so every week, well every day really we have highlight videos... to show at evening chapel, to wrap up and celebrate our day's work! one of the leaders who was here for two weeks, is posting some up on youtube! check 'em out... maybe you'll catch a familar face or two. likely not see moi tho b/c im either behind camera or with the camera guy! but will give a sense of the incredible minsitry i get to be apart of! every day!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
some pics...
our first of many tacos runs...
'mamma rho' (as they have nick named me)
& one of my interns Lil' Britt... ... a first wall...
a "before" and "after" of a home build...
what does it mean to be poor...
So obviously I expected to see poverty when i came down here... but how quickly you become used to seeing shacks as houses, kids with no shoes, families crammed in a small one room house...
I've been praying lately for God to open me eyes to see things in a new way while I'm down here - to reveal new things to me....
i've been stirred alot about what it means to be poor. in the full sense of the word.
i took one of my interns to visit a family her church had built a house for a few years back. they maintained a relationship and wanted to drop in for a visit. what an incredible family it was! Jacob was the father of this family of 4 - two daughters, and his wife. Quickly they invite us all into there home. how many of us do that - when visitors drop in unexpected we grumble or wish we had notice to prepare something for them. instead, they immediately offer us a coke or somethingto eat. we find a spot of some dusty old chairs, and quickly learn of Jacob's passion and minsitry. He recently started a cell group/church out of his home. Every Tuesday and Saturday Jacob hooks up an old CDplayer, and some old school speakers and hosts an informal time of worship and teaching. his neighbors come over, they share in community together, they worship on there beaten down instrument that were just covered by a tarp, sitting outside his house. he shares with us his vision and passion to share christ with those around him, how he wants to build a 'real church' in his community. his need right now? just for some screws and parts to help fix his drum kit. but they can't afford that...
he was a simple man. with a simple vision really. and even tho he now had a yugo house, it was still obvious they were poor. but they were so rich. in spirit. in love. in generosity.
many of the pastors and national workers i meet here are teaching me lessons on what it means to be rich in spirit, even if they are poor in the world. I am being shown again how so many of us live lives that are full of stuff, but we are so poor... so poor in spirit....
i know these aren't new things. or earth shattering reflections. but i have names and faces to "these people" now. I have made friends here who are reminding me of what the beatitudes are talking about...
may you be full of the riches of God's blessings today...
I've been praying lately for God to open me eyes to see things in a new way while I'm down here - to reveal new things to me....
i've been stirred alot about what it means to be poor. in the full sense of the word.
i took one of my interns to visit a family her church had built a house for a few years back. they maintained a relationship and wanted to drop in for a visit. what an incredible family it was! Jacob was the father of this family of 4 - two daughters, and his wife. Quickly they invite us all into there home. how many of us do that - when visitors drop in unexpected we grumble or wish we had notice to prepare something for them. instead, they immediately offer us a coke or somethingto eat. we find a spot of some dusty old chairs, and quickly learn of Jacob's passion and minsitry. He recently started a cell group/church out of his home. Every Tuesday and Saturday Jacob hooks up an old CDplayer, and some old school speakers and hosts an informal time of worship and teaching. his neighbors come over, they share in community together, they worship on there beaten down instrument that were just covered by a tarp, sitting outside his house. he shares with us his vision and passion to share christ with those around him, how he wants to build a 'real church' in his community. his need right now? just for some screws and parts to help fix his drum kit. but they can't afford that...
he was a simple man. with a simple vision really. and even tho he now had a yugo house, it was still obvious they were poor. but they were so rich. in spirit. in love. in generosity.
many of the pastors and national workers i meet here are teaching me lessons on what it means to be rich in spirit, even if they are poor in the world. I am being shown again how so many of us live lives that are full of stuff, but we are so poor... so poor in spirit....
i know these aren't new things. or earth shattering reflections. but i have names and faces to "these people" now. I have made friends here who are reminding me of what the beatitudes are talking about...
may you be full of the riches of God's blessings today...
Saturday, July 14, 2007
the week 2 mark...
here's a post i put on the EOCYugo blog....(www.eocyugo.blogspot.com)
hola from a newbie Canadian staff here at EOC. It's the 2 week anniversary of the three Ontario-ites that joined the staff team here. My role is a pretty sweet one - host the groups; connect with the groups, leaders, youth; lead chapels & worship; a 'go-to' gal; hang out and mentor some incredibly fantastic interns, and a favorite - cruise around to the sites with mi amigo Marvin as he takes video... It's really a pretty awesome job!
So i get to see so many different sides of this rich ministry. Leading chapel, I get to see youth worship and draw close to God. Hanging out with interns & staff, I am reminded of what Christ centered community is all about. Chatting with our national workers, I am humbled and inspired everyday. And Thursday I was reminded of yet another reason why I was here.
It was dedication day, and I hadn't yet made it to a dedication of a house yet. I had incredible memories of this moment when I have brought teams down from my church, but had forgotten the power of that moment. Sitting off to the side, I was quickly overwhelmed seeing these young jr high kids attempt to find words to capture the moment.... watching a mother clutch her young child as she holds back tears of joy... praying with a pastor as he blesses their new home... catching a glimpse into a moment of that hope and future God promises his children (Jer 29:11).
so another week down and another showering down of God's love and power in and thru this place....
continue to lift up EOC in your prayers!
blessings
'mama rho'
hola from a newbie Canadian staff here at EOC. It's the 2 week anniversary of the three Ontario-ites that joined the staff team here. My role is a pretty sweet one - host the groups; connect with the groups, leaders, youth; lead chapels & worship; a 'go-to' gal; hang out and mentor some incredibly fantastic interns, and a favorite - cruise around to the sites with mi amigo Marvin as he takes video... It's really a pretty awesome job!
So i get to see so many different sides of this rich ministry. Leading chapel, I get to see youth worship and draw close to God. Hanging out with interns & staff, I am reminded of what Christ centered community is all about. Chatting with our national workers, I am humbled and inspired everyday. And Thursday I was reminded of yet another reason why I was here.
It was dedication day, and I hadn't yet made it to a dedication of a house yet. I had incredible memories of this moment when I have brought teams down from my church, but had forgotten the power of that moment. Sitting off to the side, I was quickly overwhelmed seeing these young jr high kids attempt to find words to capture the moment.... watching a mother clutch her young child as she holds back tears of joy... praying with a pastor as he blesses their new home... catching a glimpse into a moment of that hope and future God promises his children (Jer 29:11).
so another week down and another showering down of God's love and power in and thru this place....
continue to lift up EOC in your prayers!
blessings
'mama rho'
Sunday, July 8, 2007
blessings...
as i sit here in my comfortable room, on my laptop and wireless internet, I know I am not yet experiencing any real sacrifices while i'm down here really. I have a beautiful house to live in, 3 meals a day (which is more than i can say somtimes even for back home - most of which require the help of cooks Wendy or Ronald...), have an office, technology... and living in community, daily worship, prayer times....
i know that the base camp is a place where we want to serve our groups and staff well, so that they can better serve the Mexican people in need. But as I drive around to the different work sites where the groups are building or serving, Im reminded or how even here in Mexico I take so much for granted. How quickly I already get used to seeing shack houses, garbage on the roads, dirty water, no electricity... I know it's not about going and living in Mexico that will teach or humble or reveal things to me. it's about being in a place - spiritually, mentally - where I allow God to stir my heart... for my eyes to see things the way he does... to see his chidlren he loves...
every night when i lead chapel, we have a sharing time and I ask the kids how did they see God today. the simple momentsw where God reveals himself to them, how he stirs up something in there heart - an awareness of injustice, a moment of true joy, or surrender, or confession...
I pray I won't forget to do that myself more and more...
as the weeks go on, that i won't my eyes and ears will become more and more aware of God's heart for his children... here in Mexico and in Burlington and around the world...
Gonna catch a nap before the next crew comes in for the week. 100 jr. highers. God bless us!
blessings and thanks for your prayers!
i know that the base camp is a place where we want to serve our groups and staff well, so that they can better serve the Mexican people in need. But as I drive around to the different work sites where the groups are building or serving, Im reminded or how even here in Mexico I take so much for granted. How quickly I already get used to seeing shack houses, garbage on the roads, dirty water, no electricity... I know it's not about going and living in Mexico that will teach or humble or reveal things to me. it's about being in a place - spiritually, mentally - where I allow God to stir my heart... for my eyes to see things the way he does... to see his chidlren he loves...
every night when i lead chapel, we have a sharing time and I ask the kids how did they see God today. the simple momentsw where God reveals himself to them, how he stirs up something in there heart - an awareness of injustice, a moment of true joy, or surrender, or confession...
I pray I won't forget to do that myself more and more...
as the weeks go on, that i won't my eyes and ears will become more and more aware of God's heart for his children... here in Mexico and in Burlington and around the world...
Gonna catch a nap before the next crew comes in for the week. 100 jr. highers. God bless us!
blessings and thanks for your prayers!
Monday, July 2, 2007
first full day - check!
it's 10:10. i just sent the groups off to bed. i'm a little burnt (particularly on one arm) a bit tired, but completely satisfied. what a privilege it is to be here!
there's about 75 youth in right now, more to come this week, and four homes are being built in the nearby villages. today was the first day where we hit the work sites and I forgot how amazing the first days in construction are. walls get built. the slabs of wood turn into pieces of a real home. you meet the families, the groups bond together... it was amazing to be apart of and observe as i roamed around to the different sites. my role during the day is to support and connect with the groups, youth, leaders, and interns. some days i will drive around in my sweet jeep (well, im the passenger. i haven't gotten up enough courage yet to drive here... and it's standard, so that's my excuse for now), sometimes taking video for the highlights clips and sometimes i'll stay around the base prepping for chapels, worship, bible studies, etc.
so today i cruised around in a very bumpy jeep (thus the one armed sun burn) with Patrick and an incredible kid named Marvin. He's a local youth who heads up the new video stuff (capturing the days highlights, putting together a dvd for the groups, etc). He's an awesome young man and it was so much fun to learn about the real culture of Mexico from him... and some spanish too! Today I lead my first two chapel times as well! One short one in the morning, and one longer one at night. I wasn't quite as prepared as i wanted, but God provided words and the kids seem to be receptive and responsive. Worship is going pretty good and it's great with play with Patrick - he's such a talented musician! The Spirit has been already moving in the groups and in our times together!
other than that im enjoying being the 'go-to gal' for the leaders, connecting with kids, etc. it feels alot like camp (except i know alot less... but doing a good job of faking it!) Having a great time with Steph, Patrick, the other youth interns and meeting the other staff as well. Besides, it's really only been 3 days! wow! almost feels like home. the awkardness already fading quickly. a few more days under my belt and i'll be even more comfortable.... but hopefully not too comfortable as i know this summer is a space to allow God to speak, move, and be in control. not something im often good at allowing him the space to do....
so all that to say - i'm doing fantastic down here! please continue to pray for me and the ministry of EOC.
blessings friends!
there's about 75 youth in right now, more to come this week, and four homes are being built in the nearby villages. today was the first day where we hit the work sites and I forgot how amazing the first days in construction are. walls get built. the slabs of wood turn into pieces of a real home. you meet the families, the groups bond together... it was amazing to be apart of and observe as i roamed around to the different sites. my role during the day is to support and connect with the groups, youth, leaders, and interns. some days i will drive around in my sweet jeep (well, im the passenger. i haven't gotten up enough courage yet to drive here... and it's standard, so that's my excuse for now), sometimes taking video for the highlights clips and sometimes i'll stay around the base prepping for chapels, worship, bible studies, etc.
so today i cruised around in a very bumpy jeep (thus the one armed sun burn) with Patrick and an incredible kid named Marvin. He's a local youth who heads up the new video stuff (capturing the days highlights, putting together a dvd for the groups, etc). He's an awesome young man and it was so much fun to learn about the real culture of Mexico from him... and some spanish too! Today I lead my first two chapel times as well! One short one in the morning, and one longer one at night. I wasn't quite as prepared as i wanted, but God provided words and the kids seem to be receptive and responsive. Worship is going pretty good and it's great with play with Patrick - he's such a talented musician! The Spirit has been already moving in the groups and in our times together!
other than that im enjoying being the 'go-to gal' for the leaders, connecting with kids, etc. it feels alot like camp (except i know alot less... but doing a good job of faking it!) Having a great time with Steph, Patrick, the other youth interns and meeting the other staff as well. Besides, it's really only been 3 days! wow! almost feels like home. the awkardness already fading quickly. a few more days under my belt and i'll be even more comfortable.... but hopefully not too comfortable as i know this summer is a space to allow God to speak, move, and be in control. not something im often good at allowing him the space to do....
so all that to say - i'm doing fantastic down here! please continue to pray for me and the ministry of EOC.
blessings friends!
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