Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Busy Hands are Happy Hands!

I used to have a boss that whenever she came out of her office and saw us chatting she would say "busy hands are happy hands".  That was her way of telling us to get back to work!
Well, I gotta tell you, the women from Iglesia Vida have some very happy hands because our hands have been BUSY!

Every 2 years, the National AG Church here hosts a retreat for pastors wives from all over the country.  This year the executive board for the national womens ministry, asked our church if we would be able organize the event and take care of all the logistics.  The womens ministry at our church took on the challenge of organizing the event in November for over 800 pastors wives!  Since June, we have been organizing, recruiting, and planning like mad women!!!

Our goal is to make this the best and nicest retreat these women have attended.  We want them to feel special and loved.  The women come from all over the country....we will have women from deep within the interior of the country who cannot read, to educated women from the Capital.  The retreat is held at "The Tabernacle" which is a huge lot with a very big auditorium, a kitchen and dining area, and a few multi-purpose rooms. Most women that are not from the area, spend the 2 nights in one of the multi-purpose rooms.  From what I have heard, they are crammed in there  (some with their children) with thin blankets that are provied to them.  Our original desire this year was to have people from our church host some of the women (at least the women with children) and give them a warm place to sleep and rest.  Due to some logistical challenges, we will not be able to provide that for them.  So, we asked the women of the church if they could donate a warm, soft blanket we could give the ladies.  God provided even more!!!

A local factory heard about what we were doing and donated thousands (I don't even know how much!) of yards of fabric so that we can make blankets.  Soft, warm, fleece blankets!  Not only that, but God also provided a factory that would make the blankets for us.  We just had to cut the fabric into the sizes we needed and then take it to them! Here are some photos of the ladies working hard on cutting the fabric!!!


That's only about half of what was donated!

Working dilligently!

The sanctuary was turned into a factory!

second load being delivered!

Unloading the truck!
Aside from making the blankets, we also spent another day making the tableclothes and making the gift bags (not filling the girft bags...actually making the bags!)


My beautiful friend Karina cutting the cloth for the table runners

Cutting the paper to make the gift bags

making them just the right size

gifted seamstress
It has been such a blast and such a blessing working with these women!  Please pray for us as the time of the retreat is quickly approaching and there are still many details that need to be worked out.  I look forward to sharing with you all the wonderful things that God is going to do a this retreat. We want to demonstrate God's love to these women and show them that they are special to God and greatly appreciated!
By the way.....I'm not in the pictures, but I worked hard too....and not just taking the pictures!! :)

Pa' Lante y Pal' Cielo!!
Cece


Support:

Friends, I am still short of my monthly budget....Please pray about how you can partner with me financially either through a one time donation or by becoming a monthly donor. Thank you!

If you would like to make a donation in my name, you can send a check with Acct. # 2949329 written in the memo and send the check to

Assemblies of God World Missions
1445 North Boonville Ave
Springfield, MO 65802-1894
If you would like to become a monthly contributor please email me for furthur information
For automatic credit card withdrawal you can print off and fill out the form with my account number (2949329) on the website below… then send it to the AGWM address posted above.
http://ag.org/contributorservices_PDF/CRCDAUTH.pdf

Contact Me!!!
Here is my contact information
Email: cro1780@gmail
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=726036343
Skype Name: Cicely Rosario
Mailing Address:
9A Calle A 8-59 Casa 14 Condominio Las Mercedes
Zona 8 de Mixco, CD San Cristobal
Guatemala, C.A




Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Protection, Provision, and Praise!

God is faithful. No matter what, God is faithful. When it's raining, He's faithful. When it's sunny, He is faithful. When we are going through trials, He is faithful. When we are rejoicing, He's faithful. When we are lacking, He is faithful. When we have in abundance, He is faithful. When we are sick, He's faithful. When we are healthy, He is faithful. Always, not sometimes. In every circumstance, in every situation, in every season. He is ALWAYS faithful.


Last week, I was on the highway, driving home from the girl’s home where I teach English. As I was driving, I noticed there was a red pick up truck behind me and it was really close to me. I tried to get into the next lane, but then I realized there was a white van driving next to me. I tried to speed up so that I could get ahead of the white van and merge into his lane, however, as my speed increased so did his. The red pick up also increased his speed keeping him right behind me. I was sort of "blocked in" by these two vehicles. During this time, I had been singing in my car (rather loudly) "Our God". I quickly realized that there was a chance that these 2 vehicles blocking me could present a problem. Something in my spirit told me this was not good! I started praying and singing to God. I did not just pray for protection; I praised God for His protection. I began to declare who He was, and sing "and if our God is for us, then who cold ever stop us....and if our God is with us, then who could stand against." I know that there is no room for the devil and his schemes when the children of God begin to praise God and declare His power and might....so that is what I did. Within 3-4 minutes, both cars sped away, and to be honest, I don't even know where they went! I praised God for His protection. I don't know the intention of the people in those vehicles, but I do know that God protected me from any scheme that the enemy may have tried to implement. He is faithful to watch and protect His children.

This week, once again, I experienced His faithfulness. Every 2 years, the Assemblies of God hosts regional retreats for its missionaries. This year it is in Costa Rica the week of Thanksgiving. Ideally, part of my monthly support is taken out and put into a fund to cover the expenses of the retreat. However, since my support has been low these last few months, anything that was in that fund was used to supplement my monthly disbursement (my salary). Needless to say, I was kind of disappointed that I wouldn't be able to go, thus staying here alone (all the other missionary families will be in C.R) for Thanksgiving. But again, God, in His faithfulness, has provided and made a way for me to go thanks to a family that has offered to cover my expenses!!! I cried when I found out because I was moved both by the generosity of this family and by the goodness of God. God is faithful!

Last night I had the opportunity to go see Marcos Witt (he is a Spanish worship leader/pastor....I grew up singing his songs) in concert. I had seen the billboard for months and planned on going, until I found out the tickets were $25. I know that may not seem like much, but for me these days, it is! I was disappointed but it wasn't a big deal. But again, God is so good!! A woman from my church had an extra ticket and I got to go for free!!!! I was so blessed.

I have had quite a bit of stress lately due to my support being low and also because I do not have a clue about what I am going to do at the end of my term in March. But, this week God showed me that I don't have to worry. He takes care of the big things (like a retreat for missionaries that I believe will help give me some direction for March) and also the desires of our hearts (like a concert). I am constantly in awe of my God! His faithfulness and His gentle care for me overwhelm me. I cannot help but give Him all of my praise! When our dependency is on God, He is faithful! He will NEVER let us down!

This is one of my favorite Psalms and this week I'm proclaiming it from the rooftops!!!!

Psalm 34:1-8 (emphasis mine)

I will extol the LORD at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the LORD;
Let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me;
Let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
Their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
He saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
And he delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Pa' Lante y Pal Cielo!
Cece


Support:

Friends, I am still short of my monthly budget....Please pray about how you can partner with me financially either through a one time donation or by becoming a monthly donor. Thank you!

If you would like to make a donation in my name, you can send a check with Acct. # 2949329 written in the memo and send the check to

Assemblies of God World Missions
1445 North Boonville Ave
Springfield, MO 65802-1894
If you would like to become a monthly contributor please email me for furthur information
For automatic credit card withdrawal you can print off and fill out the form with my account number (2949329) on the website below… then send it to the AGWM address posted above.
http://ag.org/contributorservices_PDF/CRCDAUTH.pdf

Contact Me!!!
Here is my contact information
Email: cro1780@gmail
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=726036343
Skype Name: Cicely Rosario
Mailing Address:
9A Calle A 8-59 Casa 14 Condominio Las Mercedes
Zona 8 de Mixco, CD San Cristobal
Guatemala, C.A












Sunday, October 2, 2011

Sweet Starbucks.......and other reminders of home.....

Earlier this summer, Starbucks opened its first store in Guatemala. I wasn't super excited and I'll tell you why.....Guatemala has some of the best coffee EVER! There are several coffee shops that have excellent coffee and they are Guatemalan owned companies. Also the Starbucks was in a part of the City that I was not familiar with. Lately, however, I have been missing home ALOT (I think it has something to do with the seasons changing...In the US of course, not here.....we only have 2 seasons.....wet and dry!). And since I can't just hop on a plane and go home for the weekend, I like to do something that reminds me of home. Sometimes it's eating something that reminds me of home (not the US but my actual family's home), sometimes it's browsing through Amazon for hours (I don't have a Borders here, and I have heard that neither do my friends in the States anymore, but when I had a lazy Saturday afternoon, I spent hours browsing books at Borders), and sometimes, it's just looking through pictures.

Since my latest bout of homesickness (not sure that's a word...but it is on my blog!), I have had the urge to go to Starbucks since SB's was part of my routine at home. The problem was, I didn't know how to get there! Well, this week I found out that another one opened in a mall that I actually know how to get to!!! I was so excited! Again, not so much because of the coffee, but because it was like a part of my "world" coming here to me!!

So, today, my roommate Amy and I ventured out to Oakland Mall. I parked in the underground parking and when we came up the escalators that took you into the mall, there at the top of the escalators, I saw this:




I cannot tell you how giddy I was (just ask my roommate Amy...I'm pretty sure I embarassed her). I heard the "halleluya chorus" in my head! I know it's silly (and perhaps even a little pathetic), but it just made me happy.  

My life is very different than it was a year and a half ago. I am thankful that God has been gracious to me and I have adapted rather well here.  He has giving me and continues to give me amazing oppurtunities. I am sincerly happy here and I really enjoy living and working here. However, every now and then, you can't help but miss home. And when "home" comes to you......well, it's a real delight!!!!!  I won't be frequenting Starbucks often, but it's nice to know where to find one when I find myself longing for something that reminds me of life back home!


My roommate Amy and I...She was super great about indulging my craving!




Special Treat...Starbucks AND Cinnabon


Cooking with my Goya products (the sazon and empanada disks were brought from the States), and drinking my Malta's always make me think of my moms kitchen!!!


Well friends, until next time,
Pa' Lante y Pal' Cielo!
Cece