We are finishing up our last evening as we heard to the airport tomorrow morning....early! The past few days have been filled with so many "pictures of the day." Hard work with cement pouring, roof repair and painting has been a tiring experience, but it has been worth every drop of sweat when we can see how much the work of 13 helps alleviate the work for the children's home directors. The experience here has been incredible, and we are so thankful to the Back2Back staff for running a first class ministry that advocates for kids and puts the mission above the organizational duties. This morning, Todd Guckenberger shared that 86% of the donations goes directly to the care of the children....only 14% goes toward administrative needs. This is a phenomenal ratio and shows the authentic stewardship of the organization. The passion and commitment of the staff is so evident each day. God has blessed this commitment to the mission, but the organization of the work has not suffered. What a blessing from God that he has blessed Back2Back with such strong organizational structure, while they continue to maintain a primary commitment to the work.
Many team members have learned different lessons throughout the week...but many lessons have been learned. We are all learning more and more that everything boils down to the relationship we have with Jesus. It's not about the ministry; it's not about what we have to offer, but instead it's about what God does through us and through our relationship with him. Going to the source of our life, namely Jesus, and emptying ourselves so that he can fill us with his living water gives us all "glory strength" to accomplish the good work he has set for each us even before the beginning of time. How often do we all rely on our own efforts to repair, restore, fix, create, and serve? In our own strength, we will become frustrated and self-serving. Let us all pray for Jesus to convict us of our self-righteousness and to empty us for his power to find a home in our lives...not just a room, but a home.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Monterrey, Mexico July 5, 2011
We are halfway through the week and have had awesome serving experiences with the children's homes and impoverished areas of the Rios. Our team is bonding and forming relationships as the days together encourage us to be transparent and authentic with one another. Yesterday was spent serving in a children's home called "Bethany." There we played with the children and helped to paint several bunkbeds and walls. The children were so open and initiated interaction with warmth and curiousity. At one point in the day, I was playing Memory with 3 boys, while a 4 year old painted my face and another painted my fingernails. Talk about multi-tasking! It made me appreciate the daily work the directors of the home put into to trying to meet all the children's needs. Their ability to multi-task with love makes it so obvious that they accomplish relationship and not just tasks.
Today was a day that stretched so many of us outside of our comfort zones. We worked alongside a pastor to help with construction projects on his church, as well as play with many children all the while. This pastor makes a 30 minute commute everyday to the church to build relationship and make much needed improvements on the building. We were told that the involvement of Back2Back is very needed in this area, as they are working to prevent mothers from reaching a point in life where they feel that they have on choice but to drop off their children at a home because they can no longer meet their needs. Back2Back shared that many children in the homes come from neighborhoods very much like the one we were in today, so their presence offers encouragement to make it just one more day. I love this aspect of their ministry to partner with a local church to help keep families together. A few of us spent the day on the roof framing and installing a tin roof. I must say, it was the most challenging thing I have ever done. God is so amazing that he would lead me here and place me 30 feet in the air over a 30 foot drop off, laying across a piece of aluminum tarring the holes. He covered us all with his glory strength and made the impossible possible today.
Lives are changing based on the nightly debriefs of sharing! This week has confirmed for us that short-term missions is integral the individual change and growth of team members. You know, so much information is out there on the topic of short-term missions. This trip has confirmed that you can't put a price on encouragement!
Today was a day that stretched so many of us outside of our comfort zones. We worked alongside a pastor to help with construction projects on his church, as well as play with many children all the while. This pastor makes a 30 minute commute everyday to the church to build relationship and make much needed improvements on the building. We were told that the involvement of Back2Back is very needed in this area, as they are working to prevent mothers from reaching a point in life where they feel that they have on choice but to drop off their children at a home because they can no longer meet their needs. Back2Back shared that many children in the homes come from neighborhoods very much like the one we were in today, so their presence offers encouragement to make it just one more day. I love this aspect of their ministry to partner with a local church to help keep families together. A few of us spent the day on the roof framing and installing a tin roof. I must say, it was the most challenging thing I have ever done. God is so amazing that he would lead me here and place me 30 feet in the air over a 30 foot drop off, laying across a piece of aluminum tarring the holes. He covered us all with his glory strength and made the impossible possible today.
Lives are changing based on the nightly debriefs of sharing! This week has confirmed for us that short-term missions is integral the individual change and growth of team members. You know, so much information is out there on the topic of short-term missions. This trip has confirmed that you can't put a price on encouragement!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
July 3, 2011
MONTERREY, MEXICO BACK2BACK MINISTRIES
We arrived safely and are well into our second day here! The trip was smooth, as we just missed a large storm front moving through Dayton at the time of our departure. Our small group of 5 joined with Apex Community Church in Dayton and traveled together yesterday.
The theme of this summer's Back2Back Ministry is "Source" focusing on God as our Living Water. Theme verses include Proverbs 14:27 and Jeremiah 2:13. We are encouraged to explore and grow in our understanding of accessing the Holy Spirit as our true source of Living Water. Too often, we access spoiled sources of water that are so beautifully disguised pathways to pleasure or satisfaction but leave us feeling empty and unsatisfied. The spoiled water tastes so appealing at first, which leaves us longing for more, only to keep dipping into the false source of nourishment. We, as a team, are journaling and reflecting on our personal relationships with God, identifying and confessing pathways we often turn to when in need.
Times spent outside of worship and small group time has been devoted to pouring our time and energy into the children of children's home. So far, we have hosted two groups at the Back2Back campus from 2 children's homes in the area. Needless to say, there has been lots of laughter, playing, and dancing! Today, a special cultural event was planned to celebrate the 15th birthday of a young lady who lives in a children's home that Back2Back serves. In Mexico, the 15th birthday is an event that families will save years for to celebrate. Families of the children in the children's home do not typically have the resources to do this, so Back2Back assists in the planning and celebration. The event parallels most American weddings (i.e., presentation of the young lady, a ceremony with gifts including a ring, cutting the cake, food, and lots of dancing!). Tomorrow, we leave campus to serve through work on projects and serving children. Can't wait!
MONTERREY, MEXICO BACK2BACK MINISTRIES
We arrived safely and are well into our second day here! The trip was smooth, as we just missed a large storm front moving through Dayton at the time of our departure. Our small group of 5 joined with Apex Community Church in Dayton and traveled together yesterday.
The theme of this summer's Back2Back Ministry is "Source" focusing on God as our Living Water. Theme verses include Proverbs 14:27 and Jeremiah 2:13. We are encouraged to explore and grow in our understanding of accessing the Holy Spirit as our true source of Living Water. Too often, we access spoiled sources of water that are so beautifully disguised pathways to pleasure or satisfaction but leave us feeling empty and unsatisfied. The spoiled water tastes so appealing at first, which leaves us longing for more, only to keep dipping into the false source of nourishment. We, as a team, are journaling and reflecting on our personal relationships with God, identifying and confessing pathways we often turn to when in need.
Times spent outside of worship and small group time has been devoted to pouring our time and energy into the children of children's home. So far, we have hosted two groups at the Back2Back campus from 2 children's homes in the area. Needless to say, there has been lots of laughter, playing, and dancing! Today, a special cultural event was planned to celebrate the 15th birthday of a young lady who lives in a children's home that Back2Back serves. In Mexico, the 15th birthday is an event that families will save years for to celebrate. Families of the children in the children's home do not typically have the resources to do this, so Back2Back assists in the planning and celebration. The event parallels most American weddings (i.e., presentation of the young lady, a ceremony with gifts including a ring, cutting the cake, food, and lots of dancing!). Tomorrow, we leave campus to serve through work on projects and serving children. Can't wait!
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