Saturday, March 5, 2011

Fw: We're home!


 
From: Carol Reynolds [mailto:reynoldscarole@yahoo.ca]
Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2011 06:26 AM
To: Carol Reynolds
Subject: We're home!
 

We arrived home yesterday around 11:00am. Thank you so much to everyone who met us at the airport, to all who prayed for us (95+ prayer warriors) and to everyone else who supported us. Blessings to you all!
 
Updates on personal accounts of our CVII experiences will be posted here over the next few weeks.
 
God is good, indeed!! 
 

Friday, March 4, 2011

Almost home!

Waiting to board the plane in TO 7:45 am.....Lindsey and Tina are almost home (and so are the rest of us :) C U soon!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Grandma awaiting our arrival Mar 2011

"Therefore...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

mountain mission to Une Mar 2, 2011.jpg

All went well - Praise God. It is 3:30pm and we will be leaving for Bogota in 30 minutes.

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our first guardian angel going before us Mar 2,2011.jpg

We will also meet up with other polios escorts who will travel behind us.

mountain mission day.jpg

Everyone is healthy for the mountain mission. It's going to be a blessed day for all.

mountain mission aid.jpg

loading truck for mountain mission Mar 2,2011.jpg

Loading truck this morning. We left CVII at 9:00 am local time. Driving time should be 1-2.5 hours, each way, as we will be making 2 stops to regions where there has never been any aid delivered. Watch for updates and photos throughout the day from on site.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Tim A and baby Jeanene at Bethel House - Feb 26, 2011.jpg

Kevin and Sharlene.jpg

Team getting ready to play soccer - guess folks back home weren't wearing shorts today!.jpg

more birthday cakes.jpg

Lara's masterpiece.jpg

Feb 26, 2011.jpg

Amy and her daughter (Amy has taught school at CVII for 10 years).jpg

Feb 26 - Day 10

Time is flying by so fast and we are having so many opportunities to do His work - it's so wonderful!

Today, we worked on renos at Numbers and decorating birthday cakes from 8:30 - 2 and then took some children to a local park and played soccer, basketball, etc. In the evening, Amanda prepared a delicious supper for the team and we had 2 long term missionaries as guests - Seth and Amy, followed by devotional time. Colombian hot chocolate finished off the evening. We also spent more time with baby Jeanene. Many of us are getting very attached to this little gift from God. (See photos)

Smiling Sheryl.jpg

Mark with baby Jeanene.jpg

another bedroom done!.jpg

laundry room complete!.jpg

Shopping for fruit at the corner market.jpg

Our team has been supporting as many local businesses as possible. We shop regularly at a fruit stand around the corner from Bethel House. It's a great experience to interact with local residents like this young girl and her family.

Smiling Sharlene.jpg

Feb 25 - Day 9

Today was a long day for our team. Much was accomplished at the Numbers (girls') house. Sharlene, Kevin and their group are doing a wonderful job of leading kids church for the younger children (see photos posted).

Devotions tonight were focused on being faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.". We discussed different ways to be faithful, including to each other and to our team.

Team playing soccer with the CVII childrenFeb 26, 2011.jpg

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Feb 24 - Day 8

It's so hard to believe that this is our 8th day of our time here. We have seen and experienced so much.
There is so much being accomplished with painting and renovations. Today it was discovered that more re wiring was needed - praise God we have professionals on our team to handle this!

It was a very emotional day for some of us, as we met baby Jeanene's parents and witnessed her "coming home" to CVII. The story of her life to date is miraculous and we thank God for delivering her from her unsafe situation.
As a mother, I cannot fathom giving up my child, agreeing to have periodic visitations only. The only explanation I have is that she recognized that CVII can offer her baby more love and a better chance at life. Standing in the middle of her house today, I felt God present and urging me to give her the cross from around my neck. This poor, lost shell of a woman was not in a position to care for her baby, but she still needs prayer. Please pray for baby Jeanene in her new home and for her biological mother.

Devotions tonight focused on being diligent. Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men.

CVII staff enjoying pancake night - our maple syrup was a huge hit!.jpg

Lindsey flipping 'jacks Feb 24, 2011.jpg

hot dogs for 100.jpg

Team Canada hot dog and pancake party Feb 24,2011

Baby Jeanene with her dad, Richard.jpg

Government housing for Colombians displaced by the FARQ.jpg

23 day old baby Jeanene rescued Feb 24, 2011.jpg

It was very emotional for those of us who visited little Jeanene's home today.

Jeanene Sr and Jeanene Jr. Feb 24, 2011.jpg

23 days old - Jeanene Jr. Is the newest edition to the CVII family. It was an honor for Tina, Lara and Carol to go with Jeanene to bring the baby home to CVII today. It was an emotional day for all of us, witnessing the father's love for the child and the mother's apparent lack of emotion when handing over her baby. I believe that they provided the very best they could for the child, but God wanted better for little Jeanene so he brought her home to CVII. I felt his hand with all of us as we visited their home. Praise Him!

You are a princess because your father is the king of kings.jpg

Design by Lara

1 Timothy 4~12 - Bedroom #2.jpg

Design by Lindsey

You are a princess because your father is the king of kings.jpg

One completed bedroom.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Feb 23 - Day 7

It's so hard to believe that we've been here for nearly a week! We have experienced so much and seen God's work time and time again here. I am so amazed at the spiritual growth team members are experiencing. The thirst for knowledge and the unity of our team has encouraged everyone to be very active in devotional discussions and to share God's love with the children.

Tonight for devotions, we shared with the boys at Exodus House on "cooperation". The guys made a human pyramid to illustrate the teaching. Psalm 133:1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Praise God, indeed for team unity!

Yesterday, two of our guys told the story of a small boy running up to them in the street and hugging them as their parents looked on. Yes, they checked their pockets after, and came to the conclusion that these little folks see team members hugging CVII children in the neighborhood all the time and were wanting the same attention.

We are making so much progress with the new kitchen and bedroom painting - God has given our team so much strength. However, despite my earlier report,Tim A. is under the weather again. I plan to pull a "mom" tomorrow and have him stay behind and rest for the morning. Those who know Tim and how dedicated he is may realize the battle that potentially lies ahead :) Please pray for healing for him. Blessings to all from Colombia!

Kris and the guys Feb 23, 2011.jpg

We had supper with the boys from Exodus House tonight and then devotions. These boys were excited to hear Kris skateboards. We plan to take them to the park so they can exchange skating tips.

Picture Day Feb 23, 2011.jpg

Progress on the kitchen Feb 22, 2011.jpg

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Feb 22 - Day 6

School devotions went much better today; an older student volunteered to translate for us.

Painting and kitchen renos are coming along very well. We have 7 bedrooms to paint and decorate and we are sure God will give us the strength to finish this project.

Team ladies and Tim A took Jeanene shopping for numbers for the new kitchen we are building. We helped her purchase a fridge, a large freezer, industrial oven, stereo and microwaves all for less than $1800 CAD.

Our team devotional focus was on being content. Phillipians 4:11 " Not that I speak in regard to need, for what I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." We discussed how content the CVII children are, despite not having the materialistic "stuff" North American children have. A strong family foundation is so important and that is what Richard and Jeanene have provided for the CVII children. Praise God!

Feb 21 - Day 5

Today was our first full day of work and first day for doing devotions with the youngest CVII children. A Spanish translator was not provided today but will be for the rest of our lessons.

We had supper with the girls and then taught them devotions. Today's topic was being compassionate. 1Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous."
We discussed with the girls ways we can be compassionate toward each other.

Feb 20 - Day 4

We attended a spanish service at City Harvest church with Jeanene, Richard and 14 CVII children. Familiar songs were sung in Spanish and our team was very moved by the worship, the people and the pastor.

He who gives us life gives us the ability to love and love fully, as He has us love each other as brothers and sisters in Him.

Feb 19 - Day 3

Today is our first day of work. Our crew partially tore down a wall in the Numbers House (girls 8-18) and got started painting the girls" bedrooms. Worked only the morning, as Jeanene had a special outing planned for our team to Mount Serrate and the emerald store. We felt quite spoiled with the outing so early on in the mission, but Jeanene assured us there was plenty of work to be done.

Team devotions focused on being attentive. Hebrews 2:1 "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest we drift away." Phillipians 2:5, James 1:22 We discussed that as a team, we need to be servants to one another and to be attentive.

Feb 18

Today was our first day at CVII. Jeanene shared the history of CVII with our team. Everyone was impressed and moved by her testimony which began with her rescuing abandoned children in Bogota 23 years ago.

Our team devotions focused on being appreciative.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Our team is thankful for physical and spiritual strength and prayers from our prayer warriors back home.

Stuck between a bed and a wall!.jpg

Amanda

Devotions with the girls Feb 21, 2011.jpg

Typical street scene in Bogota.jpg