The Hands and Feet of Jesus!

I am not sure if I have ever said how thankful I am that I have a husband who loves Jesus and is committed to following Him...wherever. This time wherever is the Dominican Republic to work with Haitian refugees who have come over the border for help. The earthquake in Haiti has caused so much death and destruction in a country that was so impoverished to begin with. As we watched the aftermath on TV, both Brian and I knew he had to help. Is this why God has Brian self-employed right now, so he can drop things quickly to go serve where Jesus leads him? I think so! God opened the door for Brian and Aidan to go with the same organization that Aidan went to the Dominican Republic with last summer. We prayerfully considered Aidan's involvement, and feel peaceful about the decision to send him. Aidan has been wanting to go back ever since he left the DR, he really fell in love with the place and the people! We just had no idea it would be so soon. Please pray. They are going as Jesus' hands and feet to a very broken people. The video below is an older one, but one of my favorites! Please pause the music player before you start the video.

Albertine

Please turn off the music player before playing this video!

I heard this song and I was so moved. I think it perfectly describes the way a place and a people can get inside you. I think this is the way Kenya has gotten inside Brian.

Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know— Someone not impressed with weak excuses. Proverbs 24:12 (The Message)

Hopewalks and Serna Village!

We had such a great weekend! On Saturday we walked for the second annual HOPEWALKS: A Promise to the Children of the Epidemic (our second year, too!). It was a walk to raise funds for organizations working to share Jesus and meet the needs of children and families affected by the AIDS, poverty and child slavery. It is really awesome to participate in something that will bless kids on the other side of the planet. It is also cool to be able to do it as a family! It isn't always easy to find places to serve with the kids, especially when their ages are spread out like ours. Aidan, our oldest son, isn't in the picture because he was serving as a volunteer at the event! We went to church that night still wearing our shirts, and a friend commented that we were dressed alike. I think it is the one day a year that all six of us dress alike. How FUN!!

On Sunday afternoon, we went as a family to Serna Village to participate in the outreach with the kids and families. It was the second time in one weekend that we were able to serve together as a family! I don't think there is much better than working alongside your kids and husband to bring Jesus to those who don't know Him yet! We had a great time. I worked in the kitchen and served lunch, while Brian played games with the kids and youth. Our kids simply joined in with the kids from the village, and Elise is building friendships with some girls her own age. This week a performer came and sang, danced and did magic tricks for the families. It was a really fun show! Everything he did related back to Jesus in some way, so , it was fun and meaningful at the same time.

I continue to be amazed by the kids at Serna Village. They really do have my heart. It was nice to see some familiar faces, and continue to build relationships with them. I know it takes some time, but please pray that God will bless all the volunteers with the ability to grow friendships quickly. Pray also for the boldness I need to speak up when the opportunity presents itself, both at Serna Village and in my everyday life with friends and neighbors.


I found this informational video about Serna Village. It was done by the local newspaper. It gives a little glimpse into what the transitional housing facility is about.

Serna Village information video: http://www.sacbee.com/995/story/533823.html

Transitional Housing Outreach!

So, a couple of Sundays ago, I find myself at church alone. (This is HUGE, given I tend to be shy in large groups!) It was ministry fair weekend, which means all the various ministies available at church have a table so people can get to know them and find a place to connect or serve. During the worship time I was thinking about how I would love to find a place to serve where all my passions can come under one roof, so to speak. Just then the name of a local transitional housing facility in our area came to mind. I knew our church partnered with them in some way, but I was not really sure how. So, after the service I went looking to see if they had a ministry table, and of course, they did. God is so good, and speaks so clear sometimes!! As I approached the table the woman who introduced herself to me was wearing a "Ask me about Serna Village" T-shirt. We talked and she explained the monthly outreach, and I knew it was a God Thing that I had come to church (even though Brian couldn't) and not missed the ministry fair!

Once a month, a small group of people go to Serna Village to build relationships with and serve the residents in the name of Jesus. This happens as a meal is shared, and friendships are made. Games and crafts are done with the kids while the adults do other activities. It is an awesome opportunity to serve people who need to hear how much God loves them!! The people who live at Serna Village are transitioning out of homeless and/or drug and alcohol addiction. Many of the kids have been in foster care, and are now in reunification with their birth parents. In case you aren't sure what to think of this, IT IS AWESOME!! This is a crucial time in the lives of these families and, as the body of Christ, we need to step up, love them, serve them, support them and point them to Jesus!

I decided to take Elise with me the first time, since Brian and Aidan needed to be elsewhere. We showed up not really knowing what to expect, but ready to serve wherever the need was. We ended up working with the kids on crafts. It was such a great time! The kids are just great, and it was nice to be able to share with them while working on creative projects. Elise was so much help, and had a great attitude the whole time, even picking up garbage and cleaning up afterwards. We plan to go back and continue to serve as a family.

Now, as I pray, I have specific faces and names to lift up. One girl in particular broke my heart, not only for her, but for her mother. As we were making picture frames she told me one of the frames she was painting was for her mom to put a picture of her kids that have been adopted. She told me she her mom had a couple of kids younger than herself that were adopted. I told her that her mom would love it, and it would be very special to her. Even though I wanted too, I didn't cry!! I have two kids adopted out of the foster care system here locally. I really have a passion for these families. I know the best place for these kids is with their birth families, if they are able to pull themselves together and adequately parent their kids. My heart is with these mothers, and I want to support them and pray for them and their kids as they are reuniting and taking on the responsibility of parenting. I also understand from the adoptive parent side that kids are the biggest blessings in your life, whether born to you biologically or adopted. I pray for the birth families of my children regularly. I know God wants them as His own children. I hope someone will see beyond their "stuff" and love them to Jesus.

I know that the time spent at Serna Village is well spent. It is time spent loving families and kids and parents in Jesus' name. I can't wait to go back!