Women’s Team from FBC Rogers AR
The team arrived late on Saturday night and got to bed around midnight-ish. It was good to see the ladies from my home church. I was blessed to be able to attend 2 of the planning meetings while I was in Rogers during the months of August and September. How wonderful to have them here!
We split into 2 groups after breakfast on Sunday morning and one group went to church at Augusto Sandino church and the other group stayed here for church at the team house. Traci and Haley helped with the kids. It was a great morning. After lunch, the group packed items for the goody bags for the Women’s Conference. And they got in a little rest and some pool time. Then it was off for worship service at Monte Horeb and Tomas Borgé churches.
Monday and Tuesday were filled with the official Women’s Conference for 100 women each day. We bused the women in from our church plants. They were thrilled to get a free ride into town on our school bus and vans. They very much enjoyed the 9 women sharing the Fruit of the Spirit message. And they loved getting to eat lunch! We gave out goody bags to each lady and they felt very blessed. We shared lots of love and laughter and praises and prayers. I was so pleased with everything. I love it when we can minister to the women here.
Monday afternoon, we made a trip downtown to the ice cream shop and then came back to the team house to pack 50+ goody bags for the mommas. A storm came through and knocked out the electric for the rest of the night. We had a ton of items on tables under the rancho and it all had to be handled so that the tables could come down and the chairs be set up for the conference on Tuesday morning. So, we got flashlights and the ladies packed the goody bags by flashlight. Never a dull moment around here! It was hot and stuffy for sleeping without the A/C and fans, but I kept reminding myself that many people here don’t have those luxuries anyway. And I had a comfy bed and a dry room. I was thankful.
On Tuesday, after the Women’s Conference, Lesly took Cathy and I to town to look for some items to make gift bags for some guys, who we heard had been invited to the ‘youth’ conference that was really planned as a ‘girls’ conference on purity. We found some things, including big (quart size) jars of hair gel. The guys down here love it. Back at the team house, we attended the worship service and then we packed bags for 90 youth. We packed goody bags almost every day that week. What a generous bunch from FBC Rogers!
Wednesday morning, the team split into 3 groups and visited 3 of our Feeding Centers, to play with the kids and talk to the moms and help serve. They really enjoyed it. Then we had lunch and rested until late afternoon. The ladies not involved with the youth conference went to church in San Jacinto. The youth conference had been a constantly changing thing for the week and we ended up with some young kids who insisted on coming on the van. They were rowdy and had to be watched continually. But the youth that were here enjoyed part one of the conference. Some couldn’t come back the next night, but they said that they got a lot out of the first night.
Thursday, the team split into 2 groups and went to visit the 2 Feeding Centers outside of town for more playing with the kids, visiting the moms and helping to serve. The new mamma gifts were given out on Wed and Thurs during these Feeding Center visits. The moms were prayed over. It was a sweet time.
Thursday night was the 2nd part of the youth conference and we had some youth return from the night before and some new youth. I went along when the van went to pick up the youth at one of our neighborhoods to make sure that the rowdy younger children didn’t come. They were there at the front of the line. When they saw me in the van, they stepped back. When they saw me get out of the van, they left. I think they were going to bully the van driver again and show up at the conference. Nelson was glad to have me along. ☺ Thursday night’s conference was much more peaceful and relaxed without the distraction of the kids. There were more activities and object lessons and they really participated. They loved getting to read the scripture, too. They loved their goody bags. It was a nice conference.
The part of the team who were not involved with the conference, went to church at La Quimera and loved it. Pastor Brian is a favorite!
We had done a rehearsal of the Fiesta on Thursday morning, so that the team would be ready to do the real thing on Friday morning. We went to a neighborhood close by the team house and loved the people there! The team had a blast doing the Fiesta and it was a grand morning. We even got to ride in the back of the little truck!
Friday was officially Fun Day, so after the Fiesta, we went downtown to have lunch, do some sightseeing and some shopping. Then we got back to the team house for a little rest and headed to the beach and dinner at Suyapa restaurant. All the ladies had a great time and loved walking on the beach and taking pictures. We got back to the team house about 7pm. Most of the ladies were already packed and some opted to go to bed early.
The team left for the airport at 3am. I got up to hug them all and to say goodbye. I sure loved having them here. What a packed week of teaching and ministering and loving and sharing Jesus. I was truly blessed by having the team here.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
October 13-19, 2013
Sunday morning, I was blessed to share the message in the worship service of Pan de Vida church at the team house. I shared some of the things I learned from the Mary and Martha Bible study I had been doing. It is so nice to have the worship service here at the team house now. We are blessed.
After church, Mary and I went to town to have lunch at Ya Voy, a new favorite restaurant of mine. I took a short nap in the afternoon and then worked on sorting and packing stuff from my room. I organized the Children’s Ministry stuff that I had been storing in my room and moved it to the office. I called and messaged a lot of people and started working on stuff for the upcoming Women’s Conference. It was a good day.
Monday, Mary and I got to help with the weighing, measuring and counting of the food staples that go to the Feeding Centers monthly. It was fun and funny, too.
The rest of the week was spent getting ready for the Women’s Conference by typing 14 pages of scripture in Spanish and getting 300 handouts printed, making 300 bookmarks, buying supplies, running errands, talking to tons of people, doing Bible study, attending worship services and catching a few naps.
I got the chance to have lunch at Ya Voy on Friday with my friends Tamara and Sandra. I always love getting to catch up with them. I also got to meet with Jaasiel at the French bakery on Tuesday. She is doing some translating work for me and also working on the Kid’s ministry curriculum. It was good to get to see her, too.
On Tuesday evening, there were some musicians here practicing for an upcoming concert. Besides our own Praise Band, some old musical friends and some new people were here. I loved hearing the music. Katty was here and knocked on my door and I was blessed with a big hug from her. I was just so blessed to lay on my bed, read a Christian book and listen to the wonderful music being played and sang outside my door. Ahhhhh.
On Saturday, I caught up on laundry and rested and then Mary and I left at 4pm to head to the airport in Managua to pick up the next team. We left early so that we could grab dinner at the airport. It was just Subway sandwiches, but it was a treat! The team of 10 ladies all got in and we headed back to the team house. We were all settled in bed by 11pm or so. The ladies were tired, but happy to be here. And we were happy to have them here!
After church, Mary and I went to town to have lunch at Ya Voy, a new favorite restaurant of mine. I took a short nap in the afternoon and then worked on sorting and packing stuff from my room. I organized the Children’s Ministry stuff that I had been storing in my room and moved it to the office. I called and messaged a lot of people and started working on stuff for the upcoming Women’s Conference. It was a good day.
Monday, Mary and I got to help with the weighing, measuring and counting of the food staples that go to the Feeding Centers monthly. It was fun and funny, too.
The rest of the week was spent getting ready for the Women’s Conference by typing 14 pages of scripture in Spanish and getting 300 handouts printed, making 300 bookmarks, buying supplies, running errands, talking to tons of people, doing Bible study, attending worship services and catching a few naps.
I got the chance to have lunch at Ya Voy on Friday with my friends Tamara and Sandra. I always love getting to catch up with them. I also got to meet with Jaasiel at the French bakery on Tuesday. She is doing some translating work for me and also working on the Kid’s ministry curriculum. It was good to get to see her, too.
On Tuesday evening, there were some musicians here practicing for an upcoming concert. Besides our own Praise Band, some old musical friends and some new people were here. I loved hearing the music. Katty was here and knocked on my door and I was blessed with a big hug from her. I was just so blessed to lay on my bed, read a Christian book and listen to the wonderful music being played and sang outside my door. Ahhhhh.
On Saturday, I caught up on laundry and rested and then Mary and I left at 4pm to head to the airport in Managua to pick up the next team. We left early so that we could grab dinner at the airport. It was just Subway sandwiches, but it was a treat! The team of 10 ladies all got in and we headed back to the team house. We were all settled in bed by 11pm or so. The ladies were tired, but happy to be here. And we were happy to have them here!
October 5-12, 2013 Greenway Spirit and Word Fellowship Team
The Team from Greenway Spirit and Word Fellowship arrived at noon on Saturday. There were 4 women and 2 men on the team. I had met 2 of the people before on an earlier team. It was great to meet the new people. What a special group! They are here this week to minister to the VOH workers and the guys will do a little construction work. It will be fun!
We had worship at Pan de Vida church at the team house in the morning. We had lost electric due to the passing storm, so we were all set up to start up the generator for the musicians when the power came back on. Patty shared a testimony and Bob shared the message during worship. Leigh helped with the kids. It was a nice morning.
After lunch, orientation and a nap, we all went to worship at Pan de Vida church at Tomas Borgé neighborhood. The team shared testimonies, songs and the Word. It was very special. Since it was Kim’s birthday (team leader) we had cake to celebrate. The team then packed up goody bags to give out for the week’s ministry. Then we were off to bed. It was a good first day.
On Monday morning, we pampered the VOH workers here at the team house. Manicures, pedicures, neck massages and haircuts were the order of the day. Testimonies were shared. Erika, who usually does my pedicures (she loves to practice on me) was shy about letting me massage her feet. We had a lot of fun laughing and sharing time with each other. After lunch, the team pampered and ministered to the Feeding Center supervisors and the wives of our Pastors. It was a very nice time of serving and fellowshipping and honoring each other as God’s children. After dinner, the team went to the Youth service at Rose of Sharon church. Leigh and Bob joined in the praise dancing and everyone loved the singing and music and praising. It was a very good evening!
Monday – Thursday, the 2 men worked on putting up the 4th wall at the Monte Horeb church. Tuesday-Thursday, the ladies visited the Feeding Centers in the mornings and taught some sewing classes in the afternoons.
Tuesday afternoon was church here at the team house. Wednesday afternoon was a trip to the ice cream shop. Thursday afternoon was church at Monte Horeb.
Friday morning was a special time to do a Fiesta. Then the team did their Fun Day activities of shopping, sightseeing and having lunch. They got to visit the Cathedral and go up to the roof to get a bird’s eye view of León. Then the team headed to the beach and an early dinner at Suyapa restaurant. While eating dinner, the sky got really black and the wind picked up and there was a huge storm coming in. The workers at the restaurant were scurrying around putting up chairs and battening down the hatches. We calmly kept eating our dinners even though there was a lot of thunder and lightning and rain spraying on us at times. God protected us through that storm and we got to enjoy our dinner and also to have a safe drive back to the team house. That was exciting!
Saturday morning, the team had a quick breakfast and left for the airport a little before 7am. They were a lot of fun and an awesome team to minister with. Mary and I enjoyed them very much. I know that many Nicas are blessed to have had them here. God is faithful in our lives and is worthy of praise for the many ways He works through every one of us. It’s such a privilege to serve Him and work along side other brothers and sisters in Christ.
We had worship at Pan de Vida church at the team house in the morning. We had lost electric due to the passing storm, so we were all set up to start up the generator for the musicians when the power came back on. Patty shared a testimony and Bob shared the message during worship. Leigh helped with the kids. It was a nice morning.
After lunch, orientation and a nap, we all went to worship at Pan de Vida church at Tomas Borgé neighborhood. The team shared testimonies, songs and the Word. It was very special. Since it was Kim’s birthday (team leader) we had cake to celebrate. The team then packed up goody bags to give out for the week’s ministry. Then we were off to bed. It was a good first day.
On Monday morning, we pampered the VOH workers here at the team house. Manicures, pedicures, neck massages and haircuts were the order of the day. Testimonies were shared. Erika, who usually does my pedicures (she loves to practice on me) was shy about letting me massage her feet. We had a lot of fun laughing and sharing time with each other. After lunch, the team pampered and ministered to the Feeding Center supervisors and the wives of our Pastors. It was a very nice time of serving and fellowshipping and honoring each other as God’s children. After dinner, the team went to the Youth service at Rose of Sharon church. Leigh and Bob joined in the praise dancing and everyone loved the singing and music and praising. It was a very good evening!
Monday – Thursday, the 2 men worked on putting up the 4th wall at the Monte Horeb church. Tuesday-Thursday, the ladies visited the Feeding Centers in the mornings and taught some sewing classes in the afternoons.
Tuesday afternoon was church here at the team house. Wednesday afternoon was a trip to the ice cream shop. Thursday afternoon was church at Monte Horeb.
Friday morning was a special time to do a Fiesta. Then the team did their Fun Day activities of shopping, sightseeing and having lunch. They got to visit the Cathedral and go up to the roof to get a bird’s eye view of León. Then the team headed to the beach and an early dinner at Suyapa restaurant. While eating dinner, the sky got really black and the wind picked up and there was a huge storm coming in. The workers at the restaurant were scurrying around putting up chairs and battening down the hatches. We calmly kept eating our dinners even though there was a lot of thunder and lightning and rain spraying on us at times. God protected us through that storm and we got to enjoy our dinner and also to have a safe drive back to the team house. That was exciting!
Saturday morning, the team had a quick breakfast and left for the airport a little before 7am. They were a lot of fun and an awesome team to minister with. Mary and I enjoyed them very much. I know that many Nicas are blessed to have had them here. God is faithful in our lives and is worthy of praise for the many ways He works through every one of us. It’s such a privilege to serve Him and work along side other brothers and sisters in Christ.
October 1-5, 2013
The first was a travel day for me. I had a long layover in ATL, since I had to change my original ticket. I had some fun opportunities to talk with people in each airport. I love the way that God surprises me with people and situations. We (meaning me) should make more of an effort to pay attention to what He is doing all around us.
It was good to get to Nica and I arrived at the team house about 10pm, which was 11pm AR time. After the day of travel, especially the long ride from the airport to the team house, my body was ready for bed and it was good to be in my ‘Nica home’. Buster was very happy to see me, too. He took up residence in my rocking chair just like old times.
I was anxious to get up the next day to see everyone who comes to work at the team house. I’m starting back on my healthy oatmeal for breakfast (I miss Erika’s eggs). I even started making my green tea for each day. I spent the day unpacking, visiting with people, getting a nap and doing my Bible study. A storm came through, but it was still good sleeping. Alberto has been practicing singing with the speakers for one of the churches. He sat me down in the conference room, put a fan on me and then sang a few songs along with a cd. He’s really loving it!
I spent the next few days running errands, getting my hair cut, buying phone minutes and groceries, visiting the French bakery, catching up with tons of people, listening to the Praise Band practice, reading, doing Bible study and just enjoying being back.
On Saturday, I went to Managua in the morning to pick up the team from Virginia. They arrived at noon, so we stopped at Tip Top on the way back from MGA for lunch. We got to the team house in the early afternoon and rested. The team had been up since 2am eastern time and needed some relaxation. We had dinner and got to know each other. It’s going to be a great week. I love small teams because you get to spend time with each person. Buster has already started getting them trained in spoiling him. Everyone is happy!
It was good to get to Nica and I arrived at the team house about 10pm, which was 11pm AR time. After the day of travel, especially the long ride from the airport to the team house, my body was ready for bed and it was good to be in my ‘Nica home’. Buster was very happy to see me, too. He took up residence in my rocking chair just like old times.
I was anxious to get up the next day to see everyone who comes to work at the team house. I’m starting back on my healthy oatmeal for breakfast (I miss Erika’s eggs). I even started making my green tea for each day. I spent the day unpacking, visiting with people, getting a nap and doing my Bible study. A storm came through, but it was still good sleeping. Alberto has been practicing singing with the speakers for one of the churches. He sat me down in the conference room, put a fan on me and then sang a few songs along with a cd. He’s really loving it!
I spent the next few days running errands, getting my hair cut, buying phone minutes and groceries, visiting the French bakery, catching up with tons of people, listening to the Praise Band practice, reading, doing Bible study and just enjoying being back.
On Saturday, I went to Managua in the morning to pick up the team from Virginia. They arrived at noon, so we stopped at Tip Top on the way back from MGA for lunch. We got to the team house in the early afternoon and rested. The team had been up since 2am eastern time and needed some relaxation. We had dinner and got to know each other. It’s going to be a great week. I love small teams because you get to spend time with each person. Buster has already started getting them trained in spoiling him. Everyone is happy!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
September 2013
I’m writing for the whole month of September, since I haven’t updated this blog for so long. Time sure flies…
I spent a lot of time resting, taking care of myself and going through some medical tests. The tests on my heart were okay. My cardiologist still wants to see me, so I’ll have a visit with them in December.
I was glad that the ultrasound on my liver showed that the hemangioma has not changed. This is just a routine scan, so I wasn’t worried about it at all. I do still need to be working on my liver health, though, and I’m committing myself to eat healthier, get more rest and get more good exercise, and to lower my stress level. Looks like a job for the Lord to lead me in!
I was able to read some really good books to strengthen my Christian walk. I enjoyed a few short Bible Studies on my own, too. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful Christian friends that I have. They have helped me to step back and refocus on God and His plan for my life and the need for more obedience on my part.
I’m very excited about some of the changes that God is promising for my future. All I care about is what He is telling me to do and how it will glorify Him. I am eliminating unhealthy (and downright toxic) situations out of my life. I’m up for HIS challenges, because I know that He will guide me through and give me strength. I’m done with messing up His plans by trying to please everyone else and their agendas/perceptions/attitudes. God is so faithful to be right beside me always, even when I’m looking the wrong way.
I was so blessed to get to spend more time with the family of Cuerpo Vivo church, including getting to help one day on the painting project for their 2nd campus. I soaked up the love from all of them. I had fun speaking Spanish to them, too. We had some good laughs over my goof ups, but they were very encouraging about my progress. Pastors Jaime and Oliver are going to be my encouragers and accountability partners via email while I’m in Nica. They are very kind and wise and willing to tell me what God puts on their hearts for me to hear. I’m so thankful for them.
I couldn’t believe how much better I felt by the end of the month. I was still not 100%, but much better. The extra month in AR was very good for me in many ways. Now, I just have to pay off those silly medical bills! Hahaha! But God will provide for that. I’m not stressing over it.
I was in AR for 7 weeks (instead of the anticipated 3) and Deanna was not ready for me to leave for Nica. But I told her that I would be back in just 2 months, so it wouldn’t be as long as a usual trip south. I was really missing my Nica friends and students. I wish I could be in 2 places at once. But one of my new commitments is to spend more time on communicating with friends and loved ones via facebook, email, phone calls and personal visits. My focus is going to be more on relationships rather than tasks.
That reminds me of one of the good Bible Studies I did. It’s called “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World”. I thought it would just be like ‘quit being so busy and spend more time with Jesus’. But it actually was more than that and I enjoyed it so much. I recommend it highly and will share the book with friends here in Nica.
I could see God’s hand in everything that happened during the month of September and I trust His timing and His plans. He just needed to get my attention back on Him 100% and He did it in strong, but loving ways.
To everyone who shared meals with me, shared laughter and tears, listened to me ramble and share my heart, prayed for me and just plain loved on me during this month… Thank You for letting God use you in my life! I have been blessed!
Now on to October and what God has in store next!
I spent a lot of time resting, taking care of myself and going through some medical tests. The tests on my heart were okay. My cardiologist still wants to see me, so I’ll have a visit with them in December.
I was glad that the ultrasound on my liver showed that the hemangioma has not changed. This is just a routine scan, so I wasn’t worried about it at all. I do still need to be working on my liver health, though, and I’m committing myself to eat healthier, get more rest and get more good exercise, and to lower my stress level. Looks like a job for the Lord to lead me in!
I was able to read some really good books to strengthen my Christian walk. I enjoyed a few short Bible Studies on my own, too. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful Christian friends that I have. They have helped me to step back and refocus on God and His plan for my life and the need for more obedience on my part.
I’m very excited about some of the changes that God is promising for my future. All I care about is what He is telling me to do and how it will glorify Him. I am eliminating unhealthy (and downright toxic) situations out of my life. I’m up for HIS challenges, because I know that He will guide me through and give me strength. I’m done with messing up His plans by trying to please everyone else and their agendas/perceptions/attitudes. God is so faithful to be right beside me always, even when I’m looking the wrong way.
I was so blessed to get to spend more time with the family of Cuerpo Vivo church, including getting to help one day on the painting project for their 2nd campus. I soaked up the love from all of them. I had fun speaking Spanish to them, too. We had some good laughs over my goof ups, but they were very encouraging about my progress. Pastors Jaime and Oliver are going to be my encouragers and accountability partners via email while I’m in Nica. They are very kind and wise and willing to tell me what God puts on their hearts for me to hear. I’m so thankful for them.
I couldn’t believe how much better I felt by the end of the month. I was still not 100%, but much better. The extra month in AR was very good for me in many ways. Now, I just have to pay off those silly medical bills! Hahaha! But God will provide for that. I’m not stressing over it.
I was in AR for 7 weeks (instead of the anticipated 3) and Deanna was not ready for me to leave for Nica. But I told her that I would be back in just 2 months, so it wouldn’t be as long as a usual trip south. I was really missing my Nica friends and students. I wish I could be in 2 places at once. But one of my new commitments is to spend more time on communicating with friends and loved ones via facebook, email, phone calls and personal visits. My focus is going to be more on relationships rather than tasks.
That reminds me of one of the good Bible Studies I did. It’s called “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World”. I thought it would just be like ‘quit being so busy and spend more time with Jesus’. But it actually was more than that and I enjoyed it so much. I recommend it highly and will share the book with friends here in Nica.
I could see God’s hand in everything that happened during the month of September and I trust His timing and His plans. He just needed to get my attention back on Him 100% and He did it in strong, but loving ways.
To everyone who shared meals with me, shared laughter and tears, listened to me ramble and share my heart, prayed for me and just plain loved on me during this month… Thank You for letting God use you in my life! I have been blessed!
Now on to October and what God has in store next!
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