One More Volunteer!- June 2014

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ONE MORE... Help us get one more volunteer to Guatemala Dear friends! We are almost there!  I leave in ONE week exactly!  We are all packed, and both nervous and excited.  We still need your help with the flight of one volunteer! This is so exciting because no one has ever joined me on any of my mission trips. If you can help with the Guatemala flight for our volunteer see the information below. Thank you for your prayers and for always being so involved.  Read further on to see some more updates! Blessings! Elisa To give online please click here (please specify my name ELISA DIAZ), or make checks payable to:   Focused Living Ministry 237 Rindle Dr. Lexington, SC 29072 Memo: Elisa Diaz Thank you World Focus 2014 As an effort to bring awareness to in the Hispanic ministries of the ARP (Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church) denomination, my church, IBL (Latin American Bible Church) and Pinecrest Hispanic Ministries in Flat Rock, NC attended the two day World Focus World Missions Conferencesponsored by the ARP in June. The first night, my father was honored with a mariachi performance!  Guess who else was there?  My lovely co-workers from Germany (photo taken earlier in the year).  I was so encouraged to hear how well everyone is doing and to see so many of my friends and family working for our one goal.  Please pray for all of our ministries! School's Out!

I had a fabulous year teaching 6th grade English and Social Studies.  Every day was certainly different, and I learned quite a lot.  Above are some of my girls who became quite close to me.  My entire 6th grade staff was amazing; we were like family!  This year I am teaching 8th grade English....pray...for...mee!! My entire 6th grade class entered into the poetry contest and one of mine won the grand prize and another won first place!  They are truly inspirational.  My first period class was quite a handful, but we had ana amazing year.

Truly Thankful... I am so blessed.  Thank the Lord I was able to live another year.  Below left is the fruit ensemble my mother made me for my 27th birthday June 30th.  It has been so nice spending time with my family and friends in Columbia. I will be starting my Master's degree in Instructional Technology.  Please pray for my teaching and studies this year. Thanks to my teaching job, I was able to travel to the Model Schools Conference, which was in Orlando, FL.  I learned so much and was able to meet with amazing people who have inspired my career and philosophy in teaching.  No Splash Mountain or Harry Potter rides for me!  I accompanied some amazing ladies toZora Neale Hurston's (influential author and anthropologist) hometown 30min away in Eatonville, FL and explored her home, church and museum. Proof that I did enjoy some parts of Disney while at work! Blessings to all! Elisa Diaz

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Guatemala 2014!! Update from Elisa!! and 2013 Year in Review

The 2013 Guatemala Team at the New Under-Construction Global CHE Training Center 2014- Happy New Year! 2013 Year in Review and Guatemala Updates! What a CRED-ible year! As you have supported me and my mission, I pray along with you with the complete belief that God will answer. When you pray, pray with faith that answers will come as they did this year, that is why this year has been CREDIBLE! Thank you for your continued prayers and support! This email contains lots of answered prayers, and updates on what God is doing thus far in my life and others that you helped touch.   Keep with the faith that prayers will be answered in amazing ways and that YOU have a huge role in how prayers are answered. Thank you, God bless you and your family and spiritual life. Elisa

NEW MISSIONARY TESTIMONY Kristina R.- Middle School Spanish Teacher- First Guatemala Mission Trip "This mission trip was a wonderful experience and really opened my eyes to a new culture and way of life. I loved meeting new people, teaching children, and playing soccer with them. I saw how many things we can take for granted in our daily lives so I've learned to be more appreciative of what I have. I've also learned that it doesn't matter where we are in life or what is happening around us; we can still find joy and happiness through Jesus." We enjoyed having Kristina and she enjoyed it so much that she will be joining us again this summer!  Please pray that this is possible! BIBLE SCHOOL We were able to come to two schools and reach lots of kids with a missionary story, Bible story, and music!  This was the first time that I attempted to lead this program and train others in  less than a week, due to Mrs. Alica Kelly's (CEF evangelist) health problems that prevented her from joining us.  Everything went smoothly, the team was so pumped and edifying, and blessed so many children and leaders in the school!  We are invited to go to another school this summer!  Please pray that our team is large enough, and that time permits to do so! MUSIC MINISTRY ** (FULL CONCERT AVAILABLE)** In all the hustle and bustle of school, packing and God knows what, I was not able to prepare music for Guatemala.  Almost every year they ask us to give "un especial" or a special.  These brothers prepared music in English and Spanish (they learned it on their own!!!) and brought chords to play, and rehearse with the pastor at the Guatemalan Church!  What a blessing it was to everyone to sing in their own language and, as my mother says, in the language of God: music.  Watch below for the full concert! AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE Felipe (right)- Trainer and friend through Global CHE Many of you know that Felipe, a trainer from Global CHE and pastor of his local church, was affected by the earthquake in Guatemala last year.  I called him New Year's Day and was delighted to know that we were praying for him.  He was able to buy a new truck and has currently been able to repair 50% of his home.  I was able to buy him new working boots while I was in Mexico, which fit him perfectly!  What faith he has and what encouragement he gives me!  Please continue to pray for his ministry, church, family and home. FUNDRAISING! Start now! I am hoping to bring more interpreters, who are also first time mission fundraisers, than myself to this trip!  I am bringing along some firstimers to mission and fundraising. Could you help make our trip possible? Trip average cost= $1400 per person.    Click here for a list of donations needed!! 100% of donations go to serve the people of the Tercera Calle.   Tax deductible Pay online: www.focusedliving.com Please mail donations here:   Focused Living Ministry 237 Rindle Drive Lexington, SC  29072 Memo- Elisa Diaz LIFE I thank God for Life - Snow Day, January 29, 2014 I thank God for my privilege to teach amazing kids among amazing staff and community.  Pray for us as we are still learning to use iPads and teach through this new digital age!! [PANIC] My kids are funny and we do funny things.  Check out my tumblr page dedicated to the silliness education brings. Thankful that I was able to spend time with my siblings and family friends this past Winter break Thankful for three snow days! My Dad- "I want to be free"  This picture is from Christmas and he is very smartly wearing a cravatte that I bought for him.  Isn't he handsome? Continue praying for my father who has been suffering from early stage dementia at 60 yrs old, for 5+ years.  He is slowly losing independence, starting with the loss of his driving ability.  Every day that I can spend with him and hear about his childhood in Mexico is amazing.  I was able to go to his cathedral where he served as an altar boy in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and was able to get a personal tour from him.  It is still hard to hear things like, "I can't do anything I want", "I am a disturbance", "How many kids do I have?", "I'm tired of being like this".  These moments are few and slow and infrequent, thank God.  Thanks for all of you who have kept touch with your friend and who still pray for him.  I believe in healing. Pray for healing if God is willing.  And now...A Word from Our Sponsors (YOU) Throughout the Years! Note: This is not to praise myself, but to serve as proof to you all that this is not done by my own effort, but by God's grace, and thanks to ALL of your prayers and support!  "Elisa...we're thankful to hear that you could see God working!" -Clara "I rejoice in God's leading you to Guatemala!"- David "Que alegre recibir tus noticias y saber lo que Dios sigue haciendo con tu vida y deseo de servir!"- Vivian " Praise the Lord for what you are doing for Him there to the people in Guatemala...We have lots of hotel shampoos/ lotions that we saved up for you...God bless."- Kathy "So excited for you!! God is doing great things through all of you!! We will be praying for your remaining time and for a safe trip back! I am also praying that some of us will be able to join you next year! Can't wait to hear all the praises when you return! Love you!" -Betty "So excited for you dear sister! Sounds like you are off to an incredible start! May the Lord do above & beyond what we could ask or imagine!!!" -Rebekah "...que Dios te bendiga en tu andar"-Tio Eddi (Uncle Eddy!) "I am thankful for how God has provided & am praying for you!  Blessings in Christ" -Karen "Girl, I'm praying for ya!" -Catherine "What an exciting opportunity!  Praying for you as you're getting close :-)" -Joy "Blessings to you!"- Randy "Greetings from all of us here in SC...KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK" -Adrian "Hey we are soooooooo proud of you...Take care!!!"- Rob "Muchas gracias por compartir lo que enviaste acerca de misiones a Guatemala con nosotros GCE...BendicionECS  AbundantECS y abrazECS a todo el equipo misionero de Focused Living Ministries!!!" - Dr. Hugo E. Gomez "Hola Elisa que alegría me da saber que estás en Guatemala me gustaría verte! ... que Dios te proteja y tengas buena salud. Abrazos." -Alex "Estimada Hermana Elisa, que su tiempo en Guatemala sea invertido para la bendicion de muchas personas. Estoy orando por salud, cuidados y sabiduria.  Que el nombre de nuestro Senor sea glorificado."- Nilo " May the Lord bless your trip to Guatemala!"- John "Que bueno saber que vas otra vez [a]... Guatemala.  Se ve que lo disfrutas y doy gracias a Dios por la obra que les permite hacer." -Vivian "Hi Elisa: I'm so proud of you! God bless you on the trip! Greetings." -Arnold Philemon 1:4-7 "I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers..."

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DATE CHANGE- August 18, 2013

There is a NEW DATE!
Our Mission Trip Celebration will now be held:
Sunday, August 18th, 2013

Two Services:

9:15am & 11:00am
Friendship Baptist Church
1056 Highway 1 S
Lugoff, SC 29078

I look forward to seeing you there!

Love,  Elisa

P.S.
Learn more about Global Community Health and Evangelism (CHE)
Learn more about Focused Living Ministries

Mission Trip Celebration 2013!

Mission Trip Celebration 2013!

I hope those of you who have been supporting all of these years or who are interested in support or joining will come!  Thank you for all you have done!

-Elisa

Guatemala Team 2013 at the new Global CHE campgrounds which is under construction.

Friendship Baptist Church

1056 Highway 1 S
Lugoff, SC 29078

Sunday, August 11th 2013

Two services:

9:15am and 11:00am

Come and meet the team

Find out more information

Listen to first person experiences

See pictures, hear the worship

Learn how you can join or support!

We made it!! Guatemala 2013

This is a previous newsletter I sent to supporter via email during my trip to Guatemala on July 11th, 2013!  Check it out! Love, Elisa

Dear friends,

  You did it!  You helped me pray and help me collect donations and funds!  Forgive me for not being able to write sooner.  We were able to raise the sufficient amount of funds and I was able to buy my ticket!  I am now writing to you in a small patch of working wireless-internet from Champerico, Guatemala!

The children that you see in the picture are now one year older and much taller and healthier.

Today is our fourth day in the village.  I arrived safely on Saturday and we rested in the hotel after traveling.  We met many new faces and many of them had never been on a plane before.  Many of the new faces were related to those who have been with us the year before!

Sunday began with a welcoming worship service and we helped by conducting the communion while I jumped into translation.  I am less tired during the week now, thanks to a translator from Virginia that came along!  I am very thankful to have her join our team!

Monday was a planning day for our School Team, so we prepared our songs, memory verses and stories. Construction materials were bought this day and the clinic, dentistry, and glasses ministry as well.  Each person at the clinic was presented the Gospel and our team was surprised at the patience of those who waited for many hours.  In the morning, Dr. Hugo prepares a devotional for the villagers and our team based on the healing ministry of Jesus and how to Him, healing and salvation are one thing.  These really start off our day centered and focused on God.

Tuesday we went to a were invited back to San Patricio (St. Patrick) school and taught two classes there with a missionary story and the story of Jesus.  The kids were so enthralled and many remembered what they had learned from last year!  Construction began and more and more people were able to come back to the clinic this year for their yearly check-ups.  Each person at the clinic was presented the Gospel and our team was surprised at the patience of those who waited for many hours.

Wednesday we went to the second school from the year before and each student was so receptive.  The teachers allowed us to choose any time that we wanted and welcomed us to come again on Thursday for two more classes.  As soon as we stepped out every team member suddenly was grasped by a different child!

Each night, two or three from the team prepared a devotional and we reflected on our day.  This helped us to give thanks to God and remember what he had done for us each day, as well as motivate everyone for the next day.

Please pray for energy, patience, self-control, team work, wisdom, servanthood and love!  I was invited to participate in a worship service tonight along with the pastor and two other members from our team!  Pray that many will be blessed through our worship time.

So the day begins!  This will be our last day and  tomorrow we will head to a town closer to the airport to leave Saturday morning!  Thank you for your many many prayers and your faithfulness!  I hope this moves some of you to come and participate as there are many needed areas!

Thank you and please write back!


Elisa Diaz

UPDATE
Current funds: FULLFILLED

TRIP INFORMATION

Dates: July 6-13^th, 2013
Where: La Tercera Calle, Guatemala- Near Champerico, Retalhuleu