Posts
Location: Tela,Honduras
April 2012
When God Speaks
Driving into Tela, Honduras I experienced the
overwhelming feeling like I was arriving home. I was filled with anxious
anticipation of what God was going to do in the next 10 days. I was excited to
see how all of our Honduras friends and family were doing. Wondering how we
could come alongside them and encourage them for the few days that we would be
in town. In this moment I knew that this was exactly where I needed to be, but
flash back a couple of months before and the story was a very different one.
I had just found out that Honduras had been proclaimed
the murder capital of the world, and that the U.S. Peace Corps has pulled out
all of their volunteers due to safety concerns. All my plans of going on the
mission trip were put on hold as I cried out to God, “You want me to go
there!?! Everyone else is fleeing the country, and You want me to go there?”
Trepidation gripped my heart. “Is this what God is actually calling me to?” My
thoughts raced back to the stories of faithful brothers and sisters who paid
the ultimate price for their faith. It suddenly became very real for me. “Would
I be willing to die for my faith?” This has been a question I have struggled with
before, but in this moment it felt so tangible. I poured out my heart to the
Father saying, “I am not making a move until you make it absolutely clear that
this is where you want me to be.”
Then God spoke.
Isn’t
it amazing what happens when we still our hearts and wait to hear from our
Father? He never fails to answer. God gave me confirmation that we needed to go
and serve once more this year, and that He would be our hedge of protection.
Although political circumstances remained the same, the fearful circumstance of
my heart was transformed into one of supernatural peace.
Throughout
the entire trip the Lord protected us from harm. What’s more, this year God
opened even more possibilities for long-term work. We definitely see that the
next step requires a team of missionaries that will live in Honduras throughout
the year and work with the local churches equipping and serving them. Thus, we
invite you to please join with us as we pray for the Lord to prepare the way.
In
writing all of this, my point is that our God is faithful and His promises are
true! When the Lord sends us out, He
also equips us for the work. He clothes us in the power of the Holy Spirit and
gives us the strength to follow Him even when everything else may be pulling in
the opposite direction. Perhaps in your life it’s stepping out in faith in a new
business venture, reaching out to serve in new areas of your neighborhood, or
even gaining the supernatural strength to serve joyfully in what seems the
mundane of everyday life.
In
Honduras we went forth by faith trusting that God would protect us, provide for
us, and He did! What new territory is God calling you to step out and
conquer? The territory is the Lord’s. May we go forth boldly and claim it.
“I
have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you
will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
[John 16:33]
Blessings!
[Ioana]
Location: El Salvador
24-26 June 2011
During the last few days, I, along with the missionary family that I am staying with, got the opportunity to go and do house visits in Candelaria and Miraflores. We met up with the pastors and their families which are delegated by Castillo Del Rey to serve these communities. After we met up with the pastors, we set out to visit the poorest of the church members. We got to pray for them, give them a word of encouragement, and then leave them a love gift of some food and clothing articles.
It is shocking to see the conditions that the people here live in. It never ceases to amaze me that the majority of people in the world live this way. All I can do is thank God for blessing me so abundantly. Everything I have is due to his goodness and kindness ["for every good and perfect thing comes from above" James 1:17]. Let us not take what we have for granted. Remember to thank the Lord and bless his name for all that He has graciously bestowed upon you.
On both days, as we were driving to Candelaria and Miraflores, there were accidents on the road. The first day, there had been a man riding his bicycle who was hit by a car. His body was just lying on the ground covered by a sheet. The next day, as we were driving to Miraflores, we witnessed another accident with another casualty.
It really hit me how the devil is fighting so hard to destroy these people, and that we need to boldly proclaim God's truth into these people. He is their only Saving Grace and Salvation!
Lastly, I want to leave you with something inspiring about how God is working. While we were visiting the poor families from the church, at two of the houses, there were ladies that told us that they had a dream about us coming to visit them. It was such an encouragement for us to hear this. Ioana (my friend) immediately told them that this is just another way that the Lord is demonstrating his love toward them and how very precious they are to Him.
Remember that God cares for you too! He loves you ever so dearly that He sent His only Son to take your punishment upon Himself. If you have rejected God, if you have turned your back on Him, now is the time to receive Him into your heart. Ask Him to come into your life, to change you, and to make you new. The Bible tells us that ["If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9] Jesus wants a personal relationship with you! He wants to take your burden for He has already paid the price for it. In its stead, he will give you freedom and life everlasting. It is the most important decision you will ever make my friend. Won't you make it today?
Although we saw some shocking things, there is nothing better than knowing that you are where the Lord wants you to be. I realize how dangerous the situation is here, but I believe that the Lord's hand of protection is upon us. We all have a vital roll to play; you and I need to do our part! Think of it like this: The body of Christ is like a slingshot, missionaries being the rock that is propelled forward. The church's prayers and financial support are vital in allowing missionaries to go and proclaim God's truth to others. So I want to thank all of you who have been supporting us in prayer and financially. May God abundantly bless you!
Bendiciones,
[Ioana]
“…Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”
[Amos 5:21-24]
Location: San Salvador, El Salvador
18-22 June 2011
The past few days have been jam packed as we had the amazing opportunity to serve alongside one of the Castillo del Rey teams from Wisconsin, USA who are serving in El Salvador for ten days. We joined this incredible team as they served the surrounding communities through street evangelism and children’s ministry. In the past three days we were able to minister in almost fifteen different communities and neighborhoods surrounding San Salvador. It was a precious time as we preached the Gospel to many children and their parents. Many children, and adults, accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Praise God! As we stepped out in faith, we witnessed God’s power in indescribable ways as the work of the Holy Spirit was ever so present. We were able to pray for various needs and rejoiced as God brought healing to a little girl who had been suffering from an extreme headache.
After our first children’s program Tuesday morning, it began raining intensely. The pastor informed us that we were not able to go on with our next program, but instead we were going to go witness door to door and pray for families. At first, we thought that he was joking, but soon realized he was not as he ushered us off the bus. Completely unprepared for the rain, off we went! We climbed up (in flip flops) what seemed to be the steepest and longest road ever, dodging sharp rocks, slippery slopes and rain puddles, which soon turned into mini rivers as there is a lack of proper sewage systems. We soon arrived to the "city on a hill" drenched and ready to preach and pray. Three people dedicated their lives to the Lord that rainy day and for that we rejoice!
After our first children’s program Tuesday morning, it began raining intensely. The pastor informed us that we were not able to go on with our next program, but instead we were going to go witness door to door and pray for families. At first, we thought that he was joking, but soon realized he was not as he ushered us off the bus. Completely unprepared for the rain, off we went! We climbed up (in flip flops) what seemed to be the steepest and longest road ever, dodging sharp rocks, slippery slopes and rain puddles, which soon turned into mini rivers as there is a lack of proper sewage systems. We soon arrived to the "city on a hill" drenched and ready to preach and pray. Three people dedicated their lives to the Lord that rainy day and for that we rejoice!
We were told that the communities we witnessed to on Tuesday were some of the most dangerous areas surrounding San Salvador. They are notorious for their powerful gangs, high crime rate and severe violence. Many of the prayers we prayed that day consisted of safety and freedom from the violence and gangs. Also, we were the first team to ever preach the Gospel in those areas. So amazing! We realized that despite our circumstances, rain or shine, the Gospel must be preached. It was a rare experience that we will forever cherish. We are so thankful for the opportunity the Lord gave us to serve with the American team as well as with the local students from Castillo del Rey’s missionary school. We learned so much about true servant hood, unconditional love, prayer and faith. Our prayer is that we can apply what we learned in our own church, communities and homes.
During our stay in El Salvdor, we learned that the communist party is slowly gaining control in Central America, beginning with El Salvador and Honduras. Our prayer is that the communists may not succeed, but that the Lord's will may prevail. However, we know that the time to preach Jesus Christ is now.
The cry of our hearts is that you may serve Christ in your own communities and make the most of every opportunity to spread the precious message of Jesus Christ. Despite your circumstances, may you step out in faith as you serve the suffering and spread the aroma of Christ to those around you.
May God’s love and goodness overwhelm you,
[Diana & Ioana]
“…Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”
[Amos 5:21-24]
Location: San Salvador, El Salvador
16 June 2011
If you ever thought that making a difference in your community was close to impossible, perhaps you can relate to this. Yesterday we got the opportunity to visit a comedor infantil located in one of Castillo del Rey’s churches about an hour away from where we are staying. This comedor infantil, or food ministry for poor children, is offered twice a week. This church in the small city of Guadalupe resides on the side of an active volcano. People are rigidly Catholic, and paintings of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the saint Guadalupe, adorn the outsides of the buildings in hopes that they can somehow protect them from impending danger.
Although people are resolutely against anything that is not Catholic, the children come and get to hear the gospel, sing songs, and eat a good meal. Some walk to the small church many miles away from their own homes. I remember seeing a young girl, probably no older than 7 or 8 years wearing a loose-fitting pair of jeans held up by belt made of an old plastic bag.
People are very poor in this city, but somehow the Lord always provides enough for the pastors to care for even the least of these. Therefore, what should stop you or I from doing something in our own communities? If you have a home, a car, and food on your table, you have no excuse not to act. It’s as simple as inviting some children over for dinner, gathering the neighborhood kids for a game of soccer, or helping a struggling child with his or her homework. Although these acts may seem miniscule, they do volumes for a child’s self-worth. They realize that they are appreciated and valued. What greater gift could you give a child than showing God’s love to him or her?
What is something that you could do to show God’s love to the children in your own community? Please share with us. We’d love to hear your ideas, and hopefully they will also be an inspiration to others who read them here as well.
Also, today we were supposed to go and visit a few exceptionally poor families from the church and distribute food to them. Our car broke down while on our way and we had to return home. Seeing that it is our only means of transportation, please pray that it can be fixed quickly so that we will be able to complete the work the Lord has set before us.
Thank you for your support!
Bendiciones,
[Diana & Ioana]
“…Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”
[Amos 5:21-24]
Since we arrived, my heart has been stirred up more than ever (or so it seems) for those that are suffering. I see children who roam the streets dirty, with torn clothing and if they are lucky enough, maybe wearing shoes. Without exaggeration, this is the reality that exists in El Salvador, not to mention all around the world. Our world is full of starving, abused, and neglected children who long for something more than food, shelter, or clothing. They long for love. It is the cry of my heart to do something more for the cause of the suffering. I encourage you to ask the Lord how He wants you to help those hurting and marginalized. You do not have to travel to a third world country to do so; the needs exist in our own communities even in the United States.
I will leave you with a statement I read the other day as I was reading, Too Small to Ignore, by Wess Stafford. The Lord, yet again, reminded me of the command He has given us to care for those who are afflicted. He writes, " As God’s agents, His hands and His feet in this hurting world, it is our mandate to remove the ‘cement blocks’ that suffocate children: poverty, abuse, neglects and injustice of all kinds. [We need to] commit ourselves to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute’ (Proverbs 31:8)."
God is calling you to be His ambassador. Will you join us as we fight for justice and defend the oppressed?
Peace, hope and love,
Diana
“…Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”
[Amos 5:21-24]
