Sunday, January 24, 2010

Sunday

The days are flying by and it seems that God is present in every detail. Today, I am reflecting on the trip to the men´s prison. As a team we were a little fearful of what to expect from these men. We love and spend time with their children but we also know the injustices these children have suffered from their fathers' and mothers' bad choices. Sometimes it is the children that bring these men hope and bring witness to JESUS CHRIST of eternal life.

The team spent a morning talking about the fears of visiting these men, but as a team we decided to go. Didn´t Christ visit the sick, imprisoned, and lost? We met some of the fathers who have been changed by Christ, others talk a good game, and others are just curious. But I have learned to love not judge and plant the spiritual seed and let God do the rest to change their hearts.

This afternoon we plan to have a big fiesta with a parade, food, and fellowship for the children. The theme is hearts, so everything is surrounded by LOVE!

As they say, "let the little children come to me..."

Adios for now,
Ann

Friday, January 22, 2010

Prison are we ready!

I can't believe it is Friday night! It seems like God's time stands still, so I will try to give you the highlights of how God has worked in our lives. The day usually starts with breakfast with the children. Everytime we enter the casa we are greeted with hugs and kisses.

Yesterday, the women came over from the prison. We talked about fruits of the Spirit and how you should let JESUS live in your heart. Many of the women talked of their struggles and how much they missed their children, and most know JESUS because their children have witnessed to them. While others had such a sadness in their hearts because some feel they are trapped in a situation with no way out. We also did a craft project where there was total peace. Some were doing crafts, and some helping with lunch. Great therapy for a world that seems so cruel to them. Later the women thanked us for taking such good of there children.

Later that night we walked around the neighborhood witnessing about our great Creator. A few of the boys came with us. This is the first time I have ever done this in a group. Makes you think of where your walk is defined. Tomorrow we may go to the men's prison, followed by a slumber party with the girls at the hotel!

Adios for now!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Here I am LORD

Right now, we are sitting on the plane, heading for Mexico City and then to Tapachula. As I look out of the plane I see fluffly white clouds of heaven, and thinking about the people in Haiti, our families, and job responsibilities we left behind, but just for today, I will give
On every mission trip I try to read something spiritual to keep myself focused. This year it is "Confessions" by Saint Augustine, so at the end of each day, I will let you venture into gods world of serving and what god has called our team to do. It truly is not about me! So hang on to your sombraro and stay tuned because gods HAS the keys to my car and the spiritual gas to keep me going.
"St Augustine writes in his book:

Thanks be to you, my joy, my pride my confidence, my god-thanks be to your gifts: but I ask you to perserve them in me. For thus you perserve me; and those thing which you have given me shall be developed and perfected, and I myself shall be with you, for from you is my being.

Hasta Luego
Love Tia Ana (as the kids would call me.)

Monday, January 18, 2010

Pre-Tapachula thinking

Right now I'm sitting on my bed listening to Jimmy Buffett and thinking about the world I will leave behind, my job, friends, and as the world as I know it. We have had one member of our team members not going because of her house in Austin, one of her neighbors called and said a leak as big as Niagra Falls is coming out of her house, so she has to go and make sure her house does not float down the street. Another member isn't going because of a new grandbaby, but I know she will be praying for our team! Life, where are you today? I take one day at a time and I know god is in the House with the flood and the new life of that grandbaby, I know god will be with the Tapachula Team who leaves on Wednesday. Well, I have to go back to my "Learn Spanish in 24 hours disc." I hope you will follow our GOD adventures through Tapachula and we let you know how god shows up through the back door of every individual and situation


Hasta Luego! Mi Amigos

Ann