It took us two full days of travel to get from Gainesville, GA to the town of Musho in Peru, at the base of Huarzcuran (the tallest mountain in the Andes). Musho is the town where the Peru Highlands Ambassador team would be staying for three weeks. The team would be partnering with a local church. The pastor, Pedro had a vision to reach his town and the surrounding towns...primarily in the neighboring village of Tumpa. Tumpa was about a 20 minute walk from Musho. This walk was a great time for the team to build relationships, pray for the town, and prepare for the day of ministry that was before us.
(The Ambassadors Peru Highlands team)
The morning ministry in Tumpa consisted of the team splitting into two or three groups. We'd then spend time asking the Lord what he wanted us to do, and then walk it out in obedience. It was during many of these walks through the town attempting to follow God's leading that we began many relationships with the people of Tumpa. I will say however, that sometimes the things we would hear from God in our listening prayer times in the morning weren't always obvious.
One example of this was on the first day in Tumpa. I had this image of an empty glass of water. I didn't understand why I was receiving this image while asking the Lord what we should do that day, but I filed it in the back of my mind.
We went through our day and it wasn't until later that afternoon when I went with the other three guys from our group to talk with some young guys we saw hanging around the plaza. As the conversation progressed they asked us why we were in Tumpa. After sharing about the mission work, one of the guys asked us about our beliefs. One of our guys from the team, Barton, shared the story of the Gospel and what Christ had done on the cross. The young men continued to ask questions and probe. As we talked I felt prompted to that image of the empty glass. I grabbed my empty water bottle and talked with them about it. I explained that there had been moments in my life when I had felt like that bottle. I shared how Christ desires to fill those empty spots (bottles) in our lives. I then asked them if they could relate to this. They said yes. Jason... one of the team leaders, then pressed on asking if they wanted to enter into a relationship with Christ receiving forgiveness for their sins. Our translator Pricilla translated and then shared some things from her own life. Two of the young men then prayed to receive Christ that day.
(In picture...Barton, Jason, Don and Kyle with guys who gave lives to Christ in Tumpa)
As we wrapped up the conversations and made plans to meet again the next day pastor Pedro walked up. We introduced him to our new friends/brothers in Christ. Later that night as we walked back to Musho, pastor Pedro shared with the group of us that the two young men that had excepted Christ that day were leaders in the local gang in Tumpa. He said that they had attacked him the previous month and attempted to beat him. He was excited about their salvation and was hoping that they would serve the Lord with the same passion that they chased after the things of this world.
They climbed off the bus in Gainesville with bags in hand and smiles on their face. For many, this is their first mission trip. They look around for friendly faces trying to figure out which of these people are their teammates and if they recognize them from facebook or the team blog. Most are a bit nervous but really excited about what lies ahead....and so begins the first day of training camp.
For all the participants that attend an Ambassador trip (one month ages 15-18) and Real Life trip (one to three month 18-22) the first week is spent in Gainesville GA at the AIM headquarters where they receive training. Because these participants come from all over the country, much time is spent with team building.
The team building is accomplished through a number of activities. We have scheduled times for each team every night to spend getting to know each other, processing through the day, and sharing each others stories (we refer to these as timelines). All of the teams also participate in team building exercises. This year every team went through an obstacle course, which was timed and filled with many challenging obstacles that required the whole team to accomplish. There was also a spider's web course. This is similar to an obstacle course. It is a course of strings that are strung between trees that each team must go through with out touching any of the string (very challenging). We also had other team builder type games. With each team builder the teams always worked on setting goals specific to the challenge and attitude goals. Many of the students after the week was over commented on how hard the team builders were, but instrumental in bring the team together.
Another focus of training camp is equipping each individual with ministry tools that will help them on the trip. We do this through training seminars that are both informative and interactive. We cover topics like children's ministry, public speaking (sharing your God story), ministering cross culturally, listening prayer, relational evangelism, spiritual warfare, and practical ministry prep time. The teams are also trained in drimes. Drimes are musical dramas about the length of one song that involve drama, mime, and dance elements. The drimes all have a spiritual message that can be used to draw a crowed in order to share the gospel.
The final thing that we focus on at training camp is spiritual formation. We spend time making sure that we are sending out ministers of the gospel that are spiritually healthy or at the very least have begun the process of working towards spiritual health. During each of our evening sessions we tackle topics like boxing God in, letting Jesus care for your emotional bucket, surrender, and being sent out. During each of our training camps we saw many participants receive forgiveness, freedom and deliverance from the past. A number of the participants began to walk in their identity in Christ for the first time.
At the end of the trip much of the feedback in evaluations from participants stated that the training camp week played a significant part in their spiritual development and equipping them for the ministry that they were involved with while in their ministry country.
If you've been following our blog, you may have been wondering where we have been. The last week, we've been involved with friends Chad and Heather Mustain's wedding in Denver, Colorado. What a beautiful day. We've now jumped over to Colorado Springs where we have some other friends and family. It's been great to catch up with all these "old" friends and share about our adventures with missions and hear about theirs. In 2007 we had the privilege to go on a mission trip to Guatemala with friends, Tim and Amy. We are now dreaming with them about a trip to serve together for a couple weeks in Bolivia, (Connie's childhood home) come next January.
I apologize that I haven't updated the blog about many of my summer activities. As Connie and I were talking during our long drive to here, we figured out that since April we haven't been home for no longer than a two week stretch. We are tired and would appreciate your prayers for health and rest.
We will probably be traveling back to Gainesville in the next couple of days. After we return I plan on updating our blog with stories from this summers Ambassador and Real Life training camps, my trip to Peru, and what is on the horizon for us in ministry. God has worked in amazing ways this summer - in and through the leaders and students. I am anxious to share more with you.
I want to share about a new friend of ours, her name is Stephanie. She’s originally from Belize but lived 6 years in the US. Her story is filled with…fear, abuse, rape, forgiveness, redemption and God’s faithfulness! Stephanie was not just the cook for our trip, but someone used by God to speak to us. Her heart is for the community in which she came from…Hattiville. Currently she is rebuilding on a piece of property God provided. It will be a place in which people can be cared for, taught, fed and loved. A safe place where God’s presence will be known. Stephanie is 34 and a mother to 4 children. She’s a pillar in her community…reaching woman…sharing her story. She is in the process of writing a book. I hope to some day do ministry alongside her again. Please pray with me about what that would look like...and direction for her as she shares the vision God has laid on her heart for the people of Belize.
(Stephanie in the middle with sister and son, Alex. Her property and house for her ministry is behind them.)
(Alex)
(The Church in Hattiville...yes, the little place in the back and it's packed on Sundays!)
(Streets in Hattiville)
Like any other AIM trip…we ended with an ATL (Ask the Lord) day. Unanimously…we all felt lead to pour into Stephanie and her family. For some, this was staying back at the base and relieving her of her job cooking. It was a joy for the gals hanging out in the kitchen…with Vanessa, Stephanie’s daughter. It was a time of sharing and caring for one another. Was once again very exciting to see God working in ways we didn’t expect.
Lastly…pray for Joanna. She’s has no place to go, her mother doesn’t want her. Though she looks much older…she is only 14. Her heart is broken…no longer with the young man she was with for 2 years. Naomi and I spent quite a bit of time talking with her, listening to her…and praying. We walked away wondering what would happen next, there seemed to be no change. Just before loading up to leave…she waved me over asking if I’d take her picture. This was the first smile I had seen from her.
I’ve added additional pictures to the Browse Our Photos to the left. What was life like before digital cameras?
Don called from Lima, Peru...and will be flying back tonight!
We were all pleasantly surprised when the group from Lord’s Grace Church found a Chinese Church in Belize to worship at on Sunday. Some from Lord’s Grace spoke Cantonese, Mandarin as well as Chinese…and were blessed to share a delicioius meal and other meals the next couple of days as they helped to build a wall on the church property.
What makes this all really interesting is that the gals doing our set up randomly and at the last minute found this church’s number not knowing that this was the same church that Lord’s Grace was coming to later this year to minister with through medical teams. In fact, our team didn’t know this was the same church until they opened the Sunday bulletin that morning to find their church's name in their bulletin announcing the medical team’s arrival later this year!
…and so, they began building relationships with them while building a wall, playing basket ball, cards and sharing meals!
The rest of us went to Central Assembly of God. The largest church in Belize City where Cloyd’s brother is the pastor. Our group from PA did another fantastic job with their skits and testimonies!
Central and South America are known for their ruins…so we thought it fun to visit one. So, it was off to Altu Na. We arrive in the morning so we could spend some time worshiping there…and then we had time to explore and shop…before we headed out for more ministry.
Towards the end of the trip, our teams had planned a day of snorkeling at San Pedro Island (Also known as Ambergris Caye Island).
Naomi and I took the hour and half water taxi trip to the Island prior to the team’s arrival where we stayed for a couple of nights. While Naomi walked up and down the 25 by 5 mile Island making friends, I sat on the beach reading, taking pictures and watching the storms roll in. It’s one of the first times in my life where it was just me…no one else in a different place. Just me and my Heavenly Father. It was good, no distractions (except for the occasional crab). I did a lot of thinking…about the trinity, thanks to the book I was reading by William P. Young – The Shack.
It was good to join up with the teams again…
Eventually we made it back to Belize City after our boat stalled several times out at sea. Our evenings and mornings were spent worshipping and debriefing our day.
Prior to our adventure on the Island, we had spent some time in the jungle with the Moody family. To get to their home, we had an hour+ drive and over a bridge (where we all needed to walk across as to not exceed the weight allowance). Once we came to the spot of no return for the bus, we walked. Ok, we walked…fast. The mosquitoes were on our tails…literally. The “road” was dry mud…marked by all the cattle. In the distance you could hear the Howler Monkeys…howlering, and occasionally see a bunch hanging in the trees.
The Moody’s so graciously opened up their home, property…river for us to explore. They are a large family who live off of their land. We came and hung out with them on the riverside…talking, listening, playing in the river and a group prayed over Mrs. Moody’s health. We expected a miracle that day…and we continue to wait for the news of healing. Please pray for Mrs. Moody.
On another note: There is a bus strike currently in Peru. It’s to end on Thursday. Thursday, Don is to take a bus from Musho to Lima. Please pray … his flight is Friday night.
Due to the size of our group, we often were not all able to travel to or to participate in ministry at the same location. So we would split up…and head out. From the base, we could spend between 2-4 hours a day on the road on the bus or in the 12 passenger van… (which we found could fit 21).
(Dad and Cloyd...our driver)
(21 passanger van. Dad and Naomi in front)
The Children’s Home (Liberty) was our first stop for the California team where they were able to spend a couple hours playing and loving on these children, many of which were orphans. This is when you trust that God can use even the shortest amount of time to touch someone’s life. Face paint was pulled out and our team was transformed. (Inside and out)
(Above: Liberty Home for Children)
The Youth Hostel is a place where many troubled teens are placed. As the teams alternated in their visits during the two weeks, relationships were established. We were blessed one of the days to have the privilege to put on a program. This included singing, sharing and testimonies. Each student had the opportunity to share, participate in a skit or lead worship. We were proud of how they all stepped out of their comfort zone and embraced the kids! In return, the girls from the Hostel put on a special program of their own… I wish I had taken a video!
(Youth Hostel)
At a later time, we took these same youth on a very rare field trip to a cave! The youth were excited and so were we to share this adventure with them. All this is part of caring for these youth, building trust…and then, without knowing it…we took them to mosquito heaven! (See video below) 100% deet wasn’t enough to keep them away. The walk was long, but we were determined! All in all, everyone had fun and a story to laugh at.
(Swinging bridge to caves)
(Banana palms...better than deet.)
(Missee's legs after the walk)
One youth, “Dennis” who had no interest in our groups, warmed up to some of our guys and continually asked if we would come back. Several from our teams were intentional in reaching out to him, talking with him, listening…and spoke love and truth into his life. Pray for “Dennis”.
Block parties…were a fun time of “organized” chaos! We would show up at the local basketball court or city plaza, but before we had time to set up, or prepare ourselves…we were flooded with children! During this time, some of the team would split up and walk around the neighborhoods praying and inviting anyone to come hear the good news we came all the way from the US to tell them about!
“Show me the pictures, tell me about Belize!” Don said and then minutes later he was asleep. Who could blame him. He’d been on the go non-stop for the last couple months with training camps. He loved it…but was getting little rest. All Real Life and Ambassador Teams are now safely in their respective locations… as is he. Don is now in the cold highlands of Peru with a team of high school students. We had 3 days together at training camp between my trip and his. We never found the time to get caught up…except for that one time when I put him to sleep.
So, all that to say…you’ll hear about Belize before Don does. I’ve been back for over a week now and the mosquito bites have faded. As usual, I don’t know where to begin so I’ll try to break it down over the next week…hitting on something different each day.
How I ended up in Belize. Well, dad asked. Dad, (Gary Lengkeek) was approached to be the project leader for the STM (Short Term Mission) trip to Belize for a group consisting of 2 different churches. One team of adults from California’s; Lord’s Grace Church and another team made up of primarily youth from Vineyard Christian in PA. In addition, there was the AIM worship leader and his wife. However, they could use another AIM staff to help with the logistics considering the size of the teams and to lead the Listening Prayer, Head to Head time of prayer and ATL (Ask the Lord) times. I was originally scheduled to go with Don to Peru and thought it possible to do both, and agreed to go…and then I wanted to share this adventure with a friend in hopes to take a day and explore Belize. This friend ended up being Naomi Skeltis who brought 2+ years of experience as the leader for AIM’s FYM (First Year Missionary) Program in Mexico. We are thankful she came along!
(Gary Lengkeek)
(Team from CA - Lord's Grace Church)
(Team from PA - Vineyard Christian Church)
(Team Florida... Hope, David, Ross and Josh)
(Leaders: Naomi, Connie, Marlyse, Brooke and Missee)
(Missee, Kristen, Connie)
(Worship leader - Jesse and wife, Missee)
Upon arrival, we discover Naomi’s luggage had not arrived and like any other Latin American country…time is not all that relevant. Soon our teams arrived and we headed to the base here we would be making home for a couple of weeks. We arrive with sweat soaked clothes and soon after looked like we had a case of the chicken pox. Joining the AIM staff and our 2 teams was another group of 4 from a church in Florida, the two gals, Brooke and Marlyse from the local base (run by Commissioned International Ministries)…who were responsible for our food, lodging, and transportation and set up. The also had a friend from the US visiting…Kristen. All three full of life! We’ve got a big but great bunch. (See pictures above!)
Our first day in Sand Hills, Belize ended with an evening of worship under the thatched meeting area. I knew that night that the trip was going to be hard but good for many of us. God was there…we just had to work through the distractions…mosquitoes and missing comforts from home.
(Meeting area)
(Home in Sand Hill, Belize)
More tomorrow.
On another note: Don is loving Peru. It's cold at night... but beautiful! They had a great conversation with a couple of men on the street who gave their lives to Christ. They will be meeting with them again...connecting them to a body of believers for continued discipleship.
As of 12:30 AM today...Don and the Ambassadors highland team has arrived safely in Lima Peru. One participant is a student from our time at Windwood Church in Houston Texas. His name is Kyle and we are so excited to see him embracing this experience! Today the team will spend the day in Lima...only to climb aboard the bus and take the long, overnight drive to Musho. (See picture) Please keep them all in your prayers.
Three down, one in process and one more to go! Between Real Life and Ambassadors, Don and Allie are running 5 training camps… lasting a week each.
Despite the heat…it’s been a great time of training camps. We’ve recently sent over 100 college students to Thailand, India, South Africa, Mozambique, Peru and Swaziland. What an amazing group of individuals! They are now all in their respective countries with excitement and anticipation of what the Lord has ahead of them. They know they are going to grow and be stretched, but perhaps don’t fully understand how much this experience will change their lives. They will hold orphans, care for the sick and dying and be Jesus to those who have never known Him before. We look forward to hearing their amazing stories in 2 months at debrief. Please keep them in your prayers.
Our roles… with a team of AIM staff, are to pour into the participants and leaders. We get to hear their excitement, fears, life stories, dreams and heartaches. We have seen people set free of burdens and hurts they have carried for years. There have been great times of sharing, teaching, worship and prayer.
Sadly for us personally, Allie who has been the Director for Real Life will be stepping away to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a new and exciting manner. We’ve really enjoyed Allie this past year and have learned a lot from the 10 years of experience that she brings. She will be missed…she leaves big shoes to be filled.
Don has been busy with the details of all things Ambassador and after the year of learning, is enjoying this part! Training camp is when you see it all come together…it’s a sweet time and we love it.
Here are a few pictures of the past couple of weeks… and tomorrow, I’m off to Belize!
If you've been following our blog, you may have been wondering where we have been. The last week, we've been involved with friends Chad and Heather Mustain's wedding in Denver, Colorado. What a beautiful day. We've now jumped over to Colorado Springs where we have some other friends and family. It's been great to catch up with all these "old" friends and share about our adventures with missions and hear about theirs. In 2007 we had the privilege to go on a mission trip to Guatemala with friends, Tim and Amy. We are now dreaming with them about a trip to serve together for a couple weeks in Bolivia, (Connie's childhood home) come next January.
(Picture to left: Team J-Bay 1)
