Non-Verbal Communication 101

I was talking to a very wise woman in my life this week and the topic of relationships arose. And it really got me thinking. She was saying how years ago relationships were so simple. People said what they meant and meant what they said. There wasn't all this guess work, hidden meanings and motives like there is today. So, here's food for thought for today: how is that we live in a world where we strive to simplify everything, from computer programs to nuking dinner, and yet we have overcomplicated relationship to the point that a simple smile can mean a thousand things? Why have we made communication a bad word, and people who speak from the heart a force to be reckoned with? Maybe it's just me, but particularly in Canadian society hardly anyone speaks the same language anymore. Forget English - suddenly tone, body language, and metaphors are the primary languages of the nation. To those who are tired of being misunderstood: try honesty. To those tired of misunderstanding: stop reading between the lines. Ya right, if only it were that easy. Plan B: start offering courses in Colleges around country - Non-verbal communication 101.

Philanthropist-ism

I've decided to change my blog, and instead of writing every 3 months... or once a year... I'm going to be writing several times a week. The point of this blog now will be to share with you things that happen in my day to day life and ministry. In less than 2 weeks I will head to Miami for ministry purposes, and in less than a month will be heading to Guatemala to begin preparation for the opening of our Casa de Alabbanza - (Third Day Worship Centre's children's home). I anticipate some great stories and I hope you enjoy following this journey with me through times of excitement, times of trial, times of expectation and times where I feel like pulling out my hair. I'm pulling up my socks, so get ready to laugh with me, cry with me, and enjoy the ride.

So... what is a Philanthropist? I am so glad you asked! This is a word I was just recently introduced to. I was in Franklin, TN and my sister took me to a store called "Philanthropy". Basically philanthropy means to give aid or charity to people through humanitarian efforts. That's the "Amy definition". It's all about promoting the well-being of man-kind. In my opinion all Christians should be able to put themselves under this category. I think that's what James was talking about when he said that true Christianity is to see to the widow and the orphan, and to keep oneself unspotted by the world. Or when Jesus Himself said simply to "do unto others what you would have them do unto you". Christianity is about giving your life every day for God's purposes, seeking first His Kingdom. So no matter whether you are a student, a businessperson, a farmer, a hairstylist, or a missionary, you can live a life of a Philanthropist too. But not just for the sake of "extending a hand to fellow man" - but to do it because it's what Jesus did. It's who He is and what He's called us to be.

I'm going to do more studying on the term, but for now I will sign off.

Ready, set, go Philanthroprize! (Don't Google that one, that's an Amy original).

Amy

Casa de Alabbanza

I can't believe how long it's been since I've written on my blog! My brother in law who's in India write now has inspired me to get on this.
I just returned from Guatemala, where our Children's Home Project is coming along nicely. Renovations are looking fantastic, and we hope to have kids in there by January or February of next year. Very exciting. We have another team going to Guatemala in about 10 days, but I won't be joining them this time. I'm very thankful for our Project Manager who is handling the renovations. I will most likely have to go back in January, or the latest February sometime.
Thank you for your prayers to this ministry!

(Photo - "October Teams" last night in Villa Nueva... at Pizza Hut)

Back from Ireland, Back from Ohio in Hamilton

So Ireland was amazing. We trained the young people in street evangelism and saw 80 people saved, and the young people ignited with passion for Jesus! It was so awesome. The connects made with the Church in Dublin are so awesome, I know we have made lifelong friends. I pray the Lord so richly bless them and keep them going strong for the Lord! I led a team of 9, and we joined Pastors Francis & Edith and Chris ministering at the conference for the week. It was such an amazing experience. I miss waking up and hearing the sheep outside and opening the door to the hills all around. What a wonderful place to spend time with the Lord!

After Ireland I went strait to Ohio with my dad, Pastor Francis (who had also been with us in Ireland), and were met by Kim Weiler from Fe Viva there. It was awesome, we met with Pastor Rod Parsley and his creative team about Casa de Alabbanza. We will be meeting up with him in September when he goes to Guatemala.

I am now in Hamilton, ON working on a youth conference affiliated with OBFF. We are praying for an amazing encounter with God!

A week from Monday I leave again with Natasha Shorey to go to Guatemala to continue working on the Children's Home project (or as I like to call it "the casa project". We will be there for 8 days working with some of the locals and Fe Viva. Please pray that God would give me wisdom and the connects we need! We also need about $30,000 for renovations, and on top of that a vehicle and a container to begin collecting donations.

This year is such a whirlwind. Sometimes it's so crazy all I can do is trust God and watch His sovereign hand at work every day, on every trip, and in so many lives. I am honored to be apart of the work He is doing. Thank you for supporting me - I couldn't do it without being sent! Thanks for prayers and financial support. Thanks for making it possible.

May 5th 2009

We have secured the building for the Children's Home in Guatemala. Right now we are hard at work raising money, and plan to begin renovations this fall in Villa Nueva. We'll be needing lots of help - carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, etc.

Tomorrow I leave for Edmonton for FeViva's 3rd annual mission's conference with Pastors Francis and Edith. Pastor Roberto will be there, and we'll be having some meetings regarding the project.

Thanks for your prayers! There's lots of work to be done with the Children's Home, and I am also leading a mission's trip to Ireland - we leave June 8th.

God Bless!