May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us,
that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all the nations.
To the nations we were called, so to the nations we went. It has already been an amazing two months. I have definitely felt the light of God as we have followed the journey He has set before us. Each country has offered its own lessons and chances to grow closer in God.
In Alajuelita, Costa Rica my team stayed with 3 other teams at 6:8 Ministries. The city we were in was considered one of the most dangerous places in Costa Rica. So much so that many taxi drivers wouldn't come to our part of town at night. I also got my computer stolen at gun point on our front steps. What better place to shine the light of the Lord? We spent our days cleaning up the city “headquarters” for drugs and prostitution (A coffee field that was literally a few blocks from our house.), traveling to different barrios (neighborhoods) and playing with kids, doing feeding centers (which consisted of bringing a table and food and setting it up in the barrios), we also spent a few days setting up for a child sponsorship program where kids received backpacks full of school supplies. This month I learned what it meant to REALLY pray for people and intercede, especially for those who have wronged you.
In Palacaguina, Nicaragua we stayed with the whole squad in Rey de Reys church. We took part of services (which was AMAZING!), helped teach the youth dramas & skits, moved a mountain (almost literally) to help make the foundation for a feeding center and church in the mountains. We also took a day and hit the streets to share our testimonies as best as we could. Most days we would pile 12 or so people in the back of a small pickup truck and hold on for the 20 minute ride to the community called Las Rancheras. (This is where we worked on the church and feeding center) This month I learned, from our contacts, what it means to go out and spread the light and love of God with passion and persistence. Even the youngest member (10 or 11 years old) took part in praying with people and sharing their testimonies. I want to have the fire and passion that they had.
This month we are at Zion's Gate Ministries about 20 minutes outside of Tegucilgapa, Hounuras. We are staying with 3 other teams and have just begun our ministries. There are opportunities to help develop the property we are staying on (building a girls home to take girls off the streets and give them hope and a future), working in the local schools helping to teach English, going into the mountains to spend time with young girls (12 to 15 years old) who have been victims of incest and rape and now have children of their own, we will also be reaching out to the 15 street boys who reside at Zion's gate, playing with them , pouring light and love into them. I have the feeling that my heart is going to break this month… and yet my heart rejoices knowing that the love of the kingdom of God is at work here and I get to be part of that.
We also get to be part of a new program at AIM (Adventures in Missions) this month. It is called Unsung Hero, and I couldn't begin to describe how excited I am about this venture! My team is assigned to spend a few days each week seeking out people that are at work in this country. We are looking for contacts for AIM for future World Race teams to visit. We are also seeking out those people who are doing extraordinary things for the Kingdom and don't get any recognition/support. Our hope is to come alongside those people and help in whatever way we can and at least shine light on what they are doing. God has already started moving and before we had even started our training we have three contacts!
We want to make as many contacts as we can while here so we need your help. If you know ANYONE who is doing ANYTHING to reach out to the people of Honduras PLEASE pass that information along. You can reply to this blog, message me on Facebook, or e-mail me at [email protected].
Here is a good rule of thumb, if you find yourself thinking “I wonder if they would be interested in …(whoever)” the answer is “YES!!!!” (Not just “yes” but imagine that I am standing at the top of the Grand Canyon and SCREAM as loud as I can and it echos for miles….that is how much we want to know and to have the opportunity to reach out to those people making a difference.) Please join us in this by reaching out to your friends, family, people you work with, churches, person walking past you on the street, your Grandma's next door neighbor's nephew, …however God wants to bring them to your attention please share them with us. Also please pray for us! Prayer is a HUGE blessing and need, when you shift your mind to Kingdom thinking and networking it doesn't make the enemy happy. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me! Because one “Thank you” is insufficient…Thank you, thank you, thank you, in advance for all your help and prayers.
P.S. Make sure to keep up with my blogs and the blogs of my teammates. This month is going to be dedicated to seeking out Unsung Heroes and letting you know about the people we meet. Please join us in the Kingdom networking that God is doing this month.
