Sunday, June 3, 2012

Women's Last Day of Work

Our last day of work yesterday was everything we could have hoped and more. We spent the morning doing what women do best - holding babies and entertaining little ones! We were at the Hospicio de San Jose, which is like an orphanage for HIV+ children. Unlike the others we've seen this week, they are physically well cared for in this beautiful facility, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club. But they are missing out on the love of their parents, and most of the outside world here is afraid of them. They are just in need of human touch, and we were happy to provide that, along with prayers for their physical healing.

The closing session of our Precepts Bible study with the women at Pastor Saul's church blew us away. We in the U. S. take these studies for granted, but it was life-changing for these women. In my group, all the women were there all week, except one whose son was so sick he had to be hospitalized. She called Layla crying because she couldn't return to class, and asked her if there was any possible way she could still keep the study book. They gave one tear-filled testimony after another of how God's Word came alive for them this week. Many made new commitments, stepped out in decisions that God had convicted them to make, and finally realized God's love for them on an intimate level. They committed to continue meeting in small groups and to study the Bible like this starting this Sunday!

Many thanks to those back home who provided the funds to sponsor these women this week. At the very end we handed out the food bags to each one, which held rice, beans, sugar, salt, flour, oil, margarine, seasoning, soy protein, and eggs. Afterward they lavished us with gifts they had made, letters they wrote to us, and personal thank-you's said with streams of tears. Until you have experienced it, there's no way to describe how humbling it is to be that vessel that God has used, and be privileged to be the one receiving the thanks for what God has done through the Holy Spirit. To say "it's not about me" doesn't even begin to describe it. It's about something larger than I can even wrap my mind around - how on earth was I chosen to be a part of it? Hallelujah!

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. [You asked,] 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.  Job 42:2-3

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Construction Trip Concluding Thoughts

Concluding Thoughts....

"The vision of Lakewood is to be a regional church that raises fully devoted followers of Christ who are trained and equipped to love and reach lost people personally, locally, and globally"

We serve a great God, who so wants to rescue His creation locally and globally. We tangibly saw God draw people to Himself this week through the Women's and Construction Mission Trips in Guatemala.

I am still pondering and overwhelmed by all the events that occurred. I will write some brief descriptions of what the teams experienced this week. It includes hard realities, miracles, and principles His children need not forget:

*Americans have so much more materially then the majority world, how will we use that blessing?
*All of mankind is in some type of poverty or need, only God can fulfill that void.
*If we pray according to God's will, He answers.
*Praying for people's salvation is God's Will, and He answers. Amen!
*God will accomplish what He wants.
*Working hard, even to fatigue,to meet a practical need and to share the Gospel produces a great tired.
*Lakewood has been given much in resources and people to accomplish His will personally, locally and globally...Let's not shrink back!
*Do not waste the talents God has given you.
*Be flexible.
*Be "On Mission", which should be always for the Christ Follower.
*Have one ear towards heaven, and one ear towards people.
*Listen more then you talk.
*As a people, we need to pray more, and plan less...no, I am not against planning, just praying more.
*People who have little, but have Jesus, have everything!

We are very grateful to our in country host that make these trips work for us, this includes: El Camino Church, Pastor Saul and his family, Layla, Olivia, Barnabas, and Elizabeth, Ingrid our in country leader and her team of Walter, and Hugo. We are so fortunate to have them care for us the way they do.

We are so thankful to all the people that made this trip possible through giving, praying and going. We especially want to thank God, for the way He directed our steps and provided for us. We are so thankful for the salvations of Maria, Ingrid, Velma and some in her family, and Salvador. We are also so thankful for the the discipleship and follow up that will take place through the leadership of El Camino Church.

To God be the Glory for the things He has done....

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105 ESV)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16, 17 ESV)








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Construction Trip Day 5


Generations. Today we return to the lot where a new school for the children of the landfill is being built. The sun is especially hot today and shade is scarce. As we walk in to the lot, we all greet our friend Salvador the welder just as we have everyday this week. He stands right at the entrance welding grates. No doubt this is divine placement. We have been talking to Salvador all week about why we are here and what are doing. He has been with us to church and he said he wanted to help us feed the people in the landfill tonight. When we asked him if he was ready to accept Jesus into his heart, he said "Tonight at church." We tell him we look forward to calling him brother and continue on with our work.

It was a day filled with manual labor. We tore down a material shed that needed to be moved, poured concrete the Guatemalan way (with a portable mixer and wheelbarrows), hauled concrete block to the second floor of the school (via a Guatemalan ladder which is just as scary as you might imagine), sorted and moved a giant lumber pile, pulled nails, and several other tasks of the same. Today wasn't as immediately as gratifying as previous days. We didn't get to know the families that we were helping, put on a new roof or build new walls, or provide a place to cook their meals. But today was about vision and knowing that what we were doing today was for the children to come. That they may one day find Christ and share their faith with others. I look at this skeleton of a building and I close my eyes and I can see the classrooms filled with children. Children that are full of hope and laughter and song. Children that will have a better chance to break the cycle and get out of the dump. Today's work was for these children. Children we'll never know, but I pray that we will get to meet them one day in heaven.

After our work and our bodies were exhausted at the lot, we went to feed to people of the landfill. This is such an amazing experience. To be able to serve so many people in such a vital and basic way. We see mothers with small children getting maybe their only hot meal for the week. We see children getting food for their families, because they are too sick to come, or they are still sorting through the trash for the last few minutes of daylight. Of course, there is never enough food and we have to close up before everyone gets something. It is truly heartbreaking.

Then comes the highlight of our day. We go to the church where we have short service and at the end we have an invitation. When it is asked if there is anyone that has not accepted Christ as their savior, our friend Salvador says "Me!" without a moment's hesitation, and heaven stopped and the angels rejoiced! My God answers prayers! We welcomed Salvador as brother with hugs and tears of joy.

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" (Luke 15:7, 10, 32 ESV)

Jason Dykes





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Friday, June 1, 2012

Shackles

Yesterday morning we started out with and incredible devotion by Ms. Debbie. She shared her testimony and told us what it meant to have God be the Lord of our lives. She also played a song for us. It was a celebration song to remind us that the shackles have been removed and we can praise God. It was called Shackles by Mary Mary. This is what we are teaching the women at the same time. That no matter what, their shackles have been removed and they can praise God.

It was also our last day doing the medical clinic with Layla. At the beginning of the week, we were fearful that we wouldn't have enough medicine for four clinics. But through the power of prayer, God multiplied the medication just as he did with the fish and bread.

After the medical clinic we went back to do the bible study with the women. While eight of us stayed with the women, Laura, Mackenzie, and I stayed with the kids. While they worked together with the older kids, I got the privilege to play with babies-four years old. These kids had a blast while they were playing. They didn't have a worry in the world, they were happy, and most importantly they were being kids! I also had three older girls in the room with me to help with the little ones. You could see the joy in their eyes just having me to talk to and having the little ones to play with. But I have to admit, that I act like a four year old again when I'm around these kids.

God is working wonders through this trip and within the group. Mrs. Angela was told yesterday by Layla that when we come down, they have confirmation that God is really working in lives. When Mrs. Angela shared this with the group, we were all in shock. We come down here to fill the ladies with Christ, but while we are filling them up, they are filling us up. Just shows the power of prayer and also the power of Christ.