Good Bye El Salvador

Is hard to believe we are winding down and back to packing mode so we can leave for the airport at 3 AM…. I have to say, everyday God touched me in ways I never imagined.  Today we hiked up a volcano, (try and do that in MO lol) and it was breathtaking! 

Tonight’s church service was indescribable.  I think I cried more tonight then I have in a long time.  They were not tears of sorrow; no they were tears of joy, thanks, and praises.  Before heading out on this trip I had no idea what to really except.  I can honestly say I am forever changed. 

I know I am sinner, I am not perfect, I make mistakes and I have struggles.  But this week I was reminded over and over again that I am loved more than I can ever imagine!  You know we go to church on Sunday and Wednesday in our nice air conditioned buildings.  We drive our nice cars and are able to eat before we get there.  Here we sat, sweat dripping from our heads singing and praising the Lord.  It was amazing! I can’t wait to come back! El Salvador holds a special place in my heart!  I will be back, and I can wait to hug each one of the kids and parents I met this week!  El Salvador I am grateful for this trip! And I am so thankful to all those who helped to get me here! I will forever be grateful!

In a few hours I will be leaving on a jet plane! I can’t wait to hug all my boys!!!!

Jules

El Salvador Day 4

What a day!  I have to say when we leave early Saturday morning a piece of my heart will stay behind here in El Salvador.  Today was so amazing.  The excitement the kids had at the 2 schools we went to where we did the JRA kid’s camp experience was indescribable.  I will be honest, 100% honest, being here, seeing what we are seeing, how these kids live and still have a smile on their faces.  It really makes you look at your own life, and how you live it. 

I feel so blessed to be part of a church that pours into missions the way they do!  To actually see where the money is going, has gone and will continue to go to is an experience all in itself!  I would encourage everyone at some point in their life to go on a mission trip! 

Today was jam packed full of going to more schools and reaching more kids.  When we were leaving the first school, I had a little girl ask me to pray with her, when I asked her what for (Ok the translator lol) she said that she wanted me to pray for her brother, and that he would ask Jesus in his heart.  I asked her what was going on (again the translator comes in here) and she tells me her brother his part of a gang, or the drug cartel.  So myself and another one of our team members laid hands on her and prayed for her and with her.  As we were leaving, she came to the bus at least 5 times and hugged me from the window; finally I had to get off the bus to give her another hug.  She told me thank you (in English) and that she loved me in (again in English).  That moment made me want to pack her in my suitcase and bring her home with me!  Then we head to the next school, and same thing, little girl hugs me as we were leaving and tells “I love you forever”.  Again, another one I wish I could just pack in my suitcase and bring them home.  But, I know I can’t, but what I can do is continue to pray for them, continue to support missions over here, and continue to come back on future mission trips.  There is something special about this place that I cannot explain, but I do know I will be back!

Tomorrow we are going to hike a volcano, and in the evening attend a miracle service!  I have to say I am excited about both!

Please continue to keep our team in your prayers! It has been a journey I will always remember! 

Jules 

What a Day!

What a day! It has been AWESOME!  Every day we are here I fall in love more and more with the country of El Salvador!  So far today we have done 3, yes 3 school assemblies.  It was the coolest thing to watch school kids worship the Lord!  Granted there were many who were not as receptive; over all it was a great day that once again will forever change my life!

We played a lot of soccer today lol!  Go figure, and I loved every minute of it! The majority of this morning and this afternoon was us going to the 3 different schools.  Tonight we are having a kid’s crusade at the church, which should be another fun filled night!

Words cannot begin to explain what God has been doing in my heart.  I have experienced things in the last 24 hours that I will never be able to put into words.  I am extremely grateful for this opportunity God has given me, and I cannot wait to come back again and again!   I am hoping to have some pictures posted soon!  Love you all and keep the prayers coming for the James River Kids team! 

Jules

Day one a success!

I don’t even know where to start today!  What a day it has been….  In just one day God has laid so much on my heart!  I can honestly say when someone tells you that you will never be the same after a mission trip, they are spot on!  We walked through local streets this afternoon handing out invitations to the children, and I have to say it wasn’t that my heart was breaking as much for them, as it was for me, and my selfish ways.  For the things I have at home and the things my kids have.  I watched little boys play marbles; kids get excited over a sucker, a hug, and so much more.  This morning children’s pastors came from miles away, many walked to come to the conference that we put on for them today.  I think the most memorable pat of today for me was the prayer time we had with them…  I cannot even do it justice to try and tell you about it, all I can say, for me, it was life changing! 

We take so much for granted in the states.  So much!  We are spoiled; many are greedy, and selfish!  I am personally guilty of all of those things.  I bought a pair of sunglasses at the airport because I left mine at home; today we met the little girl whose picture is on our shirts.  She was so kind and sweet.  So I gave her the sunglasses as a gift…. I wish I had a box of toys, sunglasses, and whatever else I could get through customs to hand out.  To see their faces light up was priceless!  I found myself questioning my own character. 

Being here has been, and I know will continue to be a blessing….  Today has been amazing!  Tomorrow we get to go to a school and then again on Thursday I believe.  What’s crazy is here, the schools say please, come, come and share the Gospel with these kids!  A country with not a lot of material things and they are not scared to share the Gospel!  I think we could all learn from those who have less.  It’s too easy to sit back and forget that not everyone has a Wal-Mart or McDonalds on every corner.  There are people who carry water for miles, just so they can have fresh water, and I complain when the kids use all the hot water and I have to wait for a shower…  I can honestly say my life will forever be changed for the better!  I look forward to the day when I can bring the boys here! 
Until tomorrow have a great night!!!

Julie

El Salvador Day one - Travel Day!

It’s hard to believe that just 2 days ago Josh and I were married!  Now I am on a plane, ok plane 2 of 3 for El Salvador!  I am so excited to be going on my first mission trip.  I can already feel God working in my own heart; I can only imagine how the next several days will play out!  I never in a million years would have imagined 1 that I would actually go on a mission trip, and 2 that I would marry my best friend! The man whom I have known since grade school!  It brings tears to my eyes every time I think of how much I love him, how blessed I am that God crossed our paths and that he just doesn’t love me, but he loves my boys!

I use to laugh when people said they were married to their best friend.  Today I know exactly what they mean when they say that!  I know Josh tells me he is the lucky one… But I am the lucky one!  He is my rock, my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, my companion and the list goes on.  When I am doubtful in my faith he is quick to remind me that God has a plan, to trust in that plan and look at the good in every situation, person, thing and so much more. 

Often in life we get off the beaten path.  We allow others to dictate our lives; we allow the devil to grab a hold of our souls.  We make mistakes, and with many of those come consequences.  But how awesome is it that we have a Father who loves us more!  For so long I fought that I was worth loving!  That my sins were too great to ever have the life God intended for me to have.  I am far from perfect, we all are, but I am better today than I was yesterday!  

I look back to that day in the summer of 2006 when I sat with my friends Dorynda and Lisa in Doyndas office at Evangel.  For the first time in my life someone looked me in the eyes and told me that Jesus loved me! His intent for my life was not one of heart ache, pain and again the list goes on.  NO, His plan was for good!  We cried, and then another first, as they prayed over me!  Since that day God has placed so many people in my path!  There have been times when I have slipped, and stumbled along the way.  Every time I have felt Him pick me back up, whipping the dirt from knees, kissing my forehead and telling me to get up.  That we all fall down in life, it is how we chose to get up that defines who we are! 

I am the first to say I make mistakes, I struggle with the devil for the aisle more times than not.  But today I look in the mirror, and I can see hope that once was lost, dreams that were forgotten, and a passion that was once gone! 

God has laid a lot on my heart.   A lot of things in regards to missions, to helping those less fortunate and being bold in who I am.  Does that mean I am perfect???? NO! What it means is that I can say I am not perfect, that I sin every day that I struggle everyday just like the next person.  What’s amazing about all of it though, I have a Father who sacrificed His only son so I could live! So I could make mistakes and learn from them, so I could open my heart to all the plans that He has for not only me but my family! 

Just sitting here on this plane, my heart is so heavy.  I am praying God helps me to be strong and that not only does He do a work in the lives of the people of El Salvador but He does a work in my life, and the loves of our entire team! 

Stay tuned as I will post at least once a day to my blog in regards to how things are going and what we are doing!  For all of those who have helped to make this trip a reality for me; thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!  I could not have done this if not for all of you, whether it was prayers, donations or words of support.  Thank you, all of you!!! 

Until next time! Have a fabulous day!!!!