This
week we lead a team of 15 to Swaziland. Three of which are Ambassador
participants. What began as a medical trip with a nurse and those with medical
experience has changed. It now consists of one "medical" member (and old friend
of mine), Amanda Knoll ... who is a licensed medical assistant. The rest of us
have little to no experience. What does God have in store? I believe He will
use us to minister to the sick even without the medical knowledge. What's more
powerful than prayer? So pray with us that through the power of our Heavenly
Father and Great Physician individuals are healed. Not only physically, but
spiritually, emotionally etc. I look forward to sharing more as the trip
unfolds.
Upon our arrival we will
call Kristen Torres-Toro, who is our answer to prayer of an Administrative
Assistant, and she will post a blogs for us when possible. Internet is slim to
none where we will be. (Nosoko in Swaziland)
We will stay in a
backpacker's lodge and work with Adventures in Missions, NOVAS team, our
college-aged participants who spend six months serving around the world. There
is a team of five in Nosoko caring for the orphans and women.
HAITI | UPDATE.
Dad is still in Haiti and
will return on the 16th. Just a few days later, he takes off to lead
another trip to Guatemala. Please keep both my parents in your prayers.
To read and see just a
little bit of what AIM is doing in Haiti, please check out this link.
We have recently added an
Ambassador trip there this summer. Don and I will fly out in July with the
Haiti Ambassador team then visit our team next door in the Dominican Republic.
Lima - Pucallpa - Iquitosand finally, the beginning of the Amazon River – Nauta!
Photo by Crock | Amazon
Meeting us in Iquitos, was Crystal,
AIM staff, who has spent the last couple of years living and ministering to the
people of Nauta. It took an hour and a half by taxi to arrive to the
village of Nauta. Much of the scenery in Peru reminds me of my years in Bolivia.
Photo by Chris | Iquitos
Ready to greet us with high fives and
hugs were handfuls of beautiful children. Immediately they learned our names
and began to holler them through our window which faced the street.
Photo by Crock | Juan a.k.a Dimples.
Photo by Crock | Beauty queens 1, 2 and 3.
Photo by Crock | The boys...and female dog, I named
Gary.
Photo by Crock | Omar, the man. He has no family...
Our days were spent visiting with
local pastors...brain storming, dreaming, praying, and planning for our next
Ambassador team, who will arrive there in June!
Following our time meeting with
Crystal and Pastor Williams, we feel led to do something different for this
community during our teams time there.
Photo by Crystal | Pastor William, his wife
Clementina and local children.
Pastor Williams explained to us a lot
about the state of the Church in the jungle and what it desperately needs. As
with the Church in many areas of the world, unity is a big problem. Churches
work against each other in competition ("Come here to my church, it's
better than yours' ") instead of working together as the Body of Christ.
So our team is going to go in and intentionally try to engage different
denominations and churches, asking them to work together with our team-which is
also composed of teens from all walks of life.
Another area the people
in this area of the jungle really needs help is with their greatest
resource-the land. Despite what many of us would assume, not a lot is known
about agriculture and taking care of the plants. We're praying about training
our students in this area so that they can go and teach those they come in
contact this too. The result will be plants that will live and produce food-it
will sustain the people and provide physical nourishment.
At the end of the trip our students
will take a group of people (from several churches) with them on a trip up
river to a primitive village. Only instead of being in the forefront, our team
will be in the background. They will do what gringos do best (according to
Crystal)-which is draw a crowd. It's true. Gringos overseas-in any country-draw
attention. We always try to use that for good, like using that attention to
talk about Christ. So people will come and our team will support, pray, and
encourage the national team as they disciple the church in the village and also
teach them about how to best tend to their land. Best of all, we won't be the
one finally teaching. Ultimately, the end goal of missions is to work ourselves
out of a job-to equip an area of the world with the gospel and discipleship
tools that the Church is self-sustaining without the help of missionaries. This
team's purpose is to work towards that end. Pray with us.
Photo by Crock | Crystal's home and street.
Photo by Crock | Crystal's street looking up from
the river.
Photo by Kristen | Crystal's street.
Photo by Kristen | The Amazon.
Crystal has been such an instrumental
part of what is taking place in Nauta. The relationships she has built with
many churches and pastors is extraordinary! You could see the impact she
has on so many. I've been to few places where people were so friendly. I
believe they have seen it modeled for them, by her. There wasn't a night
in which Crystal wasn't tending to the heart of someone. There is little to no
privacy in Nauta. Children and adults, if not already inside, knocking on the
door for a cup of water, a place to pray or talk. Once you step out the door,
the children flock.
Photo by Crock | Crystal's home.
Photo by Crock | Crystal's home, the bathroom and
bucket showers.
Photo by Crock | Our room.
Photo by Crock | The kitchen.
Crystal holds English lessons and
Bible lessons often. It was pure joy for my friend Kristen and I to be a part.
The children memorized one of my favorite verses...Proverbs 4:23: "Above
all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life."
Photo by Crock | Crystal teaching.
Photo by Crock | Proverbs 4:23
Photo by Crock | Linus.
Photo by Crock | My volleyball partner.
While visiting yet another pastor, he asked if we'd
be willing to share that night with the youth of his church. I thought it would
be rude to say no, so I said yes...fully expecting Crystal to step in and
teach. But no...she wouldn't and didn't. I'm not a teacher naturally...but
shared that night about unity. About building bridges of love that could bear
the weight of truth.
Photo by Crock | The youth service.
The last day we took a boat out on
the river and visited a village an hour up river called Amazonas. We walked
through the community, stopping, visiting, and praying with those who followed us.
Photo by Crock | The Amazon.
Photo by Crystal | On the Amazon.
Photo by Crock | The rain arriving while on the
river.
Photo by Crock | Our red and blue boat.
Photo by Crock | Visiting the village called the
Amazonas.
Photo by Crystal | The church in the Amazona
village. Rock of Power Church.
Photo by Crock | Amazona girl.
On the return trip to Nauta, the heat
got the best of us and we jumped into the Amazon.
Photo by Crystal | One word...struggle. It's
easier getting out than in.
Photo by Crystal |
I fought off twin anacondas,
thousands of piranhas, and rode a pink dolphin.
A perfect end to a successful trip.
Thank you all for your prayers and support that made this possible. Please keep
Nauta, Crystal, and the ministries there in your prayers.
Photo by Crock | Crystal and roommate Chris, who
has been helping the last year...while learning Spanish.
I'm excited to share God has provided enough money
for me to book a ticket to Peru! I'm trusting the remaining amount will arrive
soon. Thank you for your prayers and support. I will keep you posted as I can.
Unfortunately Don won't be able to go with us. I look forward to meeting the
pastor and seeing the area our team will work with and in this summer.
Nauta is located in the Amazon Jungle, on the edge of the river. I leave on the
18th.
On another note...
I've been given the opportunity to use my "creative" gifts. One is
designing the van signs that are being driven by our AIM Haiti teams in Haiti.
Our Adventures in Missions - Mercy in
Motion vans were to be flown in by cargo planes, but are soon to arrive
instead by boat. AIM's blogging teams have arrived safely as have my van
magnets. It's not much, but its fun to say, "my design/photo is in
Haiti" That will have to do until God allows Don and I the opportunity to
go help firsthand. Please pray about this with us. Thank you.
The other "creative" outlet I've had recently, is a home on loan to
AIM, here in Gainesville for an indefinite amount of time. It's a beautiful but
run down lake house. We will use it to house missionaries as they return home,
train teams and house leaders. I'm in the process of collecting furniture,
supplies, carpet, floors etc...to be donated to the use of this home. I'm
looking forward to pulling out my paint swatch book, painting, and decorating!
What a blessing this house will be to so many who need a place to crash.
Two weeks ago we posted our
schedule for the Spring. Since that entry, God has brought an opportunity for us.
A good friend of ours...Crystal Reitsma (http://crystalreitsma.myadventures.org)...
is AIM staff living in Nauta, Peru, which is located in the Amazon Jungle. She
is currently in the Gainesville area and will return to Peru February 16.
While exploring opportunities for our Ambassador trip this summer, she
invited me (Connie) and our Administrative Assistant, Kristen Torres-Toro (http://kristentorrestoro.myadventures.org)
to return with her and set up the trip with her. Because Crystal will go up
river soon, we are leaving in a few weeks...February 16-21, 2010. We found
tickets at a good price (even better, a straight shot to Lima and then a short
flight to Iquitos) but in order to go, I need to raise $400. This amount
includes flight, transportation, lodging, food, etc. We have prayed about this
and are amazed at how God has already worked out many of the details. He's even
provided a portion of the cost already. We need to purchase tickets soon... so
the amount doesn't go up. Will you pray about a one-time gift for this trip?
This trip is a time to love on Crystal as overseas staff, minister in the
area, and complete set-up for the team going to Peru this summer.
"Set-up" means we will meet with pastors, check out local
ministries, find lodging, and in general check out the area we are sending our
teams. Preparing the way..that entails a lot! There's a lot of work we do
pre-trip so the teams can jump right in to ministry. It's also important that
Don and I see firsthand the locations and ministry for the trips we've sent
overseas.
-Photo of Nauta, Peru by Crystal R.
If you would like to give
towards this trip or partner with us monthly, just click on the
"Support Us!" link to the left.
Thank you for praying about it... for your prayers,
encouragement, and support. It means more to us than you could ever know.
Starting
the year off, on January 9, our niece, Kelsey married Nick! We made the trip to
Nashville, TN, where the Rock family gathered to celebrate the first of our 9
nieces and nephews to get married. It was a beautiful day, gorgeous bride and
great couple who love God and desire to continue serving Him. On January 11, our
oldest niece Ashleigh accepted Jonathan's proposal for marriage. We couldn't be happier for them. We meet
Jonathan when he came last year to lead worship for 2 of our Ambassador
training camps. He is a wonderful man of God. He is currently living in
Colorado, but hopes to find a job in Nashville where Ashley is dance teacher
and living.
JANUARY
12 | HAITI
Heavy
on our hearts is the devastation in Haiti. AIM is responding by sending several
teams and are offering ways for you to be a part of reaching out. To learn more, click on the banner/image
above our blog.
Our friend, Ashley
Musick, a World Racer now working in the Gainesville AIM office with us, is currently
in the DR with a team. They are working along side Miguel Shaul, another AIM staff
and his wife. Please keep them all in your prayers. (See our previous blog
update)
We
continue to get the question – "Will you be taking an Ambassador team?" The
answer is, "when the time is right". With that said – we will continue to pray for God's leading
and respond in obedience.
NEW
AMBASSADOR STAFF
We've
added staff to the Ambassador program! Both have been answers to prayer as we
continue to grow...and are doing an incredible job.
·Kristen Torres-Torro :: Admin/Writer (my co-leader from one of my
trips last summer)
Don
has been asked to spearhead the BE CONFERENCE that AIM offers. He has been hesitant
to step into this role, fearing it would pull him away from Ambassadors. Please keep this in your prayers...as it's
an addition to otherresponsibilities.
MARCH
13-21 | SWAZILAND TRIP
Both
Don
and I will be leading this team of 15. Please keep us in your prayers
as we
prepare, set-up etc. We are excited to return and share this trip with
a cousin of
mine, a friend from MI, and a student (now adult) from a previous
church we
worked with. Part will be medical, house visitations, children's
ministry and anything in-between. God is doing great things in
Swaziland!
APRIL
8-11 | AMBASSADOR LEADER TRAINING
This
is always a highlight for us. We will need 50-60 leaders for all our trips. We have
been blessed with some leaders who have lead the past few years and some new
ones including World Racers. We are still short on male leaders. Do you know of
any?
The news reports are still coming. I just saw one that said 500,000 are dead in Haiti. The number is numbing. That is 500,000 children, mothers, uncles, fathers. God's people must respond.
As you consider your role, know that we have a conduit established: Miguel and Kristen Shaul, a committed young couple who have led AIM's efforts in neighboring Dominican Republic for five years.
Miguel is heading across the border into Haiti today to meet believing churches and set up operations in areas where we can make a fast, meaningful impact.
More details will follow regarding both short and long-term opportunities to help in person. But right now, the greatest need is for donations to fund the purchase of essential supplies. We have set up an opportunity set-up for you to give online, which is fastest and easiest right now.
>> Click above to Make a Donation to the AIM Earthquake Haiti Relief Fund <<
100% of your donations are tax-deductible, and we will make sure that every donation gets turned into essentials like food and blankets. I will email more details as as I get them from Miguel. In the meantime, pray for him, Kristen, and Samantha, as he is heading into some chaotic areas soon.
Stand with us at AIM as we stand with Miguel. He is providing a lifeline for the Haitians. Make no mistake, that's what we are talking about right now: life and death. You can also visit our website for more frequent updates, as we receive them.
This is our hour.
Seth Barnes
Adventures In Missions
Online: www.adventures.org
Email: info@adventures.org
Phone: 1.800.881.2461
P.S. You have an opportunity to bring tangible hope to the people of Haiti. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to the relief efforts AIM is pulling together. Read more about how you can help...
It is now over a week since we were involved with the Project leader training for AIM's Short Term missions trips. We were asked to be involved this year with the project leader training because of some of the really good things that we saw happening in our leader training with Ambassadors this last summer.
The four days of training were really good and the Lord was there for sure. The following video is just a glimpse of what the training was about and some of the things that we did.
When someone asks us how to describe an Ambassador trip
with Adventures In Missions, we often just point them to the stories
being told. They tell so much more than clever words can say. Here are
a few things any high school student can expect on an Ambassador
mission trip with AIM:
Life-Changing Ministry
"When we arrived at his house later that afternoon we started talking to
him and his two sons that lived with him. We decided that we would
pray for them... One of our team members decided to step up and ask if they were wanting
to make the decision to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. Both
the son and father said that they would. It was an amazing thing to
witness." Read more...
Prayer and Worship
"Ministry doesn't always happen in between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., specifically in a church or on a school playground. Ministry is a
lifestyle. This trip was structured specifically to be open to the leading of
the Holy Spirit. Everyday, there was some type of specific ministry,
but much of the day was spent in two very intentional ways:
Prayer/worship and in just living life." Read more...
Growing in Community
"I've been learning how although we are serving the people in Puerto
Rico, much of our ministry can also entail serving, loving, and pouring
into the other team members. Before we look out with distant vision,
which is often what we focus on in ministry, we need to be aware of
those around us-the hurts and joys of our team." Read more...
To view a list of upcoming Ambassador mission trips for the summer of 2010, click here.
In 2007, Don and I had the opportunity to spend a couple
of weeks in Jeffery's Bay, South Africa and Swaziland, where we were able to
see first had the needs the people there have. Now it's your turn!
Each summer we send teams to Swaziland, but this
year is a little bit different. The World Cup will be in South Africa the
summer of 2010...making airfare unaffordable for our teams. Instead, we will be sending
our Ambassador team in March when we can still afford a flight. Our friend
Amanda Roberts, who is a nurse, will be one of the leaders. She has a heart and
passion for the people of Swaziland. She spent a few months there this past
summer with our Real Life team – caring for the sick. If you are 14 or older –
adults included and would like to know more....click on the links below or
contact me. There are 2 different links...one for students, another for adults. Don
and I would love to have you join us on this trip. We both hope to return -
providing there are enough participants!
SWAZILAND,
AFRICA TRIPS!
Medical,
but not limited to medical! You don't need medical skills to go!
Swaziland is a small
country within the borders of South Africa. Currently it is one of the
countries hardest by the HIV/AIDS crisis. With this high rate of AIDS, the life
expectancy is at an all time low as of 32 years, leaving almost every family
and individual affected, in some way, by this disease. In this country of
extreme poverty, hunger and disease we believe that Christ is the only one who
can bring the physical, emotional and spiritual healing so desperately needed.
As we are called to be Christ's hands and feet here on earth, we have the
opportunity to bring the gifts that He has given us to the people of Swaziland.
While sharing His hope, His truth, and His healing with them we will be
tangible examples of Christ's love.
Ministry Description:
Much of the
ministry involved will be ministering to people in need of healing. At the care
points we will be able to minister to children, while also bringing medical
supplies to care for wounds and other medical problems that we see. Through
home visits we will be able to meet, pray and care for those in the community.
Our ministry will be mostly medically focused, bringing knowledge and medical
supplies to those in need. However, we will also focus largely on the healing
that Christ brings - as He is the only one who can truly know each person's
needs.
If you have ever thought
of or wanted to go on a medical mission trip, or desired to be involved in
helping people through medicine, this an opportunity to use first aid skills to
help people, while also pointing them to Christ, the ultimate healer.
We've been back from our Texas/Mexico trip
for a couple of days now. Thank you for your prayers. It was great catching up
with some of you while there – trips never seem long enough to see everyone.
Although our time in Mexico was short, we enjoyed seeing the AIM staff and
Novas participants.
While
in Mexico we went with the Almanzars to
visit a women (Marissa) who lives along side the main road...with her 8
children.
Riding home one day, Shannon felt the nudge to stop and leave food with
this
women. At that time they did not realize the number of family members
living in
the one mud room...sleeping on the floor. The Almanzars and Novas team
have
continued to pour into this family, providing goats to raise and sell.
There is
much more to this story and I hope to share more at a later date. At
this time,
we have plans of sending an Ambassador team there this summer to help
build a home for Marissa and family of 8. In order for this to happen
the land
needs to be purchased...at around $2,500. Please keep this in your
prayers.
Marissa's home where she lives with her 8 children. All of which, sleep on the mud floor.
The kitchen.
Don and the Almanzar family checking out the goats.
The Almanzars gave them goats to raise...they boys within a matter of
days, built this fenced in area.
For those of you from Houston - notice the Cy-Fair t-shirt!
The Almanzar family with Marissa and some of the kids. The oldest is in the striped shirt, age 15.
The land they are hoping to purchase for $2,500 for a home.