Hey All!
Yesterday was a scorcher, but our team worked really hard and finished priming 2.5 cottages. Already today we’re working on the last two!
After a very long day of work, a huge storm came in during our evening program. Although we didn’t get to play a game, God used to storm to surprise us with a very fun time with the kids and a great bonding time as a team. You see, we all ran back into the hut once the rain started (we were spread out outside in order to work on English in our small groups). Because we couldn’t play our game outside, we passed out snack (Chewy bars were on the menu) and then used the rest of the evening to sing songs (Mangos, This Little Light of Mine, Hokey Pokey, Pharaoh Pharaoh, etc) and pray. It was especially fun because the power went out a few minutes after the storm started so it was relatively all in the dark.
Once the caretakers said it was safe for the children to leave to do their homework, our team stayed behind in the hut and watched a spectacular thunder and lightning show for about 45 mins. The lyrics to Indescribable came to mind:
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go?
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?
Who imagined the sun and gave source to its light?
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night?
None can fathom!
Indescribable, uncontainable, you placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name.
You are amazing God.
All powerful, untamable, awestruck we fall to our knees and proclaim:
You are amazing God!
Creation was definitely revealing His majesty last night!
God’s been doing a great work in our team as we’ve been there. Each morning we’ve had an opportunity to hear from one of the students about how God’s been working in their heart. It’s been a time of vulnerability, encouragement, and truth. His Spirit is definitely present among us as we spend time serving him with our hands, feet and mouth, as well as the times we are taking to be still before Him and allow Him to do His work within the depths of our hearts, minds, and souls.
We appreciate all of your prayers and please know that we are missing you deeply.
In His majestic Name,
Monica
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Kick, Run, Ball, Throw!
Hey All!
Hope you’re doing well across the deep blue. We just finished our second night of program. We’re two days ahead of schedule in our painting project, but the hard part started today (the actual painting part…). Up until now, we scrubbed the outside of 6 (out of 11) buildings, the rain sprayed it down for us (thanks!), puttied, sanded, and we started the primer. We’re about 1/5 done with that and then we’ll actually begin painting. If we finish the 6 buildings we’re working on, we’ll start the next 5. At this rate, we probably will get there, but it will be tiring!
In terms of English, a group spends time with the female care takers each day to work on their English and lead them in a Bible study. Then, in the afternoon, a team heads out to the school in the local village to “teach” a bunch of VERY excited students English. Then, during our evening program, we spend some time teaching the kids English (along with other fun things to be explained below). Last, three of us spend time helping a handful of kids who go to an English only school with their homework.
We are still making tweaks to our program, but it’s hard to tell who is enjoying it more- us or them?! We have six teams and spend time each night singing songs, hearing a Bible story and seeing a related skit, learning new sporty words (we’re using a sports team for our evening), and playing a fun game that relates to the words we learned that night (so far we’ve played steal the bacon and capture the flag). We finish off the evening together with another song, prayer, and a snack (today’s snack= animal crackers… mmmm).
So, that’s about it for now!
Please continue to pray for us as a few people felt sick today and needed to sit out and rest. It is very hot here and we need extra prayer for strength in the midst of the heat and little sleep.
We love and miss you all!
The Team
Hope you’re doing well across the deep blue. We just finished our second night of program. We’re two days ahead of schedule in our painting project, but the hard part started today (the actual painting part…). Up until now, we scrubbed the outside of 6 (out of 11) buildings, the rain sprayed it down for us (thanks!), puttied, sanded, and we started the primer. We’re about 1/5 done with that and then we’ll actually begin painting. If we finish the 6 buildings we’re working on, we’ll start the next 5. At this rate, we probably will get there, but it will be tiring!
In terms of English, a group spends time with the female care takers each day to work on their English and lead them in a Bible study. Then, in the afternoon, a team heads out to the school in the local village to “teach” a bunch of VERY excited students English. Then, during our evening program, we spend some time teaching the kids English (along with other fun things to be explained below). Last, three of us spend time helping a handful of kids who go to an English only school with their homework.
We are still making tweaks to our program, but it’s hard to tell who is enjoying it more- us or them?! We have six teams and spend time each night singing songs, hearing a Bible story and seeing a related skit, learning new sporty words (we’re using a sports team for our evening), and playing a fun game that relates to the words we learned that night (so far we’ve played steal the bacon and capture the flag). We finish off the evening together with another song, prayer, and a snack (today’s snack= animal crackers… mmmm).
So, that’s about it for now!
Please continue to pray for us as a few people felt sick today and needed to sit out and rest. It is very hot here and we need extra prayer for strength in the midst of the heat and little sleep.
We love and miss you all!
The Team
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The End of the Weekend
Hey All!
We arrived at Little Flock safely yesterday afternoon. We've spent time getting to know the kids, getting settled, and deciding on our schedule for the rest of the week.
This is a rough overview of what the weekdays will look like while we're here:
6:15- worship with the kids
7- Team tea time
7:15- Team devotion
8:15- breakfast
9- painting (15 people, 4 hours)
11- ESL and Bible study with caregivers
1- lunch
1:30- painting (15 people, 3 hours)
3- ESL at local school
4:30-6- Kids return to Little Flock, do chores, and play
6- devotion with the kids
6:20- English lessons
7- Childrens' homework time
7:30- Dinner
8- Rest and chillax!
So, that's basically what we'll be doing for the next two weeks. We'll keep you updated :)
Thanks for your prayers!
Monica
We arrived at Little Flock safely yesterday afternoon. We've spent time getting to know the kids, getting settled, and deciding on our schedule for the rest of the week.
This is a rough overview of what the weekdays will look like while we're here:
6:15- worship with the kids
7- Team tea time
7:15- Team devotion
8:15- breakfast
9- painting (15 people, 4 hours)
11- ESL and Bible study with caregivers
1- lunch
1:30- painting (15 people, 3 hours)
3- ESL at local school
4:30-6- Kids return to Little Flock, do chores, and play
6- devotion with the kids
6:20- English lessons
7- Childrens' homework time
7:30- Dinner
8- Rest and chillax!
So, that's basically what we'll be doing for the next two weeks. We'll keep you updated :)
Thanks for your prayers!
Monica
Friday, July 24, 2009
Hong Kong
12+ hours later, we made it safely to Hong Kong! We're here for a couple hours and then off to Chennai (we land at 1:30am India time...)
So far, we have had (successfully) uneventful travel - that's a good thing! Thanks to all who are praying!
More updates to come.
-Danny
So far, we have had (successfully) uneventful travel - that's a good thing! Thanks to all who are praying!
More updates to come.
-Danny
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
12 Hours and Counting
So, in 12 hours we'll be leaving Calvary church on a bus, headed to SFO. Shortly after that we'll be on a plane (for 16 hours) to Hong Kong and then on to the final destination, Chennai, India. It's almost unbelievable it's here. It feels like just a few days ago we were having informational meetings, car washes and poker tournaments.
I was thinking today about all the people that have supported the India Team to get us to the point of being able to go, and it's truly incredible, the spread is so wide. If you are one of those people, THANK YOU. But most of all, it's been amazing to watch how God has been providing for this team. The vision we've claimed for our team is, "God is Bigger." and again, it's been awesome to see that happen in all sorts of situations - and we haven't even left yet! But taking that idea further, we claimed Psalm 77 as our team verse:
I was thinking today about all the people that have supported the India Team to get us to the point of being able to go, and it's truly incredible, the spread is so wide. If you are one of those people, THANK YOU. But most of all, it's been amazing to watch how God has been providing for this team. The vision we've claimed for our team is, "God is Bigger." and again, it's been awesome to see that happen in all sorts of situations - and we haven't even left yet! But taking that idea further, we claimed Psalm 77 as our team verse:
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah
16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock.
Pretty cool huh?
Anyway, please check back here often, I will try to update it as much as possible and I really hope to have different team members post some of their thoughts here too.
I still have to pack my suitcase...
-Danny
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