Project Panama 2010: Back from the San Blas Islands
Hello! We are back in Panama City and we had an awesome free day in the city! This past week in San Blas has been nothing short of amazing and miraculous. Each team’s efforts, from the water project to the medical clinics to the children’s carnivals were successful! It’s amazing to see God do so much in such a short period of time through a group of people who’s hearts are so willing to be used. Tomorrow we are flying back into Miami and we will have more in-depth update on all the projects that took place during our travels. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Project Panama 2010: Arrived in Panama
Today we arrived in Panama City and have already picked up where we have left off in Miami. Our training has continued at a vigorous pace, but our team members have risen to the challenge. The team’s positive outlook and enthusiasm is shown not only in the daily demeanor, but also in how they approach their training as a sacrifice of love for the Kuna people. The air is charged with hope and compassion and we haven’t even arrived to the islands yet! Along with each team there is an integral part to play. With everything from the water systems being installed to the medical clinics teaching the locals and even the Evangelism teams loving the people; it is apparent that every individual is taking on their role with a sense of duty and commitment. Only one more day until all the projects begin and only one more day until the Kunas experience the love of Christ in action!
Just as a heads up, we unfortunately will not be able to do web updates while we are on the islands. Although we love getting to share daily photos and stories with everyone back home, we are so excited to have this rare opportunity to reach such a primitive group of people. Since we will be without internet connection while we’re on the islands, we will be doing daily updates by phone to our Trip Update Line, which you can call at 1-866-992-2554 ext. 4. We will continue our regular web updates when we return to Panama City on the 27th of June.
Project Panama 2010: Training in Miami
Hello! Everyone has arrived safely in Miami and the energy is running high with each of the team members. We started off with orientation following dinner and we finished the night with a pool party and a lively game of water volleyball! All of us are very excited and have high expectations for what God is going to accomplish through each individual during this trip!
For updates while we are on the islands please call: 1-866-992-2554 ext. 4
Worship Night!
Go International is having its very first outdoor worship night this Monday, June 7th at 7:00PM at Haikey Creek Park in Shelter #3 (121st & Garnett).
There is no charge, so invite your friends, and let’s worship God together!
Guest Speaker: Roger Nix
“Authenticity doesn’t just come when you’re honest before God. It comes when you’re honest before others as well.” This statement was made by Roger Nix, pastor of Believer’s Church, when he spoke to the interns this past Thursday.
For his discussion he decided to relay the importance of authenticity and openness before others. He centered on two verses; one being 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us.” The second one was James 5:16 – “Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed”. Notice that the first one states if you confess to God, he will forgive you. The second verse however tells us that we must confess our sins before other people to actually be healed. This is so important to understand! It’s when we open up to others that our healing begins. There is power in confession! The value of community and openness in that community is priceless. I believe that this is what the beginning of the church was centered around.
Changing directions Pastor Nix began expressing how crucial it is to know who we are; furthermore, who we are in Christ. “Ask yourself who you are and how that connects with what you do,” Pastor Nix said. He then shared a list of lies that attack our identity that I believe are very important to recognize.
4 lies that attack your identity:
1. You are what you do or “the fear of performance”. We have to realize that we have been justified through faith.
2. The approval track. You are what others think of you or the fear of rejection. God’s embrace negates this. He offers the gift of reconciliation.
3. The blame game or you are what others have done to you. Victim mentality and the fear of punishment. Jesus paid the price for the punishment of our sin.
4. The shame game. The lie of shame. You are what you are and you can’t change that. Heb. 4:16 – “Let us therefore come boldly to throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Approach God with the confidence you have in Christ.
Remember who you are in Christ. Without our identities we are just nomads wandering from one place to another. Recognize who your community is and open up to those you trust the most. There is strength in community.
Community Outreach visits Sterling House
Outreach Friday was a big success!
Open House – Monday + June 7, 2010
If you’ve ever considered joining the Go Internship or interested in finding out what we’re all about, join us at our next Open House Event. During Open House you can have a look around our Offices, meet the founders, Greg and Christa Baca, the Staff, and this year’s current Interns. This is the perfect time to have your questions about the program answered.
Open house begins at 4:00PM from 4:00-4:15pm tour the offices and take a look around. From 4:15-5:00PM Greg & Christa will be sharing about the program. Hear from current interns about the direct impact the program has made on their lives. Feel free to bring a friend or two, grab a starbucks on the way over, and come chill and hang out.
The offices are located:
12814 S. Memorial
Suite 120 & 122
Bixby, OK 74008
Guest Speaker: Bob Harrison
This past Thursday we very fortunate to have Bob Harrison, a.k.a. Dr. Increase, come and share with the interns about his life ventures. Well known for his financial lessons and the “Increase” conferences he hosts across the country, Mr. Harrison decided he would begin the discussion with a quote from Donald Trump. When Mr. Trump was asked about his success and how he has achieved what he has in life, his response was, “You’re going to be thinking anyway, why not think bigger”. Although Mr. Harrison talked about many life lessons that were powerful and relevant, I want to talk about just a couple of them that really “hit home” with me and changed my way of thinking. In all honesty there was just too much wisdom and too many topics for me to write about in a single blog. The lessons that were presented could of created a yearlong curriculum. So let’s start with the power of habits. Mr. Harrison made this excellent statement; “The habits you have now will close or open doors for you”. Don’t deceive yourself, if you are not living the way you want to be right now then you aren’t going to magically change five years down the road. This is just another reminder that the little things and little decisions in our life create the most substantial results, desirable or not. “Your life will consist of the habits and routines you choose to have,” he said. “If you are faithful in little things, then you will be faithful in big things.” After this he gave us some of his most important Healthy Habits:
1. Faithfulness in everything that is given to you.
2. Do more than what is expected.
3. Live your life by schedule and routine, but always be ready for interruption.
Another significant point that he presented was just how critical it is to be faithful. Let’s be transparent for a moment. Life can be dull. This is when you need to ask yourself, “What do I believe that God really told me”? When you are dealing with confusion, go back to the last time you had clarity with what God told you. Commitments are crucial to success. Hold on to the word that God has given you. For me, it’s the only thing that gets me through those moments of doubt and insecurity. In the words of Mr. Harrison, “It’s amazing how fast God can create change if you just hang in there.” The third one is, “Circumstances only have the power that you give them”. The moment you decide that circumstances will no longer have control over your decisions is the moment you have power over circumstances. If you let circumstances dictate what you do, they will continue doing just that for the rest of your life. God’s promises are greater than your circumstances. The last one and my personal favorite is… (drum roll please). Don’t worry about money. “The fact is money is always behind,” expressed Mr. Harrison. Behind what? What he meant by that is, money always follows those who take advantage of opportunities. Strategies and ideas create money and opportunities. God will give you the strategies and ideas that will bring money to you.
I believe that all of these points are vital to success in life, but it is up to you whether or not you apply them in your life. Remember what Mr. Trump said, “You’re going to be thinking anyways, so why not think bigger”.
Guest Speaker: Tim Gray
“Your dreams always begin in your heart,” declared Tim Gray. “Move with what is in your heart and act on it!”
This week we had Tim Gray, a former pastor and current business owner come talk with us. After his opening statement he began to talk about Nehemiah. If you don’t know who that is, don’t worry, I had to clean out the proverbial cobwebs from my mental attic to remember this story myself. Nehemiah had a mission in his heart… to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Now there was something unique about this work; it was considered holy even though Nehemiah wasn’t a priest. This was particularly odd in Jewish culture at that time. Following this discovery Mr. Gray made a statement, “Ministry isn’t only in the church; ministry is doing what God has told you to do.” He later shared about his experiences in college and how he had declared his major 7 different times! He told us that he didn’t know exactly how he was going to do what was in his heart; he just knew he had to start somewhere. This was encouraging to hear, as a young person who deals with the common struggle of knowing exactly what steps to take to fulfill your dreams. Although we may not nail it down perfectly in the very beginning, be willing to take action. There’s an old saying, “You can’t steer a ship that’s anchored”. In other words, “Take that step”. Success will follow the dream as long as you act on it.
What is it that is in the recesses of your heart? What’s that something that excites you when you think about it? Ask yourself these questions and let those thoughts roll around in you as you allow your desire for this dream to grow each day. Following that, take a simple step in that direction even if it seems trivial. If I got anything out of our time with Mr. Gray, it’s this- It’s Worth It.
Arizona Trip!
Arizona Weekend April 22-26
The intern year is coming to an end so at last the Go Interns traveled to Arizona for the thrilling, annual weekend getaway! This trip is an amazing time of team bonding and an excellent opportunity to bring awareness to the life changing projects they are involved in. Starting off the first day in Arizona they went to a wilderness park for mountain hiking and beautiful scenery, followed by a cookout and an evening full of games. This fun continued into Saturday as we filled the day playing volleyball and basketball as well as running a funnel cake stand in the center of town to raise funds for Panama.
Sunday morning they had the opportunity to take part in Community Presbyterian’s church service, share a drama that they do overseas, and spend time with the people of the church talking with them and telling them about all the current undertakings going on at Go International. That same morning they also visited the First Assembly of God Church and joined them afterwards for a silent auction, as well as a bake sale auction as a fundraiser for the church members joining Go for Project Panama this summer! Later that evening they came back to First Assembly of God and led the entire service as the Go Band led worship and Greg and Christa finished the night with an inspiring message of encouragement.
The fun-packed weekend trip to Arizona was probably the best one yet, with lots of laughs, good times, and memorable moments as a team!
