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!