Christmas in Bolivia (Mission Trip Info)!!

Bolivia Christmas Mission Trip!!

Purpose: Sharing the love of Christ with orphans and those who care for them daily, and encouraging our missionaries (Mitchell's & Simpson's) during the Christmas holiday.

Dates: December 26, 2013-January 3, 2014, (dates are tentative due to flights)

Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia

Team: Limited to 12 people for adults, teens and families

Contact: Team Lead Jeff Smith at jefsmith@mckinneyisd.net

INFORMATION MEETING THIS Sunday, October 6th at 8:30am,

in FBC McKinney Room 1211, upstairs behind the worship center.

Activities:

·       Fundación Esperanza – (the Mitchell's new orphanage) serve in the Baby House, loving on newborns and toddlers, possible light maintenance on house/yard. Provide a Christmas meal and gifts for the Tia's (child care staff).

·       Baby Washing at Plaza Principal on Saturday - providing a warm bath and a new set of clothes for approximately 40 children who live on the streets. Other activities include washing and combing hair, giving manicures (polish), worship music, skits, soccer, pass out bread and goodie-bags with tooth brush & snacks, etc.

·       Sister Orphanage BCM–Provide a Christmas meal and gifts for 22 children ages 4 yrs to 18 yrs. Organize a shoebox Christmas package that is personalized for each child and their care-takers.

·       Other possibilities depending on the Team: Provide a sports clinic for the older kids at BCM, serve kids at the prison, provide VBS style crafts and skits, hospital visit to hold premature and malnourished infants, and bring supplies from the US for the missionaries.

·       A chance to do a little sight-seeing at one of the world's largest open-air markets, 'La Cancha', visit the tallest de Christo over-looking Chochabamba, or a day trip to the jungle.

In the Silence

Mike and I had been on a quest all day! We were were stressed, lost at times, caught in traffic, and trying to do too much with too little time. We exchanged a few short phrases, and just focused on completing our frustrating quest with our limited Spanish. (The prize was printer ink cartridges for our apparently 'rare' Epson printer.)

Later that night as we climbed into bed, I was feeling heavy hearted. I was remembering when we first dated and couldn't wait to spend time together...it did not matter what we did, it was just about being together. The mundane task of going to check our mail boxes was a highlight of our day...if we were doing it together. Our relationship was central, not the task at hand. I was a little sad that our focus had shifted that day running errands. So I decided to sweetly mentioned my thoughts to Mike during pillow talk. And he sweetly agreed that we needed that reminder. And all felt right again. 

I rolled over to go to sleep with a feeling of peace and then, in the silence (even the pack of wild dogs out our window were quiet), I heard His voice in my heart. I clearly heard God say... that is how I feel about you...make me your center. Walk with me everywhere, just be WITH me and loving others will be the highlight of your day! Your relationship with Me is more important than the task (service) that you do in My Name. 

A common question asked by Christians is 'Do you have a relationship with Jesus?'  I know what it means to have a relationship with an imperfect man, to fall in love, and give my heart completely to him for 26 years and counting. Why should a relationship with my Creator, who gave His life for me, not engulf my heart for eternity? He is my treasure!

'For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.' Matt 6:21

Kim

(See our latest monthly Update on our web page.)

Did you hear the bell ring?

In the early morning hours we sit in bed listening for the sound of a faint bell ringing mixed in with the dogs barking. We think it rings on Tuesday's and Friday's...but not always. When we hear it, Mike springs out of bed, runs out of the house, jumps in our car and hunts for the truck with the little bell ringing. When he finds it, he unloads our trash with a huge sigh of relief. It is like a game of cat and mouse with the garbage man, and we are not very good at it yet!

This is one of the 3rd world 'challenges' that make us chuckle! We have had a huge first month...most of it exciting and fun with a lot of learning. Thank you for checking in on us, sending us short messages, and for praying for us! Click on UPDATES in the Menu Bar to read more about our first month and a list of our prayer requests. Kim

One moment...Or was it?

Looking out the window of the American Airline 757 as it climbed from Miami International with destination Bolivia I couldn't help but think back to that moment when we made the decision to listen for where God would lead and respond in faithful obedience. As the plane climbed and the last piece of the only world we knew faded out of sight thoughts of how we got here began to race. I thought of my grandmother, Nanny as we affectionately called her, and the example she continues to have on my life. It is through her example that I have a better understanding of the joy you can have in The Lord despite your circumstance.  I think of my parents and their tireless consistency of modeling Christ to me in spite of my youthful rebellion.  Then the blessing of Kim and the incredible influence she continues to have on my life. There is not a doubt in my mind that I am a better man because of her. I think of a minister who invited us to their neighborhood life group and then because his public speaking schedule started to take off asked me, all of 23 years and absolutlely no experience, to lead the bible study.  I can go on and on as so many have shaped and guided my life up to this point.  

As the title suggests, there was a moment when we put our yes on the table, but it has been a lifetime of God moments that have brought us to this point in our journey.  May God and only He be glorified as we take each step forward. 

Bolivia Day 1

Day 1= of our journey following the Lord out of our comfort zone in Bolivia!! Went to La Concha (market) and bought pillows and a hair dryer (very important purchases!), grocery store, BCM Orphanage, folded laundry from the clothes line, hand washed dishes, and a few extra trips to 'el baño' by all of us. It doesn't sound like much but everything takes longer. Boys are excited and having fun, they found a favorite drink already, Tampica. Our housing search has been a continual prayer. Today (Day 1) we found the perfect house! We can move in next Wednesday. Let the furniture hunt begin!! Mike was the chef tonight and cooked out on the grill and then we had game night! Loved laughing so hard!!! Really great to spend precious time with Madi, the Mitchell's and their sweet sweet girls! Can't believe we are here!! God is good! All the time!

6 days by Callan

      6 days left until we leave for Bolivia. And at this point, excitement and anxiety are battling it out in my stomach. I can't wait to see all that God has in store for us. 

     But while I am excited, I'm also feeling very torn about leaving a lot of close friends. But I suppose that's part of the experience, and if God really needs me to leave everything here in McKinney, then that's exactly what I'm going to do. 

-Callan

Best Day EVER!

So my best day ever was the first day of public scho.... No no wait the best day ever was when I met my two best frien... No no wait, best day ever was when I got my dog rang.... Oh no I'll always remember that huge snow day and the BIG hil... No wait I got it, my best day ever was my 13th birthday and all my friends were ther... No... Wait... 

Well lets just say I have a lot of best day Evers. I am truly blessed and I know God has a plan for my family, but man am I gonna miss this place;) -Brock

White Knuckles

It was just starting to get a little dark out. My son, all of 5 at the time, in his Zurg costume and candy bucket in hand, said softly under his breath, “I just love when exciting things are about to happen!!”

 

Listening to each click and feeling the coaster jump a little higher with every jerk, climbing to the top of the steepest point of the track! About to bust with emotion, and a lot of adrenaline, we are holding on with white knuckles as the year of our mission to Bolivia is about to begin. The count down to July 8, 2013 is quickly approaching. 

 

So many bittersweet moments fill our days, each with a loud click…buying our one-way airline tickets, officially withdrawing the boys from school, goodbye parties, vision meetings, coffee and lunches with dear friends, sleepovers and movie nights, Mike’s last day of work, saying goodbye to dv8, family gatherings, and being lifted in prayer by so many pillars of faith! All of these moments take our breath away, yet we are filled with excitement for what God has in store. We are praying continually, focusing on one step at a time in faith, saying under our breath “I just love when exciting things are about to happen!!” Count down: 35 days!! boliviabound (Kim)