Join my team!

The children’s clothes were torn and dirty and there was a faint smell of human waste in the air.  As we drove up to the school they ran to greet us, barefoot in the rocky dirt. This was the first time an American had entered the village and so the whole community came out to catch a glimpse. One boy captured my attention as I watched them waving through the window.  When I got off the bus and approached him, I noticed  that he was wearing an old  “Boomerang Express” t-shirt like the ones we had for VBS a couple of years ago. I started talking with him and in broken English he told me his name was Marvin. Once he realized I knew little Spanish, he tried to teach me simple vocab words like “Caballo” (horse) and “Manzana” (apple). I was able to talk with Marvin that afternoon and share my testimony with him. I gave him a bracelet that tells the story of God’s love and was able to go through the plan of salvation with him. 

After spending some time in the individual classrooms our team passed out packs of food and toys to the children. I was surprised to see Marvin running up to me with something in his hand. He handed me an old worn out horse Beanie Baby and told me he wanted to give me something to remember him by (“a recuerdo”). This boy had nothing and yet he wanted to give me a gift. I was humbled by the gesture and reminded of the story in Luke 21 about the widow who gave all she had, even though it was only two coins. Marvin  taught me a valuable lesson about faith that day.

This story is from a trip to Guatemala with Global Aid Network in November, I shared about Marvin briefly before but this is the whole story. My team and I were able to share Christ with an entire community using the Gospel bead bracelets as well as provide shoes, toys, and food.  I will be returning to Guatemala with Global Aid Network in March to work with an orphanage and after school programs with a local ministry called ENDAC. We will be providing water filters as well as food and school supplies for the children in these programs. Please pray for our team as we travel back to Guatemala City to share God’s love to a country in dire need of hope.

I need to raise between $1,500 to $2,000 to fund this second trip. 

That means If 40 people give $50 I will reach my goal!!

 I am so thankful for the team of people behind me this year supporting me financially and through prayer. I am trusting God to continue to provide by adding new people to this team. If you feel this is where God is leading you just click here!

Also, if you know of anyone who might be interested in joining my financial support team for this trip please let me know!

I need your help!

So March 5-12 I will be heading BACK to Guatemala! I am SO excited and thankful for the opportunity to head back to this beautiful country. Guatemala is right in our back yard but yet is in so much need. This time our team will be working in Guatemala City with a local ministry called ENDAC. We will be ministering to children in an after school program and an orphanage, sharing the love of Christ through our words and by providing school supplies, water filters, and food! When I was in Guatemala in November I was able to share the gospel with two little boys using the Gospel bead bracelet. It was such a JOY to be able to provide hope in such a dark situation. (Read the whole post here...Yanki and Benjamin)

 I know that God is working in Guatemala, I saw it firsthand in November and I am thanking HIM for this opportunity to be a part of HIS work again this March. 

First of all, I want to ask you to pray for me over the next few weeks as our team prepares and then leaves for Guatemala. Please pray for the hearts of the children and families we will meet. There is so much darkness surrounding them but the message of the Gospel is powerful and I can't wait to see what God does! Please pray that hearts and lives will be transformed through God's power. Even though this is just a short term trip, I believe that God will use it for long-term transformation. Please pray for our in-country partners, that our time in Guatemala will be effective to aid the work that God has called them to do. 


Second, I  need to raise between $1,500-$2,000 dollars to fund this trip to Guatemala. If you would like to support the work that we will be doing in Guatemala you can give here! (My giving page) Just click on the "give a gift" box on the right and follow the instructions! 


THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT! 


Isaiah 25:1 O LORD You are my God;I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness!

Seed Distribution in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is one of our major partners at Global Aid Network. Here is a story of the fruit that has come from our seed distribution several months ago. The seeds that we packed in PA in October will be shipped overseas to produce the same results! 

When Life Ministry Zimbabwe distributed seeds donated by Global Aid Network in Seke and Domboshava, Zimbabwe, many came to Christ! Since the distribution several months ago, the people have been growing food as well as growing in their faith! A group of new believers has been gathering for prayer everyday at 5 a.m. in Seke since they received Christ during the distribution. The effort and dedication they have been investing in their spiritual growth has been paralleled with their effort and dedication in producing quality vegetables in their gardens.

In Seke, the farmers have planted 7 varieties of vegetables in various locations within the community. Many of them had never seen red colored vegetables, but were excited to see the bright colors coming out of the ground to bring sustenance and income to their families. Most times these farmers grow varieties of canola, tomatoes, carrots and onions only. The variety of cabbage they were given is locally known as the Chinese cabbage and it is promising to bring stiff competition to the local market. The success of these vegetables has prompted the farmers to prepare some beds specifically for the production of seed for the next cycle. One man from Seke said that the germination success and the quality of these vegetables are unrivaled and it only makes sense to keep some of the produce for seed.

Global Aid Network is helping to alleviate hunger and starvation by providing relief assistance through our seed program. We ship a Harvester Pack™ overseas to provide a variety of seeds to plant crops that will yield 4 to 6 month’s worth of food.  Once the harvest begins, the food will provide meals to save a life and the surplus food can be sold to provide income for education and healthcare.

Another example of how helping to meet the physical needs opens opportunities to share the gospel.

Two Ways You Can Help:

1.      Join us to help sort and pack seeds for hungry people around the world.  Learn more about how your church or community can be involved in a Global Aid Network Seed Packing Event at http://www.gainusa.org

2.      For only $1.00, you can provide a Harvesters Pack™ of a variety of seeds for people to plant their own food. Give here! http://www.gainusa.org/ourwork/seedprogram.php

Blogging slacker...

Wow! I haven't updated in so long! I guess I just got out of the habit. Well, here's a short update on my life in the past month and a half since you heard from me.

Well, I'm engaged! On July 1 I am going to become Mrs. Lee! haha :) Wedding planning is going well, we finally have some of the big things (like the place, photographer, dress, etc.) out of the way, so now its time for the fun stuff! Thanks to my friend April Butler for taking our engagement pictures. We had a great time and the pictures turned out great! Yay April!

And then we decided to be models :) 

haha so cool :)

Currently Jin and I are praying about what we will do next year. Lots of decisions to be made in the next few months...more to come soon. 

As for my internship, I have almost been here 6 months now. Seems hard to believe! Currently I am working on developing our internship program: meeting with directors and coming up with job descriptions for next years interns. Very exciting! I am also working with the campus ministry with some things in the works for the spring. At the beginning of this month I went to the Winter Conference in Fort Worth to speak about Global Aid Network. It was SO fun getting to see my old friends and at the same time share about GAiN. What a treat! I am also EXCITED to be going back to Guatemala in March! This time we will be in Guatemala City working with several churches and an afterschool program. More details to come as I know them.

Well, this is a long post but much needed. Thank you for all your prayers! 

love,

Emily

Local opportunities

operation care dallas promo 2010 from Cola Pictures on Vimeo.

So far I've been sharing with you about how GAiN works around the world. Well this month we have an opportunity to serve right here in the Dallas area! Operation Care Dallas is hosting a Christmas party on December 18 at the Dallas Convention center for all the homeless people in Dallas, TX. This is a one day event where the homeless and outcasts of society are the guests of honor. GAiN has sent  27 total pallets of aid including new clothing, duffle bags, bottled water, toys, blankets and coats to be distributed on the day of the event. But aid is not the only thing that is needed on this day, hundreds of volunteers are needed to make this happen. Here are just a few of the volunteer opportunities you could be a part of!

• Children:  Help pack toys, set up Friday before the event, Help man areas such as bounce houses, gifts, art, family pictures, ponies/petting zoo, etc. After the event, help box and clean up.
• Homeless Gifts: GIFT DRIVES – organize drives around the city, help with the packing of gifts, connect with stores/ organizations for donations of shoes, coats, toys, personal care products,
   
• Evangelism/Prayer:  Share with the homeless the only Hope we have who is also the greatest Gift of all – Jesus! PRAY for them individually before and during the event. Connect our homeless and needy friends to churches around who would continue to disciple them to become a productive member of our community. Would love to have more Hispanic members, a great need!! Prayer is where the Power is!
• Medical / Dental / Vision : Medical Professionals, contribute your time and expertise to help ease the pain of homeless and needy families. 
   
• Footwashing and Homeless Shoes: An act of servitude will be demonstrated at the Foot washing area where the homeless will be treated like royalty! Provide new shoes to homeless adults.
   
• Entertainment: Provide a worshipful atmosphere where God is magnified by having some selected musicians and  groups that would provide music and entertainment. Will connect with churches and other Christian groups who could share their talents. 
• Inside Ministries: I did this a couple of years ago, it was really neat!
  • Hair Cut - Hairstylists and Barbers to provide our homeless friends with a new outlook.
  • Makeover - For Makeover Professionals. Provide a make over area to our homeless friends with haircuts, make up and manicures to aid in their physical well being.
  • Family Counseling - provide professional assistance to meet the mental, emotional, psychological and legal needs to our guests. Assessment will be made and direct them to the local and available resources in the community for further counseling.  Contact other Christian Counseling agencies to be a part of this service.
  • Food - Conducts Food drives at their church/org. Collects the Food donated, Help serve and clean up at the Food area.
     
• Facility (Decorations, Security/Guest Assistance, Transportation): Help set up and decorate the facilities to be cheerful and welcoming for the homeless. Provide Guest Assistance services to the guests, and supplement the security personnel. Assist with logistics of goods, loading/unloading and set up.

Sounds pretty awesome! 

More pictures

Processing

Well I'm back from Guatemala and I have mixed feelings about it for sure. I absolutely loved my time in the country. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and yet at the same time I saw so many things that broke my heart. I also met some really sweet friends and got to practice my spanish a little bit :) Today is my day off and I am trying to process through all of my thoughts now that I have been home for two days.

As the media person for the trip, I spent a lot of time observing this week. I had some great times of ministry for sure and it was such a gift to get to meet Benjamin and Yanki (see last post) but for the most part I was behind the scenes taking photos. But I think that was exactly where God wanted me, to see that ministry is NOT about me but about Him and His glory. This concept is definitely something I am thinking about and praying through...more thoughts to come later...

The other thing I am thinking about is "what's next?", "where do I go from here?"  Over 1000 school children received food, shoes, and toys this week. Here are some of the faces we saw. 

So my question is this, what happens to these kids when we get on the airplane and head back to our homes? They continue in their lives and I in mine. Somehow it doesn't seem like enough. We came in and showed them love and met their needs for a moment but there are huge gaping needs that still need to be met. What happens 6 meals later when they are hungry again? Many of these children need new clothes, a shower, and a safe place to live. There are thousands of children in Guatemala that we didn't get to meet many because they can't go to school, they have to work. What happens to those children?  It seems hopeless by human standards, but Jesus said in Matthew 6,  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"  How comforting is it to know that He knows them all. His heart is broken for this world and He is sending out workers into the harvest to love and care for hurting and needy people all around the world. What a privilege to be a part of God's redeeming work. All we have to do is be obedient and go! As I said earlier I got a taste of what it means to love God's people this week and I want more!

So that's where I'm at right now...these are the things God is revealing to me and showing me (a little bit at a time) where He wants me.  I don't know what the future holds for me but I'm continuing on the journey!