Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hello!!!!! How are you all? Don't you just love this season!!

Yes I know we can lose focus and get crazy and think only about the shopping, but I pray that God can use us for his glory, to shine with our loved ones and those around us, because Jesus was born in our hearts and we are now free to truly love.

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35

So may we love in such a way, that people see nothing but Jesus in us, and may his love melt away the hardest heart in our path! This has been an amazing year!! Filled with many blessings, and you are among those blessings in my life!!

Thank you thank you thank you for being part of all that God is doing in and through me!! Let us rejoice for God is good, and our trust and hope is in Him!

All my love to you!!! I hope you enjoy this little 4x6 postcard I made with some of this year's pictures, it is truly a blessing and a blast to serve the Lord, thank you again for allowing God to pour his love and blessings through you, impacting my life and those around me!!!

Let's finish this year strong for His glory!!!

What has your attention?

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, were Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

I just recently read, ‘obstacles are those frightful things we see when we take our eyes off the goal’, and is so true how we can either get distracted or discouraged when we set our attention on the wrong thing. Very rarely will an athlete hit the target if his eyes are not on it. We can rest in knowing that our Father has complete care of us and when we fix our heart and mind on Him that is the direction we will take, the best one. Our God is an awesome God!

PRAYER

Praise God For
- The Women’s Intersunago Tour in Guatemala, how God opened doors for ministry through it and how God work in it.
- All the Crea activities and those soon to come, how God uses them not only to meet needs and minister to so many in need, but also to encourage and move to action others.
- All of you faithful supporters, prayer warriors, loving family!!!

Please Pray For
- Upcoming camps with kids in very tough neighborhoods, for them taste and see our amazing God!
- God’s provision to be able to develop projects in orphanages, schools, camps or however God continues to open up doors.
- Crea, for the upcoming activities (Christmas projects in ). Please e-mail me if you would like to donate to this project.
- All of us, for God to strengthen our personal relationship with Him so we can continue this Great Fight!

Intersunago Guatemala 2008

Helloooooo!! Hoooolaaaaa!!! I hope you are doing very well, can you imagine how fast this year has been going? It’s so good to look back and see how much God has done in my life and I’m sure in your lives as well, we have such a good God!


Well let me tell you now about the Intersunago women’s Tour in Guatemala, this was organized by Vicki Wade from Ambassadors in Spain, so Spain came to me, it was really such a blessing!


Even from the very beginning I was certain that God was going to do amazing things through this tour! Vicki said she has never had so many bumps in the road for a tour, so we knew it was going to be powerful!


I have never been part of a Women’s tour, I was very excited to meet the girls, serve them and love them! When we began to meet each other it was so evident that God put this group together, so many different personalities, but we all learned to love each other and work together as a team.


The purpose of this tour is to shine God’s light, by our attitude while living together (sharing responsibilities, cooking, cleaning, etc.) traveling together, playing soccer games, doing soccer clinics, displaying good sportsmanship, sharing devotions, prayer and our testimonies; in order that we might all grow in God or even begin a relationship with Him.




It was such a blessing to meet so many amazing people, like our coach John moved to Guatemala like 4 months ago with his wife and 3 kids, to do soccer ministry with MIGLOFUT (Global Soccer Ministry), to have met him is such an answered prayer, we can help each other.



Another person is Trina, a great soccer player, she wasn’t part of the tour but we adopted her from the first day we met, she had expressed that she didn’t believe in God, but she came to enjoy the devotionals, she was open to prayer and loved worship and now she even wants to do soccer ministry, which is amazing. God placed us in her path at just the right time, and better yet she acknowledges that God is working in her heart, praise God!





So the tour was great, it really opened so many doors for ministry here, so now I’m really praying to follow God’s direction. After the tour was done, I was part of a medical and dental clinic with Crea (I’ve talked about this organization a few times, we are a group of friends, moved by God’s heart to make an impact in Guatemala and the world, helping and developing the growth of communities) but I will share more in another newsletter! LOVE YOUUUUUUU AND THANK YOU!!

Intersunago Guatemala 2008

Where is your heart?

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34

Our heart reacts to what we value the most, so what place does God have in your heart?

Our worship is the reaction to what God is and what He has done!
When we value something it's because we know what it is and what it does. For the same reason, because we don't know who God is, His character and what He's done, we don't value Him as we should nor we give Him the worship he deserves. For us to value God, we must know Him, because that which I value I adore. May we ask God to reveal himself to us, that we may know Him and worship Him the way He deserves.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

PRAYER

Praise God For
- Amazing camps and so many hearts willing to receive the Message.
- The Women’s Intersunago Tour in Guatemala, how God touched the lives not only of the women in the tour but those around and in contact with the crew.
- Coming back to Guatemala and how God continues to bring people together for His plans.

Please Pray For
- God to put the right people together for the soccer camps, that He may prepare the hearts of the kids, volunteers, coaches, families etc, that all the glory goes to Him.
- Myself, for wisdom, love and joy to share Ambassadors’ Vision and expand the ministry here, to be able to stir up hearts and may God continue to pave the way.
- All the people who have been supporting me and this ministry, for God to continue to pour blessings in their lives and to surround them of amazing people!

Summer Part2

Hola a mi familia linda!! Hello my precious family! I hope this letter finds you all very well, filled with God’s joy and love as always! Here goes the rest of the summer… The first week in California was in Modesto California It was the very first camp in this area and they were so excited about it! Again I had the juniors. These kids don’t get to play soccer much, so it was a great opportunity to teach them the basics in soccer. My team in particular was amazing, they worked so good as a team and we had great bible time, they opened up to me and the other coach. God gave me so many good opportunities in which they shared more about their struggles and 3 of them gave their heart to Jesus, and that was so beautiful! We also won the world cup which was such a thrill for all of us! The family I was staying with that week were so sweet, they had 2 daughters, the oldest was in the camp, and it was great to see their willing heart to serve. They were pretty new believers and it was amazing to see them already opening their home to a stranger and how they poured so much love on me! I was able to visit some friends in Los Angeles, which was another amazing blessing from God! They are like family to me, and they haven’t seen their family in Guatemala for some time now, so it was of great encouragement for both of us to share such a great weekend together! Only God can give these great surprises! The last week of camps was in Manteca California. It was so amazing to come back again. The very first day of camp here one little boy came running to me “Coach Laura Coach Laura! you came back!” Oh it melted my heart to see he stilled remembered me, we really underestimate how much God can work in these kids lives just by being obedient! This week I had the middle division, I was nervous, but boy did I had an incredible team!Even though we lost every single game, we finished strong, we won our very last game and they really became a team who supported each other and who gave their very best, because they understood they were doing it for God! What I enjoyed the most was our challenging bible time and to see how their attitude shifted during the week! This week I stayed in the pastor’s house, so you can imagine I loved our conversations! I was able to learn so much from them, how their marriage was so centered in God and how they were just beautiful loving people! I was able to spend some time with my previous host family which I love dearly, so that was great! As always they encouraged me so much, they are amazing! That last Sunday, I had the privilege to share my testimony at church, I was so nervous, but I was glad I was challenged to stand in front of so many people and share it, in both services!

This summer was far more than I could ever think, we developed so many great friendships, I am so thankful for all the work God did in my heart, how much he taught me through so many people and especially through the kids, I love them so much! Coming back to Guatemala was a bitter sweet feeling. Goodbyes are always tough for me, and I love doing these camps, all my being comes alive! But also that gave me even more excitement to come here to Guatemala and expand Ambassadors vision here! That very same week I came back, the so expected Intersunago tour crew from Spain came, I will share more about this women’s tour in my next newsletter, but I must say it was an incredible tour! Now for the coming plans here in Guatemala, medical clinic this weekend, translating for a missionary next week, kids go out on vacations soon, so maybe some soccer camps, clinics and taking advantage of this season. Also through this women’s tour I was able to know this other soccer ministry here, so we want to help each other out, and that has been so encouraging! GOD BLESS YOU SO MUCH AND MULTIPLY GREATLY ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND CONTINUE DOING!

PRAYER

Praise God for
- The Summer camps, for His hand in every camp and every person involved! For the beautiful way we were able to spread the Gospel and invest in His kingdom!
- Every kid that invited Jesus into their heart, and for those who re-commited or somehow got closer to God! His faithfulness and love endures forever!
- All the host families and their amazing heart always ready to serve and to open their homes to the coaches.

Please Pray for
- All the people involved in the camps, may we all reflect in what God taught us so we can continue growing in Him.
- The Women’s Intersunago tour in Guatemala, from August 15 to August 31. For all the girls to arrive safely and that God continues to pave the way using everything for his glory.
- Guatemala, that God opens doors and guides each step in order to raise up leaders in this ministry and continue to share the Gospel through this simple game of soccer.

Summer Part1

Heeey my stunning family!! How are you all?? Summer's over, can you believe that!


God did so many amazing things this summer, Im going to have to send more than one newsletter this month, just so I don’t make this one so so long jeje. Let me just give the overview of where God took me:


- June 18 – June 30 : Fort Lauderdale, visiting friends, one of my best friend’s wedding, and God surprised me by being able to serve in a Bible Camp and a Soccer Clinic!




What a blessing! These kids really steal your heart away, they receive love with open arms, the discipline was a challenge but love always wins!!

- First week of July: SMTC (A Training Course for Sports Ministry)


They train us for the camps, it was also a great time to work on the harmony and unity of the team, and what an awesome team we became!



Also I had the opportunity to draw closer to my host family The Riddles, who were an incredible loving family, and get in touch with past families that also opened their home and heart taking me in as part of the family!





- Second week of July: Parkside Camp!


We started strong, it was truly such a great camp! I had the junior division (6yrs old to 9yrs old), and they did so good!


We had great bible time, and all of them prayed to receive Jesus in their heart, it was just beautiful!

My team was the Venezuelan Vipers. We had really good soccer sessions and an even better bible time, Praise God all of them prayed to receive Jesus in their heart, it was just beautiful!

- Third week of July: Scranton Road, the most expected camp from my part, it’s in the inner-city in Cleveland.


Many of these kids have had a rough childhood, come from broken homes, and it is truly such a joy to love on them and see God working through that love, and the growth truly goes both ways.




We won the world Cup, but the best part was how they responded to bible time, they too were very open to Jesus, and 3 received Jesus in their heart! What a privilege to be part of that!


The family that hosted me was amazing, I had such a sweet time even though it was short it really blessed me and God used it greatly to encourage me by seeing the great testimony they were as a home.

- The las two weeks were in California, they were also amazing camps, but I will share more about that in the next newsletter!! Now I'm currently in Guatemala, and the following weeks the Women’s tour is taking place here and praise God, I am able to be part of that, so please keep us in prayer!
Again all this is possible thanks to your prayers and your generous support, thank you so much! I LOVE YOU!

Freedom to Love

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13
“And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12

God is constantly teaching us how to love, He sets us free to truly love and see one another through His eyes, to understand that people matter more than tasks, to put what’s important to God before what is “urgent” to our own human understanding. It really challenges me to surrender my plans, my ways, and follow His ways.
And when we actually do it, wow the results are amazing, to truly invest in others. We all reap what we sow, so why not sow love, compassion, mercy, friendship, caring hands, friendly smiles… How great is our God! He can take that small seed we plant and bring joy, hope and eternal results!

We are all playing a part of God’s melody, are we playing in tune with his heart beat? Or are we ignoring the Maestro, our amazing loving Director of the orchestra! I pray we continue each day following His lead.

PRAYER

PRAISE GOD FOR
- His continual work in our hearts, how he is always working even if it is behind the scenes. We can fully trust in Him.
- The great opportunity to go and be part of that amazing week translating and being exposed to these churches, these people, this contagious hunger for the word.
- This missionary that came to Guatemala, his heart to be used as a vessel, raising up awareness and sharing his passion for these people.

PLEASE PRAY FOR
- God to give me courage and to not be afraid even if His vision is too big for me! To know that if the vision is from Him, He will make it come to pass.
- All the soccer camps and the people being impacted by this, coaches, families and the kids.
- The soccer ministry on Saturdays in Guatemala, that God continues bringing the people together and working in their hearts.

Heeeey beautiful loving family!!!! How are you?? I pray that each day you allow yourself to embrace God’s beauty around you and how much He screams his love for us!!

I’m sorry I’m behind on my updates, I’ll do my best to fill you in! I want to share with you the amazing privilege I had in Guatemala of going for a week as a translator of a missionary. I really felt we traveled to the ends of the earth jeje it was actually to the rural areas in the mountains, but I felt so privileged to meet so many amazing people! We visited so many churches, probably around 15 churches. The purpose was to see the needs they have.

I kept asking God why He had taken me there, I know He not only did an amazing work in my heart, but He is opening doors for ministry. I don’t believe God exposes you to certain needs just for us to have more information, but for us to take part of His work, to have a willing heart and take steps of faith.
I was so amazed that in every church we visited, there was close-by a “soccer field” (even if it’s with goals of branches or rocks). I just kept praying for God to open the doors to do soccer ministry! And the missionary kept asking me, “Can’t you see yourself doing soccer camps or clinics here?” My heart just burned, God really gave me so much love for them!
The leaders of these churches have such a hunger for the word! They long to get fed, but not for selfish reasons, but because they have such a burning passion to feed others!! It was so humbling to be with them! Some of them wake up so early and walk hours just to get to their Seminar and learn more about the Word, and they do it with such a cheerful attitude!

God made me value so much more the easy access I have to materials and teachings and so much to grow! To whom much is given, much will be required. I know He has given me so much, He has and is preparing me so much, it’s kinda scary but I get so excited to see His plan unfold step by step.

I will write you more next week because I still have so much more to share! Im currently in Cleveland, we already started the camps so I will fill you in on that later.