Africa Mercy Missions Trip 10/20

Telenga Family Mercy Ships 

Day of searching for Adoption Records

Today had many ups and downs. I walked into a place that hasn't changed in 36 years on the outside. The moment I walked in, It was emotional because THIS was the place it all began, where I would leave Colombia and travel to the USA. Walking down the halls my thoughts raced of my mom and dad who would take me home with them. I remember feeling the initial sense of defeat as the 1st person turned us away because in their system it showed i had just 3 days prior opened up my information request. Thankfully though, last September 17th I had reached out to Bienestar and had kept my email, which then allowed me to be seen by the records department. The doors kept opening, and someone promised me they would find my files. I left with a sense of hope that they would look, only to return to find out that the search hadn't been done and the lady had left for lunch. Had I not left though, I wouldn't have gone to the television station, and on the lower level of the building met a lawyer who drafted a petition for information request on my behalf. God provided because without it I wouldn't have been allowed access to my own records I later found out I remember feeling the sense of hope as I learned the truth about Hogar en Transito from a man who had worked there for 42 years. I received the address last fall from a girl who lives in seattle. Evidently the place i went to today, has only been around for 5 years and so I was almost turned away again. The trip to Hogar en Transito was beneficial though. Because he gave me the information of the location where I was kept for over a year. He even made an interesting comment about upon leaving you were escorted with another young boy who was adopted to america the same day. I also received some new records which reveals a name of the director of the orphanage I stayed at. I remember the feeling of hope, that perhaps there would be a police report so i could go back to and search the area and canvas it with posters some day. Then back to another feeling low and hurt realizing there was nothing of the sort, which included no hospital report to help verify the papers I now possess. Seeing my parents signatures made me tear up as well. It was wonderful seeing eveything there and my thoughts turned to fellow adoptees who are also seeking there own truths. I thanked God because I know some have been turned away or left empty handed. This was my story of today. God is so good despite not receiving a lot of answers. He provided in miraculous ways. He knew I needed a translator and so last week when I left Buga, at the Cali airport, I met a girl who was willing to be a translator for me. Interestingly enough, the conversation only lasted for 2 minutes because she had a flight to catch. In addition the only reason she was in Medellin was because her brother was participating at an international track meet being held here. Along the way we shared the gospel and evangelized the guards. Who also nearly turned us away before we met Pancho. Many lives will be touched by today. I will never forget it. Though it didn't turn out as I had hoped, it brought some closure and healing being back here in Medellin. I saw Gods refreshing waters flowing over me in my hurt and in my joy, it is bitter sweet, today is ending, but my search will continue.

Family Missions in Houston

Mealtime with our host family.

Even though our church didn't have a group going to help flood victims in Houston this one particular week, John said to me one day, "Let's pack up and head down and do our own mission trip as a family."  Not really knowing where we would stay, or if things would go smoothly with our kids, we moved forward with our plans.  Of course, in God's timing we saw His perfect provisions enfold before us--a family from our church that had just moved down to Houston would host us and we could work with them!
  

This fantastic family of 5 (Robert & Miriam with their 3 little daughters) had just found their Houston home in December and had moved there in January.  We were blessed to be their 1st house guests and they made us feel right at home in every way!  Joel, Ellie, and John had a blast getting their hands dirty with the much needed demo preparations on the house for the next team of 15 to continue on in the next step of restoration.  We all enjoyed getting to know our host family better, praying together, and thank goodness our kids had other kids to play with during some mighty wet days!  Our mini outreach as a family was a very positive experience and we would definitely encourage others to go for it!  You don't have to have it all together to make an impact, make life-long memories, and share God's love.  He takes our imperfections, sleep deprivation, and challenging personalities at times and weaves His amazing grace, kindness, and divine strength into something glorifying to Him and eternal.     

Water Purifier System Colombia Fundraising Progress 7/15/2018

WATER PROJECT 

11 Beautiful Years at Life Church!

We were so broken, insecure, young...and yet so full of zest for life and hope 11 years ago when we stepped into our new life in Oak Harbor!  It all started after that first service with an invitation to a Father's Day BBQ at Kay & Ernie Foote's home with many pillars of the church...so many friendly, loving people were willing to welcome us strangers into their intimate celebration!  WOW!  We knew this was THE place we would find a HOME and we decided to start participating in small groups for couples and serving the kids in the nursery mainly.

God had brought us here for a reason and He knew exactly what we needed to grow, heal, and become stronger in Him.  Slowly but surely, He's set us free, brought more peace, reignited lost love, and matured us in key areas...still a long way to go, but His Spirit has been on us, guiding and challenging us.  God is GOOD always and we feel it as we keep on trusting in His purposes thru the tough times.  John & I are very thankful for the various small group leaders that have helped us stay consistent in our walk with Jesus, provided godly fellowship, yummy food, and prayers that brought about miracles--AnaLuz & Steven Tercero, Barb Johnson, Martha Rodman, Bill & Sherrie Arnold, John Alexander, and many more amazing friends who hosted groups like Sara & Nate Morrow and David & Gazel Campbell!  Karen TePaske & Beth Haslet are huge reasons my kids survived the toddler/preschooler years HAHA!--their wisdom shared and prayers for this mama's heart made an eternal difference.

SO MUCH GRACE.  How do people make it in this world without the Lord and His people coming alongside...I pray if you don't experience this yet where you're at that you won't give up, but seek out a place to love and be loved like we have been at Life Church.  No church is without fault, but we're better together--connected, thriving, accountable, authentic, messy, LOVED.

 

All of our kids have experienced an uplifting, compassionate community at Life Church since the womb and have been impacted for ETERNITY!  From the nursery over to the Dome, each caring volunteer has took their responsibility to impart His truth and love into their hearts, minds, and souls seriously and passionately!  Kid's camps, first friendships forged, harvest parties, egg hunts, box maze fun indoor during the cool, rainy season, twirling dancing and lifting their hand's to their faithful Father... I hope they will always remember the good times and think on their times fondly!  John & I are so very thankful!  It takes a village, and even so much more when you have seasons of being a single parent with deployments. 

Joel & Ellie have asked the Lord into their hearts when they were very young and are developing a personal walk with the Lord, learning His Word and how to worship Him in all their lives.  Joel, Ellie, and Micah have all been dedicated to the Lord at Life Church...and Joel even got baptized last year!  I appreciate all the seeds planted and watered over these 11 years, partnering with our efforts to raise our kids to know Jesus as Savior & Friend.   

This is one of their current favorite songs and I hear they play it at Kid's Life!

We are so excited to see a Youth Pastor hired this summer, knowing the teens in our church are going to be abundantly blessed and enriched! We can't wait to come back in December when John's school finishes to see all the cool changes and reconnect with everyone!  We love and appreciate all you've been to us Life Church family!!!