Getting in a New Groove

And so, after many months of having visitors, whether individually or in teams, we are switching gears and getting into a different groove...

a visit from Southwest Harvest Church

It was a great year to have guests.  As always, each individual and team brought its own unique gifts and talents to our organization.  They all blessed our team and "our" families in ways that are too numerous to write down. We were once again humbled as we confronted with the generosity and bigness of heart of our supporters.

Carla Cage with Yolanda and Chrissy

Let's see, the Cage's who were here for almost 2 months were encouraging and edifying - like a breath of fresh air for our team.  They were affectionate and kind to the children families, sowing the seed of the Word at every possible occasion. 

The Jarrell family who came with such a sweet spirit and desire to serve and bless.  The accomplished their goal- making a lifelong difference in the families they came in contact with and serving as a healthy reminder to the rest of us to remember what missions is all about.

Joy with her energetic spirit, ready to take on any challenge.  Vessels of Mercy who serve with so much joy that it is contagious.  They came to bring the gospel and medical help to some remote areas.  Southwest Harvest Church who seems to always come so ready to bless our team members as well as the children and families we minister to.  This is an important detail that is so often forgotten- the missionaries also need blessing and refreshing!!!

every present smile

And Tausha- who stayed on a week to learn what our lives are really like.  She was so kind and compassionate, so ready to learn, so willing to teach.



Tausha came and worked with our crafts group women.  She took over an afternoon of Manos a la Obra.  This is an oft overlooked aspect of CCJ.  So many times the focus is on the children in the villages, in the schools, and in the orphanages.  So often we talk about the needs of the family as a whole.  But it is a little known fact that women in this country who live below the poverty level are treated as mere objects.  Their needs both physical and emotional are ignored.  Outreaches such as Manos a la Obra, directed to this overlooked harvest field, gives the women an outlet, gives them tools to economize in the family and bring in extra income, and gives us a chance to share the love of Jesus.

Tausha explaining the craft

Thank you Tausha for coming and sharing with these special ladies!  Not many teams or missionaries have tackled this task thus far.  We appreciate your heart for the women.  And we pray for others to follow in Tausha's lead.

We welcome those who wish to come and serve with us for a week, a month, or even a year.  Each person who comes has such unique giftings that it truly adds to the dynamics of our outreach team.  Pray about coming in 2013.  Pray about sending young people from your church.  Pray about bringing a team.  There areendless ways to serve with us and help us to impact this town for Christ.

Find out how at www.crossculturejesus.org

So, even as I ponder on these things I can feel the atmosphere at CCJ shifting gears.  Fun and Fellowship with missionaries and mission teams is behind us for this year.  Time to focus on National Child's Day.  Time to plan for VBS.  Time to wind down the ministry year.  Out of one groove and into another.