a word from Paul

The Apostle Paul is so right, as he writes to the church in Phillipi....

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.   Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

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Maria's Family

From Robert:
"Please join me in  praying for one of our families in  Pie de la Cuesta.    Maria, the blind lady died eary this morning.     She gave her life to the Lord in the church we built over 3 years ago...and loved her family very much."

Oct 23, 2012

Called Robert today to work on some annual budget planning with Amy P.    Budget and spreadsheet stuff.    Yuck!   All stuff that Robert and Doug are terrible at...and Amy is an expert at.     She has set up a meeting with us via WebEx - where we can watch her work on her computer via internet.    

She has custom designed a spreadsheet for him to look at and plug his projects and budgets into.    Wow.     I had no idea these things existed!     This "should" make some pretty cool things happen:

• With an annual 2013-14 Budget, we should be able to see the needs of RWC Mission pretty easily.    We are going to try and twist Roberts arm to put this info on the website/BLOG.
• It will allow any team (from anywhere in the world) to pick a project, fundraise (in addition to the team fees) and push their teammates to stay on track with project fundraising....WAY  EASIER!

Do you have a skill like Amy that you would like to help with?     Even if you don't....as long as you are willing and raise your hand....we can find something that you are good at!     We would love to have another set of hands!      Please email Doug at coach@sandboxathletics.com and we can help find a way for you to be a part of the team!   :-)

Unfortunately, we had to slightly delay the WebEx meeting.     He got a call that asked him to be a part of a team to help a lady involved in a kidnapping.      Two men were caught trying to steal a 14yr old girl yesterday, who is now safe.     She is in protective custody, and the men charged are in police captivity.     Robert is driving the mom as I type this to see the Judge to allow the mom to be with her daughter.    Life in Guatemala can change/adjust at a moments notice.     As Robert says, "life on the edge"!

Mon 10-15-12

Trip continues to be a HUGE success....

Robert and I took his bar out to complete some early morning exercise prior to heading into town.     Turns out....we were not the only one's interested in working out that day!

Is it possible to get veggies like this in Florida?    Maybe it is worth the plane ticket!      This pic was taken in the Chiquimula mercado.     What a wonderful world....

Where else can you see a scooter whizzing by at 40m.p.h.?     Baby in the middle....

Patti - calling Rae....

Robert digging out septic a septic tank...next to his house.....whew....lots and lots of ROCK!

Ha!   You thought Armadillo's were Road Kill.     Not for this family.     It is what is for dinner....

(tastes like chicken....)

Real Time Trip Update!  

Robert's Kitchen....

What a GREAT trip so far.....2 days in.     Doug has re-connected with many of the Pie de la Cuesta village.       We have eaten with 2 of the families - sharing and breaking bread.     Last night an inspirational message was given in church by Pastor Carlos on Genesis 12.

Many of the families are doing quite well.      However, sickness and death continue to run rampant in the village.     We escorted a young 21 yr old women to and from the city who was checking on her baby...who was in critical condition.    Many of the local females have lost their husbands within the past year to various diseases and general poor living conditions.     However, Robert remains hopeful and positive as the Mission is making a HUGE impact on with the water projects currently in use.

Thus far, we have been making some BIG progress with developing some marketing contacts for Crusades planned in Honduras and around the area.....    More to come on the next BLOG!!!   Stay tuned!


Something you have probably missed.....

And something you haven't....(this is in the back of the ice cream shop...one of the cleanest "front end establishments in the city.)    Note - la cucaracha in the upper right corner...

Zacapa Needs?

Doug is headed to see Robert in Zacapa on Oct 10th, 2012.     So....does Robert need anything?

I have been speaking with a few of you already....and the question has come up...."What does Robert or the Mission need?"     In all honesty...the primary concern right now is financial.     You all know that he would never say this!!!   :-)    I have had to pull it out of him.     Right now they are preparing for a few crusades in Honduras.

After this priority, here is the short list of additional items:

• Pastor Carlos - 
• black dress shoes size 8.5 - if not then black tennis shoes size 8.5
• Boxer briefs - size L
• Robert
• I had to pull things out of him as usual....but he finally relinquished his sizes
• XL Shirt
• XL Pants (36)
• 10.5 Shoe
• General - 
• cafe bustelo - coffee
• pistachios
• Spanish Bibles
• vanilla creamer in powder
• sheets
• travel soap dish
• When Heaven Invades Earth by Bill Johnson - Anna and Tommy Blackshear will provide
• 1/2" socket set - driver and "deep sockets"
• 1/2" breaker bar

If you would like to provide any one or more of the listed items....please comment on this post and list what you will drop off at Club 14 Fitness on or before October 8th!    This way it has time to get packed!   As always...thank you all for your support and your prayers.     This mission...just like any of the many we have been on together - has a HUGE impact on so many.     YOU are the hands and feet that make this possible!

Christmas - Circle of Hope Ministry - Florida

Christmas means to many things to so many different people.     This Christmas, our Missions team was able to share the LOVE of Jesus with a local Jacksonville Group of men who were without their families.     What a genuinely GREAT time all 14 team members had with the men who were learning to trust Christ with their lives.     Please enjoy the photos!

What is the hardest part about "Sharing with others?"

Watching the pie disappear!

Our "LEAD organizer" on this event.   Thank you Marci for taking local Missions to heart and finding such a worthy cause for us to participate in!   Marci found the Circle of Hope - Men's Ministry a few months prior to Christmas 2011.

Fourteen Volunteers and donors came to help cook, clean, and fellowship with local men at the Circle of Hope Ministries on Christmas 2011.   Members of the Guatemala Mission Team, Celebration Baptist Church (Yulee), and others gave their time to show the Love of Christ this Christmas...