Prayer Focus - Saturday, July 27, 2013

Focus Topic: Safety & Sustainability

Focus Scripture: "And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety." 2 Corinthians 1:11

Focus Team Members: Brooklyn Rodgers & Amanda Shedaker

Father, watch over our team as they come home. We can't wait to hear the stories of life change that they've experienced over the last several days. Let their flights arrive safely, may they make all of their connections and bring them swiftly home. We entrust them into Your care and know that You are sovereign over all of their movements this day. We lift up Brooklyn & Amanda to You. Thank You for all that they have done to serve You on this trip. Minister to them on the trip home. And, Jesus, let every single person on the team sustain the passion, self-sacrifice and willingness to obey You that was demonstrated on this trip. Too often, we slip back into the normal pace of things and forget what happens when we yield ourselves completely to You. May what You've done in their hearts spill over into ours as they share with us on Sunday morning. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Prayer Focus - Friday, July 26, 2013

Focus Topic: Rest

Focus Scripture: "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 95:1

Focus Team Members: Kim Mickel & Nikki Mickel

Jesus, let Your Presence bring rest and refreshing to our team today. We know that they have labored hard; spent countless hours sharing Your love and the hope of the Gospel. And, we are so grateful for the interns and National leaders that have served with them. Be with them today as they enjoy a day off, time to relax and fellowship with one another. Let Your joy be among them. Refresh Kim & Nikki  and let the entire team enjoy the quiet contentment that comes from a job well done. Lord, we join them in giving You all the praise for what has transpired over this past week. To You belongs all the glory!

Prayer Focus - Thursday, July 25, 2013

Focus Topic: Vacation Bible School

Focus Scripture: "Come, my children, and listen to me and I will teach you to fear the Lord." Psalm 34:11

Focus Team Members: Christopher Mickel, Georgie Mickel & George Mickel

Father, today is Day 2 of the VBS that our team is leading on behalf of Pastor Julio's church. Open the hearts and minds of everyone in attendance. May Your Holy Spirit speak to adults and children alike. We pray especially for the moms attending; may they find hope, encouragement and refreshing as our ladies minister to them. We ask that many children will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Help Christopher, Georgie and George today. Let them rely on You for all that they need. We believe that You are speaking through our team, teaching children to love and serve. Thank You, Lord for all that You are doing!

Great day today and a great day a head.

    Well it is late and we still have an hour of work ahead, but we are having a great time. As I write this I hear all the youth outside laughing as they fill 1400 water balloons for tomorrow's VBS recreation. It is a great sound which warms my heart.  

     Today we started the day at a local school were many children heard the word. Then onto another area of the lake for street ministry, lunch and back to the same school to share with a new group of children.  We had a great response to salvation,prayer for family and for healing.  We were able to go into some homes were we prayed for healing. 

    Our team has been fighting some stomach bugs but that has not slowed anyone down.  They are all Christian soldiers marching off to war, and the Lord is winning! Amen.

    Tomorrow starts our VBS and Women's Ministry programs, please pray for the hearts of all who will attend and then we are effective. 

   We love you all 

Prayer Focus - Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Focus Topic: Strength & Energy

Focus Scripture: "Each time he said to me, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Focus Team Members: Sherri Johnston & Allie Mickel

Jesus, it's the mid-point of our teams stay in El Salvador. They've been hard at work from the moment that they landed. Give them supernatural strength and energy today. Though they may feel weak, let the power of Christ work through them in whatever they do. Minister to Sherri & Allie as they serve. Overwhelm them with your grace. Let Jesus be evident in every single team member. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen!

Prayer Focus - Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Focus Topic: Effectiveness

Focus Scripture: "So, the message about the Lord spread widely and had powerful effect." Acts 19:20

Focus Team Members: Pastor Neil Hooley, Manny Jimenez Sr. & Manny Jimenez Jr.

Lord, we recognize that You take our efforts, our energy, our skills and our availability and You make us effective in Your work. Let the message about Jesus spread widely today and have a powerful effect wherever our team goes. We remember that members of the Kings Castle staff are with our team; multiply their efforts as well. Be with Pastor Neil, Manny Sr. & Manny Jr. throughout this day as they minister to others and available to do whatever You ask them to do. Thank You, Jesus, for the lives that will be changed. In Your Name, we pray. Amen.

Programs!

Today we started the morning by packing up all the food into 150 bags for distribution tomorrow night. An assembly line was put in place and we finished in record time. Included was: oil, flour, rice, beans, chicken flavor, sugar, and salt. Each bag will feed a family for a week. Then we embarked on our mission for the day. We performed 4 different programs in four different areas around the lake. Each place has been visited by our team before in the past, and Pastor Julio wanted us to be able to promote this week's upcoming VBS even more! We visited our "favorite" neighborhood and were reunited with children we have been able to see every trip for years. That is always so special. Not to brag, but our 2013 lineup might have some of the best dancers we've seen! The newbs don't even look like newbs, they're that good! Today was filled with lots of beanie babies, adorable smiling children, and many prayers for those same kids. It is an honor to dance around like lunatics to silly songs and then have the chance to help lead beautiful children to The Lord. 

Tonight was deemed our "free night" being that the next few days will be jam packed to the brim with more programs tomorrow morning, the feed distribution, VBS preparation, and finally, the highly anticipated VBS itself! We headed down to the lake and watched a few brave team members try the trapeze! I'm happy to report there were plenty of splashes and zero injuries.

Thank you for your continued prayers, they are so important. We miss you, Kingsway!

-Allie. 

P.S. 

I haven't been able to get any photos up, sorry! There are tons of awesome ones coming though! 

Tent Church, Pizza, USA vs. El Salvador, Training and Prayer Fortress!

Today we drove an hour to the worship together with the people of El Salvador at the Big Tent Church. 

There, we were led in worship by the four boys we prayed for healing after their truck flipped and landed on them. The Lord has healed them totally and they are using their talents for The Lord in a mighty way.  After church we were invited to Don and Terri's home for pizza.  There together we watched the USA vs El Salvador futbol (soccer) game. USA won 5-1, just saying.  Before dinner, we completed our training with three more songs and a skit. We were excited to have the famous papousas (spelling?) for dinner! Then up to the prayer fortress, for an awesome time with The Lord. The team is doing well, please pray for Carla as her hip/knee is giving her some pain.  

No Internet last night so I am posting this morning.  

Today we are making the food distribution bags, and then going out for street ministries! 

Thank you for your prayers! 

Prayer Focus - Monday, July 22, 2013

Focus Topic: Support & Focus

Focus Scripture:  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith." Hebrews 12:1-2a

Focus Team Members: Robert & Carla Harris, Kristine Hibbs

Jesus, support our team today. Enable them to focus on the tasks at hand. Remind them that You have led them to be on this trip. They are not in El Salvador by accident. Keep them focused on the mission You have called them to. You want to use them to help people find and follow Jesus. Someone will learn about Jesus today because of what they do. Place that firmly in their hearts. Help Robert, Carla and Kristine especially to keep their eyes on Jesus. May the whole team sense that we at home are surrounding them in love, support and prayer.

Prayer Focus - Sunday, July 21, 2013

Focus Topic: Empowerment

Focus Scripture: "After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the Word of God with boldness." Acts 4:31

Focus Team Members: Nicole DiFelice, Ray DiFelice, Carol Eggert

Jesus, we recognize that You are who empowers us for daily life. Pour Your Holy Spirit into our team today. As they minister, as they train, as they pray for and with people, let your Holy Spirit give them boldness. Help them to hear Your voice and sense Your direction. Don't let them be afraid to be used by You in miraculous ways. Be with Nicole, Ray & Carol. Let them sense Your empowerment in everything they do today! For what will happen on this day, we will give You, Jesus, all of the praise. 

Welcome Home.

Well what a welcome we received. "Welcome home Kingsway!", Katie said as she greeted us.  At home is how we feel.  Then a national "Margareth", who worked with us last year, gave us a big thank you for the support we have given her, as seen in this photo.  We only landed here 6 hours ago and already we traveled to the camp, settle into our dorms, received the do's and don'ts of the camp, and had 3 hours of training.  I must say, we are looking pretty good this year. The newbies have a lot of rhythm!  We will now sit together and have dinner and spend some free time before we lay your heads down to rest for tomorrow.  We love you all. 

Arrived Safely!

We have arrived safely in El Salvador. 

We will call home shortly. 

Prayer Focus - Saturday, July 20, 2013

Focus Topic: Protection

Focus Scripture: "I look up to the mountains - does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!" Psalm 121:1-2

Focus Team Members: Christin Bell, Dawn DiFelice

Lord, watch over our team members as they travel today. Grant them traveling mercies so that they and their luggage arrive safely. We're so grateful for Your sovereign care and concern over even the little things, like connecting flights and on time departures. Also, protect our team throughout this week from sickness and injury - especially as they pour their strength into helping others. We know that You are our source of help and our strength. Be with Christin & Dawn today; calm their fears and fill them with Your peace. Let our entire team sense Your presence throughout this day.

Everyone on Mission

On Mission in El Salvador

We're excited that 20 people from Kingsway will leave on Saturday, July 20 for a whole week of helping people find and follow Jesus in El Salvador.

How can you be a part of this extraordinary experience?

1. Check this blog daily for updates. You'll stay connected to what is happening there by reading and commenting on their posts here. The team always enjoys hearing from home while they are away.

2. Pray! There will be a prayer focus, Scripture verse, and specific team members listed that you can pray for daily. 

3. Attend one of our (3) services on Sunday, July 28 and hear all about what God did through our team. 

Your investment in mission - praying, giving, and going - stretches around the world. 

I can't wait to hear what God is going to do. How about you?

Pastor Arlena