It's Official! Planing Starts for 2009 Trip!

Yesterday there was a meeting to discuss the planing of the next trip. The meeting was made up of previous team members. We discussed travel dates for 2009. Right now it is looking like we will be heading out at the end of July leading into the beginning of August. There will be another planing meeting on November 2, 2008. I know it seems early, but this ministry takes a lot of work to lay out and get off the ground. Among the things discussed were travel dates, logistics, and the desire to incorporate more training to on the ground leaders that work with Juan. It is amazing to see people get passionate about a work.

Team Trujeque Update 2

I've noticed some strange utterances from some members of the soccer coaching staff. Yes, it is true Team Trujeque was handed it's first loss "ever" at Ciudad de Dios. However, it was a great contest with Team Wardell pulling out the win in overtime. Here's the scoop, Team Trujeque's Reque clubs won both divisions during camp one. I don't know why Wardell was implying that I chose overage players. These players were just as tall as Christian and I thought Peruvian boys could grow mustaches and beards at that age! I did when I was 12, and mine was almost as nice as my mom's! LOL! I think Team Wardell should thank their lucky stars that they didn't get swept again during the Copa de Gringo!

Camp 2 was just an excellent and exciting event! All of the contests were exciting and the volleyball venue was rocking once again! Tori's volleyball team lost again and I'm sure it wasn't because Daniel recruited a 15 year old girl to play on his club. The kids were pretty pumped up to get their pictures, t-shirts, medals, and champions cups! We all felt like rock stars as we were signing autographs and posing for pictures with the kids and their mom's. It was a wild scene when we were trying to leave in the bus. The roar of the crowd was just awesome!

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I was offered cattle in exchange for my daughter's. I was originally offered 10 cows for Kelsey and then I rec'd an offer of 12 for Taylor. (Taylor had her usual gang of kids around her and I'd noticed the teenage boys seem to be hanging around more.) I was trying to close the deal when Tori broke off the negotiations! Now, I'm stuck with two teenagers and no steak! The people in the villages as so much fun to talk to and to interact with while were here. Their English isn't the best and our Spanish is nothing to write home about but we seem to communicate well. They have a great sense of humor and I feel a genuine appreciation for what were are doing here.

I'm going to miss these people when it's time to go home.

Thanks,

Andy

We`re headed home!

We`re part way through our long trip back to Tampa. It´s been an eventful trip, I don´t know that I could put it all into words. I´m anxious to hear an update from Andy... we met two sisters in Lima who were headed to Cusco and showed them Andy`s picture and asked them to look for him. He`s not hard to miss... the big, loud-mouthed Mexican! (I love you, brother!) They were supposed to "catch up" with him, and rember the good old days when she babysat him. (They didn`t know him from Adam-- it was our test to see if Andy really would hold a conversation with anyone.)

The past three days have been outrageous. We were in the middle of the jungle-- no electricity, hot water, phone, etc. Let me tell you, it gets DARK in the jungle at night! We were busy hiking, climbing trees, swinging from vines, fishing for piranah, and swimming in the Amazon with pink dophins. WILD!

We look forward to seeing you all again and telling you our stories. Plan to come on Wednesday night... we´ll have food and pictures!

-- Hasta Luego!
Yolanda

Still Waiting for the Result

I am still waiting for Andy to announce the scores from the soccer tournament from Cuidad De Dios. I will just say, Andy were not able to field a roster of players who are supposedly 12 years old when the record would show otherwise. Its OK, kids generally do not lie, just ask Christian about the kid on Andy's team with the beard from Tuesday's tournament and he will explain every thing to you guys.

Andy, i do believe our supporters are waiting on you to up-dated the score from yesterday's competition.

Wardell

Long and Exciting Week

Well, the 2008 mission trip to Chiclayo, Peru has come to an end. Looking back at the events that we were involved in this week, I do believe we all could agree that our stay in Peru was very productive. We were all treated to a Rock Star depature from several kids as well as their parents from Ciudad De Dios. They were screaming and banging on the bus as we drove out of town. As a result of the reception that we got, it is my belief that we have sown some amount of seeds on fertile ground for the local missionaries to help cultivate. I am hoping that we were able to show these people that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ truly love them.

As we prepare for the second part of our trip, Cusco and Ikitos, I do ask you to pray for us. Please pray that we all reach our destination safely and that we all return to the state safe.

Thanks.

Wardell

Team Trujeque 1st Week

Wow, where do I start? What a week we've had! We left a week ago from Tampa delayed by thunderstorms and finally arrived in Ft. Lauderdale. Our flight from Ft. Lauderdale was uneventful on Spirit airlines, but the seats were pretty cramped especially for me for some reason. ;0) We finally arrived in Lima late Saturday night and found that Kelsey's, Taylor's and my bag didn´t make it. We were catching a connecting flight to Chiclayo and the bags didn't come in on the next flight from Spirit. They would need to be forwarded to Chiclayo and would not arrive until Monday morning. It was really fun washing my undies in the sink for a couple of days, NOT! Thank goodness my wife came prepared with laundry detergent (she did come from Boy Scout family)!

The first camp (Mon & Tues) we held was in a community callReque and it went very well. The playing conditions were tough as we set up camp in a courtyard with about six inches of loose sand and rocks everywhere. Picture the surface of Mars and you can get an idea. Wardell and I picked our teams and we would play the tournment on Tuesday. Tori, Yolanda, Novene and Daniel picked the volleyball teams for their tournament with the girls. On Tuesday, as we were approaching the stadium, we could see hundreds of people walking to the event. What a site to see all of the kids in red t-shirts with the parents and siblings walking along the roadway! Wardell and I got the two soccer games going and my teams won both games (of course)! However, the loudest and craziest of the events was at the volleyball game right in front of the stands. It was a hard fought battle but Team Yolanda and Novene handed Team Trujeque and Tori our first loss ever! We handed out medals, pictures, and a trophy to the winning teams. The kids were ecstatic with all of the gifts! It is so amazing to see these kids playing on the dirt fields barefooted or in flip flops. They are so skilled with the ball dispite never getting a true bounce because of all of the rocks. We had a small church service and Shamon officiated with Daniel translating. One of the Moms brought us some arroz con leche (rice pudding) and they serve it hot here. It was very good especially after 8 hours of camp and the tournament. These people don´t have very much but their hospitality is amazing for the gringos from America!

Camp number 2 (Thurs & Fri) was at a community called Ciudad De Dios (City of God). We were welcomed here with over 400 kids from community. Day 1 was crazy as the team was working hard to set up the soccer and volleyball teams and the vacation bible school. It was very windy with blowing dirt but we were able to get some scrimmages in and the girls were able to play volleyball. It is so amazing to see how much fun Tori is having at her first mission trip. She has had a great a great time working with the chicas and they have really responded to her. She tends say si a lot when the kids are talking to her. LOL! Taylor is the rockstar as usual with all the girls hanging on to her and now some of the teenage boys were flirting with her. I'm not ready for this stuff! ;0) Kelsey has been working all over the place here. She has been working with the soccer, volleyball and of course my gopher. I was offered ten cows for her from one of the boys and I'm holding out for 12. If I get them she'll be married off before we leave here! LOL!

I better end for now as I've been hogging up the PC. More on day 2 later.....

Andy

FAME AND GLORY

It is true I had lots of girls chase me around and that I got two kisses on the cheek and that the girls mobbed the bus but it was fun.

have a extream day
Christian Harper

P.S if you are reading this Nolan, dont get too jealos.

My son, the rock star!

I only have a second because it`s time for dinner, but I´m still cracking up about what happened to Christian today. We were preparing for the Ceremony and Danny had a clan of girls around him, looking for Christian to take a photo with him. As we were leaving in the bus, there was a mob of them in front of Christian`s window, and they were waving and blowing kisses to him. He told me he got two kisses today (!!!!!), and I reminded him that they were on the cheek and that it`s a cultural thing. He informed me that the look on their faces told him they meant it. Oh, my gosh! Like this kid needs a bigger head than what he has! Pray that we can put up with his ego over the next few days.

Seriously, it was hard to leave the kids today. We`re all exhausted, but will miss spending time with them.

--Yolanda

After all the teasing I finally respond:

Despite what everyone was pushing for, especially Shamon and Andrea, I will not be marrying anyone nor carrying on a relationship other than ''just friends.'' Whatever they say is a lie! So I had my picture taken with our arms around eachother (I feel like I`m only digging myself a deeper hole) and she thought I was handsome, but we are only friends.

I feel because everyone is ratting on me I should rat on some others. Taylor got a boyfriend. She was lovin` on him for the last three hours that we were there and Andrea had bunches of guys with crushes on her. No marriages for anyone this year.

Things have been going well the whole trip overall for everyone and for me. I have been hit lightly with the ''Inca Revenge'' but I am ok. It has been exhausting but it has really been great. The food is usually great (mainly because it is different from what we always have at home) but the guinea pig would be better with less avacado stuffing (just kidding). Traffic is horrible. The clearances are literally two feet and it seems like the horns never stop honking. Tomorrow we head towards the aeropuerto and to home, the amazon, or to Pikachu Mountain.

Love to all at home and at church,
Sean

What a week!

I can't believe we're done with our soccer camps...it has gone by very quickly because we have been so busy. It has been non-stop action and laughs this week! I'm exhausted and still trying to process all we've seen and done this week. The emotions have been overwhelming at times...joy, sadness, frustration...you name it and I've experienced it this week.



On the one hand, most of the people are precious and have gone out of their way to welcome and love us but on the other, there have been some that were just looking for what we could give them. It was humbling to see them crowd around us and laugh at our attempts to speak spanish, yet it was hard to give and give and give of yourself. It has been great being a team and getting to know one another on a deeper level, yet it's frustrating trying to make decisions and travel with a group of over 20 people. But, all in all...a wonderful experience and I can't wait to come back!



Just to make you laugh...we are truly a traveling freak show here. Everywhere we go, people point and stare and crowd around for pictures...with Andy and Mike being giants, Mitch and Mark with their red hair and fair complexions, Shamon and Wardell's bald heads, our matching shirts, our pitiful spanish...well, it's just something to see! We have had a blast!



Keep us in your prayers as we prepare to travel this weekend to our side trip destinations...Amazon jungle, here I come!



Tera

Last Camp Day

Well we are now done with the soccer camps. Today was another great day. It is amazing to see how people react to us when we come to town. Today we finished our soccer camp and did another championship. We were loved on all day by the people there. On the down side, there are a few of us that had a tinge of the Inca revenge.... Not a good thing. Christian was kissed on the cheek a million times today by all the girls who want to keep him. It was a riot. They all posed for a picture with him.

All is good, we will be bringing Sean back after all. Things did not work out with him and Carla and they called the wedding off....

I preached the message again today, I don`t know what people are thinking to entrust something like that to me. Sean played the music, and we gave out awards again. When it was all done, we were mobbed like rock stars with people loving on us, asking for stuff, and things going crazy.

Shamon

Three Ring Circus!

Well, Shamon mentioned that today was like a festival... I was thinking it was more like a three ring circus! By this afternoon, when things had settled down enough for me to breathe, I looked up and saw that there was Novene, Tori, and me on the volleyball court, Shamon behind me with the younger boys playing soccer on a concrete slab, Debbie on one side bumping the volleyball with a group of girls, Kelsey on the other side jumping rope with some girls, Taylor was sitting with a large group of girls and chatting with them (Taylor is like a rock star-- the girls came at lunch looking for her), not to mention both Wardel´s and Andy´s groups of soccer players. WHEW!

We certainly weren´t expecting 400 kids, but what a blessing it was! We´re still scrambling around, trying to be prepared for the same amount (or more!) kids tomorrow. I was able to share God´s love with the volleyball girls, Julia talked with the preschoolers and younger girls and presented the Salvation plan, and Novene did a great job with the ladies. Those are just the ones I heard... there´s no telling how much more was shared, both in groups and individually. Praise God!

Since Shamon snitched on Sean, I´ll have to tell on him...
As lunch, some ladies came in and starting talking to us and taking pictures. One of them rubbed Shamon´s stomach and said that he must be rich because his belly is so big. Then, they had both Shamon and Wardel on each side of them, rubbing on their bald heads! We certainly look like we´re a three ring circus that´s come to town!

We have been having the best time, and laughing non-stop. We hope to have many of you join us on our next trip, but we´re thankful that you are keeping tabs on us and praying. The work has been tiring, but GOOD! I´m looking forward to seeing what tomorrow brings.

Gripped by Grace,
Yolanda

What a Day!

Well, to echo most of the other posts for today, what a day it was. I had six year olds today and was playing soccer with them pretty much all day. We would sit down in the middle of the concrete field that we were playing on and talk a little about God during breaks. They were great kids. They loved to play soccer with us adults. This community was very warm to us today. They really showed us a lot of love and seemed to really want us there. With so many people in this large open area playing soccer, volleyball, and so many other activities, it was more like a festival all day. I feel completely poored out at this point. Not sure how I am going to find the ability to do it again tomorrow.

We pretty much got Sean married off today. There was this cute little 14 year old girl that was really hung up on him. I think he was ready to kill us, but it sure was fun joking with him about it. By the end of the day, I had her walking up to him and calling him honey. Sorry Sean....

Shamon

Salvation Message

Today was a very interesting day at Ciudad de Dios. As we were getting ready to play volley ball, we realized that it would be impossible because of the number of girls who wanted to play. We formed 2 teams of girls (6-7 years old) and played ball with them. We took the girls to VBS because we had too many. Tera and Julia had them engaged in stories and coloring. Julia was also teaching them songs and English 101.
At 5pm, I was blessed with the opportunity to present the Salvation message to the adults. I felt pretty confident until I saw the numbers of women growing in the room. Julia translated the message very well. We asked questions and they answered with knowledge. Majority of the women prayed and received Jesus Christ as their Savior. At the end, Doris request for us to pray for her. Doris had a stroke 2 years ago and is paralyzed on her left side. Daniel prayed for her. It was very neat to see all members of the group layed their hands on her. I believe that Doris was blessed by our presence. God is good.
It was truly a pleasure for me to be at Ciudado de Dios. The community showed us love. Some of us got cooked meal from the school teachers. One of the ladies expressed that her daughter and her were happy that I visited them. They enjoyed my interacting with the children and as a result, she wanted to give me a present (necklace and earrings). This was awesome.
I am very happy that I am apart the Peru Missions Team.

God Bless!!!!
Novene

Ciudad de Dios- 6-26-08

Over 419 kids today. wow!!!!!!
What a blessing. But... we had not brought enough of anything. Ohohoh!!!!!
Well, we sang, we did some ABCs, shapes & numbers until Juan made more copies of our Creation booklet. Finally, we were able to do our Bible lesson, some more songs and all went well. We had 24 3-5 years old and 9 under 2, then about 40 more showed up with Yolanda and Novene, so you can imagine how much more we had to improvise. It was a challenge that turned into a blessing after all. By the afternoon we joined the volleyball teams , jumped rope with a group of the younger girls and ate a tone of dirt during the wole activity. The wind was very strong. But we had a ball! Andy borrowed someone"s motorcicle and showed of his skills.
The time spent with the adults went very well. The ladies were all very receptive. Praise God!
They were all ready to receive Christ as their personal savior. Novene did a great job sharing her testimony and the Plan of Salvation. Undoubtly, a day of many blessings.
Please pray for our final tournament as only God knows what will we encounter tomorrow.
See ya! In Christ's precious name,
Juia

Wow!

What an amazing day! We spent the morning at the same sites we were at yesterday, and then had the championship. It was a blast! Let me tell you... Danny Hassler is hilarious! I wish I could describe the kind of spell he puts on these kids. He´s like the Pied Piper, running around with them chasing him! They love him, and you can tell how much he loves them too.

I`m sorry to report that the ladies lost the first Copa de Gringo volleyball match, 10 to 0! These Peruvians are serious about their sports! Don´t worry, we plan on using part of our day tomorrow to practice in hopes that we might at least score one point at the championship on Friday. (To be honest, we were impressed that we got the ball over the net... and that´s only because we served first!)

(just as a side note... we´re being serenaded by a Peruvian in the hotel lobby. I`m not sure where he came from, but he´s pretty good. Shawn matched his skills by playing ¨Stairway to Heaven. Not quite the same genre, but it worked.)

To end, Peruvian driving tip number 352--
When driving a taxi, honk your horn only after you are mid-way through an intersection that has no stop signs or traffic lights, so that another taxi stops only inches away from your car. Your customers will give you a bigger tip because they´re greatful to be alive!

Ok, the Peruvian is now playing Hotel California and we´re all trying to remember the words-I have to go so that I can concentrate. Wait... now we´re on La Bamba. Have a great night, guys!

-- Yolanda

Day Two

Here we are, just finishing our first camp championship tournament. We are now done in the first two areas that we were working in. I preached a sermon on salvation today, that was crazy. I can tell you that I am proabably not the person that should be preaching. It was quite the experience. The championship was played in a stadium, and there were probably around 300 to 350 people that came out for the event. We had the volleyball tournament and the soccer tournament. After that we presented awards and sang a song, and then I preached. We were also rewarded with home made rice pudding, I sure hope it does not give us the Inca revenge. It was great. We are very excited about the last two days and are looking forward to the rest of the week. Wardell is going to teach a bible study at the local church tonight. Tomorrow is a day of rest. We all need to regroup and chill for a bit. The days have been long and hard, so we are looking forward to a down day.... Shamon

Day One Recap

Well day one is in the books.... It went really good. We broke down into two teams and went to two different squatter villages to run the soccer camps, vbs, volleyball and bible studies. I watched as my son Christian played soccer with the kids. At first they were not all that willing to pass him the ball, but by the end of the day they were begging for ¨Ingless¨ to help represent one of the local teams that will be in today´s tournament. I just hope that if they win, they wont want to keep him. He did great yesterday and really enjoyed playing with the kids. It is amazing to watch kids that can´t speak the same language work it all out and figure out a way to communicate. Christian and Landy both presented a bible devotion to the kids and at the end of the day, Landy presented the plan of slavation to the adults. The whole community had a blast. We are heading back today. Where I think I am supposed to preach tonight... That should be fun....

Tuesday!

Today is our last day at the first site. Yesterday started off a bit rocky, since the teacher of the local school decided not to let her kids out of class like she had promised Juan (speculation is that she found out we were a Christian group). We had smaller groups of kids in the morning, but made up for that yesterday afternoon, when both sites had more than 100 kids! We returned from lunch, and about 20 or so kids were waiting for us... we started handing out t shirts, and turned around and there were 100! Praise God!

Christian was worried that he would be run over by the kids here playing soccer, but he held his own with them, and even scored twice. He also gave a devotion yesterday, about God having a plan for each of their lives. He did great. My "baby" is really growing up-- I think he would have been fine on this trip without us, just goes off with the rest of the group and does his thing! He's already eaten cow heart and ceviche, and wants to try everything else he can. Let me tell you, the adults on this trip are amazed at how much this kid eats!

I was able to share a devotion with the kids yesterday, and then the plan of salvation with the adults as the camp was ending. Please pray that God`s Words are sunk deep into these people`s hearts. As you might know, this area is heavily entrenched in witchcraft.

Also pray for poor Novene and Wardel... they are still without bags!

Much love,
Yolanda

Peruvian Driving 101

God is still in the miracle business!

I know that seems like a bold statement, so let me explain...some of our outings require us to ride in the local taxis. Doesn`t sound particularly miraculous, but the fact that we have all thus far lived through the experience is truly a miracle! Most of the streets here are standard streets with lines, however, those lines are apparently just a suggestion and there does not appear to be any laws requiring drivers to stay within them!

Some other observations about driving "etiquette" here in Peru:
1. If you don´t have a horn, and use it liberally, you will get nowhere.
2. Bumpers are for...well, bumping.
3. You can fit 6 cars (maybe more) in 2 standard lanes.
4. If you don´t get there first, it doesn´t count.
5. Finally... you really can get 6 people in a Daewoo hatchback.

On a more serious note, today was our first day of camp. Julia and I helped 42 preschoolers make a book about the 7 days of creation. They were so excited to make something for themselves with pretty colors and shiny stickers. They even insisted on having their pictures taken with their books. The kids are absolutely precious and treat us like celebrities--I had several moms hand me their babies just to have a picture taken with me. It has been very humbling to see how they live and how readily they accept us. God is so sweet to allow me the privilege of being here. Although the day was hectic, and I am very tired, I am excited to see what God has planned for tomorrow. I don´t want to miss one whisper He speaks or one fingerprint He leaves! Our God is truly amazing!

Resting in His arms (especially on the taxi rides!),
Tera

Shamon Update

Well here we are. Today we will start soccer camps. I am looking forward to it. Things have been good so far, of course we are in South America and don´t speak the language, and that creates so many issues like trying to have the desk clerk at the hotel set up a wake up call only to have the guy come knocking on my door three seconds later and i am standing there not dressed to take company.... Moving around in a big group to and fro is tough. It takes very long to get around in a big group and it is wearing down Danny since he is translating for us. We went to a service last night where Mitch broke the record for the longest sermon ever. I think it went like three or four hours....

Here we go!

Yolanda here...

Today is the first day we´ll get to spend with the kids, and I think we´re all ready for that! I am so excited to be able to play volleyball with the groups of older girls- that was such a special thing last time. I hope that I am able to have some one on one with them.

This trip so far has been much different from last time. The hotel is nice, we have been eating great restaurant meals, and I even got a hot shower this morning! It almost feels like this part is the vacation! I am sure I will be exhausted by tonight... out schedule is very busy. Please pray for strength and endurance for all of us!

Yesterday was incredibly long, but wonderful. We ended the day by going to a local church service. It was wonderful to worship with the local congregation, even though I understood very little of it (except for Mitch York`s LONG message!). It is cool that we are working with local churches!

Ok, it is time for breakfast, so I am going to take advantage of tea and toast!

Rest Up And Ready to Go

We are all rest up and ready to go after our long travel from Tampa to Lima and finally to Chiclayo, Peru. Everyone seems to be in great spirit. I guess we will find out how energize we really are whenever Andy gets down stairs for lunch.

Wardell


Thank you Lord for our safe trip to Chiclayo. Unfortunately, our bag did not make it to Peru. We are anxious and hopefully that we will receive it within 5 days. We are blessed and are ready to meet the children.

Novene

Traveling Man

We spent Saturday on three planes and hold up in multiple airport terminals but we finally made it to Chiclayo, Peru with most (but not all) of our luggage. All of the equipment and supplies made it but Wardell, Novene, and Andy are missing bags. I can loan Andy a shirt but Novene with out her wardrobe is a fashion disaster waiting to happen. Hopefully the bags will be here today. Here is a picture of the team killing six hours in the Lima terminal.

Tampa Tribune Article About Our Mission Trip!

Church Mission Gets Ball Rolling

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jun/14/pa-church-mission-gets-ball-rolling/


By DIANE LOEBEL
The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 14, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Twenty-one people from First Baptist Church of New Tampa will leave June 21 for a weeklong mission trip to Chiclayo, Peru.

This year - the Wesley Chapel church's fifth in Peru - the group will work with missionary Juan Barone Vargas, Peruvian and Chiclayo government officials, educators, schools and individuals from mission teams already in the country.

The church funds Vargas and budgets money annually for a mission trip. Team members kick in extra money for personal items that aren't covered. Fundraisers are held throughout the year.
"The program is very well-received, with great support from the congregation," said Jim Allee, an associate pastor at the church.

This year, the group again will stage soccer camps. Last year's camps drew about 260 children from the rural Zania Valley area.

More than 450 youngsters from shantytowns across the coastal city of Chiclayo have signed up for soccer this year after hearing about the camps at school, church and by word of mouth.
"We hold soccer camps in Wesley Chapel in spring and fall," Allee said. "They are very popular and very well-attended. We adapted our local soccer program for the mission program."
First Baptist officials say the soccer ministry is a good way to encourage children to go to church. Vacation Bible School studies are intermingled with the soccer sessions.

Youngsters ages 6 to 12 play on concrete or dirt because there's no grass. In the morning, children 3 to 5 keep busy with crafts and Bible stories. All are fed a nutritious lunch daily.
"The children love it," church mission director Michael Ritchie said. "They don't have a chance to play organized soccer in their towns and villages, although they do have village teams that compete with each other. The kids are tough. If they fall on the cement, they just get right back up and keep going."

Four two-day camps are offered, with a tournament capping the mission trip. Each participant receives a T-shirt, medal and photo. Tournament winners also get trophies and soccer balls.
In the evenings, the missionaries work with adults in neighboring churches and villages.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF NEW TAMPA
WHERE: 28125 County Line Road, Wesley Chapel
WORSHIP: 8:15 and 10:50 a.m. Sundays; 9:30 a.m. is Sunday school for all ages; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday is Bible study; a Spanish mission service is at 7 p.m. Saturday
CALL: (813) 907-1685
ONLINE: www.fbcnewtampa.org

To suggest a Faith in Focus feature, call Jeff Scullin, (813) 779-4614; write him at The Tampa Tribune, 38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills FL 33542; or e-mail jscullin@tampatrib.com.

Mission Support Letter

Dear Mission Support Team,

It’s almost time to go and we are getting very excited! In-country missionaries Juan and Alicia have been busy contacting local schools and setting up locations for us to do soccer camps with elementary aged children and vacation bible schools with preschoolers. They have told us to prepare for over 400 children! We praise God for opening these doors of ministry to us.

We are still putting the final details in place and preparing for our departure. We’ve ordered our supplies and we’re getting our vaccines. We’re trying to learn some songs in Spanish and we’re preparing our hearts for whatever God has for us to do. We ask that you continue to pray for us in these final weeks of preparation and especially while we are away.

Specific prayer needs:
· God’s blessing for Juan, Alicia and their family.
· The Holy Spirit to go before us and open the hearts of the children and parents we will meet.
· That our spiritual eyes would be open to God’s hand at work and that we would each be changed by our time in Peru.
· Health and safety as we travel. We will leave on June 21st.
· Safety and protection for our children and their caregivers left behind.

Thank you for your prayers and support for this ministry. We look forward to sharing with you when we return!

Serving Him,
Peru Mission Team





Come celebrate with us!

Please join us for our Missions Dinner
Wednesday, July 9th at 6:00pm
At First Baptist Church of New Tampa

We’ll be sharing photos and testimony from our Peru trip.
Come see how your prayers and financial support made an impact
on the people of Peru and on us!

Please RSVP to the church office (813-907-1685) by Friday, July 4th

We are located at 28125 County Line Rd. Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
Just off Bruce B. Downs, across from Super Target--Inside Meadow Pointe Subdivision

Gearing Up

I can't believe that we'll be in Peru in just three short weeks! I know that time will go by very quickly, and I'm trying to prepare myself physically, mentally, and spiritually. We had a team meeting Tuesday night, and I think I was becoming a bit overwhelmed with the thought of us all trying to coordinate 21 people going on this trip, the enormity of knowing that we'll have about 400 (!!) kids to minister to, and the reality of what a challenge it is to fund all of it. All along, we have wanted to give the children of Peru the same opportunity our own kids have when they play soccer-- a t-shirt, medal, and picture. That was much a much easier task to accomplish last year, when we had less than half of that number, but what a wonderful "problem" to have!!

Shamon, Christian, and I went today to get shots-- yellow fever for all of us, and tetanus for Shamon and me (probably a good idea... I was a little nervous last year when I scratched myself on a rusty iron fence!). Christian was the first one to get poked, and he took the needle like a champ, even after we told him it was an early birthday present (his birthday's Monday)! ;) I'm so proud of him; he is so ready to just take in the whole experience, and is quite adventurous. I can't wait to see what God is going to do in my baby's life while we're in Peru!

Please, please continue to pray for us! We covet the petitions you place before the throne of God on our behalf. It's only through the power of prayer that we will be able to accomplish anything on our trip, and I SO want to show God off and glorify Him!

Those shots have wiped me out, so I'm off to bed!

Schedule of Activities 2008

Schedule of Activities

Sunday 22
5.10 am - Arrive in Chiclayo
1.00 pm - Orientation and Coordinating Meeting
6.00 pm - Sunday Service (Jesús the Savior Church)
8.30 pm - Dinner

Monday 23
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm - Dinner

Tuesday 24
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm – Dinner

Wednesday 25
Down day to recover and regroup

Thursday 26
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm – Dinner

Friday 27
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm – Dinner

Saturday 28
9:00 am Local Ministry
5.00 pm Airport Return trip to Lima

Peru Chiclayo 2008 Soccer Mission

Here we are again, preparing to embark on our second soccer mission to the Chiclayo area of Peru. The trip this year involves many of the same people as last year and will take place June 21 2008 through June 28 2008. Planning and preperation are well underway.

Maggy

Is been great so far, I had a great time watching the guys playing really hard with kids half their age. I say they were just fine, for all of them being in their 30´s or mid 40´s. :)
God´s is been so good to us during this time, we will be back soon and our prayers need to be with the Missionaries here Lisa, Juan Baron and his wife Alicia.

Our last day

Today was our last day of camp for each group. I think all of the guys will be limping around for days to come... after playing soccer all day with the kids, they faced each other, and then the locals. Our guys played really well together, but I have to say that they struggled a bit to match the skills of these men. Tomorrow is the big tournement with kids from each of the four areas we´ve visited facing off for the championship. Talk is big all over town, and I think we´ll have quite a turnout. We´re really excited to see what tomorrow brings. After the tournement, we head out to Chiclyo to begin our journey back to Lima, where some of us will fly home and some will continue on to Machu Pichu.

We had a wonderful time of fellowship and prayer last night. This part of Peru is really sunk in witchcraft, and you can tell that there´s warfare going on-- but nothing God doesn´t already have a handle on. It´s so important for us to continue to build relationships with these people so that they can understand that our only motive for being here is to tell them about Jesus and show them His love.

Í had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with four teen-aged girls, who I had been playing volleyball with until they stopped and asked if they could practice their English. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to practice my Spanish, and Maggie gave us a tract to go over together. I was able to share on a very intimate basis God´s love for them and His perfect plan for them. Surprisingly, I was also able to share with Molly, an American Peace Corp volunteer who is working with us. Each one in our group could share similar stories... I´m learning that missions work is all about making yourself available to the people around you.

I will be sad to leave tomorrow. The time has gone by so quickly, and we´ve made a little home away from home here--with the exception of the toilets and the cold showers! ;) I´m really going to miss the kids and their bright smiles and hugs, and the parents thanking us for being here. Today, as our group left Popan Bajo, a little old lady who knew Mitch and Debbie from their trip in October was there. She had the Bible that they had given her from that trip and asked us to come back again and again. That´s what it´s all about!

Shamon Updates Again!

OK, here it is Friday already and I have only had one hot shower since we left the states. The cold showers are starting to get a little old. We wrapped up todays camps and visits and had a wonderful time today. The way the camps work is that we start the day with a devotional for the kids, then play half a game. These kids can play! We then include devotionals during the day in between the half times and games. These kids really love to play and they will do it all day. They are really excited to see us show up in the mornings. It really touches your heart to see them interact with us and talk to us. We have now run four two day camps. The camps are in different areas, and we will have a "Copa de Peru" tomorrow where we have chosen twelve kids from each camp to represent their area in a tournament. That will be played tomorrow morning in the town sadium. The kids are really pumped about it. After the tournament we will give the winners some new balls and take all the kids and their parents out to eat.

For these camps, we broke down into two teams and each team ran two camps that were two days each. After the teams came back in today, we had a "Copa de Gringo" where a bunch of the local people watched us make fools of ourselves when we played each other. Andy´s team won, but only because the game was on concrete and the other team had been playing in the sand all week.

The funniest thing happened the other day, while playing the kids in one of the remote sites, Mitch York was putting the ball in play via a corner kick. Well, he ended up kicking the cow crap farther then the ball. Today, when we were playing, I was passed the ball and turned around to see that I was being covered by a cow. I was able to beat the cow to the ball though. This place is a hoot.

We spent some great time in prayer last night with everyone in our group and were able to take a few minutes to catch our breath and talk things trough. The group really enjoyed it, and needed it, we were able to use the time to refocus on why we were here. It is really easy to get lost in the busyness of what we are doing.

It is funny, almost everyone has decided that they will be back next year to do this again. This has just made such an impact on the communities and us. I am trying to talk Landy into moving down here with me and living in a adobe hut in the middle of nowhere. All we would need is a couple of chickens and a cow.

Shamon

Mitch York here...

I have very little time to post... the kids have been awesome and we have been well received. In other news, I have now played soccer for the first time in my life, two days in a row. I can say two more sentences in Spanish very well... ¨My enitire body hurts and I want to die.¨ To make it worse, I have been playing with 11 year olds and tomorrow the local adults want us to play them.

Young Mitch taught a great lesson two nights ago and Mike Ritchey gave a fantastic message after we sowed the fïlm Facing Giants. Everyone at FBCNT should be proud of the group they are stepping up and doing great things. Andy got bit by a wasp on the mouth but other than that, everyone is ok. God bless and see you all soon.