http://www.adventures.org/blogs/rss/ Most Recent Blogs from Adventures.org Staff - Adventures In Missions en-us Tue, 13 May 2008 01:14:10 GMT 30 http://victoriarosa.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=thailand http://victoriarosa.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=thailand I am getting ready for Thailand. I cannot believe that I leave tomorrow morning to Gainesville and I have been home from India for three weeks. The time has come to embark on a new journey. How exciting! To be honest, I feel an array of emotions. A little nervous mixed with excitement and nausea. I'm almost all packed. Everything I need is around my luggage instead of inside of it. I guess you can call it procrastinating.I have some prayer requests:There have been two natural disasters around Th Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.sethbarnes.com/index.asp?filename=being-content-in-every-circumstance http://www.sethbarnes.com/index.asp?filename=being-content-in-every-circumstance Periodically one of my children would come to me with some tale of woe. Their face told me the story before they said anything. And frequently I would address not the problem, but their response to it by asking a question: "Have you learned the secret yet?" "What secret?" "The secret of being content no matter what your circumstances." Paul frequently found himself in the most adverse circumstances - shipwrecked, in prison, threatened, and on trial for his life. Yet he declare Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://caseywells.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=sex-passion-india http://caseywells.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=sex-passion-india I recently read Red Letters, by author Tom Davis. Now I wouldn't give all the credit to Tom's book... the reality is that it started way before then, but perhaps Red Letters was the push I needed to get me going. I hadn't even closed the book after reading the final pages when I just had to open up my computer; I had to get online I had this almost uncontrollable desire to do some research. It sounds strange, I know. But that's really what happened. You see when I was home in Washington I went Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://jameshooper.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=family-update http://jameshooper.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=family-update Wow, it's been a long time since we posted a family update. James has been so incredibly busy these past few months and this summer will be even crazier. I figured I could help him out by posting an update of some Isaac pics. Isaac finally started walking on his own a few weeks ago. He'd been cruising along the last 7 months and taking a few steps here and there. Now, he's all over the place! He is more and more active and I am more and more tired :) He loves being outside and exploring. He ha Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://china.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=earthquake-in-china http://china.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=earthquake-in-china You will have probably heard about the earthquake that occurred here in China earlier this afternoon (while you were sleeping in America). It was a very large quake and its epicenter was relatively close to where we live; about 400 miles to the south. The quake was at least a 7.5 and was felt as far away as Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Vietnam, and Thailand, all thousands of miles away. But the crazy thing is that we felt nothing here! We are not sure why, but it could be because of all the high Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sherryhemsoth.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=new-pictures http://sherryhemsoth.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=new-pictures Hey Everybody.......check out the pictures on my Blog from my 3 week trip to the Navajo and Apache Reservations in AZ and NM!  Pictures are worth a thousand words! Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://sherryhemsoth.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=it-happened-so-fast-and-so-unexpectedly http://sherryhemsoth.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=it-happened-so-fast-and-so-unexpectedly It happened so fast and so unexpectedly......I had been in the field 14 days and had not had access to my email.  I knew it was building up and needed my attention.  Finally, at midnight, I was able to sneak away from my hotel room and 3 sleeping Indian teens I had taken to Phoenix for a graduation celebration.  "Yes", I said to myself as I saw that the guest computer in the office was not in use.  I eagerly sat down and began to read through my list of 128 emails.  I ha Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://beccachristian.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=living-the-blessed-whatever http://beccachristian.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=living-the-blessed-whatever God's calling me into a new season with Him.  I'm such a planner and I want to tell the Lord sometimes what I'm going to do for Him and this weekend He had me surrender full control of my life to him - EVERYTHING.  Beth Moore in one of my favorite messages of her's "the crucified life" talks about living the blessed whatever.  Doing whatever it is Jesus is asking me to because it's not about being surrendered to a project or a mission, it's about being surrendered to a Savior.&nbs Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://elizabethvaraso.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=may-update http://elizabethvaraso.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=may-update   Hello all! I'm writing this in the few remaining hours before Frank & I head out for a week of solace & retreat!  We will be spending this week camping in the northeastern mountains of Pennsylvania, waking each morning to campfire coffee & sleeping to the sound of crickets.    I must admit, I feel a mix of excitement and apprehension.  It's often much easier for both of us to "do" rather than "rest."  However, God has been speaking clearly, and i Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://katyhowry.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=mothers-day http://katyhowry.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=mothers-day I just want to take the opportunity this Mother's Day to testify about my own mother.  I can truely say that my mom is one of my best friends.  What a blessing?!  At twenty seven years old she is still the first person I want to share all my good and bad news with.  There is an unconditional love in her heart for all three of us.  Kim and Travis would agree that we are blessed to have the parents that we have.  When things got tight I never felt it.  She kept u Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://erinbrumit.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=debrief http://erinbrumit.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=debrief This week Naomi & I took the whole FYM team back to South Padre Beach for our end-of-the-year debrief.  Gary and Nancy Lengkeek came down from AIM's Gainesville office to help us process through the events of this year and to prepare us to return home.  This final debrief is such a vital part of missions, as we have all experienced so much during this year and grown in many ways.  Please keep the FYMs in your prayers in this time of transition as they return home on May 15th.& Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://robharrell.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=mens-trip-to-mexico-this-april http://robharrell.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=mens-trip-to-mexico-this-april After reflecting on the mighty events of this past week's Men's Mission to Matamoros, Mexico; I am convinced that we have made a Kingdom Connection to what God is seeking to do in the earth.  He told us through worship ... "Be Still and Know that I AM God".  Oh, how He showed Himself!    God led us to start new businesses for Gilbert (above) who is now selling pinuatas and Gabriel Garza (below) selling "AGUA FRESCAS" - fruit water.  You can't even ima Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://deniseroberts.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=mothers-day-thoughts http://deniseroberts.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=mothers-day-thoughts Once again mothers day is here.  It's part of life here, something we celebrate.  As children we make little construction paper cards with crayons, glitter and glue, and pick dandelions as if they are long stem roses.  Even today, we thank our mothers for all they have done for us and take them out to brunch and bring them actual roses.  It would be hard for someone to forget Mother's day becuase it's everywhere TV commercials, radio ads, on every store front.  It's real Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://naomiskeltis.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=building-a-house http://naomiskeltis.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=building-a-house As an FYM team we built a house for a family a few weeks ago. The money for the house was raised by FYM's and all the construction was done by our team. It was a great experience for the team. The family we built the house for have three children. They were renting a house but the rent payment was so high that they did not have enough money to live off after paying rent. This house was a huge blessing to them. They are so thankful. Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://china.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=was-cs-lewis-orthodox http://china.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=was-cs-lewis-orthodox After my last post, I feel that I need to share the following article as a warning to those who might place too much of their faith in a man, even someone like C.S. Lewis. Lewis did write many good and true things, but he also held to many theological views that historical Christianity would completely reject. Please click here to read the full article detailing some of C.S. Lewis's unorthodox beliefs. Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://jeffgoins.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=orphan-email http://jeffgoins.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=orphan-email I surprised my mom yesterday by driving an hour and a half to see her, taking her out to lunch for an early Mother's Day celebration, and giving her a giant, singing, Spanish card. I don't think very highly of most American holidays, and that includes Easter and Christmas. They've just run their toll on me; Mother's Day has the same effect. Why would I want to give my mom a gift on the day that everyone else is giving their mom a gift?Okay, I know that for many it's more than that, but for me, i Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://chadmustain.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=learning-slowly http://chadmustain.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=learning-slowly Over the past few days I have been learning slowly the lesson of forgiveness. I realize there are far worse things going on in the world than our stolen laptops. However, I believe God uses circumstances both big and small to refine us and mold us into who he desires us to be. I have been so blessed to have words of truth and love spoken to me from my wonderful fiancee' Heather, my family, and many of you. In an email this week my mom said to me:Our family has really had the call of God on our l Fri, 9 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://erickabennett.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=for-all-the-mothers-taken-too-soon http://erickabennett.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=for-all-the-mothers-taken-too-soon Give a Mother's Day gift in honor or in memory of your Mom here.As mother's day draws near, I am reminded of my own mom, and all the ways she took care of me throughout the years. So many of us are blessed with loving mothers who we want to honor on Sunday, the special day set aside for them.But this year, my mother isn't the only one who comes to mind. I am haunted by the knowledge that in Swaziland, there are thousands of mothers that were taken too soon by AIDS and poverty, leaving over 130,0 Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://jasondriver.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=im-blessed http://jasondriver.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=im-blessed Last weekend I flew back to Ohio for a time of sharing in a "Coffee House" format. I was a bit nervous going home, as I always am. Home can be a great place at times and then there are the times that you just want to leave shortly after you arrived. There are also all the expectations that are placed on you to visit people making sure that everyone gets quality time with you. It can be overwhelming at times and someone is always left out. Well, my time in Ohio was probably the Fri, 9 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://china.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=cs-lewis-and-the-law http://china.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=cs-lewis-and-the-law Something that I noticed a couple of years ago, that actually helped to solidify in my mind the soundness and Biblicalness of using the Law of God (see www.wayofthemaster.com)  in evangelism was from Lewis's very popular book "Mere Christianity".Here is a somewhat lengthy quote in regards to the Law, sin, and God's character, found in the chapter entitled "We Have Cause to Be Uneasy": "...we know that if there does exist an absolute goodness it must hatemost of what we do. That Fri, 9 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT