I'm a huge Mercy Me fan and now I have another new favorite song. You know Mercy Me has a heart for missions when you hear them sing this song. They have many songs that show this heart but this song really captures exactly how we feel. Anyone who has ever stepped out and served in a way that can only be done through God being His hands and feet and voice and love through you will know exactly what this song is saying. It says it all. Please listen. Enjoy the video that my new YouTube friend has created.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKG3Pwr04A0
click on the link to watch.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Right around the corner
The Ukraine mission trip is right around the corner. We leave on the 10th of June. Our tickets are bought so we are going! YEA!! First of all....may I just say WE CAN HARDLY WAIT! We are more and more excited the closer it gets. We are still short on funding despite the many fund raisers we have done through out the year. We are not panicked though, as we know God will provide. We are asking that you pray for us that we will do what ever God opens up for us to do to earn more. Also, if you can give, even a small amount, we know without a doubt, that God will multiply it and use it for His glory. He always does. The funds will pay for our lodging, food, payment for translators, craft items, supplies, and travel while we are in Ukraine. Our theme this year is "The Armor of God". We are purchasing NIV Russian Bibles. (another thing the funds go towards) The children are going to decorate their own Bible covers. Every day we will teach more about the armor of God and we will use Paul to show how he put on the different parts of the armor. An unexpectd cost we have this year is luggage. In the past we have been allowed to bring 2 50 pound suitcases. We use one for our personal items and one for crafts, supplies, and donations. This year, we can take one 50 pound suitcase only. This will really limit us, so instead of taking one only, we are still taking two, and will have to pay extra for the weight. If you can give financially, please write your check out to SACS and mark it for "Ukraine Missions" and mail it to: San Antonio Christian School @ 19202 Redland Rd Bld F San Antonio, TX 78259. Our deadline is June 1st for getting all our funds in. I forgot to mention that we each have to raise $2,800 and some of us are almost there and some of us are far from there. More than anything, we appreciate your prayers. Satan is attacking and does not want this trip to happen. Igor (In Ukraine) is working on his end on getting us in to the village and to the orphan camps and Fontanka so that we can teach the Bible stories and spend precious time with the kids. Please pray that we will be able to have this time (especially at Camp Viktoria).
Shower of Blessings
A few weeks ago, our Ukraine mission team had our 3rd annual Father Daughter Banquet. It was a night full of blessings. Bill and Pam sang, "My Redeemer is Faithful and True", and a Sophomore, Alyssa Cavazos jammed as she sang, "I am Blessed." The theme of the night was "Shower of Blessings" so our speaker, Bert Neville (who has been a part of our team in the past)spoke to our fathers about blessing their daughters. There was a special time where the fathers read a blessing over their girls and prayed with them. They played a fun game and had a sweet time of dancing together at the end.
This is one of our favorite fund raisers we do during the year. We work very hard to make it a wonderful night and we are blessed as we serve and we pray that the fathers and daughters are blessed as they spend their evening together.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
adopted orphans currently ministering in Ukraine
I'm excited to share a blog with you. http://nasekos.blogspot.com/
Karina was adopted from Ukraine and is now there RIGHT NOW ministering on a short term mission trip. Another girl, Kristina (who was adopted and lives in Florida) joined Karina on this trip as well.
These two girls were best friends when they were in the orphanage and now they are together to share God's love to the orphans and tell the Good News of Jesus and His love for them.
I am praying for God to be glorified through this small team. I am so happy that they are there loving on these children. I wanted to share this with as many people as possible so that we could all be praying for them. I'm sure the girls are facing different emotions but I know God's will, will be done through them. I'm so proud of them for stepping out in faith and going where God called them to go. I pray great things happen through them. I pray the people they come in contact with (even the directors of the orphanages) will see the light of Jesus in them and that they, too, will want this gift of Salvation.
Someone told me last summer that what we do on our mission trips doesn't make a difference. Hmmm... I think they were wrong. Of course, I agree that what I do doesn't make a difference whether it's here or there. It's what the Father does through me. It's what God does through His children. I praise Him for this! Let's pray that God makes a difference through those who are there right now in His name.
Karina was adopted from Ukraine and is now there RIGHT NOW ministering on a short term mission trip. Another girl, Kristina (who was adopted and lives in Florida) joined Karina on this trip as well.
These two girls were best friends when they were in the orphanage and now they are together to share God's love to the orphans and tell the Good News of Jesus and His love for them.
I am praying for God to be glorified through this small team. I am so happy that they are there loving on these children. I wanted to share this with as many people as possible so that we could all be praying for them. I'm sure the girls are facing different emotions but I know God's will, will be done through them. I'm so proud of them for stepping out in faith and going where God called them to go. I pray great things happen through them. I pray the people they come in contact with (even the directors of the orphanages) will see the light of Jesus in them and that they, too, will want this gift of Salvation.
Someone told me last summer that what we do on our mission trips doesn't make a difference. Hmmm... I think they were wrong. Of course, I agree that what I do doesn't make a difference whether it's here or there. It's what the Father does through me. It's what God does through His children. I praise Him for this! Let's pray that God makes a difference through those who are there right now in His name.
Monday, January 18, 2010
YouTube video
SA Christian School is busy preparing for this summer's trip. We are getting a new team together and working on getting plane tickets, translators, places to stay, and beginning to raise the necessary funds to get everything accomplished. Our major (and most fun) fund raiser is a Daddy Daughter banquet. We will be talking about how Daddy's can bless their daughters. We are planning to have this banquet in April. Just for fun, I'll probably post information and pictures about it as it gets closer to the day. It's precious to see the little girls and their daddy's walk in the room for their special night together.
Please pray for us while we begin to prepare the Bible stories that God wants us to teach, as well as the crafts, and activities. Pray for us as we raise money (the hardest thing to do of all). We want to be used by God and we want to be His hands and feet and show these children His love.
We feel led to wrap the stories and crafts around the Truths of the Armor of God. Our desire is for the kids to know they have God and His presence and His protection with them at all times. We want them to know they can guard themselves from the evil one. There is a LOT of work to be done to be completely ready.
I am trying to remember how to post a Youtube video on the blog page but it's after midnight and my brain is no longer working. So, I will copy/paste the address here. You can also go to Youtube and search "SACS Ukraine mission trip" and you should find last year's trip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqHb-PBZTnk
Please pray for us while we begin to prepare the Bible stories that God wants us to teach, as well as the crafts, and activities. Pray for us as we raise money (the hardest thing to do of all). We want to be used by God and we want to be His hands and feet and show these children His love.
We feel led to wrap the stories and crafts around the Truths of the Armor of God. Our desire is for the kids to know they have God and His presence and His protection with them at all times. We want them to know they can guard themselves from the evil one. There is a LOT of work to be done to be completely ready.
I am trying to remember how to post a Youtube video on the blog page but it's after midnight and my brain is no longer working. So, I will copy/paste the address here. You can also go to Youtube and search "SACS Ukraine mission trip" and you should find last year's trip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqHb-PBZTnk
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Our mission team has been home for quite some time but thoughts of Ukraine and our kids are still with us at all times. The orphans are in our prayers constantly. We pray they know God is still with them even though we have gone home. We pray they understand that Jesus chose them to be on His "team" (one of the points we really tried to drive home). We wanted these children to know, without a doubt, that Jesus loves them, chose them, and will never leave them.
God answered our prayer about ministering at Fontanka. We were not real sure we were going to be able to go there. Igor made a few phone calls to the director and, because of their close relationship and because the director desires for these boys to hear the Word of God, we were allowed to go. The 2nd week our team was in Ukraine, we were able to go to Fontanka. We had only a few days to go there before we had to leave Odessa.
Time at Fontanka was precious. Last year there were 20 boys and this year there were 40. We made new friends and all of us who were together last year were very happy to see each other again. Every day we did relays, played games, taught our Bible story through skits or puppets and sang lots of songs. One of the boys, Viktor, even got up and led the group in "The wise man built his house upon a rock". I was so proud of him. These boys have been really learning and understand the Bible. Igor and Lela have been teaching these boys about God's love for the last few years. The director has even gone to the government and received permission to teach Christian principles at this detention center. He cares about these boys.
The kids love craft time and loved making balloon creations. They look us right in the eye and give us the biggest smile. They are full of love yet they are full of uncertainty and fear. Most of them have had a very hard start in life. Many were homeless and brought in off the streets. The streets are hard...they have to do what ever it takes to survive, so many have committed crimes and many had to have help with their drug and alcohol addictions. They are so young and still look very innocent. This life was not their choice. They need hope and they need help.
Our teenagers and adults saw them as the children of God that they are and were full of love for these boys. We loved hugging them and playing games with them. We gave them clothes that our friends, churches, and families donated. They couldn't say thank you enough.
We also left all our craft supplies with their art teacher. She was thrilled to receive this gift. She took us to their art room and showed us a huge display of things the boys have created. They are going to sell them in a craft show.
They also have a little orchestra now, which is new. They gave us a little concert before we left on our last day and we were so blessed. We bought a guitar to use while we were there so we gladly donated it as well.
We know God is moving in this this orphanage. He has plans for these boys and many of these boys have accepted Him as their savior and king. The one's who were saved last year still had His light shining in their eyes. Salvation is real and Jesus IS with them. They have His joy even in their circumstance. God loves them and we love sharing this love with them.
I will be posting some slide shows eventually. Until then, feel free to go to the Picasa web page where you'll see more pictures than you dare look at! As you look at them, allow God to speak to your heart about what He would like you to do for His children. He commands us to take care of them. Should we adopt? Should we give financially to missions? Should we go? Should we pray? I know God will speak to us. We just have to listen.
http://picasaweb.google.com/PamDeFrees
God answered our prayer about ministering at Fontanka. We were not real sure we were going to be able to go there. Igor made a few phone calls to the director and, because of their close relationship and because the director desires for these boys to hear the Word of God, we were allowed to go. The 2nd week our team was in Ukraine, we were able to go to Fontanka. We had only a few days to go there before we had to leave Odessa.
Time at Fontanka was precious. Last year there were 20 boys and this year there were 40. We made new friends and all of us who were together last year were very happy to see each other again. Every day we did relays, played games, taught our Bible story through skits or puppets and sang lots of songs. One of the boys, Viktor, even got up and led the group in "The wise man built his house upon a rock". I was so proud of him. These boys have been really learning and understand the Bible. Igor and Lela have been teaching these boys about God's love for the last few years. The director has even gone to the government and received permission to teach Christian principles at this detention center. He cares about these boys.
The kids love craft time and loved making balloon creations. They look us right in the eye and give us the biggest smile. They are full of love yet they are full of uncertainty and fear. Most of them have had a very hard start in life. Many were homeless and brought in off the streets. The streets are hard...they have to do what ever it takes to survive, so many have committed crimes and many had to have help with their drug and alcohol addictions. They are so young and still look very innocent. This life was not their choice. They need hope and they need help.
Our teenagers and adults saw them as the children of God that they are and were full of love for these boys. We loved hugging them and playing games with them. We gave them clothes that our friends, churches, and families donated. They couldn't say thank you enough.
We also left all our craft supplies with their art teacher. She was thrilled to receive this gift. She took us to their art room and showed us a huge display of things the boys have created. They are going to sell them in a craft show.
They also have a little orchestra now, which is new. They gave us a little concert before we left on our last day and we were so blessed. We bought a guitar to use while we were there so we gladly donated it as well.
We know God is moving in this this orphanage. He has plans for these boys and many of these boys have accepted Him as their savior and king. The one's who were saved last year still had His light shining in their eyes. Salvation is real and Jesus IS with them. They have His joy even in their circumstance. God loves them and we love sharing this love with them.
I will be posting some slide shows eventually. Until then, feel free to go to the Picasa web page where you'll see more pictures than you dare look at! As you look at them, allow God to speak to your heart about what He would like you to do for His children. He commands us to take care of them. Should we adopt? Should we give financially to missions? Should we go? Should we pray? I know God will speak to us. We just have to listen.
http://picasaweb.google.com/PamDeFrees
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Today is Sunday. Happy Fathers Day to all you daddy's out there!
This morning in church our team sang "Mighty to Save" and "I Will Rise". Kimmi played the guitar and did an awesome job. Danny and Brian shared a testimony between songs and did an awesome job as well. One of our translators, Olga, sang a beautiful duet and also read a poem during the service. She did great!
After church we went home to eat lunch and rest. Alyona and the bus came to pick us up so that we could visit a farm. The farm is used to help support an orphanage and shelter. Tolik and his family go to this church and his family works hard on the farm. It was fun walking around looking at the pigs and the baby pigs and chickens. We ate fresh apricots and picked strawberries from the garden. We had a great time fellowshipping with Tolik and Slavik's parents. They are the sweetest people.
We're now at McDonalds (obviously since we're on the internet) and we'll leave soon to go play volley ball with the youth group at the church we went to this morning. After volley ball we will sing and worship together in the youth room. Most of the youth are college age and we had fun doing this with them last year.
Tomorrow we are hoping and praying that we can go to Fontanka to teach the boys who live there. We will sing, tell the Bible stories, do crafts, and play games. The director hasn't agreed to this yet but we are hoping he will. If all goes well, we will finish at Fontanka and go home for lunch. The team will head to Camp Viktoria for the evening. Most likely we will not get to have an organized teaching time. Our plan is to have small groups around the campus and talk and do crafts. I know God will bless this time with the kids and seeds will be planted.
God is good and we know His plans are perfect. We will go where He leads and He will be glorified. God is good....all the time.
This morning in church our team sang "Mighty to Save" and "I Will Rise". Kimmi played the guitar and did an awesome job. Danny and Brian shared a testimony between songs and did an awesome job as well. One of our translators, Olga, sang a beautiful duet and also read a poem during the service. She did great!
After church we went home to eat lunch and rest. Alyona and the bus came to pick us up so that we could visit a farm. The farm is used to help support an orphanage and shelter. Tolik and his family go to this church and his family works hard on the farm. It was fun walking around looking at the pigs and the baby pigs and chickens. We ate fresh apricots and picked strawberries from the garden. We had a great time fellowshipping with Tolik and Slavik's parents. They are the sweetest people.
We're now at McDonalds (obviously since we're on the internet) and we'll leave soon to go play volley ball with the youth group at the church we went to this morning. After volley ball we will sing and worship together in the youth room. Most of the youth are college age and we had fun doing this with them last year.
Tomorrow we are hoping and praying that we can go to Fontanka to teach the boys who live there. We will sing, tell the Bible stories, do crafts, and play games. The director hasn't agreed to this yet but we are hoping he will. If all goes well, we will finish at Fontanka and go home for lunch. The team will head to Camp Viktoria for the evening. Most likely we will not get to have an organized teaching time. Our plan is to have small groups around the campus and talk and do crafts. I know God will bless this time with the kids and seeds will be planted.
God is good and we know His plans are perfect. We will go where He leads and He will be glorified. God is good....all the time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)