It's about the Children.

Woke up this morning to a beautiful day in Manzini, Swaziland. We all had an early breakfast and sat down for our daily devotions. Plagues and our Lord’s suffering. Both stories of defeat redeemed by God’s victorious desire (Exodus 6-8, Luke 23).

Our prayer this morning was that we might really see what God sees in the children we will be meeting. The two Care Points we were to visit are primarily serving orphans who have lost both parents to AIDS. HIV-AIDS is pandemic in Swaziland infecting over half of the adult population. Very sad.

We took off from the hotel and headed southeast to Big Bend. The Care Point was some 10 kilometers out of town in an area surrounded by sugar cane. Pastor Temba established this Care Point to minister to 150+ children. Let me tell you it was smoking hot … both in temp and compassion.

The children were so beautiful and friendly. We spent quite some time playing and hanging out with them. One of the highlights was a young blind boy who zeroed in on Ron’s singing. He came and sat right next to him to listen. What an amazing scene to watch him listening to Ron and to see Ron and Ann Marie reach over to pray for him. So much prayer needed everywhere we look. We have some amazing video of Ron helping him throw a football to a hilarious group of children. They were all laughing and running and clapping. It was sad to leave them but we had a long drive to the next Care Point.

Care Point number two was one of Care Points that ‘feed under a tree’. No buildings, no play area, no electricity and no water. They carry the water from a stream over two kilometers away. Two amazing saints of God feed 80+ children at this developing Care Point. What beautiful women that love Jesus and orphans. They all sang us a song in SaSwati. The words were something close to:

We are your children Jesus

And we can do nothing with your intervention

We are in need of you everyday

It is so true that everyone needs the intervening hand of Jesus. No one person any more than another … though the need here is startling. The Go-Go’s (grandmother in SaSwati) and children sang and prayed before their only meal of the day. After giving thanks they lined the children up under the trees and feed them out of a big black pot suspended over a wood fire.

There are so many stories we could tell but our day is coming to a close. When we return we will share the pictures and videos we are shooting. Four videos today of the children playing catch and singing – about 1200 photos of beautiful smiling faces. Ha, I guess if you aren’t traveling with us that last statement sounds like a bad evening at Uncle Bennie’s and Aunt Gertie’s house watching movies of their vacation to Iowa … well, maybe a bit better.

Good night friends in the America!

We are connected

For multiple reasons, we have not been able to blog but we are now powered and connected. 

  

We were blessed to have Marcia help check us in at RDU.  As many of you heard, Steve’s Mom had some medical issues. Praise God she is doing well and he was able to join us yesterday (Wednesday), more on that latter.

We arrived Tuesday evening, 5:30 South African time, checked into our hotel by candle and lantern light. The following morning we took care of some unexpected business before visiting a World Orphan Children’s Home, Temba South Africa, north of Jo-burg.

First order of business was to get a larger vehicle to handle the luggage. Thanks to all you provided, we had 12 checked bags.  Ron and Bill went back to the airport and were able to get an 8 person “bus”. They call vans, busses. Second order of business was to get travel documents for me (Ann Marie) to re-enter the US. Thirty minutes before Ron and I left for the airport, Ron was making copies of my new Canadian passport and realized my green card expired 11/09. Monday was a holiday so Ron had to call the Johannesburg US Consulate for the solution.  This morning we downloaded an application then e-mailed it with supporting documents to the Consulate. The plan is to pick up a "re-entry" travel document on the way to the airport. I will update my status ASAP after our return!

Mid-day we were able to make our way to Temba to visit with a World Orphan Children’s Home. One of the purposes of our trip is to learn about different models of care for orphans.  The World Orphan Children’s Home gave a good example of a local Church establisihing "homes" on church property to reach the orphans in their community.

We left Temba to make our way back to the airport to pick up Steve, missed our turn, toured Jo-burg for over an hour. Bill says google maps works as well in Jo-burg as it does in Raleigh.  After several attempts using google maps, we got directions from three people before finding our way to the airport.  (Thanks to Sheem who drove 12 hrs with Steve from Missouri to Atlanta to catch his flight then drove home to Apex.) We are all so glad Steve was able to make it afterall.

One of our blog issues was not having the right adaptor for the step down transformer. Wednesday evening we got powered up. 

Everyone present and accounted for, we made our way to Swaziland this morning (5 hr drive). Met up with, Dennis, our guide for the week and visited four Care Points.


Swaziland does not have orphanages. To support children who are orphaned or vulnerable, Children's Hope Chest and AIM (Adventures in Missions) have partnered to develope Care Points (CPs); Places set up in varrious communities where basic orphan needs can be met (food, water, some medical attention and discipleship). The vision for a Care Point is to grow to include educational opportunties, micro-financing etc. 


CPs are in varrious stages of development and support. Thus far we have seen the two most developed CPs and two lesser developed ones. The goal for our time is to gather information and seek His direction for Hope Chapel involvement. 


We have lots of photos but am running out of battery so need to post. Thank you so much for your prayers. More soon. 

Swaziland Mission Begins!

The Swaziland team has arrived safely. Steve Estes was also able to join the team, a little late, but with no known mishaps. Thank God for everyone's safe arrival.

They have already begun working. Pastor Bill Gross has reported that they were able to visit an orphanage/church in Tembo with 22 beautiful children and a pastor with a big vision. They were quite inspired and look forward to meeting more of the people of Swaziland.

The purpose of the team is to find the right partnership for Hope Chapel in our long-term vision of reaching out to the orphans of Africa.


The Swaziland team is

• Ron & Ann Marie Elmore
• Steve Estes
  
• Pastor Bill Gross
  

Please keep them in your prayers for: Health, safety during travel, wisdom and discernment, team unity, and favor with those whom they meet.

Please post comments to the team to encourage them and let them know your prayers are with them.

More to come! Stay tuned.

Suficiente es Tu Gracia!

SUFICIENTE ES TU GRACIA

(Your Grace is Enough by songwriter Chris Tomlin)

Great is our faithfulness oh God

You wrestle with the sinner’s heart

You lead us by waters into mercy

And nothing can keep us apart

The lyrics of this song bring back so many wonderful memories of this past week in El Salvador. Our team of ten (10) individuals are from a much different social-economic part of the world and we had much to reflect on as we prepare for our departure.
Our original sights on what we thought could accomplish were far-exceeded by what God's plans were.  In the end, we realized that what we had to offer cannot be measured by the many gallons of paint we put on the walls, nor the many boxes of hygienic and dental supplies we distributed, not even the many drinks and sandwiches.  One quickly realizes it not the material things that allows one to substain life (although they are greatly appreciate), but instead– it is grace that originates from God.  Charles gave us an image to keep in our mind:  that we were like the tip of an arrow and that this week we were fortunate to directly touch people lives-- a point that extends back to our families and friends back home and ultimately back to God.   We must remember that our ultimate calling is to spread God’s grace (His word). 

Great is our faithfulness oh God

You use the weak to lead the strong

You Lead us in the song of Your Salvation

And all your people sing along

Our Day 7 was another unique for the Hope Chapel Missions team in San Salvador.  Dr. Mike Tyner and I, along with Lori our translator, headed to the local Children’s hospital to perform surgery while the rest of the team went to San Marcos.

Driving through the street of San Salvador it brought back fond memories of my previous visits here. I had been in San Salvador last year with our Hope Chapel Missions trip … and then many years ago when we brought Michael our son home.  Unique this time was my visit to Bloom Hospital, a local public children’s hospital to witness a team of doctors perform surgery on a 10-year old child.  I was on a separate purpose to get an understanding of the I/T (information technology) infrastructure within the hospital and see how I could possibly help them out.  I was able to talk with the head of their I/T department only to find out how under-staffed and under-funded they were (not a unique problem), but there is only very limited use of technology to run a major hospital. Imagine trying to go through a typical hospital here in the US without interacting with someone behind a computer (Admissions, patient history, lab testing, patient monitoring).  There is none here in San Salvador --I now know much they could use that old monitor and old printer that’s collecting dust in my closet.  

The highlight of my afternoon was observing and interacting with the team of doctors that performed a 6-hour removal of spleen the size of Rhoad Island. I was able to stand just arm’s length away from the operating table and as much as I hate the sight of blood, I was fascinated by the delicate procedure. At the end, I came away with the feeling that these doctors and nurses are truly dedicated to improving the health of their patients. The Glory goes to God for gifting these talented individuals.

The other part of our team went to San Marcos, a small remote village about 2 hours outside San Salvador.  This remote village is a small coastal community with little modern conveniences.  Wabha led worship and afterwards there was a hygiene and dental care clinic.  Our team prayed over the village with special prayers for physical and spiritual healing.

So Remember Your People

Remember your Children

Remember your Promise, Oh God

So we conclude our mission visit to El Salvador...I much changed, transformed, and renewed.
I witnessed Greg (our resident chef/Caterer) share a missionary that could pray over men suffering from alcohol, Mike (a doctor) become a soccer/basketball player that was able to put his arms around and hug young delinquent boys,  Stacy, a mother, become a “sister” to young troubled girls and Sheila, a home-maker, became a singer and pianist of Christian Music…just to name a few.   We are all tired from this week's but so excited about the plans that God has for us.

We are so thankful to those who made this trip possible.  Our thanks first to God, and then to all of you who prayed and supported us.

Your Grace is Enough,    
Brian Wong

A day at the Park

It's Day 6 of our trip and God has opened a new door for us. We knew when we came to El Salvador we had to have willing hearts and be ready to accept the challenges that God gave us. We knew God would put doors in front of us for us to walk through  (in faith ), and when we got to the other side we would see the work he had for us. Today was no different.
  8 of us went into a park in downtown San Salvador to do an outreach. We sang songs in Spanish, performed a skit, presented Jesus to those who did know him, and help those who did know him understand him better. Wahba gave a hygiene lesson and we had 21 people accept Christ! We passed out toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and some cookies and juice for everyone. It was a great expereince!
  I was brought to tears when God showed me one of the many reasons he brought me here. Two men came to us early in the event in obvious need of help. They were suffering from alcoholism and we were able to pray for them, with them, and be with them as they accepted Jesus. Later we taught one of them to pray for his friend who needed help and explained how now that he had Jesus in his heart he could also pray for healing for others. We introduced them to the local pastor who will welcome them into his church and help them in anyway he can. It was an amazing experience for me to see these 2 men where I once was, and be able to stand there and tell them that Jesus is how I was able to over come my own addiction to alcohol and be forgiven for my sins... and all they had to do was to have faith and give it all to Jesus. Our God is a forgiving God and without him I would surely still be suffering.  I would ask for all of you to pray for them as it will not be an easy road for them as well as everyone who accepted Jesus this week.

Romans 3:22-24 “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus”

  Dr. Michael and Jackie Tyner were able to work at the hospital today and work with the local surgeons and assist in an operation while showing the local doctors some new equipment and techniques. They will return tomorrow to work with them more in the surgical department. This is a great blessing as the doctors here are eager to learn and see more of what can be offered.
 
After our outreach we were blessed with a trip to the beach through a friend of Hanna’s hands. We walked the beach and swam in the ocean and pool of the Laughing Pelican House. We watched all of Gods glory as the sun set over the pacific before we headed back to the city for dinner.

God Bless all of you and may you see God in all of his amazing glory daily.

Greg Lewis

Hope at the Hope House

Hope at the Hope House

Matthew 25:34-40 


Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom   prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you fed me.  I was thirsty and you gave me a drink.  I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing.  I was sick, and you cared for me.  I was in prison and you visited me...'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?  Or thirsty and give you something to drink?  Or a stranger and show you hospitality?  Or naked and give you clothing?  When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?"  And the King will tell them, "I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"

 Today the team divided into three groups to accomplish more.  The largest of these went to the Hope House, a home for orphaned young ladies age 14 to 18.  We took on the task of house maintenance and painting with an emphasis on including the girls.  The girls were able to choose colors for their rooms.  We aided them in the actual painting using that time to get to know the girls.  The men on the team repaired ceilings, the roof, plumbing and tile floors.  Brian and Greg were even able to install two devices in the showers to give the ladies warm water for their showers!  A blessing for sure!
Though we were with the girls for a day, we pray that our connection with them and Lorraine's ongoing work will have an enduring benefit in their lives.   

John Wahba and Sheila went on a separate mission to the Faith House, a similar home for orphan boys ages 14 to 18.  The focus of the visit was to share the gospel through music.  This included music lessons on the guitar and electric keyboard.  The boys were able to complete a song together, "This Is My Desire" using three boys on guitars, two boys on a keyboard and one on vocal.  John and Sheila thought it sounded great.
 Ana, the interpreter, helped John and Sheila lead several youth to Christ with Praise, Worship and Prayer.

 Michael and Charles went to the Bloom National Pediatric Hospital to reestablish ties with the pediatric surgeons.  Through God's help, Charles was able to bridge a communication divide and focus on the needs of the hospital and Michael background in laparoscopic surgery.  Discussions were initiated for providing access for further training of their staff members in North Carolina.  Today we were able to start the process with an educational series on laparoscopic suturing techniques.  Tomorrow,we were invited to participate in several surgeries using laparoscopic approaches.  More surgery is anticipated on Friday.  We look for God to Bless the surgeons and the patients in these endeavors. We seek your prayer to help this program to grow in the future.

  It's late now and we need to rest up. God has blessed our efforts. Thanks for your prayers.

Life-changing opportunities await you!!

We were warned about culture shock. 

What a drastic difference between my own "good Christian home" growing up, and the daily life experience of the boys we were blessed to spend time with this morning!  About 45 guys ranging from 12 to 18 years old are living in a concrete and steel-barred compound because they have nowhere else to go.  These boys are not prisoners - like the girls we visited yesterday.  They are here for a variety of reasons, that can best be summed up in one of the boys own words:  "I am here because no one loves me."

Imagine your life being in danger from your own family, or a gang.  Imagine being dropped off at the orphanage because your parent(s) did not want you, or perhaps being picked up off of the street because you have no known family at all.  No where to live except the sidewalk, or the gutter, or under some cardboard.  Now imagine that this is your life, and somehow you made it to age twelve.  In this new place, you share a concrete room with 12 - 20 other boys, most of them bigger and older than you.  The wind blows through the window openings all year round.  Even if the day is hot in the sunshine, the sparse concrete and steel room can stay cold.  Privacy for personal hygiene or any other purpose is an unknown luxury.  The guards or staff cannot be everywhere.  You are afraid.  You must adapt in order to survive. 

With this mindset, consider the events of today from this boy's perspective.
A van-load of people came to visit today.  There were people from the Estados Unidos along with Salvadorians also.  They smile and laugh, and talk to the staff people.  They set up sound equipment and wave at us.  Some of them are talking to some of the other boys here.  These are the people one of my roommates met yesterday.  He said they were nice.  I can understand the language of some of them but not all of them can speak my language.  We are told they are going to have music and a drama for us.  Meanwhile some of the visitors join a game of futbol, and others of them begin to come over to talk to me.

I recognize one or two of the ladies.  They are nice and have been here before!  The men seem to be nice too.  They are laughing and joking with us.  The concert meeting is starting now and we have to go inside and sit together across the room from their musical equipment.  There is a man playing guitar and a woman playing an electric piano.  There is a man using a big container like a conga drum!  The songs talk about God being powerful and loving too.  We have fun singing with these nice people.  They translate the words or sing the songs in my language so I can sing also.  The drama is about a man with two sons.  One son takes his part of the father's money and joins a gang.  They throw him out after his money is gone.  He is feeding pigs and is so hungry is wants to eat the pig's food.  Three of the people are pretending to be the pigs!  They are funny!  At the end of the drama a Salvadorian lady tells us to think about the story and how the father who should have been angry with his son, loved him, forgave him, and had a fiesta when he came home.  She said God is a father like the father in the story, and that if we will come to him, he will love us like the son in the story.  I want a real father like that.  I've never had one.  I am crying and I cannot stop.  The conga-drumming man is hugging me and crying too.  Another man and woman are speaking to many of us now, and saying we can know this God who loves us right now, and be his children.  I ask this God to love me and help me.  The man hugging me is talking to God about me.  I know this because someone is translating what he is saying so I can understand.  I hug him tighter and he hugs me tighter too!  We cry for a long time.  The people give me a booklet and a book.  I begin to read some of the pages with the man, and understand he is saying I should keep the book and read it.  Another man tells us we can talk to God about things and this Father-God will help me.  We get lots of hugs from the people and most of us are smiling.  The motor-scooter delivery people from Pizza Hut are here!  They are bringing us food!  I am glad the people came to visit us today!

This is only one of many many stories from today.  About 20 of the 45 boys living in this Boys Home asked Jesus to forgive them and for God to be their Father.  Our team was so humble and so loving!  We are a team of doctors, nurses, and business people; moms, dads, sons, and daughters; we had translators who are ministers themselves, and translators that are just here to help us.  What we did today did not require years of training or special skills.  We simply made ourselves available to show love to those who need it.

Thank you for supporting us with your prayers!  God is working here, and the need is unfathomably huge.  Child abuse is common.  Poverty is rampant.  The government and local churches here have limited resources.  Please pray that our loving God will touch more people's hearts to take time to work in His harvest field (read Matthew 9: 35 - 38).  Consider and pray about joining Lorraine here in El Salvador on a short-term mission trip (see http://hannahshands.org).  Our team can tell you, come once and you will never be the same!

Curtis S.