So, the summer's almost over. The time
literally flew by. In all we sent 16 teams to 15 different countries, over 175
students and 50+ leaders on 2, 3, 4, and 5 week trips. The final team came back
last week. We drove out to debrief them ourselves in Mexico. We enjoy every chance we can be on the field with them.
After Training Camp the first week of
July, we welcomed several teams back every weekend. Our days were full of
handling random issues for the teams on the field, organizing debriefs, and
preparing for next year. This continued until the first week of August, when
all the students were officially "home".
Between debriefs we celebrated our
niece, Ashleigh and Jonathan Madrid's wedding and that of good friends, Ashley
and Seth Simonson. Both beautiful brides, beautiful days!
Right now we are trying to find a way
to sum up all that God did over the summer through our students. So I'll quote
from Kristen Torres-Toro, who is our Administrative assistant for Ambassadors.
"There's no possible way to tell you
everything, about the hundreds who came to Christ in Uganda, the orphans in Haiti
who gathered around our team and prayed for them when the team left for the
States, how the Peru team discipled
local Christians and took them on a missions trip into the jungle to share the
gospel in a remote village, and how the Mexico
5 week team saw God multiply water when they were giving it out on a very hot
day. I could tell you the stories of people who were healed, of the foundations
of a church built in Kenya, the Puerto Rico team that lived in a
woman's shelter in the mountains of that beautiful island, how the Scotland team went out into Glasgow to
feed the homeless and wrote their own dramas to be used in ministry, and the
group in the Philippines made sure
to tell the little girls something they've never heard before: that they are
beautiful and loved by the Almighty God. The Bolivia team found a ministry called Manos de Amor and spent their
days loving on the children there, teaching them about Christ; the Guatemala team prayed for a man who
lost everything in the mudslide and when they asked him if they needed
anything, he only said, "prayer"; our Jamaica team played soccer with blind children in Kingston; and the
DR team met a little girl named
Meraldy who captured their hearts. The Costa
Rica team worked with a church who served them so profoundly all they could
say was, "we went to serve them, but they taught us the meaning of
servanthood", the Romania team
got to meet and tell the gypsy king about Christ while being interviewed on
national television, and the students in Nicaragua
went into the dump to meet and share Christ with families who literally live
in, on, and surrounded by trash. There's no way to tell it all."
In the participants own words, here's what they said when asked on their trip evaluations the following
questions, here were some of their answers:
What
was the biggest impact on you?
seeing people affected by poverty/death, who have joy in spite of it
playing with kids, forming relationships, church ministry, evangelism, etc.
God taught me the power of prayer
leading someone to Christ
seeing God heal people
realizing my own
brokenness
living simply and
realizing how much of my possessions are luxuries
choosing to surrender
hearing God speak to me
for the first time
What
was the coolest thing God did?
He saved people!
He healed people! Physically, emotionally and Spiritually!
He gave me the words/courage necessary to minister to people
I saw a depressed city smile
I was in awe of how God worked through me and my team
He broke my heart for those around me
He led our team
He brought groups of people (who spoke different languages) together
He showed me how much I have to be thankful for
He strengthened my relationship with Him
He opened my eyes to what is important
He brought me out of my comfort zone
He showed me what the Body of Christ really looks like
He gave me everlasting joy
He answered prayed
He multiplied things like water, balloons, etc.
He gave me peace
He brought life (when a widow in Haiti gave birth to her child, whose father
died in the earthquake).
For more stories from the summer, check
out these links:
We are so blessed to do this, to be
able to go out into the nations and be a part of sending others overseas to
share the good news of Christ, to be able to pour into the Church in America as
well through the discipleship ministry of AIM.
We realize these are all YOUR fruit - Because of your prayers, because of your encouragement, and because
of your financial support, God has used you to provide for us and give us what we
need in order to live. The above stories are of how God used YOU in the nations... and in the lives
of North American teens in America. Thank you!
There are changes ahead that we are excited to tell you about... more later!
We received the news Saturday that Dr. K of Helping Hands Foreign Missions, a fellow missionary and the host for our four week Uganda trip, passed away in Gainesville from malaria.
We are saddened by this news; praying for his family, friends, and ministry in Uganda, and for the those on the team who just returned. They have been hit hard by his death. Please join us in praying for all who knew and will miss Dr. K.
On Saturday there will be a benefit for Helping Hands, which I have been asked to photograph. Please pray that God will guide my lens; as well, please pray for a successful benefit drive. Helping Hands is currently raising money for the "Village of Eden" project. Information can be found at http://www.helpinghandsmissions.org.
_______________________________________
In Memory of Dr. K
There is no greater life lived than in service of the Almighty God.
On Saturday, August 14, 2010, Dr. Richard Kowalske, 58, died of malaria
in Gainesville, Georgia, after recently returning from Uganda. Dr K
hosted, taught, loved on--and even baptized some of--our four week team.
Dr. K and his wife, Brenda, founded Helping Hands Foreign Missions in
2002, which focused on the spiritual and medical needs of people in
Bolivia and Uganda.
Upon their return to Atlanta, the team told us of their love and respect
for Dr. K, his family, and the ministry of Helping Hands in Uganda. He
was a great husband, father, grandfather, friend, missionary, doctor,
Martial Arts Master, and most of all, man of God.
We are thankful that in this time we do not grieve as those who do not
have hope. Dr. K lived and died for Christ. He has impacted--and will
continue to impact--many across the world. We are praying for his
family, his friends, co-workers, and those he touched overseas, that
they will know the comfort of the Holy Spirit in this time of sadness.
Dr. K's memorial service will be Tuesday, August 17, at 11am at
Riverbend Baptist Church. The family has requested that in lieu of
flowers, donations be made to Helping Hands Foreign Missions for the
Village of Eden project: http://www.helpinghandsmissions.org.
Dr. K and Momma Tom in Uganda.
Dr. K baptizing Bethany, one of the girls from our AMB team, in Lake Victoria.
Dr. K talking about his vision for "Village of Eden".
Training Camp began June 13th and it's been
nonstop since. Wednesday teams began returning again and we are currently
living in a hotel in Atlanta. Our schedule will be as such-receive teams at
airport, take shuttle to hotel, eat together, debrief the teams' time on the
field, go to bed, wake up early, take students to the airport, make sure they
get on the planes. Cry. Then debrief leaders the remainder of the day. Send
leaders to airport. Say a pray of thanks. Rinse and repeat. Again and again and
again until all 16 teams and leaders are safely home. The final team returns
home August 6th, so we have several more debriefs ahead of us...the last will
take place in Mexico.
But back to the last few weeks. After the camps, we took off
with the last team to Haiti, pulling out at 2:30am. Upon arrival, layers of
clothes began coming off as we adjusted to the heat and humidity. Just like
every country it has its own sights, sounds, and smells. But there is something
else - in some it was hope, others despair. In some the Holy Spirit at work and
others, hollow eyes.
Tent cities - everywhere.
It was an hour and a half trip to our first "home" and
location of ministry. Two nights sleeping on the roofs in tents during down
pours, thunder and lightning was more than enough to confirm it was time to
relocate.
Our truck and luggage...in front of our second "home" and location of ministry.
Our sleeping arrangements for the first 2 nights.
After the down pours - the wind did some damage and a wall came down.
Our bucket-shower area.
Worship on the roof.
We packed up, said our good-byes, and moved to another location- a
home of a local pastor. There were several large indoor rooms in which we could
throw down our air mats and sleeping bags.
Voices and music began at 9pm and went through the night.
Not only did they have times of planned worship services directly below us, but
also spontaneous. The second night a guest came to the pastor and within half
an hour, a demon was cast out. A battle of great spiritual proportions is being
fought in Haiti...and we are winning!
Our days were filled with door-to-door visits, orphanages,
and praying for them. Both the Hai tians and our team embraced this-a ministry to
both groups. We have too many stories to share them in a single blog.
Prayer walks.
House to house visits. This little girl is mute.
A few students acquired and passed along a cold. Some recovered quicker than others. Those who weren't, I took back to
Port-au-Prince to the University of Miami hospital. The time waiting was used
wisely. We prayed over person after person and in some, saw amazing healing
take place.
Heading to the hospital - enjoying the ride.
Here are the stories of four women from that morning:
Woman #1 |
She saw us praying and asked for prayer. "No problem.
Anything specific?" I asked.
"Heart pains," explained the translator.
"May I touch you?"
She nodded.
I placed my hand on her heart, asked God to heal her
physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in the name of Jesus, the
Stronger Man who lives within us.
I'm not sure how much time passed, but when I asked how she
felt, translator repeated after her, "She feels fine!"
Which leads me to
Woman #2 |
She pointed at the translator and said, "I want them to pray
for me."
I called the team over and repeated the previous prayer.
Once again I asked, "How do you feel?"
She nodded and smiled, "Good!"
During this, other students who were praying and observing
from where they sat saw that the "American Doctors" often walked by and shook
their heads, not believing if healing could happen. I couldn't help but think
of their amazement when the women told them their chest pains were gone!
Lady #1 in the white shirt with dots. Lady #2 in the t-shirt with balloons.
Woman #3 |
Another woman suffered from Elephantitis-swelling of the
ankle and leg. As we prayed for her, she pulled up her skirt, placing our hands
on her leg. Faith! She believed God could and would heal. This same woman
struggled with bad pain as a result of injury from the earthquake and pain in
her side. I prayed... cried... prayed more. Physical healing did not appear to
happen, but something much greater did. She received love and peace.
Woman #4 |
From the back doctors' table outside, I could see a woman in
a green dress being draped over the arms of two others. She dragged her feet as
if she were carrying the weight of the world. There were moans and groans of
pain. I began to pray, later finding out others on the team saw her as well and
began praying.
The thirty second walk to the building must have taken her
fifteen minutes. By the time she arrived, we were eagerly awaiting her arrival.
It was time to pray. God has a plan... and this was not it. We asked, "Can we
pray for you?"
"Yes, but first let me put my name on the list to be seen,"
the woman replied.
"Of course," I responded. "We will wait!"
While waiting, we continued praying with others. Soon she
returned. We prayed and a doctor stopped nearby. "Is she okay?" the doctor
asked.
"No. Can you see her soon?" we asked.
They whisked her away before we could blink.
Fifteen minutes later, she came slowly back with only one
friend by her side. Improvement already! More prayer, more prayer... the blind to
see, the lame to walk! We believed God had the power to do all of this and more.
When we left, she was peaceful, resting, smiling, and praising
God.
Lady in green is woman #4.
Sadly, we said our goodbyes and flew back the next day. Once
we landed, phone calls, text messages, and emails inundated us. Our teams are
doing great. God is at work in the nations and it's an honor to be a part of it
in a small way. We look forward to sharing many, many more stories and
pictures.
We just finished our first Training Camp of two for the year. Monday nine teams flew out around the world--Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Mexico, DR, Romania, Peru, Nicaragua, and Kenya. They are so excited to see what God will do in and through them this summer... as are we.
Sunday starts our next Leader Training. The students for the second camp come on the 30th and fly out on July 5th for Costa Rica, Haiti, Scotland, Bolivia, Philippines, Uganda, and Mexico. Don and I will fly out as well for Haiti. We will be there July 5-9.
Throughout July teams will return to Atlanta for Debrief. In August we, along with Kristen Torres-Toro and Amanda Bryant, our Administrative Assistant and Admissions Coordinator, will go to Mexico for the final debrief of the summer with our 5 week trip. Needless to say, it's a very busy--but wonderful--summer!
Please pray for us... as this next camp begins, for all the students as they travel and minister overseas, for Don and I as we travel to Haiti and Mexico. We are so thankful for you and how you partner with us. Thank you!
Below is a video of the camp that just ended. Enjoy!
Ambassador Training Camps are here again! We are so excited about what God is going to do in and through our students this year, both in their lives here in the States and in ministry overseas. This is Ambassador's biggest year yet. We are so humbled and blessed to do what we do! In all, we are sending 16 teams--comprised of 176 students and 46 leaders--to Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Mexico (2 trips), Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Peru, Kenya, Costa Rica, Haiti, Scotland, Bolivia, Philippines, and Uganda on 2 week, 3 week, 4 week, and 5 week trips. A serve crew of 30 people will help AIM staff Don Rock, Connie Rock, Kristen Torres-Toro, Amanda Bryant, and Traci Derington train, feed, and send the teams out over the next few weeks. Please pray for these camps, for the serve team and staff, for the leaders and for the students as they hug orphans, pray for AIDs patients, feed the hungry, and walk as Christ throughout the nations. Pray for the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear and the dead to be raised-for souls to come to Christ and for His Kingdom to be established throughout the world.
For a taste of what's coming, here are videos from last year's Training Camps!
Over the years on
mission trips, I have seen an number of VBS or children's programs.They all seem to have the same
elements: games , songs, stories, drama, crafts, and plenty of kids.Our teams experience was no different. The team shared the stories of Daniel in
the lions den, David and Goliath, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.The stories focused on God's faithfulness,
provision, and protection.
Nothing that our
team did was particularly unique on this trip but there is one moment that I
think will be forever etched in my mind.It was on the day that the team presented the story of David and
Goliath.The way that the team
told the story was through a narrator and then the rest of the team acted out
the story.
The Children in the
church were captured by the story right away.As the narrator described the conflict between God's people
and the Philistines.When Goliath
was introduced, I think even some of the young children were a bit
frightened.Goliath was played by two
guys on our team one sitting on the others shoulders creating the image of a
Giant.
So the story moved
towards the climatic moment where David faces Goliath with his sling and five
stones.It was in that moment that
I experienced something I never have before in a children's program! David took Goliath down. ...he dropped to
the ground and then the room erupted in screams of joy!The Children were celebrating the
defeat of Goliath.It was a
celebration that was filled with yelling, dancing, laughter, and cheers!This went on for minutes!As I watched and listened to their
rejoicing it mad me thinking that their celebration must have resembled what
the Israelites where feeling when Goliath went down.I can honestly say I witnessed and learned about pure
celebration at the wonders of God's works.
AIM has been on ground in
Haiti since the earthquake.
In addition to sending
relief and mission teams, AIM is also partnering with numerous pastors offering
discipleship. Many of the young men that are working with the AIM staff as
translators are also going through this discipleship program.
One morning before ministry,
I had the opportunity to sit with one of these young men.As we talked, I asked what he was
learning in the program.He spent
the next 45 minutes explaining in great detail all the things he had learned.He took pride in sharing what it
meant to be a follower of Christ.He used numerous passages to explain the position and authority that we
as believers have as a result of Christ death and resurrection.He then with great passion explained
and pointed out to me how so many times in the New Testament, scripture speaks
about us having the ability through Christ to choose holiness, but that it is our
choice.He shared how when we
start choosing the holiness that God has set us apart for we begin to
demonstrate Spiritual maturity.
That morning, I learned some
new things from my Haitian brother.I was excited about how this discipleship is going to spread through the
leadership in the Haitian church.Haitians
discipling Haitians.This
young's man passion and the evident fruit that was being produced in his life
is a result of how the church in America partnering with the church in Haiti is
demonstrating what "the Church" should
look like.
For those of you not familiar
with a prayer walk, it's simply walking and praying. Sometimes stopping to
visit with people and praying for them.It can look many ways, but without fail, there are always stories of how
God uses this simple ministry.
During these times, we prayed
for the needs shared with us, but we also challenged the team to listen to what
God was speaking to them and pray those things over the people as well.
On the very first morning, while
the team was praying and listening to the Lord, some shared that they felt we
were to pray for miracles.As it
turned out, there were many requests for healing and miracles that day.
We prayed for healing of
women who had swelling and pain in her ankles and feet.As we took this to the Lord, we could
see the swelling reduce!The women
thanked us for interceding on her behalf and said that she would be coming to
visit the church we had partnered with.
We don't know if others were
healed that day we prayed for many and are trusting that the Lord has brought
healing to many of the suffering in that area.
I spent the last week in Haiti leading a team of adults between
the ages of 20 something to 40 something.AIM has had a presence in Haiti from the early days of the earthquake
and has been hosting teams weekly.
Haiti was is great need prior to the earthquake with 80 to
85% unemployment and very little infrastructure, and a government that didn't
seem to care about its people.The
church was struggling.It's been said
to us by Haitian pastors, a year prior to the earthquake a group of pastors
started meeting together to pray for their country.They started paying that God would shake their nation.
Since the earthquake there has been an outpouring of what
God is doing in the country of Haiti.The churches are growing. Churches that only had a few hundred in attendances
now have over thousands.People
are seeking and open to hearing about Jesus.There is a cry going out not only for food, but people want
prayer for their spiritual lives and change in their country.They are seeking the bread of life.
During this time in Haiti I saw first hand how God is
pouring out His Spirit on the Haitian church.We saw His kingdom come and will be done! I look forward to sharing these
stories!
Over the next couple of days and into next week I will share
more in hopes to inspire and encourage you.Please pray about what you can do to join in this Kingdom
work. If you are interested in
going on a trip, please contact us.
Living
across from Tambo in Bolivia, now Monte Blanco, lives a woman who has
impacted
many missionary kids through her egg sandwiches. Long
before my brother and I began attending Tambo in the early 80's, Doņa Antonia's
place was "the" spot to go. We'd
often "go off prop" to enjoy her company, egg sandwiches, and papas
fritas. This woman cared for each
of us...and was dearly loved.
photo by | me
So
when I returned to set up our Ambassador trip, I made it a priority to visit
her. The first time we headed over
to her place I was nervous. Would she be alive? Does she still live here? Will
she remember me? I was excited
when I recognized her tienda/store. I walked up to the window and yelled "Doņa
Antonia!". My friend Kristen was ready to capture the reunion with her camera
while Don and David stood waiting. It was a beautiful moment. She came to the
window and stared at me--and I at her. Then I asked,"Do you remember me?"
"Connie Lengkeek. I went to school here through the 80's."
photo by | me
photo by | kristen torres-toro
She
smiled and reached through the bars. "Si", she said. Within seconds she was
outside and we were hugging, crying, and laughing.
photos above by | kristen torres-toro
We
only had a few moments before we had to leave for our next appointment, but we
followed her into her humble home and reminisced. It was fun to introduce her
to my husband, my friend and to tell her my brother still talks about her... as do many
others! I was able to tell her she had a huge impact us.
We
hugged good-bye with the agreement that we'd come back the next morning on our
way out for breakfast - sandwich de huevo. She wanted to wait for the fresh
bread and eggs to arrive.
I
could hardly wait. It felt like Christmas! When we walked in, she was chopping
the onions and tomatoes. She shoved a spoon of them in my mouth and asked if
they needed more salt. I explained that there has several times when I've tried
to make these...but always fall short. I told her the difference is the love she
makes them with. It was joy to watch her work her magic in her little kitchen.
Some things never changed! Thank God!
photo by | me
photo by | me
photo by | me
photo by | me
photo by | me
We
sat at the table chatting with her while drinking her coffee. All was well. I
began to ask about her husband, her kids. Her husband died 6 years ago, her
children are all spread out. One is in Spain. I asked how business was. Since Tambo
is no longer, she doesn't have the customers. She had to sell her freezer that
housed all the soda that we kept in business with our missionary kid
addictions. David had the opportunity to tell her about the new ministry that
bought Tambo and the people being impacted by it...and promised to introduce the
Monte Blanco staff and teams to her little business.
photo by | kristen torres-toro
photo by | me
The
sandwiches were ready and we all sat together. In many ways it was a worship
service. We spoke of God... Actually she spoke of God! I love how she teaches
about God. It's in her actions, in her humility, in her eyes. I ate and ate. I took pictures after
every other bite. Yes, these were made with love...and can't be duplicated.
We
had to hit the road before it was too late. I asked to pray for her... we held
each other and cried. Tears of joy...I'm so grateful for that moment.
photo by | kristen torres-toro
While
the others slipped out, I gave her money to pay for the food...plus some. I knew
she didn't have much. She adamantly refused it. It was her gift. I couldn't leave her without something.
I took off my scarf and wrapped it around her. Beautiful! She made my scarf
beautiful!
photo by | me
photo by | me
photo by | Don
photo by | me
photo by | David
photo by | me
With
a few more pictures and promises to send copies down with our team, we hugged,
cried, and said, "till next time."
I'm
so blessed by the many wonderful women in my life...
To read about this from Kristens perspective, check out her blog at kristentorrestoro.myadventures.org
