Global Cafe

Before...and...After

2009-07-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

Here are the 'before and after' pictures of the computer room project at the Children's Home here in Honduras. Praire Ridge Church, this is what your support and donations made possible! We had intermittent power all day Thursday which made installing new lights and fans tricky. However, the power stayed on throughout the movie night we put on for the kids last night, thankfully. The older kids watched Transformers in Spanish and the younger kids watched Ice Age also in Spanish.
I can't believe Jeremy and I (Graham) leave to head home already tomorrow morning. The week has gone fast here but we have learned and grown so much. I will be excited to see my family and sleep in airconditioning again but will definitely miss the beautiful people and amazing hospitality here at the Children's Home. We'll be thinking about them and praying for them long after we leave.

Photos from Honduras

2009-07-21T22:32:00.001-07:00

Progress on the Project

2009-07-21T22:24:00.000-07:00

We have been working hard here in Honduras on the 'computer room' project. The pictures show our Day 1 work on the ceiling (Monday, because Sunday was our day to hang out with the kids and get supplies ready). Today (Day 2) we built tables for the computers and got some help mudding the ceiling. We'll do some painting tomorrow and hopefully have things ready to move computers in on Thursday.

We took a break this afternoon from the hard work and hit the local water park! yes, there is a water park just blocks from the slum-like community of Azacualpa. We'll post a few more pictures next. They say the internet speeds up after 10pm around here and I think we're noticing that!!

Hot in Honduras

2009-07-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

Hello from Honduras! I (Graham) am here with Jeremy Williams from Ankeny, IA and have discovered the reason people here need a siesta every afternoon - it's too hot to do anything else! Actually we couldn't even nap since our room felt like a convection oven. Aside from that we are enjoying our time getting to know the children and others here at the children's home. Azacualpa (the nearest town) is a small but crowded, and very-3rd-world community. The children's home we are visiting and serving this week is somewhat of a "light on a hill" here. In addition to the 24 or so children that live here, they drive an old school bus into town and bring dozens more out to the home for meals and sunday school. They also bring others for church Sunday nights.

Jeremy and I brought 6 netbook computers we plan to set up in a 'computer room' here at the home for the children to use. The high speed internet works fairly well when the power works! It's a strange phenomenon amidst the 3rd world surroundings but we're excited how the internet will be a great learning tool and resource for them. We'll try to post another update this week as our renovations and work progress.

Brazil Reflections

2009-06-26T06:35:00.000-07:00

Speaking as someone who feels fulfilled by physically serving others' needs, this experience taught me about the importance of building relationships--that it's better to interact and connect before jumping right into work. I met so many wonderful people and formed so many friendships, and I'm more grateful than words can express that I was encouraged to focus on these people instead of becoming consumed by "getting the job done."

I was surprised that the language barrier seemed so small compared to what I was expecting. I thought it would be near impossible to communicate, but with the little English that they knew, the little Portuguese that Cheryl had taught us, often creative actions (especially on Ingrid's part), and lots of smiles, somehow we were able to put together a language we all understood.

Ella Broadbooks

Brazil Reflections

2009-06-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

The Mission Trip to Lar Batista was a life changing experience. The children didn't have many toys but that isn't what they wanted. All they want is love, attention and to play with us. Simple. Amazing how they have had such hardships in their lives and seem to conquer it and have having faith and believing in Christ; also being sweet and have a huge smile on their faces. My live will be forever changed. It is definite that the Lord has this orphanage in the palm of his hand.

-Amy Blize

Thursday Update

2009-06-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

Painting, painting, painting! We are all very dirty from paint at the moment, after painting both the inside and outside of the girls' dorm. Tomorrow will be our last day at Lar Batista, although we're trying not to think about saying goodbye. We've made so many good friends and created so many memories -- not to mention (most likely) gained several pounds from the incredible food! You will never fully know how much we appreciate all your prayer and support. Blessings to all, and see you soon!

2009-06-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

After a hard day's work and play yesterday, we awoke to cloudy skies this morning. Sure enough, it started raining as we ate breakfast. Your dedicated workers started sanding the walls of the girls' dorm despite the weather. With the help of about a hundred kids, we finished that step and moved on to cleaning and the actual painting. We finished putting the first coat of paint on the seven rooms and the hallway at about two in the afternoon. The food is even more scrumptious and the kids are so much fun and helpful! We've been working hard, playing hard, and learning a ton.

Oi (Portuguese for `hi´) from Mom, Tyler, Dalton, and Gracie! I miss you so much and can´t wait to see you once again - I love you. --Angela

Mom, I'm eating my vegetables. --Ella

Judy and Roger: I talked them into putting your name on the blog; you're now famous. --Tara

Bret: Wish you were here experiencing what we are. Having a great time despite the rain today. --Amy

Juao Paulo, Cheyenne, Gabriela, and Bia around Bruno.

Ingrid and Angela (water bottle is now missing in action)

Bruno in Jorge's glasses.

A typical evening after dinner -- enjoying conversation and lots of laughter in the courtyard.

Oi from Brazil!

2009-06-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

It's a testament to the business at Lar that we haven't been able to share until today -- between playing with the kids, going to church, and remodeling the girls' dorm, we've barely had time to breathe, let alone get across the street to post on the blog!

Our travel went as smoothly as we could hope for; no flights were delayed, and we didn't have to run to a single gate.

We were welcomed like long-lost family when we arrived late on Saturday, especially in terms of the UNBELIEVABLE food! (We decided after the very first meal that we would all come home with more weight.)

The past couple days have been busier than anyone expected. We were put to work today on the girls' dorm after spending Sunday playing with the kids and going to church in the morning and evening. We've been able to do a lot more than originally anticipated thanks to the generous donations of the Global Cafe and the congregation of Prairie Ridge. Our ears are all ringing after spending the day listening to roofs and ceilings being torn down -- we were originally only going to have enough to paint the building, but because of your generosity we're going to be able to replace the roof, ceilings, and several doors in addition to repainting both the inside and outside.

Words can't express how much we appreciate all your prayers, support, and encouragement.
I tried to think of a legitimate excuse to post this picture of baby Bruno, but I decided I didn't really need one. :)
We just saved a bunch of money on our car insurance by switching to Geico!
(Our uninvited roommate the first night)
We created a new policy: No more wallpaper at Lar unless it's there TO STAY.
We're having so much fun, we're flipping out! :)

Mission Navajo Thursday Update

2009-03-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

This morning the team had a lighter schedule compared to the rest of the week. The main difference was that for part of the team it was early up as a 6:30 a.m. departue for six of us to Lukachukai. This was a community that we were blessed to land upon thanks to an encounter earlier in the week with the pastor of this church in town to explore future mission endeavors. This was roughly a 90 minute drive one way.

The other half of the team spent the morning at various trading posts in town and delivering the donations that were gathered prior to our departure.

The team gathered in Gallup for lunch but not before a scenic driving adventure back reaching heights of 8000 feet in altitudes on the way back from Lukachukai. From snow capped hills to breath taking views of the canyon we encountered along the way.

The afternoon consisted of reaching out to more organizations with our donations being graciously accepted. Connections continued to be made that will lead us on in for future trips.

We then retreated back to base camp where we had a smorgasbord of food from chicken to pasta salads finishing with some ice cream to top the night off.

A praise and worship time was then held and a debriefing occurred where everyone was able to share their experiences from during the week. The night was topped off by a communion service to allow for reflection time.

A slide show of various pictures allowed for a final time of laughter and reflection.

With this being the final full day of our mission trip we ask for continued prayers and blessings as we depart for Iowa tomorrow afternoon. This was truly a life changing experience for many of us and we are grateful for the relationships that we were able to build.

See you soon,
Robert Pitlock

Mission Navajo Wednesday Update

2009-03-18T21:31:00.000-07:00

The warm high desert sun refreshed us on Mission Navajo today. We (Rod and I) got up with Steve and Colette Wall, and drove north from Ft. Defiance at sunrise, leaving the church where we are staying at 6:15 a.m. Yep, kinda crazy. But the dramatic, high red cliffs backed up against the rising sun made me remember Who led us here, and made me wonder if I'll ever grasp how huge my God is. As a side note, we did have to watch for cars to make sure Steve and Rod would not get hit whenever they got out to take pictures. Fear not, all is well.

After a passionate group prayer, the whole team gathered at Window Rock for a group picture taken by Pastor Will of the CRC church. Try getting about 30 people to look at the camera and smile at the same time. But he got a good one!

The team broke up into three teams, and one worked at a church several miles away, on land next to that of Janelle's family. They painted a picket fence, and worked on their computer.

A second team was right on Janelle's family's land, blessing her uncle by cleaning an area around an old church there. Janelle and her family hope to restore this old, white stucco church building - and I for one am curious and hopeful to watch this project over time. (it's pretty safe to say we are all curious.) The restoration is a great idea, and great stewardship to bring this intriguing, cute building back into use.

A third team went to St. Michael's Special Education Association - really a school campus for special education kids on the reservation. It includes several group homes, which happen to be traditional hogans, classrooms, social, nursing and physical therapy services, and a bunch of great people.

The school lost a longtime student right before we came here, and his funeral service was today. Hearing a staff person there talk of this child moved us to tears, even though we had not met him. She spoke of how he would touch his hands to his lips and make kissing sounds. Sherilyn Rittgers and I were not the only ones to cry. We helped the staff clean up after the service, handed out Global Cafe coffee with introduction labels for the nearby CRC church, and shared hugs with some sweet students there.

The youth and children on the trip have worked so hard, bonded with each other and touched lives around them. We are all proud of them. A trip to McDonald's tonight for ice cream was a nice break! After that, we got to hear tonight from a friend of Janelle's, Ramon, who travels around the reservation, attending powwows, and speaking of Jesus Christ as the Greatest Warrior. So true, and perfect way to say it to his Dine` brothers and sisters, isn't it?

I am praising God for this opportunity to serve Him, see people and help them in any way. Thankfully, I will not be leaving the Navajo Reservation exactly the same way I came. Blessings in Christ and love to all of you. - Helene Bergren

Quick hello from Janelle Allen, Mission Navajo Team Leader - Today, I looked at sunburned faces, hard workers, and light givers. It's been a blessing.

Tuesday Mission Navajo Update

2009-03-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

This morning half of us went to SMASE, which stands for St. Micheals Accosiation for Special Education, and the others went back to the Window Rock Christian Reformed Church. At SMASE they continued to interact with the kids there. They also continued to paint and take inventory. At the church we finished painting the fellowship hall and the entryway. We all met together again at SMASE to eat lunch. From there some of us went to Tohlakai. There we painted a fence and sealed the log cabin. Later in the evening we all met up in the log cabin to eat spaghetti with some of the people we have served. We then returned to base camp, took cold showers, and went to bed. Haha just kidding about the cold showers.

Kyle (Bucky)
Christian (Bulldog)
Toby (T-Dub)

Monday Update

2009-03-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

The four amigas.... 1. Kylee Thiner 2. Jess Bergren 3. Sydney Allen 4. Kate Haven

Monday was one of the best days I have ever had. I got to paint a church here! It was sooooo....messy, but fun. It is sooo amazing to see how God is using us, also how different people are reacting to our work here in AZ. Its my first mission trip! One of the Best things of the day was spilling a gallon of paint in the van, and spending three hours in the car wash with K.J, my dad (greg), and Jeff Kennel wiping off all the paint. That's about all that happened in my day. IT ROCKED!!!! I met my four amigas

-Sydney Allen (Amiga 3)

We had so much fun today! Kylee and I went to the church and painted, along with the other dos amigas. We had paint handprints on our jeans from people throwing paint at us. It was pretty funny. The pastor of the church (Will) came by a couple times and was amazed by the amount of paint we put on the walls. (2 coats baby!) We had tons of fun making jokes and builing friendships. At the end of the day, Janelle and Kyle had a kinda surprise birthday party, and it was awesome. Yummy ice cream and we basically sang a book of songs at the end. I felt so connected to God while we were singing: the Holy Spirit was so there. With everyone singing, it was amazing!
-Jess (2nd amiga)

Today was really fun. I met new people and made new friends. We started off the day painting a church. It was soo much funn :). We got the work done in no time at all.People that came to see our work were very surprised to see how much a bunch of teenagers and two adults got done painting so much in so little time. At the end we kinda had a paint fight with some of the other guys that were also there helping. Jess and i made hand prints on our pants lol hahhahhah. Now I cant wait for tomorrow to go back and finish painting the room. With Love,
- Kylee Thiner (#1 amiga)

My name is Kaitlyn Haven and I am Sydney's cousin who lives in Arizona. Today was a really fun day. I met alot of new people such as Jess, Kylee, and Courtney. When I went to the church to help paint, my Auntie Janelle tricked everybody by saying ",This is navajo chocolate" when it was really a normal Sneaker Bar. When we went back to the church we got ready for a surprise birthday party.When my Auntie Janelle came in, she was surprised. After that we ate navajo tacos for dinner. Then we cut the cake and ate it. Afterwards, we sang songs. Then everyone went home.
-Kaitlyn (fourth amiga!)

Mission Navajo Saturday/Sunday Update

2009-03-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

After a safe trip from Ankeny to Ft. Defiance AZ we quickly settled in to our new home, and enjoyed a dinner at a local landmark restaurant called Earls. We enjoyed the evening getting to know some of the local people we would be working with through out the week. We were all quite exhausted from the long drive, and excited to curl up in our sleeping bags that night.

Sunday was a great day for our team as we enjoyed our second day in the southwest. In the morning, we helped out with a local church service. We led the worship with a makeshift band comprised of 6 of our team members, and Jeff Kennel gave the message. It was a good experience for us as we were able to encourage this small local church. After worship we had a potluck lunch with the church members. We were treated to Navajo Tacos (a homemade fry bread topped with beans, beef,and traditional taco toppings.

After a quick change of clothes we all went out to the canyon in Tohlakai. We stopped by a place called Window Rock and had a chance to walk around and enjoy the rock formations. It was a bumpy ride on dirt roads, but it was worth it. The view was incredible and we got to spend the afternoon riding horses, and hiking in the bluffs of the canyon. It was easy to see God's hand in the landscape. We ended the evening cooking burgers and dogs over a campfire as the sun went down.

We will all sleep well tonight after a day of playing in the sun. Tomorrow we begin work at several local churches and agencies. More updates to come.
Check out some of our favorite pictures so far.

Mission Navajo READY TO GO

2009-03-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

The mission Navajo Team is ready to go. We leave Friday Night at 5:30 and drive straight through to Window Rock, AZ. Please be in prayer for our team as we seek to serve the Navajo people and show them the love of Christ through our actions.

Africa 1/19/09

2009-01-19T10:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! This will be the first full week of school for the children at Bethesda. The students were anxious for class again. As they continue their devotions and theme on Loving God More. Today the 3rd- 6th graders recited Matthew 22:37 and from this added Exodus 20:3-4 and talked about having other God's/idols. In relation to them they discussed all the "stuff" they liked and that it was OK to like certain things but, not to let this come before their devotion time, prayer time, their Bible reading time. They also discussed all the "stuff" they hold on to which has little to no value. Classes 1-2 focused on Deuteronomy 6:5. As the children sang their praise and worship songs my eyes teared up again. I realize that this will be one of the last mornings to spend with them during this special time of devotions. It has been such a joy watching the children eagerly talk about God and their desire to learn more.
There is extra excitement at the school as tomorrow there will be an open house for all of the parents to get to visit with the teachers and get a quick snap shot of expectations and school curriculum. I had the joy of baking muffins and banana bread for the brunch they will serve. During the brunch tomorrow I will be with grade one. I was super excited and was hoping to read a story to the children until the teacher told me 4 students speak no English. OOPS I guess that won't work. I think they will be working on worksheets and break time will work in any language. So looking forward to this.
Yesterday was great to experience church again in a small village church where Rev. Phago, better know as Jones, preaches. His church meets in a day care center. The music is just voices led mostly by his wife. There is clapping, dancing and very obvious that the spirit is present. His preaching is bold and he really picks apart the scripture to a deeper understanding. After church they invited me to their home for lunch. I feel very comfortable in their home as I helped put finishing touches on the lovely meal and assisted in dishing up the five younger children's plates. Afterwards I sat out on the stewp, (porch) and took the braided extensions out of their oldest daughter's hair. It created a great time for visiting. After this her mother then began to re braid her hair into corn braids. This presented a very intament setting of daughter setting on the ground and Momma on a chair with her daughters head laying in her lap as she braided her hair. It was a great time of sharing. Other children were playing in the yard and would run up and talk and run off again screaming and laughing. A perfect setting for a perfect day. That evening I went to church with Lois, John, and Jo Anna to Mixon's church in Pretoria. This church was a beautiful building and had a western flare to the feel of it's service. The music was lead by a small praise team. The minister took the scripture and related it to current circumstances. Each service was wonderful but such a contrast. How great our God is, for no matter where we are, how we do worship if our hearts are seeking He is there.
Tomorrow after being with the 1st Grade class I will be leaving Bethesda and will be going north for about a 1 1/2 hours trip to Shikwaru Lodge which is own by Dr. Blessmen from Polk City. He does medical missions in the area. I will not be able to hook up with one of his medical teams but hope to find out more about their missions. I wanted to do this especially since I was so close to his location in Africa and since he is also so close to our location in Ankeny. I will be at this site for two days. On Thursday 1/22/09 at 11:59 P.M. I will be flying out of Johannesburg back to Iowa. Pray for safe travels to Blessmen's ministry and back home. Pray that my heart is open to all that God has to show me. Pray for Bethesda and for God's blessing to continue to fall upon this wonderful ministry that has God right in the center of all that it does. Pray for all of their teachers and for Lois and John as they continue to give direction to this ministry. Pray for the loving house parents and for the beautiful children that make up all of the families. In Christ, Sandy

Africa 1/17/09

2009-01-17T00:26:00.000-08:00

Friday started at 8:00 in the school for devotions. The children recited thier bible verse Matthew 22:37 and continued the theme of loving God more. Today they focused on Galations 5:22 the fruit of the spirit. This being what you receive as you love God more. Again they sang songs of praise and worship. The spirits of the children become bold and free as they sing unto the Lord. They dance, clap and beam with joy and love for God. They sang one of my favorite songs that they do. Cast your burdens upon the Lord, because he cares for you. Each time they sing and dance my spirit is also lifted and my eyes well up with tears as you feel the love of the Spirit come around everyone of us. It is a great experience to be a part of.
Today Laura, the intern, must leave for Cape Town. I went with Lois and her to the airport to see her off. She was a real joy for the children with her playful, joyful spirit. We pray that God will be with her on the rest of her travels and that she will see the magnificence of God in all of the new things she is about to experience. I had a great day spending it with Lois. We had great conversation and it is so easy to see the wisdom, love, and God's descernment that comes out in every word that she chooses to say. I was blessed with her grace all day. She took me by South Africa's president's home and the lovely gardens that surround it. We took a short stroll through the gardens. While doing this she received another call from a social worker in regards to placement for another orphan. The need is so great here and they have been accepted as one of the best places to call when the need arises. It has been so amazing to me to see the unlimited amount of dedication, love, joy, and service that the Bethesda staff continue to give freely to the children and families under their care. It truly is of God for there is no other way that they could continue to have the strength to sustain such a loving, joyous, caring and servent attitude. I have been blessed to see this with my own eyes.
There has been daily struggles that have taken place. There has been problems the past 3 days with their pumb/water system and the purified drinking water has been very limited. There is plenty of water for cleaning, and bathing as this is coming from their ground well. This we are not able to drink from the faucet so we have attempted to fill water pitchers during a short span of time each day in which we can get usually 3 gallons of drinking water for staff to use. Last night the electricity went off for several hours but was restored again to full power. Nothing that has been of any inconvience.
Staying behind after other team members have left has given my a new feel for missions. I have soon realized that you do not become lonely, as you now become a member of the staff that is here. It is easy to fit in as you work as a team in glorifing the Lord in what ever task you are doing. I have truly realized that there is joy in everything when done for the Lord. I have experienced the building up and the encouragement needed in the body of Christ to help it continue its work in Glorifying the Lord. Encouragement is a daily element for Christ's body to function. It is easily all held together through the love for one another, for without love we have nothing. I thank God for Bethesda, for the tireless love of the staff and for the great things that will continue to grow from Bethesda as God continues to bless this place and the Glory of the Lord continues to blossom and mushroom as the children grow and share their love for Christ with others. With God nothing is impossible and we can do all things through God. Continue to praise God for the love and grace that he has placed upon the children here and for the direction and strength of the staff to continue God's well here. I thank God for the time that has been given me to spend here, for what He has shown me and for the love and support of the family of God here, at home, and to others around the world I still do not know. Paise God, Sandy

Africa1/15/09

2009-01-15T11:09:00.000-08:00

Much excitement has filled the air at Bethesda this week. School started on Wed. 1/14/09. It was fun watching the children come as much as a 1/2 hour early for school with new uniforms on and back packs slung on their backs. Laura, an intern, and I had the joy of helping the teachers over the past two days prepare the rooms for the arrival of the children. The rooms truly do look like a fun and exciting place for the children. God continues to bless Bethesda for on the first day of school they had a total of 10 towns children enrolled and plus four additional towns children came to enroll that day. One child's aunt came and stated that her sister had just died and there were 3 siblings. The younger two will live with Grandma and the oldest with her. She stated that she wanted him to come to Bethesda for school as she has heard only great things about Bethesda and that they truly knew how to care for orphans. The similar story still makes my eyes well up with tears as I realize and feel the pain for these children but, I also see and feel the grace that God is providing through Bethesda. There was also a group of 3 people who toured Bethesda in hopes to start another orphanage in the area. I think that this group may have questioned as our group did when we first arrived. Why is the number of children here only 32 when it is such a great program? John explains "God created the family." This is what makes this place so special that each child is given the chance to have a loving mother and father and to be brought up in the christain home setting. The goal being to make desciples for Christ, not just to provide food, clothing and schooling.
Today I actually got to set in on the full day of class and was the teachers aide. I was assigned one girl for the morning to help her with her D.O.L. as she still struggles some with the English. In the afternoon I was able to assist some of the students with math. I was in grade 3-4 with a total of 8 students. Every morning the school has devation. The theme this year is "Love God More" The children discussed what it looks like when you love yourself more then God and what it lookes like when you are loving God more. From this they sang songs of worship and yes you can guess those great African drums came out. There were 3 drums that different students played as the children lifted their praises to the Lord.
There is an empty flatt that is being prepared for another set of house parents to move into which they hope to have placed by end of Feb or first of March. This will allow for 6-8 more children to be placed. They received a call today for a possible adoption. The staff at Bethesda truly have God in the very center of their work, thoughts and daily tasks.
We have experienced some sudden heavy rains. Tuesday was our coolest day which was in the 70's and overcast with light rain all day. Wed. we were up in the 80's again but by mid to late afternoon suddenly a very heavy rain storm came with strong winds. It was raining sideways. There was close to several inches in a short time. Today weather was sunny with temps in 80's.
Making an extended stay has allowed me to see the site functioning in a more normal fashion. It has been a delight to see the love, compassion for all of the children from all of the staff members being a normal part of their lives. As the staff continues to bless the children with their serving God continues to bless Bethesda as a whole. I am learning to serve and find joy in doing ordinary task of mopping, washing and hanging clothes out on the clothes line, running errands for teachers, making name cards, hugging children, and just stopping what ever I am doing and visiting with children or house parents. If we could all slow down, stop multi-tasking and being in the moment I know God would be smiling. God Bless, Sandy

Africa 1/12/09

2009-01-11T23:14:00.000-08:00

As I write this all of my other team members are in the air returning back home, pray for their safe travel and for rest as they travel. I will attempt to recapture our last 2 days at Bethesda as a full team and will try to keep you updated when able to my extended stay. On Saturday we were allowed to go to an open market in Hartbeesport which is in a NW Provence one hour away. The drive went fast as we were able to experience the changing landscape of the open meadows and tall grass to rolling hills covered with a green grass and dotted with trees. In the distance a mountian range was approaching. At the market there were many shops under one roof. The merchants expect buyers to barder so we all had fun with this. There was much to see, hear, feel, and smell in the open market. We stayed there about 2-2 1/2 hours which even went fast for the non-shoppers. From there we headed about another hour NW in to Pilanesberg where we went to Manyane Gate Pilanesberg National Park. We did a game drive for 3 hours and was blessed with beautiful terrane and the sighting of a rhino, dazzel (herd) of Zebras playing with wildebeast. A herd of 6 elephants, Many groupings of spring buck and impalas. We saw about 5 hippo's lazily floating in a lake. Many different kinds if birds, wart hogs and we were greated by 6 babbooms as we first entered. In the distance we heard a lion roar, Our guide took us around the lake to hopefully spot it but we were not able to see it. As we were heading back to the game lodge God blessed us with the sighting of a male giraffe eating leaves from the top of a tree. After watching him for a while he gracefully strolled off. We were also blessed with a beautiful sun set as we left the park. The sun was setting behing two mountains and as it lowered between the two it shown colors of red, orange purple, blue and violet. Most spectacular. Sunday we were able to go to another African church service that was lead by one of the house parents. It was a great experience worshiping with the body of Christ. They have a 1/2 hour of innerscory prayer, 1/2 hour of bible study, 1/2 hour of worship and 1 1/2 hour of service time for the message. The South African's have no inhibitions when they Praise the Lord. There was singing, clapping, dancing and hugging through out the entire time of worship. What a site to see and hear and be a part of. At 3:30 all of the families came to the team center and gave us a farewell service. It was very moving. They thanked us for the part of our spirit that we left with them. The encouragement and love that we showed them. For us we will all come back changed. For me it has been a great journey of experiencing God, feeling his Grace, His love, His protection, His faithfulness. As we are all on a journey of salvation the changes that take place on mission trips makes major steps towards are walk with Christ and experiencing the body of Christ oceans apart. May we uphold and incourage one another for the Glory of God. In Christ, Sandy

Africa 1/12/09

2009-01-11T23:12:00.000-08:00

Friday, Jan 9, 2009

2009-01-08T22:49:00.000-08:00

Hello, friends and family! This note is being written in 90-degree weather at 8am in Hammanskraal South Africa. We are preparing for our day of work with a local hospice center in a township near here called Soshanguve. A local Christian woman associated with the nearby church runs the hospice. We will go into the township, an area of tin shacks, no running water, extreme heat and extreme poverty. Our team will split up with hospice workers and go to specific homes of ill people. We are expecting to wash linens, help bathe, help give medications, and provide love and comfort. It will be an exhausting yet fulfilling day. We will write a blog later about it. Earlier this week we finished work on the local school building. We installed a wall to provide extra room for the growing Christian school and completed the preparation for another school year to start next week. We all have been a part of construction, insulation, cleaning, painting, dry wall installation. Yesterday we had a "play day" with the local kids. There are 30 children who live in this compound. We have to remind ourselves that these children were orphaned or abandoned. Some of them were left in garbage dumpsters as infants, others were orphaned and left alone in the streets as young children. Now, they seem like any other American child: energetic, giggly, loving to play games, thanks to the love and support of the staff and house parents here. During our "play day" we set up an obstacle course, played partner tag, held a scavenger hunt, colored and drew, played duck duck goose, played water games and relay games. It was fun and HOT! After some rest time, last night we watched a movie that is very similar to the lives of some of these children. It showed the life of an orphaned "street" child, just fighting for his survival. It was very moving. The movie was titled "Beat The Drum". This is a place of contrast. Confusing contrast. There are extremes of life here: riches and poverty, joy and sorrow, educated and uneducated, beauty of nature and ugliness of tin shacks, sickness and health, love and hate, Jesus and medicine men, tin shack Christian churches with loud accapella music and large brick Christian churches with modern instruments. We've seen it all. Confusing. We continue to trust that Jesus will use us as needed. And we look forward to seeing all of you again soon. -Jocelyn Bruce

January 3, 2009- Apartheid Museum

2009-01-03T10:56:00.000-08:00

Hi guys!
Just a quick update of our group's progress in South Africa.
Yesterday we finished up some work on the Bethesda schoolhouse. Now the floors and windows shine and the new wall is close to completion.
Last night our group split up and enjoyed a deliscious dinner with three of the local families. We also enjoyed playing with the kids.
Today we visited the Apartheid Museum, a museum that explains the segregation of the whites and the Africans and also documents the Africans revolution to overthrow the racism.
The museum taught us a lot about the history of South Africa, and also explaining how South Africa came to be the nation it is.
That's all for now... more updates later!

January 1, 2009- Happy New Year From South Africa!

2009-01-01T05:29:00.000-08:00

After three planes, thirty hours of traveling, and countless packages of pretzels; our team arrived safely at Bethesda, South Africa (north of Pretoria.)
Bethesda is a small village/mission group that has greatly improved the lives of 32 orphans. The children are put in homes with Christian foster parents and 4-7 other children. The people in these homes soon become their family. Bethesda also has a small- but very good- school.
A Christian organization like Bethesda is a much-needed help in an area torn by extreme poverty, hunger, violence, AIDS, and disease. 14-year-olds or younger often manage families single-handedly if their parents die, those lucky enough to have homes often live in tin shacks, and children as young as 18 months are left to the streets. The children at Bethesda came from situations like these.
On Tuesday, however, our group was too worn-out from jet lag to jump right into mission work; so we introduced ourselves to the children and to Bethesda. We also realized the people managing Bethesda work extremely hard- most juggle two jobs on top of managing their families.
Yesterday we helped the Matjeni family move in to their new home. We washed windows, cleaned carpet, caulked windows, played soccer with the kids, and enjoyed all the food that was prepared for us. Later in the afternoon we drove back to Bethesda where we had dinner and celebrated New Year's Eve with the Shikwambe family. After they left, our group played a fanatical version of Extreme Around-The-World Ping-Pong to exhaustion.
So far today we have been enjoying the New Year by working on the school-house. The guys are building a wall to seperate the first and second grade classrooms, and the women are cleaning the windows and floors.
Over the next few weeks, we plan to build, clean, and minister in several other areas of South Africa.
Bye for now and happy New Year!

Africa Team... Ready to go!

2008-12-16T11:55:00.000-08:00

Please be in prayer for the Africa Team (left to right): Sarah Brandsen, Sandy Stewart, LuAnne Brandsen, Vicki Benshoof, Jim Brandsen, Jocelyn Bruce, and Gabe Bruce as they travel to South Africa December 28 - January 12.

Brazil Reflections ~ Richard Ash

2008-08-13T06:14:00.000-07:00

Wow, the two week mission trip to Lar Batista Biblico, in Assis Chateaubriand, Parana, Brazil, has come and gone. I am still trying to recover from the travel, the excitement, and the many beautiful images of the land, culture and people of Brazil. I want to thank each of you for supporting our team on this very important mission trip. Through your prayers, cards, letters and financial help we were able to reach out and touch the hearts of 44 young and very impressionable children of God. They have been blessed by their family at Lar, and we were very blessed to be with them, to get to know them, and be touched by their excitement that we were there.

Lar in Portuguese means “home” and that is exactly what Lar Batista is – a Baptist Christian home! Joaquim Fragoso, known as Pai, Portuguese for father, founded Lar as a non-profit home for children in 1976. In the 32 years the home has been in existence more than 650 children have found family, friends and the Lord at the home. All of the children learn from an early age at Lar what it means to depend upon the Lord, what a good family environment is like, and how to share love and responsibilities with brothers and sisters. Miracles are a part of the children’s vocabulary as well as a part of their childhood memories. Most started their lives with anguish and disappointment as children, and through the grace of God, found themselves being loved and cared for by those at Lar.

Our primary purpose was to build relationships with the children. To show them the love of Christ and to help them know they were loved and had value. The children were on winter break from school, so we had a lot of quality time with them all day. By partnering with them in evangelism, we help teach them they are loved by God and can be used by God to reach others with the Good News of Christ’s love. Natalie, one of our team members, a pediatric physician, was able to give 40 of the children physical exams and give those at the home guidance on handling medications and health concerns of the children.

Pai loves to tell the stories of how Lar Batista came to be, and the many adventures he has been through to accomplish things on the campus. The Chapel is the latest addition, and the story has taken about six years to get to a point of almost being complete. It required the acquisition of a block of street from the city so that the Chapel could be built on the site Pai had envisioned.

Finally, the building is nearing completion with just interior finishes to be completed. Furniture and furnishings will await help from the many that support the home, but as Pai continues praying for the Lord to provide those things needed everywhere at Lar, those needs will soon come to past.

The mission team brings back a lot of memories and inspirations that will have a prolonged and profound affect on each and every one of us. A return trip is most certainly a possibility in the future. Seeing and greeting the children again would be a real blessing to us. The Lord brought us together for His purpose and only through him were we able to reach out and touch the lives of His innocent and precious children. I thank you again for the support you gave to our mission team. Through your thoughts and prayers we were successful in God purpose. I wish you the blessings of God.