While 27 of us are in El Salvador we have a team of 4 in Uganda.  They are working with Mosaic Vision and touching the lives of children who have lost everyone and are completely on their own.  Due to Aids, Malaria and other realities is is not uncommon for a 10- 12 year old to be the head of a house, taking care of 2-3 younger siblings.  They are in an area called the Rift Valley. They visited 6 families of orphaned children, AIDS orphans who have lost mom and dad to AIDS and are either living alone or living with an elder grandparent. Mosaic Vision has just started to minister in this unreached area of the Rift valley 3 months ago. Currently they have 50 children that are in need of sponsors there. It is much different and un-reached in terms of any help. It also has a drastically increased AIDS rate – the first group of children they took up have an HIV rate about 60% higher than other areas of Uganda.  Here are the comments via text from Kelly and Brynn below.

Today the team exposed to "The Bride" in El Salvador.  Her name is El Buen Samaritano Inglesia, she is our church partner here.  She is small but mighty when it comes to the impact she makes in the community. This was an opportunity for our team to meet the people and see the setting of where they will be working all week.  This is a picture of the team in front of the Child Development Center that cares for 200 of the poorest children in this area.




This is Sean Kappauf typing now. I'm the funny looking guy on the back right (red collared shirt). I was given the great privilege to speak at El Buen Samaritano Inglesia. This was a first for me:

• a first time speaking to a mainly Spanish speaking (not understanding English) community
• a first time having a translator translate what I was saying
• a first time being around people who somehow love me even though they just met me, 
• a first time speaking and having an audiences full attention despite the: 
• constant rain fall over a tin roof, 
• kids running around screaming, 
• thunder every two minutes, 
• and not to mention an awkwardly warm heat that made us all sweaty. 

Well it's not quite 24 hours since we all met at the church to embark on this missions trip together.  Since then we have not only made the journey together, and got oriented somewhat to our host country, we have connected more with one another, which is such an important part of being a team.  A few cat naps have been taken on the plan and here or there through out the day, but as we had dinner together several team members could hardly stay awake.  We have had a great day together and are looking forward to time with Pastor Miguel and his family in the morning, seeing the community, learning about the water project and having church tomorrow.  Thanks for all of you who are praying for us, we are all very excited for what's next.

In His Strength,

It's Saturday morning, and we arrived safely in El Salvador.  The team is off to an amazing start!  I was blown away when I pulled into our church parking lot at 9:25 p.m,  expecting there to be one or two team members there.   They were all there with their family and friends,  There must have been 75 people or so, and the energy and excitement was through the roof.   After a brief welcome and orientations we had a sweet prayer time that Pastor Tim closed out for us.  This group was clearly ready!!!

Navigating 25 people through the airport is always interesting, making sure everyone gets through all the parts of the maze known as the airport.  Checking in the luggage, screening the luggage, then through security check and then finally onto the plane.  It's always interesting watching the various personalities, some are so hyped up they can hardly sit still never mind sleep on this red eye, others are so chill it's easy to sleep, while some others are a bit uncomfortable with their seating assignment or aren't used to traveling.  But everyone did great!!

Arriving early in El Salvador gives us time to check in and get a little rest before we have our orientation with Enlace our host partner.  Everyone will learn about this amazing organization and how they work with local churches who are making a serious impact in their communities.  They will understand that when we leave the work of the church will continue and all the realms we will be working in, children, youth, women, and the water project continue once we leave.  We will learn from our partners things that can help us make more of an impact back home.  We get to pour some jet fuel on what our partners are doing, and share in the impact being made here in El Salvador by them.   I can't wait to see this amazing team walk out their mission.

In His Strength,

Ian 

Two weeks ago 13 people ranging in age from 7 - 70 raised $4,800 and went down to Mexico to build a home for a single mom and her 2 children.  As we presented the house to her and shared the gospel with her in a very relevant manner, tears started flowing from her eyes.   As we went into the house and presented her with gifts for her new home, every one of us were thrilled to have been a part of this amazing story.  This young woman, born into some very tough circumstances, now has a more secure place to live in this life and even more importantly is dialed in to her eternal security.  Jasmine, her son Carlos and daughter Analia know how much they matter to God and the gift of this home will be an ongoing reminder to them of His love practically demonstrated.   Enjoy the video.  http://youtu.be/elAS_Hqhgjw

Local GO - Avoid The Plague

There is a plague infecting our local area.  It is devastating the lives of men, women, and now students. it's called ADDICTION.  People are infected at younger and younger ages.  We have an 11 year old doing community service with us who is already infected.  What's the deal?  Why is this plague taking over?  Parents don't know what to do, the church is generally oblivious or at least it seems like it is, because we aren't doing enough to impact the families around us so they can AVOID THE PLAGUE.  Well last night at Costa Mesa High School a team of people from The Crossing's Lifelines ministry and Local GO team partnered to reach out to parents and students equipping them with information, practical tools (drug test kits) and resources to help them serve their children more effectively.


It was an amazing night as Kori shared his story, and Ken Seely from A&E's Interventionist spoke and answered questions from the audience. Some of the questions were gut wrenching as parents and teachers shared their challenges in working with young people infected by this deadly disease.  

GOing means caring about others.  So often we walk through life just going through the motions.  The Street Team is all about helping people learn how to live life “caring” about others by intentionally walking the streets. It's amazing what you see when you walk, instead of drive, or ride.  Every Thursday night at 6:30 you will find a small band of people meeting and praying for a few minutes before they hit the streets to exercise their care muscles.  

While out there they will intentionally look for opportunities to Pray, Relate, Assist & Invite.  They've found this exercise makes a huge difference in how they walk through every day life.  

When I can make it to the street team and walk the streets, I find myself more dialed in to those around me, in my neighborhood, in my work world and in my life in general.  I am more apt to make the effort to care.  Everyone should experience The Street Team once in a while to keep their care muscles toned up.