A New Perspective

It had been an exciting week in March.  The mission team was resting at the mission base while one team member, a dear friend for many years, sat on my sofa sharing a cup of coffee and catching up.  Her cheery smile, calm manner and twinkling eyes filled our living room with friendship as we talked about what the Lord had been doing in each of our lives for the past years.

As we discussed the current week she opened her heart concerning something the Lord had spoken to her.  She shared with me how she had prayed for the outreach to the Senior Citizen Center and the Lord had spoken to her about its importance and that for many of these seniors it would be the first AND LAST opportunity to hear the gospel.  What a profound - and simple- truth to grasp!

Brazos Abiertos in San José Pinula (the ministry my family founded) is dedicated to the evangelism and discipleship of CHILDREN.  We rarely strayed from that focus.  Sometimes I was quite adamant! 

As I stood in the entryway of the Senior Citizen Center last Friday with the mission team from Iowa, those words rang in my heart.  Those words had changed my perspective.  Although the unsavory aroma of 50 un-bathed adults wafted through the doorway and assaulted my senses there was a knowing deep down on the inside of me that we were indeed appointed and anointed to go into this place with the gospel. 

The young people reached out with love and served the "grandparents" in a way that I am sure Jesus himself would have done.  They were patient, kind, and loving as they interacted with each individual. 

interacting with love and affection

serving lunch

The group shared the simple message of God's love through a craft.

They had a time of prayer.  Almost every person requested prayer.  There were testimonies of alleviated aches and pains. 

The young people of Iowa infused life and happiness into the hearts of so many.

I am so glad that God changed my perspective through the wise words of a good friend.  Now I see that Brazos Abiertos is called to visit the widows (and widowers!) in their distress just like the Word of God admonishes us!  We are reviewing our schedule to see how we can add this outreach on a monthly basis.

Corban and Cohen accompanied us that day.  Nothing brings a smile to an older person's face like the antics of young children!

A Visit from Iowa

This morning as I sat and gently rocked my FINALLY napping toddler, I let my mind wander back over the past week (which has flown by, by the way) and pray over the mission team that is here.  I am learning to really take advantage of "down time" and use it to move mountains with faith and prayer.

First of all, Monday was my first day back on the job so to speak.  Yolanda and I wrapped up all the final details for the team from Iowa that would be arriving late that night.  We went to the retreat center where they will be staying and looked over the rooms, assigned beds, ironed out last "wrinkles", etc. 

AND THEN CAME TUESDAY.  My mom, who flew back with me to help with the kids on the plane, signed up for a day of work and fun.  Together we left home at 6am to pick up the interpreter, then we hurried to the retreat center to have a staff meeting before the 7am breakfast.

Staff meeting

aaahhh, the little known details of mission team preparation!

Henry, the driver,and I talking over the route

After meeting the team and being reunited with team coordinator- Justin (I had worked with him previously when we were both younger, I was just an interpreter and he a team member) we ate breakfast and got busy.

Let me take a moment to say that I learn something from every team that comes.  This team is no different.  I have so enjoyed working with a group so excited to be sharing the gospel.  These young people have no pretensions, they have no ulterior motive, I have seen no haughtiness.  I have only detected sincere and humble hearts. 

The boys!  Justin is in the back on the right

The girls!

one of the games

These young people are awesome at keeping the atmosphere exciting during the outreaches.  I suspect they must have worked with children at some time and some place before because they do it with such ease.  Their program consists of exciting, novel games which have kept the crowd of children eagerly participating.  Dramas which paint a simple picture of salvation.  And a message which is concise, to the point, and expertly delivered.

Pastor Josh's message

I am only just now meeting the famous Josh!  He is a fantastic youth leader.  If I lived in Iowa and were under the age of 18 I would definitely be sitting under Pastor Josh's teaching.  His message is clear and made alive by object lessons and examples.  His language is easy to understand.  He is excited about what God can do for us and this excitement flows over into his teaching.  Pastor Josh is sincere in his love of God and love for others.  I am glad to have met him and hope to count he and his family as friends in the future.

The first morning was very, very full with 3 public school outreaches- reaching nearly 1,000 children (not counting teachers) just that one morning.

As the week progresses I continue to hear amazing testimonies of how the youth on this team have been touched and how they are touching others.

Although at times tiring, my family and I really enjoy hosting teams.  Truly we are thankful that they are here.  God has blessed us with an amazing staff to carry the torch so to speak as I get my family settled back into "real life". 

His hand is in this and we shall see the fruit.  I look forward to sharing testimonies.

a warm-up worship song to get everybody excited

My mom helping to pass out candy as children leave

happy children after the program

As you read this, please pray for the team this week. Pray for divine guidance, divine protection, and for God's anointing to set the captives free!!!!!

children reciting the pledge at the first school we visited

Tug o' War

There it is again... that feeling of being pulled into a thousand directions at once.

I often ask myself if all mothers feel caught in this constant battle or if it is limited to working mothers only.

We arrived a few days ago after 5 weeks in Virginia.  The grace of God covered us.  Prayers lifted up on our behalf were answered- I could see the results.  We changed homes 10 times in 5 weeks- sometimes packing up 3 suitcases, crib, stroller, 2 backpacks, diaper bag, carry-on luggage, plus personal items for just one night in a new place.  (yes, I actually had to travel with all of that and more!)

relaxing at the Chesapeake Bay

Still, there were times when the children hadn't let me sleep more than a few hours a night for several nights and I thought I would absolutely collapse with exhaustion- and just then both boys would sleep for 7 to 8 hours and I would at least feel alive again (if not totally energetic).  There were 4 and 5 hour car trips in which both boys miraculously slept most of the way.  There was that week towards the end of our stay when I felt like lifting and lugging all those suitcases to the car ONE MORE TIME was too much of a mountain for me- and my nephews stepped in and did all the heavy work.  There was the bout with Strep throat which left me with a toddler who cried nonstop for 3 days- and somehow God provided the strength I needed to also deal with a preschooler in the midst of all of that.  And thankfully the preschooler never got sick!

before my husband had returned to Guate

And every time I would hear my husband's voice over the phone and long for home I would feel the Lord tug on my heart and whisper His promise to me that I CAN do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.    And I was strengthened. 

a ride in Papa's dump truck

We saw friends we hadn't seen in years.  We visited churches we hadn't visited in a long, long time.  We were blessed to be able to enjoy activities with friends and family.  It was a successful trip full of glory.

Cohen "singing" at VBS

And now we are home.

And we hit the ground running.  Just in time to meet a mission team.

This team is awesome.  I am so glad I have met these amazing people.  More about them and all they are doing in the next blog.  For now let me just say that Monday was a long work day followed by Tuesday- a day which I began way before dawn.

As I worked with the team yesterday I knew that I couldn't subject my boys to yet another long week of no rest and no routine.  We have just come from 5 weeks of that.  Corban is just now getting back into school after missing several weeks.  They need to rest.  I need to "rest" (as if that really exists in my life right now).  Corban has make-up work, Cohen has a doctor appointment, We have personal and ministerial errands to do... so I made a decision to lay low with this mission team and only join them on occasion.    

I can now see that despite those mixed feelings I always get when I feel as though I need to be all places at once- this was the right decision for now.  Cohen was up for about 4 or 5 hours crying last night and he hasn't stopped crying today.  Makes me wonder if his strep throat isn't trying to make a reappearance. 

I can see how God's hand was in the decision made to let my staff handle this mission team and let me handle my family. 

It is the same old game of tug o' war- this time the family won!

p.s. more about all the awesome things that God is doing through this mission team in the next blog.

To be an MK or not to be...

For those of you who read this blog to be able to pray for us and this ministry- I solicit your prayers.  In less than a week we head once again to my native soil of Virginia.  Although part of me yearns for these trips, another part of me dreads these trips.

A while back a Virginia friend and I were chatting about Missionary Kids (MK's) and other such stuff when she laughed and said, "Your kids aren't missionaries you know, they just live there.  Guatemala is their home, not their mission field!"  My friend is very wise and very good at saying just the right thing.  She always has been.  Even so, I had to think about her words for quite a while before they made much sense to me.  I didn't leave my home and family to come sight seeing for crying out loud!

She is right though.  To my children Guatemala is their home, their nationality, and all they have ever known.

My children thrive on routine.  They wake up roughly at the same time EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK (weekends included- how many know what I mean?), Corban gets ready for school, eats breakfast and chats to the nanny in Spanish while waiting for the bus.  Cohen has a late breakfast, gets out of his pj's, then has the whole morning to be the center of attention (either mine or the nanny's).  They know that dinner time means that Papi is coming home.  They know that after dinner they have time to play with Papi before bedtime.  They go to bed early, and at the same time every single night.

A trip to Virginia means that suddenly their orderly world has entered into chaos.  We sleep in strange beds and have no personal space.  We are all in the same room, they have no toys, no privacy, no routine.  They have gone from a quiet home and small family to being in the middle of other people's homes, larger families, more noise, more activity.  They go from early bedtimes to different bedtimes every day.

Corban and Cohen go through culture shock as they are suddenly surrounded by English.  If you have ever traveled abroad you know how disarming it can be to be surrounded by a different tongue.  Our diet is drastically changed.  All the foods familiar to my boys are gone and in their place is the too rich American diet.  Things are done differently, modern technology confuses us all, distances between places are farther, and the list of changes goes on.

Instead of settling in somewhere in order to establish a new routine often times we are moving around.  This causes sleep problems for the boys.  Add to that a full schedule and busy days and we are all quickly over tired and short on patience.


Don't forget the viruses.  New germs that we haven't been exposed to.  New foods to cause upset tummies. 

Perhaps the most difficult part is that our stable family is broken up as my husband usually returns to Guatemala after a week or so, splitting our family.  The boys miss him.  I do too.

When we visit a church in Virginia usually I am the guest speaker and usually my husband has already returned to Guatemala.  So the boys are whisked away to classes full of strangers and instead of being able to cling to Mami for a bit of security in the midst of all this newness Mami is super busy.  This causes tension.  They feel it and I feel it.

And so, I see the point my friend was making.  To my children Guatemala is security with a nice comfortable routine.  School, church, small family, stability, familiarity.  Guatemala is home.  Virginia is the foreign unknown.

If you are reading this, then pray for us.  As we prepare our hearts to minister in various church settings pray for God's anointing on the whole family.  Pray for peace.  Pray for children who will adjust quickly to the change.  Pray for lots of sleep.  Pray for our safety as we travel overseas and then travel around Virginia.  Pray for the grace of God to abound towards us.  Pray however the Lord leads you.

Cohen gnawing on a tortilla like any good Guatemalan baby

Humbled and Awed

Several weeks I go I sent out a simple page expressing an urgent need- supplies and support for the ABA Feeding Center.

Yesterday I sat at my computer in my tiny office at the bottom of the stairs and read the report of contributions received during the month of May.  I WAS HUMBLED AND AWED.  The support that came in during this month has more than met the immediate needs of supplies and some have even begun to offer monthly sponsorship for a child.

Unable to continue reading as the tears blurred my vision, instead I slipped to my knees, knelt at my desk, and began to pray.  I prayed for the Lord to bless all of those who gave so generously.  I prayed for the Lord to meet every need they have as they have so generously met our need.  I prayed for the Lord to give me wisdom and guidance to use this money wisely, as a good steward.  After all, I am just a steward, the money is the Lord's.  I prayed for the Lord to search my heart and know my ways and to correct anything that might be wrong so that I would not let down any of those who support us monthly or occasionally- those who trust me and trust this ministry to bear fruit for the Kingdom. 

For a moment I just sat there and felt the great weight of responsibility that I always feel when I pray for our sponsors.  I am responsible to them to use these resources wisely, in the best possible way to reach this town for Jesus. It is not a responsibility that I take lightly

In the book of John chapter 6 I recently read the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000.  As I sat there before the Lord, my heart worshiping the God who has once again met our need through the generosity of friends, I felt the Lord talking to me about this passage.

You see, Jesus turned to Philip who was from the region to ask where they could buy bread for so many people.  Philip quickly answers that 200 denarii isn't enough money.  Isn't enough?  No, it probably wasn't- but it was no small figure either as it totaled about 8 months wage for an average worker.  Do YOU have 8 months wage in your wallet?  Then a boy comes with 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish.  There is a hidden message here.  Barely was a poor man's bread.  The rich ate wheat bread.

So, the poor boy looked at the need, then at his source (God) and determined that his re-source was enough...even though it was meager.  The man with more resources (8 months wages if you recall) forgot to look at his source and quickly determined that his resources did not meet the need.

I think if I had been there that day I would have put more stock in feeding the multitude with 8 months wages than with a poor boy's lunch.  But God didn't use man's wisdom.  He used the unexpected to meet the need.

And He has done it again.  God has faithfully provided by using the unexpected - those from whom I have not heard in a while, those that I am quick to judge as "giving enough already", and those for whom I know it is a struggle to send an offering.  God touched each of their hearts, they looked to Him as their source, and they obeyed.

Just as the poor boy was a crucial element in feeding the 5,000 I know that those who are standing with me at this hour are also crucial to the feeding of multitudes.  They are part of this miracle that is taking place in San José Pinula.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING WHETHER OUT OF YOUR ABUNDANCE OR YOUR POOR BOY'S LUNCH - THANK YOU.

If you, too, want to be a part of this check out our website for details:
www.crossculturejesus.org

The City Street

There is a certain place in Guatemala City that makes me cringe.  This particular street is heavily traversed- although I suppose that could describe any street in this over-trafficked city.  However, on this particular portion of this particular street something occurs which boggles my mind as a "gringa"- the dividing lines on the street merge, disappear, and reappear, painted, faded, and painted again in such a fashion that I can never tell which of the lines I am supposed to obey and which ones are simply left over from times past!  The cars in front of me swerve and weave in and out of one another in an indistinct pattern, leaving me no clue as to which of the cars is actually obeying the law and which of the cars is simply driving Guatemalan style. 

As I cautiously pick my way along a lane which suddenly disappears or worse- suddenly becomes the on-coming lane I can feel my heart race.  Surely this section of the street is only confidently driven on by people such as my husband who have been around long enough to KNOW which of the painted lines are the most recent and which ones are simply to be ignored.  My husband has driven along this route so often that he detects any change immediately and knows which way the lanes run - or run out- by reflex.  To me- it is utter mayhem!

But as I gather my courage and drive through this section, holding my breath and praying for divine protection, I realize something.  Oftentimes we go along in life just like this.  We go along hoping we are in the right lane, but not really being sure.  We try to follow the guy in front of us supposing maybe he has it right, but not very sure of that either.  The lines of sin and right vs. wrong are smudged and faded, we are no longer sure if we are in God's will or just making it up as we go along. 

And I think of how the Bible offers that dividing line.  Without God's Word to show us the way, our daily life is a struggle and a series of guesses.  But with God's word we can clearly see the direction we need to take and the decisions we need to make.  God's Word keeps us on course. 

I notice how in my life if I neglect my Bible leaving it sitting on the coffee table far too long suddenly I am not as quick to discern when I have taken a false step.  I bumble along often times hurting those I love with the mistakes I make, the attitudes I have or the lack of love and patience I display.  I find myself unsure how to respond when crisis comes, or even when a simple problem presents itself. 

There is truly nothing like God's work to keep us going along the right track with the right attitudes and making right choices.  The Psalmist said, "I will hide they word in my heart that I might not sin against thee". 

So today as I reflect on a recent encounter with THAT section of Guatemala City I also reflect on my constant need to be in God's Word.  I repent for the times I have neglected it and I make a conscious decision to read my Bible and pray more diligently.  I encourage you to do the same.  It will change your life.  Just watch and see. 

my faithful friend

Mother's Day in San José

Mother's Day is a celebrated event world wide.  And why shouldn't it be?  Every day mother's all over the planet make sacrifices for the good of their children.  We give up our own hobbies so that we can take them to theirs.  We give up our own t.v. channels in favor of Mickey Mouse.  Despite the fashion divas we may have been we suddenly find our fashion budget spent on miniature outfits and our own closets full of last year's (or the year before's) clearance items.  Sleep and comfort become a thing of the past as we comfort sick and distressed children well into the night and in the early morning hours.  We strip off sweaters and suffer a chill so that our precious ones can wrap themselves instead.  The last piece of cake, the last of the icecream, food off of our own plate is directed into the mouths of our beloved tykes to whom we would deny nothing. 

As we live a life of continual sacrifice and continual giving we find that we are transformed more into Jesus every day.  He was the one who exemplified sacrificial living, giving up all His glory to come down to us.  He took on our sickness and gave us health.  He took on our curse and gave us blessing.  He took on our sin and gave us eternal life.  He sacrificed Himself even to the cross all out of love for us.  When I look to Jesus as my example to follow I find that even when I think I have given everything I can it still doesn't compare.  It makes giving up a few hours of sleep or slaving over a hot dinner seem very, very insignificant in comparison.  Still, it is what I have to give.  This is the example of giving and sacrifice that I can be for my children to show them a little bit of Jesus in our home.

On Saturday we celebrated 57 women whose daily sacrifices far outweigh mine.  These women are more the example of Christ than they realize.  Single mothers who slave over a hot fire making hundreds upon hundreds of tortillas all day long for just a few dollars a day.  A widow with 6 children who knits trinkets, purses and industrial wipes for less than many Americans spend at McDonald's.  Women who even in torrential rains walk their children miles to and from school to make sure they get an education.  Women who grow their own corn, then grind it and cook it into tortillas, tamales, and other Guatemalan meals.  Women who have suffered heart ache, abuse, and humiliation yet still strive to do the very best they can for their children.  These are the mothers of our Little Giants and the women we honored on Saturday last. 

The busy day started early even though the women were expected to arrive at 2pm.  Chrissy and Alfonso (who still helps when he can, bless his heart) were setting up the sound system in the restaurant before noon.  The rest of us gathered at the ABA base before noon for a quick lunch and to pack the car with all our supplies.  Earlier in the week the ladies had been busy making chocolate covered marshmallow butterflies to put at each place setting.  I am constantly amazed at the creativity on our team. 

After we arrived at the restaurant we got busy setting up the tables and putting up decorations.  Hats off to Chrissy who directed the whole event.  It was amazingly organized and very well planned.  She spent a great deal of time placing the centerpieces just right and the results were stunning.  (by the way, Chrissy and Yoli came up with the centerpiece idea and made them as well).

Our theme was the Transforming Power of God.  Which was depicted by using caterpillars and butterflies in all of the decoration.

 As always, we had a time of worship followed by a time of games.  Yoli and Chrissy directed the choreographed worship and Kimberly helped them with the games.

Our guest speaker was a friend of Chrissy's.  She did an amazing job sharing how Jesus had transformed her life and her family and encouraging the ladies to lay it all down at the cross and trust in the Lord to transform their homes as well.  When she invited all those who desired salvation and transformation to come forward the results were astounding- especially considering the highly catholic atmosphere in San José Pinula has made "going forward" a bit taboo.  Truly it was the work of the Holy Spirit and years of sowing the Word into these families.  I know some of the women who went forward were already saved.  In fact, they are active in their home churches, but knowing that they went forward for a touch from the Lord encouraged me that these women need more ministry and more encouragement.  May we be the vessel He uses!!

As always, some women were to shy to go forward.  They prayed in their seats.  Considering the women who went forward and those who prayed in their seats about 95% of the women received ministry that afternoon.  

 

 

Notice the mother with her baby in a sling- a common sight around here

It was an uplifting event.  Every year it grows larger.  Every year we see salvations take place.  Surely our annual Mother's Day event is one that should continue. 

A HUGE THANKS GOES OUT TO ALL OF YOU WHO GAVE FINANCES TO SEE THIS EVENT TAKE PLACE.  A HUGE THANKS TO THOSE WHO SENT GIFTS TO THE WOMEN.  AND A HUGE THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU WHO PRAYED FOR THE SUCCESS OF SATURDAY'S EVENT. 

We couldn't do this without you.  You are a part of changing these women's lives.  God bless you!!!!!!!