CAM Interns 2009

For the past 3 summers, Brad and I have worked with CAM International's summer internship program, where college kids from around the US go to our fields to serve alongside of our missionaries and nationals for 6 weeks. This summer the interns were in either: Honduras, Guatemala, Spain, or Uruguay!

The Emerge program this summer was conducted excellently by the Mobilization team at CAM and Karin Rountree gets some incredible props for the success of the summer.

Tuesday to Thursday (today) the interns gathered together in Dallas to debrief their summer and prepare for returning home to see family and friends.

CAMU teammate, Kendra Cervantes, helped compile this video of the summer events. It's about 8 minutes, but has some cool shots of what our interns were involved in. Check it out below.




Are you interested in doing a summer internship? Let us know...we'd love for you to come join US in Uruguay next summer (or another country you'd love to serve in!)

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Why do I love the United States?

Ever asked the question, Why do I love the United States? Well today a friend and colleague of ours emailed us a letter his brother wrote. We were

moved by his story and wanted to share it with you.

Saturday, July 04, 2009
9:21 AM
Dear Tysons Staff,

I love the United States of America for many

reasons. My 21 years as Chaplain in the United States Air Force/Air National Guard contributed to that love and loyalty. But for the most part, that love came

from my father, an immigrant from Portugal. He came as a stowaway in the early 40’s, became a legalized citizen via seven

years of duty in the Merchant Marines, and went on to be yet another example of an immigrant who came to the land of opportunity with nothing

and turned into a model citizen of integrity and industry. My father, 92, and my mother, 83, now live with us.
Recently, I gave my father a small American flag. He looked at it for a couple of minutes and then said with deep feeling, “There used to be a time when this flag wasn’t mine, but, now it is.” Dementia has slowed his thinking process, so, after pausing for a little while longer, he continued, “It may be a small flag, but, it is still beautiful.” He carried the flag in his front pocket for days after.

I write these things to encourage all of us to love our country. Love should be the result of deep appreciation for its constitution rooted in biblical thought, for education available to all, freedom of thought, a democratic process, and opportunities for work, entrepreneurial or otherwise. We are citizens of heaven – the land that we love above all others – but, we are also citizens of earth, saints who are in Christ and also in America.

Pray fervently for the Lord’s truths to permeate our culture and society. Pray earnestly for the hearts of the fathers to turn to their children, and, most importantly, that many will turn their hearts to the Lord.

Happy Fourth of July!

Joe

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Little Carter Bridges sings the National Anthem

Happy July 4th! Celebrate the 4th with us today by listening and watching Carter Bridges sing the National Anthem. We are so proud of Carter for how brave he is in singing the National Anthem of the United States in front of crowds. We secretly think Carter should sing the National Anthem at a professional sporting event sometime.

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Thoughts on Freedom from Banner Elk, NC

Sitting on the balcony of our friends' house in Banner Elk, NC, I'm taking some time to think about freedom. Also what about all those who have sacrificed for us and those that continue to sacrifice so that we can live in a free country, with a free and clear conscience, and more. Let me explain.

On July the 4th we celebrate our freedom as a country. Many men and women died. Many fought. Many worked hard. I come in on their coattails. I don't deserve to live here. God gave me the gift of being born here. I'm grateful. But why do we have this independence? To do whatever I want whenever I want? Negative. I believe that there are many little things I can do for my country, for my family, for those who serve in the military.

We also have freedom in Christ. Christ served us more than anyone could have. He gave His life. Do I take advantage of this freedom? Do I forget about it? Do I ignore it? Because of His life, death, and resurrection, I can have a clear conscience that the penalty for my sin has been paid. I'm not free to do what I want, I've been freed to bring the message of freedom in Christ to others.

Today, remember with me that we are blessed. If you can read this, trust me, you are a blessed person as there are others who can't read, can't see, or are suffering too much to get access to a computer. What will you do today with your freedom?

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Partner Profile: Joe and Laura Rule

Joe and Laura are extraordinary people. Let me explain. From the first time we met them we've known that they are caring, encouraging, and welcoming people. I guess you could say, we just clicked. They are a young couple, we are too. Lindsey and Laura grew up in the same church.

While meeting them, they shared about their involvement in many different areas of ministry even as a newly married couple. They've helped to build homes as volunteers for Habitat for Humanity on weekends when not at work. They serve at their church helping to lead the missions efforts locally and globally.

They welcomed us into their Sunday School class to share about our ministry. We enjoyed getting to know everyone there, learning how they are already involved in missions, and sharing even more ways they could get involved.

While meeting with them the first time, Joe zeroed in on one of the biggest struggles missionaries face in preparing to leave for the mission field...how to provide for yourself while raising support to leave for the field. Most missionaries face the dilemma: do I continue to work full-time which will provide for my family and delay our departure by reducing the amount of time to focus on support raising or do I work part-time or resign altogether which reduces the amount of money to live on but also potentially reduces the time required to raise support by enabling you to focus on it full-time. Thanks Joe and Laura for helping us in our pre-field journey so that we can continue stay focused full-time on support raising/partnership development and get to the field sooner.

People like Joe and Laura humble us. We don't deserve their support and encouragement. But it is evident that Christ worked in their hearts to have a passion for what Christ is doing in and through Lindsey and I. Joe and Laura's commitment to us through their friendship, prayers, support, willingness to help us connect to their church, and leadership in many other areas encourages us and motivates us to continue serving faithfully as God uses us both in the United States and abroad once we arrive in Uruguay.

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The Missionary Life: Serving the Senders

Missionaries only do their work/ministry in other countries right? Well, not so much. But wait, their ministry only starts once they leave the country, right? Well, not really.

These are common ideas. I used to believe them. I thought missionaries only went to other countries. Some do. Some just go to another region of the U.S. But even those who leave to serve in other countries don't serve in only that foreign country.

Confused yet? I hope not. Part of our ministry is in the U.S. You got it, part of our job description is located in the United States. What is that exactly? Good question.

We feel called to serve the senders. Family, friends, churches, small groups, and foundations SEND us. They SERVE us. So much focus is on them that there is even a good book title Serving as Senders. But, wait, we enjoy serving the senders too (not just the other way around).

As we wait on God to work in the hearts of our senders to commit all our monthly financial pledges, we serve our senders. Part of the privilege of serving as a missionary is getting to invest our time, abilities, and more in our senders. Let's flesh that out.

On Wednesday night we were invited to attend a friend's church in my hometown. We not only attended but contributed to the teaching. We prayed with people. We encouraged others. We look for

ward to returning and serving the people there again.

If you have had a role in our development, praying for us, financially supporting us, mentoring us, connecting us to an opportunity, or some other aspect of our lives, THANK YOU. We are humbled by the commitment shown by our senders. We covet your prayers. God has used and continues to use you to encourage us to persevere as we raise support. THANKS.

We look forward to serving you. We look forward to updating you on what God is doing around the world. We look forward to listening to your struggles, to praying for you, to celebrating your birthdays, anniversaries, births, weddings, graduations and more. We also hurt when you hurt and grieve when you grieve the loss of a loved one.

So many times our senders have served us. Thanks. We hope you not only know of but can experience and feel our passion for serving you. Thanks for allowing us to be your hands and feet in what God is doing around the world.

What about Parents of Missionaries (POMs)? They deal with loss, grief, and ambiguity when their kids leave home for another country. We'd appreciate others serving our parents while we are gone. Learn how here.

Not just our parents, though. All senders should be prayed for, loved, encouraged, and ministered to. Thanks for letting us serve you, the senders.

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Expectations...

Expectations can be high. Sometimes they are too low. Sound familiar?

While completing our pre-field training (ie missionary bootcamp) at the Center for Intercultural Training (CIT), they challenged us to consider our expectations. Interesting. What do I expect of my family? What do I expect of my friends? What about churches?

Even more difficult question: What do they all expect of us? Oftentimes disagreements come up. Expectations are not established. We argue. We misunderstand. We fail one another. We fail ourselves.

We want to set realistic expectations. Not only for our ministry but also for our personal lives. We want to give ourselves time to really improve our Spanish. To learn a new Spanish accent. To take the time necessary to learn Uruguayan culture, worldview, interests, and heroes. It does take time.

We want to discuss expectations with family, friends, churches and others. Do you know why? We value you. Yep, you got it. We value you. If we understand the expectations (ie "the rules for playing the game"), we'll understand one another, we'll encourage one another, we'll be less frustrated with one another, we'll reduce surprises and show grace when surprises do occur.

What are your expectations of us? Share with us. Not only your expectations of what we'll do but of how you'd like us to serve you. To keep in touch. To call. To email. To skype.

Discussing expectations builds healthy relationships. Be on the lookout for future blog posts about what our expectations are for family, friends, and churches. Don't read "expectation" as "requirement." Read it more as a hope or desire.

We expect to let others down. Others will let us down. We hope to continue to build relationships in new ways. Distance may be a struggle. But relationships can and will evolve. I mean, after all...what did you expect? :)

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Father's Day Thoughts from my Grandfather

For Father's Day, my grandfather wrote his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren a letter. We thought we'd share it with you.

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Father’s Day Thoughts to my Eight Children - by Dr. George Plonk, Sr. (aka Racehorse Plonk)

As a father of my five children and Esther’s three children, our 23 grandchildren, and my 19 great-grandchildren, I can relate to every Dad who wants to give his best to his family. Together with my wife Margaret [who passed away in 2003] and my wife Esther, we have walked through many

experiences with our children – teething, first steps, the first day of school, peer pressure, college, and weddings. With every child who came into our house, I have wondered, “Do I have what it takes?” At times, I have felt overwhelmed by the thoughts that I am responsible to lead, guide, and direct my children in the ways of the Lord. He has chosen me to lay down my wants and needs and to pour myself into the care and supervision of our children. And, He has chosen you, just as you are, to be a father or a mother to your children. He knows your longings, dreams, and goals. He knows your exhaustion, frustration, and worries. He knows the overwhelming fear of inadequacy that sometimes creeps in.

God’s reassurance is that his power is made perfect in our weaknesses. His strength is complete when we need him the most. Can you be the father or mother God wants you to be? Do you have what is takes? Through the power of Christ, the answer is always, “yes”.

I feel that I have been blessed to have such wonderful children. I am extremely pleased with every one of you. I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for coming to my 90^th birthday celebration with your children and grandchildren. What a wonderful experience that party was…the experience of a lifetime!

“Happy Father’s Day to all of you.”

Love,

Dad

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How to make a Waffle Cone - Blowing Rock, NC

Sometimes in life you watch something occur and you ask how or why. Every had that happen to you? On Thursday evening that happened to us. My parents took us to dinner. Afterwards we stopped for ice cream.

We walked in. It smelled REALLY good. I wondered why. It was a waffle cone maker. A woman was making waffle cones from scratch...batter, waffle maker, shaping waffle in shape of a cone, and then letting the waffle cone dry so that the next day they could fill it with ice cream for their customers.

We videoed the process. We found it to be amazingly simple but fun. Enjoy the video. We hope you will. We like to share things with our friends, family, supporters, etc so that you can experience and walk with us through our life and ministry.



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Barista Makes Portraits of Coffee Foam

Barista makes portraits out of coffee foam. Huh? Is that possible?

Those were the questions I asked too. Apparently a man in Colorado makes portraits of people using the foam in their coffee. The portraits are not stick figures, they look like pencil drawings of the people who come in to the store.

As much as we both like coffee, we never thought of this. I'm so encouraged many times by the creativity people demonstrate in our world. The question is, how can I utilized the things around me today to creatively do something in a way that impacts others.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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