Monday, October 18, 2010

Mission 2010 to El Salvador was an amazing experience and one that I will never forget. Building homes for the six families was a joy knowing that they will have better living conditions than what they had before, which was practically nothing. Working with a team of brothers and sisters in Christ who's one goal is to help those in El Salvador was also and awesome experience. The laughter and tears will be cherished for a long time. The one moment that I will never forget is hearing Pastor Jorge moaning and shedding tears over the property that has just be approved to build homes for those who have nothing. His heart for the needy in El Salvador puts me to shame. My prayer is that this experience will always be my reminder as to how much God has blessed me and to share those blessings with others.

God is good
P.I.M.

Home Again

It's never easy to leave a mountain top experience. Coming home, while wonderful, is also challenging. I miss everyone. I want to talk about what the Lord is doing in my heart and all around me. I want to laugh and be silly. I want to be challenged. I want to be stretched. I want to see a volcano everyday. I want to be excited about going to Texaco. Do I miss hearing about peoples bowel movements? Not really, but I'd do it all again. My prayer is not to live in past moments, but that the Lord would continue to challenge me to embrace what He is doing now.
Thank you everyone for sharing their lives with me.
Till the next time I'm called...
Joy

Where do I start........

We arrived home at 2:00 this morning and it has been quite a journey. I really don't know where to start, but I will try my best.
I have a new appreciation and love for each and every team member. Each one of us brought a unique quality to the group and my prayer is that we will never forget the journey that we shared together.
I left a big part of my heart in El Salvador!! I will never forget you Lacy. ♥♥♥ I'm not quite sure why you touched me the way that you did, but if not on this earth, my prayer is that we will once again see each other in eternity. You stole my heart and I love you.
Pastor Jorge, Marietza, Jorhita and Papa (I'm sure I spelled every name wrong, but the Lord knows who I mean), the love of God shines in all that you do and I will pray for you every day that the Lord will continue to give you strength as you do His work in El Salvador and for the people that you love so very much.
Karla, you were such a blessing to us this past week. I'm sure you got tired of us calling you every few mintues to help out with the language barrier, but you kept smiling even when you weren't feeling well and never, every let us down. Keep in touch OK?
Pastor Deve and Amanda. Your leadership and patience with us were second to none. The Lord truly blessed me with your presence. Your love of God is so evident in all that you do and say and I want to let you know that I love you and appreciate both of you very much.
On Saturday evening, Pastor Deve asked each one of us to share the one thing that stood out the most to us on our journey. There were many moments that touched my heart very deeply. To see the poverty that the people live in is something that I found very difficult to comprehend, but when we handed out the food parcels to the locals on Friday, my heart just broke. To see them line up to get their packages from us was the most emotional time for me. Each person was so anxious to get the trasures that we had put together for them. There but for the Grace of God go I!!!
I really wasn't sure why I was on this team. What were my motives for going? Amanda's devotional made it very clear to me. Isaiah 58 verse 7: "....to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him...."
Thank you Lord for allowing me to be part of this wonderful experience, and for allowing me to be your hands and your feet during this adventure in El Salvador.
Blessings
Coby

sharing

While in El Salvador we built 6 new houses for 6 families; we gave each family a plastic tote full of clothing, toys, toiletries, and candy; we handed out rice and corn and oil to many hungry families; we gave glasses to people who needed help seeing. All that along with meeting new people, building relationships, and showing the love of Jesus Christ to the people of El Salvador.

When we set out a week ago I was unsure why. Why did we do this and why did I want to take part in it. 1John 3:17-18 says, "But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him ? Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions.

I just thank God for letting me be a part of this and demonstrating His love to the people in San Felipe, El Salvador.

Les