tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23903489442123246022024-03-13T09:34:05.823-04:00The EbenezerThe stories of all that God is doing in and through the people at Church of the Apostles.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-75343196504933543382021-08-02T13:37:00.003-04:002021-08-02T13:39:41.126-04:00Thanks for Listening<p style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWjNA2UmeoQ/YQgsp4ApziI/AAAAAAAABlI/-as5YE-lD3gPfTK5lahqyxJZzb_O5fZNACLcBGAsYHQ/s669/prayer%2Bjournal_susanne.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="669" height="139" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWjNA2UmeoQ/YQgsp4ApziI/AAAAAAAABlI/-as5YE-lD3gPfTK5lahqyxJZzb_O5fZNACLcBGAsYHQ/w444-h139/prayer%2Bjournal_susanne.JPG" width="444" /></a></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">“<u>Thanks for Listening</u>”</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Prayer journal of Susanne Fisher Berger, friend of God<br />November 17, 1954 - July 31, 2021</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Susanne left us a treasure trove in her prayer journal from her journey over the last year. I share this with you that you might be inspired by her heart for God, and her unwavering hope and thankfulness. May He use her deep faith to draw you to love and trust Him too.<br />~Bruce</p><p style="text-align: center;">“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />“Thanks for listening, I hope those verses will encourage you even today.”</p><p><b>June 14, 2020</b></p><p>Thank you for praying. Isn’t God good to provide sister-friends to listen and pray with us! Your calls, texts, cards, meals, etc. are received with deep gratitude. They are tangible means of encouragement and joy! </p><p>Along with a continued focus on Psalm 18, I’m reading Isaiah. I see much “me-focus” or pride in the Israelites throughout Isaiah. That said, I acknowledge my blindness to my own prideful ways. God in His mercy points those ways out to me. One consistent tool He uses is this illness and treatment. He uses it to reset my thinking.</p><p>How? Isaiah 46:3,4 say this: “Listen to Me… you who have been borne by Me from before your birth, carried by Me from the womb: til you grow old I am He, and when white hairs come, I will carry you still. I have made you and I will bear the burden, I will carry you and bring you to safety.” </p><p>So when my thoughts race: “Will radiation be effective? What will follow-up be? More chemo? Will I have energy to ‘do' life?” He gently turns me back to His sufficiency. I pridefully take on the burden of fixing myself. He jolts me into realizing that He takes my burden and bears it daily (Ps. 68:19-20). No days off. He never sleeps. My job is to give it to Him.</p><p>When I let God bear my burdens, that brings Him glory. Please pray I will!</p><p><b>July 2, 2020</b></p><p>Your prayers for my peace, comfort and healing were and are so appreciated. We all have trials and challenges. I’m truly humbled that you’d take the time to pray for me. </p><p>As I transition from active treatment to a “watchful waiting” period, I realize we are all there — watchfully waiting, moving forward. Waiting and working for the Kingdom coming, as God gives strength. </p><p>Like you, I rejoice that the cross makes all the difference. We wait and work with purpose and hope. We are new creations in Christ; the old has passed away, the new has come! Our perspective is eternal and our burdens light in Him.</p><p><b>September 25, 2020</b></p><p>Since Wednesday, Paul’s phrase has been popping into my head, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Philippians 4:11. He wrote it while in prison! He goes on to say he has “learned the secret…of having abundance & suffering need.” (v. 12). I find his phrasing significant: he has learned to be content. He doesn’t say “I feel content in every circumstance.” That helps me. </p><p>The Lord is my Teacher - none better - and while feeling content is a bonus, I am the most grateful, feelings aside, for a deep, settled contentment He is teaching me. Especially now, when news received is not what I’d hoped, I want to learn contentment; He wants to teach me. So I am in a good place to learn. While not a huge fan of waiting, it is made easier as God reminds me nothing slips past His notice; and as I love to remember, He is FOR me. FOR us! (Rom. 8:31)</p><p>Thanks again for your prayers. I’m praying that I keep God’s perspective. When fear and "what ifs” plague me, I pray He turns me towards gratitude and contentment - quickly! I don’t want to waste precious time on unfruitful roads. I believe He will steer me instead towards encouraging ones!</p><p><b>October 15, 2020</b></p><p>“Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! … I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope.” Psalm 130:1,2 & 5</p><p>Friends, <br />Sometimes our best prayer is short - “Lord have mercy” or simply “Jesus.” He hears and acts. Those are my prayers in recent days. </p><p><b>November 6, 2020</b></p><p>Thank you for your prayers as God keeps Bruce & me in this holding pattern. We would not have chosen this path but we absolutely desire to trust Him that it is for our good. Pray we will trust God ruthlessly. Please pray we will find His mercies new every morning, living in the moment. </p><p><b>November 19, 2020</b></p><p>This week I was fixing dinner (yes, I do occasionally cook) and feeling pretty low. An unwelcome combo of pity-party and fear-fest was making itself at home in my head & I was tired. Reached in my pocket to retrieve a pen and instead found a forgotten Scripture from a few months back. The Holy Spirit was giving me a gentle and necessary forehead slap. </p><p>He reminded me, God only asks of me that which is doable and for my best. I realized it wasn’t pity or even well-meaning commiseration on how tough life can be that I needed. I took a mental U-turn, put the Scripture on my kitchen counter where I could not escape it. I began thanking God (begrudgingly at first, then for real!) for so many blessings. Gifts like you praying for me faithfully. </p><p>Dinner was ready and the list kept going in my head. God is truly SO good to me; what can I say in response? What compares to the glory of God revealed in Jesus? What do I have, including the promise of eternal life with Him - where all things are made new - that He has not provided? </p><p>So I Thess. 5 has spoken to me recently. As has a simple quote from Robert M. McCheyne (Scotsman who could really roll his rrrrr’s), here it is: </p><p>“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.” </p><p>That is exactly why I can rejoice always.</p><p><b>November 30, 2020</b></p><p>2020 has just been crazy, yet God remains faithful. I’m amazed at His goodness even in my distress. I need to remember this promise from Isaiah I have held to over the years. I hope it comforts you, too:</p><p>"In all their affliction (distress), He too was afflicted (distressed); and the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and His mercy, He redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.” Isaiah 63:9</p><p><b>December 2, 2020</b></p><p>I continue realizing how much I can allow my circumstances to dictate my peace of mind. I know you understand, as we all have our stuff. I am just a mess without Jesus. I have been thinking about how He makes all the difference in my life. He offers Himself daily, freely, moment-by-moment and He is everything I need.</p><p>I’m beginning to understand why John stressed that “He must increase while I must decrease.” I can be so circumstance-focused. Yet always I have the option to return to a perspective that all is well, ultimately. We are a blessed and secure people, when we know Jesus. Pray I cling to that mindset, rejecting the roller-coaster one that my circumstances offer me.</p><p><b>December 5, 2020</b></p><p>Pray that I can take one day at a time, that above all, I will want what the Lord wants for me!</p><p><b>February 15, 2021</b></p><p>My sister gave me a coffee mug for Christmas that says “Count Your Blessings.” As I literally name and count them, often my blessings are tangible: like people and events. Each of you is a blessing to Bruce & me, for example. We are humbled that you would take the time to pray & care for us.</p><p>But this morning I thought about the blessing of perspective. The solid assurance of an eternal perspective is huge, especially when living with cancer. Someone has said that many Christians live as “practical atheists.” That is, calling themselves Christians but living as if life-on-earth is all that matters. I am certainly guilty of that at times and want to re-route my thinking. </p><p>God alone can give me the ability to frame each event and circumstance, no matter how it looks at the time, as coming to me from Him who is good & does all things well. I read Psalm 145 today and noticed this truth:</p><p>"Everything God does is right— the trademark on all his works is love. God’s there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it." Psalm 145:17,18, The Message</p><p>Nothing compares to knowing my future is bright and secure. I am in the hands of a God who is 100% FOR me!</p><p>Thanks for listening & allowing me to tell myself this truth today.</p><p><b>April 24, 2021</b></p><p>Bruce & I continue to desire to trust God as we walk together through this, so please pray for our peace, joy and our eyes to be focused on the Lord. It’s a journey full of ups and downs. Also, pray especially for our wisdom in conveying my progress & my challenges to our children. </p><p>Finally, I saw something significant about Psalm 34: 4, 6. This wisdom courtesy of Amy Carmichael. The Psalm reads “I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried (David wrote this when in fear for his life) and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”</p><p>Amy writes: My fear is not yours, but nearly everyone has, somewhere inside, a weary little fear which keeps cropping up. But every time the fear pushes out its head, there, waiting to end it, is that glorious word, “delivered from all my fears.” Not from some, or from most but from all."</p><p>She goes on to say about v. 6: We may have to pass through the waters, but we shall be delivered out of them. They will not overflow us. "This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” There again, it is not out of some, or out of most but out of all.</p><p><b>May 6, 2021</b></p><p>God continues giving me His peace. I wander off into “what-if’s” at times. I get discouraged and always He faithfully pulls me back up, like the patient Father He is. He reminds me to speak boldly to Him about where I am and what I desire. What a great God we are privileged to know and serve! I so want to keep my eyes on Him.</p><p>Here’s a reminder from my kitchen, words I see every day :) Lots of encouragement from the book of Isaiah. “For the mountains may be moved and the hills may shake, but My loving of peace will not be shaken” says the Lord who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10</p><p>Love to all, Susanne</p><p><b>May 13, 2021</b></p><p>I was encouraged this week in a Bible study of Ephesians 1. Look how Paul prayed, from a Roman prison, for his Ephesian brothers and sisters. </p><p>From my read of Eph. 1:15-21, he gifted them with his prayers for a spirit of wisdom & revelation to know Jesus. He prayed for the eyes of their hearts to open to see & know God’s great hope and power. He prayed God would reveal to them how rich an inheritance they have in Him. What an inheritance we have indeed and what a privilege to pray for each other!</p><p>Thanks for listening, I hope those verses will encourage you even today.</p><p><b>June 3, 2021</b></p><p>I would appreciate your prayers that I choose faith over fear as we navigate this development. And specifically that my faith rests on the knowledge that the Lord has gone ahead of me - which He promises He has - and He will never leave me. I think of Deuteronomy 31:8 and picture Him already there at the Cancer Center, reassuring me. Ready to reveal His good next steps for me. </p><p>I realize how changeable life on this planet is for us all. Hebrews 13:8 comes to mind, how unchangeable is our Savior! This journey with cancer is no fun & full of changes; yet I truly experience how belonging to Him makes all the difference. Even as I type those words I realize how easily I can forget them when circumstances don’t go “my” way. I love how the Lord understands and lovingly reminds me that His plans, even when difficult, are for my good and His glory. I can fully trust Him in that knowledge.</p><p><b>June 5, 2021</b></p><p>Thank you for continuing to pray for our wisdom to process info; for my strength amidst fatigue and for us to cling to “faith, not fear” as I mentioned in my last update. I am comforted by Psalm 18 and especially knowing, as it says right at the beginning, that not only does the Lord give me strength, He IS my strength! What a gift!</p><p><b>June 22, 2021</b></p><p>So now we have a plan - I am reminded, lest I get too comfortable with my plans, of the truth of Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in the mind of a man (woman), but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." So please pray I can hold my plans loosely, while trusting the Lord’s good purposes for me.</p><p><b>June 27, 2021</b></p><p>I read Psalm 27 this evening: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense [refuge] of my life; whom shall I dread?” I want to dread nothing, fear nothing as I cling to the light, salvation and refuge that the Lord has always been - and will always be! - to me. He wants to be all of that to each of us. Please pray the Lord will equip me to trust Him fully & completely.</p><p><b>July 2, 2021</b></p><p>My prayer is that I stay in step with the Lord, trusting Him for each step & choice along this unknown path. Unknown to me, completely known to Him. There is great comfort in that truth. He will not let go of me; I want to keep clinging to Him! There are certainly details to pray for, like quick scheduling, good rest, better breathing, etc. But I learn again & again that clinging to His side even without understanding the path brings me His great peace. And that is priceless.</p><p><b>July 22, 2021</b></p><p>I continue to request and appreciate your prayers for clarity, comfort and encouragement. </p><p>I remain thankful that the Lord is in control in this difficult situation and the knowledge that even in this circumstance that I wouldn’t choose, I am still living in the shelter of the Most High, causing me to dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. </p><p>Thank you all for the many ways you have expressed your concern and love for me and my family through meals, flowers, cards, gifts, texts, emails, etc.</p><p><b>July 27, 2021</b></p><p>Although her physical situation is difficult, Susanne is at peace, knowing the Lord is at her side and is a God of comfort (Isaiah 66:13; Psalm 23:4). She appreciates your prayers for physical comfort and that she would release this to God and not feel like she needs to continue fighting. She realizes she is firmly in the shadow of God’s wings (Psalm 17:8), held close by his loving arms (Isaiah 40:11). </p><p>Susanne and Bruce are grateful for the wonderful, caring support of family and friends. Thank you!</p><p><b>July 31, 2021</b></p><p>Susanne went to be with our Lord last night. Bruce and her children were by her side. She was blessed and honored that her family was present and so many good friends were able to visit with her and, though weak, was able to enjoy that time and have the opportunity to say good-bye. </p><p>Bruce and the family are comforted knowing that Susanne rests in the loving, everlasting arms of Jesus and is at perfect peace, looking forward to spending eternity with her brothers and sisters in Christ.</p><p>Thank you each so much for your cards, thoughts, prayers, texts, calls, emails, meals, flowers and the many other ways so many of you have supported the Berger family. They are truly grateful.</p><p>“You keep her in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because she trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3,4</p><p style="text-align: center;">“In this [salvation] you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” I Peter 1:6,7</p><p style="text-align: center;">“Blessed in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15</p><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-68241660806649740752021-03-09T16:14:00.000-05:002021-03-09T16:14:42.048-05:00 To the thirsty bring water; meet the fugitive with bread (Isaiah 21:14)<p><b>Apostles Benevolence Ministry</b></p><p><b>A Testimony <i>| </i>Robin Vincent | Benevolence Team Member </b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mx-8sWyeXSk/YEfkTS9WuXI/AAAAAAAABjA/C3QKIScrmZEqSYKHqC10gHfYVqCYRYMdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s436/Robin%2BVincent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="382" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mx-8sWyeXSk/YEfkTS9WuXI/AAAAAAAABjA/C3QKIScrmZEqSYKHqC10gHfYVqCYRYMdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w206-h235/Robin%2BVincent.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>I have been serving on the Benevolence Team at Church of the Apostles for over a year. Our team has worked together to serve families in our community, in and outside of our church. Some of the ways that we help is to provide money for groceries, help with monthly bills, and be a listening ear during an incredibly hard time. Many times the phone calls can be overwhelming and we are at a loss of how to help. I am always amazed at how transparent people are with sharing their lives and their humbleness to ask for support. <p></p><p>Last month, the Benevolence Team received a request from a family that their children had been involved in the after school tutoring program through the Y. The family had lost their apartment and all the contents to the fire on Navaho Drive. I was assigned to the family, and honestly, was concerned with how much we could support since they had lost EVERYTHING and I knew they had no transportation. </p><p>I made the initial phone call only to find out that neither the mother nor father could speak English. I knew I was not the person for the job since my Spanish skills were lacking. Within minutes, the Lord brought to my mind an interpreter that I knew. I called and she was happy to help. When the interpreter and I spoke with the mother, she was gracious and stated that they needed shoes and air mattresses to sleep on. </p><p>Once again, the Lord provided the people. With a few phone calls people donated new shoes, house goods, and even Rex hospital donated air mattresses. The blessings kept coming. The next week a realtor in our church called and said she had a client leaving furniture in their home and heard that we had a family in need. We gathered a family in our church that agreed to pick up and transport the furniture. Over and over, God proved to me that if we are willing He is able. I alone could not get what the family needed, but God kept showing me people that could. Through every aspect of this story, God provided and used the body of the church to work to accomplish His goal of community. </p><p><b>How It Works | Dave Ritchie | Benevolence Team Member</b></p><p>Robin’s great testimony is one of the many ways The Lord is using Benevolence to impact our Community. So here is how the process works…</p><p>If you know of someone in need of assistance, please contact a church staff member, and they in turn will complete a form that gets distributed to the Benevolence Team. This way, full attention and prayer can be given to the person in need, while the clergy and staff continue with other ministry responsibilities.</p><p>The Benevolence Team Member on duty will take the case and follow up with the candidate. The Team Member will hear the case, first person, from the candidate, and will prayerfully consider the amount of assistance available. The process typically takes about a week, from inquiry to issuance of assistance.</p><p>We do have parameters that guide us in the types of cases we can care for, as well as the amounts we are able to support. Some examples of support include: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Rent/Mortgage Assistance, Utilities, Groceries and Household Needs. </li><li>Special attention is also given when children are involved. </li><li>It is our goal to assist whenever possible for those who are clearly making good choices and trying to be responsible through employment or in doing as much as they possibly can. </li><li>Prayerful wisdom and discernment is exercised in assessing specific needs. We recognize that individuals are unable to make lifestyle changes on their own without the reliance on the strength of Christ. We will observe the spiritual maturity of the individual, and with their permission, may pray alongside anyone seeking assistance.</li><li>In general, we emphasize support for church members first, as well as friends and family of the church. </li><li>We also assist those in the community from outside of the church. In fact, the majority of our inbound requests do come from outside the church. </li></ul><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulOkroOUm5w/YEfkoNGEZ8I/AAAAAAAABjI/ghFYXSmgw00HnkW7-gLO0oRbMdvtjmx0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2746/Dave%2BRitchie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="2746" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulOkroOUm5w/YEfkoNGEZ8I/AAAAAAAABjI/ghFYXSmgw00HnkW7-gLO0oRbMdvtjmx0gCLcBGAsYHQ/w270-h219/Dave%2BRitchie.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>So, if you happen to need assistance yourself, or know of someone who does, please know that the Church of the Apostles Benevolence Ministry is an available resource, and we are here to help. And if you sense God’s leading to join us in this ministry, please feel free to contact me: <a href="mailto:djritchi@gmail.com"><b>djritchi@gmail.com</b></a><p></p><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-58410119401657684402020-12-09T10:54:00.000-05:002020-12-09T10:54:11.394-05:00What Makes U Beautiful? {Advent Proclamation}<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>What
Makes U Beautiful?<br /></b>A poem by Susan Benson</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes U beautiful?<br />The reason is that U made such a wonderful & beautiful world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes U so kind & compassionate?<br />The reason is that U were willing to lay down Ur life to save us
from the sin of the world. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes U want to send your son down to set us free?<br />The reason is that U were willing & able to come to earth so
that we might have eternal life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes U beautiful?<br />The reason is that U made such a wonderful & beautiful world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What made U want to choose such a normal young lady a virgin to be
the mother of your son?<br />The reason is that U wanted a simple lady to be your son’s earthly
mother.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes u chose such simple carpenter to be the father of your
son?<br />U wanted him to have good skills so he could survive in this
world. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes U want to suffer on that terrible wooden cross?<br />The reason is that U were willing to send your beloved son to set us
free.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes U beautiful?<br />The reason is that U made such a wonderful & beautiful world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes us cry to U in prayer?<br />The reason is that we know U can help us in times of trouble. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes people love U & yet they still do wrong?<br />The reason is that this world is made up of sinners.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes us love U?<br />The reason is that U care so much about your beloved children.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes U beautiful?<br />The reason is that U made such a wonderful & beautiful world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What made U want to have so many people following U?<br />The reason is because they love to hear U teach your word. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes so many people write poems & music about U?<br />The reason is simple the reason is that they love to worship U.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes us give our all to you?<br />The reason is that U love us more than we could ever know.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes U beautiful?<br />The reason is that U made such a wonderful & beautiful world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What makes U so powerful?<br />I don’t know but if I did I’ll never stop loving U.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What
makes sinners repent to U?<br />Because
they need the loving kindness of U our wonderful maker.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What
makes U beautiful?<br />The
reason is that U made such a wonderful & beautiful world.<br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHEZkPDGB9w/X9DyiqowsZI/AAAAAAAABhs/nDCdWuvWlq8X6Fl2HCqGK6IueRGU7mP2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s688/Susan%2BBenson.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="688" height="135" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHEZkPDGB9w/X9DyiqowsZI/AAAAAAAABhs/nDCdWuvWlq8X6Fl2HCqGK6IueRGU7mP2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w138-h135/Susan%2BBenson.png" width="138" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Susan Benson<br />Apostles Member</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-21226574833650638762020-07-14T14:53:00.001-04:002020-07-14T14:53:36.998-04:00The Panacea for Pride<div><font face="verdana">June 28, 2020</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">When Pastor Art challenged us to study Isaiah 66, I was unaware of the personal journey I was about to make. Verse 1-2 of the Message translation read:</font></div><div><font face="verdana">“Heaven’s my throne,</font></div><div><font face="verdana"> earth is my footstool.</font></div><div><font face="verdana">What sort of house could you build for me?</font></div><div><font face="verdana"> What holiday spot reserve for me?</font></div><div><font face="verdana">I made all this! I own all this!”</font></div><div><font face="verdana"> GOD’s Decree.</font></div><div><font face="verdana">“But there is something I’m looking for:</font></div><div><font face="verdana"> a person simple and plain,</font></div><div><font face="verdana"> reverently responsive to what I say.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Verse 1 speaks to man’s pride of self--his wealth, resources, assets, homes, cars, memberships, awards and fellowships. He buys into the lie that those things make him a powerful person. God reminds him that He is the one who made this Earth; it belongs to Him; He is not only the Architect, but the Owner of the Deed. He. Is. Sovereign. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Although written centuries ago, this sounds like it was written for today. Have we lost our wonder of the sovereignty of God?” Are we out of touch with how worldly we are?</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">“It is so easy to become more thick-skinned in conscience, more tolerant of evil, more hopeless of good, more careful of one’s own comfort and one’s own property, more self-satisfied in leaving high aims and great deeds to enthusiasts, and then to believe one is growing older and wiser.”</font></div><div><font face="verdana"> </font></div><div><font face="verdana">During a recent Bible Study, we were asked, “What sin, do you think, is the one from which every other sin originates? Many responses were given, ranging from hate, anger, lust, greed, lying and stealing to pride. What do you suppose the answer is? Pride is the sin from which every other sin originates.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">In verse 2, God is looking for “a person simple and plain, reverently responsive to what I say.” God is hopeful His search will yield a person of humility...a person of faith. He is not looking for worldly people—or pride-filled people. Ouch! This is a personal journey. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Think with me on this for a moment. As humans, we are made in the image and likeness of our Heavenly Father. It says in Genesis 1, “God saw everything He had made and said, ‘It is very good.’” Our Heavenly Father has a healthy pride—mere satisfaction for a job done well. He doesn’t say, “Hey! I completed this awesome project! I’m the #1 God!” Rather, our Heavenly Father says, “It is good!” That’s it...plain and simple.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Pride begins innocently when children are young. They aspire to do what older peers can do. They love perfecting new skills. With that perfection comes a sense of pride, or satisfaction, over a job well done. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">In the first few years of life, children are learning new activities. They come away either with some things done well, or not at all. This is when the dynamic of the “know it all” and the “bully” comes into play. Children can either become overly confident or under-confident in developmental skills. Like our Heavenly Father, a parent molds a child to the level of confidence best suited for the child’s future.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"> </font></div><div><font face="verdana">1 Thessalonians 5:15 teaches us what to do in situations just like that: “Be sure that no one pays back wrong from wrong, but always try to do what is good for each other and for all people.” </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">A recent devotion by Max Lucado advised, “...no friendship is perfect, no marriage is perfect, no person is perfect.” To “transform a difficult situation into something beautiful,” we can develop “peace treaties of love, tolerance, and harmony.” </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">I envision Lucado’s statement to be a panacea for pride. Imagine every household in our world embracing peace treaties based on God’s love! What would happen If each of us looks in the mirror daily and says, “I’m not perfect, but I’ll try to be the hands and feet of Jesus to everyone I meet today.”</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">I tend to think there would be far less pride and far more love and acceptance for others in our world. It inspires me to make that the measure of my calling. I hope you, also, will consider making peace treaties of love, tolerance, and harmony.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><i>Dear Heavenly Father,</i></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><i>Without You we are nothing. You have made us from the clay of the Earth. You have invited us to partake in the glorious adventure of life with You, our Sovereign Lord. Forgive us for making life all about us, for being puffed up with pride. Help us to focus on being a people who are plain and simple, always listening responsively to what You say. May our days be spent in making peace treaties of love, tolerance, and harmony.</i></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><i>In Jesus’ Name-</i></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><i>Amen.</i></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">1JOY & STRENGTH, Mary Wilder Tileston, WWP, Minneapolis, MN, Juliana H. Ewing, August 3, 1990, p. 216.</font></div><div><font face="verdana">2GRACE FOR THE MOMENT. Vol. I, Peace Treaties of Love, Max Lucado, June 23, p. 396</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">By Jan O’Neal</font></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-76780025766122665832020-06-01T09:45:00.003-04:002020-07-14T14:50:39.240-04:00Discernment in Coronavirus<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">In my early walk with the Lord, discernment was a weakness of
mine. It seemed an entire lifetime had already passed. A new era had dawned,
and I was eager to live it right. Trouble was the baggage from my former life.
And no one had shared how to get rid of it. Old habits had to be overhauled into
Christ-like habits...and what was the best way to go about this?<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">Random thoughts flittered across my mind, trapping me in
befuddlement. I’d have to find a way to keep a sense of continuity. I coached
myself<i> </i>by thinking, <i>“Only a distraction...Focus on what the Lord has
for you.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">Phone calls were the worst. With no answering machine or cell
phone, I felt compelled to answer the phone. <i>It might be my Mom who was out
of state, or it could be my husband with an important question, </i>I thought.
Only to find out, it was someone wanting to gossip about the newest neighbor
down the street.<i><o:p></o:p></i></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">I bemoaned the fact that my “new life in Christ” was turning
out to be just like my old life. “<i>I don’t want things to be this way, Lord.
I want to live for you! Help me to hear Your voice,” </i>I prayed one day.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">Things continued until one day when the kids played in their
little outdoor pool. Setting it up in a hurry, I heard a wee, small whisper,
urging me to be careful of the items I placed in the pool. Checking each toy
out quickly, I placed both children in the pool. It wasn’t long before one of
the children had a boo-boo. <i>How did that happen?</i> I wondered, soothing my
child with a clean band-aid on her knee, a popsicle in one hand and a new
Minnie Mouse band- aid on her knee.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">When I looked back on what had happened that day, I recalled
the Holy Spirit’s whispers for safety...but I missed it. You can imagine how
disheartened I was upon this realization! I had been out of touch with God’s
direction. I prayed for forgiveness and told the Lord I could see how I missed
His prodding. Then I prayed for the gift of discernment to know His voice.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">Have you ever had a moment like that? Something happened to
make you realize those little tugs were the Hand of God trying to spare you
from some fiasco. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">Months prior to Coronavirus, I had one of those little tugs.
It was brought on, in part, to the feelings of unrest in our nation. But it was
also something God was conveying to me. Praying for discernment, I asked the
Lord to remove the somber thoughts if they were not of Him.<span style="color: #00b0f0;"> </span>It was as if the Lord were preparing me for
something that was going to happen at an uncharted time--something over which I
would have no control...and no ability to change.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">But over time the same thoughts persisted. So, I prayed, “Lord,
what would you have me to do about these thoughts?” I felt the Lord saying, “<i>Fear
not. Trust in Me and wait on Me.” </i>Then<i> </i>I<i> </i>wrote something in
my journal;<i> m</i>y question was resolved and put to rest. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">In March of this year, when the Coronavirus was in full
force, I thumbed back through my journal. Such an odd feeling overtook me as I
read an entry dated, February 1, 2020: “I continue thinking there’s going to be
an interruption.” Just one sentence. But it seemed a pertinent thought prior to
2020. Quite so. By that time, each person, apart from front line workers, was
in stay-at-home mode. It was a stunning moment for me.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">The Lord God had, indeed, answered my prayer for discernment.
I was filled with rejoicing! Yet, His message of hope had prepared me for one
of the worst pandemics in history. Although I didn’t know what was coming...or
when, He had prepared me for this critical situation. As a result, I felt only
peace. Gratefulness washed over me. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">“Now, I thought, “time to roll up my sleeves and pray for the
health of our nation.”<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><font face="verdana" size="2"><i>Lord
God, Heavenly Father,</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><font face="verdana" size="2">Thank
You for Your Holy Spirit, who gives us the wisdom and discernment necessary to
walk this place called home. Thank You for Your provisions in confusion and
turmoil. Be with those in need of Your mercy, grace, and healing. Lead us
onward to our Heavenly Home, which You are preparing even now for us. <o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><font face="verdana" size="2">In
Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><font face="verdana" size="2">By Jan O’Neal</font><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-28308965546202893902020-05-18T13:42:00.001-04:002020-05-18T13:42:33.323-04:00Overcoming Pandemic Difficulties<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">As the pandemic lingers, I often wonder how you are. I picture your joyful faces and imagine hearing about what God is doing in your life. I imagine each of you has someone you long to see or visit. So many plans; so much undoing. I stand amazed and grateful for our Pastoral Staff, virtually gifting our congregation with meaningful worship. No small task! And, how blessed we are with a congregation eager to share God’s Word to our brothers and sisters in Christ! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Recently I read the phrase, “I just want to return to what we had.” Do you, also, feel like you’re walking in a new world - caught in the middle of two unacceptable choices, wishing for what we had? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are creatures of habit—our schedules and agendas mold us into consistency. We don’t like change. I must confess little “snippities” escape now and then if there’s no consistency. Move the lens to a different angle, and picture what God’s perfect will may be in this pandemic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As a young teacher, I recall the dismay and frustration our staff experienced when a program was rescheduled, or testing delayed lunch, or heaven forbid, playground was cancelled due to inclement weather! Teacher unease was not so much due to agenda as how it would affect the children. What then?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Children often approach change with apprehension, mistrust, and worry--for good reason. When their schedules are consistent, their lives seem to move along nicely, and growth is usually seen. Eliminate one thing...and look out! A child might become fidgety, out of sorts, or lose focus. With no strategies in place, a loss of growth is possible. Children need consistency. We need consistency. Life chugs along at max speed when schedules are consistent, and needs are met. Remove one precious asset? Uh-Oh! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At my school, teachers were perplexed during a five-day streak of 100-degree days and “O-Dark-Thirty." My sweet first grade children looked like jellyfish out of water. We drank lots of water. We played Alphabet Bingo. We found plastic counters with flashlights—then added them up. We got hot! We ate popsicles. When we can’t have what we want/need, we get creative. Some get snippety. More in a moment...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are so grateful for God’s provisions during this pandemic. My husband, David is being treated for CLL. Like some of you, his doctors recommend we all stay at home until there is a vaccine for COVID-19. Although we are not fond of the thought of hibernating for two years, I will support my husband’s health needs because it’s part of our marriage vows. This is just one of the difficult strategies people are facing all over the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are only a tiny fraction of the many faces—all of us are in this together. I say this with the greatest love and respect for those of you going through much worse. We stand with you, elbow to elbow, praying God’s absolute best for you!</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> “Do not resist or run from the difficulties in your life. These problems are not random mistakes; they are hand-tailored blessings designed for your benefit and growth. Embrace all the circumstances that I allow in your life, trusting Me to bring good out of them. View problems as opportunities to rely more fully on Me. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When you start to feel stressed, let those feelings alert you to your need for Me... your needs become doorways to deep dependence on Me and increasing intimacy between us...reliance on Me produces abundant living in My kingdom. Thank Me for the difficulties in your life since they provide protection from the idolatry of self-reliance.” (<i>Jesus Calling</i>, May 10, by Sarah Young)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Back to my first-grade class … first I prayed to my Heavenly Source. Then, I searched for an alternate source of air coolant. Never have I been more elated as when I found a scratched and dented box fan! It wasn’t pretty, but it worked. Funny, those long forgotten “less than” items can cause us to give thanks when they supply the greatest amount of comfort in the present.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is a strategy for assuring consistency in the lives of children and adults. Might not be popular or cool. But it’s one we can do for our Heavenly Father. Choose to overcome difficulties...for Him. He did it for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Jan O’Neal</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>May 18, 2020</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Scripture References: John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Ephesians 5:20</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-59572339514073682822020-04-29T10:31:00.003-04:002020-04-29T10:31:54.253-04:00Faith, Hope, and the Unseen<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">About a year ago, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 popped up everywhere in varied ways...my devotions, a conversation, hearing a song or a prayer. But it was verse 18 that elicited my attention:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which </i></span><i>are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />At first, it didn’t register that I should seek the Lord about why this was happening, or what His purpose was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then one day last summer, I received a beautiful card from a dear friend. Inside was a shiny sticker on which was part of the same verse. <b>Hope in the Things Unseen</b> jumped out at me. It was almost as if God said: “Put your hope in things you cannot see.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> got the message. Humbled, it became clear how out of touch I had been. I began to search, wait, and hope for my next verse to arrive. It happened during the Apostles’ summer sermon series on Hebrews: </span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>“Now faith is the assurance of things </i><b style="font-style: italic;">hoped for </b><i>the conviction </i><br /><i>of </i><b style="font-style: italic;">things not seen</b><i>.” </i>(</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hebrews 11:1)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No one loves a treasure hunt more than me! This led to cross-referencing Bible verses to know more about “things not seen,” “hidden things,” and the “unseen.” * Paul wrote about one of those treasures in 1 Corinthians 13:13.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Now <b>faith, hope, love</b>, abide these three; but the greatest of these </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">is love.”</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Knowing I’m not the only eager one to find the unseen, I began to wonder. What causes these four words, <b>faith, hope, love</b>, and <b>the unseen</b>, to be linked together? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>HOW TO DISCOVER THE UNSEEN IN THIS PRESENT DAY</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where does one find the unseen? Does it occupy earthly space? Are humans able to understand the unseen while living on Earth?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />To answer these questions, I first had to ask myself, do you really understand what hope is...from God’s perspective? </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Looking up synonyms for hope, turned up abide, a synonym which means endure. Hope is not a flimsy wish...it hangs in there. Hope abides. It doesn’t give up. It withstands life itself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Faith is found in our spiritual heritage. Just a few examples of not giving up are:</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Abraham believed in hope against hope that he would become a father to many nations; he was credited as righteousness.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">King David said, “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Jesus hung on the cross dying, he prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In prison, Paul sang songs of praise and wrote letters of encouragement to the believers.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Worship and “the Unseen”</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Holy Spirit’s presence in worship is such a sacred part of liturgy and crosses all barriers. God longs for us to come into His presence; He knows when we do, we will experience His unseen presence. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Music </b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Listening to and singing Christian music infuses me with energy and a hopefulness that may have been lacking before. It is reassuring to me that while preparing this blog, these lyrics ran through my mind:</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“My hope is built on nothing less</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> I dare not trust the sweetest frame</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“On Christ the Solid Rock I stand</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> All other ground is sinking sand,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> All other ground is sinking sand.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>HOW TO GIVE HOPE TO OTHERS</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although hope is not a tangible gift, it is something that can be shared.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Encouraging Others</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Encouragement, not false hope, gives others a sense of hope and affirmation. By encouraging “even the least of these,” we are being Jesus’ hands and feet. Just one note of encouragement can brighten someone’s day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Praying with Friends</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prayer is the great equalizer, lifting us out of the doldrums and into the Presence of God. How can we not feel a bit more hopeful in His place of promise? “For where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I with them.” Mt.18:21</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>HOPE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS AROUND THE GLOBE</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Part of what cannot be seen are the people we will never see. Continual prayer for those we don’t know, reading His Word, and trusting Him fills those unseen gaps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recall a time, praying for a burden so deep, but the answer didn’t come. I must admit being discouraged. Even so, I prayed more. No answer. More discouragement. For years, I prayed continuously. Still no answer. Heartbroken, I continued to pray. Now, years later, answers are arriving...bit by bit! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am thankful for the unseen when tiny pieces of prayers are answered. Thankfulness leads to worship and praise. Suddenly, the prayer is not so important, after all. The King of Kings is preeminent. There is peace and hope in His unseen presence as He works all things together in His time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Lord Jesus,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Although, there is so much more to learn about the unseen, I’m not giving up on it. I pray that others won’t either. Truly, all our hope is in you, the unseen, risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jan O’Neal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">April 26, 2020</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>Verses on Hope:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Job 17:15; Job 13:15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 Cor. 4:16-18, 2 Cor. 5:7, 1 Cor. 13:12, 1 Cor. 13:7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hebrews 11:1 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Psalm 112:7</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-61912826737202772292020-04-13T11:30:00.000-04:002020-04-13T11:30:01.204-04:00Resurrection Then ... and Now<i>“<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb.” Matthew 28:1-10</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Imagine the emotional turmoil in Jerusalem during Passover Week. Even before Jesus’ arrest, the twin curses of confusion and chaos had been unleashed. Judas, one of the chosen, betrayed his King. Their Messiah had been unmercifully beaten and crucified. A living nightmare unfolded for the disciples, and Jesus’ followers. One can almost taste and smell the vile injustice and cowardice. Where were they to turn now?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Picture Mary Magdalene and the women—trudging to the tomb, hearts broken and numb. Most likely their minds recalled every conversation they had with Jesus. Perhaps, none could move beyond their grief. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mary must have felt panicked when she saw the stone had been rolled away. She wasted no time in running to tell Simon Peter and John to come see. John not only saw; he quickly determined that Jesus had resurrected and believed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the men left for home, Mary remained weeping, not grasping the miracle. When she looked inside the tomb, she saw two angels who asked, “Woman, why are you weeping?” After explaining to them that her Lord had been taken away, she turned around and saw another man who was Jesus. But she didn’t recognize Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Picture, for a moment, this sorrowful scene. Mary is beyond being emotionally distraught; she cannot recognize her Teacher, the very one for whom she is grieving. She is exhausted and mistakes Him for the gardener. But at the sound of Jesus’ voice, when He says, “Mary,” she immediately recognizes Him and replies, “Rabboni!” Her Teacher, who was dead for three days, was now miraculously alive. Mary’s belief in the fact that Jesus had resurrected makes her one of the first believers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The poignancy of this resurrection moment is so powerful it makes me want to stop and shout, Hallelujah!! But Jesus immediately gives Mary a directive and a mission: 1) “Do not cling to Me,” and 2) “Go tell My brethren I ascend to My Father and Your Father, and My God and your God.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If we look closer at Mary Magdalene, there are several things that speak of her faith. She was:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Devoted and Grateful</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jesus had cast out seven demons from Mary. She had been freed from the bondage of Satan, seven times over. Imagine the depth of her gratefulness! Jesus’ love had transformed Mary into a new creature, with a new attitude, and, most importantly, a new spirit. Her radical life-change directly impacted her devotion to and faith in Jesus. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Listening </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having a bit of ADD as a young girl, I recall my dad advising, “Listen up, girl.” Distraction is a black hole of befuddlement. Those were the times I lost the message and the meaning. It seems Mary’s born-again experience motivated her spiritually to listen to Jesus’ message. His teachings directly impacted the things she heard so she could trust Him fully.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Faithful</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After witnessing Jesus’ barbaric crucifixion, Mary’s grief and confusion became profound; this could have stymied her faith. The unsettling flashbacks could have overwhelmed her. But Mary’s faith in Jesus spoke of bold authenticity. She would not be moved. Ultimately, Jesus blessed her with His first post resurrection apparition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the face of adversity, such as our present pandemic, I tend to get distracted by the “what-ifs” and “whys.” Studying these events permits me to see things clearly from God’s perspective. The Resurrection comes into its proper focus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since Jesus is the Resurrection, His blood sacrifice cancels all sins for all eternity to any who believe. Resurrection is validation that we are God’s children and are part of His family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jesus’ resurrection frees us to boldly proclaim with full hearts: “Christ the Lord is risen today. Hallelujah! He is risen, indeed! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Lord Jesus,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Words cannot adequately express our thanks to You for the free gift of Eternal Life. Teach us to be effective Resurrection people every day of the year, so that You would be lifted high and glorified. We pray this in your holy name. Amen.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ Jan O’Neal | </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">April 12, 2020</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Bibliography:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Matthew 28:10</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Luke 9: 31</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Luke 18:31-33</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Luke 18:34 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">John 20:1-2, 20:11-16</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hebrews 11:1-3</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-54852161935558514552020-02-13T11:12:00.000-05:002020-02-13T11:12:26.186-05:00Mission Partner Highlight | The Gideons International<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mml2DcfG30g/XkV0_-ZpJuI/AAAAAAAABfE/AxWUkxGqGHkCKQb0TrmArq4f_Xa4lBBhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/gideons%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="998" height="123" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mml2DcfG30g/XkV0_-ZpJuI/AAAAAAAABfE/AxWUkxGqGHkCKQb0TrmArq4f_Xa4lBBhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/gideons%2Blogo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">During his early teens, Anthony Payton chased after drugs in hopes of filling a void left in his heart. He would get paid for the drugs he was trafficking and then use the money to support his own addiction, a habit that landed him in jail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He began attending a bible study led by a Gideon, who would often visit the jail. Anthony developed a relationship with the Gideon, and he would listen to the message of God's word week after week. During one of his visits, the Gideon pulled out a New Testament and shared a series of passages with Anthony. There in that jailhouse, Anthony prayed to receive Jesus Christ. Today, he serves as a pastor leading others to wholeheartedly reach people for the Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Apostles provides financial support to the Gideons who use 100% of the funds to purchase and ship scriptures all over the world. All overhead/administrative costs are paid by the Gideons themselves. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our church also has a Gideoncard display in the upstairs lobby. There you can donate bibles in memory of a loved one, in honor of someone you want to remember, or to simply say "Thank you" or "I'm praying for you" to someone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can get much more information about how the Lord is using the Gideons: <a href="http://gideons.org/">gideons.org</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-90106634567770802852019-08-07T11:14:00.001-04:002019-08-07T11:25:47.354-04:00Out Of Idleness: Post-Sabbatical Note from Rev Eric Bolash<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Out Of Idleness</span></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Post-Sabbatical Note from Rev Eric Bolash</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I’m back! It wasn’t easy setting the alarm for that first Monday morning, but I came in to a “decorated” office as my welcome back from sabbatical. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I realize it’s been an exceptionally eventful summer for our church. That’s putting it mildly. Although I haven’t been here, I know it’s been difficult. As I return, I am ready and want to be available to walk further with everyone through this time. Call or email if you’d like to get together. I’m eager to listen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My time away was restful. The Bolash family had great adventures in Iceland, London and Scotland. A few highlights:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We met some spirited Icelandic teenagers in a store called Reykjavik Records</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We saw Shakespeare’s A Comedy Of Errors at The Globe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We tried Haggis in Scotland--which I do not recommend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We saw Nessie at Loch Ness--I can show you the photo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Robin and I stayed in an 11th-century Scottish castle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Robin and I spent several peaceful days in a quiet Scottish fishing village by the sea</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Otherwise, as much as I could during the last two months, I have woken up in the mornings, made coffee, had breakfast and then gone out to a quiet spot to read Scripture, pray, walk, read poetry and write poetry. The Lord brought refreshment through the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The above title, “Out Of Idleness,” is a phrase from Herman Melville’s novel, Moby Dick. In the novel, Captain Ahab roars his command at the sailors to “split your lungs with blood and thunder” as they pursue the white whale. Meanwhile, in contrast, the harpoonist sits nearby, completely still, quietly waiting. From the book: “To ensure the greatest efficiency in the dart, the harpoonists of the world must start to their feet out of idleness and not out of toil.” Author and pastor Eugene Peterson points out that the harpoonist appears unproductive. But this is only so that when the right moment comes, he is rested and ready for his unique task. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, being away allowed some time for idleness. That was a big theme. All of us as Christians need idleness. We need sabbath. Jesus said sabbath was created for us, as a gift to us. In it, we learn that God is always at work. Sometimes he invites us into his work. Sometimes he rests us so that we are again ready for work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Below you’ll find a sampling from the poems I penned during the time away. I learned that writing decent poetry is harder than it looks. Some of mine was pretty terrible! But the use of words to communicate spiritual truth is an important part of pastoring, so it was a valuable component of my time away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OYkw3cirORvq9LUzVPD62IhQcf7F4aV-/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Out of Idleness ~ Poems From Sabbatical</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am looking forward to seeing everyone again in worship and joining with you in God’s work in and through this church body.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In Christ,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Eric</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-24281149820309091672019-06-26T12:23:00.002-04:002019-06-26T12:23:45.584-04:00Greetings From Gikomero! ~ Church Building Update<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The progress on the church construction is moving forward partially due to the $12,000 gift
from the Apostles Rwanda Fund. The government several months ago told the
parish that they needed to complete the construction by the end of July or risk
the old building (still out of building conformance) being also closed.
The government has witnessed the progress and is not planning to take any such
action now that the new building is moving forward so well. Praise! Much of the
work is done by members of the congregation - the money is mainly for materials
and some special sub contractors.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Words below from Marcel Sebahire at the Shyogwe Diocese and good
friend of Apostles:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Greetings from Gikomero, your sister church.</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We are very excited to share with you about the construction
progress that we have done so far.</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. We have finished elevating the walls: The walls are now
elevated and well finished;</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. We are done with plastering: The inside walls are all
plastered;</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. We have put/installed all doors and windows;</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. We have installed the electrical wires: The rest is to
connect the lambs and connect the church electricity system to the public grid;</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. We have finished digging the toilet pits: We are seeing how
to construct the toilet building;</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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windows</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRo4hqOZ7iE/XRObsK4gjdI/AAAAAAAABdQ/sTcFZ7efg40gN_rkkwhirK_9lJMhkN5PQCLcBGAs/s1600/Gikomero%2Bbuilding%2B2019%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRo4hqOZ7iE/XRObsK4gjdI/AAAAAAAABdQ/sTcFZ7efg40gN_rkkwhirK_9lJMhkN5PQCLcBGAs/s320/Gikomero%2Bbuilding%2B2019%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZjt-q5mWKc/XRObsOg7ZsI/AAAAAAAABdM/a5IQaixqKrQtT2PyiteCZF79y7-SBhvSACLcBGAs/s1600/Gikomero%2Bbuilding%2B2019%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZjt-q5mWKc/XRObsOg7ZsI/AAAAAAAABdM/a5IQaixqKrQtT2PyiteCZF79y7-SBhvSACLcBGAs/s320/Gikomero%2Bbuilding%2B2019%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WHAT IS BEING DONE RIGHT NOW?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. We are laying stones for pavement with cement</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. We are building the front (altar) and we will continue
with tiling.</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. We are putting metal tubes in the two up-sides of the church
building where the glasses will be installed.</span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-15406019723530996352019-06-22T07:29:00.002-04:002019-06-22T07:29:49.225-04:00Guatemala Team ~ June 21, 2019<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrIRiaysu30/XQ4QHI8vmsI/AAAAAAAABcc/0jbvYnZjsecFPPSTjTGsFSkbXv_samkHACLcBGAs/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25285%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="914" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrIRiaysu30/XQ4QHI8vmsI/AAAAAAAABcc/0jbvYnZjsecFPPSTjTGsFSkbXv_samkHACLcBGAs/s320/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25285%2529.jpeg" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Receiving a Partnership Certificate for the Church of Apostles from Potter’s House.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><b><u>Guatemala Team </u></b><br />
Having returned yesterday to Guatemala City from our work in Chiquimula, our morning began with a short drive to Potters House. The ministry, now 33 years old, is a beacon of Light in its neighborhood, adjacent to the city dump. Meeting the staff and seeing the well-established programs and the medical clinic encouraged me to pray and believe God will accomplish the same at the Potters House satellite in Chiquimula.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVssCJ0GeT0/XQ4QZErFzeI/AAAAAAAABck/pKTTClnuW-gzXXNsEGnBaaOkCYWcwgd8QCLcBGAs/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVssCJ0GeT0/XQ4QZErFzeI/AAAAAAAABck/pKTTClnuW-gzXXNsEGnBaaOkCYWcwgd8QCLcBGAs/s320/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25283%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After our tour, the team had the privilege of walking the neighborhood. We were welcomed into the homes of some of the Potter’s House families, where joyful, tearful reunions of Guatemalans with team members who had worked with the families on prior trips occurred! Before leaving each home, we gathered around and prayed together for them.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKLhPuDcYFg/XQ4QsHzy0NI/AAAAAAAABcs/Mk2Dom0TIJwTF5gVKzw6Cc0nGG3cukoEQCLcBGAs/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25284%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="1280" height="231" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKLhPuDcYFg/XQ4QsHzy0NI/AAAAAAAABcs/Mk2Dom0TIJwTF5gVKzw6Cc0nGG3cukoEQCLcBGAs/s320/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25284%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We finished our time in Guatemala by traveling to Antigua Friday afternoon. We enjoyed leisure time in this beautiful city. Active, smoking volcanoes sit on the very near horizon. We leave Guatemala early Saturday morning (alarms set for 3 AM!) with renewed love and gratitude for our Lord’s heart for our brothers and sisters in this beautiful country. We will look forward to our return next year. Our hope and prayer is that others from Apostles will join us. It’s a privilege, not to be missed. Adios!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1HMtHqberM/XQ4Qzc4fZyI/AAAAAAAABcw/-bx4KzEGp8I6E6zXsP4zWCBuKJukdikigCLcBGAs/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25286%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1HMtHqberM/XQ4Qzc4fZyI/AAAAAAAABcw/-bx4KzEGp8I6E6zXsP4zWCBuKJukdikigCLcBGAs/s320/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25286%2529.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="239" /></a>Christo vive,<br />
Susanne Berger<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-16081533331557046362019-06-22T07:23:00.003-04:002019-06-22T07:23:56.267-04:00Guatemala Team ~ June 20, 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPDUydDwn3M/XQ4OdgCrxfI/AAAAAAAABb8/gYqXftT9iZMvGMYPOGPH13C-7pyqYHomACLcBGAs/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="640" height="120" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPDUydDwn3M/XQ4OdgCrxfI/AAAAAAAABb8/gYqXftT9iZMvGMYPOGPH13C-7pyqYHomACLcBGAs/s400/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25282%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A view from the future site of the Potter’s House Expansion Field Office in Chiquimula, Guatemala. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xpyQa8xFghQ/XQ4Ou0Ls5NI/AAAAAAAABcI/ZKNCvpr-y2QuPpJCTBg2VCEsrRadjeV5gCLcBGAs/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25287%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="1458" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xpyQa8xFghQ/XQ4Ou0Ls5NI/AAAAAAAABcI/ZKNCvpr-y2QuPpJCTBg2VCEsrRadjeV5gCLcBGAs/s320/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25287%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>Team One </u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Team Avery” had an awesome final day at Casa de Jeronimo. We did final touch-up work on the hygiene unit and installed the high efficiency stove. Better than that, we had the opportunity to dedicate the unit to Rosa, Leonardo, Francisco, Esperanza, and all the other precious family members in the name of Jesus Christ. We prayed together and said tearful goodbyes thanking God for each other and for our time together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s remarkable how quickly time can pass, especially when you are working, joking, and enjoying life together with some very special friends you met just a few days before. The bonds we share in Christ have such an amazing way of instantly cutting through differences in culture, ethnicity, economic status, and language. We are all equal at the foot of the Cross of Christ, and this week was an incredible demonstration of this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks so much to Avery, Patrick, Ethan, and the Potter’s House staff of Josue’, Annbella, Monica, Jose’, Carlos, and all who made our time in Chiquimula so special. You are all treasures in the eyes of God, and I am so grateful to have had the privilege to spend the week with you. To God by the glory, great things He hath done!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~John Rustin</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>Team Two</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This morning, our last day in Chiquimula, our team arrived at the Escalante’s home, feeling more and more like family. We spent the morning installing a stove, which comprises one quarter of the new integrated hygiene unit and touching up the painting we did on the unit the past 2 days. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGbJqN5kLtM/XQ4PdhOipQI/AAAAAAAABcU/sV6w5dyhTX4E6ExroKJOdgZtAk4foTBtgCLcBGAs/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1280" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGbJqN5kLtM/XQ4PdhOipQI/AAAAAAAABcU/sV6w5dyhTX4E6ExroKJOdgZtAk4foTBtgCLcBGAs/s320/Guatemala%2B2019.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was less work than the prior 3 days here, as we only had a couple of hours in the morning before making the trek back to Guatemala City. As we finished our work, we were able to spend some time with Amelida and her father, Marcel, who has been working alongside us all week. We ended our time together, praying for each other and enjoying the sweet fellowship that has developed between our team and these fellow believers so many miles from Raleigh and in such a different culture and situation, with the confidence we have in our Lord that we will have the opportunity to rejoice together for eternity as the Lord makes all things new. (Rev. 21:5). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~Bruce Berger </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-63344762696713045312019-06-20T09:11:00.000-04:002019-06-20T09:11:14.867-04:00Guatemala Team ~ June 19, 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtV_d2gZpdw/XQuFAMxwxrI/AAAAAAAABbk/NZTC-DFejegNeZJ8jVt7WbiSg68KPgyMwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%252815%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtV_d2gZpdw/XQuFAMxwxrI/AAAAAAAABbk/NZTC-DFejegNeZJ8jVt7WbiSg68KPgyMwCEwYBhgL/s320/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%252815%2529.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>Medical Team</u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today we went to another neighborhood, outside of Chiquimula a bit, and put on a clinic there. A highlight was working with several earnest Guatemalan medical students who worked up patients and presented them to Farr. There is much to say, but a prominent theme was how much loss people have suffered. Multiple patients had lost children, including a woman whose one year old daughter died of a febrile illness last year, and a woman whose daughter was sent to jail three months ago. The people are carrying so much suffering in their bodies. A highlight was meeting a 74 year old man who has worked in the field since he was twelve years old and listening to him testify about how God has provided for him and his children all of his life, even as they have been incredibly poor by any standard. He spoke directly to the medical students about committing their ways to the Lord, and seeing that he will give them the life they long for. Amazing. We spoke about how we might have been attending to angels unawares. Finally, we saw painfully how little access people have to the healthcare they need. For example, the last patient was a 25 year old woman—the one whose daughter died last year—and she had a problem with uterine bleeding. She needs a careful gynecological evaluation, but to get that will cost her maybe a month’s income (~$200). So it won’t happen unless God works a miracle. We are praying for that and hoping to bring Stacy Boulton with us next time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ Farr Curlin</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>Team One</u></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80ydN2Fbk80/XQuFASS5eNI/AAAAAAAABbo/C6lUraUmbBI_jS5FSJkfnUBVGloySReYQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%252816%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1600" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80ydN2Fbk80/XQuFASS5eNI/AAAAAAAABbo/C6lUraUmbBI_jS5FSJkfnUBVGloySReYQCEwYBhgL/s320/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%252816%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today during our time at the work site, we painted the hygiene station in the baking heat. While we were painting the station, we were able to experience the effects of God’s work in our lives and how it is expressed through others. We were able to pray with the family, lead by Avery, for God’s will to be done in their lives as well as ours. The will of God was shown through the gratefulness of the Jeronimo family and the work we have put in to the hygiene station by being the hands and feet of God. We are very grateful for the work we are able to do in our short time here and to experience the love of God and how he shows us how much he provides for us and our brothers and sisters in Christ when we are in need.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ Ethan Morales</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>Team Two</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today was the final day of all-day-long construction in Chiquimula. We had a sweet time of fellowship with Amelida’s family and continued encouraging them that the Lord is good and He will continue to provide all they need. If you are getting our updates, please pray for our friends here, that they would receive rain. We also pray for Amelida’s husband Hugo, who is not a believer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZbK8348IMA/XQuFAqiFEuI/AAAAAAAABbs/GfGlCMLOkLMzfooeXCFCPgUBjOx9TXtSQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%252817%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZbK8348IMA/XQuFAqiFEuI/AAAAAAAABbs/GfGlCMLOkLMzfooeXCFCPgUBjOx9TXtSQCEwYBhgL/s320/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%252817%2529.jpeg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We worked hard and today was really hot, but Jesus sustained us physically and kept us all healthy. I hope these pictures convey the fact that the relationships we have developed with this family are really precious, as well as the fact that the hygiene stations we have had the privilege to help build are really cool. (They have a sink, place to wash, a shower, and toilet.) Tomorrow, we will assemble the stoves and finish touching up the final details. We are all pretty exhausted, but very encouraged. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Potter’s House staff are so fabulous; they love the Lord with all their hearts and love their neighbors fiercely. It’s been such an encouragement and challenge for us to be here. Their witness and the sacrifices they make daily make us want to be better neighbors when we get back to Raleigh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ Sarah Alexander</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-21877533600241137012019-06-19T10:00:00.003-04:002019-06-19T10:00:37.219-04:00Guatemala Team ~ June 18, 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VK9LyrjleNw/XQo-xfnBVhI/AAAAAAAABaU/IkY0eiXeQhg-e4NnQYPIFAf8MIWTHIGpQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%252810%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VK9LyrjleNw/XQo-xfnBVhI/AAAAAAAABaU/IkY0eiXeQhg-e4NnQYPIFAf8MIWTHIGpQCEwYBhgL/s320/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%252810%2529.jpeg" width="240" /></a><b><u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Medical Team</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This morning Susanne and Farr saw 10 more patients. Again the predominant complaints are pain in the back, shoulders, knees, and feet, as well as trouble with digestion and stomach pain. We met a young woman who seemed to have a more serious form of peptic ulcer disease. She had lost 20+ pounds from loss of appetite, and she was the thinnest person we have seen in these two days. Please pray for her for healing. Farr treated her empirically for a type of infection that is common with peptic ulcer disease, but we of course do not have the means to confirm that that is what she has. that reminds me that yesterday we were able to get a telemedicine consult from Carrie Alspaugh for a skin condition. That was pretty cool. Thanks Carrie! We were confronted again by how much we depend, both as patients and as healers, on God‘s healing. It’s a miracle that our bodies heal at all, and we are praying for each of our patients that God will bring the healing that they need.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ Farr Curlin</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hola from Guatemala! Day two with the family of Amelida in Chiquimula saw us mixing cement for the floor of the Hygiene Unit. I never saw myself as a concrete mixer but I was rocking it! (Sarah Alexander said I could write that). The Hygiene Unit is coming along beautifully, especially with the oversight of our two master masons, Ephraim and Senor Marcel. We finished early so were able to sit together with Amelida (mother), her sister, her eight month old daughter Jasmine, our team, our translators and the masons. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We entered into a time of prayer beginning with our team reading scriptures that the Lord laid on our hearts. As Amelida followed in her Bible, I realized that she was treasuring every word of scripture. Please read Isaiah 40:11 and Psalm 1:1-3. She truly embodies these verses as she and her home, and tiny piece of property are “like a tree planted by streams of water that bears it’s fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.” She “gently leads her young.” What a joy it is to watch her. We truly enjoyed talking with her, except for the times the rooster in her house drowned out our voices with his crowing! But, seriously, I have two short prayer requests from this family: Amelida would love for you to pray that her husband would begin to attend church. The grandfather, Senor Marcel, asks for rain because his crops are drying up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Later in the day, we went to a little section of town called “Los Engeneros.” Potter’s House makes inroads into a community by engaging in prayer walks. On these walks they visit individual families, pray with them, and give them a very full bag of groceries. We were on a team that visited four out of eight families scheduled for today. One of the families, that truly impressed us, was headed up by a grandfather and his wife who were married at age 16 and 13. They are now 81 and 78 years old! They clearly love the Lord, the Bible, and their family. They make their living by gathering recyclables in the Chiquimula dump. During the visits we prayed for three babies with coughs and gastrointestinal issues. Lack of access to water is a real problem for this community. All their wells are dry. One of the grandfathers in one family is a pastor. Farr asked him to pray for us and he laid his hands on each and every one of us. We were truly touched.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To God be the glory! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ Susan Dominguez</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Team Two</span></u></b><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpZjGbTdhd8/XQo_krfi0hI/AAAAAAAABa8/83mhz-obVPAGoZif0lV54wlgJLRPe2PmACLcBGAs/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25287%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpZjGbTdhd8/XQo_krfi0hI/AAAAAAAABa8/83mhz-obVPAGoZif0lV54wlgJLRPe2PmACLcBGAs/s320/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25287%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dona Rosa’s extended family had turned on her. Close relatives had been trying to steal the rights to her family’s property. As a single mother and grandmother, her situation was troubling. By the grace of God she was able to sell her property and move her family to another home further away. The situation shook her faith and, according to the workers at Potter’s House, was not sure if she could fully trust God. Thankfully, the staff at Potter’s House have been faithfully building a relationship with Dona Rosa, her son and daughters, and their spouses and children, all of whom live in her new home. Before we arrived they had installed the structure for a complete hygiene unit that provides clean water, a shower, a toilet, and a sink and stove for cooking. Our team worked with hired masons to plaster walls, and pour concrete floors for that unit. By the end of the week, we will paint the walls and install a working stove.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While the work has been good, building the relationship has been more important. The Potter’s House staff asked us to share the gospel with the family and I was able to share from our morning devotion, in which Jesus declares that he has come to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy to preach good news to the poor. Jesus’ preaching in his home town that day caused a furious reaction in which neighbors he had grown up with tried to throw him off a cliff. You could see the light dawning on Dona Rosa’s face as she realized that Jesus knew what it was like to have people who should have loved him, instead, reject him. She nodded as I explained that he is familiar with our sufferings and that he came to invite us into a family led by our Heavenly Father, who will never reject us. I led them in a simple prayer before we set to work again. I can’t say what took place in their hearts that day but the staff were very encouraged that this family has become more and more convinced of God’s love for them. Now, they have a very physical reminder, as they will be able to enjoy the benefits of a practical and vital hygiene unit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grateful for God’s immense love for the nations,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ Patrick Dominguez</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-57189331371548517012019-06-18T09:43:00.003-04:002019-06-18T09:43:35.172-04:00Guatemala Team ~ June 17, 2019<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We began the day with a great breakfast at the hotel. Picture amazing coffee, fresh fruit, eggs, black beans, and even cookies! Shortly afterward, we went to the Potter’s House community center and received a presentation about poverty in Chiquimula. From there, we divided into three teams; two teams went to build sanitation stations with two wonderful families, and Farr Curlin and Susanne Berger held a much-needed medical clinic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u><b>Team One</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first team went directly to the Jeronimo family’s home where they were already building the hygiene station. We had fun at the worksite where we were plastering the walls. The little girls who live there were very engaged in the process. We blew bubbles at the end of the day and they absolutely loved it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The second team went to the home of a beautiful sister in Christ, Amelia, and her three sweet girls. (Her husband was at work, so we did not get to meet him today.) We also helped build a sanitation station—today we scraped cinder block and plastered—and we get to know our translators and the extended family. It was a wonderful day of fellowship for those of us who attend Apostles, as well as with our new Guatemalan friends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(You will hear more about the third team’s medical clinic from Farr.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Overall, our team was filled with a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to be here partnering with Potter’s House; we recognize that they could complete this work much more efficiently without our ‘help’ (um…yes, we also realized we are not qualified masons!), but we appreciate the opportunity to come and work alongside new friends and build new relationships as we work on the projects. The Potter’s House staff are amazing and we are grateful that the Lord has provided this opportunity to be here. Thank you for your partnership & prayers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ Sarah and Avery Alexander</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had a basic medical clinic on the property of a local evangelical church. Farr and Susanne saw 18 patients. We were struck that the symptoms people presented with largely were symptoms of difficult lives—back pain, shoulder pain, abdominal pain, foot pain, digestive problems, fatigue, low energy. On writing that list, I (Farr) see that these are not terribly different from the issues that present often in primary care clinics in the US.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One patient had suffered a bleed inside her brain three years before and had been sent home to die, but three years later she had almost fully recovered. She had taken care of her mother as she died and was now taking care of her husband who is wheelchair bound. She tearfully lifted her hands in praise of God who had cared for her. It was special to meet her. With each of our patients, we have time to ask them personal questions, and with each we take time to pray. That may be the most significant part of our time in the health clinics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ Farr Curlin</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-35015521264512874042019-06-17T17:30:00.000-04:002019-06-17T17:30:14.286-04:00Guatemala Team ~ June 16, 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our team enjoyed breakfast together in the beautiful courtyard of the Guatemala City seminary SETECA, our hosts last night. Afterwards we went to Elim Central, a large inner city church where we worshipped alongside 2,000 Guatemalan believers! The sermon was translated so that we could </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">follow along.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My takeaway from this morning’s service was to remember that Jesus pursues those He loves and to remain in faithful, believing prayer for our families. The pastor shared his story of the Lord’s pursuit of him when he was simply not interested. Just as the Holy Spirit drew him to faith in Jesus, He is able to do the same for our loved ones!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vfox1KQjbJs/XQftwOJiNcI/AAAAAAAABY0/s-0DiYDUyzAO67wN0oLF_4gDeAeM6j0mwCLcBGAs/s1600/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vfox1KQjbJs/XQftwOJiNcI/AAAAAAAABY0/s-0DiYDUyzAO67wN0oLF_4gDeAeM6j0mwCLcBGAs/s320/Guatemala%2B2019%2B%25283%2529.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I write, we’re en route to Chiquimula, our team’s destination for the work week. We value your prayers as we begin our work tomorrow with the Potter’s House Association among the “treasures” (residents) the ministry serves. That work includes assisting families in building home hygiene units and conducting a community medical clinic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We ask for your prayers: for the families we will serve; for our tolerance of the heat in this region (high 90’s); and that God will be glorified! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- Suzanne Berger</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-34574620524060504602019-06-17T09:34:00.001-04:002019-06-17T15:43:53.089-04:00Guatemala Team ~ June 15, 2019<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Early Saturday morning, the Guatemala Vision Team assembled at RDU airport to embark on our journey to Guatemala. Our flights were on time and after an extended layover in Miami we took off for Guatemala City. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(left to right): Farr Curlin, Sarah Alexander, John Rustin, Bruce Berger, Susanne Burger, <br />
Mark Hall, Ethan Morales, Avery Alexander, Susan Dominguez, Patrick Dominguez</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />After going through customs in Guatemala City we were met by Monica from Potter’s House. We loaded up the bus and headed to SETECA seminary, which would be our home for the night. After everyone was settled in their rooms we met for evening worship and Compline. Then it was off to bed to get rested for our adventure to begin in earnest. Chiquimula here we come!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-65060087320096096512019-05-19T09:56:00.001-04:002019-05-19T09:56:13.094-04:00Bolash Sabbatical 2019 | Purpose & Practices | Rev. Eric J. Bolash<b>Bolash Sabbatical 2019</b><br />
<b>Purpose & Practices </b><br />
<b>Rev. Eric J. Bolash</b><br />
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Church Family,<br />
My family and I have been given the opportunity to take an eight-week sabbatical this summer after seventeen years of serving at Church of the Apostles, nine years as an ordained priest. We’re fairly excited!<br />
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As we enter this time, I want to share with you the purpose of it, and the practices that I will take up while I’m away.<br />
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<b>Dates</b><br />
Start Date: May 28<br />
Return Date: August 5<br />
These dates include two additional weeks of vacation time.<br />
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<b>Travel & Fun</b><br />
Robin, Mila, Risa and I will travel to Iceland, London and Scotland during the first month to have fun, develop our relationships, and for me to begin to keep some of the practices I will describe below.<br />
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<b>Sabbatical Purpose</b><br />
My overarching purpose is to rest. To practice the Sabbath part of Sabbatical. I will keep some spiritual practices that will enable physical, spiritual and emotional restoration. I will rest from work, pray, read, write, exercise and enjoy family.<br />
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I plan to engage in practices that help me live out what Jesus cites as the Greatest Commandment, from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Mark 12:30. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”<br />
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<b>“...with all your heart…”</b><br />
The heart in the Bible is the seat of the will. What we want. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4.23<br />
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My expectation is that as I follow the practices listed below, what I want or desire will become more aligned with what God wants. My prayer is that I will grow to more humbly pray: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” <br />
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<b>“...with all your soul...”</b><br />
As a soul-care practice, I will stop working as a recognition that it is God who cares for his Church, not me.<br />
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Another soul-care practice will be to follow a weekly Rule of Life that will include Solitude, Silence and Prayer. Three times a week, I will spend full mornings in solitude, outside, listening to the Lord through Scripture and in prayer.<br />
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A third soul-care practice will be to take two overnight personal retreats. One in May, one in July. This will allow for more extended time in solitude, silence, Scripture and prayer.<br />
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And another soul-care practice will be to meet with a Spiritual Director. This is a practice I already follow, but I plan to meet with him as usual in order to process what the Lord seems to be speaking.<br />
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<b>“...with all your mind…”</b><br />
Words mean a lot to me. And they are the tool of a pastor. In his book, The Contemplative Pastor, Eugene Peterson writes, “The way a pastor uses the language is a critical element in the work. The Christian gospel is rooted in language: God spoke creation into being; our Savior was the Word made flesh. The poet is the person who uses words not primarily to convey information but to make a relationship, shape beauty, form truth. This is St John’s work. It is every pastor’s work.”<br />
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So, following Peterson’s lead, I plan to read poetry each day. I also plan to write at least one poem each day during this sabbatical. No one should ever trust my math, but that should mean 60 or 70 poems when all’s said and done.<br />
<br />
I expect that as I read and write, the Lord will speak to me in new ways, and also help me to become a pastor who uses language more skillfully for God’s kingdom purposes. If they aren’t terrible, I might even share some of those poems with you all when I return. We’ll see!<br />
<br />
<b>“...with all your strength.”</b><br />
Our bodies matter to God. He formed Adam and Eve from the ground and stood back, calling them “very good.” And rest includes physical restoration. So routine, rigorous exercise will be part of my sabbatical as well. I already enjoy physical exercise, so this will be a fixture in my time away.<br />
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I know that as we take time away, our church is in the hands of our sovereign Lord and King. He is always good and faithful. Always. I anticipate rich time with him over these next few weeks, and I trust that he will continue to care for and shepherd his church while I am away.<br />
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And when my family and I return, we will look forward to continuing with you in Christ, loving him with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength.<br />
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In the care of Christ,<br />
Eric+ with Robin, Mila and RisaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-21771585330131902462018-07-11T08:47:00.001-04:002018-07-11T08:47:58.362-04:00Ukraine Team Update ~ 07/10/18We returned to Raleigh Tuesday afternoon at 2pm after being gone for 16 days. Upon reflection, many thoughts have run through our minds as we journeyed homeward on Sunday by train from Lviv to Kiev, where we spent the night in a hostel. Monday morning Terri had the blessed opportunity to visit a dear Ukrainian friend who she had not seen since 1995. Not only a great time together, but made even better when Terri discovered her friend had become a Christian in 1997. Breakfast followed her visit as we were joined by Yevgen, Development Director, and Yulia, Executive Director for CCX Ukraine, before a brief walking tour which lasted until we left for the airport and a flight to London. We left London Tuesday for RDU, a not so short 7.5 hour flight.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><blockquote style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;" type="cite">
(Our team with Yulia and Yevgen, overlooking the Dnipro River in Kiev)</blockquote>
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We have been blessed beyond description in many ways. The dedication of the Ukrainian staff, their love for Jesus, their desire to make Him known, their love for each other and the students, and their desire to consistently present to the students what awaits them when they become brothers and sisters in Christ.</div>
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As we all observed, Ukrainian students like to discuss, reflect and consider the Truth before making decisions. Many have come to summer and/or winter camps for several years. We are certain that they have been given much to think about in the days and weeks that follow.</div>
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God’s love for them, His Word explained and shared with them, and a true picture of what life can be when one accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior were consistently and lovingly presented to them. Many have significant doubts and deep questions. </div>
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We left many new friends as we departed from Ukraine. We left certain that God’s Word will not return void. We feel that we were privileged to “plant seeds” that others will water and see mature. God knows when that will occur, we do not, but we have full assurance and faith that it will happen.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><blockquote style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: start; text-size-adjust: auto;" type="cite">
(Eric with Maxym, a rather large Ukrainian college student from his small group)</blockquote>
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We felt your prayers, as well as prayers from friends and relatives and churches across our country, throughout our trip. With thankful hearts we thank each one of you for sustaining us, in every way. </div>
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To God be the glory, great things He has done and will do in the lives of these precious students.</div>
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Because He Lives!!</div>
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John (on behalf of Eric, Terri, Catherine, Austin)</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-87066449787041980402018-07-08T09:36:00.000-04:002018-07-08T09:36:47.226-04:00Ukraine Team Update ~ 07/06/18<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;">Today was a lot of fun for us
as a team. The whole group </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;">(maybe
150 staff and students) f<span style="background: white;">rom the CCX Camp we are
helping to facilitate traveled into the city of Lviv with the challenge of a
scavenger hunt, collecting as many photos as we could of bizarre activities around
the city. Retro clothing in stores. Human train on the trolley tracks.
Befriending someone and their dog and a photo with the dog. And all kinds of
other humorous and fun moments.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Laughter, cultural
conversations and friendly joking in my group is helping to make us comfortable
for deeper conversations about Jesus. This morning we studied John 9, and a few
students stated plainly that Jesus must not be God because he does God’s
works rather than his own works. Then we were able to talk about the fact
that eventually the blind man who is healed by Jesus says “Lord, I believe,”
and worships him—actions reserved only for God. These are the kinds of seeds
the Lord is planting in the lives of these young, bright students for whom
Jesus gave his life. </span></span></div>
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Please pray for continued openness in these gospel conversations, and for our
endurance as we walk with them this week. And pray that some would enter the
Kingdom even this week!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We miss and love you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For God’s glory,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Eric, on behalf of
Austin, Catherine, Terri and John<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Raleigh, NC 27609, USA35.8409242 -78.622850435.737951200000005 -78.7842119 35.9438972 -78.4614889tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-90804812693915660972018-07-05T11:02:00.004-04:002018-07-05T11:03:35.875-04:00Ukraine Team Update ~ 07/05/18<br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dear friends,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I write this, our
Ukrainian students and British and American teams are dancing the night away in
traditional Ukrainian style. It's the end of our second full day of camp, and
the Ukrainian students have put on an amazing event celebrating Ukrainian
culture with skits, songs, poetry, and, of course, dancing. Lots and lots of
dancing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The students arrived
at camp on Sunday morning, and over the last two and a half days,
we've been getting to know them in Bible study and discussion, over silly
games, and in casual conversations. We have been impressed by the
thoughtfulness and intelligence of the students. In my group, there are several
agnostic students who approach Scripture with a significant amount of
skepticism, but they continue to participate in Bible study (for some, this is
their 4th CCX camp!) and ask perceptive questions about things like human
nature and Biblical history. We've also had some great informal conversations
with students. This afternoon, for instance, one student asked to chat during
our free time and shared his thoughts and concerns about the war in Eastern
Ukraine and his hopes for Ukraine's future. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Please pray that in
the second half of this week of camp, the Lord will show us how to love
these students well and will make our actions and our conversation winsome.
Please also pray that the Lord will provide good, natural opportunities for us
to have conversations with the students about Jesus, and that He will give us
the words to speak. The days are really full, so please continue to pray
for rest and stamina for the members of our team, as well as for good
opportunities to make contact with loved ones at home. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are so grateful to
know that you are lifting us up in prayer!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Catherine Wood</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-72474802717635514612018-06-28T13:43:00.001-04:002018-07-05T11:03:44.939-04:00Ukraine Team Update ~ 06/28/18<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hello Apostles family,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">Today our team has spent much of the day in preparation for the arrival of Ukrainian students. We are preparing bible studies , workshops and outdoor challenges (think ropes course type activities — yikes). The desire is to have many different contexts in which to interact with and get to know these students. We partner in this with a team of students from the UK. Our team has been so impressed with these students and really enjoyed interacting with them. They love Jesus, are warm and funny and curious about us and life in the States. (The picture shows a few of them over </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">dinner.)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUYqLXUaejc/WzUdzujbxKI/AAAAAAAABUU/M1OtTduF9XA8gfn6R5kXKJzirpINLZhsACLcBGAs/s1600/ukraine%2B2018%2B%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUYqLXUaejc/WzUdzujbxKI/AAAAAAAABUU/M1OtTduF9XA8gfn6R5kXKJzirpINLZhsACLcBGAs/s320/ukraine%2B2018%2B%25283%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Today, many of us on the team are feeling the intensity of the schedule. Continue to pray that the Lord will give us lots of stamina and will use brief breaks in the day to restore us. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Thanks for your prayers. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">Terri Shell</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-91325751454968284812018-06-27T14:09:00.000-04:002018-06-27T14:09:01.342-04:00Preparing for Reaching Ukrainian Students<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our group has arrived in the city of Lviv and are staying at
a Catholic seminary outside the city. After flying through London, we flew into
Kiev, then took a four-hour (or more?) train to Lviv, and arrived feeling
REALLY tired, but thankful to be on time with no travel difficulties!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are about 20 college students and staff from the UK, about
15 local Ukrainian ministry staff, and the five of us on our team from
Apostles. We’ve been spending the first full day learning about Ukrainian
culture and preparing to lead the Ukrainian students who will be coming
next week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please pray for stamina! And also that we will be well prepared
to love, listen to and show Christ’s love to these students who will be joining
us!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">(Our Team with Yevgen, one of the Ukrainian staff who has spoken
to us at Apostles)</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390348944212324602.post-39665467167124369952018-06-27T13:47:00.000-04:002018-06-27T14:09:13.551-04:00Ukrainian Team Launched!<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Monday, June 25, 2018</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We've made it through security and are sitting at the gate.
We've been discussing concerns. "What did I forget to pack?" We've
laughed about how many times we checked to make sure the Passport was in hand. We've
talked about the prospects of bumps and snags that inevitably come with
travel. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But the thing that puts us at ease is the fact that there is a
group of young, energetic, lively Ukrainian university students we are about to
meet who probably have little to know church background or awareness of who
Jesus is. And we are joining the Lord in his effort to reveal himself to
them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our flight leaves at 6pm tonight, and we'll touch down
in Kiev at 1:30pm local time (6:00am Raleigh time). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Please pray for us as we go, that we will humbly step into all
that God has for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">-Ukraine Team </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">{Catherine Wood, Terri Shell, Austin Harris, John Creasy, Eric
Bolash}</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0