Language School

Joel and I have now completed 3 months of our 6 months of Spanish language classes here on the campus of Semenario Nazareno de las Americas (SENDAS) in Costa Rica. We have enjoyed our time with our teacher, Gaby, conversing in Spanish about God's work in our lives, and of course mixing in grammar and new vocabulary along the way.

Our Spanish ability has been tested as well, as we participate in church each Sunday and converse with other missionaries in the office, in reality a very international community. This past Sunday we were privileged to go to our pastor's house for Sunday lunch. As we sat around the table for several hours, talking in Spanish and laughing together, I was also praising God for all that we have learned so far.

We are half way through our time of schooling, and we still have much to learn. But, God is faithfully helping us!

We're all waiting...

When we said, "Yes" to God, 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."

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: "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." Annikah is waiting in prayer - anticipating her new sister will learn to love Jesus as much as she does.

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. Nicolas is waiting in anticipation of what it means to be Paulina's big brother...to take care of her.

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. 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.

And then, there's Paulina...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.

• What does she wonder about?
• 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?
• What does she think about the nannies who care for her?
• What does she think about the other children who share a home with her? 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?

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. Paulina is waiting for the unknown - something that everyone else seems very happy about, yet she knows nothing of.

And so...we're all waiting.

Psalm 27:14 (New Living Translation): "Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD."

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.

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."

Okay...now for those of you who really want to what's going on while we're waiting...

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.

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:

• Finalize Paulina's adoption in the State of Chihuahua
• Getting Paulina's name to be officially changed to "Paulina Fe Tooley" (Fe = Faith in Spanish)
• Flying to Mexico City with Paulina
• Making an appointment to get Paulina's Mexican passport
• 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.
• Then, we will fly back to El Paso, Texas - once she touches US soil, she will have full citizenship rights.

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.

Financially, 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.

As international adoptions go, expenses mount up without warning - many revolving around non-glamorous details like translation of official documents, authenticating documents and travel.

We thought 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.

Still...we are waiting...waiting on the LORD.

Paulina 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.

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!

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.

family picture - Nov, 2010

In Costa Rica

Recently, 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.

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.
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.

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.

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!

Paulina

Paulina in action

Update on Paulina

Just 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.

There are a few items for which we invite you to join with us in prayer:

1) The smooth completion of our adoption of Paulina
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.
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.

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.

Please visit their website at: www.ojosdedios.org

Also, you can view these videos produced for Los Ojos de Dios that feature a part of our story.

http://vimeo.com/13235204

Praying for Mexico with Summer Missionaries

On 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.

The Nazarene Border Initiative Center turned into a training arena buzzing with cross-cultural orientation, team building, and spiritual formation.

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.

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 Maru Rodriguez, a missionary from the North Mexico Field, 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.

Please pray for the students as they spend their summer overseas in Cote d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, El Paso, India, Italy, Liberia, Mexico, Romania, Senegal, South Africa, Vanuatu, and a Creative Access area in Asia. 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.

(article submitted by Laura Poff - photo by Marty Hoskins)

Traveling to California

We've been able to travel together this week, as a family, 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 [Brian & Kelli Becker; Melissa Tucker; Christina Pacheco; Mary Paul]; and connected with a great group of MK's (Missionary Kids) who are studying either at PLNU or other area colleges. [MK's/PK's = Julie McKeithen; David McKeithen; Kathryn Louw; Jocelyn Vasquez; Jessica Bird; and Casey Brough].

Besides getting to be "spectators" in an amazing chapel service where we heard our friends, Brian and Kelli Becker 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. [MNU group included: Emilie Beckum; Barrett Alexanader; Mitchell Cloud; Randy & Loretta Cloud, and others].

Oh - and today (March 17) was my 39th birthday...along with St. Patrick's Day. 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.

Mommy's Girl

 

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.

As soon as she saw me, she cried, "Pa-paaaaa!" 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.

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.

Then, without urging, she was fine - and proceeded to play with Pam's dad and some of the other people in the room.

It was a perfect day.

MK's 'r us!

 

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.

Adoption Involvement

Some common responses to our story of adoption:

1) You guys are so amazing!
2) We have always wanted to adopt...hopefully we can some day.
3) Oh my word! How can you afford that? I thought adoption was really expensive!

A few responses to those responses:

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.

2) Well? Who's preventing you from adopting? There are over 143 MILLION orphans in the world...one orphan is too many. See http://143million.org/ 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!

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.

We have also started a fundraiser at http://www.justlovecoffee.com/PaulinaTooley. 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.

Thanks for checking these links out - thanks for your help in bringing Paulina home!

We're adopting!

Paulina - Eyes of God

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.

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.

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.

Los Ojos de Dios 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Imagine. God’s perfect creation – a child – tossed out as if he or she were a piece of rotten food. God’s gift – discarded.

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.

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.

That was my only plan.

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?

It was one of those moments when God questions your heart and you inescapably know it’s His voice.

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.

At just five days old, Paulina’s birth parents brought her to a hospital and left her there.

This is a significant detail in Paulina’s young life.

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.

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.

Courageously, this young couple chose life and they carefully took Paulina to a hospital where they new she would receive care – and a future.

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.”

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.

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:

"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:

"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."

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.

This is His story.

Summer Vacation - 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Traveling in the sun

 

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.

If you would like to be included in our email updates, be sure to email us at jtooley@nazarene.org.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Easter picture

Ministry Update

This 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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Some specific prayer requests:

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

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.

Global NYI (Nazarene Youth International)

Joel here...

One of the privileges of our ministry assignment is my connection with Nazarene Youth International. As a ministry partner via my involvement with Youth In Mission (, I get to interact with, rub shoulders with, and enjoy times of ministry strategy and vision with some of the greatest leaders in the Church of the Nazarene.

This week, I am in Orlando, Florida with 25 or so of our church's top leaders from around the world (Brazil, Mexico, USA, Argentina, Paraguay, Guatemala, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Philippines, Trinidad and Puerto Rico) - planning, preparing for, and anticipating some exciting developments for the Church of the Nazarene.

If you will, please pray for Nazarene Youth International and the future God has for our church.

Update on Baby Sandrita (See Nov. 12, 2008 post)

Praise the Lord!

We recently heard that Cosme and Sandra took baby Sandrita in for blood work. She was preparing to begin her next round of chemotherapy.

The doctors ran her bloodwork and discovered there was no sign of leukemia any longer!

God has healed this precious baby!