Thursday, December 27, 2007

Wheels for the World: The Blessed Act of Giving

“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son….”
John 3:16


What an
Honor it was to be part of this
Edifying
Experience and to feel the
Love of our
Savior Jesus Christ all the time

Families and friends were also witnesses of God’s goodness,
Opening their hearts to our blessed
Redeemer

Taking time to pray and to thank for His provision, we give
Him the Glory and we turn our
Eyes upon Him

Worshiping and
Obeying our
Righteous
Lord in order to
Dwell in His house forever


1. A call from Heaven

I thank God for the call I received from Elizabeth, Corazones Unidos’ coordinator, to join the team for the outreach that was held in Trujillo.

As it was my first time working as an interpreter, I was wondering how it would be doing that job but then I remembered that God never asks about our ability or our inability just our availability and for sure I wanted to be sent!!...and I answered to Elizabeth: yes you can count on me!!

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “whom shall I send? And go will go for us?” and I said: “Here am I. Send me! Isaiah 6:8

2. Getting acquainted with team in Lima

From the beginning I felt a friendly environment when I met the team at the hotel. Each of them - Richard, Jill, Earl, Melinda, Donna, Cindy, Nancy, Rebecca, Rachel, Zenia and Malu made me feel comfortable, secured and loved.


3. Welcoming the team at Trujillo Airport

What a warming welcome we had at the airport in Trujillo!! With their arms opened and a big smile Olenka, Filiberto, Julio, Yvette, Benjamin and his great band made us feel that we had known each other for years. The songs played by the musicians were a relief not only for our souls because of the lyrics but also for our bodies as we were tired from the trip.


4. Nicolas Rice: Born for the victory

Many people, including me, were touched by the testimony that was shared by Earl about his son Nick at both church services. This is a proof of what love can do when we surrender to God in order for Him to take control of our lives. What they did was exactly that - leaving Nick's life to the Lord. That is why God is still performing miracles in his life.


5. Training Day: Getting ready for the Big Day


Receiving one-day training before the outreach let us be well prepared for it.

* Organization by stations: Keeping Christ in the workplace
A remarkable initiative was the organization by stations where in each station there was a therapist, a mechanic, a translator and a support person. Being organized in this way helped us to achieve an effective distribution. We kept praying before and after the distribution of a wheelchair.

* Key people: Using the gifts in service to others
All people serving in this outreach as mechanics, support, gate keepers, therapists, guides, translators, etc were very valuable in accomplishing the goal of sharing God's love with more people with disability and their families.


6. Corazones Unidos - Trujillo

Olenka as the leader with Filiberto (as her assistant) and all the volunteers did an excellent job. They took great care of every detail for the outstanding development of the Outreach.


7. Devotionals: Daily food for the soul

Every morning we had our devotionals at the guesthouse and at the church and both were our first food of the day in order to be full of energy spiritually and physically. Gathered with the purpose to ask God the following: for wisdom, to know how to do things; to be unified as a team; to stay always close to us; to give the appropriate wheelchair; to find the right time to share about God's love etc.

“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them”
Matthew 18:20

8. Distribution: Working for the Lord

* Fitting the wheelchairs: Facing challenges with success

Behind each wheelchair there is a story to share. It does not matter how many hours took to fit a wheelchair, the most important is that everything that was done was to edify Jesus and even though that every wheelchair was a challenge, together as a team overcame the obstacles with success thanks to God’s help.

* Walking by Faith not Sight:

“We walk by Faith, not by Sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

Our faith was in test the last day when it was necessary to adapt chairs in little time and with a limited supply of wheelchairs. We had to put our faith in action to receive miracles.

“Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

* Daily lunch: God’s expected provision

What a wonderful job the team did in the kitchen feeding many people as well as patients and their families. Definitely the provision came from God as there was always food for someone who needed it.


* Miracles happen! : Making Christ her partner.

It is incredible how God touched Milagros' heart (the physical therapy assistant who was in my station) during the distribution and in the last day she accepted Christ in her life. All the time she was amazed for the way people give without expecting in return.

* In service to others

I still remember the facial expressions of the people waiting to receive a wheelchair and later how they left the church with great joy knowing that the true provider was God.

“And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love one another.” 1 John 4:21


9. Our Leaders Richard and Jill: Leaving a Path.

We are very thankful to God that Richard and Jill were our leaders and they performed very well. They took great care of all the details and kept us constantly informed at every step from beginning to end and with their knowledge and experiences left us a path to follow.Thanks for beign leaders of inspiration.

10. Farewell: A job well done for the Lord

We returned to our cities with peace in our hearts due to the mission was accomplished by sharing God’s word, serving and giving love.

This outreach was definitely blessed by God as we gave our love, time and knowledge to serve people with disability and He was always there as we worked as a unified team.

Due to God’s perfect plan, He met the needs we had during the distribution that is why everything was under control.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession…….”
2 Corinthians 2:14

Thanks God for your love and your faithfulness.

And the Glory be to God....AMEN!! Cecilia