Guatemala Updates
A small team from MCC landed yesterday in Guatemala. To keep with their ministry, check out the blogs of Shawn, Nate and Rachael, and Jody.
My Inspiration for the Week
Take a lesson from this guy. Check out the facial expressions.
Be yourself and let go.
(Thanks Shawn)
Juan Pablo is Coming Home!
This is Juan Pablo. Here we are, chilling after some intense trampoline wrestling. Someday I will tell you the long version of this amazing young man from Guatemala. The short story is this:
When he was very young, he was in a fire. A propane explosion. He carries scars over much of his body.
After the fire, his mother came to the hospital, looked at him, decided she couldn’t handle it, and left. She has never returned.
Juan P has lived in an orphanage for the past several years. Who would want an older orphan with medical challenges?
Enter my friends John and Emily Wiggins. For the past 2 1/2 years they have pursued Juan P with a resolve that is rarely seen. The journey has cost them heartbreak, time, energy, multiple trips to Guatemala, and a load of money. Just when they thought they could adopt Juan P, a door would slam shut. For more that 2 years, they have dreamed of bringing Juan home.
Today, dream becomes reality.
At 6:45 PM, a plane will touch down in Indianapolis. On that plane will be John, Emily, and their son, Juan Pablo.
Last week Juan got a new name: Juan Pablo Wiggins.
Last week he became an official US citizen.
Today he climbs on a plane with parents who have been dreaming of this moment.
Tonight he lands and will be welcomed home by people who think he is one of the greatest kids in the world.
Welcome to the dream my good friend. I am so glad you are here. I’ll see you soon!
What a night!
Wow. Last night was one of the most powerful worship gatherings I have been part of. The room was stacked with people who put God to the test. Most of us tithed on a week’s worth of our income. You would think it would be a somber time. Not with this crew. The room was full of energy and people who gave hilariously.
Today I have been getting emails from people who took a risk last night. People who are crazy enough to believe God and do what he says when it comes to tithing.
Our finance team just sent in the results from yesterday. They reported the offerings from MCC (AM and PM).
I am stunned.
I am stunned by the amount of money, but even more by the amount of people who participated. I’ll give you the full details on Sunday. Be there.
Guatemala in Living Color
Thanks to Shawn for putting this together. Each of these kids were abandoned by their parents and are now in an orphanage. On behalf of MCC we put some love on these kids for 3 solid day.
Guatemala Friday
Here is a video overview of our Friday in Guatemala.
For more info about Friday, check out the team’s blogs at shawnw, elsblogger, and thepipeline
Thanks for the prayers!
We are in Guatemala
After a long day of travel, including late planes and re-directed flights, we made it to Guatemala city. After a night in the Buckner offices (a house with some bunk-beds and a slightly warm shower, we are ready to hit the day. Today we are going to a state-run orphanage and then to the babies home.
Yesterday I had some issues going thru customs. I think it had something to do with the way I was dressed. Check out a picture here.
On a serious note, this is a great team and I am already sensing that God is going to do some fantastic stuff this week. Stay tuned.
Our team is made up of Shawn Wallace, Jody Elslager, and Nate and Rachael Brown
For more info on the trip, check out the team’s blogs at shawnw, elsblogger, and thepipeline
Crash Night!
A couple times a year we dismiss church early and worship outside the walls by serving the community.
As the last night of the Assassins series, we looked briefly at Sloth. We could have talked about laziness for 40 min, and gone about our normal routine. Instead we had a 25 min worship gathering in the building then broke into groups in order to worship in the community by simple acts of kindness.
Here is a look at our playlist of worship last night:
- Cleaning gas station bathrooms (Shawn Wallace)
- Beading craft at Meadows Manor East (Jennifer McDaniels) *
- Bingo at Southwood Nursing Home (Michele Topolsek) *
- Taking treats to skaters at Voorhees Park (Amanda Lennen) *
- Making bracelets at Westridge Nursing Home (Stephanie Bachelor) *
- Games & ice cream at Lighthouse Mission (Fieck family) *
- Yard work at Conner Center (Mona Silvers)
- Sno cones at Deming Park (S. Longyear family) *
- Playing music and singing at Bethesda Gardens (Bethany Gisel) *
- Disinfecting toys at 14th & Chestnut (Kelsie Wallace)
- Baking cookies and delivering to neighbors (Brown family) *
- Deliver cookies to Firehouses in Seelyville/Fontanet (Hoesman family) *
- Handing water at Heritage Trail (Vince McFarland) *
- Treats to Honey Creek Fire Stations (D. Longyear family) *
- Weeding playground, moving furniture (Dan Gisel)
- Treats to Cloverleaf Nursing Home in Brazil (Norma Wallace) *
- Bingo at Cobblestone Crossing (Pomfret family) *
- Mulching/planting at Freebirds (Amy Land)
- Prep start of school papers at Riley Elem (B. Telle & S. McFarland) *
- Prep start of school packets at Dixie Bee Elem (Fox family) *
- Painting graffiti at old Riley firehouse (Ron Keegan)
* indicates Family Friendly
Simple Worship 2 is almost here!
Simple Worship 2 is now at Sony for duplication. What does that mean? It means we should have this bad boy in hand soon. Check back here as we will be posting a free download from the CD as well as information on where to join us for the launch party.
About
Welcome to resonate!
My name is Scot Longyear and I'm the Lead Pastor of eXchange, a community of people following Christ and serving in His cause. We are a part of Maryland Community Church where I serve as the Sr Associate Pastor, a fancy title which, when translated, means “he who goes to many meetings.”
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