Posted in General Posts by Sarah Cheek on 9/25/2011
I think a natural reaction when you see and experience the thing that we have while being here on the Race is to ask myself the question “wouldn’t just giving the people we meet all the money that we’ve raised be more helpful than us being here?” …I’m pretty sure it’s a question that goes through just about every short-term missionaries mind at some point or another. As I thought about what that would look like, the Lord began to give me the answer and I wanted to share with all of you. Here is a list of a few of the things the Lord has been showing me (with some highlight pictures from the 3 months) that would not be possible for money to achieve on its own…
What Money Can’t Do
Money can’t go to the hospital and visit the sick
Money can’t befriend the homeless
Sweet homeless friend we made in Ecuador. He Loved to talk and he LOVED that dog of his :)
Money can’t put their arms around or use words to comfort a mourning widow
Money can’t use its heart love the fatherless
 
Beau and his little buddy Sweet Josi, who has absolutely robbed my heart..
Mateo from Casa de Amor Orphanage :) such an amazing opportunity to love on her!! :)
Money can’t lay hands and heal the sick
Money can’t use words to encourage the downtrodden
Money can’t move dirt, make bricks, or use its hands to build a home for Children
 
The Children´s home in Peru that we were building.. Building a School in Iluman, Ecuador :)
the Kids will receive love, safety and education here.
Money can’t use the Word of God to proclaim freedom to the captives
Money can’t teach children in an unreached village about Christ’s sacrifice and Love for them
 
Children´s Evangelism at a local village here in Bolivia :) 2 of the little girls we taught for the month in the unreached village
of Iluman, Ecuador. Absolutely fell in love.
Money can’t use its hands to give water to the thirsty or food to the hungry
Money can’t open its mouth and say to the orphan ‘you are love’ or ‘you are worth it’
Sweet Fernanda and Mateo from the Casa de Amor Orphanage
here in Bolivia
Money can’t pray and believe healing for the blind and deaf
Money can’t speak the life and hope of Jesus Christ to a nation desperate for Him
And Money can’t believe that where ever it sets its feet, the Lord will give it. :)
(‘I promise you, wherever you set your foot, you will be on land I have given to you.’ Joshua 1:3)
I’m pretty sure that if I went on, this ‘Priceless’ list could be unending. Us being here, and having the ability to put Christ’s words and His love into action, is something that money could never achieve on its own. Love can’t be bought or fabricated in a factory; it’s only something that can be shown to others in action.
However, while money can’t hug orphans, or visit the sick, there is something vital that money does do…it keeps us here, able to continue the work that the Lord had commissioned us to do. Beau and I are approaching a financial deadline and we are in need of financial support in order to continue our ministry…money can’t achieve anything on its own, but give money a body and the infallible Word of God…and the possibilities will be endless. :)
With money we will be able to remain mobilized to finish the work God has purposed for us in this season, as well as carrying out the Great Commission in all the World. We ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us in this vital ministry to the Nations- Nations that are so desperate for the Hope that only Christ carries. Thank you all so much for reading our blogs and praying for us!
For His Kingdom,
Sarah
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Sarah Cheek on 9/14/2011
Since our time in Peru is coming to a close, I thought there would be no better time than now to write a blog explaining a little bit more in detail about the Children’s Home ministry we were able to take part in this month! We did lots of construction, but we were really able to catch the vision and Heart of what Inca Link is trying to achieve in Porvenir, Peru, so it made the construction much easier :) …and also seeing the plans of God unfold as we continued with the building process. I write this blog in hopes that you too will catch the vision and see what God is so clearly doing here…I know it’s such the Character of God to care for the Orphans, and it’s clear that this is just a small part of His much larger plan for those children He so greatly loves... :)
This was our home for the month, but soon it will be the home to 24 children who were either orphaned or placed here by the government, due to unstable or unhealthy living situations. There will also be 2 more houses, identical to this one, built on both sides of this one, so eventually more children will be able to call this home!
To begin, here is the Soccer field. It’s located within the walls of the Children’s home compound, so the kids will be able to enjoy it while they stay within the safety of their home. We spent the month clearing dirt here, so there would be room for the Bleachers to go up! Soccer is a big deal here :)
This is where there will be a fountain, a sidewalk, and some other landscaping stuff. Kids will be able to enjoy a beautiful place to live, even if the world around them may not seem so beautiful.
This home is located directly across from the home that we lived in. This is where our host missionaries, the Kimbros, lived. Their plan was to be here until the completion of the premises, and eventually train nationals to run the home. Unfortunately the Kimbros, as well as our team, had to leave this location due to a breech in our security. It was such an honor and a blessing to get to know them, and I pray all God’s blessings on their lives as they seek the Lord about the next step!
This is the Cafeteria!! As of now, this is probably the most important building, because as soon as this building is complete the children will finally be able to begin their lives here! We painted rebar, all month so we could get this building up and running!! Once it’s completed the kids will be able to eat here, and all that other good stuff :)
And this is my favorite building, because all these little stacks of rocks and rows of rebar will one day be the vocational school for the children living in the home!:) The reason I love this building so much is because it’s the future and financial security of the kids that are living there. Once completed the kids will be able to go here to learn a trade, such as cooking, sewing, or shoe making (we are located in the shoemaking capital of the world, so it’s a big trade here), and they will then be able to transfer those trades into careers as adults! How awesome is it that God is not only securing the lives and innocence of these children, but also their future!
This was such an awesome month of vision. Every time I moved another pile of dirt (not always with a smile) ;), I just kept reminding myself of the vision that the Lord had created and given for this place…and how blessed I was to be able to part of something so BIG! To just think, I helped in the building of a home that could, throughout the years, house and educate thousands of children! Such a blessing! Hope as you read this you were able to see the heart and vision of God, for this small property in Porvenir, Peru :)
Love you all!
For His Kingdom,
Sarah Cheek
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Sarah Cheek on 9/9/2011
Unlovely.
That was the first thought that came to mind when I was told that we would ministering in a garbage dump. I have to admit that at first I wasn't so excited about it. I had an idea of what I would see…Piles of trash with houses not even fit for animals to live in, People rummaging through garbage to find food to feed their families, and maybe children playing in that same pile of trash hoping for something they could bring home to their families that would have worth…and I so badly wanted to look away from the unlovely. To escape what I couldn't change. Then I began to hear the Lord whisper "This is what I rescued you from" and "Unlovely is all I take."
In the middle of the Garbage dump community.
I stood there while children piled into my arms, and pulled me in every direction, I was almost disbelief...because while I thought I knew what I was getting...I had no idea. I could have imagined for my entire life, and still not have come up with the image that I saw standing in the middle of this garbage dump community...the poverty was almost unimaginable. The stench nearly unbearable...but the Love was impossible not to recognize. Jesus was here...even in the most unlovliest, He was there
.
This is the Cemetary located in the Garbage Dump Community. One of our Contacts told us that often times while
rummaging through the trash in the Garbage dump they will find dead babies and bury them here. So grateful for the
laws that our country has in place to protect innocent babies and children. Please pray the same for Peru.
There were so many times I just wanted to get back on the bus, and go home. But the Lord kept prompting me to look. He kept reminding..."It was here that I found you…and it was here that I loved you” and ”You are here, to be me, to them”… of course my reply was “Okay, Jesus, but that sure is a tall order…you know? Only you can be you…right?” Wrong. Because the truth is…that He is alive in me and where I Go, He also goes. My job today was to be love, to be light, and to be Jesus for this community. To show them that Jesus doesn’t turn away, that He sees them, and that they matter. That there is life beyond the piles of garbage, that there is Hope, and truth. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom.
This was the 'Church" that we met in to teach the kids. It actually belonged to the Contact that our Organization had built
a relationship with. He was a Christian man, and one day he was working in the Dump and found a envelope full
of money! He tried to find the owner, but was unsuccessful so he got to keep all the money and was able to move out
of the dump! How amazing is our God! So much favor we have with the King of Kings :) After he left he donated his home
to the organization to hold their meetings with the kids!
Jesus comes into our lives, as we sit in all of our garbage, and all of our junk…and He never turns away. He sees us in the most unloveliest times, and loves us unconditionally. How do we earn this unending and unyielding love? We don’t, and that’s what makes this love so beautiful. That no matter how often that we don’t deserve it…no matter how often we are sitting in our garbage dump…so unlovely…Christ died for US and loves US. It’s almost overwhelming. To think, a God who created the heavens and the Earths. Who parted the red sea, who gives sight to the blind, who heals the lepers, who calms the raging seas, who died a death on a cross that He didn’t deserve…This same God…Loves even me.
Playing with some of the Kids who live in the Garbage Dump Community.
We brought cake to celebrate the August Birthdays of the Children living in the Garbage Dump Community.
So awesome to bless them in such a small way. I did notice that most of the Kids took their cake home as soon
as the recieved it. Our contact said that the kids, when they recieve food, have to take it home
because it means that their families will be able to eat. Such a heavy burden for a child to carry...
How could I look away. Their plight was my affliction. Just as Christ bears my afflictions, my sins, my pains. So do I bear with my brothers and sisters, in this seemingly hopeless place. But not Hopeless, because even in this Garbage dump, there was Jesus.
Here was another load being brought in while we were there. I found it so ironic how we often cannot wait for the garbage
truck to pick up all of our garbage and take it away...while here they eargly await for it to show up with all that was disregareded by
others.
This experience, to say the least, was a learning one for me. Wow, did God show me so much of His Character as I began to really ponder what the Lord wanted to teach me from this place. While I do not celebrate in their circumstance, I am so grateful for the opportunity the Lord allowed us as we ministered in this place. I know that it's not glamorous, and probably not a place for a respectable young woman to hang around...but if it's not above the King of Kings, it's certainly not above me.... and I can't help but think that if Jesus were physically here...this is the only place He'd want to be :)
Thanks for reading my rantings. I just hope it all makes sense...sometimes my rantings don't :)
Love and miss you all!
For His Kingdom,
Sarah Cheek
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Sarah Cheek on 9/3/2011
So, me and the girls on my team decided it would be fun to compile a list of all things we learned last month in Ecuador :) Don't take it to serious, this is meant to be fun and funny, as we remember all the humorous moments we faces while serving in this beautiful Country :) I added side notes on some of them...just to add to the humor :) Hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it :) Chow!
Things we learned in Ecuador:
-Calling a man's wife a big kitchen is not a compliment (side note: our spanish wasn't that great, and she definitely meant to say "Your wife is good cook"..hahaha)
-We're actually from Canada (We were always leary when people asked where we were from...and Canada was the first thing that popped in our heads...so sue us...:) )
-"Don't drink the water" isn't just a phrase (Poor Beau...) :)
-You're never too old to be breastfed (Wow, they do it EVERYWHERE around here!)
-If you flush the toilet paper, the toilet will explode (True Story)
-Cilantro is its own food group (they put it in everything, and it's horrid)
-All prices are negotiable (One of my favorite parts) :)
-Don't pet the birds (Funny story: I picked up someone's pet bird, and it pecked me...nearly to death...painful too!) :)
-Water can be used as a weapon (I feel bad for men who come to our windows in the middle of the night, only to be greeted by Alysa's defense mechanisms..haha)
-Herpes is a childhood game you want to win (I never did understand this game, but all I know is if you get Herpes you win...hahahah...we laughed everytime we had to shout it) :)
-If it looks like ice cream, it's definitely not ice cream
-Gagging is okay (we did this alot)
-99% of the meat is unidentifiable (I've thought about being Vegetarian so many times) :)
-It's socially acceptable to poop your pants in public (Everywhere...on the bus, in Restaurants...EVERYWHERE)
- Ditching your potatoes onto the pastor's plate is humorous (Me and my big mouth...I kept telling the pastor how great the potatoes were...which they weren't...and he gave me his! haha..so when he walked away, I gave them back..hehe) :)
-Guinea pig: not just a pet (Poor guinea pigs...:(
-It costs 15 cents for a woman to use a bathroom (and 10 Cents for men...because they don't use toilet paper...talk about rip off!)
-Rats come in the form of miniature dogs (We had 2 in our house...once in our Kitchen and once in our Bedroom...very interesting..and puts a new spin on 'Team Unity'...and by that I mean everyone screaming and jumping at once..:)
-Doctors are under the age of 18 (and sometimes 11) :)
-Every song at church is the exact same melody
-When in doubt, smile and nod (except when they are talking about marriage..I'm pretty sure I nearly married off one of my teammate by just knodding..I thought it was funny...she didn't) :)
-It's okay to break windows when you're locked out
-Candy is an everyday meal for children
-Lard can be used to cook anything
-Chocolate is necessary for survival
-Research needs to be done at .edu, not .com
-Don't ask, don't tell policy on all meals (most of the time our food was unidentifiable...and it was probably better that way) :)
-Hamburgers are made of bouncy balls and cilantro (yuck.)
-The pets walk the people, not the other way around (so many old ladies being walked by their cows..haha) :)
-For every child there are 10 cousin's
-Justin Bieber is cool
-Charades is a basic form of communication (we got pretty good at it too)
-Dirty dishes are much better when left for the Gringo's
-Buy your cosmetics in the United States
-Don't dive into hot springs when the water is up to your ankles
-Live wires aren't dangerous ( We actually showered with them on a daily basis..I think American's freak about for nothing...haha..I joke) :)
-Singing on the bus draws attention (Singing Keith Urban's 'Stupid Boy' on the bus draws attention...hahaha...it was fun though) :)
-Kites commit suicide
-Spiders + Church + Sarah's hair = endless entertainment (I"m so thankful they decided to add this...however, it was not as funny to me as all the people behind me thought it was!) :)
-The smaller the soccer field, the smaller the soccer ball
-People live to be 275 (I'm pretty sure I even saw some older!)
-The song "Who let the dogs out?" was written in Ecuador at 3am by angry missionaries..(So very very true)
-Tetanus shots are administered in coffee shops by under qualified teammates (My teammate needed a tetanus shot...so the pharmacy gave her the needle and the medicine...and I administered the shot...I couldn't let her die of tetanus you know...and since she loves coffee, I think the coffee shopt was the perfect spot! :)
Plus, OH, so much more!
I hope you enjoyed our newly found knowledge of Ecuador! Love you all!
~Sarah
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Sarah Cheek on 8/29/2011
Hey everyone! Well, we have arrived in Peru! Well, technically we arrived about 2 weeks ago, but since we don’t have internet where we are staying…I have to wait until we come into town to actually post a blog…so this is me taking advantage of that time :)
This month we are working with the same organization we worked with last month (Inca Link)…we are stationed in Porvenir, Peru (the poorest area in Trujillo, Peru)…and we are building a children’s home! And you all know how much I LOVE construction work… ;) It actually hasn’t been so bad…however, I can’t help but miss holding orphans as I continue to shovel and shovel….and shovel some more…:)
They have such a wonderful vision for this place though and I cannot wait to see how God uses the little that we are doing now to house and bless children from all around the area! They will be providing warm beds, shelter food, and even education to help the children with their future! So amazing. I will post the plans at some point during our stay here. :)
Another wonderful ministry opportunity that we have this month is to work with and minister to the garbage dump community (which is literally a community of people who live in and around a garbage dump…and work there as well). When I first saw this place, I couldn’t even imagine that this is how people live, but the Lord is definitely teaching me how He loves, even in the most un-loveliest of situations and places. He’s been teaching us so much about his Love, compassion, and even joy as we continue to reach out to this community. Can’t wait to share more!
Some prayer requests for this month:
We are still in need of support, so we are asking for all our friends and family to please prayerfully consider investing in our ministry! We would love to have you a long for the ride, as we see where God is leading this crazy thing we call ‘our lives’ :)
Also, pray that there would be many opportunities for us in the Garbage dump community to share the Love and Hope that we know only Christ can offer.
Pray for our contact family, the Kimbros and our Intern Annie. We have been so blessed to be with this American Missionary couple and their children and Annie, whos just plain wonderful. :) I know God has such a mighty plan and purpose for each of their lives. Please pray they will stay encouraged as they are far from home... and that all their funding and finances would come so the school and Children’s home can go up quick and easily :)
Last one :) Please continue to just keep us in your prayers for health and safety. God has already been so evident is so many areas, and we are so thankful for all your prayers! Love and miss you all :)
For His Kingdom,
Sarah Cheek <3
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Sarah Cheek on 7/23/2011
This month we’ve had a wonderful time doing ministry with the Quechua community! We recently began helping with the process of completing the building of their school house (which is where we are currently living) and it’s been quite the ride :)… So, I wanted to share some pictures with you guys of all that we are doing and the progress that is being made! We are really excited to see some of our projects completed! Today on the agenda, we will be laying concrete and then tile…in our kitchen…so our kitchen is temporarily discombobulated…(I cannot believe that is really a word) :)… Don’t worry, we’re not starving :)
This month we have been also doing things like taking baths in oversized pots…doing laundry by hand (grandma would be so proud…however, I wish I would have learned how before I left…learning from a 9 year old is no good for my self-esteem) :) We even hung our clothes on a clothes-line…undies and all…so much fun to see the kids laugh at our panties. Hahaha
Highlight of my week...
Yesterday we gave out the kites that were donated to us…and I’m not kidding, it made these kid’s lives! 9 a.m. there was this determined little boy diligently practicing his kite flying skills…wayyy better than all of us combined might I add…and he ran up and down the road like he was having the time of his life! He just kept going and going and going. Who would have honestly thought that a little kite would push a child to such determination…and really just make his day!? It honestly made me realize how unappreciative kids can be in America, including myself.
Prayers for this week: We are trying to reach the kids the best that we can, but many of them are raised by the neighborhood and according to pastor Huberto, many of their parents don’t serve the Lord. Last night we had a small run in with some boys (probably 7 to 10 years old)...and we noticed that they were definitely under the influence of some sort of substance. Many of these kids are street kids, despite having homes, and we are desiring to find a way to reach out to them and show them the love of Christ (with few words, because that’s all we know:)) So please pray that God would open up a door for us to be effective ministers to these kids!
Also, pray for protection and progress as we work toward completing the projects that we have begun!
Lastly, Beau and I are in need of some financial support to continue our work here on the field. We are asking our friend and family if they would pray about being a financial partner with us in our ministry! If you are interested just click the support us button to left :).. If you have questions, please feel free to email me at CheekWR2011@yahoo.com. Beau and I are having such a wonderful time seeing God move in Ecuador, and we would love to continue on! We know God has a plan, and we would be blessed to have you partner in that plan! Thanks So much and we love you all!!!
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Sarah Cheek on 7/20/2011
Last night we had the wonderful pleasure of meeting our Contact's (Pastor Huberto) nephew Pablo. Pablo was diagnosed with Colon Cancer 6 months ago, and it has since passed through to another organ of his body. He is very young and has a family, but is unable to work to provide for them, because of the effect the illness has had on his body. (Pablo is VERY talented..he makes the most beautiful things out of fabric!) Today Pastor Huberto and his family are taking Pablo to Quito to have surgery and we are asking prayers for him and his family!
We prayed over him last night, and watching the pain and suffering this young man was going through, and it really put things in perspective for me. This is why we are here. We believe in a God that performs miracles TODAY..not a thing of the past, but today! We know we serve a God that desires good things for His children...a God that Redeems and restores! Our teammates have decided to Walk in healing for Pablo, and we are asking for our family and friends to do the same!
Redeemed, Restored, and Healed. In Jesus Name.
We serve the same big God, that created the mountains, the water, the feilds, and everything that inhabits them. He is able. Please believe with us...:)
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Sarah Cheek on 7/19/2011
First I should probably apologize for the lack of writing in these last few months, but life has been anything but normal as we had prepared to leave for the Race…so forgive me now…and enjoy..:)
Well, we made it to Ecuador!!!!!! I know, I can hardly believe it’s here already and all of the things that we’ve experienced in the short time we’ve been here! We arrived about 6 days ago in Quito, Ecuador where we were able to reconnect with our squad and team and had a wonderful time worshipping and learning together. We also went to the Equator (which is literally just a line on the ground…that we paid $2 dollars to see…) However, it was good team time and it will be a fun thing to say we got to do before we finally left for our ministry sites. After all that, each team left to go to their ministry sites and HERE WE ARE!!!!
We arrived in Iluman, Ecuador yesterday…after paying for 9 bus tickets (side note: there are only 7 of us on the team…but the language barrier has proved challenging…and we didn’t want to have to leave Beau behind on a technicality) :)…Then a short bus ride…and we finally made it! We are living with Quechan Indians…and their culture is amazing and so different from our own. They living in a small community and even have traditional dress that they sometimes wear (mostly just the woman though)…and they are all super friendly and very helpful! Our families will be happy to know we are in a very safe area this month.
I would say the most challenging thing that I’ve experienced since being in Ecuador would definitely be the language barrier (yes, I was the girl who took French, while living in a country where the second primary language is Spanish…I should have listened to my mom when she tried to persuade me to take Spanish…but NOOOO…I just wanted to learn a language of LOVE…I was pretty dramatic and a hopeless romantic…don’t hold it against me…J) Okay, enough of that rant...but it’s been really interesting (we’ve made mistakes like calling a woman hansom…while trying to tell her the food was good...or telling a man his wife is a ‘really big kitchen’, instead of ‘your wife is a really good cook’…and lets not forget calling Diego ‘Diablo’…which means satan…thank God I didn’t say it to his face…hahahaha…it’s been a great time!) However, while the language barrier has been difficult, to say the least, I learned while worshipping in church yesterday that Worship is definitely a universal language. It was amazing just seeing two different cultures lovin’ on Jesus together…super cool.
Today was the actual first day of ministry…and it would definitely shock my family to know that I helped cultivate a potato field! (I know, I could hardly believe I was doing it myself!) It was lots of fun and something new…and then we had a traditional Ecuadorian meal, and I never gagged once :)
And now, we are having relaxing time, before we do construction for the school…yes ladies and gentleman…Sarah will be doing construction this month :)
We will also be doing VBS with the kids, and we had a really great time passing out kids care packages that the Kokomo Church of God so generously donated! The kids have been loving them so much, and all the basketballs and kick balls have been a big hit! We are hoping tomorrow to fly kites :) I know they’ll LOVE It!
P.S. It’s winter here...did I mention how much I hate winter…Northwest Indiana winter that is…because the winters here are phenominal…it’s like 70 during the day and 40’s at night…perfect weather! And when it rains, the sun shines…how does that happen!? It is glorious…
We are also at the foot of two beautiful Volcanos…One is called Cotacachi and the other is called Ibabara…and according to the natives…they’re husband and wife. One things for sure, they’re gorgeous! Not sure how anyone could look at something so beautiful and question the Intelligent Design of God…because there is no way a “Bang” created something so majestic and wonderful. I am constantly reminded that as big as the mountains are, even they bow to the King of Kings. :)
Okay, that was pretty long…so if you made it this far down, thanks for reading! We love and miss our family soooo much! We appreciate the continuous prayer and we will keep everyone updated as we have the internet!
For His Kingdom,
Sarah
| |
|
Posted in General Posts by Beau Cheek on 5/31/2011
Ok, so this will be my first blog. So.. Camp was just about every adjective I can think of. It was very much a rollercoaster of emotions and confusion. But just as God always dose, he taught me a lot about who I am and reconfirmed my calling to missions.
My team is amazing. God has orchestrated our team’s personalities and strengths in a way were we are spiritually in harmony. I cannot wait to spread the love of Christ with my new family all over the world. I’m also looking forward to writing more blogs along the way that are full of miracles and of wonders and blessings and growth personally and with my new family.
And yes God can even use Kyle and I
| |
|
Next 10 Articles >>
|
|
|
