Month: September 2011

KIM AYCOCK, thank you for sharing—I have enjoyed watching God work and move in your life on this trip! What an amazing GOD we serve!

How did you feel in preparing for this trip? 

Nervous, excited—and I couldn’t wait to see what God as going to do and expected it to be a life changing experience.

What was the first thing that made an impact on you?

The filth in the city.

What have you experienced that has been life changing for you?

The people at the church we went to were so loving, and worshipped God without hindrance.  The children have been a blessing—excited about every little thing, smiles all over!  Another thing was the handing out of tracks at night—it was so rewarding!  One man was in his car and was speaking Spanish to me and I said, “No hablo…”, he pointed his finger toward heaven and said, “Christo Christo”! 

I wanted to jump u and down right there on the sidewalk!

Do you feel God targeting any area of your life through this trip?

My worship to Him should be without hindrance.  He has taught me that though we may look different on the outside, we are the same on the inside and worship the same God.  I feel that God called me to minister to girls of all ages and I want to obey that calling.

What is the best or worst think so far?

BEST:  Ministering and playing with the children.  Worst:  The driving and the language barrier.

What would you say to someone undecided about missions trips?

To go go go! There is so much to learn from other cultures and the people are desperate for a little love and affection.  And that is something we all have to give.

How has this affected your perception of a missionary?

I have watched Brother Mike and how he fits in so easily with the people, he easily ministers to them and they love him.  Missionaries are a necessity!! To every tongue—every nation!

How do you apply the Great Commission in your life?

I do feel called to still to minister to children and to tell and lead them to Christ.  I want to work on that area of my life at church and in the community.

Would you go again?

YES! Definitely!!

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JUAN PETTIS (John Pettis)

How did you feel in preparing for this trip?

Fearful and nervous at first, and then realized God is in this—so what could come against us!  I was also very excited!

What was the first thing that made an impact on you?

The people accepting the Word through passing out tracks,  The people would actually read what was given to them and then pass it on to someone else.

What have you experienced that has been life changing for you?

That no matter how rich or poor, simple or complex, each person is in this crazy world, God has a plan for YOU.  Bolivia is poor and simple, but they have taught me the sincerity in Christ.

Do you feel God targeting any area of your life through this trip?

Being more dedicated to His service instead of just living a Christian life.

What is the best or worst think so far?

Christian fellowship with our group as well as the locals has been the best.  The worst was the plane ride.

What would you say to someone undecided about missions trips?

Do it!  By far the best experience of my life.  It has and continues to strengthen my faith and Christian walk.

How has this affected your perception of a missionary?

I now know it is very hard work.  A missionary is very blessed to have this calling on his/her life.  It is very rewarding.

How do you apply the Great Commission in your life?

I am blessed to work in an awesome mission field at home and witness everyday in some way to someone.

Would you go again?

 Si, Senora.

We have a few more interviews to share from our trip to Bolivia—and you really don’t want to miss them!

Thank you Thomas for sharing your time and your heart with us!

How did you feel in preparing for this trip?

More anxious than excitement…due to the fact that I was going to another part of the world, which I had only seen and heard about on TV.  All they had talked about was poverty and chaos.

What was the first thing that made an impact on you?

Leaving the airport in Santa Cruz we passed by several “run down” shacks, which turned out to be homes that people actually lived in.  Seeing families with little children walking down the side of major roadways –hoping to just get a ride to wherever they were headed.  I couldn’t see much joy in their faces.

What have you experienced that has been life changing for you?

The way of life for those living outside the city.  The people we met in the town of Don Lorenzo live with just the barest of essentials of life.  Some of the stories I’ve heard when I was young about how some of our parents and grandparents grew up “dirt poor”, was brought into clear realization on this trip—and I’ve seen with my own eyes what it is to be poor.

Do you feel God targeting any area of your life through this trip

To be a better steward with all the blessings He pours into my life and not to be so judgmental when it comes to first appearances.

What is the best or worst think so far?

The appreciation the people of Don Lorenzo have shown us for taking the time out of our “busy lives”, to come here and help them.  The smiles on the faces of the children. 

The worst thing:  the plane ride from Miami to Santa Cruz, leg cramps, 45 minutes of sleep.

What would you say to someone undecided about missions trips?

To actually “go” would be the best decision they could ever make (aside from salvation) and the most rewarding.  Even though this is only my first time, it has been life changing!!!

How has this affected your perception of a missionary?

I have seen that being a missionary is one of the most selfless acts there is.  It’s an act of literally giving yourself and your time to others.

Would you go again?

ABSOLUTELY!!!! I CAN’T WAIT!!!

Without it…we can’t fly.

Without our green slip of paper we were given upon arrival and “purchase” of our visa’s…we can’t leave this country.

Everyone has taken great care this week to make certain we have what we need to get “home”.

Are you reading between the lines?

How well are you caring for the GIFT you were given when you accepted Jesus as your Savior?

It’s a question I need to ask myself DAILY.

This trip has been so full of emotion–charged with energy–stock piled with love and cemented friendships with the blessing of the Holy Spirit.

Complete strangers met–and by the time we parted company–we each had the assurance that one day there would be no language barrier!  Just that knowledge makes me want to SHOUT!

I have had the blessing of photos from Kim Aycock as well as Rene Parkhurst.  They have captured things I could not.  As I looked through Rene’s pictures I saw all the children activities that I didn’t participate in.  The few things I saw and interacted with took place inside the church as we were working.

For the first time I have been able to work beside my husband on a mission trip.  Building a church.  I cannot express what that has done for me.  THIS I loved.

This man has lived and breathed this trip since the LORD first  began stirring his heart in the first months of this year.  When we set out on a 21 day fast–the LORD began rearranging some ideas and notions in Jeff’s heart.  (I imagine he will share some of that at church.)  He has rearranged many notions in mine as well.  And it will continue.

This week I have done what I never imagine I would do beside the man I cherish–laid brick, troweled on mud, joked, laughed, and even shed tears together over what God has done in this awesome group of people.

Jeff and I have talked about how blessed we have been to be with THIS particular group of people this week.  As I stood and listened to Brandson Spencer, mission director of New Life A/G, share the fact that his 16 year old son was celebrating his birthday again without his dad–and how that broke Brandon’s heart–and with tears streaming–I knew it was a fact.  Both Brandon and his wife Becky share a passion and love for missions that Jeff and I do.  And when you love Christ this way–there are times when life decisions are harder than others. 

I saw father and son work side by side this week–and friends laugh and joke and get serious together.  This was such a blessing to me.  Parents, take the time to “work” along beside your kids.  They need to SEE that and FEEL the love you have for others!  What a difference it will make in their lives along their journey.

Our love for Christ will be evident in our actions–a cliche` that comes to mind and fits, “you are what you eat” and “what you see is what you get”.  If we consume the WORD…we will be made in HIS likeness–we will bear the image of Jesus Christ.  Then people will come to know HIM through our love in action–and our words. 

Jeff talked about our actions this morning in devotion.  How important they are–more so than we think.

When Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (,Matthew 16:24), I believe He meant what He said.  We will face times when denying ourselves will be painful–because it will involve those we love most.  But in order to “please” God–and follow after Him in the way He has commanded–we must deny ourselves.

It’s late and I’ve rambled.  I will leave you with this–“do all you can for Christ now–with all the time you have left.  We only have this ONE life.  Do it right.  Live with no regrets.”

Be in prayer for the following tomorrow:

• Pray that we shine for HIM
• EASE in going through customs both here and in Miami.
• Safety and health of each one.
• POWERFUL services at our respective churches on Sunday!
• And ANYTHING else this tired brain has left out!

When we arrived in the village of Don Lorenzo, after traveling for many miles on several bumpy-dusty, dirt roads for 30 minutes at LEAST—we saw God’s opportunity.

A church, which began in a house, now needed room for growth.  It can take many years for a church to reach the ability to have real walls, a roof and pews.  Mainly because of the lack of adequate income.

They had a small piece of land, some pieces of wood and tree stumps for pews and a tarp for when it rained—and to keep the scorching sun off their head.  But they needed help.

When we gathered in the place where the church now had a roof, but no walls, it was hard to imagine what 4 days of work would bring…but God already knew what those days would bring.

What unfolded the next few days was nothing short of a miracle.

A church was built. 

With the combined effort of Grace A/G and New Life, Nueva Luz was built.  “New Light”.

Many hands made the job easier.

This group of people—have amazing hearts.

Not one single genuine complaint was heard.

Not about the bathroom—it was accepted for just what it was.

No complaints about the children running in and out. 

The children of today are the church of tomorrow VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

They are the reason we are here.

Yes the roads were dusty—yes it was difficult to breathe.  Yes we had sinus headaches and problems of that nature—but I promise—there was no whining going on.

I wonder how long it will take us to fall back into the same ridiculous habits of Americans?

I wonder if the recliner and remote will have the same affect?  I wonder our nice bathrooms with fresh clean water, and our quick drive thru’s for food—will they all be viewed the same? 

Walk with me a minute.

Out the door your hear the beeping horns.  Not out of anger, but to let you know “hey, I’m back here and coming through”.  You will notice all the trash—everywhere.  It lines the streets.  And you may even catch a whiff of the trash as you walk by.

On almost every corner—there is an orange stand.  The sweet smell of freshly peeled oranges are a nice treat, hidden in the dusty, busy, painfully crowded streets.  (We didn’t eat any of these oranges, but the church folks blessed us each day at lunch with fresh oranges and bananas.)

The sidewalks are busy—the streets are crowded—and the air hangs heavy at times.  But then the breeze will pick up and blow the hair back from your face—and you feel instant relief!  This is home—to our new church family and friends—and it has it’s beauty…even among the problems and the not so pretty parts of life.

This tree was my gift of “purple” for the week.  I smiled and said, “thank You” to my Father when I snapped the picture.  What a great gift!  And I thought of Wanda…and how she would have loved to see these little tanned faces with deep brown eyes.  Dirty faces, many hearts washed clean last night during the invitation.

That’s what we came for.

To make a difference.

No matter what kind of difficulty we face in life…it is an opportunity for GOD to be the “I AM” of our life.  That means—it’s all HIM.  Nothing of us.  Except our obedience. 

Today—we are full.  To the brim and running over.  If you stand near…I promise some will spill.

There are many more pictures—many more stories to be shared.  We will share at our church on Sunday night and New Life will share soon—of how we were all changed—just by giving up ourselves to make a change for others.

If you sponsored someone, prayed for someone, helped someone with the incidentals along this journey—thank you.  Your name is recorded along with ours in the work that has been done this week.  May God shine HIS light of love so deep into your life that you cannot find where it begins or ends.

I’ll write more shortly.

Stay tuned.

I have enjoyed getting to know these incredible guys from New Life–and I’ve enjoyed time with “my” son-in-law.  That’s what Jeff calls him–David is a blessing to our family in so many ways!

First we bring Terrell Culbreth to the microphone (just a little bloggity humor 🙂 )

Terrell Culbreth:

How did you feel in preparing for this trip?

Nervous and a little scared.
What was the first thing that made an impact on you?

Sunday night church service.  Brandon, Chase and myself went together.  Brandon preached, and what made the impact on me was how the people responded to the Spirit of the LORD.  I felt it!

What have you experienced that has been life changing for you?

All the stuff we/I have at home doesn’t really matter.  I’m thankful for it, but you don’t need it to be happy and to have love.

What is the best or worst think so far?

The best thing was Sunday night service.  The worst thing was FLYING.

What would you say to someone undecided about missions trips?

Try it one time.  It will change how you think and feel about so many different things.

How has this affected your perception of a missionary?

Go on a mission trip when I can, away and at home.  The way I try to carry myself when at work or at home.

Would you go again?

YES.
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Again, I would like to say that I have enjoyed meeting these guys –and have seen such a love for the LORD and for others in them.  It has truly blessed our hearts!

This next young man at the mic is David…a.k.a. “Davie boy” to us–our son-in-law.  More like a son.  We love him dearly.  Thanks David for opening  your heart to ALL that God has–we believe God has so many more things in store for you as you continue on this dedicated path!

David Pettis:

How did you feel in preparing for this trip?

Excited.  Humbled. Ready.

What was the first thing that made an impact on you?

Being satisfied with what I have.
Do you feel God targeting any area of your life through this trip?

I feel God is preparing me for missions work.  I feel that God will use me at home and in foreign missions.

What is the best or worst thing so far?

Getting to learn about and minister in a part of the world I have never thought I would go.  The worst thing…riding their dirt roads for an hour to get to the place to work.
What would you say to someone undecided about missions trips?

Just go one time.  You will go back.

How has this affected your perception of a missionary?

I never realized the hard work and dedication it takes to do it.
How do you apply the Great Commission in your life?

In my passt and present jobs, I talk to a lot of people.   I am able to share in some situations but a lot of times I just have to be a light for people to see.
Would you go again?

Absolutely.

Thank you David and Terrell.  Today has been “full”.  Full of work, smiles, and more tears than you can imagine.  The joy of the LORD abounded all around.  From the oldest person there, to the youngest.  God’s presence was and is so real–and evident to each heart.

There are several more interviews to share–but I am going to make them last a few more days.  Stayed tuned in to know more about the “mission” experience.  I cannot begin to describe the emotion felt today by “everyone”.  The church service tonight will linger in our hearts forever!

Some significant things happened today–and we will share.  But not tonight.  (It’s after midnight…and this missionary is tired.)

(Let’s do this again tomorrow)

© The Knightly News 2007-2011

The “Track Team” that has been out every night are full of incredible stories…not just life adjusting, but they will be life altering.

David, Cindy, John, Thomas, Rene, Brother Orville, and Kara (I think Chris and David Bremer as well) have come back each morning brimming.  I will let them share what has taken place on the streets of Santa Cruz, Bolivia.  Some may share here…but I am certain they will share on Sunday night when we return.  You don’t want to miss that service!

What God is doing–has done–and is about to do on this trip is nothing but mind blowing.  The first sight we saw when we entered the partially completed church was a blind boy.  We saw him–but he didn’t see us.

God saw us all. 

There was music playing and we watched as his legs jumped to the music.  Sitting on a rough board, his 14 year old, gangley legged self,  with a big grin on his face.  As I looked around at the faces watching I saw that many eyes misted over.  His were clouded.

Kara shook his hand, Cindy gave him a lolly-pop and watched as he would lick it and then put it up so close to his eye that his eye lashes could touch it.  We saw him enjoy life from his perspective.  Being blind did not wipe his smile from his face, nor alter the joy that seemed to bubble up inside him as his head turned in different directions at all the new sounds.

Have you stopped and thought about all the things that happen in our day-to-day existence that seems to “wipe the smile” right off of our faces?  I thought about it today.  For the past couple of years, I have tried to be more conscious about smiling.  I have trouble sometimes.  Not that I’m not happy, but so often deep thought sometimes makes me look mad.  I’m not mad…I’m just thinking. 🙂  I AM happy!!

Today made me really think.  About our reactions to life.  My “son-in-law” told me he saw the way I looked when I was trying to find my mud trowel on Monday.  Today, when I misplaced it and asked him if he had it he quickly replied, “No.  I saw the look on your face the other day!”  Sorry David.

I imagine that after today, when we “think” we’ve got it tough, we will have a flash-back to a skinny, Bolivian blind boy sitting on a board with dancing feet.  I know I will.

Today our group of children grew a bit more.  If you remember we started with two.

Today we had 109.  All through the excitement of what the first two children received.  They brought more.

That’s how we are to multiply the church…but we’ve first got to show the world that we have Someone they NEED.  Someone that is like no other.  And that our lives are blessed in ways that are unseen…no matter what things look like on the outside.

That’s kind of like the two little girls that first came.  They received candy, hugs, smiles and coloring pages about Jesus.  They told a few more.  Those few more told more.  Soon, our ladies were digging in all our bags, making copies of coloring pages, giving hugs, handshakes and smiles to MANY.

The walls have also grown taller.  Through the work of many–God is building a church.

Enjoy the pictures.  Thank you again Rene for taking pictures for me–and thank you KIM for sharing yours!!

Tomorrow we finish the building and dedicate the church with the congregation tomorrow evening.  Be in prayer for these wonderful people.  God is so good.

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Don’t forget to read the interviews below from Chris Smith and Chase Curti!  Thanks guys!

© The Knightly News 2007-2011

What have you experienced that has been life changing for you?

Do you feel God targeting any area of your life through this trip?

What is the best or worst think so far?

What would you say to someone undecided about missions trips?

Yes.  I would love to go again on any chance given!

Chris Smith

How did you feel in preparing for this trip?

Do you feel God targeting any area of your life through this trip?





The air this morning was very windy–and significantly cooler than yesterday.  When we gathered for breakfast–the excitement of what the day would bring was stirring in my heart.  I could tell by looking at some of the faces–they felt it too.

I didn’t take any pictures of breakfast food–It is all pretty much as what you “could” fix at home, even the fried sliced hot dog wieners.  What I want to tell you tonight is far from food. 

Last night, after we all returned to the hotel we adjourned to our rooms–what I thought everyone was doing–getting ready for bed, especially since the first day had been so tiring.  While I was getting 176 pictures uploaded and blog ready, there was a group of missionaries going to to do mission work.

Brother Orville Bremer had brought Spanish tracks to pass out.  I had not seen them, but had heard him mention that he had some that he would give the pastor here for his work.

This amazing man–with a heart as big as any I’ve ever witnessed, after working all day as hard as any of the younger men on the team, gathered his tracks and he and his granddaughter, Kara and son, David were going to pass out tracks.  When a few of the others that were still downstairs heard them say that they were getting ready to go out they knew they wanted in on this action!  Off they went! 

The stories that Cindy, David, and John, along with a few others, will be able to share when they get home will bless you.  I won’t share it here–but just know–it brought hot tears to my eyes this morning at breakfast when Cindy shared it with me.  I have asked her to write something about it for my blog readers–and she has promised she would–so stay tuned for that one.  Thank you Cindy!

**(I needed to insert that Thomas and Rene Parkhurst and Chris Smith also went with the “missionary team” to bring the LIGHT to the darkness.)**

What Cindy shared with me this morning about their mission on the streets of Bolivia late last night went right along with the devotion I read by Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest this morning.
 

“A river touches places of which its source knows nothing, and Jesus says if we have received of His fullness, however small the visible measure of our lives, out of us will flow rivers that will bless to the uttermost parts of the earth.  We have nothing to do with the outflow–This is the work of God that ye believe…God rarely allows a soul to see how great a blessing he is.  A river is victoriously persistent, it overcomes all barriers….

Never allow anything to come between yourself and Jesus Christ, no emotion, or experience; nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.”

God is nothing short of amazing–and His amazing power goes way beyond my ability to speak.

Jeff shared on the bus his devotion this morning–and again, God tied it all together.  He shared how he had ran from the call of God for the past 30 years–thinking that he knew what “God” had planned–and thinking that he didn’t relish the idea of participating in something he didn’t feel he could do.  He was satisified–LIKE ALL OF US–to continue doing the routine of loving God–serving God–living for God–yet not FULLY giving God everything.  While there is nothing wrong with those things–there is something far greater when we actually “release” our lives fully to HIM.  Recognizing our need to do so is the first step.

When Jeff finally said “yes”–to whatever God has in store–God shared some things with him.  God is the Master Builder and planner–and what we “think” is His plan–may not always be.  All He wants us to do is TRUST HIM fully for the outcome of our lives.  Just saying “yes” releases us from worry about our future–and gives God full authority to do with us what He likes.

Later this afternoon, while talking with Brother Bremer about his incredible blessing of wonderful family–here and back home, he had difficulty talking without being emotional.  I share that emotion.  He is an amazing man–hungry for God to continue to move in his life and be used as never before.  What a testimony!  (As I type this–he’s doing that very thing!  Witnessing on the streets of Bolivia!)

Okay, we’ll talk more about this later–for now, enjoy the day with us!  And special thanks to Rene Parkhurst who took many pictures for me since I was “on the wall”. 

And thank you to Jeff–who believes in me and supports me, and after 29+ years of marriage–is still the love of my life.  You have done a great job on this trip–and I am so proud of you!

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Good night–sleep tight.  Pray for much to be accomplished tomorrow–for health, wellness and strength for the remainder of the trip.  Pray for us all to impact the life of another.  That’s what we’re here for.

© The Knightly News 2007-2011

This morning, as we rode to the church building site, Jeff shared devotion and prayer with the team –and it was a Word.  “Listen”. 

“Listen to the voices around you this week–life is happening all around–and God is speaking to us in and through it all.”  You may be surprised at what you hear.  I can say–I have listened.  And heard.

As I stood during a short break, and as we waited on more concrete to be mixed, and “listened” as Brandon Spencer, New Life Mission Director, shared his heart and how he heard God call him and his wife Becky to do “more” than what they first thought ministry would be, tears stung my eyes. 

I’m thinking, “been there”.  Heard that.  Or at least, something similar.

We have experienced some things today that made me almost catch my breath. 
A word. 

A sentence.

A sight.

Today, when the first brick was set I thought of the people that would come on Sunday to a brand new place!  But the “church” already exists–it is the people–who gather and lift of the name of Jesus Christ!  Worship to God is utmost important to the people.  When you look in their eyes, you see anticipation!  They will have an actual building–rather than a tarp stretched over poles to keep the hot sun from beating down on them. 

I can just imagine that come Sunday–there will be MUCH praising going on!

They will still sit on the boards laid across stumps as their pews.  They may not have an organ, a guitar, microphone or piano–but they have voices and hearts that will lift so high that God will lean over and hush the heavenly chatter to listen to their praise.  I can just imagine what it could possibly sound like by the time it reaches heavens Ears.  Like nothing we hear on earth.

Okay. I must hush–or I will be here all night sharing what I feel. 

Let me allow YOU to feel.  Not the heat –but the presence of Almighty God as you view the pictures. 

Breath deep of the air that surrounds you.  Look closely at what you have.  Know that YOU are blessed beyond measure. 

EVEN if your a/c is on the blitz.
EVEN if you don’t like the teacher you have this year.
EVEN if you don’t have a car like “so-and-so”.
EVEN if ________(you fill in the blank).

You are blessed.  I am reminded yet again and again.  May these sights never leave my mind. Or yours.

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© The Knightly News 2007-2011