July 7, 2011 Monterrey, Mexico Back2Back

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.

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!

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!

Nigeria Recap Video 2010

Nigeria H2O Update Nov 2010 from Still Rendering on Vimeo.

Pictures!!

Check out pictures from the trip at http://november2010nigeriatrip.shutterfly.com/

The team is settled into Jos and will spend their first day outreaching in the village. Meanwhile, Dave and Kande are heading to the local seminary to share about outward focused leadership, and then will see the venue and planning for the GLS this afternoon.

We've arrived!

The team arrived safely in Abuja, where we'll spend the night & attend church in the morning. After that, Sarah's home cooking for lunch & then onto Jos.

H2O Nigeria Update

Join the mission of God in Nigeria through Vineyard Cincinnati. Here's what's happening and how you can pray. The team from Cincinnati traveling to Nigeria November 5 - 16 will update this site as often as possible to keep you up to date!

- Number of wells to date: 92

o Estimated # of people served: 53,000

- Short Term Trip Info

o A team of 11 from VCC will be in Nigeria November 5^th – 16^th. Check in on their progress, pray to support their work, and see pictures from their trip by visiting this blog.

o To learn about future trips as they are planned, sign up for the Outward Focused Ministries monthly e-newsletter by visiting www.vineyardcincinnati.com/missions.

- How to Pray

o Pray for the health of the SSE drilling crew as they spend extended time in the bush.

o Ask God for wisdom and discernment for our leadership team as we reach out to establish partnerships to address the spiritual care of those impacted by the water project.

o Pray for God to raise up and provide for long-term workers in Nigeria who are focused on the spiritual discipleship needs associated with H²O Nigeria.

Ireland Update #2

Yesterday morning, our team really did a great job in caring for the kids of VCD. VCD has gone to 2 celebrations, and they team split and took on all the family ministry for the church from ages 0 to 12. From there we had lunch and then brought all our team together for a team meeting, just to check how everyone was doing. Alton and I wanted to check in with how they doing emotional and physically. We had a nice but long (2 hours!) time of bonding which really took our team to the next level and got us ready to serve on today. In the evening we got to finally meet the VCD CRASH team for an overview of the week and ministry time. Boy, did God really show up!!! We prayed for impartations and for the power of God to operate through us.

This morning did our first kids club. Last year the most kids they got at the kids club was approx 90. Well this morning, we hit 95 on the first day! It was awesome!

The weather here has been for the most part beautiful. We had some scattered showers here today but they are brief followed by sunshine. So please keep up your prayers for pretty weather!

Thanks for your prayers and continue to ask God for the supernatural to be poured out this week through our team for the glory of HIS name!

Ireland Photos

At the airport...so excited to be going to IRELAND!




At the hotel....morning devotions. Sweet time with God.




Protestant St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armah





Catholic St. Mark's Cathedral in Armah

Goofing off at the Cathedrals!





Sightseeing in downtown Dublin

Ireland Team 09 Update #1

Well it is 1:00 a.m. on Sunday morning and it has been a full couple of days! We did not have free internet access until this evening, which is why we have not been able to update sooner.

We arrived safe and sound Friday morning, with most of us getting little to no sleep on the plane. It was not because the movies were so good that we wanted to stay up and watch them, but that the seats were just so uncomfortable. It could be summed up by Alton's one phrase to me as were were getting off the plane. "My butt is numb!". But it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the team because we were just so excited to be in Ireland!

We were met at the airport by a coach, with a driver that could not speak English (Polish) and did not know the directions of how to find our hotel. So our 1/2 hour to the hotel ended up being a 2 hour adventure circling Dublin. After taking naps and showers in our hotel rooms, we split up into 3 groups and went to explore Dublin on the hop on/hop off bus. We learned some things about the city and most of us ended up walking for several hours around downtown and having a good time exploring. About 8 pm, Michelle Scott came to have dinner with us at our hotel. After dinner several went to bed and we went out exploring again with Michelle to find a this wonderful diner on the River that served desserts and coffee. Much laughing, bonding and feasting ensued!

This morning we had our devotional in the hotel, then headed off to view the Protestant and the Catholic Cathedrals in Armah. Both cathedrals were ornate and stunning to look at. (Pictures will be coming soon!) After sightseeing in Armah, we headed to Dungannon to be dropped off at our host homes. It really did feel like the host homes were handpicked by God for each of the team members. We will hit the church tomorrow for 2 celebrations where our team will be serving in children's, hospitality and Alton teaching.

Our weather has been beautiful and the temperature has stayed around 68 to 70 with partly cloudy skies. Please pray that the weather continue to stay beautiful, especially as we begin to serve next week.

The team has bonded very well and it feels like we are set to move into the week with unity! Thanks for all your prayers, we can feel 'em!

More to come tomorrow....

Medical Outreach

The VCC community really shined through today during our 7 hour medical outreach. By the end, we saw over 175 people who lived in many surrounding villages. Everyone went above and beyond in the areas that they were working. Some were working with the hundreds of kids who were waiting for their parents or themselves to be seen; there were volunteers assessing the condition of people and checking vitals; traffic controllers under the medical tents; people praying over the patients; and some who distributed medicine. It was like a well oiled chaotic machine! Without everyone cooperating and working together, we would not have been able to accomplish as much as we did! There were 3 Nigerian doctors and an American missionary pharmacist who joined us.

Even though we saw so much desperation and despair it was encouraging to be able to share the word of our Lord and let them know that these “weird” Americans cared enough to fly across the world to visit them. We distributed medicine to alleviate some pain and cure some minor ailments.

Some of our team was able to build wooden bins that the village doctor will use to store the medical supplies that Back2Back will supply for him. His simple “office” will be transformed by the storage units we have built and the examination table we plan to build tomorrow.

Please pray for the time we will spend in the Market, and then continuing our medical mission work at the Kisayip village!!

Drilling a Bore Hole

Today we went to the Jebbu Miango Village to visit with the people of Tabitha Evangel Ministries and the current recipients of the 50th bore hole! The drill team was on site actively drilling as we visited with the people. Binta, the founder of Tabitha, shared her amazing testimony of how God called her out of Islam and into Christianity and the persecution she went through because of it. This has led her to minister to people who are facing the same persecution and exile and describes this as a ministry to "Muslims who met Christ."

The day is described by many as the "best one yet" as we had the whole day to really spend with the people in this village. We played soccer, danced, painted nails, gave out hand massages, made beaded necklaces and laughed and laughed. The children were reluctant to even smile at the beginning of the day, but by the end, we had coaxed one out of each of the children. God truly blessed the outreach we did in the Jebbu Miango Village today.

We did stay as long as we could to watch the drill team and hope and pray to see clean water. Alas, we had to leave for the day without witnessing the clean water, but was a surreal experience to see the drill in action. We were able to see water, though it was thick with mud, as it sprayed us all in the process. It was thrilling to be covered in that mud, knowing that shortly the water would be clear and clean!

Friday we plan to do a medical outreach in the village. Please pray for our safety, health, energy and wisdom in treating as many patients as possible.

Wednesday's Update

Today we ventured to the Oasis House. This house is the future home for the CLAPAI children Back2Back serves. The scenery was magnificent—it seemed that God had just dropped boulders from the sky. We climbed to the top to survey the property and eat our lunch. Children from both the village and the Filani, a nomadic people group, joined us on the trek up the “mountain.” It was amazing to see them climb skillfully to the top, some in bare feet and some only in flip flops! Once everyone was atop the “mountain” we took pictures, ate lunch and distributed some cookies and sandwiches to the children.

After lunch we went back to the Oasis house and were divided into groups to complete various tasks. Some painted ceilings, some made benches, and others dug holes for posts to mark the property line for the campus yet to be built. We worked for several hours, even during the rain, and after had a chance to do more outreach with the children. Some of us visited with the Falani people and made some real breakthroughs in developing relationships and ministering directly to them. Others played soccer with the kids.

After a long, hard day of work we were able to dine at the restaurant King’s Bite. Some ate the local cuisine—pounded yam. Others opted for more familiar food—pizza. A nice time was had by all.

Thank you for continuing to keep the team in your prayers. Please pray for energy, patience and endurance to continue the work God has given us to do.

Oasis House and Zoo Visit

This morning we were able to see the house that the CLAPAI Children will move to in the fall. We cleaned, painted and repaired several areas in the much needed larger home. It was tough work, but so much fun! We were even able to play with some of the children from the village there during breaks.

After lunch we travelled to the current CLAPAI House to pick up the children and take them to the zoo. We each paired up with a buddy and saw lions, elephants, monkeys and many others. We heard the lions roar and saw monkeys that would dance for a peanut. Very entertaining and the children had a blast!

To end our time with the children, we played on the playground. The picture below is from the see-saw. It was precious.

We're Here!

After nearly 48 hours of travel we have finally arrived in Jos! The flights were very long and left us tired, but excited to have arrived. =) The picture here is from the McDonald's at the Frankfurt Airport on a long layover.

After lunch we were able to purchase handmade clothing and purses from the Gidan Bege Widow's School, which is a ministry that serves widows by providing them a way to earn a living and learn a trade.

This afternoon we were able to visit CLAPAI (Childrens' Love and Protection Advocacy Initiative) to throw a birthday party for the children who live in the home and birthdays fall in the months of May, June or July. It was fun to see how happy the children were to see us and receive their own birthday presents. Tomorrow we will take the children on a field trip.

Thanks for all the prayers as we continue to adjust.

Friday Safari at Yankari

Today we went on a safari at the Yankari Nature Preserve. It was a 3 hour drive from Jos to the nature preserve. When we got there, we were greeted by baboons and warthogs. We got into two land cruisers and drove around for about 2.5 hours looking for animals. We saw a couple of large birds, some more baboons and some monkeys. We saw a whole bunch of elephant dung, but no elephants or other mammals. It was still pretty cool to be on safari in Africa.

After the safari we went to the hot springs in the preserve to go swimming . The springs were beautiful and the water temperature was perfect.

The most exciting part of the whole trip to the safari was the baboon that jumped in to the bus onto Rhonda's shoulder. He then jumped into Dan's seat and stole Dan's pringles can. Dan let a loud "girly" scream and scared the baboon so much it jumped out of the bus. (Just kidding about the scream, Dan actually tried to chase the baboon off the bus and it just stared at him until it got the Pringles, then it ran.)

The bus ride home went fairly fast and we had dinner at a cafe in Jos and most of the team had their first "Chapmans," a Nigerian fruit drink that is very popular.

We are going shopping tomorrow morning and then heading to Abuja to the airport for our long trip home. This is the last post from Nigeria. We'll see you all soon.

Block Party at Kisayip

Today was a totally awesome day. We went back to the Kisayip village to have a block party. We started the day by picking up the CLAF kids and packing them onto the bus with us. We headed to Kisayip and climbed the path up to a rocky overlook of the land that SSE and Back2Back are planning to develop just outside of the village. It was a beautiful day and Jason shared with us the vision for that piece of land. We prayed for the land and the future of the people who will be ministered to through the work of B2B and SSE. The CLAF kids lead the prayers for the vision of B2B building a home for them on the land.

After lunch we went to the village for the party. We threw the best block party that village has ever seen, okay it was also probably the first. About 40 men showed up to play soccer at the field with new goal posts we installed yesterday. We had over a hundred women and children show up to hang out and play games. The kids had a bounce tent to play in that was the most popular event of the day. The kids must have each had ten turns each in the bounce tent. Dana, Rhonda, Matt, Kathy & Kenzi (from Mexico) painted the faces of almost every kid. Dan, Jim, Tim & Ernie conducted a punt, pass & kick competition using an American football. It was quite funny watching soccer players try to throw a football. Cathy, Dan, Matt and others tried to lead a water balloon toss game that quickly turned into a water balloon fight with all the kids and most of the adults. Matt (the intern) & Jason and some of the ladies cut hair for about 30 boys. Eddie (the guard) got a bunch of the women to play tug of war which was very much fun. We gave away 100 pounds of oranges and a bunch of little bags of clean drinking water.

Diane and Jeanette went back to the clinic to work with the doctor. They saw over 60 patients and took care of many different types of injuries and illnesses. They will have to tell you the rest when they get home because they went to sleep early.

On the way home we went four wheeling in the bus across the crop lands of Kisayip. Several children from the village ran alongside the bus the whole time we were four wheeling. They either ran fast or we were driving very slowly.

We brought the kids back to the house with us for a dinner party. We had traditional Nigerian foods and traditional dancers performed for us. We gave the kids who have birthdays in September, October & November birthday presents and we celebrated Matt’s birthday.

Wednesday Evening

Just a quick evening update. Kande & Mark joined us for dinner tonight and told us all about their advenures for the past two weeks. They're both doing well and have spoken at many churches.

This evening's entertainment wasn't quite as exciting as the bonfire last night. We didn't hear the dinosaur, but spent much of the night playing very loud card games named Peanut & Pit. Evenings here are interesting because once we get home from our daily work projects we have no option, but hanging around and entertaining ourselves. We are a very entertaining group!!

Krista & Mike C., if you are reading this, please respond so that your parents know you care.

Dan's family, thanks for all your prayers and comments!

Everyone else, thanks for responding. We greatly appreciate all your prayers and encouragement!

Wednesday at Kisayip

Today we went to the village outside of Jos called Kisayip. Some of the guys dug holes and installed soccer goal posts. Actually, they started digging the holes and the men from the village took over the digging and completed it much quicker than we could have without their help. The cement will dry overnight and tomorrow we will have a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the soccer field. We also built desks for the students at the school. Last year one of the teams from the US poured concrete floors and built benches. We got to build the desks to complete their classrooms. The kids helped build and sand the desks and were very excited to go to school tomorrow with actual desks. Diane and Jeanette (who are both nurses) worked with the village doctor at the clinic and treated over 35 patients. A couple of other people hung malaria nets over the beds in the infirmary at the clinic. It was a very busy day, but we got all our projects completed.

Everyone is still healthy and having fun. Tomorrow we are going back to the same village and taking the CLAF kids with us to have a block party for the people in the village. It will be great fun.