Please pray for the team as they have a day on the streets on Monday. There are 11 people on the team so they will be divided into 2 groups. One group will go with Andrew and Fidel and the other group will go with Christian MacKinnon and Alex and Paty.
Pray for their safety on the streets and in travel. Please pray also that God will use them to be an encouragement to the MEFI team and that the Holy Spirit will use their testimonies, their smiles and everything else that they say and do to speak to the kids and bring honour to Him. Pray to for Andrew and Christian as they translate.
They have a further 2 days on the streets later in their visit and we would continue to appreciate your prayers. I will be the translator at least one of those days and Tabitha will be looked after here at home.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Work in La Loma
For the moment as Andrew is studying language full time (he has just 3 weeks to go) we are trying to prioritise our involvement in other activities. The things we have written about in previous posts are the things we have considered to be a priority.
This week I (Carol) have been getting around. On Wednesday I had my meetings with Paty and Sandra. On Thursday my plan was to go to La Loma around midday but as Tabitha hadn't slept in the creche the day before (too many kids to play with!) she was exhausted and had a 3 hour morning nap so we were delayed a little. That's ok, I know my priority! We were able to be there for a couple of hours. The team from N. Ireland were working hard preparing murals for the 'Day of the Child' celebrations at the church and mixing 17 tonnes of concrete and carrying it in buckets up about 30 stairs and then a ladder to fix a roof that was leaking! I was pleased to be able to connect with some of the church ladies who were there to help. Every conversation is encouraging as we get to know people in the church.
Today we went down into a shanty town close to the church where we ran a breakfast club program. The breakfast club was started when Jonathan Morton was pastoring the church but has been stopped for a while. Today was the first day it has happened in a very long time. I was very excited. One of the ladies stayed back at the church to look after Tabitha (who didn't sleep!).
What I notice from most of our photos is the absence of smiles. I am so glad that we were able to bring happiness to these kids faces just for a little while as we played games, shared about 'New Life' in Christ and gave out gifts. Some of the mothers seemed interested in coming to church on Sunday. Our prayer is that they will find not just happiness, but joy that never runs out.
Guille (gui-yey), the pastor's wife was announcing that the breakfast club will restart properly in May. Interestingly that is when we said that we would be available to be more involved in church activities. I reckon there's a fair chance we will have a lot to do with the club but that's great. This is a work that could prevent kids ever getting to the streets and it's one that we will really enjoy.
It was a very precious moment when I held a little 7 month old girl and she smiled as I played with her. Her mother looked just like one of our street kids and her little girl is her fourth child.
I left the church around 1.30 with Tabitha who was asleep before we had gone 25 meters and slept the whole way home!
Waiting for the program to start
Something to eat
Living conditions
A creme egg inside a knitted duck!
A smile!
This week I (Carol) have been getting around. On Wednesday I had my meetings with Paty and Sandra. On Thursday my plan was to go to La Loma around midday but as Tabitha hadn't slept in the creche the day before (too many kids to play with!) she was exhausted and had a 3 hour morning nap so we were delayed a little. That's ok, I know my priority! We were able to be there for a couple of hours. The team from N. Ireland were working hard preparing murals for the 'Day of the Child' celebrations at the church and mixing 17 tonnes of concrete and carrying it in buckets up about 30 stairs and then a ladder to fix a roof that was leaking! I was pleased to be able to connect with some of the church ladies who were there to help. Every conversation is encouraging as we get to know people in the church.
Today we went down into a shanty town close to the church where we ran a breakfast club program. The breakfast club was started when Jonathan Morton was pastoring the church but has been stopped for a while. Today was the first day it has happened in a very long time. I was very excited. One of the ladies stayed back at the church to look after Tabitha (who didn't sleep!).
What I notice from most of our photos is the absence of smiles. I am so glad that we were able to bring happiness to these kids faces just for a little while as we played games, shared about 'New Life' in Christ and gave out gifts. Some of the mothers seemed interested in coming to church on Sunday. Our prayer is that they will find not just happiness, but joy that never runs out.
Guille (gui-yey), the pastor's wife was announcing that the breakfast club will restart properly in May. Interestingly that is when we said that we would be available to be more involved in church activities. I reckon there's a fair chance we will have a lot to do with the club but that's great. This is a work that could prevent kids ever getting to the streets and it's one that we will really enjoy.
It was a very precious moment when I held a little 7 month old girl and she smiled as I played with her. Her mother looked just like one of our street kids and her little girl is her fourth child.
I left the church around 1.30 with Tabitha who was asleep before we had gone 25 meters and slept the whole way home!
Waiting for the program to start
Something to eat
Living conditions
A creme egg inside a knitted duck!
A smile!Meetings
On Wednesday I met up with Paty and then Sandra (Paty stayed on to meet with Sandra too). We met in the Santa Monica church so Tabitha was looked after by a very capable lady called Jacaranda. We were there from 9.30 and got home around 2.30pm! We ladies know how to talk!
What can I ask you to pray for as a result of the meeting? Please pray for my understanding of Spanish. Sandra talks very fast and uses a lot of street Spanish. My ability to understand is quite good but those 2 factors require that I have to concentrate very hard and some things do go over my head ( a good reason to have Paty around).
Pray too for wisdom. As you can imagine Sandra's situation is complicated and I don't suppose that there is a quick fix to her problems. I just need wisdom to know where to start and then how to continue. Sandra is keen to study together. She definitely has a hunger for God's word and is committed to her new faith. With Beto (her partner) she is studying through basic Christian principles and practices. They are working through a workbook and have been filling in all the spaces. My desire is to help her to be a Godly woman, wife and mother. Please pray that she will be patient as we work together on this, that the Holy Spirit will teach her and that together we will see definite changes in her life.
I spent some time in their little home (literally 2 rooms) as Beto washed our car (for money!). Tabitha made herself right at home with their 3 year old daughter and as they bounced around on the mattress on the floor Tabitha was giggling away. She was definitely leading the proceedings - whatever she did her little friend copied. It was the first time I had seen her in that role and as she had the best time, I was amazed.
I heard a little more of Sandra's story. Her mum disowned her when she was 2 years old. Her family looked after her for a while and then took her to the City to be looked after in a children's home. She escaped a few times and then went to the streets permanently. She has just come off the streets after 12 years. I asked what it was that finally convinced her to come off and to be so determined to stay off. She said that she was just sick of the street life, that she didn't want her children to suffer and that she herself didn't want to die on the streets (like so many others of her group). She is very concerned for another girl from her group and has tried to convince her to come and live in her little home. She asked what she should do as her friend says she wants to leave the streets but won't go to her house. I explained our situation with so many kids who we wish were off the streets but we have to wait until they are ready to leave and in the meantime we pray.
Praise God for the way He has saved Sandra's life (and soul!). Pray that He will to work in her life and that she will fulfill the role He has designed for her. There is so much potential but with so much work still to be done...
What can I ask you to pray for as a result of the meeting? Please pray for my understanding of Spanish. Sandra talks very fast and uses a lot of street Spanish. My ability to understand is quite good but those 2 factors require that I have to concentrate very hard and some things do go over my head ( a good reason to have Paty around).
Pray too for wisdom. As you can imagine Sandra's situation is complicated and I don't suppose that there is a quick fix to her problems. I just need wisdom to know where to start and then how to continue. Sandra is keen to study together. She definitely has a hunger for God's word and is committed to her new faith. With Beto (her partner) she is studying through basic Christian principles and practices. They are working through a workbook and have been filling in all the spaces. My desire is to help her to be a Godly woman, wife and mother. Please pray that she will be patient as we work together on this, that the Holy Spirit will teach her and that together we will see definite changes in her life.
I spent some time in their little home (literally 2 rooms) as Beto washed our car (for money!). Tabitha made herself right at home with their 3 year old daughter and as they bounced around on the mattress on the floor Tabitha was giggling away. She was definitely leading the proceedings - whatever she did her little friend copied. It was the first time I had seen her in that role and as she had the best time, I was amazed.
I heard a little more of Sandra's story. Her mum disowned her when she was 2 years old. Her family looked after her for a while and then took her to the City to be looked after in a children's home. She escaped a few times and then went to the streets permanently. She has just come off the streets after 12 years. I asked what it was that finally convinced her to come off and to be so determined to stay off. She said that she was just sick of the street life, that she didn't want her children to suffer and that she herself didn't want to die on the streets (like so many others of her group). She is very concerned for another girl from her group and has tried to convince her to come and live in her little home. She asked what she should do as her friend says she wants to leave the streets but won't go to her house. I explained our situation with so many kids who we wish were off the streets but we have to wait until they are ready to leave and in the meantime we pray.
Praise God for the way He has saved Sandra's life (and soul!). Pray that He will to work in her life and that she will fulfill the role He has designed for her. There is so much potential but with so much work still to be done...
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Heart Breaking
We are getting to know a few people in La Loma. I mentioned one family that Andrew connected with in a previous blog. We found out that the husband is out from 7am - 11pm 5 days a week as well as being out for part of Saturday.
They have a 2 year old child.
This week the team from N. Ireland are working at the church and we hope to join them for part of the time. I asked the wife what she was up to this week, hoping that she could come along and we could get some good chat. She said she had been looking for work and had found a job and was starting the next day. The reason is that her husband is studying a lot and what he is earning isn't covering the expenses. She is helping by working. She hopes it will just be for a year.
I asked her what and where. It's basically secretarial work in the centre of the city (about 2 hours away in a bus for her). She will be gone from her son from 7am until 9pm...every day. If it breaks my heart to hear her say that imagine what she is feeling. Her response? If I can share Christ with people at work then it will be worth it! It doesn't mean it isn't hard for her. She wasn't looking forward to it. Pray for this young family. These will be difficult times for them.
They have a 2 year old child.
This week the team from N. Ireland are working at the church and we hope to join them for part of the time. I asked the wife what she was up to this week, hoping that she could come along and we could get some good chat. She said she had been looking for work and had found a job and was starting the next day. The reason is that her husband is studying a lot and what he is earning isn't covering the expenses. She is helping by working. She hopes it will just be for a year.
I asked her what and where. It's basically secretarial work in the centre of the city (about 2 hours away in a bus for her). She will be gone from her son from 7am until 9pm...every day. If it breaks my heart to hear her say that imagine what she is feeling. Her response? If I can share Christ with people at work then it will be worth it! It doesn't mean it isn't hard for her. She wasn't looking forward to it. Pray for this young family. These will be difficult times for them.
Continued planning
Please continue to pray with us as we get together with the MEFI team and plan for the future of the ministry.
We are working on the design for the remodelling of the Social Ministry Centre and how it will be run. We are also working on team unity and then thinking about how other churches can be involved. Then we are continuing to think about how kids coming off the streets can be cared for and integrated into churches and society.
Thanks for your prayers!
We are working on the design for the remodelling of the Social Ministry Centre and how it will be run. We are also working on team unity and then thinking about how other churches can be involved. Then we are continuing to think about how kids coming off the streets can be cared for and integrated into churches and society.
Thanks for your prayers!
Speaking out
On Sunday evening we went to visit Viky and Enrique, our previous landlords and friends. It was their first time to meet Tabitha in person (we returned to NI when I was 7 months pregnant). As well as meeting them, Tabitha was a little confused and mesmerised to meet Guero (wey-ro) - their talking parrot (who definitely recognised us!)
It was lovely to renew contact but during the course of the evening an amazing thing happened. Enrique said "You're Christians, aren't you?" We affirmed and he went on to say that recently he has been searching for God. His son-in-law is a pastor in America and several people recently have been sharing Christ with him. He explained that the only bible he had was one he had bought as a decoration for the house and it was never read. But since finding out what true Christianity is all about he is intrigued and thirsty to find out more.
We were able to chat with him some more. Never in the six months that we lived beside them had we had such an open conversation. What is it that causes us to keep quiet? We explained that more than desiring people to change to our religion (which is what he assumed we were here to do!) we are here because we have an amazing relationship with God, that gives us joy, peace and hope and we want others to know that too. Oh that we could find this kind of openness in every heart!
Please pray that their eyes would be opened as we meet up again. Nothing gives us greater joy than to see people coming to know our wonderful Saviour for themselves.
It was lovely to renew contact but during the course of the evening an amazing thing happened. Enrique said "You're Christians, aren't you?" We affirmed and he went on to say that recently he has been searching for God. His son-in-law is a pastor in America and several people recently have been sharing Christ with him. He explained that the only bible he had was one he had bought as a decoration for the house and it was never read. But since finding out what true Christianity is all about he is intrigued and thirsty to find out more.
We were able to chat with him some more. Never in the six months that we lived beside them had we had such an open conversation. What is it that causes us to keep quiet? We explained that more than desiring people to change to our religion (which is what he assumed we were here to do!) we are here because we have an amazing relationship with God, that gives us joy, peace and hope and we want others to know that too. Oh that we could find this kind of openness in every heart!
Please pray that their eyes would be opened as we meet up again. Nothing gives us greater joy than to see people coming to know our wonderful Saviour for themselves.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Arriving tomorrow
Tomorrow we receive a team from N. Ireland. They will be here for 3 weeks getting a view of the work OMS do here (as all teams do!). There are 11 people on the team and Andrew is one of the missionaries assigned to pick them up. He has to be at the airport at 7am. We will provide lunch and for the next 3 weeks we will be involved from time to time in transportation, translation and introducing them to the work of MEFI.
Pray for the team as they come. Pray that they will have a good time, for their safety and their health. Pray too that as they see what God is doing here that they will be encouraged and that God will touch their hearts to be involved further as He would have them to be.
Pray for us as we take on a little extra responsibility. Pray for strength and ability to continue with the things we are already involved in as well.
One of the team members, Gary, will be staying on after the others leave. He is here on a one year term an is assigned to MEFI. Initially he will principally be involved in language learning. Obviously he needs lots of prayer as he gets used to the country, the ministry and our crazy bunch of missionaries. Pray too for our wisdom as we involve him in MEFI and integrate him into the team.
Pray for the team as they come. Pray that they will have a good time, for their safety and their health. Pray too that as they see what God is doing here that they will be encouraged and that God will touch their hearts to be involved further as He would have them to be.
Pray for us as we take on a little extra responsibility. Pray for strength and ability to continue with the things we are already involved in as well.
One of the team members, Gary, will be staying on after the others leave. He is here on a one year term an is assigned to MEFI. Initially he will principally be involved in language learning. Obviously he needs lots of prayer as he gets used to the country, the ministry and our crazy bunch of missionaries. Pray too for our wisdom as we involve him in MEFI and integrate him into the team.
Social Ministry Centre update
We are almost decided on the plans for the remodeling of the whole centre. We need to keep moving on this as there are teams lined up to come and we need to have work for them to do. The great thing is that we are using the help of Alex, Paty and Fidel and asking what they want. So it's not our baby. This centre needs to be owned by Mexicans. They are involved in the planning and will be involved in the construction and the running of it.
May God be glorified.
Car update
Andrew finally got a call today to say that the plates had been changed on the car and that they had another option for him at the garage as well. Excitedly he went to pick it up after language school hoping to surprise me.
The other option was presented first - a older focus for not a very good price. Easily rejected.
He was then taken over to 'our car'. He looked at the 'new' plate and thought, "that's not our car!" He looked inside the boot (trunk) and saw scratches which he hadn't seen before and looking inside he saw a cigarette burn which definitely hadn't been there before. He explained that it wasn't the car he had bought and he was assured that it was. Insisting that it wasn't he asked for his money back. Again he was assured that it was our car.
Eventually he was taken into the office where they admitted that they didn't have all the necessary papers to change the plates on the car we had bought and so it couldn't be done.
So now we're back to square one (where that car is concerned). We have no fancy courtesy car and have to start looking again. Please pray that we find the right one soon. God is good and His timing is perfect!
The other option was presented first - a older focus for not a very good price. Easily rejected.
He was then taken over to 'our car'. He looked at the 'new' plate and thought, "that's not our car!" He looked inside the boot (trunk) and saw scratches which he hadn't seen before and looking inside he saw a cigarette burn which definitely hadn't been there before. He explained that it wasn't the car he had bought and he was assured that it was. Insisting that it wasn't he asked for his money back. Again he was assured that it was our car.
Eventually he was taken into the office where they admitted that they didn't have all the necessary papers to change the plates on the car we had bought and so it couldn't be done.
So now we're back to square one (where that car is concerned). We have no fancy courtesy car and have to start looking again. Please pray that we find the right one soon. God is good and His timing is perfect!
In a city of more than 30 million!
After language school on Wednesday Andrew went to the Social Ministry Centre to meet Alex and Paty from where they went into the centre of town. He was dropped off nearby and had to walk a little to get there. On his way he bumped into the girl mentioned in the last post.
She burst into tears and told him she was so ashamed. She had let us down as well as herself. She didn't want to go back to the Centre or to rehab because she feels so low. Andrew was able to explain to her that God loves her and so do we and that no one is judging her for what happened. He also assured her that we will run to her with open arms as soon as she wants us to.
Please continue to pray that God will win the victory in her life.
She burst into tears and told him she was so ashamed. She had let us down as well as herself. She didn't want to go back to the Centre or to rehab because she feels so low. Andrew was able to explain to her that God loves her and so do we and that no one is judging her for what happened. He also assured her that we will run to her with open arms as soon as she wants us to.
Please continue to pray that God will win the victory in her life.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Proud Parents and a Lesson
What a joy it was yesterday to watch Tabitha take her very first steps herself. Because of a national holiday Andrew didn't have to go to language school and as a result we both were present to experience the wonderful event. For several days she has been able to stand for short periods (as long as she wasn't aware of what was happening, at which point she would sit down). What is our reaction? We want her to do it again and again and so throughout the day at various points we encourage her, sitting close by, to repeat the exercise. As time goes by I imagine we will be able to move further and further away until she no longer needs our encouragement and support, she will just take off by herself...
In the post 'A visit to a rehab centre' we mentioned a girl who had been off the streets for five months. She talked about the temptation to return and how one night spent there could undo the months of hard work. We were so encouraged by her maturity...
But we got bad news on Sunday. She had returned to the streets and was drugging up again.
They stand a bit and then they may even take their first steps but the possibility of falling is very high. So what do we do? We're disappointed yes, but we stand close by and hold out our hands of support and encouragement. That's our part of the deal, we pray and hope and wait for them to get up again. As time goes by we'll maybe be able to stand further back and hopefully eventually they'll just take off, integrated into a local church and into their community.
This girl is getting back up. She is so remorseful and tomorrow Alex and Paty are going back to take her back to the rehab centre. What we need to do (and we'd appreciate your prayers) is find some work that she can do when she is ready. It will be simple work, she is suffering the consequences of long term drug use, but hopefully it will be something that gives her enough money to rent a place to live and give her purpose. Alex and Paty feel she accepted Christ in the rehab centre. Pray with us as we stand by this baby Christian and others until we see them 'take off!'
In the post 'A visit to a rehab centre' we mentioned a girl who had been off the streets for five months. She talked about the temptation to return and how one night spent there could undo the months of hard work. We were so encouraged by her maturity...
But we got bad news on Sunday. She had returned to the streets and was drugging up again.
They stand a bit and then they may even take their first steps but the possibility of falling is very high. So what do we do? We're disappointed yes, but we stand close by and hold out our hands of support and encouragement. That's our part of the deal, we pray and hope and wait for them to get up again. As time goes by we'll maybe be able to stand further back and hopefully eventually they'll just take off, integrated into a local church and into their community.
This girl is getting back up. She is so remorseful and tomorrow Alex and Paty are going back to take her back to the rehab centre. What we need to do (and we'd appreciate your prayers) is find some work that she can do when she is ready. It will be simple work, she is suffering the consequences of long term drug use, but hopefully it will be something that gives her enough money to rent a place to live and give her purpose. Alex and Paty feel she accepted Christ in the rehab centre. Pray with us as we stand by this baby Christian and others until we see them 'take off!'
Monday, March 19, 2007
A LONG day!
Yesterday was long but good. It was Mother's Day back at home (not here - it's celebrated in May here) so we started the day by calling home (though Andrew's parents were still travelling back from holidays). What a wonderful thing Skype is. We can see each other on our computers as we talk and it's free!
We left the house just after 9am for church. We got back just after 3 and went straight into another Skype call with Helen and Steve in England. They are still very involved in the ministry and were catching up on all that has been happening.
Just as we finished the call with them Alex and Paty arrived. We talked loads (of course!) and ate together.
They left about 1/2 an hour before Robin + Bebe arrived (our field treasurers). We have some things that need finalised before they leave in a couple of weeks.
Before they left Esther (church planting missionary) texted to see if she could come over to pick something up. We said of course...
...and just after 11pm it was back to just us!
What a blessing to have a home to entertain people and to be surrounded by so many wonderful folk. For Christian workers Sunday can be the busiest day of the week but we are encouraged that we are beginning to connect with some people in La Loma. One of the young mums in the church is going to cut my (Carol's) hair this week and Andrew has also connected with a young family who are new to the church. Please keep praying for the development of our relationships with people there.
We left the house just after 9am for church. We got back just after 3 and went straight into another Skype call with Helen and Steve in England. They are still very involved in the ministry and were catching up on all that has been happening.
Just as we finished the call with them Alex and Paty arrived. We talked loads (of course!) and ate together.
They left about 1/2 an hour before Robin + Bebe arrived (our field treasurers). We have some things that need finalised before they leave in a couple of weeks.
Before they left Esther (church planting missionary) texted to see if she could come over to pick something up. We said of course...
...and just after 11pm it was back to just us!
What a blessing to have a home to entertain people and to be surrounded by so many wonderful folk. For Christian workers Sunday can be the busiest day of the week but we are encouraged that we are beginning to connect with some people in La Loma. One of the young mums in the church is going to cut my (Carol's) hair this week and Andrew has also connected with a young family who are new to the church. Please keep praying for the development of our relationships with people there.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Teach?
Miguel and Guille were over for tea last night. We talked a little about our involvement in the La Loma church (Miguel is the pastor). For now he has asked Andrew to consider taking the adolescent Sunday school class. We are praying about other ways that we will be involved as well.
We have said how delighted we are to be assigned to the La Loma church. It was encouraging to hear that Miguel and Guille are equally as happy. They have told us to be open with suggestions and observations (we have told them to return that favour!). Praise God for such a good start and pray that we will be a help and an encouragement. The La Loma church is recovering from a split that happened just over a year ago. It has grown from about 30 people to over 100 in that time. Please pray for continued healing and that UNIFAM La Loma will shine out like a beacon in a very needy part of the city.
We have said how delighted we are to be assigned to the La Loma church. It was encouraging to hear that Miguel and Guille are equally as happy. They have told us to be open with suggestions and observations (we have told them to return that favour!). Praise God for such a good start and pray that we will be a help and an encouragement. The La Loma church is recovering from a split that happened just over a year ago. It has grown from about 30 people to over 100 in that time. Please pray for continued healing and that UNIFAM La Loma will shine out like a beacon in a very needy part of the city.
A trip to the dentist
I (Carol) had a dentist appointment today. Last week part of my tooth fell out (it was a root canal). The dentist at home had fixed it up before we left (for free!!) but said that it was fragile.
The long and short of it is that I now need a crown. The treatment was started today and will require another 4 sessions. The most worrying part of it all is the cost. It will finish up at about £350. We miss the NHS!
The good thing is that I am very confident in the dentist and so far there has been no pain - there is no nerve in the tooth!
Please keep praying for our health. Not just ours, but that of the whole team here. Several have pending surgery.
The long and short of it is that I now need a crown. The treatment was started today and will require another 4 sessions. The most worrying part of it all is the cost. It will finish up at about £350. We miss the NHS!
The good thing is that I am very confident in the dentist and so far there has been no pain - there is no nerve in the tooth!
Please keep praying for our health. Not just ours, but that of the whole team here. Several have pending surgery.
They've arrived
For the past two or three days (and several other random days before) we were promised the shipment from N.Ireland would be delivered. Well it finally arrived so we excitedly unpacked books, sermon tapes, clothes, toys for Tabitha etc. It was also exciting to unpack some food favourites - H.P sauce, Angel Delight, vegetable stock cubes (it's not at all common here!)...
It was all safe, just one small breakage (the glass front on a little clock). We're so relieved. Praise God!!
It was all safe, just one small breakage (the glass front on a little clock). We're so relieved. Praise God!!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
MEFI Team
We are beginning to meet weekly with the MEFI team. Andrew will meet separately with Alex and Fidel and I hope to meet up with Paty.
Please pray for unity in the team and a shared vision. We are encouraged at the things the team have been learning and feel privileged to be working alongside them. This is not an easy work at times. Pray for us as we move forward with plans for the drop-in centre, the street work and give pastoral care to our team.
Please pray for unity in the team and a shared vision. We are encouraged at the things the team have been learning and feel privileged to be working alongside them. This is not an easy work at times. Pray for us as we move forward with plans for the drop-in centre, the street work and give pastoral care to our team.
Our ministry van
Praise God! We have our ministry van. Once again we are convinced that it is God's provision. It stood out a mile for its low price (which the mechanic we took to check it over managed to reduce further!) and the number of people it can hold. We were a little anxious when the bank left a zero off the receipt when we put the cheque in and then told us it would take 2 weeks to resolve the situation but Robin Dugdale, our wonderful field treasurer, went to the bank with Andrew and got it sorted out sooner! We're still waiting for the little family car that was to be ready last Wednesday but Andrew is quite happy in the courtesy car.
Wisdom needed!
As we listen to stories from street kids and the MEFI team we are aware and concerned about dependence i.e. financial dependence on the ministry. Most kids want to get off the streets but there are those who will work hard and there are those who want to see what they can get from others first. One family for example have left the streets and are attending the Santa Monica church (Praise God!). Each Sunday they ask around church members for money. It's hard to say no but the reality is that Alex and Paty have a good understanding of their situation and are convinced that they have enough to live on. Last week they ran out of money...but it turns out they spent most of their money on something they didn't need! There are days the husband doesn't turn up for work (so he doesn't get paid) and those are the weeks that the family expects MEFI will make up the difference.
We love these kids. We are excited that they are attending church and we want to help them. But we need to help them to help themselves. Please pray for wisdom and that we can be firm and loving at the same time. Pray for Alex and Paty and for us as we meet with this family and try to help them. Pray as I plan to meet up with the mother (22 years old), that I will be able to connect and help this girl. Pray for their understanding and maturity. The danger is that we lose them if they don't get what they want but we do want to help them with what they need. Pray for wisdom as we manage the situation of each kid who is trying to leave the streets.
We love these kids. We are excited that they are attending church and we want to help them. But we need to help them to help themselves. Please pray for wisdom and that we can be firm and loving at the same time. Pray for Alex and Paty and for us as we meet with this family and try to help them. Pray as I plan to meet up with the mother (22 years old), that I will be able to connect and help this girl. Pray for their understanding and maturity. The danger is that we lose them if they don't get what they want but we do want to help them with what they need. Pray for wisdom as we manage the situation of each kid who is trying to leave the streets.
Tea Time
Yesterday the missionary ladies were all invited to a special tea (in the morning!) at Margaret and Robin's house. The occasion? A visit from Sue Smith who, along with Lori Long, is developing Women's ministries within OMS. Margaret served her very best china and home-baked scones and we enjoyed great fellowship and words of encouragement from Sue (who served in Ecuador for 18 years). Three couldn't make it - we left them some scones!
Friday, March 09, 2007
Our missionary family
Yesterday our weekly team meeting was a little different. We had a barbeque at our house! We were celebrating a birthday on the team, 24 years of service with OMS for another team member and the Lord's provision of a house for us. Fine cause to celebrate!
What a joy to be able to be together (in our house) in such happy circumstances. Praise God - we have a great team here!
What a joy to be able to be together (in our house) in such happy circumstances. Praise God - we have a great team here!
A visit to a rehab centre
Because of the way Andrew's Spanish classes are working out (i.e. only being taught on Thursday this week) he was able to go with Alex and Paty to a rehab centre this Tuesday. It is a Christian establishment and Andrew was really impressed with the set up. He has an open invitation to go and chat with the director (who has asked him to go and preach to the kids there!).
The purpose of the visit was to see some of the kids that Alex and Paty have been involved with. Andrew counted 8 'pieces of definite fruit' as a result of their work over the year.
One of the kids is a girl who on one occasion that we visited her group (last year) was involved in a fight with another girl (probably over drugs). It was quite a vicious fight into which we intervened. Later, on a different visit, she asked me why we visited them, explaining that most people are afraid of street kids.
She has now spent 5 months in the rehab centre and has earned respect there. She has some simple work and is determined to stay off the streets. She explained to Andrew that the pull of the drug is strong when she returns to her group and that if she were to spend one night there it would undo all the hard work over the last 5 months. She is very strong in urging her friends to leave the streets too though.
This is another reminder of how we need to pray (perhaps even harder) once these kids manage to get of the streets. The decision to leave is the easy part, the action of leaving is very tough but the strength to stay off is superhuman (and that is where our prayers are needed). These kids need support. They need friends to be around them and stand by them as they make the transition and at this stage those friends are the MEFI team. Alex and Paty have been doing a great job in that. It is time consuming to fill that role but to God be the glory for the kids whose lives are being rescued. One day they will thank us and you for our love and prayers.
The purpose of the visit was to see some of the kids that Alex and Paty have been involved with. Andrew counted 8 'pieces of definite fruit' as a result of their work over the year.
One of the kids is a girl who on one occasion that we visited her group (last year) was involved in a fight with another girl (probably over drugs). It was quite a vicious fight into which we intervened. Later, on a different visit, she asked me why we visited them, explaining that most people are afraid of street kids.
She has now spent 5 months in the rehab centre and has earned respect there. She has some simple work and is determined to stay off the streets. She explained to Andrew that the pull of the drug is strong when she returns to her group and that if she were to spend one night there it would undo all the hard work over the last 5 months. She is very strong in urging her friends to leave the streets too though.
This is another reminder of how we need to pray (perhaps even harder) once these kids manage to get of the streets. The decision to leave is the easy part, the action of leaving is very tough but the strength to stay off is superhuman (and that is where our prayers are needed). These kids need support. They need friends to be around them and stand by them as they make the transition and at this stage those friends are the MEFI team. Alex and Paty have been doing a great job in that. It is time consuming to fill that role but to God be the glory for the kids whose lives are being rescued. One day they will thank us and you for our love and prayers.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Sick Day
On Sunday morning Tabitha woke as normal but she was off form. She fell asleep before too long in our bed. Her temperature was normal but it wasn't too long before we knew by the smell of her nappy (diaper) that she likely had picked up a tummy bug (mummy and Miss Robin were off form last week!).
When she woke up she was very lethargic so she stayed home from church with mummy. Kind Mr Christian and Mrs Robin brought by some re-hydration fluid for babies and kind Tia Margaret and Tia Robin were on hand to offer advice and called to visit after church.
After lots of sleep and fluids Tabitha was in much better form and was even up for a visit from Fidel and Juana. Here she is enjoying a snack with Juana and back to her normal happy and cheery self. Please keep praying for our health as we settle into the new environment here.
When she woke up she was very lethargic so she stayed home from church with mummy. Kind Mr Christian and Mrs Robin brought by some re-hydration fluid for babies and kind Tia Margaret and Tia Robin were on hand to offer advice and called to visit after church.
After lots of sleep and fluids Tabitha was in much better form and was even up for a visit from Fidel and Juana. Here she is enjoying a snack with Juana and back to her normal happy and cheery self. Please keep praying for our health as we settle into the new environment here.
Language Classes
Andrew went yesterday with Christian MacKinnon to the centre of town (about 2 hours in the car) to sit an exam and start language classes. Turns out the course is the same as the one we took last time only full time rather than 3 mornings a week. So he can complete a level in a month rather than 3 months!
He will have a few private classes to catch up on some of the holes from level 4 (the last level we studied) and then go into level 5. This might mean that he doesn't have to do language study for as long as we thought and I might be able to get by just studying his notes in my own time at home. We'll see how that goes.
He will have a few private classes to catch up on some of the holes from level 4 (the last level we studied) and then go into level 5. This might mean that he doesn't have to do language study for as long as we thought and I might be able to get by just studying his notes in my own time at home. We'll see how that goes.
Shipment Update
Well, we still don't have it. Here's the lesson - don't ship anything here! The guy we mentioned is kindly working on it for us (along with Margaret and Robin) but he has needed one thing after another including a list of what was in it, a signed letter giving him permission to get it for us, copies of our passports and copies of the documentation that says our visas are being processed!
The latest is that we should get it tomorrow...
The latest is that we should get it tomorrow...
Into our house
We are now moved in. We are so blessed - we have a couple of missionaries within walking distance who have been an amazing help (they are called Margaret and Robin). The house is wonderful and everything is coming together. We were given a fridge but it wasn't working so we've had people kindly feeding us. It's amazing how necessary a fridge is! Anyway, we had a very nice man come round and fix it this morning so I'll soon be off to the supermarket.
Pray that our home will be a haven for many and that people will find themselves encouraged and uplifted as a result of having spent time there.
Tabitha helps Daddy assemble her bed. Very exciting to have a real bed after 2 months in a travel cot!
Tabitha helps Daddy assemble her bed. Very exciting to have a real bed after 2 months in a travel cot!Car update
Nothing is simple! We received a phone call to say that it would take the garage a month and not a couple of days to change the registration plates. Andrew went down to try and sort out the situation and ended up getting a very fancy courtesy car and £200 off the car. They say it should be ready for collection tomorrow...
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