I have had a pretty eventful past couple months actually.. 6 weeks. The WEEK ONE: I was on "vacation" to the mountains, called La Colonia Tovar. It is a German settlement, and now a toursit town, where all the buildings have a german look, white with black lines.. It was a good time I enjoyed the 'cool' temperature, and the refreshing coolness of the mountains. The landscape was amazing, breathtaking. However, it was a time where I was wreslting, as I wanted to go on vacation to relax, and refresh my spirit, to spend time with God kinda as a retreat, and to me God was silent. . . Through His silence He was preparing me for the weeks to come and the events that were to come!!
We return home from the Colonia, about 8 hour car adventure, through mountains, curves, tunnels, and Caracas (the capital city). Back to work, in one of the church plants with the childrens ministry. And for me more work preparing a seminar for youth to teach, train youth about missions. . . Deciding what was the most important to share, and how to deliver the message, took time preparing.
WEEK TWO: Missions training - I go to the church to help out with missions training and to my surprise they don't have ANY help, so during my week of vacation - God was talking to me about this missions training and even though I am ''on vacation" for this time - I felt him telling me, "Heidi, you are here to help and to serve, be willing to help in any and all areas that you can." SO I told the young man who was in charge, Jose Noguera, that hey, I'm willing to help in whatever, the house, the car, cooking, leading games, leading a team - if you need leaders etc. So he put me in the kitchen to help cook, then run errands, then put me in charge of team building games and activities, plus the missions class that I was in charge of, and to be a co- leader of a team. I was okay there were a lot of leaders need and a lot of different cities that they were going to so I was okay with that b/c there was one city that I didn't want to go to. . . CARACAS was the only city/ trip I didn't want to go on. Tuesday I give my first class and the youth are great very responsive very eager to learn and to serve. And Tuesday night as we were closing the day, the guy with the list to team leaders and places was sitting next to me, and I saw part of the list so I was like, Hey let me see that list. . . In my heart, I knew, one of those feelings, my name is going to be next to the city of Caracas. Sure enough, there it was Caracas - Jose Noguera, Heidi Hoover. I knew, that it was God sending me to Caracas, I didn't understand why. But I understood that it was GOD. The rest of the week was great with training, getting to know more youth of the church, sharing with them, talking to them. Also time to prepare and pack for Caracas, help send off the other missions teams.
WEEK THREE: Caracas - We leave at 8:00 in the morning for a long 8 hour bus ride to Caracas. The whole bus Jose was talking with me, asking me questions, and sharing a lot of things. We were sitting right where the name of the bus was so we couldn't see any of the scenery.. We arrive in Caracas and I'm expecting tons, and tons of people and crowds that are horrible. We arrive and 2 leaders from the church are waiting for us at the bus terminal to guide us through Caracas, to the metro - subway, and to the church. . The subway, not bad either - it actually reminded me of Santiago, Chile.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Vacation?
Things are going well here.. Settling down. The students are on vacation here, the 'teachers' still are finishing up the school year until the 29th of July. I am still working at the school, helping with International Child Care, to get my schedule for the next year, my plan is to begin preparing now. Now, that I know how the school works, how the students are, and ideas of how classes run as well. I am also taking this time of 'vacation' to reflect, evaluate - to be changing things for the new school year. Wanting to work better with the children's ministries as well. One thing, that you all can help with is pray for the children and the churches to help the ministries grow, but grow not in numbers necesarily but grow in depth and knowledge of Christ, that the children's hearts, minds will be opened and transformed by God's love! I want to be able to minister work with these children - in the way God wants to work. My prayer right now is, God give me direction and clarity in how YOU want to work in these children's ministries and what does that mean for me? What do I need to do? What do I need to change? Each group has about 20-30 children consistently.
God likes to show us sometimes, how much we take for granted. For example: running water? Right? We went for a time about 3 - 4 weeks without running water in the house. Why? Well, many reasons but the one I want to focus on is that God wanted us to be able to appreciate and be grateful for running water! We take for granted the luxury of being able to turn on the spicket and water come running out of it, or to take a shower turn the knob and we can bathe. Many people have to carry by the bucket water in to the house, bathe from a bucket, have to put water in the comode to flush the toilet, and then find water to wash your hands. I'm grateful to say that we do have running water in the house once again!! It's a blessing to have water!!!
God likes to work in mysterious ways, it's hard many time to understand how He works or Why He does things the way he does but there's always a plan and a purpose and when we finally understand that we can look back and enjoy the blessing that come from each circumstance.
Sunday, I had the opportunity to go to an Alex Campos concert, Alex Campos, is kinda like a Jeremy Camp, famous Christian musician in Latin America. My first concert here in Venezuela. Definetly a cultural experience, the concert was held in a baseball stadium, where people were lined up all the way around the stadium to get in. The group I went with, basically cut infront of the line setting up a system to send 1 or 2 people from the group in at a time with the rest of the line, until everyone met inside the stadium to sit. Interesting. The concert itself 'normal' concert, something very surprising and humble took place as well. In the middle of the concert the head of management of the company that put on the concert took the stage to ask forgiveness and to apologize publically because Daniel Calvetti a Chris Tomin type singer more worship, was supposed to come as well, but because of problems with the plane tickets he couldn't make it. It was impressive to see the sincerity of the apology and they way Alex Campos performed like 2 concerts instead of just 'His' part to cover for and make up for Daniel Calvetti not being able to come! It was really good concert!!
There are always lots of lessons to learn from many places!! May God continue blessing you all.
God likes to show us sometimes, how much we take for granted. For example: running water? Right? We went for a time about 3 - 4 weeks without running water in the house. Why? Well, many reasons but the one I want to focus on is that God wanted us to be able to appreciate and be grateful for running water! We take for granted the luxury of being able to turn on the spicket and water come running out of it, or to take a shower turn the knob and we can bathe. Many people have to carry by the bucket water in to the house, bathe from a bucket, have to put water in the comode to flush the toilet, and then find water to wash your hands. I'm grateful to say that we do have running water in the house once again!! It's a blessing to have water!!!
God likes to work in mysterious ways, it's hard many time to understand how He works or Why He does things the way he does but there's always a plan and a purpose and when we finally understand that we can look back and enjoy the blessing that come from each circumstance.
Sunday, I had the opportunity to go to an Alex Campos concert, Alex Campos, is kinda like a Jeremy Camp, famous Christian musician in Latin America. My first concert here in Venezuela. Definetly a cultural experience, the concert was held in a baseball stadium, where people were lined up all the way around the stadium to get in. The group I went with, basically cut infront of the line setting up a system to send 1 or 2 people from the group in at a time with the rest of the line, until everyone met inside the stadium to sit. Interesting. The concert itself 'normal' concert, something very surprising and humble took place as well. In the middle of the concert the head of management of the company that put on the concert took the stage to ask forgiveness and to apologize publically because Daniel Calvetti a Chris Tomin type singer more worship, was supposed to come as well, but because of problems with the plane tickets he couldn't make it. It was impressive to see the sincerity of the apology and they way Alex Campos performed like 2 concerts instead of just 'His' part to cover for and make up for Daniel Calvetti not being able to come! It was really good concert!!
There are always lots of lessons to learn from many places!! May God continue blessing you all.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Forgive me, for not updating.
As a now look at the date, I see it has been a good month since I have updated. Please don't think I have forgotten about all of you, or forgotten English, or anything. To tell you the truth, I have been busy, my life in many ways has been a roller coaster, not know where I was going to be from day to day. God testing me, trying me, probing me, breaking my heart, testing further my obedience, and my dedication to Him. In His mysterious ways, confirming that He has called me here, and no one can revoke the call he has placed on my life.
Recovering from the shock of we are moving you, no you are staying, I enter into a new level of shock and insecurity, as one night while we are sleeping robbers break into our garage, climb the fence, break into our car and steal our system from the car. Sure, it was a decent cd player, system, that's not the part that bothers me, what bothers / bothered me is the fact that they broke in so easily and the insecurity!!! Friday night, our next door neighbors are robbed as they are entering their house, they are held at gun point, demanded to give them all their money and any firearms that were in the house. More insecurity.
Strange as it sounds, this is part of the culture here, life here, it happens so often and police don't do anythign about it here. Part of my learning, missionary experience here is learning this part of life, learning that the only security comes from faith, and trusting every minute of your life to God. Trusting that every step of you take is in God's hands, lead and directed by Him. Tough lessons, strong lessons for me. Things for me to overcome, things to help me grow.
Recovering from the shock of we are moving you, no you are staying, I enter into a new level of shock and insecurity, as one night while we are sleeping robbers break into our garage, climb the fence, break into our car and steal our system from the car. Sure, it was a decent cd player, system, that's not the part that bothers me, what bothers / bothered me is the fact that they broke in so easily and the insecurity!!! Friday night, our next door neighbors are robbed as they are entering their house, they are held at gun point, demanded to give them all their money and any firearms that were in the house. More insecurity.
Strange as it sounds, this is part of the culture here, life here, it happens so often and police don't do anythign about it here. Part of my learning, missionary experience here is learning this part of life, learning that the only security comes from faith, and trusting every minute of your life to God. Trusting that every step of you take is in God's hands, lead and directed by Him. Tough lessons, strong lessons for me. Things for me to overcome, things to help me grow.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Changes, and More Changes.
Be Flexible right? Ready for change. Willing to change? After beginning to adjust to the differeces of living with a person, working together with a person, working through differences and accepting differences. . I have to do it all over again. This has been a long week, a tough week. I'm here in venezuela God and I. My 'ministry partner' Lori, returned the the States this thursday to being work, and studies at Asbury Seminary. Now, I'm the only american working here with the churches... I have to learn to adjust again to living with a new person with new likes, dislikes, to learn about her and how to live with her, work together with her. To plan with her, get children's ministry working with her. I also have to adjust to not having my big brother here, Erick Gonzalez, left last night for Caracas, Sunday he will be flying to the States to get married and live in Indiana.. As it is a dream come true for him, it deepens my dependence on God. Now, I don't have someone to go to if something breaks in the house, or if something is wrong with the car, or someone close - (across the street) - to talk to or do something with.. Someone who looks out for me, watches the house and makes sure everything is okay...
It is a lot of changes and a lot more responsibility for me at once.. With continual stress and adjustments to culture, losing the only ones who understand my culture. Right now, having to learn, to transition, to orgainze, plan, prepare and call on, rely on, count on people from here to help me... Encourage them to help me, teach them how they can help me. That's hard for me - just hard for me to express a lot of times b/c for me things seem obvious - like that's automatically - common sense what I would do, but people can't read my mind - so I'm learning to express and communicate here with the culture and how things are. . . .
Life certainly hasn't been dull here - lots of things going on - there has been culture shock just adjustments for me - issues with my visa, a car crash, fixing the house, fixing the car, walking places. Looking back on the past month there are infinite ways that God has been taking care of me a looking out for me. About 3 weeks ago now, 12:30 at night I hear this crash but I think nothing of it b/c the neighbors are always making noise, exploding things, etc. . . I wake up in the morning, and Lori and Keila are sitting in the kitchen like scared, and Lori gets up, and opens the door to the room where I USED to sleep, and there's the car in the wall, with a big hole in the wall to the house. They hit the house with the car. Only through the grace of God - I remained calm and was like well we need to fix it, get to work and fix it.. Not getting mad, upset, leaving the house... My reaction was lets resolve the problem, (that's not normally how I react) but wow God is definitely working in me. Erick came over in the after noon to cement block to cover the hole in the wall.. and Sunday we took the car to the shop - to get it repaired. . . . the car was in the shop for a week. Challenges, trials, everywhere - but God is good. If I had not moved to the other room - the car would have crashed with my head.
I have a lot of work to do - my work load is that of 3 or 4 people really but only through the strength that God gives me is the work getting done - If I were to say it was by my own strength, I would be burnt out seriously. In charge of 6 English classes, 1 Christian education class, in charge of 3 children's ministries and 1 girls bible study.
Keep me in your prayers now, mostly struggling with feeling alone. Notes of encouragement would be amazing!! Thanks... Thank you for all your prayers.. Take Care. God Bless.. I Love You. .
It is a lot of changes and a lot more responsibility for me at once.. With continual stress and adjustments to culture, losing the only ones who understand my culture. Right now, having to learn, to transition, to orgainze, plan, prepare and call on, rely on, count on people from here to help me... Encourage them to help me, teach them how they can help me. That's hard for me - just hard for me to express a lot of times b/c for me things seem obvious - like that's automatically - common sense what I would do, but people can't read my mind - so I'm learning to express and communicate here with the culture and how things are. . . .
Life certainly hasn't been dull here - lots of things going on - there has been culture shock just adjustments for me - issues with my visa, a car crash, fixing the house, fixing the car, walking places. Looking back on the past month there are infinite ways that God has been taking care of me a looking out for me. About 3 weeks ago now, 12:30 at night I hear this crash but I think nothing of it b/c the neighbors are always making noise, exploding things, etc. . . I wake up in the morning, and Lori and Keila are sitting in the kitchen like scared, and Lori gets up, and opens the door to the room where I USED to sleep, and there's the car in the wall, with a big hole in the wall to the house. They hit the house with the car. Only through the grace of God - I remained calm and was like well we need to fix it, get to work and fix it.. Not getting mad, upset, leaving the house... My reaction was lets resolve the problem, (that's not normally how I react) but wow God is definitely working in me. Erick came over in the after noon to cement block to cover the hole in the wall.. and Sunday we took the car to the shop - to get it repaired. . . . the car was in the shop for a week. Challenges, trials, everywhere - but God is good. If I had not moved to the other room - the car would have crashed with my head.
I have a lot of work to do - my work load is that of 3 or 4 people really but only through the strength that God gives me is the work getting done - If I were to say it was by my own strength, I would be burnt out seriously. In charge of 6 English classes, 1 Christian education class, in charge of 3 children's ministries and 1 girls bible study.
Keep me in your prayers now, mostly struggling with feeling alone. Notes of encouragement would be amazing!! Thanks... Thank you for all your prayers.. Take Care. God Bless.. I Love You. .
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Life without Paul and Sue
On Monday, Paul and Sue - the missionaries I have been living with- returned to the U.S. Life has changed a little since then. I am now learning to live with Lori - it´s always an adjustment to learn how to live with someone. There has been a little stress as well. As Paul and Sue left, the airport officials actually reviewed their VISAS and were told that they are not allowd to return to Venezuela for 3 years. As laws become strict and enforced here, that means changes for me as well. The culture here is accustomed to not following the rules, but so it has caused more frustrations for me as well. Pray for my VISA.
Well, I have more responsiblities now, taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, taking care of the car, getting it fixed, making sure everything is okay in the house.. It´s a lot of learning and making the most, taking advantage and being motivated to work and assume the responsibilities.
Ministry and work are also going well. In school I have run across tactics that work to make teaching easier, less stressful and keeps the students involved... Ministry is going well as well. learning how to do ministry, being observant, and just patient to allow God to work.... My time is runnin out here so .. i am going to go.. i´ll post more later.. Take Care. God Bless... In Love and Prayer...
Well, I have more responsiblities now, taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, taking care of the car, getting it fixed, making sure everything is okay in the house.. It´s a lot of learning and making the most, taking advantage and being motivated to work and assume the responsibilities.
Ministry and work are also going well. In school I have run across tactics that work to make teaching easier, less stressful and keeps the students involved... Ministry is going well as well. learning how to do ministry, being observant, and just patient to allow God to work.... My time is runnin out here so .. i am going to go.. i´ll post more later.. Take Care. God Bless... In Love and Prayer...
Saturday, April 26, 2008
God hears and Answers prayers. Amen!
A testimony to God's faithfulness, to His Healing power, and to increase your faith. God hears and answers our prayers.
Last week I asked you to be praying for Fabiola, a 12 year old girl with a serious illness. After 23 days without being able to eat or drink. This week, Fabiola is now drinking water, eating soup, crackers, starting to eat bread. Tuesday the family was there and the nurse was telling them they were going to look for donors to begin a blood transfusion for Fabiola, and her uncle, Abigail, said "No, Fabiola doesn't need a blood transfusion, she has the blood of Christ!" The following day, her blood tests all came back normal, blood counts normal, everything! The Lord has glorified himself in Her life, and her family!! She is a living testimony of God's healing power and the truth that God still performs miracles. She is also a testimony to each and every one of you who lifted up prayers for her and her life. The Lord has answered our prayers and continues to answer the prayers of His people!!!! Thanks for your prayers and may you all be encouraged that God is in control, God is listening, and God is answering your prayers!!!! May God continue to bless you as you all serve him!
Last week I asked you to be praying for Fabiola, a 12 year old girl with a serious illness. After 23 days without being able to eat or drink. This week, Fabiola is now drinking water, eating soup, crackers, starting to eat bread. Tuesday the family was there and the nurse was telling them they were going to look for donors to begin a blood transfusion for Fabiola, and her uncle, Abigail, said "No, Fabiola doesn't need a blood transfusion, she has the blood of Christ!" The following day, her blood tests all came back normal, blood counts normal, everything! The Lord has glorified himself in Her life, and her family!! She is a living testimony of God's healing power and the truth that God still performs miracles. She is also a testimony to each and every one of you who lifted up prayers for her and her life. The Lord has answered our prayers and continues to answer the prayers of His people!!!! Thanks for your prayers and may you all be encouraged that God is in control, God is listening, and God is answering your prayers!!!! May God continue to bless you as you all serve him!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Recovery. Soccer team. Ministry.
"I will fulfill my purposes for you. . " Psalm 138:8 - This has been a verse that has encouraged me and kept me going here. To trust and confide in this promise of God, that he is going to complete, fulfill his purpose for me. That He does have me here in Venezuela for a purpose and He is going to complete that purpose, if I allow him of course. I am well on the road to recovery, eating all the time, starting to gain weight back that I lost. Starting back teaching classes in the school, and full time in ministry with the 3 different church plants, plus evangelism events and special aniversary events. God is giving me the strength, the encouragement, the peace and joy to be here and working for him. The children's ministries are growing, we are changing our focus a little to involve the people of the church, to train, and prepare people for the church to be able to take over the childrens ministry so when we leave the ministry can continue!!!! I have spent a lot of time lately just in God's presence reading the Bible, spending time in praying, and intentionally making time to spend with God - knowing that that is where my strength comes from.
We are looking for more creative ways, and creative things to incorporate with children's ministry to change things up a little bit and do something different with the children, the problem of resources still remains, here there are very little rescources of crafts, material, for the workers and children to use!
Other news, the girls from the main church are creating a women's soccer team and invited, asked, wanted me to play with them, join the team. I went to play with them on monday. It was a good time, a lot of fun. I haven't played soccer in years, so I need a lot of practice to be able to play with them. Not to mention I was sore for about 3 days maybe 4 days after playing! It is a great opportunity to get to know other girls from the church and encourage them. Part of the vision of the team is to have a devotional and encourage each other in the Lord as well as have a good time playing soccer!!
I am going to ask you all to continue to be in prayer for ministry partner for me, as time is running down, Paul and Sue leave in 2 weeks, Lori leaves in 5 weeks - that leaves me with the responsibility of all work and ministry to myself!! I need help. They do have a person to stay at the house with me, Keila, but she has a lot of responsibility of her own studying in college, working, and being Director of Missions and Evangelism at a conference level here in Venezuela, she is in charge of the church plants and all the cell groups here!!! I still do not have people to help me with, travel with me to the church plants and work in children ministry! Pray for God to raise up these people!!!
Another prayer request, I am going to ask for praying on behalf of Fabiola she is a 12 year old girl who is a part of one of our churches in plantation, she has been in the hospital for 16 days with an inflamed, swollen pancrease, she has not been able to eat, or drink, she is on IV, and they just implemented a feeding tube, she has been vomiting, (even though there is no food in her) and started nose bleeds as well. Her family her mother is not christian but is open to people coming and praying for her, and reading the Bible - this has been a very hard time for the family, and extended family - they would all appreciate your prayers!!!
I hope you all are well.. Take Care.. May God continue to bless all of you!
We are looking for more creative ways, and creative things to incorporate with children's ministry to change things up a little bit and do something different with the children, the problem of resources still remains, here there are very little rescources of crafts, material, for the workers and children to use!
Other news, the girls from the main church are creating a women's soccer team and invited, asked, wanted me to play with them, join the team. I went to play with them on monday. It was a good time, a lot of fun. I haven't played soccer in years, so I need a lot of practice to be able to play with them. Not to mention I was sore for about 3 days maybe 4 days after playing! It is a great opportunity to get to know other girls from the church and encourage them. Part of the vision of the team is to have a devotional and encourage each other in the Lord as well as have a good time playing soccer!!
I am going to ask you all to continue to be in prayer for ministry partner for me, as time is running down, Paul and Sue leave in 2 weeks, Lori leaves in 5 weeks - that leaves me with the responsibility of all work and ministry to myself!! I need help. They do have a person to stay at the house with me, Keila, but she has a lot of responsibility of her own studying in college, working, and being Director of Missions and Evangelism at a conference level here in Venezuela, she is in charge of the church plants and all the cell groups here!!! I still do not have people to help me with, travel with me to the church plants and work in children ministry! Pray for God to raise up these people!!!
Another prayer request, I am going to ask for praying on behalf of Fabiola she is a 12 year old girl who is a part of one of our churches in plantation, she has been in the hospital for 16 days with an inflamed, swollen pancrease, she has not been able to eat, or drink, she is on IV, and they just implemented a feeding tube, she has been vomiting, (even though there is no food in her) and started nose bleeds as well. Her family her mother is not christian but is open to people coming and praying for her, and reading the Bible - this has been a very hard time for the family, and extended family - they would all appreciate your prayers!!!
I hope you all are well.. Take Care.. May God continue to bless all of you!
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