Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone! We appreciate all your prayers.

Today we all put on our Sunday best to go to the church. The church was very theatric, and had a group of teenagers (jovenes) putting on skits, to represent Easter. Praise God that the pastor who spoke was originally from Houston, Texas and was able to translate everything into English, for us ringos. Later we found out that that was the first time English had ever been spoken or translated in that church. God sure does spoil us!

 

This video is from the church we visited.

After church, we went into the main city and split up into groups. Each group had 5 places in the city, which we had to take pictures with, and then get back to the hotel by 4:30. My group was fortunate enough to pick up a local, who helped us cheat the game a little. He brought us to every place, and he argued with the store owners so we could get the price we could. Kevin stuck through it, with us girls, as we stopped at all the shops to get new Colombian trinkets. Our new Colombian friend, Delimiro Martinez, was the highlight of my day. He was so kind, and shared all his stories of his traveling. The city was so beautiful. It was nothing even close to anything in Michigan.

We thank God today for giving us the luxury of English in the Colombian church today, and such beautiful weather. We also thank God for the fellowship happening in the group. Again, we appreciate all your prayers, and we will keep you updated on more adventures throughout the week!

 

First blessings

We received our first gift today. When we arrived in Bogota it was necessary to rebook our luggage. At first the gate agent informed us that we would need to repay for our 5 extra bags. When we got ready to pay she said, "it's ok you don't have to pay anything!! God is so good!!

We know that He will supply all of our needs! Philippians 4:19

We are walking and ministering in this truth!

Can't wait to share with you more!!

Today is the day!

Today is the day! Please pray as we head to Colombia. Our plane leaves Grand Rapids around 6pm.

Want to be a part of the trip? We are asking that you pray for us daily.  Here is a prayer guide to assist you!

Colombia 2013 Prayer Guide

Our team is excited about this trip and we are praying that God will fill our hearts with love for children and open our minds to the way he wants to use each of us to share that love with people in Barranquilla! We are so honored and grateful that you have agreed to share in this opportunity with us, through your prayers and support. Please use the prayer points on this sheet as a guide and a reminder to help you pray for our team. May God deepen your own experience of His love as you pray for others!

Just as a reminder, we will be working on a variety of projects, including: constructing, painting, distributing teacher and school supplies, as well as blessing our global partners while in ministry with INNetwork in Barranquilla and El Refugio in Cartagena, Colombia.

TRIP DATES: March 29-April 7, 2013

PARTICIPANTS (17):

• Bob and Bonnie Rozema
• Hailey Houck 
• Elyssa Oostdyk
• Whitney Krieger 
• Tyler Nousen
• Kevin , Lissa Cobband Jann Cobb
• Justin Boogaart
• Mackenzie Henry
• Rachel Wrench
• Aubrey Herrema 
• Brooklyn Bruin
• Corrie Good 
• Erin and Nick Glab (in Colombia)

Friday - Saturday, March 29,30 
Pray for us as we leave Grand Rapids, make connections in Houston, Bogota & continue onward to Cartagena. Pray for strength, energy, & grace as we make each flight, arriving and settling into our guest house. Also pray for introductions we have for the week of ministry with new friends & the tour of this big South American city.
FOCUS: Safe Travel & Settling in for a week of ministry

Sunday, March 31 (Easter)
Pray for adjustment to the culture & preparation for our time seeing the City and attending church in Cartagena. We will be visiting people and setting up our projects for the week.

FOCUS: Blessing our partnerships around the world


Monday, April 1
Pray for grace and love as we spend our day traveling to Barranquilla and visiting teachers & children at Rose de Sharon Christian school. Pray that we are a blessing to this group.
FOCUS: Grace and Love

Tuesday, April 2
Pray for grace and love as we spend our 1st day painting at El Refugio. Pray that we are also a blessing to the children we get to help in the after school program. Pray also for the team devotions.
FOCUS: Cultural and Physical Adjustment

Wednesday, April 3
Pray as we bless El Refugio with another day of painting. Pray also that we are a blessing to the families of those selected to get water filters given by the Corinth Water Project.
FOCUS: Team Unity & Spiritual Growth

Thursday, April 4
Pray for grace and love as we spend another day with El Refugio. Pray for Martin & Rossy Morales who head up this work for YWAM. Pray as we travel to Cartagena and feed the homeless in the city.
FOCUS: Building relationships & Physical Endurance


Friday, April 5
Pray as we spend the last day in Cartagena visiting families at the church and school. Pray for the people on our team to have energy to do the drama and crafts for children’s church.
FOCUS: Grace and Love

Saturday-Sunday April 6-7
Pray as we leave Cartagena and travel back to the US. Pray for our team going through customs and our connections in Houston and Denver before returning to Grand Rapids. Pray also for the team to have spirit-inspired items that remind them of their time in Colombia.
FOCUS: Travel and Action Items for return home

Crossroads is going to Colombia

Our Crossroads team is going to Colombia on March 29, 2013. There are several ways that you can help us.

Pray
We will be working in conjunction with El Refugio
El Refugio is a not for profit foundation that helps the holistic development of children, adolescents and their families who live in vulnerable conditions in the city of Cartagena Colombia.

Contribute

We are in need of 

school supplies

Spanish/English dictionaries

Gifts for the children

Toothbrushes

Participate

We have 2 dinners planned as fund raisers at Big Boy in Grandville on March 19th and March 25th. Come out and support us!