Saturday, March 5, 2011
Saying goodbye is always hard!
Friday, March 4, 2011
True Worship
As we neared the end of our time at the Oasis, the team was in great anticipation of a program that we learned the girls were to host for us on Friday evening. But we could have never imagined what we would experience that night; truly the highlight of our trip!
Over the past eight years of NHC teams working with Kids Alive in Guatemala, there has been much work accomplished and many great memories made. But nothing can compare to that most glorious time of worship offered to the Lord by the precious girls of the Oasis! After their worship team led us in praise choruses, our team sang “Power in the Blood” for them. We were then asked to pull our chairs into a circle. Unaware of what was to follow, we were surprised to find ourselves encircled by a group of little brown-eyed angels, who wrapped their arms around our shoulders and their spirits around our hearts. One by one, their sweet little voices lifted prayers to the throne of God on our behalf. Each one, without hesitation or self-consciousness, prayed aloud, thanking God for us. Some broke into sobs, unable to continue, yet they offered us Kleenex and wiped away our tears. And although most of us could not understand all that was said, we sensed the powerful, tangible, sweet Spirit of God pour out His love on that room. These abused, wounded, abandoned little girls served us and loved us in the most beautiful way we have ever experienced, far beyond any way we have ever served them! Together, we all wept and hugged and healed and discovered what worshiping God really is! It is praising and loving IN our brokenness, finding there that we are all loved and accepted, in desperate need of God and that our response should be to serve and give!
What an incredible blessing to see such clear evidence of God’s healing work in their lives! Looking beyond themselves, they demonstrated true worship to a group of big, able-bodied, “tough guys” who fell apart at the sweet Spanish prayers offered “from the mouths of babes”.
The finished work
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Visit to Chicaman
Thursday's Work
We all worked hard today getting many projects completed. Painting, cabinet installation, electrical work, plumbing, well pump replacement and more painting! The purple house is really starting to look like an “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” - the finishing touches are almost done to the point of saying…….“move that bus!"
Kyle's Birthday
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
A productive day at the Oasis
We are eager to continue our work and spend more precious time with the girls!
Today, Lisa painted a globe on the wall with a quote by Andy Stanley and she is having the girls put their hand prints on the wall and also on a piece of paper that will have the same quote and the girl’s names on them. A little something to look at and to remind them of who they are in Christ.
Monday, February 28, 2011
The work begins
Monday, just like at home was the beginning of our workweek. Kids Alive director of maintenance Doug Johnson was excited to have not just skilled workers available to build but also, friends of his. He led us in prayer and then proceeded to layout the plans for our week. As tough times have fallen on economy worldwide, less teams are visiting the Oasis. In years past as many as 25 teams would come in a year - this last year saw only 4 teams. The building we started last year was basically untouched. So, our most important objective is to complete this new purple house. Our work will consist of building all the cabinets, installing doors and handles, getting gas lines connected, installing sinks and counter tops, connecting electrical, connect showers and toilets, get heat for hot water, and more. Each house is able to house up to 10 girls and 2 staff. We were informed that the Oasis has some new challenges in that almost half the girls are now older and many will be moving into the “independence” program. This is a program where they are integrated into the city and public school and taught how to make it on their own. A small house outside the Oasis may become the new home for some of these girls. As the girls grow and the government remains confused, the logistics of obtaining more children has slowed. That and the lack of teams visiting has really taken a toll on sponsors for the kids. Please pray that God would move in people’s lives to share in the growth of these dear children. As Doug Dahl led devotions tonight we were all moved how we are needing to “become the church” as we see how good we have it and then see this precious kids with such need for love and a model of family in their lives. We shared of our frustration with language, and tools that don’t work like those we have at home yet one look of a child’s eyes tells you this is a real God thing going on here.
Testimony from Randy
At church on Sunday Randy befriended one of the girls named Sara. Sara is one of the few girls at the Oasis that speaks good English so good communication was possible. That evening while sitting on the front steps of the Oasis, Randy and Sara were able to have some time to talk. While making small talk and learning of each other’s lives and interest, Randy asked Sara how many brothers and sisters she had. After a short pause, Sara replied she did not know how many she had. Sara began to immediately cry and there was a very notable pause. As Sara cried, Randy said he was sorry and put his arm around her. He then shared that we “our team” were her brothers and sisters and that we all will be family in heaven. Sara nodded and knew in her heart and faith in Jesus that this was true, yet it was clear, she longed for her own family. All these girls are in deep need of family after going thru some kind of abuse. Please pray that beyond the buildings we put up, that a life and model of Christ will be built in these girl’s lives as they need and look to rebuild a life in Christ.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday - Fiesta with the girls
We have to say, however, that the highlight of our day was an afternoon picnic with “the girls” we have come to love! We did some face painting and press on tattoos while others prepared the meal. Kyle and his crew worked hard and early on a fabulous hamburger, potato salad, watermelon and chips extravaganza! We grilled about 100 hamburgers, wondering if 40 girls and staff could possibly consume them. No problem! They were good little eaters, many returning for seconds! But best of all, once they had all been served, they got up from their seats and jumped behind the serving table, insisting on serving us, long before they had even eaten their food! We really enjoyed a relaxing time eating and talking with them.
Randy was in charge of the “carnival” portion of the day. He had prepared several relay races and super fun games with shaving cream, a piñata, water balloons and lots of sugar! We laughed and cheered and played like a big crazy family together!
It was a great day to get reacquainted and start out our week! But we’re really eager to get to work tomorrow!