Quintana Roo 2009

I wanted to give you a quick update on our trip to the city of Quintana Roo on the island of Cozumel. A number of people there claim Mayan decent more than being Mexican, but it is a part of greater Mexico.

God truly blessed our time with the Angels. It was fun going back having already established some relationships with them. Something neat about them is they are pretty secure, they don't have to be all over you. The biggest reason is they know they will never leave the City of Angels until they go out on their own. They don't have to worry about being taken to another orphanage, foster home, or being claimed by their parents. All of the Angels have no family and are legally bound to the City of Angels. This gives them a lot of security and belonging as they take care of each other.

Our teens worked very hard at the Vacation Bible School and Work Site. After V.B.S. we would take them to our Villa and feed them lunch and swim with them for an hour and a half. We were worn out, but it was great. We would then spend two hours with them in the heat of the day and eventually crash each night at about midnight. The guys uprooted trees at the new orphanage site with pick axes and regular axes in the sweltering heat. They were nasty at the end of the day. The coordinators paid us a big compliment on the last day...they said we were the hardest working group they have! That's a big deal to hear as they never let you know how you're doing until the last day as that's just the way they communicate...or fail to communicate. We are there for the Angels though, so you find joy in the journey.

I loved seeing Gustavo again and this is actually a picture of us on the last night there. He must have hugged me 20 times intermittently that night...I loved it!
Earlier in the week Gustavo turned 10 and we surprised him by celebrating it with a couple of gifts. I gave him a soccer ball, swimming goggles, and a Dallas Cowboy football. He was very grateful.
Instead of a birthday cake, as we were already going to get them all ice cream bars that night, I got him a little chocolate muffin. He immediately shared it with his siblings and close friends.
This is my intern Kristen Shoulders. She helped in a big way as the female youth minister I work with is on maternity leave. Kristen really picked up the slack and then some...thank you Lord!
I can hear you wanting to laugh at the next picture, but I honestly did not know a girl in my youth group was taking it. This is on the other side of the island of Cozumel as I'm standing over blow holes where water shoots up at any moment through the rocks. It was a different kind of beauty as we drove along the shore all the way around the island. I remember thinking how big God was as I looked out over the ocean.
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support. In the Spirit of John 15:5, God produced a lot of fruit through this trip as we even had locals joining us for worship at night. Our teens boldly prayed over people spontaneously throughout the week too...Marcie and I affectionately call it a "Treasure Hunt". God provides the opportunity to pray and you draw the gold out of them as you bless them and lay hands on them. Loved hearing our teens talk about their Treasure Hunts. Blessings on all of you as you Shine for Him!
Todd

Ciudad de Angeles

We have our final meeting tonight for our mission trip to the Ciudad de Angeles (City of Angels).  Our team of 32 meets here at 4:30a.m. Saturday morning and we head off to the Atlanta Airport.  We will eventually take a direct flight onto the island of Cozumel.  From there I have made arrangements to get us to our Villas and prepare to let our light shine for the Angels.

I wanted to thank all of you who have sewn into this trip as it was such a blessing last year and I can't wait to see the Angels again.  God has continued to awaken a special place in my heart for orphans as He keeps sending me to places such as this.  I particularly can't wait to see Gustavo (aka Goose).

F.Y.I. a typical day goes like this: 8:00a.m. meeting with our coordinators, 8:30 a group leaves for the Vacation Bible School we put on for the Angels and the other group leaves for the worksite as they help build on the new orphanage landsite.  11:30 V.B.S. is over and we take the Angels back to our villa for lunch and games till 1:30.  2:00 The guys wrap up their workday in the hot and high humidity of Cozumel and head back to the villa.  2:30-4 is supposed to be rest time, but with a bunch of high school guys...it usually doesn't happen (ha)!  3:30 We will meet and give the plan for our 4-6 Sports Camp time with the Angels.  6:30-7:30 is Dinner.  7:30-9:30 is team devotional and planning time.  They love to worship so this usually goes late.

Our last day there is Friday and we have a free day to have some fun.  Last year Marcie and I went snorkeling and saw a 7 to 8 foot shark, among other beautiful things.  

Pray for a "covering" on our trip physically, spiritually, and emotionally.  Pray for the fruit of the Spirit to be evident in us as we let our light shine to the Angels.  Pray for supernatural energy throughout the week for us (especially me) as I am leading the trip, vbs, and sports camp times at night.  Patience is a virtue...right Dad!  Love you guys and will give you an update when I get back.

Last but not least...pray for Marcie and the boys as I will be gone 8 days from them, yet again, and they will be traveling some as well.  Pray for the same covering over them and patience for Marcie.

Todd

4th of July Fun!

After 3 busy weeks of youth ministry, we took off to Tennessee and Missouri to visit family and friends. It was great timing to get away, have much needed fun, and have a little refreshing time with our Lord. A big thanks to Nana and Papaw for hosting us and using their gift of hospitality in a loving and generous way. Below are some pics ranging from their backyard, to Silver Dollar City, to Kansas City, and to the Springfield Cardinals game. (You can click on every picture, except for the first one here, and they will get bigger.)

The boys love doing the slip n slide when we visit in the summer. Perfect weather all week!

We had a request for a water balloon fight. It took over an hour to fill them up, and two minutes to blast them at each other...but it was a lot of fun!

This was a very wet and fun ride down along and winding slide in a raft together.

This is us waiting to go on the train ride as Nana was with Andrew and Owen doing "Shootout".
We love our Kettle Corn at Steal Your Dollar City...the boys act like they haven't eaten for a week when we get this. This bag was gone in a couple of hours.
We got some spiritual refreshment time at IHOP with our good friends Cary and Tracy. After 5 hours of "soaking" in worship, you have to eat!
Nana and Papaw gave me the option of the James River Fireworks show or the Cardinals game. We were all impressed with a great fireworks show after watching the Cardinals win...I loved it!

They have a lot of friendly ushers at Hammons Field and they offered to take this shot before the game began. It's a great AA baseball atmosphere and it was funny watching Andrew and Madison having to wait till the 4th inning for the concession stand...they had a tough time waiting!!

If you didn't catch it in the picture above...Dad and I were matching. It wasn't planned, but I guess I could have changed! I thought it was kind of cute and you know Dad and me...we didn't care. We are pictured here at Andy's after the game. Scott and Heather, the fresh Blackberry concrete was awesome! Thanks for the reccomendation.

We were also blessed to spend some time with our good friends - the Pendergrass family on the way to Missouri. We miss them so much. Mom and Dad also shared our time with the Fouts family in Springfield. We are so blessed to have friends and family to share Jesus with and pray for each other...we love Christian recreation like that!!

Thank you Lord for a great trip...Easton just told me to write that it was a blast. God's blessings to all of you in the name of Jesus Christ! God loves you so much...receive it fully!!

Todd and Miller Family