Thursday, July 25, 2013

Reflections from our translator

Rick Mackey invited Biohanny and I to translate for a group from Rochester, Minnesota. So I was like, "Yeah, I'll translate!" We have American groups come to Boma and I have translated for them so I was ready to translate for this group. The first day I was introduced to the group but I did not have a chance to really get to know people very well. I shared my story with some girls but there were still a lot of new faces in the crowd. And as the days went on I got to talk and play with the girls, bonding over free time and ministry opportunities in different villages. To the people of the villages we were just one group so I felt more bonded to the American group, a real part of them. As more time passed, I felt like the group became like family. Even though I was a translator we planned out together how we were going to do the services to the kids or youth in the villages. The first girl that I talked to was Christina. And on the last night with the group Darin told us to share one person that was a real encouragement throughout the week. Christina chose me first but I had already planned on sharing how she too had been an encouragement to me as a friend. So at first this group felt like just another group I was translating for and one in which I wasn't part of but at the end of the week I felt very differently. In the end, I felt like this group from Minnesota was like family! This is a testimony to the special bond that we have as brothers and sisters in Christ. I was going to share this with the group on the last day, the celebration day, but I didn't want to because I knew that I was going to cry so hard. Rick said that it was hard for his kids, Ben and Elena, to have groups come down, make friends with them and then leave. I started to think about the groups that would come up to Boma and all the friends that I have made throughout the years and it being so difficult because they would come, have a great week, and then they would have to leave. It is very hard for me after groups leave because in Boma there is not many Christian youth in church that I can share with so it makes life harder. Having more brothers and sisters and Christ and making new friends and sharing with them makes it very difficult to let them go. In particular, Darin was encouraging in the way he taught the youth how to be Christ's disciples and it seemed so easy for him to exemplify simple demonstrations to help even me understand more what it means to follow Christ. I just want everyone to know that I had a great time with you all and thank you for welcoming me into your group (familia). I love you all and I hope that you come back in two years or less!

Alexandra T.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Almost done.

Nearly home to our mission field.  On the bus.  It is quiet.  Lots of tired travelers after a week serving and equiping students in another culture. God be praised.

Just landed

In Miami.  Now for customs.

Santiago airport!

We successfully got through customs and are now seated at Gate B5 as a sea of blue shirts waiting for our flight. We are tired, but we are overflowing with the joy that we experienced last evening as we shared how we have been encouraged by each other and exchanged bittersweet goodbyes with our wonderful translators and the Mackeys.

Yesterday was an exercise in flexibility as we arrived at Salto (swinging bridges waterfall) Jimenoa and it began to rain. Our original plan was to sit on rocks and reflect, pray, and journal, but God had other plans. Instead we left our Bibles on the van and just enjoyed being in nature-crossing wood plank bridges, splashing in the eddies, and gazing in awe at the waterfall and cloud-cloaked mountains. I think we have all enjoyed the little paradise that we have experienced this week.

Ephesians 3:20-21: "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

By now you all should know who Roger loves...(and the team too) :p
Christie can't wait to see her family!
Gail loves Gary. 
Connor can't wait to see Renee because he loves her :)
Darin misses his family

On our way...

Early start and we are on our way.  Breakfast was at 4:45 this morning and now I am sitting in the passenger seat of the little bus next to Giovanni as we head to the airport.  Much to say and much has been accomplished.  Praise the Lord!

Darin

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Getting ready...

Today we spent the morning doing a little excursion to a waterfall and then spent an hour in silence and solitude to hear from God and how He would lead us once we got home.  Then after lunch a quick trip to get souvenirs and then to clean up and pack our stuff for the early morning trip to the airport.  The bus will leave at 5am for Santiago so we will be tired.  I will get a few students to type in some thoughts later tonight or in the morning.

Darin

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Update from Mitchell

Well...
Today was totally awesome.
During the morning our Calvary team split into two teams: one team in Buenos Aires, another in El Montana.
In El Montana, the team helped the moms/leaders there put on a VBS. We opened in songs led by the four moms, with one led by our Karin Canakes. Then the children recited their verses very remarkably. After that we played games in the sanctuary, due to the rain. Another consequence of the rain, we lost 8 kids compared to yesterday. From Lower Montana, we brought up 7 kids, plus a Bible story teller.

In Buenos Aires the team put on our own VBS again. We had fewer kids than yesterday, but still a good number. Again, there were three stations. The Drama/ Music station re-enacted "Daniel and the Lion's Den", then invited the kids to join in and act out the story themselves. They were very convincing as lions. The Game station played some games with balloons, and were thoroughly sweaty and winded by the end.  Crafts today were small booklets with coloring pages inside. (Hint: they all had Jesus on them.) The little ones needed help with glue, but the older kids informed us that they did indeed know exactly what to do and dove in with gusto. John delivered a great message at the beginning, Nick at the end, and all in all, the kids and leaders had lots of fun.

~Buenos Aires info courtesy of Elizabeth Homme. (That's why it's so long)

And you all know by now that Roger loves Sue and Connor loves Renee. And
Caleb loves his family.

And now, to finish, a poem.

Thirty-some Kids- Mitchell Barnhart.

Thirty-some kids sit in a line
put on a smile to convince that they're fine
Those same thirty kids learning the Bible.
But how much will stick, or bounce off, sitting idle.
Thirty USA kids flying around,
They know their mission before they touch down.
Living at camp, traveling in vans,
All the while knowing that our God sure can.
People watching, youth rallying
VBS-ing, team tallying
Spreading the Gospel, sharing the story.
Not being prideful 'cuz God gets the glory.
To sum up the trip, it's testimonies and songs
Here's a coconut, take a sip. It's different, not right or wrong.
Thirty-some kids that God changed immensly.
We'll bring the message home for our counrty, friends and family.
Worn out and tired, but willing all the same.
To God be the Glory, Honor, Power and Fame.

Thanks,
Mitchell B. onbehalf of team.