Thursday, April 15th was one of those days that we both stood utterly amazed at what the Lord did in our midst. We started our surveying as always praying as we entered our community asking the Lord for His eyes to see, His hears to hear and His heart to love the people we came into contact with. Andy wanted to take a picture of the sign in front of the school and as we walked the dirt road that twisted around the school and I decided I wanted to sit on a bench under a tree and pray for the area. As I sat there, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit that if I didn't go I would miss out on something great that was about to happen. Andy had already arrived in the school yard and was motioning me to come. I walked into the open court yard area and was meet by about 20 children and a teacher who wanted to talk. I explained we were there to pray for their community and school. The children started asking me about Michael Jackson, Hannah Montana, where I lived, my grandkids, children, asking me what English words meant. They were completely amazed at my blue eyes and wanted me to sing something in English so I sang "Happy Birthday to You". The teacher was amazed that the kids were so excited we were there. The entire half hour was an appointment that was definitely anointed by the Lord. Pray for us as we meet with the director of the school and start ENGLISH SECOND LANGUAGE classes. That evening we thanked God for the openess of the children, the friendliness of the teachers and that we were atentitive to his leading, We are so thankful for this opportunity to serve in this capacity.

EVERY LIFE WE TOUCH IS A FIELD; EVERYTHING WE DO AND ALL THE WORDS WE SPEAK, ARE SEED. WHAT WILL THE HARVEST BE?

Connie talking to teacher in La Compania

Let us not become weary in doing good, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Andy, Bryan and local Pastors meeting with the Governer of the Region.

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

Andy and Deana with Fernando at the Easter Sunrise Breakfast.

BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.

JOSHUA 24:15

Happy is the family who pray and play and work together and know one another's hearts.

THE HEAVENS ARE TELLING OF THE GLORY OF GOD.

PSALMS 19:1

PSALMS 46:1-3,19--"GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, AN EVER-PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. THEREFORE WE WILL NOT FEAR, THOUGH THE EARTH GIVE WAY AND THE ...

A whole lot of shakin' goin on...
On March 11th CNN reported "A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit at 11:39 a.m. local time (9:39 a.m. ET), followed by a 6.9 mgnitude quake 15 minutes later, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. A third, measured at magnitude 6.0, came 27 minutes later. They were the strongest aftershocks to rattle Chile since February 27th when an 8.8 earthquake on the country's west coast toppled buildings and spawned a tsunami, killing serveral hundred people near Concepcion. Since that time there have been 200 aftershocks. Each one brings a renewed fear in many people. Local news in the worst hit areas report a mother and a small son who were resued from their 14 story apartment building that fell on its side; people camping out on the hillside beside their city that was wiped out by the tsunami's; and hungry and thirsty people desperate for relief from their situation and from the paralysing fear of the aftershocks. Chileans are pulling together to lend a helping hand to their fellow countrymen. Baptist churches are collecting food, water, clothes, medicine, etc. and are already distributing it to those in need.
PRAY FOR:
Wisdom as a ministry plan is formed
The families who have lost loved ones
Opportunities to share the love of Christ
For peace and order among the people as they adjust to this disaster
Safety, rest, and calm nerves for all involved
That we can "be still and know God" in spite of the unrest we feel from the aftershocks

PRAYER WALKING IMPRESSIONS

THE PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY AS LONG AS WE MAKE THE INITIAL MOVE. THE CHILDREN ARE GREETING US AS WE ENTER THE COMMUNITY NOW THAT THEY RECOGNIZE US. LIFE IS HARD HERE BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE BARE ESSENTIALS. THE COMMUNITY IS GROWING BECAUSE THEY ARE BUILDING NEW HOUSES. ROSA, OUR INITIAL CONTACT, SELLS SMALL ITEMS TO THE COMMUNITY AND IS VERY HELPFUL. THERE IS A LARGE SOCCER FIELD FOR THE CHILDREN TO PLAY ON ACROSS FROM THE SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THE OPEN BUILDING WITH BLEACHERS AND BASKETBALL HOOPS IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE YOU COULD HAVE A GATHERING. THE PARK OR PLAZA IS BESIDE THE SCHOOL. IT HAS BENCHES TO SIT ON AND PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR THE CHILDREN TO PLAY ON ALTHOUGH WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYONE IN THE AREA. THE CHILE DOGS ARE EVERYWHERE. SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY OWN HORSES WHICH SEEM TO BE WELL TAKEN CARE OF. AS WE WERE PRAYER WALKING ON THE DIRT ROADS AND PRAYING FOR EACH FAMILY IN THE HOUSES WE CAME UPON A HOUSE WITH CHILDREN'S VOICES. IT WAS VERY APPARENT THAT ABOUT THREE CHILDREN WERE PICKING ON ANOTHER CHILD. THIS GIRL WAS A LITTLE OLDER WITH BLONDE HAIR AND WAS MONGOLOID. SHE WAS CRYING AND THE OTHER CHILDREN RAN ACROSS THE ROAD LAUGHING AND HIDING IN THEIR YARD.
PRAY THAT THE LORD WOULD ALLOW US TO MINISTER TO BOTH FAMILIES.