Monday, December 3, 2012

Fw: Belize update on Catarina


Just Got news Catarina is on her way home.
tim tam

Hello Everyone,
 
Catarina and Juan are on their way home to Belize today.  Catarina has completed all chemo treatments and is doing great.  The doctor and his wife are accompanying them to Belize and will be visiting Catarina's village along with Alicia and Korie Williams. 
 
Catarina was on the local Knoxville news a few nights ago.  She and Juan were at the Festival of Trees and she was riding a carousel.  The news report was telling her story and the plans for her return to Belize. 
 
Continue to pray for Catarina as she returns to her family and village. 
 
Blessings,  Carla

Read news story here


Thursday, September 13, 2012

Belize update on Catarina


Just got this update from Carla on Caterina
Tim Tam




Hey Everyone,
 
Some of us visited with Catarina yesterday and she is great; smiling and laughing at us as usual.  One of our girls took her a photo album with pictures of her family when we visited them in Belize in July; she was so excited! 
 
Mr. Juan is really missing home, his wife and family. 
 
Attached a photo of Catarina with some of her friends from Morristown.
 
Blessings,  Carla

Tim Tam
The Word at Work











--
Tim Tam

The Word at Work
1400 Wolflin, Amarillo, TX. 79109
806-342-3600




Thursday, August 16, 2012

Tim Tam: update on Catarina Ishim


Hello Everyone,
 
I saw Caterina yesterday.  She came with the doctor to drop some items for our mission team to bring to Belize this week.  She jumped out of the car and ran up to hug me.  She was smiling, as usual.
 
She has the chemo treatment each Wednesday so she is preparing for another one tomorrow.   She had her wig on as she has lost her hair from the treatments.  The doctor said she was more upset about her eyebrows falling out than she was about her hair but she knows her hair will come back in after all treatments are completed.  The doctors are amazed at how well her body has taken the chemo; she has had very little nausea and continues to have a good appetitie.  Praise! 
 
I will be in Roaring Creek Village, Belize from August 16 - 25 so you probably won't hear from me until our group returns on 25th. 
 
Blessings,  Carla

Tim Tam
The Word at Work

Cell. 806-671-9673







Thursday, August 2, 2012

Belize update: Catarina Ishim



Hey Everyone,
 
Just got message that Juan and Caterina Ishim will be on the 6pm news tonight in Knoxville, Tennessee; channel 8 local or channel 5 cable.  Don't know any details but probably just an update with one of the doctors.
 
I saw Caterina a few days ago and she was laughing and smiling as usual.  She has lost her hair from the chemo treatments but has had very little sickness from the treatments.  These treatments will continue into November. 
 
I just got back from Belize last Saturday.  Our group visited Caterina's village and dropped off items that Juan and Caterina had sent back with us.  One of our group supplied funds to deliver food to the families so we were able to do that along with distributing some donated clothing.  We prayed with the family and friends that gathered and Korie Williams shared scripture that seemed to soothe their pain.   
 
The Ishim family viewed the first photos they had seen of Caterina since the tumor was removed.  It was very emotional for them to see the results of the tumor removal.  Juan had told them by phone but when they actually viewed the photos, it was hard to take. 
 
The surgeries and chemo treatments have well exceeded the $500,000 US that was initially expected.  Once the cancer was confirmed and chemo came into the picture, costs have exceeded $1,000,000 US already.
 
Many have asked about the reconstruction and we don't have details regarding final decisions on that at this time.  The surgeons have stated that reconstruction will be delayed until Caterina is older.  If the eye socket and nose is replaced now, it will have to be reconstructed as her facial features change with growth.  So, no definate answer but will let you know more as I hear more. 
 
Blessings,  Carla





Thursday, June 21, 2012

From Tim Tam: Caterina Ishim?


Talk about a strange Coincidence
Our girl with the tumor, Caterina Ishim comes from the far South of Belize.

I recently met another Cateriana Ishim, yet it was in Central Belize in The Valley of Peace......a rural village where we partner with the local Belizean churches to help the poor in their community....(VALLEY of PEACE PARTNERS or VOPP).
 Catrina  is one of 3 families  that VOPP  have selected this year as destitute and in need of a home.
 Her husband was killed 2 years ago and left her widowed with 8 daughter's.
 so, in a couple days we will be getting a start on a house to be built by her neighbors and a visiting mission team.

 I asked her about the coincidence of her name and it turns out that they are related...... this is her great aunt........ her namesake.
 the grandfather that took Caterina  to the states for surgery is her brother-in-law.
 she explained that the family had been praying and were very worried but were unaware of what has transpired.
 I assured her that God had answered their prayers and that I would return in a couple days and share recent photos with her.

 Throughout the ordeal of Katerina's tumor we only asked for prayers. everything financial had already been taken care of.
 so, if you are looking for another way to give, we need to raise $3000 USD for materials to build this house.

 please let me know if you are in a position and willing to help.
 Thanks, 

TT in BZ

Tim Tam
The Word at Work

Cell. 806-671-9673






Sunday, June 17, 2012

Home Again

Our wonderful team of 21 has returned to Arlington after a great trip to New Orleans.  It was a great trip for so many reasons. 

One of the highlights was getting to start new relationships, and to reconnect with some friends we have made in the previous years.  We have previously mentioned Ms. Ruby.  We had the privilege of being able to work on her home in 2011, and it was wonderful to see her this year.  She joined us for our block party on Wed night, she gave us a tour of her home (and how it's been updated since we left).  We had the privilege of meeting her nephew, and just had a great time with her.  



Our group this year was a TON of fun.  We were so busy working and enjoying being together that we only managed to slow down once for a group picture (and this one was at the block party Wed night). 


One of the highlights for me is being able to work with EFCA's Touch Global.  It's an extremely well organized group, and the staff is amazing.  We had gotten to know some of the staff last year, and we loved reconnecting with them this year.  This is Ronnie, Jen, Katie, and Chelsea.


It was a great trip, and I'm sure it may not be our last trip to New Orleans.  Katrina may have hit awhile ago, but 25% of the homes in New Orleans are still not lived in, and 40% of the homes in the 9th ward have either been leveled are uninhabited.   Keep praying for New Orleans, EFCA, and for all those living there!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Work Days 4 and 5

It's been a full but good few days. 
We have continued working at the various sites, and building relationships with the various home owners.

Mary Hart was so appreciative of her team, that she bought them a good ole Louisiana meal for lunch on Thursday (catfish, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, gumbo on rice, cake).

The group at Walter's house all but finished the fence today (fri).

The group at the Upper Room Church took on a massive project of trying to scrape of the old layer of floor to leave just the concrete underneath.  They made good headway.  And in the mean time had some good conversations with neighbors in the area. A highlight for Scott was getting to join a few of the local teens in a pick up basketball game.

The 4th team spent a few days working on the house of a man named Michael (a fascinating man, who it turns out is a very talented musician). 

Tonight we are going out to dinner to enjoy some time together and the food!

Tomorrow morning we will get on the road early to start our drive back to Arlington. Please pray for safe travels.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Work Day 3

Yesterday marked our half way point, and a good day of ministry.

About half our group started the day on a prayer walk at the House of Hope (a relatively new church ministry in the upper 9th ward).  We were able to walk through the neighborhood, meet a few people. A highlight of our time there was stopping to visit Ms. Ruby.  Part of our group worked on our house last year and really built a strong realtionship with her. We were able to check in with her, see how the work on her house is coming, pray with her. It was wonderful to see her!

All of the crews continued on their jobs with good success.

Later in the day, we had a block party at the Upper Room Church. we cooked a few dozen hotdogs, handed out some bottles of water, played games with a few of the kids. We met a few of the neighbors, and learned a lot o what it has been like to live in New Orleans post-Katrina.

Today the other half of our group will be spending the morning doing a prayer walk at the House of Hope, and then we all are working on our sites

Thank you for your prayers!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Work Day 2

The crew working at Mary and Tiny's house had another busy but full day. They made enough progress that they were even able to start painting in places.

In the midst of their productivity, the team took a prayer walk and had a great time interacting with the community.

The team at Walter's house continued working at putting up his fence.

Two exciting things happened though as the day unfolded.  One is that we are hoping to begin work on his neighbor's property by the end of the week to get it to the point where it wont be fined (and thus taken over by the city). Hopefully the necessary paper work is being filled out now so that work can start ASAP.  Praying for everything to fall into place.

Also, a lot of the neighbors just started stopping by the see what was happening, and why this crew of volunteers was helping out their friend Walter. And this is in a neighborhood where a lot of the houses have been destroyed and their are a great deal of vacant lots - but word got around, and people came by. And several of those people stayed to help. It was a great chance to get to know people, hear their stories and share the real reason we are down here doing this work.

The team at the Upper Room Church spending the day sanding down the pews in the balcony, and painting the balcony.

While on a prayer walk, they met a guy named Fred, who shared with them photos of his house after Katrina (which had nine feet of water in it). They had a chance to pray with and for him.

This morning most of our team is starting off the day with a prayer walk at the House of Hope in New Orleans.

We will then divide into 4 teams (one extra work crew today), and finish the day with a block party at the Upper Room Church.

Please pray for our day at the worksites, for productive work, for good interactions with people in the community.

Pray for Trevor, who has tonsilitis.  After resting all day yesterday and getting the right mediciation he fells a lot better but would still appreciate your prayers.

Pray for our block party tonight.

Thanks,

The New Orleans Mission Team

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

First Day on the Worksite

We had a great first day on the worksite.

The team that went to Mary's house met both Mary and her husband Tiny (who is not so Tiny in stature).  It turns out that in addition to losing their money to ahook contractor, their house was was also bulgarized and coper stolen from the roof (leaving the ceiling damaged). The group was able to get some good work done with the work on the dry wall, etc.

The group building the fence met their homeowners. Walter was told by the city if they didn't put up a 6 foot fence they would be fined.  The city is assigning a lot of fines right now for people not maintaining things (like grass according to a certain height etc). And if people didn't meet the regulations, or cant pay their fines their property is being seized to pay the fines. Thankfully Walter is going to have his fence built in time, but Walter's neighbor who has been in the hospital for the last 2 years has not been able to maintain his home. He is at risk for losing his property because of fines he cant pay. The team is hoping to finish up the fence either today or tomorrow.

The 3rd team is working on The Upper Room Church. It is a wonderful building that had four feet of water damage because of the storm, damage because of weather over the last 8 years, and vandalism. But they are hoping to restore it so that they can use it to minister to those in the area. We met one woman who said she had two sons who were around 19-20 years old. We asked them where they hung out, and she said no where that the area was so run down that there was no where to really hang out or play ball. 

We are returning to our same 3 sites tonight to work, and looking forward to building more relationships.

Please pray for Trevor, who we think has an ear infection.

Pray for our team, as they are working hard, in the heat and humidity. Pray for our safety, pray for good spirits

Please pray for the relationships among our team, with the EFCA team, and with the team from North Carolina. Pray that in all that we say or do we can glorify God.

Pray that we may be a light to Christ in all we do.

With love and blessings,

The New Orleans Mission Team

Monday, June 11, 2012

Job Sites

We are off to our 3 job sites this morning.

The first is owned by a woman named Mary Hart. About 5 years ago, she paid a contractor to work on her house. He did a phenomenal job making a pretty looking roof. But the roof leaked causing major damage in the house. And at that point, the contractor left with Mary's money. Lew's team is going to go in this morning to do some gutting and to assess what needs to be done.

Our 2nd job is actually a fence installation. This family lives in the lower 9th ward and has to have their fence up by June 20th or face serious ramifications. Pastor Gerald (who EFCA works with on prayer walks) ask us to help us with this fence. Rob will be leading this team.

The 3rd job is at the Upper Room Church.  A church from Slidell has come and planted this church in a church/school. We are going to do some initial painting/prepping.

Please pray for us as we go out to the sites

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Concert of Prayer

"@katiehooksnola: Students from First Presbyterian of Arlington TX swaying and singing praises to our God during concert of prayer! http://t.co/TmwLTYZT"

Safely in LA

We have made it safely to Covington, LA (which is our home base for the week). It was a smooth, easy trip down. We arrived just in time for orientation and prayer.

There is one other group here with us for the week, from High Point, NC.

Rest of the night will involve time in prayer, settling in, time in devotion (just our group), and a much needed early bed time.

Rob preached this morning and will br flying to New Orleans in the morning- pray for his safe arrival.

In the morning, we will divide into our work teams, and head out to meet the homeowners. Pray for good meetings, and a good first day of work.

Thanks for your prayers! We appreciate every one of them!

The New Orleans Mission Team

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Leaving tomorrow for New Orleans

Tomorrow, Sunday, June 10, June 21 youth/adults from FPCA will be
leaving to make the drive to New Orleans. We are partnering with the
disaster relief branch of EFCA.

I am very excited to see what God is going to do while we are there

-please pray for our team members, they range in age from 13 to 80.
Some of us have traveled together on mission trips before and for
others this will be there first trip of this nature. Pray that God can
bring us together, and that we may be able to grow together and hold
one annother accountabile.
- pray specifically for our summer youth intern, Lora Cordova. Going
on a mission trip for her will be a new experience, and I am praying
that it will open her heart to hear even more clearly what God is
speaking to her.
- pray for the youth guys coming on this trip, those that are good
friends, and those that are coming in barely knowing anyone.
-pray for the girls coming. It's a smaller group than the guys. but
may they form a bond, and feel as if they are making an impact with
the work they are doing.
- pray for our adults - Lew, Homer, Rob, Sophie, Scott, Lora, Russell.
Help us to stay rested and to have a great time as we get to serve,
play, and do God's work.


-pray for our interactions with the people of NEW ORLEANS. Some of
the people we have the privilege of meeting have been struggling since
the storm. What a humbling privilege that God allows us to be the ones
to serve them in their time of need.

Pray that we may be willing servants, that we may preach Christ
crucified, but that we also learn and walk away with full hearts.

Thanks you for your prayers!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Katarina Photo

Hey Everyone,
 
Dr. Glover sent a photo of Katarina during her birthday party yesterday.  That smiling face sure is a blessing from God just as she is.  She has such a positive outlook and is so full of hope.  She feels very comfortable without her veil and loves her new hair cut.  She knows what is to come with the chemo and the reconstruction and the long road ahead of her.  Continue to lift her up in prayer. 
 
Blessings,  Carla

Tim Tam
The Word at Work

Cell. 806-671-9673







Thursday, May 24, 2012

From Tim Tam: Katarina update

Hey Everyone,
 
Today is Katarina's birthday; she is 12 today.  All is well with her recovery and she is awaiting the beginning of the chemo treatments.  She has cut her hair short and donated her long locks to Locks of Love.  She will probably loose her hair during the chemo treatments and we are sending in an application to Locks of Love to request a wig for her.  Many children and adults in Belize have donated their hair to Locks of Love and we are praying they will accept her as a recipient for a wig.
 
Blessings,  Carla
 
 

Tim Tam
The Word at Work

Cell. 806-671-9673







Thursday, May 17, 2012

From Tim Tam: Katarina update



Hey Everyone,
 
Great news this morning for Catarina.  No cancer in Catarina's bone marrow and no recurrence on her MRI!!!  Praise God!! and thank everyone so much for prayers!  Thank you Lord!
 
Blessings,  Carla







Tim Tam
The Word at Work

Cell. 806-671-9673







Monday, May 14, 2012

From Tim Tam: Katarina Update


Hey Everyone,
 
A few of us went to visit with Catarina last night.  She is doing very well but continues to need prayers.  She has gained some weight (and so has Juan, her grandfather) ha! imagine that in the USA!!  Catarina was sitting in a chair in the doctors home drinking chocolate milk and working a puzzle.  She is walking around some but the skin graft from her thigh has not completely healed so she has had some difficulty with that area.  She actually went to Chuckie Cheese with the doctor and his family; loved eating pizza.
 
The skin flap has covered the area where the tumor was removed and it is quite a large area.  It covers part of her mouth, entire nose area and one of her eyes.  Please be in prayer that the bone marrow biopsy will show no cancer; she will have that test soon.  And pray that the thigh area will heal quickly; no chemo can begin until that is completely healed.
 
Juan is keeping in close contact with his family in Belize.  They call him often and he also calls them.  Catarina has spoken to her parents and other family members frequently.  
 
Blessings,  Carla 
 
 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

From Tim Tam: Update on Katarina

Hello Everyone,
 
Catarina is preparing for a short surgery on Monday.  She will get a central line and have a bone marrow biopsy before starting chemo.  She and her grandfather are staying with the doctor in his home at this time.   Please continue to pray.  She is doing very well.  Going to visit this week so will update you.   Blessings,  Carla
 

Monday, April 9, 2012

From Tim Tam: Catarina Update=?UTF-8?B?4oCmLi5UdW1vciAg?=surgery q



-----Original message-----
From: Tim Tam <timtam@twaw.org>
To:
Tim Tam <timtam@twaw.org>
Sent:
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 04:19:05 GMT+00:00
Subject:
From Tim Tam: Catarina Update…..Tumor surgery q

My apologies if you already received these from Carla.
I get so many requests for updates on this, it is easier to send to my whole address book.


Tim Tam


From: Hearts of christ Hoc <heartsofchristhoc@yahoo.com>
Subject: Catarina Update

Hey Everyone,
 
Catarina will be admitted to the hospital (this) morning around 6am.  She is scheduled for trach and G-tube at 7:45am.  We are told she will be in ICU after this is completed tomorrow and kept there until after recovery from the tumor removal surgery which is scheduled for next week. 
 
Her MRI showed no parasites and all scans were good confirming no metastasis which is a Big Praise!
 
Continue in prayer!
 Blessings,  Carla Jennings

 
 Hello Everyone,
 
Today was the first of a long process for Catarina.  The surgeons have the trach and the feeding tube in place.  She was frightened and she cried as we prayed over her before surgery.  She was in surgery for these procedures about two hours.  She did very well and was taken to ICU after recovery.   The doctors, the nurses, and everyone at the hospital has been so good and kind to Catarina; she has had some very special attention.
 
She will remain in ICU until next Friday when she will be taken for the removal of the tumor.  Once removed, the plastic surgeon will begin the reconstruction.  Her expected hospital stay is 3 weeks. It's a long road ahead so continue to pray.
 
Good Friday!
 
Blessings,  Carla 
Tim Tam
The Word at Work

Cell. 806-671-9673







Wednesday, April 4, 2012

prayer request

An update on yesterday's concrete pour at the Valley of Peace School - it went well - God is good!  Way to go Kenny!!

Hi I just want to say thanks for all your prayers and thanks to Kent
for helping me get this far
Thanks
Kenny

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

From Tim Tam: Belize update on Baby Raquel and Catarina q



Done!

We have support to send Baby Raquel and her mom to the states for surgery.

Thank you all........
Tim Tam





Here is yesterdays update on Catarina

Hello Everyone,
 
Stephanie and I went  to see Catarina yesterday.  She is in very good spirits and feeling comfortable.  Her grandfather was able to call the family in Belize while we were there.  He says he feels like he is with family and feels like he is at home.  Catarina has had no fever, no difficulty breathing and is eating and drinking very well.  She says she has no pain.  The doctor is trying to get as much nutrition in her as possible before the surgery. 
 
The doctors and surgeons are reviewing all the additional medical records Mr. Ishim brought with him and we should know the surgery date soon. 
 
Mr. Ishim has such strong faith and he has put Catarina in the hands of the Lord and said "His will be done".  He shared so many stories with us yesterday; everyone felt like they had known him forever.
 
Continue to pray for Catarina and Juan, her grandfather.  Will update you as we hear from the doctors.
 
Blessings,  Carla Jennings
Hearts of Christ Children's Ministry

Tim Tam
The Word at Work

Cell. 806-671-9673







Prayer Request from Belize

Hello everyone,

Would you please join us in prayer as Kenny Logan prepares to pour the roof for the Valley of Peace school in Belize?  This three building will alleviate current overcrowding; the project was started last year.

Kenny asks specifically for:

1 - Safety during the pour tomorrow, Wednesday, April 3

2 - Stability of the structure so the pour will go well

3 - Laborers - there are 35 yards of concrete to be poured!

Thank you for your partnership and prayers,

Mollie Fields

Operations Manager

The Word @ Work

1400 Wolflin Ave

Amarillo, TX 79109

806.342.3600

806.654.5773 (cell)

806.342.3603 (FAX)

Ephesians 6:24

 

From Tim Tam: Special Request q

2 down and one to go.
If you remember one of my previous emails I mentioned on my March trip to Belize being confronted with 3 medical problems?????
1. Hospitalized mother needing Medicine not available in Belize
2. Catarina and tumor (update from Hearts of Christ below)

Now we are seeking help for an infant needing surgery

The need with Caterina was prayer and a hospital in the US to open it's doors.
getting the hospital is usually the hard part.

The good news here is we have already secured the hospital and physicians.
This time we need help with funding to get the mother and child to the states.

This 3 year old, known as "Baby Raquel", and her 18 year old mother are from a Belizean children's home......Marla's House of Hope.
As you can see from the photo she needs corrective eye surgery.
There is no family to help, but we can be that for her.

We need about $1000 USD for airfare to get Raquel and her mother to the states.
At this time everything else is covered.


Please contact me via email if you can help.
I am currently in transit to Belize and will respond tonight or tomorrow.

tt





Image 1
 


Image 3
 




From Friday night
Hello Everyone,
 
I just received a call from Alicia Williams and she, Catarina and Juan have arrived in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Catarina made the flight in good condition. All is well.  
 
They were at the drive thru at McDonalds!  Can you believe that; God is so good!
 
Catarina, Juan and Alicia are staying in the home of the doctor tonight and I will let you know as I hear more details.  The doctors and surgeons met today and plans are in the making for the surgery date and time. 
 
So thankful for all the prayers and for the ones to come; so much power in prayer.
 
Blessings,  Carla Jennings
Hearts of Christ

Tim Tam
The Word at Work

Cell. 806-671-9673







Sunday, March 18, 2012

Final Belize prayer update

"O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise... ." Psalm 8:1-2a

 

Received from the Belize Team at 5:17 PM…

 

 

We done reach (translation - we have reached the DFW airport). It was an AMAZING trip. We cannot thank each of you enough for all of your prayers. Hopefully in the next week or two we will have pictures and stories posted on our missions blog, fpcamissions.blogspot.com.

Blessings and love,

The 2012 Belize Team

 

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

forever and ever! Amen.

Eph. 3:20-21

 

Way to pray, good and faithful prayer warriors!

Belize prayer update 13

Received from the Belize Team at 11:40 AM…

 

We are in the early stages of our journey back to the DFW area. We have checked in at the airport here at Belize, and are about to board for Houston. Please pray for a smooth journey.

 

 

Praise God and continue praying!

Belize prayer update 12

Received from the Belize Team at 11:45 PM Saturday…

 

After a wonderful evening with Belizean friends we got up early this morning [Saturday] for breakfast with one of the YES girls and her baby. Today [Saturday] we also debriefed-had some time relaxing and praying in Scripture.  Tomorrow [Sunday] our first flight is at 11 and we will return to DFW after 5 PM. Please be in prayer for travel mercies.

 

 

 

Praise God for the incredible time the team has had while in Belize; for the work that was accomplished but, more importantly, for the ministry God has allowed them to have and to receive.

 

Please pray…

·         for team members’ emotions as they say their goodbyes

·         that packing, travel to and check-in at the airport would be problem free

·         for team members’ emotions as they leave Belize and transition from the amazing time they’ve had while in Belize

·         for travel mercies

·         that all their luggage arrives with them

·         “Pray that we wouldn’t have a “mountaintop" experience, but that we would truly be changed more into the image of Jesus” [from the prayer journal]

 

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:2-3


 

Friday, March 16, 2012

Belize prayer update 11

Received from the Belize Team at 7:30 this evening…

 

 

 

Every day we are here we are amazed at God's provision and his answer to prayer.  It has been humbling to be able to be a part of the YES girls’ lives and to be able to serve that community by working on their two buildings.  We have deepened relationships in new ways this year, and it truly was hard to say good-bye, but good to know that these relationships will be continued in the time to come.

 

The Belize City work crew finished the job of painting the interior.  They are still working on the bathroom even as I type this.  They finished painting the room, and it looks fantastic.  Jim's comment was, "I wish we had another week to knock out even more."

 

The Lord's Bank work crew continued painting.  Though the rooms they were working on were two-toned, they worked diligently and efficiently and painted the two main rooms. 

 

A good portion of the group had the privilege of taking the YES girls on a field trip.  To say the girls had a good time is an understatement.  But it wasn't just about having fun.  You can tell that there was a certain level of trust established, and our conversations, prayer, and sharing continued throughout the day. 

 

We truly appreciate your prayers, for us, for those we interacted with, for the girls, and for the staff of us.

 

Pray that we would leave changed by God; not just through the experiences we had, but that we would desire to know Him more after this week of serving.

Pray for our safety as we travel home.

 

 

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

 

 

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Belize prayer update 10

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

Colossians 1:28-29

 

Received from the Belize Team at 7:30 PM…

 

As my text mentioned earlier, our day started with a wonderful time of worship. We sang a few songs (and the girls taught us a few songs). Presley, Jenn, and Tara led a devotional, and what emerged was a time of sharing as the girls opened up about the reality of things they struggle with on a daily basis - everything from insecurity, to abuse, to the recent loss of a sibling. We were able to spend some time, talking, praying, and worshipping with the girls.

We transitioned to our "normal" activities with a small group activity, and then it was time to start the day. By that time though a couple of our group members had already gotten a jump start on the daily "grocery shopping" (or rather taking Yolanda to the market) and the Belize City crew was hard at work. 

The Belize City crew continued painting (both inside and on the roof), and they started putting up walls (because they had torn some down yesterday).

The Lord's Bank work crew worked hard! If you have seen pictures of YES in the past, one thing you know is that Pastor Ruth loves bright colors. It definitely wasn't a surprise that she had lots of bright colors picked out for the new building we are working on.  Our crew worked hard (they actually worked well past quitting time yesterday to get things done, and finally had to be told to stop), and primed and painted today. The rooms look absolutely lit up with some color on the wall!

Some of the girls worked on the quilt today, and tried their hand at hand stitching (learning a completely new skill). Ben taught all the girls to make woven bracelets, which they loved! And during our bracelet making time, we had more good conversations and times of prayer.

Suzie taught her computer class. Today they practiced typing in Microsoft Word and had an introduction to Microsoft Excel. One of the girls really enjoyed learning how to make formulas in Excel to perform math. Each girl was also able to show their presentations to new people. It was so wonderful to see their big smiles full of confidence for what they had accomplished. We also spent time taking a few pictures of each girl so that they could post pictures to Facebook. It was a full day for the computer class.

We sent Scot off to BERT where he taught more classes today.

Tina was able to connect with Mike and Yodi again of the church in Orange Walk. They gave her a sketch of the planned roof hoping that she could come up with a more cost efficient plan, and Tina used her engineering skills to organize the information and brainstorm a new plan. God has truly used all of our gifts and talents this week through reaching out to others!

Sophie and Michelle met with Ian, who is an ombudsman here in Belize, and is the international track and field representative as well. Ian explained that there is no place for track and field to be practiced, and there are also no sports equipment. Running has never been a sport here in Belize, but Ian believes that giving kids the opportunity to run will keep them out of harm's way. He is looking for support of the sport and possibly more coaches. He initially reached out to us hoping for the empty container in our church parking lot, and we were excited to meet someone with such love and compassion for the children of Belize.

Thank you all for the prayers! They have definitely been lifted up and helpful as we saw today.

Praise God for…

 

·         … the wonderful time of worship this morning and the opportunity it brought for good conversation with the girls

·         … the continued endurance and good progress in so many areas; construction, sewing, computers, and BERT

·         … the way God is glorifying Himself in using the gifts and talents He's given team members to serve in unique and varied ways

 

Please pray for…

·         … a renewed strength from God as we work, that we would depend on Him for our energy

·         … for opportunities to interact with the people of Belize; that we can understand their joys and hardships

·         … for team member's eyes to be open to see how God is at work in, around, and through them

 

 

He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40: 29-31