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Godard Newsletter September 2007 |
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September 2007
“Okay Team, Let’s Debrief!”
An important part of hosting teams here in GDL is the orientation and debrief that we do with them. Orientation prepares a team to observe and understand their host culture, gives them direction for their ministry assignment and teaches them to focus on what God is doing and saying in and through each participant. Debrief is a time to look back, to share the highlights, the challenges, the life-changing experiences, and the encouragement team members give to one another.
This past summer we debriefed with our teams at the beach, around a table of spicy Mexican food with mariachi musicians singing in the background, and at a quiet coffee shop. As our partners in this ministry, we would have enjoyed your presence to listen to those hours of sharing! The second best option is to share with you some of those highlights and challenges. We based our questions around the four goals that we have for all short term teams that come here. So grab some tacos and hot sauce and listen in on how members from the different teams answered these questions:
“How did you see God’s Kingdom extended in the places you served?”
“Being crazy and loud for the kids, I think God shined through me”
“It was great to show Christ’s humility and servitude by cleaning up for the poor and digging in their dirt at the Indigenous camp.”
“I showed my love to the kids at the indigenous camp by continuing to play and wrestle with them even though I was absolutely wiped and I wanted to….relax a bit more
“I prayed for the city and the neighborhood of the church (RETO), and visited a couple of Chinese restaurants and spent time chatting with them and bringing them newspapers.”
“I felt deeply when a girl named Karen from the kid’s camp gave me a picture with my name, a necklace and bracelet and gave tons of hugs and kisses.”
“How did you build up the local church in GDL?”
“Playing with the kids and having them laugh at my Spanish; they were encouraged by seeing our love for Jesus” ”I shared my life story with them.” “I don’t know if this counts, but I helped put up the protective netting around the new court”
How have you grown in intimacy with Jesus through this mission trip?”
“While reading the passages in the devotionals I kept coming across passages that answered questions I’ve been wondering about for a long while…God answers your questions if you know how to listen.”
“I definitely focused more on prayer and listening to God this trip. It’s amazing how much God actually talks to you when you just listen.”
”I learned to depend on him more than ever, as my closest allies are people from halfway across Canada with their own culture and social circles.”
“I was challenged to listen and rely on the Lord to guide me specifically as a leader.”
”It grew in every way. I am praying more and listening. I also read my Bible a lot more.”
“If you are willing to commit to an ongoing involvement in God’s global mission, what will that look like for you?”
“I feel more experienced and equipped for cross-cultural missions and I became more ready and willing to work towards Bible translation work for people groups who have no access to God’s Word.”
“I want to start a Bible study and commit my life to short term missions.”
“Mission is a part of who I am! Wherever the Lord leads I am willing to go! I know I will stay connected with cross cultural missions.”
Godard Family Update
Presently Joan is visiting her ailing mother in Abbotsford for a couple of weeks. Silas just left on the 28th for Australia where he will be working with YWAM for close to two years. Aaron just returned for his 3rd year at the U of Saskatchewan. Kenia is in grade 10 at Lincoln here in Guadalajara.
I (Trever) will be going to Bethany College on Sept 21 to teach a one week missions course so your prayers for all of us over the next weeks would be appreciated greatly.
Matthew Training Center Update
We also sense that God is moving us ahead to start the Matthew Training Center in GDL. The Center will provide specialized training and spiritual guidance through on-site teaching and experiential programs for cross cultural mission participants. Our focus is on Latinos – to help prepare and send them out to the nations – but we also receive North Americans who want to do part of their missional training in a cross-cultural setting. As we step out in faith to see this vision become a reality, we welcome your participation:
1) By praying for us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus through every phase, and to find the right property to build the center, 2) By supporting this project financially through MBMSI (Matthew Training Center project # 0448), and 3) By coming down to see how you can get involved. We will be sending you more detailed information in the future, but we want you to start praying with us as we step out of the boat and walk toward Jesus in a sea of unknowns.
Partnering with you to train the nations
Trever, Joan and Kenia Godard
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