East Hill

Thursday, August 16,2012

      Another early morning began as we all wandered drowsily to the group room, where Stephen gave a great devotion about having alone time with God and how one can experience the Holy Spirit anywhere (even in the bathroom). We then ate a quick breakfast (fried eggs and bread), after which we went straight to our work project. We worked an extra hour today, but we were just as determined and fervent as ever. Half of us even stayed another half hour to finish part of the wall. We made so much progress in these three days that all of us are astounded. We then had a delicious lunch of cactus, followed shortly by some craft time with the kids. During activity time with the kids, Brad stepped down today to allow Stephen to deliver his message from this morning, and then we made journals and butterflies with the kids. We then had to brave the rain (Gail wasn’t joking about those downpours) back to our home, where we had a devotion time with Ivana, one of the staff members, who blew us away with her story. We then started worshipping, but had to cut it short after the second song as we heard the kids screaming at us to come to dinner (hot dogs, soup and tortilla chips). We then went back to our dorms, where we practiced our drama and made numerous jokes about juice (ask Connor about that). Tomorrow we go to Cholula, and we get to perform our drama. Buenas noches!   ~Zack

       Before I came on this trip I was in a really bad spot. I was involved in a lot of things I shouldn’t have been and just judged people on their looks and how they act. I was really far from God. I was questioning His existence and not knowing who I am in Christ. Through all the meetings I would never talk and I’d leave as soon as I could. The first day in Mexico was what spoke to me, and that’s the night when we arrived. I asked for prayer because I needed Christ back in my life and so I let all the guys know what I was battling with. Then when somebody else asked for prayer that’s when I was able to pray again for somebody. I haven’t prayed or prayed for anybody in 2 years, and people say I’m good at it. Then I was able to see God working and I was able to do His will with a God-filled heart. Then people noticed my change throughout this week of how I changed from somebody who just sat in meetings and left early to a family member in Christ and a person with God’s heart. I’ve written a devotional with God. I haven’t written anything with God and to preach to people within 2 years till this week. I am exactly where I left off with my relationship with God 2 years ago but this time its stronger and I can feel it. This trip is such a blessing and exactly what I needed, or I’d probably be sinning still and living my old ways instead of being on this trip where I found God again and have my relationship with Him back.  I’m afraid of losing Christ again, and why He forgave me I’ll never know and will ask myself all the time, but I’m really glad He did. I’ve cried when I haven’t been able to cry because I’ve taught myself not to cry and I cared about more of what the world thought of me and wanted to be important in it instead of thinking of what God thought of me. But from now on I’ll never hide my relationship with God and minister to all. I am called to be a Pastor and I will not run any more and I will be a Pastor and minister to all about how I’ve been changed and how God can change people and how amazing His love for us is. These team members are now my family through Christ. I’m so glad I got to come to this trip for God and I’m happy they all put up with me. I’m glad for their support. Thanks for reading.   –Brandon

Thank you for all of your prayer and support!   -Connor

                 

       My greatest encounter with God this week has been on the first night in prayer and confession as well as some bro time in El Baño where we felt God’s presence so strongly. Worship in El Baño and you will feel Jesus’ presence toooo!!!!!!!!    (El Baño = Bathroom ) ~ Andrew Hayworth.

        As my wife and I reflect on our time here at Esparanza Viva so far, the blessings we have received are just too numerous to count. We came here to serve and be a blessing to the children and staff but we never expected to be so tremendously blessed by them.  One of our great joys was to operate the clinic. This gave us the opportunity to create medical records for each child and give baseline Physicals to all but one of the 85 children, who was off campus at the time.  There is no doubt we have already been deeply affected by our experience so far and we look forward with great anticipation to each day we have left. We thank you all for your continual prayer and support for our team.  All glory and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ.  – Brad and Thelma Huff