El Salvador
We partnered with a missionary from the US. We helped with a feeding program for children. We fed the kids lunch every weekday and helped them learn about the Bible.
Memory from the month
One day, we spent about 3 hours handmaking fresh orange juice only to watch as the kids poured it out in the sink because they didn’t like it. That was humbling to see our hard word go literally go down the drain.
Guatemala
We partnered with a missionary from the US and his local contact. We ministered to widows and children. We did a feeding program at two schools and did home visits with the widows
Memory for the month
One day while visiting and widow we were reminded of the harsh fate of many of the older men. The civil war had been brutal and not many men over the age of 50 were around. This widow’s husband had been dead for 30 years. She was 80 years old and had little to no support from her family and could not effeciently support herself. We brought her corn off the cob which she ground into corn flower to make into tortillas so she could have food to eat.
Honduras
We partnered with the Alliance Church and taught in English at their school. It is a K-8 private school. We taught and invested in the kids daily. They were a blast to be around.
Memory for the month
Since there was a pool on the grounds where we were staying, Dar Vida and Ash Fran all got in the pool to play with the volleyball. We came up with the idea to try and pass it to everyone at least once. It took us an hour to accomplish this mission. We had lots of fun and played around as a team.
Nicaragua
This was Ask the Lord Month! Dar Vida spent the month on the beach in San Juan Del Sur. It was amazing to be have the oportunity to pour in to each other in so many ways. We spent all day every day with each other essentially. We did Bible studies, played and sang on the beach and in the streets. We did prayer walks and an all night vigil.
Memory for the month
I was challenged a lot that month. Most of my growth came from being pushed out of my comfort zone. I lead worship on the beach one night. I played the guitar and lead worship. It was an amazing experience to be in my favorite place (the beach) watching the sunset and praising God!
Panama
Team changes and Unsung Heroes/Ask the Lord. New team name: Echale Ganas.
This was our first month with new teams. It was great to get to know more people in new ways. Everything was new. New teams, team leaders, squad leaders, and Unsung Heroes.
Memory for the month
We got to hang out with an amazing family for 10 days. We got to work with them each day. We picked eggs, vegetables, seeded corn, and ground coffee! It was amazing to get to know this family and see how they are working to support other missionaries.
Colombia
Finally to South America! It’s like America but south! I had a wonderful time getting to know some nuggs (kids). We partnered with Inca link. The first half of the month we did morning and afternoon programs helping kids with their Bible lessons and homework. The second half of the month we played around and helped lead VBS. It was amazing to see all of the kids from around the area (around 70) coming each day.
Memory for the month
Saying hard goodbyes. We played, laughed, and had fun with the nuggets so much so that it hurt to say goodbye. Our last day of VBS was amazing. We played for about 2 hours after it ended. We cried and comforted the kids as we gave hug after hug after hug. It was wonderful to know how much they cared about us and how much we cared for them.
Ecuador
New teams and more Inka Link!
New Team name: Los Vengadores (The Avengers).
I was the only one to have partnered with Inka Link in a previous month. We met Mabe and Fabian. This amazing couple that spoiled us like interns. We lived at Casablanca (Inka Link) and partnered with Pan De Vida. They have a feeding program for families that cannot qualify or have been kicked off of government funding. They also have started having short term missions teams come in and build houses for some of the families that come to the feeding program. We built a house for half of the month and did soccer camp for the other.
Memory for the mornth
One of our last days of building the house, we were provided lunch by the family we were working with. Patrick also had a surprise for the men of the family. At the end of the day, Patrick gave away two of his luchador masks that he had. It left two of the men in tears as well as brought us all closer together.
Peru
Inka Link round 3! I went 3 for 3 and partnered with Inka Link in all three of the countries they work in. This month we partnered with all 6 of the ministries. The two I was most active in were the “orphanage” and Inka Thaki. The orphanage isn’t an orphanage, but two under privilege boys use it every day after school. They recieve a meal, a Bible lesson, and help with their homework. Inka Thaki was for boys in the area that their families were either in the gangs or were prone to be. There were about 14 guys all together. They did skateboarding (they need help with that btw. If you know any Christian skateboarders let me know). They also play floor hockey and have Bible lessons once a week.
Memory for the month
We hiked a lot! Probably over 12 miles that month. We also went sand boarding each time we hiked. It’s like snowboarding, but on sand and is less dangerous. Also, a few of us went to Machu Piichu.
Bolivia
We are partnering with a pastor and his church and family. We really have been investing in the family and helping around the church. It’s been fun to hang out with the kids and play Wii, as well as sand and paint the Sunday school rooms. We also went to the “jungle” (remote area of Southeast Bolivia) to visit Ravello, an old Bolivian fort 20 km from the Bolivian-Paraguayan boarder. After Manistry (Manly Ministry) down by the boarder, we will only be spending about 14 days working in Roboré. It’s sad to know that we will be spending such a short time working with and helping such wonderful people. We will be having an other Leadership Development Weekend this month which shortens the month by 4-5 days and we didn’t get to Roboré until the 5th. We also left for 4 days for Manistry. All in all, we lost about 14 days of working in Roboré, 10 of which were for travel and LDW.
Memory for the month
Being welcomed as if we were coming home from a long journey. It took us 10 hours driving on dirt and gravel roads to get to Ravello from Roboré. We were welcomed at the fort by 9 soldiers and their two commanders. They treated the 6 of us (Justin, Phil, Joey, Odel, Phil Jr., and myself) with great respect and with wonderful hospitality. They let us camp in the safety of the grounds and even guided us up a mountain for a 5 hour hike. It was amazing just how much they shared with us, as well as how much they listened to what we had to share about Christ and God. The Hurcules song, “I can go the distance” comes to mind. Hurcules sings, “I have often dreamed of a far off place, where a great warm welcome would be waiting for me.” It’s amazing to see how much God loves me and how he shows me by taking me 10 hours away from my ministry to give me gifts and the oportunity to share Him with others. We were extremely blessed by the soldiers at the fort. Wes also went into Paraguay to spend the night at a cattle ranch/farm. We witnessed to him and shared dinner with him. Overall, Manistry was amazing!
I’ll be home in about two months. It’s super weird to say that, read it, and believe it. I love y’all and miss y’all!
