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Julie's Reflections from Estado 29 weekend Sept 21, 2003 Carlos always says that we go to the orphanage to give the kids a little piece of heaven. I really think I am the one who receives a piece of heaven from them. Having been away from the orphanage the past 5 months, I was very eager to visit this weekend. When our van arrived at the orphanage, I stepped out and honestly felt quite lost and overwhelmed by the large number of visitors already present at the orphanage. While walking around and putting away my bags, a little girl full of smiles approached me, calling my name Julie and gave me a big hug! I was so surprised and amazed that this little girl even remembered my name (since I didn’t remember hers)! After that, one after another, several children and staff at Estado 29 welcomed me back to their home with warm hugs and greetings. Eduardo said to me in Spanish, how he had wondered and wondered each month, when Julie is going to come again. I was so glad to hear and know that Carlos had shared with them about my happenings in Nepal, and how so many of them had prayed for me. It was such a good feeling to know that I was missed by my family at Estado 29, and that they were glad to see me back safely from my trip. I played with the kids this weekend as usual, and just enjoyed being in their presence. I also shared with them pictures from Nepal. It was fun to share my experiences with them, and to see their interest in this different culture and people group half way around the world. The Lord’s Spirit is upon Estado 29, and the children are evidences of God’s loving grace and blessing. By the end of the day, it felt as if I had never been away for the summer. As I was saying my goodbyes on Sunday morning, Cynthia says to me in Spanish, “Don’t go to Nepal anymore, just come to Estado 29, okay?” I don’t know if the kids realize, just how much their words and their actions serve as extensions of God’s love to me. Estado 29 is a place filled with God’s love, and I am thankful for all the people who served this weekend to complete the various construction projects for the kids, and for everyone who prays regularly for the well-being of the children. Blessings to Carlos and his family for making visits to Estado 29 possible for people like me, who needs that little piece of heaven from time to time.  [ top ]
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My Trip Reflections - Jon Frost "....i am at peace, but with a heavy heart..........This week was many things. It was lonely, it was revealing, it was exposing, it was joyous, heartbreaking, heartmending, and confirming. I'm very glad that I was able to come by myself. I don't think I would have learned what I learned otherwise. There was nowhere for me to hide from God's truth. Thursday night, under the purple sky, beneath the shyly watchful stars, i communed with God. It became evident that my presence at the orphanage does not feature me as a main attraction, as i had perhaps supposed it to. I was confronted with my selfishness. One frustration this week was that kids that i had bonded with this summer didn't really pay that much attention to me. Why did this pierce me? Because I want people to like me. I feel good about myself when others praise, adore, and fight over me. Would that my foundation not be so frail. Saturday was a very hard day for me. Other groups came in and with ease, communicated and in my mind stole away "my" kids. It hit me where i was vulnerable. I played the part of the one left out very well. God help me. I could choose to dwell in that or I can grow up. Something i read recently came back to me. It said that if you cannot really let someone go, you are not loving them. You are taking from them, not giving. We do not have the rights to anyone. God deserves praise, not me. To love unconditionally , regardless of the response is our call. To love someone because they make you feel a certain way is not love. It's selfishness. It makes you the center of the equation. I am not an embassador of myself, but for Christ. Do I want to lead people to me, or to Christ? God forbid that I send Christ disguised on His way while I wait for the plans I have set forth. God forgive me for overlooking You. .....My presence in Mexico is not about me. It is not about reliving past experiences. It is about allowing the Holy Spirit ample room in my life so it may blow where it wills. Not my will but God's will be done....so why do i want to go back to Mexico? I am a firm believer that tears are real. they are like emotional knowledge. they tell me that something is stirring in my soul. Got definitely draws me to this place. Life seems to make sense when i am there. I feel so much clarity, I feel enveloped in a family. I love the pace of life there. It is liturgical. i like the solitude to think, read, pray, and worship. I have the sense that God wants to show me something there. I feel so much freedom to grow as an individual there, as a Christian. ......and oh, the children. they are such beautiful image-bearers of God. In them i see a pain i cannot possibly understand. My heart breaks at the sadness that lays deep in their heart. Yet I see them worship, i see them love, and they help me in such meaningful ways. I love them intensely, not of myself. God has brought us together. I want to spend a year of my life with them, not because it is a noble act of servitude on my part. I want to spend a year with them because they are worth it. I want to experience God bringing our lives together in some harmony that only he can orchestrate. I want to serve in whatever way i can. I know that ultimately, they do not need ME. they need Christ. Although we will grow close, it is not I that will be theirs forever. There is always a goodbye to be said. But i want to experience the joy of life together and of Christ's love even though it will lead to a painful goodbye. " Carlos, this week in Mexico really challenged me in personal ways and i sense a lot of growth took place in me this week. I am excited because I sense God moving in me in exciting ways. God had my full attention in Mexico and he revealed some painful things that I needed to hear. I am so grateful to have been there. I hope these thougts give you an indication of my experience. Thank you so much for allowing me to come and be there. Also, when i live there, believe it or not, i really would like to help out with work too. No seriously, i know i might not have the best reputation as far as that goes (haha), but when i am there for a year, i would really like to help with the work too. Anyway, hope all is well and that God is blessing you and yours. [ top ]
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Trip to Mexico - James Kwun Carlos, I am sorry it has taken me so long to write you about my journey with you to Mexico. First of all, I have to say that I am thankful that there are God’s people out there like you. I am reminded of verse 40 from Mathew, chapter 25: “The king will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me….” Mother Teresa once spoke of the poor in India dying of malnutrition that when she looked into their eyes, she saw Jesus looking back. It is so easy for us to forget about our unfortunate brothers and sisters in the world when life comes so easy for us. If I am hungry I go to my refrigerator and get something to eat. When I run out of food, I do not go hungry, rather I step into my automobile and go to the store to buy some food. God has blessed me with these privileges. What am I doing to repay him? God send Jesus Christ to this earth as an example of what he expects from us. We need to work and earn money not only for ourselves, but all of those who are less fortunate then us. When we give to others, we do it in the name of Jesus and show the world that is what Christianity is all about. I met a boy named Carlos Valenzuela Rojos down at Estado 29. I saw the spirit of Christ in him. Imagine, that he had been given up by his parents because of their economic situation. God sacrificed his son Jesus Christ in the cross so that we may be saved. Carlos and the other kids at the orphanages serve that same purpose. I believe that it is harder for us to be thankful, because we have plenty, but Carlos reminds us that we are fortunate. In a way, we are saved by the children. I do not know what life has in store for me, but I am praying everyday that God calls me to a specific place to serve. I will always cherish my first trip with you down to Mexico, because it has proven to me that this is my Christian duty, I have decide to enroll in a course called “Perspectives” which will help me on my journey to do Mission work. Please send me the address to reach Carlos so that I may begin to write him. I asked him if he knew who Jesus was, and he smiled and look to the sky, and said, “He is my savior.”
Jesus saves and all glory to him on the highest. |
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My first trip -Wade This was my first ministry trip and I must admit that I didn’t know what to expect. The drive up and back was shared communicating with wonderful people who have a heart for God and a love for humankind. Once we arrived to the orphanage, we greeted the children, staff and volunteers from other organizations. Some of us began helping with building and maintenance projects, then preparing meals while laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Later we played games and connected in ours own ways with the children. Though speaking Spanish would be helpful, it is not mandatory because there are plenty of people around who can interpret and more importantly, love is a universal language. The love I witnessed and experienced was amazing. As I reflect over the many events and heart-touching moments I experienced, one event that stands out to me when I gave one of the boys a ride on my back as I pretended to be a horse. As we ran around, he laughed uncontrollably, it came from his soul and was contagious. Later I heard the story of his past struggles living on the streets as a very young child with his older brother (who was also just a child) and when he was brought to the orphanages, he showed very little expression for a few months, but now he is smiling, full of laughter and is experiencing love from the core of his little being. For those who are considering a trip to the orphanage for the first time and for the individual who is considering donating to this worth cause, I encourage you to participate. Take a step in faith and get involved. I experienced love from a place in my heart that I have never experienced before. [ top ]
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