Posted: May 22, 2012
The first 4 MIS teams are out. One team has returned. Numerous individuals are leaving throughout May. Please pray for the teams and individuals serving in missions this summer.
Haiti (returned 5/12)
Read their blog. Here is a short excerpt:
"This week, we have had the great privilege of serving alongside a group of Haitian men. We have been building a bridge so that the Haitians who attend the church will not have to hike through the deep water and mud in order to get to church while in their nice church clothes. Today, we mixed cement and poured it to set the foundation for the bridge. Hopefully, tomorrow we will finish the bridge. God has revealed himself in SOO... many ways through these men. They work so hard for so long, get paid little, but do all the work with a smile on their faces. They are so determined to get this bridge done that they work from really early in the morning till dinner time with only a short break for lunch. Their determination and perseverance is truly inspiring.
Today, we also had the AMAZING privilege of being able to go to an orphanage with the C-U-T-E-S-T children. The joy these children have is truly incredible. They were born into poor families whose parents would sell them in order to get money. Then, the new families would beat them, use them as household slaves, and even sexually abuse them. It just makes me so sad to know that these children went through those circumstances and that thousands of children in Haiti and all around the world are going through the same slavery. However, the JOY and EXCITEMENT they have for life is INCREDIBLE!! We taught them how to speak in English today by having multiple stations and rewarding them for their hard work with candy and stickers. These children love life and have so much joy in their hearts. I will never forget these children and how happy they were in the midst of their difficult circumstances. We played games like Red Light-Green Light, London Bridge, Ring around the Rosie, and many others. They loved these games and we LOVED playing with them. We also had the opportunity to sing “Amazing Grace” with the children and the refrain says that “my chains are gone, I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me and like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love, amazing grace”. These words fit PERFECTLY with the children and their past. They have been SET FREE by the grace of God and have been given a chance to BE KIDS! They get an opportunity to receive an education, a home, a safe environment, food, a loving family, and an opportunity to learn more and more about JESUS CHRIST!"
Togo
Flights went well, all luggage came in! Team is all focused on a ministry for Christ while in Togo! Now we are set, ready to begin at the hospital and clinics on Monday.
Alaska
Alaska is WONDERFUL! All three of us are having such a good experience up here so far :) The clinic has been steadily busy, but no big traumas or anything yet. I guess it's good that it's not too crazy for our first week here! All the staff have been very kind to include us in the fun...
Amazon
The team is currently in San Antonio, Brazil and they will continue their work and ministry there through Sunday evening. Friday (5/18), the town will have an Iron Man Contest for the high school and college age people. Our team will be involved with that community event and Pastor Rohm thinks a few of them might even compete in some of the events. We might see a few pictures from this when they return back home.
Saturday the team will be involved in two fairs - the first one will be for the younger children and the evening fair will be for the high school/college age people. Pastor Rohm will share an evangelistic message at both of these events.
Sunday morning and evening the team will be involved with church services. Pastor Rohm will be preaching and the team will be sharing testimonies and singing. In the afternoon they will be with the kids and teens. Monday morning will have the team traveling back to the Yoder's home, (house boat). If they get the speed boat, it will be a 5-6 hour trip. If not, it will take about 10 hours.