tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-375724422024-02-20T19:25:12.697-06:00The Tooley FamilyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-84566163465753906872012-05-07T15:40:00.001-06:002012-05-07T15:42:47.395-06:0010 countries in 5 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMGI-elP2SEHuuZx5EXTJ3zyzQ3y5nPI5hyphenhyphenR_kGNxuRPpRStKQUSWfNt4MJjTOfWJ0_vGek7hKgBDgAH43gz1qRSaQHiiwvjxeO0fA8nf1LqQkt4_XuMtY_p5WBiZ3VL_7H4p/s1600/Family+at+poas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMGI-elP2SEHuuZx5EXTJ3zyzQ3y5nPI5hyphenhyphenR_kGNxuRPpRStKQUSWfNt4MJjTOfWJ0_vGek7hKgBDgAH43gz1qRSaQHiiwvjxeO0fA8nf1LqQkt4_XuMtY_p5WBiZ3VL_7H4p/s320/Family+at+poas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We continue to daily give thanks for those who are prayerfully supporting us as we serve as missionaries. This update will give brief bullet-point updates of how God has guided us over the past few months. As always, we look forward to your emails, phone calls and Facebook messages - often...no, always...it is those pieces of encouragement that keep us moving forward.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Joel visited Cuba for the first time where he participated in leading a Leadership Conference for youth leaders; spoke at the district youth convention and had the rare privilege of meeting with (along with one of our General Superintendents Dr. Jesse Middendorf and a few other church leaders) the Director of Religious Affairs for the Cuban government. God is moving faithfully in the life of our church in Cuba!</li>
<li>Pam helped finalize the travel arrangements for our international team of missionaries from nine different countries who are serving on a 6-month mission called <a href="http://www.facebook.com/127Serve" target="_blank">"12:7 Serve."</a></li>
<li>Joel visited the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis where the 12:7 Serve team served for 3 weeks.</li>
<li>The General Board of the Church of the Nazarene voted to enter 4 new countries this year - the Turks & Caicos Islands, a part of the Mesoamerica Region where we serve is amongst those countries. Joel and another missionary, Bernie Slingerland were the first two missionaries to visit Turks & Caicos where they met Mrs. Nathalie Sweeting. Nathalie and her husband have been living in Turks & Caicos for 3 years and had ALREADY started the church work before and missionaries had arrived - <a href="http://engagemagazine.com/content/rest-story" target="_blank">an incredible story of God's faithfulness</a> (< click this link to read!) in calling and equipping His people!</li>
<li>Pam traveled with local church leaders to an indigenous area of Costa Rica where our church is assisting the development of a ministry presence in a very poor, rural area of the country.</li>
<li>Joel spoke at a district leadership conference for the Leeward & Virgin Islands District in Antigua.</li>
<li>Pam has been actively leading a discipleship group in our home with the ladies who were our Spanish language teachers - these two ladies, Gaby and Zeidy have become very dear friends. It is a joy to meet with them each week as we walk through "Experiencing God" (Henry Blackaby) over a great cup of coffee, reading Scripture and praying together.</li>
<li>Joel was able to train leaders during the Caribbean Nazarene College's Leadership Conference in Trinidad & Tobago.</li>
<li>Pam has helped lead united meetings with youth leaders from both of the districts of Costa Rica - leadership training, team building and ministry strategy were the highlights of these times together.</li>
<li>24 participants attended the Missionary Orientation camp in northern Mexico - which was lead by our dynamic team of leaders, with Joel's assistance in April.</li>
<li>Our family traveled to Panama the first week of May to take part in the first-ever Missionary Retreat for the Mesoamerica Region. Over 60 missionaries and more than 20 missionary kids came together for a time of encouragement and renewal.</li>
<li>The children have started their first full-year in a Costa Rican school: Allison (age 12/grad 7); Nicolas (age 9/grade 4); Annikah (age 6/grade 1) and Paulina (age 4/pre-Kindergarden) are attending <a href="http://www.metodista.ed.cr/institucion.html" target="_blank">Colegio Metodista</a> about 15 minutes away from our home in San Jose.</li>
</ul>
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We need your prayers and encouragement.</div>
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While we are serving where God wants us to be - we face times of loneliness and discouragement.</div>
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We have been blessed to work with a dynamic team of missionaries within the Church of the Nazarene and have been so privileged recently to develop wonderful friendships with missionary friends from other organizations who are serving Jesus so faithfully.</div>JoelTooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11695769539891629955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-22359690130214431932011-12-02T16:17:00.001-06:002011-12-02T16:50:36.960-06:00Our Family is Complete!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rFb66rafMp6xMejYDlOgRzkm0hktted0f71IkWnr07qrNI5UJFNqMXdQiegwf4Yalg6HeJMFRaoGjJJTKyz6Od5ORnlyHqeK7m8c0-LTOPV5eUTzvGL5Pi-Ll2fuq_ha7rDDdw/s1600/DSCN1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rFb66rafMp6xMejYDlOgRzkm0hktted0f71IkWnr07qrNI5UJFNqMXdQiegwf4Yalg6HeJMFRaoGjJJTKyz6Od5ORnlyHqeK7m8c0-LTOPV5eUTzvGL5Pi-Ll2fuq_ha7rDDdw/s200/DSCN1640.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While we have many wonderful stories we'd love to share</span></i></b>, we've chosen 5 brief highlights for you – please share these with your local churches as you continue encouraging your people to support us in prayer.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSzteF1gGwYec3qhqdQ3DdrwbsFVnSIlx2CmkTSeCO_3gnoCTEjhUUF1efyZlHcI_aVXe9JbNBgG8KThdXfjwgCZq_0n__neGxmN5mY6BV6NSK6CVXphg4xALCz7xv4mcFU0Kpg/s1600/Family+in+airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSzteF1gGwYec3qhqdQ3DdrwbsFVnSIlx2CmkTSeCO_3gnoCTEjhUUF1efyZlHcI_aVXe9JbNBgG8KThdXfjwgCZq_0n__neGxmN5mY6BV6NSK6CVXphg4xALCz7xv4mcFU0Kpg/s320/Family+in+airport.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first family picture - in the airport <br />
preparing to travel to Costa Rica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify;">In October, we <b>finalized our adoption of Paulina</b> (our 4-year old daughter from Mexico) after a 2-year-long process. She brings so much love and joy into our family and the lives of everyone she meets. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Joel recently <b>helped train 40 young people</b> at the Caribbean Nazarene College in Trinidad in a weekend "cross cultural orientation." As a result of that training event, one young lady from Guyana is preparing to serve as a short-term missionary for 6 months in 2012; the English Field is planning to train and send a sports evangelism team to Ukraine in 2012 during the Euro Cup Soccer tournament; and additional Work and Witness trips to other countries are being planned by local churches in Trinidad. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We were able to attend the <b>first Regional Conference</b> for the entire Mesoamerica Region in Guatemala, where over 700 people were in participation. We helped lead a training session on the ministry strategy that we are involved with - to discover and train new missionaries FROM Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean countries with our purpose to help make Christlike disciples in the nations. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Allison, Nicolas and Annikah are all <b>developing their Spanish language skills</b> terrifically. As well, we have all started to speak primarily in English to Paulina (after being home and primarily speaking Spanish with her for 2 months) to help her quickly learn her second language, as well. As you can imagine, conversations in our home are wonderfully entertaining. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We were invited to speak at a district NYI camp for the northern part of Costa Rica – <b>training nearly 50 young people</b> in the ministry strategy of Youth Mobilization – the new ministry on our region that partners NYI (Nazarene Youth International) and Missionary Mobilization. </li>
</ol>
As you can see, <b>your prayerful support of our ministry is making an impact </b>– we need you!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHGhFc63rE7gy8P6ArV96r1bF4RKDdz6mA3Ue3-fZ4GMWsljAHpzdmAQ1bizxeBuFIHDNhELTuiVza4BwJphkjI3toyvEfGVvrGjMS550dliNVfWJ3APYp7JnEq_4ix9NEJob0A/s1600/DSCN1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHGhFc63rE7gy8P6ArV96r1bF4RKDdz6mA3Ue3-fZ4GMWsljAHpzdmAQ1bizxeBuFIHDNhELTuiVza4BwJphkjI3toyvEfGVvrGjMS550dliNVfWJ3APYp7JnEq_4ix9NEJob0A/s200/DSCN1717.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Youth Camp in Poas, Costa Rica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Please continue to pray for us in these areas:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>We are <b>training 12 new missionaries</b> from 10 countries over the next 3 months – these missionaries will be serving in 7 different areas on our region in the areas of evangelism, discipleship and leadership development for six months.</li>
<li>Pam, as she is involved with <b>translation of Spanish and English ministry resources</b> and training materials and as she disciples new and "young" Believers. </li>
<li>Joel, as he leads NYI and <b>missionary training events in Cuba and Trinidad</b> in January. </li>
<li>The children, as they <b>continue developing their understanding</b> of a 2nd language and developing friendships in Costa Rica. </li>
<li>We are involved with the <b>planning of our regional Nazarene Youth Congress</b> being held in Panama – July, 2012. Pray for God's wisdom and leadership for this event targeting over 800 youth from 30 nations. </li>
</ul>
We have received a few emails about how to receive cards and packages here, in Costa Rica. While shipping costs can be higher for packages, lighter-weight items are certainly a very welcomed surprise. We can receive cards and letters quite easily, as well. Some people are cautious to send cash, however we've never had any issues with cards/letters being lost or stolen.<br />
<br />
Our mailing address here is:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Joel Tooley </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
SENDAS – Seminario Nazareno</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
PO Box 3977
(Casa #39)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
San Jose, COSTA RICA </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisU3O_oMXgTSpPEEULS4oqEFfdwWBMdBE9OCU5b_cxhTHyAa4rrtXxJr575pUDRlgMjNLYMArsD4b-xaAGDgzwAFXJNwtYuUOdkwMWb0R-XAnMsRUSjzrBhkNiWYXwUh1Lrrj2uA/s1600/Advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisU3O_oMXgTSpPEEULS4oqEFfdwWBMdBE9OCU5b_cxhTHyAa4rrtXxJr575pUDRlgMjNLYMArsD4b-xaAGDgzwAFXJNwtYuUOdkwMWb0R-XAnMsRUSjzrBhkNiWYXwUh1Lrrj2uA/s200/Advent.jpg" width="119" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">As we prepare our hearts during this season, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><b>we are celebrating Advent each night </b>by lighting our Advent wreath candles, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">listening to Christmas music and reading Scripture together. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">We were even blessed to have Grampa & Gramma Tooley join us by video</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">over the internet one night ~ reading the Advent devotional, singing and praying together.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">We are so thrilled to be able <i>to serve Jesus, our long-awaited King</i>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">He has come to bring </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><b> hope, peace and redemption</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"> and is coming again to restore His creation in relationship with Him.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-25943721741499850932011-10-26T10:43:00.000-06:002011-10-26T10:43:35.356-06:00What is a Missionary?<a href="http://utmost.org/MQ#.Tqg4js-7yI0.blogger">What+is+a+Missionary%3F</a>JoelTooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11695769539891629955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-7869122022266505302011-08-21T19:55:00.007-06:002011-08-21T20:55:20.520-06:00Waiting on the Waiting to be Over...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw2OyHdDjHO1gppt3wXdKD8-5_68laCx5cfVoK7rThwDq_m-XL_lu10LSJtUP6lflwqTJL8UkikqHpTH0PIiA9k7xk028aDqFJ7Akc7vKzGkXFkoCLAjCSKFgAFRwBUqI_VDe/s1600/IMAG1640.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw2OyHdDjHO1gppt3wXdKD8-5_68laCx5cfVoK7rThwDq_m-XL_lu10LSJtUP6lflwqTJL8UkikqHpTH0PIiA9k7xk028aDqFJ7Akc7vKzGkXFkoCLAjCSKFgAFRwBUqI_VDe/s320/IMAG1640.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643493506701596562" /></a><b>How long have you waited for something? </b><div><b>
<br /></b></div><div>I mean...more than things like Christmas morning or your wedding day. More than waiting for your next train or flight to depart...more than waiting for the delivery of your baby in the hospital birth ward.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'm talking about the kind of waiting like the single woman who has been waiting for a husband; the man with cancer who has been waiting for the "all-clear;" the pastor waiting for his church to "get it."</div><div>
<br /></div><div>We've now been waiting for Paulina to come home for nearly 2 years...the only promise we have is that God is faithful.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I told some friends the other day, "God never asked us to have a 'happily-ever-after' life with Paulina. He only asked us to take the steps to bring her home and to trust Him.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'm tempted to sermonize that point - however, I will simply say that we have taken every step possible to bring Paulina home...and we continue to trust Him, no questions asked.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>We are tired; we are sad; we are frustrated; we are ready. We're waiting on the waiting to be over.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b>Psalm 123:1-3 (The Message)</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">I look to you, heaven-dwelling God, look up to you for help.
<br /> Like servants, alert to their master's commands,
<br /> like a maiden attending her lady,
<br /> We're watching and waiting, holding our breath,
<br /> awaiting your word of mercy.
<br /> Mercy, <span style="font-variant: small-caps; ">God</span>, mercy!"</span></div>JoelTooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11695769539891629955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-47391807808460665912011-08-11T12:18:00.010-06:002011-08-11T12:36:33.340-06:00You Can Trust Me...I'm Your Dad<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXugIp0WDwzbxnkRnMfgrm7WC4aYcPPCUaanPQPaTUDlZzuxZv41JaWEeryOihV2rpmpLNuAsdh49NQn5r8Nqdo5Gh4GY4BGDpaxkhn1nDrpLUGJrhH4S6EVnVLAgZ21DyOxYw/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXugIp0WDwzbxnkRnMfgrm7WC4aYcPPCUaanPQPaTUDlZzuxZv41JaWEeryOihV2rpmpLNuAsdh49NQn5r8Nqdo5Gh4GY4BGDpaxkhn1nDrpLUGJrhH4S6EVnVLAgZ21DyOxYw/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639664872472520450" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; "></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; "><span style="font-size:8.5pt; font-family:Tahoma;color:black">When I was a kid, I remember playing games with my older brothers - goofing off with friends - and even just playing with other kids in the neighborhood. We had a wooded area that surrounded our little community in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">University Park</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Iowa</st1:state></st1:place> -</span><span style="font-size:8.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">population: 318 people, give or take a few</span></span><span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black">. Every kid knew the woods as more than "just" a wooded area - for many, it seemed like the biggest, most adventuresome forest in the world. So many fun memories were made in the woods...and a few bad ones.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">I remember the time when I was playing either "war" or "hide and seek" with a group of other kids in the woods...only this time, it seemed that we had gone deeper than we had ever gone before. There were creekbeds, fallen trees, overgrown vegetation and tracks from area wildlife...the adventure was going to be HUGE this time. I don't really recall whether or not I was the one who was "it," but all of a sudden, I clearly realized I was alone - completely.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">I yelled out the names of my friends. Nobody answered. I listened for signs of their movement - the sounds of their voices. Nothing - other than the buzz of a distant mosquito and the trickling water in the creek.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Panic.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">I started to run - quickly realizing that I had no idea where I was running - I had completely lost all sense of direction. Thorn bushes. Mud. Sun setting.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Time passed.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Lost.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Sheer Panic.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">And then...I heard it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">JOEY! (Don't laugh - that was my name as a kid).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">JOEY!!!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">JOOOOOEYYYY!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Heart pounding out of my chest.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:8.5pt; font-family:Tahoma;color:black">That cry that I had been holding within my throat - you know, that feeling like your throat has a knot the size of your fist in it -</span><span style="font-size:8.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;color:black"> <i>that</i> </span><span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black">cry suddenly exploded, "DAAAAAADDDDD!!!!!"</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">DAD! I'm coming! Keep yelling!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Within seconds, I reached the edge of the woods where I had heard my Dad's voice coming from and Dad was in full sight as I ran full-speed into his arms. And then I lost it - I completely fell apart and wept as I buried my head into my Dad's neck, hugging him and crying, "Daddy, I was so scared! They left me and I was lost!"</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">"I'm here for you, kid - you don't have to be afraid anymore."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">That's all he needed to say. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">I have no idea why he was there, but he was...and we've never talked about it since.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">I'd relegated that experience into the "Almost Forgotten" file of my mind - until this week.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Yesterday, Pam and I took the kids for a short drive outside of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Pagosa Springs</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">Colorado</st1:state></st1:place> - one of our favorite "get away from it all" places. This has been a restorative place for us over the past few years.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">This trip was suppose to be a quick trip:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:3.75pt;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Tahoma; color:black">20 minute drive</span></li><li><span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Tahoma; color:black">15 minute hike up to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Treasure</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Falls</st1:placetype></st1:place> - the brochure listed the hike as "EASY."</span></li><li><span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Tahoma; color:black">10 minute hike back to the car</span></li><li><span style="font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Tahoma; color:black">20 minute drive back</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:3.75pt;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Tahoma; color:black"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; "> When we reached the parking area, the trail that we started out on had a big sign: "TRAIL CLOSED."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">So, I did what any good Dad would do. I said, "Come on, kids! Let's see how far we can go!"</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Well - a normal 15 minute hike took the Tooleys nearly 85 minutes. I won't go into all of the details - those are memories for my kids to share some day in the future. I will say that there was GOOD reason why the sign said "TRAIL CLOSED."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Trees had fallen, vegetation had overgrown the path, and portions of the trail had eroded away in some pretty treacherous parts of the path. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">It was at such a point that I decided to venture ahead of Pam and the kids to see whether or not the trail and the ensuing chasm were crossable. I tried crossing it. It looked terribly frightening, yet - in all honesty it was safe for us to cross. I had a solid footing - there were branches from a long-time fallen tree to grab on to...it was safe.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">I'm not sure what brought him to this critical point of hysterical fear, but when Nic saw me cross the eroded path at that high-altitude point in the trail, he went berzerk. He lost it. He pleaded and cried, "No, Daddy! Please don't make us go any further!" He sobbed huge sobs with giant, crocodile tears.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">I KNEW we could cross safely. I KNEW we had come so far and the reward was just ahead...I could hear the water falls cascading over the mountain side.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Nic was still crying, pleading to turn back. My fatherly instincts kicked in at this point and I knew that if we turned back - a huge teaching moment would escape my son...and ultimately, me.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">At the same time, my heart was absolutely crushed because my son was so gripped with fear. His tears were almost unbearable. I could have just scooped him up and headed home. Instead, I said in a calm voice, "Son? Can you look into my eyes? Look at me." And then I asked, "What is it that you're afraid of?"</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">He didn't miss a beat. In his small, pleading voice, he said with conviction, "I'm afraid I'm going to fall off the mountain and die." Tears were running down his face.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">I replied, "Son - that's not going to happen. You can trust me. You have to trust me. We are not going back - we're going forward and in order for us to do that, we all need you to be brave and to trust Dad."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">"What if fall!?" was his immediate response.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">"I'm going to be holding on to you so tightly that even if you slip, I won't let you fall."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Now - when I asked Annikah if she was going to cross, she responded with a "YES!" in the same way as if I had asked, "Annikah, would you like to have a million kitties, puppies and your own flower garden?" She had ZERO hesitation. She grabbed my hand...took 2 1/2 steps and was across safely.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">I didn't even have to ask Allison - she just grabbed my hand, found her footing and crossed the broken pathway over the ravine.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">And then, standing behind Nicolas and rubbing his arms and neck in a way that only a comforting Mother could do, Pam said, "Nicolas - Daddy promises to hold on to you. You'll be safe - you can trust him...and I'm right behind you."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">That was it. That's all it took.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">He grabbed my hand - took his 2 steps and was safely across.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">His fear was gone, instantly - His trust was full.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">----------------------------</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Today, I found time early in the morning (thanks to a faulty alarm clock that woke me up WAY too early) to go for a wonderful walk to a coffee shop near the place where we're staying. A fantastic double-shot americano (2 Splendas and just the right amount of cream) along with an hour of praying and reading Scripture was what God had arranged for me.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:8.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black">Jeremiah 39:18: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">"I will save you; you will not fall..., because you trust in me, declares the LORD."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:8.5pt; font-family:Tahoma;color:black">There are so many promises in Scripture - none have</span><span style="font-size:8.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Tahoma;color:black"> <i>ever</i> </span><span style="font-size:8.5pt; font-family:Tahoma;color:black">failed. This particular one was for today.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">And then - I opened up Facebook and read through the first 10 updates that appeared on my page. The third one down hit me in such a way that, right there in the middle of the coffee shop, I actually started to cry. My friend had posted something so simple, "'Trust in me, Cindy.' ~ Abba."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Perhaps it was because of the previous day's experience with Nicolas and how my mind kept coming back to it. Perhaps it was because of the promises God had once again laid in front of me through His living, breathing Word.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">The image of Father God...Daddy God...Abba - standing at this seemingly impossible precipice that our family is in front of in our journey right now, saying, "Trust me, Joel and Pam. I'm your Daddy and I will save you - you will not fall because you trust in ME."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Our lives have experienced so much uncertainty this past year. I often look at the path in front of me and like Nicolas, cry out, "No! Let's just go back! I don't want to get hurt!"</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:8.5pt; font-family:Tahoma;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Our Loving Father - who we can ALWAYS trust, stands in front of us promising, "If you'll hold on to me, I will not let you fall."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Well - after we made it past the "pit of death" as Nicolas later referred to it, I asked him, "Hey, Nic...what do you think of our hike now?"</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">"Well, Dad...that was the scariest thing I've ever done and I never want to do it again."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">(LONG PAUSE)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:8.5pt; font-family:Tahoma;color:black">"...but, I'm really glad</span><span style="font-size:8.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black"> <i>we</i></span><span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black"> did it."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">Me too, son. Me, too.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 11px; ">PS: Shortly after our harrowing experience over the ravine - we stumbled upon a very well-kept, wide and well-marked path. It turns out, the National Park Service had built a new, easier path that started just yards/meters away from where we had started off on our own - down the "CLOSED TRAIL." The falls were marvelous and the journey down the mountain path was quick. Nic was a much happier hiker!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:8.5pt; font-family:Tahoma;color:black">PSS: Dad, I love you. Thank you for never failing me - for always being there at just the right moment.</span></p>JoelTooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11695769539891629955noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-58020074173805925342011-08-06T23:03:00.003-06:002011-08-06T23:26:19.793-06:00She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain When She ComesThere's an old folk song often sung by children in the United States that carries whimsical lyrics and a catchy tune - the air of the folk song lends towards something hopeful...that "something" that is highly anticipated, sought after...just around the next corner. Hopefully.<div><br /></div><div>We returned to the USA from Costa Rica during the 1st week of July - just in time to watch some fireworks and enjoy a small-town Independence Day parade in Georgia. We then drove to Louisville, Kentucky to participate in the quadrennial "Nazarene Youth Conference" - where over 6,000 teenagers from Canada and the USA met together for a week of serving others, worshiping God, and developing as young leaders. Followed by this amazing an event was a time set aside to speak in several churches throughout SW Ohio and Indiana - thanking churches for their faithful giving to World Evangelism and to generate prayer and financial support for our ongoing ministry.<br /><br />Our intent was to hopefully be interrupted during this time by a phone call from Mexico - telling us that they were ready for us to bring Paulina home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Instead, we received news that her paperwork was held up - yet again. The news also included the information that the government office that held her paperwork had inexplicably closed for a couple of weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, (we can't make this stuff up!) we received a call from the US government informing us that "our fingerprints had expired." We knew this was a possibility, but did not anticipate our journey reaching this inevitable moment. After a few phone calls of attempted negotiation, we were told that we would need to have our fingerprints renewed in El Paso in the middle of August.</div><div><br /></div><div>All of our highly tentative plans were no longer tentative - they were obsolete.</div><div><br /></div><div>We WERE planning to return to Costa Rica to complete our final 8 weeks of Spanish language school - with Paulina sitting next to us on Flight #1247, Seat 25B. That could still happen.<br /><br />THE FAQ (frequently asked question) we receive is, "When is Paulina going to be with you?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Our answer: "When her little legs are dangling under our dining room table."</div><div><br /></div><div>So - for now, we're on our way back to our El Paso home to have our fingerprints scanned once again and to spend some time with our little girl in Mexico.<br /><br />She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes!</div><div><br /></div><div>(For more information on the background of this song, visit: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/She'll_Be_Coming_'Round_the_Mountain">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/She'll_Be_Coming_'Round_the_Mountain</a> ).</div>JoelTooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11695769539891629955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-6744643643903630602011-07-16T21:38:00.002-06:002011-07-16T21:42:08.280-06:00Waiting...Paulina celebrated her 4th birthday last week with people who love her and are nurturing her beautifully - yet, without her Mommy and Daddy and her brother and sisters.<br /><br />It turns out that we're waiting on a paper that needs to be signed by someone in a government office who has been on "disability leave" for an undetermined amount of time. We've heard that someone has made contact with the correct government office and that things are once again moving.<div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, we're waiting. God is teaching us to trust Him more and more. It's easy to trust God; it's not easy to trust people who don't know Him. He is sovereign. He is present - with us and with Paulina. He is in control.<br /><br />We trust Him...and we wait.</div>JoelTooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11695769539891629955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-41808563027228335812011-06-01T10:29:00.002-06:002011-06-01T10:51:35.235-06:00Language School<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Joel</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">and</span> I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">have</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">now</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">completed</span> 3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">months</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">of</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">our</span> 6 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">months</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">of</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Spanish</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">language</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">classes</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">here</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">on</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">the</span> campus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">of</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Semenario</span> Nazareno de las <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Americas</span> (SENDAS) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">in</span> Costa Rica. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">We</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">have</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">enjoyed</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">our</span> time <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">with</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">our</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">teacher</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Gaby</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">conversing</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">in</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Spanish</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">about</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">God</span>'s <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">work</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">in</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">our</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">lives</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">and</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">of</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">course</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">mixing</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">in</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">grammar</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">and</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">new</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">vocabulary</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">along</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">the</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">way</span>.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Our</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Spanish</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">ability</span> has <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">been</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">tested</span> as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">well</span>, as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">we</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">participate</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">in</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">church</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">each</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">Sunday</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">and</span> converse <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">with</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">other</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">missionaries</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">in</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">the</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">office</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">in</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_69">reality</span> a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70">very</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71">international</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72">community</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_73">This</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_74">past</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_75">Sunday</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_76">we</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_77">were</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_78">privileged</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_79">to</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_80">go</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_81">to</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_82">our</span> pastor's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_83">house</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_84">for</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_85">Sunday</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_86">lunch</span>. As <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_87">we</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_88">sat</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_89">around</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_90">the</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_91">table</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_92">for</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_93">several</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_94">hours</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_95">talking</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_96">in</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_97">Spanish</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_98">and</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_99">laughing</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_100">together</span>, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_101">was</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_102">also</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_103">praising</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_104">God</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_105">for</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_106">all</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_107">that</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_108">we</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_109">have</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_110">learned</span> so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_111">far</span>.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_112">We</span> are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_113">half</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_114">way</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_115">through</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_116">our</span> time <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_117">of</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_118">schooling</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_119">and</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_120">we</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_121">still</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_122">have</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_123">much</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_124">to</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_125">learn</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_126">But</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_127">God</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_128">is</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_129">faithfully</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_130">helping</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_131">us</span>!Pam Tooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302654193890421768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-89778318258902274122011-05-29T18:00:00.007-06:002011-05-29T19:13:31.470-06:00We're all waiting...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oan4rOTvV3x1WoUZKalLKXfo1RW6pTn8kiGMGUFxgnU4h2ERJITDInbQxUkis92szi3YyggFrL65h8nU4-SN87ka5VjpvdJLJ0JApKALXzlFwJrGRz6LuIhSZA9RAZfbashd/s1600/April+2011.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oan4rOTvV3x1WoUZKalLKXfo1RW6pTn8kiGMGUFxgnU4h2ERJITDInbQxUkis92szi3YyggFrL65h8nU4-SN87ka5VjpvdJLJ0JApKALXzlFwJrGRz6LuIhSZA9RAZfbashd/s320/April+2011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612293457240105026" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b style="font-size: large; ">When we said, "Yes" to God, </b><span class="Apple-style-span" >we entered a whole new world on this incredible journey of adoption. For over 1 1/2 years now, our life story has been wrapped around "adoption." We're still waiting, of course. Actually - we have decided now that we are all professional "waiters."</span><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Not a day passes by without Allison, Nicolas, and Annikah praying for Paulina...typically Annikah is the one who leads in the prayer. Her typical prayer goes something like this: <i style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">"Dear Jesus, Thank you for letting Paulina be our sister. Please let her come home soon and help the people who have our papers to look at them. Please help Paulina love you because you love her. Please help all the people who are taking care of her - help them to love Paulina and to love you, too." </i>Annikah is waiting in prayer - anticipating her new sister will learn to love Jesus as much as she does.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Since Nicolas is the practical thinker in the bunch, he has been the one who was always concerned about the adoption time frame, how much everything was costing, and whether or not we were going to have enough money to cover the expense of our adoption. He's also the one who has been preoccupied with not "IF" but WHEN Paulina would encounter mean kids who could possibly hurt her with mean-spirited questions or comments...and how he can protect her. <span class="Apple-style-span" >Nicolas is waiting in anticipation of what it means to be Paulina's big brother...to take care of her.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Allison has been one of our best sojourners in this adoption process - she senses when we're worried or stressed and has a terrific ability to share that burden with us. When we're privileged to spend time with Paulina, Allison is the one who makes a special point to talk to Paulina at her eye level and listens to Pau carefully - to pick up on the things she cares about, like the horses; chickens; the park and her friends Mayra, Carlitos and Anita. <span class="Apple-style-span" >Allison is waiting to be the best big sister a younger sibling could ever imagine...and she's waiting to celebrate the finalization of this part of our journey.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i style="font-weight: bold; ">And then, there's Paulina...</i>Paulina is the one who has been waiting longer than any of us. I've often wished I could have a peak into her precious little mind. </span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">What does she wonder about? </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">What does she think when she sees us all parade into her life - happy, hugging, kissing, talking, hugging some more, playing, hugging some more and then saying "good-bye" once again. What does she think when we all walk away together, leaving her behind? </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">What does she think about the nannies who care for her? </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">What does she think about the other children who share a home with her? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">They are all children who are specially challenged: some can't see; some can't walk; some can't move at all - most cannot talk. What is she thinking about all of this? </span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">This is really all she knows -- this IS all she knows. This is Paulina's "normal." Paulina has been told that she's going to live with her new family -- but, really...what does that mean to a 3 1/2 year old little girl who only knows the people and place where she currently lives? She's waiting. <span class="Apple-style-span" >Paulina is waiting for the unknown - something that everyone else seems very happy about, yet she knows nothing of.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >And so...we're all waiting.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Psalm 27:14 (New Living Translation): "Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >In our time of waiting - Pam and I have found that if we try to rush things along or push doors open, then we are not waiting...we're doing. This passage (and many others) does not tell us to "Do things quickly and impatiently for the Lord." No, it tells us to WAIT, BE BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS...and then again, WAIT. And of course, the icing on the cake...wait PATIENTLY for the Lord.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >We're not worried, we're not preoccupied with the nitty-gritty details in the in-n-out of every day...we have become professional "waiters."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Okay...now for those of you who really want to what's going on while we're waiting...</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Two weeks ago, the US received our final paper work from Mexico. During this process (of waiting), the US reviews Paulina's official birth documents, her statement of history, and her status as a legal orphan, along with the official statement that Mexico recognizes us as eligible to adopt her.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Once we receive the final approval from the US government (possibly within the next couple of weeks), our adoption agency will help facilitate setting up our appointments with the Mexican government (not necessarily in this order) to: </span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Finalize Paulina's adoption in the State of Chihuahua</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Getting Paulina's name to be officially changed to "Paulina Fe Tooley" (Fe = Faith in Spanish)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Flying to Mexico City with Paulina</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Making an appointment to get Paulina's Mexican passport</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >After we get her Mexican passport, we have to take her to the US embassy to have her adoption finalized there and to have her Mexican passport changed to a US passport and to obtain her adoption visa.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Then, we will fly back to El Paso, Texas - once she touches US soil, she will have full citizenship rights.</span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >When this will all take place? No one knows...we're anticipating it will happen soon, however. Perhaps in the middle of July...but then again, we're "waiting," so we can't truly begin to plan.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Financially</b>, we've been positioned well - thanks to the sale of our personal vehicle, several garage sales, wonderful donations from several friends and one particularly generous donation from some very dear friends who God had lead them to care for "the least of these" through our adoption.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >As international adoptions go, expenses mount up without warning - many revolving around non-glamorous details like translation of official documents, authenticating documents and travel. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >We <i><b>thought</b></i> that we were doing okay up to this point - however, our adoption agency recently notified us of $2,500.00 in fees that we have not anticipated. If you feel impressed to be a part of this adoption journey with us financially - we would GREATLY appreciate your investment. No amount is too small nor is it too big.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Still...we are waiting...waiting on the LORD.</span></div>JoelTooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11695769539891629955noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-90687890395602392222011-04-21T23:10:00.001-06:002011-04-21T23:12:30.395-06:00Paulina to join the family soon...Our adoption story actually began in October of 2009 when we felt God impressing us to get involved personally with orphans. From that time, our lives have been changed as we have visited the orphanage Los Ojos de Dios (The Eyes of God) in Ciudad Juarez numerous times and have worked many hours on adoption paperwork and process.<br /><br />A process that began with our answering “Yes” to God has touched many lives in Mexico and the US and has changed us forever. Although, the process has taken much more time than we planned and would have hoped, we are confident that God continues to work in many lives through the story of this little girl. God is faithful!<br /><br />The latest news is that we have a court appearance in Mexico on April 27th. We are at the beginning of the finalization. Please pray with us that God’s will would be done in each of our hearts as we continue to say “Yes” to Him.Pam Tooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302654193890421768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-53724322450476731122011-04-21T23:06:00.004-06:002011-04-21T23:08:57.692-06:00family picture - Nov, 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPql4nobRbZY87sbofyrt9jLYJtxzWiSKM2CBobLGk83LvQziNgTcwqqlPnSjkmXntkiMBylcGctSgt_qe0biAvHG5-fwbDYpnL4gr4FNjIcWsjr30DEzooQYE_DpNsAfPIHgx/s1600/Family2010.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598270256095919186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPql4nobRbZY87sbofyrt9jLYJtxzWiSKM2CBobLGk83LvQziNgTcwqqlPnSjkmXntkiMBylcGctSgt_qe0biAvHG5-fwbDYpnL4gr4FNjIcWsjr30DEzooQYE_DpNsAfPIHgx/s400/Family2010.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>Pam Tooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302654193890421768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-34695483045883483512011-04-21T23:01:00.001-06:002011-04-21T23:04:32.066-06:00In Costa RicaRecently, we accepted a new assignment from Nazarene Global Mission to join the Mesoamerica Region and work with NYI and Global Mission. We arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica, on March 1 and began Spanish language study the following Monday.<br /><br />We have thoroughly enjoyed our time and our ministry in El Paso, Texas, these past four years. El Paso has become home to us, and God has been gracious to use us to touch people’s lives.<br />When we talked to our kids about this change in ministry, Allison, age 11, said, through tears, “I know this is what God has next for us.” Her words say for each of us that is difficult to say goodbye, but we are filled with anticipation and joy in continuing to serve God.<br /><br />We will be working with NYI leaders and those called to serve as missionaries across the region, which includes the 23 countries of the Caribbean, Mexico, and the 6 countries of Central America. This will be a ministry among 4 major language groups and about 75,000 young people.<br /><br />Please pray that we will be led clearly by God in this new assignment. As always with change, there are many adjustments. The new region is experiencing change as well, but God never changes! We continue to rely on Him!Pam Tooleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302654193890421768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-40187443528051760702010-08-05T23:56:00.000-06:002010-08-05T23:56:06.995-06:00Paulina<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RGIilUp-mqc&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RGIilUp-mqc&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-47539751107607471732010-08-05T23:55:00.000-06:002010-08-05T23:55:02.785-06:00Paulina in action<object style="background-image:url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/P4jXNOveO4s/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/P4jXNOveO4s&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/P4jXNOveO4s&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-80792226735672591812010-08-01T22:59:00.005-06:002010-08-01T23:09:58.979-06:00Update on PaulinaJust a brief update...we are in the "don't contact us, we'll contact you" phase of our waiting for Paulina to come home. We are hoping that things will progress smoothly and Paulina will come home before September.
<br />
<br />There are a few items for which we invite you to join with us in prayer:
<br />
<br />1) The smooth completion of our adoption of Paulina
<br />2) Due to the continued escalation in drug-related violence in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, the US Consulate has closed for a security review...this could impact our adoption process, but more importantly, it is disruptive to 1000's of lives.
<br />3) We are fully aware that God is at work in the lives of people we are in contact with daily - pray that we will be faithful to Him in His call for us to serve.
<br />
<br />If you would like to contribute to the medical needs of the children at Los Ojos de Dios where Paulina lives, that would be a meaningful way to support something we are very passionate about.
<br />
<br />Please visit their website at: <a href="http://www.ojosdedios.org/">www.ojosdedios.org</a>
<br />
<br />Also, you can view these videos produced for Los Ojos de Dios that feature a part of our story.
<br />
<br />http://vimeo.com/13235204Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-84792827821853532212010-06-09T10:55:00.003-06:002010-06-09T11:03:43.818-06:00Praying for Mexico with Summer MissionariesOn May 26, 41 college students made their way to El Paso – each with one heavy suitcase, plenty of excitement and a readiness to share the Good News around the globe in a summer with Youth In Mission.<br /><br />The Nazarene Border Initiative Center turned into a training arena buzzing with cross-cultural orientation, team building, and spiritual formation.<br /><br />On the second night of training camp, students were led up to a scenic point in the mountains near the training center for what was intended to be a group photo. Instead, their eyes were opened to so much more. The scenic point overlooks the cities of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.<br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LbOZft5CS-Q2aFNWV9HDZ4naCVz2nGWKvOnfenOBCcWgAfSep7tD4FBTZfGM-n0VeDm9GtJRwlnBh_3f4EuXrNbzl_mEOsBX9MP5CMDG69aJRdh8isTm9xL41GvvEIRiiIzV0Q/s1600/border+prayer"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480820234270162546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LbOZft5CS-Q2aFNWV9HDZ4naCVz2nGWKvOnfenOBCcWgAfSep7tD4FBTZfGM-n0VeDm9GtJRwlnBh_3f4EuXrNbzl_mEOsBX9MP5CMDG69aJRdh8isTm9xL41GvvEIRiiIzV0Q/s200/border+prayer" border="0" /></a>Joel Tooley, Mobilization Coordinator for Global Mission and director of Youth In Mission, shared about the drug war violence in Mexico and how it is impacting the people in cities like Ciudad Juarez. It became a moving moment with tears and deep concern for the people just minutes away from where the group was training for global ministry. Students gathered around <span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>Maru Rodriguez</strong>, a missionary from the North Mexico Field,</span> as she prayed in Spanish for those affected by the violence and for the dynamic church leaders who are engaging our Mexican churches in making Christlike disciples.</div><br /><div><br />Please pray for the students as they spend their summer overseas in <span style="color:#663333;"><strong>Cote d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, El Paso, India, Italy, Liberia, Mexico, Romania, Senegal, South Africa, Vanuatu, and a Creative Access area in Asia.</strong></span> These students join hundreds more who have been mobilized from each of our Nazarene Universities in the USA and even more from other world areas.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>(article submitted by Laura Poff - photo by Marty Hoskins)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-29114754448484245922010-03-18T02:13:00.001-06:002010-03-18T02:15:57.379-06:00Traveling to California<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTDTpqBXFWtkj56xsrL-1T18Gox7A-msfib8QUC6sRZf6F1IASs_WqMKdvKj0sXlpvnyqp5ihnpbqX2lB_GWWWGI4J43BX3jKjF9Jc7mGIEjhoEU3a-vtuBYbTqBr-EJOZmVmLg/s1600-h/DSC_0160.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTDTpqBXFWtkj56xsrL-1T18Gox7A-msfib8QUC6sRZf6F1IASs_WqMKdvKj0sXlpvnyqp5ihnpbqX2lB_GWWWGI4J43BX3jKjF9Jc7mGIEjhoEU3a-vtuBYbTqBr-EJOZmVmLg/s400/DSC_0160.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#cc0000;">We've been able to travel together this week, as a family</span></em></strong>, because the kids are on Spring Break. So, we visited PLNU (Point Loma Nazarene University) in San Diego, CA where we attended chapel; met with some of our ministry team leaders on staff at the university <strong>[Brian & Kelli Becker; Melissa Tucker; Christina Pacheco; Mary Paul]</strong>; and connected with a great group of MK's (Missionary Kids) who are studying either at PLNU or other area colleges. <strong>[MK's/PK's = Julie McKeithen; David McKeithen; Kathryn Louw; Jocelyn Vasquez; Jessica Bird; and Casey Brough].</strong><br /><br />Besides getting to be "spectators" in an amazing chapel service where we heard our friends, <strong>Brian and Kelli Becker </strong>share about their recent trip to Haiti with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries; we were able to meet up with a group of students on Spring Break from MNU (Mid-America Nazarene University) at Balboa Park. <strong>[MNU group included: Emilie Beckum; Barrett Alexanader; Mitchell Cloud; Randy & Loretta Cloud, and others].<br /></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#009900;">Oh - and today (March 17) was my 39th birthday...along with St. Patrick's Day</span>.</em></strong> Great chapel service, great Mexican food for lunch, great time with friends, great fun at the park and the Fleet Science Museum, great Panera Bread for dinner, and great chocolate cake at the "Extraordinary Desserts" restaurant = a pretty great day. <div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-89278187448574831762010-03-10T02:36:00.000-06:002010-03-10T02:36:37.984-06:00Mommy's Girl<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YlqCcUWZqzVqmv_5sxTKnrHVzXFuBw77S9CJIhRXaRROXwUn0L0Jkqu4X7NWz6s0PN96waReC1BWRXQ4hyphenhyphen9xmJDncWdXWWL6Mb00crTKwOxIN8iyNTDbirSty95LfvqQ9W8W4w/s1600-h/CIMG0625.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YlqCcUWZqzVqmv_5sxTKnrHVzXFuBw77S9CJIhRXaRROXwUn0L0Jkqu4X7NWz6s0PN96waReC1BWRXQ4hyphenhyphen9xmJDncWdXWWL6Mb00crTKwOxIN8iyNTDbirSty95LfvqQ9W8W4w/s320/CIMG0625.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br /><br />Today, when we took Pam's parents to meet Paulina, we walked through the door and I heard her crying. Now, don't be to emotionally charged just yet - it appeared as if she was crying because she had gotten into trouble and was in a short time-out...which led to her unhappy moment.<br /><br />As soon as she saw me, she cried, <strong>"Pa-paaaaa!" </strong>and I of course, ran to her rescue. She clung to me for just a moment until she saw Pam. When she noticed Pam coming, she cried, "Pa-paaaa!" again (slight confusion on who is Papa and who is Mama) and grabbed immediately for Pam.<br /><br />For nearly 30 minutes, Paulina clung to Pam - with her little head pressed into Pam's neck and burrowed in her Mommy's protective arms. The moment was priceless.<br /><br />Then, without urging, she was fine - and proceeded to play with Pam's dad and some of the other people in the room.<br /><br /><em><strong>It was a perfect day.</strong></em><div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-22013850774860799572010-03-09T19:56:00.000-06:002010-03-09T19:56:19.923-06:00MK's 'r us!<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJchhjF1meyxCXwUEf1sJhPWinmlFIGFY1eSJKpHkn-2JgRC3RevObo6ndkFKC-TytgFmqHWKKtDNi56-S5_SYGBnnbQaldwQJjS3Iux4xgQW7awJURFtvuEoETaCNQt_qz_avA/s1600-h/DSC_0002.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJchhjF1meyxCXwUEf1sJhPWinmlFIGFY1eSJKpHkn-2JgRC3RevObo6ndkFKC-TytgFmqHWKKtDNi56-S5_SYGBnnbQaldwQJjS3Iux4xgQW7awJURFtvuEoETaCNQt_qz_avA/s320/DSC_0002.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br /><br />We recently met with a great group of kids whose families are in a similar vocation as ours. During the week, their parents were involved in a time of spiritual formation. Pam and I were privileged to host this group of kids for a time of retreat.<div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-85661598517789852992010-03-03T15:42:00.007-06:002010-03-03T16:16:21.358-06:00Adoption Involvement<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtwwIeiPtMyz3fkTFhCuEQmxpxXzbn8DeOn4kC2tRX_w7bVqVXeGvGySSlKJPAVs6H81eoZHa0EEV3-Urh049KZBlRue-ZoJTpdk9WxXCprQU-rXlfpdxOm1e1Q1p9xCmJ0qQDQ/s1600-h/coffeebeans_small.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtwwIeiPtMyz3fkTFhCuEQmxpxXzbn8DeOn4kC2tRX_w7bVqVXeGvGySSlKJPAVs6H81eoZHa0EEV3-Urh049KZBlRue-ZoJTpdk9WxXCprQU-rXlfpdxOm1e1Q1p9xCmJ0qQDQ/s200/coffeebeans_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444534570709803618" /></a><br />Some common responses to our story of adoption:<br /><br />1) You guys are so amazing!<br />2) We have always wanted to adopt...hopefully we can some day.<br />3) Oh my word! How can you afford that? I thought adoption was really expensive!<br /><br />A few responses to those responses:<br /><br />1) GOD is amazing...we are simply privileged to be able to join in with what HE is doing. There's nothing amazing about us...just God.<br /><br />2) Well? Who's preventing you from adopting? There are over 143 MILLION orphans in the world...one orphan is too many. See <a href="http://143million.org/">http://143million.org/</a> on how you can get involved - even if you can't adopt, you can still impact the life of an orphan. It's actually pretty easy and fun to love on an orphan!<br /><br />3) Ummm...yes - adoption is costly. However, we didn't ask "How much is this going to cost?" when God lead us into this journey. Practically, however, we need approximately $12,000 to bring Paulina home. We have sold our VW Jetta and are in the process of pursuing some grants. We've been told that most adoption grants are gone now, due to the economy.<br /><br />We have also started a fundraiser at <a href="http://www.justlovecoffee.com/PaulinaTooley">http://www.justlovecoffee.com/PaulinaTooley</a>. So, if you like coffee or know a human who does - consider buying a few hundred pounds today! Each pound of coffee provides $5 towards our adoption fund.<br /><br />Thanks for checking these links out - thanks for your help in bringing Paulina home!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0XPiSpv7eAqtyqmod_GOlVFM1tYJTL1OmL47mDlf9ZBRqdwPEyE5J6LqBMEMjLdbfkbbrxQ-tQ2klhM4d_73RjFX6-ZNyCtRChIyORQiJ_G__t4XtlBMTYstPMBmqpHKvEb94A/s1600-h/ftlogo_tfusa_look.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0XPiSpv7eAqtyqmod_GOlVFM1tYJTL1OmL47mDlf9ZBRqdwPEyE5J6LqBMEMjLdbfkbbrxQ-tQ2klhM4d_73RjFX6-ZNyCtRChIyORQiJ_G__t4XtlBMTYstPMBmqpHKvEb94A/s200/ftlogo_tfusa_look.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444530777030851938" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-6265475008221011252010-03-03T00:59:00.006-06:002010-03-03T11:42:58.157-06:00We're adopting!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCS0T9H-hdja8N8cvaczK5GeBOQ_GbjKfSprGEiSTNFR__LaxtolmwzOwQ_zmTbJKevpppaB16Woz9HolSJT_RtuiIPe5m75bxFftrb7DMka-FTFb-m9DM90fT2ONz_gnq82zyQ/s1600-h/Buttons.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCS0T9H-hdja8N8cvaczK5GeBOQ_GbjKfSprGEiSTNFR__LaxtolmwzOwQ_zmTbJKevpppaB16Woz9HolSJT_RtuiIPe5m75bxFftrb7DMka-FTFb-m9DM90fT2ONz_gnq82zyQ/s400/Buttons.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444299110453354802" /></a><br /><br /><em><strong>Paulina - Eyes of God</strong></em><br /><br />Have you ever walked into a room or interrupted a conversation when you instantly knew you weren’t supposed to be there…or you at least felt like you weren’t? At times, it seems as if that’s what happens with me in my journey with God – God is obviously at work and I walk in on what He’s doing; feeling like I’m intruding or invading some sacred event that’s not intended for me. That scenario is what happened when God introduced me to one of His most beautiful creations, a two-year old orphan named Paulina.<br /><br />In 2008, we made the investment for Nicolas and Allison to take a few painting classes from a sweet Mexican lady at our local Hobby Lobby craft store. One evening, the teacher introduced me to another student in the class because she knew of our missionary work with the Nazarene Border Initiative along with the fact that this other Mexican lady and her husband were opening an orphanage in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The director of this orphanage is Patricia Silis – how naïve I was to not recognize then how God was bringing me into His plan.<br /><br />For several months since meeting Patricia, I had been intending to visit the orphanage to see how the Nazarene Church could possibly connect with them – potentially a NCM Child Development Center; a site for youth group mission trips; Youth In Mission teams, Work and Witness teams, etc. The orphanage, “Los Ojos de Dios” (The Eyes of God) has tremendous potential of being a vital connection in the community for some of our Nazarene churches in Juarez – as well as a good “draw” for people interested in serving with the Nazarene Border Initiative. With all these appealing factors, I simply wanted to make an initial connection with the orphanage to begin exploring how we could partner together.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ojosdedios.org">Los Ojos de Dios</a> is one of the most intriguing ministry centers I've ever visited...very holistic – ecologically green – utilizing reusable resources; providing jobs for handicapped adults; caring for special needs/abandoned children; and ultimately the spiritual development of the children that are in their care. It's a Christian orphanage that is not tied to any single denomination; however they are very interested in partnering with anyone who shares their mission for caring for abandoned children and for taking care of all of God’s creation.<br /><br />After months and months of good intentions, I finally made the 45 minute trip to Los Ojos de Dios. Another missionary had intended to go with me that day; however, he got tied up with several other projects he’d been working on and I ended up going by myself. I later would learn that this was a blessing from God – He wanted to position me to be in a place where I could silently listen to His voice.<br /><br />Now, take a jaunt back in time nearly 17 years ago...Pam and I, before we were married had both made it a life priority to adopt a child some day. We knew God’s Word was clear to us in our responsibility to care for orphans and in particular, He placed a desire within us to open our home through adoption…some day. "Some day" was always far away down the road, I think. Throughout the years, we became experts at allowing too many life excuses to get in the way - 1) we have three biological children that are "enough" responsibility; 2) we need to wait until we're more financially stable; 3) we need to wait until we're in a stable living place in our ministry...and the list could go on.<br /><br />Especially since being in El Paso, God has clearly laid on our hearts His command to minister to the widows and the orphans – feeling that this could be a special niche in the Nazarene Border Initiative. By ministering to widows and orphans – even kids living in broken homes (sometimes kids live in abandonment even with "parents" in the home), we could minister to the very people that God wants to pour out His grace upon. So, this conviction we’ve had has actually begun to play out. We've even rationalized THAT by recognizing the broken families we've already ministered to - the single moms, the kids whose parents are disconnected; the troubled teens; etc. Those "count" don't they? James chapter one’s “test of true religion” certainly would allow those ministry connections to “count,” right? This part of the story is actually a very intimate part of my personal questions/issues I've been wrestling with as I learn to understand more about what it means to serve others as Christ did.<br /><br />Well...there's nothing like visiting an orphanage filled with children – to grip your heart. The children in this particular orphanage, Los Ojos de Dios, have nannies and "brothers and sisters," but no real home. No mom. No Dad. Not only that, the orphanage is filled to capacity. Every time a child is adopted, another abandoned child receives a new life at the orphanage. Many of the children at Los Ojos de Dios (orphanage) come from the Raramuri Indians of Chihuahua and are abandoned because they have what are considered to be “special needs.” In many places throughout the world, children with special needs are sometimes seen as “cursed” or a result of some terrible sin – and as a result; they are not seen as viable members of the community and are merely thrown out as rubbish.<br /><br />Imagine. God’s perfect creation – a child – tossed out as if he or she were a piece of rotten food. God’s gift – discarded.<br /><br />Los Ojos de Dios is the only orphanage in Chihuahua (the largest state in Mexico) that provides specific care for children with “special needs.” All of the children who live at the orphanage have some type of physical, neurological or medical special need.<br /><br />The time had come; I was finally able to carve out the time to visit Los Ojos de Dios – to explore some possible connections for the Church of the Nazarene. Nothing more.<br /><br /> That was my only plan. <br /><br />I didn’t intend to walk in on what God was doing that day and I certainly didn't intend for 2 ½ year old Paulina to steal my heart. Several of the children were so eager to be hugged and loved on. It was Paulina who kept running to me and hugging me and wanting me to hold her – then, at once she looked at me as I was holding her and asked, "Beso, Papa?" Now, I’m not typically the guy who is easily swayed, at least emotionally. I’ve worked with children long enough to know that they can be masters at manipulating your heart strings. However, in those moments that day – it was as if God began asking the questions: When are you going to be serious about caring for orphans? Are you willing to choose an orphan to be a part of your very own family? Are you going to move beyond child sponsorship to truly investing in the life of one of MY children?<br /><br />It was one of those moments when God questions your heart and you inescapably know it’s His voice.<br /><br />Paulina is from the Raramuri Indians, indigenous people living in northern Chihuahua – connected to the Aztecs. She was born with her right arm developed only to her elbow, missing her forearm and right hand. To some, this condition may be perceived to be a handicap, however that has not crossed Paulina’s mind. She is a resilient, active and very capable little girl – with a smile that will melt the most unsuspecting person.<br /><br />At just five days old, Paulina’s birth parents brought her to a hospital and left her there.<br /><br /><em>This is a significant detail in Paulina’s young life.</em><br /><br />The Raramuri believe that if a child is born with any type of perceived defect, it is a curse from the Devil – and the remedy is to simply throw them out. It is not unlikely for a child born with Paulina’s profile to be discarded like trash. In fact, some of the children at Los Ojos de Dios have been rescued from dump sites.<br /><br />This is why Paulina’s story is so significant – her parents cared for her for five days. For five days, they most likely toiled over the difficult decision on what to do with their precious baby. This precious child who they longed to care for after waiting for nine months was now visibly a liability within the community – they would be forced to do the unthinkable and throw her away.<br /><br />Courageously, this young couple chose life and they carefully took Paulina to a hospital where they new she would receive care – and a future.<br /><br />The southern gospel singing family, The Isaacs, have a song written about families who adopt entitled, “Heroes.” In the chorus of the song, part of the lyrics sing, “Someone else's burden was their blessing in disguise.”<br /><br />The hour and a half on the bridge back into El Paso gave me time to listen to God closely enough to know that I needed to talk with Pam about the experience I had. When I got home - it's all we could talk about. We talked about Paulina; we talked about how God has been directing us in Scripture; we talked about the financial factors that would inhibit our ability to adopt; we talked about the impact this would have on the people God allows us to minister to; we talked about the impact it would make on ONE child; we talked about the potential of having our organization either permitting us or even not permitting us to move in this direction; we talked about everything we could think of...and it all made sense. It made sense for us to see how God was leading in this open door. We walked into this unintentionally, yet sincerely and with the peace that passes understanding, sensed God leading us in this journey.<br /><br />As I was originally writing this memoire, an email popped up from a dear friend of ours. She and her husband are pastoring a Nazarene Church in South Carolina and have two adopted children of their own. Having gone through a similar journey themselves, we wrote to them asking them to pray with us. Here is her response to our story:<br /><br /><em>"Oh, Joel, your story made me cry. You can have all the excuses in the world until your command from God has a name and calls you Papa. We will be praying for you. It is such a wonderful journey and you will be far more blessed by this little girl than you will bless her life. Money, paperwork, the people around you, etc. are simple details in the hands of our God. If this child is meant to join your family He will take care of it. Here is a scripture that God sent me when we received the call about our daughter and I was seeking wisdom about her adoption:<br /><br />"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing" Psalm 68:5-6a."</em><br /><br />By the time I was able to read our friend’s letter, I was miles away from Pam and the kids - sitting in a hotel, preparing for a weekend speaking engagement. As I read this familiar Scripture once again, the tears flowed openly because of God’s grace in my life. You see…this story is not about Pam and me; it’s not even about this precious little girl who is waiting for a family. This story is about God’s grace – His willingness to dwell with us through the lives of the fatherless.<br /><br />Well, most adoption stories are full of unanticipated twists, turns, roadblocks and victories. We have experienced each of those elements…and we’re still waiting for Paulina to come home. Please pray for us as we wait, fulfill our part of what is known as the “paper pregnancy,” and wait some more. This story is in God’s hands.<br /><br />International adoption laws are constantly changing and we’re finding ourselves becoming experts in navigating this new world. Meanwhile, every chance we get, we find ourselves making the 45 minute trip from our house to Paulina’s house to visit.<br /><br />There is so much more to say – these past few months of waiting have unveiled countless stories of God’s confirmation in our lives intertwined with His sovereign plan to use this part of our journey to draw other people closer to Him.<br />I am so glad God let me walk in on what He was doing that day in October. He had intended for me to invade His plan all along.<br /><br />This is His story.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-75900659068027641322009-07-23T00:34:00.000-06:002009-07-23T00:35:34.729-06:00Summer Vacation - 2009<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d5441314d544d334d6a453d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Summer Vacation 2009" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d5441314d544d334d6a453d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/slideshows" target="_blank">Make a Smilebox slideshow</a></td></tr></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-1945647504416087992009-07-02T20:29:00.000-06:002009-07-02T20:30:04.373-06:00Traveling in the sun<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhW2J-RSroqJcEyrjKMyvL691NWmkNCxHiJ59XV3YkXxlOm1-bqPg5nY-aLUrKIIHVLjeLoa093ag_FDX8HwoeETkTlCGsS6QBoMJAMIPVMLWETLNM0MWIEajPoN5_3TSG8Yv_Q/s1600-h/DSC_0062+004.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhW2J-RSroqJcEyrjKMyvL691NWmkNCxHiJ59XV3YkXxlOm1-bqPg5nY-aLUrKIIHVLjeLoa093ag_FDX8HwoeETkTlCGsS6QBoMJAMIPVMLWETLNM0MWIEajPoN5_3TSG8Yv_Q/s320/DSC_0062+004.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br /><br />We are in the midst of a 10-week trek across the country - speaking in churches; participating at a youth camp; attending the quadrennial General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene in Orlando, Florida; and taking a few days of needed vacation.<br /><br />If you would like to be included in our email updates, be sure to email us at jtooley@nazarene.org.<br /><br />Thank you for your continued prayers!<div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-24221485256602425002009-05-21T15:28:00.000-06:002009-05-21T15:30:53.614-06:00Easter picture<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC8Mae0J0TUbnmnORpxm2143bxTDr8zAlhluv5v6PYsrFtjD2D7xv_cVWe89rq6XWNxNv_vJe2tT6ShjmwUMruobKLG8pzuTDtrm6nV9s4KKaOgaK8EHDJnjovsd71Oh9m7-K6A/s1600-h/Easter+2009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC8Mae0J0TUbnmnORpxm2143bxTDr8zAlhluv5v6PYsrFtjD2D7xv_cVWe89rq6XWNxNv_vJe2tT6ShjmwUMruobKLG8pzuTDtrm6nV9s4KKaOgaK8EHDJnjovsd71Oh9m7-K6A/s400/Easter+2009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338392830532078642" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37572442.post-68154987124761114802009-05-21T15:22:00.000-06:002009-05-21T15:26:51.176-06:00Ministry UpdateThis spring has been remarkably busy with extra travel and a couple of new ministries. We are so thankful for the prayers that are offered in our behalf as we realize time and again how vulnerable we are without the power and grace of God! He is the one that we serve. His direction is always on time, and His grace is always abundant to meet our need.<br /><br />One of the ministry areas that God has compelled us to join this spring and summer is a nearby church Re-Start. After talking to the DS of this district, we have been named the strategy consultants for this pastor and church. Our desire is to be led very clearly by God in all that we do and say in order to have the greatest ministry effectiveness in this new church.<br /><br />An exciting part of our ministry took place recently as Joel was able to participate in the launching of a new Hispanic church here in El Paso. This new church is a part of the Southwest Latin District, under the leadership of DS Roberto Hodgson. As well, Joel was recently able to meet with a ministry strategy team in Tucson, AZ, to develop plans for starting new churches in southern Arizona. Next year, we will be helping facilitate teams of people from every district in the world using GOL 2010 – an evangelistic thrust using sports camp outreach in conjunction with the World Cup Soccer Tournament.<br /><br />Another ministry that has increased and changed is our connection with World Mission Mobilization. Currently we are working diligently to prepare and train Mission Coaches, people that have the tools and resources to effectively disciple those that have sensed God’s call on their lives toward missions. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to have an impact on the world for generations to come by effectively ministering to future missionaries.<br /><br />Currently we are also preparing for Youth In Mission training camp. This is one of our favorite times of the year although it is quite busy. On May 26th, we will have 66 university students and about 20 staff members here in the El Paso area for 6 days. The students will be preparing for 8 weeks of ministry around the world in teams of 3 and 4. We are blessed to be a part of this ministry that reaches the far corners of the world and also impacts the university students for future missions involvement and sensitivity!<br /><br />Some specific prayer requests:<br /><br />- For the new pastor and wife of this Re-Start church, that they would be powerfully led of God as they begin this new ministry.<br /><br />- For the Youth In Mission students as they prepare for ministry this summer – for their spiritual preparation most of all, as well as their financial preparation.<br /><br />- For our family as we travel this summer, that we would be used of God to touch people’s lives as we minister in churches, camps and in people’s homes.<br /><br />We will be working at General Assembly in Orlando this summer. If you will be at the event, we would love to meet you! Please come and say "hello” to us in the World Mission exhibit.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0