The team has arrived safely and finished the first full day of work. Things are going very well. The One-day strucure was completed today and the block work will begin tomorrow. Happy New Year!
Randy M. (for Lynda C.)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Faith & Flexibility
Praise God we adopted an appropriate motto; Faith, Teamwork, and Flexibility. Much has transpired and many plans have changed. The weather is quite warm by the winter standards of those residing in the Northern latitudes. Despite the high humidity it's been "cool" here for this time of year which has been a real blessing for the team thus far. We changed locations for our accommodations before the bulk of the team arrived yesterday and have likewise changed transportation plans several times already. Flexibility has been an essential and key component! The team is working well together and our in-country coordinator for Maranatha has been a tremendous blessing in assisting our team in getting off the ground. The community where we are staying have been doing a lot of double and triple takes as they are not accustomed to seeing 'gringos'. The less inhibited, ususally children and youth, have come near and up to various team members just to hear our "strange" language; they are quite intrigued. The local church members have graciously welcomed us and are assiting in numerous ways. Today was the first day of construction and we successfully erected the One-Day Church. Tomorrow morning we will set the "corner stone" and begin laying the block. In the interim we are again putting our flexibility to the test as we await the arrival of one team member who has been delayed for two days due to aircraft mechanical issues and had her flight turned back yet again this evening. With the Lord's protection and blessing our group will all be united in the early hours of the new year! Blessing to all.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Arrived!
James and I arrived safely in Villahermosa. We had easy flights and customs was a breeze. For some reason the customs agent said to me: "You've got a green light come over here. Welcome to Mexico!" James wasn't so lucky, but the search of his luggage went quickly.
It is hot and muggy! And the cockroaches are big and fast! :-)
Team motto: Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility! We've already had to make changes from our original plan however we believe it will work out even better! Participants: all you need to do is arrive in Mexico and we'll get you to your home away from home.
Today the refrigerator, dry goods, and mattresses were bought and delivered to Plan de Ayala. Tomorrow we will get the perishable foods and head out to get our base camp ready for you.
Take time to meet the people around you as you travel. James and I met a group from Mason, Texas who are doing a mission trip south of Palenque. They built a structure "at the end of the road" that they use as a literacy center. Their enthusiasm was contagious!
May God bless you with traveling mercies as you head south,
Lynda
It is hot and muggy! And the cockroaches are big and fast! :-)
Team motto: Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility! We've already had to make changes from our original plan however we believe it will work out even better! Participants: all you need to do is arrive in Mexico and we'll get you to your home away from home.
Today the refrigerator, dry goods, and mattresses were bought and delivered to Plan de Ayala. Tomorrow we will get the perishable foods and head out to get our base camp ready for you.
Take time to meet the people around you as you travel. James and I met a group from Mason, Texas who are doing a mission trip south of Palenque. They built a structure "at the end of the road" that they use as a literacy center. Their enthusiasm was contagious!
May God bless you with traveling mercies as you head south,
Lynda
Safe in His arms
The B concourse on the Houston International Airport has a central food court with "arms" branching off of it with 8 gates per arm. I went on a brisk walk this afternoon and powerwalked my way down these arms.
The international terminal is, of course, very busy and perhaps more so with holiday travel. There are people rushing to the gates and people streaming from the gates. I also see many people just waiting. They are clustered around the electrical outlets scattered down each arm. Some are sleeping--on benches and the floor. Most are taking advantage of the free electrical source and are recharging their laptops and cell phones.
My mind wandered as I walked and I thought of how this is something that we, as Christians, need to do--recharge. Our spiritual batteries will run down unless we keep connected to our free Energy source. We need to recharge through prayer, Bible study, and simply just waiting for God to speak to us. If we do not recharge, our batteries will run down leaving us ineffective in our work for the Lord. He is our source of energy, strength, and meaning.
One particularly touching scene was a young mother sitting on a bench holding her infant in her arms. As the infant slept peacefully nestled close to the mother, she herself feel asleep and gently bent over until her face was hovering over her child's. In addition to being a very touching sight to see, I thought of how our heavenly Father longs to hold us in His arms, to protect us, and love us. What a joy it is to have such an awesome God as our Father!
I have enjoyed this quiet day. It is so easy as humans, as Christians, to get busy with life and miss the lessons God has for us. I am truly blessed.
Privileged to serve,
Lynda
The international terminal is, of course, very busy and perhaps more so with holiday travel. There are people rushing to the gates and people streaming from the gates. I also see many people just waiting. They are clustered around the electrical outlets scattered down each arm. Some are sleeping--on benches and the floor. Most are taking advantage of the free electrical source and are recharging their laptops and cell phones.
My mind wandered as I walked and I thought of how this is something that we, as Christians, need to do--recharge. Our spiritual batteries will run down unless we keep connected to our free Energy source. We need to recharge through prayer, Bible study, and simply just waiting for God to speak to us. If we do not recharge, our batteries will run down leaving us ineffective in our work for the Lord. He is our source of energy, strength, and meaning.
One particularly touching scene was a young mother sitting on a bench holding her infant in her arms. As the infant slept peacefully nestled close to the mother, she herself feel asleep and gently bent over until her face was hovering over her child's. In addition to being a very touching sight to see, I thought of how our heavenly Father longs to hold us in His arms, to protect us, and love us. What a joy it is to have such an awesome God as our Father!
I have enjoyed this quiet day. It is so easy as humans, as Christians, to get busy with life and miss the lessons God has for us. I am truly blessed.
Privileged to serve,
Lynda
We're on our way!
James and I are in sunny Houston where we have a 6 hour layover. After lunch in the B concourse, James had remarked that he would love to be out in the sunshine. A short while later I looked out the windows to see him outside--smiling and waving up at me!
We left just after 1am AST on Sunday and enjoyed a fairly comfortable flight to Seattle and then on to Houston. James and I look forward to meeting up with Doug, Cheryl, and Maria tonight in Villahermosa.
For those participants leaving Anchorage on Continental: the flight is not a code-share with Alaska Airlines as we originally thought. Check-in is at the Continental ticket counter that is located in the new B concourse which is where you will fly out of.
James and I are enjoying a quiet day, but look forward to getting busy for the Lord!
See you on Wednesday (James will meet you at the airport on Tuesday night),
Lynda
We left just after 1am AST on Sunday and enjoyed a fairly comfortable flight to Seattle and then on to Houston. James and I look forward to meeting up with Doug, Cheryl, and Maria tonight in Villahermosa.
For those participants leaving Anchorage on Continental: the flight is not a code-share with Alaska Airlines as we originally thought. Check-in is at the Continental ticket counter that is located in the new B concourse which is where you will fly out of.
James and I are enjoying a quiet day, but look forward to getting busy for the Lord!
See you on Wednesday (James will meet you at the airport on Tuesday night),
Lynda
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Hello. I'm James . . . James C. This is my story.
Five years ago I went on my first misison trip.
I spoke with Brett Light from Sitka and decided to go to Peru on a Maranatha Volunteers International project to construct a church.
Near the end of the project one of our team members asked me if I was ready to head up a project!
The following summer, Brett asked me the same thing when he came to Alaska Campmeeting.
I couldn't believe it. Having only been on one trip I was convinced that I was completely unequipped.
I was not ready for the challenge. Some may read this as I was unwilling to let God be God.
Then two years ago, my wife and I went on a Marantha project to construct a school in Ecuador.
And just over one year ago, Pastor Kack asked Lynda and I if we would be willing to head up a mission trip for the O'Malley church.
The Lord had little coaxing to solicit a response of "Here am I, Send me" (Isaiah 6:8).
These mission trips have eternally changed my perspective of our world whereas my previous non-mission overseas trips had not.
Two distinct impressions have remained with me from these two mission experiences.
The first is how extremely fortunate Americans are; we have life relatively easy and simply take it for granted.
(Too whom much is given . . . much is required Luke 12:48)
People in developing countries work extremely hard just to survive. Their diet and housing is frequently substandard if not out right deficient.
The other overwhelming impression is how content and satisfied people can be with very little in the way of material things.
By working with and for these people, I became keenly aware of the selfishness and injustice in our world.
It seemed a little thing that we were doing to help these "strangers" with their needs.
Howwever, they were unable to do it for themselves so it was enormeous to them and showed in their gratitude towards us.
In the process, they were showing me a better way to live . . . to serve others!
This reminds me that we too need help, actually Divine aid.
Praise God for our Saviour, Jesus Christ who sacrified everything to save us!
Oh how great a debt we owe.
In the time leading up to this mission trip, God has been impressing upon me the selfishness of human nature, including my own.
Our carnal nature is bent toward selfishness, and the overwhelming majority of the time we aren't even aware of it.
With our upcoming mission trip, Jesus affords us the opportunity to follow in His selfless footsteps.
His ministry consisted of addressing the physical needs of other people and then He was able to address their spiritual needs.
We have the opportunity to help construct a church for the Peñitas congregation, something that they are unable to do for themselves.
God has also blessed us with resources and faithfulness to support a Bible worker for their community to further the Gospel of Jesus.
May our example be one that rightly reflects the character of God Almighty.
Perhaps God is calling you to serve too. What will your answer be?
Here am I, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
James went to Seventh-day Adventist schools until he was in high school, but never had made a commitment to the Lord until he was an adult. James has been a baptized member of the SDA church since 2000.
Lynda
Five years ago I went on my first misison trip.
I spoke with Brett Light from Sitka and decided to go to Peru on a Maranatha Volunteers International project to construct a church.
Near the end of the project one of our team members asked me if I was ready to head up a project!
The following summer, Brett asked me the same thing when he came to Alaska Campmeeting.
I couldn't believe it. Having only been on one trip I was convinced that I was completely unequipped.
I was not ready for the challenge. Some may read this as I was unwilling to let God be God.
Then two years ago, my wife and I went on a Marantha project to construct a school in Ecuador.
And just over one year ago, Pastor Kack asked Lynda and I if we would be willing to head up a mission trip for the O'Malley church.
The Lord had little coaxing to solicit a response of "Here am I, Send me" (Isaiah 6:8).
These mission trips have eternally changed my perspective of our world whereas my previous non-mission overseas trips had not.
Two distinct impressions have remained with me from these two mission experiences.
The first is how extremely fortunate Americans are; we have life relatively easy and simply take it for granted.
(Too whom much is given . . . much is required Luke 12:48)
People in developing countries work extremely hard just to survive. Their diet and housing is frequently substandard if not out right deficient.
The other overwhelming impression is how content and satisfied people can be with very little in the way of material things.
By working with and for these people, I became keenly aware of the selfishness and injustice in our world.
It seemed a little thing that we were doing to help these "strangers" with their needs.
Howwever, they were unable to do it for themselves so it was enormeous to them and showed in their gratitude towards us.
In the process, they were showing me a better way to live . . . to serve others!
This reminds me that we too need help, actually Divine aid.
Praise God for our Saviour, Jesus Christ who sacrified everything to save us!
Oh how great a debt we owe.
In the time leading up to this mission trip, God has been impressing upon me the selfishness of human nature, including my own.
Our carnal nature is bent toward selfishness, and the overwhelming majority of the time we aren't even aware of it.
With our upcoming mission trip, Jesus affords us the opportunity to follow in His selfless footsteps.
His ministry consisted of addressing the physical needs of other people and then He was able to address their spiritual needs.
We have the opportunity to help construct a church for the Peñitas congregation, something that they are unable to do for themselves.
God has also blessed us with resources and faithfulness to support a Bible worker for their community to further the Gospel of Jesus.
May our example be one that rightly reflects the character of God Almighty.
Perhaps God is calling you to serve too. What will your answer be?
Here am I, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
James went to Seventh-day Adventist schools until he was in high school, but never had made a commitment to the Lord until he was an adult. James has been a baptized member of the SDA church since 2000.
Lynda
Doug and Cheryl's first day in Mexico
We just spent a wonderful Sabbath with the group in Corozal. We received a warm welcome from the church members and met the other [Maranatha Volunteer International] team [who is working at Corozal]. The service was lead out by one of the elders of the church who had a great salvation message. Jose, from the building team interpreted for us. The team presented the church family with new Bibles, hymn books, and witnessing books. We met in the new church as they have most of the structural steel up with a blue tarp over it.
Dave Shull [from the volunteer team now in Corozal] provided me with a couple of drawings and some basic instruction sheets. More importantly, he gave me some good advice and ideas and covered some of the things that he would have done differently so that we would benefit from his experience when setting ours up. There will be some challenges but they can be overcome. For instance the framing jig did not make it into Mexico for some reason.
I saw your message about the Dengue Fever outbreak. I will say there does seem to be much more standing water here than there was in July. There were a few bugs out, but not really too bad.
God Bless,
Doug & Cheryl
Note: In the desire to keep our team healthy and strong, we will take the precautions as already state: mosquito netting on the windows of the sleeping rooms; and we recommend participants bring face masks, instant hand sanitizer, and mosquito repellent. ~Lynda
Dave Shull [from the volunteer team now in Corozal] provided me with a couple of drawings and some basic instruction sheets. More importantly, he gave me some good advice and ideas and covered some of the things that he would have done differently so that we would benefit from his experience when setting ours up. There will be some challenges but they can be overcome. For instance the framing jig did not make it into Mexico for some reason.
I saw your message about the Dengue Fever outbreak. I will say there does seem to be much more standing water here than there was in July. There were a few bugs out, but not really too bad.
God Bless,
Doug & Cheryl
Note: In the desire to keep our team healthy and strong, we will take the precautions as already state: mosquito netting on the windows of the sleeping rooms; and we recommend participants bring face masks, instant hand sanitizer, and mosquito repellent. ~Lynda
IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION!
This morning we received notification that there is an outbreak of both Dengue Fever and Swine Flu (H1N1) in the Mexican state of Chiapas. However it is currently farther south than we will be staying so that is good news.
It is strongly recommended that you bring disposable medical face masks for your protection. There is a remote possibility that these face masks could be required to travel back from Mexico to the United States.
Also make sure you have (and use!) instant hand sanitizer and mosquito repellent. We will provide mosquito netting for the windows where we will be sleeping. If the mosquitos are quite prevalent at night, we will acquire additional netting for your personal use at night.
It is strongly recommended that you bring disposable medical face masks for your protection. There is a remote possibility that these face masks could be required to travel back from Mexico to the United States.
Also make sure you have (and use!) instant hand sanitizer and mosquito repellent. We will provide mosquito netting for the windows where we will be sleeping. If the mosquitos are quite prevalent at night, we will acquire additional netting for your personal use at night.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Here I am Lord
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here I am, Lord. Send me."
~Isaiah 6:8
Here I am by Daniel O'Donnell
And I said, "Here I am, Lord. Send me."
~Isaiah 6:8
Here I am by Daniel O'Donnell
First Arrivals
Doug and Cheryl have arrived safely in Mexico!
After a delay in Houston due to mechanical troubles, they arrived almost 3 hours late in Villahermosa. Maria Malledo, our bilingual Maranatha support person, met them at the airport and escorted them to the hotel.
They are sleepy and ready for a Sabbath's rest in Mexico.
Feliz Sabado,
Lynda
After a delay in Houston due to mechanical troubles, they arrived almost 3 hours late in Villahermosa. Maria Malledo, our bilingual Maranatha support person, met them at the airport and escorted them to the hotel.
They are sleepy and ready for a Sabbath's rest in Mexico.
Feliz Sabado,
Lynda
Sunday, December 6, 2009
An Interview with Elizabeth
1. What prompted you to join The Northern Lights? "I love traveling and seeing and experiencing other countries and cultures (and I've especially wanted to go to Mexico) so when I heard about this trip I was really excited. That is until I found out that it would be during my brother's birthday (January 1st). So I decided that I couldn't go. But then one Sabbath I was talking with James and Lynda about the mission trip and Lynda was telling me how much fun it would be and how my small amount of Spanish speaking skills could be helpful. So once again I got excited at the possibility of going. I started praying about it and I felt God leading me to go. So...here I am!"☺
2. Have you been on a short-term mission trip, with any organization, before? "Yes, two years ago (March 2008) I went on a 2-week mission trip to Borneo, Malaysia with my school, Upper Columbia Academy, and built a church there."
3. How did God work in and through you during your last mission trip? Or what special story do you have to share with others about the trip or the people you encountered? "God worked through me by helping me be able to go and build the church. Also there were 3 teens in Borneo about my age that my friend and I became good friends with and we were, in a way, able to show God's love to them by befriending them."
4. How has God been working in your life especially related to this upcoming mission opportunity? "First of all, He provided me with 2 years of Spanish classes (as well as many Spanish-speaking friends) so I've come to know and love the language. I'm not anywhere near being fluent, but I know enough to get by; which I thank God for! It's really amazing how He works because after the 1st semester of my first year, I was having a rough time with the class. Not because the work was hard, but because many of my close friends who were in the class had dropped out, and I was left in there with several students who were really annoying to be around. I wanted to drop the class as well, but my mom encouraged me to keep going and see if it got any better--which it did! And, low and behold, I ended up needing that class to do God's work!!! Also He has provided the desire as well as the funds for me to be able to go on this upcoming mission trip. I praise God for all He's done to help me be able to do this!"
Elizabeth is a young adult member of O'Malley Church. She has a heart for God and a willingness to serve when asked. Her musical talent and knowledge of Spanish will be a blessing for Team Northern Lights. I anticipate God doing awesome things through Elizabeth on this trip and when she returns home afterwards.
Lynda
2. Have you been on a short-term mission trip, with any organization, before? "Yes, two years ago (March 2008) I went on a 2-week mission trip to Borneo, Malaysia with my school, Upper Columbia Academy, and built a church there."
3. How did God work in and through you during your last mission trip? Or what special story do you have to share with others about the trip or the people you encountered? "God worked through me by helping me be able to go and build the church. Also there were 3 teens in Borneo about my age that my friend and I became good friends with and we were, in a way, able to show God's love to them by befriending them."
4. How has God been working in your life especially related to this upcoming mission opportunity? "First of all, He provided me with 2 years of Spanish classes (as well as many Spanish-speaking friends) so I've come to know and love the language. I'm not anywhere near being fluent, but I know enough to get by; which I thank God for! It's really amazing how He works because after the 1st semester of my first year, I was having a rough time with the class. Not because the work was hard, but because many of my close friends who were in the class had dropped out, and I was left in there with several students who were really annoying to be around. I wanted to drop the class as well, but my mom encouraged me to keep going and see if it got any better--which it did! And, low and behold, I ended up needing that class to do God's work!!! Also He has provided the desire as well as the funds for me to be able to go on this upcoming mission trip. I praise God for all He's done to help me be able to do this!"
Elizabeth is a young adult member of O'Malley Church. She has a heart for God and a willingness to serve when asked. Her musical talent and knowledge of Spanish will be a blessing for Team Northern Lights. I anticipate God doing awesome things through Elizabeth on this trip and when she returns home afterwards.
Lynda
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