Today we leave for home but I wish I could stay longer. Hopefully i'll have the chance to come back next year sometime.

logan

im happy about going home but at the same time i dont want to leave
josh

Baptism

Yesterday night we had church service at 5. We did some worship songs, Mark preached, and then there was baptism. there were  already about 10 people from the church that were getting baptized, and then Hilario asked if anyone from our 2 groups wanted to be baptized. I was already baptized when I was 9 years old, but I realized that I never understood what it really meant. So last night I decided to get baptized again. Everyone was supporting me including Chris who also got baptized. We got baptized in a huge water tank with the top cut off. We got Spanish Bibles along with everybody else from the church that got baptized. I felt that  God was calling me to get re-baptized so I prayed and prayed and prayed to make sure that it is what he really wants me to do and I guess it was because I did. I want  to thank everybody for your prayers  because I usually get home sick really fast but this whole week i have not gotten homesick once. I remember becoming home sick when I was only 2 hours away from my home so God has really answered my prayers and thank you once again for praying for me and the team.



~Amber

Good morning! It's raining here in Guadalajara this morning, but we are all still in good spirits. Lindsey pretty much covered all there was to share about yesterday, so I guess I will share general things about the trip so far. I personally have enjoyed my time here very much; a lot of us are saying that we never want to leave! The kids are so sweet and patient with our Spanish-speaking skills (or the lack thereof!).

We have been split into three groups to do chores everyday. The chores include bathroom, dining room, and kitchen. We do them two or three times a day, and it feels really good to help out around the orphanage.

Today is the last day of VBS. I think it's gone really well so far! Kristi and Nydia have done a great job with the lessons and teaching the kids about God. The games are really fun and Gwen has done a fantastic job with the crafts! It amazes me how much faith these kids have. I love hearing their testimonies. All of them have come from terrible home situations, but they've learned to rely on God.

I really love the worship time we have pretty much every night. We sing a few songs and then people share their testimonies. I had the opportunity to share mine last night!

That's all I can think of right now! I'm sure there is sooo much more to share, though. I hope all is going well at home. We'll see you tomorrow night!

Amie Anderson

Thursday's Festivities

Yesterday we had an action packed day.  We started off with our fourth day of VBS about Esther. I have been leading games for the week and have had a great time getting to know the kids better while bonding over various sports and games.  It has been fun getting to teach them some games us "Americanos" play and for them to teach us a few of their own.  After VBS and lunch we had some time do complete our chores and go to the corner store if we wanted to.  Megan Johnson and I go down there for Power Hour to get ourselves some diet cokes.  We then experienced one of the Youth Prison that is here in Guadalajara.  It was a completely different experience and atmosphere than any other prison I have been in while down in Guadalajara.  The boys there seemed very hardened but there were a few that payed close attention.  There were approximately 35 teens at the service and we were able to hand out toiletries and little books to them which they seemed to really appreciate. When we got back we had a delicious dinner, as usual, and turned the dining room into an area to worship.  We were able to spend a couple of hours worshiping and sharing testimonies followed by a pool party with our group. Everyone is already talking about how they want to come back here next year. Mom, if you read this, Hilario volunteered to talk to you so I can work here next summer. Hasta luego!

Lindsey Casebeer

Women's Prison

Yesterday we went to the women's prison.  I was kind of nervous/scared.  I didn't know what to expect whether the women were going to be nice or mad that we were there.  Some of the kids came with us to see their moms that were in the prison.  When we got there we sang songs and it was really cool how we could all worship together even though we didn't speak the same language.  While we were there Scott asked me and Stephen to give our testimonies.  I was so nervous!  But I just prayed that the Lord would calm me and speak through me. I started off being kind of shaky but then I just felt at peace and was able to speak without feeling nervous.  At the end, we sang Mighty to Save together and it was so powerful and you could feel the Holy Spirit moving through the room.  We all prayed together for the moms and kids afterwards and I spoke with one of the moms that has three kids at the orphanage.  Her kids definitely have a special place in my heart so it was really nice to meet her and speak with her.  She was so nice and you could tell she has a big heart for the Lord.  The women's prison is an experience I will never forget.  God works in all places everywhere around the world and it was really cool to see it happen.

Megan Johnson

Loving the kids!

Well yesterday was vary interesting the kids love V.B.S. they have soooo much fun with games, crafts and the lessons. its nice to see all the kids open up to us and accepts up so openly and are willing to share there life's with us. I love being here and some times wish i could stay here all the time. They are always saying i love you, i will never forget you, and and you will always be in my hart. i just love these kids soooooooo much i want to come back every year and work with these kids!!!!!!!!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!



Marissa Ahrens

God's Power

Hello, this is Gwen & here is a story from my journal from Monday the 25th.

Today God has shown his love and power to me in a way I could have never before imagined. My back has bothered me for a while from injuries in a couple car accidents. This afternoon my back was giving me a lot of pain. Stephen, Dan, & Katie came to me laid hands on me, and prayed over me. I could feel God's presence & the Spirit working in me so strong that it brought me to tears. A few minutes later Stephen asked me how my back was doing. God is so amazing, & caused it to feel a little better. However, it was still sore & that's what I told him. Immediately, Stephen said, "Well then, let's pray again!"

The afternoon went by, & although better, the pain was still there. An e-mail was sent out to the prayer team at EEFC, asking them to pray for me. Additionally, before I left a group of people were praying for my back. I'm so thankful for all these people coming along side me in prayer.

As we were nearing the end of our group time this evening Stephen stood up & said, "I think we should all pray for Gwen again. I feel like the Spirit really wants to work in her & heal her." I am so blessed by the people here on this team. They all gathered around me, laid hands on me, & prayed for me. I've never before felt God's love & power like that. Over the next hour the pain just started going away. It was unbelievable! God's hand of healing on my back is undeniably a work that only God himself could do. My back is now feeling better than it has in months. God had a plan in it all. I'm so glad he used this pain to his glory & to show his power. Praise be to God!

July 27
Life here at Fundacion Emmanuel is very similar to life in our American homes.  The day starts with getting the children ready for the day and preparing breakfast.  As I write, about twenty-five children are sitting here in the dining room eating breakfast.  I can't imagine getting that many children ready for the day!  And it is so neat that all of these kids are eating so quietly and interacting so nicely with one another.  It is a blessing to me that Hilario and Melanie and their staff are able to care for and teach these children in such amazing ways.

One thing that amazes me is that all of these kids know how much they are loved by God.  They have been sharing testimonies, quoting scriptures, and sharing Christ's love as much as we are!  Even the little guys!!  What a blessing!  Another thing that I have enjoyed watching is our youth.  It has been so cool to see some of them really step out and interact with the children here, despite the language barrier.  One of my prayers concerning this trip has been that the lives of our youth would be changed and that they would be challenged to live more boldly for God.  That prayer is being answered!

Kristi

Three more days left looking forward to being home, but yet at the same time I don't want to leave.

-Dylan Brotzman

Monday 7/25/11

Today we all got to spend our first days doing our jobs. We split up into 3 groups of 5 and had jobs cleaning the bathrooms, the kitchen, and the dining room, + various other jobs. I had quite the experience dealing with nasty toilets. During the VBS we had a blast playing with the kids and seeing their enthusiasm in learning about Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendago. After the VBS many of us spent a few hours going around the house helping with various jobs that needed to be done. Some people went to the church across the street to help paint, and some other people went to the church and prepared bags of food to give out to the homeless. There were more homeless than there was food, so some people went back and began giving out their own food that we bought previously for snacking food. We then got to come back and eat dinner afterwards we had more awesome worship with the kids, and we got to hear some more testimonies from the children and from other people among our 2 churches down there.
After today, I know we're all looking forward to the VBS tomorrow, and the different experiences we'll have cleaning various parts of the house. We'll also be reparing some holes in a family's roof.
We're looking forward to the rest of the week and so far we have all been blessed by the children in so many different ways.
-Jordan Altieri

Stephen, Dan, and Zack say hola to everyone in Elgin. :)

First Impressions

Greetings from Guadalajara! This has already been a very full trip and we are only starting. Over the weekend, we spent most of our time acclimating to the climate and new surroundings and everyone is doing wonderfully. God is good and it is wonderful to see and meet Christians from other cultures. We had our first worship service last night and it was so amazing to hear the children and orphanage workers singing in spanish and realize we all are worshiping the same Lord and Savior. Jesus truly transcends culture and people groups and is the Savior of the World! There were testimonies shared and Hilario wants us to have the worship times every night which is so exciting. There is no better way to get to know other believers than to worship our Savior and share the amazing things He has done for us.

We started VBS this morning and it is so enjoyable to spend time with the children in the lessons, games, crafts and worship. The children are so friendly and want to meet and get to know us. It is very easy because of the Lord and how he is using Hilario, and Melanie. They are an amazing couple who pour their hearts and lives out for the Lord. They are selfless and so giving to the children and all of us. I wish all of you could meet them sometime and hear his heart and passion. He is the epitomy of a servant leader and the results are simply amazing.

I had a chance to go out with the team from Arizona to minister to the homeless, and it was a privilege to minister to them. we got to pray with them and meet their felt needs by handing out food and blankets. Please pray for the men and women we met. God truly is the answer for them. In the midst of incredibly difficult circumstances that we could not understand, God is the only one who can save and help them eternally.

Thank you for your support and prayers. God is working here and it is exciting to see that. Keep praying for the Holy Spirit to move through us and draw us and the people here all closer to our precious Lord and Savior Jesus!

Mark Kato

Sunday

Today after breakfast we had the chance to go to Lake Chapala and spend a little time as tourists in the flea market. Communicating with all the store owners was quite an adventure, but we managed to get everything we wanted. A lot of us bought souvenirs for ourselves, family members, and for our secret brothers/sisters. It was pretty fun trying to find specific things for everyone. After having a late lunch on the way back we had church. It was an awesome experience having worship in both English and Spanish. Many of the kids were very into the worship which was very encouraging to see. I know I had a blast during the worship. We then got to hear some testimonies from a few of the children, some staff, some people from the other church, and from our own church. That also was encouraging to hear.
Right now we are all pretty positive about what's going on. We're preparing for VBS tomorrow and praying that all that goes well despite any problems with the language barrier.
Last night we had a chance to play with the kids for a little while and are all looking forward to spending a whole lot more time with them during the VBS.
-Jordan Altieri

God is Good!

God is Good! All the Time!
We have made the transition and are now fit in perfectly with our host for the Lord is Lord of all. We rejoice for this is the day the Lord has made. Some of our group is just waking up as we sit down for breakfast as we prepare for a day out on the town to visit some sights and then come back to have a worship time tonight with both teams and our friends here so cant wait!

Scott

We made it!!!

I just wanted to give everyone a quick update to let you know we made it to Guadalajara safely.  Our flight was originally scheduled to depart at 1:55am this morning, but due to the storms overnight, we ended up leaving around 7am.  We arrived in Guadalajara around 11am this morning and we all made it through immigration and customs successfully.  Thanks for all your prayers!!!  Stay tuned, more updates to follow.

PS> We would like to give a big thank you to all of the parents that helped us get to the airport on time and safely last night!

Blessings,
Chris Brown