The Simply Missions Blog

South Africa Picture Log (#2)

2011-08-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

View of Joberg from the Apartheid museum.

Freedom Square in Soweto.

An area of informal settlement still remaining in Soweto.

Relaxing at the guesthouse.

The ladies cooking dinner at Nieu Communities.

Planting grass at the orphanage.

South Africa Reflections (#5)

2011-08-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

Today is Wednesday and we leave in 2 days. Honestly, I wishit were more like twenty. The first conversation we had with Pure Hopediscussed real communities and relationships, and I feel like I am just nowstarting to have real relationships with not only the team from America butalso our friends we’ve made in South Africa like the Pure Hope team and theNieu Communities families. Regardless of our short time left, I am glad that wemet these people and the experiences we have shared.

These past couple days have been filled with some prettyintense situations, but in a good way. Yesterday, we went back to the Juvenileprison and sat in on the weekly Bible Study led by Pure Hope. Last week, Katieand I joined Wihan and Dian for the art class, but since it was a holiday(Women’s Day!!), only the team from America,Maxi and Chris were present. We discussed our identity in Christ and what thatmeant for our purpose in life. There was some pretty intense discussion in oursmaller groups, and Conrad (one of the inmates) even led the group indiscussion and song. It was very inspiring and Jennifer even took notes on theSouth African hymnals he sang. I was very glad we were able to go and visit theboys again.

Today, after sleeping in an extra 30 minutes (such ablessing!!), we went with Curtis and Braam to visit the Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg,and Soweto. After taking a fewcourses on South Africaand the Apartheid regime, I was not much surprised by what was presented in themuseum. However, I was very pleased with the presentation of the Apartheid eraand its affect on the nation and surrounding areas. It was unbiased, objective,but also had a personal feeling about it that allowed you to connect to thestories of individuals who experienced Apartheid and the fight against it.Everyone absorbs the information differently, but there is no way anyone couldtwist the presentation to be for or against anyone – just cold, hard facts.Then we drove through Soweto,learned a bit about its history, saw Mandela’s house and soccer city. We drovethrough downtown Joberg and returned home. Later tonight, we are going to seeBang Bang Club, which is a movie about photographers/journalists who documentedthe terrors and violence in the fight against Apartheid. I’ve heard it isgraphic, and I am honestly concerned that I’ll be able to stomach it. We’ll seehow that goes, and hope that it’s good.

Thank you to all who have had us in our prayers; we havecertainly felt them and enjoyed our time here.

- Kristin.

South Africa Reflections (#4)

2011-08-07T08:39:00.001-07:00

We have officially been here over one week and still lovethe country, the people and of course, the coffee. I think we go to coffeeshops at least twice a day, not to count when we drink coffee or tea atbreakfast. To recap this weekend, we woke up early on Saturday morning and wentto the Boeremark, which is a farmers market, but with more crafts, food and itis a lot bigger than just a farmers market. We had something called a ‘fatcake’,which is bread dough fried like a donut. There were spices, jams, wire/beadcrafts, food, coffee, puppies, scarves, etc. Then we spent the rest of the dayplanting grass at the Yabana Village,which is a part of Good Hope Orphanage and Preschool. They just got a newplayground and the grass we planted will eventually be a soccer field. The kidsloved trying to help us, even though the shovels were usually bigger than theywere. We then had a braai with the children and families from around the area.We were going to stay the night at Mama Mary’s house in Mabopane, but our planschanged and we ended up back in Pretoriafor the night. We were able to sleep in and just hang out today and rest, whichwas very needed after doing so much this last week. We are going to a churchcalled Third Place tonight,and then waking up really early tomorrow morning for a safari! We have been sobusy while we have been here that it feels like we have been here for muchlonger than a week. The country and the people have left big impressions on allof us. I think there are a couple of us that could definitely see ourselvescoming back in the future J

- Julie

South Africa Reflections (#3)

2011-08-05T10:28:00.001-07:00

It’s our fifth day here and so far, the experience has beenamazing. Between missionary work, sightseeing, meeting new people, and networking, it has been a great experience sofar. The day before yesterday, we wentto Mabopane for the second time. Thekids race towards the van as soon as we pull in. They instantly grab our hands and want to beheld. Some of the girls would play withour hair and try to style it. One littlegirl wanted to be picked up and fell asleep in my arms for over an hour. The children just want to be played with,held, and paid attention to.

In the evening we went to Maxie’s parent’s house for abraai. The food was SO good. I love the style of the houses here with theoven/grill to cook inside. It was agreat time with good company.

Wednesday, we went to the preschool at Moreletapark Church. The kids were learning about houses andfurniture. We each got to help a childindividually with their colors, numbers, drawing, and cutting with scissors.

Thursday, we did some sight seeing- Voortrekker, the Union Buildings, and Paul Kruger’shouse. Voortrekker was beautiful and hadso much history of early South Africabetween the Dutch and the Zulus. TheUnion Buildings are like the White House of the United States.

Tomorrow we are going to a “farmers” market and thenMabopane again in the afternoon and night.

Overall, we’re all having a great time and can’t wait tocome back!!

- Katie

South Africa Picture Log (#1)

2011-08-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

South Africa Reflections (#2)

2011-08-02T08:07:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, we woke up to the loud screeches of what wedecided to call the “pomegranate bird” (It looked like the kiwi bird of Australia,but the kiwi is not native to South Africa),we were more adjusted to the freezing morning. The space heater probablyhelped. After breakfast we headed over to the Dutch Reform Church(do not ask me how to spell it in Afrikaans) and had a conversation with thegood folks of Pure Hope. We discussed the differences between pseudo communityand real community, and how God’s opportunities and trials allow us to developgenuine relationships. It was in that conversation that many of us sharedpersonal stories. That honesty and communication helped us to begin to developour real relationships with each other and the Pure Hope.

After lunch, we headed over to Mabopane. Finally, afteryears of praying and planning and saving for this moment, I was in Mabopane.When I first stepped out of the van and the children ran up to us and the PureHope team, I felt alone, but in a good way. It was serene, unreal. Realityrushed back and I had one girl who clung to me. She was about 4 and spoke verylittle English. She couldn’t tell me her name, but she could count to 10, tellme body parts, and point out colors and shapes. She called me “Sessi” whichmeans “sister” in Tswana. She also new the word “up” which she used every timeI would put her down. Both Katie and Julie had 1 or 2 girls that clung to themas well, and it was then I realized that our purpose was to show these childrenlove and affection. They may not receive it at home or their parents may not bein their life at all. It is our duty to show them the love that Christ showsus. I realized that we are to develop real and not pseudo relationships withthese children, because that is what Christ did and called us to do.

- Kristin

South Africa Reflections (#1)

2011-07-31T23:33:00.001-07:00

After 35 hours of traveling with very little, incrementalsleep, we finally arrived in Johannesburg.Driving out of Johannesburg into Pretoria,the highways and cities didn’t look too much different from the U.S.We learned that the highways were in such good condition because of the WorldCup last year. Much of the city of Pretoriais well-developed with really nice malls, coffee shops and restaurants. It wasnot exactly what I was expecting to see, even though I was aware of theeconomic disparity in South Africa(lots of wealth, but very unevenly distributed). One of the craziest things wasgoing to the church that Pure Hope is connected with, called Moreletapark. Itis about the size of Willow Creek Church in Chicago,can hold thousands of people and is basically really beautiful. Right next tothe church is about 800 families living in plastic shacks with no electricity,running water, etc. Some of them are international refugees from Zimbabweand Lesotho,but most are South Africans. The government controls who comes out of thisgroup of shacks and has been saying for years that they will do something tohelp these people, but they are still there. Pure Hope has built some better shacksfor some of these people when there shacks burnt down, but the governmentsupport for helping these people is minimal. At the church, we listened to aservice through headphones that translated from Afrikaans into English,although the music was in English. They did songs such as ‘God of the City’ andHillsong songs. They also had a children’s choir of orphaned kids from Ugandacalled the Watoto choir. A church in Ugandastarted this choir as a way to care for all the children orphaned by AIDs, and nowcare for around 4000 orphans. Those kids can dance too. The sermon itself wasincredible. It was a simple message, but very true and relevant to thecongregation. He brought up how many orphans are in South Africa, along withthe poor who live in shanty towns outside of the wealthy cities and how it isour duty and responsibility as the church to be the hands and feet of God thatreach out to the distressed and give them hope. We all have the capability todo something, and it is God’s commission to us to use whatever we are given tohelp others and share the gospel through words and action.

Joe is now quoting Shakespeare quite seriously to us, so I’mgoing to go. We are leaving soon to spend the day in Mabopane with a ton ofkids. Should be great!
- Julie

South Africa Team Update

2011-07-31T07:29:00.000-07:00

Our team of 6 arrived here in safely in South Africa last night around 10:30 (South Africa time). By the time we settled in to our apartment it was near midnight and we were all ready for bed. It's cool here, which is a welcome change from the heat that we have been experiencing back home. I'll post more later, but wanted everyone to know we are here and doing well!
- joe

GCC Guatemala Photos - Volume 2

2011-07-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

Paint Crew.

Dirt Crew.

GCC Guatemala Photos - Volume 1

2011-07-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

On the work site.

On the bus.

Playing with the kids at Pinito.

at Pinito.

Setting up the goal for the Alemada academy.

Boys playing Trumpo's.

Getting ready for the game.

Making friends.

Working!

Playing!

Heather sharing a testimony with the kids after the game.

Passing out copies of the Gospel of John to the kids.

GCC Guatemala Update #2

2011-07-14T18:25:00.001-07:00

Guatemalais such an amazing place, I’m so happy for the opportunity to come here with mymom and sister and the rest of our Guatemalateam! You can see how God is working through the Banta’s and the members oftheir crew, especially Charlie! So far we have visited the market and purchasedfood for families in need, and the family that I got to distribute our team’sfood basket to was an older man and his granddaughter, who was special needs,and they lived in a house with a small table, 2 small beds, and dirt floors.When we gave them the basket, the man immediately knew it was from God, becausehe prays every night for things like that. When we prayed with them, they gotdown on their knees before the Lord, and we put our hands on them and prayedthat the man would find work. We have also been working on painting a buildingon the land of the soccer field, which has been hard work, but very rewarding.We have cheered on the soccer teams, and held a carnival for them also, and itsso awesome to see how God is using us to help the people of Guatemalaget to know Him better. Given the opportunity, I would definitely come back andhelp with Global Soccer Ministries again.

–Kiersten

Every time I go on a short term missions trip, I amcontinually amazed by the contrast between my life and the life that the peoplein these different countries live. These people live in homes we wouldn’t evencall shacks, they work day in and day out just to struggle by, they go to bedhungry, but they are thankful and they are grateful for what they do have. Thisis one of the biggest things that I see in people here in Guatemala.They have so little but they don’t worry on what they don’t have but they focuson what they do have. We took a food basket to a man who was living with hisspecial needs granddaughter and the people that knew him said that he was goingto share everything he got with others. That just blows my mind. The peoplethat have the least are so willing to share what they have with others. GSM hassuch a great ministry going and I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to be apart of it. You can see God’s love radiated through all the people working herein Guatemala.This has been such a great experience and I am really looking forward to goingon another missions trip. God bless GSM and their ministry, the Bantas, Charly,and everyone spreading the love of God.

–Abi

I love Guatemalaand the people here. I have had such an amazing opportunity to come here. Nowthat I am actually here and I made it alive, I have noticed how different it ishere than Michigan. In GuatemalaI have noticed that the people live in tin houses and some of the people havediseases. Most of the people here don’t have the money to cure it. They most ofthe time just have to deal with the pain and do what they can. Most of thepeople also need god in there life. Some of the little children don’t have dadsor don’t have the education they need. The girls help there mothers in themarkets with either making tortilla’s or fixing up there little area. Thepeople have cars but no traffic lights. The children here have great hearts andjust want to be loved. The kids also love having there pictures taken. While weare down here I have thought about how lucky we are to live in America.But saying that, we also aren’t so lucky. The people here are very good atsoccer and some of the little kids can beat me. (Almost beat me) I also took afood basket to this couple and they were an elderly couple with a daughter thathas migrates everyday almost all day. The mother has asthma and she has aninhaler. The father has fallen and hurt his hip and a little later he fell andhurt his knee. With those injures, he kept working and he continued to help thefamily. That just made me think of how loving

they are to step out of being hurt just to help therefamily. These people were so loving and we prayed with the daughter and thecouple. They were just a great family to be with. I just hope that most of thekids and the adults just to get to know god better and let him lead there life.They need to know that he loves them, and that he wants to be their fathers. Iwant to thank the GSM for letting us paint over there and help them growbigger. I also want to thank Charly for helping us and I saw God through him acouple of times this week. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity and God BlessYou.

~Madi

Eye-opener is an Understatement…

The sights, smells, and sounds that I have experienced thisweek can not be described accurately using vocabulary known to you and me. Tosay imagine a family that lives beneath a multitude of tin sheets moldedtogether, or children roaming the streets while their parents are at themarket, does not do justice. Even an array of photographs would not come closeto being immersed in it all. This week has opened my eyes, not simply to thevery real poverty present in Guatemalabut God’s presence regardless of it. One moment that truly moved me was when wedelivered a basket of food to a grandfather and granddaughter. Despite theroughness of the neighborhood, where shootings take place on a nightly basis,the family graciously welcomed us into their home. This touched me greatly forin an area where it seems no one can be trusted they had evident trust in God andthus let us in with open arms. Among many other incidents this one inparticular will stay with me. I am eternally grateful for being given theopportunity, especially being able to share it with my grandpa; I know it isone I will never forget.

- Tiff

GCC Guatemala Team - Update

2011-07-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

The GCC Team arrived safely in Guatemala on Sunday afternoon. We had great flights and smooth connections along the way. Everyone was tired from the journey but also energized by the excitement of the week ahead. We settled in to the seminary on Sunday afternoon and received a brief orientation from John & Amy Banta, Missionaries with GSM Guatemala.

On Monday morning we went to "The Terminal", a market that is typical Guatemala. We broke into teams and each group had to purchase items that we would give away to families in need throughout the week. It was a unique cultural experience. Next, we drove about 12 blocks to visit Oakland Mall, one of the nicest shopping complexes in all of Guatemala. It rivals many of the nice malls in the U.S. We at in the food court there and experienced the culture shock between that environment and where we spent the morning. Later that afternoon, we delivered our first food basket to a needy family in a small community called, Pinito. My family and I were on the team that delivered that basket, and it was great for me to see my kids experience the reality of Guatemala in that way.

On Tuesday we headed over to the future site of the GSM soccer facility and we spent the day painting the bathrooms and removing some dirt from around the field. It was a hard day of work, but much was accomplished.

Today, we spent the morning getting a closer look at the way GSM uses soccer to minister to the kids of the city. We cheered on two teams at a tournament in Alemada. After the games, some of the team had an opportunity to share about why they came to serve here in Guatemala. My kids enjoyed paying with the Guatemalan boys, and observing their "Trumpo" skills (Trumpo's are old-school tops that spin with strings and the Guatemalan boys can get pretty fancy with them!). In the afternoon, we went back to the GSM facility and resumed our painting project. We were doing well until the rains came. We are hoping that we can finish the painting project tomorrow (during our last work day).

The week is going fast, and everyone seems to be enjoying their time here. For me, it is exciting to see my family get the chance to participate in what I do with teams all summer. Some of the team members spent some time reflecting this morning about their experiences here thus far. I've included those reflections below. Please keep praying for our team. I can definitely feel the prayers from all of you.

Peace,

joe neill

TEAM REFLECTIONS:

What an awesome experience! I never imagined how this would impact me and my daughters! We have seen so many new and unimaginablethings I don’t even know where to start. From the market to the tin shacks that multiple families live in with 10dogs, it is just startling. The contrastbetween the rich and the poor Guatemalans just blows your mind. There is despair in this city and we are onlya little bit of the solution. There areother groups here who are doing the same things and with all of us working togetherI hope we can make a difference.

–KIM

Guatemalais an amazing place! It’s so great to see all the different ways that Godworks. Even on day one, when we first arrived you could see God working throughthe GSM crew. They were all so welcoming and it touched me. Even on my firstnight God was already laying a lot on my heart. So far it’s been amazing and Ihope that we can do a lot more in our time here. It’s really great that I amable to share the experience with my dad especially since it’s my first missiontrip and time out of the country! I hope the rest of the week is just asamazing as the past few days have been!

–Kirsten

Not enough words to possibly express what I am feeling! Icame here expecting to bring and shine Gods Love here, but God doesn’t need meto do this, God is here, these are his people. Even though they have so much less then me and much of Americathey are content, happy and taking each day as it comes. There is an overwhelming amount of despair,but yet there are smiles and thank-you’s at every encounter that we have. Myprayer is that we can assist and help the Banta family to further theirministry in anyway that the Lord wants. I am so grateful to be here and to be apart of this wonderful experience! I pray for more mission trips!

– Heather

2011-07-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

Well... the Westwinds team has been back home from Guatemala for 13 days now, and I'm preparing to leave tomorrow morning with a team from Gingellville Community Church. Before I leave though, I feel the Westwinds team deserves one last post.

I picked up my mission trip journal tonight and glanced through to the page from our last debrief/worship session. That night I asked each participant to say one word that encapsulated the essence of how the saw God moving in them through the trip. It's a cool list of words, and I wanted to share it here both as a memory and as a memorial to the work God did.

So here's the list:

Dependency
Presence
Growth
New (Renewed)
Enlightening
Emotional
Colorful
Perspective
Vulnerability
Peaceful
Family
Unity
Joy
Weakness
Change
Reprieve
Sincerity
Suspenseful
Strength
Encouragement
Purpose
Craving
Spiritual
Thankful
Journey
Community

May God continue to develop these themes in the lives of each of the Westwinds team. I look forward to serving alongside any of you, any time!

- joe

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Update

2011-06-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

It has been another great week here in Guatemala City serving along side Global Soccer Ministries and the Westwinds Student Journey team. We basically wrapped up the work week with one last hard workday of dirt shoveling at the future GSM facility site. We are packing up things this evening before heading to the airport first thing in the morning. We won’t have another chance to update you on things after this evening, so we’ll see you in Jackson! Thanks for all your prayers throughout this journey. It’s been a wonderful week of ministry!

Peace,

joe

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Day 6 (Friday)

2011-06-25T15:48:00.000-07:00

The end of the trip is nearing, which makes me very sad because I’m having such a great time and don’t want to leave. Today we had a wonderful day relaxing in Antigua. We were able to shop in a market, go out to lunch, and explore the beautiful city. This week has been absolutely amazing, and I am so glad I was blessed with the opportunity to come on this trip. I have learned a lot about God’s love, grace, and mercy through the Guatemalan people. Many people here do not have much money, but what they do have is so much love for one another. They look after one another and care for each others needs. They have an overall joy and happiness in their lives, that many people who have so much more, don’t seem to have. One of my favorite parts of this week was being able to interact with the kids, by putting on a carnival for them. Even though we spoke different languages, we were still able to communicate through our actions, and understand each other. A couple of friends and I were able to organize a soccer game with the little kids, even though we knew very little of what each other were saying. I had so much fun just hanging out with the kids, and playing little games like tag. Even though I understood very little, I was able to see many smiles from their faces. Also, John and Amy Banta have been so amazing to work with, and have been such a great example of living a life led my God. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to meet two Guatemalan employees of GSM, Charlie and Ozmar. They coach at the GSM academies, teaching kids soccer skills and God’s love. I have enjoyed seeing how much the kids look up to their coaches, like an own parent. They are both amazing people filled with happiness, and have brought much laughter to us. I am so sad that tomorrow is our last full day, but I have learned many amazing things from this experience. I have grown in my walk in Christ, and will continue to grow even when I’m home in Michigan. I am so thankful for being blessed with this opportunity. I have made new relationships with people, but I’ve also grown in many of my existing relationships.

Love,

Morgan

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Day 5 (Thursday)

2011-06-23T17:58:00.001-07:00

I absolutely cannot believe we are already more than halfway done with this trip! I feel like we just arrived and there is so much to do! It’s amazing how time has flown by while we’ve been in Guatemala. Today as we made our way back to the seminary it hit me. I realized that in two days we will be boarding a plane back to the U.S. and how sad that was. But then I noticed I needed to appreciate even the opportunity to even be here. This trip has been so blessed. Not only by giving us fantastic team members, but God has kept us safe, alert, and given us the ability to be comfortable and open with each other.

Driving through the streets of Guatemala City, my eyes have been opened to things that were cruel, beautiful, and heartbreaking. Most of all, I’ve experienced true generosity. God works in mysterious ways and he can sometimes catch you off guard. Before we left for Guatemala, I would have considered myself to be pretty tough. I’ve always had a hard time sharing my story and the way I feel with other people. Something about the people here helped me uncover a soft spot in my heart for missions and people in general.

I’ve been tempted to look at the work the team has done here, as well as work done on past mission trips, as being insignificant. I can’t help but compare my work to everything else happening in other parts of the country and world. When I do that, my work seems so small. However, that is so untrue. Of course I know the world is ginormous and we can’t help everyone. But who is to say that what we’ve done and are doing doesn’t matter. God gave us tasks and we are completing them as best we can step by step. Listening to God and carrying out his plan is the most important part. Sometimes doing this work is really hard and it comes in the form of sweat, dirt, and unpleasant smells. That doesn’t make the work any less important just because of where you are or who you’re with.

I am so unbelievably thankful for this trip. I can clearly see God working here in Guatemala in the kids, our team, and GSM. I am excited to see what the rest of the week holds for us! Please continue to pray for us as we finish strong and travel back. God is good!!

With Love,

Emma

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Photo Journal 2

2011-06-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

Kiley sharing a devotional with the kids at the carnival.

The group posing with one of the families in Pinitos.

Kiley, Morgan and Bree working hard.

Lacey cuts off Corey in the sandwich line.

Some of the girls praying over the (soon to be) GSM property.

Mike helping Ben with his shoveling form.

The team.

A little rain can't stop us... can it?

The carnival goes on!

The Guatemalan kids aren't the only ones that like the candy!

Tori sharing her testimony.

Lacey presenting a devotional after the rain.

Emma with some of the Guatemalan's.

Morgan and Bree pose with some of their new friends.

Some of the carnival crew stop for a picture.

Corey, Mike, Ben, & Joe on the sidelines.

Jess sharing her testimony.

Nina sharing her testimony.

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Day 4 (Wednesday)

2011-06-23T16:28:00.000-07:00

Today we got to laugh. A lot! (I love that a smile is so universal!) I haven’t laughed this much in a really long time. The people here are so joyful. The simplest things will make them laugh, which is one of my favorite things. We went to a soccer field today and set up a couple different stations for kids to play games and win some candy. I wish you could have seen how their faces lit up, even if they lost the game. A couple of kids were challenging us to “serious” contests. It was such a simple thing but it had the ability to tear down the language barrier to allow us to joke, laugh, and love on these kids.

It’s so awesome how God uses something as basic as a smile to bring us together. I had no idea what any of the kids were saying today but I heard their smiles louder than anything. I think that’s how God speaks a lot of the time to me; not as much as the big stuff as through little things that fill my day. That’s one reason I appreciate this time so much; it allows me to slow down and hear God without the noise of our nonstop society back in America.

Love,

Brooke J

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Day 3 (Tuesday)

2011-06-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

All the books in the world will never get you closer to God. Not even all the pastors or really good Christian friends can do that. Only God and your need for Him can do that. As soon as you give your life and open yourself to Him big things will happen from the inside out. He will change your heart, perspective, attitude, or what your heart longs for. He will change you.

That’s the type of God we have an ever changing, forming, and creating God. Through what I can grasp from scripture one of Gods favorite things to do is change. Change sinner’s heart to see Him, Saul to Paul, women at the well, the blind men Jesus healed, and me. I find that once we finally allow God to truly impenetrate our minds and souls, He will begin to teach us brand new things. He will show us a brand new life. One that is different from almost every person you know. A life that is so rare that when you see one you are memorized by, you are truly shocked and in awe to see that the things it says in the Bible are not only true, you actually are able to see them in action. God will completely flip your life around once you let Him, and trust Him that He will be flipping it for the better.

So God loves us and wants the best for us, that means that He will not leave us as we are. So if we truly love God, and allow Him to do what He loves to do, we will change.

Those are some of the things God has taught me so far on this trip. He has shown me, through John and Amy, the leaders of GSM Guatemala, what it means to truly rely on God. I have seen this type of life a few other times in my life but every time I see it I am still amazed at their faith and there willingness just to leave it all to God. He has also been present in our devotions at night, a whole room of followers just realizing what it means to be a God follower and what it would actually take.

Thanks be to God for simply being God.

Amen.

-Nina

Hola Family and Friends!
Wow, where to start?......This journey has truly been one of a kind. Both flights here had no problems at all and were simple and easy. When we got here we were all nervous about customs, but even that was a breeze! When John, Amy, and Joe met us at the airport I think we all knew the adventure that awaited us here in Guatemala was going to be one to go down in the books.

I truly have been having the time of my life. I am someone who easily gets homesick, but here it feels like home. Truly, there is a peace that surrounds me here, in Guatemala, that leaves me smiling constantly. The scenery is SO different from what you see in Michigan which is actually really phenomenal. There are all kinds of different trees due to their location near the equator, and all the trees are absolutely beautiful. I love it!

John and Amy have been nothing but amazing. They are two people to truly admire and look up to. Their faith is so big, yet seems so simple. They give glory to God for ALL things, they depend on Him for ALL things, and they truly allow their hearts to be open to any direction God may lead. They are servants of the King and it is refreshing to see.

I love Guatemala so much. The people we have encountered so far have been absolutely beautiful. On Monday I got to play with a little girl named Miranda who had the most adorable little laugh. As I hid behind a small soccer ball she would giggle and then as I popped my face out from around the ball she would laugh as loud as she could. She is precious.

The experiences we’ve had thus far have just been so various and so great. Monday we went shopping in the local market or “terminal”. It’s quite a different way of life. Its huge and busy with lots of different smells (both good and bad). We bought food and baskets for people living in super impoverished areas. And yes, we even bought a live chicken…(Kevin – you would have laughed hysterically at me trying to avoid those four chickens we carried around ALLLLL day hahaha) The homes of those people were so….poor. No electricity, no running water, no roof (and it rains about every day here) It’s just a bit unreal. Yet they all love with all that they have and they greet you with the warmest welcomes. Here, it is not about the individual, it is about relationships and the community.

At night we have been having devotionals together as a team. What we have been learning has been so dead on with what God knows I need to hear. We have been talking about the verse that says “the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come so that you may have the best life possible” (paraphrasing). It’s been wonderful meditating on this verse and applying it to my life. I am truly learning to depend on God in just such a simple way. It is hard to explain….but ultimately the plan and the will God has for my life is far greater than anything I will ever dream up, and yet I put so much weight on myself trying to live out the life I think God is asking of me. Yet, I’m learning that if my heart is truly dependant on the Lord in a very scary letting-go-of-all-control kind of way, God’s plan for my life will come to pass. John and Amy have plans and hopes for the future, yet where God has already brought them was so much more than they have ever expected, so they know that God can place those desires in our hearts, but that He can also exceed are greatest expectations if we are leaning on Him. It’s a sigh of relief really. It is scary to just wait for God and to be content in the waiting, knowing that whatever God has planned is what is going to be the best for us, but it is SO REWARDING. It strengthens our faith in ways nothing else can and it brings a peace nothing else can. It is important to know that the life we live now are still part of God’s wondrous plan and that when we’re following after Him with our whole hearts, nothing goes wasted.

Before I was born, my parents planned on me being a boy and therefore only had the name Paul picked out for me. Well, I used to really not like the name Paul much and was thankful to be a girl. As I got older and began reading stories of and letters from Paul in the Bible I absolutely admired who He was. Yet, His life was so dang difficult. Paul’s life was not something I think anyone dreams of having but his FAITH and his LOVE for the Lord…wow!! God spoke to me last night and told me to stop hating being Paul. IN a profound way I can’t explain, but to stop hating the hardships of life and where life has unfortunately been harder than I expected. To stop hating being Paul, because maybe I’m more of a Paul than I think and God uses that. So wherever life is at, EMBRACE IT! And Lean on God.

I am beyond blessed to be here. I cannot thank God enough. Wow. And I am so blessed by my team. Everyone has this trip has just been absolutely incredible and I am so thankful for each and every one of their beautiful hearts.

I’ve written a lot…and could write more…..But I’ll leave it at that.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and constant support. God is so faithful and He is moving in ways words cannot describe. I pray that he be moving in your life the same way as well, because Guatemala or Michigan, God is still God no matter where we are!

All My Love,

--Jess

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Photo Journal

2011-06-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

Gift Basket team #2

Gift basket team #1.

The team praying with a family as they receive a gift basket.

The team arriving safely at the airport.

On the bus.

Purchasing a chicken.

Gift basket team #3.

Gift basket team #4.

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Day 2 (Monday)

2011-06-21T10:59:00.001-07:00

We’re in Guatemala! I have been looking forward to this trip for so long, and I am so excited we are here.

So here’s the thing – I am not going to lie, I have some major culture shock going on right now. You see people living in shacks on those sad commercials on TV, but I have always brushed it off, until today. I saw it in person, and it has changed me forever. Today we went to “the terminal”, a huge market in Guatemala City. We bought fruit and LIVE chickens (and yes, actually, I not only held one a chicken, but I named it Fredrica! I was SO proud!), and we made baskets to give to needy families. We went to four houses, but one stood out to me. I was actually blessed enough to be the one to pray for this family. I prayed, and I looked up to see this mom with tears in her eyes. She looked at us and said, “Thank you, I had no food to feed my kids today, so this is a true blessing from God.” Okay, back up. No food. They had no food, and didn’t think they were going to have any today. Tears started welling up in my eyes as I realized this scary truth – there are families who don’t have food. It seems extremely simple, but when you look into the eyes of a woman who didn’t have any food to feed her family, it becomes real. I honestly don’t know how to process this, and I am still working on it. All I know is this- I am so blessed, beyond what I should be. After seeing that woman today, I know one thing. I will not stay in my comfort zone. I refuse to let anything stand in my way of listening to God. Whether that means he will bring me back here to Guatemala, or somewhere else, I don’t know, but I refuse to sit on my couch and do nothing while there are kids who literally have nothing to eat. My prayer for this trip is simple, God: I am yours. Use me however you want .I cannot wait for the rest of this week. It is only day one and my entire perspective on life has been flipped around. Not to us, but to him be the glory.

To everyone back home, I love you and miss you, but I am truly having the time of my life serving the Lord here. I hope we can have an impact on this community, no matter how small. God can do amazing things, I have seen him do them today, and I can’t wait to see what happens for the rest of this week. Keep up the thoughts and prayers, see you next week!

Love, Tori

So the events that Tori wrote about were extremely powerful for me as well. However, the most impactful moment for me so far occurred right before that. Before distributing the food to the families, we played in the soccer field with the kids in the community. I approached a beautiful little girl, who looked about three years old, to see if she wanted a piece of candy. I knelt down to her level and said, “Hola! Como te llams?’ (Hello! What is your name?) Even before she knew I had candy she sprinted towards me, throwing her arms around my shoulders. She clung tightly to me, speaking with excitement and giggling with sheer joy. Never in my life have I received that kind of greeting! After we hugged for a few minuets, she climbed onto my lap and I offered her the candy. She gratefully accepted it with wide eyes and an ear to ear smile. We then had a grand time kicking a ball back and forth. Even though we could hardly understand each other, there was genuine love between us. This little girl brought so much joy to my heart by loving me and I felt such warmth being able to love on her and shower her with affection. It reminded me of the affection Jesus showers on me when I love Him with childlike faith.

-Valerie

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Day 1 (Sunday)

2011-06-21T10:57:00.002-07:00

Last minute suitcase checks, hoarse voices, tearful goodbyes, no sleep, early drive, Guatemala here we come baby!

It was a whirlwind of activity in that airport, all different kinds of people surrounded us as we tried to find out what we were expected to do. We stood for a good half hour, waiting for someone, anyone, to start giving us directions. We were all punch drunk from lack of sleep, so there was an endless supply of interesting conversations.

The passport machines, as well as security were the easiest parts of the beginning to what promised to be an amazing experience. We didn’t have to wait that long for our flight, but Earl of Sandwich made the waiting less of a choreJ.

I boarded the plane and found to my dismay I was seated next to a strange Canadian couple. They were nice, a bit eccentric, but nice never the less. When the plane landed in Miami a couple of my friends and I went on an epic Starbucks hunt, only to settle on a local coffee shop and walk away sipping on our frappalatte’s. I got to sit by my friends on that plane trip.

When we touched down in Guatemala City, it was almost surreal in a way. It was like a dream, like it wasn’t really happening. Time went by so fast, and now the thing I had been looking forward to the most for so long was finally stretched out in front of me. My smile widened as I stepped off that plane and into the terminal, breathing in the new culture that waited for me.

It’s a very colorful city, to say the least. Building with bright colors everywhere you turn, brightly colored fabrics, brightly colored people, just like in those books you read, but this was real. It may have been like a storybook, but I know all to well that Guatemala City can be no fairytale.

Immigration was stressful, both my friend and I were concerned over the fact that these people may ask us a question and we would blank on the answer and look stupid, or worse, be denied access into the country. Foolish thoughts, yes, but hey, you got to admit it’s a scary one. I walked up to the guy behind the counter and said my hello’s in Spanish. He brightened up and asked me if I spoke Spanish. Of course I answered “un poco”, “a little”. He smiled wide and told me to have a fun trip. It pays to know the native language were hospitality is concerned. I found my oversized suitcase and hauled it with me to Customs. This was a pleasantly surprising breeze. The guy took my form and waved me through without a hitch, without a single word. It was like a huge weight had been lifted, I made it. I’m in Guatemala.

We all conjugated outside the airport, meeting up with our leader who had arrived before we had. We waited for his instructions when a bald man started boisterously proclaiming how excited he was that we had all made it safe and sound. He introduced himself as the leader of the missions group we are working with, and it all made sense then. He led us to a brightly colored bus and threw all of our luggage inside the back. He then proceeded to take us to McDonalds. Yes! McDonalds! I couldn’t help but laugh as he told us this, it was a strange thought to me, something so American in Guatemala.

As we drove to McDonalds I came across another spectacle that made everyone on the bus laugh. We saw, what for it……. A Wal-Mart. That honestly made my day a whole lot brighter.

We got our food and headed over to the Missionary we’re currently staying at. We ate on the steps in front of a basketball court, then got our room assignments. We unpacked, settled in, took quick naps, then got the low down on what was expected of us, how to dress, how to behave, cultural differences, that sort of thing.

After the low down we had about an hour to just chill and play ball, or talk. Then, after that hour was up, we had pizza from Pizza Hut. It just amazes me how many American things are here. We ate and our leader talked with us about our day.

My expectations for this trip aren’t anything specific. My main goal is to experience God in a way I have never experienced Him before. I want to be able to become closer than I already am with him, and maybe even change lives through him. These kids that we’re helping are so much less fortunate than us, have so much less than what we have, I want a chance to help them, to show them that life isn’t just about pain and suffering. Through the things we will be doing on this trip, we can help them look to a better life, help them see through the haze of doubt and hopelessness. Ultimately, we are all God’s children, no matter race, age, social status, we are all equal in his eyes, and they deserve to know that.

My last words are this: your children, grandchildren, friends, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, they all love you and miss you very much, but they’re having a blast already, and it’s only been the first day. So smile, don’t worry, because we are all in God’s hands. J ~Kiley

Westwinds Student Journey Team Arrives!

2011-06-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

The WWSJ team arrived safely, on schedule, and without a hitch on Sunday afternoon. Ben joined the team here yesterday, also without any complications. Internet access has not been as readily accessible as I had hoped, so I apologize for the delay in these updates. The following posts are reflections from the students on their experiences thus far. It's already been an amazing two days and I am excited to see what God does with this group. Keep up the prayers!
Peace,
joe

Westwinds Student Journey Team Headed to Guatemala!

2011-06-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the JCS team returned back to the USA after a great week of serving here in Guatemala. You can read all about that on their team blog: http://www.royalservants.blogspot.com/ They arrived home safely, late last night.

Early this morning, the Westwinds Student Journey team started their journey down here. I was just texting with one of their leaders and they are in Miami ready to board their flight to Guatemala City. I am looking forward to another great week working alongside Global Soccer Ministries.

I hope to be posting regular updates and reflections from the team members throughout the week on this blog. Stay tuned for those updates. If checking a blog sounds like too much work, simply "like" the Simply Missions Facebook page and get the update links right on your Facebook home page.

We all appreciate your prayers (especially for good weather this week).
Thanks!

joe neill
Director of Short-Term Missions
SimplyMissions.org

Jackson Christian School Team Headed to Guatemala!

2011-06-10T08:39:00.000-07:00

This week I'm really excited to be leading my my sixth trip for Jackson Christian School. I actually led my first short-term mission trip for JCS back in 2006. We went to Guatemala - It was also my first international mission trip. Each year since then I've led students from JCS on trips to Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and of course, Guatemala. Because JCS has had such a long history with us, we have a special blog just for their teams called, Royal Servants. If you check out this blog you will find stories and pictures from participants over the years. This week on the Royal Servants blog, you'll be able to follow the progress of the 2011 JCS missions team as they make their journey to Guatemala. Please check it out each day and take time to pray for this team as they serve God in Guatemala.
Thanks,
joe neill
Director
Simply Missions

Increase your Cultural Intelligence (CQ) - Read this!

2011-06-08T07:31:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled upon this little post by Carrie Nye, and it is a great reminder of some cultural differences to keep in mind when you are traveling internationally. Check it out!

Practice Documents for Guatemala Mission Teams

2011-05-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

It seems like every time I take teams to Guatemala there are always a lot of questions on the airplane about how to fill out the customs and immigration forms. It's tough to try to help everyone at that time, but the good news is that it's not really that complicated, there are just a few terms that we don't use regularly like, "Surname".

So, in hopes of helping participants feel more prepared and comfortable with this paperwork, I thought I'd provide samples of the papers that team members will need to fill out on the airplane. This way, if there are any questions I can help you ahead of time.

If you are headed to Guatemala on one of our mission teams this year, take a moment to review these documents and let me know if you have any questions.

Guatemala Customs Form

Guatemala Immigration Form

I hope this helps you feel more prepared for your upcoming trip!

What To Know Before You Go To Guatemala

2011-05-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

Before going on any trip, it's important to know a few things about where you are going. And while we always emphasize the idea that "expectations are the enemy", in this particular case it is good to have a general understanding of what to expect regarding climate, dress, food, and entering the country.

Climate

The climate in Guatemala City is spring-like most of the year due to the altitude being more than 5,000 ft above sea level. Your body will take a few weeks to acclimate to this change if you are not from a mountainous area. Your body will tire more quickly and physical activity will cause you to breathe more heavily. Try to be patient with yourself.

There are two seasons - rainy and dry. The dry season is from mid-October until early May. Sometime in May the rains begin to return. From June until early October daily heavy rains are expected in the afternoons. The warmest times from February until August (65 to 80ʼs). The coolest months are November through early January (50 to 75 degrees). Due to no heat in homes, the mornings and evenings can be a little chilly in the cooler times of the year.

Dress

Dress in Guatemala is a bit more conservative than some other locations in the world. While you will see people wearing them, please choose other shirts than tanks, spaghetti straps and muscle shirts to use during your time there. Pants and skirts below the knee are worn in most locations no matter the heat. (The hot coastal plains will vary from the locations you will usually be in.) Men and women alike do not use shorts other than for sporting events or at the beach. Mission team members will not be wearing shorts on work days. So, please come prepared with pants for the work days of your trip. Ladies, long capriʼs (calf length) are fine. Please bring pants or long skirts to wear when not playing sports. You will need athletic shoes or work shoes for most occasions that are work oriented. Sandals are fine for other times, but please expect to wear shoes that are good stable walking gear most of the time.

Food

In general, Guatemalans eat a breakfast early in the morning, a big lunch somewhere between 1 and 2pm, and a lighter dinner about 7 pm at night. There are a variety of breakfasts, but one common one is an atoll. It is a thick, hot cereal drink made from any of a few grains. Lunch, generally consists of rice and tortillas with a main stewed vegetable dish with meat (if available), and many times a salad. A typical dinner is scrambled eggs, fried ripe plantains, beans, and tortillas or bread. Soups are popular, as well.

As a mission team member, you will likely get foods that you may be more familiar with, rather than 100% Guatemalan food. You may also want to bring a few of your favorite snacks along. (Please notify me of any food allergies at least a week or two prior to your departure.)

For your safety, please do not drink any water that is not purified (bottled) during your trip. Brush your teeth with bottled water, as well. It is not fun to spend hours in the bathroom because of not being careful in this simple way. If you are going to eat fresh fruits, a good rule is to peel it yourself before eating. Do not buy pre-cut fruit on the street. All fresh fruits and veggies are to be washed in a disinfectant (bleach water mixture) and rinsed before eating. Salads (including lettuce and tomato on sandwiches) usually are best to avoid at restaurants - unless we are at a chain type restaurant like McDonald's or Subway.

Enjoy the variety of foods that are available and different from what you usually eat. It is a great experience to try these different foods, however, please do it with the above guidelines in mind.

Entering Guatemala

You will need your passport handy when entering Guatemala. Keep all other important documents, cash, cell phones, etc. tucked away. You won't need them at this point in the journey. Go through the passport check point area. You are a tourist. You are likely only bringing items that will be deemed for ʻpersonal useʼ on your entry papers. Then go to baggage claim to gather your belongings. You will then pass through customs. It is usually pretty smooth. You will probably not need help with bags at the airport. It is best just to say, "No Gracias" to the men offering help. Our missionaries will be outside the airport waiting for you.

Enjoy the trip!

What To Bring To Guatemala

2011-05-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

Consider the fact that Mother Teresa and her sisters “traveled only with such personal luggage as could be contained in a bucket or a cardboard box”.

CLOTHING
Dress should be casual and conservative. Don’t bring your favorite clothing to work in, as you will likely be getting dirt, paint, etc. on them. It’s a work trip not a fashion show!

Remember that we do not work in shorts.

Packing Tips: Bring a mixture of clothing that will allow you enough variety, but won't weigh your bags down too much. Don’t over pack. Expect to wear pants and shorts more than once.

· Casual shoes – I wear my shoes and pack the flip flops so as to save space in my bag.

· Work shoes – You don’t necessarily have to have work shoes other than your casual shoes but I have seen many people completely destroy their shoes on a work site. Also, you may be tracking around more than just “dirt” if you know what I mean. Keep that in mind when choosing what you will work in.

· Sandals or flip-flops

· Socks. For some reason, people run out of socks regularly. Plan accordingly.

· Underwear (that’s fun to wear!)

· Comfortable Pants/Shorts - On work days, pants or Capri’s below the knee are expected. Knee-length shorts may be worn while we are at our lodging facility only. Short shorter than knee-length are not permitted. Skirts and dresses are ok for our Antigua day and/or church. Consider what clothing is made out of before you pack. Lightweight and breathable materials may generally be more comfortable. (Hint: Cargo pants are my preferred choice for traveling because I always have a safe place for my passport & wallet.)

· Comfortable T-Shirts – No short or skimpy shirts, No tanks, spaghetti strap or strapless tops. Any writing/advertisement on shirts should be appropriate. (Hint: It is best if your t-shirts are not 100% cotton as those kind tend to retain moisture and do not dry quickly, I actually prefer %100 polyester because it dries so quickly. Wash it at night and it will be dry by morning!)

· One Church outfit – Girls: dresses (below the knee, with sleeves) or skirts (below the knee) with sleeved shirts. Guys: Kaki pants & a short sleeved dress shirt or polo shirt. (Hint: Most cultures dress to the nines for church. If you are going to err here it should be on the nice side).

· One Antigua outfit - We’ll be going to Antigua for our fun day. It is an extremely popular tourist area. We usually encourage people to dress in “nice-casual” attire. So, don’t plan to wear your work clothes on this day. Also, Antigua has cobblestone streets so we recommend shoes that will be comfortable for walking in those conditions. (One time I tripped on a rock the size of a softball in the middle of the sidewalk. Thankfully I had the right footwear or I would have broken my toe.)

· Hat, Bandanna, Sunglasses (you may not be a “bandanna person” but the Guatemalan sun can quickly convert you!)

· Rain Poncho (that can always be carried with you in your daypack)

· Comfortable work gloves

GENERAL ITEMS

· PASSPORT + 3 copies. One copy will be given to your team leader before leaving the country. One copy should be kept by you, in a location other than where you keep your actual passport. It is also recommended that you make a third copy of your passport and leave it with your family here at home.

· Toiletries: Shower soap, hand soap, razor, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, tooth paste, contact solution, Q-tips, Hair dryer etc. (Hint: Same sex team members may consider sharing shampoo in order to save space and weight in bags. Liquids should be packed in ziplock bags in order to prevent spills in your suitcase.)

Contact wearers: Don't chance missing the view! Bring extra contacts – just in case. Also bring your glasses.

· Towel & Wash cloth

· Sun screen, chap stick, & Aloe

· Bug repellent – though I don’t typically see lots of bugs in Guatemala.

· Medications & Vitamins / Allergy & prescription medications

· Small Hand Sanitizer or Wipes (it's good to have this when adequate hand washing facilities are not readily available.)

· Small Kleenex packs (these are handy).

· Bible, Notebook, Journal, Pen (Hint: you’ll need a pen on the airplane for completing your immigration forms)

· Ear plugs (in case your roommates snore - these are priceless!)

· Alarm clock

· Camera & batteries or charger, memory cards, etc.. (They have standard outlets and electric items work fine in Guatemala)

· Flashlight

· Trash bag– you’ll want this for your dirty clothes on the way home.

· Stationary – you may want to write an encouragement note for someone, etc.

· Refillable Water Bottle – You may also consider bringing some of those individual Gatorade/PowerAde Packs to flavor your water. Purified water will always be available for you during your stay.

· Small daypack (Hint: those nylon bags with strings make great daypacks for packing gloves, rain poncho, water, sunscreen, chap stick, kleenex, and hand sanitizer to the work site)

· Personal snacks (Sealed packaged snacks if desired. Granola bars, power bars, etc. Don’t take anything that will melt. Don’t eat in your room, or anywhere you don’t want cockroaches. Be prepared to share.)

· Card games, or the like.

· Money: You’ll want spending money, for souvenirs or for food in airports (all food in Guatemala is already covered), and you may also consider bringing some money to give at the church service we will attend. From time to time, teams also like to make an additional donation to the missionaries we serve with at the end of the week.

You will want to get Guatemalan currency in the US ahead of time. The current exchange rate can be found at www.xe.com. For a small fee, most local banking institutions can exchange your money for you with proper advanced notice.

We will carry a small first-aid kit with things like aspirin, band-aids, Imodium (just in case), and antiseptic cream to cover most situations.

OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF TO HAVE:

Good Attitude
Flexibility
Patience
Willingness to learn and grow
Love for other people

WHAT NOT TO BRING:

Knives & Firearms
Fireworks
Pets
Electronic gadgets that mean a lot to you – (iPods, phones, etc..)
High value items (jewelry, etc)

LCS - Day 8 in photos

2011-04-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

At the Airport, John sends us off with prayer.

Our final debrief around the campfire.

Some of the wildlife caught on film at the zoo!

More amazing zoo animals! (Really it is a fantastic zoo, I just thought it was funny that they had raccoons.)

The Banta Family, serving God in Guatemala through Global Soccer Ministries.

LCS Student Reflections - Day 7

2011-04-11T13:54:00.001-07:00

This week was such an amazing week. Today is our last night in Guatemala and I can’t believe that it’s Saturday already. I really learned a lot at Guatemala. It really changed me a lot. When I first came to Guatemala, I was really excited and nervous because it was my first mission trip. I wasn’t sure at first if this mission trip would be a life changing experience for me, but now I’m sure it changed my life.

I learned the value of relationship. I didn’t know a lot of people on our team so I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy my mission trip. But I got to know every single person on our team. We had a small meeting every evening after dinner. We talked about what we felt and learned that day. We also played games at night which really bonded us together. We had a story time with about 10 people and it really helped me to know about others. Our team also got to know the Bantas and Carlos. It was actually them who taught us and helped us to learn more about God and see Jesus in Guatemala.

I was also really impressed to see the Guatemalan kids. They were so bright and full of happiness even though they are living in harsh conditions. I always think about and pray for myself at home. But meeting those Guatemalan kids, I thought that I should spend some time praying for the kids in Guatemala. I felt like I have been way more immature than the Guatemalan kids. I give up easily or ask my parents or friends to help me a lot when I have some problems. But those Guatemalan kids just never give up. They find hope for their lives through playing soccer. They never keep their smiley faces down. I was really impressed by the way kids are so happy even though they don’t have anything. They also really welcomed our team. They wanted to play with us. That’s all they wanted. I’m sad that we didn’t have more opportunities to play with those kids and plant hopes in their hearts. Hopefully next year (:

- Jung Yul

Hola Amigos!

This is Bob. If you don’t know who I am, ask your children in about 36 hours. With that said, our trip is coming to a close. We will soon return your student – hopefully changed by the exposure of the week and the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s difficult to consider all of the aspects of this week succinctly, however, our final day of ministry did help close our thoughts. Today was spent focusing on life beyond our week, beyond our experiences and beyond our own imaginations, but certainly not beyond our God. John and Amy spent the morning casting the vision of the future ministries that are ahead for GSM in the next few months. God has provided opportunities that only he can prepare with promising land and facilities possibilities. After a classic sandwich, chips and tang lunch, we moved on to Pinitos, a neighborhood in which the team last year worked. Being my first time, I witnessed the children of the neighborhood greet our team with broad smiles, big hugs and fresh memories. The team was incredibly encouraged to see the produce of the seeds that their labors and relationships last year, and even reinvest in the relationships via hugs, broken conversations and gifts of beanie babies, which is an equivalent of Christmas morning to the children whose parents earn their living by drying out cow intestines to sell as hotdog casings. In conclusion, the moral of the day: God is at work above and beyond our presence, our efforts or even our imaginations. A comforting thought as we leave our work and relationships behind as we trust God to work beyond us.

Bob

LCS - Day 7 in photos

2011-04-11T13:50:00.000-07:00

Bob learning the secret handshake.

Some of the team posing with kids from Penitos (literally translated: little pain).

Girls sorting jerseys for the U10 soccer practice at the future site of GSM's Soccer Center.

How many LCS guys does it take to assemble a soccer goal?

John Banta casting the vision for GSM Guatemala.

The LCS crew planning out their chapel presentation.

Merry-Go-Round, Guatemalan style.

Sarah with a girl from Pentios.

Loving the kids.

Some of the team stops to pray with a family in need.

Words can't describe moments like these.

Paul providing shade for the girls making water bags.

LCS Student Reflections - Day 6

2011-04-08T20:24:00.001-07:00

This trip has been a mix of amazing and also depressing. God has been bringing me on quite a trip. Yesterday, when we were Alamadia, we had a soccer tournament with some kids. There was this one child whose name was Julio who was nine years old and lived 40 blocks away from where we were at. He was extremely quiet and very small. I asked him if he went to school and he said no. I asked him if he played on a soccer team and he said no because he had to help his dad out at the market. I gave him a ball and his face just lit up! Bob played goalie and I played defender. Julio giggled his head off and ran around the field. John told us we had to leave and I looked at Julio who was still playing, knowing that I would never see this child that fears the gangs everyday. When we loaded up in the van, he walked us down to the curb and watched us drive away. Among all the kids that we had to say good-bye to, he touched my heart the most. My eyes welled up because I did not know if Julio would make it to his 10^th birthday which was on June 8^th. He was very proud of that. All of this has given me a different look on life and God has given me new things to think about.

-Jocelyn

This week has been one of the most amazing weeks I have ever experienced. I have loved getting to know the Guatemalan people and my teammates better. Our team has grown so much closer through playing crazy games, shouting along to Don’t Stop Believing, and working next to each other moving dirt and picking up rocks. The Guatemalan people have also left a great impression on my heart. They have taught me so much, and I feel like they have helped me just as much or more than I have helped them. When we were working on a garden at the school we worked at, two little girls came up and to me and asked me my name and questions about my family. They offered to help me, even though I was moving big cement blocks. They each grabbed an end of a block and carried it to where I was moving blocks, laughing all the way. They didn’t just sit back and let me do the work, but they stepped out and helped because they were thankful. The children here are so satisfied and joyful with what they have, even though they have so, so much less than I do.

Today, our team went to Antigua for a shopping trip. There was a woman there selling bracelets and other items. She asked why we were in Guatemala, and we told her we were on a mission trip. She asked us our names, and gave each of us who were there a free bracelet. She said, “Thank you for helping my Guatemala. My Guatemala cannot pay you back, but my Christ will.” The free bracelet may have been a clever scheme to get us to buy her goods, but I think she was seriously honest. It was a really touching, sweet reminder that it doesn’t matter if we get recognition for our work here on earth. Our treasures will be stored up in heaven, and that’s the only thing that really matters.

-Anna

LCS - Day 6 in photos

2011-04-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

Macaws.

The colors of the market.

The largest seed-pod's I've ever seen.

The market on the streets of Antigua, with the Volcan de Agua (Volcano of Water) in the background.

Bartering for a "good price".

More bartering.

Celebrating some market day fun.

Walking through the city center.

Ruins from the 1717 earthquake in Antigua.

LCS Student Reflections - Day 5

2011-04-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

Every day we continue to see more and our eyes are opened to even more than they were before. The language barrier continues to lessen and our relationships with the people constantly grow. Today I had many opportunities to have amazing conversations with people. I stepped out of my comfort zone and thanks be to God I learned so much through it. The pastor and I talked during one of the soccer games and it was such an encouragement to be able to communicate. The area of Zone 18 is very devastated and the ministry is beginning to set a firm foundation to spread the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to the people of Renosmientos. I feel so blessed to have been part of the growth of the community. I know that God will be present and work in the lives of those around. Thanks be to John and Amy Banta who have been such a blessing and inspiration to my life and the lives of all those around them.

*Down where my heart will always be, I learned so much and now I can see. My life can be used in so many ways, I am God’s servant the rest of my days!*

I LOVE GUATEMALA!!!!!

With Love,

Kayleigh

I’m not quite sure where to start, as this type of thing is a little outside of my comfort zone, but I know all of you parents and well wishers take great delight in being able to have some glimpse of our experiences as we go through them as well. Guatemala is so many different things it’s almost impossible to put my emotions and thoughts into coherent form, but in its simple form it is really fun! At first it was a little overwhelming (and the heat didn’t help) but as I grow more accustomed to the weather and the work, it gives me more opportunities to try and interact with the locals. I know a bit of Spanish but it’s still really hard to follow when all the little kids flock around you, jabbering away in an indistinguishable rush of sound. As I’m sure everyone else has already mentioned, it gets much easier the more you talk, as long as your willing to try and fail a few times without being too self-conscious to try again. We are so blessed to have all these great leaders who take so much of their own personal time to help us help them, and they do so much more than we realize even now, I expect.

On another note, our group is coming together and connecting so much! As the days fly by and the end of our great adventure draws ever closer, we all spend so much time hanging out, playing games at the seminary at night and talking through our daily devotions. It’s a time well spent that I really value and hope will continue into our more mundane, daily lives upon our return. Also, the more we learn about others, the more we can learn about ourselves! Because even though we may wish to be examples, others perceptions are so easily formed and it really helps to see yourself from another’s point of view… I hope this finds you all well and rest assured we are doing great!

Lots of love to all,

Paul

LCS - Day 5 in photos

2011-04-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

Carlos & Osmar explaining to the kids about the upcoming GSM academy on the new field that our team helped restore.

Team photo with John & Amy Banta.

Cheering on the kids during a soccer match.

Some of our team suited up for a game.

Monkeying around in the park at lunch.

More monkey business.

Enjoying the day.

JD talking to a group of Guatemalan kids.

Preparing to feed 150 kids at the afternoon celebration.

LCS Student Reflections - Day 4

2011-04-06T20:48:00.000-07:00

Dear ya’ll,

One of the most common things I have noticed from a so called “veteran’s” point of view is that mission trips make everyone grateful for what they have. Last year I realized how much stuff I have, this year I realized how much love I get to receive daily. I noticed, and John pointed out, that Guatemalans play hard. I was asked the question, “How did you get to be such a good worker?” Apparently I am good at staying on task and not standing around… I do not know how much of that is true though. With out a doubt my answer was my father. I am pretty sure every time he comes home there is something he wants me to pick up or put away. And in every sport I have ever played he has pushed me too my limit, luckily it has rubbed off on me! Some of these Guatemalans do not get to accept very much love because they do not get much love. I get so much love that I push a lot of it away! The children today as we were leaving the fields where GSM held games for 4 different communities kept asking if we were coming back, and a few girls from our group played with them for a couple hours in the park. These kids can hardly communicate with us, but they take all the love we give to them and hold on to it with their life. That is how we should act, receiving love with open arms. Even if that means cleaning our rooms with a smile… now I have no excuses haha. But it’s a process and this trip has opened my eyes even wider than before. More is yet to come. Love you parents I’ll have to clean my room when I get back.

Sincerely,

Jay

LCS - Day 4 in photos

2011-04-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

Cipresales Cheering Section!

Serving water to teams after their games.

Playing a little soccer with kids during breaks.

John refereeing the first of 7 GSM Academy tournament games played today.

Cheering on the youngsters.

Some kids gather to pose for a photo.

LCS Student Reflections - Day 3

2011-04-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

Hola! This is Jessica & Calli. Today was a wonderful day! We worked at Renosmientos and we got so much done! We finished the soccer field today and we picked mass amounts of the cement clumps out of it too! Most of the people started their day out working in the soccer field but some people stayed back at the school and finished the garden and made a flower garden. It was very cool to see the kids trying to help us out and they had such willing hearts. After lunch, everyone moved to the soccer field because we had accomplished our tasks at the school. During the last 15 minutes of our work day, it was pouring rain! When we were getting ready to leave, we all circled up with people from the community and Pastor Rimerez led us in prayer. We saw God through one of the ladies who was thanking us for all that we had done and it brought her to tears. We learned how much the kids appreciate the attention we give them because they don’t get that a lot. We’re so excited to see what God has in store for the rest of this week for our team! Thanks for all your prayer’s and support. We can always use them!!! Love you all!

- Callie and Jessica

LCS - Day 3 in photos

2011-04-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

Trying to level the playing field (pun intended)

It's a team circle thing... you might not understand.

Group prayer with the Guatemalans dedicating the field to the work of God.

Group photo of all who worked on the project.

The leaders behind this whole operation.

A little post-work soccer to unwind.

Dr. Lynn keeping weary hands healthy.

Jay testing the hole depth. Yep, that's about right.

Shoveling more sand, and enjoying it.

Steve introducing the Guatemalan kids to a new form of music.

Posing with the School mascot (ok, well it's not the mascot, just the school pet)

An attempt at stomping out the chunks of dirt. It was more effective for creating a dust storm.

LCS Student Reflections - Day 2

2011-04-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone this is Maddie and so far so good with this missions trip! Today we worked at a school painting walls and also at a soccer field spreading sand all over the entire field. Everyone is doing great we are all feeling God and having an amazing time! The entire missions trip team has met a lot of people such as a lovely man named Carlos (his American name is Charlie) he is our driver and is one of the most loving and gracious man I have meet so far on this trip. He doesn’t just drive our bus he also helps out with the school and the field. Days are still to come and they will be even greater that today. I just wanted to say that I LOVE MY MOM & DAD and chloe J and I miss you guys but don’t worry about me and Mallory we are having a great time.

See you guys soon!

- Maddie

Hi all - today was a great day. Everyone worked so hard on many projects at the school and the soccer field. We had the team working on backstops for the soccer field, digging (tons) of holes for posts to fence the field, painting poles, fences, and walls, and digging up an area at the school for a garden. I wish all of you could be here to see how hard your sons and daughters are working! You should be proud of all them; God truly put together an amazing team!

- Lynn

Hey Guys, this is Stephen. Today was an awesome day, our team worked so hard on so many different things. Weather it was tearing up grass for the garden, or painting a wall, or digging holes for fence posts, everyone contributed something incredible. God is working in so many ways here that it would take me all night to tell you everything. But, the most predominant way that I have sensed God working is in the lives of the returning Guatemala team members. We all heard Joe say many times to “not have any expectations” and for the most part I thought I didn’t. The other “return-ies” and I had hundreds of expectations that we didn’t even realize, and for the first half of the first day we were all in a pretty depressed mood because it wasn’t the same as last year. But after we took the tour of the Guatemala City yesterday, and especially with the stop that we made in Pinitos, we could almost feel the burden of the expectations being lifted from us. We all realized that this isn’t about us at all, and we have yet another God ordained chance to bless a different community in some crazy powerful ways. Today, I felt that come to life. I am so excited to see the way that God uses us in this community. We are a great team, and great teams can only do great things. So, keep praying for all of us as we embark on the rest of the mission that God has planned for us this week. Pray for unity, health, and that God would show himself to us. Thank-you all so much for your continued love and support.

- Stephen

LCS - The day in photos

2011-04-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

Digging in the garden.

The first of the many post holes.

Cutting the posts.

Setting the backstop.

Enjoying work.

Relaxing a bit.

Some of the team enjoying little pre-work fun.

LCS Student Reflections - Day 1

2011-04-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

One of the many reasons I have been so pumped about going on this mission trip is the possibilities I knew I would have to try speaking Spanish with people. Well today I got my first opportunity on the plane when I met the sweetest Guatemalan lady named Concha (it was longer than Concha but there was no way I could pronounce the real name so she told me to call her that). She was so kind and insisted on swapping seats with me so that I could have the aisle seat instead of the middle because she wanted me to be more comfortable. We began talking, more like she was talking with me trying to understand her and then I tried to make myself understood and she smiled at my mistakes. But through all of that we were able to communicate with each other. I learned that she had been living in the US for eighteen years with her husband, but they had grown to miss their children in Guatemala too much and had made the decision to move back. She asked what I was doing in Guatemala, and I shared that it was for a mission trip with Lansing Christian High School. She then asked me multiple times if we were a Catholic, Protestant, or Evangelical group. In Guatemala and Central American countries, there is a much bigger distinction between denominations of Christianity than we make in the US. I responded that we were Evangelical/Protestant. I tried to convey the idea that it wasn’t very important to us, what mattered was what one believed about Jesus. She later mentioned that she also believed what denomination one belonged to was not the most important thing. I don’t know how much this conversation actually affected her, but it was really cool to be able to speak with someone from a different culture, who had lived a completely different life, and who spoke a different language. I do believe this experience will help me be less afraid to speak Spanish with people and that it was somewhat of a foreshadowing of the kinds of experiences we will have throughout the rest of the trip.

-Melanie

Today we visited Pinitos, the place that the LCS mission group worked last year, and two realizations, one negative and one positive, hit me. First of all, I realized that I had forgotten how depressed being at Pinitos could make you feel. The smell of rotting meat and the sight of rundown shacks were removed from my memory as I reminisced about the truly incredible, despite the badness, mission trip. Now that I had returned, the realization hit me that the unsightly, depressing details of such experiences are often forgotten in an effort to remember the greatness of the experience. The second, more positive realization hit me when the people of Pinitos noticed that there were some visitors in town. The people soon recognized us and began smiling and waving at us. The kids especially excitedly ran towards us after not seeing us for a year. The realization was that the actions of we Christians can be and are remembered long after the actions are completed. The people of Pinitos could have easily forgotten in that year who built for them a soccer field or why. But instead, they recognized our faces and were joyful to see us again. What I hope for this trip is that we would be a similar blessing to a new group of Guatemalans as we were one year ago to the people of Pinitos.

- JD

Gearing Up For Another Great Week!

2011-04-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

We had a long night but an incredibly smooth travel experience for our journey to Guatemala. Everything came together exactly as planned and we touched down here bright and early at 6:15am. The airline fed a light breakfast to those who were awake to eat during the 4 hour flight from Chicago. We breezed through immigration and customs and joyfully connected with our GSM hosts, John & Amy Banta. Within just a few minutes we had our stuff loaded on the truck and we jumped in the vans and headed for 2nd breakfast at McDonalds. I'm not sure egg mcmuffins have ever tasted so good!

We were here at the seminary by about 9am (Mountain Time) and we quickly settled in to our rooms. Students were given time to relax, nap, or play until lunch - which is in just a few minutes. After lunch we'll do a small work project here on the seminary property and then head out for a tour of some of the areas where we will be working this week. Group morale is high and everyone seems to have endured the long travel day.

Please pray for us as we begin this incredible week here in Guatemala. We're excited about all that God has for each of us in the days ahead.

More later... time for lunch!

LCS Team Update

2011-04-03T06:46:00.000-07:00

We have landed in Guatemala! Everything is going great!

Free Short-Term Mission Trip Training video!

2011-03-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

I found this free short-term mission trip training video today. It's packed full of great material and is very well done. If you don't know what to do for a training session, this 50 minute video includes several sessions and planned breaks for discussion or group building activities. This is a real gem of a resource! Thanks to Lutheran Church Charities for posting this! If you are looking for some personal training for your short-term mission team or your leaders, contact us at www.simplymissions.org. We would love to help you plan and prepare for your next short-term mission trip!

Reflecions After Returning Home

2010-07-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

Royal Servants: Reflecions After Returning Home: "We've been home for 10 days now, so I asked some of our team members to reflect on the transition from a week of life in Guatemala to life b..."

Why Flexibility is Your Friend

2010-07-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

The opening chapter of Simply Serving (our short-term mission leader training guide written by Global Outreach Development founder and president, Bob Wielenga) reminds team leaders to make flexibility their number one leadership quality. It’s usually how I start all my training sessions with new teams that are preparing for a short-term trip. I’ve quoted the chapter hundreds of times in conversations about short-term missions. It seems like I’ve reminded team members of the importance of this simple concept every day on every trip I’ve been a part of. Flexibility is fundamental! With as much as I have talked about flexibility, you might think that I had the concept mastered. That’s not the case. Part of the reason why I remind people about it so often is because it is a tricky little concept to keep in mind.

The essence of the concept can be said this way, “It’s not about you, your team, or your plans. It’s about God!” (p.11). God has a funny way of quickly and unexpectedly altering our plans. Staying flexible means leaving space for God to do the unexpected and not getting disappointed when things don’t work out the way we’d planned. My recent trip to Guatemala was yet another example of how God changes our plans for the better. Let me quickly recount the story. I had originally planned on making two trips to Guatemala this month with two separate teams. This plan had been in place for several months, but in late June (only a few weeks before departure) a conversation with our partners in Guatemala led me to try to merge these two teams into one. What I thought was going to be an impossible task was nearly resolved after a short series of phone calls. I even managed to get everyone on the same flights (quite possibly a miracle, considering the time frame). These were a few of the first signs that God was behind this new plan.

As our time in Guatemala unfolded it became more and more clear that the new combined team was exactly the right combination of personalities, gifts, abilities, and strengths. Throughout the week our team bonded and some outstanding relationships were formed among people who otherwise would probably have never crossed paths. Looking back at how it all came together, I am reminded once again that flexibility really is our friend, and that God is usually on the other side of situations that require our flexibility.

Pray for us as we remain flexible with God’s plans for us throughout the rest of the summer.
- joe

Mississippi Team Blog- I had a great week serving alongside a team of Jr. High students in Mississippi last month. Read some reflections here.

Guatemala Team Blog – Our Guatemala team also took time each day to write a little reflection on their experiences. Read some reflections here.

Guatemala Team Updates

2010-07-07T20:56:00.000-07:00

Keep up to speed on what's happening with our current Guatemala team at the Royal Servants blog.

GSM Founder Speaks About LCS Guatemala Team Success

2010-05-11T17:36:00.001-07:00

Below is a segment of an e-mail update that Paul Banta (Founder of Global Soccer Ministries) sent out shortly after the LCS team returned from Guatemala. Thanks to all who prayed, supported, or participated in this amazing project. And please continue to pray that God would use GSM and these evangelistic soccer clinics to reach into the lives of those in Pinito.

- joe neill

Short-Term Missions Director

SimplyMissions.org

"A great group from Lansing Christian High School spent their spring break working hard with GSM Guatemala and some residents of a little community called Pinito here in Guatemala City. The community has recently become another site of a soccer academy for GSM Guatemala, where boys and girls ages 8-15 come and train, improving their soccer skills, and participating in a series of Bible stories and devotions aimed at growing their hearts.

Pinito, as a community, is composed of families that scratch out a living from the discards of the neighboring meat processing plant. The intestines of already butchered cows are cleaned and hung to dry in order to be resold as sausage casings ......the lower legs and heads of cattle are gleaned and cut away at with the remnants of meat being salvaged and resold. Though the dogs of the community seem to fare well, the families do not as they struggle to manage their lives from the discarded cattle remains that they receive daily. Located in the community, is a small, narrow soccer field that the team from Lansing Christian transformed in an unbelievably short amount of time.

Protective fencing was welded together and raised at both ends of the field was secured into a block wall that was constructed and painted. Add in a lot more painting and, to top it off, a train of dump trucks that just kept coming to dump a select grade sand/clay mixture that was shoveled, wheel barrowed, and raked to create the new playing surface. Many from the community pitched in to help including kids of all sizes, many of them being academy players who realized the significance of the upgrade to their field that was taking place.

GSM Guatemala and Lansing Christian finished the project by inviting the community to come and watch the Pinito Soccer Academy host the Canalitos GSM Soccer Academy, another of GSM locations. They played four games that were followed by hot dogs, watermelon, and face painting fun - as well as a short devotional from Pastor Teddy Torres, one of the pastors from our sponsoring church for this particular academy. Aching backs and sunburned necks aside, a great project was completed. We believe it has the capacity to impact lives for years, as we continue to run programs here. Our relationship with Pinito continues to grow, providing more opportunities to share God’s love. Pray for changed hearts within both the academy players and their families. Thanks again, Lansing Christian.....job well done! " - Paul Banta

Guatemala Team Returns Safely

2010-04-12T05:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a group photo of our team that recently spent their spring break in Guatemala. They returned early Sunday morning after a long travel day back to the US. Here are a few comments that have already ended up on Facebook.

"Rejoicing in all that God did in and through the Lansing Christian mission team that was here. They worked so hard and were a great blessing to many. Hope you rest up you wonderful people!" - AMY (host missionary)

"Thank you so much Amy and John for all u guys did for us. I miss Guatemala SO much already, if I could jump a plane back tomorrow I would. You guys are amazing!" - Stephen (Student on trip)

"Ditto! It was one of the best mission experiences I've had." - Tim (Parent who went along as a chaperon)

"Cannot describe how much God has changed my life through the lives of the people in Panito!"- Halie (Student on trip)

It's always exciting to see the ways that God works in the lives of people (from hosts, to guests, to nationals, to prayer partners) on these trips. If you haven't taken the time to read the blog entries from this team while they were in Guatemala, you can still find them on our website at http://www.simplymissions.org/lcs_guatemala.

Thanks to all who supported this team in any way!
- joe
Director of Short-Term Missions
SimplyMissions.org

LCS Guatemala Team makes News on TV10

2010-04-11T17:56:00.001-07:00

Our Team In Guatemala This Week

2010-04-06T06:32:00.000-07:00

We have a team of 23 people from Lansing Christian School serving in Guatemala this week. Read their updates on our website at the following link.

http://simplymissions.org/lcs_guatemala

Beyond Borders Road Trip: SOUTH AFRICA August 7-20, 2010

2010-03-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

Join the Beyond Borders Road Trip: SOUTH AFRICA August 7-20, 2010!

What is a Beyond Borders Road Trip? It’s a chance for college age students to step beyond the borders of their life and discover a world beyond their own. It’s a chance to encounter God through the eyes of another culture. It’s a chance to experience what it’s like to live on mission.

Don’t just go to help people, come to be with people.
Don’t just go to speak, come to listen.
Don’t just go to see the world, come to better understand the world.
Don’t just go to accomplish something, come to be transformed.

Because we set out to give you a holistic missional experience, we will take pieces of what Pure Hope & Nieu Communities (two cutting edge ministries reaching out to the least of these in South Africa) naturally experience throughout the year and bring as many of those pieces together as we can to provide a compact, integrated experience.

Three currents of Communion, Community, and Context will be obvious throughout the trip. So there will be times of spiritual reflection, worship, or prayer each day. We’ll do some exploring together and we’ll engage the culture through acts of service, kindness, conversation, and prayer. We’ll also throw some adventure into each trip and take you out to see and experience more of the country.

At this point you may be wondering if this is really a fit for you, or you may have specific questions about a road trip – whichever it is feel free to contact Joe Neill, Director of Simply Missions, at info@simplymissions.org.

Come join us on an adventure … an adventure that might just change your life.

Project Lifeline Video

2010-02-26T05:43:00.000-08:00

Project Lifeline from Bob Wielenga on Vimeo.

Project Lifeline team returns from Kenya

2010-02-16T13:30:00.001-08:00

Our Simply Missions medical & water filtration crew (nicknamed: Project Lifeline) has returned safely from Kenya. They were able to conduct clinics in Olmoran, Lorrian, Salama, and Olkalou, Kenya. In the end they saw 1280 patients!

The water crew taught four men in Olmoran how to properly build the water filtration systems. Those men will continue to build five filters a week for the next five weeks, under the supervision of a local pastor. That will result in 26 filters in that community in a little over a month. One filter unit was placed in the medical clinic in Olmoran and will be in process for 21 days (that’s how long it takes to initially get clean water out of it).

Our team trained five men in the village of Salama do the same thing for the next five weeks resulting in an additional 26 filters (52 total). This crew will also be supervised by a local pastor.

Immediately folks began asking where they could get a filter for their homes. The pastor in Salama told those who could afford materials to purchase the items needed and the work crew would come to their home to install the filter for them. Those who are without means will receive one of the filters that were donated. Those that can purchase their materials now have a qualified team to install their filter. We anticipate that each filter has the capacity to provide clean water for up to three families.

We still have funds to build more filters in these communities, but we wanted to make sure this setup was going to work before over committing resources. We are excited to see how these small changes may help breathe life into the community and open doorways for these pastors to minister to these families.

Thanks for praying for this team and for making health a possibility in these communities.

What About Haiti? Things you should know about how you can help.

2010-02-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

Since our focus is short-term missions, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about the possibility of mission trips to Haiti, and the question has been on our mind as well. In fact, Global Outreach Development was birthed out of numerous trips to Haiti, so responding in a tangible way is important to us on many levels. When the earthquake struck, we didn’t have any active connections with missionaries on the ground there. Since then, we’ve sought to make some connections with the intention of bringing aid groups. The most emphasized issue raised by our recent contacts is that for the next few weeks/months, Haiti will need many trained medical personnel, but non-medical teams will not be needed for another few months.

Here are some important things to think about:

The devastation in Haiti created a massive strain on limited resources
Even with supplies being delivered, the damaged infrastructure (from administration, to roadways) has made it difficult to properly distribute those goods.
The vast majority of the "hands" that are needed at this point should be medically trained ones.
The usual risks of international travel are elevated when heading to a natural disaster site
The need in Haiti will be ongoing (most often I am hearing the word “decade” used), so think carefully about the best way that you can help both now, and in the future.

If you are a medical person or have networks with medical personnel you may consider assembling a team. Here is what you’ll need:

Medical Teams (ideal composition)

1 ER doctor or family doctor
1 Internal medical doctor / pediatrician
1 PT or PT/OT
3-4 RN nurses (wound care specialists)
1 medic
2-3 support people ( at least 1 pastor or spiritual leader)
your whole group should be between 10-12 people

Additional Considerations

Your team needs to be self sufficient, including pillows, air mattresses. (Think ‘camping’ but without pots and pans.)
Simply Missions will coordinate with the Earthquake Crisis Center in order to do the logistics for you
The Earthquake Crisis Center will provide ‘housing’ and food/drinks
A stay of about 1 week or longer is encouraged
Be willing to be stationed at a clinic site
Keep in mind that there is the possibility of infectious diseases
Funds will be needed for renting (mini) buses to transport teams locally
Have immunizations updated
Bring antibiotics for personal use for GI issues (bactrim, cipro, flagyl)
Make sure you take your malaria medication before arrival

Contact us if you or someone you would like to assemble a team of medical personnel. We hope to be able to send non-medical relief teams as soon as we know that those teams will not be consuming the limited resources necessary for the survival of the Haitian people.

In the mean time, pray for Haiti.

Kenya Update

2010-02-05T07:30:00.001-08:00

A Simply Missions medical team will be serving in

Kenya

on Feb. 5-14. While there, the doctors will conduct medical clinics in four rural villages. The rest of the team will be training members of the Anglican Church of Kenya on the process of assembling the Aqua Clara water filtration systems that many of you generously helped to provide. The goal is that the team will assemble 15 units on this trip during the training sessions, and then the Kenyan’s will continue with 200 more units in the weeks following. Please be in prayer for this team as they travel, work, and minister throughout

Kenya

A Peek Ahead: What's on the Horizon?

2010-01-06T07:27:00.001-08:00

Last month I shared some of the milestones that we’ve enjoyed throughout 2009, but I didn’t get to talk much about some of the exciting things that are happening in the year ahead. So here are a few highlights.

Willow Creek Jr. High Trip – We’re really excited to have the opportunity to organize a jr. high trip for students at Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. That trip will be to do hurricane relief work in Mississippi and will take place in mid-June.

Guatemala Focus – Last summer it seemed like we did a lot of work in Jamaica. This year the focus is leaning more toward Guatemala. With three trips already planned to serve our partner missionaries (Global Soccer Ministries) in 2010, we are anticipating some great work to be accomplished in Guatemala this summer. One of those trips is open to individuals like you! Let me know if you are interested.

Home Church Support – As missionaries, any time we get support is great, but it is particularly meaningful when your home church adopts you. This month Westwinds Community Church, our home church and where I once served on staff, announced that we’d be “on the books” for 2010. We can’t express how thankful we are to be backed by our church. It means a lot.

Olmoran Vision Moves Toward Reality – It was January 2009 when we first announced our intentions of transforming a community in Kenya through clean water (water purification, & filtration), medical clinics (to relieve urgent and chronic illness), evangelistic outreach (seminars, ministry, and relationship development), and long-term discipleship (through church planting). Next month a team will travel to Olmoran, Kenya, to begin the first phase of what we have sometimes called GoDevelop Olmoran. That team will be focused on addressing physical health issues through chiropractic care and facilitating the assembly of up to 160 water filtration systems (thanks to the generosity of our donors!). We are thrilled to have this opportunity to make a practical difference in this community and we look forward to the doors of ministry that will open in the process.

So, that is a brief look at some of what is on the horizon. Keep praying for God’s movement and direction as we seek to serve Him around the globe!

Peace,
joe neill
Director
www.simplymissions.org

God's Faithful Provision: A 2009 Fiscal Report

2010-01-06T07:26:00.001-08:00

The end of the year is also a good time to evaluate our finances (though we do it on a regular basis as well). As I look over the numbers I am reminded of God’s faithful provision for us as we have taken this step of faith. We ended 2009 at 51% of our annual funding goal. That may raise the obvious question, how in the world can we keep doing this? Well, that is a good question. I have discovered that when we rely on God, money seems to go farther and doors of provision open in unexpected ways. For example, this fall (by a series of Divine coincidences) Laura landed a part time job at a dental office. That has been a blessing in many ways. Also, last January, I had the opportunity to teach a class on spiritual formation for undergraduates at Spring Arbor University. This year, SAU has extended an invitation again and I’ll be teaching Worldviews. These part-time opportunities have seemingly fallen into our laps and we have God to thank. Additionally, we’ve enjoyed periodic “surprise gifts” that have ironically (or better, Divinely) come at our times of greatest need. Experiencing God’s faithful provision strengthens our hearts and encourages us to continue placing our faith in Him. So, know that I’ve included this fiscal report not as a plea for cash, but as a testimony of how we believe God has cared and will continue to care for us.

Starting The New Year Right

2010-01-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

The dawn of a new year always provides an opportunity to reflect on life, set goals, and chart a course for the future. This month, I will have some specific venues in which to do that reflection. From January 8-15th I will be at the Michendo Retreat Center to participate in my third and final residency retreat for my master’s degree. Though academic in nature, these residencies have been extremely formational for my spiritual life, and I expect that this one will be also. The focus this year is on leading the Church toward increased effectiveness in spiritual formation. The specific application for me will come in the search for ways to lead and facilitate spiritual growth through mission experiences. The following week I’ll head to Canada for a pastors and leaders conference. Here again I’ll have the opportunity to reflect on the year ahead, spend time listening for God’s direction, and seek God’s vision for the future. Please pray that God will open my mind and heart to receive all that He has for me during these focused times of study, training, reflection, and prayer.

Celebrating 2009

2010-01-05T07:25:00.001-08:00

As last year came to a close we’ve taken time to look back over some of the numbers that have been significant for us in 2009…

58,186 = number of air miles traveled by Joe

1,256 = number of support letters sent out this year

160 = number of water filtration systems sponsored to be built in

Kenya

in 2010

132 = number of trip participants

51 = number of days Joe spent overseas

9 = number of mission teams this year

6 = number of countries served (

Kenya

France

Guatemala

Jamaica

South Africa

, &

USA

)

3 = number of homes built for the poor

The most important numbers are the ones we don’t know with certainty, but we celebrate none the less…

?? = number of prayers prayed

?? = number of sacrifices made by supporters

?? = number of lives changed

As the new year begins, we hope that you will take time to consider all that God has blessed you with throughout 2009, and know that we have counted you among our blessings. There is much work still to be done around the world, and at times, it can be a bit overwhelming. We are thankful for the role we have been able to play in God’s work this year. Please pray that God would continue to guide us to people and places where we can serve.

Blessings,

Joe Neill

Director

A Letter from the President

2009-11-12T07:59:00.000-08:00

What can I give your Christmas this year?

The Christmas season is upon us. The pageants, the music, the decorations, the shopping, cookie making and family gatherings create lasting memories as we celebrate this powerful season. Children have started making out their Christmas lists. Cabbage Patch dolls, Buzz Lightyear, Tickle Me Elmo—the hot items of Christmas’ past will be replaced by the next latest craze. It’s that time of year again where in the US we’re bombarded with advertisements that help us solve the dilemma of what to buy that special someone for Christmas.

Last year at this time we talked and dreamed with you about the possibility of drilling a well in the community of Olmoran, Kenya. However, due to drought issues that resulted in needing to dig deeper wells and permitting issues that continue to raise the costs, we recognize that at a cost of $75,000 - $100,000 for the well – we’re probably not going to drill any. So what can we do?

Over the course of this past year, God has led us to an organization that has designed and implemented a water purification process that is simple, uses locally obtained materials, and has no moving parts. And it works!

This Christmas, as you’ve looking over the list of things to get others, please consider giving the gift of life through purified and clean water to the 50,000 people that live in the communities of Olmoran and Salame, Kenya. At $35 each, we know this is something we can do and we’re excited about it. In fact, we have a medical team ready to go in February of 2010 and we will build and install as many water purifiers as we receive the money for during this time.

We’re always in search of value. In these economic times I know that I want the gifts I give to have value physically as well as spiritually. By providing these purifiers through the Anglican Church of Kenya we can accomplish both of these goals.

Imagine the joy your family and friends will feel when they learn that a family in Kenya has just received the gift of clean drinkable water in their honor. For every Kenyan family you choose to help in this way, we will send you a beautifully designed card for you to present to each honoree. This way you will be able to celebrate together on Christmas day this gift of love and life.

What are you going to give for Christmas this year? Prayerfully consider giving the gift of clean water to families in Kenya. It’s the gift that really does keep on giving.

Thanks for giving,

Bob Wielenga

President

Global Outreach Development

Contributions are tax deductible and can be sent to Global Outreach Development, Attn: Kenya Water Project, PO Box 80221, Lansing Mi. 48908

Or Donate online

Kenya Water Project Update

2009-11-12T06:41:00.001-08:00

Our Goal: Clean Water for Kenyan Families

As you know, we have been looking for practical ways to help provide safe drinking water in remote areas in Kenya, East Africa. Our search has led us to Aquaclara, a company that has designed a product that transforms pond scum into clean, clear, purified drinkable water that exceeds the WHO's standards for drinking water. And it is simple, efficient, and affordable.

The developers of these filtration systems understand the technology and will be teaching us the practical side of building the units which we hope to place in hundreds of Kenyan homes in 2010. While Aqua Clara has the technical know how, our partnership will provide a new network for distribution of these life giving systems.

This Christmas you can partner with Global Outreach Development (the parent organization of Simply Missions) in providing water purifiers for families living in the communities of Olmoran and Salame, Kenya.

In February 2010, a team from the USA will be traveling to Kenya to help with the health issues in these communities. Both communities rely hevily upon streams and standing water as their only source to sustain life. This water is very contaminated but can be cleaned and purified through this simple system. And each filter lasts 10 years.

Click here to watch a brief video displaying the units at work.

Help one family for $35
Help five families for $175
Help ten families for $350
Help more families... you do the math!

Contributions are tax deductible and can be sent to Global Outreach Development, Attn: Kenya Water Project, PO Box 80221, Lansing Mi. 48908

Or Donate online

FSTML Recap

2009-10-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

I spent most of last week in Atlanta at the FSTML (Fellowship of Short Term Mission Leaders) Conference. The conference theme was, "The Road Ahead: A Critical Look at the Future of Short Term Missions", and included training sessions focused on the coming trends and issues facing Gods people who are engaged in and impacted by short term mission.

We started the week by attending a pre-conference for organizations that have recently adopted the 7 standards of excellence in short term mission. This introductory workshop helped us catch the vision for how our continued commitment to the standards will impact our ministry efforts. One of the standards is "God centeredness", and as we talked about what that looks like, someone said, "Whatever becomes the center of your short-term trip is what people will worship when you leave." That was a powerful reminder that we must always be intentional to clearly point to Christ in everything we do on a trip.

While the teaching was great, the best part was spending time networking with people from the over 100 other organizations that were in attendance. Unlike other trade shows and seminars, there was a real sense of unity. Everyone was interested in sharing their best ideas and learning from others. We met several others from organizations doing exactly what we do at Simply Missions, but we didn't see each other as competitors. Instead, we spent lots of time talking and learning from one another because we recognize that we are not doing our own work, we are all doing Kingdom work.

Thanks to all who were praying for us while we were in Atlanta!

Heading Home

2009-08-29T14:40:00.001-07:00

Since my last update there has been lots going on with little chance to connect to the internet and make additional updates. We had a great time up at YWAM Kruger and were able to help with a feeding program, assist in digging a trench and with building a home, and got to meet some great people.

We have now been in Cape Town for three days ministering at Kensington Worship Center. Friday night I taught at the youth service and today, Dave and I taught workshops focused on helping church leaders work with volunteers. Kim was sick on Friday but is feeling better now, and Dale has been sick today. Pray for both of them to get healthy for the 24 hour trip home, and pray that the rest of us stay healthy. Tomorrow Dave will preach at the morning services, we’ll have lunch with the pastors here, take the afternoon to visit Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner), then we catch an evening flight back home.

This will be my last chance to update you all before our departure so let me say thank you for your faithful prayers while our team has been here in South Africa. The trip has been outstanding.

Peace,
Joe

P.S. My back is almost fully better. Sleeping on a real bed the last few days has helped. Keep praying that it will improve in spite of the long flights ahead of us. Thanks!

South Africa Update #2

2009-08-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

It's day 8 of the trip and things continue to go well. Thanks to all of you who are praying for us. Here is a quick recap of some of the things we've been up to...

Monday the team visited the Sisters of Charity home (a place for severely disabled kids). I missed that portion of the day as I was seeing a doctor about my back, but many of the team members were moved by what they experienced there. I met up with the team later at another children's home run by a woman called Mamma Mary. We served the kids lunch there, played with the kids, spent some time with Mamma Mary, and then headed home.

Tuesday we went to the prison in Pretoria and worked with the 13-17 year old kids in the morning. Dave gave a short message and then we just hung out, played games, and talked with the kids. In the afternoon we headed to Danville (an inner city area) and worked with an after-school program for a few hours. We also got a tour of one of the "apartment" buildings there. The living conditions were astonishing. In the evening we attended a bible study at 3rd Place (the small church plant that meets in a storefront down the road).

Wednesday we met some folks that wanted to talk to Dave about twitter/church, then we walked around downtown to meet the folks who run a ministry called PEN (Pretoria Evangelsim and Nurture) that runs down there, and to get a view of some of the inner city needs.

Today was a day off for the Pure Hope team (the group we have been working with each day) so we went hiking at Hartbeepoort Dam and had a picnic lunch up on a peak.

Tomorrow we head back to Mabopane to spend some more time with Mamma Mary and the kids at the children's home. We'll also go to Plasticview, a township (or shanti town) where Westwinds funded two shack builds in 2008. We hope to meet and spend some time with the people who recieved those homes and find out how their lives have been impacted.

Please keep praying for our team as we continue to serve alongside the Pure Hope team. And, keep praying for my back, I am finding some slow improvement. Thanks!

South Africa Update #1

2009-08-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

Our team arrived safely here in South Africa on Friday evening. Saturday left us no room for jet-lag as we got up early and headed to Mabopane for our One Life shack-build day. We partnered with a team of folks called "Pure Hope" from Moreletta Park Church. Together we built two One Life shacks. One was for a young man named Sello, and the other was for an HIV+ widow mother of three (the youngest being a 10 month old baby). All were extremely grateful for the help we have provided for them. The Westwinds team paid for the building of one of the shacks and the Pure Hope team paid for the other. These were shacks number 6 & 7 for the One Life program that was started by Pure Hope with the intention of simply changing one life at a time.

Sunday (today) was a day off of the work for us. We attended church at 3rd Place this morning (with lots of our new shack-building friends), and Moreletta Park Church this evening. We've met lots of wonderful South African people along the way.

Tomorrow we head back to the community of Mabopane and will meet a woman named "Mamma Mary" who runs an orphanage there for neglected and disabled children. I anticipate it will be a pretty intense day.

The team is doing great. Everyone is enjoying the time here. Please continue to pray for us as we seek to minister the love of Jesus to all we meet. And please pray specifically for me. After the 16 hour plane ride my back began acting up. Some of you know that I have had recent issues with my back. Our whole time here my back has been in spazam and it has been difficult for me to do any work and ride in vehicles. I see a physiotherapist tomorrow. Pray that the kinks will get worked out and that I will be able to keep up with the activity planned for the team.

Thank you all for your love and prayers!

GoDevelop Olmoran Update

2009-08-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

At the end of 2008 we launched a campaign called “GoDevelop Olmoran” focused on developing a community in Kenya that was in dire need. In March of ’09, Bob Wielenga (President of Global Outreach Development) and I traveled to Olmoran, Kenya with a team of six students from Hope College in order to see first hand the issues that the people of central Kenya were facing. We spoke with the people of Olmoran and heard their stories. We found some wells in working order, and in high demand. Other wells we found were broken down and ususable. We also heard about other important issues like the need for agriculutural and economic development.

Since then we have learned about two trees that could make a difference in Kenya. The Moringa tree and the Muiri tree.

The Moringa tree:

It is said that the leaves of the Moringa tree prevent 300 diseases. Modern science seems to confirm the general idea. Scientific nutritional analysis has shown that Moringa leaves are extremely nutritious. In fact, they contain larger amounts of several important nutrients than the common foods often associated with these nutrients. These include vitamin C, which fights a host of illnesses including colds and flu; vitamin A, which acts as a shield against eye disease, skin disease, heart ailments, diarrhea, and many other diseases; Calcium, which builds strong bones and teeth and helps prevent osteoporosis; Potassium, which is essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves, and Proteins, the basic building blocks of all our body cells.

Studies show that, ounce for ounce, the Moringa tree leaves contain…

· 7 x the vitamin C in oranges

· 4 x the calcium in milk

· 4 x the vitamin A in carrots

· 2 x the protein in yougert

· 3 x the potassium in bananas

Another important point is that Moringa leaves contain all of the essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. It is very rare for a vegetable to contain all of these amino acids. And Moringa contains these amino acids in a good proportion, so that they are very useful to our bodies. These leaves could be a great boon to people who do not get protein from meat.

It is noteworthy that Moringa contains argenine and histidine, which are especially important for infants who are unable to make enough protein for their growth requirements. Experts tell us that 30% of children in sub-Saharan Africa are protein deficient. Moringa could be an extremely valuable food source. While native to the Indian sub-continent, Moringa has spread throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.

Not only are the leaves highly nutritious, but every single part of the Moringa tree has been used for beneficial purposes. Here is a list of the many specific uses people have found for Moringa.

Nutrition • Disease Prevention • Ointment • Alley Cropping • Fertilizer • Erosion Control • Water Purification • Cosmetics • Textile Printing • Insecticide • Fungicide • Lubricants • Tanning Leather • Dye • Fiber Products • Fences • Ornamentation & Shade • Wind Barrier • Cane Juice Clarifier • Honey Production & Clarifier • Condiment • Cooking Oil • Food • Traditional medicine: Anemia • Anxiety • Asthma • Blackheads • Blood impurities • Blood pressure • Bronchitis • Catarrh • Chest congestion • Cholera • Colitis • Conjunctivitis • Cough • Diabetes • Diarrhea • Dropsy • Dysentery • Eye and ear infections • Fever • Glandular swelling • Gonorrhea • Headaches • Hysteria • Intestinal worms • Jaundice • Lactation • Malaria • Pain in joints • Pimples • Pregnancy • Psoriasis • Respiratory disorders • Scurvy • Semen deficiency • Skin infections • Sore throat • Sores • Sprain • Stomach ulcers • Tuberculosis • Tumor • Urinary disorders • Wounds

So, the Moringa tree not only functions as a source for nutritional value and health benefits, but it also has potential as a dietary supplement for livestock and can be used to help increase crop yields.

(The above data on the Moringa tree is from www.treesforlife.org)

The Muiri tree:

The Muiri tree (Prunus africanus) has been used for thousands of years by inhabitants of East Africa for treating various ailments. However, recently pharmaceutical companies have discovered its potential and have hired agents to harvest the tree by improper methods and to an unsustainable degree. Consequently, very few of the trees now remain and the species is considered endangered.

Bob recently returned to Kenya to begin investing some of our resources in these areas. Now, there are 5,000 Moringa tree seedlings and 1,000 Muiri tree seedlings growing on a plot of land that was donated to the cause. We also hired nursreymen to tend this farm while the trees grow.

In February 2010, Bob hopes to return to Kenya with a medical team that would host a free clinic in Olmoran in order to determine the key health issues facing that community. If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested in joining that team, please let us know. There is much work to be done in central Kenya and we need your help.

Guatemala Team Reflections

2009-07-28T10:29:00.001-07:00

Shiloh Community Church recently returned from their Simply Missions trip to Guatemala. Tom Rundel, the pastor/team leader has blogged some great updates and reflections on their trip. Take a moment to surf over to his blog (tomrundel.blogspot.com), see some pictures, and read some updates on what God did through them in Guatemala.

Great Jamaica Reflection Video

2009-07-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

The team from Westwinds put this video together after their trip. I think it really captures a lot of the meaning behind what we are trying to accomplish at Simply Missions. The team spent the week at a residential school for deaf kids in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Take a look at what these kids have to say about their experience. (Read more about the Student Journey trip to Jamaica at www.variousparables.com)

New Simply Missions T-Shirts are here!

2009-07-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

Show your support by wearing a Simply Missions T-Shirt.
Now Available for $15 each or two for $25 (plus shipping).
Adult sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL
E-mail your order to joe@simplymissions.org!

Let Us Start Planning Your Trip Next!

2009-07-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

Current Opportunities for you or your church:

· Medical Mission trip to Olmoran, Kenya in October of 2009 (Approx. Cost: $2,600)

· Skilled Construction work in Paris, France – now through January. (Approx. Cost: $1,700)

· Guatemala trips customized for your team. (Approx. Cost: $1,300)

· Jamaica trips customized for your team. (Approx. Cost: $1,300)

We are already planning trips for 2010. Contact us today to get a custom quote for your church, school, or small group!

Jamaica Update

2009-06-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from 12 days in Jamaica and want to thank all of you who prayed for the teams that were serving there. It was an incredible time. I started out my trip with the Westwinds Youth Ministry team that was working at the CCCD in Montego Bay. We helped pour a concrete sidewalk and the students spent a lot of time getting to know the deaf kids too.

Later I joined the JCS team and spent the remainder of my time in Whitehouse, Jamaica. There we built a house for a family who lost their home in a fire. It was hard work and hot days but it was also an awesome moment to hand the keys over to Solomon and his wife. I'm proud of all the students and adults that joined Simply Missions on these work teams.

If you would like to read testimonies about the house build or see more pictures go to www.royalservants.blogspot.com.

Simply Missions is now on Facebook!

2009-06-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

We've opened up a Facebook Group for Simply Missions! This is part of our recent efforts to increase our connection points with you, our trusty supporters, and to create a viral approach to getting our name out there.

Let us know what you think by posting on the Simply Missions wall. Or, tell your friends about what we are doing with Simply Missions.

Find us on Facebook here. Or friend me (joe neill) and you'll see a link to the group on my page. I just opened the group this afternoon and already we have 83 members!

Not sure what Facebook is??? Don't worry. We'll continue to post updates here as well. If you don't recieve our email updates, contact me here and request to be on our e-list.

Whitehouse, Jamaica

2009-05-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

In March 2009 Solomon Johnson's family of 11 was left homeless after an electrical fire destroyed their house and many of their possessions. Solomon's family was given land to rebuild on, the only problem was it was in the bush and would need to be cleared first; a difficult task for a man with only a machete.

That's the point where 23 Lansing Christian School students and adults entered the scene. With shovels, pick axes, a chain saw, and the generosity of a local contractor and his "bobcat", the land was cleared in one day. During the week of service, footings were poured; cement block laid and rocks carried to fill in the foundation. The sun was warm, and the work was hard as students had to carry heavy bags of sand and rock up the mountain to the site. Hand mixing concrete and mortar taught the students new skills and an appreciation for cement mixers! The team was able to complete the foundation for the new Johnson family residence as well as begin the hole for their latrine.

While in Jamaica the LCS team was able to present two chapel services in area schools. They sang songs and students shared about life in the USA. The group also attended an energetic Palm Sunday service (over two hours long) complete with the waving of palm branches. All week long this team had the privilege of demonstrating love to Jamaican kids. Whenever they had a break at school the kids would find the LCS group for more time coloring, blowing bubbles, and playing Red Rover, soccer and even cricket.

The LCS students were challenged each day to see God at work around them. Some examples included a bobcat showing up at the worksite to help clear the brush, the true worship that took place at a small Jamaican church, the chance students had to help each other carry heavy loads, and the joy on the faces of all the students as they ministered to Solomon's family and the children in the area.

The week ended as the LCS team gathered together to pray with Solomon and his family. They all stood around the foundation of his new home and lifted up prayers of thanksgiving to our wonderful Lord. It was another amazing week filled with amazing stories of God's faithfulness.

Upcoming Ministry Schedule

2009-05-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

June:
• Jamaica – From June 13-20, a team from Westwinds Youth Ministry will travel to Montego Bay to work with the Caribbean Christian Center for the Deaf (CCCD).
• Jamaica – From June 16-24, a team from Jackson Christian High School will travel to Whitehouse to work with KBM.
• Jamaica – From June 16–25 a team from Rivertree Community Church will work ½ a week at KBM and ½ a week with CCCD .

July:
• Guatemala – From July 12-19, a team from Shiloh Community Church will work in Guatemala City, Guatemala, with Global Soccer Ministries (GSM). Their focus will be working on homes in the slums, repairing soccer fields, and ministry with children.

August:
• South Africa – From August 12-19, a team from Westwinds Community Church will travel to Johannesburg to work with various ministries.

Good times & God moments

2009-05-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

In April, I had the privilege of taking Laura along with me on a trip to France. With our young family, it’s not easy to make that happen very often but it is always a blessing when it works out. We led a spring break trip for a small team of high school students who have been studying French. Our first night there we participated in a youth rally where several churches gathered. That event formed the foundation for relationships to develop over the course of the following days. Spiritual conversations were sparked, seeds were planted, and friendships budded. I was pleasantly surprised at the way these students sought to minister to their new friends through simple conversation.

At the end of the trip, my plan was to stay in France for a few extra days after the team left. I had some arrangements made but didn’t know what I would do for my last evening. Early in the week I contacted an old friend who I knew was a missionary in France and, as it turns out, he was going to be in the Paris area that day and was able to meet me. We spent a day catching up and talking about his ministry. They need teams to come help with camp, and it just so happens that I lead teams. God is good. On my last day in France I was able to stay at their facility just outside of Paris and he took me to the airport the next morning. It was one of those moments where I trusted God and the result was more than I could have imagined.

If anyone is interested in a trip to France, the camp is desperately in need of some skilled construction workers to do some renovation of their guest housing. The project is already underway and supplies are already at the location. Now they just need help installing windows, laying tile, installing drop ceilings, repairing plaster, and lots more. Contact me if you are interested in helping out!

Bwana Asifiewe!

2009-04-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

Bwana Asifiewe is Swahili for “Praise the Lord!” And there is much to praise Him for after my recent trip to Kenya. God went before us and paved the way for an incredible week in Africa. Thanks for your prayers!

The needs in Kenya are overwhelming. As we drove throughout the country, the thing that left the greatest impression on me was the bredth of poverty across the land. Everywhere we went there were people living in shanti town slums, and surviving conditions beyond my imagination. It is tough to take all that in, but at the same time it is exciting to be a part of a mission seeking to bring help and hope to those in desperate need.

In such situations, it can be difficult to know where to begin, and the truth is we could probably start almost anywhere. Relationships are often the default starting point, and our work in Kenya is turning out that way too. Through a network of already established relationships we decided to focus in on Olmoran, a remote community located about 45 miles north of Nyahururu.

We found ourselves in Olmoran, speaking with a group of cattle farmers about their greatest needs, food and water. In the midst of the conversation, a man named Leonard stepped forward from the back of the crowd and said, “I will pray for you, that God will show you how to help us.”

I want to ask you to join Leonard in his prayer. With so much work to be done, we don’t stand a chance without Divine intervention. We are now planning a medical mission trip to Olmoran, Kenya in October of this year. If you are interested, or know of someone interested in going on this trip, please let me know.

This is an incredibly busy spring season for us at Simply Missions. While I was in Kenya we had a team in Mississippi doing Katrina relief work. Next week Laura and I will be leading a group of high school students on a trip to France. During that same week, Bob & Janet Wielenga (founders of GO Develop) will be at a children’s home in Jamaica leading a team of 23. We get a short breather in May before the summer season begins in early June with two team trips to Jamaica, and one to Guatemala.

As always, we are grateful for your prayers and support that make this work possible!

Please continue to pray as this ministry grows.

Kenya Update

2009-03-19T13:44:00.001-07:00

We’ve been so busy that it has been difficult to find time to update you all on what is happening here. Here is a recap of the past few days…

On Monday morning we drove to the Huduma School which is located about fifteen minutes from here in the heart of the Kwangware slum. There are 1,500 students in the school which currently goes up to “Form 2” (or 10^th grade). More grades will be added in the coming years. The cost to attend the school for the year is about $25/student. Class sizes at Huduma are all around 40 students per teacher. As a teacher myself, I know that this is less than ideal. School begins at 7am and lets out at 6pm, so these kids are working hard to get an education. One of the school’s greatest needs is for a library, they do not currently have resources for the students to do research, though they occasionally take the older ones to a nearby seminary to do projects.

Another great ministry of the school is the sewing and carpentry classes that are offered. Young adults join these programs and can learn these trades in order to get employment. The programs take between a year and a half to two years to complete and prepare the students to start their own businesses in the community.

We played with the kids during their recess hours throughout the morning. As soon as one group would leave the playground (which was really more of a dust field than anything) another group would come running out. Everyone was pretty exhausted (and really dirty) by noon.

Monday afternoon we drove to Nyahururu which is about four hours north of Nairobi. We passed over the equator on the way.

Monday night, Bob and I met with a man from the Department of Water, who happened to be one of the board members of a local church where we have connections here in Kenya. This was a true Godsend for our hopes to begin a well project in nearby Olmoran.

Tuesday morning we drove 70 kilometers to Olmoran. That drive took us about two hours and the road was incredibly rough. It is difficult for me to describe this village. It is a meeting place for three different tribes. We happened to be there on a market day so the village was bustling with people setting up tents and lean-to’s to display their products. Our team split into small groups and walked through the village talking to people. Bob and I had an extended conversation with a group of cattle farmers and we discussed the challenges they face regarding food and water. They have a well in Olmoran but it is not satisfactory to meet the demands of the number of people coming to that area. The men we talked with had traveled 40 kilometers on foot (two days walk) to get to Olmoran to sell some animals and buy food for their family.

Tuesday afternoon we traveled another two hours back to Nyahururu for lunch, then another hour the other direction on an even more difficult road in order to reach the village of Salama. The well in Salama is in a state of disrepair. The windmill that had been powering it is no longer functioning. This community is another target opportunity for a well project.

Wednesday morning we left Nyahururu early and headed back to Nairobi via Nakuru. We took the opportunity to spend a few hours on safari in the Lake Nakuru National Preserve. What a beautiful display of God’s creation! On the way back we also stopped and visited the Rift Valley Academy, a boarding school for children of missionaries.

So, today seemed like the first day that we were not in the van for hours on end, and it was a welcome change. We spent the day teaching students at Lavington United Church School, which is only about ten minutes from where we are staying. The Hope College students presented a lesson on the armor of God to students in several grade levels.

After lunch Bob and I met with the Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Kenya. Our meeting was to discuss their potential involvement with us in the community development projects that we are looking at in Olmoran and the surrounding areas. It was exciting to hear the Archbishop using some of the very same terms that we have used in describing what we hope to see happen in that community. God seems to be at work and we continue to listen carefully for more hints on what God is up to here.

This evening was our first evening when we were back to the guest house before 7:00pm. It was nice just to have a few hours of relaxation time. Tomorrow we start early again at the school and the group will be doing presentations for the upper level grades at Lavington school. We will head back to the USA on Saturday evening.

Our time here in Kenya has been a whirlwind (or maybe the proper term would be a dust devil, as those seem common here). We have seen so much and time and space do not permit me to write about all that I have experienced and felt personally. One thing I will say is that the needs here are overwhelming. Pray for us as we continue this journey, that God would keep our eyes open even when what we see is hard to take in.

Blessings on you all, and thanks for your prayers.

Peace to you from Kenya,

joe