Hondruas Updates
SLAM - students living a mission
Jessica she is doing really well. She has had to do a tom of work though as she is doing her school work from here as well as school work from the school she is attending there. Plus she tries to spend about 4 hours a day at the school where she is doing the project, which is different from the school that she is attending.
As far as the project is going, Jessica has begun providing the food to the children in a weeks worth at a time. They are doing this so that the kids can bring it home to share with siblings not attending school and so as to limit the amount of time that they are distributing the food. This way things are disturbed as little as possible while they are getting the food out. She has enlisted the help of the Tocoa Fire Department. The Chief, a friend of mine, now picks her up each day and brings her to the school. They had been using a taxi, however that was becoming very unreliable and Jessica was not picked up several times, so this way she has someone that I know and can trust always picking her up. Her hosts also of course bring her to and from the school. However, Hector works for a group called Water Missions International and he is bringing clean water systems to 110 or so villages in the northern part of Honduras as well as proper sanitary latrines. This has kept him very busy and often not able to get Jess back and forth which is why they were using taxis from time to time. The system of using the fire department is obviously much better, safer, consistent and they help her out with whatever she needs.
Jessica has also put on her managers hat, as she says, and has met with people from the community and the school regarding the garden part of the project. They have not started it yet, but what they are looking at doing is getting the older children involved and having the garden near or at the school. They would have someone actually teach the older kids how to garden using the tools that Jessica gives them and the seeds donated by a Rotary club. The goal of course is to keep the project going using the food from the garden. Fortunately, they have lots of time to get that fully underway as she tentatively has funds for a year to purchase food. I believe that after she leaves she will be still using the fire department and some of the parents from the school to keep the project going and I am sure that she will be in regular contact with them and likely will find time in the summers to go and check up on things.
Trinidad 3 Updates
UPDATE THURSDAY AUGUST 21
Good afternoon from Trinidad,
Here is a quick update from the past 24 hours here:
Yesterday the team ministered at a homeless shelter in the downtown area of Port of Spain. This was a very intimidating environment for many of our team, but God was so good, and I believe the teens came away changed by the experience, as many shared last night in our devotions how impacted they were by these folks. They met people with no material possessions, yet a love for Jesus and a thankful heart that blew us away. Sarah Beers shared her story, Nick also shared from the life of Paul, and Tommy helped led some singing and they all did great!
Day #2 of VBS was great, as Pastor Peter Metcalfe and his team led the way. They all did an outstanding job. The kids in the neighborhood where we hold VBS keep coming back each day..its wonderful! And the local church Pastor where it is being held is so encouraged by what your teens are doing to bless his community.
The team has just returned from an Orphan Home where they spent the morning with over 100 children. These kids were excited to see our team and quickly connected with all of us. We had several stations for the kids to participate in including face painting, crafts, magic tricks, music and soccer. There was lots of excitement and LOTS of singing.if only you could have heard these young children singing songs like Trading My Sorrows, it would have brought tears to your eyes and a smile to your face!
This afternoon we conclude our VBS program as Marc & Chelsea and their team lead the way with crafts and songs and a lesson about salvation. We are looking forward to this afternoon.
Tomorrow our schedule changes somewhat as we get ready for 2 large outreach events in the downtown area. Please make this a matter of prayer as we boldly share the good news of Jesus with the people of Trinidad. It is the rainy season here so please pray for a sunny day on both Friday and Saturday so these events can go forward. Pray that the sound equipment works well, and for protection for our entire team and strength to minister.
One final prayer request. One of our team members from Moncton, Lauren Parks, has been sick for a couple of days so we are trying to find out what is causing this sickness and pain. Please pray for healing, and for peace as we get Lauren taken care of.
Well try to send another update on the weekend. Please keep us in your prayers and know that God is at work in and through the team here.
Be blessed, Mark Miller
DATE WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20 2008
Things are rainy here in Trinidad. There is a reason they call it the rainy season. Things are good, the team of 30 have come together very well. We are in a very nice complex and have it all to ourselves, there are no other teams staying during this week. There is a pool, basketball court and meal hall. Sunday was the travel day, Monday was creating teams in prep for Vacation Bible School with an afternoon bus tour to get a visual of Trinidad. Tuesday was Ministry Day #1 and it started with over an hour drive to a Christian Drug Rehab Centre that houses approx. 30 men. It was surrounded by lush green jungle/rainforest we had a service outside under a tin roof, our team shared stories and music followed by them doing the same. Very Impacting morning!! The afternoon mission was VBS at a church and local kids that just walked in as they saw our white team of teenagers in two mini-buses. Night time was more practice and team building as we prepare for future days. Lauren Parks is sick to her stomach but doing well after a nights sleep. Today we are off to a homeless shelter in the morning and then VBS in the afternoon. Keep praying for us. It is very humid when it is not raining, you feel like you are inhaling moisture. We are getting video and good pictures.
Ill keep you posted in a few days.
P. Dave and the Trinidad Team
DATE MONDAY AUGUST 18 2008
Good afternoon from Trinidad! I just wanted to forward an update to everyone back home from the global velocity team here in Trinidad & Tobago. We arrived safely last night after a fantastic, but long day of travelling. All of our flights went well, and even the many first time flyers in our group did great!!!
After a 4 hour layover in Newark New Jersey, we flew almost 5 hours to Trinidad, landing at approximately 7:45pm EST, to a temperature of 32 degrees!!! Most of the team jumped in the pool when we arrived and then it was off to bed. We were all pretty exhausted! We started at 8:00am this morning with breakfast, followed by a presentation from our host. She talked about the history of Trinidad, the different religious groups that are here, and what our ministry would look like over the next 10 days. Right now the team is preparing for our 3 days of VBS (Vacation Bible School) which starts tomorrow, running through until Thursday. They are preparing lessons, crafts, skits, songs and more! Dont worry, they are working hard, and its only day 1! Over the next few days well visit a Drug Rehab Centre, Homeless Shelter, Orphanage, as well as 2 days of street ministry in the capital city, Port of Spain. This afternoon well take them by bus on a tour of the city and show them the sights so they can see some of this beautiful country, and later tonight well do more preparation and have our team devotions.
The team is doing great. They are meeting new friends and doing really well. Youd be proud of them.
Please continue to pray for us; for protection, for our ministry to bear fruit here, and for God to continue to shape each team members life for His purposes!
Well send another update later.
Blessings Mark Miller Youth Ministries Project Manager
