As I am sure most of you know by now, we got home late last night safe and sound into Wilmington. One of the CCHS coaches picked us up and delivered us all to our respective homes!!
Being back is wonderful yet difficult all at the same time. I slept wonderfully in my comfortable bed last night but still couldn't help but think of the many we came across in Guyana that will not be afforded that opportunity.
I miss it. alot. I hope and pray that one day my dream comes true, and I will be allowed the glorious opportunity to live in Guyana. It was a little easier leaving knowing that the God who holds the universe and holds me so close is holding each and every one of those precious children in Guyana tonight!!
Thanks to everyone who was praying for us and most certainly prayed us home. Our trip was so successful, without a doubt, because of each and every one of you.
Until next year!!
Lauren
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Day 6: Joshua House
"Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes."
-David Platt
This quote is definitely one that is hitting home right about now. It is our last day in Guyana, and we spent a majority of it at Joshua House. The kids at Joshua House are different than the ones at Hope Home. Because of the lack of funding and staff, Joshua House children are beyond excited to see us to the point that it is almost scary sometimes. We oftentimes find ourselves holding on to walls or each other to keep from falling down. When we walk in, we are rushed by a sea of smiling faces. Those faces are the orphans, and because we know their names, have seen their faces, and have held them in our arms, they have become unforgettable. Before I went on my first Guyana trip, when I heard the word "orphans" back home whether at church, school, etc, I never had faces come into my mind. Now, when I hear "orphans" I see little Nakise or Paul at Joshua House dancing in their upstairs common area to familiar American songs. I see Reshma, Naresh, or Rolisha at Hope Home holding my hand ever so gently. I see the new 3-month old baby or the 2-year old twins staring back at me from their cribs at the Red Cross orphanage. I see so many more familiar orphans from Guyana, and my heart strings are tugged on so much more than ever before because I have realized that the word "orphan" means more than commercials on TV or someone else's experience. They are real and they do exist. More than anything they just need to be loved.
At Joshua House today, we once again made wonderful sock puppets for all of the children to enjoy and even turn into "monsters" to attack us with : ) After the craft, we turned our craft room into a dance floor and danced the day away to some familiar American tunes. Pat and Derrick were especially great dancers!! The children loved to watched them and quickly joined in. Other team members did alot of painting work throughout Joshua House, and Gladys, the owner, was thrilled to see it completed.
Many of us are back at the hotel now. We find that it is easier for the Joshua House children if we leave in separate groups instead of all at one time. We will spend our last night in Guyana at our favorite restaurant, the Brazilian restaurant. SO GOOD!!
We will be heading out tomorrow to make our return to the U.S. Our flight from Guyana leaves before lunch, and we should be in the States around 3 p.m. give or take : ) Please pray for travelling mercies for us and an easy transition for Josh and Tessa as their dad/grandpa will be returning to the U.S. with us.
Thanks for all of the prayers you have said on our behalf while we have been away! Much love to you all : )
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Day 5: Homeless Shelter and Street Feeding
Well our Internet has returned... Barely :)
We have had a very packed day today but a fruitful one at that!! We began our day at Houston Methodist Church and enjoyed a beautiful service there. After church, we were gifted with sponge cake and soda... a much needed and enjoyed refreshment :)
After the service, we made our way to the homeless shelter. There we set up a table and handed out shirts, flip flops, soap, toilet paper, and a bag of other toiletries. They were definitely much appreciated, and we were glad to provide!
We left the shelter and went to the Red Cross orphanage. It was a quick stop. We dropped off baby items and had a chance to hold some of the very tiny babies. They just recently got a new 3-month old baby girl who was absolutely adorable. We left there as enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Oasis. We were even able to get milkshakes :)
We then returned to the hotel to get prepared for the street feeding. We loaded the vans and hit the streets. We went through two huge pots of food today very quickly!! At one point, we stopped for what we thought was just a random stop so a few of us could switch seats. As we got out of the van, a small child who was living in a tony shack saw us and called out an gathered his friends. They all came running across the street to get food and Gatorade, and Andy escorted them back to their homes. What a God thing! We certainly know now that the stop was definitely not just a random event.
We are now all back at the hotel waiting for a wonderful pizza dinner!!
We have had a very packed day today but a fruitful one at that!! We began our day at Houston Methodist Church and enjoyed a beautiful service there. After church, we were gifted with sponge cake and soda... a much needed and enjoyed refreshment :)
After the service, we made our way to the homeless shelter. There we set up a table and handed out shirts, flip flops, soap, toilet paper, and a bag of other toiletries. They were definitely much appreciated, and we were glad to provide!
We left the shelter and went to the Red Cross orphanage. It was a quick stop. We dropped off baby items and had a chance to hold some of the very tiny babies. They just recently got a new 3-month old baby girl who was absolutely adorable. We left there as enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Oasis. We were even able to get milkshakes :)
We then returned to the hotel to get prepared for the street feeding. We loaded the vans and hit the streets. We went through two huge pots of food today very quickly!! At one point, we stopped for what we thought was just a random stop so a few of us could switch seats. As we got out of the van, a small child who was living in a tony shack saw us and called out an gathered his friends. They all came running across the street to get food and Gatorade, and Andy escorted them back to their homes. What a God thing! We certainly know now that the stop was definitely not just a random event.
We are now all back at the hotel waiting for a wonderful pizza dinner!!
Internet Down
Hello everyone!
A wreck in the city caused a downed powerline which was the source of our Internet at the hotel. We have been told not to expect Internet back while we are here. I am at an Internet cafe now :) If Internet does return, I will gladly do blog updates. If it does not return, I will catch everyone up between flights when we return to the States.
We have had a great day today already. We have been to church, gone to a center for the homeless to pass out shoes,shirts, and toiletries, and have also stopped by the Red Cross orphanage for a visit. We are at lunch now and will be doing a street feeding this evening!
Thanks for your continued prayers!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Day 4: Joshua House and Phoenix
Today was another wonderful day in Guyana!!
We did our devotional last night so that we could get an extra hour of sleep this morning. It was MUCH needed, and when everyone came down at 9 a.m., we were all refreshed and ready to go. We had breakfast out this morning at Roti Hut, a Guyana favorite.
We then decided that we could wait no longer to go to Joshua House so Mr. Butler agreed to let us stop by for about an hour to see the children. We were greeted with many hellos, smiles, and HUGE hugs. Some of the hugs were so big that we had to hold on to other team members so that we did not end up on the ground : ) It was so great seeing so many of the children that we have watched grow up over the years. They remembered every single one of our names and quickly learned the names of our new team members. Clement commented when we were back in the van that Joshua House was "full of nothing but love" and that while there, he couldn't help but fall in love with the children that he met. We brought a basketball to play with and also enjoyed playing frisbee with the children and playing on the swingset that was built for them a few years back. The children also love with Miles "heists" (throws) them into the air and when I turned around I noticed a line of kids ready for their turn. Michael came down from upstairs in the orphanage to tell us that the boys had decided they wanted to wrestle him : ) He was a bit outnumbered! We are anxiously awaiting our return to Joshua House on Monday!!
After leaving Joshua House, we went to Phoenix which is an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We went to bring them flip flops and other collected donations and to hear many of their stories. We were moved by what many of them had to say. Over and over again we heard tales of how much they all had and how now they were starting over because they had lost all of it because of their addictions. Derrick, a member of our team that was born in Guyana, shared his personal story. He spent many years living as a "junkie" on the street and through the help of Phoenix has now been clean for over 13 years and is living an exciting and productive life with his wife in the United States. Many members of Phoenix were definitely moved while listening to what Derrick had to say. We also got a special treat at Phoenix! A few of the members were taking care of two tiny puppies and a kitten that at been born there, and they allowed us to pass them around : )
We enjoyed a lovely lunch at Popeye's in the city and then spent the next few hours shopping at various stores and the open air market. We will leave later to head out to a location near the beach to celebrate Josh (Derrick's grandson)'s 10th birthday party. We are very exciting and so is he!!
Thanks again for all of your thoughts, prayers, and comments!! They mean so much to us : ) Pictures are below from the day:
We did our devotional last night so that we could get an extra hour of sleep this morning. It was MUCH needed, and when everyone came down at 9 a.m., we were all refreshed and ready to go. We had breakfast out this morning at Roti Hut, a Guyana favorite.
We then decided that we could wait no longer to go to Joshua House so Mr. Butler agreed to let us stop by for about an hour to see the children. We were greeted with many hellos, smiles, and HUGE hugs. Some of the hugs were so big that we had to hold on to other team members so that we did not end up on the ground : ) It was so great seeing so many of the children that we have watched grow up over the years. They remembered every single one of our names and quickly learned the names of our new team members. Clement commented when we were back in the van that Joshua House was "full of nothing but love" and that while there, he couldn't help but fall in love with the children that he met. We brought a basketball to play with and also enjoyed playing frisbee with the children and playing on the swingset that was built for them a few years back. The children also love with Miles "heists" (throws) them into the air and when I turned around I noticed a line of kids ready for their turn. Michael came down from upstairs in the orphanage to tell us that the boys had decided they wanted to wrestle him : ) He was a bit outnumbered! We are anxiously awaiting our return to Joshua House on Monday!!
After leaving Joshua House, we went to Phoenix which is an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We went to bring them flip flops and other collected donations and to hear many of their stories. We were moved by what many of them had to say. Over and over again we heard tales of how much they all had and how now they were starting over because they had lost all of it because of their addictions. Derrick, a member of our team that was born in Guyana, shared his personal story. He spent many years living as a "junkie" on the street and through the help of Phoenix has now been clean for over 13 years and is living an exciting and productive life with his wife in the United States. Many members of Phoenix were definitely moved while listening to what Derrick had to say. We also got a special treat at Phoenix! A few of the members were taking care of two tiny puppies and a kitten that at been born there, and they allowed us to pass them around : )
We enjoyed a lovely lunch at Popeye's in the city and then spent the next few hours shopping at various stores and the open air market. We will leave later to head out to a location near the beach to celebrate Josh (Derrick's grandson)'s 10th birthday party. We are very exciting and so is he!!
Thanks again for all of your thoughts, prayers, and comments!! They mean so much to us : ) Pictures are below from the day:
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| Miles getting loved by the children! |
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| Swinging! |
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| Some more Joshua House kids! |
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| One of the Phoenix puppies (I can't get these to rotate... sorry :) ) |
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| Katy and the Phoenix kitten! |
Friday, July 13, 2012
Day 3: Plastic City
Today was yet again another incredible day in Guyana!
After breakfast and a meeting with Angie (a missionary from NC that works in Plastic City), we boarded our van to spend the day there. Clement, Katy, and Gina went back to Hope Home today to finish painting and plumbing work!!
Plastic City was an incredible and extremely eye-opening experience. It was a new place for all of us so much of our time there was truly taking in the community. PC is different than any other place I have ever been in Guyana. The homes are built out of some wood and other materials that builders have available to them. The structures are not necessarily "sound" but serve their purpose as a home for many families.
It started pouring as we made our way to the other side of the canal within PC. The bridge to cross over is nothing more than pieces of wood, worn from many feet crossing, overlapped to form a kind of foot bridge. In the rain, it definitely a scary experience but definitely one that I am sure we will all remember. Our first project was to clean and re-paint chalk boards that the teachers use for their daily lessons. The children loved helping us with that, and it provided much needed shelter from the heavy rain we experienced today. Angie took Pat, Miles, and I to walk the "jetty" and to invite those that live on it to come to a community health fair she will hold next week. The jetty is a small stone walkway (you can fit about two small people side by side) that leads from the main area of PC out to the ocean. The homes along it are built high on stilts because the houses are literally in the water. When we made it all the way to the ocean, we saw many happy faces, some sitting on the tiny walkway talking and others swimming.
After we got back to where everyone else was, Angie brought us our lunch that had been cooked by a local. It was by far the BEST meal we have had while in Guyana. We were served chicken curry, raisin rice, a spicy pasta salad, all kinds of fruit, and homemade passion fruit juice. These foods are your typical Guyanese meal, and it was beyond delicious!!
After lunch, we loaded back in our van and headed down the road to a primary school where a community vacation Bible school was being held this week. Each team member was given a certain age group to work with, and Miles and Michael attended the teen class. I was assigned to the preschool age group and when it was time for the children to play in the courtyard area at the school, I ended up holding a little baby that was there with his sister. While holding him, I did much observing, and it was so great to see our team at work. I saw Mr. Butler teaching a group of 13 year olds and Mrs. Butler overseeing; I saw Andy making one of the preschoolers laugh hysterically. I saw Miles and Michael engaged in their lesson right in the middle of all of the Guyanese teens. I saw Pat greatly enjoying her group of girls and boys. Everyone had a place, and everyone was truly doing what God had called them to do on the trip.
We said our goodbyes and headed back to the hotel. We will be going to a wonderful Chinese restaurant tonight as a team!!
Thanks for your continued prayers and support : )
Left to Right: Mr. Butler, Mrs. Butler, Pat, Clement G., Michael, Miles, Andy, and me
After breakfast and a meeting with Angie (a missionary from NC that works in Plastic City), we boarded our van to spend the day there. Clement, Katy, and Gina went back to Hope Home today to finish painting and plumbing work!!
Plastic City was an incredible and extremely eye-opening experience. It was a new place for all of us so much of our time there was truly taking in the community. PC is different than any other place I have ever been in Guyana. The homes are built out of some wood and other materials that builders have available to them. The structures are not necessarily "sound" but serve their purpose as a home for many families.
It started pouring as we made our way to the other side of the canal within PC. The bridge to cross over is nothing more than pieces of wood, worn from many feet crossing, overlapped to form a kind of foot bridge. In the rain, it definitely a scary experience but definitely one that I am sure we will all remember. Our first project was to clean and re-paint chalk boards that the teachers use for their daily lessons. The children loved helping us with that, and it provided much needed shelter from the heavy rain we experienced today. Angie took Pat, Miles, and I to walk the "jetty" and to invite those that live on it to come to a community health fair she will hold next week. The jetty is a small stone walkway (you can fit about two small people side by side) that leads from the main area of PC out to the ocean. The homes along it are built high on stilts because the houses are literally in the water. When we made it all the way to the ocean, we saw many happy faces, some sitting on the tiny walkway talking and others swimming.
After we got back to where everyone else was, Angie brought us our lunch that had been cooked by a local. It was by far the BEST meal we have had while in Guyana. We were served chicken curry, raisin rice, a spicy pasta salad, all kinds of fruit, and homemade passion fruit juice. These foods are your typical Guyanese meal, and it was beyond delicious!!
After lunch, we loaded back in our van and headed down the road to a primary school where a community vacation Bible school was being held this week. Each team member was given a certain age group to work with, and Miles and Michael attended the teen class. I was assigned to the preschool age group and when it was time for the children to play in the courtyard area at the school, I ended up holding a little baby that was there with his sister. While holding him, I did much observing, and it was so great to see our team at work. I saw Mr. Butler teaching a group of 13 year olds and Mrs. Butler overseeing; I saw Andy making one of the preschoolers laugh hysterically. I saw Miles and Michael engaged in their lesson right in the middle of all of the Guyanese teens. I saw Pat greatly enjoying her group of girls and boys. Everyone had a place, and everyone was truly doing what God had called them to do on the trip.
We said our goodbyes and headed back to the hotel. We will be going to a wonderful Chinese restaurant tonight as a team!!
Thanks for your continued prayers and support : )
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| Reviewing the lesson for the day before on the solar system! |
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| Miles and I with our new friend Safraz in front of a nicer PC home! |
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| Team picture (minus Gina, Katy, and Clement B. who were at Hope Home) |
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Day 2! Hope Home and Feeding Program
Today was yet another very successful day in Guyana!!
After devotions and breakfast, we stopped by Ruimveldt Children's Home. We had clothes and medicine to drop off, and we wanted to see the children! We were blessed beyond measure by the kids. After holding them, talking to the bigger ones, and touring the orphanage (which might I add was beautifully cleaned by the ladies who work there), the children began to sing for us and we joined it. It was an absolutely wonderful time of praise to our God who has carried us throughout this entire trip so far and will continue to!! We said our goodbyes and made our way to Hope Home for our last day there.
We arrived at Hope a little before lunch and began the same jobs we held yesterday. Today, we had another team from Texas join us at Hope as well. More hands are always a great thing!! We finished sock puppets and helped the other team do their craft project as well. We also brought out some drawing paper, markers and crayons which were a huge hit! I have lots of new pictures to hang in my dorm room back home : ) Unfortunately, the goodbye was inevitable and when it came, we made sure to give lots of hugs and reassured many sad eyes that God-willing, we will be back next year.
After leaving Hope, we quickly made our way back into the city, picked up the food, and headed onto the streets to feed the homeless men, women, and children. Feeding the homeless is always such a moving experience for everyone involved. Just a cool story... we were given two HUGE pots of food to feed the people with and, at first, were having a hard time giving it away. We started asking Derrick if there was anyway we could save it until we made it to another feeding on Sunday. He instantly told us to stop worrying and that God always provides for His people. About that time, we pulled up to our last stop with an entire pot of food left. We opened the door to feed what we thought was going to be about five or ten people and instead, a gigantic line grew. In one single stop, we gave away the ENTIRE pot of food that before had.+taken us the entire afternoon of feeding to get rid of. God certainly had His hand in that experience.
Tomorrow, we will be making our way to Plastic City which will be a first for all of us. We are anxiously awaiting what God has in store for us there, and the many new people that will forever become part of our hearts and lives.
Once again, thank you all so much for the thoughts and prayers that our continued to be said on our behalf.
Here are a few pictures from the day!
After devotions and breakfast, we stopped by Ruimveldt Children's Home. We had clothes and medicine to drop off, and we wanted to see the children! We were blessed beyond measure by the kids. After holding them, talking to the bigger ones, and touring the orphanage (which might I add was beautifully cleaned by the ladies who work there), the children began to sing for us and we joined it. It was an absolutely wonderful time of praise to our God who has carried us throughout this entire trip so far and will continue to!! We said our goodbyes and made our way to Hope Home for our last day there.
We arrived at Hope a little before lunch and began the same jobs we held yesterday. Today, we had another team from Texas join us at Hope as well. More hands are always a great thing!! We finished sock puppets and helped the other team do their craft project as well. We also brought out some drawing paper, markers and crayons which were a huge hit! I have lots of new pictures to hang in my dorm room back home : ) Unfortunately, the goodbye was inevitable and when it came, we made sure to give lots of hugs and reassured many sad eyes that God-willing, we will be back next year.
After leaving Hope, we quickly made our way back into the city, picked up the food, and headed onto the streets to feed the homeless men, women, and children. Feeding the homeless is always such a moving experience for everyone involved. Just a cool story... we were given two HUGE pots of food to feed the people with and, at first, were having a hard time giving it away. We started asking Derrick if there was anyway we could save it until we made it to another feeding on Sunday. He instantly told us to stop worrying and that God always provides for His people. About that time, we pulled up to our last stop with an entire pot of food left. We opened the door to feed what we thought was going to be about five or ten people and instead, a gigantic line grew. In one single stop, we gave away the ENTIRE pot of food that before had.+taken us the entire afternoon of feeding to get rid of. God certainly had His hand in that experience.
Tomorrow, we will be making our way to Plastic City which will be a first for all of us. We are anxiously awaiting what God has in store for us there, and the many new people that will forever become part of our hearts and lives.
Once again, thank you all so much for the thoughts and prayers that our continued to be said on our behalf.
Here are a few pictures from the day!
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| Some of the finished sock puppets! |
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| Two of the children enjoying some ice cream!! |
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| Reshma and I! |
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Day 1: Hope Home!!
Hello everyone!!
Today has been a day filled with much excitement, fun, and hard work. We left early to head to Hope Home, an orphanage about an hour from where we are staying, and were greeted by all of the little ones we love so dearly!!
Tasks were quickly assigned and to work we went! Katy painted a mural with Gina helping entertain the children who wanted to help. Derrick, Mr. Butler, Michael, Miles, and Andy all worked on painting a gazebo. Mrs. Butler, Pat, and I spent the afternoon helping groups of children make sock puppets for the skit they will be performing tomorrow. Clement is doing desperately needed plumbing work at the orphanage. Everyone found something they love to do and did it well!!
The children at Hope are, once again, so inspiring. Their laughter is contagious and their gentle spirit is something to wish for. Personally, they have shown me all that life has to offer because even in a less-than-ideal situation, they know how to love deeply and truly embrace life in a way that I have not even grasped yet. It's amazing who God can use to work wonders in one's life.
We will be heading out shortly for dinner at the Roti Hut (SO GOOD!!) and then attending a Wednesday night service at a church of an old friend. Thanks for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers!
Today has been a day filled with much excitement, fun, and hard work. We left early to head to Hope Home, an orphanage about an hour from where we are staying, and were greeted by all of the little ones we love so dearly!!
Tasks were quickly assigned and to work we went! Katy painted a mural with Gina helping entertain the children who wanted to help. Derrick, Mr. Butler, Michael, Miles, and Andy all worked on painting a gazebo. Mrs. Butler, Pat, and I spent the afternoon helping groups of children make sock puppets for the skit they will be performing tomorrow. Clement is doing desperately needed plumbing work at the orphanage. Everyone found something they love to do and did it well!!
The children at Hope are, once again, so inspiring. Their laughter is contagious and their gentle spirit is something to wish for. Personally, they have shown me all that life has to offer because even in a less-than-ideal situation, they know how to love deeply and truly embrace life in a way that I have not even grasped yet. It's amazing who God can use to work wonders in one's life.
We will be heading out shortly for dinner at the Roti Hut (SO GOOD!!) and then attending a Wednesday night service at a church of an old friend. Thanks for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers!
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| Pat and Gina on the way to Hope! |
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| Making sock puppets! |
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| Lunch break! |
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| Joel |
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| More sock puppets!! |
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Safely in Guyana!
Just a quick update for everyone back home...
Our day of traveling began bright and early this morning! Our wonderful driver, Karl, delivered the team to the Wilmington airport safe and sound, and there we met up with Pat and Gina. After checking all 16 foot lockers of donations in as well as our own personal luggage, we boarded our first plane to Atlanta, spent a little time in the ATL airport and then flew to Miami. Thankfully, Delta agreed to check our bags all the way to Guyana even though we were taking two different airlines. Praise God! (We learned last year that lugging that many foot lockers is no fun :))
After our last American meal at Chili's, we boarded our last and longest flight to Guyana. We landed and had the easiest time we have ever had going through customs. The Ministry of Health escorted us through!! We have greeted all of our old Guyana friends, unpacked, and are heading to bed!!
Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers!
Our day of traveling began bright and early this morning! Our wonderful driver, Karl, delivered the team to the Wilmington airport safe and sound, and there we met up with Pat and Gina. After checking all 16 foot lockers of donations in as well as our own personal luggage, we boarded our first plane to Atlanta, spent a little time in the ATL airport and then flew to Miami. Thankfully, Delta agreed to check our bags all the way to Guyana even though we were taking two different airlines. Praise God! (We learned last year that lugging that many foot lockers is no fun :))
After our last American meal at Chili's, we boarded our last and longest flight to Guyana. We landed and had the easiest time we have ever had going through customs. The Ministry of Health escorted us through!! We have greeted all of our old Guyana friends, unpacked, and are heading to bed!!
Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
One Last Guyana Meeting!!
Last night, the 2012 Guyana team had their final meeting. We met at Pine Valley UMC and began packing. Three hours later, all of the lovely donations from so many people made their way into foot lockers that we will be delivering to various orphanages. We received all kinds of children's clothes and shoes as well as adult-sized flip flops that we will give to the homeless during our street feeding program. We will also be bringing various kinds of children's medicine and toys!
Below are a few pictures from last night's packing meeting:
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| Finished crosses to be given to the homeless of Guyana! |
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| Gina, Pat, and Mr. and Mrs. Butler sorting through our clothing donations! |
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| Thanks to Hayes Twisdale from NCSU for our T-shirt design this year! |
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| Derrick and Michael packing and weighing boxes of flip flops! |
We were commissioned this morning at PVUMC's Bridge service and are anxiously awaiting what God has in store for each of us as we go to serve Him and His people of Guyana. Please continue to pray that we will have safe travels and a smooth trip through customs once in Guyana. We will be leaving Wilmington around 7 on Tuesday morning and should be in Guyana by 11:30 on Tuesday night.
Thanks so much for your continued prayers and support!!
One last thing: If you would like to leave comments for our team while we are gone, you can do so below (click where it lists the number of comments). We will be able to get them while in Guyana!!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Heading Out!
I'll never forget a quote that my best friend once shared with me a few years back while we were both discussing our hearts for international missions...
"Those who have God and nothing else have no more than those who have God and have everything."
It always helps me put into perspective exactly what we are about to go do. I am not there to fix anyone or anything but simply there to come along the Guyanese people and lavish the love upon them that God has so graciously given to me.
Reading in my Guyana journal tonight, I came across a letter from one of the little girls I have had the pleasure of getting close to there. She told me "No matter how hard things get in life. Keep on trusting in the Lord and He will deliver you." To me, this completely personifies the Guyanese people I have had the pleasure of meeting. She is in one of the worst situations that I could imagine, yet she is encouraging me to look to the Lord. How powerful and moving!
I am anxious to be over in Guyana again... to see my beautiful little orphan friends, to hold some precious little babies, to talk to the homeless men and hopefully learn even more of their stories this year. I hope and pray that God uses me, as well as the whole team, to reach these people.
I also pray that God breaks my heart for the things there that break His. That isn't always an easy prayer, but it is one that has radically changed my life for the best. I have learned that His eyes are FAR different than mine, and His perspective is one that I certainly do not ever want to miss out on: )
I will be doing the team updates each night (and depending on the internet, hopefully some pictures) for friends and family to see!
Thanks for your continued prayers and support. We head out bright and early Tuesday morning and should be in Guyana by Tuesday night!!!
IT IS FINALLY HERE!!
"Those who have God and nothing else have no more than those who have God and have everything."
It always helps me put into perspective exactly what we are about to go do. I am not there to fix anyone or anything but simply there to come along the Guyanese people and lavish the love upon them that God has so graciously given to me.
Reading in my Guyana journal tonight, I came across a letter from one of the little girls I have had the pleasure of getting close to there. She told me "No matter how hard things get in life. Keep on trusting in the Lord and He will deliver you." To me, this completely personifies the Guyanese people I have had the pleasure of meeting. She is in one of the worst situations that I could imagine, yet she is encouraging me to look to the Lord. How powerful and moving!
I am anxious to be over in Guyana again... to see my beautiful little orphan friends, to hold some precious little babies, to talk to the homeless men and hopefully learn even more of their stories this year. I hope and pray that God uses me, as well as the whole team, to reach these people.
I also pray that God breaks my heart for the things there that break His. That isn't always an easy prayer, but it is one that has radically changed my life for the best. I have learned that His eyes are FAR different than mine, and His perspective is one that I certainly do not ever want to miss out on: )
I will be doing the team updates each night (and depending on the internet, hopefully some pictures) for friends and family to see!
Thanks for your continued prayers and support. We head out bright and early Tuesday morning and should be in Guyana by Tuesday night!!!
IT IS FINALLY HERE!!
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