Points to Ponder

Our ministry year is winding down.  Actually, it has wound down already!  Except for 2 more days of cleaning, organizing, and leaving things in order for next year- we are done! 

As with every year, we ended this year with Vacacion Bible School.  VBS is a really fun way to end our year.  The children have a blast learning Bible verses, doing crafts, enjoying a healthy snack, etc.  This year we were able to serve a very healthy Incaparina to all of the children each day.  There was enough for seconds (and thirds) thanks to a generous donation by the Solid Rock Youth Group. 

In San José Pinula we have a group of children who for some reason (ignorance, really) refuse to bathe.  They are always caked with dirt and a rank smell surrounds them.  They kind of remind me of Pigpen from Charlie Brown.  Now, I know that their home does not have water on a regular basis, but they do have a rain barrel set out.  They have become convinced that bathing too often will make them sick.  How far from the truth that is!!!!!!

This year for VBS we informed this group of siblings that if they did not bathe before coming to VBS we would not let them through the door.  They did it!  They took a bath every day before VBS.  Granted, it was a bath in a bucket of water, but they were clean.  They used cheap soap and cheaper shampoo, but they bathed every day.  Some days they showed up with teeth chattering and hair wet still, but they did it. 

It is a shame we felt the need to inforce this rule, but if these children don't learn to be clean they will suffer a number of consequences.  The first and obvious one is that their health will suffer.  Second, if they grow up without realizing the importance of bathing they will have a very hard time getting a job.  Even a humble job cleaning homes (which pays next to nothing in Guatemala and is usually reserved for those women who have not other option) will be difficult to secure if they stink!!!!! 

Over all, the week was a success.  The children had great fun.  They learned about the armor of God using a cowboy theme.

After a week of VBS in San José Pinula, the team was off to Santiago Atitlan where they hosted another Bible School. 

This is the interesting part.  Yolanda was able to take her husband and 2 children with her this year.  They were busy, busy, busy teaching VBS to dirty, barefoot children whose native tongue is a Maya Dialect.  Our small staff had to use interpreters to get the job done!  They are not used to language barriers or cultural differences.  This was a fantastic missions experience that opened their eyes and hearts.

On the last evening of the trip, the team shared with one another the different aspects of the week that had impacted them.  Rebecca, Yolanda's 11-year-old daughter, cried as she talked about how most of the children had no shoes and the level of poverty they live in.  She was moved to tears to see how much she had in comparison.  And do you know what?!?!?!  Rebecca is poor herself!  She also has very little.  She lives in a very poor squatter's town herself.  Yet as she allowed the Lord to use her she took on an attitude of gratitude for what she had compared to these children. 

We should all be like Rebecca, instead of allowing our eyes to focus on what we don't have, we should be thankful for what we do have, AND READY TO SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!. 

All of the team members were impacted by the lack of love these children recieve on a daily basis, the lack of compassion and affection even in their own homes.  It was a time of reflection for all of them.

However, it is important to remember is that while we can see that Santiago Atitlan has more physical and material needs than San José Pinula (our mission base) there are several missionaries and ministries in and around the Lake Atitlan area with a variety of programs.  On the other hand, We are the only mission organization currently located in San José Pinula.  Just a thought to ponder on.

So as we finish of the year 2011 I am grateful that Jesus has given us the opportunity to minister in San José Pinula- shaping and forming the lives of hundreds upon hundreds of children and their families.  I look forward to next year and the new challenges and victories it will bring. 

Winning Bibles

Do you remember your first Bible?  Or are you like so many of us who recieved children's Bibles and children's Bible story books from so early on that you don't even remember the thrill of holding your very first Bible in your hands?

The families in our programs live below the poverty level.  Owning much of anything is a luxury.  A family Bible is a treasure.  A child's own personal children's Bible is a far off dream.

Thanks to a local ministry in Guatemala, we have been able to furnish most of the children in our Little Giants Bible Club with Bibles.  This local ministry donates all the Bibles we need, but there is a catch.  In order to obtain the Bible, each child must memorize 20 Bible verses.  This ministry provides a lively print out of the required verses for the children to take home and study.  On a set date the children show up, recite the verses, and leave happily with their own Bible.

Memorizing 20 verses is no easy task.  So the ABA staff takes it upon themselves to set aside 4 weeks of class prior to the "test" to help the children study and memorize the verses.  Through a series of games and memorization activities our goal is to review nearly all of the verses.  We choose 5 verses per week.  Then we brainstorm to come up with unique, interesting games and activities that will help the children remember the verse.  Some verses were put to song, others to chants and cheers.  Each verse was presented in a way that would promote memorization.

This year we found that class time did not permit us teach all 5 verses in one session.  So we challenged the children.  The challenge consisted of each child taking it upon him or herself to memorize the verses we studied in class plus the ones we didn't get to.  The following week the children who had successfully memorized the 5 verses from the previous week won a candy bar.

It was great fun to teach the verses and even more fun to watch the children as they put forth a valient effort to memorize the verses each week, then proudly choose a candy bar as a reward for a job well done.

Despite our best attempts to teach all the verses, we were faced this year with back to back tropical storms right in the middle of our Bible verse learning.  On one occasion we were forced to cancel classes due to the danger involved for the children and our staff to venture out in the weather.  However, even in the face of all the odds, 3 children were able to memorize the 20 verses and carry home Bibles this year.

In years past we have had as many as 15 children win the Bibles.  The discrepency in this year's number is easy to explain.  Each child may only win a Bible once.  While we allowed all of them to participate in the candy bar prizes, only those children who had not previously won a Bible were eligible for the Bible on test day.While only 3 children successfully learned 20 verses, several others came very close- memorizing 15 or so verses.  They were praised and encouraged to try again next year. 

Our goal is to see a Bible in the hands of every child.  And not only a Bible in every hand, but the verses in every heart and the principles lived out in every life.

2012 Graduating Class

Monday morning dawned drizzly and overcast.  Not a good start to what was planned to be an exciting day.  I was a bit worried about our graduates and their families walking a couple of miles in the rain to get to the graduation ceremony.

However, we continued on as planned.  I arrived at the ministry base around 9am to find the place already hopping.  Alfonso was busy in the kitchen doing wonders.  He has such a talent for cooking.  He makes our mouths water on a daily basis!  This time was no exception.  He had made a deliciousl chicken salad and cake for the snack after the ceremony.  As I walked in I found him chopping celery, onion, and other tidbits for the salad. 

Chrissy was in sweats, busy putting the finishing details on all the decorations.  You will see in the picture above what a great job she did adorning the room.  Yolanda was also in sweats, setting out chairs and getting things in order.

Just before the graduates arrived with their families Chrissy and Yolanda got changed.  Then the funniest thing happened, Chrissy noticed that not only had she brought along one black shoe and one navy shoe, they were also both right feet!!!!!!!  We laughed and laughed.  I am not so sure Chrissy was laughing, especially while she wore them and her left foot was killing her.  I wish I had a picture.  I love it when there is a gliche in the system, it makes for good memories afterwards.  Chrissy had to endure her shoes during the whole ceremony and snack afterwards.  As soon as the last person departed she made a beeline for the bathroom to change back into her sweats.  I don't blame her!!!!

 Here on the left you will see some of the graduates as the ceremony began.  They were so excited and we were thrilled for them.

We started out with prayer and then a message about what true success is.  I encouraged them to look back and take note of all the progress they had made over the past 3 years, I also encouraged them not to settle for just this diploma, rather to press on to greater things.  With God all things are possible.  We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. 

After the message we moved on to the diplomas.  First I honored Yolanda with roses to thank her for a job well done.  She did an excellent job of teaching.  Not only was she a teacher, but a counselor and friend.  As the students shared personal problems she eagerly prayed with them and sought solutions.  We love Yolanda - she is such an inspiration and encouragement to the whole team and to her class of students.



Take a look at a few of the graduates recieving their diplomas.

On the left you will see Doña Venancia.  She is the lady I wrote about in the last blog.  She, just like all the rest, recieved her diploma with tears in her eyes.  As the students passed up front to recieve their diplomas they all thanked us.  Many expressed themselves by saying that there was no way to repay what we had given them.  Before studying with us they couldn't even write their names, now they were reading, writing, and doing simple math. 

However, Doña Venancia surpassed all the rest.  While they completed the requirements in 3 years, she did it in 2.  While they often missed class she rarely did.  While she faced circumstances more dire than the others, she persevered even more. 

After giving the diplomas, Yolanda and I prayed for each student.  We entrusted their futures to the Lord, prayed for their circumstances, and believed God for each of them to have success and to continue to seek after God's plan for their lives. 

As we prayed for Doña Venancia (below) she prayed too, asking God to help her be a good example to her children and thanking Him for the many blessings in her life.  It was a special time to hear her heart poured out to the Lord as tears trickled down her weather worn cheeks. 

After the ceremony we all moved downstairs to the dining room to partake of the snack prepared by our staff, mostly by Alfonso.  Here you see him proudly displaying his handiwork. 

Yolanda made the flower arrangements.  She is has an incredible talent for flower arranging.  The flowers really added a touch of elegance to the tables.

Alfonso lead us all in a blessing before we ate. 

All in all, it was a special time of celebrating and sharing.  We are so thankful to all of the sponsors who made this program possible for the past 3 years.  Without sponsorship, we wouldn't have been able to provide this program to the community.  May God bless each and every person who has helped make the Literacy program posssible over the years.  Your gift changed lives forever.  Not only have these students gained an education, they gained a spiritual foundation as well.  THANK YOU!!!!!

Doña Venancia

As I sit here and look out of my window at the glorious sunshine, I am reminded of just a week ago when the view was nothing like this.  Torrential rain pounded the windows, the grass was swallowed in mud, the wind beat against the doors.  Yet I was still here, in my home, cozy. 

In her kitchen where she cooks over a wood fire

Not everyone has that privilege.  Doña Venancia is one such person whose life does not involve many luxuries or privileges.  She is a sweet, quiet woman who has been a part of our ministry for the past 4 years.  In fact, her family was one of the very first to get involved with the Little Giants Bible Club. 

I remember those first visits to her home when she had a huge sow (that's a female pig for you city folk) in a pen behind her house.  The pig pen was only as big as the pig.  This huge sow had just enough room to stand up and lay down.  Doña Venancia was getting her fat and ready for the slaughter.  We used to joke about eating pork rind.  Then one day we went to visit and the pig was no more!  Doña Venancia's family was feasting for months!

Despite her obvious poverty, Doña Venancia gives us delicious homemade tidbits when we visit

Doña Venancia has 3 dependent children.  The oldest being around 13 years of age.  They live in a small home which was just one room but now has been added onto a bit.  Her house has a tin roof, plywood walls, and a dirt floor.  The room is basically a bedroom with 2 beds sitting on cinder blocks so that the legs won't rot during the rainy season when her floor becomes mud.  There are clothes hung all along the wall and stacked in boxes on the floor.

There is no running water and there is no electricity, so her children do their homework outside before dusk.

She is fortunate in that thus far all of her children have been able to study.

Doña Venancia recieving a certificate at the 2010 Literacy Class awards ceremony

Doña Venancia's father didn't believe in educating women.  Neither she nor her sisters learned to read or write.  Their father declared that they would only use that knowledge to send notes to boyfriends and be in rebellion.  Determined to achieve a better life, Doña Venancia has spent the past 2 years in our Literacy program and has proven to be a star student.  She has surpassed other students who have been studying with us for one or two years more.  She rarely misses class, and comes even when finding bus money has proven difficult.  She simply walks the few miles there and back!!!! 

She is truly an example of perseverance to all of us.

Doña Venancia and her family didn't really know the Lord when they started attending our programs.  Like a lot of people, they were vaguely familiar with who God was and what the Bible stood for.  Yet after 4 years of faithfully walking a couple of miles to the Little Giants Bible Club once a week rain or shine, she and her children have come to know the Lord.

I remember specifically the day she raised her hand in an altar call and gave her life to Jesus.  Tears streamed down her weather worn cheeks as the grace of God overwhelmed her. 

As a result of her dedication in her home and determination to do the best she can for her children and family we at CrossCulture Jesus have been moved beyond words.  It seems someone is always stepping up to provide food for her family or bus money for Doña Venancia to attend classes.  I am sure that this is a direct result of her prayers.

But now she needs our prayers.  Doña Venancia's husband has been seeing other women for quite a while.  There are months at a time when he doesn't give her any money at all to buy food or pay for schooling for their children.  Now he is threatening to leave altogether.  He has refused to continue to pay for the children's education saying that they can all go to work now and help support the family.  The youngest is about 8 years old or so. 

Doña Venancia is heartbroken and concerned for the future of her children.  She is currently looking for any type of work so that she can pay for next year's school expenses and put food on the table.  Not only that, but she is in need of medical care for gall bladder problems and doesn't have the money for this either.

Please keep Doña Venancia and her family in your prayers.  We at CCJ continue to edify her by reminding her of God's promises to take care of her.  As we encourage her and pray for her the Holy Ghost tugs on our hearts and reminds of the epistle of James where we are told that faith without works is dead.  Each of us has done what we can to help supply some of Doña Venancia's need.  If the Lord places on your heart to help in anyway, don't hesitate to contact us.

www.crossculturejesus.org

National Children's Day

I sat in the shade on the step outside of the chapel for a much needed break.  Corban raced up and down the stairs still full of energy while I gathered my wits about me for a moment.  The rest of the staff was inside, busily packing all of our props and cleaning the chapel we had used for our event.  As I sat there, I reflected on the morning.

Friday morning had been full, very full.  Full of fun, full of activity, full of ministry.  123 Children total attended the event which we had been planning for quite a while.  The smiles and laughs confirmed for us that everyone had a great time. 

In the above picture you can see the girls side of the chapel.  We divided the room into boys and girls as we often do.  This picture was taken before the event actuallys started, by the time we began we were out of space. 

Unfortunately, some of the scenery didn't make it through until the end, as you can see here.  Before we begin the actual teaching we like to do a game or two with the children.  This helps get their attention and get the wiggles out a bit.  In this game the children were instructed to pass stuffed lions back to the Lion's Pit at the end.  Our theme was on Daniel and the Lions.  The trick was for the first person to pass the lion over the head, then the next person between the legs, and so on and so forth until they reached the pit.  The boys side won!  However, I did see them cheat just a bit.  hmmmmmmm

 To the left you will see Justin praising the Lord with us.  Yolanda lead the children in a praise song, then a slower worship song.  We are teaching these children how to enter into the presence of the Lord in worship.

After the worship time, Yolanda lead the children in a prayer.  It was the perfect moment to pray as they were already focused on the Lord through worship.  Amazing how our staff can keep the attention of 123 children where it needs to be.  I thank God for such a great team whose desire is to see these precious little ones grow in the Lord. 

Bible verse time!!!!  In the top picture I am teaching the verse to the children.  We shortened 1 Peter 5:9 to simplify it a bit, without losing the meaning.  I got the children to read the cards, then turned the children holding the cards around one by one... still repeating the verse as we went.  By the time we were done the children had memorized the verse completely.  To make it even more fun we tried repeating the verse in different tones of voice and volumes. 

After learning the verse, Chrissy played a review game with the children to test their skills and see if they had indeed learned the memory verse.  The object of this game was to take 2 "lion catchers" outside while the staff passed out the memory verse cards randomly among the rest of the children.  Those children with a card were the lions.  Once the lion catchers returned to the room their job was to find the color card assigned to them and assmeble the words in the right order.  A fun way to reinforce the lesson.

 Next we shared the story of Daniel and the Lions - told from the Lions' point of view.  It was great fun to be creative and imagine what the Lions' reaction might have been to all that happened in the Lions' Den that day!  Chrissy and Alfonso were the puppeteers.

This picture of Yolanda is blurry, but perhaps you can see her dressed up as a Lion.  She was the main character in the skit, telling how the Daniel came to be with them and how the Angel closed her mouth. 

She confessed that "acting is not her thing" and that this assignment really stretched her as a person.  We love to challenge our team members to do more and be more than they ever thought they could.  We always find that when they rise to the challenge God is able to form things in them that they never thought possible.

It was a long day for some of our attendees.

Snack time!!!!  A piece of cake, a hotdog, and chips.  mmmm, more like lunch, really. 


Take a peek below at how some of the children were enjoying their snack break.

what a sweetie!  notice how his front teeth have rotted away.  Lack of hygiene products and information.  One of our goals in CCJ is to provide the families with the hygiene products they need and give them the proper information.

Most of the children turned their chairs into makeshift tables!

Corban observing the hanging of the piñata- stick in hand and ready for action

Of course we can't forget the piñata!!!!  What children's event in Latin America would be complete without a piñata!?!?!?  The children were very excited about it.  I was a little nervous.  Imagining 123 children throwing themselves on top of one another to reach the candy was too much for me to ponder on for very long.  I forbid Corban from trying to get any candy this time.  That didn't stop him from taking a turn at hitting the piñata, though.  In fact, from snack time onward he wandered around searching for the hidden piñata and once they started to hang it up he grabbed the stick and refused to let go of it until after his turn was over. 

taking the first turn

look at the crowd waiting for the first drops of candy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alfonso dumping out the candy after the piñata was broken

After the piñata it was time to go home.  The children and their moms lined up to leave single file so that a bear shaped waterbottle and a stuffed animal could be given to each child.  Chrissy took her own funds to purchase stuffed animals at a second hand store.  Her smile matched the children's as she handed out the
toys!!!

Yolanda handing out waterbottles

happy kids with their gifts

Chrissy handing out stuffed animals

 
This event really turned out well.  The comments we heard as the parents and children were leaving were all positive.  A big thank you to Yolanda, Alfonso, Chrissy, and Trini - our staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make this day a success.  A big thanks to Chrissy and Yolanda for spending Thursday afternoon decorating the chapel.  Also a thank you to the SRY youth group who financially sponsored the event.  The snacks, chapel use, cake, and waterbottles were thanks to the offering they gave. 

The success of events such as these is due to the faithfulness of God, who provides our needs through the generosity of sponsors and donors.  Please prayerfully consider how you can help us make VBS a success.  In November and December we will be holding 2 Vacation Bible Schools.  One in San José Pinula, the other in Santiago Atitlan.  We need $200 for this.  If the Lord places it on your heart to sow a seed towards VBS, please see our webiste for giving details.  Keep us in your prayers!  The effective, ferverant prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 

Also, feel free to check out our website for other information. 
www.crossculturejesus.org

God bless you!!!!

Thankful thoughts

As I sit here in my den with Corban playing nearby my heart overflows with gratitude.  The rain is pattering against the windows as outside the thunder threatens an even heavier downpour.  Yet, here I am, snug and dry with a cup of tea by my side.

I am so thankful for so many things.  Living in Guatemala has taught me so much about what has true value (although I am still learning) and how many things we often take for granted.

My heart gives thanks for my house, it is warm and cozy, modern and new, my OWN home with plumbing, electricity, warm water showers, filtered, pure water, area rugs and comfortable furniture.  I love my house. 
Praying for thoses who live in shacks with dirth floors which have probably turned to muddy messes in this weather.

I am thankful for my son and the one on the way.  I thank God for HIS faithfulness, fulfilling HIS promise of health and long life in the lives of our children.  Praying for all the families who are hurting because of sickness and disease.  Praying for mothers of terminally ill children.

Thank you Jesus for such a wonderful husband.  I hear others talk of problems at home and in the marriage.  I have seen marriages that were struggling.  Guatemala is plagued with machoism and unfaithful men.  Thank you Lord for the man of God you brought into my life who lives each day to serve and bless me as his wife.  Thank you for a man with a strong work ethic and sense of integrity.  Thank you for a husband that I can trust completely and who goes above and beyond the "call of duty" to assure that his wife is cared for, nurtured, loved, and blessed.  He truly loves me as Christ loves the church.  My heart bursts with love and admiration for him.

I am thankful for my car.  Sounds silly.  However, a good portion (probably most) of my friends either don't have a vehicle at all or must share one family vehicle.  My car was a blessing from a wonderful church.  It has served me well, and by doing that, served the Lord well.  Together (with my car) we have travelled to villages, mountains, orphanages, jails, slums, and feeding centers taking the love of Christ in the form of teaching and provision.  My car hasn't failed me once.  Not one time.  Just like my God.   Praying for the safety of friends and aquaintances who travel on the public buses in Guatemala.

Although I may not be a fashion diva.  Although my clothes might be second hand (more than half of them) and none of them are this year's fashion... I am thankful for a closet full.  I see children every day who are barefoot, dirty, with torn and tattered clothes.  I am so grateful to the Lord for allowing me to have a closet full of nice things to wear.  And my children!!!!  The clothes we have been given for them.  What a blessing.  Truly the Lord is providing for us.

I could continue to write, but Corban is getting restless.  Anyway, I don't think this blog could contain all of the things in my life I am thankful for.  God has been good to me.  It certainly isn't because of who I am or what I have done.  He is good to me because HE IS GOOD.  

Help me Lord to always be thankful for what I have and not to complain about the things I wish I had.

technical difficulties

dressed warmly for a cool morning

Last Thursday morning started out dreary and overcast.  After all, we are in the last stretch of the rainy season and it does seem to rain more this time of year.  I got up early and got into action.  Getting myself ready to go is easy enough when I have an early day.  Adding to that getting Corban in gear, dressed, fed, and all his snacks and extra clothes packed... well, it makes for a busy morning.



By 8:30am we were all loaded into the car and headed off to Brazos Abiertos to pick up Chrissy and Alfonso so that we could go to one of the orphanages.  The road to San Jose Pinula is a disaster!  So many potholes.  Corban was laughing all the way and exclaiming each time the car "jumped"... I was just trying to keep my faithful Xterra in one peice!  Some of the potholes are so large that they have tires laying in them to try to fill them up.  Dodging potholes AND oncoming traffic is more challenging than any video game I have ever played.

Once a month this orphanage has asked us that we do a special activity with the children during our regular classtime.  Thursday was the special activity with the older children.  Chrissy and Alfonso had decided to show the movie "Facing the Giants".  I thought this was an excellent idea.  What an awesome movie!  And  something that young people are interested in- sports.

Chrissy greeting one of the orphans

Before class started

Chrissy starting class

 After an introduction and prayer with the class, the movie was popped in.  The technical problem?  Apparantly the orphanage had misplaced the control to the DVD player.  This means we could not change the language selection of the movie.  This means that the movie was all in English!!!!!  Obviously these children weren't going to enjoy a movie they couldn't understand.  So, out came the movie.

Alfonso and Chrissy did a great job of improvising a class.  They quickly had a review of previous classes and handed out prizes for correct answers.  I was thrilled to see how much the children had actually learned during this school year.

The conclusion?  The next time we meet we will bring out own DVD player.

Corban sitting quietly with Mirian- the babysitter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 P.S.  I have no idea why all the pictures are sideways.  No idea at all.  And no idea how to fix it.