Arequipa Pictures

Okay, so a quick entry just to say I made it to Arequipa in one piece, and despite getting little sleep in my traveling, I had an eventful first day at New Hope getting to know and play with the kids. If a picture is worth a thousand words, here's a link to my skydrive which is worth about 32 thousand words or so (plus captions). I'll try to update my skydrive during my stay so people can see pictures too.

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=935a7a3c68826671#cid=935A7A3C68826671&id=935A7A3C68826671%21105

P.S. Could someone please comment on whether or not you can see the pictures from this link as I'm kind of new to skydrive and don't know if I'm doing it right. Thanks and God bless.

Off Again Serving God On A New Adventure

Note: I use the term “mission field” to refer to a foreign country, specifically a Latin American country, where I can serve God. This is not the correct use of the term “mission field” as a mission field is any place you are currently (foreign country or not) where you can serve God and fulfill Jesus’ call of The Great Commission. I just use this term in this manner for convenience.

 

Psalm 37:4-5: Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

     It’s amazing to think that in a short time (just two days) I’ll be on my way again to serve God out of the country – this time to the Andes Mountains in Arequipa, Peru; and I’m very excited! I may be able to call it a “short” time now, but trust me, sometimes it seemed anything but short….

     If asked what my life verse is, I would probably have to answer Psalm 37:4. Since I was twelve – if not younger – I had a desire for missions, particularly working with kids who were orphaned or abandoned. I couldn’t wait to be done with school and be on the mission field in some Latin American country working with kids in an orphanage and/or on the streets. In the past, God has blessed me and allowed me to serve him and work with orphans and other kids in need. I went to Mexico for a summer a few years back and also to El Salvador for about six months. But ever since returning from El Salvador in October of last year, I couldn’t wait to be back on the mission field serving God and working with kids in a Latin American country once again.

     I had hoped God would call me back on the mission field soon – even as early as January 2013 – although I didn’t know where I would go. But besides that, I had a bigger problem. I had been called to appear for jury duty on January 4^th and I didn’t know if I would be selected or not. If I was selected, it was grand jury which meant that I would have to serve once a week for three months (kind of hard to serve God in another country and come back to the States each week for grand jury duty). But that’s okay, because I knew God was in control and He could easily make it so that I wasn’t chosen. Well, the day came, and at the end of it, I was the third juror picked out of twenty-three. Although I knew God was in control and it must have been His will, it was safe to say I was extremely disappointed.

     So knowing that I would definitely be in the States for at least three more months, I knew it was time to look for a job. I got an after school tutoring job as a second grade teacher which went until the end of April or middle of May. So I knew that I would be staying in the States longer than three months. And if I was to stay until April or May, I figured I’d just stay for the summer and earn some money since I knew of a job that I had done previous years as a summer camp counselor and had very much enjoyed doing it in the past.

     So that would bring me to August until I would be freed up to travel out of the country again. But the original problem still remained – I didn’t know where I would go. Throughout my time back in the States, especially in the summer as August was drawing closer, I would look online at different Christian ministries that worked with orphans and/or street kids in Latin America. From my experience in El Salvador (which seemed to be almost always hot and humid), I knew that I preferred somewhere with less heat and humidity. So that narrowed down my search to pretty much somewhere in the Andes Mountains since the high elevation makes the climate cooler despite being near the equator. Eventually, in June or July, I came across a certain website of a Christian children’s home in Arequipa, Peru called New Hope. After contacting them and praying and seeking God’s will, God seemed to be opening the door. At first, I was so used to waiting and looking for where God wanted me to go, that it seemed so surreal when all that was left was for me to say that I would go and reserve a plane flight. But I took that step of faith, made flight plans, and here it is a month later and it’s actually just a couple days before I go.

     Waiting’s hard – there’s no doubt about that. And even knowing that it’s God’s timing and it’s His will that you wait, sometimes still doesn’t seem to make it any easier. But the trials that I went through during my year of waiting to return back to the mission field were especially scary. But God is faithful, and He worked good even while I was going through the waiting process and some painful trials.

     But here I am, now a year later since I returned from El Salvador, getting ready to embark on another adventure serving God. I know it won’t always be easy and I’m not completely sure what to expect. However, God’s thoughts and plans for our future are always good (Jer. 29:11), and I’m so honored and excited to be used by God in the lives of the kids in the children’s home in Peru.

Please pray for traveling safety as I leave for Peru on Friday, that I would always keep my focus on God first and foremost, and that my Spanish would easily come back to me. Also, please pray that God continues to work in and through me and that I would always be willing to let Him use me to bless the kids and the people of Peru and to be a light of His love and kindness.

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

PS:  Here is the link to New Hope’s webpage and their facebook link:

Website: http://www.peruhope.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewHopePeru

 

Where Did The Heat Go?

     So Jesse and I left El Salvador yesterday morning and made it safely to Montana last nighTt. It's cold here, but after being in 90 degree weather with humidity in El Salvador, I'm almost welcoming the cold weather.

     The last six weeks or so in El Salvador, since there were no teams, Jesse and I got to spend a lot more time with the boys at the Casa and the after-school kids in San Martin. We helped the older boys in the Casa with their homework in the morning. Then in the later morning, I would bring toys over to the younger boys of the Casa. The boys loved it! In fact, they loved it so much, whenever they saw me, they would say "Juguetes?" (which means "Toys?") Their favorite toy, however, was none other than.... my camera. They loved taking pictures with my camera. Sometimes they would fight over whose turn it was with my camera. When I showed them how to record with my camera, they thought it was the best thing ever! A couple of the boys would record themselves dancing or playing. It worked out for me because I'd just give the boys my camera and they'd take all the pictures and videos for me.
     The kids in the after-school program also loved using my camera and would take pictures and videos for me. A couple of the after-school kids, Axel and Kevin, would ask to use my camera and then taunt me with it and say "Es un robo, es un robo!" (which means "It's a robbery, it's a robbery!") just so I would chase them. Jesse and I got to teach Bible lessons each week to the after-school kids. It was cool being able to teach the Word of God in Spanish, even if sometimes I messed up with the Spanish language and wondered how much of what I said the kids really understood. But God is good and reminded me that it doesn't matter how well/bad I do with my Spanish-speaking abilities, but that in the end it's Him who is going to change the kids' hearts. Sometimes, I would just have to stand back and think about how awesome it is that God is using me to teach kids in another language.

     It was hard to leave the boys at the Casa, the after-school kids, and the kids at the church, especially after taking the last six weeks and strengthening our relationships with them. But as hard as it is to leave the friends we made in El Salvador, I know God will continue the work He's been doing in El Salvador and in the kids' lives personally even though I might not be there to witness it. He's going to continue the work in their lives like He's going to continue in mine; and I personally can't wait to see what the future holds!

     Thanks everyone back home who have been praying for me and the work God is doing in El Salvador. Please continue to keep El Salvador and the people there in your prayers. I'll be home in a month and I can't wait to be back! Until then.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

You're Trash!

Here's a funny story that you might like:    

     So I was helping some of the younger boys at 'La Casa' pick up trash around the orphanage property today when I thought it would be a good opportunity to teach them a little more English. So in Spanish I told them the word for trash in English was 'trash'.
     "No," one of the smart-alek boys replied. "It's called 'Derek'." He went over to pick up another piece of trash as he said "Here's a 'Derek'" and threw it in the trash bag before going back to pick up more 'Dereks.'
     I retorted by calling the pieces of trash by his name instead, and so with each piece of trash we threw in the bag we called it by the other person's name. The funny part was when he picked up a smaller piece of trash and exclaimed in his Spanish accent, "Un Derek Jr.!" It was hilarious! - who knew picking up trash could be so much fun!

Update 8/13 to 8/18

     We just had our last missionary group for the summer leave for the airport today after spending five days serving here in El Salvador. In total, there were nine people in the group and they served and ministered in Apopa, the San Salvador children’s hospital, La Angostura, San Martin, and the Central Church in San Salvador. It’s amazing to think of all the different groups we had these past two and a half months that came down to serve. It has definitely been a busy summer but also one with a lot of ministry and blessing. Pray for this group and all the other groups that have ministered here throughout the summer, that their ministering would continue in the States and that God would continue to use the impact they had here in El Salvador to continue to bear fruit here for His kingdom.

Update 7/30 to 8/6

     This week, we had a group of eleven people (seven youth and four adults) come and minister here in El Salvador. They ministered and shared the joy and love of God in Santiago de Maria, Zacatecoluca, San Salvador, La Angostura, and here in San Martin. They were used by the Lord as they shared their testimonies, led worship, performed dramas, and of course, shared the Word of God. Another successful mission trip has come to a close here in El Salvador; but God’s work is continuing both here and in the States as well as all around the world in the lives of His people; and praise God it will continue to go on until He finally returns to take us home.

Only One Friend Left

Only One Friend Left

     Friday 8/3/12:

      It’s hard at times being on a long mission trip and being away from your home and family and the things that are so familiar to you. At times I do struggle with wishing I was back home instead of here in El Salvador – more than I let on in my blogs if I’m honest. But a few days back, I felt as though God was telling me to give Him these last two months that I’m here in El Salvador and just hang in there; drop any preconceived ideas or priorities that I might have originally had at the beginning of the trip about this trip being about working with kids or serving God. Granted, those things come in a mission trip such as this one, and they’ll definitely continue to be a part of my time here while I’m in El Salvador; but I felt as though God was telling me to set my priority in these last two months here in El Salvador to be focusing on Him and my relationship with Him before anything else – including working with kids and even serving Him. (If you think it might seem weird to set your priority in a mission trip to focusing on your personal friendship with God and not on serving Him during a mission trip, read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.) I’d get depressed, homesick, and discouraged at times and want to give up; but God has been telling me to just focus on Him and my relationship with Him – the one Friend who is always with me and is always the same, whether I’m in El Salvador or back home in the States. Today (Aug. 3, 2012), however, God showed me that I’m not the only one who might need the encouragement of remembering that God is a Friend who is always here for me as I’m forced to rely on Him and His promise to never leave me….

     This afternoon, with the group from West Houston who has come down to serve in El Salvador for a week, we went to Benjamin Bloom Children’s Hospital for a hospital visit. With many of the groups that come to minister in El Salvador, we’ll take an afternoon and visit this hospital which is the only children’s hospital in the country. Families from all over El Salvador who need medical care for their children will come to this hospital. Many of the families can’t stay overnight at the hospital with their kids because they have to work or because their kids have been there in the hospital for so many months or years even. The parents that do stay overnight have nothing more than a chair to sleep in. When we visit the hospital, we bring bags of water for the parents of the children and we bring activities (i.e. coloring pages, bracelets, etc.) for the kids in the hospital. During our visit, we usually hand out the things we brought and talk with the kids and their families.

     During this visit, I was handing out water to the parents of the children in the hospital wing I was in. I had seen this boy and his older sister who was with him in the hospital and asked the boy his name and age. He told me his name (William) and his age (15). I said “Mucho Gusto” (“It’s a pleasure to meet you”), and then finished passing out the waters to the other parents. However, noticing that no one else from the team was in that room and wanting to talk to that boy again, I made a mental note to come back to that room.

     So later, when I got the opportunity, I walked back into that room and immediately said “Hola” to the boy and his sister again. The moment I said hi, I noticed that William was upset, his eyes were wet with tears, and he and his sister had been talking. “Oops!” I thought to myself. But it was already too late, I had already interrupted. “Oh shoot, what do I do now?”  I wondered, having put myself and possibly the boy and his sister in an awkward situation. “What’s the matter? Can I pray for you?” I quickly asked. Both William and his sister nodded and, stumbling over my words during my prayer due to my limited Spanish knowledge, I did my best to pray for him.

     After the prayer, still not knowing if I was being too intrusive, I asked them if it was okay if I talked with them or if I should leave. They said it was fine if I stayed, and so we started talking. I asked William about his family and if he had any siblings. He said he had one who was older and that it was his sister there with him (that was when I learned for sure that the older girl with him was his sister, because until that time, I only had a hunch that she was his sister). He asked me where I lived and I shared with him and his sister what I was doing in El Salvador. His sister Paula asked me if I was a Christian missionary and I said yes. I asked them if they were Christians and they said yes. I asked if they had a Bible and read it. Paula pointed to a bag at the head of William’s bed that contained his belongings he brought to the hospital, indicating that it was in there. After that, we talked about so many other things. We talked about our favorite book/story in the Bible; we talked about movies, facebook, our families, video games, and even super heroes. I had asked William who his favorite superhero was, and I couldn’t help but smile when he answered “Jesus.” “Good answer,” I thought. As we talked, I also learned that William’s parents weren’t there with him because they had to work, that William had just got in the hospital that day, that he came at ten in the morning, that this was his second time in the hospital, and that he was there because he had diabetes.

     Later, after we talked some more, William’s sister told him that she had to go. She said goodbye to her brother and to me before leaving. As we were talking, I started realizing why William was crying when I first came back into the room. After his sister left and he and I talked some more, I was more certain of why he was upset. I imagine that he knew his sister was going to have to go, leaving him there at the hospital alone overnight. The two of us continued talking, this time about school. This week in El Salvador is vacation for the schools; so we talked about school vacation and how the school vacations and schedules are different in the U.S. and in El Salvador. He also shared with me that he was in ninth grade.

     Earlier, I had taken a picture of him and his sister, and knowing that I had a camera, William asked to see the other pictures I had taken. So I sat on his bed next to him and started showing him some of the pictures. Soon, his phone buzzed and I stopped showing him the pictures so he could check the text. He told me to hold on for a moment, and then got up, took his pole thing with the IV connected to his arm over to the window with him, looked out the window from the fourth floor where he was, and stuck his arm out and waved. “Is it your sister?” I asked him as I realized that the text was from his sister. William nodded. We then went back to looking at the pictures on my camera until it was time for me to go.

     I didn’t want to go. I would have stayed there for so much longer if I knew it would have helped William not miss his family or feel lonely that first night in the hospital. I was glad I was still able to be with him even after his sister had to leave; but I felt bad that eventually, even I had to leave and William would be left alone until the following day. I felt a little guilty, as if I was abandoning him; but I knew there was nothing else I could do. And so, on the ride back to San Martin, I lifted William up in prayer, asking God to comfort him and to use this time in his life where he might be hurting, missing his family, and feeling lonely, to draw William so much closer to an intimate relationship with Him. I knew that for the rest of the day, there was nobody else left there at the hospital for him; but I also realized the opportunity of God being able to use this time to speak personally to William and show him how He would always be there for him and help him even when no one else can.

     In the end, I realized that William’s situation was not too much different than my own situation and the very thing that God has been trying to show me. And that is, even though we might be away from our families, and even though we might feel utterly abandoned, alone, or homesick, there is a perfect opportunity awaiting us to draw closer to God and let Him be the one Friend who will never leave us – who can’t ever leave us if we are truly His. There are times in our lives when our family and our friends will not be around to help us; but we must never forget that as Christians, that even in these loneliest and most difficult of times, we still have one Friend left – and that friend is Jesus Christ Himself!

     Please pray for William. I didn’t ask him how long he’d be in the hospital, but pray that he would draw closer to Jesus through this time in his life and that he would feel the peace and presence of the Lord, especially when his family can’t be around for him. Also please pray for his medical condition and that the Lord would miraculously heal him from his diabetes and that he wouldn’t have to go back to the hospital a third time.