Global Aid Network Mission Reports

Reported by Jim W.

We are coming the end of a wonderful week of ministry in Kingston Jamaica.  We have a team of 21 who have been hard at work.  Here is a list of our projects!  2 eye clinics where we checked the sight of 350 people; we painted tables, the walls of a new addition to the house behind the church at Mammee River and the walls of the house; distributed food bags to the poorest people in Mammee River (with some unbelievable climbs up the mountain side); visited an orphanage; ministered to kids in a public park; ministered to kids in Mammee River; and put together a book reading program for folks of all ages in the Mammee River church.  And of course we shared the good news of Jesus Christ is them all.  We know of at least 8 people of have come into God’s kingdom this week. For that we praise the Lord.
 

Thank you for your prayers. And we ask that you pray that we finish strong and that we have safe travels.  We will show pictures and share stories when we return.

Wednesday, March 18 – Steve W.

Wednesday was a busy day for the team as we traveled back to Mixco to visit two schools & a women’s trade school.
 

The first site was an early morning visit to the poorest school in the community.  The two room schoolhouse is made of scrap tin and wood and sits on a hill overlooking a pit that is contaminated with raw sewage.  The children were very excited to see visitors as no American teams have visited here and the clothing, shoes and school supplies were desperately needed.  The principal of the school said that it was very good that the team brought the material aid but that it was even more important that we told the children about God’s love so that they know that they are loved.
 

At the second school the team was greeted by 800 children who were assembled on the hill across the street from the school as the school is too small to fit all the children at once.  On normal school days the children come in two shifts, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.  The team distributed stuffed toys and CarePacks to the children.  One of the mothers was so grateful for the gifts that she just kept saying “Gracias, Muchas Gracias” as she hugged participants over and over.
 

After having lunch at the office of the mayor of Mixco, the team traveled to the final site of the day, a trade school for women.  Women here are taught various trades to improve their quality of life.  They were very excited to receive the gospel aprons that had been sewn by women in the U.S.  The school was also excited for the many boxes of sewing supplies and the two new sewing machines that were provided by GAiN.

Tuesday, March 17 – Steve W.

The team traveled to Mixco today for a school painting project. When we arrived the 450 children were waiting for us and a clown was entertaining them. We sang some songs, Scott did some illusions and we shared the gospel bead bracelet. After this we handed out CarePacks & stuffed animals (the blue mice we packed up last year at the PDC). With the children safely in their classrooms we then began to paint the courtyard area.
 

When we arrived the mayor’s wife asked if we could also visit a senior citizen’s center in the afternoon. When it began to rain and we were unable to continue painting we decided that we should visit the senior center. This turned out to be one of the best visits and the elder people were thrilled for the visit and for the blankets the team handed out.

Monday, March 16 – Steve W.
Our first day of ministry was great, we traveled about an hour and 1/2 to Cruz Blanca where we did our program, fed the families (women & children) the FMSC product and then distributed CarePacks, beanie babies, blankets, seed packs & FMSC rice packets.  We also left some shoes & clothing for the staff to distribute and one of the Sawyer water filters for the school.
After a quick lunch at the CCC office we traveled to Santa Rita, the village under the bridge, in Guatemala City. We did a gospel presentation and distributed CarePacks, stuffed toys, and FMSC product.
Kate is much better, thank you for your prayers! Pray for Reed & Cody as they are feeling a little puny. Pray the rest of the team stays healthy!
 

Sunday, March 15 – Steve W.
The 2nd team all arrived safely last night. Today went to church, had Ambassador training at the ENDAC offices & met with Animal D. (CCC national director) & a Guatemalan Doctor with which CCC is partnering.
Kate has been sick today, the Dr. gave her some meds. and we were able to celebrate her birthday tonight. She is better, but not 100% yet. Pray no one else gets sick. Cody & I are both iffy right now.

Big day tomorrow! We will be distributing some FMSC product along with the CarePacks & other product.
 

Thursday, March 12, 2009 – Jake G.
Today was quite an interesting, not to mention exhausting day. After the six hours in the bus yesterday, everyone was lacking some energy. Thankfully this was our ‘tourism’ day, so we were given a chance to regain some of this energy. Half of the day was spent on a tour/hike around the city, and the other half was spent in the market shopping. While shopping was a fun experience, the important point in the day was the tour we took. We visited several “mask museums” where masks were made to represent each of the Mayan gods. There was a story behind each one, and each story seemed to be a mix of certain things. The Mayan culture in the city was a mix of Catholicism, the Mayan religion itself, and past events.

This was portrayed through not only the masks, but through worship, and church. We went to the top of a mountain and saw a Mayan altar, but at the altar, the shaman appeared to be performing catholic rituals. Both churches we visited were said to be catholic. But, both allowed Mayan practice inside the buildings. This created a sense of uneasiness for the group. We felt the spiritual warfare taking place among us between the two groups. We realized that these places weren’t the only places where things like this takes place, and we need to recognize the spiritual battles in our own everyday lives so that we can tackle them head on and take care of these things.
 

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 – Ashley J.
A school in Mixco was given a fresh new coat of paint by the GAIN mission team. The students did not have class today but many came to help. The Guatemalans arrived in two groups – before and after lunch. With these two groups we started with ministry first and picked up the brush later. We sang songs in both Spanish and English, performed dramas, presented the gospel bead bracelet, and distributed gifts. The boys and girls helped the team paint all of the classrooms. 

At the end of the day, the Americans were challenged to a game of soccer by the Guatemalans. Here are some thoughts of people on the GAIN team:
- Jake enjoyed talking to the kids while watching the soccer game. Garrett, Trent, and Jake were conversing with a small crowd without a translator.
- Mrs. Scott and Rachele were amazed that the children were excited to have a picture taken of them even though they could not have it.
- Spencer noticed a boy praying earnestly during the gospel bead prayer.
- Ali enjoyed playing hacky sack with Jake, Brittani, and a few young boys.
- Morgan made a bond with Fernando while playing water balloon toss.
- Alex was thrilled when a few Guatemalans girls pulled Jake, Trent, and himself over to tell them that they were “pretty”.

These are just a few of the many blessings that God gave us throughout the day. Everyone went out of their comfort zone to help impact the lives of others. May tomorrow have many more blessings!
 

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 – Jaye W.
Monday was a big, big day.  We shared the gospel with 1100 kids and 120 women.  The first site was a bit chaotic.  Our group arrived 20 minutes late and 750 children were already there waiting for us.  Fortunately, they had hired a clown-magician to entertain them.  The stage was small and had just been put up, so when we did our line dance it really rocked; we were a bit worried that it was going to collapse but praise God that it didn´t.  The skit went over very well - the kids all laughed and later at the ladies site we saw women crying.

At our second site, one of our teams had over 100 kids in their room.  They said that it was pandemonium.  Our group of young people had great experiences with the kids.  One of our boys said his heart melted when a little girl came up to give him a kiss on his cheek; it was his first time to share his testimony in public.  Another quiet, teenage girl, who we rarely heard say two words, was the only one in her small group courageous enough to share her testimony and the bracelet.  I had an opportunity to share with the principal using the Mayor´s wife as my translator.  I asked her if the principal was a Christian and she said, “No”.  So I shared my testimony with him and asked him if he was sure he was going to heaven.  He said that he was 80% sure.  I asked if he would like to be 100% sure and he said that he would.  Using the Four Spiritual Laws booklet, I shared spiritual law number 4 with him.  He acknowledged that he was in the left circle, trying to be in control of his own life but said that he wanted to be in the right circle and allow God to be in control.  Then he prayed to receive Christ into his life.  On the way to the next site I asked the Mayor’s wife if she thought it was a true decision and she said that she did. 

At the site for the ladies, the room was filled to maximum capacity.  We were expecting about 75 ladies and 119 came.  My talk went well and after I had led them in a prayer of salvation, I asked the ladies to stand up if they had accepted Jesus.  One lady boldly stood up and I know that the angels are rejoicing over one lost soul turning to him; please pray for her.  Afterwards, another lady came up to me and gave me her necklace and the earrings that she had made at the trade school.  I thanked her - she cried - I cried. 

There were lots of great memories from our day of ministry.

Today we are going to be painting.  Thanks for praying for us, for our safety, and for the searching souls in Guatemala.

We are all healthy and blessed with each hospital, shelter, and boarding school we have been to so far.  The weather has been sunny but cold; very little icy spots left & forecast is for warming to above freezing.  The bus has started every day since I asked you to pray for it!  God is good - all the time! 

Wednesday, March 4
    * We are scheduled to spend the morning in Kherson at a hospital for children up to the age of 16.  The facility can house up to 50 patients who are cared for by 33 staff.  Pray that we might be a bold witness to both patients and staff of the healing power of the Divine physician.  
    * After our brown bag lunch on the bus we will be in Tavriysk at the boarding school of that area.  This facility currently has 168 children ages 6 to 17 that are taught and cared for by 130 adults.  May even the kitchen cooks feel the love that only God can give as we minister to the souls of all people.
    * Pray that the humanitarian aid that we deliver will meet their physical needs in a way that shows God’s love for them, and for other opportunities to fulfill any special needs at the sites we visit.  This school has asked for underwear, socks, toys, and sporting supplies.

Thursday, March 5
    * We go back to Tsyurupinsk this morning where we visit an elderly home.  These sites hold special meaning to Adele and me as we remember the care that was needed in our own parents last days.
    * Again pray that we not trust in our own strength, previous successes, or past experiences, but to rely solely on the Holy Spirit in all situations.
    * We travel to a boarding school in the afternoon to meet with 82 children from ages 6 to 16 who are cared for by 58 dedicated adults.  The director of this facility has asked for “developmental games” which makes me believe that these children are handicapped.  We have been to a number of these special schools, and the children are always so receptive to hear that God loves them!
    * May we be vessels of compassion: humble, transparent, and sensitivity in all situations. 

Monday morning update 
This mission trip must be a very important one, for the forces of evil have attempted several hindrances even in our travels to Ukraine.  Two of the groups were stranded by the powers of the air as snow dropped on the transfer airport where William and Adele needed to change planes.  Their first plane was delayed permission to land until ten minutes after their next flight had already left.  There were no choices of flights from any airline available until the next morning; thus they had to spend the night in the airport as the blizzard conditions and temperature of five degrees continued to tie up ground traffic as well as plane flights.  Several hundred other stranded plane passengers shared pads on the terminal floor.  Ear plugs and eye masks helped to provide some sleep.  In the groggy hours before the six o’clock boarding time, the gate number was changed.   In spite of all these inconveniences, they arrived as early as they would have if they had flown on directly to JFK and spent the night in a local hotel.  Another volunteer, David, was unable to hear the plane departure announcement and thus missed his flight.  Quick work on the part of the Dallas office and Royal Travel   enabled him to take an alternate route to JFK, arriving at less than an hour before the international flight boarding time.  In all of these cases, the powers of heaven prevailed and they all boarded for the over-night flight across the Atlantic.

Karla met us at the hotel in Kherson as we arrived, having been safely accompanied by an elder brother of the Ukrainian son she has adopted.  We were finally all accounted for, ready to do what He called us here for.   So all of your prayers are gratefully appreciated by us and granted by Him whom we praise.

Monday Evening Update
Our first day of ministry got off to an easy start with a visit to a baby house where the children are kept until their fourth year.  Sergey’s youngest sister had been adopted by his parents from this orphanage, and he knew the director and the facility.  We were treated very hospitably and the children were a delight to visit.  The GAiN boxes and wheel chairs were out on display and many thanks were relayed to us for this aid.   Adele was the first one to grab up a baby into her arms.  Soon many of the children were being held.  We gave gifts of teddy bears to the infants and gospel explanations to the care givers.  Later we were treated to chai in fine china cups and cookies.  Karla experienced another joy in the kitchen as all four cooks prayed the prayer of repentance.Then it was back to the bus for our sack lunch, but the bus would not start.  So we had time to eat our lunch without the usual bumpy jostling.  It was decided to send half of the group in a “mastruka” or mini bus to ride out to Hope House where our GAiN supplies area warehoused.  We loaded a number of boxes into the little vehicle and went on to the first afternoon site, a children’s hospital where mothers bring their ailing child for special care.  We were able to visit a number of mothers and children, presenting the gospel and distributing CarePacks and books.   The second site visited this afternoon had an outbreak of small pox, so only those of us who had contracted small pocks previously were allowed to go into the youth shelter.  These children are temporarily cared for at state expense until one parent is again able to resume custody.  The children are not at fault, but simply victims of parental indiscretion.  Often it is a single mother who has received a short jail term and thus no other care is available for the child.  There were older siblings here taking on the role of guardian for younger ones.  Michelle S. was drawn to Lila, a 13 year old girl.  In their conversation, when asked what she wanted to become, Lila replied that she wanted to go to school to join the police force so that she could protect children from abuse.  There must have been a deeper story left untold.  We prayed for Lila; you may also hold up this young lady and future police woman. Prayer Requests for Tuesday & Wednesday
  Tuesday, Mar 3
    * This morning we travel out to Tsyurupinsk Boarding School in the morning and Stara Zburivka Boarding School in the afternoon.
    * Ask our Father to make us totally dependent on the Holy Spirit to speak boldly the gospel of Jesus that will have an everlasting impact for God’s kingdom.
    * Pray for God to send us “divine” appointments to minister to these children who are struggling alone, away from parents influence, and have no hope.Wednesday, March 4
    * We are scheduled to spend the morning in Kherson at the Tropinka Hospital for children up to the age of 16.  The facility can house up to 50 patients who are cared for by 33 staff.  Pray that we might be a bold witness to both patients and staff of the healing power of the Divine physician.  
    * After our brown bag lunch on the bus we will be in Tavriysk at the boarding school of that area.  This facility currently has 168 children ages 6 to 17 that are taught and cared for by 130 adults.  May even the kitchen cooks feel the love that only God can give as we minister to the souls of all people.
    * Pray that the humanitarian aid that we deliver will meet their physical needs in a way that shows God’s love for them, and for other opportunities to fulfill any special needs at the sites we visit.  This school has asked for underwear, socks, toys, and sporting supplies.    

Krasnoyarsk 2009                   Scotta
 
I continue to be blesses beyond measure by the skit.  Its hard to explain how this has impacted my own life.  The teenage girls were crying today when we finished.  They were not in my small group but I heard that their questions about the skit sparked some great dialog regarding handling temptations and how to turn to Jesus.  Praise God for how He has used us and this skit.
 
Also, yesterday I was at an orphanage that we had not visited before.  We did the skit and then split into small groups.  As we were getting ready to leave,  a teenage girl came running up to me with a Polaroid picture.  Last year, at another orphanage, I had met this girl and we had taken a Polaroid picture of the two of us.  That orphanage has since closed and she was moved to this new one.  What is incredible is that she actually still had the picture and recognized me and sought me out.  Of all her, most likely minimal, possessions she kept that picture.  She then remembered it and me and sought me out to show me.  I was so moved!!  I was out of film in my Polaroid but still took a picture of the two of us on my camera.  I will print the picture out and, should I ever come back, will bring it back and show her.  It just goes to show that we make an impressions.
 
Today, one of the kids at the orphanage we had also visited last time, remembered me.  He is 11.  He waited until the skit was over and most of the kids had left.  He found an interpreter, went to Sheree and specifically asked her if I could have his group.  How special that made me feel. He also remembered Kaylin, who is in my small group.  We had so much fun with him and his classmates.  Then, as I was leaving, I ran into one of the teachers that had been with me last year.  She remembered me and even remembered my birthday!!  Why I ever told her the actual day of the birthday, I don’t know….but how incredible that she remembered all that. 
 
What a blessing this trip has been.  Over and over again, I am amazed at God’s great handiwork.  I feel almost guilty that I am being so blessed.  I pray that our work is a blessing to all those we come in contact with on this trip.