Hyde Park Speaks

Amazing Love

I have quite an eclectic collection of music on my I-pod so I am never quite sure what will play next in the shuffle of songs.  It could be anything from Jimmy Buffet to Frank Sinatra to Vacation Bible School songs. Most of the time I am not paying attention to the songs themselves, as I usually just use them as a background beat and distraction when I am running.  But today I was really struck by the words as
a song came to the end. 

The song was “You Are My King”.  My mind had been wandering and I was nearing what I had decided was the end of my run for the day, when the last line played – “In all I do, I honor you” – and my mind screamed, “No, I don’t!”  I almost tripped at the vehemence of my own response to these words.  You see, at that moment, I had been caught up in my own unkind thoughts and I suppose the part of my brain that was actually hearing the words to the song broke through that reverie to remind me that in indulging in such thoughts, I was not honoring Jesus.  I was surely not following the example he set.

I put the song on replay and continued to run.  I ran long enough for it to replay half a dozen times but, this time, I listened to the words.  “I’m forgiven, because you were forsaken. I’m accepted, you were condemned.  I’m alive and well, your spirit is within me – because you died and rose again.” 

What an amazing gift! Or as the composer of the song put it, “Amazing love, how can it be?  That you my King my would die for me?  Amazing love, I know it’s true and it’s my joy to honor you – in all I do, I honor you.”

I spent time reflecting on the ways in my life that I do not honor this Amazing gift I have been given. 
Whether it is in word, thought, or deed, it is unacceptable.  I ran on, lifting my hands in praise to Jesus, knowing and yet not caring that I must have looked odd those who passed me on the road.  And I promised myself that, starting today, I would do my best to honor Jesus.  Not when I think about it, not when it suits me, but in all I do.  And it will be my joy to do so.

 

Downtown Ministry Prayer Team Update: 9.20.12

Today's Reading: Jesus Calls the First Disciples, Luke 5:1-11 (Mt 4:18–22; Mk 1:16–20)

5 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 

Return Visits to our School, Special Needs Homes, and the Construction Site

Today was our last day at El Ayudante. We started our day by returning to San Agustin School to do more activities with the kids. The boys went to play baseball in a nearby field and the girls split into 2 groups. The 1^st group went inside the classroom and listened to Mia read a book called Six Crows.

After the story they made more cross necklaces. The 2^nd group finished making t-shirts and got to know each other better. Then everyone enjoyed watching Spanish Veggie Tales while they ate their snack.  Mrs. Diane helped the children decorate a special banner that we will bring back for the youth group. We ended our visit by handing out the rest of our donated items. Some of us even gave the shoes off our feet! It felt good to give and to make God’s love real in Nicaragua.

In the afternoon, the kids stayed at El Ayudante and made special cards for all the wonderful people who took care of us and kept us safe during our stay.  Mrs. Lori, Grace and Genna went into Leon to visit the families who need extra help. The first house they visited had a plastic tarp held down by rocks as the roof.  On their final visit, they shared laughter and tears, and the mom told them if they didn’t meet again in Nicaragua, they would meet again in heaven.  

The men worked at the construction project mixing concrete and raising the schoolhouse walls.  The schoolhouse should be completed in three weeks.  We ended our day with WOW time and a devotion led by Genna and Carlos.

One funny thing we have seen on the farms here are pigs with antlers! The Nicaraguan farmers attach sticks to their heads so that they will not escape through the fence.

Thank you to those of you who wrote us letters…It was a wonderful surprise! Your words encouraged all of us.  We feel your love and prayers.

Mia Bush  11 years

Celia Bush  7 years 

 

Mission at the school and family fellowship at the beach- Nicaragua

Today we went to San Agustin School ages K-6th grade. We started off with the hokey pokey dance and then we enjoyed a game of soccer and parachute ball. In the classrooms we discussed friendship and forgiveness.  Jenna, Molly, Natalie, Mia and Grace took t-shirts and traced the children's hands and wrote special qualities about each child. In the other classroom Diane, Madison, Lauren, Celia and Lori were busy making cross necklaces. Afterwards all the children received juice and cookies. We gave the principal school supplies, backpacks and clothes.

At 4:00 pm we departed to the pacific beach in Poneloya for swimming, surfing (Pierce, Grayson and Grace) and a delicious dinner. We arrived back at El Ayudante to begin "WOW" moments of the day. Mark hosted "WOW".  During "WOW" we discussed how God's love was made real today or how we saw God's love.  Pierce's "WOW" for the day was going to the Cathedral of Leon where Mario gave an incredible tour!

Tomorrow we return to the San Agustin School in the morning and to the construction site in the afternoon.  Jenna and Lori are going to the homes with children who have disabilities to provide prayers and encouragement to the mothers. 

Natalie Smith age 11

Pierce Smith age 14

Volcano Trekking and More Building in Nicaragua

Today was an adventure. Me and my friends (that feel like family) all climbed a 2,460 feet high volcano! As we climbed up the side of the volcano, the rocks made it difficult to climb. It was a lot of work, but when we reached the top we saw the most gorgeous view of God’s creation. I could see all of Leon at the top, and could also see the farms, homes, and other near by volcanoes.

In the afternoon the construction crew continued to work on building the new schoolhouse. One of our team mates expressed satisfaction in knowing the work he was doing would likely still be there 100 years from now.

Also, Ms. Lauren and Ms. Lori went to visit more houses with disabled children. Some of the areas where the houses were located were in rough areas, and their driver was very cautious of their safety.  But they continued on with their mission to bring God’s love and joy into their homes.  

During our routine nightly “WOW moment of the day” many commented on feeling proud overcoming a fear of heights, the beauty of being at the top of the volcano, and how the families have touched Mr. Lauren and Ms. Lori. Ms. Molly shared that her WOW was by looking out during the downtime, and seeing all of us kids having fun running around playing frisbee, volleyball, soccer, and other games. None of us have television, ipods, or other electronics and are just having fun being together.

After our WOW moment, we continued on our nightly devotion. In keeping with the theme of the Miquel and Tomas skit, Mark and Grayson led a devotion about forgiveness. “Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to do what is good for each other and for all people.”  I Thessalonians 5:15

Madison Moore, 12  and her mom, Diane Lake

 

Fun and Work: Family MIssion Trip Nicaragua

On this glorious day that our Lord Jesus has given us, we were blessed to bask in the presence of blissful youth. Our journey began with a bumpy and precarious hour-long truck ride through the winding, bustling streets of Leon. We arrived at a rural preschool that partners with El Ayudante. The children were ecstatic when we disembarked from the truck and greeted them. We went straight to games including a parachute, soccer, football, and baseball. Mark Collins Burgan and Grayson Ryce Myer-Bruce were actors in the play of Tomas and Miguel in the “Lesson of Forgiveness” with Randall Mark Burgan as the narrator and Carlos Rene Dalence as translator. Everyone was thrilled to meet new friends, and sad to see each other leave.

Later in the afternoon the men and young adult women went to the construction site to help construct a new preschool. It was LOADS of fun and hard work!!! The men dug holes to help build the foundation.   The young adult women undertook the tedious task of working on the metal structure that will make up the framework of the house (rebar).  While we were at the construction site, Molly took the younger children back to the preschool to distribute clothes and shoes to the children who that morning were barefoot and wearing torn and dirty clothing.  Two of the other moms, Lori and Lauren, made three home visits to households with a special needs child.  They provided gifts to the moms and children, and were touched by how they were welcomed graciously into the one-room homes with tin walls and dirt floors.  Each visit ended with new friends holding hands in prayer, followed by hugs goodbye. 

Tomorrow will begin with a strenuous hike up a volcano, followed by more construction and home visits in the afternoon.  

W.O.W.!   This experience rocks—it is the bee’s knees. 

Mark, age 17    Grayson, age 16

Touched by Faithfulness: Family Mission Trip Nicaragua

Today we visited Las Parcelas Methodist Church. We worshiped with the congregation and were touched by their faithfulness though they had so little. We re-acted a Bible study with the children. Grayson played Goliath and the little boys played David. They slayed Goliath with handfuls of grass. We distributed cookies and juice and the pillow case dresses for the little girls. Then the boys played soccer and the girls enjoyed parachute games. Our children were struck by how far many of the Nicaraguan families walked to get to the church service (over an hour) and how this showed their faith and love for God. In the afternoon we took 25 children from the El Ayudante Child Protection Center to swim and play soccer in a sports complex in Leon. Everyone easily made friends and enjoyed their time together. Tomorrow we will be going to a preschool in the morning and then begin our construction project at New Soledad Preschool in the afternoon. Lori and Lauren will be visiting homes of children with special needs to bring food and supplies and to fellowship with the mothers.

Grace Underhill

Age 17

Family Mission Trip Nicaragua - Saturday

by Family Mission Team

Our journey to Nicaragua went as smoothly as possible. All luggage was accounted for! We were greeted by our translator Joe who took us to El Ayudante. El Ayudante was absolutely beautiful and Vanessa gave us a warm welcome. Tomorrow we attend Las Parcelas Methodist Church and in the afternoon we will take children from the El Ayudante Child Protection Center to a sports complex in Leon for swimming and field activities. Tonight at devotion we discussed how important it is if you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat.

Nicaragua Family Mission Trip Packing Party - Sunday

Six days before leaving to Nicaragua on the first family mission trip, five families met to pack all the donations.  Many people donated soccer balls, baseballs, shoes, clothes and many other goods that are greatly needed.  We ended up with thirty suitcases completely packed! We put hot pink name tags on each suitcase so we can identify them once we arrive in Nicaragua.  I am really looking forward to teaching the children how to play lots of games and making God's love real!!

Natalie Smith

Age 11 

Dresses for Misses in South Africa

by Cheri Roland

Doug and I want to share with you the joy we experienced when distributing the darling pillow case dresses that you dedicated HPUMC members created and sent with the mission team last August. It wasn’t until now that the timing was right to pass on these gifts. We felt we should present the dresses to a very special saint in person. Sister Gail Trollip is the founder of Tabitha Ministries; you can see her standing beneath the TABITHA banner holding the dresses. In 1998 she opened her garage to care for forgotten HIV /AIDS children. Since then, her mission has grown exponentially, now utilizing the old city bus station, providing housing, schooling, and loving care for 35 infected little ones. She just returned to “active duty” after a six month’s recovery from extensive back surgery. Gail and her team have been an integral agency for the seminary’s Field Education and Ministry course since 2011. Our seminarians are learning so much about serving the Lord through their experiences here.

 The little girls in the photos were THRILLED with the dresses (yet to be given the correct sizes) with their bright colors and unusual designs.  They have never had a new dress, have never had a dress of their very own, or ever worn any piece of clothing that was not a hand-me-down.  And now they are going to be hugged by the love of God through the gifts from Hyde Park who sewed the dresses, as well as you who gave up room in your luggage to carry this love from Tampa to Pietermaritzburg.  Standing behind those happy girls are seminarians Xabiso Socatsha, Getty Zatu, Siyabonga Ntombela, Mazwenkosi Nomxego, Andile Sikhakhana, and Nokhuthula Ngidi (to my left).

So, Doug and I just wanted to THANK YOU for giving us the opportunity to Make God’s Love Real once again through the care, generosity, love and dedication of you, our church family.  We are so blessed to be here in SA on your behalf.