Worshipping With Our Lives

Thursday/Friday

2010-11-12T10:43:00.002-06:00

Hi all......
First of all, thanks for all the prayer support you have given us, it shows. All of us are feeling ok except for some congestion issues and lack of sleep, but it is minor. We thank the Lord for good health on this trip.
Yesterday was a very full day. We had a couple of English classes, one at the San Ramon school and one at Steven Hawking High School where Bethany teaches. They went very well. We did our cooking classes at the American Cooking Institute, making french toast, hash browns and stovetop applecrisp. The students really liked it. Jay, Joel, Hal and Mark had several basketball clinics with more today. Tarma is very into basketball, much more so than soccer. Tim did his presentation on time management to about 50 people and they were riveted. We all know Tim hates to speak in front of crowds, but he does such a marvelous job of it. God has just given him the gift for teaching.
Today we are at the American Institute painting 3 rooms for Jose and his wife Diana. Lots of sanding, priming, taping and painting. The students are cooking in rooms all around us and we are taking lots of pictures.
Tonight is the final goodbye dinner with all of the contacts we have made down here. It will be sad to say farewell as all the people we have met are so wonderful. Please pray that the ministry down here continues to grow and that they get male leaders in order to start a formal church. Women can do almost anything, but the Bible does make it plain that male leaders are needed.
This is a ministry that is growing very quickly and we pray that it multiplies in Gods timing.
We have had a blast working our butts off here in Tarma and I know a lot of us would like to come back to help some more.
Tommorrow is travel day, so pray for safety on the roads, as we are coming down to Lima from 15000 feet. It will be long and very tiring as we then get on a plane at 1 am to fly back to Atlanta.
Pray that we have the energy to drive home from Chicago at 1 in the afternoon when we get back there.
This mission has been a joy and we pray God makes it fruitful!

Your Tarma Team

Tourist Day

2010-11-10T18:25:00.002-06:00

Today was our ´tourist´day in the area of San Ramon. We took two small buses down the mountain about 2 hours from Tarma to visit the waterfall at Tirol.
It is just amazing to see God´s handiwork everywhere you look! When we started going down, we all could see the change in the vegetation and the increase in humidity. It was Eric who said, ¨Just think, God was sitting at his desk one day and said ´Plants´ and all the variety just sprang into full blown life.¨ Just to think of that one exercise of God´s infinite power to create is very humbling and praiseworthy.
We stopped at the falls and most of us got our feet wet, but Nancy and Lina went all the way in.
They had soooo much fun! We then went to a native village called Pampamichi where they put us all in native dress and told us some of the history in the area....in Spanish. Most of us don´t understand much, so it was hard to get much out of it. Then, we participated in a couple of dances, posed with parrots and Eric made friends with a little monkey. Of course, there were the usual tourist things to buy (much like home).
We then had the driver and guide take us to the Highland Coffee operation just outside of San Ramon. We met a lovely young lady from Goshen, Indiana who was working there and took us through the small tour. She is Mennonite and doing her year of service here in Peru. She was so wonderful and it was a wonderful opportunity to talk with her in English. I think she enjoyed us also.
We then headed home about 1 hour late and were hustled of to dinner with a lady named Rut and to David´s final English presentation. We are very tired, but the day was wonderful.
Shane got chills last night and had aches and pains, but this morning was just fine to go with. Joel and David stayed back due to preparation and stomach issues.
Please continue to pray for our health as tommorrow and Friday are very full days...we have many invitations to different activities such as cooking class, preschool, dinner, etc with the people of this wonderful city.
Pray that we are touching lives for the glory of the Lord!!!

Your Tarma Team

Tuesday

2010-11-09T17:20:00.002-06:00

Hi all..
Today was a very full day of work for the team. We split up into 3 different parts.
The ladies had another cooking class, this time making apple crisp on the stovetop. It was full of some of the same ladies that came yesterday. Nancy and Lina shared their testimony and it really moved the ladies that were there. One of them stated that she was glad she had someone to relate to in her struggles and was surprised that some of the things she had experienced happened in other places than Peru.
Some of the men, Eric, Shane, Randy, Tim and Dave Block were invited to talk about business values with a class of students at a culinary school owned by a believer in Tarma. About 30 twenty-somthings asked questions about what we did and how we were successful at it. In turn, we were able to talk about God´s role in all of life, business, family, church. A bit different than what you might expect at a technical school in the US.
The basketball clinic went well. Jay was invited to visit two other schools in the afternoon to work with the coaches in their own environment.
Several people also visited a private school English classroom. The classroom teacher is a staff member with ADIEL, the mission work hosting us in Tarma.
Pray for continued opportunities to cross the bridge from these ¨everyday¨ contacts to opportunities to show the love of Jesus in word and deed.

Your mission team in Tarma

Monday

2010-11-08T17:31:00.002-06:00

Well, we have almost completed our first full day of activities. The ladies had a cooking class at a tiny restaurant called Pepino´s Burger. We had ten local ladies for a class on making hash browns and french toast. They had never made anything like it, so they enjoyed it very much. Karen and Chris gave their testimonies to the ladies, also.
The men and Lina and Nancy went to shadow with a gentleman named Chicho, who owns several large shops here in Tarma. The ladies had a wonderful response with several women in tears. Pray that God has reached into their hearts with His love.
Some of the men spent time in the Plaza in front of our hotel doing surveys about the people and their belief in God and how they see the Holy Spirit and Jesus. They met a young man who is very sincere about his relationship with Jesus and spent a lot of time talking with the guys.
This trip has started out with a bang!! Thanks be to God for all the things he is doing with us here. We are so excited for tomorrow to begin. The last thing that is happening tonight is a presentation by Tim on time management. In Peru, people do not necessarily live by the clock...when you say 7, they may show up at 730 or 8 or not come at all. Life is quite relaxed here.
Please continue to pray for us all....Tim has had some congestion and sleep issues and Mark´s stomach is a bit off. Pray that we stay healthy and ready for the work the Lord has for us.
On a side note, it doesn´t matter where you go, the Packer game is still available to be watched. We came back from David´s English presentation and there were all the guys, camped out on the couch and watching the Packer game on Peruvian ESPN....you can take the guys out of the country and they STILL find football!!!!
Your Tarma Team

2010-11-07T13:12:00.002-06:00

It is Sunday!!! What a beautiful day to worship the Lord together. We had a wonderful little service after breakfast with Joel playing guitar and all of us singing. We went over the schedule and boy, is it packed with stuff to do!!! Please continue to pray for all the people here in Tarma and for all of us! We can feel your prayers as none of us are suffering from the altitude or other things at the moment.
Today is market day, so we went and bought all the ingredients for the cooking class....apples, potatoes, cinnamon, sugar, oil, etc. We will be going to the Indian Market in Lima when we get back, so not a lot of shopping has been done.
We are going to be planning the week´s activities today and resting a bit before Dave´s English for English teachers class this evening. Pray that the teachers show up.
Look for a post tomorrow, late.....
Gracia por sus oraciones.....
The Tarma Team

2010-11-06T21:33:00.003-05:00

At last we have reached Tarma!!! It was a loooooong bus ride through the mountains, but they are so beautiful! Gods handiwork is very visible in all the beauty that surrounds us. We met Bethany, Elsa, Luis and Meredith and had dinner at a restaurant next to the hotel. All of us are very tired, but very happy to finally be here. Our hotel is the Hotel Galaxia on the Plaza de Armas in central Tarma.
Everyone is ok and ready for a week of wonderful ministry here in Tarma!! Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts that got us here. Continue to pray for the ministries with the businessmen, the ladies and the basketball players.
Your missions Team in Tarma

2010-11-06T07:22:00.002-05:00

Hola from Lima....

We made it through the first leg of travel with no problems!! Praise the Lord for that!! Today we are getting on the bus to Tarma and traveling in the mountains. This is a public bus, so we will be traveling with many other people today. Please pray for travel safety and the opportunity to witness to the people we are with. We are all excited about this mission and just pray that God will use our talents in the way He wants to. Thanks to all of you for praying for us, it has definitely been felt.

Your Mission Team

2010-11-04T07:02:00.002-05:00

Hello all...
Today we leave for Chicago to get on the plane for Tarma.....if we haven't got everything by now, its not important. Pray for the team that we will be humble servants to the work that is going on there and that we will reach people for the Kingdom...
Next post from Tarma!!!!
Your missions team,
Mark, Karen, Hal, Tim, Eric, Lina, Shane, Chris, Jay, Randy and Joel

2010-10-26T09:45:00.003-05:00

Countdown to Tarma!!! - 9 Days to go!
Here is a first post on our mission to Tarma, Peru from November 4-14, 2010.
Our mission is to go to Tarma with Faith EV Free supported missionary David Block to plug into his English as a second language ministry (ESL). We will be networking with 4 missionaries on the ground in Tarma: Bethany Kerr, Julio Rojas, Elsa Coruacho and Meridith McAllister. They work in various schools and have Bible studies in several businesses.
The main work with be presenting the Gospel through practical business studies such as time management and financial studies, among others. The men that are going will be presenting these, while the women will be working with the women on cooking and ESL teaching in a preschool and Steven Hawking High School.
We are exited about this mission as this is a new area for us to be going into. We ask for your prayers and thoughts as we go about this work of the Lord.
The people going are Mark and Karen Demers, Shane and Lina Hoffman, Eric Nei, Jay Grooters, Randy Grooters, Joel Duke, Nancy Richardson, Tim Friedrich, Hal Havisto and Christina Quam.

2010-04-08T20:22:00.004-05:00

We have a lot of really great photos from the past two days to post, but this is a short video of late last night. SuAnne cornered a small Kangaroo Mouse in her room, and needed the men to come capture it.

Of course the power was out so everything is lighted by head-lamps, giving a kind of crazy look. I hope you can see the mouse if you look closely. He was just a little mouse, but he could really jump!

Enjoy.

Haiti - Day 7, Thursday

2010-04-08T20:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a slow blur for the guys... We had an exact plan for the orphanage, and the work to be done, all we needed was a saw blade, and a drill but... two hardware stores later in Cap Haitien - an complete adventure in itself, there was still no saw blade or drill bit... and 1/2 the day was gone... But we had a lot of cool relationship time with the Haitian mason & brick guys over at the orphanage. We don't know exactly what we were all saying, but we all did a lot of laughing, hand-bumping and I think making fun of one another, the way only carpenters can... at least I'm pretty sure they were making fun of me - that was A LOT of laughter!

On the other hand, the girls yesterday had a Banner Day... Something like 125 people were treated in 10 hours. They Rocked, people were medicated, treated and God was Glorified!

Today was a completely different story for the guys. another slow start as someone was going to drive all the way to the Dominican Republic for a saw blade, because apparently there are none in Haiti >> Pastor Henoc even called TWO professional carpenters to come bring tools and help,,, but neither had a blade for their circular saw!!?? Huh??

Finally at noon a guardian angel showed up with a saw blade, and the guys flew into over-drive, literally getting all of yesterdays work + todays works done all in the span of 6 hours! It was pretty incredible!

THE GIRLS say over 150 patients today!!!! WOW !!! They say that there are some awesome stories, but I haven't heard them yet, as we all got home at 7pm, had supper, and now everyone is showering to get pounds of sweat and road dust off...

Did I mention it was only 89 1/2 degrees today - cool by Haitian standards.... sweating your hair off by Wisconsin standards. At lunch SuAnne put her head under the shower spigot (cold water only) just to cool down!

Today was an incredible day. Each night we have a debrief / devotional which last sometimes 1 hour or more - these are really good times. We share all our stories for the day / God sightings / and God's word. Each night we are able to mention the almost Visible bubble of protection that God has placed over us for the duration of this journey. Thank you all for your prayers.

Before the power crashes, I will sign off, but I will try to upload some photos asap!

Mark

Haiti - 6

2010-04-07T20:51:00.001-05:00

Well, 115 patients today and the clinic and 7 bunkbeds almost fully made and doors getting hung up at the new orphanage being built. Very productive!
Fatigue never feels so good as when all your efforts are to help those who have so little. Many sad stories of illnesses. One whole family suffering from malnutrition; lack of food and unhealthy water supply. Enough food and good water-something we take for granted back home.
One of our last patients today was an older woman, so old that she and no one else-including her family-didn't know her age. After sitting for many hours to be seen she no longer had the strength to walk one step to get her back home. So! Randy and a Haitian man carried her through the church down the steps around the corner and disappeared down a path! They were followed by a group of Haitians; I don't know maybe they don't carry their elders around??
ok Well, Mark needs to get to bed so we're off for the night, Talk to you all tomorrow!

For the team - SuAnne

The pictures

2010-04-06T15:22:00.004-05:00

Sorry, these pictures were suppose to be on the last post, but just as they were almost finished, the power went out again! Arrrgh!

here's a few for you... Some of Maria, Lori and SuAnne as soon as I get my hands on their cameras!

-m

Getting ready for a day of work
Mark's little helpers

Nathan (from Montana) framing doors with a helper.

Randy painting perfect circles on the ceiling around the light fixtures

Our three Haitian friends, who are now "door framers!"

Haiti - Day 5

2010-04-06T13:23:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Doc Maria, SuAnne, Lori, and their team of volunteer Haitians, and a few American Mission Kids saw and treated exactly 92 people - not bad for the first day..

Today, about 1 hour before the clinic started, there were already dozens of people waiting in line... they will have a BIG day today... Keep praying for strength & stamina for the girls, and a lot of healing for thepeople they are seeing. Some very serious, and some rather minor, but all need your prayers!

This morning the men went back to the orphange to get a grip on finishing it, so kids can begin to move in. We got all the remaining doors framed out before lunch - a huge task considering, there is still no power over there, and the only battery operated saw we have ran out after only 7-8 cuts due to a bad charge last night - the 120volt service yesterday was only delivering about 90 volts - stuff burns out pretty fast here.

Thank fully a couple of Haitian guys were working along side us, and one went home to get a framing hand-saw. he was a Wild-man with that saw, cutting 2x6 faster that I could have with the 18v Riobi saw! Soon his 2 cousins showed up, we all worked together, and next thing you know, they are doing all the work themselves... AWESOME... sharing, teaching, equipping, empowering... and they were high fiving and joking with us in Creole, having a great sense of accomplishment for the work they completed.

Now we are waiting for an electric say to cut down 6 panel doors to fit the random size openings that the masons left for us.

The Good News, is that there is a little electric power in the middle of the afternoon, so I can blog to you during this slow time.

Last night during our devotion, we read Gen 12: 1-4... Abraham was told to go by God, and he received many blessing from God.... We feel as if WE are receiving many blessing from God as well, because He love us, and because of your faithful prayers. We are being kept safe, we are eating well, with no 'strange' effects, we are getting much good work accomplished, and we are making many new Creole Haitian friends.

Enjoy these 1 -2 more photos (they take a reallyy long time to upload with the spotty (low speed) WIFI. :)

PHOTO TIME!

2010-04-05T19:38:00.006-05:00

Saturday - Laundry day in Haiti

This river is used for everything - no exceptions

A few of the 200,000+ homeless people now living in Cap Haitien... it was literally a sea of people living on top of a layer of garbage and trash.

A few people blocking the main road, trying to get a little rice.

A nasty fitght breaking out right next to our bus - over a bag of rice.

Looks nice from up here, but it is a moving river of trash, with trash lined banks.

SAFE and sound - at Pastor Henoc's home 'complex', where his main house, with guest rooms are, a dorm style guest house, and the orphanage - with plenty of area to run & play! We are safely out of town here!

After Sunday morning Sunrise service! It was beautiful!

Amid all the destruction and terrible things - Gos still shines His beauty through - like this evening sun dipping down over the Haitian mountainside.

Redemption is available for all - even here in Haiti! Amen!

(more photos of hammers swinging, and medical stuff happening just as soon as there is time for uploading! - takes hours!) :-)

Haiti - Day 3

2010-04-04T18:00:00.002-05:00

happy Easter!

Wow it has been a crazy 3 days. From Minocqua to Dominican on day one - Great travel mercies for all, expecially Maria, who had two of the worlds largest carry on bags... and no one ever questioned her.. yet Lori, who had a standard carry on, was stopped and made to check her bag. Not a big deal, but pretty funny, because it was like God used Lori to distract the gate agent so Maria could slide on by :)

Day two consisted of "hurry up and wait" getting from our Domionican Hotel to the bus station, and the entire time on the bus. Dominican is a beautiful country. Once we crossed the border into Haiti, the whole world changed. Suddenly there was trash everywhere, littering the roads and ditches. The donkey just became the most popular means of travel, and heaps of burning trash on the roadside, or even on the road itself became common.

Once we pulled into Cap Haitien our jaws dropped as reality seemed to come to an end. There are an estimated 250,000 MORE people living on the streets here since january 2010 than there were before.... and it was already bad before.

We tried to take pictures, but they do not portray the mounds of trash and swarming seas of people. Arguments and fist fights over food, right at the distribution points, blocking traffic and our bus, right in the middle of the road.

I do not believe we were ever in any 'real' danger - God had us covered the entire time, and thankfully HE gave us all pretty good common sense to avoid any further situations like that.

Late Saturday, we arrived at Pastor Henoc's home, and property which houses a main house with guest room, a dorm-style bunkhouse and a very nice new (still under final construction ) orphanage. Plenty of room for the kids to run and play, and about 40 minutes from the bustle and danger of downtown Cap Haitien.

Unfortunately, the city of Cap, randomly decides when to distribute electricity to outlying areas. when we arrived, night was falling, and there were no lights on,, then city power came on, and then we switched to generator power until 10pm. There was no electric all night, and well into Easter Sunday. Generator power is reliable , but expensive for fuel... it's a catch 22.

Matter of fact, the power is twitching right now - so I need to go - I will update EasterDay as soon as I can !

go to Mark jensen's face book page for 100's of photos!

for the team!

We are all well and safe! - Happy Easter!!

HAITI - One Day before departure

2010-04-01T13:44:00.003-05:00

Prayer warriors, prayer team, supporters and all interested folks... I praise God every time I think about you!~ You have raised up a foreign field mission team in record time, in response to the tragedy in Haiti, and God's call upon your hearts!.

We thank you!

Please follow our mission journey here. We have been praying for many weeks that God does not simply 'bless' our ministry plans, but instead, that He may show us HIS ministry plans, and that we may join HIS work in Haiti! There is much work to do there,, but we are looking for the work that satisfies His goals.. to bring Praise and Glory to His name and to Expand His Kingdom!

Hopefully we will be doing that by meeting the tragic physical needs of people right where they are. Through ministering medicine and building beds for children we hope to Glorify God and bring people to a knowledge of His saving Grace.

BOOKMARK this page to find us easily for the next 10 days. And check os out on face book, on Mark Jensen's page, where many many photos will hopefully be posted!~

Bless you all for your continued support as we travel to the spiritually Dark island of Haiti.

For the team...

Menomonie Mission 2010 Day 1

2010-03-14T22:21:00.005-05:00

Welcome to the Menomonie Mission Blog Page ~!

Sunday Day 1 (full day)

Worship at the mall at either 9:00 or 10:30. Some folks went early, some slept in and went late - and some die-hard teens went to both! The worship rocked like a Chris Tomlin concert, and Youth Pastor Andy's message about "Margin & Priorities" really hit a home run.

At noon we all met at the build site for a delicious soup lunch followed by intensive jobsite safety training. Everyone currently has 10 fingers and toes (except big Steve) and we all want to go home with the same number we came with... it was good training!

About 2pm we got down to some serious work. 20+ people packing insulation into every crack, crevice and nook & cranny that could let air or sound pass through was insulated. There was hard work seen, and loud laughter heard throughout the building during the entire project.

There have already been several God-sightings, as He is working in people's lives. for many, this is their first mission, but for others, they are veterans... but for all, this is very important work, knowing that God will use this new building to advance His kingdom, so that Many will come to know Him.

Menomonie Mission 2010 Day -0-

2010-03-13T21:08:00.007-06:00

ARRIVAL DAY

Welcome to the Menomonie Mission Blog Page ~!

Arrival day has finally (well) ARRIVED!! YAY!

Twenty two of the team members arrived right on time today, after a noon departure from Faith. The trip was safe for all, with a little excitement and boredom thrown in just because it is a three hour drive.

The members were met by Pastor Remy and all the host families. The host families took the team members back to get freshened up and situated before a trip to the building site. Once at the building site, the team was greeted with a dinner party with people who have been volunteering from CedarBrook. It was a lot of fun, and there were a lot of great conversations going on between the two teams.

We had an incredible dinner, cooked by incredible church ladies!, then we had a prayer walk tour of the the new church, followed by a jamming worship session by Tevis West, CedarBrook's worship leader.

Our resident missionary host, Dave Johnson, taught us a little about CedarBrook's core values... They are REAL!!

R~Relationships
E~Excellence
A~Acceptance
L~Life Changing
L~Laughter

Then Dave & Mark, lead them in a rousing round of "We love Jesus, yes we do, We love Jesus - How about You?" I believe Dave's side won, heheh!!

Next thing you know, it was 8:00pm, and since we all needed to push our clocks ahead, it was really time to turn in - because tomorrow promises to be a pretty long day! (Church, church-lady lunch, 4 hours of work, youth group, small groups, and of course dinner and rest & relaxing with our host families.

This is awesome!

For the Team, Mark

Menomonie Mission : Day -1 till arrival!

2010-03-12T20:59:00.006-06:00

Welcome to the Menomonie Mission Blog Page ~!
Friday, March 12 - 2010
One day until the Woodruff Team arrives in Menomonie! WooHooo!~

I have no fresh photos from today because we were working so hard preparing for all of the team to arrive tomorrow afternoon. We must have climbed up & down the scaffolding 100 times each ~ I wish you were here today!

Prepare! Gird yourselves for action! and pray to see God in all he is doing around you!

Until tomorrow,
Mark~ For the team

Menomonie Mission 2010 Day -2

2010-03-11T08:14:00.005-06:00

Welcome to the Menomonie Mission Blog page~!

Two days until the team arrives in Menomonie!! Today the rain is falling, the fog is thick,,, but the snow is melting ~ and that's a good thing!

This morning Mark Jensen will drive over to the Menomonie job site to meet with Dave Johnson for the next two days, making final preparations until the team arrives Saturday afternoon.

There have recently been some very real Spiritual attacks coming down upon the mission team. Spiritual Attacks are 'normal' for teams getting ready to go out and be used mightily by God. You are God's ambassadors, and satan & evil do not like that! Our enemy will work to lower our spirit of excitement and throw a virtual bucket of water on your 'Fire'!

Take heart! God has given us Armor to protect against evil. Read Ephesians 6:10-18. In light of what you are preparing to do in God's kingdom, these verses may have new meaning now.

Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Take that to heart, study it, pray over it, sleep on it. I'll talk with you tomorrow...

For the team ~ Mark

Menomonie Mission 2010 Day -3

2010-03-10T10:29:00.009-06:00

Welcome to the Menomonie Mission Blog page~!

Today is Wednesday, three days before we depart for Menomonie, WI to help our good friends at Cedar Brook build their church. Preparations are underway on both ends, the 'senders' are sending, the 'goers' are preparing to GO, and the receivers are ready to receive nearly 30 people of Faith in Woodruff, WI.

This is going to be an awesome experience for everyone. Keep your eyes open for "God sightings" in all that you do. Pray without ceasing for God to use you in a mighty way.

And mostly, pray that God be glorified in all we do, because HE is God, we are His servants, and we do this all so that others may draw near to Him and get to know His saving grace.

Do I hear an Amen?

CLICK here to become a FAN of Cedar Brook on Face Book
(http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Menomonie-WI/Cedarbrook-Church/124865887726?ref=ts)
They have TONS of great construction pictures!!

For the team, Mark

Day Nine and beyond

2009-06-26T10:21:00.003-05:00

Sorry for lacking updates.... Tuesday we worked long and hard. Staying late up at El Faro church to finish the classroom (pictures later). The members of El Faro are really "the Church" ! Wow!

Wednesday ( Day 10) we drove long and hard making it out of Ensenada, over the boarder and way up to Fresno, just short of Yosemite Park. We got in late, and everyone slept really good.

Thursday (Day 11) Wake up early and prepared ourselves to view and experience some of the most wonderful parts of God's creation. We saw some absolutely incredible sights. We were in awe as we drove, walked, climbed and swam through the jillion acre park. At dusk, we wittnessed God setting the sun personally, just for us (so it appeared). I WILL get pictures on here of ALL of this. (patience)

Time has been xtra tight, as we cram a lot into these last few minutes of the mission.

Friday, today (day 12) we plan to go through Sequoia National Forest on our drive back to San Diego. There, we will do some debriefing and praying.

Everyone is well, some are sleepy, but everyone is well.

Pray for energy as we plow though these last few hours of the mission. There is a LOT to process. Your teens lives have been impacted (mine too) for an eternity. Everyine here misses everyine there (including little brothers), and we can not wait to get home to see you all!

For the team - Mark

For Suzanne M.

2009-06-23T09:59:00.002-05:00

Hi Mommy!

I miss you lots and I wish I had my camera sooooo bad because there has been so much to see and experience!
My eyes have been opened to a lot and God truly has been at work in my heart. One cool thing I have have seen is that through all this, He has also been working in your heart as well. I can tell through your words.
I love you my beautiful mom! :-)

Love, Bri

PS - I something for you at the market place that I'm sure you'll really like. Oh! - tell dad happy Fathers Day and that i love him and miss him a lot too.... I don't miss Austin (joke) :-)
Bri

For Eric & Dawn

2009-06-23T09:56:00.003-05:00

Greetings parental units:

Having lots of fun here. Although the weather was cloudy today, the climate is still amazing!
Worship is wonderful and our group has grown close. Give my love to Sarah, Miriam and Garrett
I miss you all.

Faith
PS - Rachel says 'hi'.

Day Eight, Monday

2009-06-23T08:50:00.007-05:00

Monday was a full day of working at our little church. What an awesome day! Some of the students cleaned up the church and the entire grounds before going throughout the neighborhood calling out for little ones to come follow us to church!! They returned with about 50 local children. Amazing!!

The remainder of the teens went to work with Mark, Jason and some of theMexican church men on the 10'x12' classroom.

It was a wonderful day, resulting in some very neat cross cultural relationship bonding. Time is short, so I must let the pictures speak the rest of the story.

Tuesday we will be completing, roofing, installing windows and painting the little building, and of course, doing more VBS and skits / dramas.

Keep praying, we can feel 'em!!!

For the team - Mark

Day Seven, Sunday

2009-06-22T09:03:00.005-05:00

Church
Our group was invited to "El Faro" Baptist Church in the 'Colonias' section of town. The hills are steep and sandy, the courtyard is hard-packed dry clay.. But the hearts are all full to the brim of God's unconditional love.
The church has around 40 people attending. It is in the foothills of Ensenada. The Pastor, Alfred, welcomed us with some English worship music and a sign written in English to make us feel at home. Four of our teens shared their testimonies; Will, Marie, Wyatt & Becca. The main message was delivered by Becca. The team presented four of our dramas. It was all well received. God presented us with an opportunity to do a building project for the church. Jason & Mark worked on the plans for building a classroom. Monday we will be building one or two classrooms depending on how much money we (students and leaders from Faith) can all donate to the project. The project is rather 'spur-of-the-moment' so we are relying purely on God's provision for plans and supplies. Pray for these 10'x12' classrooms, and the students who will one day soon fill them with laughter and God's love.

Carnival in the Park
In the early afternoon we all traveled to a local skate park where YWAM hosted a little 'Carnival' for the local teen of the area. There were 100's & 100's of kids from about 5 yrs to 25 yrs old. We manned all sorts of booths & outreach tents. From inflated bouncing tents to 'skee-ball' there was everything you would expect at a park-size carnival.

Many of our team was out of their comfort zone, not because of the Mexican language barrier, but because of the skate-park culture. It was fun and interesting to watch the inter actions. All the kids did a great job and had a lot of fun!

Prayer Walk
We ended the day with a prayer walk in a downtown area. God moved in many awesome ways as we strolled the streets, gave out sandwiches and prayed for the local people and establishments.

for the team - Marko

"But you are a chosen people, a royal preiesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."
1Peter 2:9

Day Six, Saturday

2009-06-21T10:14:00.004-05:00

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will. Eph 1:4-5

Computers were 'down' yesterday (Mexico) so I was unable to post anything, Plus ministry is really ramping up, and time is becoming more limited, so please forgive shorter posting, but we are busy from early until quite late in the evening (Thank you for understanding)

Friday we spent our first day of ministry at an orphanage. The home was started when a American Christian couple was vacationing on their large boat when it broke down near Ensenada. While repair were taking place, they noticed a huge number of children without homes. These children broke their hearts. The couple basically sold everything they had, including the boat and took up residence in Mexico. They now live at and run the orphanage, which doubles as a day care for the children of migrant farm workers. They usually feed up to 50 people per day.

We were able to play with the children and love on the children. We did crafts, played soccer and encouraged our hosts. We helped clean and scrub. The students hosted a mini-VBS for the little ones. Your teens were like the face of Jesus to these children and their hosting family. It was really incredible.

Saturday we went to a 'soup kitchen'/church in a very poor section of Ensenada. All dirt, no plumbing and many children running everywhere. We had a church service and we played with all the children. We did the skits and dramas that we practiced for both the children and adults.

All of the learning is paying off... better yet, all of the open hearts that were soaking up God's love are now pouring it back out again onto the children and people of Ensenada Mexico.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY! Today (Sunday) we are going to join in a church service, share our testimonies, and then go to a huge carnival-type evangelistic community event. Keep us in prayer throughout the day! Amen

Day 5, Friday

2009-06-20T08:45:00.000-05:00

The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

Day Four, Thursday

2009-06-19T09:55:00.004-05:00

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because He has annointed me to preach the good news to the poor. Isaiah 61:1

Who are we to choose who God can save, or who gets to hear the good news?? God is way bigger than the richest business man, the most gruff person, the biggest bully or the poorest- sickest beggar. He love them all the same, and wants them all to know Him intimately. This was the main emphasis from the morning speaker. I believe it hit the teens (and adults) right where they needed it.

As we go forward this week, we are reminded to claim the Power and Authority that Jesus has given us. Also, not to rejoice in this power, or the wonders it can accomplish, but to take joy in the awesome fact that we are God's children and our names are written in Heaven. (Luke 10)

I have to share an awesome moment from this morning. Our (your) students are showing great growth and maturity!

While we were having morning devotions on the oceanside, a young Mexican YWAM staffer came running out to the beach with an urgency, looking for Jason. When he found Jason, Jason immediately called one of the students, and all three ran off the beach without saying a word.

It looked very important - urgent - dangerous.

Without wondering, speculating or gossiping, the teens simply formed a circle, and with hands joined began to pray over the situation. I was so impressed, proud of them and deeply touched.

As it turns out, there actually was no extreme or dangerous matter, or if there was, God took care of the situation before it happened. amen!

Today - Thursday - is the last day with our worship band and our main am/pm speaker. It has been a great time of people pouring out their love, their hearts and God's lessons.

Starting tomorrow WE will begin to pour out everything we have learned up to this point. We will pour out all the love, all of our hearts and all the bible knowledge onto the people of Ensenada.

We have all grown in incredible ways in Jesus, and it is now our opportunity to go out and be Jesus to the hungry Mexican people.

Continue to pray for on ongoing filling of God's Holy Spirit - this is where the rubber hits the road.

For the team - Mark

More Pictures

2009-06-18T09:13:00.002-05:00

As promised, here is a direct link (click and go) to the YWAM photo web site.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ensmaphotos/collections/72157619808863024

They promise to update it daily.

Worship Time

2009-06-18T09:07:00.004-05:00

Morning worship time

TURN IT UP !!

Day Three, Wednesday

2009-06-18T08:10:00.005-05:00

A breakfast dare started the day when students double dog dared Mark to eat a bunch of home made Mexican hot sauce with his breakfast potatoes. Mark ate... laughed, cried, sniffled, sweated and suffered... the 'end' result will be felt later. But for someone who love hot foods, I (Mark) believe 1/2 of the fun is in the pain, so it was all good!

I have posted at least one photo of the beach area (?)... This is where we have our morning devotions. Devotions on the Pacific Ocean beach make quiet time unique and special. Devotions may never be the same...

The surf washes over the sand endlessly, reminding us of God's eternal qualities, the soothing sound of the ocean reminds us of God's comfort during times of need, the mighty expanse and power of the of the ocean remind us of the awesomeness of Jesus; His power to create, direct, walk on and even calm the waves, and the washing of the waves reminds us of the blood of Christ washing away all our sins once and for all.
The students all separate across the beach, taking time in solotude to read, reflect and meditate on God's word. We all have the opportunity to meet God right here in the vastness of His creation. It is incredible to imagine that the glory of nature was created by our God - and that He created us last, so that we could enjoy it, and be led back to Him.
(and all this happens before 9:00am)

Wednesday was again a 'school day'. The students (and some leaders) are learning excellent dramas which we will take to our outreach venues and the churches we will visit. Each drama is set to music and tightly coreographed; each is also directed as to show the awesome loving power of Jesus over satan in people's lives. These dramas are a very powerful way to communicate the love of Christ to the Mexican people through music and actions without the need of words or translators.

You can be very proud of your kids. They are all doing a great job being open to new evangelism tools, and some are turning out to be pretty good actors in these musical dramas.

Tonight our main speaker talked about what it is like for a teen to live out true Christianity. Who would let a person walk into a burning building to a certain death?.. no one. Yet how many people are too busy, too shy or too embarassed to talk to our neighbors, relatives and good friends about Jesus?... allowing them to perhaps perish to an eternal death.

The lesson was bold and courages. The speaker challenged the students not to be lazy or satisfied where they are with their Christianity, but instead to be bold and take a stand for Jesus NOW - not waiting for when they are "old enough" or "ready enough" to make a difference. This was again a very powerful message, and our students were moved.

After the main message, we had an opportunity to go out into the city and actually practice a little of what we just learned in the form of prayer walks. Four different group when to four key points of the city to gather and pray over the city and for the people of Ensenada, of all Mexico and even for our home town.

One word sums up what God is doing here with these students: AWESOME

Continue to pray for all the students. There is brokenness happening, rebirth, a growing boldness and deepening love of Christ and one another.

Thank you for your encouraging comments, please keep them coming as well!

For the team - Mark

Day Two, Tuesday

2009-06-17T09:12:00.005-05:00

Quiet time and devotions on the beach...

Group game time...

First, let me apologize for the non-functioning YWAM link tht was given out at church on Sunday. YWAM is trying to fix the web link and will notify us asap when it is working.

Today, Tuesday, God showed His awesome Glory in abundance throughout the entire day, He came to us through our morning quiet time/ devotions, in worship, through our bible teachings with the main speaker, during group games and while we were socializing with other Christian teens.

Today we learned some fantastic ministry tools: how to run a VBS, how to do clown skits, and one incredible, moving drama about the power of Jesus over satan.

This evening our main speaker brought forth a powerful message on purity of the heart and body and hopw we can be defined by others at a young age in a negative way. The message was about how Christ sees us, created us and loves us unconditionally. It was most excellent! At the end of the message, the students were asked to write down a list of their sins. They placed them all into a sack.

The message was followed by a YWAM drama of the crucifixion of Christ. It was very powerful.

During the drama, Christ held the sack of sins around His neck. He was beaten and crucified before our eyes, taking our sins with Him. When Christ was taken off the cross, the students gathered around the cross, broke into small groups and prayed for each other.

It was a monumental turning point in the mission, and in the lives of many students. Please pray for this moment to stay in their hearts and minds as a point of re-dedication and renewal of their faith.

Today was a fantasic day!

For the team, Mark

Romans 8:6 "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace;"

Day 1, Monday June 15

2009-06-16T09:05:00.003-05:00

Arrivals

Greetings from Ensenada, Mexico! After a 5 hour bus ride (amen and thankyou Lyle), an over nite stay inMilwaukee, a 4 hour flight to San Diego and finally a 3 hour van ride into Mexico - we have arrived!!

Praise God fo rtravel mercies! Everything was un-eventful - until - Jason's van full of 9 people started having serious problems, acting up and slowing down. Wait,, Who prayed for adventure?? Craig? Mark??

Well, God provides adventure, provides opportunities to pray - and pray some more, andtoday He provided answers to prayer. Amen!

Yes, the bus made it, and the rental co. is bringing a new van all the way down to Mexico on Tueday! Praise the Lord!

This afternoon (Monday) we are getting settled into our rooms, we are meeting students from 3 other states and hanging out with YWAM students from all over the globe. Wow!

Already today we have had many meaningful conversations with our team of students. Please continue to pray for their openness to God's leading.

We are continuibg to pray for God to bring the students (and leaders) closer to Himself. We pray for brokenness which can lead to new beginnings and fresh starts and we continue tp pray for open hearts among our students as they learn important mision and outreach tools to use during evangelistic times in the city.

Today was a good day.

For the team, Mark

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding"
Proverbs 3:5

How to contact us ??

2009-06-12T21:14:00.007-05:00

Depending on where you are reading this blog post, you have the opportunity to give us 'real-time' feed back regarding our blog posts, or a post for your son or daughter to read. Or you may simply want to give the entire team a little encouragement.
You may read this blog from either the church website
http://www.faithfreewoodruff.org/missions.cfm or from the actual blogger site http://worshipwithourlives.blogspot.com/.

If you desire to leave notes or comments for us, you must read from the blogger site
http://worshipwithourlives.blogspot.com/.

From here, you will see directly after this entry, a the time it was posted, followed by "comments". Click on the word 'comment' to make a comment!! (please)!

Two Days until Mexico!!!

2009-06-12T20:55:00.002-05:00

On June 14th Dee Dee Lund, Pastor Jason and Cathy & Mark Jensen will depart Minocqua with 14 awesome students: Jenny Van Order, Wyatt Knapstien, Shelby Rayala, Will Dallmann, Kylie Grooters, Kaylee Shafbuch, Faith Nei, Ethan Nei, Marie Peters, Becca Tadych, Mike Hiolmquist, Rachel Okinello, Suzanne Holcombe, and Brianna Mursette-Simmonds.

We will all be departing the church parking lot in our faithful blue school bus at 1:00pm, shortly after being commissioned during the Sunday service.

The students have undergone intensive training. Over 15 hours of training / service projects / team-building / fundraising pizza bakes and daily devotions have the students fully prepped for this mission. At this point.. as a leader... I simply give it all up to God. We have done all humanly possible,... now it is time to watch what is possible through GOD!

Please pray for our team and the people we will be in contact with as we travel and when we arrive in San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico.

Amen!

Final Thoughts on Czech

2009-03-30T15:52:00.005-05:00

It has been a great week, with many “God sightings” as we’ve sought to be a “Barnabas Team” … encouraging people in whatever way we can.
Our hands encouraged the Josiah Venture Staff as we were able to so some construction work on the Pstruzi House Retreat Center. Our lips expressed words of encouragement and prayers for the leaders and families who live and serve here. And last, but certainly not least, our hearts connected with the vision and passion of the entire Josiah Venture organization.

We’re hoping and believing that there will be many more connections and opportunities for people to join with us in this part of the world!

I leave you with some fun pictures of our journey.
Mark carrying a crock pot as carry-on luggage for 6000 miles, Mark and Noah, posing for a breakfast photo, Dave, Mel & Amy enjoying a new twist on an old board game, and Noah and Mel - goofing around after dinner at a seafood restaurant.

Maybe next year there will be pictures of YOU on here... at least that is what we are praying!!

Time to leave - almost!

2009-03-30T15:28:00.004-05:00

After a long day working on the Retreat Center, we had to vacate the Ellenwood home, because new travellers from Wisconsin (Three Lakes) were coming to visit. But the good news is that our final night in Northeastern CZ was going to be in the Josiah Venture's Hotel Melanovice. (Click here for Hotel info) The hotel was purchased as a little run-down hotel, and refurbished by Josiah Venture to be a true, self-sustaining, tourist filled hotel! They also use it to host English camps, retreats and seminars! This is where we will possibly stay when we return with a team next March.

The good news is that we would stay at a fabulous hotel - the bad news was that the blizzard was still blowing, and the little mountain-pass / driveway up the mountain was unfit for travel. So we had to HIKE up the hill for our final night!

The next morning, the snow was still flying as we prepared to make our way back to Prague. Thankfully, God lifted the storm just as we departed, and we had dry roads for most of our 4 hour journey! (AMEN)

Workin like crazy snowmen!

2009-03-30T13:54:00.003-05:00

Thursday was to be our final day of hard labor - and loving on the Ellenwoods!
The day again began with bright sunshine and 29 degree temps. The weather was soon to warm up, but the sky was about to fall apart on us!

It was time we wrapped up our project on the Retreat House. Today there was a lot of work to do. Siding, rafters, purloins and flashing prep - all in preparation for a metal roof which will come soon.

Our highlight of this day, beside all the great work we accomplished was our side trip to the local log home factory.

The actual retreat house will be a newly built log home. We got a private tour of the factory which might build the home. Although the log home will be assembled by factory technicians, all of the interior detail work will need to be done by teams of Americans and Czechs working together to finish the retreat center as soon as possible.

URGENT MATTERS. There are over 180 Josiah Venture missionaries in 11 countries who are in need of this Retreat Center. Mel told us today that each week he receives telephone calls and emails from people who are requesting time at the Retreat Center, fearing they may burn-out soon. From the USA there are already counselors lined up to volunteer their time at the center for hurting people. It is urgent that this Retreat Center is built soon!

We wrapped up our final work day, staying as late as we could on the mountainside working.

By the time we were finished working - we were truely "finished" Our bodies ached and our muscles were tired, but our Spirits were renewed with the incredible amount of work that was accomplished over the week!

Tonight will be our final night with Mel, Amy, Hannah, Hayley and Noah. It will be bittersweet.

Working Wednesday

2009-03-18T10:10:00.010-05:00

The girls day: Wednesday morning started off with the boyz (Mark & Dave) heading off to the building project to do some more work. Joyce & I got to sleep in and then spend some time with Amy Ellenwood. We have not had a lot of time with her, so that was nice.

We started the morning by getting some laundry started. It takes a long time to do a load of laundry. Most washers have a 2 hour washing cycle. Yikes! We perserved because Mark's clothes can get really smelly after a few days of work. Later Amy took Joyce & I into Poland. The Ellenwoods town, Cesky Tesin, is located on the border of Poland. Like right on the border! We can see the border gate from the house. We went downtown and parked the car. Then we walked down the street and over the river and we were in Poland. Cool! We did a little shopping and ran into two friends of Amy's friends. It was definitely a "God thing" as one of the friends was dealing with the 2 year anniversary of her son's death. Amy has been a great encouragement to this woman and we pray that the Lord will use it.

In the afternoon, we went with Amy to her school. She teaches English to Czech students twice a week. These students are like High School students yet they are doing college preparation studies. The students had to ask us questions and then tell Amy the things they learned. Later they told us in English about the Czech school system and the teachers. It was fun and interesting.

The boys day: Dave, Mark & Mel's son, Noah working at the retreat center.

Tired Tuesday

2009-03-17T17:27:00.007-05:00

Please accept our apologies for a delayed Tuesday Blog - we have been going busy straight through from 6:30 this morning until about 10:00 tonight. After a little devotional time & quiet time, it is time for bed.

Thankfully my best buddy Dave had a little energy left to blog - he posted a ton of super fun pictures, and wrote all about today.

Read it at http://nextinternational.blogspot.com/
Above, Dave & I finish up a 10 course recycled brick knee wall below the frame wall we built yesterday. There is such great joy in a job completed for the Lord! Cathy and Joyce completed some pretty huge tasks today as well, but I'm sure Cathy will tell you about them in the morning.
The Folks at Josiah Venture are so very happy that Faith was able to send a small team this Spring to work on the Pastoral Retreat Center. The completion of this center is going to have eternal meaning in the lives of all who can use it - and then continue ministry.

Cathy will get us back up to blogger speed in the morning tomorrow!
Thanks for all your continued prayers! This is a fantastic mission so far - God is using us in great ways and showing & teaching us great things.

Staying with the Ellenwood family is a total treasure for us, and I hope for them too!
Bless you all ! - Goodnight!

(now go to read Dave's Blog!!)

Construction Monday

2009-03-17T00:42:00.010-05:00

On Monday we went up the side of the mountain to the site of the Missionary Retreat Center. Currently, it is an old house with a barn. The barn still has hay from housing animals. The house has been gutted.

Today the men; Mark, Dave & Mel worked in the barn. They framed up a new wall that will eventually become the outside wall as the chicken coop part of the barn will be torn down. The barn will then continue being renovated until it is a beautiful guest house for the retreat center. It is where counselors can stay when they are assisting families who may need their help.

The women; Joyce & Cathy gathered tools and headed into the house to de-construct framing on the second floor.

Later on Monday night, the Ellenwoods hosted several Moody students at their home. They shared their story of how God brought them to Czech.

It was very inspiring. They are faithful and God is awesome!

Day Three - Sunday

2009-03-15T09:16:00.003-05:00

This morning we woke up to chilly temps and pouring rain.

Mel took us to his local church-plant near his home in Karvina. It is a small church. One of the Elders will preach most Sundays. However, once a month the pastor of the "mother" church comes in to preach. He was preaching today.

Dave was asked to share with the church today. Everyone said that he did very well speaking in Czech. He would not agree, but he is humble. Two girls from the church sang and they reminded me so much of our wonderful friends in Slovakia. I realize how much I miss them. Noah translated for me. It was his first time doing serious translation and he did it very well. When we had prayer time, I participated and he translated my prayer for the church to hear.

Pray for this little church. There are about 60 people who attend off & on, today there were about 30. Economic times here in Eastern Czech are very hard. Most of the coal mines and factories have closed. Domestic violence is high, and the the young people are a lost generation.

But there is Hope. Each year thousands of young people come through English programs and summer camps sponsored by Josiah Venture. Each of those programs and camps are connected to a local church body who love on & follow up with any students who are interested.

Keep Praying!

Day Two - Cesky Tesin

2009-03-15T09:01:00.003-05:00

Saturday morning we woke up at the crack of daybreak, borrowed a car from friends, and drove all the way across Czech from West to East, ending up about 100 yards from the Polish Border. Our first stop was to meet up with some guys high up in the Josiah Venture organization. They laid out a vision for their ministry for the next 15 years. ((incredible))

We met at a hotel which was purchased and renovated by Josiah Venture. They now use it for a conference center, summer camp, weekend retreats - and it also serves as an actual Hotel for locals, travelers and skiers.

Our next stop was suppose to be at the retreat center that we will be helping to renovate, but it has snowed everyday for the past week, and we couldn't get in!! Sunday we will go up with shovels to clear the driveway.

We closed the day (Saturday) with home made spaghetti and all of us joining in the world's funnest game (Telephone Pictionary) Mel laughed until he cried!!
(thanks Brandon)
(did I mention that it was 45 degrees & sunny?)

Day One in Prague

2009-03-15T08:21:00.006-05:00

We arrived safely in Prague on Friday afternoon, spent the afternoon with some old friends and slept hard after traveling 5000 miles.

Here are a few fun pictures of Prague. Cathy is trying to figure out how to buy subway & train tickets from a machine written entirely in Czech (successfully)!
Cathy is sporting her new Czech hat, because the wind was whipping up around 20 mph!
And finally a photo of one of the most beautiful churches (now a museum) in Central Europe. It is housed within the safety of the walls of the Prague Presidential Palace.

On to what is NEXT ! Czech Republic

2009-03-11T08:24:00.009-05:00

Cathy & Mark Jensen, Joyce & Dave Johnson and the hearts of dozens of supporters travel Thursday, 3/12, to Prague, and then our final destination, Cesky Tesin, Czech Republic. We will be staying with Mel & Amy Ellenwood, sharing in their lives and their ministries.

Please continue to pray for the Ellenwood family, the people of Czech, and all the travelers that God will have us meet along the way.

(You can enlarge the accompanying photo by clicking on it, or if you go to the actual blogsite "www.worshipwithourlives.blogspot.com" you may leave comments > very encouraging)

We will update this blog as often as possible - once we finally get settled in.
We fly out on Thursday and land on Friday, then hopefully catch the train from Prague to Cesky Tesin.

Not only is God worthy of all Praise, Honor & Glory, but I'm sure He loves a good Adventure!

Back Home

2009-03-03T06:27:00.002-06:00

Well, we are all back home, safe and sound. All of us are humbled to have been a part of what God has done in the past week. Please keep praying for all the people in Ica that Jesus will continue to be glorified in their lives and that they will be strong trees planted by streams of living water that will shade and transform their whole country. Thanks very much to all who have been praying for us, we did see God's hand during our stay....further adventures to come...so stay tuned.
With lots of love and thanks,
The Peru Team

More Pictures!

2009-02-27T05:28:00.005-06:00

This is a great big AWANA festival that was held yesterday...there were approximately 130-150 children there to hear the Gospel.

These are some of the children that were with us in Hurango...the boy in the blue is 11 and he used the Evangecube to bring and adult to Christ!!!!

Here is the team and all our tranlators! We could not do this work without them.

This is a picture of some of the nationals that were working with us, Rolando and his daughter, Dulce.....she is 14!

On a personal note, I (chris) am feeling alot better...I was prayed over by Mosi and Eric and I was better in one hour!!! That is a miracle of God!!! As they say down here, Gloria a Dios!!!!!! (Glory to God)

Al Final Dia en Ica (Our final day in Ica)

2009-02-26T14:34:00.003-06:00

I have some stories to share with you from each of the team members. These are stories of how God worked or was blocked by human effort.

Hal: On Sunday, Hal and his translator were at a house where all the females and the grandfather were believer´s in the Lord Jesus. While they were there, the father came home and I realized that without the father´s belief in Jesus, the family would be at odds with each other. I followed God´s leading and gave the cube presentation to him and he not only excepted Christ, he came to the discipleship that night to learn more!

Josh: I did a cube presentation for a small boy 4 times and when I asked him where we go when we accept Christ, he said to Lima...Sometimes things just don´t work out.

Don: A small boy came and asked us to share with his father. He did pray to receive Christ and joined the Bible study that night.

Lora: Of all the things that hit me most was the situation with the children. One by the name of Margarita, as me if I hit my children in the face...I said no, I have spanked them 2 times. She said that it´s different here and that Jesus can help you through the abuse. Jesus can work in her to stop the cycle. Another little girl, whose parents moved to Spain for work said she would love a mother who spoke English...How I would love to take that girl home!

Eric: The thing that touched me the most was a blatant, visible love for Christ. Our news shows all the horrible things that happen and not the good side and the stories of happy people loving Christ and wealthy in ways we could never comprehend. A wealth that is true wealth and nothing to do with money.

Faye: There were 2 adult brothers that accepted Christ and later that night another brother and his wife showed up to request the Gospel presentation. The next day, a teenager who was visiting the house, said she was a "Christian" but was living an immoral lifestyle. Because of this, she thought she could not be forgiven. She ended up tearfully confessing and receiving God.

Rose: There were two ladies just waiting for someone to come tell them about the Lord, 2 men that wanted their wives to come to the Lord and 2 miracles that God performed in their lives.

Larry: I was struck by the children that followed us around and the joy of the Lord was present in all as we worshipped together. I developed a great relationship with my translator, Mijail. I am soooo blessed to be sharing this experience with Faye!

Chris: I had one woman who stated that she had too many problems to follow Christ. Her husband had killed their daughter. My translator, Kathleen shared her abusive past and was able to lead the woman to Christ.

Tim: We were having lunch with our Pastor Josue and there was a young boy selling candy for book money for school. I just sat there and said no, but Pastor Josue gave the boy a plate of food. I looked over and saw Jesus sitting there and I felt so ashamed...

That was some of our experiences in Ica and the surrounding area this week. We are leaving for Lima tomorrow and we are all sad that our experience has come to an end. Pray for Chris as she has caught a bug down here and is feeling very bad....

See you on Saturday!!!
The Peru Team

Time for some pictures!

2009-02-24T06:05:00.008-06:00

This picture is of us witnessing in Huarango.

After a successful AWANA presentation!

The second church we went to for AWANA in Ica.

The first church for AWANA---games were out in the street, but boy the children loved it!

Visiting Tim and Chris´s church from last year---what a blessing to see those people again!

I can only show the pictures that I (chris) took, but I hope to get some others from Rose and Hal and Don...Pray for these people...they don´t have much, but they have big hearts for the Lord!

Pray for us as we begin another day of witnessing to the nations the glory of Our Lord Jesus!

Pray for the AWANA games that the children are reached for the Lord through our presentations using the cube..

With much love,

The Peru Team

2009-02-23T07:48:00.002-06:00

Day One
On Sunday, we all went with our churches to begin the great work of evangelizing the nation. Tim, Chris, Lora and Pastor Julio had 2 AWANA presentations that went very well. They talked to approximately 110 children and leaders of the churches. 2 of those churches are going to be starting OANSA in their church!! Praise God! Tim and Chris´s pastor also came to the hotel. He could not be at the opening rally as he had been mugged and robbed. Pray for him!
Lora went back to her church with Josh and was sharing with several people with backgrounds where they believed works would save them. She was able to lead several down the Gospel path!
Josh was struck by how different our cultures are, but how deeply we worship the same Mighty God.
Eric and Rose got to participate in a baby dedication and Eric gave the message for the Sunday service with a couple of people coming to the Lord!!! Yea God!!
Faye and Larry were able to share with a family who had a relative visiting who was a Christian. He had not been going to church, but was intending to share the Gospel with his unbelieving family. The presentation helped him rededicate to God!
Don was witnessing to an entire family whose father is very excited about Jesus and his whole family made a decision to follow Christ.
Hal was able to preach the lesson on Sunday and saw the Lord harvest 5 more souls!!

All this is to the Lord´s Glory and Praise!!
Pray for our discipleship with the people that have made a decision. This is very important to us as we need to grow strong trees and not just pretty flowers or plants! Thank you to Pastor Julio for that message....look in Matthew for the verses about trees!
Pray for the OANSA outreaches for the next few days...we want to plant good trees and nourish the ones that are already growing...

Blessings in the Lord,
The Peru Team

Day One in Ica

2009-02-22T06:23:00.002-06:00

We are in Ica!! Last night was our opening rally with the churches at the Baptist church near our hotel. We met our pastors and talked with them about the next few days. We did have one snag as one church did not join us. That leaves Tim and Chris free to do 5 AWANA meetings with the different churches! God has a plan in all of this as He knows what he is doing. It will mean more traveling and less adult evangelism, but we will be able to reach both the children AND adults with the message of hope and grace! Praise to our Lord for his working out of all things to the good of those who believe in him.
Pray for flexibilty and patience for the teams as they go out into the streets to spread the Gospel. Pray for the AWANA outreaches that they draw multitudes to hear the Gospel.
Pray we find ice cream for Don.....

In Christ and with Love,
The Peru Team

2009-02-21T06:35:00.002-06:00

Praise the Lord!!!
We are here safe and sound...tired, but safe.
We praise God for opportunities given on our plane trip to Hal, Mark and Lora for evangelizing!! Pray for one young Russian girl who is here to take 3 months off to renew her US visa. She was very open to hearing the Good News of the Gospel!
Greetings to all of our families and friends. We leave for Ica at 9:00 this morning on a bus with our translators and Pastor Julio.
Pray for more safe travels and opportunities to spread the Good News..

From Lima,
The Peru Team

Final Thoughts and Prayers

2009-02-18T22:16:00.003-06:00

Well, it is late and time to turn our thoughts to our mission to Peru in the morning...here are some of our final thoughts and prayers before we take off to see what God will have us do to advance His Kingdom...

Eric: Prayers for continued healing for a sinus infection and peace in the home while gone.

Hal: God's peace that all the last minute details are taken care of.

Tim: A safe trip, a large harvest; especially for Pastor Julio and AWANA. Rosario's healing from breast cancer surgery, increased funding for our missionary in Lima, David Block. A huge movement of the Spirit and peace and safety for our families here at home.

Lora: For protection for her two children and family and for the Peruvian AWANA (Oansa) festival on 02/26/09...200+ children with open hearts to be reached with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christina: Peace and safety for my entire family while I am away. That AWANA will proceed smoothly without most of the leaders, for my AWANA group...and my Bible study group at Lake Tom Bible Church. That my sister and her husband reach full funding for their mission to the Czech Republic...Praise and thanks to the Lord for giving us this awesome task...may we glorify your name!!!

Next blog will be from the field in Ica!!!
Love in Christ
The Peru Team

Destination Ica, Peru

2009-02-17T11:56:00.006-06:00

Please join us in prayer for the mission team headed out to Ica, Peru on Thursday, Feb 19, 2009.

Mark Demers is leading a team consisting of Christina Quam, Hal Havisto, Rose Boedecker, Tim Friedrich, Josh Zabel, Larry & Faith TenHaken, Don Metzger, Eric Nei and Lora Lehman back into Ica, Peru for the 5th consecutive evangelistic mission into South America.

Please pray for travel mercies, boldness, safety, and open hearts while this team does the work of God for the next 8 days.

Check this blog regularly for new updates and photos!

Sincerely,
2009 Mission Council

Travels into Budapest

2008-05-30T18:32:00.005-05:00

This was the final night of our journey in Eastern Europe. We finished the day with a wonderful dinner at a famous resturant in Budapest (on the Pest side) as well as a cruise on the Danube. Amazingly beautiful and full of the history of Budapest. We leave tomorrow for the airport at 5:00am and poor Dan is doing one last drive :( Thank you for your support and prayer throughout this entire journey. We have loved the priveleage of sharing this experience with not only eachother but with the church body as a whole. Thank you! Please pray in particular for a man I met in the interview process who is having to travel over 600 miles every other week in order to attend seminary in the Czech Republic. This is not only a financial burden but a hardship on his wife and young son as well as unborn child. He is especially on my heart. See you back in the States soon...michelle and I are finally going to go to bed...maybe. :) Love from Hungary one last time, The team

Hello from Nancy... !

2008-05-29T15:53:00.004-05:00

Yes it is me--finally. tried a few days and the whole thing went blank....BUT I tried

It has been VERY hectic but such a blessing. Highlites have been interviewing scholarship applicants, meeting and praying with some of participants,learning about the various cultures,and helpingthe various staff set up and present their programs. The stores of what they have come thru (communism ,underground churches, living on less than 75euros per monthetc)

Forgot my password so couldnot e- mail Sharon..sorry. Will be home late Sat nite-we will see about going to FEF--might not get up till Monday' ígotta run. Got bless, Nancy

Hey... this is Dan,

2008-05-28T05:33:00.007-05:00

Later today I will be driving another run to Budapest, but before I do that I want to tell you about the forum bookstore. We have brought boxes and boxes and BOXES of books from the US. Many of these are expensive theoloogy and reference books that would be out of reach finacially for the delegates. Here, they do not have to pay shipping, and the prices are deeply, deeply discounted (sorry, Arnie). Sara and I have worked in the bookstore, and it is like watching little kids on Christmas morning. They are amazed at the wonderful resources that are available to them for pennies on the Euro. I am humbled (even embarrassed) at how much we have, how spoiled we are, and how unthankful we are. These delegates are so, SO grateful.

Please keep on praying. We have much to do in the next few days, and a long way to travel home. Dan

Hello to all from Hungary

2008-05-28T05:04:00.006-05:00

Dan and I are writing from the hotel lobby on a keyboard that has the y and the z buttons transposed so every word containing a y or z has to be retyped.

We just said goodbye to Mate from Hungary. For those of you who may not remember, he is the young pastor our church sponsored financially to come to the forum. He expresses his thanks for the chance he had to come to the forum. ˝It was a good financial investment.˝ He said the Sunday morning plenary session was especially meaningful for him. He likened it to being a construction worker being covered with dust at the end of the day-and having God´s grace like a shower refresh him.

We have heard many touching stories, many of which we would like to share. Like the astronomer from Bulgaria who could get a high paying job in the US but feels God has called her to remain at the University there. Through the forum she has been able to have speakers come to the major university in her country on 2 occasions to speak of the existence of God. This causes many to think of these issues in a country that has only a handful of believers. She has been praying for a Christian colleage and recently this prayer has been answered. One of her major prayer requests is that God would bring brave men as leaders in the church. She says that the women get together and pray about this.

Many have expressed to us that the forum allows them to have the encouragement they need to carry on in a life completely surrounded by those who think they are just a strange sect of some kind. Pastors come discouraged and for a small amount of time get to sing in a large group praising God-what a wonderful experience.
Sara

Wordless Wednesday

2008-05-27T20:56:00.014-05:00

Love from Nancy

2008-05-27T12:10:00.005-05:00

Hi everyone!

This is the first time I've had a chance to sit and type to you all--plus I finally had a lesson from Mitchelle on what a blog is --so this is my contribution!

Mark/Cathy: I had to interview Pastor Peter--what a dear, dear wonderful Christian man. He said to send you his greetings and added that I should tell you to contact Dave

Progress...

2008-05-27T02:55:00.004-05:00

It seems we have finally come to a place where we are comfortable doing our jobs, know how to handle situations, and are very effective at the projects we are given. And it only took us four days to become so! :) However, here things change on a regular basis which, for me, is part of the charm. For example, last night during the time when there is usually a large group meeting, there was a culture night. This night included five different stations including a singing couple from New Zealand/England, a dueling piano station, a jazz and poetry section, a visual art section, and an amazingly talented singer who closely resembled a Shawn McDonald sound with a Romanian accent. Each participant were able to attend three of the five choices. The whole experience was a wonderful "night off" of experiencing the talents of just a few of those at this conference. Specifically I was touched by the honesty, clarity, and passion of the singer (who sounded like Shawn). The introductions of his songs were amazingly profound and also simplistic, a hard balance to find in music I believe. Well I am off to finish up the evaluations from this morning. Love from us all in Hungary! God Bless, The team

Hello my Precious Family.....

2008-05-26T12:05:00.008-05:00

Hello my Precious Family Friends and Prayer Warriors,

Thanks for praying...I know that you are because of what happened on Friday. as you know, I have been not just bumped but ripped out of my comfort zone. Our suitcase had not arrived with us at Budapest, and I would soon be driving in a foreign country. Well the suitcase showed up, and I have driven four round trips (each over 300 Km) to the airport, each without incident. Wow....thanks! I really, really mean it!
Let me tell you about driving. (My adult children will really love this...they think that I am gadget challenged, and they are right!) I have been totally dependent on a GPS. It has worked great! It has told be about every turn 800 meters, then 300 meters, then 100 meters, before it was to happen. I've made them all. It also talks t me about other things. (Imagine this in a British accent). It will suddenly (often :-() say..."You are exceeding the speed limit". Opps! Then, when I would slightly miss the course, it would say, "Route recalculation". It was great. I even named...."Little Buddy". Please pray especially for me again on Wednesday when I again begin driving to return delegates to the airport. Thanks.

One more thing (for my adult children :-) I was in the Budapest airport for only five minutes before someone asked me for directions. The family tradition rides on!

As DeeDee Lund would say, "Pray On".

Dan Scholten for the Wisconsin team in Budapest

Jo Reggelt!

2008-05-26T01:36:00.008-05:00

Jo Reggelt! (Good morning in Hungarian)

This morning was one of those mornings when the sky is blue as can be, breakfast was outside, and the air was filled with talk of Christ's love spoken in as many languages as you could count. Just another normal day at the Forum! Dan and Sarah had their first full night of good rest, Michelle and I were able to explore the town a little late last night, and Nancy is so busy and talkative I have yet to see her except in passing... but from what I can see, she is loving this opportunity. This forum is a very unique experience because it is a rare situation where you are able to serve those around you and see the results of that work in the faces and lives of those around you. Therefore, we have been blessed beyond words! Yesterday, I met Mate, the pastor of the Evangelical Church in Budapest who's scholarship was provided by our church. He is a wonderful man, working tirelessly for Christ who, when interviewed yesterday, did not stop expressing his thanks to us and to our church for providing this opportunity for him! The interviews, a process every scholarship applicant must go through, has been the most powerful thing I have yet to experience. Sitting across the table from someone who's heart is sold out to Christ no matter the circumstances, while listening to the story of his life is an amazing amazing thing! The participants continue to thank us, but we must also thank them for the work they do and the passion so obviously written on their faces. This is just one of the many ways this forum has affected us on a highly personal level. Thank you for your support of our team as well as the members attending the forum. You cannot fully understand how much you have changed their lives through your generosity. Love from Hungary, God Bless
-Elisabeth and the Team

Late Nights...

2008-05-25T17:47:00.007-05:00

It is about 12:30 or so here in Hungary and I am just writing to say goodnight. Sorry the post was so short today but we all have been so busy interviewing and enjoying those around us that I completely ran out of time today. There will be a much more informational post tomorrow. For tonight, good night! Much love from Hungary from us all! God Bless, Elisabeth and the team

It has now begun

2008-05-25T03:23:00.003-05:00

We have been told that our first real day of the Forum has now begun. It is about 10:30 here in Hungary and the day has been underway since 6:00 this morning for most of us. A normal day begins with breakfast in the main dining hall usually consisting of eggs, Hungarian sausage (very good!), danishes, breads, cucumbers and tomatoes, and of course...lots and lots of coffee.

sorry, ...have to run -

love to all
Nancy

Another day in Eger

2008-05-24T14:55:00.015-05:00

Another day in Eger...

It is about 10:00pm here in Hungary while in the states you are most likely just getting ready to make dinner after an afternoon nap (we are 7 hours ahead). It has been a very long day full of new people to meet and books to sort. A highlight of the day has been dinner. Each different particpant in the Forum is assigned a different table to sit at in hopes of mixing people from other countries together for meal times. This is very exciting for me as I was able to have a wonderful conversation with a Scottish gentleman, a British gentleman, as well as an American living in Budapest for the past 16 years. We will sit in these same groups for the first three days of the conference and then will have themed nights such as national night where citizens from the same countries all sit together. Thus far, meeting all these different people from different parts of the world has been the most enjoyable for me. I can't help but grin everytime I hear a new accent! Today both Michelle and I found it more difficult to wake up and are feeling the long days more and more. Again, please pray that we will not lean on our own strength but that of the Lord and are able to serve these amazing people to the best of our ability.
Love in Christ, Elisabeth and the Team

The Real Deal

2008-05-24T03:11:00.007-05:00

Good morning from Eger Hungary. I am typing away not only at this blog but also at lists and lists and more lists of books we will be selling at the Forum bookstore in the next few days. Coming here, I have come to realize once again what a blessing literature is to so many people. All the forum participants come up the stairs into the book store, and it looks as though Christmas morning has come early! I have never before realized how much access we have to books in the States that those in Europe do not have the opportunity to enjoy. What a blessing it is to experience this kind of joy over something that we take for granted to often. This is just one of the ways the participants have blessed us when really we have come to try to bless them. It is amazing how God works. This is also the last day that people will be arriving at the Forum and therefore the registration area is packed and the drivers, namely Dan from our group, is kept very busy. Please pray for us all that the Lord will provide strength when ours fails and love for those around us when we feel tired. Thank you so much for your loving prayers and support. God Bless, Elisabeth

Hello Everyone

2008-05-23T13:09:00.006-05:00

Thanks for the prayers. The luggage arrived, unscathed, at about ten AM into our hotel room. I spent the day taking mug shots of the participants for the record. Every year, these pictures are used for identification purposes. Dan and Michelle and I spent a good portion of the day setting up the bookstore for the participants. There are lots and lots of books, half of which we would all like to read, given the time. Dan and Nancy spent a good portion of the day going to the airport to pick up a load of people flying in-just waiting for them to pull in any minute.
Pray on.
Sara

First Morning in Eger Hungary

2008-05-22T23:57:00.018-05:00

...We are here!
I am writing you from the lobby of our hotel looking out the window at cobbled streets and the terraces of the apartment buidling across the street. Hungary is beautiful to say the least! We are finally here after 23 hours of grueling travel. Though all the members look more refreshed after a night of rest, we are still a little travel worn. So far all has gone well except for a lost suitcase of Dan and Sara's that was misplaced between Budapest and Amsterdam. Please pray for its safe return soon. An interesting event thus far has been Nancy's seatmate during our trans-atlantic flight, a woman from St. Petersburg, Russia and a believer at that! Finally, I have discovered that European fuses do not play well with American hair dryers...oops. Well we are off to breakfast and to start our first day and its 7:00am over here.

Hope all is well back home! God Bless, Elisabeth

We are ready to be on our way....

2008-05-20T20:48:00.005-05:00

William Wordsworth says this..

" The Best portion of a good man's life, his little, nameless unremembered acts of kindness and of love."

Serving is putting feet to affection and affirmation. If you love someone - do something.

European Leadership Forum Team

2008-05-19T11:41:00.008-05:00

Sara, Dan, Michelle, Lissy, & Nancy

Our 2008 May Missions Team is ready to leave for Eger, Hungary

Please continue to pray for them and the National Pastors and Leaders that will be attending this Forum.

more information about the forum can be found at http://www.euroleadership.org/

Weclome Back Amy!

2008-05-17T09:04:00.003-05:00

Sumpango, Guatemala will never be the same.

Thank you for living for Jesus in your every moment and your every days!

New Blogsite

2008-05-13T14:50:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the new home of Faith EV Free Church , Woodruff, WI Missions!
Watch for exciting news and missions to follow soon!