We arrived safely today on time....VERY grateful after a long day of crazy, chaotic customs checkpoints, but mostly VERY excited to see our families!!!
The last couple of days have been fun, busy and at one point down right scary! We went on a quick overnight trip to Banos where some ziplined, some shopped, some saw a real volcano & all enjoyed the beautiful scenery in the Andes mountains. It was a funtime, but on the way back to our dormitory (home sweet home for the last week), our bus engine quit on the side of a very narrow highway. The bus drivers got it re-started after about 30 minutes sitting in the right lane of the highway hugging a cliff. They pulled up the road a bit and it quit again. They asked us to get out and wait while they went to get it fixed....we were quite the sight (a bunch of gringo women on the side of the road in some random little village!) Anyway, long story short...bus got fixed..we got back to the dorm! Our timein the van turned out to be a very special time of sharing and debriefing for our "re-entry" in Fort Worth. I love these women! What an amazing time it was!!! We have each been affected in very real, personal ways...to God be the glory!!!
When we arrived back at the dorms, we had a sweet time with Mari as we all said "goodbye"..some of us renewing friendships, some of us gaining a new connection with the Tutens. It is just so great to have been able to see where they are and all that God is allowing them to accomplish in Quito! They were amazing & wonderful hosts to our team!
We have all been asked how we would respond to people when asked how our mission went....here is my short version:
I have been privileged to have been a part of a extraordinary group of women who made a difference in Quito, Ecuador in 2009!
Gretchen, we all agree....you were an amazing leader!!! Thank you!!!
Sherri
Sunday, August 2, 2009
You Ladies Rock!
I just wanted to let everyone know that the Mckinney Women Ladies ROCK! They got off the long flight with smiles, didn't complain (at least not to me) about cold showers, they could handle a drill, paint, sew, sing and get down, share Jesus beyond words, go with the flow (very important here in this country), shake their hips (salsa dancing), eat ants, keep up with the rigorous schedule, not be grossed out by working at the city dump, brought us sweet gifts and most importantly they let Jesus shine!! Our family was blessed and many hearts were touched by your example!
Thank you husbands, children, friends and Mckinney church for sharing them with us and this country!
Mari Hernandez-Tuten
Thank you husbands, children, friends and Mckinney church for sharing them with us and this country!
Mari Hernandez-Tuten
Thursday, July 30, 2009
"La Vision de Dios bien clara..."
Buenos Noches loved ones at home! Quatro senoras es muy bien! We miss you but we are experiencing God at work first-hand both in us and through us here in Quito.
"God's crystal clear vision" was our message of today's (Thursday's) VBS in case you no comprende mucho Espanol! Today we presented SALVATION! Not once, not twice, but four times! In the music, during the story time, creatively during crafts, and reinforced during the games. Even during snacks we individually told each child how much Jesus loves them (in our stumbling Spanish!)
Who would think a cord that is 4" long with 7 colored beads could be a seed planted in a child's heart of what Jesus had done for them!!! We introduce to you Bridgette, an 11 year old precious Ecuadorian girl that blessed us by being able to recite the meaning that each colored bead represents. Here's how easy it was. The yellow bead = God created light, green = God created the earth and trees, blue = God created the oceans, water and seas, white = God's purity, red = God's shed blood, black = death and the darkest day and clear = God's crystal clear vision of how we should live our lives. We also discussed and explained John 3:16 about how much God loves them and died for them so they could have eternal life. It's amazing how many could easily recite it back. We are thrilled for the opportunity to plant so many seeds into the hearts of these precious children. As the kids are helping us with our Spanish, some are eager to learn English as well.
After saying goodbye we hurried back to our dorm to prepare for Operation Brown Bag, a street ministry that Mari and Ben have started to feed the poor and needy on the streets of Quito. We broke into several groups and passed out sack lunches. Our main message: Jesus' te ama (Jesus loves you.) It's heartbreaking for us to see the needs, but it was special to see the appreciation and gratitude in their eyes and/or smiles. These brown bags and the funds that were used to purchase lunch materials that went in them came in our suitcases straight from MMBC VBS kids and other friends!
God has been faithful to keep the team energized, healthy, encouraged and unified in every area we planned to minister. Praise God! Buenos noches and sweet dreams!
Barbie and Sue for the whole team
****Dear friends...this will be our last blog until we see you again on Sunday! I hope you guys are ready for us to share our hearts with you when we get home....they are very FULL!!!
Tomorrow we will full out revel in our last day of VBS and our last day with "our" precious Ecuadorian little ones. None of us can imagine saying "adios" to these kids...PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!!
After VBS we are off suffering for Jesus in the Banos......you'll have to ask us for details!!! :-)
Hugs & kisses....the 2009 WOMEN'S QUITO TEAM
"God's crystal clear vision" was our message of today's (Thursday's) VBS in case you no comprende mucho Espanol! Today we presented SALVATION! Not once, not twice, but four times! In the music, during the story time, creatively during crafts, and reinforced during the games. Even during snacks we individually told each child how much Jesus loves them (in our stumbling Spanish!)
Who would think a cord that is 4" long with 7 colored beads could be a seed planted in a child's heart of what Jesus had done for them!!! We introduce to you Bridgette, an 11 year old precious Ecuadorian girl that blessed us by being able to recite the meaning that each colored bead represents. Here's how easy it was. The yellow bead = God created light, green = God created the earth and trees, blue = God created the oceans, water and seas, white = God's purity, red = God's shed blood, black = death and the darkest day and clear = God's crystal clear vision of how we should live our lives. We also discussed and explained John 3:16 about how much God loves them and died for them so they could have eternal life. It's amazing how many could easily recite it back. We are thrilled for the opportunity to plant so many seeds into the hearts of these precious children. As the kids are helping us with our Spanish, some are eager to learn English as well.
After saying goodbye we hurried back to our dorm to prepare for Operation Brown Bag, a street ministry that Mari and Ben have started to feed the poor and needy on the streets of Quito. We broke into several groups and passed out sack lunches. Our main message: Jesus' te ama (Jesus loves you.) It's heartbreaking for us to see the needs, but it was special to see the appreciation and gratitude in their eyes and/or smiles. These brown bags and the funds that were used to purchase lunch materials that went in them came in our suitcases straight from MMBC VBS kids and other friends!
God has been faithful to keep the team energized, healthy, encouraged and unified in every area we planned to minister. Praise God! Buenos noches and sweet dreams!
Barbie and Sue for the whole team
****Dear friends...this will be our last blog until we see you again on Sunday! I hope you guys are ready for us to share our hearts with you when we get home....they are very FULL!!!
Tomorrow we will full out revel in our last day of VBS and our last day with "our" precious Ecuadorian little ones. None of us can imagine saying "adios" to these kids...PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!!
After VBS we are off suffering for Jesus in the Banos......you'll have to ask us for details!!! :-)
Hugs & kisses....the 2009 WOMEN'S QUITO TEAM
Another Day In Paradise
Well, we have been busy!
As we pulled up to the Dump there was a group of kids waiting, we all got so excited we started waiving and shouting "hola" and they were as excited as we were! It was so much fun watching the children doing their verse, and making their craft which was a stuffed Jesus Loves Me bear and little prayer boxes. When they left for home they held them close.
Then it was off to the cabins for our last day of finishing touches. It was exciting how fresh and clean everything looked in all three cabins. New paint, curtains, bedding, mats and mirrors in the bathrooms came together as we worked as a team...some trying new tasks they had never tried before.
We came back to the dorms for another great dinner by Rosa of soft tacos and guinea pig. As we sat around the table Mari asked us to give one word to describe our day. Here's what we came up with: incredible
exhausted
energized
thrilled
sad
fruition
rewarding
fulfilling
heartwarming
purposeful
enlightening
victorious
moving
liberated
What next you ask???? SALSA
Mari taught us the basics steps and then had us add some hip action! Needless to say we got some exercise. Lots of fun and lots of laughs. Sandra and Karen were the standouts for the evening.
Barbie blessed us with a special devotion and then we took our tired and aching muscles to bed.
Many blessings and much love,
Today's bloggers
Carrie and Sandi
ps....guinea pig...NOT!!!!!
As we pulled up to the Dump there was a group of kids waiting, we all got so excited we started waiving and shouting "hola" and they were as excited as we were! It was so much fun watching the children doing their verse, and making their craft which was a stuffed Jesus Loves Me bear and little prayer boxes. When they left for home they held them close.
Then it was off to the cabins for our last day of finishing touches. It was exciting how fresh and clean everything looked in all three cabins. New paint, curtains, bedding, mats and mirrors in the bathrooms came together as we worked as a team...some trying new tasks they had never tried before.
We came back to the dorms for another great dinner by Rosa of soft tacos and guinea pig. As we sat around the table Mari asked us to give one word to describe our day. Here's what we came up with: incredible
exhausted
energized
thrilled
sad
fruition
rewarding
fulfilling
heartwarming
purposeful
enlightening
victorious
moving
liberated
What next you ask???? SALSA
Mari taught us the basics steps and then had us add some hip action! Needless to say we got some exercise. Lots of fun and lots of laughs. Sandra and Karen were the standouts for the evening.
Barbie blessed us with a special devotion and then we took our tired and aching muscles to bed.
Many blessings and much love,
Today's bloggers
Carrie and Sandi
ps....guinea pig...NOT!!!!!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
No time for blog tonight
The women are busy salsa dancing tonight (a lesson in latin culture) - no time for a blog update - pictures will be posted tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
God Moments
Our post this evening will be short and sweet, though powerful in it's content! As we spent time this evening together as a team, we shared our "God moments" for the day. Lots of laughs...lots of tears....what better way to spend time with each other!
...so far our whole team remains healthy - praise God!
...many of us were shocked today at the dirty, weathered faces of our precious little ones...they were unclean, sick, hungry for love
...as we pulled up to The Dump this morning there was a large group of kids eagerly awaiting us (an hour early), but when we went to get them, they had disappeared. As it turns out a bus had picked them up and taken them somewhere else....we were frightened for them! We prayed on the street that the Lord would protect them and bring them back to us (today's lesson was on God's protection)...about an hour later they RAN in...most of them had been able to pay a quarter to get back to us. We all celebrated with them..told them how much we had missed them and told them how we had prayed and God had brought them back to us!!!
...we still continue to minister lots of Moms...they are soaking it all in!!!
...the faces of the workers at The Dump continue to break our hearts each and every day..all we can do is offer them a smile and a "buenos dias"
...one of our older girls who has been very stand-offish warmed up big time today!!!
...as we stand at the gate and watch the kids run into our arms as they arrive it brings more joy than we could have ever imagined!
...this experience has opened our hearts to love strangers
...the kids are so smart and are soaking it in...learning their verses quickly...able to apply what we are teaching!!!
...our cabin work is amazing....I think it will be ready for a magazine soon...is there such a thing as "Quito Living"? aka..Southern Living
...finishing touches underway in all three cabins...should be finished tomorrow!
We need to close tonight by saying that this group of women is extraordinary in so many ways. Normally groups of women can be how can I say...DIFFICULT???? This group of women has remained AT ALL TIMES, encouraging to one another, selfless, sincere, helpful, sensitive to each other's needs, positive, fun-loving & pleasant...TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
With love from the whole team,
Tonight's bloggers...Sandra & Sherri
Monday, July 27, 2009
Dios es Fiel
What an incredible day! First day of VBS at "the dump" here in Quito. This group of 14 women waited with great anticipation for our first kiddos to arrive at the gate.....and then they came! Faces pressed hard against the chain fence anxious to see what was waiting for them on the other side. Children 2-13 years old running down the sidewalk of a very busy street to hear about Jesus.....shouldn't we all be so eager to run to Him!
VBS started with all the leaders and children in one room to hear about Moses and the burning bush. Gretchen telling the story of Moses with Marla on puppet duty, with the help of our wonderful translator Daniella (aka "Dani"). We all participated in demonstrating the song "I will not be afraid" with motions....in Spanish none the less! Followed by breakouts into 4 stations:
Games (on the hill!): Sherri, Jessica, Carrie; assisted by our fabulous (and much needed) translator Paul. Fun time playing Crocodile Catch and Pato,Pato, GANZO! (aka Duck, Duck, CROCK).
Crafts: Angie, Barbie, Sandi, and Sandra.....kids loved their key chains!
Snacks: Shelley, Sue, and Dianne.....served world popular PB&J sandwiches.
Bible: Marla, Karen and Mikel.....doing what we most wanted to do....share straight from God's Word!
We were sad to say "adios" to the kids, but happy we could say "hasta manana."
Once cleaned up, we sat together to have lunch there at the "dump" day care and were able to hear from Pastor Jose who shared his heart for the people that work at the dump and the FIVE ministries that he is spear-heading there. We sat amazed!
Then, it was time to get more paint on ourselves at the cabins......cleaning, painting, window cleaning (yes, even Dianne does windows!) etc... Much work still to be done, but we've gotten off to a great start!
Back for dinner....YEAH, Rosa! Rosa even baked TWO cakes to celebrate Carrie's birthday (you'll have to ask her which one). Group devotional led by Jessica (Malachi 3:10), followed by prayer. We were able to share the day with each other and here are some of the comments:
*Impacted when told of the living conditions of the VBS kids and their families.
*How the children would wrap up their sandwich at snack time to take home with them as if they were rationing food for later.
*The intent listening to the Word during Bible time....so eager to hear and learn more.
*Happiness, confidence and seemingly contentment of the children.
*A few mothers accompanied their children and were just as eager to participate in all the activities.
*How the children seemed to so carefully look after each other....holding hands, helping with crafts, helping put on their new t-shirts.
*Ruth (administrator of Extreme Response and Pastor Jose's translator for us) shared with us how we were an "answer to prayer".....US! They had been praying for a team to do a VBS at the dump this summer and other groups had fallen through.....thanks to the Swine Flu outbreak at the school where we were originally going to do this VBS, we were available......God answers prayers in such unique ways!!!
*Pastor Jose shared the needs of the people in the community around them and it broke our hearts and put such a perspective on serving our Lord. He seems to be a tireless servant and an inspiration to us all.
What an incredible day!!! God is Faithful! (Dios es Fiel)....even as we write this blog (almost lost in cyber space, but God found it!)
This team loves and misses our families and sends bunches of hugs and kisses to them all!
Bloggers of the day: Dianne and Shelley (unless you find an error, then it was.......Gretchen!) :-)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Off and Running in Quito
Literally ran through the airport in Miami to make the connection - we only had 20 minutes between flights!! God provided directions AND our luggage made it all the way through to Quito! Two miracles.
As we walked off the jetway, we all caught a glimpse of Ben and Mari Tuten's grinning faces - so exciting to see familiar faces. For those of us who already knew them, just seeing them brought tears.
Immigration and customs - no problemas! (another miracle)
Fourteen women and forty-two suitcases - was a very interesting fit into two vans.
Wasn't early to bed, but it sure was early to rise for everyone. Was that a rooster Angie heard?? For breakfast we had strawberry rice krispies ... quite a cultural experience!
After breakfast, we were off to the school's retreat center. On the way, we asked to stop at a tienda for our morning Diet Coke. Some (who will remain nameless) were so excited to find one after two stops.
About 5 minutes before we were due to arrive at the retreat center, the school van's radiator water evaporated and the van quit. Right in the middle of the town's plaza, which also featured a marker for the equator. Here in Ecuador (the spanish word for equator), they call the equator La Mitad del Mundo - the Center of the Earth. It was a brisk morning, and the unforseen stop was a welcome walk. The locals living near the plaza helped bring extra water for the radiator and we were soon on our way.
The turnoff to the retreat center was lined with cornfields, surrounded by mountains, dotted with cows.
Soon after arrival, we gathered at the main lodge for a time of worship and prayer, led by a family that works alongside the Tutens. What a beautiful time together with brothers and sisters and our Holy Father.
After our time of worship, we all donned scrubs to serve the Lord with our paintbrushes in hand. We got very close to finishing an entire cabin and a half's worth of painting walls and cabinets - the rest we will finish on Monday. We may go back out there later in the week.
To break for lunch, we headed to La Mitad del Mundo (the equator). Some of us got some great shopping done, while others went to see the sights.
Back at the retreat, we continued as far as our little dirty, paint stained hands would let us. As the clouds migrated up like a fog into the mountains where we were working, and the sun went to hide behind the mountain, we rinsed our brushes and climbed into our faithful van to head back to our dorms for a much needed dinner.
Dinner was a genuine Ecuadorian soup - locro de papa - and it was delicious. It was a creamy potato soup topped with an avocado marinated in a vinagrette sauce, served with grilled ham and cheese - which is a popular "easy dish" throughout South America.
Then it was quickly to put on our VBS hats for the next day's planning ...
We all coralled and planned as best we could tomorrow's first day of VBS for the kids at Quito's city dump.
After we planned out our VBS we had a great time sharing about our highlights of the day over M&M's and licorice. :) We ended the evening with a time of devotion and prayer. What an AMAZING first day! Tune in tomorrow for our VBS highlights as God is sure to show off!
With love and excitement, Mikel, Angie, Sherri, Gretchen, and Karen
As we walked off the jetway, we all caught a glimpse of Ben and Mari Tuten's grinning faces - so exciting to see familiar faces. For those of us who already knew them, just seeing them brought tears.
Immigration and customs - no problemas! (another miracle)
Fourteen women and forty-two suitcases - was a very interesting fit into two vans.
Wasn't early to bed, but it sure was early to rise for everyone. Was that a rooster Angie heard?? For breakfast we had strawberry rice krispies ... quite a cultural experience!
After breakfast, we were off to the school's retreat center. On the way, we asked to stop at a tienda for our morning Diet Coke. Some (who will remain nameless) were so excited to find one after two stops.
About 5 minutes before we were due to arrive at the retreat center, the school van's radiator water evaporated and the van quit. Right in the middle of the town's plaza, which also featured a marker for the equator. Here in Ecuador (the spanish word for equator), they call the equator La Mitad del Mundo - the Center of the Earth. It was a brisk morning, and the unforseen stop was a welcome walk. The locals living near the plaza helped bring extra water for the radiator and we were soon on our way.
The turnoff to the retreat center was lined with cornfields, surrounded by mountains, dotted with cows.
Soon after arrival, we gathered at the main lodge for a time of worship and prayer, led by a family that works alongside the Tutens. What a beautiful time together with brothers and sisters and our Holy Father.
After our time of worship, we all donned scrubs to serve the Lord with our paintbrushes in hand. We got very close to finishing an entire cabin and a half's worth of painting walls and cabinets - the rest we will finish on Monday. We may go back out there later in the week.
To break for lunch, we headed to La Mitad del Mundo (the equator). Some of us got some great shopping done, while others went to see the sights.
Back at the retreat, we continued as far as our little dirty, paint stained hands would let us. As the clouds migrated up like a fog into the mountains where we were working, and the sun went to hide behind the mountain, we rinsed our brushes and climbed into our faithful van to head back to our dorms for a much needed dinner.
Dinner was a genuine Ecuadorian soup - locro de papa - and it was delicious. It was a creamy potato soup topped with an avocado marinated in a vinagrette sauce, served with grilled ham and cheese - which is a popular "easy dish" throughout South America.
Then it was quickly to put on our VBS hats for the next day's planning ...
We all coralled and planned as best we could tomorrow's first day of VBS for the kids at Quito's city dump.
After we planned out our VBS we had a great time sharing about our highlights of the day over M&M's and licorice. :) We ended the evening with a time of devotion and prayer. What an AMAZING first day! Tune in tomorrow for our VBS highlights as God is sure to show off!
With love and excitement, Mikel, Angie, Sherri, Gretchen, and Karen
Friday, July 24, 2009
ONE MORE SLEEP!!!
Today was such a fun day packing our final VBS supplies and lots of goodies for the Tutens! We have fourteen supply bags with NO room to spare. We just cannot wait to see meet the little children who will be in our "VBS care" in just a couple of days.
The reality of leaving, lots to do, packing, finishing work responsibilities, getting family schedules squared away, telling everybody everything they need to know for 8 days, etc. SUNK IN TODAY!!! I think some of us had weepy, "need to pray" moments (I sure did) and that's what we did...PRAYED! God was faithful and carried us through the day and now I know we are all home re-thinking our personal bags. :-)
We hope to have daily computer access to keep you updated, but if not, please pray that God will be glorified and these little children will see and hear JESUS!!! We are all so blessed to get to be part of this team and can't wait until tomorrow morning!!!
The reality of leaving, lots to do, packing, finishing work responsibilities, getting family schedules squared away, telling everybody everything they need to know for 8 days, etc. SUNK IN TODAY!!! I think some of us had weepy, "need to pray" moments (I sure did) and that's what we did...PRAYED! God was faithful and carried us through the day and now I know we are all home re-thinking our personal bags. :-)
We hope to have daily computer access to keep you updated, but if not, please pray that God will be glorified and these little children will see and hear JESUS!!! We are all so blessed to get to be part of this team and can't wait until tomorrow morning!!!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
And I quote, "LET'S ROLL...."
I will pick up where Angie left off by listing some of the comments made by a team who is confident in WHO is leading us to, in and from Quito as they learned that our VBS had been canceled due to Swine Flu:
"The Lord will guide this team in the direction we should go..."
"God is doing something big in each of us through this..."
"We are still going to Ecuador on Saturday!"
"Trusting God for what His plan is...looking forward to serving with you girls"
"I am looking forward to our next assignment."
"We will show God's love wherever we go and however we serve."
"What a perfect scenario for a control-freak like me. Humbled by the team's lack of grumbling, inspired by your words, and grateful to know each of you."
"God will build your faith by planting a dream within you. But that dream will require a decision of faith, and then God will stretch your faith as you face delays, difficulties and dead ends. It is then that god comes and delivers. God does a miracle. God provides a solution."
"Praise God that He trusts us to wait upon Him. Praise God for what He is about to do. And thanks be to God He is allowing us to be part of His "miracle"!"
"Jesus loves us, this I KNOW!!! Press on, friends, press on!"
We received an email from Mari yesterday afternoon stating that we will be leading a Vacation Bbile School for 90 children, ages 5 - 10, at the Quito City Dump this coming week. These are children that know nothing about what this world has to offer our children here in the US. I am weeping as I write this because I feel so privileged to serve God in Quito and share Jesus with these 90 little children that I know are purposed Just For Us this coming week!
As you can see, we desperately need your prayers and look forward to sharing what God is doing along the way!
As so many have closed their emails saying, IN HIS GRIP,
Sherri & the most amazing mission team EVER :-)!!!
"The Lord will guide this team in the direction we should go..."
"God is doing something big in each of us through this..."
"We are still going to Ecuador on Saturday!"
"Trusting God for what His plan is...looking forward to serving with you girls"
"I am looking forward to our next assignment."
"We will show God's love wherever we go and however we serve."
"What a perfect scenario for a control-freak like me. Humbled by the team's lack of grumbling, inspired by your words, and grateful to know each of you."
"God will build your faith by planting a dream within you. But that dream will require a decision of faith, and then God will stretch your faith as you face delays, difficulties and dead ends. It is then that god comes and delivers. God does a miracle. God provides a solution."
"Praise God that He trusts us to wait upon Him. Praise God for what He is about to do. And thanks be to God He is allowing us to be part of His "miracle"!"
"Jesus loves us, this I KNOW!!! Press on, friends, press on!"
We received an email from Mari yesterday afternoon stating that we will be leading a Vacation Bbile School for 90 children, ages 5 - 10, at the Quito City Dump this coming week. These are children that know nothing about what this world has to offer our children here in the US. I am weeping as I write this because I feel so privileged to serve God in Quito and share Jesus with these 90 little children that I know are purposed Just For Us this coming week!
As you can see, we desperately need your prayers and look forward to sharing what God is doing along the way!
As so many have closed their emails saying, IN HIS GRIP,
Sherri & the most amazing mission team EVER :-)!!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
THREE MORE SLEEPS!
What a mighty God we serve and what a blessing to be able to serve our God with you ladies. We have been thrown a curve ball.
VBS CANCELLED???? WHAT???
Instead of responding with thorns, we have responded with fruit and trust and faithfulness. I was at VBS this morning and the response from friends and the church staff was so encouraging! One person was actually jumping with excitement in anticipation of what God is going to do and how He will trump this card that has been dealt.
So here I sit waiting to hear how our team will be used in Quito. We are ready to do a Vacation Bible School, but God may have a different mission for our mission. I get goose bumps thinking about the possibilities and wondering what He is going to do. Just knowing that no matter what, we are equipped! We may have to dig really deep, but whatever it is we will be equipped.
QUITO OR BUST!
Hugs, Angie
Monday, July 20, 2009
New Creation!
Dear team and extended team of prayer warriors,
Tonight I was baptized by our dear and most precious pastor Joe. I was surrounded by the love and support of close friends that have become our family since living in Texas. What a sweet and tender moment that I will never forget! As we inch on less than a week away from our departure I almost ache with excitement and anticipation about what God is going to do. So, here is to 5 days of prayer and preparation, or six more sleeps. To God be the glory, Angie
My life verse
"Por lo tanto, si cualquiera está en Cristo, él es una nueva creación; ¡el viejo ha ido, el nuevo ha venido!"
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 1 Corinthians 5:17
Tonight I was baptized by our dear and most precious pastor Joe. I was surrounded by the love and support of close friends that have become our family since living in Texas. What a sweet and tender moment that I will never forget! As we inch on less than a week away from our departure I almost ache with excitement and anticipation about what God is going to do. So, here is to 5 days of prayer and preparation, or six more sleeps. To God be the glory, Angie
My life verse
"Por lo tanto, si cualquiera está en Cristo, él es una nueva creación; ¡el viejo ha ido, el nuevo ha venido!"
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 1 Corinthians 5:17
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
July 14, 2009
Hi friends of Women's Quito Mission!
We count it a privilege that you are taking the time to visit this sight! I hope that means that you are joining us and lifting us up in prayer as we grow closer to our departure (11 sleeps if my counter is working!)
I thought it would be great if you had all of our names so that you could pray for us individually, so here goes:
Gretchen Bartels
Marla Blakeney
Sandra Bunata
Sandi Dietrich
Jessica Driggers
Sue Jordan
Carrie Latiolais
Karen Mills
Dianne Moreau
Mikel Siefert
Barbie Thompson
Angie Topliss
Sherri Whitener
Shelley Willis
Please pray specifically:
That we would leave here with enough VBS supplies for 120 awesome kids!
That we would all get lots of rest and remain healthy as we approach our
departure date (that means that those 11 sleeps are really sleeps
and not all-nighters getting ready :-)!)
That we would remain unified in spirit as we take care of 1 billion last
minute details!
Thanks....we love you....go GOD!!!
Sherri
We count it a privilege that you are taking the time to visit this sight! I hope that means that you are joining us and lifting us up in prayer as we grow closer to our departure (11 sleeps if my counter is working!)
I thought it would be great if you had all of our names so that you could pray for us individually, so here goes:
Gretchen Bartels
Marla Blakeney
Sandra Bunata
Sandi Dietrich
Jessica Driggers
Sue Jordan
Carrie Latiolais
Karen Mills
Dianne Moreau
Mikel Siefert
Barbie Thompson
Angie Topliss
Sherri Whitener
Shelley Willis
Please pray specifically:
That we would leave here with enough VBS supplies for 120 awesome kids!
That we would all get lots of rest and remain healthy as we approach our
departure date (that means that those 11 sleeps are really sleeps
and not all-nighters getting ready :-)!)
That we would remain unified in spirit as we take care of 1 billion last
minute details!
Thanks....we love you....go GOD!!!
Sherri
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
17 SLEEPS AND COUNTING!!!
For those of you that know me, when I am excited about seeing my kids and grandkids, I begin counting the days away in "sleeps". My grand-daughter, Bailee, first came up with the idea of counting sleeps because it made more sense to her than days. Anyway, I cannot believe it, but we are just 17 SLEEPS away from our departure to Quito, Ecuador.
We are all very busy choosing fabric, paint, sewing, planning VBS games, skits, music, crafts, snacks, etc. Our fearless leader Gretchen is keeping us on a tough time schedule which is great for all of us!!! We have to have our personal bags packed by the 19th - go Gretchen!
The more time we spend together, the more I grow to love this team of women and just am amazed at how God has put each member on the team for a specific purpose! This Grammee cannot wait to play with silly string on our mission (I am on the VBS games team!)
Please keep praying for us as we prepare to go for there is still soooo much to do!!
In Him,
Sherri
We are all very busy choosing fabric, paint, sewing, planning VBS games, skits, music, crafts, snacks, etc. Our fearless leader Gretchen is keeping us on a tough time schedule which is great for all of us!!! We have to have our personal bags packed by the 19th - go Gretchen!
The more time we spend together, the more I grow to love this team of women and just am amazed at how God has put each member on the team for a specific purpose! This Grammee cannot wait to play with silly string on our mission (I am on the VBS games team!)
Please keep praying for us as we prepare to go for there is still soooo much to do!!
In Him,
Sherri
Monday, July 6, 2009
Team Dinner a Success!
Well, we had our group dinner the other night. What a wonderful evening! Sherri's house was buzzing with chatter; it was a great time for all of us to come together and just get to know each other better.
It was great to see all the ladies come together as a team, really for the first time, to pack all of the items that we need to bring down to Quito for the Tutens. Sherri's livingroom floor was chaos at first; books, magazines, clothing, soap dispensers, coffee mugs - everything that we will bring down as a group - were strewn everywhere. But it all came together so beautifully and with such ease - the team came together and tackled it. The team gear and materials are packed and ready to go.
Also, in the midst of all of this productiveness, we had a chance to squeeze in a group photo. Check it out:
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It was great to see all the ladies come together as a team, really for the first time, to pack all of the items that we need to bring down to Quito for the Tutens. Sherri's livingroom floor was chaos at first; books, magazines, clothing, soap dispensers, coffee mugs - everything that we will bring down as a group - were strewn everywhere. But it all came together so beautifully and with such ease - the team came together and tackled it. The team gear and materials are packed and ready to go.
Also, in the midst of all of this productiveness, we had a chance to squeeze in a group photo. Check it out:
June 15, 2009
Our team has met 5 of our 8 meetings and we are getting down to the details of presenting VBS and choosing some fabrics to freshen the retreat cabins. In 2 weeks we will have our team dinner and actually begin packing our extra suitcases with materials for our adventure. We each will have one personal suitcase and one dedicated to the mission goal. Our team leader will also have us pack our personal stuff a week before departure and be sure we meet weight limits and have all the right stuff with us AND can each tote our own baggage. There will be a physical test. Gretchen is an organizer!!
We love your prayer support. Con Dios todo es posible.
~ Karen M.
We love your prayer support. Con Dios todo es posible.
~ Karen M.
Monday, June 1, 2009
First blog post!
Well, if you are reading our blog right now, I am assuming that you are as excited and passionate abut this mission as we are! Each time we gather to meet and plan this Mission I am amazed at how God has put this team together.
We are getting more and more excited, learning alot about the Ecuadorian people and their culture, and growing closer together by hearing each other’s testimonies. I am so sure that we will come back FOREVER changed!!! It is extra fun that we are all women with different gifts and strengths working together toward the same goal. We are having a blast!
Thanks for following our journey and lifting us up in prayer…WE NEED IT!!!
Sherri
We are getting more and more excited, learning alot about the Ecuadorian people and their culture, and growing closer together by hearing each other’s testimonies. I am so sure that we will come back FOREVER changed!!! It is extra fun that we are all women with different gifts and strengths working together toward the same goal. We are having a blast!
Thanks for following our journey and lifting us up in prayer…WE NEED IT!!!
Sherri
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