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Monday, July 14, 2008

Sunday AIM Update

Sunday, July 13, 2008

I was asked to preach at the Dream Center church this morning. This was an exciting and anxious opportunity.

The Dream Center is the central church that Missionary Don Triplett pastors. He was out of country and entrusted the preaching of the Word to me this morning. It was quite an honor.

Pastor David (one of the nationals) was my translator. He did an outstanding job. Before we went on stage I asked him what he was going to preach. When he asked why, I said because it doesn't matter what I say it's about what he says. We both laughed and later he told me I did a great job translating his message into English.

I would like to give thanks to Lee Terry (DYD of Rocky Mountain District) for the encouragement he gave me during the morning service.

Following the service and sandwiches for lunch we headed out for a street program. This is always a fun time to invite children to hear the message of the Gospel. Since we aren't in schools over the Weekend we had the chance to reach some children. However, I can't imagine what they think when nearly 55 people are doing songs and dramas in the streets. We must be quite a site.

Half of the group had a "Miracle Service" this evening and we are awaiting the stories of what God did in that neighborhood.

- Jake reports that eight people were baptized in the Holy Spirit during the service. One lady came up for prayer because of headaches which was affecting her vision. She also had some lumps on her arm and pain in her teach. While she was being prayed for the headaches were gone, the teeth pain was gone, vision was cleared up, and the lump on her arm was going down. Praise the Lord for his healing.

Pastor Jeremy preached tonight and did a great job!

It was a good day of ministry today. We are looking forward to getting into the schools tomorrow and believing God for amazing results.
Saturday Aim Update

Saturday, July 12, 2008

After about 21 hours of travel we finally got settled at Kings Castle for a few short hours of sleep before we begin our full day of training.

Unfortunately not all of the team made it to the training center. We have an issue with travel papers for one of our foreign-born leaders. She and her husband stayed the night in the airport and will be flown back to the states today to secure proper paperwork before they can return. Though we inquired about this situation and the airlines allowed her to check in she was stopped at customs in El Salvador. Please pray she gets this resolved quickly!

Our plan for today is breakfast at 6:30 am, orientation at 7:30 am, and then training will follow.

The team is in good spirits and ready to get to work. However after a very long day of travel the team is tired.

Training went well we learned several new dramas and songs and had a chance to review our routine which is looking very sharp now. One of the new songs (Leap by LaCrae) we learned is brand new to Castle ministries. We are the first team to use this routine and I think the teens will really enjoy it.

After lunch we had about 20 minutes before practice resumed. We were hot, tired, and sweaty. The pool looked very refreshing but we didn't have enough time to go to our room and change without being late to our afternoon practice session. So we (some of the guys) did what you would expect... swam in our clothes. It was the refreshment we needed.

Supper featured Pupusas (beans and cheese fried between dough), plantains, beans, rice, and "corn bread." This is my personal favorite meal and very authentic as the El Salvador staple meal.

I had the privelidge of assisting the cooks in making several of the Pupusas. A fun time.

That night we met at the prayer fortress for about a 90 minute prayer and commissioning service. It was a powerful time to connect with God and ask for his anointing on our life before we head out to minister.

Gerritt shared about this week of ministry being a fresh dream from God and an answer to their prayers. There's a level of anticipation and excitement that we have not experienced in a long time. We look forward to what God is going to do in the schools and the lives of those we touch.

Friday, July 11, 2008

AIMers Passing the Time at DFW
Josh Say's "Hello"
El Salvador Travel Excitement

Friday, July 11, 2008:

We pulled out at 4:15 am on Friday morning short one person from our team. Unfortunately one of our teammates misplaced her passport and was unable to join us for departure. We are praying she will be able to work something out and join us in a few days.

On our journey to Omaha to catch our flight to El Salvador the bus loaded with 29 people blew a tire. A portion of the tread flew up inside near the engine and cut through several hoses losing the AC as well as some of the antifreeze.

We were able to make it to a nearby town were there was a 24 hour towing and service shop (that opened at 7:00). They were not able to repair our bus right away but made a call to a school bus driver and the superintendent of schools and we are now loaded up on a yellow bus headed for the airport.

We lost about 60 minutes of time with the bus trouble, but we should still make our flight in plenty of time.

-- Made it to Eppley Field in Omaha everyone checked in without problem... that is except for the Rhorbach Twins. I guess the computer system doesn't know it should issue separate boarding passes for two people who's only names that are different are their middle names. Ha! That's why computers will never replace humans. That was fixed no problem and now the AIMers are snacking, listening to music, and playing Rubicks Cube.

-- Our pilot had a "lead arm" as we left a few minutes late and arrived about 20 minutes early in Dallas. We have found our gate and are waiting about four hours for our departure to El Salvador.

All of the AIMers are doing well and the first-time fliers had a very enjoyable flight for their first time in the friendly skies.

I'm not sure when I'll get to post again... so please keep us in your prayers.

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Unidos Permanecemos CD Hillsong
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