring out of all our eyes. I dont think even the most callused heart would stand a chance. Over the course of that week it didnt matter that we were missing our flat screen televisions or favorite shows, or that we werent sleeping in air conditioned rooms, that we couldnt ride to Outback Steakhouse in five minutes whatever your creature comfort was it didnt matter, what mattered is that we were surrounded by God, we were surrounded by smiling faces that just wanted to touch our hand, that just wanted to feel the slightest bit of love, and most for the first time ever. No amount of pictures or videos or sob stories can express the raw emotion from each child we experienced. Watching one kid on the last day be speechless with tears rolling down his cheek because we were leaving most of us not knowing what to do J.T. picks him up in his big arms and holds him tight. Later to find out that the child was beaten by his parents and left in the bush of Africa and found his way to the school.
As we walked on the dirt roads of Uganda I couldnt help but think about those people that challange the bible has no relevance to "the modern world" I would like for them to step out from behind the things they fill their lives with and walk these roads with me. See if they cant feel the parables that Jesus taught in come alive. One that comes to mind is the parable of the sower found 3 times in the new testament matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:1-15, as we walked you saw each kind of soil mentioned, and then you also saw where one field was yielding a huge crop of potatoes, or was overflowing with Bananna Trees, and others suffered because of where the seed fell. The bible became alive in a completely new and real way!!! It made me daydream back to days when Jesus would walk on roads just like this with followers around him just teaching away and how I would love to soak up that wisdom. I know I am blabbing on and on here so I will cut myself off here but this is really just a short mention of what happened on this trip, God revealed himself to us in so many different way that I could probably write for hours and hours on end, but I will spare everyone that for sake of your sanity and I probably have a sleeping audience by this time anyway. I will finish by saying Peter and Phoebe have an amazing ministry at work in Uganda and it is because of their endless pursuit of God and I just want to ask for everyone to continue to pray for how God is using them, pray that their hearts remain strong with the challanges they will face. I also want to say I am in constant prayer for our team because they mean the world to me and I know because of this trip God will use them in mighty ways wherever they are or wherever they will go. May God continue to shine on all of us and may we bring ourselves as an offering to him. Thanks.

Kampala

2009-07-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

Monday, July 27, 2009

·They have led a youth rally over the weekend and had several decisions.

·They worshipped with the African church twice yesterday and saw
God’s hand all over it.

·Tomorrow they will be working with college students in Kampala.

·Michael and Kelly have been a tremendous asset to the office staff. They have cleaned up their computers, set up new email addresses, added pages to their website and set up a blog.

·The team is working with Save the Street Children in Kampala today. These are children who have no homes and would literally be sleeping on the streets if it were not for this ministry. Visit their site at www.save-streetchildren-uganda.com for a little insight into what they do. Be sure to read “A Child’s Story.”

·The group was able to meet with many pastors from the area. These pastors work secular jobs in order to provide for members of their congregations. They receive little support from their churches but are giving their lives to show the glory of Christ to the nations!

Hopefully, we’ll hear more details from them later today. They have been overwhelmed with ministry all weekend and are excited about all that God is doing to show Himself glorious!

Saying Goodbye to the school.....

2009-07-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The team is doing great. They just finished their last day at the school, and they are returning to Kampala for work in the city tomorrow. When the kids found out it was their last day, they started crying. There is one boy there who was having a difficult time parting with the team. He was beaten by his parents and left in the bush to die. He found his way to the school and has been there ever since.

Brittney has become close to several students who are pleading with her to stay and teach. Michael gave away his shoes today to a kid who had no shoes. Matthew has been spending a lot of time with teachers showing them how to teach. Kelly has been helping in the clinic which is way out of her comfort zone but is a life-changing experience. Drew has been working with the doctor and nurse in the clinic. He has assisted with several procedures which is a great learning tool for him! Autumn has been accompanying Holly in leading worship and has been playing with kids! Holly is teaching songs to the teachers and kids and leading worship. Lacey definitely feels better and has been in her element loving on kids every day! Adam has become close to several of the older boys who needed someone to mentor them. Boys without a father can identify with Adam who lost his dad several years ago.

The team prayerfully decided to buy a motorcycle for the school. The schoolmaster nor any of the teachers nor anyone at the school has any mode of transportation. Only Peter and Phoebe have a van and they are not at the school every day (they run a couple of orphanages in addition to several churches and have their own business). The nearest store to buy food is over 5 miles away. So, this will be a great tool for the school! In addition, the team is purchasing new drums for the school because all of their drums (that they use daily) are extremely worn.

The team was able to take pictures of the kids who board at the school today who still need sponsors. Sponsorships enable children to continue to board at the school and not have to walk 12+ miles each day (one way) home. We will post those on our website when they return.

They are all going to a game park tomorrow that is close by. They are loving life in Africa and are seeing God is marvelous ways!

Sickness, home visits and... a dowry?

2009-07-22T06:53:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Today’s update is a little shorter as the phone call was a short one. Lacey is still sick to her stomach…she took Cipro and that seems to have helped. She was feeling better today (this evening by their time). The soccer match was a blowout, as the team expected. However, our team scored two points, thanks to Matthew! Way to go Matthew!

The team was utterly exhausted today and worn out. But, God is sustaining them. They took some time today to go visit homes where the children (who are not boarded at the school) live. The children walk from their homes daily to the school for their education. The children leave the school at 4:00 pm just to make sure they get home before dark….that’s at least 12 miles if not more. One way. What a sacrifice.

While they were visiting homes, an older gentleman spoke to JT in his tribal language. Peter was there to translate the conversation. Basically, the old man had seen Autumn and wanted her to stay with him. So, he offered JT several cattle…apparently, he kept “upping his bid” to get Autumn. JT refused but did find it humorous. I think Charles and Anita will be glad that he declined such an offer.

Tomorrow is a big day of teaching for all of them so please continue to pray that God would give them strength, endurance and wisdom!

Our God is an AWESOME God!

2009-07-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

Monday, July 20, 2009

Good afternoon everyone! What a day the team has had today! As they drove up to the school in the village, 670 kids were standing outside all lined up. The kids were chanting and singing praise to God for the team. Apparently, the team was overwhelmed with God’s loving-kindness and the generosity of the school…there was not a dry eye in the group.

Over the next several days, each team member was given an assignment by Phoebe (keep in mind that she has only known them for 2 days and we didn’t send her any information about these people prior to the trip). So, here’s the assignments:

Brittney and Michael – leading a school wide devotion each day (these are our two quietest team members and they are going to lead over 700 people in time with God every day)!!!

Autumn – teaching Kindergarten

Holly – leading a music seminar and helping lead worship at the church

Adam – leading a seminar about working in the business world (this made him laugh but God will use him to show others what that means on a daily basis)!

Lacey – will be teaching the entire preschool (she is SO excited)

Matthew – teaching the teachers of older kids

Kelly – working directly with the school staff and helping with computers/websites

Drew – working with the physician at the clinic (right next to the school)

In addition, Matthew and Adam will be leading a soccer clinic (along with other members of the team). The older kids at the school have challenged the team and staff members to a soccer match. The team is prepared to lose by a large margin! God is also allowing the team to make home visits to the homes of the kids who are boarded at the school, lead revival services and numerous other ministry opportunities. They are simply overwhelmed at the ministry already and how God has orchestrated all of this for His glory!

The Dirt Roads of Uganda....

2009-07-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Good morning everyone! The team has finished a glorious morning in worship in a church in Uganda. There were about 150 people there, and over 25 decisions this morning. Praise be to our Father. JT preached the sermon, and Autumn and Holly helped lead the music. They did a great job!

The team is truly experiencing “the dirt roads of Uganda” (from the Stephen Curtis Chapman hit, “Yours”). The roads are right outside of the city and are the worst roads any of our mission teams have ever traveled. Apparently, the dirt roads of Swaziland look like interstates compared to these roads. Lacey has been carsick from the ride but seems to be improving. She is thinking of walking the rest of the time (just kidding)!

The team is going back to church tonight and is looking forward to working at the school tomorrow. Remember that they are now 8 hours ahead of us. Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will guide their every step, breath, word and action!

We have arrived!

2009-07-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Good afternoon everyone! I just heard from JT and they are all safe in Uganda. It was quite cold in Johannesburg (it’s winter there) but the group was glad for the change in weather. It will be very hot in Uganda.

Praise God that all of the team is doing well, and all of their baggage arrived without any incident. Peter and Phoebe have met them at the Entebbe airport and are waiting on the transportation to arrive. The group is tired but excited to be there! They are staying at a bed and breakfast tonight in Kampala.

Everyone handled the 15 hour flight from NY well and the 5 hour flight into Uganda! Praise the Lord for His goodness to the team!

Update on the team headed for Uganda..

2009-07-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Good morning everyone! The team landed safely in the Johannesburg airport this morning (at 2:45 am our time). Now, they are on board flight 160 (South African Airways) to Uganda. They will arrive today at 7:10 PM in Entebbe. To watch this aircraft, you will have to use www.flightstats.co.uk/flightstatus/flightstatusbyflight.do. Most American/Canadian sites don’t track flights overseas.

The team will be met by Peter and Phoebe Sozi of Divine Care Ministries. They are the primary missionary contacts for the team while they are in Uganda. The Sozi’s run an orphanage and a school for children. The team will stay at a bed and breakfast tonight in Kampala. Please pray that they rest well and can easily adjust to the time change.

As always, let me know if you have any questions!

Sheryl A. Turner