{Nicaragua Update}

It's been a while since I've talked about the upcoming mission trip to Nicaragua, so I thought a little update was in order :)

As of right now, there are 38 people on our team, which is just mind blowing. We have a sense of urgency given all the signs around the world that our Lord's return is very near, and this could be the last opportunity that we have to share with the people of Nicaragua.

Its a bittersweet pill to swallow that Matt & Mallorye have had to withdraw from the trip due to her pregnancy. She'll be too close to her due date to travel such a distance & Matt is going to stay stateside...just in case. Fortunately, another couple have taken their spot so they will be reimbursed most of what they've put out there (they had their entire trip paid for). I'm a little nervous now that I'm the only one from our family going, but I'm sure God knew that way before I did ;)

I'm still planning on going...unless Mallorye's ultrasound puts her due date in January or sooner. I'm on target with how much I've paid in and I have my passport. I will probably borrow luggage from Mallorye and I'm going to see if mom will make me a few skirts when it gets closer to time.

The total cost of the trip is: $1,700.00

Total paid to date: $1,103.67

Balance due: $596.33

I need to have the trip paid for by the end of November which puts it at $149.08 each month. Completely doable! I would like to also take some spending money, but I'll make do if I have to. There are few things I need for the trip, but I'm just praying God provides, as He has done so far.

Ways you can partner with me;

1. Pray for me (that God prepares my heart, for finances, for my family)

2. Pray for our team

3. Pray for my family

4. Financial Support

If you're partnering with me in any of the ways listed, would you leave me a comment, or email me at gingerbales@sbcglobal.net ? Also, if you would like more information about Nicaragua 2011 Mission Trip...just ask! :)

God Povides!

God is definitely good to my children.

They both have signed up (on faith) for a mission trip to Nicaragua over Thanksgiving 2009. The cost for each of them to go is $1500 and for us...well, that's just a miracle stretch. However, I didn't discourage them. I just told them to sign up and "prepare for rain." We have prayed that God would provide and He is doing just that!

Last week, we were told that both children had been given $250 each, to go toward their cost. We were blown away. Well, God just totally blessed our socks off yesterday.....we were pulled aside after the first morning service and told that someone had donated $1500 for Mallorye to go on this trip!! The total cost...including her spending money! WOW! The anonymous donor apparently has been watching Mallorye on Wednesdays and has been impressed at the way she conducts herself and her attitude. Let me tell ya, as a parent, that is the biggest compliment you could receive!

We transferred the $250 that had been previously given to her to Blake and so now he has $500....only a $1000 to go!

This will be the first time that either of them have been on a foreign mission trip and I'm convinced it will be life-changing for them. We covet your prayers on this endeavor and I plan on updating regularly as we travel this journey.

So, a few beginning details;

Trip Location: Leon, Nicaragua
Trip Date: November 21-28, 2009
Trip Cost: $1500.00 each
Trip Agenda: Building a new church, VBS, Street Evangelism, Fiestas....the kids will be sharing their faith on a daily basis....our youth pastor just went this past December and seen nearly 1,300 people accept Christ! That's making a kingdom difference.

Please pray that God continues to bless Mallorye & Blake financially and that He prepares them for sharing their faith in a foreign land.

KC Mission Trip...be prepared for picture overload

As you all know, last week, Quentin, Mallorye, and Blake went to Kansas City, KS on a Mission Trip with our church. They worked hard and helped to make a Kingdom difference. The first day they did prayer walking around the neighborhood and distributed flyers telling of the church they were helping....just praying over that area that God would have His will.

The Southside Crew

The next 3 days were .... WORK. They tore off FOUR layers of shingles and re-roofed a house. Yes! These kids worked ON THE ROOF in the July Summer heat...not for a paycheck...or because they were made to...but because they wanted to make a difference... a positive difference! Wow!

Adrian sweeping the roof

Look, she's still smiling...even through the dirt and sweat

Adrian, Katie, & Alicia...gathering the shingles

Blake in the foreground...Andrew and Mallorye in background. I never quite understood why they had to get IN the dumpster, but that's what they did...shoveling shingles!

New meaning to Dumpster Diving!! That's Mal 2nd from left...who'd thought she could do all this with a broken leg! Chris, Andrew, & Brittany are the other dirty culprits.

Mallorye...she really was a trooper...broken leg and all..she's never missed a mission trip that our church has gone on...this was her 5th trip...3 times to New Orleans and once to Marmaduke...she sure wasn't going to let something trivial, like crutches, stand in her way.

Takin' a little siesta on the roof! Hey, get a break where you can, right?

Ground crew taking a water break

Pastor Pat...he's our Missions Pastor at church and does an awesome job of finding opportunities for our church to minister to others.

Mallorye, Adrian, Brittany, & Ashley

Mallorye, Katie, Brittany, & Ashely with their new friend Sienna...isn't she adorable?!

Really, only a face a mother could love...or three mothers! They are some dirty faces!

Dazed and confused after a week of roofing and painting

The Southside Gang posing with their hosts!

After a week of working hard the gang was treated to a Kansas City Royals baseball game. It was nice that they were able to relax a day before making the trip home.

Enjoying the game...and soem icees!

The Jumbo-Tron...I think they were more fascinated with this than they were the game!

All in all, it was a great week for them. The End.

All Alone...

...what ever will I do with myself??

Quentin, Mallorye (yes, even with a broken leg), and Blake left this morning after our 2nd church service for Kansas City, MO for a mission trip. This is Blake's first and Mallorye's 4th. I'm so excited that Q is able to be there for Blake's first trip (he was there for Mallorye's first one) and I know they're going to have a great time serving God's people.

I have a few rather large projects I'd like to get done while they're away...we'll see how that goes. Already I miss them. This house is just to big and empty with everyone gone. Hopefully, my "projects" will keep my mind occupied.

Please pray for their safety while they're away.