Real Life Central America - Expedition Mission Trip Summer 2009

Puerto San Jose, Guatemala

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Since Antigua we have traveled to Puerto San Jose near the western coast of Guatemala just south of Guatemala City. Prior to our arrival we were given little information about our involvement during our ten day stay which made us anxious and hopeful to say the least. San Jose welcomed us with new friends, contacts and a strong mission.

Most mission groups that pass through this town have come supplied with dramas, drimes, dances and songs. A sort of presentation aimed at entertaining and touching individuals with a message. This AIM group comprised of five 20ish year old girls have flourished in their strong understanding of relational ministry. They have exemplified their love for others through their ability to nurture friendships within the few available days.

Johanna the director of the adult youth here explained this to Liz and Lindsey last night. She explained how many groups have come through but there was something different about our group.

Relational ministry is simply about sharing love with those you become in contact with. Regardless of social status, race, language or attitude. Relational ministry requires respect. We gain that respect by getting our hands dirty providing for the needs of the church and those who live nearby. We have cleaned, help with construction, prepared for church services, led worship services, taught in schools, prayed with nearby families, met with small groups, shared our life stories and our understanding of how God has worked in our lives.

In two days we will be leaving for debrief in El Salvador. Until then we will continue our loving mission until the end. And home is not the end, only the beginning.

Pacaya Volcano

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you haven't already, please read Rebekah's blog "Drink Deeply".

One of the hardest things as believers in Christ is to actually live as believers in Christ...together. The Church. The Body. We really do get to do this together. Strengths covering weaknesses. Grace covering faults. Love covering all. The challenge I've seen in the states though is that in most circumstances we allow ourselves to have an escape. We have our own cars. Own rooms, houses, jobs, and space to run to when other people are bugging the junk out of us. We've got that freedom...when really it's a trap. You're not challenged. You don't grow. You're not encouraged. You can't see or practice unconditional love if you're prone to the easy escape route - ditch when things get hard. We need others around us. I think a lot of how we're shaped throughout life is by the things/people we choose into and stay committed to. No matter what.

I was a part of the World Race last year. People told me that that hardest thing on the World Race would be the community. I didn't understand that at first but you learn to love and hate it. But the love always wins even in the bad days. True solid community is a nutrient our spirit hungers for. Whether broccoli or chocolate flavored. Whether midnight meetings or afternoon lunch. Whether hard truth or slap-happy laughter. Whether in a bar or in a church building. Community is the people around you all working and living and loving for the same God no matter how broken and human we are.

Like Rebekah's blog was saying...the most productive of all ministries has been that of our own team. Learning how to work when you don't have an easy escape route. Choosing in when you'd rather serve yourself by choosing out. We are all growing and being stretched and challenged in different ways just by living and serving together.

This past Sunday we climbed Pacaya Volcano here in Guatemala. These girls are amazingly strong and love finishing difficult tasks. They were determined and, I think, quite encouraged by the end to have finished the 4 hour hike. It was memorable. Their attitudes glowed with praise for each other as we nearly passed out on the ride home. Oh, God thank You for those moments spent together! Check out our day in pictures...

Team Expedition at Pacaya Volcano

Hiking up a steep and sandy incline...half way there.

View half way through...BEAUTIFUL!

Rebekah roasting marshmallows in the lava.

Katie and the LAVA...

Liz and the LAVA...it was totally safe :)

Looking for a good lava spot to roast mi mallow.

On the hike back down...thank You, Lord!

Mom and her girls...

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

K, so, I'm not sure how in the creating of nicknames I got to be "Mom" for these 2 months, but it happened. Maybe it's cause God showed me the value of these priceless daughters of the King and my responsibility for them during this time. O sweet. Or maybe its just cause I was the first to clean out our nasty shower back in Nicaragua. Ha.

Either way it's been a really good week for me the past few days as I went with the girls to their ministry sites. It was good personal time to spend with each one of them as they showed me what they've been up to since we got to Antigua about 2 weeks ago. I've been so thankful for their conversations, wisdom, and company this week. I've been on a good side to see them as they serve from their passions as well as get a chance to share and teach me. Mighty women of God right here...

Lindsey has a great work ethic and was very precise in the system she created to paint this orphanage so beautifully. I helped finish the 'yellow' room...she's got one more to go before we leave Antigua.

On Tuesday I went with Liz to the center that serves malnourished babies. She has a compassionate heart for those less fortunate. She's a nurturer, advocate, and lover.

Wednesday I finally got to see what made Katie and Rebekah SO excited! They were able to prepare and teach their own English lesson to some students. Their joy infected the students as the afternoon was filled with learning and fun and candy!

Teaching at the School

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I can hardly believe that we have been in Guatemala for just over a week. Time has just been flying by. Over the course of this week we have all plugged into ministry in many different ways. Rebekah introduced me to a school where she was helping out at. She thought I would really like it and of course she was right. I went there with her yesterday and got introduced to the school. The school runs from 2:00-5:00. The age group ranges from 1st grade through 6th grade. The school is designed for kids who have to work during the day. This way they can work in the morning and still get an education in the late afternoon.

My first day there I observed two other people teaching the class. They were teaching the students some fruit and vegetable names in English. They did a few different classes and then for the last one I got to help teach which was so much fun. It was exciting to be teaching the students and seeing their enthusiasm. I will continue to help at this school this week while we are still here in Antigua. Rebekah and I will be working together to help teach the kids some more English this week. Our topic will be verbs. We will be brainstorming ideas on how to teach the kids about verbs in a fun way!!

I am so thankful to be here and so glad God found places for us all in the community here.

Drink Deeply

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Ministry," as you might call it, occurs daily here in Antigua, Guatemala. We teach ESL, paint orphanages, comfort malnourished children, and visit hospitals. We pray for the Guatemalans and petition God for this city. Even on off days we share our passion for Christ with those placed in our paths.

Underlying all of this is another ministry, and it is, perhaps, our most productive - if you will. It is comprised of six people, and it has taught me more than 1,000 days of "doing" ever will. [I say this not to belittle the outward aspects of ministry by any means, but rather to exalt a big part of what sets us apart from the many do-gooders in the humanitarian realm.] These people are my family. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ, and we share a bond that will never be broken. We have eternity, and it is from this family that I have learned community.

True community. Not a country club, swim team, sorority, or cheer squad. The kind of community that comes from agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. It comes from not being selfish and not trying to impress others because our only boast is Christ. It comes from humility, thinking of others as better than ourselves, and taking a genuine interest in them. Above all, it takes having the attitude of Christ. [Philippians 2:1-11]

It is not easy, nor is it always comfortable. We have to be willing to be stretched, molded, and transformed into God's image. We have to invite Him into our every activity. We have to stop limiting Him to Sundays and Wednesdays - to songs and prayers. He is in our orphanages and our ESL classes - true. But He was also in the lagoon as I floated and tanned. He is in our inside jokes and His joy fills our laughter. Life is ministry, and in that lies our community. We each have it - it is only a matter of asking God to reveal it and allowing it to change you.

We are not perfect, and this is not human nature. However, it is worth the sacrifice. In fact, nothing in which you gain so much can even be considered a sacrifice.

That being said, it is my pleasure to sit outside in sunny, beautiful Guatemala and write you these words. It is my joy to miss you and long to see your faces. I can say this because the Spirit of God permeates this place, my heart, and my team. More than anything, I say this because I have drank deeply from the well and experiences true Acts II community.

Malnourished Clinic

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

According to UNICEF, the status of Guatemala's country-wide nutrition is one of the worst in the entire Central American region. 23% of children between the ages of three and five months suffer from general malnutrition across the country. A 2008 census in the school system of Guatemala revealed that 49% of the students are chronically malnourished. Among the indigenous population, the rate reaches a staggering 80% in some areas.

As of 2002, the infant mortality rate was at 44 per 1,000 births while the under-five mortality was 59 per 1,000 births. In conjunction with proper nutrition, many children are affected by illnesses that could have otherwise been prevented with an adequate daily diet. Over 50% of the deaths of young children are caused by infectious diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, and the measles, all diseases that can be easily fought with good nutrition and medical resources.

I spent a day with Liz at Casa Jackson to help report on her volunteering role there. It is quite demanding with feedings every two hours and consequently many diapers to change. The shift lasts from 10 - 5 with a short packed lunch inbetween. The kids are fun to play with and love any one on one attention they can receive.

Casa Jackson is located on the outskirts of Antigua, Guatemala in the village of San Felipe de Jess, Guatemala. Behind the protective walls of the building, is the heart of operations for the center and

place of in-house care. The welcoming atmosphere includes a fully-equipped medical clinic, kitchen, dining room, living room, office, store room, laundry facility, and garden.

On the second floor are four carefully designed bedrooms for the severe cases of malnourishment and a commons area. The third story opens to a roof terrace where volunteers spend time interacting with the in-house patients as well as tending to a rooftop garden that is used as both an educational example to the children and a ready supply of fresh vegetables to the center. Children who are old enough, help water the gardens and are taught that just as plants need proper nutrition to grow, their bodies also need the same care.

Ekklesia

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I've been reading about Peter a lot lately. In Scripture and through a weekly devotional. Yesterday it was explaining to me the Church Jesus came to establish. The disciples knew that church - ekklesia - was a "called-out people." The disciples lived Church outside of the four walls that have sometimes imprisoned us. I thought it was appropriate to share this with the girls before they were sent out for their first day of scheduled ministry here in Anitgua, Guatemala. We are a called-out people!

The Lord is faithful to us especially in working with the details. It was a last minute plan to stay in Antigua for a while. We're enjoying our days here as we wake up together for breakfast and quiet times. The ministries we're working with are fit for the hearts of these women.

Lindsey is helping to paint an orphanage just outside of the city.

Liz and Katie are interested to help a center that serves malnourished kids and babies.

Rebekah is looking into helping with a community development program. Until she gets paperwork filed for that she'll be helping with a school for older kids that haven't consistently been in the education system.

Please keep praying that we are receptive to ALL God has for us during this time!

This is just a brief overview. I'm sure the girls can tell you more in their own words. More to come...

Candelaria: Mural in Progess

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Caitlin had an idea to paint a mural on one of the walls at the church in Candelaria. It is a work in progress that has been left to a few other missionaries to complete. Linda, our host and church planter gave Caitlin Psalm 40 as creative inspiration. Enjjoy the following pictures and Psalm passage!

Psalm 40

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹ I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
       out of the mud and mire;
       he set my feet on a rock
       and gave me a firm place to stand.

³ He put a new song in my mouth,
       a hymn of praise to our God.
       Many will see and fear
       and put their trust in the LORD.

⁴ Blessed is the man
       who makes the LORD his trust,
       who does not look to the proud,
       to those who turn aside to false gods.

⁵ Many, O LORD my God,
       are the wonders you have done.
       The things you planned for us
       no one can recount to you;
       were I to speak and tell of them,
       they would be too many to declare.

⁶ Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
       but my ears you have pierced
       burnt offerings and sin offerings
       you did not require.

⁷ Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-
it is written about me in the scroll.

⁸ I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."

⁹ I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.

¹⁰ I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
       I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
       I do not conceal your love and your truth
       from the great assembly.

¹¹ Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.

¹² For troubles without number surround me;
       my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
       They are more than the hairs of my head,
       and my heart fails within me.

¹³ Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.

¹⁴ May all who seek to take my life
       be put to shame and confusion;
       may all who desire my ruin
       be turned back in disgrace.

¹⁵ May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.

¹⁶ But may all who seek you
       rejoice and be glad in you;
       may those who love your salvation always say,
       "The LORD be exalted!"

¹⁷ Yet I am poor and needy;
       may the Lord think of me.
       You are my help and my deliverer;
       O my God, do not delay.

Video: How to Make Tortillas!

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Liz, Rebekah and Katie show how to make Tortillas in this candid video shot in the village of Candelaria, Nicaragua. This "factory" made anywhere between 600 - 800 tortillas in one day!

Photo: Life in Candelaria

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Life in the village of Candelaria.

A Photo Blog:

Hermano Pedro Orphanage: Antigua, Guatemala

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hermano Pedro, Antigua, Guatemala

We visited the Hermano Pedro Orphanage and Hospital near the center of town in Antigua. There we spent our time playing with the kids with different activities depending on their level of coherence. We played a form of baseball with bouncy balls and a broomstick and helped sweep the courtyard. Some of the children were simply unable to communicate yet being in their presence speaking their name brought them a smile. The kids there are mostly both mentally and physically challenged and have been discarded there by their families. Some families simply have no understanding or care to be hospitable to their challenged children. This is where Hermano Pedro Orphanage comes in.

The hospital is a multi-service facility providing a home, and care for the elderly and orphaned, the mentally challenged and chronically ill. Over three hundred people ranging in age from a few days to over ninety live at Hermano Pedro permanently. In addition, Hermano Pedro offers a school for the handicapped children and a nutrition center where malnourished infants and children are treated. Hermano Pedro has approximately five hundred beds and cribs housing individuals with chronic disorders such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, mental retardation, Alzheimer's disease, polio paralysis, deafness and blindness, and senile dementia.

Guatemala!

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

HEY!

The team made it to their second country for the last half of this adventure!

And let me explain adventure...

So we're waking up in our little paradise on the lagoon outside of Granada, Nicaragua. Our departure time - which includes getting 13 people and their luggage together - is set for 830AM. Stumbling around and packing our faces with breakfast we made our way to the van. The battery is dead. (I think I was the one that didn't fully slam the sliding door shut last night in the pouring rain.) Our flight is at 1228PM. The ride is about an hour long but Linda and Tommy, our contacts, rush to option B. Jumper cables. No one nearby has jumper cables. In a quick decision our host, Mike, from the lagoon offers his pick-up. We take it and quickly have to say good-bye to all of our new friends we've made over the month. And let's pack 6 people plus their jumbo bags into the truck. It's OK Mom...all four of us had a seat..the other 2 were in the back...watching our bags.

Airport. We have two hours until we venture to a new country. Got checked in and going through security. Liz is pulled out. Her bag is pulled open and searched. (I got to see my mom while we were in Granada as she was on a week long mission trip from the states. She lovingly donated 4 beautiful jars of JIF peanut butter to the needy kids of the Expedition team.) Liz packed 2 of them in her carry-on. Um. Bad idea? I watched with a grin and lots of prayer as two security guards opened them up, smelled and tasted our peanutty treasure. I probably would have cried a little if they had taken them away. But after the search and clearly disliking taste of the PB he handed them back and we were good...

That is until the power went out in the entire terminal. Now, I don't know how that happens but it did. And it did as three of our team members were sitting in the VIP lounge...yeah, the one with the automatic sliding doors. Those don't work without electricity. Ha...well, we laughed but we were kinda concerned for them too. We saw Lindsey's silhouette against the frosted glass doors. They called for our flight. What do you do when half your team is trapped in the VIP lounge? You wait till the airport worker pulls it open. Freedom!

We board our flight. And I don't know how we got first class...but we did! Stretching room, blankets, and lunch. Too bad it was only an hour flight, but very enjoyable to say the least.

Once we got our bags and left the first class seats and air conditioned airport we made our way to Antigua, Guatemala. Learning SO much about the craziness of the journey! Have faith!!! The Lord's already guiding and providing for our team during this time. We're staying at a YWAM base about 3 miles outside of the center of the tourist town. There are many things to do in and around the city along with the ministries YWAM is already involved in.

Please keep praying for growth and open doors for the Lord to show up and activate us more. We want to see Him move!

Love you all!

Video: Pray before all Meals

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Caitlin describes the importance of praying before meals.

Beach Ministry

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There is no such thing as a day off from ministry. Our lives are so intertwined with love for others it should simply overflow into those we come in contact with. Christian or not christian, day off or day on. When working in ministry the term day off is an oxymoron. It is a facade that holds no truth. God uses us in our days off as much as we are used in our days on. God is everywhere, able to work through us on our days off as well as our days on. Ministry expands into our lives much past what we perceive to be our personal or team mission. God is everywhere in our life enabling us to reach out to every individual we can come in contact with.

On one of our set "days off" we traveled to the Las Penitas beach near Leon. We stayed at the Playa Roca hostel where we were able to meet several other travelers traveling through for their own various reasons. We have found every individual to be truly interested in our reason and message of why we are here. It is when we have brought ourselves to them that we are able to share and have an opportunity to share. It is by listening to others with an open mind that we are able to share with others and expect them to have an open mind.

Our mission travels with us wherever we may travel, whether it is a set mission or a designated travel or beach day. God is with us. Be encouraged.

The Sweet Epidemic

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I had a chance to meet Jason Glaser (pictured left); a writer for the Guardian and now an activist researching the deaths of hundreds of sugar cane workers. Jason, an avid writer and filmmaker sat down with New Song Mission group yesterday to explain his actions and how he and New Song can work along side one another to help attack this epidemic in the hopes to save lives. There is much to learn from Jason's passion in understanding human need and how we can step in to help others on a global scale. Jason is helping to spread the word about this issue in order to save lives from this epidemic. It is a strong example of how we are to be just as or even more passionate of our role in saving human lives, not just from physical death, but spiritual death and decay as well.

Here are excerpts from a recent article Jason has written on this issue:

" My cameraman and I sit captivated, gripped by the strength of the words we've just heard. The layers of love, perseverance, and the now familiar pragmatism that leap out of nearly every statement made by the cane workers and their families continues to impress us. "I try to work, to provide for my family, but she won't let me. She tells me to rest; she says that she wants to keep me here a little longer, for her, for the children, as long as she can. She makes the ends meet so I can stay strong enough to survive." Jorge sits in front of me with his wife, Lena, he looks straight into me, Lena looks to him, wipes an eye and softly grasps his hand. They are direct, honest and fearless about the fate that confronts them both: Carlos will die and Lena will join the growing ranks of widows in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua.

Carlos, 35, has Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD. His creatine level, an indicator of the disease's severity, is 9.5, anything above 1.5 signals a problem with kidney function. Due to circumstances far from his control this disease, treatable in the developed' world, will be terminal for him and for men as young as 20 who are his neighbors. CKD affects thousands, and has claimed at least 2800 lives in Chichigalpa since 2000. The disease is vicious when left to its own devices; the suffering these men endure is like nothing I've witnessed in a fairly full and storied life. It eliminates their endurance and leaves many listless and terribly weak stripped of the ability to provide for their families.

Our kidneys clean our blood and when they cease to function properly the body's organs and tissues become corrupted by toxins and slowly begin to shut down. Though the exact process of this death can take many routes it is always painful, always drawn out and is apparently, according to preliminary theories, avoidable. CKD is a problem for the entirety of Central America and the direct cause for the general problem is unknown.

In the case of the sugar producing regions, Dr. Aurora Aragon, chief of epidemiology at UNAN Leon assured me that, "We are facing nothing short of an epidemic." Male sugar cane workers in the Chinandega department, disproportionately those employed by the powerful Pellas family's Ingenio San Antonio in Chichigalpa, experience the disease at least 13 times as frequently as the already too high national average. This figure is considered low by experts and is based on an incomplete study conducted by MINSA, the Nicaraguan Health Ministry which lacked the resources to conduct an adequate investigation. While women also experience the disease most of the victims appear to be men.

The leading theory among the epidemiologists looking into this problem is that the cane cutters and irrigators are overworked in the excessive heat of the region. This alone weakens their kidneys and is compounded, as they are not provided with adequate or clean drinking water. The water they do have access to is thought to be polluted by a cocktail of heavy metals, agrichemicals and other pollutants. This causes further damage to the already weakened kidneys. Men that live in the La Isla community lack access to municipal water and drink water in their homes that is likely poisoned by a variety of man-made environmental contaminants.

La Isla is now known as "La Isla de Viudas", The Isle of Widows. In this small community of about 500 families there are now over 75 widows due to CKD and many more of the men are sick and dying. Across town in the more urban and densely populated Candelaria community the percentages are similar but at least the workers have access to cleaner municipal water."

See the article in full here.

Several Photos Added!

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Please check out some of the photos taken during the beginning of our stay here in Nicaragua. You may view the photos by clicking here.

Many more photos and videos of the team on the way! We have one week left here in Nicaragua before we travel towards Guatemala.

Liz helps in the Dental Clinic!

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here is a perfect example of stepping outside of your comfort zone. Liz volunteered to assist the Dentist here at the Dental clinic in Candelaria. Little did she know what she actually raised her hand for. Being in an environment with a language barrier opens up new challenges for communication, and before you know it saying si' becomes the easiest response. Which is what happened here.

At first she was handed a spit bucket to hold teeth being extracted and for any blood the patient needed to relieve from their mouths. She warned the Dentist she had no prior experience or knowledge of dentistry but the doctor simply laughed, as if it were meant for a joke. Eventually the spit bucket was replaced with a pair of pliers attached with a needle and thread.

Can you put yourself in this situation?
Foreign country. check.

Language barrier. check.

Blood. check.

Needle in hand. check.

It is time to act, what do you do?

Found! Long lost Grandma.

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Our first week in Nicaragua, Linda, our coordinator, introduced us to a very sick woman named Rosa. We prayed over her and immediately afterwards, Linda made preparations to send her to Chinandega for medical attention. As I helped her over to the house, I called her "abuelita", which means "little grandmother." Instantly she stopped in her tracks, and I became worried that I offended her. She looked at me and started to say something, but I interrupted her in order to explain that all of my grandparents have passed away. Her eyes grew wide and she said, "Child, you are not alone. I will be your grandmother and you are my granddaughter. God has given you to me, and I will pray for you always. You have touched my heart, nieta (little granddaughter)."

Now I have to admit, I was kind of shocked. I did not expect that at all, and to this day, I cannot believe how much she has integrated herself into my life. From that day forward, I became her granddaughter, and constantly she tell me that she loves me and prays for me. She asks about my family and tells me how much she loves my mom and dad - even though she has never met them. She even goes so far as to pray for their well being.

The hospitality of the Nicaraguans amazes me. Their arms are always open and I know that I will always have a home here. God has brought Mark 10:29-30 alive through this amazing woman, and I thank God for the opportunity to be a part of Christ's family across the world.

How to Subscribe to this Central America Expedition Blog

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

If you want to get email updates each time a new video, blog, or announcement is posted here, just click the "Update Alerts" link on the left-hand menu (or just click here) and add your email. You'll get a notification whenever there is a new post on this blog. Once the trip is over, or any time that you like, you can unsubscribe.

Also, please share this link with others who can keep up with our Central American adventure this summer: http://09ca0529rl2.myadventures.org/?isFunction=alerts.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Mission Base: Candelaria, Nicaragua

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For the month of June our mission base is in Candelaria, Nicaragua, a small village outside of Chichigalpa. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Central America. The majority of the impoverished areas are located within the rural and more remote villages. Most homes have dirt floors with limited electricity and water supply. The remoteness and small population of the village pose challenges for developmental efforts. The village is comprised of sugar cane farmers that work six months out of the year for $5 a day to provide for their large families. The other six months out of the year they are simply unemployed left to their own measures to provide. This is a guaranteed $900 annual salary that is dispersed into food, clothing, shelter, transportation, education as well as any additional expenditures daily life requires. The village has no paved roads and the homes are made up of either tin and cardboard or at best a simple concrete shell.

In what seems to be the center of the village is a church base set here by New Song mission group. The church campus is simply amazing. It is beyond imagination how it exists and how it continues to grow at an alarming rate. There is change and excitement in the air as new ideas and rapid growth continue. To this day the New Song mission group base in Candelaria has a working medical and dentistry clinic, sewing and crafting class, baseball field for professional Nicaraguan teams, two water wells, water tank with electric pump, dormitories with full bathrooms, extensive kitchen, auditorium, goat farm for distributing milk and cheese, garden for vegetables and medicinal plants, cooking school and are now working towards a bakery, two story restaurant, youth recreation center and internet cafe.

Even with so much going on spread between few, the wisdom behind these efforts are unmatched. One example is the way each program is intertwined. The dung from the goat farm is used for compost in the garden, and the garden produces medicinal plants for the clinic.

The members that make up New Song are dreamers. They are efficient in pleading, trusting and listening to God. God is shown through these individuals as they make small steps and God simply fills in the rest.

Just to let you know

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

These women are wonderful!

I'm going to try in a few words to tell you how much I already appreciate and admire them...

A week into this trip and I see the seed of adventure and faith has broken open and is setting its roots in fertile soil! These four women are daughters of the King! They have prayers to reach the youth in a personal and trusting way. Their hearts are being broken for the kids and poor conditions of the neighborhood. Their hands are an open offering as they are willing to step into places of need. Their lives are embracing the culture and people around them - no matter the comfort or difficulty.

These are wild women who are being trained these two months for GREAT things - both here and when they return home to the states. Their minds, hearts, and eyes are being refocused onto things of the Kingdom. Their spirits are beginning to glow with bigger and brighter flames of hope for all to see. And from what I've heard and seen already, their lives have God's fingerprints all over them.

This is a life-long process. I pray it won't end when they return in July. But until then, I thank you for these girls. Thank you to the parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends for allowing Rebekah, Lindsey, Katie, and Liz to join me in this journey. I am excited for each one of them. For all the things the Lord wants to teach and show them in the weeks to come I pray they receive it fully as priceless gifts from the Father.

About Me

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I am a lover of culture, arts and people.

I have nurtured a relationship with AIM which has enabled me to travel alongside World Race and Real Life teams documenting their faith in action. I capture the teams implementing their love and service to the people they come in contact with. I use means of photography, videography and weekly blogging informing those about how love can positively affect this world.

Developing relationships takes initiative in choosing to reach out to others where they are geographically as well as emotionally. Taking photos of my surroundings involves a connection to my surroundings. These two come hand in hand. It is impossible to capture a moment or feeling unless you are a part of the moment yourself.

I love people. I care to bring the best out in others. I am excited to bring you more of my vision made real by others bringing the love of Jesus throughout the world.

Our New Home

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We all made it here to our new home for a month!

I am so excited to finally be here. The people here are so friendly and being a part of their culture is truly a great experience. There are so many children here and I love that part very much. God's main passion he has given me is for the kids. Being able to spend time with them showing them my love for them and God's love is such an honor. These kids love to be around all of us on this team. They are ready everyday for us. They look forward to just being around us and having others to play with.

God has truly blessed this trip already. We get to be a part of a different culture and learn so much about their way of life and build relationships while we are here. At the same time we get to tell them about God and how much he loves us.

This verse comes to my mind while I am here:

Romans 10:14

How, then can they call on the one they have not believed? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them.

We are all here to show these people God's love and all he has done for us. This verse helps remind me why I am here, to serve God. I pray that God continues to bless all of the people here and open their hearts to his love.

Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Well here we are in Nicaragua - not even a week yet and it is almost hard to imagine life back in the States. I love these people.

Days here are so relaxed. Very "go with the flow." Hard to imagine, right? It is wonderful just to let God lead and not worry about meetings and deadlines and schedules and restrictions. And it's beautiful, too! God displays His glory throughout creation, and I am so blessed to be waking up to this every single morning for the next month.

People here see more miracles than most Americans hear of in a lifetime. I've heard stories of people being raised from the dead and I've seen a faith stronger than words can describe. God is alive in Nicaragua.

Despite this, I've seen emptiness and loss, legalism and guilt. I see a people hungry for love and starving for relationship. These people I love. They've become my sisters and brothers - my family. They have captured my heart and I covet every moment we spend together. One month just doesn't seem long enough.

Pray for God's continual leadership and guidance in our lives. Pray that we become more and more dependent on Him. Pray for opportunities, connections, and divine appointments. Pray for the Nicaraguans, that they might see in us God's genuine love. Pray that they would understand what REAL relationship is and that they would hunger for the King more every day.

I miss you all so much, and you are in my prayers constantly.

With all my heart,

Rebekah

Video: Meet the Team!

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We have goats

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The girls will be posting some of their own blogs within the next day or two. But I wanted to share this picture with you all. This is Lindsey and Liz hanging out last night with some of the kids and local goats.

Finally here!!

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey everyone!

Like the post from Chad said we did finally make it to Nicaragua last night. Our plane landed a little after 7PM local time and after a car ride to the city we'll be calling home for the next month we collapsed in our beds around midnight. The collapse into the beds didn't happen until we got a friendly surprise greeting by our hosts, Tommy and Linda Gabel, and a handful of the youth from the neighborhood that were eager to meet us.

The blessing of sleeping in was much appreciated. And when we eventually rolled out of our beds about 10 this morning the doors of this new journey were opened. There are going to be many different opportunities to be a part of this next month as we work alongside of New Song here in Candelaria. Lindsey has already been a help to Linda by using her Spanish to interpret a meeting. Katie found all the cute kids. Rebekah got to hear the testimony of one of the women the cleans - she shared a Spainish Bible that she brought and even highlighted some parts truth concerning identity in Christ. And Liz is jumping at a chance to go with Linda to visit schools with another American team coming tomorrow.

Things may sound a little vague...it's probably because this team and I really want to ask/seek the Lord in His direction and calling for each of us each day. There are many opportunities to serve but its the depth of our own relationship with God and the relationships with the people we are around that will really be our focus.

Keep praying for us! Thanks for the LOVE!

Team Arrived Safely

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hello family, friends, and blog readers-

I just wanted to give a very quick update that the team has arrived safely in Nicaragua and that they are with their local hosts. We will post additional updates in the next few days.

Blessings,

Chad M.

Traveling Day

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

From training camp in Gainesville, GA the team arrived at the Atlanta airport and awaited flights to Miami and then to our final destination, Managua Nicaragua. Upon arrival in Managua we waited through baggage claim, temperature monitoring, customs and immigration. We were greeted by airport workers wearing face masks as a preventative measure protecting themselves from the swine flu. We met our hosts Linda and Tommy, packed our belongings in their truck and a hired taxi that followed close behind. We rode three hours from Managua to Leon, and then from Leon to Candeleria. Needless to say after a 17 hour travel day we all slept well.

End of Day 1

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey everyone!

This picture was taken tonight after our team meeting...at the end of a very long but enjoyable first day! Already we've sat through some sessions learning more about ourselves and hearing good speakers present the "everyday church stuff" in refreshing ways. Our "team builders" [which we have now named "play time"] were both stretching and fun...and how you can't light matches or use a compass on the moon.

Please keep praying for us! We're ready to head south but still get to enjoy a couple more days!