Next up: Middle school trip!

Our first July ‘09 team just got back yesterday, and it’s been amazing to hear the stories of transformation in their hearts. The students took hundreds of photos of the children they befriended in Nicaragua, and it’s great to see the joy on their faces. They have all said that they would go back in a heart beat!

We have two trips back to back this month! Our second group left Sunday. We have some middle schoolers going on this trip, and adults as well. Most of the people have never been to Nicaragua before. Please pray for them throughout the next few days as they serve the people in Pochocuape and the dump.

Also, be sure to check back here on the blog for up-to-the-minute pictures and updates throughout the week!

Prayer Journal (July 19)

This group will return home today. Please pray that they have a safe trip and that everything goes smoothly. We also have another group leaving for Nicaragua today. There will be a few middle school students and some adults going on this trip, so please keep them in your prayers as well.

Prayer Journal
DAY 7

Read Romans 12:1-2
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Prayer
Lord, that is our prayer. That you will change the way we think. And that we will know your will for us, your students, your church, your good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Marcia’s Thoughts
I’m back from Nicaragua and life is back to normal. Or is it? It never really will be. The scenes in the dump are so horrific and yet God is there and His love for the people who live there is being spread around by people like you who gave THINGS. “Things” like shoes and clothes seem so trivial when the horror is so great. But they need those things, and they are the vehicle by which we get to demonstrate the love of Christ. I am so grateful and so humbled that I get to do this. I get to be on the front lines of hell and bring that cup of cold water to participate with God in reaching out to those who are close to His heart. Wow.

When I got home I asked myself: “Marcia, what can YOU do today and every day to live with different priorities so that the least, the last, and the lost are taken care of?”

These are the kinds of questions I want to keep putting to myself. Not just today, but for a long, long time. I want to hold my own feet to the fire about how I spend, how I think, how I prioritize, what I think about, and what I strive for. I desperately want those things to reflect the heart of Jesus.

Closing Prayer
Father, we pray that the teens will experience a deep sense of community unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before. Cement friendships, Lord. May they (and we) ask those tough questions and expect you to answer. May the seeds that were planted in Nicaragua continue to grow and produce a harvest of student leaders. Thank you that you bless those who go and those of us who give our THINGS! We are so grateful and humbled by how you are growing us all through this journey that is so close to your heart. Help us to live today and every day with different priorities to better serve the least, the last, and the lost. So be it, Lord. Amen.

About Marcia Williamson
I’ve been at Ginger Creek since 1988, and I’ve served in various ministries over the years. Right now I’m serving as the Global Missions Director. I’ve been to Nicaragua in October 2008 and in January 2009, and I love it there. I’ve been sad to leave and excited to go back each time. On a personal note, I’m married to Kevin Williamson and I’m a home school mom of our five kids.

Prayer Journal (July 18)

Prayer Journal DAY 6 Read Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Prayer Lord, we give you all the praise for what you are doing in each teen’s life today. May your love flow through them; your grace be sufficient for whatever you bring their way. Patty’s Thoughts Monday and Tuesday were very reflective days for Dan and me. We still can’t quite believe the impact the trip has made on our lives. The faces of the children and mothers and the workmen still “haunt” us-knowing that we have shelter, food, and shoes on our feet is, frankly, overwhelming. We can still smell the dump and feel the dust and smoke on our skin. The young man that was high on glue-his red eyes-his disheveled hair-his lost look . . . these images have made lasting impressions. We believe we have been “placed” at Ginger Creek for a reason. We believe that one of the reasons was to experience Nicaragua and in some small way make an impact. We are blessed and we are better Christians because of this experience. God’s love knows no boundaries. He showed us His love countless times during our journey. I hope our experience and reflections of the trip encourages others to take the leap of faith to join the journey to Nicaragua in the future! Closing Prayer Lord, we marvel at how much you love us. You call us your children. And that is what we are. Adopted into your eternal family. We pray for each teen that their experience and reflection (yes, Lord, do cause them to reflect . . . a lot!) will encourage other teens to take the leap of faith to join the journey to Nicaragua in the future. And may this trip impact the teens to take a firm stand for Jesus when they go their separate journeys. Amen! About Patty Luessenhop My husband Dan and I went to Nicaragua earlier this year. We looked forward to the opportunity to serve the children and families in Nicaragua and work side by side with new friends from Ginger Creek. We believe God brought us to Ginger Creek for a reason, and we are now better Christians because of this experience. We’ve felt a strong connection to the church and its mission of serving others. I am currently an Executive Director of a large suburban senior retirement community and have built my life and my career around serving others. I’m a loyal Illini and continue to pray for another Rose Bowl or NCAA Basketball appearance in the next few years!

Prayer Journal (July 17)

Prayer Journal
DAY 5

by Von Peery

Read Colossians 1:9-13
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

Prayer
Lord, we don’t appreciate enough what you have done for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you for rescuing us from the kingdom of darkness. Thank you for people like Maria that devote their lives to rescuing others. We pray for changed lives today, Lord! That you will lead the teens to those whose hearts are open. That they will come back with incredible stories of you using them to impact others.

Von’s Thoughts
Gehenna, the name of the Jerusalem garbage dump, the metaphor Jesus used to describe hell. Yesterday, we went to the city dump of Managua. Even as I write this I’m reminded of Jesus’ words and tears come to my eyes when I think of people living in such a wretched environment. We were warned to chew gum to keep down the effects of the stench. Fires burn all over-some started by those trying to make a meal but other fires from the garbage that have probably been smoldering for days maybe months.

We went to deliver clothes and shoes. The spot of our giveaway was a church in the middle of the dump pastored by Maria Magdalena. She saw the need and came to lead the church. She travels there daily to minister to the people. Years ago Steve Camp composed a song where he said he wanted “to build a mission just a yard from the gate of hell.” Maria has taken the battle inside its walls.

As we were leaving I said “gracias” to Maria, one of the few Spanish words I know. She hugged me and said “thank you” to me. We climbed on our bus and put on hand sanitizer. As I sit here now, I realize the dirt is gone from my hands but my heart has been broken by a servant of God and those she seeks to deliver to him.

Closing Prayer
God, break our hearts, break the teens’ hearts, just as you broke Maria’s heart so many years ago. God, our lives are blessed and enriched by knowing this faithful servant Thank you for her faithfulness and obedience to you. Her faith challenges us. Her vision and passion excite us. We believe that the vision she has for La Chureca is a God-given vision, and you will reward and bless and bring transformation to that place in your time.  Amen.

About Von Peery
Von has attended Ginger Creek with his wife Jan and kids Caleb, Mollie and Xander for 5 years. He serves in Adventureland, on the Missions Team, and IT team in the church. Von has had the privilege of going with Ginger Creek on 3 trips to Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana and to Nicaragua in January. He works as an Network Engineer/Consultant for Sikich here in Aurora.

Church services

by David Zinn

The youth group at the church in the dump prepared a dance number for our students. It was amazing to see the strong bond between them. They also lead a worship  service, and then our students performed a drama. Great day!

The kids at the dump performing their dance

The youth group leading worship

Our students doing a drama for the youth group

Prayer Journal (July 16)

Prayer Journal
DAY 4

by Kyle Zehr

Read John 13:3-5, 14-15 (NLT)
Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table . . . and . . . began to wash the disciples’ feet… Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow.

Prayer
Lord, thank you that you have set the example. May we learn from you, our wise and wonderful counselor! May we be good and faithful students in your classroom today. May we pass the test and truly model your love in all we say and do!

Kyle’s Thoughts
What I realize coming away from Nicaragua, is I’ve never been this close to the heart of Christ. There was a little boy, maybe 4 years old, at the dump. I sat him down in a chair and said “hola” in the most welcoming voice I could muster (so frustrated that I didn’t know more Spanish). He just stared at me. I searched for some shoes for his feet and finally found a pair that looked like they might work. I set them down and grabbed his feet, his filthy, calloused feet, brushing off the dirt as best I could. Every time I looked up at him he was just staring at me-not understanding where he was and who all these strange people were. I finally managed to fit his feet. Just then someone said we were getting ready to leave. I put my hands on his shoulders and said “muy bien,” frustrated and really wanting to say, “Jesus loves you and you are beautiful in His sight!” As he walked away I thought of how Christ got down and washed His disciples’ feet and I lost it.

God has ruined my heart yet again and I believe that these are the most important things-to pursue the things in this life that are closest to His heart. The people and places (even here at home) that are closest to His heart.

Closing Prayer
Lord, thank you for bringing us all together to serve you and learn from you in Nicaragua. Thank you for giving us eyes to see it’s your work, Lord. We are simply your hands and feet. What a privilege. We are both humbled and in awe. And “now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

About Kyle Zehr
Kyle and his wife, Laura, have been attending GC since 2000. He is on the pastoral and arts staff, serves as the Music Director, and leads the Worship Ministry at Ginger Creek. He also works within media/video/tech production and oversees the music ministry for Salt Company. Kyle went on the January 09 Missions trip to Nicaragua and was deeply impacted. He cannot wait to return and be used in whatever way God has in mind.

July 16 morning update

Today we loaded the bus and went back over the hill to the dump. The students have been amazing – they have impressed us all!

Serving hundreds of children lunch. Cooked by our team, provided by Feed My Starving Children.

The students watch as Perry shares his faith with a man digging for food at the dump.

Giving the children new shoes

by David Zinn

Many of the children living at the dump don’t have shoes, so their feet are caked with dirt and garbage. Today we are washing the children’s feet, carrying them, and then getting brand new shoes on their clean feet. And when you see the happiness in the face of a child filled with joy… I think that’s a picture of what Heaven looks like.

Prayer Journal – July 15

Prayer Journal
DAY 3
by Bob Hilt

Read Numbers 6:23-27 (The Message)
God spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons, This is how you are to bless the People of Israel. Say to them, God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper. In so doing, they will place my name on the People of Israel-I will confirm it by blessing them.”

Prayer
Lord, we pray this blessing on every teen and leader today. May they be blessed to be a blessing today. May they lighten up (and loosen up!) when they see the children so the children will be drawn to them. And ultimately to you!

Bob’s Thoughts
Shortly after breakfast on the first day, we took a walk out to the field.  Within minutes kids of all ages gathered around. I instinctively reached out and playfully swung one over my shoulder. Within seconds I was surrounded by little children running, laughing, and wanting to play. How could these kids make me feel so comfortable and so loved so fast?

The next day a little girl no more than 3 or 4 came up to me at the city dump and gave me a huge hug. I was drawn to pick her up in my arms since that was the only way I could communicate. I noticed the mud caked on her feet, her hands covered in dirt, her filthy clothes, and when she smiled, her teeth were rotting. Tears came to my eyes! How could this little girl be so dirty on the outside, and so pure and clean on the inside?

That evening at the church service I was again surrounded by my little friends. The music was playing and the children around me were singing as loud as they could, clapping their hands, and spinning around as they sang. I couldn’t help but sing and dance like a little kid, clapping until my hands hurt.  How could these children celebrate life this way when they had so little?

The only answer I can come up with to these questions and many others that have crossed my mind since experiencing this place is this: I believe amidst the poverty, hunger, filth, garbage, and sewage . . . God lives!!!

I want more of what they have!!

Closing Prayer
Lord, it’s true. What draws us to the children is you, Lord. We see you in the faces of the children. Even so we pray-give us eyes to see you more clearly . . . ears to hear your still small voice. May we sense your pleasure and feel your embrace in the lives of these precious little ones. You said so yourself . . . unless we become like children we cannot enter your Kingdom. And may you use each one to draw them closer to your Kingdom. Amen.

About Bob Hilt
(pictured with his son, also on the trip)
I’ve been attending Ginger Creek for over 20 years and am currently serving as Director of Salt Company. I was blessed to go to Nicaragua in January of this year on the exploration trip. It changed my life. Now I am going back with the high schoolers. I am so excited to see how God is going to work in them and through them on this trip. I am married to Lisa and have two kids, Ryan and Carlee, and I work at RR Donnelley where I run the Training & Development organization.

July 15 – Arriving at the Dump

by David Zinn

We finally arrived at the dump and hundreds of kids were waiting for us. The sight really rocks your world. We were standing at the top of the trash mountain and many of our team just stood there in tears. It looks like the gates of Hades smoking. Keep watching for more updates of our time here…