[News] 2-21-2010

[Berkshire Mission]

Feb. 21, 2010

 

Hello Mission friends,

 

This was a beautiful relaxing day full of warm sunshine.  Some of our team
went with Kim to set up for the V.B.S. that will start tomorrow on the side
of the church.  When they arrived they were overwhelmed by the work the
local members had already done.  The church itself was cleaned to sparkling
and fresh calla lilies filled vases throughout the church.  The area where
VBS will be was transformed from a place that had possibilities to a place
that was going to be perfect.  They had moved a huge stack of wooden boards
that had been stored there and made areas and backdrops for the projector
and for the puppets to perform.   So much work had already been done on it
in cleaning and clearing.  There were about 25 adults and children present
and helping out.   When our team showed up with all the crates of supplies
and equipment they were ready  and eager to help carry them from the truck.
Even two of the  smallest children insisted on carrying a tote together.
Canopy type tents were set up and chairs placed and ready to go. The spirit
there was good and the unity of all was very inspiring.  Kim thanked Bob for
once again for being right on his choice and direction.  There is a little
joke amongst the team about Bob and Eric always being right in their
direction and some good hearted teasing goes back and forth.  Mary felt
called to have all of us gather around Kim as a group and pray for her
ministry this week, so she lead out on that.  This part of the ministry is
as important as the main meetings.  If Jesus doesn't come first they will
end up being our future leaders for Jesus.  

Dr. Marteres took Dr. Roy, Delores and Erica to his home in the city of
Tabasco,.  He wanted to show them where he lived and he also took them to a
beautiful  Catholic stone church built back in the 1500's!  they stayed for
the sermon and said it was excellent.  The topic was on  "the golden rule"
and the importance of accepting all people no matter where they were from.
So their arrival was rather perfect for that sermon.

At our evening worship we were blessed to have 11 year old Alyssa speak to
us about Paul and Silas' work. She also gave us a testimony about how she
and her brother Dillon were saved from being hurt in an accident because
they chose to follow their families rules.  I know angels were sitting in
the room with us smiling and cheering her on  as she glorified Jesus and His
Kingdom.

After dinner we all headed to the University auditorium to present the
donated gifts for the school.  Art Cheney Principle of an SDA school near
Nashville usually comes with us but had to miss this trip.  His students
raise money to buy many items for sport activities to bless their Mexican
counterpart.  So we had box's full of soccer balls, basket balls, Frisbee's
, nets, and ball inflators. Last on the list of gifts to be presented to the
school by Bob was a donation of $500.00 from Berkshire Mission . The  roar
of cheers that went out  was almost deafening.  This was without a doubt the
most enthusiastic group of young people we have ever seen.  They cheered and
clapped through every thing.  The school Pastor interviewed Bob during the
program and then asked each team member to stand and tell their name and
home state.  Well the applause each individual received  was just mind
boggling.  There were only 2 people who received a slightly different
greeting.  When Kim stood up and told her name and introduced her daughter
Amy, the clapping and cheering was not enough .  Along with  it came the
sound of many young male voices saying "Hi Amy!"  And of course we all
chuckled over that as Amy tried to slink down in her seat.  The rest went
normal until the very last person was introduced and that was Pastor Rigo.
Oh my, you would have thought Elvis himself had be found alive, thin, and
wrinkle free!  The girls literally screamed and waved their hands in the air
just as I remember seeing young girls do over Elvis!  He was very
embarrassed of course but handled it well.  Later Bob thanked them for their
enthusiasm and let them know that this handsome man of God was also a
husband and father, he also wondered why they hadn't responded to him that
way, but I think it was because gray hair just isn't the "in" thing down
hereJ (well ,accept with me, I still swoon over him) .J  Before the evening
was complete I had been called up to give a talk of encouragement to the
students and spoke to them of the importance of education and faithfulness
to God. My time was not as light hearted and fun but it was taken to heart
and received very well.  The boys dorm dean has asked if I would come and
speak with them alone tomorrow and I have agreed.  Before we left the
auditorium the students were invited to come up and speak with us personally
if they desired and many did.  The main questions were "how do I become a
missionary, and what are my next steps to take?"  they were such dedicated
and sincere students that I am certain angel wings were fluttering
throughout that room watching these touched  young hearts.

Well one story had escaped me until I was back in the dorm room and called
in to hear all about it.  Little Dillon was slightly in shock and his face
almost a permanent red when I saw him  Seems that two young Mexican girls
followed him onto the auditorium stage and each planted a kiss on his cheek
almost simultaneously.  His father Jeff was able to get pictures of this
happening and I am thinking  of selling the evidence to the highest bidders.
I am sure our local papers at home would be interested, at least our church
members for sure!J  That night, 9 year old Dillon leaned over his bunk bed
and said to his dad: "do you know what it is like to receive your first kiss
at 9 years old.on stage?  A double smoocher?"  Don't worry Dillon, I am only
planning on telling 3 or 4,000 people and I needed a new retirement plan
anyway and those pictures will help me so much dearJ 

Oh God is good and He always supplies wonderful memories and moments of
laughter to ease some of the pain we feel seeing so much hardship and
suffering on these trips.

"come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest
unto your soul."  That He has done!

 

Thank you for reading and supporting us as we are so far from home.  We miss
and love you dear family and friends.  Please, keep writing to us with your
words of encouragement, it is so important to us and lifts our spirits so
much.

 

Because He lives I smile on,

 

Jennifer Young, Mission Reporter

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.  And if God is your
co-pilot.swap seats!

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