Faith Reformed Church Lynden

06/30/2023

The mission team has arrived home!

We are excited to tell you all stories of how we saw God at work while on our trip.

Join us at 10 am on Sunday at Faith Reformed Church. It will also be available on YouTube live or to watch at a later time.

Sunday Morning Sermons from Faith Reformed Church in Lynden, Washington.

06/30/2023

The mission team has touched down in Seattle!
Thank you for your prayers and support!

06/30/2023

The mission team is on the way to Seattle!

06/30/2023

Mission team is on the plane to LA!

06/30/2023

The mission team has landed in LA! We need to clear the port of entry in the US, then get to our next flight.

06/29/2023

Mission Trip update from Karsten because he stayed up to help me:

Summary (from Kurtis):
We started the day sleeping in a little later than normal. We are at the point where our trip is almost done and we are trying to stretch the days as long as we can because there is so much good things to be done! So we stay up too late… Our team was excited to get downstairs shortly after waking up and having devotions so we could spend time interacting with the boys here.
After breakfast we put on a VBS with a story/skit of the prodigal son, worship songs, and a craft of making cross keychains to remember the love God showed us on the cross. Then we got to serve lunch to the boys again.
During this whole morning (and a good part of yesterday) Jim worked on projects such as finishing the awnings over the 2 exterior doors to help keep rain water out and installing a special type of p-trap on a bathroom sink (which helps it smell SO MUCH better).
Our team had lunch while the niños were dropped off at the waterfront. We joined them there and walked the tourist area looking at the bay, waves, and crabs. Some people were able to purchase souvenirs here too. Or get a cool treat!
We all went back to the Emmanuel Institution (as the one in Vallarta is called now because there apparently already was an “Emmanuel Foundation” there. The one in Guadalajara gets to keep its name). We picked up KFC as a special treat to share with the boys on our last dinner together.
We ate together than started the fiesta with watching a couple videos of the Emmanuel Institution We we’re blessed to hear 4 boys share their testimonies (Pedro, Armando, Daniel, and Oscar) and Ty did a great job of sharing his testimony with the niños. They all came up and gave him a hug at the end. I think it is something many of us and especially Ty will remember for s while.
We prayed for es bother and then danced the night away! I was sad to do it, but Inevebtuslly had to shut down the party and drag everyone away from the niños so we could have some time as a team and get to sleep.
We had a great team time sharing testimonies and encouraging each other. Ty, Tevin, and Dylan shared their testimonies with our group.
I am very proud of our team, what we have accomplished, and how we have pointed esch other to Christ. May He continue to be our guide, strength, and light.
Please pray for our leaving the niños and for our big day of travel. We are planning on getting into church around midnight!
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement! We can feel and see Gid working around and through us!

Reflection (from Karsten):
As I write this, technically yesterday was the last full day with the boys and the last full day of the trip. Emotions are at an all time high and energy has started to tank, I rationed myself and my energy better this year than last but it’s still so hard for me to let go (I know I’m not really letting go and that they will always be en mi corazón - in my heart - but I just struggle with that because I’m not physically around them or near them). Also today I’ve been able to bless others on the team who are struggling with same things as I by dolling out hugs and just letting them know that there’s someone there for them no matter what’s going on. As I think back on what I wrote earlier I know that it is a hard thing to lose people you truly love, but I sincerely believe that those girls and boys whom I’ve drawn close and May never see again; Malaria, Anahii, Estella, Oscar, and Pedro; are people who I’ve left a lasting impression on, I believe that the children here don’t think of us as just a team coming and going, but a part of family that visits when they can and loves deeply when they’re away. Buenas noches y Dios te bendiga.

06/28/2023

Mission Team update from Abbie:

Summary:
Today was an amazing day! We woke up at 8 am to have breakfast at 9 which was amazing (pancakes)!! Then we got together to do VBS which included singing and a craft coloring anchors to represent how Jesus anchors us in the storms of life. Then we had lunch (chicken taquitos) and then went to the park to play soccer and other activities. It was very hot outside and we were all exhausted after the adventure but so many amazing memories and moments were made. It has been such a blessing to be in Puerto Vallarta!

(Director’s Note: we also did our 2 dramas for the boys and Kate, Abbie, and Sydney shared their testimonies. Zach and Larsen shared tonight at team time.)

Reflection:
When we first got to Puerto Vallarta, my first throughts were about how I was going to handle the heat and humidity. However, the fun I’ve had with the boys here has far outweighed the uncomfortable heat. I have connected so well with the kids here and I will be very sad to leave on Thursday, but the Lord is doing amazing things here at the foundation and these boys will do amazing things with their faith. Thank you for the prayers :)

06/27/2023

Mission Tram Update from Dylan:

Summary:
We started the day in Puerto Vallarta with a well nourishing breakfast. After breakfast, Kurtis, Sydney, and Karsten left to get groceries while the rest of the group did a vbs skit about the story Joseph and the coat of many colors for the boys. We sung worship songs, then played a big game of musical chairs. After splitting off and playing board games, We served lunch to the boys then ate our own lunch. After lunch, we headed to the beach. We spent 4 hours there playing soccer, volleyball, swimming, and playing in the sand. The water was very warm and there were lots of big waves. We got back and hung out on the balcony before eating dinner and having team time. We sung and Jorja, Andrew, and Karen shared their testimonies.

Reflection:
This trip has been fun for me. I already miss the friendships I’ve made with the girls After bonding with them and starting to get to know the boys, I’ve learned that the kids look up to us like we look up to God. I’ve learned to set a good example for them.

06/26/2023

Mission Team update from Karsten:

Summary:
Today the team and I got up, packed up, and then ate our final meal with the girls. After that the moms double checked the rooms and then we hung out with the girls. While playing and having fun with the girls we were finally able to sneak in a real soccer match, (which my team won by the way: 9-2). Finally it was time to say good bye, we went around hugging and crying then got into the van and started the drive to Puerto Vallarta. We stopped at the edge of Guadalajara for lunch. Then we continued westward, a couple of us taking a much needed nap, myself included. After a roughly 6 hour drive (stops not included) we arrived at the foundation in Puerto Vallarta. As we’re bringing the luggage in the director is telling us that we won’t be seeing the boys until tomorrow, but then they surprise us by running out of the bathrooms. We chat for a little bit and reunite with our friends then eat dinner. After dinner the boys come back down and we play and have free time with them. It gets late enough and then we all go to bed looking forward to tomorrow and la día en la playa (the day on the beach).

Reflection:
As I’m writing this it is currently 11:00 local time and I’m physically holding up but emotionally drained because some of my closest friends at the girls place weren’t there which really threw me for a loop, and then as we’re leaving I learn that the rest of my close friends are leaving as well which really pulls at my heart, it makes my heart ache because there is no way for me to know if I’ll ever see them again (which is something I really struggle with) but at the same time it makes my heart overflow with joy because if they’re leaving it means that their lives are moving forward. I’m hoping tonight’s rest will recharge me but I’m just not sure. As for the here, my boys are all still here which is something to be thankful for, I can’t wait for all the things we get to do and am so thankful for the opportunity to come down and say goodbye to my friends before they leave. As always, someone else has the next post. Buenas noches y hasta luego.

06/25/2023

Mission Trip Update from Brooke (aka Scoops)

Summary:
Today we woke up at 7 am so that we could all work on our skit before heading over to community church. We worked for about an hour and then all headed to go change into our nice outfits. We headed over to breakfast where many of us ate cake! We met up again to go over the day plan which consisted of a group going to the prison in Chapala (Andrew, Sydney, Abbie, Larson, Dylan, Karsten, Jim, and Rhonda) and a group would stay back to set up for the Quinceñeras and work on taking a stump out which would open up room for the orphanage to add a garden. ( Brooke, Jorja, Kate, Tevin, Zach, Ty, Kurtis, Matahna, Karen) We headed out to the community church where we sang worship songs led by Jim, Mela gave a short sermon, we did our two skits, Kurtis gave sermon about the skits, I (Brooke) gave my testimony, and Matahna followed with her story, and ended with Daniel giving a sermon. We passed out cakes to the families and prayed over them. The prison group shortly after headed out. Karsten and Andrew shared their testimonies with the inmates, Jim gave a short sermon, and the group gave out care gift bags. Back at the orphanage the working group led by Angel (who came to help interpret), worked on communication as we chopped/removed the stump. We then moved on to making the decorations for the night which consisted of the ballon arch, the pink back drop, and table decorations. Around 5 o’clock everyone was back at the orphanage and getting dressed up. We had 4 escorts for the girls (Larson, Andrew, Dylan, and Ty) they did a great job dancing and twirling with the girls. The birthday girls surprised us by doing two dance routines. Kurtis said some words to the girls and blessed them. Then Jim finished it off with a short sermon about beauty. We then headed inside to eat some delicious Little Ceaser pizza and some cold soda. The rest of the night was filled with love and laughter on the dance floor. Everyone showed off their dance moves and even learned some new dances. It was sad when the night came to an end but we were all ready for bed. We then said a prayer and all headed to our beds.

Reflection:

My reflection for today is about me being given the chance to share my testimony at the community church. When I got told the news this morning I was more excited than nervous, I was ready for God to work through me to reach everyone in the room. I was able to work with Jim beforehand as he was going to translate and our conversation really set me up to be ready. I went up there and looking at the little boys in the front calmed my nerves. I got to share my testimony and even had a sweet boy pull on my skirt and give me a tissue. I felt blessed with this opportunity and the outcome afterward will always be with me. As it s impactful not only for me but also them.

06/25/2023

Mission Trip update:

We are planning on posting an update tomorrow. Today was a big ministry day for us, and ended with a celebration of 4 quinceañeras. Tomorrow morning we say good bye to the girls and head over to Vallarta to see the boys.

Thank you for your prayers!

And just so everyone knows, we are not able to post identifiable pictures of the kids here. If we do show kids faces, it’s because they are staff’s kids or other non- Emmanuel Foundation kids.

06/24/2023

Mission Trip Update from Kate (In Spanish, “Katalina”)

Summary:

At 8am, our team had breakfast. Our destination was scheduled to happen at 9am to an amazing waterpark, AguaCaliente, situated about an hour away from the Foundation. The bus ride was filled with chatter and laughter as we found ourselves seated beside the girls and braiding friendship bracelets.
Arriving at AguaCaliente, we split our Mission team in smaller groups, each assigned to spend time with different age groups among the children. From the little ones (“chiquitas”) to the “middles”, to the older group—we relished the opportunity to join in their laughter and play. Whether engaging in games of volleyball, standing on top of a trap door that released you into a straight, steep hole/waterslide, or simply floating on our hands and knees in the kiddie pool, every moment was a precious memory.
Halfway through the day, we were treated to delicious Mexican snacks.…but it was the lunch that stole the show: fresh grilled, authentic carne asada (the BEST I’ve ever had)!
Exhaustion eventually caught up to us as we bid farewell to AguaCaliente at 5pm and boarded the bus for our journey back. All of our team fell asleep from being tuckered out on the bus.
Returning to the foundation, we ate dinner while the girls got into bed (exhausted, as well!). We then, assembly line style, organized goodie bags with amenities such as soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, and toilet paper into bags to hand out to the inmates that we will visit tomorrow in the Chapala prison.
After that, we gathered as a team for a team meeting. In that moment, a sprinkle of rain occurred outside, which was fit for the song we sang “Grace like Rain”. We also sang “Highlands (Song of Ascent)” “Highlands” is the theme of our trip. There will be mountains (triumphs) and there will be valleys, (trials and tribulations), but through it all we will “praise God on the mountain…and praise Him in the valleys all the same…” And when everything around us seems chaotic, we can still find joy in Jesus, as He will never ever fail us.

Reflection:
As I reflect on this extraordinary day, my heart is filled with genuine gratitude. The laughter, the bonds formed, and the awe-inspiring moments at AguaCaliente have imprinted themselves on me—this trip will be a mountain in my life. This will serve as a testament to the goodness of God, who lifts us up from the valleys and leads us to mountain-top experiences of joy and connection. In a world marked by chaos and uncertainty, memories like these help me remember that I can find strength and joy in Jesus, who never fails us and walks with us through every season of life. Something my mother always told me is to document when I witness God bringing up me from my valleys to the mountain—to remember how when it seemed like I could not see past the valleys, that He was faithful. Just like the Israelites crossing the Jordan River, God told them to set up stones to remember the good that He had brought them after a hard time. This is exactly what I—and all of us on this trip—are doing. I am so thankful for this opportunity!