Hello from CAMP-of-the-WOODS. The following news' update from Tim T out in AZ.
"Thanks so much for your prayers for the LIFT team! Tim called me a few times yesterday to let me know they arrived in Phoenix (early), secured the rental vans, and shopped for two weeks' groceries in Flagstaff. The team seemed to be doing very well.
Brad Outlaw is having some issues with his shoulder- he woke up with it really bothering him a couple of days before they left. He almost stayed back to see a doctor, but decided to move ahead with the original travel plan. Please lift him up in prayer.
The LIFT group knows that they are heading into a spiritually dark place where strongholds are a reality. Thanks so much for your prayer support- it is necessary and effective."
Know too that at COTW we are praying for the LIFT team as a group every day at lunch. We encourage you all do so too !
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
We're heading to the Hopi!
The final countdown has begun! We are (feverishly) finishing all of the last-minute preparation that stand between us and our trip to the Hopi. This blog will keep all of the friends of LIFT up-to-date on our trip, our group, and especially how the Kingdom of God is advancing as God works through our team. We are expecting great things!
We will be in AZ from Nov 2-18, and will spend much of that time on the Hopi Reservation. We will be teaming with Scott and Melinda Wight, who are missionaries supported by our home church North Country Bible Fellowship. We will work with their youth group, do a variety of service projects. We will also join up with a On Eagles' Wings, a ministry started by Brad Hutchcraft that reaches out to Native American youth all over the West.
In addition, we are adding a couple of days into the trip so that we can take some time to go rock climbing and also backpack down into the Grand Canyon.
We hope that you enjoy keeping up with us, and we especially hope that you will pray for us throughout our time!
We will be in AZ from Nov 2-18, and will spend much of that time on the Hopi Reservation. We will be teaming with Scott and Melinda Wight, who are missionaries supported by our home church North Country Bible Fellowship. We will work with their youth group, do a variety of service projects. We will also join up with a On Eagles' Wings, a ministry started by Brad Hutchcraft that reaches out to Native American youth all over the West.
In addition, we are adding a couple of days into the trip so that we can take some time to go rock climbing and also backpack down into the Grand Canyon.
We hope that you enjoy keeping up with us, and we especially hope that you will pray for us throughout our time!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Signing Out
LIFT has been in Speculator for just about 24 hours now and have seemed to recoup well. My main purpose in sending this last post is to share a photo with you. This is a group photo in front of one of their boats in the middle of a rain storm. I'm not sure what day it was taken, but you can see bits of Brazil in the photo.
Hearing stories of the trip in person has been great. These half-stories I've been telling here have found their other halves and I've enjoyed every minute of "story time".
I can honestly say I have loved (and by "loved" I mean LOVED) every minute of our email/blog journey together. BUT I like having the students here more, so we'll have to part ways and go back to letting them contact ya'll instead.
(You can click on the photo to make it bigger. Check out all the lovely faces!)
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27)
Hearing stories of the trip in person has been great. These half-stories I've been telling here have found their other halves and I've enjoyed every minute of "story time".
I can honestly say I have loved (and by "loved" I mean LOVED) every minute of our email/blog journey together. BUT I like having the students here more, so we'll have to part ways and go back to letting them contact ya'll instead.
(You can click on the photo to make it bigger. Check out all the lovely faces!)Friday, April 17, 2009
Home Safe
I just dropped LIFT of at their perspective houses in Speculator, NY! Traveling home wasn't as smooth as we hoped for, but everyone is here, safe and sound.
I got a call this morning from Tim T saying that our international student was stuck in Miami customs. We got word that they were going to let her through, but the process could take up to an hour. They finally let her into the country just in time for her to run to her first flight. She didn't make it in time, so they put her on standby. She did get on a flight, but she ended up traveling alone the rest of the day.
To make a long story short (because it's past my bedtime):
Group #1 landed in Newark around 2:30.
Our Polish student landed around 3:20.
Group #2 landed around 4:30.
Group #1 had some luggage issues and 3 bags were on another plane. Lord willing, they'll be delivered up here tomorrow.
I had the greatest time on the drive home, listening to stories about electric eels and life on the river. I can't wait until they get to share the stories with you!
I'll have one more update before I sign out. I want to send along at least one photo.
I got a call this morning from Tim T saying that our international student was stuck in Miami customs. We got word that they were going to let her through, but the process could take up to an hour. They finally let her into the country just in time for her to run to her first flight. She didn't make it in time, so they put her on standby. She did get on a flight, but she ended up traveling alone the rest of the day.
To make a long story short (because it's past my bedtime):
Group #1 landed in Newark around 2:30.
Our Polish student landed around 3:20.
Group #2 landed around 4:30.
Group #1 had some luggage issues and 3 bags were on another plane. Lord willing, they'll be delivered up here tomorrow.
I had the greatest time on the drive home, listening to stories about electric eels and life on the river. I can't wait until they get to share the stories with you!
I'll have one more update before I sign out. I want to send along at least one photo.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Airports
I just got off the phone with Tim T. and the group is in the Belem airport. They have a while to wait before their first flight (out of 4), but they are definitely on their way home!
Flight information (these are all local times):
Tonight they fly from Belem to Rio De Janeiro (5:50pm - 9:30pm)
Then from Rio De Janeiro to Miami (10:35pm - 6:20pm)
Tomorrow they split up into two groups:
Group #1 flies from Miami to Atlanta (9:25am - 11:20am)
Then from Atlanta to Newark (12:19pm - 2:40pm)
Group #2 flies from Miami to Atlanta (11:09am - 1:08pm)
Then from Atlanta to Newark (2:00pm - 4:24pm)
Group one will hang out at the airport until group two arrives, then they'll hop in the vans for the 4.5 hour drive back to Speculator! And I'm excited to say, that I'm privileged enough to be one of those van drivers! I'm terribly excited I get to see the group tomorrow afternoon and I'll be sure to share all your love with them.
I have two prayer requests:
1) This day of travel can be very critical for the group. This is when lessons are solidified and experiences turn into stories. Let's pray that the Spirit would continue to solidify His work in them.
2) This one is more specific, requested by Tim T. There are a lot of emotions floating around the group over the end of some things: the end of Brazil, nearing the end of LIFT and the end of some other things. Today is especially hard for them, so lets pray that the students as well as the Tims would be focusing on the eternal benefit of their circumstances. God's desire is Christ-likeness displayed in them; this should be our expectation and prayer.
Let's pray this for the LIFT group today:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:17-20).
Mini-sermonette not entirely relevant to LIFT: This is one of my favorite sections of scripture because it talks of the power of the Holy Spirit. As believers in Christ Jesus, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now living within us working mightly. What is He working on? Molding us into Christ-likeness. The same, unimaginable amount of power that raised the God-man from the dead is constantly available to us so that we may glorify Him.
Thanks for reading once again. My next update will be short (either late tomorrow night or Saturday morning) letting you know the team is home and well.
Flight information (these are all local times):
Tonight they fly from Belem to Rio De Janeiro (5:50pm - 9:30pm)
Then from Rio De Janeiro to Miami (10:35pm - 6:20pm)
Tomorrow they split up into two groups:
Group #1 flies from Miami to Atlanta (9:25am - 11:20am)
Then from Atlanta to Newark (12:19pm - 2:40pm)
Group #2 flies from Miami to Atlanta (11:09am - 1:08pm)
Then from Atlanta to Newark (2:00pm - 4:24pm)
Group one will hang out at the airport until group two arrives, then they'll hop in the vans for the 4.5 hour drive back to Speculator! And I'm excited to say, that I'm privileged enough to be one of those van drivers! I'm terribly excited I get to see the group tomorrow afternoon and I'll be sure to share all your love with them.
I have two prayer requests:
1) This day of travel can be very critical for the group. This is when lessons are solidified and experiences turn into stories. Let's pray that the Spirit would continue to solidify His work in them.
2) This one is more specific, requested by Tim T. There are a lot of emotions floating around the group over the end of some things: the end of Brazil, nearing the end of LIFT and the end of some other things. Today is especially hard for them, so lets pray that the students as well as the Tims would be focusing on the eternal benefit of their circumstances. God's desire is Christ-likeness displayed in them; this should be our expectation and prayer.
Let's pray this for the LIFT group today:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:17-20).
Mini-sermonette not entirely relevant to LIFT: This is one of my favorite sections of scripture because it talks of the power of the Holy Spirit. As believers in Christ Jesus, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now living within us working mightly. What is He working on? Molding us into Christ-likeness. The same, unimaginable amount of power that raised the God-man from the dead is constantly available to us so that we may glorify Him.
Thanks for reading once again. My next update will be short (either late tomorrow night or Saturday morning) letting you know the team is home and well.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Satellite Phones
I just got off the phone with Tim T!
The LIFT program has two satellite phones that are reminiscent of the "high-tech" cell phones of the late 80's. They can pretty much call from anywhere in the world and they sound like they're on the other side of the room. It's quite deceptive actually. How can someone standing in the middle Amazon jungle sound that clear?
Anyway, Tim said that he had to wait a bit to call because a huge rain storm came through and he couldn't step outside. He was looking at a magnificent rainbow while we were on the phone.
The group is doing well. Their days have been filled with work and their evenings have been filled with ministry. They've traveled around sharing testimonies, songs and skits with the communities they've been visiting. They end their days with peaceful rides on the river back to camp under the stars.
Easter Sunday was great. They had a sunrise service on the the roof of the boat before attending church. This was a really sweet, encouraging time for them. After the long, Spirit-filled service the team walked inland quite a ways and played soccer with some Brazilians on a full-length soccer field. By the end of the game it was pouring rain and the group loved every minute of it.
Installing the water filters at different homes along the river was very eye-opening for the LIFTers. Some the families are in extreme poverty, owning next to nothing. The way that the church shares Christ to these people through community development is a great example for these future leaders. They install water filters, bringing clean water to impoverished areas and opening up doors for evangelism. The follow through with solid discipleship and start up cell groups connected to churches. The Lord is clearly working through Project Amazon and this is very encouraging to the group.
Today, the group was scheduled to continue installing water filters, but are taking a day of rest instead. Some of the group are sick and some of them have minor injuries (running around the Amazon basin barefoot...). Having part of the group out of sorts, is throwing the rest of the team off, so a day of rest was ordered. Let's pray for the LIFTers today that they would rest well and that illnesses wouldn't spread.
Tomorrow the team will celebrate Ken T's (Tim T's brother) birthday, then head into Belem. They fly out of Belem Thursday morning and should be back in Speculator, NY Friday night!
Tim said that he would try and call either tomorrow or Thursday, so there should be at least one more update from Brazil and one or two more after the group arrives home.
The LIFT program has two satellite phones that are reminiscent of the "high-tech" cell phones of the late 80's. They can pretty much call from anywhere in the world and they sound like they're on the other side of the room. It's quite deceptive actually. How can someone standing in the middle Amazon jungle sound that clear?
Anyway, Tim said that he had to wait a bit to call because a huge rain storm came through and he couldn't step outside. He was looking at a magnificent rainbow while we were on the phone.
The group is doing well. Their days have been filled with work and their evenings have been filled with ministry. They've traveled around sharing testimonies, songs and skits with the communities they've been visiting. They end their days with peaceful rides on the river back to camp under the stars.
Easter Sunday was great. They had a sunrise service on the the roof of the boat before attending church. This was a really sweet, encouraging time for them. After the long, Spirit-filled service the team walked inland quite a ways and played soccer with some Brazilians on a full-length soccer field. By the end of the game it was pouring rain and the group loved every minute of it.
Installing the water filters at different homes along the river was very eye-opening for the LIFTers. Some the families are in extreme poverty, owning next to nothing. The way that the church shares Christ to these people through community development is a great example for these future leaders. They install water filters, bringing clean water to impoverished areas and opening up doors for evangelism. The follow through with solid discipleship and start up cell groups connected to churches. The Lord is clearly working through Project Amazon and this is very encouraging to the group.
Today, the group was scheduled to continue installing water filters, but are taking a day of rest instead. Some of the group are sick and some of them have minor injuries (running around the Amazon basin barefoot...). Having part of the group out of sorts, is throwing the rest of the team off, so a day of rest was ordered. Let's pray for the LIFTers today that they would rest well and that illnesses wouldn't spread.
Tomorrow the team will celebrate Ken T's (Tim T's brother) birthday, then head into Belem. They fly out of Belem Thursday morning and should be back in Speculator, NY Friday night!
Tim said that he would try and call either tomorrow or Thursday, so there should be at least one more update from Brazil and one or two more after the group arrives home.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday Update
Tim O (TO) called his bride today, so this update is really coming from Courtney.
Today, the group spent the day installing water filters at 15 different sites. Apparently, each filter weighs 300 pounds; I'm sure this was a sight to see. They'll be installing more water filters tomorrow.
If you remember, last night the group split up and visited 3 different churches; they went very well. I'm not sure about the other two, but Emory preached at one of the services (most likely the service TO attended) and did a great job. At this point in time all the LIFTers have shared their testimonies across the Amazon basin and have done an excellent job.
Courtney's email to me was filled with exclamation points. This tells me that TO was really encouraged to share what's been going on. The group is doing well and has seen God working in mighty ways in Brazil. We can praise the Lord for this.
Thanks for praying!
Today, the group spent the day installing water filters at 15 different sites. Apparently, each filter weighs 300 pounds; I'm sure this was a sight to see. They'll be installing more water filters tomorrow.
If you remember, last night the group split up and visited 3 different churches; they went very well. I'm not sure about the other two, but Emory preached at one of the services (most likely the service TO attended) and did a great job. At this point in time all the LIFTers have shared their testimonies across the Amazon basin and have done an excellent job.
Courtney's email to me was filled with exclamation points. This tells me that TO was really encouraged to share what's been going on. The group is doing well and has seen God working in mighty ways in Brazil. We can praise the Lord for this.
Thanks for praying!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
