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Just a few short months ago while serving on a 31 person team in Poland, I saw God provide in big ways! God showed me that when I remained faithful to Him, no matter how hard the situation seemed, or how many doors were shut, He would always be faithful to open other doors to make a way for the gospel to be shared!   

During our third week in Poland, my U.S. team and our Polish friends split into three groups so we could reach people in different areas. Our focus was evangelizing through performing dances, and skits, a Vacation Bible School (VBS), and prayer.  We were blessed with opportunities to share the gospel in city squares, churches, at a school and a senior home!

During one VBS, God reminded us of the importance of staying faithful to Him even when the situation seemed disappointing. One day it was raining so hard that we had to go inside. Definitely not according to our plan! Luckily, there was a museum close by that we could use.

The problem was not only weather, but attendance. With the exception of the little brother of one of my team-mates, there were no children. We were disappointed and discouraged by the turnout, or lack thereof. But, by God’s grace, one of our Polish friends encouraged us to carry on, trust in God, and to serve Him with a cherished heart. So we went on with our plan, not sure what would come of it, but trusting that God would use it for His glory.

We played games, sang songs, taught a couple lessons, and just plain had fun!

We thought that was the end of the story but soon realized that God had other plans!

What we didn't find out until after we finished that afternoon was that the woman in charge of the museum would offer to call a few places to see if they wanted us to come. Those phone calls opened the door for invitations to both a senior home and a school!

If we hadn't persevered through the disappointment of a low turnout for our VBS on that rainy and discouraging day, we would not have had the opportunity to be invited to those places! God opened the doors for us as we remained faithful to Him. If we had not trusted God, we may have missed those opportunities completely.

Later, during the fourth week of our trip, the Polish kids returned to their homes and the U.S. team and I headed north to Mikolajki. While there we were blessed to minister to kids and teens at a Catholic camp for four days. One particular lesson we shared was about the Colors. We taught them that black represents Sin, red represents Jesus' blood, white is for His blood making us pure and clean, green is for our growth in Him, and yellow is for Heaven. It’s likely a lesson every Sunday school teacher knows and has taught numerous times but this time, the lesson would be as powerful for the teachers as it was the students.

As we finished teaching the students what the colors meant and began passing out the colored beads to make bracelets, we realized that there was only a handful of the green beads. We weren’t sure if there would be enough for every student but decided to hand out all we had and see how God would provide. At the end, after passing out the materials, we noticed that there were still plenty of beads left...we thought, "Wait. Weren't there only a handful to begin with?” Yet now, after passing out beads to all the kids and making our own bracelets there were still a LOT left! More than a handful for sure! It was a small but precious miracle from God. This moment reminded me of the Bible story where "Jesus feeds the five thousand."  Each color we taught and each lesson we shared was important and God did not want to leave a single one out! Just as God yearns for us to grow in Him and loves deep relationships, He provides for all of our needs. What a reminder that day was of His provision for us.

Throughout this trip I was continually reminded about God’s grace, provision and faithfulness. While teaching others about God’s love, I became the student in lessons that I will never forget.

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Years ago, when MCC was supporting the Nij family in Guatemala, I had the opportunity to visit the Morning Glory Christian Academy in San Raymundo, Guatemala. While I was there, they took me to Antigua, which was once the Spanish colonial capital of Central America.  The city has beautiful cathedrals and palaces and is located between three large volcanic peaks.  

I had the added benefit of visiting around the time of Easter. During this time they have a huge celebration involving processions that move through town commemorating Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His march up Calvary, and His resurrection. Prior to each of the processions, community members decorate the streets with ornate murals made of sand, colored sawdust, grains, flowers, and leaves.

These amazing creations take hours to prepare and then the procession tramples the murals underfoot and destroy them.

One questions why they would spend so much time just to have the mural destroyed—the artists view this as a simple act of sacrifice and worship.

What simple act of sacrifice might you make on this Easter: invite a friend or family to worship; a word of encouragement; serving one in need; visit a shut in; pray for the lost; bring a heart to worship that is truly centered on our Lord?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. ~ Romans 12:1

This is our last day in Sucre. During our time here we've had the opportunity to reflect on experiences and seeing God work all week! The time spent with FH, the children and the families has truly been a blessing to each of us.

We have learned so much about others and so much about ourselves. We are blessed to come to Sucre and encourage the families and children to accept God in their lives and to learn new skills to end the cycle of poverty.

We have prayed with those who are vulnerable. We have strengthened existing relationships and developed new ones.

The FH staff has had such an important impact on the lives here and I have seen such progress from 2 years ago. FH has made a positive impact on Villa Margarita. We have been blessed to see examples of positive transformation within the community. 

To learn more about this amazing ministry and opportunities for you to be a part of it, come to MCC's Sunday service, April 9th for a mission trip wrap-up! Mission team members will talk about their experiences, show pictures of the trip and discuss how you can get involved!

Food for the Hungry works with families to leverage their assets, no matter how small, to better their lives. We saw an example of this at the home of Christian, Jennifer Ward's sponsored child.  Their home is typical for the neighborhood,  with one exception, the yard is a little larger than most.  So, an FH agronomist worked with the family to convert the space into a vegetable garden! The vegetables they grow, and sell in the market, pay the family's rent each month. This is a great example of helping without hurting; using our God given talents and assets to improve. The team worked with the family in their garden Saturday.

You never know what to expect when you get to Sucre.  It's been 24 hours of travel.  3 planes, multiple airports, too much coffee, and the anticipation of finally making it.  

There are questions on your mind every time you come here.  Will this greeting be like the last one?  Will they make you feel like you're the VIPs of the city?   Will you sponsor kid be there?  It would seem, after years of teams going, that the greetings would get stale, but they never do.  

And honestly, it's not because of the banners, cheers, and games.  

It's because there is something special about reuniting with friends.  There is something unique about seeing brothers and sisters that you've formed deep relationships even if you're only there once a year.  You see faces like Esther, Carmenita, Maria, German, and the other FH workers that you've become close to.

God made relationships to be special.  He made us to have friendships and brotherhoods, and to work together on things that are bigger than us.   What an amazing thing that He would create that kind of arrangement; that kind of mutual transformation.

Even here in Bolivia we'll be challenged to be focused on relationships this week.  To not let tasks and agendas get in the way of being with each other.  And you know what?  You'll be challenged in the same way.  

So, what are we to do?  We lay it before God, ask him to orchestrate the conversations, the time we spend, and attitude we have toward each other.  He does that in Bolivia, and he does it in New Mexico.

Thank you for your prayers for us. 

Thursday is full of home visits, food, and a talent show. 

We appreciate you all!