Sunday Dinner

I remember going to Grandma's house every Sunday for a family lunch- Sunday Dinner.  Daddy had 10 living brothers and sisters at that time- and the cousins were countless.  Adults would linger around Grandma's extra long kitchen table (and yes, it is extra big, it seats over 20) sipping on ice tea and savoring homemade poundcake while the children would play softball in the front yard.  Warm, sweet memories of childhood.

This past Sunday I had the chance to be a part of a differnt Sunday Dinner at the home of a very special lady- Yolanda- who is a member of our outreach team.

Fielding and Carla Cage, the missionaries who are with us this month, had been invited to speak at Yolanda's church.  Her church is located right on the edge of over populated gulley known as La Limonada.  I have been to her church many times.  Sometimes to take visiting missionaries to minister and other times to minister myself.  The day dawned rainy and yucky.  The atmosphere outside of the car was bleak as we drove to zone 1, however inside the car we prayed, rejoiced, and fellowshipped on the way.

Yoni- Yolanda's husband

 Once we arrived at the church we were greeted by Yolanda's husband, pictured on the right.  He and other men from the church were in charge of "the sales" that day.  Many churches in Guatemala, both protestant and catholic, raise money by selling food after the service.  Those in charge of the sales for that particular Sunday must get up early, bring the food fresh from the market, and prepare it during the service.

It was fun to see the men eagerly take part in the sales this Sunday.  It isn't often that we find men in the kitchen in Guatemala.  They laughed and joked among each other, their commrodery was evident.  One man laughed as he showed off the church "kitchen" which consisted of a few tables pushed together to form a sort of counter top and a grill made of an abandoned tire rim on legs.  

The grill

Rebecca, on the left, serving with the dance team

Yolanda's entire family is involved in service at the church.  As we left the men to their work, we were greeted by Rebecca, Yolanda's 12 year old daughter.  She was all dressed and ready to serve with the dance team. Yolanda's 17 year old son climbed into the drum box to serve with the praise team.  And Yolanda rushed off to join the prayer team before the service.  We "gringos" were left to fend for ourselves!!!!  Luckily, after serving in La Limonada with Tita Evertsz for over 5 years many of the faces in the church were familiar and friendly.

After a lively time of praise and worship Fielding was called upon to preach to the congregation. 

Fielding preaching.  me interpreting.

His encouraging message on recieving freely from God as children and not servants moved the hearts of the hearer.  When the altar call was made for salvation, healing, or a stirring of the gifts and callings of God, a third of the congregation gathered at the front for prayer.

The beginning of the altar call.  Eventually one third of the congregation was huddled at the front

Fielding and Carla moved among those at the front, praying indivually for each person's need.  Salvations and healings took place.  Many wanted prayer for their spiritual life.

Carla praying for a lady

Kimberly and her baby

Sandy and her baby

Once the service was coming to a close a very special surprise unfolded.  Kimberly, a former student from my days teaching in La Limonada, was dedicating her month old baby girl that day.  What a privilege to be a witness to such an event!  Kimberly had been my student when she was just 11 years old.  Now, to see her grown and married with a baby of her own- words cannot describe the joy I felt.  With her that day was her sister, Sandy, who is also married with a 7 month old girl.  And little Evelyn, one of the most adorable, shy little 4 year olds I ever met was standing there big as day- and 15 years old!!!!!!!  How quickly the time flies!!!!!

The pastor leading the congregation in a prayer of dedication

Kimberly quietly took her place on the platform next to the pastor who gently took the sleeping baby girl from her.  The pastor lead the congregation in a prayer for both the baby and her parents.  I felt nearly as proud as the grandparents must have been.  and afterwards I had a chance to hold and kiss that precious little angel.

By this time Sunday dinner was sounding better and better!!!!!!!!  And so began our descent into La Limonada.  There is no other word to describe the walk along those well trodden cement trails.  At the beginning of 18th street there are a set of stairs that lead straight downward all the way to very bottom of the gulley.  I had traversed that path daily on my to and from the bus stop for many years.  But now it had changed.  It was in slightly better condition.  I suppose progress reaches even the forgotten depths of La Limonada!

As we entered more and more deeply into gang territory my mind began to play back pleasant memories of my time as a teacher there:  Memories of walking those alley ways holding the hands of sweet little children, greeting beggars, homemakers, and gang members alike.  The progress to Yolanda's house was slow as along the way I stop to chat with aquaintances from long ago.

Kevin and Rebecca on the stairs of their house

At long last we arrived at Yolanda's house.  She is so proud of her 2-story home.  After many years of believing God to enlarge her one-room home Victory Christian Academy of Faith Landmarks Ministries in Richmond, Virginia raised the money to make that dream come true.  Yolanda proudly gave us a tour of her tidy little dwelling.

Then we sat down to eat Pepían with her family.  Pepían is a typical chicken dish made with sesame seeds, sunflowers, and a variety of other ground spices.  Keep in mind that all the seeds and spices are purchase fresh at the market and ground by Yolanda.  She also served us Christmas fruit punch.  The smell of the cinnamon and cloves wafted up to fill our noses with the sweet smell of the holidays!  Our ears were full of the sounds of family and friends outside as neighbors mingled in the street. 



After dinner Yolanda pulled a cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to Chrissy whose birthday is this coming weekend.  After singing serveral different versions in several different languages we finally dug into the cake.

It was definitely a day worth remembering.  It was good to be a part of blessing so many people during the church service.  It was good to participate in Kimberly's baby's dedication.  It was good to rejoice with Yolanda over the many blessings over her life.  It was good to fellowship with friends and family.  IT WAS GOOD.

Honoring Mothers

The scorching sun slowly slid down the horizon cooling off the afternoon.  With a cup of punch in my hand I turned and surveyed the empty room, now echoing with the tired footsteps of my busy outreach team.

This was the first time we had planned a Mother's Day Event in somewhere other than our ministry base.  We were thrilled to be able to bless the moms of all our Little Giants.  Because of the crafts class (Manos a la Obra) we had some new faces this year.  Since our attendance continues to grow we have found that we no longer fit in the ministry base for events such as these.  Therefore we found ourselves looking for other alternatives.  A local resataurant with a room for events was the solution.  For the price of a hefty snack we were afforded use of the room which supplied us with ample space to spoil the mothers with a bit of attention just for them.

the snack

donated cakes for dessert- pictured above, Fielding Cage and Alfonso Alvarado cutting and serving the cake

Preparations for this day started several weeks ago as our staff worked hard to make decorations, make and deliver invitations and gather raffle prizes.

here you can see the tables set beautifully

Carla speaking, Sarah interpreting

The tables were beautifully set with hershy kiss rosebuds serving as center pieces.  Games and raffle prizes gave the moms a fun way to relax.  Praise, worship, and an encouraging word from our special guest, Carla Cage, rounded off the event.

A song and choreography

game time!

a time of worship before the message

a time of prayer and ministry at the end of the message

And event such as this costs around $5 per person- relatively low cost to bless these moms in such a way.  Please pray with us as we now look forward to our next event: Día del Niño, or day of the child.  This event will take place at the end of September, but we must start our planning now.  We need sponsors!!!  Consider sponsoring one or several children for this special day.

Special guest speaker, Carla Cage, loving on some of the mothers

 www.crossculturejesus.org

Birthdays and special gifts

About a month or so ago, my husband, Francisco, was reading the Bible to our 3-year-old, Corban.  They came across the word "offering".  Corban was intrigued.  What is an offering exactly?  My husband explained that it is like a special gift for Jesus.  We can give Jesus many things: our money, our time, our talents, etc.  Wanting to know what was on Corban's mind and in his heart, he asked what did Corban think would be a special gift for Jesus and what would Corban like to give him.  Without hesitation, Corban enthusiastically answered, "a toy!".  Of course, what could be more precious to a small child than a toy?

one little girl excited to recieve her birthday bag

The children that attend our Little Giants program, although village children facing many econimic, family, and educational challenges, are like any other child in the world.  They value toys as a special gift- on their birthdays or for any other occasion.  However much they appreciate receiving toys, they also place a high value on pratical gifts.  Imagine having just one matching pair of socks, with holes in the toes, worn thin at the heel, to get you through the week?  Or having no socks at all and having to walk miles to school and home again in hard shoes that rub blisters on bare feet.  Socks and underwear are a special treat to "our" children.  Imagine your teeth rotting and painful because you have no toothbrush or toothpaste.  Imagine your hair a knotted mess.  Imagine what it must be like to know that every year for your brithday you will recieve soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, underwear, socks, and a small toy.  Now THAT is a happy birthday for a village child.

Yolanda standing with the birthday children

At the end of each month, the Brazos Abiertos outreach team celebrates birthdays.  We give each child who has had a birthday during the month a birthday bag with the above mentioned items.  These bags have been lovingly sown by a wonderful woman in Virginia.  The children love them and find a hundred uses for them after their birthdays.  This year, though, we were running out of bags.  The sweet woman who had so generously supplied bags for our children for the past few years became ill and unable to make enough bags for all of our children this year.  What to do??? 

We began to pray about it.  We trusted the Lord to meet our need and help us bless these children.  The good Lord moved through family and contacts of Chrissy's.  Because of a donation of material and a volunteer we will have birthday bags for the rest of the year!

enjoying cupcakes!

Chrissy has such a generous heart.  She is such a sweet, loving, giving person like very few I have met.  She selflessly purchases the supplies for the birthday cakes each month and the staff busily prepares the birthday cakes for our 3 Little Giants programs.  This past March she made cupcakes.  Chrissy told me how before she had even made it all the way in the door the children saw the cupcakes and their faces lit up and broad smiles overtook their sweet faces.  What a special treat for children who most likely will not have a birthday cake at home.

one of the games enjoyed at our last brthday celebration

Besides cakes and birthday bags, the team prepares a class full of games and fun- all designed to review the month's lessons.  I think it is a time that children and staff alike enjoy.

Thank you to each individual and church who has supplies money, supplies, and birthday bags over the years to make each birthday a special event. 


see our website to find out how you can be a part of making these birthday smiles happen! 
www.crossculturejesus.org

some of the moms helping to serve cupcakes

Kevin

Today I was happy to be heading back to the mission base.  The almost 3 months since Cohen was born have flown by, but at times they have seemed to drag by.  A bit of cabin fever has started to set in.  It was wonderful to celebrate Yolanda's birthday with the team. 

Laughing and joking with my fellow teammates brought back such good memories.  In the midst of the conversation I asked Yoli about her children- as I often do.  Her eyes became watery as she talked about them- as they often do!  She is so proud of her children, and with good reason.  She has 2 bright children, both of them respectful and obedient.

We talked about Kevin- now 17 years old!!!!!  I met him when he was 12 years old.  In just 5 years he has gone from being a pre-teen to a young man.  Yet, his heart has remained childlike and loving.  He has always been a star student.  However, never was I more impressed than now.  He remains at the top of his class despite being involved in church 3 to 5 nights a week, playing in the church band, and taking classes in the church music academy.  He stays busy serving God. 

Kevin has big dreams.  He dreams of going to University in just a year and a half.  He wants to become an engineer.  Imagine!  He and his family live in the famed "La Limonada"- a slum in Guatemala city best known for crime and substance abuse.  Having had personally worked in La Limonada daily for approximately 5 years, I can tell you that it is not a pretty sight.  Poverty abounds.  Sickness and substance abuse run rampant.  Every where your eyes turn you see depression. sadness, sickness, and just about every other manifestation of the curse of the law.  Yet, there in the midst of this feared and avoided shanty town are families who seek the Lord.  Yolanda's family is one of them.  In the midst of this place where most people never study past 6th grade, Kevin strives to obtain his college degree.

Yolanda tells me that she recently had a conversation with him regarding his studies.  In the next few months Kevin will be finished with his music studies at church.  Now what to study?  Yolanda is encouraging him to study English.  She wants him to have the opportunity to serve as an interpreter when mission teams come to Guatemala.  Yoli, like the rest of us at CCJ, adores working with mission teams.  It seems to breathe new life into us.  She wants that experience of serving God to the fullest alongside other committed christians for her son.

As she shared this with me I could see her expression turn thoughtful.  Of course- she is thinking how his current studies, his future college career, and his English classes- all cost money.  Before she even mentions what an expense it will be for her family she first mentions God's faithfulness.  She began to recite for us a variety of instances where God answered her prayers and where God's provision was evident in her home life.  A true women of faith.  We love Yolanda and are always encouraged by her steadfastness during personal trials and her quickness to encourage others in the midst of their own.

Keep Kevin in your prayers.  This bright young man remains respectful and obedient at home.  Let's ask the Lord to give him wisdom as he makes decisions regarding his future.  Let's ask the angels of the Lord to camp around him as he lives his daily life in a dangerous red zone of the city.  Let's ask the Lord to provide for Kevin's education.

God bless you all as you stand with us in prayer concerning Yolanda, her husband, and her children.

Manos a La Obra

The group of women nervously stood around the workroom murmuring among themselves.  For most of them this was the first time they had come in contact with our organization - Asociación Brazos Abiertos.

An example of one of Yolanda's flower arrangements

Manos a La Obra is a new project we have started this year.  For ABA it is a new way to meet a community need and share the gospel- all cleverly disguised as a crafts class!  Yolanda, unlike myself, is very talented in the crafts department.  She done wonders with flower arrangements.  When she approached me with this idea that she had in her heart to offer a class to the community women designed to teach them affordable, easy crafts that they could later sell to supplement the family income I was immediately drawn to it.

Yolanda giving instructions

The class at work

examples of the crafts planned for March

The classes have only just begun in March and have been well recieved.  Some of the women who are attending are mothers of our Bible Club children, others were in the Literacy program, but the majority of them are new to us.  We are so excited to once again be embarking upon new ground.  Reaching new families for Jesus, getting to know the ladies, listening to and praying for the burdens on their hearts.  Truly, Yolanda is the perfect person for this job.  She is patient and kind.  The Word of God is always on her lips.  The ladies seem to take to her almost as a mother figure despite the fact that  most of them are her age or older!

Yolanda's workspace

In the middle of our small and barely organized supply room, with craft and office supplies overflowing, teaching materials pouring off of shelves, and donations crammed into closets to await home visits, sits a long table which now serves as Yolanda's work place.  It is here, amidst this semi-organized chaos, that Yolanda's creativity springs forth into reality as she fabricates an example craft for each class.

Missionary Mommy

Aren't babies easy when they sleep?

As I sit here at the computer in my office I can hear Cohen, the 7 week old addition to our family, upstairs fighting the battle against sleep.  Why do babies fight sleep?  Does he know how much I would give to be able to lay down and sleep right now? 

So far this year the Asociación Brazos Abiertos (ABA) outreach team has gotten off to a great start.  Don't they always?  I am so grateful for the many years of faithfulness that Yolanda, Alfonso, and Chrissy have given to this ministry.  Because of their years of serving alongside us I am totally confident in their ability to carry on without my full presence for a while.  It is tricky to fulfill my roles as wife, mommy, and missions director when everyone and everything seems to need my immediate attention.  I am grateful for a team which understands that right now the baby is the one who wins.

A typical day for me right now.... wake up at 6am and begin getting Corban ready for pre-school.  Nurse the baby sometime in there.  Get Corban's breakfast, snack packed, and dress and ready baby for the day.  The bus comes for Corban around 7:45am.  Time for me to get breakfast and showered and ready for the day.  By then it is time for another feeding for the baby.  Now the baby is awake and wants to "play".  So, since this is likely the only time of the day when Cohen will get my undivided attention I play with him for the hour or so he is awake.  Maybe I give him a bath as part of that play time.  Naptime again... time for me to head to the computer.  I may or may not get an hour or two of time to dedicate to the ministry (I have finances, letters to write, phone calls to make, and other admin responsibilities).  then the baby wakes up--- and since at 7 weeks we have no solid routine he might wake up early from the nap which means I get no computer time. 

By then it is close to the lunch time and for Corban to come home from school.  Time to fix lunch and greet Corban as he gets off the bus.  The rest of the day is a juggle between the 2 children's needs and fixing dinner, etc.  Supper time rolls around, then the bedtime routine.  Which only Corban abides by.  Cohen gets colicky at night so after Corban goes to bed at 7:30pm I am up rocking and walkng a crying baby until 9 or 10pm (or later-- last night I was up until midnight).  At which time I fall exhaustedly into bed.  Then I hope to sleep until 5 or 6am--- but there are no guarantees!!!!!!

So, while my day is full of mommy duties right now- I cannot totally forget my duties as a missionary.  I still find time to pray and read my Bible.  I still intercede for the ministry and others on my prayer list.  I find that often I am praying as I walk with the baby at night as there seems to be no other time during the day.  And I frantically search for times during the day to take up my administrative and directoral duties - even if for just moments at a time.

Cohen with the team on his first visit to the mission base

Hardest of all is that my heart is still in the ministry.  While my priority at this time is found at home, my desire is still to be out there with the team teaching and preaching.  Learning to recognize seasons in one's life is one thng... embracing those seasons is sometimes hard. 

I appreciate your prayers as I adjust to this period in my life of "laying low" for a while and for our family as we all adjust and find a new rythm.  Pray for the ministry team as they carry my share of the work load right now.  And pray for the children and families we reach out to. 

I will write again soon with news on what the outreach team is accomplishing!!!

The Smith Family :)

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.