The Blue Volvo

It was a sunny October afternoon.  The sun had chased all the clouds away and was smiling down on the happy children who were playing in the Street in front of my house. 

As usual, I was posted at the corner of the my garage, my eyes darting to and fro trying to keep two active boys in sight and also keep a watch out for coming cars. 

Like Moses parting the Red Sea, the blue Volvo came slowly down the Street as the children scurried out of its way to let it pass.  The blue volvo came to a gentle stop in front of my neighbor's house.  The woman who stepped out reminds me so much of my neighbor.  They have the same radiant smile.  The same energetic way of expressing themselves not only with words, but with their face, hands, and whole body.  Of course, they should have a lot in common... they are mother and daughter.

My neighbor's mother greeted me in a friendly manner and then pulled me to one side and asked if we take volunteers.  She told me how her son was on college break and it would be great if he could do some volunteering to fill his time.

And it was in this simple, unassuming way that David came to be a part of our team.

David as Samson

First a volunteer who brought so much joy to us.  David is full of fun and jokes.  He is a hard worker with a servant's heart.  David jumps in to help in any way he can and always does so with a positive, fun-filled attitude.  With his love of the kitchen, flair for drama and servant's heart he actually reminds me of Alfonso in many ways!!!!!

The more he volunteered with us, the more I thought what a great addition he would make to our team.

Praise God David accepted the opportunity to work with us full-time this year.  We are thrilled to have someone like him join us. 


He has creative ideas and has been helping Fielding and Carla Cage work with the youth. 

Carla, David, Sarah, and Fielding

 

 

ministering to the youth

As I remember back to that sunny October day I remember it with gratitude.  Little did I know that the blue Volvo would be the bearer of life changing news for Brazos Abiertos. 

Today I am thankful for blue volvos, sunny days, and most of all for David. 

Lilian

Some things are not meant to be understood, only accepted. 

Last year we had the most adorable Little volunteer helping us.  She is named Sara and called Sarita, same as I am!  With her cute 18-year-old dimpled smile and cheery outlook she brought joy in the door with her.

Sarita was just finishing her studies to be a teacher.  I watched her from a far and noticed her way with children.  As the year drew to a close I decided to ask her if she wanted to work full time with us.  For some reason my calls never got through, then she changed phone numbers, and so on and so forth.  By the time I finally contacted her after the New Year she had already signed a contract to teach at a school. 

Lili

Sarita was genuinely disappointed as she absolutely loved being a part of our team.  I was too.  However, she told us of her sister who also loves working with children.  So we thought we would give Lilian a try.  And we have not been sorry!

Lilian came to us because Sarita told her that she would not regret the decision, although she wasn't exactly sure what she was signing up for! 

After just a few weeks with us we already know Lilian to be a hard worker, loving member of our team, honest, full of creative ideas, a giver, and full of smiles.

I am so very glad that she came to us.

She is too.  At one point, with tears falling from her eyelashes, she told us how she  knew God had brought her to us.  She had been praying for a job that would give her more time for her family just like this one does.  She also feels as though she is learning about God in ways she never did before.  The team devotions and prayer times have opened her eyes to understand new things. She is thankful to be in a healthy nurturing environment where she can serve God and learn more about Jesus every day.

Lili helping with a craft

Is it just me or is this a recurring theme this year? 

Truly God has brought a staff to me this year that is yearning to learn, yearning to serve, and so full of love for children that I am utterly speechless.

Today I am thankful for Lili with her enthusiasm and generosity.

p.s. we hope to have Sarita join us next year when her contract runs out with the school

Lili teaching the children

The Next Book in the Series...

I love to read.  I have always been an avid reader even from the time when the stories were read to me. 

I fondly remember Mrs. Stokes, our elementary librarían, who would bend the "2 books only" rule for me and allow me to take home as many books as I liked.  I would anticípate Library day as if it were my birthday!  I can remember waddling up to the counter with my stack of books and impatiently waiting while she checked them out.  That was back in the day when checking out a book was done by hand, writing my name on the card and stamping the date due. 

I would begin Reading even before I left the library.  Most times times I slid a book underneath my textbook during class to read during classtime.  Unfortunately, I was sometimes caught and rebuked by my teacher causing me to put the book on hold until the bus ride home where I would finally totally lose myself in the story. 

There were times when a book was so very good and I was so very caught up in it that when I got to the end I felt nothing but a sinking disappointment.  I had wanted that book to go on forever.  But, oh, the excitement when I discovered that an incredible novel was only just the beginning of a series!  What I had thought was the end of a good thing was really ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A BETTER THING!

Last year and this year were the ending of a good thing and beginning of a better thing for CrossCulture Jesús.

As last year drew to a close and I realized that my faithful three had moved on to a new thing in their lives it seemed to be the end.  It was hard to see past that back cover of the story that had been written on our lives for the past several years. 

But God had something else in mind. 

2014 Impact Team

As I prayed and waited on the Lord I was thrilled to discover that as one novel in CCJ ended, the next one in the series was just beginning. 

This year's staff has been renamed "The Impact Team" as they are impacting lives in San José Pinula.  The new Impact team has proven to be an answer to prayer in just the few weeks that we have been working together.  Dreams that have lain dormant in my heart for so long are finally awakening and coming to life!  Goals that alluded us are coming into sight. 

It is a good thing.  It is a God thing.

The last two blogs have been about some of our new staff members.  The next few blogs will be as well.  It is my way of introducing you to the new Impact Team, the team that has shown me so much about faith and answered prayers in such a short time.  Each one has a story to share, and I wish to share a bit of that story with you.....

My refrigerator

Who needs modern technology to keep track of a busy Schedule when you have a nice big refrigerator like mine?????

My refigerator is covered on two sides by magnets of all shapes and sizes.  Many of the magnets tell stories of fun travels, good friends, or sweet memories.  Others used to belong to the kids.  I say "used to" because I have somewhat taken them over!!!!!!

Under those magnets you will find invitations to birthday parties, school calendar of events, announcements of special activities at school, doctor appointment reminders, and so on and so forth.  Oh, and two pictures that have been up there so long no one even notices them any more.

This morning I stood contemplating my refrigerator.  I stared extra hard at the card that invited me to take part in a meeting for Class Moms.  I was determined to go.  It meant rearranging my ministry Schedule, but I felt it was worth it.  At this meeting I would learn important information about upcoming school events and how I could be a part--- or not :)

As I stood picking through the papers on the refrigerator that tell of next week's meeting with a teacher, the need to Schedule a medical exam for my 5-year-old, a reminder to pay for a friend for a book we are studying together, and the proper dosage for a medication that my 2-year-old is on I suddenly felt overwhelmed.  This mountain of commitments were all of a personal nature.  What of the ministry?  What of the people I need to call, the appointments I need to set up, the funds I need to raise, and the donations I need to secure?  What of team prayer meetings?  What of team training?  What of admin, paperwork, accountants, bookkeepers and the like? 

My knees trembled and I began to question my ability to do it all.

Then I remembered Fielding and Carla from Go Harvesting Ministries.  They have come to help me during this time of transition as we have all new staff at the ministry and are embarking on the new journey of real school (as opposed to pre-school) at home. 

Carla and Fielding in the center

Fielding and Carla have been friends for many years.  In fact, at one point in time (I won't say how long ago) they were my youth pastors.  I value their friendship, insight, wisdom, and experience more than they could know.  Having them here to help me sort out priorities and keep the ministry moving forward even on days when I am not there is such a blessing. 

Our family so appreciates their warm smiles and positive attitudes.  We so appreciate having them come for a couple of months to serve alongside us.  They have blessed our family, ministry, and staff in ways that words cannot express. 

Carla with my son Cohen

As I turned away from the refrigerator I walked with a lighter step.  I am so thankful for Fielding and Carla and their ministry to the nations.  I am thankful for the thousands of ways they are supporting us at this time.  I am thankful for those that support them financially making it possible for Go Harvesting to come harvesting in Guatemela. 

Today I am thankful for Fielding and Carla. 

Impacting a nation- one life at a time

My heart's desire is to change lives for Jesus.  God has been so very good to me- the least I can do is introduce others to an intimate relationship with Him so that He can bless and change their lives as well.

Over a decade ago I started out to do just that in the nation of Guatemala.  The path has held many unexpected twists and turns along the way, but about 7 years ago it landed me in the town of San José Pinula a few miles outside of Guatemala City.  My work with the children and families was hard going at first, but as things began to grow the Lord brought others to my side to help me in this task.  Those others have come and gone, but still I remain here, my heart still beating with that same passion- to impact a nation for Christ- one life at a time.

At times it surprises me (although it shouldn't) that the very ones who have come along side me to help are also the ones most impacted.

Today I am sharing a little about Xiomara.  She is one of the new members of our team.  Actually, in the latter part of last year the lady who keeps my kids during the day approached me about one of her neighbors.  Xiomara was interested in serving the Lord and working with us.  She asked if Xiomara could accompany my staff one day to observe how we work.

I was hesitant.  Ximara lives nearly 2 hours away by bus!  Goodness- couldn't the Lord bring someone more local to our staff???

But she came.  And she loved it.

She commented that she felt the same love and acceptance with our staff as she did at church.  She was impressed with the healthy, encouraging atmosphere of the ministry and insisted that this is where she wanted to work.

I sidestepped the issue, certain that the less than minimum wage, lack of benefits, and distance would not be beneficial to Ximoara.  I was blatantly honest with her about my concerns.

Yet she insisted.  And so in January she started.

After several weeks on staff I pulled her aside one morning to ask how things were going.  Her normally shy and reserved demeanor began to shine all over.  She told me how much she had grown spiritually in just the first few weeks.  "I have been to church all my life, but never been taught the things I am learning here.  I feel as though my relationship with God has improved so much.  This has made all the other well worth the while." was her excited response.

Xiomara is on the right

During a staff meeting last week she wiped tears from her eyes as she expressed her gratitude for being in such a place that fosters spiritual growth and by the time she finished testifying of the goodness of the Lord we were ALL wiping tears from our eys!


Today I thank God for staff members such as Xiomara, who are not afraid to tackle obstacles such as leaving home at 6:30am to ride the bus to nearly 2 hours to work and then the same distance back again.  I am thankful for staff members who desire to grow spiritually and who choose to allow God to work in their lives.  I am so thankful for bright smiles and excited staff members who make it possible for the work of Brazos Abiertos to continue.  I am thankful for Xiomara.

Xiomara in the kitchen, cooking a yummy meal for the Staff
 

ximoara and abi giving food to children at the feeding center