A few highlights

English classes

Some of the students at English class

VBS after English class

Matriarch at Jicalapa (photo by Polly Manges)

Watermelon truck blocking the trip down the mountain

some of the awesome watermelons fresh from the field

Soccer school by CFCI where our students played A LOT of soccer

Relaxation day at the Pacific Ocean!

Day at Siloh church (ES 707).  There was a family festival.  The girls had their hair braided and nails painted as a fund-raiser for the church.

Traffic

We are so thankful safety in El Salvador.  The traffic was crazy!

Closer...closer...closer

So we shall be on our way in less than 2 weeks!  Last night we had a great time together practicing our dramas and Vickie and Jennifer worked on VBS material.  We were so thankful to have help from Matt Wilson on the dramas last night and I think the teams are ready for their dress rehearsal on Sunday (at 8 pm - if anyone wants to come and watch!)
I have spent a lot of time the last couple of days making the props (with Kathleen and Rachel's help).  The directions and the materials were quite frustrating but I think they are going to end up being ok - esp from a distance!  I am not the best at these types of crafts (props)!
We continue to be so thankful that we have raised all our funds and that $ continues to be provided for things like 1. Supplies we are buying. 2. Our possible extra luggage full of gifts/supplies. 3. Monies needed for our Compassion Day - for translators/staff/travel/lunch for 25+people. 4.. Visas when we arrive. 5. My new wardrobe (just kidding - I put that in to see if you were still reading!)
We were so encouraged by Matt last night when he reminded the students the purpose of these dramas they are learning.  They have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility before them.  They are sharing clearly the message of the Gospel (Good News) through these dramas in a place where most of us don't speak the language and those who see the dramas may be "hearing" the Good News for the very first time! How can we not be excited about that!
Let the countdown begin!
Julie

Sweet deal!

Yesterday marked 5 weeks away from our departure!  We haven't figured it out for sure yet but I think we are meeting at the church about 2:30 am and pulling out by 3 am!!  The "kids" are all excited about that...me not so much :-)  Oh, it will be fun!!
We talked about what to pack last night.  We each only get 1 50 lb. check in bag (and a carry-on).  We have a ton of shoes and t-shirts we would like to take along to deliver to those in need.  I am hoping we can get them down there at no charge for any extra weight or bags.
Every day we get closer to the amount we need for our final big payment.  As of this morning we need $3207 to make our $12,400 payment...so that is pretty exciting!  We need it by Sunday, to make the payment on Monday :-).  We are running a campaign right now called Embrace El Salvador (see earlier post).   Basically we will deliver your hug to a Salvadorian child for $10 (suggested) and give you a photo of the hug and possibly a personal note from the child.  We will be participating in soccer camp, VBS, and English school while in El Salvador so we plan to hug a lot of kids!  If you go to CGC you can sign up on Sunday.  If you are not local, respond to this post or shoot me a message on FB.  Hugs are tax deductible if you make checks to Community Gospel Church!  What a sweet deal!!

Embrace El Salvador

This is what we are doing this Sunday at CGC:


Embrace El Salvador
The El Salvador trip is almost upon us! The team is bubbling with excitement and wants to give you another opportunity to give! Embrace El Salvador is our initiative that lets you receive a picture of one of your students hugging a Salvadorian! With the picture comes a note from the child and a smile of gratitude from the mission team! Pictures are $10 and sign up is in the foyer!


If anyone else, outside of Community Gospel Church (CGC), wants to purchase a hug...we would be happy to give a hug "in your name".  Just let me know!  And you can send the check to CGC!
Also....amazing stuff happening - now our need is down to $6200 needed in 9 days! So...if we sell 620 hugs we are there!!!! :-)

Drama Queen

Tonight was a great night beginning to learn the 2 dramas!  The Redeemer group definitely have a tougher job than the King of Kings group although both are pretty challenging.  Both have an awesome message told without words!!!  I was really impressed with the work the students put into it tonight and it was fun too!
I loved Alex's suggestion that everyone keep a journal!  We were going to get around to talking about that at some point and I just loved that she was thinking about it and shared it with everyone!
We still didn't have the full team there tonight for a team picture due to some being on vacation and I think Jenna being at a track meet.  It was a great time and I look forward to what we still have to complete!  We leave 6 weeks from today!
Today's prayer requests:
1. That Kathleen's passport will be here in time!
2. That the students can memorize their parts in the drama and that the dramas will really touch the hearts of people and be used by God to bring real change in their lives and for some to be introduced for the first time to God's love story for them.
3. That the additional finances that we still need will be provided.

So excited about this amazing group of students and adult leaders!

Trying not to freak out....God knows.

Just found out I need to get the final check to CFCI in the mail in 10 days.  $8620.

Luke 18:1-8

Just crunched numbers again.  We need $8050 in two weeks.  God...I'm trying not to nag, cause You know what I need before I know what I need...but I will keep asking.

Hot Hot Hot

Just checked the current weather conditions in San Salvador.  90 degrees fahrenheit, feels like 97. 59% humidity.  What do you think?  Thumbs up?  Or thumbs down?

Students-for-hire

Several of our team members are hard at work to raise $ for their trip (remaining funds are due in 2 weeks).  I know of students who are mowing, cleaning, photographing, babysitting, painting, cutting down trees and so on.  Great job to all of you!  I am really proud of you!!!  This too has many lessons to learn in it.  Our ministry and what God wants to do in and through us doesn't begin when we step on to foreign soil.  It has already begun.  I'm praying for each of you and for our team as a whole.  If anyone wants to hire a student - call me or send me a message on Facebook (Julie Neeley Patterson).  It's a beautiful Saturday!

The Drama(s)

A long story...but I have been looking for and having several others in the church looking for and praying I would find the YWAM drama kits that Mike Shirley had purchased several years ago (because they are good but they were quite expensive...and we don't have the $ to buy them again!).  Today was the last day I was going to look and had talked it over with the Lord and felt if I didn't find them in the church today I would just have to spend the $300+ to buy them.  As per usual...God didn't show up early but he wasn't late either.  I found them!  I went searching the catacombs of CGCs basement but found them in a large container in the SS teacher office (along with a couple of things I had leant to PMS several years ago!  Those who don't know Pastor Mike Shirley, out former youth pastor, that is his nickname at CGC). Here's the kicker~I didn't know how old that material was (2000) and it has VHS training tapes and sound affect/music is on cassette tapes!!  I think I can purchase a CD for $20 and think I might do that!

Josue

I was able to meet Josue Sanchez who we are working with in El Salvador (Christ for the City International) today over Skype. That was great and very helpful to answer a lot of my questions about what our team will be doing. 
We have A LOT of work to do in the next few weeks, as I just found out we are suppose to prepare 2 dramas, VBS story etc, testimonies, and devotional!  Yikes!  But God has known this MUCH longer than me (even though I just found out 2 days ago!) so He knows who is suppose to do what and He will prepare us!
My big prayer this weekend is to find the DVDs, training manuals etc that CGC purchased several years ago from YWAM of 2 dramas.  They are VERY expensive and they are missing.  I have found most of the props in the youth closet but the other items are missing.  I really don't want to spend the $ to buy them again and we don't have it in our budget.  Please pray all the items will turn up in the next couple of days.
Trusting God is going before us and through us.
Julie

Where is El Salvador?

El Salvador — the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America — is situated on the Pacific Coast and is largely a Roman Catholic society. Two volcanic ranges line the landscape, and major industries include coffee, sugar and textiles.
Social inequalities and unrest in the 1970's and a vicious civil war in the 1980's compelled many El Salvadoran families to flee to the U.S. and Canada. Today El Salvador is a recovering economy.

Wanted: Patience and Trust

We have had several fundraisers - Bouthahn's and Hacienda - so far - and support letters are going out.  So far we have raised about $5200 of the $30,000 we need for the 20 of us to go and minister in El Salvador. By June 8th, we must make a big payment for our airline tickets.  We have been able to make every payment so far, just when it was needed.
I have had the amazing privilege of traveling in Latin America many times during my adult years (DR 2x, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil x4, and Guatemala).  I love the people of Central and SA and have learned so much through their generosity and the priority they place on relationships.  I appreciate their laid back attitudes and flexibility.....except when I am waiting for answers and am on a deadline!  Ugh!  I am sure in the end we will be a great experience with Christ for the City International and I am learning to be patient and trust. (waiting for our itinerary and several other important answers to my zillion questions)
Looking forward to another team meeting this Thurs. at 7.  I look forward to when the HS students are out of school and maybe we can have a meeting with the FULL team!
Going to make bidding sheets for the auction now.
THIS SATURDAY is our Italian Dinner and Silent Auction at 6 pm at Community Gospel Church.  Pray for a great time and successful fundraiser!
Because I am weak,
Julie

Applications are due!

We have an important mission team meeting tomorrow night at 7.  We need to continue our planning and implementing our fund raisers.  If you have written your support letter, I would like to see them (youth).  Also - applications are now due.  I really need them!  If you are unable to make the $50 deposit, let me know, but I still need your application.  
I have received applications from Polly, Grant, Bailey, and Austin A.  Remember if you are under 18 at the time of the trip I need the minor release form and it has to be notarized (your parents know what this means!).
Also, if you have a passport please bring it Thurs. so I can make a copy.
If you need an application - please message me or email me at julespatt81@gmail.com and I will email it to you.  (please be sure to give me your email address).

To recap:
1. Mission Team Meeting Thurs. night at 7.
2. Bring applications and passports and deposit.
3. Bring notarized minor form if under 18.
4. This weekend is Bounthanh's fundraiser at Woody's.  Send everyone you know!!!!


Praying for you all.
Julie

Next Meeting

Remember - Next meeting is THIS THURSDAY APRIL 12th at 7 pm.

James 2:14-16

^{James 2: 14} What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?

Fun-d-raising

Prayerfully researching multiple fundraising ideas today.  Looking for ways to bring families together for some fun as well as fundraising.

Our Info Meeting

Tonight was the informational meeting!  So far we have 17 interested team members with the potential of 5-6 more!  Very exciting but also overwhelming to think of the amount of funds needed to be raised....maybe as much as $40,000!!!  It isn't that I am unrealistic about the large amount that is - but I have to say that I mostly feel excitement to watch God work - to others who can't go join in the mission through prayer and support - to bring our team together as we work toward a common goal.
Next week during my spring break I plan to spend a good amount of time setting a few fundraising opportunities in motion.
Next meeting is April 12th at 7 pm.  We will put together a committee in charge of fundraising and brainstorm and plan multiple events.  We will work on our support letters.
Please be in prayer for every detail and for everyone that God is calling to go.

Excitement Bubbling Up

I must say the excitement and anticipation of the team coming together is building in me today.  I had a handful of adults and high school students express their interest in the mission trip today!!  The informational meeting is THIS Thursday night at 7 p.m.  I have been praying about what to cover at the meeting on Thursday and for God to stir the hearts of those He is calling to go.  I also know that we need a great big step of faith to raise all the support in the next couple of months but I also have vivid memories of God providing in the past so I am excited to watch Him work!

The Adventure Begins

I admit...I have never blogged.  The idea of something I have written being out there forever is a little nerve-racking to me.  Did I make a grammatical error?  Did I misspell a word?  Did I reveal too much of my heart that I will be embarrassed or sorry later to expose so much?  But this blog is not about me.  This blog is going to be about the adventure I believe God is going to lead a group of us at CGC (Community Gospel Church) on this summer.  And even though it is only  March and the trip is in July, this adventure actual began more than a year ago.
The CGC youth - Velocity - sponsored a child, Rafael, from El Salvador through Compassion International.  Then I began to dream of a group of us meeting Rafael.  I began to research mission organizations who host short term mission trips to El Salvador and I found Christ for the City.  Christ for the City is an off shoot of an organization I am familiar with called Latin American Mission (My former college roommate and her family were missionaries with LAM).

I am hoping to begin meeting with potential team members in a couple weeks and watch how God puts together a group of us for this adventure He has planned.  I've been excited about those who have already expressed an interest and look forward to watching how God provides for all of us to make this trip of faith.