Unsung Heroes...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I have sometimes Heard people say some very flattering things about my willingness to leave confort, Friends, and family behind to embrace life as a missionary.  But I am no hero.  My sacrifice is nothing compared to the sacrifices of the wonderful people I work with.

I work with a team of unsung héroes. 

Recently I visited the home of one our our team members.  She lives almost 2 hours away by bus, leaving home early every morning in order to be at work on time.  Her home was in a small village with dirty, narrow streets. 

When we arrived she sweetly invited us into her home, which was filled with love, but Little else.  The humble home was made of cinderblock walls, concrete floors, and a tin roof divided into 2 rooms: one to live in and another for the whole family to sleep in.  Her bathroom outside was an outhouse.  Her shower?  A rain barrel with a bar of soap and a scoop for the wáter. 

Why did this visit to my teammate´s house touch me so?  Because I think that I get way too much admiration for what I do and she doesn't get enough.  Out of her nothing she gives everything to love on children and teach them about God's love.  Monday through Friday she, and the rest of my staff, work tirelessly to teach children and youth about age-old Bible truths in fresh, new ways.  Her work is done in excellence.  Her heart for God evident.  She is a real missionary.

These amazing men and women of God spend hours making purchases and then carrying them back to the base.  They cook meals for hungry children- carefully planning out the menú and going to the market for fresh supplies.  They are full of love and encouragement for children who need so much of it.

So the next time you feel tempted to say something to me about how kind, generous, or brave I am for coming to Guatemala to share the góspel- save it.  I don't deserve your praise.  I humble myself in awe of the staff that serves alongside me.  they are the ones who deserve your praise. 

Mountain School Madness

The madness has begun!  Mountain School Madness.

For years we have had in our hearts to be able to travel to the mountain área of San José Pinula with more frequency.  God, who gives us the desires of our heart, has made this posible. 

Today was the first of various trips we have planned to take the góspel into this área which has so few opportunities to benefit from programs such as ours.

The day dawned bright and sunny, but the farthur up the mountain we travelled the more the clouds came down to cover us.  By 9am when we reached Cruz Alta, the host school, we were zipping up our sweatshirts. 

The ABA Impact Team prepared a class on the Value of Respect.  Through Biblical example, humorous drama, and lots of activity we taught the meaning of respecting others, why we do it, and how to do it.

Sarah introducing the topic

This part of San José Pinula is very catholic and closed to the góspel, however through relationship building we feel confident that shortly we will be preaching the góspel openly to families who are desperate for God's truth and love. 

David teaching the Power Capsule (memory verse)

a funny drama in which Anita portrayed a misunderstood and unrespected "new girl"

Previously, the Impact Team had challenged the 2 schools that we visit on a weekly basis to gather used clothing in good condition to give out at the mountain school.  Because of their generosity we were able to give a large bag of clothing to each child present. 

The children were so happy to recieve such a gift.  We know that for these struggling families the clothes will make a huge difference.

The children and teachers alike thoroughly enjoyed the class.  We were invited to return within a month to share again- this time they plan to invite many other surrounding área schools! 

These families have so Little Access to outside programs such as sports, computer, etc that they are extremely grateful for the programs we bring.  In appreciation they prepared a beautiful snack for us to enjoy.  Their generosity always excedes anything I could imagine.

 

As you can see, this is truly a rural área!  Many of these families use horses as their means of transportation

 

A nearby school was invited to join us today.  There are no schoolbuses to transport the children, rather a willing parent with a pick-up truck.  Here are the children loaded with their bags of clothes and ready to head home.


 

A succesful day!!!  We look forward to next month......

 

On the way back, just before arriving to the town, we had to stop for oncoming "traffic".....

 

Supermarket Struggles....

Grocery Shopping in this country is a contradictory mixture of extreme frustration and abounding thankfulness.

For all its moderness, Guatemala City is still smack in the middle of a third world country- and that fact is ever so obvious upon visiting the local Wal-mart.

It never ceases to amaze me how in America the fingernail polish aisle (or aísles) looks like a rainbow reproduced- MANY TIMES- and gave its children up for adoption.  While in this country the nail polish section (notice, it is a topic that doesn't even warrant an entire aisle) consists of about 10 colors total.  I am not much of a nail painter anyway, and after today's disappointing attempt to jazz up my appearance a bit I probably never will be!

Not too terribly long ago I went to the store to buy some sliced cheese for lunches and a block of cheddar.  Much to my dismay there was no cheese at the store.  I repeat... no. cheese. in. the. entire. store.  So much for that idea!  And there wasn't any cheese for several weeks. 

Then, several years ago there was a poblem with the Similac Formula shipment and the ENTIRE NATION went without formula for 6 weeks.  Yes, folks- I got very creative with my recently weaned 9-month-old's bottle!

This frustration was repeated today when several of the ítems on my monthly list were simply missing from the shelves.  Dijon mustard for a récipe I had planned for this week- all gone.  It is only offered in 2 brands anyway, but both of them were totally void of the Dijon versión.  Scrap that récipe for another time!

So this is the frustration side of things.  I never know if I will find what I need at the store.  When I do find it you can see me tossing 10 of the same ítem into my cart in a mad attempt to NEVER BE OUT AGAIN!

The thankfulness portion comes when I do actually find what I need.  I am ever so grateful to return home with a full-cart and stock my cupboards.  I find myself singing praises in the cereal aisle when I find our favorite brands.  Cheese sticks can cause me to dance around my cart.  It's the simple things in life!

I find myself pushing my cart down the aisle grumbling about this crazy country one minute and shouting Hallelujah the next.  Shopping is always an adventure.

The Christmas Basket

Christmas is so much different in Guatemala than it is in the States.  At least for me.

While in the States Christmas is a busy time full of Christmas parties, Christmas plays, hurried shopping, baking, cleaning, wrapping gifts, and generally being overwhelmed with the urgency of it all - in Guatemala the pace is slower. 

Guatemalan schools are in the middle of a 3 month break and many businesses here shut down for 2 weeks during Christmas contributing to the laid back feel. 

CrossCulture Jesús closes its doors for our missionaries to spend time with their families.  Our ministry base lies still, quietly awaiting a New Year full of new miracles and to be filled once again with the pitter patter of hundreds of Little feet and to be ringing with the songs and laughs of just as many happy faces.

Despite the down-time, I still have things to do.  Perhaps almost as much as during the year as there are administrative aspects of closing the year that must be atended to.

So on this particular day I found myself alone at Brazos Abiertos.  The rooms looked eery and empty.  There were no crafts spread across the tables.  There was no one in the kitchen cutting, chopping, and preparing meals.  There were no worship songs reverberating down the stairs.  There was no gentle jesting between staff memebers. 

The whole place seemed asleep, yet expectant.

I finished what needed to be done then stepped across the Street to purchase tortillas.  Doña Ana was there with the newest baby strapped to her back.  It was between rush times so the ladies were sitting on cheap plastic stools that wobbled on the uneven dirt floor.  The "comal" (flat griddle used for making tortillas) was void of the usual array of tortillas and was now being occupied by a huge pot of beans on one end and a simmering mass of scrambled eggs on the other. 

We exchanged Greetings when all of the sudden children seem to spring out of the woodwork.  "Aunt Sarita! Aunt Sarita! We haven't seen you for ages!" they shouted with Glee as the clambered over one another in an effort to give out hugs and kisses. 

These children, who did not get Christmas presents this year, and to the casual observer live in poverty, are overflowing with love and affection.  What they lack in material possesions they make up for in love, trust, and joy. 

The tortilla order was ready and I was turning to go when the ladies, giggling among themselves, shyly called out to me.  "Aunt Sarita, take this basket as a small token of our affection".  From under the counter they produced a pale blue plastic basket.  The kind the Guatemalans use for all types of kitchen chores. 

It was a simple gift.  An inexpensive gift.  But a gift from the heart.  From a family who has nothing given to a person who has all she needs. 

It was a profound gift, speaking to me about the true meaning of Christmas, about sacrifice, about giving all we have to show love and kindness to others.  It was an empty Christmas basket, yet filled full with appreciation and devotion. 

It was a giving back for all CCJ has given through out the year. 

And so, I share my Christmas basket with YOU, who have partnerned with CCJ and made sacrifices of your own to ensure that this ministry would continue. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.  May 2015 find your basket of your heart overflowing with with peace, love, joy, hope and faith in every promise of God for your family.

A Celebration of a Different Kind

Sometimes the Word "tired" just isn't strong enough.

This was how I felt last Thursday upon arriving home after a very busy morning celebrating national children's day with almost 160 children!

Every year I write to tell how many children came and how we celebrated.  However, this year there is more to the story than just the theme and outcome.  There is a story of how an outreach team stepped up to the plate to overcome difficulties with a victorious result.

For the past several years we have averaged around 100 children in attendance.  I have worked up a Budget that suits that number nicely.  So several months ago I set out to find sponsorship for the 100 children we expected. God answered our prayers quickly.  Sponsorhip came through 2 sources totally covering what I had projected to be our costs.  But as the date approached my staff began to inform me that the money they were given just wasn't enough.

How could that be?  I began to investigate and discovered that the staff had invited not 100 children but over 150 children!!!!  Could those numbers be accurate?  Where did all the children come from?  And how were we going to make up the $300 difference?

As it turns out, our programs have about doubled since last year-- but that is a topic for another blog. 

Because of this sudden growth we were ill-prepared for the Children's day event.

beautiful decorations made by our staff on a very tight Budget!

a view of the opposite end of the room, including table centerpieces

One thing I love about the staff is how ready they are to jump in and accomplish things.  Immediately they began to search for a cheaper place big enough to host the event and with catering services as well.  They found a place that would save us about $1 per child.  Then they negotiated with the owner to drop the Price another $.25 !!! Praise God for wisdom and favor!

Then David began knocking on doors and talking to friends and acquaintences.  He managed to secure a donation of cakes which saved us about $30 plus some financial donations.  When all was said and done we were able to get the event pulled off and still be in the black.

It was truly a combination of God given wisdom, creative ideas from the Holy Ghost, and the favor of God.

156 children turned out for the event.  Through songs, games, and activities we taught them to GO and share the góspel with others.  A huge hamburger, fries, and cake were served.  Each child was given a wáter bottle. 

the line waiting to get in

a room FULL of children, joy, and the presence of God

The event was a huge success.  We have already Heard testimonies about how much the children enjoyed the event and all that they took away from it (spiritually- not referring to the left over food and wáter bottle!). 

The children took away a deeper appreciation for all the Jesús has done for them.  I took away a deeper appreciation of my staff and God's favor over us.  So as the nation celebrated children, I was having a celebration of a different kind.

Can't wait to see what next year's event will bring!!!!!

Pastora Ana, a faithful volunteer

 

 

Just as we had finally packed up everything and were headed back to the base to unload, a storm stuck.  We had planned to have part of the staff walk back, but due to the rain decided to pack 9 people PLUS supplies into my SUV.  The fun never ends!!!!

David and a staff member's daughter in the trunk, 4 people on the back seat, 3 in the front: makes 9 total!

 

 

 

Hold Tightly to My Hand

There is probably no excuse for not having written a blog in a while.

For many people this is the way in which they connect with our ministry.  Many people are kept abreast of prayer requests, needs, and testimonies through the blog.

Yet, the past weeks have flown by in a flurry of activity.  We have been preparing for National Children's Day.  We have been scouring the second-hand stores in search of jackets and coats for the children in the program.  We have been updating our data base on the many, many, many families we have in our program.  And on a personal note, I have been running around with sick children, doctor appointments, end of the school year activities, a travelling husband, and so much more.

I have felt burdened with so many aspects of the ministry.  Knowing we need more funds and not knowing where they will come from.  Knowing we need more staff and not knowing who to turn to.  Knowing I have stacks of paperwork falling behind every day and not knowing when I will get to it.  The thoughts and questions swirl in my mind at times, robbing me of peace and causing me to doubt.

Earlier this week I had both boys with me.  We were running errands which required walking about.  With two boys you can imagine, both boys bounded about and bounced along.  Boys never seem to just walk. 

Cohen, my two-year-old, has new shoes.  They are longer than his old ones (which, by the way, had begun to pinch his toes) so he is having trouble adjusting his stride to the length of the new shoe.  By the end of the first hour he had already fallen and scraped his knee, his elbow, and his hands. 

Everytime he ran ahead I would shout warnings to slow down.  I would ask him to come walk by me.  I would try to discourage him from following after his older brother.  All to no avail.

It just didn't seem like any fun at all to walk quietly next to Mami, holding her hand.  Despite scrapted and scratched knees and hands, he hurried on, tripping and falling over his own feet in the process.

The last fall was the worst.  His Little hands just barely had time to catch him or he would have fallen right on his face.

As I comforted him I Heard myself say, "Cohen, dear, please just walk next to me.  If you will hold tightly to my hand I won't let you fall."

But the words came from outside of myself.  It was as if God was speaking to ME at that moment.  Suddenly I was no longer aware of Cohen's tears or Corban's running about.  It was just the Lord and me alone.  He was reminding me to hold tightly to HIS hand.  He won't let me fall.

How often I wish to run ahead.  How often it seems that the pace the Lord is requiring of me is slow and boring.  How often I want a "real adventure".  How often I fail to trust that God's plan at God's pace is just what I need.  It is tempting to compare myself to others who seem to run at  full speed never tripping and falling.  They seem full of joy and laughter, full of energy and enthusiasm... and I feel so clumsy as I trip and fall in an attempt to follow THEM when I really should just follow HIM. 

Hold tightly to my hand and I won't let you fall.

Those words filled my heart with peace.  Those words helped me to walk quietly and obediently next to the one who knows my weaknesses and how to keep me safe from myself.

Blanca's Smile

Blanca is a teenager.  Her waif thin body and dirty hair lead you to believe that she is younger than she is. 

She lives with her family of 5 in a tin shack that they were given rent-free as long as they "look after it".  The tiny shack has a dirt floor.  The beds are filled with fleas.  There is no table, the family eats on the bed or floor.  At times you can see torn and tattered clothing waving on the make-shift clothes line strung across the entrance way. 

Blanca breaks my heart.

Just a couple of weeks ago I was privileged to accompany a group of teens who had one purpose in mind: to visit Blanca and her family and to give them a table and 6 chairs.  And not only that, but a bag of food to provide a meal for this new table.

When we arrived Blanca and her younger sister were alone.  When I explained the purpose of our visit Blanca's dull eyes began to light up.  She shyly looked on as we set up the table and chairs in the only available space under a small roof just outside the door. 

While the youth were setting up the table and chairs I took a moment to talk to Blanca.  I gently reminded her that God has a purpose for her life.  She has a divine destiny in HIM.  I told her that the table, chairs, and food are a gift sent from God Himself because HE LOVES HER and wants to show Himself strong to her.  With a hug I spoke of God's promises for her life and invited her to love and serve God with a whole heart.

We then invited Blanca and her sister to sit at their new table.  They were in awe.

Afterwards we continued to visit other homes.  On the way back to our vans we were waved down by Blanca's parents who had come home again.  The reason for the family's life of shambles and constant hunger was immediately apparant.  Blanca's father was so drunk that he could barely stand straight.  He was hardly coherent as he thanked us generously. 

As we walked away my heart was heavy.  At times I feel as though we are just a drop in the bucket.  Blanca's father drinks away the family's funds and the children pay the Price. 

However, the next week Blanca was back in our Little Giant's group.  It was encouraging to see that her face was brighter.  Her step lighter.  And she smiled more.  Regardless of how insignificant I may feel in the face of such need, the Christ that I share is the answer.  Blanca now carries an assurance of God's love and purpose for her.  It was made real to her by a visit of teenagers and the gift they gave.