Team Nicaragua - HOME!

Thanks to all who supported us throughout this mission.  Whether it
was helping us collect funds, medicine, soap, or your prayers for us, we
used it all wisely.  We all came back feeling blessed to have experienced
this trip together and knowing it was for the glory of God.

Thanks,
Crista

Leaving for Nicaragua

The time has finally arrived.  Our team leaves for Nicaragua early tomorrow morning.  We have prepared as much as we can.  We are packed, bringing needed medicines and toiletries to those who can't afford tylenol or soap to bathe with.  Our hearts are hopeful and our bodies are ready for this challenge.  We know God is on our side and we look forward to all this trip will bring.  Please pray for our safety and health this week, as well as for the Nicaraguans we will serve.  Next post coming in a few days from San Ramon, Nicaragua.


Thanks,
Crista (Team Leader)

EastLake Team in Guatemala!

There is an EastLake team serving in Guatemala this week with Medical Teams International.  Here's a brief note from team leader, Chris:

So we all went to bed early and got around 10 hours sleep last night.  I've come to realize that the only time I eat fresh fruit for breakfast is when I'm on a mission trip.  We left around 8:30 and made it up here to Cobán around 3pm.  It's a bit on the cool and damp side of things, so I hope everyone is warm enough. 

For the rest of the week, we'll be heading out to a different community to work.  They are saying it is about 90 minutes each way, so lots of commuting ahead of us.  We'll do an orientation tonight.  61 Families will be receiving wash basins from the project, but with the team we will be installing 22 basins with septic tanks.

Nicaragua!

What a beautiful sunny day to start our adventure!  Eastlake has a new group of missionaries headed to Northern Nicaraguan villages to provide medical and dental care.  We met this morning bright and early and packed up our donations for the trip.  Our team of 13 met up with the larger group from Corner of Love in Maple Valley; together there will be about 70 of us on a mission to serve God.  We combined all our donations, things like medicine, dental supplies, toiletries, clothing, shoes, and toys, then dispersed them into individual bags.  Each bag carries 50 pounds of these much needed supplies.  We will each take 2 bags, or 100 pounds!  Wait until you see how it will bless the Nicaraguans, AMAZING how the Lord uses us to serve others.  


We are all preparing our hearts now for what we will encounter, please keep us in your prayers, and keep checking back to see how we are doing.

Vegas!

Being a male and walking around at the AVN porn show in Las Vegas is not something you would call uncommon. It is quite the norm, in fact. However, feeling compassion and sensing pain in people's eyes and talking about God's love, no matter what you have done, or where you are currently at in life, is a whole other issue entirely. After standing in the booth for five days, and having conversations with people about why they were there, and explaining why I was there, I found that we all have a very transparent, and common theme: We all just want to be valued, sought after and loved. 

I got the opportunity to talk to a man who was thinking about getting into the industry. We talked about his addiction to sex, about how much he loves the feelings that go with it, the "grand" idea of being a porn star, and how much money he could potentially make. Then we discussed the other side of the spectrum: the drugs and addictions, a high chance of std's and aids, the depression, and the dreary idea of once you are in, you feel like you can never get out. We discussed his faith (or where he stood on it at least), and then about our website and the great resources that are available to him. We talked about the stories throughout the book of people who are in the industry currently, and those that were in and are now finally out. I wanted him to read it for himself, rather than me telling him. He happily took a bible and said he would check it out. We shook hands and I soon lost him in the sea of people, walking around trying to take in as much porn related booths as possible. But I know God sees him. Loud and clear. He is still in my prayers today. 

Vegas Entry

WOW!  The only word to sum up a very interesting day.  The crew and I pulled the first shift of the second day, still only industry individuals on the inside.  A few people I had met the previous day came back to talk a little more, some to get more info, and some just to say hi and see how we were doing.  I have been blown away by the pure receptiveness of people here.  It’s so new to me though, having girls walk up to me in thongs, barely wearing anything, and wanting to know about Jesus Loves Pornstars.  I feel it is so crucial to look at these girls in their eyes, differently then the hordes of followers and gawkers surrounding her with their cameras.  I see the pain and sadness in their eyes, the feeling of being lost…nothing to hope for, no one to let it all out to. But just a few words I have said, “Jesus loves you no matter what!”,  and I saw a particular girls eyes light up just a bit, before she was swept away.  


I’m happy God brought my wife and I here, with the other wonderful people who are involved.  Everyday were trusting that God will work through us, in His time, for His will, and for His purpose.  I may not see the immeadiate fruits of our labor, but I am very pleased God allowed me to plant a seed.

A Post From Vegas...

God has taken me on an amazing journey these past couple years.  5 years ago I would have come to the AVN Show for entirely different reasons.   It’s almost liberating for me to share my past experiences in the industry with the girls here and use it as a way to connect them to Jesus and His love and His grace.  


Today I had a breakdown after applying makeup on a beautiful 18-year-old Porn Star who just started in the industry a few months ago.  She was very excited to be at the convention and loved the energy and attention she was getting from the men at the show.  Currently she broadcasts live girl on girl sex shows through an Internet porn site company that a friend introduced her to after her hours were cut working as a camp counselor for the Boys and Girls Club.  She was hoping to hook up with other porn producers to expand her portfolio and dive deeper into the porn industry.  


As I was listening to her story my heart sunk deeper and deeper as images of old, tired, broken, worn out women (like the ones we’ve seen walking around in their thongs and pasties for the past three days) entered my mind.  How horrible would it be if this young, beautiful girl someday lost that energy, and that light in her eyes turned into an empty stare?  Equipped with false eyelashes, stickers, a T-Shirt, and a bible with the logo “Jesus Loves Porn Stars” we sent her back out amongst the wolves, and I ran to the bathroom to cry, and pray!