December 31 - New Year's Eve in El Salvador

Sorry for the delay but things are always busy. Saturday night the team was at Calvary Chapel San Salvador helping with the sunday school while Rob and the girls sang in the main service. Alde also got an opportunity to share his testimony at each service.

Sunday morning we got to the church early to help feed some of the neighborhood kids and then joined some of the girls from the church who take sunday school into the streets and some of the tougher neighborhoods in San Salvador. Their heart for the kids and their dedication left an impression on all of us as well as some of the sweetest kids ever.

Today was crazy, from start to finish worked hard and saw the Lord really bless in some cool ways. We started by driving to one of the smaller Calvary's. They were in need of a new building so we helped out by digging the footings and putting up the structure needed for the new building. The project was led by Craig and Ruth Riddell with help from Justin, Matt and Preston. After that we left to the center of town to do an outreach with the kids and adults which was the best one so far, the kids were great and we had a lot of cool opportunities to talk to people. We were also treated to a great sunset. A great way to ring in the new year!

Speacial thanks to Hannah Rissinger for her help with the blog.

pictures from tonight

A VBS outreach today held at a local market.
Pastor Rob and Haidee Ortega leading worship at Calvary Chapel San Salvador's saturday evening service.
Alde Ortega sharing his testimony at Calvary Chapel San Salvador's satuday evening service.

Pictures.............

Here are some pictures from the first outreach at the Calvary Chapel of Santa Maria.
Playing the "Parachute" game in Santa Maria - during the kids outreach

Lizzie Savar enjoying some face painting in Santa Maria
Pastor Mario, and his wife. He is the Pastor of Calvary Chapel of Santa Maria, El Salvador - a 2 1/2 hour drive from the capitol of San Salvador.
Here is Craig and Ruth Ridell making balloons for the kids during the outreach.

Please continue to pray for the team as they will be involved in outreaches, and construction projects during this next entire week. Trevor wrote today and said that Pastor Mario was encouraged by over half of the children and their parents that came to the church after the outreach to the children that day. Please continue to pray for their saftey, for their health, and for the Lord to continue to work in the hearts of each team member, as well as those that they will come in contact with throughout the week. Pray for the salvation of many El Salvadorians this week ! I will continue to keep you guys updated as I hear from the team.

blessings,
carlos

December 29th - El Salvador

Everything is going great down here, yesterday was our first real outreatch of the trip. We drove almost 2.5 hrs which is half way across the country to the town of Santa Maria where pastor Mario and his wife have been leading Calvary Chapel Santa Maria for 6 years. They were such great hosts, he rode all the way to our hotel on a bus, then rode with us out there only to turn around and lead us back and then take the bus back early this morning and bus travel is what you might expect in a country like this. We did an outreach with the kids in the area which was great and they invited the parents to stay when they picked up their kids and Rob and the girls did a great concert. Half of the kids and parents who came out, it was there first time at the church and pastor Mario was really excited. The sign by the church says the church who worships the god of Israel, that was very cool. We got back late to San Salvador, tired but very blessed by the whole day.

December 27th - Arrived in El Salvador

Well after the usual last minute packing frenzy, crazy bus ride to JFK and all the joys of air travel this time of year, we are all very blessed to be at our hotel in San Salvador on schedule and with no major losses or injuries. We are staying in a pretty updated part of downtown (Burger King and Pizza Hut are within walking distance), but no one could mistake the change as we drove the hour from the airport to the capital and were witness to rural living in Central America, filled with shacks and people trying to make a living however they can. Tomorrow we are heading out of the capital to one of the smaller churches which is in a more remote area of the country. Our desire is to encourage the Church that is there as well as help them reach out to the community and share the love of Christ. So if you would pray for us that would be great, the Lord has already answered little and big prayers alike in amazing ways. Now we are looking forward to seeing what doors He will open up for us as we go out.
God Bless,
Trevor Steenbakkers

Merry Christmas....pray for the El Salvador trip !

Merry Christmas everyone.

Isaiah 9:2 says "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined."

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord today, I can't help but think about so many peoples (ethnos) who have never heard or read about this "Child that was born, this Son given". Hundreds upon hundreds of people groups who will not celebrate the joy of Christ with us today, not because their hearts have been hardened to the glorious gospel of Christ, but because they have never heard about Him. I pray that the continual goal and aim for us as believers in Christ would be to " Make known His deeds among the peoples, and proclaim that His name is exalted" (Isa. 12:4). That we would join in with Psalm 96 and "Sing to the Lord, bless His name, tell of His salvation from day to day. Declaring His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples". Please join me today in praying that the Lord of the harvest will thrust out more laborers into His harvest field - for His glory !


I also wanted to ask that you pray for our team of 22 who are going to El Salvador from Dec. 27th - Jan. 5th. I will be updating the blog with pictures and more information and prayer requests throughout their trip. They will be coming alongside of the local Calvary Chapel church plants in remote area's of the country in both construction projects, and outreaches in which they will get to share the gospel through music, drama, video, and of course the Word of God. Pray that they will be a blessing to the local pastors, that many would come to know Jesus through the outreaches, and that the Lord would do great things in and through all who will be going.

blessings,
carlos

John 15:5

Prayer is the translation into a thousand different words of a single sentence: " Apart from me (Christ), you can do nothing". How we need to wake up to how much nothing we spend out time doing - John Piper

In one of the books that I am currently reading, I came across this statement, and I must confess that the Lord challenged me about the truth of that statement written above. We all know John 15:5, but I guess the thing that the Lord spoke to me about was, do I believe it. If I truly did believe it for all that it is, I would so often have another answer to the daily tasks of my life. The emails that have to be answered or written, or to the phone call that needs to be made, or the people that need counsel, or the meeting I have to run to, all the while His voice calmly speaking, "Without Me, you can do nothing". How I long for that extra hour or two to spend in His presence. How I need it.

Though during this time of the year we are filled with joy, and love, and we reflect upon the "Child that was born, the Son that was given", I also personally know that we can often be overcome with stress, and we often are running here or there, or trying to finish this or that and all the while the Lord is saying "your anxious, and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary". Let us labor to spend time with the One who alone says, "without Me, you can do nothing".

blessings,

carlos

I know it has been a week since we got back, but it took a little while to get back into the swing of things. I figured an update would be appropriate. I really just wanted to thank everyone for praying for our team, and the trip as a whole. We saw the Lord provide for us in incredible ways, and we were encouraged to know that we had our brothers and sisters praying for us back home. The foundations for the radio tower were poured (all four), the Inductive Bible Study was a great blessing and the pastors and church leaders were all excited about putting this techinique to use. The Lord opened up a huge door to continue ministering in the Leper Colony, and our relationship with Mukinge Hospital continued to grow as we partnered up with them for our clinics in the villages. Our two lost bags were found, and the hospital was able to receive them - they contained a large amount of much needed medicine. We got to debrief at Kafue National Park where we had the pleasure of seeing lions, hippos, crocs, zebra, and even a leopard. It was a great trip, and the Lord is still showing me things that He is desiring to teach me through our experiences over the last three weeks. We will be showing a short video in the next couple of weeks at Calvary highlighting some of what we did.

I'll post some video on our dropshots site soon, but for now, you can check out some pictures that I loaded on www.dropshots.com/ccphillymissions

Blessings,

carlos

Medical Trip Update: Pictures and News

With the main part of the work over, the team traveled south and arrived safely back to Lusaka on monday and will be staying in a hotel. They will then proceed to Kafue National Park and stay there overnight before heading home.

In an answer to prayer, British Air has agreed to fly the two lost bags out to Mukinge hospital (the mission hospital near Kasempa) where they can be put to good use.

Below are pictures from the visit to Kasempa's chief and the medical outreach in his village. The first two are of Chief Kasempa (and a guard) and Bridget Wint in the official courthouse of the Chief, where the medical clinic was held.

The Lord is good !

Hello everybody, it is Friday afternoon here in Kasempa, Zambia, and I am writing from an internet cafe that just opened up yesterday ! It's not anything to write home about, but it will do. Today was our last day of medical clinics, as well as the last day of the "Inductive Bible Study" workshop that Harry has been doing. Over the past week, we have held clinics at the leprosy colony, a rural village, and then the village of the Chief. Everyone has been blessed by the medicine, the prayer, and the gospel going forth. We all have lots of stories to share about each of those things when we get home. Rosa may be broken for good.......we found out that the engine block cracked - please pray that the Lord gives us wisdom on what to do next with that. Thankfully, He provided a brand new VW mini-bus to rent in Rosa's place. It's much faster.

I would ask you guys to pray for the Pastors Conference tomorrow, as well as the day with our orphans on Sunday. I have to go, but just wanted to post a quick blurb to thank you all for your prayers - it has been an incredible week of watching the Lord move both in our hearts and lives, as well as in the hearts of those who we ministered to. Please continue to pray for us, that the Lord would continue His work in us, and that he would allow us to be a blessing to those in Zambia. I look forward to seeing you all soon, and sharing about our awesome God, and what He has done !

blessings,
carlos

Medical Trip Update: Prayer Requests and Photos

Carlos met with the Chief of the Kasempa district, who was excited about the visit, and asked if a medical clinic could be conducted in his village. The team now has that clinic planned for Friday.

Today (they are six hours ahead of us) they visited the leper colony and ministered to about 20 families with 2 doctors. There are many opportunities for future ministry among these people.

The team is asking for prayer that the rain let up. It is currently down pouring, and it is hampering a few of the team's activities. Harry Pressley begins his Inductive Bible Study course today, but only about 25 of the 100 people registered came for the first day of instruction because the rains make travel so difficult. Also the next days clinics will fair better under dryer conditions.

Otherwise, everyone is well and blessed.

The photos posted here are also available at the Lumba Ministries website. Pictured below is the team sorting medications for the upcoming medical clinics.

The ministry bus our fellowship helped purchase has been struggling. Please pray for it to run well!

The doctors and workers at Mukinge hospital received the gifts from our church gladly. Mukinge is a mission station and hospital about 30 minutes away from Lumba by car.

This is the new guest room that has been built on the side of the Calvary Center (which our church financed and helped build in the Summer of 2006).

George Berkin with a child in one of the local villages.

The medical clinics have included eye care.

The team ministered today at a leprosy colony.
This woman walks on her knees because of her leprosy.

Workers prepare the site, and Fred and Harry inspect the newly poured base for the radio station tower. When Lumba's tower is finished, it will broadcast the only FM station in the area, carrying Bible teaching to the people of Kasempa.

Harry Pressley began his Inductive Bible Study course today.

Medical Trip Update: Two Prayer Requests

Carlos is visiting the Chief of the area around Kasempa today, with gifts from our fellowship (Pastor Joe's MP3 teaching set and a player with batteries). The chief is very open to hearing about Jesus and what the Word says about being a believer, please continue to pray for him.

Also, tomorrow the team will do work in a nearby leper colony. Keep praying!

Medical Trip Update: Team in Kasempa

The team has arrived in Kasempa. Everyone is safe and ready to get to prayer and work (after bed tonight). Please keep praying for the arrival of the two bags they haven't yet received.

Zambia Medical Trip Update

The team has arrived safely in the capitol, Lusaka. Please pray for the little bus that transports Ron, Bridget, and our teams (known affectionately as "Rosa")--as of Saturday afternoon it is out of commission again with an unknown problem. But the Lord has provided: the man who sold them the bus is delivering a new bus to them for the trip and taking Rosa to get fixed.

Also, please pray for the arrival of two bags that didn't make it to Lusaka with their flight. The good news is that the bags were located in London, and will arrive later, so someone will have to travel back to Lusaka to get the bags. They both have medicine and supplies for the clinics the team plans to run.

Everything else is good. Keep lifting them up!

The Team........less two

Well, the above pictures were taken yesterday night at Calvary. Pastor Joe praying for our team, and then a picture of our team while packing the luggage. The two that were missing were George Berkin, and Pastor Harry Pressley. Harry will be doing a three day Inductive Bible Study workshop, as well as teaming up with me to teach at the Pastor's Conference that we will host while there. Also, I just wanted to give a quick itinerary for those who are committed to be praying for us throughout the trip.

Thursday night - Friday morning (Nov.1st-2nd) = Flying to London

Friday Night - Saturday morning (Nov. 2nd -3rd)= Flying to Lusaka, Zambia

Saturday morning - Saturday Evening(Nov. 3rd) = Driving to Kitwe (1/2 way point) where we will spend the night at a hotel (Hotel Edinburgh)

Sunday morning - Sunday Evening(Nov. 4th) = Finishing the drive to Kasempa ! Our final destination.

Monday - Tuesday (Nov. 5th - 6th) = we will be helping Ron and Bridget with some odds and ends painting that needs to be finished, as well as helping with other projects that may need some work, and visiting Mukinge Hospital.

Wednesday - Friday (Nov. 7th - 9th) = Our medical clinics in the villages.

Wednesday - Friday = IBS workshop lead by Harry

Saturday (Nov. 10th) = Pastor's Conference (Pray for an outpouring of the Holt Spirit on the teaching of His Word. Pray that many would come, and be blessed by the Lord this day !

Sunday (Nov. 11th) = church / a day with the orphans from Lumba. Bible stories,crafts, food, games...etc

Monday (Nov. 12th) = Drive back to Lusaka

Tuesday and Wednesday(Nov. 13th - 14th) = Staying in Kafue National Park for Safari !

Thursday (Nov. 15th) = Leave to go home

I will be trying to update throughout the trip. Please do pray for our travel (planes, and our long bus ride...yes the bus is running ) , and also pray that all of our bags get there. Other things to pray for are on the right hand side . Most of all, pray that our King will be glorified throughout everything that takes place on this trip, that many would come to Him for salvation, and that He would accomplish a mighty work in our hearts while there - all leading to giving Him more glory and praise for all that He has done.

blessings,

carlos

A few things......

C.C. Philly will be going to El Salvador once again. The dates are Dec. 27th - Jan. 5th. El Salvador is one of the countries where we will be involved in for long term ministry - ie. multiple trips a year that are open for the body to participate in. We are partnering with C.C. San Salvador, and will be coming along side of their multiple church plants that are in remote villages and towns throughout the country. Ministry will include music ministry, evangelism and drama, and various construction projects. If you have any questions, or feel like the Lord may be directing you, please see Trevor, Rob Paoletti, or myself for more information.

Also, please feel free to check out www.dropshots.com/ccphillymissions

This will be a page where everyone can look at recent pictures and video from our past mission trips. Right now we just have our last Sr. High trip to Zambia, but in the next couple of days I will add El Salvador pictures, and pictures from the College and Career trip to Montreal.

Lastly, I just wanted to give an update on one of our prayer requests for our Zambia trip - "Rosa" our ministry vehicle while in Zambia hasn't started in a couple of months and the village of Kasempa has NO mechanics at all. I spoke with Ron Wint yesterday, and he said he got the bus to start, but it is far from being fixed. Please pray that the Lord will give Ron wisdom on what may be wrong, and that He would provide the means to fix the problem. Ron and Bridget have less than a week to fix the problem so that they can drive the 14 hours to come and get us in Lusaka! Please continue to pray.

Blessings,

carlos

11 days to go.......

Like the title states, we have 11 days before leaving for our medical missions trip to Zambia. The dates are Nov. 1st - 15th. Our team consists of 4 nurses, 1 optometrist, 2 pastors, and 3 support people. We'll be conducting free medical clinics in the outlining villages of the Kasempa district in the North West Province of Zambia. While the villagers are waiting to be treated a full presentation of the gospel will be given, with opportunities for prayer and the handing out of Bibles and other literature. (That's what it is all about right !) The clinics will be held in local churches so when people get saved, we plug them in at the church where they are at. We'll also be hosting a 3 day Inductive Bible Study workshop lead by Pastor Harry Presly from CC Bellmawr, and a Pastors Conference where local Pastors and church leaders from all denominations can come and hear the Word of God taught verse by verse. The website for Ron and Bridget Wint of Lumba Christian Ministries our missionaries on the field) is
http://www.lumba.homestead.com/ if you want more information on what else is going on there.

I'll post all of the things that are happening in Kasempa, Zambia with Lumba Christian Ministries (orphanage, school of ministry, farm, radio station) when we get back from our trip. Please continue to check back for pictures of our trip, and for posts / prayer requests while we're in Zambia. We need your prayers ! Below is a list of things we are currently asking you guys to lift before our Father.

Oh yeah - the pic's are from our last medical trip to Zambia - March, 07



Blessings,

Carlos