KINGDOM WEEK

Spring break has become a North American college tradition. Most college students take advantage of the week to ski, go to the beach or just rest and relax at home “eating Cheetos and watching mtv”, as Tim would say. But Dallas Christian College has a different tradition. Students choose different activities or opportunities of service for the good of God’s Kingdom. This year was no exception. In early January, DCC professor, Mark Worley, confirmed that a group of students would be accompanying Professor Scott Spies and himself on a weeklong trip to San Raymundo. He wanted to know if we could find work for them to do. Brainstorming in my office, Tim Jenkins and I talked about different things. There is always manual labor that needs to be done, walls to be painted, etc. However looking at the incredible talent and resources of the young people who would be coming we decided to put their training and education to the best use possible. It was a given that the mornings would be occupied between the two schools, Rainbow Connection and Morning Glory. So we decided to organize and promote our first Leadership Training Seminar for leaders and pastors of the local congregations. We planned a five day activity using the talents and wealth of knowledge of those coming. God in His wisdom arranged for Saul Flores a bilingual DCC student to come along and I hired a friend from Guatemala City to help out with excellent translation. Tim got out his instruments, drums, guitar and keyboard and we borrowed a base and the “Tim Jenkins Worship Explosion” was born with vocal singers Kelly and Kasidy and my cleaning lady Hermogenes, Jon Robertson on guitar and lead singer, awesome Travis Montoya on the drums, Josh Watkins on the keyboard and Tim on the bass. They learned to sing and play several worship songs in Spanish and viola we had a praise band. Scott Spies led several workshops on praise and worship, Mark introduced Christian disciplines and the students helped with the “How to study the Bible” workshops. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for four hours every afternoon they met with and taught local church leaders young and old, challenging and motivating them to get into the Word and study to be able to teach more effectively. On Wednesday afternoon we invited the women’s group from the newly formed Christian Church in Sacsuy along with several moms of Morning Glory students for an afternoon of worship and celebration. Mark Worley brought an excellent message titled, “Born to Fly” and encouraged the women to see themselves as victorious no matter what their circumstance.
On Tuesday night the members of the hospital committee were special guests of honor at a dinner celebration. Once again Prof. Worley brought an excellent motivational message which touched the hearts of everyone present. After the message the “worship explosion” delighted all present with an exhibition of musical talents in a jam session on the instruments ending with an impromptu rap from Ethan.
It was a wonderful week, full of activity, often going late into the night. All too soon it was Friday night and time to say goodbye for all those leaving on an early morning flight for Dallas. Profesor Worley stayed one more week to join up with the group from Carrollton Christian Academy for the next week of Spring Break.
An amazing week for all involved. Lives were touched and changed. Church leaders were challenged to delve into the Word of God, to prepare themselves to teach. We worshiped together, learned together, played together and eternal friendships were formed. Thank you DCC for sharing with us for the second year in a row. What a wonderful motivational week and rightly named, Kingdom Week. Truly the kingdom of God in our little corner of the world was blessed and enriched. Thank you all who made that possible.

A CITY THAT SITS ON A HILL CAN NOT BE HIDDEN

I never cease to wonder at the handiwork and wisdom of our awesome God. Eons ago in Greek class Romans 8:28 became one of my favorite scriptures. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The text literally says “God works everything to the good of those….” It amazed me then and even now amazes me that God can take any situation and turn it into something for our benefit. Then the second part holds such amazing wisdom….”called according to His purpose. How often we forget or ignore that God’s purpose is not always the same as our purpose and generally His time is very different than our time and our desires. It is only when we look back we can see the handprint of God on every event in our life, shaping and molding us, working everything to our benefit according to His purpose.
For ten years Queno and I have dreamed and planned and hoped for another church. Three different times we struggled according to our purpose and things never seemed to jell or work out. For the last few years Queno’s pastor’s heart has been in limbo, waiting and serving where ever he had a chance or opportunity but never satisfied or fulfilled. In the meantime he answered the call to train leadership in independent indigenous churches in the villages around San Raymundo.
Then just about a year ago events happened that opened a window of opportunity and by faith Queno stepped through. With Bro. Eligio Pérez, Queno and a few believers began to meet at first under a pine tree on a hill side and later in a blue plastic nylon and tin shack. God’s hand began to move and we were able to buy a lot high on a hill side in the village of Sacsuy. Construction seemed years away. But God moved in the heart of Godly men and women and in January of this year a group of men from First Baptist Church of Texarkana, Texas came to put the roof on the building that would house the baby church. Amazingly the church had grown from a small group of believers to a vibrant body even while meeting in the temporary shack on the hillside.


The men worked hard for several days leveling dirt and smoothing out the rough interior of the rustic building. High cement block walls and a majestic roof gave mute testimony to the grace and provision of our Living God.
On Sunday March 15, 2009 the Christian Church “A Strong Tower” in Sacsuy, Guatemala held her first worship service in the new building. Prof. Mark Worley from Dallas Christian College preached the first sermon and on that first Sunday the building was full and the service was glorious and victorious. The chairs quickly were not enough and latecomers found themselves sitting on cement blocks that the men quickly brought in from outside.
As I translated for that first service, I found it extremely hard to concentrate. Sitting at the front of the building the view out the huge windows is astounding. The building sits high on a hill overlooking a majestic view of valleys and mountains. Words cannot describe the beauty or splendor of God´s creation. But not only was the beauty and splendor outside on the hills but the weathered faces of the brothers and sisters gathered in that Holy Place testified to the Glory of God.
My mind wandered to those men and women who had made all of this possible. If only I could have captured the moment in the palm of my hand like a firefly on a hot summer night. It was all I could do to contain my tears and translate the sermon that Mark was preaching with such dedication and inspiration. I almost lost it when I looked at Queno and the look on his face was one of such joy and happiness that I thought my heart would break.
My heart has been doing a lot of dancing lately and that Sunday afternoon was no exception. So thank you John, Bill, Ken, Aven and hundreds more. High on a hill deep in a village in Central America sits a light, a witness to the world of the Grace of God, a witness of His provision even in times of economic distress. A light that shines in the darkness because you care and you gave.

HASTA LUEGO

When my children were little there was one word they refused to say. In fact they would run off and hide rather than have to say good bye. Each time as we would leave grandma and grandpa’s house one more time to return to Guatemala, Taby and Herbert would stubbornly refuse to give good bye hugs and kisses or even say good bye. No amount of begging or bargaining could get either of them to mutter those dreaded words. In their minds good bye was forever. Even today as my man/child runs out the front door it is never bye but “later mom.”

Spring break has come and gone from Morning Glory. Two weeks of intense labor and hard work but amazing bonds of friendship were formed. We were blessed with the visit of two amazing groups of young people. The first week a group of students from Dallas Christian College came to share with the Morning Glory kids, amazing friendships were made and bonds were formed. The second week a group of high school Spanish students from Carrollton Christian Academy shared with the children of Morning Glory. Each Friday as the buses left the campus filled with children tears flowed as young people said goodbye to children who had touched their lives and filled them with joy and love. I take great joy in observing moments in time that God gives us as windows into the souls of our fellow human beings. Some moments are so special and sacred that a photo would be sacrilege. Sitting in the cafeteria looking out the huge plate glass windows I watched one young North American girl sitting on the cement sidewalk deep in conversation with a young Guatemala girl. I watched as the Guatemalan girl took a handmade bracelet from her own arm and tie it on the wrist of her North American friend. Two heads bent together, one with huge brown eyes and coal black hair, the other sky blue eyes and hair the color of bright sunrays. Then to my surprise I watched as one of the girls took the shoes, name brand running shoes, off her own feet and the brown skinned Guatemalan child placed them on her feet. Both girls were oblivious to the world around them, caught up in their friendship and loving and caring, and as they hugged and said those dreaded words, tears freely flowed down their cheeks. Two girls bound together in a moment of time united by the love of God.
As I watched in silence my mind went back in time to all the times that I have had to say good bye and I realized that my children were right all along.
Today as I write this my husband and children are saying “later” yet once again. Yesterday Uncle German, the godly man who was the only father figure that my husband ever knew went to be with Jesus. Uncle German was a carpenter who loved Jesus and children. He taught Queno how to plane a board, straighten a crooked nail and how to mend a broken piece of furniture. Not only was “Tio Man” as the entire town called him an excellent carpenter but he was the local “bone doctor.” He had an incredible talent for putting broken and dislocated bones back together and binding up wounds. Right up to a few months before his death, injured soccer players young and old would seek out his help. With the aid of his miraculous balsamic ointment and a natural healing touch Tio Man would mend the bones of those who sought his help. Uncle German loved children and always had a trail of grandchildren and neighbor children with him where ever he went. He lived ninety years fully and victoriously, always taking time to be a good neighbor and share the gospel with whomever would listen. His sharp wit and sense of humor made me laugh and giggle more than once. I remember taking him to a buffet restaurant in Guatemala City and him pulling a plastic bag out of his pocket and stuffing it for “tomorrow.” I will never forget the Thanksgiving Day that we introduced him to cranberry sauce and the laughter that caused.
As with so many friends and family who have gone on before us, we will never see Uncle German again on this earth. Perhaps there are those who believe we should say good bye. But you know what? I think Herbert is right. “Later” is better. Because in Christ we have hope, hope that tomorrow when Jesus calls us home and we walk down the golden street, right around the corner there will be a carpenter’s shop with wood shavings on the floor. An old radio will be playing in the corner and half finished shelves and cabinets will be everywhere. Uncle German will be rubbing balsamic on the wrist of a heavenly soccer player who fell while kicking around that ball with Saint Peter.
Just as those two little girls hugged and said “until later” so it is “later” Tio, we will see you on the other side.
And for all the friends and family who have gone on before we have this hope. So I vote with Taby and Herbert that we strike good bye from the English language.
Hasta Luego

I'M SINGING, I'M DANCING WITH JOY

What? You think I am kidding? I can just see the looks of incredulous doubt on your faces. Miss Lori dancing? Ya right, she can hardly walk let alone dance.
Okay so I am dancing in my heart. My rebellious body just refuses to do the jig that my heart is commanding, but if I could dance an Irish jig I would put a leprechaun to shame. God is so good!
Jennifer is home from the hospital. She has no side effects and there is no indication of the disease in any of the tests. One day she was on the respirator and life support and the prognosis was months in the hospital. The next morning she woke up starving, fussing for breakfast and all the tests came back clean. In a few weeks she will be back in school and all will be normal.
I so love it when God answers prayers so openly and unmistakingly. I love it when there can be no doubt but what the Hand of the Almighty moved and changed the physical realm. I love it because it is a life lesson that my children will never forget. God Almighty hears their prayers and answers! I love it when the doctor has that baffled look on his face, when he says, “well we really don’t know what happened but…..” I love it when the children rejoice with the knowledge that their prayers made a difference.
So here I sit on my couch, dancing a jig, in my heart but I am singing and dancing.