threebeans's Xanga

El Salvador Photos

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:27:03 GMT

Hey all... our initial batch of photos are available for viewing and download. Trevor is finalizing the videos and we should have our DVD's ready in a few weeks. Thanks for your patience as we wade through some technical difficulties experienced at the close of the trip.

At the "Panoramas and More" gallery you can upload your own pictures from the trip.

NOTE: You have my permission to print any of the El Salvador photos on your home printer or take to a professional image printer. Feel free to insert these into email or print them in thank you letters to those who sent support.

Saturday, July 19, 2008 - Our Big Day

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:36:56 GMT

The big day has finally arrived. After 51 weeks of dreaming, planning, praying, and fund-raising, we set off this morning to see what God had in store for us.

We arrived at the fairgrounds (Ferria Internacional) around 10:00 AM in time to help set up the chairs on the auditorium floor. This was then followed up by listening to the band and Capestany do their sound check.

Around 2:00 a few people showed up, but the bulk of the busses came around the same time just before 3:00. Because of the line of people getting in, we pushed back our start time until 3:20.

Our entire team performed a song called "Jump" or "Leap of Faith" by Lecrae. They did a great job and every family member and friend has a great reason to be proud. Capestany and Soly performed for about 40 minutes. During their concert several of the students came down to a break-dance circle. It was very cool to see them dance, but more-so, to see some of the people we had personally invited during the week.

Carlos got the mic just before 5:00 and preached for about 15 minutes. When he gave the altar call we expected it to take quite a bit of prodding and pleading to get the students to move. God surprised us and immediately several students stood and came forward. In all we expect about 400 people gave their lives to Christ during the event.

We saw people having demons cast out, rough and tough teens weeping and crying, and many people impacted in a powerful way by the presence of God.

One of our concerns was disruptions from rival schools and possible gang presence. We know there were those people in attendance, but God protected us and everyone there as there were no incidents reported of violence.

The city helped us out by providing city police, and we also had medical personal on tap for assistance in the event of an emergency.

Gerritt Kenyon (our local missionary in training) did a great job with the organization and administration of this event. God worked out many miracles to make this event happen. As one example; on Friday morning Gerritt got a call from the fairgounds stating that they were unable to provide the staging that they had committed earlier. However with one phone call the lighting and sound company threw that in at no extra charge. God is so good.

Though it is very difficult to gauge success on this type of event the following bits of info I find very encourageing.

- About 5,000 students in attendance
- 400 came forward to receive Christ
- There were no incidents of violence
- We are within budget for the amount of money raised (at this point)
- We didn't have to clean up any portion of the meeting space as people we contracted with did it all for us!
- God moved!
- El Salvador teenagers know that someone believes in them and God loves them!

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Tomorrow is our last day of ministry. It should be fun!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:36:30 GMT

This morning had street programs and schools in store for the groups. We were informed around noon that all of the 15,000 tickets had been passed out and people were needing more.

During the afternoon both busses joined together for a basketball tournament/outreach. Several of the guys geared up for several games of US vs. El Salvador. It was tons of fun and a great way to connect with the people of ES. We lost most of the games, but the winning wasn't the important thing.

Between some of the games we did a couple songs and had Carlos share a challenge and invite the teens to our Saturday outreach. We were received very well.

We capped of the day with a fun bus vs bus competition as we threw water and other miscellaneous items out of the bus window at each other. There was a lot of laughter and memories made.

Carlos and I had a competition going today to see who could eat the most Pupusas in one day. We could only buy one at a time from the different vendors and we tallied them up when we got back to the Castle. Carlos scored five Pupusas while I downed ten. Maybe more accurate to say that I forced them down. Carlos is quite the competitor and is the master at finding Pupusas... I only won because of the deep commitment of my Pupusa-eating team.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:35:48 GMT

Our bus went to Apopa today which is a rough community where one of our leaders grew up. We approached the director of the school and he would not allow us in to do a presentation, only one leader could enter one class to make the announcement. However, we stayed by the door and when the kids were dismissed at noon we passed out tickets to them and invited them to the Saturday event.

During that time we also went to the city council office and, with the favor of God got permission to do presentations at noon and at 6:00 at night. Both of them were during times when the teenagers would be going to and coming from school.

When we came back at night we were pleased to see a lot of teenagers (skaters and bmx bikers) that were hanging out around the plaza. We ministered there and spent some time talking and praying with the students. Becuase of all of the foot traffic through the plaza we were able to personally invite quite a few students.

The students did an amazing job and worked very hard. They were rewarded with Pupusas and Ice Cream during the day... always a welcome treat.

Tomorrow we look forward to being together with both busses for a basket ball tournament. The US kids vs the El Salvador teens. Should be a great opportunity to connect with more teens.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:35:22 GMT

Once again we were out to do our songs and dramas as evangelism and to promote the Saturday event. One group had lined up a Latin American Child Care School where we were able to make presentation before a total of about 750 students (elementary and high school)

During the first session very few kids responded for salvation, but many more camp up for prayer for needs and healings. The power of God fell on that room and kids were slain in the Spirit, drunk in the Spirit, and God moved in an amazing way. In the next High School assembly nearly all of the kids responded again for special prayer, but the mood was very somber and their countenance was closed. As our team worked through the class of students and began to pray for them one by one they broke and wept. So many of the students feel alone and neglected, to have someone hug them and pray for them meant a lot. God healed a lot of broken hearts during that session.

We were touched in a powerful way. Ernesto was standing in a group of his friends and as we made our way to him he broke and began to weep. We learned that he felt overwhelmed and alone. Nathan prayed for him and English, later we learned that what God spoke to him were some of the exact things that he was praying. Ernesto speaks only Spanish. Now he says, "I've felt a felling that I've never felt before." He was living two different lives but is going to be living only for God now. Ernesto also received the baptism in the Holy Spirit!!!

We also had a very unique incident where the girls went crazy for one of our guys. Jacob received "rock star" treatment from the girls as they all screamed for him every time he did something on the stage. It was quite funny and I'm sure very flattering for Jacob.

The other team had their miracle service tonight and saw many kids come for prayer. Three kids received prayer to open their mouth to speak as they were mute. Before we boarded the buss they began to utter their first words. We are believing God for a complete miracle.

Carlos (our evangelist from California) preached some powerful messages today and was used in an amazing way!

Please continue to pray for open doors to the schools.

Here's a report from the other bus:
- Did two High School programs with an amazing response
- Experienced intense worship at a private school program
- Did an assembly where, using ideas from the Seven Project, they reached students
- Bus rides full of cheers and great fun as the teens are interacting and making great friends. CHEER: "We are the Penguins..."
- As we challenge the teens of El Salvador, to tell them Jump and take a leap of faith and trust in Jesus. The AIMers are taking their faith to a new level.
- God is calling teens to become world changers in all areas of life; ministry, professional careers, and campus missionaries

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:34:56 GMT

Today was a great day of ministry. We had great opportunities to minister in schools and on the street. Both groups of busses were able to make presentations in schools and pass out the tickets to our Saturday event.

One team did a miracle service this evening and saw God do some great things.

The pool and hot tub were our great friends tonight when we got back to the camp!

Here's a report from the other bus...

- Passed out tickets at a High School
- Climbed a mountai8n (1,500 feet) with all of the equipment for a street program
- Held a night rally where they prayed for High School students on the streets and promoted the night rally
- Played Basketball with ES Students and were challenged to a Friday game where they will minister after building a relationship with the teens.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:34:24 GMT

Monday, July 14, 2008

Both teams headed out today to reach teenagers. We've worked hard to prepare songs and dramas that will be appealing to students and also prepared some specific stories that deal with rejection, loneliness, and abuse.

One team today was fortunate to land their first High School. This school is had a small room where about 45 students would fit. We did two assemblies there reaching about 90 teenagers.

After the songs and skits the national leader on that team gave a salvation message and invitation to respond. Though they didn't all stand or raise their hand we watched their eyes and noticed that most of them were very attentive to what was being said. They were getting it! God's word was going forward and the teenagers got it!

Both teams did some street programs where more children than teens show up. However both groups were able to minister effectively to every age group.

Please be in prayer for access to the schools as we just learned that the Minister of Education of El Salvador just sent out a letter advising the principals not to allow school assemblies of every kind. We know this happens often and that the principal holds the authority to allow us in (OK, God holds the authority), but with the letter coming out so soon to our arrival we hope that the public schools will remain open.

The team is doing great. We have seen incredible attitudes and hard work from everyone. It appears that they are all having a great time and that God is using them.

Tomorrow our evangelist Carlos arrives. We look forward to having him with us as we go to schools. Capestany and Mario (our Raggeton artist) will be appearing on radio and television to promote the Saturday event.

Thanks for your continued prayer. We see the hand of God moving in mighty ways with divine healing, miracles, protection, and health.

Thom and Anita (held at customs) arrived today and are with us now. Tomorrow Kendra will join us as well... then finally we will be a complete team.

Sunday AIM Update

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:30:33 GMT

Sunday, July 13, 2008

I was asked to preach at the Dream Center church this morning. This was an exciting and anxious opportunity.

The Dream Center is the central church that Missionary Don Triplett pastors. He was out of country and entrusted the preaching of the Word to me this morning. It was quite an honor.

Pastor David (one of the nationals) was my translator. He did an outstanding job. Before we went on stage I asked him what he was going to preach. When he asked why, I said because it doesn't matter what I say it's about what he says. We both laughed and later he told me I did a great job translating his message into English.

I would like to give thanks to Lee Terry (DYD of Rocky Mountain District) for the encouragement he gave me during the morning service.

Following the service and sandwiches for lunch we headed out for a street program. This is always a fun time to invite children to hear the message of the Gospel. Since we aren't in schools over the Weekend we had the chance to reach some children. However, I can't imagine what they think when nearly 55 people are doing songs and dramas in the streets. We must be quite a site.

Half of the group had a "Miracle Service" this evening and we are awaiting the stories of what God did in that neighborhood.

- Jake reports that eight people were baptized in the Holy Spirit during the service. One lady came up for prayer because of headaches which was affecting her vision. She also had some lumps on her arm and pain in her teach. While she was being prayed for the headaches were gone, the teeth pain was gone, vision was cleared up, and the lump on her arm was going down. Praise the Lord for his healing.

Pastor Jeremy preached tonight and did a great job!

It was a good day of ministry today. We are looking forward to getting into the schools tomorrow and believing God for amazing results.

Saturday Aim Update

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:29:29 GMT

Saturday, July 12, 2008

After about 21 hours of travel we finally got settled at Kings Castle for a few short hours of sleep before we begin our full day of training.

Unfortunately not all of the team made it to the training center. We have an issue with travel papers for one of our foreign-born leaders. She and her husband stayed the night in the airport and will be flown back to the states today to secure proper paperwork before they can return. Though we inquired about this situation and the airlines allowed her to check in she was stopped at customs in El Salvador. Please pray she gets this resolved quickly!

Our plan for today is breakfast at 6:30 am, orientation at 7:30 am, and then training will follow.

The team is in good spirits and ready to get to work. However after a very long day of travel the team is tired.

Training went well we learned several new dramas and songs and had a chance to review our routine which is looking very sharp now. One of the new songs (Leap by LaCrae) we learned is brand new to Castle ministries. We are the first team to use this routine and I think the teens will really enjoy it.

After lunch we had about 20 minutes before practice resumed. We were hot, tired, and sweaty. The pool looked very refreshing but we didn't have enough time to go to our room and change without being late to our afternoon practice session. So we (some of the guys) did what you would expect... swam in our clothes. It was the refreshment we needed.

Supper featured Pupusas (beans and cheese fried between dough), plantains, beans, rice, and "corn bread." This is my personal favorite meal and very authentic as the El Salvador staple meal.

I had the privelidge of assisting the cooks in making several of the Pupusas. A fun time.

That night we met at the prayer fortress for about a 90 minute prayer and commissioning service. It was a powerful time to connect with God and ask for his anointing on our life before we head out to minister.

Gerritt shared about this week of ministry being a fresh dream from God and an answer to their prayers. There's a level of anticipation and excitement that we have not experienced in a long time. We look forward to what God is going to do in the schools and the lives of those we touch.

AIMers Passing the Time at DFW

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:38:39 GMT