tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63174778801421535792024-02-24T02:21:25.248-08:00BUILDING THE BLOCKS...<br>"Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it... but I'm afraid God might ask me the same question." ~ AnonymousAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.comBlogger935125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-46305609501302870892014-01-22T16:57:00.005-08:002014-01-22T17:18:25.703-08:00Move out of the way<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone commented to me the other day that I was “brave”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I had to laugh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because you see, I am not at all brave…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have simply chosen <strong><em>to get out of the way.</em></strong>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To others I may seem brave to adopt a child of a different color. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I may appear brave to adopt a child with HIV. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I may look brave to move to a foreign country with 7 of our 9 children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I may seem brave to have to raise and live on support. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I may appear brave to start a ministry from the ground up without a single extra dollar in our pockets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I may seem brave to work with prostitutes and children with various special needs I often know nothing about. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I may seem brave to open our homes to a 16-year-old deaf boy who was living on the streets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Because after all, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we could get hurt.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We could fail.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We could fall.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yet still,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we have chosen to get out of the way,
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And let God have <strong><em>His way.</em></strong></span><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Because the truth is, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">most days I don’t know what I am doing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I don’t have the answers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I don’t have the qualifications.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t have the skills.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t have the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I don’t have the knowledge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I don’t have the experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I don’t have the resources.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t have what it takes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<strong><em>But He does.</em></strong></span><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
And so, <em>“I”</em> get out of the way-
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And let God have <em>His way</em> <em>in me.</em>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I have found that when I do-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
God sized things happen.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ministries are built.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prostitutes are made new.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Children find families.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Truth is spread.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disease loses it’s power.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
People find forgiveness.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lives are changed.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Broken hearts are healed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faith grows.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And people come to know the Lord...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
When <em>“I”</em> get out of the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
And so today, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I move.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I move out of His way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I let Him work <em>in</em> me
and <em>through</em> me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
I move where He wants me to go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And there,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I find Him waiting to do more than I could have ever dreamed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBifiwSa7D5HGS8-khGHkSKCWqIbgJVr4h8AHspe5_sGI5uiO_U-UQaESoNelbWdBMGIHPgy226V1l36Ms0Tr7gaNO0FC6QkKExYvHf_Mu5PHea1UaMGxyyxFOsB_ZL08s1ry40hoIW8h6/s1600/beachfixed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBifiwSa7D5HGS8-khGHkSKCWqIbgJVr4h8AHspe5_sGI5uiO_U-UQaESoNelbWdBMGIHPgy226V1l36Ms0Tr7gaNO0FC6QkKExYvHf_Mu5PHea1UaMGxyyxFOsB_ZL08s1ry40hoIW8h6/s1600/beachfixed.jpg" height="481" width="640" /></a></div>
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-27487539277045062782013-10-29T18:23:00.001-07:002013-10-29T18:23:07.845-07:00Matthew 25:40 Challenge!!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_FiKH_H1FzNKpXNYe67k6FcLDhuknXSQM40rn54YesPnilZEGb4qc2r6r0tajywktxCGs2g3e9ksaNwVU3Lg-C1_eiYid-ULVYPo2RubTGZruo26slhwrgAY4gAakS5vO01Hroe7MSDR/s1600/Matthew+25+40+challange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_FiKH_H1FzNKpXNYe67k6FcLDhuknXSQM40rn54YesPnilZEGb4qc2r6r0tajywktxCGs2g3e9ksaNwVU3Lg-C1_eiYid-ULVYPo2RubTGZruo26slhwrgAY4gAakS5vO01Hroe7MSDR/s640/Matthew+25+40+challange.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If Jesus Christ himself stood in front of you today-was sick and needed medication, was hungry and needed food, was thirsty and needed clean water, was cold and needed shelter, was lonely and needed to be loved- how would you respond?<br />
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Matthew 25:40 says that whatever we do for the least of these we do for HIM. It's so easy yet so hard for the human mind to comprehend. When you give to those who are sick, hungry, thirsty, cold and lonely, you are in essence REALLY giving to Our Lord. There is no difference.
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As Village of Hope continues to grow at a rapid rate so does our need for additional monthly support. In a very short period of time, 11 precious lives have been placed in our care, with many more to follow on any given day.
Plain and simple-OUR NEED IS IMMEDIATE AND WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU. <br />
<br />
We humbly ask that join us in caring for these precious souls entrusted to us.
By following the link below you can sign up to be a monthly supporter of Village of Hope. It is our prayer that individuals, just like you, would entrust The Lord with all He's blessed each of us with, and sow <strong>$25.40</strong> of that back into His Kingdom each month via Village of Hope-Guatemala.<br />
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https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2/?giftid=552EEA74C83F4A1 <a href="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
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<a href="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="image signature" border="0" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-2469082979384670352013-10-27T16:18:00.000-07:002013-10-27T16:18:02.498-07:00REDEMPTIONMost of the time, we don't get to see the fruits of our labor. Often times we are given the chance to plant the seed but never see it come to fruition. <br />
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Being on the mission field is often that way too. Many times when we pour ourselves into a person sharing the love of Christ, feeding them spiritually and physically, holding their hands, sharing His word-and yet never know what happens in the end. And that is okay.<br />
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Yet sometimes there are the precious glimpses that God does allow us to see~ <br />
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And it completely blows you away...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Rose being read a letter that someone on a team wrote to her)</span> </div>
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Many of you have followed Rosa's story and many of you have told me time and time again how much you have been praying for her. I cannot tell you how much that means to us- and to her. To know that a complete stranger is going to the Lord on your behalf is priceless. To know that someone out there cares, someone who you may never meet on this side of heaven cares enough about you to bring it to the Lord is a beautiful thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9qGdcEVwLAoNUnM1nopVLtEGW_YdrTErcQFMpFI0H7kmKE81NP3LEguAyT9q_USITqv0lbXxUQ-k582FvqTat0R_pJwRxUAhKFFzNUrF0AnfuKxMjUOTDaEsd7ILevK77qG0TeFywIDg/s1600/kellymattvisitandGTkids+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9qGdcEVwLAoNUnM1nopVLtEGW_YdrTErcQFMpFI0H7kmKE81NP3LEguAyT9q_USITqv0lbXxUQ-k582FvqTat0R_pJwRxUAhKFFzNUrF0AnfuKxMjUOTDaEsd7ILevK77qG0TeFywIDg/s640/kellymattvisitandGTkids+033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Rose outside her home)</span></div>
<br />
While there are
parts of Rosas story will never be shared on this blog there are some things that she is comfortable with me sharing. While I believe with all of my heart that our partners deserve to be informed of the work that is being done here through their partnership- our main priority is to protect those we serve-and not exploit them. That is a very fine line we walk and I pray that we do it well.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
(Rose eating a meal at Village of Hope) </div>
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What I can tell you though is that <strong>in</strong> Rosa's story I see many of us. I see humans who are starving-for the love of Christ. Humans who are hurting, desperate, running, scared, alone, abused, seeking, sick, lost and <em>hopeless</em>.<br />
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Humans who are just waiting for someone to stop and care, to stop judging, to stop looking down on them and to try to just understand.<br />
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They are waiting- for someone to stop <em>and BE Jesus.</em> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx78JDhsoseLNLe2hIMWrNY4KyAjgJ0PShi6DVZIrwS2NqpBer8eafOi4aHO5qeuIKegdioygOdugh-w7Tb-5tCfYB-V2RsOTpwcnsWHd4TRgzhRsSVbORjaIUcM8AvhIFmDWeK0W3kj3V/s1600/Rosa+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx78JDhsoseLNLe2hIMWrNY4KyAjgJ0PShi6DVZIrwS2NqpBer8eafOi4aHO5qeuIKegdioygOdugh-w7Tb-5tCfYB-V2RsOTpwcnsWHd4TRgzhRsSVbORjaIUcM8AvhIFmDWeK0W3kj3V/s640/Rosa+030.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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And yet often times we are too busy with our own life, our own fears, our own hurt, our own desires, our own wants... that we miss the opportunity to be Jesus to another. <br />
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I praise God that He allowed us and our partners to be a part of her story. And even in the times when I confess I didn't always feel like I had the extra time, the extra resources- He still made a way.<br />
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I thank God for allowing us to plant the seed, to hold the hand, to feed her spiritually and physically. I thank God He allowed us to simply <em><strong>love</strong></em>.<br />
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I thank God for those of you who prayed. For those of you who gave, those of you who came and served, for those of you who cared.<br />
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I thank God for children's home like <strong>Village of Hope</strong> and <strong>Casa Shalom</strong> who came together for HIS glory to do the work <em>He</em> calls us to do. <br />
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(Rosa being baptized at church)</div>
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What I want you to know is that this isn't just another Cinderella story. <br />
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<strong>This is a GOD STORY.</strong> <br />
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These pictures are not just about cleaning someone up and putting them in a pretty dress. And they are not necessarily about happily ever after... because often times we will carry our scars for the rest of our lives here on earth.<br />
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They are about <strong>HEART,</strong> they are about <strong>HOPE</strong> and they are <strong><em>about HIM</em>.</strong>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">THIS is REDEMPTION.</span></strong></div>
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(Rosa before being rescued and Rosa at her quincieñera)</div>
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-76511384545197246102013-09-08T18:32:00.004-07:002013-09-08T18:32:47.130-07:00Mr. & Mrs. :)<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>For years I had been praying for this day...</em></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Praying and for the person my son would chose as his soul mate for life. The one he would do life with, laugh with, cry with, raise children with, celebrate milestones, holidays and the ups and down that come. The one he would dream with, pray with, confide in and give his life to.</em></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTxqGnXXFDvN2SsktyCG1ulhY1g9tSXWEJ-nL5-s6ZcBEGEn-7bN6Zz6JR_HXQvXtn8pPNyVunN11e-VHTgwdGn31YKnnRYB30dBfeZOMgTjk0ABYVm_0ziJTGxBYoGlfrQ_jQAGF-_0x/s1600/Travis+wedding+181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTxqGnXXFDvN2SsktyCG1ulhY1g9tSXWEJ-nL5-s6ZcBEGEn-7bN6Zz6JR_HXQvXtn8pPNyVunN11e-VHTgwdGn31YKnnRYB30dBfeZOMgTjk0ABYVm_0ziJTGxBYoGlfrQ_jQAGF-_0x/s400/Travis+wedding+181.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em> We are so thankful that God answered our prayers and placed this amazing girl in our family.</em></span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6X2hh8IXnR3K9Ra5X-iYLv0ujtdfMGGBJaYj39Qpnat0NoP_bmroE0KKq2CIYQQZnjNk_pAJZnh5x86rz-6j1uSLUN-sNK6kewHGwFHxf5RrhbDgFIi0vfePyl8pEeQiKA93HMZFIQTCr/s1600/Travis+wedding2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6X2hh8IXnR3K9Ra5X-iYLv0ujtdfMGGBJaYj39Qpnat0NoP_bmroE0KKq2CIYQQZnjNk_pAJZnh5x86rz-6j1uSLUN-sNK6kewHGwFHxf5RrhbDgFIi0vfePyl8pEeQiKA93HMZFIQTCr/s400/Travis+wedding2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>We love you Travis and Martina and we could not be more proud of you. Congratulations and may the Lord bless you always.</em></span> <br />
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-85937245474196931542013-07-18T13:54:00.000-07:002013-07-18T14:15:19.542-07:00The Father's gifts<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8)</span></strong></div>
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We step over the sleeping dog that is blocking the narrow path to her house. The chickens scramble around our feet at the sight of visitors.She is waiting, as she always is- sitting at a small wooden desk that appears crooked due to the uneven dirt floors.<br />
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Her books are open and she studies them intently. Her smile is contagious - you cannot help but to feel <em>wanted</em> as she ushers you into her home. It’s small and damp and every inch of space is filled to the brim, careful to make use of all they have.
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What instantly comes to my mind is her precious gift of hospitality.<br />
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I remember back to my life in the states, times when I would scurry around the house making sure everything was in perfect order before our company arrived. I would get frustrate and snap at my children if they left fingerprints on the sliding glass doors when company was on their way. Everything had to be exact. <br />
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Because if everything was perfect surely they would think we were too. <br />
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I didn’t want people to think less of us. I needed to appear to have it all together, appear to have given Martha Stewart a little competition-appear to be something I was not.<br />
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Did anyone truly fall for that?<br />
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Because the truth is, that was my disease. I never truly cared about my company feeling welcomed, I wasn’t thinking about them- I was worried about what they thought about ME. I was trapped in my own little world revolving around ME. And here before me stood a young girl of 14 who didn’t have the privilege of searching Pinterest to put together a spread to impress. She had to depend on someone else to bring a bag of groceries each week so they could ‘get by’- and yet her heart, and therefore her home, was more beautiful than anything I had ever seen in my life. She was full of JOY and her eyes literally sparkled as she welcomed her visitors into her home. She had this way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world.<br />
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I want to be like that.<br />
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I want to use what little I have and make it count. I want to make people know they are welcomed, know they are important, and know they are loved.<br />
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I have so much to learn from this precious child. <br />
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Jessica and her family live in a small village not far from Village of Hope. We have the privilege of visiting her weekly to deliver a bag of groceries, pray for her and her family and be a small part of their lives.
This sweet girl carries the weight of the world on her shoulders as she helps care for her younger sisters and often steps into the role of mother now. Jessica’s family was doing ‘ok’ up until about two years ago. They had a roof over their heads, food in their bellies and her father had steady work. Steady enough that her father was able to one day surprised her mom by bringing home a Singer sewing machine.<br />
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Little did he know that gift would one day sustain his family.<br />
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It was a beautiful day out- the perfect day for a game of soccer. Oh how Guatemalans love the game of soccer. Jessica’s dad was no different. He and a group of friends decided to grab a ball and have a little fun. The game had gone on for a little while when someone accidentally kicked the ball out of bounds, down the hill, and into the street. The hill was steep- it was hard to stop once you caught momentum. Jessica’s dad chased after the ball….<br />
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Life changed drastically that day for Jessica, her 3 siblings and her mother.<br />
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Her father was struck by a car that didn’t see him coming. He lived for 4 days after that, in the hospital over Christmas. He never woke up again. <br />
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Life is so fragile. So often we fool ourselves into pretending that if we play all our cards right, if we are careful enough, wise enough, protective enough- somehow our lives will always be okay. But the truth is- none of us know when our last breath will be.<br />
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But what we do know is that we have right now- this minute- and it is a gift. It’s an opportunity to be Jesus on earth, it's an opportunity to make Him known- so that others can have security in their eternity as well. <br />
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Unfortunately, I am usually pretty good at wasting those minutes. I am usually pretty good at letting the little things get in the way of the things that really do matter. I am usually pretty good at worrying if my house is nice enough for my guest to be impressed, when all that I should care about is if they see Christ’s love in me. <br />
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<em>Lord forgive me.</em>
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When we met Jessica’s family we knew they needed help- <em>and hope</em>. They had used up any extra they had since her father’s passing and barely had enough food to get through the week. Jessica’s older brother, now age 18, quit school to find work so that he could help provide for his family. He was able to find a job collecting garbage. Then, there was also talk of selling their greatest possession- the last gift her father had given her mother- the Singer sewing machine. <br />
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But God works in ways that we can’t even begin to dream.<br />
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Jessica’s brother would begin to collect items that people would throw in the trash and bring them home. Torn sweaters, tattered jeans. And Jessica’s mom would learn how to sew by practicing on them. She would then be able to use her talent of sewing and find a job to help support her family.<br />
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I sometimes imagine the day Jessica’s father brought home that special gift for his wife. I imagine the excitement, the laughter. I imagine them hugging and smiling that secret smile a husband and wife share.
I know he had no idea that day just how important that Singer sewing machine would become.
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Today, the gift he gave sits in the middle of his home reminding all who see it about the greatness of a Father’s love. <br />
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The other gift he gave, Jessica, sits at her desk studying, hoping for a better future. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6vJMmx2nt-8sOP6eXDfZCkNk0MPiM40ARHp7nB0KZ1EF9kstFXa9tK9D5LrusbLIl5sM_1t5bQgOiZ-1uEgmkb6rO3P5uyG5LtIoN_oTWBkYuX7Ay7uRL9RxnoahY6RjIGJ9DkbfdTQD/s1600/pics+for+newsletter+with+signs+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6vJMmx2nt-8sOP6eXDfZCkNk0MPiM40ARHp7nB0KZ1EF9kstFXa9tK9D5LrusbLIl5sM_1t5bQgOiZ-1uEgmkb6rO3P5uyG5LtIoN_oTWBkYuX7Ay7uRL9RxnoahY6RjIGJ9DkbfdTQD/s640/pics+for+newsletter+with+signs+091.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Jessica and her younger sister in their home)</span></div>
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<em>Father God, I thank you Lord for the many, many gifts you have given us. I pray Lord that you help us to use them up- all of them- so that one day we can stand before you, empty handed and bankrupt, and rejoice at the work you have done through us. Amen.</em>
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-2122090225478123452013-06-12T17:26:00.001-07:002013-06-12T17:54:19.479-07:00Sharing the Fathers love this Father's Day....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhXlaPThUI6fmUByR-Rb49PT6dO0ScfMfoPqZzadq3hMlEb-8Lt_BkiY1670dV6QYUWbil1N6U7Vnxjl7nj0vPCiEXRym2Jfd2E_qyPdkF8aZx7pXPfcDv5sBdXEeWPT7wnTJKgYxD_fF/s1600/m222963707.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhXlaPThUI6fmUByR-Rb49PT6dO0ScfMfoPqZzadq3hMlEb-8Lt_BkiY1670dV6QYUWbil1N6U7Vnxjl7nj0vPCiEXRym2Jfd2E_qyPdkF8aZx7pXPfcDv5sBdXEeWPT7wnTJKgYxD_fF/s400/m222963707.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo credit: </span><a href="http://www.revelife.com/757008876/father-and-son-lessons-in-trust/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.revelife.com</span></a>)<b></b></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, </strong></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>he believed in me.</strong></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">- Jim Valvano</span></span></em>
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In just a few short days fathers all around the world will be celebrated. Neck ties, homemade cards colored with bright crayons, and hugs and kisses will be given to show the love.<br />
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These fathers are to be commended because by investing into the life of a child- they will make a profound effect on that child's life~ and therefore a profound effect on His kingdom. <br />
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In our homes here on earth we are taught through the love of a father- and through that love we see a reflection of our heavenly Father’s love. Through that love we learn confidence, compassion, strength, trust, faith and who we are in Christ.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeAlxn_KN-Yyxe5nBNNzrDXdnsCVSlgKp592C1snl4f38WS5YVIguAGEL7D9RQsZohT7WS7w6drGjiT9hBhi1HM0PMNAGwTA8o21khacmURAgl7hL-VWvvy0cMvr1nu3TpUxHPqQAnceF/s1600/hands7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeAlxn_KN-Yyxe5nBNNzrDXdnsCVSlgKp592C1snl4f38WS5YVIguAGEL7D9RQsZohT7WS7w6drGjiT9hBhi1HM0PMNAGwTA8o21khacmURAgl7hL-VWvvy0cMvr1nu3TpUxHPqQAnceF/s400/hands7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yet unfortunately not every child has this opportunity.<br />
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But our God had a plan... He himself was more than willing to help make up for absent fathers. That is why He promised to become a 'father to the fatherless' (Psalms 68:5)... and we should see what a blessing it is to join Him and do the same. <br />
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Here at <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/countries/guatemala/">Village of Hope</a> we strive to teach the fatherless who God truly is by providing Faith, Family and a Future but we can't do this on our own. We need you to join us and share your fathers love. <br />
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So this Father’s Day, in honor of your earthly father- or better yet, in honor of <em>your God</em>- would you be willing to join us by reaching out to a child and providing them with an opportunity to experience the love of a family? The love of a mom and dad? And the love of The Father?
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To give hope in honor of your father this year please go here:<br />
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="3S2K3JZYNHRTW" />
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donate_LG.gif" type="image" />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" />
</form>
and donate to Village of Hope.<br />
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<strong>If you would like an electronic card emailed to them letting know you made a donation their name please email </strong><a href="mailto:Christi@lifesongfororphans.org">Christi@lifesongfororphans.org</a>. <br />
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Thank you for bring hope to the least of these in His name. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW_-XOS3siIan3_fvbzciI2NcO-xVivmhtzqHV5jCMApkkcMQ-BZ355xKRI2XbpN5LJ8wNd0iCfOJEgOmzTOgHPohIzctKBY__qYYFeKg5nXRsoV_KWcQRiYHVRmY1ncGUEGT8Y0ofBUv/s1600/girl+with+finger+in+mouth+from+yessicas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW_-XOS3siIan3_fvbzciI2NcO-xVivmhtzqHV5jCMApkkcMQ-BZ355xKRI2XbpN5LJ8wNd0iCfOJEgOmzTOgHPohIzctKBY__qYYFeKg5nXRsoV_KWcQRiYHVRmY1ncGUEGT8Y0ofBUv/s400/girl+with+finger+in+mouth+from+yessicas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom”. –Luke 12:32</strong><br />
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-12482466862246112802013-06-10T13:20:00.000-07:002013-06-10T13:20:07.630-07:00
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHtJ1AzUJHbFSPyJDPwb2bRkgTwp7isB9wvzF95gpDkY8HmR-ZnWioYW0u-IhlANf0Lx-hPGp6b7RCCAzFducTxu0DjmxmX_mamG4CPuCW3o7C_25q9MpkwHPTbMw-J9NgVxvPxOFjNNZ/s1600/%C2%A9+Lora+Ann+Photography-74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHtJ1AzUJHbFSPyJDPwb2bRkgTwp7isB9wvzF95gpDkY8HmR-ZnWioYW0u-IhlANf0Lx-hPGp6b7RCCAzFducTxu0DjmxmX_mamG4CPuCW3o7C_25q9MpkwHPTbMw-J9NgVxvPxOFjNNZ/s400/%C2%A9+Lora+Ann+Photography-74.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When the Lord called us to start <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/countries/guatemala/">Villageof Hope</a>, we all knew that it was way bigger than ourselves! We are so
blessed by the leadership of <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/">Lifesong for Orphans</a>
and <a href="http://projecthopeful.org/">Project Hopeful</a> and continue to be amazed at
their experience and wisdom. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9Xgjd8XX3zu5Y38Sw37U2BfYD1IqT6rn6z4v5QeLjk9yS8umAuyx9u9M6k41vtAh37L7oRRzDqcgHQT1oypQ0aXBFxPDzYqLYr54oUBFsIgPhVE6Tnm-JxVjrIPGx0lz5aN5K3SJ3JBU/s1600/%C2%A9+Lora+Ann+Photography-614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9Xgjd8XX3zu5Y38Sw37U2BfYD1IqT6rn6z4v5QeLjk9yS8umAuyx9u9M6k41vtAh37L7oRRzDqcgHQT1oypQ0aXBFxPDzYqLYr54oUBFsIgPhVE6Tnm-JxVjrIPGx0lz5aN5K3SJ3JBU/s400/%C2%A9+Lora+Ann+Photography-614.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The other thing that the Lord continues to make clear to us
day after day is that we are <b>NOT</b> in
this alone… that this is the work of the Spirit and that He will call believers
all over the world to be a part of the <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/countries/guatemala/">Village of Hope</a>
ministry. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s the stories that the Lord continues to write that break
our hearts for the<i> lost</i>, the <i>lonely</i>, and the <i>hurting</i> in Guatemala. </div>
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Stories like <a href="http://godetchedyourname.blogspot.com/2013/05/numb.html">Brenda</a>... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGpAOl9xHnfj1m1E5AAeSBTXAPigB9IUqr1jpkyxDLGfYhweyNvziW1ZFT0Ng3yAHHulTT7g30JV_sVELvMh86dCobszmld2TuJr92fikUVQYBWeE02i4dnMHfeqyYjVjizWQklTINhqH/s1600/brenda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGpAOl9xHnfj1m1E5AAeSBTXAPigB9IUqr1jpkyxDLGfYhweyNvziW1ZFT0Ng3yAHHulTT7g30JV_sVELvMh86dCobszmld2TuJr92fikUVQYBWeE02i4dnMHfeqyYjVjizWQklTINhqH/s400/brenda.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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stories like <a href="http://godetchedyourname.blogspot.com/2013/05/yermin-and-mario.html">Mario</a>...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1kmDPw_zY-hFcneqys4Ghrpvq8JKZTomybsUGKGhRi43BjRGN5eDnkPjwaiF_H_xhU001xV5M8VwDBkvC_W5lkyiiYb8u5oP97NjvKhmziUmbe6284tNbSpXhV5cfOQPLJWFWdMzLwi_/s1600/Attachment-+IMG_2420%5B2%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1kmDPw_zY-hFcneqys4Ghrpvq8JKZTomybsUGKGhRi43BjRGN5eDnkPjwaiF_H_xhU001xV5M8VwDBkvC_W5lkyiiYb8u5oP97NjvKhmziUmbe6284tNbSpXhV5cfOQPLJWFWdMzLwi_/s400/Attachment-+IMG_2420%5B2%5D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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stories like<span style="color: red;"> </span><a href="http://buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com/2012/12/transformed-by-his-love.html">Rosa</a>... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NlCxheuduvHhYuTVrAJDfb5oSOGNcfTUNGhWGtwegOOrGNXcn_-53ETsFS3dFRApycHXfZd1zqhpaQCbwT0Fumg31fBy5oXiSyLixC5kVZyrg07oMsw_xSbb-HRRZD2ECcs-MZOKKt2q/s1600/rosa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NlCxheuduvHhYuTVrAJDfb5oSOGNcfTUNGhWGtwegOOrGNXcn_-53ETsFS3dFRApycHXfZd1zqhpaQCbwT0Fumg31fBy5oXiSyLixC5kVZyrg07oMsw_xSbb-HRRZD2ECcs-MZOKKt2q/s400/rosa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and stories like <a href="http://buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com/2013/05/missions-and-missionaries.html">Yessica</a>...<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-YgkNFsKKZJ_Z6qD25YD4sB7XXXGP0JWn4zisGuhscvmMFCcakTR4Vg5Mr1fh6fQujvqzWK5pWZ86-jjGkRc8FLfMfukpn8splcsHiOaATOiNkY4LeNdHrOYXW7KUBnRnTq785-LIwoV/s1600/%C2%A9+Lora+Ann+Photography-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-YgkNFsKKZJ_Z6qD25YD4sB7XXXGP0JWn4zisGuhscvmMFCcakTR4Vg5Mr1fh6fQujvqzWK5pWZ86-jjGkRc8FLfMfukpn8splcsHiOaATOiNkY4LeNdHrOYXW7KUBnRnTq785-LIwoV/s400/%C2%A9+Lora+Ann+Photography-29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But that’s not where the work ends… the Lord has so <i>clearly</i> called us to provide <b><i>family</i></b>
to those without… to provide <b><i>hope</i></b> to those with none… and to give
<b><i>faith
</i></b>to those who don’t yet know Jesus. That’s what we are committed to and
we trust that the Lord will finish the good work that HE has started! <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you’re like many other Christians today, the Lord is
breaking your heart and stirring within you to defend the cause of the orphan….
To do <i>something</i> about the plight of
the orphan… we ask you to prayerfully consider bring HOPE to the hurting in
Guatemala. The Lord can use your skills in so many ways… and in order to
further our ministry, our work on the ground in Guatemala, we need the body of
Christ to continue to work together… <b>some the hands, some the feet, some the
arms, some the heart… what is the Lord calling YOU to do? </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4r14ZYzsLrEEQxxKrX_Ke2bdn7FbzpRMIRfjhaHxn-atc2vMq9pr0JgTbNndddGGYUfK6cQ3qsWFVvHuJmhyLA22g3ItqdUk4wHXB-GG670quVc1t0qA7bFM1ZgjfsniPqMIC-A4OI2a/s1600/%C2%A9+Lora+Ann+Photography-656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4r14ZYzsLrEEQxxKrX_Ke2bdn7FbzpRMIRfjhaHxn-atc2vMq9pr0JgTbNndddGGYUfK6cQ3qsWFVvHuJmhyLA22g3ItqdUk4wHXB-GG670quVc1t0qA7bFM1ZgjfsniPqMIC-A4OI2a/s400/%C2%A9+Lora+Ann+Photography-656.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Explore ways that you and your church can partner with
Village of Hope-Guatemala <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/countries/guatemala/">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jG0lwZ3AgRIXu47xoNi7PMTEMSs0Ej8eUJGwWuOP0AlKHTMkpareQhDAc6X_U2GkpfwRaZLM_qNBR6oQaRCuwEHnJy0WGmAXMffcWxNkqyDvZX6IDbEIex9XhNKDbrA_SxjTzFnw9fg4/s1600/%C2%A9+Lora+Ann+Photography-402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jG0lwZ3AgRIXu47xoNi7PMTEMSs0Ej8eUJGwWuOP0AlKHTMkpareQhDAc6X_U2GkpfwRaZLM_qNBR6oQaRCuwEHnJy0WGmAXMffcWxNkqyDvZX6IDbEIex9XhNKDbrA_SxjTzFnw9fg4/s400/%C2%A9+Lora+Ann+Photography-402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Would you share about Village of Hope with 5 other people?
Would you make a donation to help us finish the required railings and other
projects around the property? Would you talk with your pastor or missions
director about your church partnering with Village of Hope? Ask the Lord… HE
alone will direct your path! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Consider helping us further the work the Lord has called us
to by making a monetary donation:</span></b></div>
</div>
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Photos courtesy of <a href="http://loraannphotography.com/">Lora Ann Photography</a><!--EndFragment-->
<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-86586536638813249272013-05-17T19:31:00.000-07:002013-05-17T19:54:49.418-07:00Missions and Missionaries<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYOH0TCCFT9VxkzDrAv4XGQsow99WBv3HhTyXBB1bBfiTl_IlDdPmr9PNjNpXTdmyEmnM_mnzcSw5BLIe1RqhTrjGVvJR4B_DvqyhyghsmZ_qlT2Sa8ob1BDAuOnczjjHgK7wGcNMWmti/s1600/Yessicas+new+wheels+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYOH0TCCFT9VxkzDrAv4XGQsow99WBv3HhTyXBB1bBfiTl_IlDdPmr9PNjNpXTdmyEmnM_mnzcSw5BLIe1RqhTrjGVvJR4B_DvqyhyghsmZ_qlT2Sa8ob1BDAuOnczjjHgK7wGcNMWmti/s400/Yessicas+new+wheels+075.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something that's been weighing heavily on my heart lately is all of the posts floating around the Internet lately slamming missions, missionaries and short term mission trips. There have been blog posts written, books written, as well as articles and editorials. I will admit, some of these writings have had some valid points and some have brought up some areas of concern that I believe are wise to examine. <em>But</em> at the same time I think we have to be <em>very</em> careful to not let a few peoples thoughts or opinions influence us more than the word of God does. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I am sure there quite possibly are those out there who go on mission trips for the wrong reason, and while I am sure there could be a few missionaries out there who sit around and do nothing - I am even more sure that the Lord realized we humans wouldn't get it right every time. And yet, He still commanded us to go and make disciples in all nations. And not only does he command us to go-these are among the last recorded words of Jesus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My biggest concern with slamming mission trips and missionaries in general is that many people will read these articles and then simply use it as <em>an excuse</em> to do nothing- which is exactly what Satan wants. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have all heard it before <em>"Don't give money to the homeless guy on the side of the road because he will use it on alcohol. "</em> And you know what- He just might.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> But <em>what if</em>, just <em>what if</em>, He really was in need and you turned your back on Jesus in disguise?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And, <em>what if</em> we stand before God one day guilty of clinging to safe and clinging to the almighty dollar-over clinging to the word of God?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Because you see, God doesn't hold YOU accountable for what the homeless guy chooses to do with the help you gave him, just as he doesn't hold YOU accountable for the missionary that doesn't save the world. But, He does hold you accountable for your response to His commands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being on the mission field first hand, one thing I can tell you is that I know a lot of missionaries who <em>do</em> work long hours in often times dangerous situations. Missionaries who have hearts of gold and who serve the Lord with everything they have. Missionaries who give and give and give and expect nothing in return.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Furthermore, I have served along side many short term mission teams who labor from sun up to sun down. They sacrifice and fund raise to come and serve. They open doors of opportunity and get things done in a weeks time that would have taken a single missionary months to do by themselves. They bring their gifts and talents and use them freely. They choose to come and love on people who can give nothing in return- while investing in the lives of the people in the time they are given. They show them the love of Christ first hand by showing them that someone cares. These teams choose to spent money working to improve someone else's quality of life instead of choosing to spend money on a luxurious vacation. They dig ditches and get dirty. They get blisters, sunburns and backaches and smile all the way through it out of their love for the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have heard people ask "couldn't the money they spent going been better used by just sending a check instead?" The problem with this is- I think we often miss the point and limit God when we do. God doesn't need our money. God is <em>about</em> relationship and He is about <em>our hearts</em>. My life was changed on a short term mission trip. Maybe the first trip I went on was a little more about me than it should have been... but God knows what we need even before we do. He is so much bigger than we give him credit for. Through that trip if even one person felt the love of God through me and knew that they mattered through a single smile, a pair of shoes or a hug- then it wasn't a waste. My eyes were opened in ways that wouldn't have happened otherwise. Through that growth, we went on to adopt more children and eventually go onto the field full time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because of that, today God used us by connecting us with another awesome missionary coupled with the combined efforts of a short term mission team. Through this- a family experienced the love of God when their precious daughter received her new wheelchair. (And what you couldn't know just by looking at this picture is that the guy in the green shirt grew up in an orphanage himself. How cool is our God?)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWmOiUf2d0CCY1de6FemQ3DOhvu8TywC_Jtg4kgfyNUYJ-VLVDyo7HhMzQwyzK0sjNW3BpS_RMILLMKCyLInj0ZnqMfi5J-aoeYCwN4aHKQVvclGKcB30_PCd23VPFcX0Sgl42WXbNN1k/s1600/Yessicas+new+wheels+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWmOiUf2d0CCY1de6FemQ3DOhvu8TywC_Jtg4kgfyNUYJ-VLVDyo7HhMzQwyzK0sjNW3BpS_RMILLMKCyLInj0ZnqMfi5J-aoeYCwN4aHKQVvclGKcB30_PCd23VPFcX0Sgl42WXbNN1k/s400/Yessicas+new+wheels+030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish you could have heard her belly laugh, seen her joy first hand, and experienced JESUS the way we did.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJu4bl-HVNnHEbXyCBNi4HyfBp8YclMxpQC75BDaMC7tcxQxAxhKjdgpMCvJjnEBRUB1OYQqDcOarFUQXk24aoAztcaQZIZALdswa8vYALxThpmxh9kVTaansrPibx2IY84Zcw3rpR-GS/s1600/Yessicas+new+wheels+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJu4bl-HVNnHEbXyCBNi4HyfBp8YclMxpQC75BDaMC7tcxQxAxhKjdgpMCvJjnEBRUB1OYQqDcOarFUQXk24aoAztcaQZIZALdswa8vYALxThpmxh9kVTaansrPibx2IY84Zcw3rpR-GS/s400/Yessicas+new+wheels+078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish you could have been there to see people from different backgrounds and cultures come together....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because I know without a doubt those little faces watching-<em> saw HIM.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1Kbz7vOWHbp4UrZD8ZOQMuvYirtNEQDTDgznMHJ96HgDRR2JyjYgQJ0Og98NkFsioyDgQzTkbQqu8njZGtWr3K48uP-uHk0Dh4m7Gc3yafGAyB7GAi-s2dn8JfpKUDJXndTZNKBNo3Lx/s1600/Yessicas+new+wheels+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1Kbz7vOWHbp4UrZD8ZOQMuvYirtNEQDTDgznMHJ96HgDRR2JyjYgQJ0Og98NkFsioyDgQzTkbQqu8njZGtWr3K48uP-uHk0Dh4m7Gc3yafGAyB7GAi-s2dn8JfpKUDJXndTZNKBNo3Lx/s400/Yessicas+new+wheels+077.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the mother who has been carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders in trying to care for a daughter with special needs had tears streaming down her face- not only because someone cared about her precious daughter for the first time-but because she realized that HER life was VALUABLE to HIM.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg82EoTERgM23Ke2U2pT6zFK8yMNa6YnDFOlbssKhhfsP0a4T3X7vtw48vMdUri8fw4XK55YIxTS8c8BkgsvLlST1a8vnSywB4IHbVHncTwulDVkB2U6vriIWBNyQZCeVTz1ZhHm3goJvd/s1600/Yessicas+new+wheels+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg82EoTERgM23Ke2U2pT6zFK8yMNa6YnDFOlbssKhhfsP0a4T3X7vtw48vMdUri8fw4XK55YIxTS8c8BkgsvLlST1a8vnSywB4IHbVHncTwulDVkB2U6vriIWBNyQZCeVTz1ZhHm3goJvd/s400/Yessicas+new+wheels+040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And when we bowed our heads and praised His work- HE WAS GLORIFIED. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a small dirty village full of garbage and poverty- <strong><em>Jesus was at work</em></strong>.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe we didn't solve the worlds problems- and maybe we weren't meant to. But we did show one beautiful little girl who has spent her entire life in a tiny tin home with dirt floors and little else that SHE IS WORTH more than she will <em>ever</em> know to the King of Kings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>So much so that He was willing to die-</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>for her-</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em> <strong>regardless of the imperfect missionary who came to let her know.</strong></em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW37i4aijNJcpzNr6bAvQR4lxR2ikzrdZ9Sp4YPzcrTfNFrEWnk13hUKj0MHLvPV4Jena_bUnQi3QPkiI5gtiiLK2yNliJ40wacP6gd4ULWvc8IsL2Tk-O9GsS7MSk1UFm9TXYH8yZdMkv/s1600/Yessicas+new+wheels+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW37i4aijNJcpzNr6bAvQR4lxR2ikzrdZ9Sp4YPzcrTfNFrEWnk13hUKj0MHLvPV4Jena_bUnQi3QPkiI5gtiiLK2yNliJ40wacP6gd4ULWvc8IsL2Tk-O9GsS7MSk1UFm9TXYH8yZdMkv/s400/Yessicas+new+wheels+064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I know if you had seen what I saw today- </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if you had been there, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you would understand just why God is all about missions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because even if I am only able to bring ONE person to Christ as a missionary, I know, without a doubt, that the Lord was gloried when that one lost sheep was found.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedxLZxFr3PMlVEpQse54PSoRkKRnQrzPWbB8z7aMYtG21_wiGTl7bCAvlphVADvrgEEKL9c62R8BxZP1G0NOvdawFM3CgFR7UHjXTcZ0DHPsgXKo6R5fUIdidGk1gEgPrrC-1BAebcX3W/s1600/Yessicas+new+wheels+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedxLZxFr3PMlVEpQse54PSoRkKRnQrzPWbB8z7aMYtG21_wiGTl7bCAvlphVADvrgEEKL9c62R8BxZP1G0NOvdawFM3CgFR7UHjXTcZ0DHPsgXKo6R5fUIdidGk1gEgPrrC-1BAebcX3W/s400/Yessicas+new+wheels+118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because the best part is...God can use that one person to influence another and another and another... and the ripple effect continues on...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Missions is the heart of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It is <em>His</em> plan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And regardless of what opinions man has- regardless of how we mess things up and get it wrong-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> He is on His thrown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't claim to have all the answers and maybe I am not supposed to. Who would want to serve a God who is only as smart as I am anyway? Maybe God just wants to know if out of our love for Him <em>we</em> are willing-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong>TO</strong> <strong>MAKE HIM KNOWN.</strong></span></div>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-38566841554425546662013-04-29T10:07:00.000-07:002013-04-29T10:07:02.954-07:00Long overdue...For those of you who wondered- yes we are still alive. :) <br />
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I knew it had been awhile since I updated... I just didn't realize it had been 2 whole months. Kind of embarssing. :( I apologize- this post is long overdue. <br />
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The days here in Guatemala seem to go faster than any time in my life. Raising a large family, starting a ministry, hosting teams and homeschooling doesn't leave much time for anything else. It's not that I don't have things to share- it's that I can't seem to find the time to share as I drop into bed each night completely exhausted. It's a good kind of exhausted though I promise. :) <br />
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So today I am going to do my best to play catch up.<br />
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A lot of construction is happening at Village of Hope and we are so grateful! The first homes are going up and soon (please Lord) the children will start to arrive. We ae so, SO THANKFUL for all of you who have contributed to the work the Lord has done. Giving a child a place to belong and a family to call their own is priceless. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have a play area started and we are ready to go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've had lots and lots of awesome teams coming to serve along side of us here at Village of Hope lately- and more headed this way this summer! What a blessing it has been- we couldn't do it without their help!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've built some amazing relationships in the community and been blessed by the outreach we have done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feet washing, shoes sizing and distribution for those little feet that have gone uncared for too long...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Food delivery... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">feeding them physically as well as spiritually</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And sharing the gospel every chance we get.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the home front...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our oldest son Travis was recentally hired on as a police officer in Seattle. We are so proud of him. I wish I had a picture to share. :( Not seeing him for many months has been hard but we know he is doing what God had planned for him all along. He started the academy next week and then gets married on September 1st. We are blessed beyond words to welcome his amazing fiance Martina into our family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our second oldest son Keegan finishes his Sophomore year at Olivet Nazarine University and gets to come serve with us for the entire summer! God is so good and we could not be more excited. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Homeschool is going strong. The kids love the Abeka Academy. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAguP_RaGT0jeIOyQ2vD1Q0iNfsdHSjkVf6tt4qWa8u-iDbxvWn2bC4dieS5zlK6aIp-KLDlztUs0t5lV-xpblQWwhYFrDAFVioUI2DO_gNJ_iDPkJ-B3bDczV6HY5hH6ZCmLqYsGpvoI/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAguP_RaGT0jeIOyQ2vD1Q0iNfsdHSjkVf6tt4qWa8u-iDbxvWn2bC4dieS5zlK6aIp-KLDlztUs0t5lV-xpblQWwhYFrDAFVioUI2DO_gNJ_iDPkJ-B3bDczV6HY5hH6ZCmLqYsGpvoI/s640/003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our sweet Carson turns 6 years old... where has the time gone? He is such an amazing kid and such a HUGE, HUGE blessing in our lives.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVyFlKtB76qoxDiAYXzRkGgVKe2Hvu58UcwDsixbCSwvJ24KycX5p95hTfqDoLc2aeMjJtyOnXUWx5BWGbwHTvbgaDDZZ7Gsisa4zJaXN44zt0NcTzuyVRSDegtxLfUoz8qdldcMZxAoxw/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0w5UZWilAbKIfbbTrnde9cHRB5YzR7ZNJwPiEXJvPwIajT-kZCxo1p9S03I_g9iPmMwBvJcNXyuaWx5qKZVwaYAhDneb6F9zjdHy0Uf1YSg4Njv7CGNxumDJYxRIUU2MT_D0-1DBuXwU/s1600/blockkidsfamily5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0w5UZWilAbKIfbbTrnde9cHRB5YzR7ZNJwPiEXJvPwIajT-kZCxo1p9S03I_g9iPmMwBvJcNXyuaWx5qKZVwaYAhDneb6F9zjdHy0Uf1YSg4Njv7CGNxumDJYxRIUU2MT_D0-1DBuXwU/s640/blockkidsfamily5.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our family is so grateful for your love and support. Thank you for joining us on this journey!!!</span> </div>
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-13447951236676750582013-02-28T19:52:00.001-08:002013-02-28T19:52:21.926-08:00Just askin'<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For a while now I have met with the Lord every morning and begged Him for an awesome, original, out of this world fund raiser idea for Village of Hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> And every morning for a while now- I got nothing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Silence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> As I stared at the numbers- as I faced the needs- I tried my hardest to remain peaceful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Over and over people would say to me “<em>He’s got this." </em>And while in my heart I knew that was true… </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">at the same time the faces of Yessica...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEOUb3MTHQkja6DULcNT_1uzZqWpj73GQ325DkiDo6EVnidwMW_0yEyLq40UypkhDO5q3KjTHNeM8gVl0nEaPEdhjc3iHjaoYhAs3sRYTOO4jQ1X7KvDfbnJKQxmafeC36L9elpxg6w8_/s1600/new+food+program+families+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEOUb3MTHQkja6DULcNT_1uzZqWpj73GQ325DkiDo6EVnidwMW_0yEyLq40UypkhDO5q3KjTHNeM8gVl0nEaPEdhjc3iHjaoYhAs3sRYTOO4jQ1X7KvDfbnJKQxmafeC36L9elpxg6w8_/s640/new+food+program+families+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rosa...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17rvPFq33w8C-BBpqfQGj_2v3EYh8uFiWPr8ygYZsbNk3k9xgJJyvpiZxuE4_3C8vATqvfTlIEQeAEJjBHMHW9tHLeVIgC5aYEFD0jHwEW0FfovYrYk4qyHT9XIQlE5sgSoG8D1-KmSky/s1600/Rosa+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17rvPFq33w8C-BBpqfQGj_2v3EYh8uFiWPr8ygYZsbNk3k9xgJJyvpiZxuE4_3C8vATqvfTlIEQeAEJjBHMHW9tHLeVIgC5aYEFD0jHwEW0FfovYrYk4qyHT9XIQlE5sgSoG8D1-KmSky/s640/Rosa+028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Brenda...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRi-90-Jg20OHtyuzQhTbMXLWDdyo4wCEbedqExDG_ZH7hg_vlY59AHdiFotsjp8pIGZTd9b0dSgt5Nw0Xpg_SRnQFQgPoTtSaMa5y4CXRCSrP3NNgzd28m-Ok3oKJUArVC5AcIvC-zqKV/s1600/PBC+team+and+stove+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRi-90-Jg20OHtyuzQhTbMXLWDdyo4wCEbedqExDG_ZH7hg_vlY59AHdiFotsjp8pIGZTd9b0dSgt5Nw0Xpg_SRnQFQgPoTtSaMa5y4CXRCSrP3NNgzd28m-Ok3oKJUArVC5AcIvC-zqKV/s640/PBC+team+and+stove+046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sandri...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1MBBbGgY_xcnAPCgHRpwgFhJPvQUoGLgt_x9xkJXKNoJR2NCc8iG2LNugHJ6Vu9XK6HQDTijjLZs8Gcbhigccxux45pSqWP1LE26e9wW3qncfrR8jTzQalCazvCNqD7gSLGYV0e8JKJq/s1600/PBC+team+and+stove+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1MBBbGgY_xcnAPCgHRpwgFhJPvQUoGLgt_x9xkJXKNoJR2NCc8iG2LNugHJ6Vu9XK6HQDTijjLZs8Gcbhigccxux45pSqWP1LE26e9wW3qncfrR8jTzQalCazvCNqD7gSLGYV0e8JKJq/s640/PBC+team+and+stove+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and the Subuyac family...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcFtDbCXHXe-vjf3Ul4eAD9VyGM2AR_aNYMvVhGUDPtQXnTig2O_t6tJqiKIhVXokNrMOpAEJg3HrWj96l6DEXdSp3gGQ_vilvBOTx2XZ_3mhLS6N5Yp5AVJch8qm4flb4lka6jpeTlp6/s1600/new+food+program+families+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcFtDbCXHXe-vjf3Ul4eAD9VyGM2AR_aNYMvVhGUDPtQXnTig2O_t6tJqiKIhVXokNrMOpAEJg3HrWj96l6DEXdSp3gGQ_vilvBOTx2XZ_3mhLS6N5Yp5AVJch8qm4flb4lka6jpeTlp6/s640/new+food+program+families+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">would come to mind.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And my heart would hurt… </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
because I couldn’t imagine facing life, day after day, in their shoes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To me, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">eating dirt to fill your belly,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">having preventable polio,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">going blind because you don’t have the medication to control your diabetes,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and having your 3 year old son fall into a pot of scalding water and not being able to afford the required surgery is just <strong>not</strong> okay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Starting a new ministry is anything but easy. I was warned it would be hard… but I also know that Jesus doesn’t normally call us to the easy. And so in faith we face each day. We face every need and we trust that He will supply.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> And then this morning, as I <em>once again</em> begged the Lord for that amazing, original, super successful fund raiser idea- I sensed him saying <strong><em>‘just ask’.</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just ask my people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And so...</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">we've got no tshirts to sell this time and nothing to give away. We have no answers, and no ideas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But we have hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
As a new ministry we have many needs- everything from brooms and dish towels to thousands of dollars’worth of wheelchair accessibility and safety railings. We need an automobile to take the orphans to church. We need furniture, and appliances and day to day costs. Village of Hope is built of concrete block and tin roof. Just plain and simple. We are surviving on as little as we can- being as frugal as we can- giving hope to as many as we can. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But we need help- because God never intended for us to do this on our own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>YOU</strong> (yes you) are his plan.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I am <em>just asking</em>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
Asking you to give. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Asking you to pray.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Asking you to advocate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Asking you to step out of your boat and do something big for the kingdom of God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Maybe you can give up ordering out pizza once a month? Maybe you can skip your family vacation this spring break? Maybe He's asking you to trust in Him more than your savings account? Maybe He's asking you to approach your small group, your Sunday school class, your pastor? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>Just asking….</strong></em>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>"You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it." Matthew 21:22</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">To give please go <a href="https://www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate/one-time/">HERE</a>. (please indicate for Village of Hope).</span><br />
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-31406108859020041452013-02-19T16:39:00.005-08:002013-02-19T16:39:57.537-08:00In her eyes...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She's 17 just like my Addisyn.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her smile lights up the world.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe4L-59tlMBMDZPOOd52ovX_8T71IP2I83AVl-xjEQCk63pGf0PcUX_SqQH_-9kD13Pd2NfcS9JmCqmsLCvIcLJ8jSD-2JW6-8Vct03Kq43XHH9IewmRHtxQi4WRjG1DfAFconpCE3l1i/s1600/Addieandyessica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe4L-59tlMBMDZPOOd52ovX_8T71IP2I83AVl-xjEQCk63pGf0PcUX_SqQH_-9kD13Pd2NfcS9JmCqmsLCvIcLJ8jSD-2JW6-8Vct03Kq43XHH9IewmRHtxQi4WRjG1DfAFconpCE3l1i/s640/Addieandyessica.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only for Yessica, her life will never be what it could have been...
because a preventable disease robbed it from her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yessica has polio. She's had it since she was just 2 months old. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She smiles and she understand what is going on around her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She responds with her eyes and she responds with her smile... only she cannot communicate any other way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is resigned to a wheelchair.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit353er5DDP_Sl6pu2jHXjNopus2fD4rjLDNHn8JdIyWZ0PAWoyLb9EKi7FbZXMXa-1z80k4_f4F5O43OWC7scmUdJVjTaTdp6dWcQRDbQ4GLOprqRBaM9EVqcIGXOs98LfLX6uVbMWo6/s1600/yessica1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit353er5DDP_Sl6pu2jHXjNopus2fD4rjLDNHn8JdIyWZ0PAWoyLb9EKi7FbZXMXa-1z80k4_f4F5O43OWC7scmUdJVjTaTdp6dWcQRDbQ4GLOprqRBaM9EVqcIGXOs98LfLX6uVbMWo6/s640/yessica1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we rubbed her cheek and swiped the fly away from her eyes she radiated joy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is the oldest of 6 children. Her father farms for a living and works long hours- her mother and siblings do the best they can to take care of her needs but the cost of her diapers is hard on them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we prayed with this family and began to build a relationship, I couldn't help but to thank the Lord for the privilege of this new friendship. Her strength, her beauty and her courage blew me away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Some people are mesmerized with those who have wealth, power and fame- yet there, they will never find what I found today in the eyes of my new friend... <em><strong>Him.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #0e2233; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px "Open Sans", arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><em>"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em></strong></span></span><supstyle line-height:normal="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #0e2233; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px "Open Sans", arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" vertical-align:text-top=""><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em></strong></span><supstyle line-height:normal="" vertical-align:text-top=""><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><em>When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'<br /><supstyle line-height:normal="" vertical-align:text-top=""><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:37-40</supstyle></em></strong></span></supstyle></supstyle><br />
<supstyle line-height:normal="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #0e2233; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/23px "Open Sans", arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" vertical-align:text-top=""><supstyle line-height:normal="" vertical-align:text-top=""><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><em><supstyle line-height:normal="" vertical-align:text-top=""></supstyle></em></strong></span></supstyle></supstyle><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: large;"><supstyle line-height:normal="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #0e2233; font-family: "Open Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" vertical-align:text-top=""><supstyle line-height:normal="" vertical-align:text-top=""><supstyle line-height:normal="" vertical-align:text-top="">If you'd like to help people like Yessica you can support Village of Hope go </supstyle></supstyle></supstyle><span style="color: #0e2233;"><a href="https://www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate/one-time/">here</a>.</span></span></span></em></strong>
**Please indicate for Village of Hope- Guatemala
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-27650997638622401112013-02-16T07:24:00.001-08:002013-02-16T07:24:20.317-08:00Right where you are...
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to be honestly with you all, there are some days here where we feel completely overwhelmed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Days where we question if we are making a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Days where the needs before us seem so unreachable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Days where, I am physically and emotionally drained.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Days where I question if God chose the wrong family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have so much to learn, so much growing to do and yet, we are here- here we are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I look at the funds we still have to raise, as I look at the needs we have to meet- many times, I just feel like crawling into a ball and weeping.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> And then...
we come across these families- and God seems to put everything into perspective in a single minute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Yesterday some of us headed out to visit a new family we have just found out about. This family has 6 children- and the mother is blind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They live on someone elses property and the father walks miles to work every day because he cannot afford a bus. He spends close to 18 hours away from home on an average day. I have been told his feet are so swollen he can no longer wear shoes. His job is to carry supplies from bus to bus- his pay is 25Q a day. (which equals between $3-$3.50 dollars a day.)
They live on the side of the mountain in conditions my mind cannot even begin to understand.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their youngest child is 8 years and cannot walk. She has never been to the doctor so they are not sure why. She speaks and smiles- she is beyond precious. Most of her day is spent sitting in the corner, on a mattress in the dark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we talked with her mother we began to understand their needs and once again felt completely broken. One thing that stood out to me was the absorption well on their property...
40 feet deep.</span><br />
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As a mom, all I could think of was how scary that would be to have my children living there by this...
Let alone to be blind... and the fear of falling in. This mother has no choice but to be lead around the property by her teenage daughter.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we looked around their home in hopes of finding a way we could make it more safe and healthy, I once again felt overwhelmed...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">bathroom...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">kitchen...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">part of their home without shelter...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I began to pray, began to try to wrap my head around this... again a feeling over overwhelmness came over me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where do you begin? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are here all day, unprotected. A mother who is blind. A child who cannot walk. A father who is working as hard as he can and in doing so must be gone all day long. The children are not in school- they must help out to survive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I beg God for an answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then I heard it...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I heard the quiet sounds of giggling coming from inside the home. I slowly walk around the corner and at that moment my heart stopped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In front of me I saw what I think the Lord wanted me to understand all along. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our daughter Mya, who was adopted at age 4 from Guatemala, sat in front of me on the mattress with her new friend. While <em>I</em> had become overwhelmed- she had simply done what she could at the moment- crawled down on the floor and became a friend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I watched in awe as these girls giggled and played hand games.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I watched in awe as they smiled and whispered secrets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I watched in awe as these two little girls 'got it' before I ever did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><strong>Lord I thank you for who you are and for the ways you work. I thank you for the way you meet us right where we are. I praise you Jesus for your unconditional love and acceptance no matter if we deserve it or not. I thank you God for this opportunity to minister to those you care about deeply. I thank you God for my husband and my children who too said yes. I thank you God for our partners, for Christi and Dan who serve here with us. I thank you God for Lifesong For Orphans and for Project Hopeful who always, ALWAYS put YOU first. I thank you Lord for sending us.</strong></em></span> </div>
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<a href="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="image signature" border="0" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-38330048502813033552013-02-07T18:22:00.000-08:002013-02-07T18:22:34.395-08:00That is my prayer for every child...<br />
<i>I remember when I was a little girl my mother swooping me up in her arms, carrying me off to bed where we would lay together and she would read me stories. I remember her kissing my forehead and tucking me in for the night. I remember clasping my small hands together, closing my eyes and reciting the prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep..." I remember her love. I remember feeling safe. I remember feeling I mattered. </i><br />
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<i>That is my prayer for every child. That they feel loved, they feel safe and they feel they matter. Because they do - so much that Jesus was willing to give His life for them. </i><br />
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<i>Yet for many children around the world, this is not their reality. For many children around the world there is no one to tuck them in, no one to pray with them, no one to assure them they are safe and no one to tell them they matter. </i><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/countries/guatemala/">Village of Hope</a> exists to do just that. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BgX5WDnSByYeUOOAZOfWATLJ-W8JmbcVLU9LEO4beVWt-4cqVcWd0_J7R8fSOGoqxCbxGfiQfx5cGsbLE2s6zfjSPGt4NV9d9wozC-hp6V7aNLPNZXYxu-og7njzUO8gJwyh9-vG7s8/s1600/SHARELOVEGIVEHOPE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BgX5WDnSByYeUOOAZOfWATLJ-W8JmbcVLU9LEO4beVWt-4cqVcWd0_J7R8fSOGoqxCbxGfiQfx5cGsbLE2s6zfjSPGt4NV9d9wozC-hp6V7aNLPNZXYxu-og7njzUO8gJwyh9-vG7s8/s640/SHARELOVEGIVEHOPE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">In honor of Valentines Day we are asking you to share the love of Christ with a child who needs to know these things. A child who needs a safe place to go, a place where they will learn about the one who loves them so much He was willing to die for them- regardless of the disease they carry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Flowers die and candy will soon be gone- in honor of Valentines Day will you consider investing in something so much more?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are SO thrilled that <a href="http://rebekahblocher.com/">Rebekah Blocher</a> designed these BEAUTIFUL bracelets for us... which give HOPE to the children that the Lord will bring to Village of Hope. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzx81lawZdiOeVCGs4E601E0j3Y3LASr8LKFe_e1elYog93LXVSKmiTSUAph3XbFr2391dNb7KfIBNvwYmjw-6Bz7Ircioj3EfZXTitfvAG5Wg9dWlYU_HSKtP26mpaJjrU1b9pnXT4s/s1600/bracelet+and+bag.jpg.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzx81lawZdiOeVCGs4E601E0j3Y3LASr8LKFe_e1elYog93LXVSKmiTSUAph3XbFr2391dNb7KfIBNvwYmjw-6Bz7Ircioj3EfZXTitfvAG5Wg9dWlYU_HSKtP26mpaJjrU1b9pnXT4s/s400/bracelet+and+bag.jpg.bmp" width="318" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To order, click the 'Add to Cart' button below - </span></span></div>
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<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal">
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<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="NQDQFSEHU4LPQ" />
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<span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each bracelet is $30 and all proceeds go directly to Village of Hope's <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/blog/2012/10/buy-a-brick-build-a-future-village-of-hope/">buy-a-brick campaign</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Please note: While we can't guarantee shipment prior to Valentine's Day, we encourage you to spread love and give HOPE to a child in need!</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are also THRILLED to announce that the Lord has provided for us to begin the FIRST HOME at Village of Hope... Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take a look at the photos below to see some of the progress... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D7PHysOGdT0wW4zzMaL4Ur06qf9Stea7BOr-07u_iq3GFu23EqwQJzJG6OxxwKL1_RJqPlh4Zzm5pUqEAQZAalCPDLBkNZrG7c8S9e4tgciquRtAfNhvqaDe95f4Pi6xT1G8Odw-raY/s1600/firsthome2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D7PHysOGdT0wW4zzMaL4Ur06qf9Stea7BOr-07u_iq3GFu23EqwQJzJG6OxxwKL1_RJqPlh4Zzm5pUqEAQZAalCPDLBkNZrG7c8S9e4tgciquRtAfNhvqaDe95f4Pi6xT1G8Odw-raY/s400/firsthome2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmBmAZCJbs-reD-ccTJ3r6u1JcEfDpHURW5OSTaDqNuPsCs49S-wtTN4a8IPJ7f_eefplIdDRYQrWcehK97l6z6tOlIa4RsA2Ww4pbpEfHfUY1vQGogIgBl23813FEPukbWar9uIzzrM/s1600/firsthome3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmBmAZCJbs-reD-ccTJ3r6u1JcEfDpHURW5OSTaDqNuPsCs49S-wtTN4a8IPJ7f_eefplIdDRYQrWcehK97l6z6tOlIa4RsA2Ww4pbpEfHfUY1vQGogIgBl23813FEPukbWar9uIzzrM/s400/firsthome3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are seriously speechless at how the Lord has provided the funding to start the first home... of our $184,500 initial buy-a-brick goal, we still need about $55,000. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Would you consider purchasing a 'Never Lose Hope' bracelet to help us? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe your Sunday school class could forego coffee and doughnuts for the next month and donate the funds to give HOPE to a child in need? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe you would LOVE to sponsor a room or a home in memory or honor of a loved one? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>To purchase a bracelet, click the button right below the photo of the bracelet. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you don't need/want a bracelet, but would like to make a donation towards the buy-a-brick campaign, click below. </span></div>
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<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">
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<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-90266994765098457122013-02-05T06:30:00.000-08:002013-02-05T06:30:04.683-08:00And the WINNER IS...We challenged people all over the United States to host a <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/adoption-funding/both-hands/">Both Hands Project</a> with the proceeds going for orphan care to Village of Hope.<br />
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If you are not familiar with Both Hands you really need to check it out. :)<br />
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We love the Both Hands project because it is an easy, tangible way to live out James 1:27- to look after the orphan and the widow in distress.<br />
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In a nut shell, you put together a team and serve a widow in your community, send out support letters and the proceeds go to help an adopted child come home or other orphan care ideas. It's a beautiful way to bless a widow in your own community and touch the life of an orphan in another. <br />
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Those who participated were put into a drawing for a free mission trip to Village of Hope- Guatemala.<br />
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We are excited to announce the winner is...<br />
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<em><strong>(drum roll please)</strong></em></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLeo5a5xheyqoR0GhI1mRx806ju0yRxe2y2kySTNTQueyUlybYmOrO3ZwlOS3kvgI8WgDHdxTk-ZgjABRcdXIPExdN2NHcoJPV2OjXRU7I_RyIFLPnBWz_osa_Kzqwz5M8XXf6pH3LtXt/s1600/drawing+the+winner+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLeo5a5xheyqoR0GhI1mRx806ju0yRxe2y2kySTNTQueyUlybYmOrO3ZwlOS3kvgI8WgDHdxTk-ZgjABRcdXIPExdN2NHcoJPV2OjXRU7I_RyIFLPnBWz_osa_Kzqwz5M8XXf6pH3LtXt/s640/drawing+the+winner+002.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkaU7GjIJri2UrjpI0gen0JqBrc9TkLsiGq7xyqQ9Xs1HhoEq8nCDwmU2jvZnBMsVkMjcQsW0HtNaCYoQ7MV5qRv4_TuSDQf5U5YWP_LB7nkb6nm3aMBIl4z9d7M5ZTv9wi6f0bUqI-0r/s1600/drawing+the+winner+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkaU7GjIJri2UrjpI0gen0JqBrc9TkLsiGq7xyqQ9Xs1HhoEq8nCDwmU2jvZnBMsVkMjcQsW0HtNaCYoQ7MV5qRv4_TuSDQf5U5YWP_LB7nkb6nm3aMBIl4z9d7M5ZTv9wi6f0bUqI-0r/s1600/drawing+the+winner+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkaU7GjIJri2UrjpI0gen0JqBrc9TkLsiGq7xyqQ9Xs1HhoEq8nCDwmU2jvZnBMsVkMjcQsW0HtNaCYoQ7MV5qRv4_TuSDQf5U5YWP_LB7nkb6nm3aMBIl4z9d7M5ZTv9wi6f0bUqI-0r/s640/drawing+the+winner+011.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">15 YEAR OLD MATTIE PATTERSON!!!</span></strong>
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Mattie comes from a large adoptive family and is not new to orphan care. We have never once seen this precious young lady turn down an opportunity to help a child in need. Thank you Mattie for stepping up to the plate, doing what you can and for being such a blessing to this world. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDCoI2IByvN80xuGs2fP0y0Cq-IJZKgmWLbhxtNm_aziiwijKtZOhacnZoTuLBFOWH3dmZCPofVC45x0nN4sJTKtSQAYpQMirJVuVMKTZNf0XnbUyCWOPBM-uQGi-HqQ8NTEEm8PHYjsj/s1600/GetAttachment%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDCoI2IByvN80xuGs2fP0y0Cq-IJZKgmWLbhxtNm_aziiwijKtZOhacnZoTuLBFOWH3dmZCPofVC45x0nN4sJTKtSQAYpQMirJVuVMKTZNf0XnbUyCWOPBM-uQGi-HqQ8NTEEm8PHYjsj/s640/GetAttachment%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Can't wait to serve along side of you here at Village of Hope Mattie!!!</span></strong>
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-28518086986405625392013-02-03T14:43:00.000-08:002013-02-03T14:43:32.861-08:00The difference giving makes...Today our family celebrated the 3rd Annual One Day/One Lunch event our daughter Addisyn started 3 years ago. I just adore her heart. <br />
<br />
We went to church like most every other Sunday and were blessed by the friends who came up to us and donated their lunch money- some Guatemalans, some Americans. What an encouragement to Addisyn. I love our new church. :) <br />
<br />
After church we chatted with some friends and then headed home... <br />
<br />
and it began... <br />
<br />
as it does every Sunday.<br />
<br />
<em> "I'm hungry!"</em><br />
<br />
<em>"What's for lunch mommy?"</em><br />
<br />
And it was, for the very first time , I looked into my children's eyes and said <em>"Nothing".</em><br />
<br />
It was then that I stopped and let myself imagine what it must feel like for mothers who, on a daily basis, has to look into the eyes of her hungry children and once again say "nothing". <br />
<br />
I could only imagine the emptiness, only imagine the burden, only imagine the pain.<br />
<br />
Once inside our home we gathered together on the floor and I handed them a plate. I wanted them to have a visual. I wanted so very badly for them to understand. Because you see, we are so guilty of taking so many things in our lives for granted- 3 meals a day being one of them.<br />
<br />
We are guilty of turning up our noses when something is prepared we don't like. <br />
<br />
We are guilty of waste. <br />
<br />
We are guilty of indulgence. <br />
<br />
We are guilty of excess.<br />
<br />
We are guilty of turning a blind eye to the poverty around us.<br />
<br />
I explained to our children that today we were choosing to go without- so that others could have.<br />
<br />
I explained to our children that for many, an empty plate was a reality every day of their lives. <br />
<br />
I explained to our children that its important that we walk in others shoes sometimes.<br />
<br />
And then we prayed.<br />
<br />
We knelt our heads and we prayed. <br />
<br />
We praised God for the many blessings He gives us. We prayed for the children all over the world who lived with constant hunger pains. We asked God to use us, to use our lives in a mighty way. And once again, we surrendered everything we have- even our lunch. <br />
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As God would have it, as soon as we closed in prayer- there was a knock at our door.<br />
<br />
I have come to recognize that knock...<br />
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Little hands rapidly banging on the wooden door at Village of Hope.<br />
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When I opened the door this is what I saw. :)<br />
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<br />
Rosa and her brothers have no idea that today was <a href="http://lifeasamissionarykid.blogspot.com/2013/01/one-day-one-lunch.html">One Day/One Lunch</a>. They have no idea that people all over the world were giving up their lunch because of kids like them.And yet- they too chose to give what they could.<br />
<br />
As they handed me the tiny branches of a bush they had picked with huge smiles on their face, they too realized what a gift it is to give. <br />
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<em>Lord, help us all to stop just a little more often and see the needs of your people. Help us with child like faith to never think our gifts are not good enough. Help us God to care for one and other, the way you care for us. Help us to be content with what we have. Help us to love. Help us to understand. Help us to be more like you.</em> <br />
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<strong>To give to the One Day/One Lunch program go to:</strong> <br />
<br />
<em><span class="text John-6-9" id="en-NIV-26267">To donate online go
to:</span><br /><span class="text John-6-9" id="en-NIV-26267">https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=pCC-Mfc0LGpmxtXev-5IfnWpkLW5ZruBn8UY-locnmRy0mHP06xi_AlsHQe&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d0b7e678a25d883d0fa72c947f193f8fd</span></em><br /><i><span class="text John-6-9" id="en-NIV-26267">*indicate for Village of Hope- One Day/One
Lunch </span></i><br /><i><span class="text John-6-9" id="en-NIV-26267"><br /></span></i><br /><i><span class="text John-6-9" id="en-NIV-26267">Mail checks to:<br />Lifesong for Orphans<br />PO Box
40<br />Gridley, IL 61744<br />*Indicate for VOH One Day/One
Lunch</span></i><br /><i><span class="text John-6-9" id="en-NIV-26267"><br /></span></i>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-53947861069367180382013-02-01T08:58:00.000-08:002013-02-01T08:58:14.130-08:00One Day. One Lunch. Feb. 3rd. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Often I share their stories...
<br />
<br />
Well, pieces of their stories.<br />
<br />
And yet I know I fail to do them justice.<br />
<br />
Because you see, until you have walked in their shoes,<br />
<br />
Until you have experienced their hunger pains,
<br />
<br />
Until you have looked carried their brokenness,
<br />
<br />
There is really know way for us to truly understand.<br />
<br />
As I sat with Rosa the other day,<br />
<br />
As I looked into her eyes-
<br />
<br />
looked straight into her soul,<br />
<br />
I became lost in her pain.<br />
<br />
And most days, <br />
<br />
I don't even know where to go from there.
<br />
<br />
She is 13 years old.
<br />
<br />
She eats dirt to stop the pains in her stomach.
<br />
<br />
She is hurting.
<br />
<br />
She is desperate.
<br />
<br />
And she carries the weight of the world on her shoulders.
<br />
<br />
And so once again,<br />
<br />
I end up back where I started...<br />
<br />
On my knees,<br />
<br />
Begging Him to show me the way...
<br />
<br />
On Feb. 3rd people all over the world will be joining us in NOT doing lunch-<br />
<br />
in going without ONE meal to be able to give out of our abundance to those who have nothing.<br />
<br />
ONE meal.
<br />
<br />
That's all it takes.<br />
<br />
For you and I, for our Sunday school classes, our bible study groups, our friends, our family, our church- to say I CAN do something.<br />
<br />
Would you please join us? Feb. 3rd in not doing lunch? <br />
<br />
And instead donate that money so that we can help them?
<br />
<br />
To give go to: <a href="https://www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate/one-time/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2198a6;">https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=pCC-Mfc0LGpmxtXev-5IfnWpkLW5ZruBn8UY-locnmRy0mHP06xi_AlsHQe&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d0b7e678a25d883d0fa72c947f193f8fd</span></a><br />*indicate
for Village of Hope- One Day/One Lunch<br />
<br />
<br />
To read more go to: <a href="http://lifeasamissionarykid.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://lifeasamissionarykid.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-55043218694270448312013-01-16T04:52:00.000-08:002013-01-16T10:39:25.277-08:00On the other side...For years now I have had the privilege of being on the ‘receiving side’ of adoption.<br />
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I have seen children who were sick, children who were starving, and children who had no one be placed into a loving family where there they found hope, safety and love.<br />
<br />
I have heard story after story about the lengthy process the adoptive family has gone through to bring that child home to their forever family. I have been there myself. I have fundraised, prayed, and advocated for these families as well as for our own.<br />
<br />
I fell in love with adoption. And that will never change. The need is great- the need is real. Adoption changes lives.<br />
<br />
And yet what I learned yesterday was something I never let myself think much about before…how every adoption costs a great deal- not only monetarily, but in other ways as well.
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In Guatemala, word of mouth travels quickly. People around here have begun to hear about Village of Hope. They have heard that people care here- heard that people are willing help-and for many, that is a first.
And so it was yesterday, while our kids were out playing baseball, Addisyn came running inside asking me to come quickly. Out of breath she explained to me that there was a woman outside who needed help. As I ran up the driveway I saw her standing there. She seemed small, timid and afraid- a look of desperation masked her face. She had bruises up and down her arms and tears in her eyes. She quickly glanced around to see if anyone was watching and then she began to explain in a rushed voice. Her husband of 16 years had brought home a new woman. They were physically and verbally abusive to her and her three children. She had asked her husband for money to purchase school supplies for her children (the new school year here in Guatemala has just begun) and he became angry and beat her- once again. She explained her desired for her children to have an education but that her husband wanted her oldest son, age 13, to no longer attend school and instead to work collecting money on the bus route he drove every day. She said she heard we might be able to help her with school supplies for her children. <br />
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We ushered her inside and began to talk more. We quickly learned how severe the abuse has been and we realized how desperately she needed help- help that looked a whole lot different than just handing over some pencils, crayons and notebooks. <br />
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Down deep inside I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry, and I wanted to run. I wanted to run from the pain this woman if facing. I wanted to scream and ask God why there are people whose biggest worries in this world are if their nail polish matches their shirt, people who throw a fit if their steak is not cooked just right at their favorite restaurant, people who complain if they have to wait at a red light too long. I wanted to cry for justice. But more than anything, I wanted to be able to understand.
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<br />
As we sat and talked, Dora began to share more of her story. She explained that she had worked really hard last year hoping for a better life and how she could now read letters and numbers and we both smiled. She told us she knew how to cook tamales and tortillas and was sometimes able to make those to sell- when she had the money to buy the supplies to do so. Yet having the money to buy the supplies meant having to ask her husband for help- who would then beat her. Her mother was elderly and not in good health, her father had passed away some years ago. She did have a brother who was kind to her and helped as he could- but he was having a hard time right now taking care of his own wife and children. The tiny tin home she lived in belonged to her father in law and she and her three children were surrounded by her husband’s family who were verbally and physically abusive. No one cared and there was no one to help her find a way out. She had been given few choices in life- she could stay and continue to be abused, leave and end up on the dangerous streets of Guatemala begging or who knows what else to try to get enough money to eat, or put her children in an orphanage where they would at least be safe and fed.<br />
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It was then that she looked me in the eyes and asked if we would allow her children to live at Village of Hope. Her beloved treasures. The children she brought into this world and loved more than anything in this world. The only things she was living for- and the thing she was willing to die for.<br />
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As a mommy this was something I couldn’t fathom. Something that had never even crossed my mind. Because you see, this wasn’t what <em>my</em> world looked like. I didn’t give children away- I took them in. I celebrated when children were placed in their new families. We make banners that read “WELCOME HOME” and we cry at the airport when the child arrives. We have baby showers and parties. We celebrate Gotcha Days and we cry when watching video from the day our children arrived. We wear t-shirts that said “Adoption Rocks.”<br />
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And what I suddenly realized was I had become so focused on the fund raising, so focused on waiting for our I171H to come in the mail, so focused on making sure there wasn’t a mistake on our dossier, and so focused on the $$ signs we needed to bring our child home- that I forgot about <em>the greatest cost of all</em>.
<br />
<br />
<strong>And I couldn’t help but to stop and ask myself, “Would I have put that much effort, that much work, given that much money, and advocated as much- to help that child stay in the family they were born into?”</strong>
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<br />
As I watched the tears once again slide down Dora’s face, as I watched her children cling to her side- God opened my eyes in a way that will forever change me.<br />
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<em>And I am thankful.</em><br />
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Here in front of me, sat a family with literally nothing to their name. They had no idea where their next meal would come from or where they would lay their heads down to sleep that night. The only thing that really mattered to them was each other and so they sat clinging to the hope that God would someone allow them to still be a together.<br />
<br />
I fought so hard to bring our adopted children home- but this time I fought even harder for this woman to be able to keep hers.<br />
<br />
After several phone calls we finally heard about a facility that was about an hour away. We packed a backpack for each of them with a pair of shoes, a couple changes of clothes and a toothbrush. Dora packed up all she owned in this world, a few pieces of clothing, some important papers, a picture of her mother- and we headed out the door.<br />
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The drive was long. Pollution filled the air and cars whizzed by as Dora and her children sat quietly in the back seat without a clue what was ahead. I kept my eyes on the dusty, bumpy road ahead of me and I silently prayed…<br />
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It was then from the back seat I heard my 16 year old son, Kallan, whisper to Dora’s oldest son, <em>“Here buddy- this is for you… you are going to need this more than I do now”. </em><br />
<br />
You see, when Kallan turned 13 – the same age as Dora’s oldest son, I had taken him on a mommy/son date. That day I had given him a ring I purchased from the local Christian store that had the word 'STRENGTH' engraved on it. I had explained to him that with all of the things young men face now a day he would have to remain strong in the Lord. He would have to stand on the word and trust that when he didn’t have the answers, when He couldn’t do it on his own- that God would be right by his side. I explained that life was hard, that things would be thrown at him, temptations, hardships, and loss- and when those times came-the Lord would carry Him through. <br />
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As the tears slide down my face, I realized how wise our God is. I had no idea this ring would one day end up on the hand of a little boy across the world who would need it even more than my son- but I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord did.
<br />
<br />
As we pulled up in front of a huge black gate, a security guard peered out a tiny window on the door and then opened it and stepped out. We quickly explained Doras situation. Without a word he disappeared and several minutes later a woman who appeared to be in her mid-50’s and dressed in typical Mayan clothing opened the door and began talking in Spanish. Without showing much emotion she asked how many children Dora had and what their ages and sex were while Dora and her 3 kids clung to each other in the backseat. It took over and hour to get to our destination, it took less than 5 seconds for us to find out they would not be allowed into the program. The woman explained that it was over a month long process for them to accept a new family and besides, they would never take in a 13 year old child. <br />
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Needless to say, we were all crushed.<br />
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Back on the road again, we made a stop for some food when I realized Dora and her children hadn’t eaten yet that day. You see, in my spoiled rotten world it was 3:30 in the afternoon- I had already fed my family two meals and somewhere in between a snack. Sometimes I forget, and most of the time- I take the simple things in life for granted. <br />
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As we headed down the highway making phone call after phone call asking for help from practically everyone we knew, Dora and her children eagerly ate their sandwiches and drank their bottled water in the back seat. Each lead- ended up a dead end. The few ministries we did find that helped woman like Dora were either full, had lengthy processes to be accepted, or else wouldn’t take in a 13 year old child (even though he was the size of most 8 year olds).
By the time we arrived back at Village of Hope we were weary and felt completely defeated. More phone calls- all dead ends, more prayers-all seeming to go unanswered. We quickly busied the children putting together puzzles while Dora clung to the little hope she had left that lay between the four walls of Village of Hope. I wanted more than anything in this world to take them in here, to keep them safe and sound. The problem is, Village of Hope has no security what so ever yet. No security wall and no guard. Dora explained that her husband would be looking for them, he would come after them- and he lived just over the side of the hill. Having them stay with us would put our family in danger and the ministry in danger- because her husband was an evil, evil man. <br />
<br />
I realized like never before how large the gap was between ministries. There are orphanages for child to go, there are educational programs and even health programs around- all good, all needed and all important stuff. But there were few emergency programs for abused and desperate woman with children who needed a fresh start. <br />
<br />
What are you trying to tell me Lord? What are we to do now?
<br />
<br />
With no more options left, we began to pray. Dora suddenly lifted her head and said, “There is a lady who attended our church, she may have room for us to sleep tonight, and perhaps we could try there?” One last phone call and the woman agreed. We quickly helped Dora and her children put on an extra layer of clothing, hugged them all tightly and watched helplessly as they headed out into the dark of the night and up the side of the mountain. <br />
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And then, I wept like never before. <br />
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I wept for the brokenness of this world. I wept for the children. I wept for the moms who were given no choice. I wept for the gaps in the systems we have created. I wanted to scream and I wanted to beg God to intervene- and then I realized he had. In a single woman. In the eyes of the world she didn't appear to have much to offer. And yet in the eyes of God, she was His hands and feet. She gave the little she had- an extra bed and an open door.
<br />
<br />
The next morning Dora and her children came back. We hugged and cried once again. We praised God for keeping them safe and keeping them together one more day. She was smiling as explained to me that she and this woman talked long into the night. The woman agreed to let them come and live there. Dora said she just knew God had this planned all along. She was beaming with joy- because she had found hope.
We both knew she would still needed to find work, she would still need school supplies, and beds - yet it all seemed so minimal in comparison to keeping her children. <br />
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Before Dora left for the day I asked her how I could be specifically praying. She looked down, staring at her hands for what seemed like hours, then she quietly whispered, “May I have a piece of paper?” Struggling to form the letters she had just recently learned to write, she wrote down the names of those who had been unkind to her....<br />
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Her husband, his new girlfriend, his extended family- and she asked us to please pray for them.<br />
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Our eyes met and in that instant, my entire world changed.<br />
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I love adoption. I am thankful for adoption. Adoption saves lives. I believe adoption is the heart of God. But I am also thankful that God allowed us to walk along with journey with Dora so that we could understand in a way we didn’t before.
There are 160,000+ orphans in this world. I have no idea how many Dora’s there are out there. My prayer is that the church rises up and does what she was meant to do. Whether that is adopting an orphan, coming alongside a birthmother who needs a little help, raising our sons to be Godly men, giving, advocating, or living our life with a purpose greater than the American dream. Because when we do- people like Dora and her children have hope. People like Dora have a chance. And maybe, just maybe, there would be orphans no more.<br />
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-68845255481367337952013-01-01T05:33:00.000-08:002013-01-01T08:44:30.784-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year!!!</span></em></strong></div>
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As I sat with the Lord during quiet time this morning and thanked Him for who He is and what He’s already done. I thanked Him for what lies ahead and I was reminded of how truly blessed we all are. While we may complain about our government, we still live in one of the greatest countries in this world. While we may complain about our finances we are richer than 80% of people in this earth. While life may be a struggle at times, we have the opportunity to know the one personally who holds the answers. <br />
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In his book “Not A Fan” by Kyle Idleman there is a story about a family that goes on a mission trip together for a month. While gone they hired someone to take care of their home. They very clearly write out all of the instructions for the caretaker to follow- when to feed the cat, when to water the plants, where the pet food is located, when to bring in the mail and what day the trash is picked up. The caretaker takes their job very seriously and commits to following the instructions. Yet once the family returns the plants were dead, the cat was buried in the backyard, and the trash was all over the garage. The caretakers explain to the family how helpful the instructions were and how they even memorized certain sections of them and highlighted them in different areas. They go on to even elaborate how they went over parts of the instructions every night before going to bed.<br />
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If you were the family how would you feel- and what would your response be?
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More importantly, when you stand before God one day what will God’s response be to the way you responded to His instructions?
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<strong><em>What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Supposed a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? James 2:14-16.</em></strong>
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What I have learned in my time on this earth is that when you take time to<em> DAILY</em> evaluate your life, your lifestyle- and look at them from an eternal perspective your values and your decisions will start to change- and so will your life.<br />
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From our family to yours we pray that 2013 is a year of blessings for you and yours. As a matter of fact, I encourage you to <strong>daily</strong> stand back and count those blessings and just see if 2013 isn’t one of the best years of your life. Because often when you take time to stop and take notice of ALL the Lord has already done- you will not be able to be anything- but in awe. <strong>Focus on what matters and live for what lasts.</strong> <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Happy 2013!!!</span></strong></div>
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-18722192144669631322012-12-07T17:44:00.005-08:002012-12-07T17:44:46.960-08:00To you homeschool moms out there...For the longest time, I struggled with our decison to homeschool. Like many homeschool mothers, I worried that somehow I might fail my children. After reading <a href="http://lifeasamissionarykid.blogspot.com/">this post</a> written by our 17- year- old daughter, Addisyn, I am thankful that we said yes. :)<br />
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-27335831513732090482012-12-05T20:26:00.003-08:002012-12-05T20:26:50.385-08:00Transformed by His love<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever since Rosa came back on Thanksgiving she and her siblings have been regular visitors here at Village of Hope- almost on a daily basis.:)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have gone from her not being willing to step foot on our property to her feeling like she belongs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We have gone from few words to big smiles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have gone from eating dirt to full bellies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We have gone from flinching when I hug her to at least leaning towards me. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As our friendship has grown they have learned to trust us enough to take hot showers on our property (their first ever) and hang out while we teach them to write their names. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The transformation in our friendships has been such a blessing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were thrilled when we were given the privilege of being welcomed to their home as well.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And meeting many of their family members...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They showed us around their home...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">their kitchen...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And where the baby sleeps (hanging in the white corn meal sack) above the bed below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bathroom...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were able to just hang out for a little while, visit, and get to know the family and what their needs are a little more.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSfjzHJk3yNvlhhWTrXnc2kw0lD8GZV5TedxEGGECTGfaqyhl6MxR3LNSgbVfXKRVFaGyJXU3oiRY9FIeRSK_ve15Y-0CQeuB1_33kDDJn4fBm6wMBPtkO-cpg1SHndK0qNTLYWkE1R-N/s1600/kellymattvisitandGTkids+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSfjzHJk3yNvlhhWTrXnc2kw0lD8GZV5TedxEGGECTGfaqyhl6MxR3LNSgbVfXKRVFaGyJXU3oiRY9FIeRSK_ve15Y-0CQeuB1_33kDDJn4fBm6wMBPtkO-cpg1SHndK0qNTLYWkE1R-N/s640/kellymattvisitandGTkids+027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before we left we were able to pray with them...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIlmyNUEbuj6GtxOx1KM2JiOPRm4PmZ_DuWp9g9rooC9njEzOuSWS8iMFqzsc7HnijdZDdHyDgEkUcNn7Zm5_F2ZdI2jrPXeyd7EqdkBflPwltUdae7OGIB8FnG61uLBUAOU1GBu65l_B/s1600/kellymattvisitandGTkids+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIlmyNUEbuj6GtxOx1KM2JiOPRm4PmZ_DuWp9g9rooC9njEzOuSWS8iMFqzsc7HnijdZDdHyDgEkUcNn7Zm5_F2ZdI2jrPXeyd7EqdkBflPwltUdae7OGIB8FnG61uLBUAOU1GBu65l_B/s640/kellymattvisitandGTkids+038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And thank the Lord for allowing us the privilege of showing them who He is and how much He truly cares for each and every one of them.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am so proud of precious Rosa... <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For her strength, her courage and for her willingness to keep
believing that there is <em>hope</em> in this world. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDVfLSe3Dq8g_0P-JG3a__gcy4WsTS0FX5FcMpQ7dPyCENJepDJ73mduhfDgJsnsLp_NPuwfKRLGYAi_1q6XXwuIobC9lptzlL_ZMNA_j0otSLDBI461yecPzpztTdIoRwXxaVa6nTEs-/s1600/kellymattvisitandGTkids+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDVfLSe3Dq8g_0P-JG3a__gcy4WsTS0FX5FcMpQ7dPyCENJepDJ73mduhfDgJsnsLp_NPuwfKRLGYAi_1q6XXwuIobC9lptzlL_ZMNA_j0otSLDBI461yecPzpztTdIoRwXxaVa6nTEs-/s640/kellymattvisitandGTkids+013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you'd like to learn more about how you can partner with <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/countries/guatemala/">Village of Hope</a> and get in on a <strong>great give-away</strong> please visit <a href="http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2012/12/mission-house-for-life.html">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-42930321172471142192012-11-22T19:37:00.002-08:002012-11-22T19:37:51.672-08:00Holidays on the mission field are always a little different. I have to admit I woke up this morning kind of dreading the day because I knew it would another holiday without our oldest sons Travis and Keegan here with us. But God is good and even though we are far away from those we love- He still gives us the greatest blessings.<br />
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Christi, Todd, Dan and I spent most of the morning in the kitchen doing our best to prepare our favorite Thanksgiving foods that would resemble something close to home. After everything was in the oven Christi and Dan decided to go for a long walk around the neighborhood. Within a few minutes Christi came running back with huge tears in her eyes (because her heart is so big like that) telling me that Rosa was back- and had 4 of her siblings along with her. I ran into the dining room and there they stood- dirt from head to toe-yet the most beautiful sight in this world. We seriously couldn't have asked for more.<br />
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<em>Thank you Jesus for answering our prayers.</em> <br />
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They had been at the top of the property waiting when Christi and Dan found them and invited them in. This time they accepted. :) They said they needed food and water- oh the things we take for granted. We loaded them up again with rice, beans, corn meal and as much as we could fit into their sack.<br />
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We explained to them that it was safe here and that we were so happy they came back when they needed help. We told them we wanted to help them because of Jesus and asked them if they know who Jesus is. They shook their heads no. We gave them a Bible (although they do not attend school and cannot read- but said their parents do). We explained to them that Jesus cares about them so much and that is why he sent us here- so that we could tell them about him. We told them if they'd like to know more about Jesus that we'd love to be able to teach them more about him. The entire time Rosa remained expressionless, although her little brothers would smile and became very excited when they saw the treats we placed in their bag. <br />
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We learned Rosa's little brothers names and ages and even met their two dogs who followed them in. ;) We invited them to stay for our Thanksgivings feast- but Rosa declined saying they needed to get back to their home. They agreed they would come back tomorrow. Before they left we were able to pray over their little souls.<br />
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Today I am so thankful for the many, many blessing the Lord has placed in my life. My husband, my children, my extended family, my friends, my church family, our partners, Lifesong, Project Hopeful, and the privilege of teaching children like Rosa and her brothers about <em>the One</em> who allowed these blessings in my life.<br />
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And I have learned that while sometimes our days don't go as we originally hoped they would- it's only God has something else in mind. :) <br />
<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-77097356325916455652012-11-20T17:59:00.001-08:002012-11-20T18:37:21.803-08:00<!--StartFragment-->
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<b><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Living out a life of
Thanksgiving…</span></b><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Without hesitation, when asked, people all over America this
Thanksgiving will respond by saying the very thing they are most thankful for
in their lives is their family.</span><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Family…</span></i></b><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">the very thing that literally millions of children face
life without.</span></i></b><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNvpa1jpmyzpy1OkRapkaGlb4T0jQtXrZQAJbDPRgz4CMo-mQbIsQGJ0iogb5YD-dnXreiYZl9PoRYeCud3wtODSmy9GRKZzmR0ESO6NBQAWlbBWH6nn4EmCUMQ00aZ4yQjX4rYZ-yBU/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNvpa1jpmyzpy1OkRapkaGlb4T0jQtXrZQAJbDPRgz4CMo-mQbIsQGJ0iogb5YD-dnXreiYZl9PoRYeCud3wtODSmy9GRKZzmR0ESO6NBQAWlbBWH6nn4EmCUMQ00aZ4yQjX4rYZ-yBU/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Here at <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/countries/guatemala/">Village of Hope</a> we understand the importance of family
and that is why we exist- to bring <b>FAITH, FAMILY and a FUTURE</b> to those
who have none. We choose to do ‘family style’ homes for orphans instead
of an institution because we understand that is what the Lord desires.</span><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A Father to the Fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his
holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families. Psalm 68:5-6</span></b><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There is simply no biblical model for institutional care - so
while clothing, feeding and giving toys to a child are all wonderful things-
the one thing a child <i><b>truly</b></i> needs- is a family to call their own.
A mother and a father who are willing to invest in their future, help
them discover their gifts and strengths- to care for them , encourage them and
show them they have a purpose and they matter.</span><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Because international adoptions are closed in Guatemala the
orphans here have little hope of being adopted into a forever family.
These children must face a bleak future- alone. We cannot stop but
to ask ourselves-how will these children be able to one day function in a
family unit? But even more- how can they have a clear view of their God who
loves them if they don’t have an earthly father to model who He is?</span><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We all know living in an institution isn’t what is best for a
child- studies prove it- but more importantly we have seen it with our own
eyes. The “fatherless” are the most vulnerable people in the world
because they lack the very person God intended to protect and provide. But as
the body of Christ we have a responsibility to live out James 1:27- to care for
orphans. We are called to action.</span><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">At Village of Hope each child will be placed in a family- in a
home- with a mother and father figure who will be the ones who tuck them in at
night, pray with them, help them with their homework, cook dinner with them,
counsel them and teach them.</span><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17lL5oJlfqdpR76ECibnCFVp2NahCKR-GbYwBerxsf3YVKMDlyBYVRuGkmO9dBM7j0L3Uoww9xu1ZWDvrqzQyDApjFEDl6pIrw39eeqSkPhrqqCfDDz2Fp7p9eirhXokPlivk_I3rc_0/s1600/blocks.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17lL5oJlfqdpR76ECibnCFVp2NahCKR-GbYwBerxsf3YVKMDlyBYVRuGkmO9dBM7j0L3Uoww9xu1ZWDvrqzQyDApjFEDl6pIrw39eeqSkPhrqqCfDDz2Fp7p9eirhXokPlivk_I3rc_0/s320/blocks.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This Thanksgiving we challenge you to gather your precious
family around the table, enjoy the blessings the Lord has provided- and then
give back out of that abundance. Encourage your family to be a part of what God
is doing in the lives of the children in Guatemala. Thank Him through
your obedience by caring for the orphan in a tangible way. Together your
family, aunts, uncles, cousins truly can make a difference in the life of a
child.</span><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <b><i>“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever
you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for
me.’ Matthew 25:40</i></b></span><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/blog/2012/10/buy-a-brick-build-a-future-village-of-hope/">To purchase a brick in your family’s name</a>…. </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/50543150?badge=0" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/50543150">Give HOPE, brick by brick. Village of Hope - Guatemala</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/lifesongfororphans">Lifesong for Orphans</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<b><span style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: red;"><i>We have been blessed by
a generous donor who is matching the next $3,000 in bricks purchased! This
means that each brick you buy, up to the first $3,000, will be DOUBLED… doesn’t
get much better than that! </i></span><span style="color: #1f1f1f;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Buy 10 bricks/$250 - Get a free VOH tshirt!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Buy 20 bricks/$500 – Get a free VOH tshirt and VOH bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Buy 40 bricks/$1,000 – Get a free VOH tshirt, VOH bag, and a necklace/earring
set hand-made by a Guatemalan woman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Buy 100 bricks/$2,500 - An engraved plate (2" x
4") with your family name on the wall in one of the homes for children <b>as a reminder of those that provided that
wall and prayed for each of them</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Buy 200 bricks/$5,000 - A plaque ( 12" x 10") with a
photo and text (of your choice) will be hung in the home and the room will be
named after your family (painted on the wall)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Buy 1,200 bricks/$30,000 – Provide an entire HOME for a FAMILY!
Get a free VOH tshirt, VOH bag, plaque (as described above), and family name on
the outside of the home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">**As you reflect on all that you are thankful for, please
consider giving toward one of the above options in honor or memory of a loved
one! Though some of our family may not be on this earth any more, their legacy
lives on and can bless the lives of those without a family! </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-85775433004418760052012-11-16T17:57:00.001-08:002012-11-16T17:57:56.799-08:00RosaI'm not even sure how to write this post... I'm not even sure I have the words to express what we saw- and felt. But I want so very badly for you to know. I felt like someone needed to hear. Mostly because I don't think things like this should happen in today's world... Somehow, we shouldn't let this be.<br />
<br />
Today after Spanish class Addie and I headed out the door for a brisk walk. Rainy season is almost over and the sun was shining bright. We threw on our tennis shoes and laughed all the way down the driveway. Living here in Guatemala I have quickly learned that each day is unique in it's own- and even when I think I have seen it all- I haven't.<br />
<br />
As we rounded the corner, about a block from our house, we looked ahead and saw a young girl walking down the lane. She began to sway and then stumble. Immediately something inside my heart broke, because I knew her situation was not good. The closer we got to her I was able to realize just how much in need she was. On her frail body hung a pair of baggy jeans that looked like they once belonged to a man. The zipper was broken and a belt hugged them tight around her tiny waste. She was covered in mud, her feet looked like those of an 80 year old woman and her hair was covered in lice. But what stopped me dead in my tracks was the dirt around her lips and in the corner of her mouth- evidence of her need to find anything she could to take the pains away from her rumbling belly. <br />
<br />
She was obviously startled, so we approached her slowly asking if she needed any help. Without barely looking up she quietly asked permission to pick some fruit off of a bush along the lane. We told her that she was welcome to them and asked her if she would like something to eat. With all the strength she could muster- she looked up and nodded. We asked if she'd like to come to our house- yet seeming afraid she declined, so we told her we would be right back to her. We quickly ran as fast as we could back to Village of Hope and grabbed some warm clothing and threw as much food as we could find in a big bag- beans, rice, corn meal, jelly and bread then headed back.<br />
<br />
Peeking around the corner of a brick wall, she waited.<br />
<br />
I don't think I have ever seen a child so frail and so emotionless in my entire life. It seemed as if it took every ounce of energy she had left just to breath. It was almost as if she had lost the ability to still <em>hope</em>. The pain of this world had completely numbed her. I wish I had a picture for you to be able to see with your own eyes- only I couldn't do that. I couldn't do that to her. <br />
<br />
We found out her name was Rosa and she is 13 years old. She has 10 siblings. We asked where her parents were and she told us they too were out looking for food. She said she didn't go to school- or to church- because she needed to work with her family. We asked if we could give her a ride home and for a minute she agreed- and then once again the fear over came her and she mumbled that she didn't have that far to go and started to walk away. We pointed to Village of Hope and told her if she ever needed anything we would be there. As we watched her tiny skeleton of a body climb the hill I couldn't help but to be torn once again by the injustice of this world. Children should not be starving. They should be swinging on swings, running on a soccer field, picking dandelions, hanging out with friends, sitting around the dinner table with their family laughing, talking, dreaming. <br />
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If you would, right now in the quiet of your own home, could you stop and pray for Rosa? <br />
<br />
<em>Lord thank you for putting Rosa in our path today. I pray that her belly is full tonight and that somehow she felt your presence and realized how much you care. God help us to appreciate what we have, to live simply and to give out of our abundance so that little girls like Rosa won't go without.</em> <br />
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<em><strong>Proverbs 31:8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.”</strong></em><br />
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<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-651297324036960472012-10-13T17:45:00.000-07:002012-10-13T17:45:16.528-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">What to do when you live on the side of a mountain...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and mama's busy packing for the states...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and daddy is busy weeding?</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We DIG for treasure of course!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And we slide...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And we get REAL dirty...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoW-LgGJhYmzmaZWB9tE8JdKrTryNYIqzK_H5OISHTHwxH95PtVuNmcVHGgi9wb9At7m5i-bgZrCnu6J-LwnXDF8GlJ28ogUFD4vz_ms371ih8LeebFsS9T5LqvU1Uy-ouMT63XogtU32k/s1600/IMG_7666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoW-LgGJhYmzmaZWB9tE8JdKrTryNYIqzK_H5OISHTHwxH95PtVuNmcVHGgi9wb9At7m5i-bgZrCnu6J-LwnXDF8GlJ28ogUFD4vz_ms371ih8LeebFsS9T5LqvU1Uy-ouMT63XogtU32k/s640/IMG_7666.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And our clothes will never be the same again...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next we try to fly kites ('try' being the key word here)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After that it's onto a game of soccer...</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until our big brother joins in and beats us all...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even our dog is worn out...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But we cannot help but to smile...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And love our life~</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the side of the mountain. :)</span></div>
<img alt="image signature" src="http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o421/inhisgrace7/Amy-Block-Siggy.png" />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13006198193450517574noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317477880142153579.post-31145358823507425022012-10-07T14:10:00.003-07:002012-10-07T14:10:45.244-07:00Family time...One of the hardest things about going on the mission field is protecting family time and finding a balance. Everywhere we look there are urgent needs- and that can be overwhelming. One thing we have been working very hard on is to not allow ourselves to get burned out. Our family time, our children, our marriage still need our attention- or else we will allow our first ministry- our family- to fall apart. So today, we did something we have not been doing often enough- we took a break. We headed to Antigua to just walk around, enjoy the beauty and the rich culture. I, of course, couldn't help but to bring my camera along. :) I could spend hours just staring at the faces of my beautiful children. I love how God brought each of us together from different cultures, with diffent colors, and different backgrounds. In our house <em>we celebrate</em> those differences and thank God <strong>every.single.day</strong> for allowing us the privilege of being a family. :) <br />
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