Saturday morning - Costa Rica

I just received this email from Justine. Crazy stuff is going. Our team down in Puerto Viejo pulled some tourists from rough surf and saved their lives:

Hello,

It has been an interesting morning. Our team is doing great!

 We all were set to meet for breakfast at 8 am and off to the construction projects at 9 am.

"Man makes a plan, but God directs the steps."

"God put us here for such a time as this," says Kathy Edwards.

 An emergency response team was formed. Kathy, Marsha and Todd directly involved saved 3 lives. The rest of the team prayed. Early morning swimmers from the hotel next to us from San Jose had nearly drowned. Two victims walked away conscious. One victim unconscious was sent away on the ambulance after our team resuscitated him.

Pray for Diego. We are all processing through the events of this morning.

Please continue to pray for us and all that God has in store for us as a team. We are heading off to do construction projects at the skate park. This has been a witness to the hotel staff.

Sam Skielnik has connected the hotel we are staying at with wireless connection.

Justine

Source: Gmail - Saturday morning - Costa Rica

Calvary Chapel Jupiter Mission Trip to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Email from Justine in Costa Rica

 

Hello,

We had our final day of ESL (english as a second language class) at the school. Tonight we are having a movie night at the skate park ("Concrete Jungle"). We are anticipating students from the school to show up tonight. Some students will come out who have never been to the park before.

I am sitting here typing this e-mail on one of the skate ramps. I can't help but think about the fact that Justin Farris was here last summer building this place. There have been many kids who have come throughout this week to use these ramps.

Some of the things that we did in the ESL classes that were a success included vocabulary words, vocabulary bingo, and a vocabulary scavenger hunt throughout the town. Amanda Eastling shared her testimony with the students yesterday.

We also have worked on some construction projects. In the background I am listening to the sound of a drill. Today the storage container had a clean up make over. It is spic and span.

The team has done an amazing job throughout the week. We have worked hard. A few more days to go.

Please continue to pray for us.

Adios,
Justine

Update from Kenya

Ed provides his supporters with a weekly email. Ed is the best example of how a missioary communicates so that supporters genuinely feel like their prayers and finances are doing something significant in the mission field.

Dear Friends,

God is blessing the work in Githurai and we thank Him for it. A group of visitors CC Shoreline came to help us reach out to the community and give a children's ministry seminar. It was a blessed time of outreach and teaching capped of with a great time of worship at CIF's mid-week Bible study.

Please pray as Jim, our intern, begins a Bible study on Sunday afternoons at Calvary International Fellowship. God has been blessing the work, and our family, through this man and it was clear that a new study at the church would be good. At the same time please pray as we begin operation of a small library at CIF for people from the church and local pastors.

Please pray as we take a group of kids from Githurai to see doctors from Joni and Friends this week. God has provided for us to hire a van to pick everyone up and take them to the doctors that have traveled to Nairobi to minister to the handicapped. They have brought wheelchairs, walkers and other tools to minister to these people. Joni and Friends has had a large impact on the work in Githurai and we are blessed to have children with Cerebral Palsy and other handicaps in the church.

Finally, please continue to pray for security. Last week Jim and I walked through Mathare Valley and heard the stories of how the Mungiki have been killing so many people. It is horrible. Friday we woke up to learn of more killings. You can go to the BBC at  to learn more.

Thank you for praying and being part of what God is doing in Githurai, Mathare and Kibera.

Shalom! Ed

Bobby Michaels

There are guys that talk about doing it and then there are guys that go out and get it done. Bobby Michaels goes out and gets it done.

Bobby is an Inspirational Gospel Music recording artist. He's had a number of hits on gospel radio stations including "I Know the Plans" and "New Man". The record project these cuts come from was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2002.

He has worked with a number of artists that had airplay when I was growing up: B.J. Thomas, Freddie Fender, Linda Ronstadt and even Ol' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra.

Recently, Bobby spoke at a breakfast for our church's men's group. Bobby spoke of a conversation he had with Brother Andrew aka God's Smuggler. Brother Andrew asked him, "Bobby, what will be your legacy?"

Bobby began to list his entertainment accolades.

Brother Andrew said, "Those things are nice, but not eternal. What will survive when the elements of this earth are heated up and melted in the fires of God?"

Bobby: None of my gold records, awards, or music projects. Only the souls I've taken to Heaven with me.

Bobby believes the message of the Gospel. He talks and sings about it from his heart in places on this planet that missionaries and performers have little opportunity to go. He gives the message of Christ with the understanding that this may be his only shot. In Cuba, North Korea, Communist China, and war-torn Cambodia he's had an open door to give the message of Christ.

Bobby's life is an open challenge to musicians whose talent was given to them by God. "What will be your legacy?" Will you pursue only what enriches yourself? Or will you sow what God has given in His work?

I heard this home-spun bromide lately: "This guy was born on third base, but takes credit for hitting a triple." That's how many gifted people behave. They think they are self-made... as if one can make one's self.

Small Group Local Missions

Read about how this small group from a Palm Beach County church reached a local family in need here: (link)

Through one of our small group members we were introduced to a local family faced with serious health, financial and living circumstances. We were all shocked that our very own neighbors, surrounded by the wealth that Palm Beach County is known for, are forced to live in such appalling conditions while no one even notices. This family of a debilitated, bedridden grandfather, grandmother and three adopted grandchildren ages 15 and up has been dealt their share of hard times. Their home was badly beaten during Hurricanes Wilma and Frances and then they were taken advantage of by the roofers who ran out of town with their money, never even starting the job they were paid to do. Now they have plexiglass screwed into the window openings where the hurricanes blew out the jalousies, and pots and pans placed strategically throughout the house to catch the water leaks dripping through the ceiling when it rains. The kids tried to do what they could, but it's nowhere near sufficient.

read the rest of the post here: (link)

HT: Kushmama

SK8 Church in Puerto Viejo

The following is a re-post from Barrett Cruce in Costa Rica.

The team from SK8 Church (Steamboat Springs, CO) has been a great help this week and they have really connected with the local youth. One of the most interesting things has been getting to know many of the kids that are involved in that ministry. I would say that about half of the kids are not Christians, because this ministry is very much oriented toward reaching those that are not part of a traditional church. The ministry is led by Buck Chavarria and his wife Tara. The other leaders that are helping out are also Christians but many of the kids are not. Buck and Tara really feel called to reach out to these kids that come from such difficult backgrounds. They have even become the legal guardians of one of the girls that is on the trip.

Anyway, it has been awesome to see God working in the lives of these kids as they are completely surrounded by the love of God in action. Not only are they getting a chance to serve others, they are getting the straight truth about God's love and the good news of Jesus and his desire to have a relationship with them. Back home, these kids are surrounded by drugs and a variety of relgious options but here on this trip they are being surrounded by truth. I have also been really proud to see some of our local youth reaching out to build relationships with the kids from this team. It was a really big step yesterday for two of the local guys to take six or seven members of the team surfing. The local guys are often extremely shy when it comes to one on one interactions where they are the focus of attention so to see them step up to the plate and serve the members of this team was awesome.

It is a privilege to be here seeing lives being changed...both locals and visitors alike. God is really doing some incredible things...

Douglass Garage sale

Rob and Heidi Douglass are friends I made during missionary adventures to Sudan and Uganda. Rob is Missions Pastor at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace and director of Saving Grace World Missions. If you're in or near Orange County, stop in and donate and buy items. Heck, give them your stuff and then buy your junk back from them at exorbitant prices. C'mon. It's for the Gospel.

Tracy Family Heads to South America

Well today is the day!!!!!!!!

We leave tonight for the airport at 9pm. Our flight isn't till 1:35 in the morning. We will get to Lima Peru at 6:05 in the morning (which is 7:05 Florida time). It feels sort of weird because we've been saying goodbye for about 3 months. Very surreal. It's like being somewhere in between the twilight zone and la la land. We are getting excited. Hopefully we'll get some pictures up soon. Not sure what availability we'll have in Peru in the beginning. Well, bye for now!!!

Love you all!!!

Carepoints

I found this post over on Dan Ohlerking's blog. Dan Ohlerking is on staff at The Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Healing Place sets the benchmark for outreach both down the road and around the world. Dan Ohlerking always seems to be smack dab in the middle of the most radical ministry taking place.

Ok. I'm seriously adrenalized about this. I'm working on a trip to Swaziland this August with the express purpose of capturing the stories of some of the children and workers that are involved at the children's cup Carepoints in Swaziland.

We are calling the project "My Life." What we have realized over the past several months is just how many stories there are to be told and how little we've been able to really communicate those stories so far.

We are doing this project to give voice to the real-life, everyday human story of those who live in the world of an AIDS infection rate of 42%, extreme poverty, over-worn resiliency and downright impossible odds.

We're hoping to have a crew of three of us to go and spend time shooting video, interviewing kids, going to the places they live, learning what they call life. The My Life project will connect you in a fresh way to the real world of Africa.

We still need to raise about $8000 more by July 1st to make this project work. If you are able and willing to help, just send me an email here or give online here and be sure to designate your gift to "The My Life Project".

Thanks.

Email from Ed Compean

 I received the following email from missionary friend Ed Compean. He and his family live and work in Nairobi, Kenya.

Dear Friends,

Below is a quick update from Kelli, please pray. I called her and everything is okay, but we are evaluating safety on a day by day basis. Regardless, we are trusting in God second by second.

Blessings!
Ed

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Kelli Compean
Date: Jun 9, 2007 9:07 AM
Subject: news
To: Ed Compean

Hi Honey.
So, yesterday at 1pm two off duty police officers attempted to mug a man near Nakumatt, Thika. The people around attempted to lynch one of them and stoned the other to death. This is according to the Standard. Also, in the past week, the police have killed about 36 people in Maranga and Mathare. 11 police have been killed and I think around 8 people have been beheaded by Mungiki.

Rumors in Githurai are that the Mungiki are after 100 heads from Githurai 44-45. One headmaster of a school where Jim spoke told a harrowing story about 6 Mungiki thugs trying to get into his house to behead him if he had no money. He had none and in desperation cried out to God, who saved him and kept the thugs from entering.

Everyone is a bit unnerved. Jim took today and tomorrow to rest and stay home before he heads out again. I think if things don't settle down, he is planning to stay low until you return. In fact, he called me Friday to see if prayer meeting was still on. I said of course it is, we are not dead or under threat. Just a heads up for you.

We are fine. I am a little concerned just because of our proximatie to Michuki. He has been very outspoken against the Mungiki and the police have been very brutal. We have those guards stationed in the neighborhood day and night now. One stays right at the end of our drive during the day.

My other concern is for the church. Friday night's prayer meeting was a very somber event. The people are palpably afraid. I prayed Psalm 23 and reminded them that God does not give us a spirit of fear. I challenged them to look around at all the lost in their lives and neighborhoods and to reach out to them with the Gospel as time is short. We also prayed for a way to minister to our brothers and sisters in Mathare and I will talk to Paul about that tomorrow when he preaches.

Sorry to lay all this on you but thought you should know. Also, I am not sure of what the evac plan is but will look on the computer and review it just for my info. Don't want to be a frog caught in hot water. As of yet, there have been no warnings from the embassy. The village market has had an increase in car break ins, so there is a heavy security presence there as well as armed soldiers patrolling.

Life is interesting right now but we are fine and not too concerned, just cautious. We trust in the Lord most of all. I love you and miss you dearly.

Oh, one other comment that I thought you would be really happy about. According to Jim's Kenya guide book, there are three places in Nairobi no white man should go: Kibera, Mathare and Githurai. I thought you would be thrilled! Roger and Cathy sure were excited. God is awesome isn't he.

The other thing is that everyone in Githurai knows us as the wazungu in the blue Rav 4. That is how JJ describes his pastor and everyone just nods their head in acknowledgement that they have heard of us. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

I don't know but it is funny:)

Journaling

Keeping a Trip Journal

Journaling is an important way for you to process what you are learning about yourself, God and the world. This short--term mission trip will be forever embedded in your mind but you will begin to forget some important events, names and feelings. If you journal, you will find yourself returning to it for many years to come.

Though many people do journal during a short-term mission trip, now is really the time to begin. God uses all the steps in a journey to mold and shape us: the time of preparation as we deal with anxieties and excitements, the trip where so many new things are being experienced, and once we return as we process through all that happened. Make a commitment to start now; it will take some discipline, but it is guaranteed that you will be glad you did it.

Here are a few journaling tips:

• Write down impressions you have of your training, your team, and your culture. Was it as you expected? What did you learn?
• Write about special places, events, foods, etc. You will not have time to capture all details, but journal about those that stuck in your mind.
• Write about your relationship with God. What are you learning about Him? What are you learning in Scripture?
• Write about your relationship with others. How are you relating to your team? The nationals? Any special national or team friends?
• Write down what you are learning about yourself. Have you learned something new about yourself? Are you learning you have gifts and abilities you did not know about?
• Write your praises and prayer needs to God.

Adapted from "Help! We’re going on a short-term trip!" by CultureLINK, 1997.

Building a Support Team

Building a good support team can enhance your short-term mission trip experience. Even if you are not raising financial support to go on this mission trip, you still should spend time developing a group of people who can support you through prayer. The following are ideas to help you develop a good support team. Remember this is a plan for involving others in world missions, not simply to raise funds or prayer partners for yourself. Some of the people you ask to be a part of this trip may never have considered going on a short term mission trip, supporting a missionary or meeting the needs of missionaries serving long term. Their involvement in your mission trip may be the first step they take in being obedient to consider world missions.

• Prayerfully consider whom you will ask to be a part of your support team. Choose those that you have a relationship with and that would be willing to join your team.
• Communicate what your needs are--your prayer requests as you prepare to go, the prayer needs of the team, logistical needs you may have (borrowing luggage, a ride to the church, ministry items you may need to purchase), your travel itinerary and a list of prayer requests for while you are away.
• If possible, send them a postcard from the mission field sharing something that is happening and purchase a small gift for each.
• When you return home, send a thank you note to each of your supporters. Briefly share an experience that was significant and thank them for their part in sending you to the mission field.
• If you can, host an evening for your supports to come for dessert, to hear about your trip and to look at your photo album. This is a very personal way for them to see how God used them as part of world missions.

Adapted from "Help! We’re going on a short-term trip!" by CultureLINK, 1997

simplemindedpreacher

Nepalapaloosa

For those interested in reading and seeing about my trip to Nepal, click the following link

Nepalapaloosa 

May 31st, 2007
Categories: Missions . Author: simplemindedpreacher .

Source: simplemindedpreacher