LAURA GUILLEN CHRIST'S AMBASSADOR

An Amazing Summer!

2009-08-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

Hellooooooo!! How are youuuu!! Wow God is good all the time, all the time God is good! What a challenge to say that in moments of trials, but it is in those moments that we have to remind ourselves that He is good, and He loves us and God can and will use those difficulties to mold us and draw us and even others closer to Him!

So Spain was amazing! It was so hard to leave, I was very excited to go to the coaching tour, I’ve missed being with kids, but I knew it was going to be hard to go through all the goodbyes again, it never gets easy for me, I love people and there is always this part inside of you that wants to keep it all =) One really sweet story is of Claudia one of the girls from our team, she is 12 and she loves the team, we had good opportunities to talk to her about who Jesus is and one day she came excited saying she was going to try-out for another team, I told her I was happy for her but we were sure going to miss her and that we love her, the next day she surprised me coming to the house, she said she didn’t want to go to the try-outs because there was something different in us, in our team, and that this was her team and that she loved it, she said “Plus, you are leaving and I had to come say goodbye!” She probably came to the house every day on my last week in Spain, how beautiful what God can do!

Spain taught me so much, to use every opportunity to love people, its not always about words and treating people like another number, another soul, but more like another unique person, that God loves, designed the way they are with purpose and He placed me in their life for a season to love them, its not up to me for people to get saved, but it is up to me that they can see His love through me! Intentionally love and serve those God puts in your life!

So again another chapter and another season! And somehow I know that the work with Spain will continue somehow! I am so thankful for all of you, thank you for also believing in me (when even I was doubting), and investing in me financially, emotionally and spiritually! Thank you for being my family, it makes all the difference to know its not only me serving but I have this army of godly loving people with me! Thank you!

It was such a blessing to go to the US and do the coaching tour, it was funny to go back to English mode =), I was sooo grateful that I got to see some of you, but some I didn’t even got a chance to talk on the phone, I’m sorry about that! I met wonderful kids, coaches and families! God truly blessed this trip, so many children opening their hearts to Jesus and learning more about this amazing relationship! The Coaching Tour consists on 5 weeks...

SMTC, OH (First Week) - Training week, in our soccer skills and specially spiritually, also meeting the coaches, creating harmony and unity in the team.

Parkside camp, OH (Second Week) - Meet my host family and my team of the week, the Champions of the junior division, Brazilian Tigers!

Scranton Rd camp, OH (Third Week) - Amazing camp, I adopted a mom =), meet my host mom and my team, Colombian Lubsters!

Boulder Valley camp, CO (Fourth Week) - Meet my great hosts and my energetic team, German Fireflies!

Crossroads camp, CA (Fifth Week) - Meet my crazy hosts and my even crazier team, Mexican Chihuahuas!!

One final note, very important news, IM ENGAGED!!
Yeeees!! It’s crazy, here are pics…

LOVE YOU! And thank you so much for being such an example to me, God has allowed me to meet and even live with godly families, strong in the Lord, and it has given me hope to know I can too be a light in my marriage like you!

LIFE TO GIVE

2009-06-07T16:54:00.002-07:00

Jesus said, "Real life is not measured by how much you own" (Luke 12:15 NLT) but by how you live. That's why it's always wise to challenge yourself and examine how you spend your time. Jesus said that in order to follow Him, we "must give up the things we want" (Luke 9:23 NCV). Reach out to others. The smallest good deed is worth more than the biggest intention. The enemy doesn't mind you talking about your faith as long as you don't practice it. God never teaches us anything without giving us an opportunity to put it to work. That's why Jesus said, "Blessed… are those who hear the Word… and obey" (Luke 11:28 NIV). May we choose to obey!

PRAYER

2009-06-07T16:54:00.001-07:00

Praise God for
- His salvation, being here has given me such an appreciation and awareness of the responsibility of the hope we have and can share!
- The way He is revealing himself to the people around me, what I joy that I get to see that.
- All of you, this amazing loving family God has given me, for your support in everything and especially with Pepe and His family!

Please Pray For
- Pepe, his family and friends! Pray for Hugo so he can have opportunities to share with them!
- The girls in soccer, may we grow even deeper in our conversations and point them to Jesus
- Alba's family, Estefania and Espe, may God reveal himself now even more in their life, and may they open their hearts to Him.

2009-06-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hello my strong prayer warrior family! Thank you so much for your prayers! Pepe and his family are so thankful, they are doing well and I know God touched their lives through you, Hugo and I are so grateful because of that!! Please do keep me informed also on how you are and how I can also be praying for you!

This time in Spain has been of great blessing! I have been able to take advantage of my situation here, being the new girl, I get to ask all the good questions about them and their life, and I get to answer their wonderful questions about what I think and my testimony and God has given me great opportunities to love, bond and share with the people here, with the girls in the soccer team and even with their families!

In the prison ministry, we were able to go in with some girls from the soccer team and play a soccer game with them, and it was a good opportunity for both the prison girls to know we care and value them, and also for the team girls to witness a bit more of our testimony in other situations, hopefully they can see consistency and God’s love that moves us to do these things!

In the soccer team God has blessed us with other christian girls that are here studying Spanish for a few months, and have been of great blessing to the team, by their consistency, their commitment, their joy and just their testimony! And there has never been so many christian girls on the team, so we pray that the other girls can see the common factor in the fruit that comes from a true relationship with God, because here the danger is that they can admire you and see you are different, but don’t give God the credit, but now that they can see the common factor is Jesus, we pray it is a stronger impact!

Another great tool God was able to use and I pray he continues to use is the movie Fireproof, we were able to watch it with one of my adopted families (Alba's family) which I love very much and spend much time with, and with another girl from soccer (Estefania), let’s just say we even had tears in the audience and for Alba's dad it was the first movie he didn't fall asleep! So please continue to pray for them, because I do believe this movie can be very challenging and very clear about the gospel, so we were very excited about this!

Espe was able to come last year to Guatemala for the women’s tour, and she has been really excited to raise funds to built a house for one of the poor families she was able to meet in Guatemala, so her idea was to sell things in the church, I just loved the fact of having her in church, and she came, that was my greatest joy! We didn’t really sell much, and we are far from raising the funds, but I love how God is using this in her life and in our friendship!

There are so many more things I would love to share, God has just been amazing and it has really been great even in the little things, like God providing for special ways to bless and visit others and allow that to be a small example of how much God loves them and how He is showing that love to them! Thank you so much for all your prayers and support, you are so loving!

PRAISE REPORT!

2009-05-25T02:00:00.000-07:00

THEY FOUND PEPE!!!! We praise God for protecting Pepe and answering all of our prayers!! We are sooo thankful to all of you for your prayers and your response in this very ugly situation! Wow God is just amazing and we saw His faithfulness even from the beginning when I saw your quick responses to this and willingness to pray!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

I don't have specific details on how they found him, all I know is that it was in a small town away from the city and that he is ok, the best thing is that Pepe and his family are giving God all the glory! I will continue to keep you informed, I know deep inside God is doing far more in Pepe's heart and that is exciting!

Several of his friends gathered in his house to welcome him, God was pouring His love on Pepe and his family!! Thank you so much for all your constant prayers!!! We will continue to pray for Pepe's heart to be open to what God has in store for him! Also for God to deliver Pepe, his family and friends from fear, but to use this situation to increase faith and dependance in God.

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:9

Thank you God, thank you Father!! We pray that Pepe and his family and those around him be exposed to your amazing grace and be transformed by it!

Love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!

Breaking Chains

2009-04-05T15:33:00.000-07:00

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:21
Don't be affraid of conflict, conflict can be healthy. No conflict means the worst will always prevail. We have to fight for what's right! Everything in life is a result of conflict and compromise, If we refuse to have any conflict nothing will change and worst will always prevail. All that evil needs to win is for good men to do nothing. We have weapons, we are warriors, we must exercise our faith and become participants in this great battle, and if God is for us who can be against us! Let us use all that God has given us to fight!

SPAIN!

2009-04-05T08:26:00.001-07:00

2009-04-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

Helloooo my dear dear family!! How are you all?

I hope this letter finds you all very good!
I am finally in Spain!!! Yeeees, it has already been a very good and blessed time here!!!

I spent a few days in Madrid with a really good friend from Guatemala, and it was great to meet all her friends from the University, and praise God, he provided for great conversations about Him and to be able to love on my friend, it was great to see her, she showed me a lot of Madrid, it is beautiful!

I am now in Granada Spain, and I still can't believe it! This is my first time in Europe as well, and I have to tell you, it's quite a culture! =)

So far I have met and trained with the women's team, very diverse in ages and personalities but very good harmony, we have a good coach from Colombia who is a strength for the team in a physical aspect and also spiritually. On this past weekend We had a small trip with the women’s team to Malaga to play a couple of teams.

It was a great opportunity to spend more time with the girls, bond and get to know them better, and praise God, He created great opportunities to have good conversations and we know God was in every detail of this trip, even in the detail that our car smelled like fish because of a small accident we had jeje but it was another opportunity to see how God works everything for good, and we held on to that promise!
There was this particular Maria, I could relate to her a lot, she always seemed "happy, secure and friendly" but God allowed me to see her sadness and insecurity inside, she is a beautiful girl, a great soccer player, and praise God I was able to have good quality time with her and share a little about my testimony, her eyes lid up to the possibility that she too can be full and not feel so empty, please be praying for her, that He can speak to her and that I can continue building up this relationship through e-mail.

We train with the women’s team on Wednesday and Friday nights, and we do prison ministry on Thursday afternoons, that was very impacting, I've never had the opportunity of doing prison ministry so I was a bit nervous, but it was good, I'm trusting God to give me the words and the love for these women, so they too can experience healing in their heart and God’s freedom, love and fullness.

I live with 3 girls, I share a bedroom with Vicki (also with AIS), and the other two girls are Anna who is a christian and Alicia who is not yet =). It's great to live with them and I keep looking forward for more opportunities with Ali, please keep her in your prayers as well.

I haven’t had the opportunity to go to church here, but this Saturday I will meet the youth from Vicki’s church, and we will have an activity with them so It will be fun to be around them and be able to plant good seeds in their lives.
All the AIS team here have made me feel so welcome, I do feel I’m not doing much but I know God is, and I do feel in my heart to ask you and to emphasize on the importance of prayer, oppression here is big, and prayer is powerful. I heard this great analogy this week, imagine a physical prison inside a human heart, we can tell them how great it is out here and how good freedom is but they don’t see a way out, prayer is what actually opens up the gates, still it will be their choice to walk outside, but now they are able to. So please please be praying for God to break them free and that we can have wisdom, love and boldness!

True Love

2009-03-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

My children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 1John 3:18

So many times we get caught up in what we do, and we stop examining how we do it. When God tells us to love in deed and in truth, it means that what we do has to be with a sincere heart, not to gain approval, not to impress others, not out of obligation, but out of our deep appreciation to our God.

May we ask God to examine our motives and purify them, may we be more in tune with Him every day!

PRAYER

2009-03-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

PRAISE GOD FOR
- The upcoming trips, for His hand in every step and how he has given me strength to obey.
- My family, my boyfriend and the ministries here in Guatemala, for all their support, for being so loving and understanding.
- Finally going to Spain! I praise God so much for all of you, for your obedience to Him in pouring of your life, your support, your prayers into my life! I know that it’s out of obedience to Him!

PLEASE PRAY FOR
- Safety in all the flights, and for God’s favor in Madrid, may it all go smoothly.
- All my family in Christ I will get to see again, may God give me opportunities to be a blessing to them, and may He continue to pour of His love and joy in their lives!
- God to continue His work in my family here in Guatemala. May He overflow them with peace, love and joy so they can draw close to Him.
- Me and my boyfriend, may God use this time apart to mold us, to strengthen our relationship with each other and mostly our relationship with God, may we glorify Him as a couple!

2009-03-03T11:13:00.000-08:00

Helloooo great family of mine!!! =) How are you all???!!!!!
Can you believe we are in march already!!! It just seems like a few days ago it was Christmas!!! I know time flies when you’re having fun, and serving God is so exciting and fun!! And even though it gets pretty tough sometimes, I wouldn’t have it any other way!!!

God has been doing amazing things here in Guatemala! Right now I am getting ready to leave next week, I’m finally going to Spain, this has been a long wait, and I really wouldn’t have picked this particular time, but God has very peculiar ways of testing our obedience, and all I have to say to you is, that even though obedience can be so hard to follow sometimes, it will always bring blessing from God, blessing to us and to those around us. Everything works out better when we do exactly what God tells us to do.

I’m very excited about Spain, kinda nervous of what I’ve heard of the spiritual dryness over there but that is exactly what has given me such a strong burden for Spain. Also I have seen how, for some reason, God uses the need here in Guatemala to touch and soften the hearts of some people I’ve met in Europe. So I am very expectant to see how God is going to continue linking Guatemala and Spain, and thank you for being part of this amazing work of God!!!

After Spain I will be able to do the coaching tour, this is my 4th year! I am so thankful to be part of that tour again, and to see how God uses these camps to change so many kids, families and coaches!

Christmas in "Las Llaves"

2009-01-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

On December 13th and 14th we were able to go to Las Llaves. This is a small community located in the southern region of Guatemala whose locals live in poverty or extreme poverty. Our goal was to bring them an activity of physical, mental and spiritual healing, filled with joy and tangible love.

What we were able to do:
- A medical attention brigade for kids and adults.
- A children’s celebration with clowns and puppets.
- A drama for teaching values.
- Fireworks as a special gift for the entire village.
- Clothes and food distribution.
- Christmas gift for each child.

I was blessed to be the clown!! It was really and amazing activity, and I really want to thank you for your support!!!

Here are more pictures...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2008-12-21T03:27:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2008-11-25T08:27:00.000-08:00

What has your attention?

2008-11-07T14:35:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-07T14:32:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-07T11:22:00.000-08:00

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

2008-10-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

Where is your heart?

2008-09-18T11:50:00.002-07:00

“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

2008-09-18T11:50:00.001-07:00

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

2008-09-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-14T09:26:00.001-07:00

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

2008-08-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

“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

2008-07-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-07-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

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.

WILLING TO SHINE

2008-05-28T00:14:00.000-07:00

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

Let’s challenge ourselves to live out what we truly believe! Most of us would probably be willing to die for Jesus, but are we willing to live for Him, to go the extra mile for others because of our great love for Him.

When we truly acknowledge that all we do is for Him, and that by doing it that way we will shine, and be light to others, we will see how much power our actions have! God loves to do great things with little, and it’s amazing that little details, our little daily tasks are the ones that can make the greater impact, our consistency in the small, will reveal the true essence of us. So let it be God that moves even in the little, so your life can truly shine for His glory.

PRAYER

2008-05-28T00:12:00.000-07:00

PRAISE GOD FOR
- The work He is doing in my sister Taty and her family! Going to church, willing to study the bible on Saturdays, and mi nephew´s hunger to keep growing in Christ!
- The kids in the orphanage, their open hearts in receiving us in such a warm way, and for receiving Jesus and His hope in their hearts!
- The opportunity He has given me in returning again to do soccer ministry in Cleveland! And for the blessing in will be also to visit my family in Christ in Fort Lauderdale!

PLEASE PRAY FOR
- God to continue moving greatly as He has in my family, and that He gives me favor with them, that I can take advantage of every opportunity to shine, to act, to speak or be as He wills. To create opportunities also!
- God to continue opening more opportunities in ministry as He has, and strengthening the ones He has opened.
- His guidance in my life, as to where to really continue His work, that His will be done, not mine.
- A special prayer for my brother Willy, for God to open His eyes so He can truly see that only in Christ is the fullness of life, our whole purpose in living!

2008-05-27T16:01:00.000-07:00

Heeeey my amazing family!!!! How are you?? I pray this letter finds you very well and striving each day to follow God’s guidance into His marvelous plans!!

I’m doing very well, very excited because the soccer camps in Cleveland are getting closer!! I’m flying out of Guatemala on June 18, so I can spend some time with my Fort Lauderdale family, and then flying into Cleveland to do the camps. I’ll keep you posted on all the amazing things God will do during that time!!

It has been such a great time here in Guatemala, I’ve seen God’s hand in my family in an amazing way!!! As I mentioned my sister Taty asked me to go on Saturday mornings to share about the bible with her and the kids Christian (13), Paula (5) and Fernando (1). That has been so amazing!! So far we have only met one Saturday, but it was very impacting on them, and God really stirred things up. Even before that, my nephew Christian and I have a great bond, and we are always playing soccer together, I’m part on this other ministry were we do breakfasts once a month for teenagers and young adults, sharing a message and a testimony, and Christian always comes with me, and that’s a great blessing.

So these are some of the great things God has allowed me to see! My sister calls me one Monday telling me how she went to church with her husband Fernando and the kids, I was soooo excited, I’ve been inviting her for a very long time, and turns out a friend that plays softball with Fernando told then how they just started going to this same church and the really like it, so they went, and my niece Paula couldn’t stop talking about how much she loved this church!

The next weekend my nephew Christian went to a retreat, a friend from school invited him and he was excited about going, and he really liked it, and says how he wants to keep learning more and become a leader in the church! God is truly blowing me away! And this is only what he graciously allows me to see, how much more I know He is doing behind the scenes!

We did another great activity with CREA, and even though it was a one day trip, we had a great team and a great time! We went to an orphanage for HIV positive children, we tried to meet some of the needs they had expressed, and we went there to love on the kids and to share with them the message of Salvation.

We had several activities, and we had a pretty big group, so we could pretty much be one on one with each kid. We had a group of Laughter Doctors and nurses, that´s how they call themselves, they study to be able to bring joy to these kids, they are not Christian, so this was another opportunity for them also to hear the message.

So after they did their thing, we had a puppet show in which we share the message, and then I had the privilege of praying with them, so whoever wanted could receive Jesus into their heart, it´s always my favorite part to see a child pray, it´s so honest and powerful!

Then we had made some bracelet with the 5 colors to share the gospel (black-sin, red-blood of Jesus, white-washes away our sins, green-growth in Christ, gold-heaven) and they really liked them, they even repeated back to me the gospel through the colors, it´s really amazing how much kids are like little sponges, and it´s such a joy to be able to fill them up with good seed!

There are more pictures of this activity in this link… Click here

I love you all so much!!!!! I’m really so thankful for your lives and for your amazing generous loving hearts!!!! Thank you for your showers of prayers!!

Overflowing of love!

2008-04-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

     I pray for you all so much, I’m so thankful for this amazing family He has blessed me with. I’ve had these verses so much in my heart this last month…
    “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

     I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” Philipians 1:3-11

What more can I say… Thank you God, for placing such loving people in my path! Thank you for allowing me to serve you and be used by you!

PRAYER

2008-04-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

Praise God for:
- All the people that came to know the Lord, and those who came back into His arms
- How He multiplied the medicine, and we were able to assist all who came to the clinic
- The team He brought together, how he kept the harmony, love and unity even in the difficult times

Please pray for:
- The people from the village, for them to apply everything they were taught
- For the team, may God continue to burn in us a desire for a transformation, to be different and to make a difference through Christ
- For me, for God to continue opening the doors of ministry, however He wants, wherever He wants, whenever He wants, for wisdom in following His guidance

The joy of service!

2008-04-14T22:06:00.000-07:00

God is so good, great is His faithfulness!

Time has one by so quickly, I still feel like this year just started and we are already in April, amazing! God has taught me so much in these months, so much in resting and acknowledging His Sovereignty, knowing He wants obedience more than sacrifice, all though sacrifice often comes through obedience, but the ´why´ we do ´what´ we do is of great importance to God, and to recognize the ´Who´ behind it all.

I feel so honored and privileged that I get to know and serve such a great God, and the way He allows me to serve Him through serving others. Like I told you last time, we had a medical clinic, and it was amazing! Here are many pictures that bring more to your heart than my words can bring.

The village is called, Peña del Angel (Angel´s peak), near Cobán, Guatemala. 7hr drive from the city.
So much of God´s beauty hidden in these mountains

Piñata Time! One of the kid´s favorite!

Loving on the kids, they are truly amazing!

The team! 18 in total. Not all christian, but all touched by God through this trip.

Great time of worship! Such a spirit of joy!

Teaching the kids about their habits, what is good and bad, and why

The adults also were taught and exhorted to continue a health program

A loving clown pouring his heart out for the kids

What a privilege to be used to put smiles on these kids!

Puppet show, sharing the message of salvation!

We prayed with every person that came to the medical clinic. Medicine for the heart!

Several gave their life to Jesus and reconciled with God! Praise you God, what an honor to be used by YOU!

When kids pray, it just melts my spirit!

This "tiny" truck broke down on the way back

But it was all worth it!

Some families walked for hours to come to the clinic

We had medicine for around 200 people

We assisted around 500 people, and we still brought medicine back! God multiplied the medicine!

I´m part of this organization now, it started with a few friends, we are called CREA, Christ renewing in love. We have done several projects now, and they´ve been such a blessing, but what I love about the vision God has placed in this team, is to be consistent, to follow up after each project, to provide tools, to prepare leaders, prepare the local people so they can improve and continue the work in their village or community. And the best part is that God has placed in all of us a passion for transformation and restoration, and we know it´s God´s heart.

I´m still on the wait for Spain, and excited to do more projects while I´m here, I know He is preparing me even more and strengthening me, I´m still playing soccer on Saturdays, on Wednesdays we have a bible study in my house, but more than that I think God is putting together people with a hunger for action and to take the church outside to the people, meet them where they are, so I´m very excited!

I cannot thank you enough for the very important role God has given you in my life!
Thank you for being family!

POWER OF UNITY

2008-03-13T00:33:00.000-07:00

"I beg you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so that there won't be splits in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." (1 Corinthians 1:10 LB)

In any argument, our objective should be to love – not win.
It’s much harder to love than it is to simply win, and the truth is, we do “win” when we let God’s love flow through us into any disagreement. Love always wins; God proves the point by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We’re to not lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5), because what appears to be right could very well be wrong. (Proverbs 14:12) Instead, we’re to rely on the holy logic of Christ, where the interests of others are placed above our own. (PDL Daily Devotional)

This has been such a great challenge for me lately, and it’s so true, we really do win when we lose our self-interest, when our goal is to truly love and be of one mind and we follow His logic over ours. Love always wins.

PRAYER

2008-03-13T00:28:00.001-07:00

PRAISE GOD FOR
- The women’s soccer team, that I can be playing with them and being light to the team
- My job, how God has blessed me there and for the favor He has given me there
- His amazing ways of encouraging me and increasing my passion of serving Him

PLEASE PRAY FOR
- More opportunities for ministry, for workers to come alongside and share the vision
- For the women's soccer team, for God to pave the way, preparing their heart and mine to draw close to God
- The medical clinic we are having at the end of march, for strength, joy and love to pour out
- Unity in the body, I believe we have such a strength when we truly have harmony, pray that God bonds us so tight in His love that we can truly prove to the world we are His disciples

2008-03-12T23:43:00.001-07:00

Hola everyone!! I hope this letter finds you all very well, filled with God’s love, peace and joy!

I’m so thankful for you all! I’ve received a few envelopes from letters some of you have sent, and I just want to say THANK YOU, for your support, prayers and your love in so many ways! It really means so much to me, it’s such a strength in my heart to see that you trust part of your life in me, that you trust in my response to God’s call, that you have faith in what God is doing in and through me, that encourages me so much! When I read Paul’s letters I understand so much his constant encouragement and uplifting of spirit, it’s hard to be away from your spiritual family, and again I thank God greatly for you, His provision is so complete, emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically.

I’m playing soccer again, I’m so happy for that! I’m playing Saturdays with the same team as I was before, and now we are even training on Sunday mornings, so I’m praying this time we are having together may provide with opportunities to minister to them. I feel we now have more confidence with each other, so I want to take another step and start praying with them and for their petitions, so please pray that God prepares their heart and mine.

God is uniting His people for His purposes in a powerful way, and we are experiencing that with a few friends, it’s such a beautiful thing, because we all attend to different churches but God has brought us together to combine our passion for Him and talents to serve Him. We all love to spread God’s message, and we already had a trip on December having a medical clinic, with free check up and medicine, puppet show for the kids sharing the message of Salvation, soccer game with the adult guys of the town, giving out food and gifts for the kids. We had a blast and praise God many kids received Jesus into their heart. We had a blast and we are planning another trip at the end of March, so please keep that in prayer.

I must admit I’ve been feeling guilty and paralyzed, for not having soccer outreaches or one-day clinics with the orphanages or even with the group of kids we got together every Saturday. It gets me back to recognizing that He is the one who makes things happen not me. I have all my desire to get more involved, help any way I can and more, and God knows how I long for this, so please keep this in prayer for God to provide his workers, for the logistic in schedules now with having a job, and for His right timing.

I started studying, a seminar in theology, I’m very excited, I’ll probably won’t be able to finish it all once I leave to Spain, but I have such a hunger to learn more, I know these classes will be a great blessing, and I don’t study for the title, but for God to teach me so I can apply it for His glory.

My family is doing so good, my mom saw this movie Facing the Giants, on her own, and she was so excited, telling me how she loved it and how it reminded her of me because of the coach and how he taught about God through football! This is without a doubt the work of God, and it may not sound as big, but for me it’s huge! I know it's God's way of preparing her heart, so she can understand a bit more of my heart for ministry.

I really enjoy my job, it’s been humbling how God has given me favor with the people there, I think sometimes we forget how much light we can be to people that have little or no relationship at all with God. And how many opportunities God gives us to be that salt and light He wants us to be, especially through unfair situations and how we respond to them. No wonder Jesus put the other cheek, this does wonders even in the hardest heart. I just stand amazed because I know who is doing all the work, and I pray I can continue to be a good testimony.

THE FIRE OF LOVE

2008-01-03T01:23:00.000-08:00

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. -2Thessalonians3:5

How amazing His love! May He truly lead us into a full understanding of it, to cling to Him and allow this love flow in and through us, so that we might express it fully, that this love can overflow from us into those around us and we can truly prove to the world who Christ is in us.

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

To love like Jesus loves us, selfless, compassionate, graceful, forgiving, constant, focused on giving rather than expecting, a love that transforms. Decisions based on faith rather than emotions. Love is such a powerful weapon, it can melt even the coldest, hardest heart. Let’s use it, let it flow! Love is a choice, and He loved us first, He chose us, restored us, made us new, free to love! Embrace that freedom and love!
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PRAYER

2008-01-03T01:22:00.000-08:00

Praise God for:
- Our first soccer camp in Guatemala, and the willing hearts of the coaches and volunteers.
- Mincho and his wonderful decision of opening his heart to Jesus
- The trip to Izabal, for all those kids who received Jesus and all the people who heard the gospel

Please Pray for:
- All the kids that opened their heart. That they can grow in their faith, be transformed by God’s love and impact their family and friends!
- More opportunities for ministry and growth while I’m yet here in Guatemala
- This next step of going to Spain. For patience and trust in His perfect timing, since I am still on the wait for a solution that will allow me to go.
- Complete healing of my foot since it’s not yet fully recovered

2008-01-03T00:32:00.000-08:00

Hello! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope you had great opportunities of sharing, giving and serving those around you in such a special season of the year! We really do receive so much more by giving!

So we finally had our first soccer camp in Guatemala!!! It was truly such a blessed time!! God brought this amazing group together! I loved it so much!!! It was great to see their energy in every activity!

We only had 4 campers, but several volunteers, and we realized that God had something different planned for this camp. Growth for us? Discipleship for the volunteers? Extra attention for the campers? All I know is that His ways are much higher than our ways, and that all God asks from us is to be obedient and He is the one that brings the people and does the work in their heart!

A friend said it in a much nicer way, he said, God is the one that decides what, how and when He does his work, look at Abraham, all God said was, step in front of that big sea and lift that stick, now what happens after that is up to God, and sometimes we will get the privilege of seeing the majestic view of the sea splitting in half, but sometimes we won’t, what will happen in your heart after that? Will you cease to trust? Will your obedience stop? No! because we know the kind of God that we serve, and our what, how and when will continue to depend fully on Him in spite of what we see, because we trust, love and obey!

God certainly did an amazing work! Out of the 4 campers, only 12 year-old Mincho had yet to know our Lord (see picture above), and praise God, he took that step of faith and opened his heart to Jesus!

It was amazing to see how God put those teams together, and how even the testimonies of the volunteers and coaches were relative to the life and situation of their respective camper. God is so into details!

The weekend after the camp I went with a group of friends to a small town in Izabal. A beautiful place with beautiful people!

We had such a good time! We provided free medical assistance in the morning for all the people in the town, and the team prayed with each individual person after they were treated or as they were waiting in line.

We also had a clown and a puppet show where we shared about Christ. I had the privilege of sharing the bad news of sin and the great message of salvation. I’ve never done this in front of so many people.

There were around 300 kids plus some of their parents in the back, it was amazing how God kept me firm and gave me so much love for them, and regardless of my inequities He moved those hearts and around 70 kids received Jesus! Praise God! It was amazing!

After that we had some piñatas, lots of candy of course! Then the guys had a soccer match with the dads, and in the night we had a bum fire with the young adults, we had some worship and shared about our life with God, and the contrast of not having Him. Sharing some testimonies and illustrating with the fire, how together as one, united in Him we can truly shine.

Then we had some fireworks and they loved it! Next day we already saw some fruit, some of the guys that played soccer with them came to church! Then we gave all the kids presents and had a small snack with them, and played with them! I was so blessed to be a part of that!

I feel so overwhelmed in how much God has blessed me this year, how much He has given me the privilege of serving Him and how much He has taught me through you all as well. I want to encourage you all to take a moment and think about your 2007 and savor those moments again, all of God’s blessings through the great times, the good times, times of doubt and even of pain; in your growth, in the people, the love, the unity and harmony of those around you, in your lessons, achievements and even mistakes.

Allow your heart to be filled with thankfulness, be still and know that He is God! Praise Him, He is Holy! May this 2009 be full of goals, dreams and passions that take you from glory to glory in your walk with the Lord! Happy New Year!

My love goes out to you all!

DRINK IN

2007-11-30T18:14:00.001-08:00

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13

Christ wants His Church to be so saturated and full of the Holy Spirit that He is what satisfies, motivates, and guides each and every member of the body. Without drinking in this divine draft, the Church will be a dry and desolate desert. But with it, the Church suddenly becomes an oasis for fruitful ministry.

Drinking in the Spirit will produce the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit serves to guide us in the way we are to minister. God wants our works of service to be covered with love, abounding in joy, performed in peace, long on longsuffering, couched in kindness, overflowing with goodness, filled with faithfulness, rich in gentleness, and steeped in self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). All of this occurs as we drink in the Spirit. As God's Spirit inhabits each of our bodies, we'll find that His body will function the way that it was always intended to. – www.purposedrivenlife.com
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PRAYER

2007-11-30T18:11:00.000-08:00

Praise God for:
- The response so far from the other churches, even if we don’t start right away with them, that this can be a door for more opportunities
- My family and their support, the opportunity to love on them and how God is touching their hearts
- The privilege of sharing Christ in such an open way here, may we truly make the most of that!

Please Pray for:
- Provision for the volunteers and kids for the camp, as well as the financial aspect of it all
- The churches, that God continues to pave the way opening other doors for more ministry with them
- Fast healing on my foot so I can get back on the field! And for God to guide me in His will!

November in Guatemala!

2007-11-30T18:05:00.000-08:00

Hello!!! How are you all my incredible family in Christ!!

As some of you know, I broke my right foot!! I’ve been in crutches for the past 3 weeks! It definitely has been a learning process of being still and knowing that He is God and He is in control! God slowed down my pace and I noticed I wasn’t drinking in the Spirit. Things will collapse if we pretend we can do it on our strength. I love how God won’t let us get too ahead of ourselves! So our Saturday get-togethers are on hold, as well as my soccer team, but I still remain in contact with them, so it’s just a different side of the ministry. This has allowed me to focus more on the soccer camp, to contact other churches so we can plan more work with them.

Like I told you, we are planning a soccer camp the second week of December, things got stuck a little bit with the church we were doing this with, and now they asked us if we could still do it but around April next year. I was tempted to get discouraged, but I was in so much peace, and something in me urged me to still do something even if it wasn’t with that church. The missionary couple felt the same way, so we are still not completely clear on how exactly it will all turn out. It’s hard not to get frustrated because we only have a week to organize this, but we trust that God has it all under his perfect time!

Please pray for guidance on this, and for God to place the right people, and that we are able to minister to whoever He chooses! One of the ideas that I am very excited to do, is to bring the kids from an orphanage and do the camp for them. I would absolutely love to do this! So we shall see all the details for that to take place, like the provision of money and volunteers and transportation of all the kids from the orphanage! It was a complete answer to prayer that we got 3 soccer fields for free, so we definitely want to use them!

Another idea is to do it with a different church, but since time is not our friend right now, it’s hard for a church to jump in the project with so little time. The good side of this, is that even if we don’t get a church involved for the second week of December, one of my goals is to start preparing the people, the Ambassadors team that can continue to do this ministry in the future with the other churches.

This month has been such a blessing, it’s amazing to see how God can use even a broken foot for his glory. It’s been a great excuse for people to come visit me, so I’ve had more opportunities to love on people. I’ve spent more time here in my house, loving on my family, which has been amazing! Not to mention the great lesson of receiving! It’s been such a humbling process, to learn to receive, and to see how people feel blessed to give!

Thank you so much for your prayers and your constant support! I can see God’s hand preparing me in so many levels for Spain, the more I spent time with my family and friends, and how open and free it is here to talk about God and minister to people, the more I feel a burden to bring that to Spain, that they can see truly see and know our beautiful Lord!

Busy life!

2007-10-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

Jesus said "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' Luke 10:30-34

So many times we hang a ‘do not disturb me’ sign in our chest. We might get so consumed by our problems or our tasks, that we miss out on who God places on our way. We might even be to busy “serving God” we miss out on who he wants us to serve. Jesus places these situations in our lives to reveal to us what is truly in our hearts. Are we full of God or full of ourselves?
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:35-37

When we start to do life God’s way, we realize that it goes against our nature in so many ways, we have to get ourselves off of our mind, we must give to be full, we must die to live, to deny our self, and focus loving God by loving others. Let God interrupt your life and take those opportunities to put others first, only then can we experience that abundant life God wants for you.
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PRAYER

2007-10-28T13:04:00.001-07:00

Praise God for:
- The response so far from the church for the soccer camp, and all the people encouraged and involved in the soccer camp
- The Saturday soccer group, and His hand in it! Especially in my nephew Christian.
- How He’s moving in the school and in my family

Please Pray for:
- All who are trying to put together the soccer camp. For guidance, strength and joy so we can be contagious as we share to others about it
- Ivan as he is taking some very important decisions seeking God, and may this bring so much joy, love and unity in his house
- Victor and Alberdieina’s provision for their daily needs and for them to grow in the ministry.

October in Guatemala!

2007-10-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

Helloooo!! How are youuu? Yes, I’m here in Guatemala!!
Im doing really good, eating delicious!! Finally I got my beans!! Jejeje
My family is very good, It’s been a challenge but so much joy to know that I get to be light here, and really pray that I am a good testimony, one that stirs hunger for God in my family!

There is a missionary couple here, Victor and Alberdiena, he is from Guatemala and she is from Holand, they work with Ambassadors In Sport as well, so we are planning to have our first soccer camp the second week of December. Please we need showers of prayers!! There is so much to be done, but I am so excited, this is going to be an amazing start of so many things! Especially with the church!!

On Saturdays we are still having soccer matches with some teens and young adults. It’s so much fun! God is using my nephew Christian to encourage his friends and other cousins to come also. We try to have a good time, and after the game, we hang out, share a bit, and have a short prayer time. It’s awesome how a simple game can bring people together, giving us a platform so we can shine for Him!

My Spain process is kinda on standby, it’s been truly a challenge to leave that on God’s hands and rest, make me rest, because I want to see the progress, to see the work, to see, TO SEE! Jeje but that’s exactly the point, I have to focus on believing and listening, following where he wants my focus on now… don’t get me wrong, I definitely still have Spain in my plans, but it’s amazing how we really don’t have anything under control, we only think we do, it’s a mind thing, so now I need to cling to the truth, that even though I don’t see it, I trust that God has control over all, and He brought me this far, and He will continue.

I'm also playing with a team, I've played with some of them before, even before I was a christian, so I do pray that they see a difference, and that I can reflect His ways in and out of the field.
I miss you all, I can’t thank you enough for your support!!! God is using you as an amazing tool for encouragement and energy! You pomp me, to know that you trust that piece of your heart to me, that I will continue in obedience doing all that God would guide me to do! It’s really a privilege and responsibility! You are in my prayers, and please do write to me for praise reports, any prayer requests or anything, I love e-mails! Jeje

Finally I just wanted to share this story with you all. The last time I was here, I was working in a school, where several of my family members work or study. To my joy I went to visit and met the new guy, Rodrigo, who is working there now. He is completely on fire for the Lord!! This is such an answer to prayer! Then Ivan, who works there as well, he’s married and with a little boy, asked me to share with him my testimony, that he wants to change his life around, that he wants to fill that emptiness. Wow! Wouldn’t we all love for more people to be that open! So it was awesome to share with him and to see fruit in the school. Please pray for him!

Scranton Road, "Fighting the Enemy"!

2007-08-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun time acting out very important lessons, how The King can always hear us, how our biggest strongest weapon is the bible, how sin is heavy and slows us down, how it's not about our strength but to follow The King who has the strength, and the power of prayer.
So in this skit we have seen how the soldiers are not the stronger or the fittest but through following the King, using our weapon (the bible) and through prayer the good guys defeated the enemy!

PRAYER

2007-08-20T15:36:00.001-07:00

Praise God for:
- All the kids that have heard the gospel and decided to follow Jesus!
- All the coaches, for their light and the impact God allowed us to have in all the tour.
- All churches that partnered with AIS and their heart to follow up on the kids and even their families!

Pray for:
- God to make himself known in such a real way to the kids, strengthening their faith in such a way that impacts their families.
- Strength and guidance for the next step in all the coaches, that we can stay strong in Him, keep shinning, impacting either home or wherever we are!
- God's financial provision to start the visa process to go to Spain

Thank you for being part of this ministry, you are making an impact for His Kingdom!
God bless you!!!!

2007-08-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

THIRD CAMP (Manteca, California - Last week of july)

This camp was so amazing! It was more laid back in schedule because of the heat (4pm-8pm) but I think God was trying to tell us not to get over-confident because the kids were still challenging (I can say Scranton Road prepared me well for this! Jeje) but overall it was great! I felt that we bonded more with the coaches, helping each other out to make it more fun for the kids, and I think the kids sensed that unity in the end.

The families that housed us were amazing! The family I stayed with was such an example of hospitality, all the coaches would meet there every day, and just the way they were so loving and caring, that truly encouraged me. They took me to the beach, then to some roller coasters by the beach and to top it off, they even cooked beans for me, talk about God spoiling me over here!! Jeje

It’s just overwhelming the impact we can make on these kids, we don’t fully grasp the importance of that, the privilege and above all, the responsibility this brings. It really keeps me so dependant on God, and He was so good showing us His hand in these kids.

My age group was Juniors again 5-7 yrs old, and so many of my team here opened their heart to the Lord, with such pure hearts, it was so beautiful! The more I spend time with kids, the more I see why God wants us to become like children, and fully embrace Him with our all!

I just truly feel God’s pleasure in these camps.

FOURTH AND LAST CAMP (Denver, Colorado - First week of August)

We flew here really late, so it was very dark, and we spent the night in the church, and when we woke up next day, what an inspiring view, The Rocky Mountains! Such a message from God, encouraging us to keep going in spite of the tiredness and to be with the same or more energy like in the first camp.

The kids here were amazing, such a great group, they would participate a lot and have such great challenging questions for us, it was awesome! I really felt that we were able to challenge them in their walk with the Lord, and to draw closer! And here there were two kids in my team that accepted the Lord, praise God, and it was great to see the others who were already Christians sharing with them as well! It’s just such an honor to be part of this, the harvest is plentiful indeed!

Then it got very sad also, because we had to say goodbye to this loving family we had built. It was really such a great group to work with. I know I got stretched and challenged thanks to their example, and their passion to follow Christ. Even though it’s sad, I’m so overjoyed to have met so many amazing friends. They really impacted my life in a very positive way.

What are you eating?

2007-08-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

" 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

What a hi calling, I know I definitly don't love others the way He loves me, I mean I can try to love like I love myself, because I don't like me sometimes, and I can be pretty mean to me, jeje, but to love others the way He loves me, giving all of myself, in such a pure way, not expecting anything in return, not because it's a deserved love, but to bring glory to our Father! To prove to the world that we are disciples of Jesus! Wow I want to strive for that!

I love to think about it this way, In any situation when you just want to explode, just call on God and say to whatever the circumstance is "In your face! (en tu cara jeje) I will not allow this to break mem and I will choose to love! I won't allow the enemy to hurt me or distract me form God's purpose in this, I'm going to love and that is final!" jeje when we realize that love is the biggest strongest weapon, it can break any stronghold, it can tear down any wall, it's so amazing, but definitly cannot be done in our own strength, it's not a love that we can produce from ourselves, it does not come naturally to us, AT ALL!

So let's just remember to examine ourselves, with our attitudes, with our reactions, with our words and actions, what is coming out of us? are we allowing God to fill us up, or what is filling us up?

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." or like it says in another translation "What you say flows from what is in your heart." Luke 6:45b / Mathew 12:33b

So just keep in check your spiritual, mental and emotional diet! You really are what you eat, let's feast on what God has in store for us!!!

PRAYER

2007-08-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

Praise God for:
- All the kids that have heard the gospel and decided to follow Jesus!
- All the coaches, their energy, harmony and love in spite of tiredness.
- All the host families, for their care and willing heart to take us an as part of their family!

Pray for:
- God to keep touching the kids and impacting these communities
- Refreshment and strength for all the coaches to finish this tour with the same enthusiasm or more that how we started
- God's continual provision and guidence on the next steps leading to the Spain ministry

2007-07-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

SMTC - TRAINNING (First week of July)

Coaches from all over the world flew into Cleveland, to do this trainning on soccer, to be able to do the soccer camps, we prepare mentally, and put it on practice coaching each other, but most importantly we prepare spiritually. Keeping in mind that God is the only one that can move the hearts of the kids and the families we are going to meet and have the privilege to love on and share the gospel with.

It's been incredible to see how our attitudes and actions have such a huge impact, it's not only about saying the right things and hoping for opportunitites to talk about God, but showing ture love. God's love goes so much beyond that, it's in the little things and the big things, they are all watching and will notice what's coming out of you, so we have to make sure we are getting filled with things of the Spirit, so we can pour that out.

So that first week we got to know each other and was such a great bond and harmony in the group.

FIRST CAMP (Parkside Church - second week of July)

It was awesome to be all together, these kids were so amazing. Most of them have heard the gospel, but it's so good to see the impact it makes in their heart for them to see it lived out, for them to know it doesn't stay only on theory and that following Christ is exciting, real, challenging but very rewarding, and the top reward, to know our amazing God!

My kids were so good, ages 6-8, they all said they had Jesus in their hearts, and we had such good opportunities to share about how we can practically follow Christ, what does that mean on a daily basis. It's so cool, I can't help but wonder if these are going to be future missionaries, pastors, or just strong christians sharing their faith and shinning for God.

SECOND CAMP (Scraton Road Bible Church - third week of July)

This week the coaches split in different directions, it was sad to leave, it just started to feel like a family, and I guess we still are, just spread out. My group went to the inner city, still in Cleveland. Most of these kids have been abused in some form, and come from broken homes, which I relate to, also there are a lot of spanish speaking kids, so it's great to connect with them in their language also.

On last year's tour, this was my favorite camp, it's very special. The church that we partner in this camp, Scranton Road Bible Church, has such a heart for this neighborhood. When you come in to this church they just make you feel so welcomed and like if you were home, it's such a warm feeling.

I had a very challenging group, ages from 5 to 8, and most of them with no soccer experience. Our focus is more to love them, be able to connect with them and somehow introduce Him who can really make a difference in their lives. And what a week it was! I had 9 kids, and it was so good, it was hard to keep their attention and at the end of the day, just when you feel like a failure, thinking they didn't really feel your love because you kept disciplining them, or thinking that they weren't listening at all, they run to you, give you a huge warm hug, and tell you they are excited about coming tomorrow!!

Also, during the camp, when you are so close to pulling your hair, we stop and pray, I ask if any of them wants to pray, and this little girl does, and thanks God in such a sincere way, in how she is having so much fun and is loving being here. It just reminded me that this might be the only week when they truly feel loved, valued and someone paying attention to them, getting encouragement, etc.

This camp is probably the most rewarding, we get to see a more noticeable inmediate impact in these kids than in the others were they have a more stable environment at home. And I loved that I got to see a few kids from last year, and show them a little consistency!

PRAYER

2007-06-26T06:50:00.000-07:00

Praise God for:

- Carol's family and their loving heart
- His amazing revival through AIS in the world
- This upcoming week, SMTC (Sports Ministry Trainning Course), where we can spiritually grow and get wisdom and skills for ministry.

Pray for:

- Safety as coaches all over the world travel here for the camps
- God to equip the coaches during SMTC, and keep them focused on Him
- Open hearts of the kids that will be going to the camps
- God's continual provision for the Spain ministry

God's love through it all

2007-06-26T06:38:00.000-07:00

So I'm officially in Cleveland!!
Took me like a week to land in my mind!

It's exciting to see what God has been doing this week, the family I'm living with is just incredible! God has openned great opportunities to love on them in words and in actions, and to also challenge them and talk more about faith which has been great! I've learned so much from them too!

Last weekend, I went with my host family to help their son Adam and his wife Erica move. It openned great opportunities, they just didn't get how a Guatemalan had come there to help them move, jeje, but it was awesome that I got to share my testimony with them! God really uses everything if we have a willing heart!

And the weekend before that, my host mom, Nancy, came to church with me, and she liked it very much, she even mentioned that she might keep coming with me, I was just blown away!! I know how this is also not only encouraging to me but also so encouraging for the rest of the family.

It's just incredible to see God at work! Here I am feeling so blessed to be living with them, how they just openned their home for me, are housing me and feeding me and taking care of me like I'm part of the family, and then how they turn back and tell me how they feel blessed to have me there, and how God is using me to get them closer to Him, it just points out again how is so not about me but all about Him!

It's also so incredible to see how much God is doing through this ministry Ambassadors In Sport, and It's such a privilege to be a part of this. We got together to pray for all the work around the world, and I was so amazed. There is such a revival going on in South Africa, Brazil, Haiti, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Spain and I can just keep going, they are ministring in so many other countries, but overall it's just amazing to be part of that, and you made this posible, because God used you to either strengthen me, sharpen me, encourage me, guide me, love me, maybe even more!! God has so graciously surrounded me with such godly people and I'm so blessed he put you in my path!

So I really want to thank you in advance for your continual prayers and support! I pray that reading this can somehow encourage you and strengthen your faith!
God bless you!

2007-06-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Luke 10:2

Dear Friends and Family:

Thank you so much for your prayers! It’s such a joy to see God working in so many people’s lives, the harvest is great! And we have to continue working as a family, as a body, with one purpose, that being to glorify our Father, sharing of his love, living out his Word!

COACHING TOUR 2006

2007-06-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

“But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all this things will be given to you as well.” Mathew 6:33
It was impossible not no meditate on this verse every day during those 5 weeks of soccer camps, since the kids had to memorize it, meaning they would say it over and over again. I could only stay for two weeks, but God took care of it all by seeking Him first! Without saying a word a coach approached me and offered to support me for the rest of the weeks. Jesus sure knows how to make his Word come alive in our lives.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
What a great picture of the unity in the body of Christ! How are we to be salt and light? In the way we love one another, not only in words but also in actions. Someone is watching you always, and kids not only watch, but imitate, they embrace and follow, that’s why they are the example Jesus sets for us, by becoming like children. So it was amazing to see their joy increase and develop more Christ-like attitudes as a result of them knowing Jesus better and noticing the harmony in the coaches, and in the teams.

GUATEMALA 2007

2007-06-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

After the coaching tour, I graduated from College in Fort Lauderdale and went home to Guatemala for a few months. I had been home about a month when I invited my 12 year old nephew, Chris (in picture), to go on a youth retreat. I wasn’t going on the retreat, so it was hard for him to decide to go by himself because he is shy. But praise God, at the very last minute he agreed, and there he received Jesus into his heart. God then laid it on my heart, and on one of my friend’s, to get together every Saturday to play soccer and invite my nephew to be involved. We invited others for friendly soccer games through which we were able to build relationships and share the love of Christ and pray with them. After the game on the second Saturday, we were hanging out and noticed that a play was happening at a nearby church. So I invited my 11 year old nephew Luis, his mom, my nephew Chris, and his 14 year old neighbor Jose to go. The play was about the life of Jesus, and though we were sitting on the second floor all the way in the back, when the pastor gave an invitation to those who wanted to receive Jesus to come to the front, Luis and Jose got up. Not quite sure of what they were doing, they walked down the stairs all the way to the front. I was so surprised! I couldn’t hold my tears as I saw God’s faithfulness and their willing hearts! The best part was to later hear Chris explain how they now have the Holy Spirit inside guiding them; he just kept sharing his testimony! I know that Chris’ faith was strengthened in a powerful way, and I know it has strengthened mine! We just obey God, He does the rest!

CLEVELAND AND SPAIN 2007

My upcoming plans are to move to Cleveland to do the coaching tour, get further training and head to Spain to work in full time ministry there! Can’t wait to start sending you all the wonderful and challenging things God will do now!

PRAYER

Praise God for:- All the kids that got saved during the coaching camp
- The salvation of Chris, Luis and Jose
- His faithfulness in using us, working in us and through us

Prayer for:- Those who got saved, for strength and guidance to continue their walk
- Open hearts in the next coaching tour
- Provision to go work in the ministry in Spain
- God to soften the hearts of the people in Spain

2007-06-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

Jenna is the cute blond girl in the middle of this group picture, which was my first camp of the tour. One day, when we were in bible time she had all the kids attention when she began telling us all how there was this boy in her school that would steal her lunch every day, “I didn’t wanted to get the boy in trouble, so I just went home one day and asked Jesus what to do?” The next day she asked her mom to pack two lunches for her, mom didn’t ask why. At lunch time, before the boy could steal her, she went to him and said “Hey, I brought this lunch for you”, all the kids were dying to know the boy’s response, Jenna told us he was so surprised, then they began talking and became friends. Jenna says the boy asked her why she would bring him lunch after him treating her that way; she replied, “Jesus told me”.

2007-06-08T16:22:00.001-07:00

Hay verdadera victoria y libertad cuando nos rendimos completamente ante Dios. Cuando renunciamos a nuestros deseos y pensamientos para conocer y seguir Sus deseos y pensamientos para nuestra vida, El sobrepasa nuestras expectativas, impactando tanto nuestro interior como nuestro alrededor. “Así, pues, cualquiera de vosotros que no renuncie a todo lo que posee, no puede ser mi discípulo.” Lucas 14:33
There is truly victory and freedom in our total surrender to God. When we give up our wants and thoughts in order to know and pursue His wants and thoughts for our life, He will certainly surpass all expectations, impacting you and your surroundings. “So you cannot become My disciple without giving up everything for my sake.” Luke 14:33