Dear family and friends,
I have recently returned from a Youth in Mission trip to Ukraine, and it was a wonderful time of playing with children, leading and helping with Vacation Bible Schools, and otherwise seeing God’s hand at work in the lives of Ukrainians. Thank you for your financial and/or prayer support that enabled my team and I to participate in this; you have played a part in ministry to others around the world! This letter will give you an overview of the two months I spent in Ukraine and will introduce you to some of the people we met, though it is impossible to fit all the stories from that time into these few pages.
INTRODUCTION TO UKRAINE
Ukrainians have been influenced by three major events/societal structures: World War II, Communism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. Everyone in the Soviet Union lost somebody in the war, and nearly every village/town/city has a war memorial and an Orthodox church. Whenever we were in downtown Kyiv (the capital city) on weekends, we would usually see wedding parties walking or driving around to the various war memorials and churches for photos in honor of their family members who served in the war. Ukraine only recently became independent, and it is mind-boggling that people I met or passed in the streets have lived what I learned about in history classes.
During our first week in Kyiv, we met a Canadian girl about our age, Charly, who had been teaching churches how to use puppets in children’s ministry. It was wonderful getting to know her! Later that week, we joined her for a Puppetry Seminar at Kyiv First Church, which gave us skills and puppets to use throughout the rest of our time in Ukraine. We also met Irina (the children’s director) and Deena, who later joined us in Zaporozhe.
CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE IN UKRAINE
The work of the Church of the Nazarene began just after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, when a missionary couple returned to the country and began hosting home Bible studies. Their translator was Vova (Vladimir), who is now the pastor of Kyiv First Church.
I found that the passage of 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 about Christians being given the ministry of reconciliation really relates to how the church is working and growing in Ukraine. Currently there are a number of churches and drug/alcohol rehab centers throughout the country (mostly in the western part) and 2-3 children’s homes. We were also able to visit 2 men’s rehab centers, one women’s rehab center, 2 children’s homes, and a halfway house for men who have been released from prison.
We also helped transfer banana boxes of humanitarian aid from the Kyiv Ministry Center to a truck that would then transfer it to Vira in Chernovtsy. As you will soon read, we had worked with her and met some of the children who would receive that aid, so it was really neat to see the banana boxes travel full-circle and have a personal connection. Also, at our last location, there was a boy who wore t-shirts with names of small towns that are on my district. That gives me reason to think that I have truly seen the final destination of banana boxes from my district.
CHERNOVTSY
On our way to Chernovtsy, we met Vica (our translator/interpreter) and Tiffany (a volunteer in Ukraine), who traveled with us for the rest of our time in Ukraine. It was wonderful having them with us -- to learn from their experiences, have some companions , and have fun with them!
In Chernovtsy, we worked with Vira Kushnir, who is passionate about helping children with special needs and their families. She says, “Compassion is my lifestyle,” and challenged us by saying that compassion is more than simply feeling sorry for a cause or a person – it means DOING something about it!
We met Sveta, who is 30 years old and has Down’s Syndrome. We helped teach her how to tie her shoes, practicing by using toy shoes. We also organized boxes of toys, occupational therapy supplies, personal care items, and school supplies for Vira to distribute.
One of the highlights (for me) of our time in Ukraine was getting to know Katya and her mom and to encourage them. Katya is 18 and has cerebral palsy, and we went to her apartment twice to sing songs, talk to her, play with her (bubbles and “soccer”), and chat with her mom. Life is difficult for her mother, because in Ukraine, very little assistance is given to those with disabilities. Her husband left her a number of years ago, she is a single mom raising 2 children, and she devotes much of her time to caring for Katya. She says that it has been wonderful knowing Vira and joining her children’s clubs, so that she can meet others in a similar situation.
TULCHIN
In the town of Tulchin, we worked with Pastor Victor to host a backyard Vacation Bible School (VBS). For about 4 mornings, we would meet with around 4 children to play games, share a Bible story and lesson, sing some songs, and share a snack. In the evenings, we would simply play with Victor and Olga’s own twin boys after they returned from daycare.
Pastor Victor is one of many Nazarene pastors in Ukraine that has come out of the drug/alcohol culture. He is now sharing that same hope, love, and new life found in Christ with others in Tulchin. He and his wife also shared with us the story of the biggest miracle they’d witnessed: he and Olga were told they would never be able to have children, and now God has given them three young boys!
ZAPOROZHE
Our time in Zaporozhe was a time of really getting to know the kids in the community surrounding the church, and then helping to host a cowboy-themed VBS during our second week. The first week included simply being at the church in the mornings for any children that might stop by to play, and so Nadine and I played basketball, ran around, and played games with them, along with letting them show us tricks they could do. Since we also needed to prepare for the VBS, a number of the kids wanted to help us decorate and advertise, so we welcomed their help in creating a cardboard street front, wall decorations, and flyers.
I got to know 7 year old Vladik throughout the course of the week, as we played basketball. He, of course, would talk to me and I would have next to no idea what he was saying; likewise, I’m sure he had no idea what I was saying either. Once he figured out that my camera could record short videos, he would ask if I could record him jumping off of a small awning, or if he could record someone else saying or doing something. His younger sister Ivana also came to play at the church, and during the VBS I helped her make an origami flower.
For VBS, we were joined by youth teams from Kyiv and Vinnytsa, as well as another American girl named Ree. The Ukraine teams primarily lead the VBS, whether it was with songs, games, crafts, origami, or Bible studies with each age group. Our role at this time became one of support, filling in wherever someone was needed. As we walked to and from lunch and the games area, we were able to talk to some of the children who also enjoyed practicing their English.
The theme for this summer’s VBS was “God’s Love Changes Everything,” and it is my hope and prayer that what the children learned and saw that week will have an eternal impact on their hearts. I hope that Anya and Marina, two teenage girls who became Christians during that week, will continue to walk with Christ. I hope that Vladik and Ivana will continue attending church, and will find that the love shown there is actually Christ’s love for them.
GORODKIVKA
Our final destination was the small village of Gorodkivka, where we would help Pastor Oleg with a 3 day VBS. This was the first one that we had completely planned ourselves, so we used ideas that we had learned from the other teams at Zaporozhe. “A vot morye” (There’s a Sea, roughly translated) was a big hit with these kids, and we had spent a few hours learning the song ourselves. Roughly translated, the song is “There’s an eye, on the fish, on the pole, in the hand, of the fisherman, on the boat, on the sea of Galilee,” and its repetition helped us to sing most of the words instead of mumbling them like we had in Zaporozhe!
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
During our time in Ukraine, we experienced new foods, traveled on trains, and saw God’s hand of protection at work. God kept us safe as we traveled with a “maniac” driver—I call him that because he was driving far too fast in a thunderstorm for my comfort—to an overnight camp in Chernovtsy. God protected us from any more trouble as we returned from a wedding in Vapnyarka; we had run over some debris in the road that damaged our fuel and oil lines, and we had to sit on the side of the road in the middle of the night for two hours. We also saw God’s provision, as we worked with some wonderful people like Charly, the Kiev/Vinnytsa teams, and Pastor Andriy at Zaporozhe.
CLOSING
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and thank you once again for providing support this summer. It was a time of learning to trust God as well as seeing God’s hand at work within the country of Ukraine.
In Christ,
Jessica
Showing posts with label YIM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YIM. Show all posts
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
update #2 from Chernivtsi, Ukraine!
Hello from Chernivtsi/Chernovtsy/however you want to transliterate it, about 8 hours from Kyiv, Ukraine! We have been here for most of this week, having arrived by train on Wednesday morning.
Our week began with a visit to Vinnitsya (sp?), where we toured the House of James (children’s home) and men’s and women’s rehab centers. At House of James, you could see that the children were loved and cared for, and at the rehab centers, the leaders were helping others to escape a lifestyle of addiction and enter into a new life with Christ. It reminded me of the following verses from 2 Corinthians: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.” God is at work here, through the love and guidance of people. (PS The men’s rehab center we visited was featured in the NMI reading book, “Eight Steps from the Edge of Hell”.)
When we arrived in Chernivtsi, we met with Vera, who has been leading children’s clubs for folks with disabilities. She actually recently spent some time in the hospital, due to something stress-related, so keep her in your prayers as she tries to do a lot for these kids. “Compassion is my lifestyle,” and is not just about feeling sorry for someone—it involves taking action—she said as she told us her story, and she is passionate about helping children and families of children with special needs. She would love to be able to visit with each family, but she can only do so much.
We visited Katya, an 18 year old with cerebral palsy, and her mom on Thursday and Friday. We went outside for a little while and played catch and blew bubbles together, and also were able to have tea together. Nadine and I also “sang” a song with our puppets, to a song for kids from Hillsong. Katya’s mom said that life has been difficult, because society is unfamiliar with those with special needs and does not always provide support. She really enjoyed just being able to talk to someone—she is thankful for Vera’s presence in her life as well. I pray that they were encouraged by our presence, and that God will continue to work in their lives. When we visited Sveta (who has Down syndrome), we taught her how to tie shoes, and practiced with her. We also played catch, and gave her a pink hairbrush of her very own, so that she would begin to do some more things on her own. Please keep these families in your prayers, as well as the Ukraine society as a whole, so that these individuals will one day become integrated into society.
Last night we went to a local children’s camp, and watched their final evening service, with skits and songs performed by various groups. It was good to meet some of the kids (despite the language barrier) and youth, and we also did our puppet song again.
Our traveling companions have been Victoria and Tiffany, and it has been great having them along. Victoria, 15, is our translator, and Tiffany is a volunteer at the Vapnyarka Children’s Center. We have done a lot of walking during our time here, and also visited the Chernovtsy university.
Next week (Sunday evening) we will be traveling by train and then bus to Tulchin, and we will be working with Victor and Olga (we’re likely to be working with children). Pray for our safety while traveling, and for the families and church in Tulchin. I’ve appreciated your prayers and emails so far—keep them coming! :)
In Christ,
Jessica
Our week began with a visit to Vinnitsya (sp?), where we toured the House of James (children’s home) and men’s and women’s rehab centers. At House of James, you could see that the children were loved and cared for, and at the rehab centers, the leaders were helping others to escape a lifestyle of addiction and enter into a new life with Christ. It reminded me of the following verses from 2 Corinthians: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.” God is at work here, through the love and guidance of people. (PS The men’s rehab center we visited was featured in the NMI reading book, “Eight Steps from the Edge of Hell”.)
When we arrived in Chernivtsi, we met with Vera, who has been leading children’s clubs for folks with disabilities. She actually recently spent some time in the hospital, due to something stress-related, so keep her in your prayers as she tries to do a lot for these kids. “Compassion is my lifestyle,” and is not just about feeling sorry for someone—it involves taking action—she said as she told us her story, and she is passionate about helping children and families of children with special needs. She would love to be able to visit with each family, but she can only do so much.
We visited Katya, an 18 year old with cerebral palsy, and her mom on Thursday and Friday. We went outside for a little while and played catch and blew bubbles together, and also were able to have tea together. Nadine and I also “sang” a song with our puppets, to a song for kids from Hillsong. Katya’s mom said that life has been difficult, because society is unfamiliar with those with special needs and does not always provide support. She really enjoyed just being able to talk to someone—she is thankful for Vera’s presence in her life as well. I pray that they were encouraged by our presence, and that God will continue to work in their lives. When we visited Sveta (who has Down syndrome), we taught her how to tie shoes, and practiced with her. We also played catch, and gave her a pink hairbrush of her very own, so that she would begin to do some more things on her own. Please keep these families in your prayers, as well as the Ukraine society as a whole, so that these individuals will one day become integrated into society.
Last night we went to a local children’s camp, and watched their final evening service, with skits and songs performed by various groups. It was good to meet some of the kids (despite the language barrier) and youth, and we also did our puppet song again.
Our traveling companions have been Victoria and Tiffany, and it has been great having them along. Victoria, 15, is our translator, and Tiffany is a volunteer at the Vapnyarka Children’s Center. We have done a lot of walking during our time here, and also visited the Chernovtsy university.
Next week (Sunday evening) we will be traveling by train and then bus to Tulchin, and we will be working with Victor and Olga (we’re likely to be working with children). Pray for our safety while traveling, and for the families and church in Tulchin. I’ve appreciated your prayers and emails so far—keep them coming! :)
In Christ,
Jessica
Saturday, June 07, 2008
update #1 from Kiev, Ukraine
Hello from Kiev, Ukraine!
This week Nadine and I have been settling in and getting acclimated to life in the capital city of Ukraine. We have visited many "touristy" places and have tried the Ukrainian dishes of vareneeky (dumplings) and borsch (soup). Also, we have spent a good bit of time with Cliff and Heike, our site coordinator and his wife, and enjoyed their company. Charly, our friend from Canada, has taken us on public transportation and has been a great friend this first week here. One aspect of life here that is definitely not seen in the States is the use of sidewalks for parking and even driving--whatever it takes to find a space or get where they need to go! We have been doing a lot of walking and so it has become important to watch out for cars even on the sidewalks. :)
Charly is a children's ministries director from Canada, and she was here this week leading a seminar in basic puppetry skills for the folks at the church. This was great because we learned how to make simple puppets and how to use puppets, a skill that may come in handy later this summer. We have also been able to meet people from this church and a couple other local Nazarene churches. Tomorrow (Sunday) we will be presenting a short skit and song ("Big House") with our puppets for the kids here at the Kiev church during Sunday school.
Please be praying for us as next week (Monday) we leave for ten days to Chernovtsy. While there, we will be working with disabled children. Also, be praying for us as we work to learn the language. We have a few basic phrases down, but still have a long way to go!
Anyway, I hope you have a great day, and thanks for your prayers and support!
In Christ,
Jessica
This week Nadine and I have been settling in and getting acclimated to life in the capital city of Ukraine. We have visited many "touristy" places and have tried the Ukrainian dishes of vareneeky (dumplings) and borsch (soup). Also, we have spent a good bit of time with Cliff and Heike, our site coordinator and his wife, and enjoyed their company. Charly, our friend from Canada, has taken us on public transportation and has been a great friend this first week here. One aspect of life here that is definitely not seen in the States is the use of sidewalks for parking and even driving--whatever it takes to find a space or get where they need to go! We have been doing a lot of walking and so it has become important to watch out for cars even on the sidewalks. :)
Charly is a children's ministries director from Canada, and she was here this week leading a seminar in basic puppetry skills for the folks at the church. This was great because we learned how to make simple puppets and how to use puppets, a skill that may come in handy later this summer. We have also been able to meet people from this church and a couple other local Nazarene churches. Tomorrow (Sunday) we will be presenting a short skit and song ("Big House") with our puppets for the kids here at the Kiev church during Sunday school.
Please be praying for us as next week (Monday) we leave for ten days to Chernovtsy. While there, we will be working with disabled children. Also, be praying for us as we work to learn the language. We have a few basic phrases down, but still have a long way to go!
Anyway, I hope you have a great day, and thanks for your prayers and support!
In Christ,
Jessica
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
YIM fundraising update
I am now over the $3,000 hurdle!!! (I need to raise $3819.50, which includes my airfare to and from El Paso for Training/Reentry camps, as well as everything for the summer.)
As of last week, I had needed $999.50 more. Today $200 was added to my account, and apparently someone else is going to add $500 more (I think), and $200 is also going to come from my district NMI council. That means, assuming that it does end up being $500, I will only need $99.50 more!!!! That's not even counting anything from the senior class offering or speaking at Denton once I get home! YEAH!
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." (Psalm 28:7)
As of last week, I had needed $999.50 more. Today $200 was added to my account, and apparently someone else is going to add $500 more (I think), and $200 is also going to come from my district NMI council. That means, assuming that it does end up being $500, I will only need $99.50 more!!!! That's not even counting anything from the senior class offering or speaking at Denton once I get home! YEAH!
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." (Psalm 28:7)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Right now I am sitting in my room and I can hear a bird singing outside. Perhaps spring IS finally reaching the Boston area.
I was in Maryland Friday and Saturday for my district missions convention, and the weather was AMAZING! Sunny, upwards of 70 degrees, not much rain...and the grass was green and the trees were blossoming. It was also great to see friends from all places, whether they were teens that I've known from camp, people from my old church that I haven't seen in a good number of years, my own family, or missionaries that happen to know other people that I know.
I went to share some about my trip this summer to Ukraine, and that (at that time) I still needed to raise $2200. Bob (our missions president) gave me the chance to set up a display with photos/stories from last summer, as well as information about my trip this year and a place for people to leave contributions if they so desired.
Once I got back to ENC and started adding the checks along with what has already come in over the website, I saw that the balance was at $2,445, leaving me with only $1,355 to go! (That's not even counting the money from our YIM bake sale that I haven't deposited yet.) God is still providing! (Of course :). ) Next weekend I am going to Worcester, MA to share about last summer and also this summer, and the pastor at Denton, MD has asked me to come visit in May during their monthly missions luncheon. Man. It's like I'm on deputation/home assignment or something. :P
I was in Maryland Friday and Saturday for my district missions convention, and the weather was AMAZING! Sunny, upwards of 70 degrees, not much rain...and the grass was green and the trees were blossoming. It was also great to see friends from all places, whether they were teens that I've known from camp, people from my old church that I haven't seen in a good number of years, my own family, or missionaries that happen to know other people that I know.
I went to share some about my trip this summer to Ukraine, and that (at that time) I still needed to raise $2200. Bob (our missions president) gave me the chance to set up a display with photos/stories from last summer, as well as information about my trip this year and a place for people to leave contributions if they so desired.
Once I got back to ENC and started adding the checks along with what has already come in over the website, I saw that the balance was at $2,445, leaving me with only $1,355 to go! (That's not even counting the money from our YIM bake sale that I haven't deposited yet.) God is still providing! (Of course :). ) Next weekend I am going to Worcester, MA to share about last summer and also this summer, and the pastor at Denton, MD has asked me to come visit in May during their monthly missions luncheon. Man. It's like I'm on deputation/home assignment or something. :P
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
God's provision
I just want to take a couple minutes and talk about how God's providing for my trip, in some somewhat-unexpected ways.
Last year, besides doing letters, I shared at my home church during the service, and also was invited to set up a display at district NMI convention and share during that. Also, my college church allocated a portion of their Faith Promise funds to another ENC YIM student and myself.
This year, I knew I had to trust God to provide for my trip. There was otherwise no way I could afford the trip along with gas money, car insurance payments, and a cell phone bill each month. So it became a matter of knowing that I was somehow going to go on this trip, but it was going to be totally God providing. I've sent out many letters, and a few emails, so now it's up to God.
Well, within the past couple weeks, I've definitely seen God providing, even if they are small bits at a time. (Hey, however God provides, that's fine with me!) A few people who I weren't expecting to contribute did, especially when I called one up specifically one day.
I hadn't thought that I'd be able to go to my NMI convention (being as I hadn't heard anything), but ran into my district president today quite by surprise. After talking with him for a little bit, we determined that I could do something similar this year--setting up a display and then sharing in front of everyone--because I had a way down there (and yes, I'd only miss one day of class, but whatever).
Then, tonight, was something really neat. I went over to Wolly to see one of my quizzers and get something from her (turned out to be a box of Thin Mints--yum!), and stopped to talk to a few other people. A woman that I have become acquainted with came up to me and asked, "How do you plan on financing your trip?" I told her, "Well, I hope that people will help me out." She replied, "My husband and I would like to contribute/help." They gave me $200!!!
Of the $3800 that my trip costs (that figure includes my airfare to and from Training and Reentry camps), God has provided--through the help of my friends--$485!! Yeah!
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)....Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
(In the Message translation....) Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
Last year, besides doing letters, I shared at my home church during the service, and also was invited to set up a display at district NMI convention and share during that. Also, my college church allocated a portion of their Faith Promise funds to another ENC YIM student and myself.
This year, I knew I had to trust God to provide for my trip. There was otherwise no way I could afford the trip along with gas money, car insurance payments, and a cell phone bill each month. So it became a matter of knowing that I was somehow going to go on this trip, but it was going to be totally God providing. I've sent out many letters, and a few emails, so now it's up to God.
Well, within the past couple weeks, I've definitely seen God providing, even if they are small bits at a time. (Hey, however God provides, that's fine with me!) A few people who I weren't expecting to contribute did, especially when I called one up specifically one day.
I hadn't thought that I'd be able to go to my NMI convention (being as I hadn't heard anything), but ran into my district president today quite by surprise. After talking with him for a little bit, we determined that I could do something similar this year--setting up a display and then sharing in front of everyone--because I had a way down there (and yes, I'd only miss one day of class, but whatever).
Then, tonight, was something really neat. I went over to Wolly to see one of my quizzers and get something from her (turned out to be a box of Thin Mints--yum!), and stopped to talk to a few other people. A woman that I have become acquainted with came up to me and asked, "How do you plan on financing your trip?" I told her, "Well, I hope that people will help me out." She replied, "My husband and I would like to contribute/help." They gave me $200!!!
Of the $3800 that my trip costs (that figure includes my airfare to and from Training and Reentry camps), God has provided--through the help of my friends--$485!! Yeah!
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)....Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
(In the Message translation....) Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
How time flies...
Four years ago, I returned from a trip to Nicaragua.
Three years ago, I was a senior in high school.
Two years ago, I was on my way to Belize and Guatemala.
One year ago, I was taking a J-term course called Human Exceptionalities, for working with special needs students.
Six months ago, I was in Mexico (this was the day Joel brought Angela back to us, we cleaned some of the Sunday School rooms, and we went door to door to evangelize!).
Six months from now, I will be somewhere in the Ukraine. Wow!
One year from now, I will begin my time as a student teacher somewhere in Quincy, MA.
Three years ago, I was a senior in high school.
Two years ago, I was on my way to Belize and Guatemala.
One year ago, I was taking a J-term course called Human Exceptionalities, for working with special needs students.
Six months ago, I was in Mexico (this was the day Joel brought Angela back to us, we cleaned some of the Sunday School rooms, and we went door to door to evangelize!).
Six months from now, I will be somewhere in the Ukraine. Wow!
One year from now, I will begin my time as a student teacher somewhere in Quincy, MA.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
whatever, God.
You know, I must say I needed that reminder tonight....
Every week, on Wednesday nights, I try to go to Wolly's youth group, where a number of my quizzers are. It lets me see them again, and see how they interact with the others in the group, and see what they are being taught.
Tonight, I debated about going. You know, homework, studying for an exam, and just plain relaxing in my room for an hour and a half. Not to mention, I feel like I just sit there and don't make any major contributions to the group. With that in mind, why go? Will it make a difference to those teens if I go? Wouldn't I have the same effect on them if I just stayed in my room?
I chose to go. When I got there, they were playing Birds on a Perch, so I sat next to Michelle and watched the game (quite entertaining sometimes). We then watched Rich, a Nooma video, and discussed our wealth and blessedness, and how we are saved to bless others. It's not just about us holding onto our wealth (we truly are rich compared to the rest of the world. remember the YIM training camp poverty meal), but about us using what we have to bless others.
Ally shared a story about a missions trip she took to Orlando. The first day she was there, she tore her ACL (?) and could not participate in any of the projects. She was rather disgruntled that she had come all that way to make a difference, but had to lay in bed all day. (She did try to help out, but that just made the problem worse.) When she returned home, she got an email from one of the maintenence guys at the elementary school where her team helped. He told her she had been an "angel" and had just encouraged him (and probably a number of others) through her words, because that's what she had to offer.
It reminded me of this summer. We handed out flyers, we invited people to church, we invited kids to play basketball, we hung out with kids at the parks. Did we always see results right away? Not always, but sometimes, yes. Did we get frustrated, and not feel like doing whatever it was again? Yes.
But did God still use us? Yes. He encouraged the pastors. He gave us great friends in Mexico and El Paso. He brought kids in contact with the churches. He used us to encourage the congregations in music (whether we were singing Battle Hymn of the Republic or Tu Eres Mi Respirar), in our service (painting a Sunday School room), or in just hanging out with our friends in the youth group who will be the future leaders.
I may not teach in Wolly's youth group. I may not lead games. I may not be remembered by half the kids. But for the kids that I have met (Corrine, Wes, Abi, and my quizzers)--well, I just hope that God will use me however He wants, and I will remain available in whatever way. Whether that means I actually connect with the teens this year in a substantial way, or whether I teach the college age Sunday School class, or whether I can chaperone for a one day kids' missions event--whatever it is God has for me, I want to do, and not to have things my own way. "But, God! I really wanted to do this kids' missions event! And I have to travel HOME!?! WHY!?! This is a one-time thing.......I'm glad I went home."
I made a list, wrote down from A to Z
All the ways I thought that You could best use me
Told all my strengths and my abilities
I formed a plan it seemed to make good sense
I laid it out for You so sure You'd be convinced
I made my case, presented my defense
But then I read the letter that You sent me
It said that all You really want from me is just
Whatever, whatever You say
Whatever, I will obey
Whatever, Lord, have Your way
'Cause You are my God, whatever
So strike a match, set fire to the list
Of all my good intentions, all my preconceived ideas
I want to do Your will no matter what it is
Give me faith to follow where You lead me
Oh, Lord, give me the courage and the strength to do
(chorus)
I am not my own
I am Yours and Yours alone
You have bought me with Your blood
Lord, to You and You alone do I belong
And so whatever
(Steven Curtis Chapman, "Whatever")
Every week, on Wednesday nights, I try to go to Wolly's youth group, where a number of my quizzers are. It lets me see them again, and see how they interact with the others in the group, and see what they are being taught.
Tonight, I debated about going. You know, homework, studying for an exam, and just plain relaxing in my room for an hour and a half. Not to mention, I feel like I just sit there and don't make any major contributions to the group. With that in mind, why go? Will it make a difference to those teens if I go? Wouldn't I have the same effect on them if I just stayed in my room?
I chose to go. When I got there, they were playing Birds on a Perch, so I sat next to Michelle and watched the game (quite entertaining sometimes). We then watched Rich, a Nooma video, and discussed our wealth and blessedness, and how we are saved to bless others. It's not just about us holding onto our wealth (we truly are rich compared to the rest of the world. remember the YIM training camp poverty meal), but about us using what we have to bless others.
Ally shared a story about a missions trip she took to Orlando. The first day she was there, she tore her ACL (?) and could not participate in any of the projects. She was rather disgruntled that she had come all that way to make a difference, but had to lay in bed all day. (She did try to help out, but that just made the problem worse.) When she returned home, she got an email from one of the maintenence guys at the elementary school where her team helped. He told her she had been an "angel" and had just encouraged him (and probably a number of others) through her words, because that's what she had to offer.
It reminded me of this summer. We handed out flyers, we invited people to church, we invited kids to play basketball, we hung out with kids at the parks. Did we always see results right away? Not always, but sometimes, yes. Did we get frustrated, and not feel like doing whatever it was again? Yes.
But did God still use us? Yes. He encouraged the pastors. He gave us great friends in Mexico and El Paso. He brought kids in contact with the churches. He used us to encourage the congregations in music (whether we were singing Battle Hymn of the Republic or Tu Eres Mi Respirar), in our service (painting a Sunday School room), or in just hanging out with our friends in the youth group who will be the future leaders.
I may not teach in Wolly's youth group. I may not lead games. I may not be remembered by half the kids. But for the kids that I have met (Corrine, Wes, Abi, and my quizzers)--well, I just hope that God will use me however He wants, and I will remain available in whatever way. Whether that means I actually connect with the teens this year in a substantial way, or whether I teach the college age Sunday School class, or whether I can chaperone for a one day kids' missions event--whatever it is God has for me, I want to do, and not to have things my own way. "But, God! I really wanted to do this kids' missions event! And I have to travel HOME!?! WHY!?! This is a one-time thing.......I'm glad I went home."
I made a list, wrote down from A to Z
All the ways I thought that You could best use me
Told all my strengths and my abilities
I formed a plan it seemed to make good sense
I laid it out for You so sure You'd be convinced
I made my case, presented my defense
But then I read the letter that You sent me
It said that all You really want from me is just
Whatever, whatever You say
Whatever, I will obey
Whatever, Lord, have Your way
'Cause You are my God, whatever
So strike a match, set fire to the list
Of all my good intentions, all my preconceived ideas
I want to do Your will no matter what it is
Give me faith to follow where You lead me
Oh, Lord, give me the courage and the strength to do
(chorus)
I am not my own
I am Yours and Yours alone
You have bought me with Your blood
Lord, to You and You alone do I belong
And so whatever
(Steven Curtis Chapman, "Whatever")
Sunday, August 19, 2007
church notes (and then a tangent about church and YIM)
Things that are in []'s are what I thought about as I listened, and if you have any thoughts on what was said, feel free to post them.
*Note: Later I go into a tangent about YIM, and door-to-do0r evangelism.
*Note: Later I go into a tangent about YIM, and door-to-do0r evangelism.
8/19/07
doctrine: eschatology
what happens after death for Christian?
New Testament teaches soul goes to heaven right away
Luke 23:42-43
Philippians 1:21-24
2 Cor 5:6-8
Acts 7:59-60
new body:
1 Cor 15:35-44
1 Thess 4:13-17
We do not long for immortality.
Longing of hearts is resurrection--there's a difference.
[The way I see it, immortality means you just keep on living, uninterrupted. Resurrection is you get rid of your earthly body first--by dying--and then get a new one, and then continue living.]
Matthew 22:31-33--Abraham, Isaac, Jacob were living
Hades=realm of the dead (Greek, generic term)
"intermediate state" [not to be confused with purgatory]
gehenna=full realm of torment
[seems that gehenna is just a more specific part of Hades. And if your version of the Bible says hell, then that's not necessarily close to the original. I sure hope what I just said is correct.]
Jesus descended into Hades--but thief was also with him that day in paradise
[if Revelation is Jewish literature of the oppressed (like African American spirituals), and should not be taken literally, but rather symbolically in this genre, what about chapter 20 and onward? How should we interpret the passages about a new heaven and a new earth? Should those be interpreted within that genre as well, and not as they've been commonly interpreted?]
It won't say, "Joe Doe, Nazarene or Baptist." It'll say "Joe Doe, Christian, believer" [emphasizing cognitive action, rather than "Follower of Christ"? I don't know. but that IS Biblical, so I'll leave that alone.]
[my thoughts about hell are the following: I know that I am going to be with Jesus, so details are not really my concern. Why bother trying to figure out what hell will be like, since I don't plan on going there? I don't agree with scaring people into Jesus's arms, or having "fire insurance". But whatever/wherever it is, my thoughts are that it's a place of suffering apart from God's love, apart from God's plan, apart from the Kingdom of God. I don't know that I could explain those concepts, or what they would be like, exactly, because it would probably take a while.]
Where was Jesus between His death and resurrection? He was in paradise, in the abode of God.
1 Peter 3:18-20: Pastor focused on the mention of baptism in here.
[Water seems to, so I hear, represent chaos in Scripture. "And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Then God brought order of the chaos (doesn't matter if you believe evolution was the mechanism, or seven-day creation. It was God. Somehow). Noah and his family were delivered from the chaos of the waters/sin in the world that had caused chaos and disrupted God's movements by an ark that was above the waters. Jonah was swallowed by a large fish/whale/something that rescued him from the water, from drowning. But this water could also represent the chaos that his life was going to be if he kept running away from that which God had called him. Jesus walked on the water, and calmed the storm. He had dominion over water, over the chaos that is in our lives.]
Revelation is battle between Heaven and hell, and God wins.
[there is a theme of hope within it. even if you take it as literature of the oppressed.]
life in the intermediate state
it's in the spirit, may be given a body
2 Cor 5:1-4 ["not built by human hands"--probably not built with human materials, either]
Greek thought: Spirit
Hebrew thought: Body
Luke 9:28-32 (Transfiguration)
[how in the world did they recognize them without any record of their appearance?!?! guess it's a matter of recognizing their spirit, their essence (and I'm trying to say that without getting into any connotation of new-age stuff)]
[what does this stuff really mean for us right now?]
in prayer: "Thank you that we'll be going to heaven...." [something like that. But what does this mean for us reaching out to others, how do we put this into action? I refuse to accept simply that Christians go to heaven, everybody else goes to hell. What do we do, Rev. McDonald? What is our responsibility in the world, with this in mind? I am not asking because I don't know, I am asking because I want to hear from you.]
[One of my beefs with these sermons/studies is that I end up frustrated during the sermons. Here's what I wrote this morning:
"What does this mean for my life? How does it tell me to live in this world? How does it help me to love God and love others? This doesn't seem to beteaching Scripture. {and by that, I mean, he doesn't necessarily continue going back to Scripture thru his sermon. Today it was on "Who are the heroes and models in your life?", and he simply talked about those in his life. What the heck.} How does it teach me to grow closer to Christ?"
I refuse to leave the church on the basis of these sermons that I don't like (don't get me wrong, they are put together well and are interesting to listen to. The trouble is what I just wrote a few sentences ago, that is how I feel a lot. I probably should talk to him). I am committed to this church, I am a member, and I want to do as much as I can while I'm home to help out and encourage. This is reminding me of this summer. Cuz right now, I want to get in some sort of leadership position, so I can *really* change something, and have authority. But see, the thing is, I am home for maybe 10-15 weekends out of the year {in 2007, I'll have been in MD 11 Sundays}, and cannot establish myself for such a short time. And I think that I am not doing much. But I guess my going on a YIM trip can be encouraging to people.]
Some more of a tangent....
I can also speak out more, and get involved where possible, and encourage others to reach out. We talked about evangelism in Sunday School, and how one person we know is very bold in handing out copies of the Bible. Being bold enough to be willing to hand out Scripture like that, especially in our culture, is a big thing. But my style is definitely to be more personal, build a relationship.
If I go back to Juarez, and am asked to do door to door evangelism, I will maybe say something along the following lines, "I do not speak much Spanish, but I will try and talk to others. I will try, and do it as if I am doing it for Jesus." I probably won't be able to understand what the people are saying to me--but before heading out, I could pray for understanding, and when I meet the people, to ask them to speak slowly and clearly for me. And you know, God just might answer that request. I'm willing to give it a try. I want to ask them their names, and how many kids they have, and what they do for work, and THAT'S building a relationship. Easy questions. AND I can share about myself (ok, but not in a vain way. you know.)!
I'm ready to have another try. I'll try it.
I'm not sure if I was just writing that about door to door evangelism en espanol, or if I was writing it about doing YIM again. Cuz I am considering it for next summer. I know that if I return to El Paso, I will have both familiar and new faces. The sad/cool thing is that I will see familiar places, and laugh at memories, and remember fondly my times there.
If God wants me to do YIM again, I'll do it. I'm open to whatever He's got for me.
I need to write to Gedeon. He gave us his address, and I don't want to leave him hanging.
I'm really glad I got one of these reflection things out. I've been thinking I needed to write something out, and tada! here it is. I think that's all for now. Kbye.
Jesus descended into Hades--but thief was also with him that day in paradise
[if Revelation is Jewish literature of the oppressed (like African American spirituals), and should not be taken literally, but rather symbolically in this genre, what about chapter 20 and onward? How should we interpret the passages about a new heaven and a new earth? Should those be interpreted within that genre as well, and not as they've been commonly interpreted?]
It won't say, "Joe Doe, Nazarene or Baptist." It'll say "Joe Doe, Christian, believer" [emphasizing cognitive action, rather than "Follower of Christ"? I don't know. but that IS Biblical, so I'll leave that alone.]
[my thoughts about hell are the following: I know that I am going to be with Jesus, so details are not really my concern. Why bother trying to figure out what hell will be like, since I don't plan on going there? I don't agree with scaring people into Jesus's arms, or having "fire insurance". But whatever/wherever it is, my thoughts are that it's a place of suffering apart from God's love, apart from God's plan, apart from the Kingdom of God. I don't know that I could explain those concepts, or what they would be like, exactly, because it would probably take a while.]
Where was Jesus between His death and resurrection? He was in paradise, in the abode of God.
1 Peter 3:18-20: Pastor focused on the mention of baptism in here.
[Water seems to, so I hear, represent chaos in Scripture. "And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Then God brought order of the chaos (doesn't matter if you believe evolution was the mechanism, or seven-day creation. It was God. Somehow). Noah and his family were delivered from the chaos of the waters/sin in the world that had caused chaos and disrupted God's movements by an ark that was above the waters. Jonah was swallowed by a large fish/whale/something that rescued him from the water, from drowning. But this water could also represent the chaos that his life was going to be if he kept running away from that which God had called him. Jesus walked on the water, and calmed the storm. He had dominion over water, over the chaos that is in our lives.]
Revelation is battle between Heaven and hell, and God wins.
[there is a theme of hope within it. even if you take it as literature of the oppressed.]
life in the intermediate state
it's in the spirit, may be given a body
2 Cor 5:1-4 ["not built by human hands"--probably not built with human materials, either]
Greek thought: Spirit
Hebrew thought: Body
Luke 9:28-32 (Transfiguration)
[how in the world did they recognize them without any record of their appearance?!?! guess it's a matter of recognizing their spirit, their essence (and I'm trying to say that without getting into any connotation of new-age stuff)]
[what does this stuff really mean for us right now?]
in prayer: "Thank you that we'll be going to heaven...." [something like that. But what does this mean for us reaching out to others, how do we put this into action? I refuse to accept simply that Christians go to heaven, everybody else goes to hell. What do we do, Rev. McDonald? What is our responsibility in the world, with this in mind? I am not asking because I don't know, I am asking because I want to hear from you.]
[One of my beefs with these sermons/studies is that I end up frustrated during the sermons. Here's what I wrote this morning:
"What does this mean for my life? How does it tell me to live in this world? How does it help me to love God and love others? This doesn't seem to beteaching Scripture. {and by that, I mean, he doesn't necessarily continue going back to Scripture thru his sermon. Today it was on "Who are the heroes and models in your life?", and he simply talked about those in his life. What the heck.} How does it teach me to grow closer to Christ?"
I refuse to leave the church on the basis of these sermons that I don't like (don't get me wrong, they are put together well and are interesting to listen to. The trouble is what I just wrote a few sentences ago, that is how I feel a lot. I probably should talk to him). I am committed to this church, I am a member, and I want to do as much as I can while I'm home to help out and encourage. This is reminding me of this summer. Cuz right now, I want to get in some sort of leadership position, so I can *really* change something, and have authority. But see, the thing is, I am home for maybe 10-15 weekends out of the year {in 2007, I'll have been in MD 11 Sundays}, and cannot establish myself for such a short time. And I think that I am not doing much. But I guess my going on a YIM trip can be encouraging to people.]
Some more of a tangent....
I can also speak out more, and get involved where possible, and encourage others to reach out. We talked about evangelism in Sunday School, and how one person we know is very bold in handing out copies of the Bible. Being bold enough to be willing to hand out Scripture like that, especially in our culture, is a big thing. But my style is definitely to be more personal, build a relationship.
If I go back to Juarez, and am asked to do door to door evangelism, I will maybe say something along the following lines, "I do not speak much Spanish, but I will try and talk to others. I will try, and do it as if I am doing it for Jesus." I probably won't be able to understand what the people are saying to me--but before heading out, I could pray for understanding, and when I meet the people, to ask them to speak slowly and clearly for me. And you know, God just might answer that request. I'm willing to give it a try. I want to ask them their names, and how many kids they have, and what they do for work, and THAT'S building a relationship. Easy questions. AND I can share about myself (ok, but not in a vain way. you know.)!
I'm ready to have another try. I'll try it.
I'm not sure if I was just writing that about door to door evangelism en espanol, or if I was writing it about doing YIM again. Cuz I am considering it for next summer. I know that if I return to El Paso, I will have both familiar and new faces. The sad/cool thing is that I will see familiar places, and laugh at memories, and remember fondly my times there.
If God wants me to do YIM again, I'll do it. I'm open to whatever He's got for me.
I need to write to Gedeon. He gave us his address, and I don't want to leave him hanging.
I'm really glad I got one of these reflection things out. I've been thinking I needed to write something out, and tada! here it is. I think that's all for now. Kbye.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
one last YIM post
Hello all,
Today is our last full day in El Paso. We are going to a local water park (which is actually on the border with New Mexico) with some of the youth from First church, some of the Tooley and Carney families, our friend Fabiola and her family from Juarez, and our friend Luis from Juarez.
VBS at Trinity Church went well. We had maybe 10 kids altogether, and I usually had 4 in my 7 and up age group. The first night I only had Allison and Krystal, and Krystal didn't want to do the motions for the songs. I tried to get her to do them, but she refused, so I relented as long as she sang. The next night, she was doing the motions. :D
Wednesday we volunteered at the Rescue Mission again, and it was nice to see familiar faces again, and to say hi to people that we remembered.
Thursday during the day we went to the Juarez Market with the Tooley family to buy souvenirs. As we drove around and I looked out the window, I tried to take it all in again. I'll definitely miss being there (I already do), even though being there was tough at times.
Friday morning we went to the little El Paso Zoo with the Tooleys and Sanchez family. That evening was our last night of VBS at Trinity, and boy were those kids wired.
On Saturday we spent some time with Pastor Charlie and his daughter Lanee, and Stephanie from Trinity Church. In the afternoon we went to Norlyn and Bobbie Brough's house. Norlyn and Bobbie had actually been missionaries in Nicaragua and Mexico too I think.
In the evening we went to the church softball games. Rachel and Angela played on the women's team, and scored two runs altogether. It was fun to watch the games and talk to our friends, since we hadn't been to any of their softball games. Betty told Rachel and Angela that we weren't leaving, that we had to stay and play softball (the
team isn't the greatest but they have fun). Afterwards, we went out to IHOP with Sara, Daniela, Esmeralda, and 3 of Esme's friends from school.
Sunday we attended service at Trinity Church. It had maybe 20 people there, including ourselves. There was a family of 3 there, and the daughter had been at VBS. I hear that her parents had been looking for someplace to go to church, and if that's the case, that's really cool that they came on Sunday. In the evening, we had the VBS closing, including the kids singing the songs, a brinca-brinca (moon bounce), facepainting, balloon animal-making, and food. When Barb (Charlie's wife) presented all the leaders with thank-you gifts, she said that we had really been a blessing and encouragement to them.
That evening the Tooley family presented our team with gifts, including sombreros for each of us. We have no choice but to wear them during our flights to Kansas City and home, because there's no way we can pack them. :D
Monday we went with Pastor Fred to the New Mexico district campground, Bonita Park. It is located near Ruidoso, NM, about 2 hours north of El Paso. It was awesome up there...we hiked, went swimming, and walked around the campground a bit. It was a lot different climate-wise from El Paso; I'd say it was 80 something degrees out,
and there were lots of pine trees, and we were in the mountains more. Pastor Fred took us to Bonito Lake, just around the corner, so we walked around there, took pictures, skipped rocks, and climbed on some of the rocks.
Tuesday Norlyn and Bobbie Brough took us to White Sands, NM, and the sand dunes that are there. We had a great time with them, sledding down the dunes and sometimes attempting to surf down them. At times it reminded me of the time I went sledding in Maine. :)
I will definitely miss being here, as these people and this place have become my home for the past two months. We have felt very welcome, and have felt the "Mi casa es su casa" hospitality.
Thank you again for your prayers and support. This trip was great, and slowly but surely I will process all that it has meant for me. :)
Today is our last full day in El Paso. We are going to a local water park (which is actually on the border with New Mexico) with some of the youth from First church, some of the Tooley and Carney families, our friend Fabiola and her family from Juarez, and our friend Luis from Juarez.
VBS at Trinity Church went well. We had maybe 10 kids altogether, and I usually had 4 in my 7 and up age group. The first night I only had Allison and Krystal, and Krystal didn't want to do the motions for the songs. I tried to get her to do them, but she refused, so I relented as long as she sang. The next night, she was doing the motions. :D
Wednesday we volunteered at the Rescue Mission again, and it was nice to see familiar faces again, and to say hi to people that we remembered.
Thursday during the day we went to the Juarez Market with the Tooley family to buy souvenirs. As we drove around and I looked out the window, I tried to take it all in again. I'll definitely miss being there (I already do), even though being there was tough at times.
Friday morning we went to the little El Paso Zoo with the Tooleys and Sanchez family. That evening was our last night of VBS at Trinity, and boy were those kids wired.
On Saturday we spent some time with Pastor Charlie and his daughter Lanee, and Stephanie from Trinity Church. In the afternoon we went to Norlyn and Bobbie Brough's house. Norlyn and Bobbie had actually been missionaries in Nicaragua and Mexico too I think.
In the evening we went to the church softball games. Rachel and Angela played on the women's team, and scored two runs altogether. It was fun to watch the games and talk to our friends, since we hadn't been to any of their softball games. Betty told Rachel and Angela that we weren't leaving, that we had to stay and play softball (the
team isn't the greatest but they have fun). Afterwards, we went out to IHOP with Sara, Daniela, Esmeralda, and 3 of Esme's friends from school.
Sunday we attended service at Trinity Church. It had maybe 20 people there, including ourselves. There was a family of 3 there, and the daughter had been at VBS. I hear that her parents had been looking for someplace to go to church, and if that's the case, that's really cool that they came on Sunday. In the evening, we had the VBS closing, including the kids singing the songs, a brinca-brinca (moon bounce), facepainting, balloon animal-making, and food. When Barb (Charlie's wife) presented all the leaders with thank-you gifts, she said that we had really been a blessing and encouragement to them.
That evening the Tooley family presented our team with gifts, including sombreros for each of us. We have no choice but to wear them during our flights to Kansas City and home, because there's no way we can pack them. :D
Monday we went with Pastor Fred to the New Mexico district campground, Bonita Park. It is located near Ruidoso, NM, about 2 hours north of El Paso. It was awesome up there...we hiked, went swimming, and walked around the campground a bit. It was a lot different climate-wise from El Paso; I'd say it was 80 something degrees out,
and there were lots of pine trees, and we were in the mountains more. Pastor Fred took us to Bonito Lake, just around the corner, so we walked around there, took pictures, skipped rocks, and climbed on some of the rocks.
Tuesday Norlyn and Bobbie Brough took us to White Sands, NM, and the sand dunes that are there. We had a great time with them, sledding down the dunes and sometimes attempting to surf down them. At times it reminded me of the time I went sledding in Maine. :)
I will definitely miss being here, as these people and this place have become my home for the past two months. We have felt very welcome, and have felt the "Mi casa es su casa" hospitality.
Thank you again for your prayers and support. This trip was great, and slowly but surely I will process all that it has meant for me. :)
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
VBS frenzy!
Hi all,
***this part typed July 15***
We have just finished a week of Tumbleweed Gulch Vacation Bible School at El Paso First, and this coming week we'll be doing the same theme at Trinity Church on the westside.
I worked as a "crew leader" for posse #3, grades 3-5, and led them to each of the stations every night. This was one of the larger groups, as we usually had upwards of 11 kids each night. I had two helpers from the church with me to help with crowd control. :) I remembered the first night how fun that age group is, since I had worked with that group at kids' camp for two summers. It reminded me of why I
became an Education major. :) Rachel led crafts, Angela led games, and Brandi worked with the 1st/2nd graders.
Thursday night was the toughest I think, because we had changed around the routine to allow more time for practicing the songs. This of course confused the kids (as well as the leaders!), and it was just one hectic night. However, more of my kids were actually doing the motions to the songs that night--I wasn't continually asking someone to do the motions or not mess around.
On Friday we had a special time to present to the families, where the kids sang their songs, said their verses, and had their crafts displayed. We also had food for them and facepainting and balloon animals.
We had a total of 58 kids last week (not all at the same time), and 35 helpers, Melissa said. This is a switch from when we had started with only 6 helpers, and that was just before Monday.
Saturday we went to Trinity Church and helped decorate for their VBS, which is this week. I think we'll probably have the same roles there as we did at First Church. This afternoon we decorated some more. There are some awesome "barn doors" (to the sanctuary), fake barbed wire along the walls, and a corral around the stage.
***typed July 17***
Last night was the first night of Trinity's VBS, and there were only 7 or 8 kids there, all of them already involved in the church. I had two girls in my group, Allison and Krystal, both age 7 and they were the oldest ones there. The leaders at the church were very enthusiastic, getting the kids to "yee-haw" at various times.
We will continue with this VBS the rest of the week, and hopefully more kids will come.
It is sad to think that we have only 9 more days here, but I want to make the most of our time, especially with VBS, the families/teens we've met, working at the Rescue Mission, etc.
Prayer Requests
~health/safety
~VBS at Trinity Church: that kids that are not already "churched" will come, that we will have the right time/right place/right person and right words to lead people to Christ, that we will reflect God's love
~Joel Tooley's mom Dee is in the hospital in Mississippi, and she could very much use prayer
That's about all I can think of for right now. Thanks again for all your support and prayers, and I will see you in August/September!
***this part typed July 15***
We have just finished a week of Tumbleweed Gulch Vacation Bible School at El Paso First, and this coming week we'll be doing the same theme at Trinity Church on the westside.
I worked as a "crew leader" for posse #3, grades 3-5, and led them to each of the stations every night. This was one of the larger groups, as we usually had upwards of 11 kids each night. I had two helpers from the church with me to help with crowd control. :) I remembered the first night how fun that age group is, since I had worked with that group at kids' camp for two summers. It reminded me of why I
became an Education major. :) Rachel led crafts, Angela led games, and Brandi worked with the 1st/2nd graders.
Thursday night was the toughest I think, because we had changed around the routine to allow more time for practicing the songs. This of course confused the kids (as well as the leaders!), and it was just one hectic night. However, more of my kids were actually doing the motions to the songs that night--I wasn't continually asking someone to do the motions or not mess around.
On Friday we had a special time to present to the families, where the kids sang their songs, said their verses, and had their crafts displayed. We also had food for them and facepainting and balloon animals.
We had a total of 58 kids last week (not all at the same time), and 35 helpers, Melissa said. This is a switch from when we had started with only 6 helpers, and that was just before Monday.
Saturday we went to Trinity Church and helped decorate for their VBS, which is this week. I think we'll probably have the same roles there as we did at First Church. This afternoon we decorated some more. There are some awesome "barn doors" (to the sanctuary), fake barbed wire along the walls, and a corral around the stage.
***typed July 17***
Last night was the first night of Trinity's VBS, and there were only 7 or 8 kids there, all of them already involved in the church. I had two girls in my group, Allison and Krystal, both age 7 and they were the oldest ones there. The leaders at the church were very enthusiastic, getting the kids to "yee-haw" at various times.
We will continue with this VBS the rest of the week, and hopefully more kids will come.
It is sad to think that we have only 9 more days here, but I want to make the most of our time, especially with VBS, the families/teens we've met, working at the Rescue Mission, etc.
Prayer Requests
~health/safety
~VBS at Trinity Church: that kids that are not already "churched" will come, that we will have the right time/right place/right person and right words to lead people to Christ, that we will reflect God's love
~Joel Tooley's mom Dee is in the hospital in Mississippi, and she could very much use prayer
That's about all I can think of for right now. Thanks again for all your support and prayers, and I will see you in August/September!
Monday, July 09, 2007
update #3 YIM I think
Saludos a todos!
(Greetings to all!)
Today is my first week back in El Paso after a week in Juarez. It has been a while since I've updated you all, so I'm not sure what I have and have not said.
I think when I last wrote, we were in Juarez for two weeks. The second week we were there, we had gotten to know more of the youth from Cuarta Iglesia (4th church), including Fabiola and many others. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we helped with VBS at the Peniel mission where we had gone door to door. The funny thing is that our team became translators for the Work and Witness team from Denver. It was great to see the kids from the community again, for three days, and continue those relationships with the kids we had seen before.
The following week we returned to El Paso to help with the basketball camp. These were the original dates, except that they weren't the correct dates. We still had about 20 kids show up, which was great. We helped with the younger kids, teaching basic skills of dribbling, passing, and shooting. And if you know me, you know I'm not usually athletic. Mike (our site coordinator) had me lead a couple days, and a few times we just had the kids do whatever they wanted when they got tired of basketball (whether it was coloring, frisbee, or Uno). Pastors Fred and Marco also did devotions at the end of the morning. One night, I realized that I needed to be more extroverted to get to know these kids, and to ask them their names. I knew that I couldn't do that on my own, or with whatever energy I had, and so I definitely
relied on God for that. With the basketball camp, it was about encouraging the kids in their efforts and simply being their friend. That will probably go for Vacation Bible School these next two weeks as well.
Last Saturday we decorated the El Paso First Church for the Tumbleweed Gulch (think old western theme) VBS. We made a splendid fence out of brown poster paper and markers. We had a few people from the church with us, including 13 year old Amanda. It was awesome having her there, because Mike says it's tough to get her to come to things other than Sunday mornings. She and I made a pretty amazing cactus out of
this brown tubing and paint and tissue paper.
Our team also did some canvassing around the neighborhood, including some follow-up with families that had come to the previous basketball camp. Yet again, we're just connecting with people in the community.
We did attempt a movie night, and invited some people from the community to come see Facing the Giants. We really didn't put out much effort, and planned it at the last minute, so maybe it's not surprising that we and Marco's family were the only ones watching it.
Last week we were in Juarez again at Tercera Iglesia (3rd church), with Gedeon and his family. The first night we were there, they wanted us to go into the community and do evangelism door to door. We ended up just handing out these tracts to people, including some kids at a playground. That night we went with Fernando, who is Nayeli's dad, and on Thursday night we went with Jonatan, one of the youth who is in seminary. We were frustrated because all we could really do was recite our spiel. However, it was awesome to hear that on Saturday night and Sunday morning that about 3 girls came to the services because of our going into the community. I know many of you hear of missions trips where hundreds/thousands come to faith in Jesus because
of the JESUS FILM! but we are content to simply see small steps like this for the churches here. Now it's up to the congregations to continue reaching out to the communities.
When we were with the youth back in Juarez, we actually went to an alberca (pool/park) with them as they had an "esgrima" competition. The awesome thing is that we saw two rounds of Bible quizzing, and I was able to help keep score (despite the language barrier).
Many of you heard me say before the trip that I was looking forward to using my Spanish. But having spent three weeks in Juarez, I recognize Spanish as simply being a tool in communicating wtih people. If you are curious as to how we are doing with Spanish, I know that words are coming back to me from the book learning I had in high school. Being able to learn words in context, whether it is by pointing to something and asking, or continual reference to something, or by looking at things in S-Mart, is helpful as well.
These next two weeks we will be helping with two VBS's at the two churches in El Paso. After that we have a few days before we head back to Kansas City. It is strange to think that our time here is almost at an end, as some days seem slow. But once you plan out the weeks, it seems a lot shorter.
I almost forgot! We have had quite the health adventures here. If you have been praying for our health, thank you because we have not died. For about a week, one of our teammates had a rash on her face. When she went to the dermatologist, she found out that she was allergic to mango skin, as it is very similar to poison ivy. Who
would have thought she would have mangoface? Another teammate had, as she calls it, dysentery (which it was not at all) and became moderately dehydrated. She stayed in El Paso for a few days recuperating while we were in Juarez. It was good to have her back after a few days!
Prayer Requests
~VBS: for the leaders (including ourselves), the kids that come, the parents, and the church here to connect with the community
~Health/safety
~the Nazarene Border Initiative leaders Joel and Barry, and the work they want to do here
~Our site coordinator Mike S
Thanks again for your support and prayers,
Jessica
(Greetings to all!)
Today is my first week back in El Paso after a week in Juarez. It has been a while since I've updated you all, so I'm not sure what I have and have not said.
I think when I last wrote, we were in Juarez for two weeks. The second week we were there, we had gotten to know more of the youth from Cuarta Iglesia (4th church), including Fabiola and many others. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we helped with VBS at the Peniel mission where we had gone door to door. The funny thing is that our team became translators for the Work and Witness team from Denver. It was great to see the kids from the community again, for three days, and continue those relationships with the kids we had seen before.
The following week we returned to El Paso to help with the basketball camp. These were the original dates, except that they weren't the correct dates. We still had about 20 kids show up, which was great. We helped with the younger kids, teaching basic skills of dribbling, passing, and shooting. And if you know me, you know I'm not usually athletic. Mike (our site coordinator) had me lead a couple days, and a few times we just had the kids do whatever they wanted when they got tired of basketball (whether it was coloring, frisbee, or Uno). Pastors Fred and Marco also did devotions at the end of the morning. One night, I realized that I needed to be more extroverted to get to know these kids, and to ask them their names. I knew that I couldn't do that on my own, or with whatever energy I had, and so I definitely
relied on God for that. With the basketball camp, it was about encouraging the kids in their efforts and simply being their friend. That will probably go for Vacation Bible School these next two weeks as well.
Last Saturday we decorated the El Paso First Church for the Tumbleweed Gulch (think old western theme) VBS. We made a splendid fence out of brown poster paper and markers. We had a few people from the church with us, including 13 year old Amanda. It was awesome having her there, because Mike says it's tough to get her to come to things other than Sunday mornings. She and I made a pretty amazing cactus out of
this brown tubing and paint and tissue paper.
Our team also did some canvassing around the neighborhood, including some follow-up with families that had come to the previous basketball camp. Yet again, we're just connecting with people in the community.
We did attempt a movie night, and invited some people from the community to come see Facing the Giants. We really didn't put out much effort, and planned it at the last minute, so maybe it's not surprising that we and Marco's family were the only ones watching it.
Last week we were in Juarez again at Tercera Iglesia (3rd church), with Gedeon and his family. The first night we were there, they wanted us to go into the community and do evangelism door to door. We ended up just handing out these tracts to people, including some kids at a playground. That night we went with Fernando, who is Nayeli's dad, and on Thursday night we went with Jonatan, one of the youth who is in seminary. We were frustrated because all we could really do was recite our spiel. However, it was awesome to hear that on Saturday night and Sunday morning that about 3 girls came to the services because of our going into the community. I know many of you hear of missions trips where hundreds/thousands come to faith in Jesus because
of the JESUS FILM! but we are content to simply see small steps like this for the churches here. Now it's up to the congregations to continue reaching out to the communities.
When we were with the youth back in Juarez, we actually went to an alberca (pool/park) with them as they had an "esgrima" competition. The awesome thing is that we saw two rounds of Bible quizzing, and I was able to help keep score (despite the language barrier).
Many of you heard me say before the trip that I was looking forward to using my Spanish. But having spent three weeks in Juarez, I recognize Spanish as simply being a tool in communicating wtih people. If you are curious as to how we are doing with Spanish, I know that words are coming back to me from the book learning I had in high school. Being able to learn words in context, whether it is by pointing to something and asking, or continual reference to something, or by looking at things in S-Mart, is helpful as well.
These next two weeks we will be helping with two VBS's at the two churches in El Paso. After that we have a few days before we head back to Kansas City. It is strange to think that our time here is almost at an end, as some days seem slow. But once you plan out the weeks, it seems a lot shorter.
I almost forgot! We have had quite the health adventures here. If you have been praying for our health, thank you because we have not died. For about a week, one of our teammates had a rash on her face. When she went to the dermatologist, she found out that she was allergic to mango skin, as it is very similar to poison ivy. Who
would have thought she would have mangoface? Another teammate had, as she calls it, dysentery (which it was not at all) and became moderately dehydrated. She stayed in El Paso for a few days recuperating while we were in Juarez. It was good to have her back after a few days!
Prayer Requests
~VBS: for the leaders (including ourselves), the kids that come, the parents, and the church here to connect with the community
~Health/safety
~the Nazarene Border Initiative leaders Joel and Barry, and the work they want to do here
~Our site coordinator Mike S
Thanks again for your support and prayers,
Jessica
Friday, June 22, 2007
hola de Juarez
Hello all,
We are finishing up our second week in Juarez, Mexico, and will be returning soon to El Paso. Now to most of you, this schedule looks the same as what it was last week. However, our plans have changed so many times that it would not be worth it to describe all the changes. For instance, at one point we were going to go to Las Palomas, and help there. Rest assured though, we are learning to be flexible and not to have any expectations. It reminds me of when I was in Belize and Wassim kept asking Doc about what our destination would be like--finally Doc responded, "WASSIM! You'll find out when we get there!" :)
The first few days here were rough, as we were trying to settle into some sort of routine. We had no translator, knew nobody outside Pastor Richard's family, and we were the only English speakers. However, the families here have helped us to feel at home, preparing us meals, taking us where we needed to go, and introducing us to others. Benjamin was one of the first people we met, and he and Suri came with us to the mission these two weeks.
We helped at a mission just outside of the city, called Peniel. We invited families to church and to VBS, as well as a game day we had with the neighborhood kids. We played games, shared a Bible story, colored pictures, and did face painting. This was a great time to build relationships with some of the kids, because we later saw them at VBS. The day before VBS started, we worked to clear gravel and sand out of one of the rooms and moved it to make a sort of stage in the mission.
Benjamin became one of our good friends, and it was sad to see him leave earlier this week. He was our Spanish-to-Spanish translator, looking out for us, and he helped us meet more of the youth from the church. These people have become our friends, and we have talked with them and done lots of fun activities.
We are a forerunning group for the Nazarene Border Initiative, and its goal is to allow the Mexican church's leaders to decide what to do in their communities. Rather than the American teams coming in with a plan, the Mexican church can place us wherever they wish, and not be told what to do in their community.
We helped a group from Denver First Church in doing VBS at Peniel this week. One woman from the group, Angela, told us that on Tuesday she was worried that there would be no translator available at Peniel, and in the midst of her stress, she finally remembered to pray and trust God to provide. God used us to meet that need! There were many children at VBS, upwards of 30 I'm sure.
As well as we know now, tonight we will be working with the youth of this church to go door to door in the neighborhood, and invite people to church. We will be spending the night at Fabiola's before going to a sort of water park with them as well.
Next week there was supposed to be a basketball camp in El Paso, but at the last minute, Barry and Mikey found out that it was this week. They had 35 kids on the first day of the camp! We will be heading back to help out with however many kids show up for the original time, which will be interesting as we don't have many skills in basketball. :)
There are so many stories I want to share, but I don't have the time or space to share now. I'm sure you will be hearing many stories once I return. :)
Prayer Requests:
~this week's basketball camp, and the children and families that will come
~the Vacation Bible Schools that we will be helping with in July, I think
~Health, safety, energy each day
~Communication
Some advice of what NOT to do when there is a language barrier:
~Don't try to get money from an ATM. You may get 20 pesos ($2) instead of $20.
~Don't try to tell jokes or stories. They're not as funny.
~Don't pretend like you know more of the language than you do. It may be assumed that you are fluent.
~Don't say you like something, because it may be assumed that you cannot live without it.
~Don't assume that all words are similar between languages. For instance, "embarazada" does not mean embarrassed. It means "pregnant."
~Don't smile and nod every time you are asked something.
We are finishing up our second week in Juarez, Mexico, and will be returning soon to El Paso. Now to most of you, this schedule looks the same as what it was last week. However, our plans have changed so many times that it would not be worth it to describe all the changes. For instance, at one point we were going to go to Las Palomas, and help there. Rest assured though, we are learning to be flexible and not to have any expectations. It reminds me of when I was in Belize and Wassim kept asking Doc about what our destination would be like--finally Doc responded, "WASSIM! You'll find out when we get there!" :)
The first few days here were rough, as we were trying to settle into some sort of routine. We had no translator, knew nobody outside Pastor Richard's family, and we were the only English speakers. However, the families here have helped us to feel at home, preparing us meals, taking us where we needed to go, and introducing us to others. Benjamin was one of the first people we met, and he and Suri came with us to the mission these two weeks.
We helped at a mission just outside of the city, called Peniel. We invited families to church and to VBS, as well as a game day we had with the neighborhood kids. We played games, shared a Bible story, colored pictures, and did face painting. This was a great time to build relationships with some of the kids, because we later saw them at VBS. The day before VBS started, we worked to clear gravel and sand out of one of the rooms and moved it to make a sort of stage in the mission.
Benjamin became one of our good friends, and it was sad to see him leave earlier this week. He was our Spanish-to-Spanish translator, looking out for us, and he helped us meet more of the youth from the church. These people have become our friends, and we have talked with them and done lots of fun activities.
We are a forerunning group for the Nazarene Border Initiative, and its goal is to allow the Mexican church's leaders to decide what to do in their communities. Rather than the American teams coming in with a plan, the Mexican church can place us wherever they wish, and not be told what to do in their community.
We helped a group from Denver First Church in doing VBS at Peniel this week. One woman from the group, Angela, told us that on Tuesday she was worried that there would be no translator available at Peniel, and in the midst of her stress, she finally remembered to pray and trust God to provide. God used us to meet that need! There were many children at VBS, upwards of 30 I'm sure.
As well as we know now, tonight we will be working with the youth of this church to go door to door in the neighborhood, and invite people to church. We will be spending the night at Fabiola's before going to a sort of water park with them as well.
Next week there was supposed to be a basketball camp in El Paso, but at the last minute, Barry and Mikey found out that it was this week. They had 35 kids on the first day of the camp! We will be heading back to help out with however many kids show up for the original time, which will be interesting as we don't have many skills in basketball. :)
There are so many stories I want to share, but I don't have the time or space to share now. I'm sure you will be hearing many stories once I return. :)
Prayer Requests:
~this week's basketball camp, and the children and families that will come
~the Vacation Bible Schools that we will be helping with in July, I think
~Health, safety, energy each day
~Communication
Some advice of what NOT to do when there is a language barrier:
~Don't try to get money from an ATM. You may get 20 pesos ($2) instead of $20.
~Don't try to tell jokes or stories. They're not as funny.
~Don't pretend like you know more of the language than you do. It may be assumed that you are fluent.
~Don't say you like something, because it may be assumed that you cannot live without it.
~Don't assume that all words are similar between languages. For instance, "embarazada" does not mean embarrassed. It means "pregnant."
~Don't smile and nod every time you are asked something.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
here I am, in El Paso
Hi everyone,
This email is going to be rather long, but chock-full of info. Here goes. It may be abbreviated for the sake of time and space. I'll elaborate later.
Training Camp:
~Very intense and they kept us busy doing team building activities, attending workshops, sitting in and participating in various chapels/discussions, being part of a family group (my team plus 2 Guatemala teams), Poverty meal.
~Our team gets along very well and we have a lot of fun in addition to doing our ministry.
Sunday the 3rd:
~Arrived in El Paso after a delayed flight (we ended up just jumping onto another one in the nick of time)
~driving around, getting to know the area
~eating lunch with Marco the Spanish pastor
~ate dinner at a Sonic, which are NOT back east. :)
~Mikey had a "surprise" for us, which was to take us to an overlook once it was dark. It was really awesome to look out over the city, with all the lights, and think that there was at least one person for every light out there. Also, to think about our upcoming ministry and what we would be doing (which we still didn't really know too much at that point).
Monday the 4th:
~We went to a park and played games (kicked around a soccer ball) with some kids, Alex and Annabelle.
~Inventoried the kitchen, so when the Oklahoma W&W group comes, they will know what they need to bring.
~We've been doing a lot of brainstorming about how to get the church's name out there, and to meet people where they are and to begin building relationships with them. It's tough work, slow going, really. I felt like I didn't have any real ideas because I don't know this community, and by the time I get to know it, we'll leave. We also have been trying to publicize a free basketball camp at the end of this month, as well as VBS, by going door-to-door, which is very in-your-face and I'm definitely not fond of that method. But it's what the church is using, as well as talking to families in the park.
~PS: Mom, there is really not a dormitory on the premises of El Paso First Church. We have one room, Mikey has his room, there is an office, and the rest of the top floor is completely empty. HOWEVER, a Work and Witness team will be working on that, for use with the Border Initiative.
Tuesday the 5th:
~Went over into Juarez to meet with Eliseo the DS of that area, and plan what we will be doing next week and the week after. Basically, we're trying to get the Nazarene Border Initiative going again (for more info, you can check out nazarene.org or ask me later).
~This week and the week after, we will be working at a mission near Juarez, as well as doing community outreach at one or more of the 9 Nazarene churches in Juarez. We also will help with a VBS, and we are not a work and witness team (that's not our focus this summer).
~Mike Direnzo pointed out that there is such a contrast between El Paso and Juarez, and I didn't really think about it till a few days later, and it's true. Juarez is definitely poorer. I haven't yet been hit with culture shock, but that will probably come next week or the week after.
~The language in this area is Spanglish, as evidenced by 4 year old Fabiola, Marco's daughter: "Mas higher!" In El Paso, it's mostly English, but in Juarez it will really be mostly Spanish!
~I have been learning to trust and rely on God, because in this new environment, I don't really know all that I'm doing, I don't know the community, and certainly can't get through the days without asking God to work in the life of this city and to show us opportunities to take part in the movement of God (theosis?) here.
~Mikey took us on a hike up to Elephant Peak, in the Franklin Mtns State Park, and it was a lot of fun. The weather here is very dry, except for the VERY RARE rain, so the hike wasn't bad at all (unlike being back east). We could see pretty much all of El Paso and Juarez, and it was a spectacular view. We probably could even see New Mexico, for that matter.
Wednesday the 6th:
~discussed with Pastor Fred (who is actually from Lowell) his ideas for the church and this summer
~Went to another park to see if any kids were there, but they weren't, so we went to the library and got some books and a yoga video (hey, the key to missions is flexibility, says Joel T)
~It's tough being here and trying to help the church grow when we don't have any existing connections beyond the church in the community.
~However, we had an opportunity to help this 91 yr old woman, Isidra, who had come from Juarez trying to buy a motor scooter. She was walking down the sidewalk with her walker in the heat of the day. We ended up having Jaime, a neighbor, help drive her back since the woman that was at the address Isidra had knew nothing about the scooter.
~Attended the youth group and played some games with them like the Neighbor Game (which I had done with Impact), and volleyball for a while. I have been more athletic this past week than I have for maybe the past 2 years. :)
(Side thought: Sorry if this is unclear grammatically at times; I am just trying to get everything out)
Thursday the 7th:
~some more brainstorming and visiting parks
~Barry and Mikey had us wash a bunch of dishes to prepare for the Oklahoma group, and we really were not seeing the point, or if we were even making a dent in the number that needed to be done. We got to use a machine, and it was a good team bonding time as we laughed, trying to see the point. Now there are a number of clean dishes downstairs, and we know how to use the dishwasher. :)
~went around the neighborhood, door-to-door, to tell them about upcoming activities at the church. I feel like a telemarketer when I do that, but most people cheerfully accepted the flyer. As Mikey put it, whether they read it or not is a simple decision, and we aren't asking them to make a great big decision suddenly.
~Mikey compared El Paso to DC in this manner. El Paso is not Mexico, it's not really Texas, it's not New Mexico, and it's not really the US. It's its own place.
Friday the 8th:
~We got to serve breakfast and dinner at the El Paso Rescue Mission, a place that helps the homeless get back on their feet. I was able to talk to 3 people, just asking them their stories, and telling them a bit about myself, and just otherwise brightening their day as I served drinks and cereal. In the morning, as I was placing sugar on the trays for their cereal, I kept thinking of how I should look into "the face of the other," and not be caught up in my service that I forget the people right in front of me. Kind of like Mary and Martha in the Bible.
~We did Jazzercise with 4 women from the community....told you I was being athletic! :)
~Ate lunch with Marco the Spanish pastor and his family....yumm....we had milanesa and beans and rice and something else.
~Went to the t-ball park during a game and handed out flyers about the church's childrens' activities, and this group seemed very receptive, especially for a free sports activity.
Saturday the 9th:
~Just two days prior, we had brainstormed to have a fun and games day at the park for kids, with facepainting, balloon animal making (okay, just a sword, dog, or sombrero), and games and such. We ended up having about 15 kids show up that morning. I was excited to see this little girl that had been at the t-ball park the night before, because she had waved at me as I walked by her again. When she saw me on Saturday, she said, "I know you!" So cute. :)
~ate dinner at Barry and his wife Charlie's house....they are the USA/Canada Work and Witness coordinators....watched a movie....then returned to the electricity-free church (power outage)
Sunday (today)
~attended both Spanish and English services
~went to Fabiola's birthday party, and helped out with games and playing with the kids
What a week. I will definitely be sharing more later, in August.
This week and next I will be in Juarez.
The end of this month I will be here in El Paso, working with a basketball camp (I think), then we will go back to Juarez. For two weeks in July we will be doing VBS in El Paso....including the week of my birthday :). Then we will have a few days before returning to Kansas City!
Prayer requests:
~communication while we are in Juarez
~for God to work in the life of these cities and to enable us to step out of our comfort zones when we need to
~safety, health
This email is going to be rather long, but chock-full of info. Here goes. It may be abbreviated for the sake of time and space. I'll elaborate later.
Training Camp:
~Very intense and they kept us busy doing team building activities, attending workshops, sitting in and participating in various chapels/discussions, being part of a family group (my team plus 2 Guatemala teams), Poverty meal.
~Our team gets along very well and we have a lot of fun in addition to doing our ministry.
Sunday the 3rd:
~Arrived in El Paso after a delayed flight (we ended up just jumping onto another one in the nick of time)
~driving around, getting to know the area
~eating lunch with Marco the Spanish pastor
~ate dinner at a Sonic, which are NOT back east. :)
~Mikey had a "surprise" for us, which was to take us to an overlook once it was dark. It was really awesome to look out over the city, with all the lights, and think that there was at least one person for every light out there. Also, to think about our upcoming ministry and what we would be doing (which we still didn't really know too much at that point).
Monday the 4th:
~We went to a park and played games (kicked around a soccer ball) with some kids, Alex and Annabelle.
~Inventoried the kitchen, so when the Oklahoma W&W group comes, they will know what they need to bring.
~We've been doing a lot of brainstorming about how to get the church's name out there, and to meet people where they are and to begin building relationships with them. It's tough work, slow going, really. I felt like I didn't have any real ideas because I don't know this community, and by the time I get to know it, we'll leave. We also have been trying to publicize a free basketball camp at the end of this month, as well as VBS, by going door-to-door, which is very in-your-face and I'm definitely not fond of that method. But it's what the church is using, as well as talking to families in the park.
~PS: Mom, there is really not a dormitory on the premises of El Paso First Church. We have one room, Mikey has his room, there is an office, and the rest of the top floor is completely empty. HOWEVER, a Work and Witness team will be working on that, for use with the Border Initiative.
Tuesday the 5th:
~Went over into Juarez to meet with Eliseo the DS of that area, and plan what we will be doing next week and the week after. Basically, we're trying to get the Nazarene Border Initiative going again (for more info, you can check out nazarene.org or ask me later).
~This week and the week after, we will be working at a mission near Juarez, as well as doing community outreach at one or more of the 9 Nazarene churches in Juarez. We also will help with a VBS, and we are not a work and witness team (that's not our focus this summer).
~Mike Direnzo pointed out that there is such a contrast between El Paso and Juarez, and I didn't really think about it till a few days later, and it's true. Juarez is definitely poorer. I haven't yet been hit with culture shock, but that will probably come next week or the week after.
~The language in this area is Spanglish, as evidenced by 4 year old Fabiola, Marco's daughter: "Mas higher!" In El Paso, it's mostly English, but in Juarez it will really be mostly Spanish!
~I have been learning to trust and rely on God, because in this new environment, I don't really know all that I'm doing, I don't know the community, and certainly can't get through the days without asking God to work in the life of this city and to show us opportunities to take part in the movement of God (theosis?) here.
~Mikey took us on a hike up to Elephant Peak, in the Franklin Mtns State Park, and it was a lot of fun. The weather here is very dry, except for the VERY RARE rain, so the hike wasn't bad at all (unlike being back east). We could see pretty much all of El Paso and Juarez, and it was a spectacular view. We probably could even see New Mexico, for that matter.
Wednesday the 6th:
~discussed with Pastor Fred (who is actually from Lowell) his ideas for the church and this summer
~Went to another park to see if any kids were there, but they weren't, so we went to the library and got some books and a yoga video (hey, the key to missions is flexibility, says Joel T)
~It's tough being here and trying to help the church grow when we don't have any existing connections beyond the church in the community.
~However, we had an opportunity to help this 91 yr old woman, Isidra, who had come from Juarez trying to buy a motor scooter. She was walking down the sidewalk with her walker in the heat of the day. We ended up having Jaime, a neighbor, help drive her back since the woman that was at the address Isidra had knew nothing about the scooter.
~Attended the youth group and played some games with them like the Neighbor Game (which I had done with Impact), and volleyball for a while. I have been more athletic this past week than I have for maybe the past 2 years. :)
(Side thought: Sorry if this is unclear grammatically at times; I am just trying to get everything out)
Thursday the 7th:
~some more brainstorming and visiting parks
~Barry and Mikey had us wash a bunch of dishes to prepare for the Oklahoma group, and we really were not seeing the point, or if we were even making a dent in the number that needed to be done. We got to use a machine, and it was a good team bonding time as we laughed, trying to see the point. Now there are a number of clean dishes downstairs, and we know how to use the dishwasher. :)
~went around the neighborhood, door-to-door, to tell them about upcoming activities at the church. I feel like a telemarketer when I do that, but most people cheerfully accepted the flyer. As Mikey put it, whether they read it or not is a simple decision, and we aren't asking them to make a great big decision suddenly.
~Mikey compared El Paso to DC in this manner. El Paso is not Mexico, it's not really Texas, it's not New Mexico, and it's not really the US. It's its own place.
Friday the 8th:
~We got to serve breakfast and dinner at the El Paso Rescue Mission, a place that helps the homeless get back on their feet. I was able to talk to 3 people, just asking them their stories, and telling them a bit about myself, and just otherwise brightening their day as I served drinks and cereal. In the morning, as I was placing sugar on the trays for their cereal, I kept thinking of how I should look into "the face of the other," and not be caught up in my service that I forget the people right in front of me. Kind of like Mary and Martha in the Bible.
~We did Jazzercise with 4 women from the community....told you I was being athletic! :)
~Ate lunch with Marco the Spanish pastor and his family....yumm....we had milanesa and beans and rice and something else.
~Went to the t-ball park during a game and handed out flyers about the church's childrens' activities, and this group seemed very receptive, especially for a free sports activity.
Saturday the 9th:
~Just two days prior, we had brainstormed to have a fun and games day at the park for kids, with facepainting, balloon animal making (okay, just a sword, dog, or sombrero), and games and such. We ended up having about 15 kids show up that morning. I was excited to see this little girl that had been at the t-ball park the night before, because she had waved at me as I walked by her again. When she saw me on Saturday, she said, "I know you!" So cute. :)
~ate dinner at Barry and his wife Charlie's house....they are the USA/Canada Work and Witness coordinators....watched a movie....then returned to the electricity-free church (power outage)
Sunday (today)
~attended both Spanish and English services
~went to Fabiola's birthday party, and helped out with games and playing with the kids
What a week. I will definitely be sharing more later, in August.
This week and next I will be in Juarez.
The end of this month I will be here in El Paso, working with a basketball camp (I think), then we will go back to Juarez. For two weeks in July we will be doing VBS in El Paso....including the week of my birthday :). Then we will have a few days before returning to Kansas City!
Prayer requests:
~communication while we are in Juarez
~for God to work in the life of these cities and to enable us to step out of our comfort zones when we need to
~safety, health
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Youth in Mission, here I come!
To all:
This is the first of multiple emails I will be sending this summer to update you on my Youth in Mission trip. As most of you are aware, I will be heading to El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico for almost two months for a missions trip (If you don't know where that is, it's in the western part of Texas that kind of pokes into New Mexico).
Here are the basics, as I knew in January, of what I'm doing. I heard that things can change at any time, so you'll hear later if this is not what I'm actually doing:
~Partner with a Latin American YIM team
~Facilitate evangelism training and outreach
~Involvement with compassionate ministries (I wonder if I will see any banana boxes, School Pal-Paks, or Crisis Care Kits!)
~Participate in Work and Witness projects
~Assisting in leadership training for Nazarene leaders in Mexico
~Train, coordinate, and lead a short-term missions trip for Latin American youth (Maximum Mission) in Mexico
After a flurry of emails between our team and our site coordinators, I can also share this with you:
"We want this time for you to be different than what you're used to - we want you to be stetched - spiritually, socially, emotionally - etc. You will gain new things this summer. You will sacrifice things this summer. We want to come into this totally open to something new from God.
You will be asked to share your testimony (your journey with God); you will be asked to lead church services; you will be asked to integrate with the Hispanic community; you will be asked to LEAD teenagers in a deeper spiritual journey with God; you will be asked to do things you're good at and to do things you've never done before. You will asked to do things that are very mundane. You will be asked to do things that don't have a lot of direction/explanation. You will be asked to experience your journey with God in a whole new way."
I fly out Tuesday to Kansas City for my week of training camp with all the other YIM students. We will then disperse on the 3rd for our various sites around the world! I will be keeping a journal (those of you from my Belize/Guatemala trip know how I journal!) and taking plenty of photographs, so that you can get a glimpse of my experience.
Great news: All of my trip funds have been raised, and I will even be reimbursed for my airfare to and from Kansas City! It was awesome to see God provide all my funds, even if it all happened at the last minute!
Prayer requests:
~safety in general, as well as during travel
~keeping us healthy
~for God to enable our team to reflect Him to the people there by the border
~working in the hearts of those at our site
I'm wicked excited to see what God holds this summer for me, and will keep you all posted throughout the summer (possibly with pictures too)! I will have internet access every so often, so emails/messages will be muchly appreciated. :)
Thank you to all have supported me and my trip over the past few months, whether it was through financial contributions, sharing ideas, or by simply praying for me. I appreciate your generosity and prayers, and can't wait to see what happens this summer!
"So right here and now I am all in
'Cause I'm letting go of everything I am
And I'm holding on to everything You are
I'm letting go of everything I once was
I'm all in
I'm fallin' into Your arms again" (by TobyMac)
This is the first of multiple emails I will be sending this summer to update you on my Youth in Mission trip. As most of you are aware, I will be heading to El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico for almost two months for a missions trip (If you don't know where that is, it's in the western part of Texas that kind of pokes into New Mexico).
Here are the basics, as I knew in January, of what I'm doing. I heard that things can change at any time, so you'll hear later if this is not what I'm actually doing:
~Partner with a Latin American YIM team
~Facilitate evangelism training and outreach
~Involvement with compassionate ministries (I wonder if I will see any banana boxes, School Pal-Paks, or Crisis Care Kits!)
~Participate in Work and Witness projects
~Assisting in leadership training for Nazarene leaders in Mexico
~Train, coordinate, and lead a short-term missions trip for Latin American youth (Maximum Mission) in Mexico
After a flurry of emails between our team and our site coordinators, I can also share this with you:
"We want this time for you to be different than what you're used to - we want you to be stetched - spiritually, socially, emotionally - etc. You will gain new things this summer. You will sacrifice things this summer. We want to come into this totally open to something new from God.
You will be asked to share your testimony (your journey with God); you will be asked to lead church services; you will be asked to integrate with the Hispanic community; you will be asked to LEAD teenagers in a deeper spiritual journey with God; you will be asked to do things you're good at and to do things you've never done before. You will asked to do things that are very mundane. You will be asked to do things that don't have a lot of direction/explanation. You will be asked to experience your journey with God in a whole new way."
I fly out Tuesday to Kansas City for my week of training camp with all the other YIM students. We will then disperse on the 3rd for our various sites around the world! I will be keeping a journal (those of you from my Belize/Guatemala trip know how I journal!) and taking plenty of photographs, so that you can get a glimpse of my experience.
Great news: All of my trip funds have been raised, and I will even be reimbursed for my airfare to and from Kansas City! It was awesome to see God provide all my funds, even if it all happened at the last minute!
Prayer requests:
~safety in general, as well as during travel
~keeping us healthy
~for God to enable our team to reflect Him to the people there by the border
~working in the hearts of those at our site
I'm wicked excited to see what God holds this summer for me, and will keep you all posted throughout the summer (possibly with pictures too)! I will have internet access every so often, so emails/messages will be muchly appreciated. :)
Thank you to all have supported me and my trip over the past few months, whether it was through financial contributions, sharing ideas, or by simply praying for me. I appreciate your generosity and prayers, and can't wait to see what happens this summer!
"So right here and now I am all in
'Cause I'm letting go of everything I am
And I'm holding on to everything You are
I'm letting go of everything I once was
I'm all in
I'm fallin' into Your arms again" (by TobyMac)
Friday, May 04, 2007
Being a college student is fun. Most of the time.
I am 99% finished my 10 lesson plans for Ed Psych. All I have to do "tomorrow" is tweak one a bit, do some formatting, and then print it to hand in. After that, I'm done most of my work!
At about 1 am, I decided that I needed to get the oxygen moving in my body again, so I ran around the front lawn twice. Where else can you do crazy things like that except at college?
Next week before I take my finals, I have to do some Arts and Music papers, study for Linear, and study for Christian Tradition. Then I'm DONE!!!!
I can't wait for the end of the semester to really be here, because it means I will be moving out of the dorm and into the KP's house for the rest of the month. I won't have any homework to do, but will be able to read FUN books again! I'll put that reading list up shortly.
On May 29th, I will be heading to Kansas City for my YOUTH IN MISSION trip to Mexico!!!!!!!!! I honestly haven't had time to be excited, or at least I haven't allowed myself time, due to school stresses. Not to mention, I've been trying to practice my Spanish, work on figuring out how to raise the money for the trip (but that's all done now! Yay God! Thank you for providing for me!), and a whole host of other things. Maybe the rest of this month will be a nice time of relaxing and preparing!
Last weekend was quizzing Regionals, and the short summary of the weekend is this: crazy, intense, stressful, fun, and we stayed in a sketchy hotel. But that's another story for another blog.
It's almost 2 am. I need to go to bed! I'm a little loopy right now, in case you can't tell. At least I can sleep in tomorrow till who knows when.
(yes I know I just typed this blog after writing about 7 pages of a paper, but I really just needed to do SOMETHING before I went to bed. it's a really pointless entry, I'll admit.)
I am 99% finished my 10 lesson plans for Ed Psych. All I have to do "tomorrow" is tweak one a bit, do some formatting, and then print it to hand in. After that, I'm done most of my work!
At about 1 am, I decided that I needed to get the oxygen moving in my body again, so I ran around the front lawn twice. Where else can you do crazy things like that except at college?
Next week before I take my finals, I have to do some Arts and Music papers, study for Linear, and study for Christian Tradition. Then I'm DONE!!!!
I can't wait for the end of the semester to really be here, because it means I will be moving out of the dorm and into the KP's house for the rest of the month. I won't have any homework to do, but will be able to read FUN books again! I'll put that reading list up shortly.
On May 29th, I will be heading to Kansas City for my YOUTH IN MISSION trip to Mexico!!!!!!!!! I honestly haven't had time to be excited, or at least I haven't allowed myself time, due to school stresses. Not to mention, I've been trying to practice my Spanish, work on figuring out how to raise the money for the trip (but that's all done now! Yay God! Thank you for providing for me!), and a whole host of other things. Maybe the rest of this month will be a nice time of relaxing and preparing!
Last weekend was quizzing Regionals, and the short summary of the weekend is this: crazy, intense, stressful, fun, and we stayed in a sketchy hotel. But that's another story for another blog.
It's almost 2 am. I need to go to bed! I'm a little loopy right now, in case you can't tell. At least I can sleep in tomorrow till who knows when.
(yes I know I just typed this blog after writing about 7 pages of a paper, but I really just needed to do SOMETHING before I went to bed. it's a really pointless entry, I'll admit.)
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
my summer missions trip
*adapted from a bulletin insert*
This summer I have the opportunity to travel to Juarez, Mexico for 8 weeks with Youth in Mission (YIM). I am pretty excited for this trip, but I would appreciate any support.
Ministry:
~Partner with a Latin American YIM team
~Facilitate evangelism training & outreach
~Involvement with compassionate ministries
~Participate in Work & Witness projects
~Assisting in leadership training for Nazarene leaders in Mexico
~Train, coordinate and lead a short-term missions trip for Latin American youth (Maximum Mission) in Mexico
Trip Dates: May 29 to July 29
Cost: $3,127.00 (plus airfare)
Prayer Needs:
~Preparing those on-site in Mexico
~Preparing our team for ministry
~Raising the needed support
If you would like to support me financially, let me know and I will give you the needed information.
“The love of Christ compels us...”
2 Corinthians 5:14
This summer I have the opportunity to travel to Juarez, Mexico for 8 weeks with Youth in Mission (YIM). I am pretty excited for this trip, but I would appreciate any support.
Ministry:
~Partner with a Latin American YIM team
~Facilitate evangelism training & outreach
~Involvement with compassionate ministries
~Participate in Work & Witness projects
~Assisting in leadership training for Nazarene leaders in Mexico
~Train, coordinate and lead a short-term missions trip for Latin American youth (Maximum Mission) in Mexico
Trip Dates: May 29 to July 29
Cost: $3,127.00 (plus airfare)
Prayer Needs:
~Preparing those on-site in Mexico
~Preparing our team for ministry
~Raising the needed support
If you would like to support me financially, let me know and I will give you the needed information.
“The love of Christ compels us...”
2 Corinthians 5:14
Monday, November 27, 2006
figuring it out?
I'm beginning to take things into my own hands again, in regards to one major thing: the YIM trip. I don't even know if I've been accepted, and I'm coming up with ideas and potential plans. Like--how to raise money, what to do for the rest of the summer, etc.
I guess since this would be a pretty big thing is why I want to try to get as much "figured out" as possible, and not rely on God so much. I'm not exactly stressed about it, it's more that I sit here and attempt to plan it all out when I've not even been accepted, and potentially two of my references aren't in yet. Technically THAT'S what I should "stress" about if I stress about anything.
Even so, I should be focusing more on my schoolwork (and not writing in here), probably actually going to bed at this point. I have about 2 more weeks till I go back home, and I have so much to get done....It's getting done on a step-by-step process, little by little. These next two weeks are going to be wicked intense, and maybe I'll be a hermit or something, maybe live in the library a good bit.
I've been doing some thinking about the whole idea of "love languages" (there are about 7.3 books about it), and about what mine is. There are five altogether: words of affirmation, gifts, quality time, and two more (I can't remember at the moment). Everyone gives and receives in these ways, but some more than others. I think I'd prefer to receive "words of affirmation" in the form of letters/cards/emails/notes/phone calls, and give "gifts" to express my love for others. I think. Oh yeah, so I need to get started on Christmas cards.
Goodnight. :)
There you go changing my plans again
There you go shifting my sands again
For reasons I don't understand again
Lately I don't have a clue
Just when I start liking what I see
There you go changing my scenery
I never know where you're taking me
But I'm trying just to follow you
(chorus)
It's out of my hands
It's out of my reach
It's over my head
And it's out of my league
There's too many things
That I don't understand
So it's into your will
And it's out of my hands
There you go healing these scars again
Showing me right where you are again
I'm helpless, and that's where I start again
I'm giving it all up to you
(chorus)
Move me, make me
Choose me, change me
Send me, shake me
Find me, remind me
The past is behind me
Take it all away
Take it all from me, I pray
(chorus)
I guess since this would be a pretty big thing is why I want to try to get as much "figured out" as possible, and not rely on God so much. I'm not exactly stressed about it, it's more that I sit here and attempt to plan it all out when I've not even been accepted, and potentially two of my references aren't in yet. Technically THAT'S what I should "stress" about if I stress about anything.
Even so, I should be focusing more on my schoolwork (and not writing in here), probably actually going to bed at this point. I have about 2 more weeks till I go back home, and I have so much to get done....It's getting done on a step-by-step process, little by little. These next two weeks are going to be wicked intense, and maybe I'll be a hermit or something, maybe live in the library a good bit.
I've been doing some thinking about the whole idea of "love languages" (there are about 7.3 books about it), and about what mine is. There are five altogether: words of affirmation, gifts, quality time, and two more (I can't remember at the moment). Everyone gives and receives in these ways, but some more than others. I think I'd prefer to receive "words of affirmation" in the form of letters/cards/emails/notes/phone calls, and give "gifts" to express my love for others. I think. Oh yeah, so I need to get started on Christmas cards.
Goodnight. :)
There you go changing my plans again
There you go shifting my sands again
For reasons I don't understand again
Lately I don't have a clue
Just when I start liking what I see
There you go changing my scenery
I never know where you're taking me
But I'm trying just to follow you
(chorus)
It's out of my hands
It's out of my reach
It's over my head
And it's out of my league
There's too many things
That I don't understand
So it's into your will
And it's out of my hands
There you go healing these scars again
Showing me right where you are again
I'm helpless, and that's where I start again
I'm giving it all up to you
(chorus)
Move me, make me
Choose me, change me
Send me, shake me
Find me, remind me
The past is behind me
Take it all away
Take it all from me, I pray
(chorus)
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