Celula en Guizaros

In the same neighborhood where I go Saturday mornings for El Comedor, Bible study and lunch for the kids, we have recently just started a celula (or Bible Study group) for the teenagers and young adults. This has been something on Cecilia's heart (Cecilia is the woman God gave the vision for the Comedor). The group has met for 3 weeks now, and I have participate in the last 2 meetings.

It has been a HUGE encouragement. There are roughly 20 people coming, and a number that has not diminished! When starting up something like this, especially in a neighborhood like Guizaros, one never knows what it will turn out like. So when 20 some people showed up the first week, it was a big deal (everyone thought there would be less people). Then one thinks, well maybe they are all just curious about what it's all about and after a week or 2, no one comes any more. But for 3 straight weeks we have had 20 some people, and the same 20 some people! The teens really seem interested and want to be a part of what is happening.

My first week there, Alejandra (the youth leader from my church) shared about the gift God gave us through Jesus's sacrifice. She presented it in a way that was new for me, but I liked it. She talked about a gift and how when someone gives another person a gift, that gift does not become useful until it is open. Once the person has their gift, it is theirs, but if they want to enjoy it, they MUST open it. In the same way, God has given each person a gift, it is theirs, but to enjoy it, they must first open it.

At the end of the night, she asked if anyone was ready to accept that gift and OPEN it, to pray with her...12 people prayed and accepted the gift of Salvation that night! What an encouragement!

The following week, Alejandra talked about trust. We need to trust that God is with us and guiding us. He gave a cloud of fire and a cloud of smoke to the Israelites when they left Egypt. The Israelites saw all kinds of miracles, yet they had a hard time trusting God. But that did not change the fact that God was there, that He was watching over them, protecting them, and guiding them. So...if God did that then, we know that He continues to do that now, with us.

Again, at the end of the night, Alejandra gave another opportunity to accept Christ for those who were not at the group the week before, or simply were not ready at that time. I did not get the number of people who accepted then, but I know Alejandra was talking with 2 girls when we finished!

So I ask that you please keep this youth in your prayers. They live in a poor neighborhood. Life is not easy there. And as a Christian, I imagine it will be even more difficult. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep these youth in your prayers. They meet every Tuesday night (13-17 years old) and Saturday afternoon (18+). Little by little I know that God will change this neighborhood. We started with the children, Cecilia meets with some women, and now, finally, the youth. One step at a time, one person at a time, change is possible!

Thank you for partnering with me, and through that, making this change possible!

Thanks for Your Prayers

I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has been praying for me during my time here. It has been a huge blessing to have you all with me in this way. I know that SO many things could have happened in the last 16 months that hasn't due to your prayers. And especially in the last month.

For those who are not aware, I was sick for about 2 weeks after my sister left. I lost weight (I have found out that since coming I have lost over 10lbs which is pretty exciting), did not have an appetite, and other, not so fun symptoms. After letting my parents know, who then passed on the word and many of you started praying, I started feeling better. It was probably the most obvious answer to prayer I have experienced...at least in a long time. I did go to the doctor to just make sure everything was ok, so when I go to Peru I do not have to worry about any more problems. It is likely that I had a parasite, but between the prayers (my real medicine) and the perscription the doctor gave me (just to make sure all the bad bacteria was dead) I am feeling much better!

So THANK YOU!!!!!

Comedor Fundraiser

With the costs of feeding at least 30 kids Monday - Friday, and then up to 70 kids on Saturdays, the Comedor was running low on money. So when there was a small carnival in the community, Cecilia took the opportunity to do a little fundraiser. A couple of us went on Saturday to help out for through the lunch hour. I have not heard how much money we made, but the Saturday lunch seemed to go very well. So if the Saturday dinner and Sunday meals went well, it would be a successful weekend. Here are some pictures. Hope you enjoy!

Worship in English

I had forgotten how much I missed a worship service in English. Last Sunday, a friend was asked to lead worship at an English speaking church. She asked me to come along to help with translating things (she does speak English, but to make things were understood, she wanted me to come). So, I went with her and 3 other people from my church. It was SO good to sing songs in English. Most of the songs we sang are songs we sing at my church in Spanish, but to sing in your own language is great. I know when I get home, I'll probably miss worship in Spanish, as I really enjoy it, but to get out of the routine, does great things for the spirit!

Alicia has Gone

Well, the 56 days have passed and Alicia has gone...how fast does the time fly! In the beginning, 56 days seemed like a long time, but now that they are gone, WOW!! Yet, when I think about her first day here, well actually her 2nd night, it seems like such a long time ago. When I try to think about what life was like before, it's hard to remember...

It was great having her here. We haven't spent so much time together in a really long time (and not just because I've been Costa Rica, but with college and such...). It was good getting to know each other again. We did a lot together. We went to the beach, we hung out with friends, she helped at the Comedor, talked, ate ice cream ;), etc. Now I'm here trying to get things done, but I seem to get bored very easily without her constantly here to entertain me...

Here's a short recap through pictures:

Guatemala

Here are some pictures of my time in Guatemala. Sorry it has taken so long to get them up. Hope you enjoy!

El Comedor Prayer Requests

This is a blog I've been meaning to write for a while, but just haven't gotten around to it. The "soup kitchen" that I help with had a break over the Christmas holiday (like everything else). When we met again after the New Year, I cam to learn that we had been "kicked out" of our normal meeting place. We had been meeting in a community center and the people in charge of the center decided that Cecilia, the lady in charge of the Comedor, was trying to take over the community center (she used it every day to serve lunch to the kids and then Sat to help host the Bible study). So we had a surprise when we showed up our first Saturday back and couldn't meet in our regular place, but in a garage...very small (about 1/4 of our regular size). We weren't really sure what God's purpose was in this. Why would be kicked out of a large meeting place and be forced into a small hole in the wall that didn't fit everyone. We trusted that God had a purpose. It turned out that purpose was to get us into our own space much faster.

Last year they were able to buy a plot of land, but the land had nothing...grass and dirt. Last week, Keith, the mission working closely with Cecilia, got a temporary structure built so last Saturday we were able to meet together in our very own place!! When we thought about it, we knew that if we continued to be able to use the Community Center, we would be in no hurry to get the property built up. We had a great place to meet, so there wouldn't have been any hurry in getting something new done. Yet, by being kicked out and forced into tiny quarter, has made it necessary to get our place built. There is still a lot that needs to be done, but at least we are now where no one can kick us out! The kids have a place to call their own. God's love and Word can be spread to them all!! Praise God!

Please continue to pray for the Comedor ministry. There are many kids with rough backgrounds and not a strong Christian influence daily. Pray that we can be effective in our 1 hour a week Bible Study. Pray that the construction would get done so we have an effective/efficient place to work and study and more children and parents can come to know the love of Jesus Christ and accept His perfect Gift!!