It has been a while since I have had time to sit and write an update and unfortunately this update will only be to say that I will be busy for the next week or so and likely unable to make a great contribution to my Mission Blog.
I will say that on April 18th we had a great Souper luncheon that was well attended and we raised over $400 for the trip. On Monday April 19th we had the team from Food For the Hungry Canada attend our worship encounter. Part of the team was Domingo Perez who grew up in Guatemala. He gave his testimony as a large part of the evening and it was an amazing story. Though he had plenty to be sad and depressed about Domingo seems to have kept a positive attitude and kept the crowd feeling his struggle while also keeping them positive. A great evening for the team and the church.
You can track the ACC Mission Team on the FH Canada website here.
The team has nearly reached our financial goal and everyone is now simply starting to pack up gear and equipment to take. Me personally, I think I am mentally ready to go, physically ready, but I am struggling with the emotional context of leaving my wife and kids for 12 days. I have their support and for that I thank God and I am certain he will watch over them when I am gone.
The only other thing I have to worry about is my job. This is typically my busy time of year but I am certain that over 12 days things will not get to crazy there. As an environmentalist I view this Mission as a way for me to expose my self to a new environment and maybe spread my views about environmental conservation, especially in terms of water.
Keep praying friends and know that you are all in my prayers as well.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
18/04/10
Here are the pictures of our Salmon Dinner and Silent Auction. The ladies on the team did a great job decorating the tables.
I also have added some pictures of the Hampton Souper Luncheon and today we will have another souper Sunday luncheon. This time in Apohaqui.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
13/04/10
I typically write these posts in the evenings and lately I haven't had an evening free. The planning and fundraising for our trip is in full swing and when I pair that with my other commitments, I haven't hardly been home lately. I apologize for not having the time to keep up to date here and please believe me when I say it is not because I take this task and this journey lightly.
Over this past weekend the mission team hosted a salmon dinner and silent auction. Through a couple of well timed meetings and some long, sometimes confusing strings of emails we prepared a full salmon dinner with dessert for over 100 people. We met at the Apohaqui Community Center on the morning of the event and started peeling potatoes and carrots. We set up tables and chairs, and set out all the settings. The tables were simple but nicely arranged and colored to provide a great sense of community and togetherness. A table with information on our Mission and four others with the auction items finished off the setting up.
At around 1:00 we gathered for lunch and a moment of prayer and discussed other up coming events. It was a great way to recharge and prepare for the evening that lay ahead of us. I made a quick trip home to help my wife with our kids and get them to the babysitter, before heading back to help finalize the meal. No sooner had I returned and people were showing up, mind you they were early. Many of those who came in early enjoyed the photo albums we had layed out and browsed through the auction items.
It was inspiring to see how many people generously gave auction items and I wish I could list them but I would be scared to miss one. I know (and they know who they are) the people I approached were very generous and were eager to learn more about the Mission we were raising funds for. The auction itself provided us with a blessed financial boost at the end of the night.
Before we completed the bidding on the auction items however, we had to serve dinner. With a service crew next to none we quickly put the food on the table and many "ohhh this is so good" and "Ummm...Wow" comments were heard throughout the hall. It was great to have the opportunity to serve my wife, sister, and father for me. These three people will likely be a big part of my support network while I am away, and I hope they know how much I appreciate them.
At the end of the night we were all tired and feeling the reward of a big event pulled off successfully. My bed though would be a welcome sight later that night. I wouldn't get to stay there long though as the next morning saw my family and I at church before I headed off to Hampton to help out with a "Souper Luncheon" there. Four team members and an eager volunteer served soup and light snacks to congregation members from ACC-Hampton. I have to say that they gave very generously to our cause and it was great to provide them with a sense of truly being part of our effort. About 60 people shared in conversation and vision at the wonderful Lighthouse Park in Hampton on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning.
Now already it was a busy weekend, but that night I had to be back at the church for a planning meeting as we have a couple more events coming up before the end of next week. This meeting would also be my first chance to take some introductory spanish lessons. Mucho gracias, ma amiga Mariela. The fact that I was learning a new language really drove home that I was soon to be heading to a completely different culture.
Last night I was provided with an opportunity to present a slide show to the Hampton Lions Club. A colleague of mine was generous enough to convince his fellow Lions to hear what I had to present. I borrowed a slide show used by a fellow Mission Team member and did my best to illustrate to the Hampton Lions my passion, faith, and dedication to this mission while also demonstrating the need that Villa Hortencia II has for our and their help. I hope with God's hand they feel an urge to pray for this team and its mission.
Tonight I am here blogging, but tomorrow there is a Tupperware party where the team will be able to keep 40% of the monies paid for the merchandise. Next Sunday is a "Souper Luncheon" at ACC-Apohaqui and Monday is a big night. On Monday, April 19th, three members of the Food for the Hungry Team will be visiting ACC-Apohaqui and providing testimonials on life in Guatemala. Most notable is Domingo Perez who grew up in Guatemala and is now part of Food for the Hungry - Guatemala. If you haven't already made plans for that night, I encourage you to drop by, meet the Mission Team and hear the testimonials. Who knows maybe you'll hear God urging you to take a Mission of your own.
Over this past weekend the mission team hosted a salmon dinner and silent auction. Through a couple of well timed meetings and some long, sometimes confusing strings of emails we prepared a full salmon dinner with dessert for over 100 people. We met at the Apohaqui Community Center on the morning of the event and started peeling potatoes and carrots. We set up tables and chairs, and set out all the settings. The tables were simple but nicely arranged and colored to provide a great sense of community and togetherness. A table with information on our Mission and four others with the auction items finished off the setting up.
At around 1:00 we gathered for lunch and a moment of prayer and discussed other up coming events. It was a great way to recharge and prepare for the evening that lay ahead of us. I made a quick trip home to help my wife with our kids and get them to the babysitter, before heading back to help finalize the meal. No sooner had I returned and people were showing up, mind you they were early. Many of those who came in early enjoyed the photo albums we had layed out and browsed through the auction items.
It was inspiring to see how many people generously gave auction items and I wish I could list them but I would be scared to miss one. I know (and they know who they are) the people I approached were very generous and were eager to learn more about the Mission we were raising funds for. The auction itself provided us with a blessed financial boost at the end of the night.
Before we completed the bidding on the auction items however, we had to serve dinner. With a service crew next to none we quickly put the food on the table and many "ohhh this is so good" and "Ummm...Wow" comments were heard throughout the hall. It was great to have the opportunity to serve my wife, sister, and father for me. These three people will likely be a big part of my support network while I am away, and I hope they know how much I appreciate them.
At the end of the night we were all tired and feeling the reward of a big event pulled off successfully. My bed though would be a welcome sight later that night. I wouldn't get to stay there long though as the next morning saw my family and I at church before I headed off to Hampton to help out with a "Souper Luncheon" there. Four team members and an eager volunteer served soup and light snacks to congregation members from ACC-Hampton. I have to say that they gave very generously to our cause and it was great to provide them with a sense of truly being part of our effort. About 60 people shared in conversation and vision at the wonderful Lighthouse Park in Hampton on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning.
Now already it was a busy weekend, but that night I had to be back at the church for a planning meeting as we have a couple more events coming up before the end of next week. This meeting would also be my first chance to take some introductory spanish lessons. Mucho gracias, ma amiga Mariela. The fact that I was learning a new language really drove home that I was soon to be heading to a completely different culture.
Last night I was provided with an opportunity to present a slide show to the Hampton Lions Club. A colleague of mine was generous enough to convince his fellow Lions to hear what I had to present. I borrowed a slide show used by a fellow Mission Team member and did my best to illustrate to the Hampton Lions my passion, faith, and dedication to this mission while also demonstrating the need that Villa Hortencia II has for our and their help. I hope with God's hand they feel an urge to pray for this team and its mission.
Tonight I am here blogging, but tomorrow there is a Tupperware party where the team will be able to keep 40% of the monies paid for the merchandise. Next Sunday is a "Souper Luncheon" at ACC-Apohaqui and Monday is a big night. On Monday, April 19th, three members of the Food for the Hungry Team will be visiting ACC-Apohaqui and providing testimonials on life in Guatemala. Most notable is Domingo Perez who grew up in Guatemala and is now part of Food for the Hungry - Guatemala. If you haven't already made plans for that night, I encourage you to drop by, meet the Mission Team and hear the testimonials. Who knows maybe you'll hear God urging you to take a Mission of your own.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
01/04/10
There is a video posted on YouTube that really illustrates how active the Atlantic Community Church really is in our area. It even has some footage of some of past teams Mission work. It tugs at my emotions and I'm sure, even if you don't know anything about ACC, it will tug at yours. Check it out here.
Planning for our salmon dinner and silent auction on April 10th at 6:00 at the Apohaqui Community Center is well underway and a few tickets are still available for $20. If you can't make the dinner we still have fresh farmed Atlantic salmon for sale. $37/5lb bag. Again all the proceeds will be going to the Guatemala Mission team which I am so fortunate to be a part of.
Keep an eye out for more as we are planning a Tupperware Party and will be hosting a Guatemalan themed worship encounter on April 19th. A special guest, Domingo, will share his story of growing up in Guatemala.
Planning for our salmon dinner and silent auction on April 10th at 6:00 at the Apohaqui Community Center is well underway and a few tickets are still available for $20. If you can't make the dinner we still have fresh farmed Atlantic salmon for sale. $37/5lb bag. Again all the proceeds will be going to the Guatemala Mission team which I am so fortunate to be a part of.
Keep an eye out for more as we are planning a Tupperware Party and will be hosting a Guatemalan themed worship encounter on April 19th. A special guest, Domingo, will share his story of growing up in Guatemala.
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