Photos from Pre-Project Visit

To all The Northern Lights team members and prospective members: don't give up! Information is slow in coming, but it is coming. Doug and Cheryl are leading the church camp-out this weekend. James and I are addressing my medical issues (the first step being surgery tomorrow the 31st).

We feel under attack from Satan and respectfully request your prayer support. Wherever the Lord is at work, Satan will try to be as well. Please lift the project up to the Lord in prayer and seek His will in this endeavor. We need to seek His direction and follow His call. All we do will be for His glory!

I will post some photos today. Additional details about lodging/travel/meals and the participant fees will follow soon.

Thank you for your patience.
Lynda


James and Doug left at 12:30am (AST) from Alaska and arrived in Mexico at 8:30pm (CST).




On the road to Penitas:



Worksite: existing wooden church with newly installed concrete pad to accommodate the One-Day church frame and block siding we will install.




Rolling hills surrounding the church site and the lake where some church members have started a fishing business:





A church family on an early morning milk delivery:





Miscellaneous people photos:

Above are two more photos of the school in the Pastor's town near Penitas.

Our God is an awesome God! He is God of the immense universe and God of the tiny sparrow. His love permeates everything in our world; even our hearts should we let it.

Details matter to God. We matter to God. Matthew 10:29-31 says: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

On Monday the 20th of July, the day James and Doug left for Mexico, I received word that I had an abnormal test result that required a biopsy. Technology here in the U.S. can be a blessing…consistent phone service, reliable e-mail, even networking with fellow believers through Facebook. The hours I could not be in contact with my husband found me in communication with my Father and later with friends and family. Communication with James throughout the week would prove to be a challenge and frustration as he struggled with inconsistent phone and internet service in Mexico.

But I serve a God who cares about the details. He was at work even before I knew there was a need. My Father worked through people as my prayers (and the prayers of family and friends) were breathed through anxious lips. He brought to my attention Exodus 14:14 that states: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." And John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The following day, I received a text from a former co-worker, Kelli. In our conversation, I found that she now worked for a doctor who specialized in the very disease I was being tested for. Can you feel God’s hand in this? I was struck by the providential timing of the contact with Kelli.

Kelli spoke to her provider and they worked me in the schedule. Today I had a biopsy and Kelli, who held my hand during a difficult part of the procedure, assured me she’ll be there for me when the test results come in. Kelli is an angel God placed in my life and I am so grateful to Him (and her!).

I share this with you to show how wonderful our God is. He cares for us deeply as evidenced by His Son dying on the cross for us. He cares for the even the smallest details of our life and He cares enough to let difficult situations arise in our life so that we can learn to trust Him more and so we can in turn share His love with others.

James and Doug are finding the “details” of the upcoming mission trip to be challenging. Transportation and communication, among other things, are posing a problem. I submit to you however that God is in control and will work out the details for His glory.

We have the opportunity, the blessing really, to go and helps others in need. Sometimes it is right next door and other times it is in another country. God said in Matthew 10:8b: “Freely you have received, freely give.” We have received so much in the spiritual and physical realm that it is a sin not to share it with others.

1 Chronicles 28:20 says: “David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.” Let’s respond to the call and go do the Lord’s work.

Blessed beyond belief,
Lynda

Penitas and nearby town

James and Doug traveled with David Lopez from MVI to Penitas today. They had the opportunity to meet the pastor, Steven, and some of the church members. Photos of the Penitas area, church, and members are posted below.

Pastor Steven is 30 years old and has been pastoring for four years. He is in charge of 17, yes an astounding seventeen, churches in his district! He desires medical outreach however he is also open to evangelistic options.

Penitas is a very remote location and located just into the mountains. James mentioned that only five miles away the land opens up into wide open plains. Lodging is non-existent in Penitas; the area itself really isn't a town James noted. Fifteen minutes from Penitas is an Adventist primary/elementary school which is a convenient although primitive option.













Photos below are of town near by Penitas where the Pastor lives:













James reports that tomorrow will be spent in Villahermosa meeting with SDA mission office, further review of transportation issues, grocery research, etc.

Benvenido a México

After 15 hours of travel, James and Doug arrived safely in Villahermosa, Mexico. They are very tired and ready for a good nights rest (the photos show a comfortable looking bed--at least for tonight). Tomorrow they will rent a car and start working on the housing arrangements for Team Northern Lights.

James did email some pictures however I won't post all of them at this time. One photo (#3 above) is a shot of Doug with a travel-weary face punctuated by a big smile! It is the happy face of a short-term missionary!

It is a wonderful experience to serve the Lord wherever He leads. You will get dirty, sick, tired, and sometimes frustrated but rarely is a servant of the Lord seen without a smile on their face. The extreme high of doing the Lord's work makes the little inconveniences of life fade into the background. Nothing is too great a hardship when viewed in the light of the Cross.

I would like to give a sincere 'thank you' to all who are diligently lifting James and Doug up in prayer! It is greatly appreciated.

As for Team Northern Lights, we have 5 confirmed participants and we look forward to more commitments in the near future! We will have the participant expense information available after James and Doug return.

Total Donations towards the Construction Fees to date: $5,855

The minimum required for the mission trip is $7,000 so we are close to our first goal.

The cost of the entire church is $20,000.

The deadline for the Construction Fee is November 15, 2009 (due at the Maranatha office).

"Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." Psalm 96:2-3

They're off!

James and Doug left on AK Air to Seattle early this morning. James sent me an email that said it was a cold, uncomfortable flight; CDC has pulled all blankets and pillows due to the Swine Flu. They arrived at 3:39am bleary eyed, but safe in a sunny, beautiful Seattle.

I received another email at 6:42am that they had boarded the next plane to travel on to Houston. They are hoping to get some sleep along the way.

Please keep James and Doug in your prayers.

"The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12