“I was born in Guatemala in a Catholic home”

I was born in Guatemala in a Catholic home, but we didn’t go to church unless there was a wedding, baptism, etc. When I turned 17, I became a Bilingual Secretary and got my first job in an office and started attending the Jesuits University where I got a degree in Psychology and Education. I worked as a teacher for a few years and then became the Principal of a High School located in a marginal area. By then I was part of an International group originated in Spain, whose purpose was to devote their lives to God. I moved to the marginal area where the High School was. It was 1985. At that time, the social, economic and political situation was in crisis. I was involved in Human Rights and participated in several international events as a christian representative. I was doing all this convinced that it was God’s will for me.

“In 1989 some of my closest friends were killed and I had to go into exile”

I loved my people and their sufferings (massacres, missing people, refugees, displaced people, entire villages burned alive, etc) hurt me deeply. In 1989 some of my closest friends were killed and I had to go into exile. I lived in Mexico and Dominican Republic for a few years. I came to visit my sister who lives in California…and stayed there. For 13 years I couldn’t go back to Guatemala. I felt guilty for being alive and safe while my friends and a lot of people were killed or tortured. It was hard.

In 1995 I married John and we had 2 children, Gaby and Zach. All I can say now is that God is writing my story (when I stay out of the way), and He is not done yet. At this moment Crosspoint is facilitating me a way to serve the least of my brothers and sisters at Bluffton House. The adventure is not over…Would you join me?

When I was 13, my youngest brother died, and a short while later our family fell completely apart. Dad disappeared, leaving us with a mother who was emotionally distant as she struggled to keep the lights on and food on the table. Absent the guidance of a male authority figure, my brother and I soon drifted toward trouble. It was the turbulent 1960s and we were in the thick of it, completely out of control, making one bad decision after another. By the Grace of God I eventually got straightened out, but as the decades rolled on I became increasingly aware of the hole in my heart that would not heal.

In 1998, at the age of 48, I had a life changing encounter with the Holy Spirit which led to my decision to say yes to God and follow Christ (It’s never too late!). For the past 15 years God has taken me on a wonderful journey of discovery, learning and service. I’ve been on mission trips to Nepal, India, Thailand and Mexico, helped lead a major men’s ministry event in the Pacific Northwest, served on the boards of several Christian non-profit organizations, and published a novel about forgiveness called “Billy Goat Hill” (2005, Random House) which was nominated for a Christy Award. It’s amazing what happens when we say yes to God.

After moving to Hilton Head, South Carolina from Oregon, I prayed that God might position me to join a multi-cultural church with a strong commitment to serve the local community. Crosspoint Church has turned out to be all of that and more. I have grown to love my new church family and look forward to serving with them for Jesus.

Working at 3DM, it should come as no surprise that I am often asked the question, “How do you start a Missional Community?”  As such, I thought that sharing my own story from the past six months would be helpful. You see, after passing on our church plant and moving to Pawleys Island, S.C. to work with 3DM full time, this was the first time in about a decade I hadn’t been in vocational ministry…

“…August 30, 2011.  That would be the day that I suffered a ruptured aneurysm…”

My story is very brief, and very simple, compared to some that I’ve heard.  I can’t pin point the specific day, month, year, and time that I accepted Christ, unlike some of the stories I’ve heard in our weekly small group.  I didn’t have this great epiphany either. I grew up in church, and I have, for as long as I can remember, believed that Jesus, is the Christ, and that he was crucified, and rose from the grave.  I believe now, that he lives.  I have always had a benevolent spirit.  I got that from my mother.  Even though I have always believed these things about Jesus, I still consider myself to be a new Christian, only because I now understand why Jesus was born, why he was crucified, and why he rose from the grave.  I have experienced many instances in my life, where I know without a doubt, that the outcome was only because of the  grace of God, and there have been many of those instances throughout my 49 1/2 years.

The most significant would be August 30, 2011.  That would be the day that I suffered a ruptured aneurysm, or what the medical community calls a SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE.  I know for sure, that it wasn’t Gods plan for me to die from the rupture,  and moreover, to not even have any residual effects from the rupture.  Three months after the rupture, I was back at work full time, as a teacher in the Beaufort County School System, and doing all the other things I normally did prior to the rupture.  At the time of the rupture, I didn’t experience any brilliant lights, or anything like many people who have had near death experiences have reported.  I do remember, however, not being able to see anything but blackness; go figure. (Lol).

“Three months after the rupture, I was back at work full time, as a teacher in the Beaufort County School System”

Since the rupture, I try to be thankful for every little blessing  that God sends my way. Though the scriptures say, “In everything give thanks”:   I can’t say that I thank him for experiencing the aneurysm, because it was very, very traumatic, and very very frightening.  Frankly speaking, when Gods  done with me, I wish he’d just let me sleep it off.  As Ray always says, “This old Christian walk, is not easy”. I have no idea what Gods plans are for my life, and honestly, I’m not sure how to discern between my wants and desires, and his desires for me.  I’ve asked several clergy for clarity in the matter,  but I’m still trying to figure it out. There are some things that I do know without question:  I know that God wants me to be a good DELTA,  a good SCHOOL TEACHER, a good WIFE, a good MOTHER, a good SISTER,  a good AUNTIE,  a good FRIEND, and a good COMMUNITY SERVANT.   And I know with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY that Jesus Loves me, because the bible tells me so!

Thats my story.  It’s simple, short, and I think sweet.  Not every story is jam packed with adventure, and miracles.  Each story is unique, because God made each one of us unique, and special.  The best that we can do is follow the Great Command that Jesus gave the disciples at the Last Supper, “Love one another, as I loved you”.
Anything else will fall into its rightful place.

Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many? ~ John 6:9

READING: John 6:1-15

Insufficiency is not an uncommon word as we strive to plant churches around the globe. There are various kinds of insufficiency: insufficiency of funds, manpower, talents, skills, abilities, and physical strength, to name a few. How shall we handle insufficiencies and keep moving forward in our journey?

from churchplants.com

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To be a leader today requires more than knowledge …

Especially today.

Here are 7 requirements to be a great leader today:
You have to be adaptable.
Things change fast these days. Real fast. You must lead a team that responds accordingly.
You have to be moldable.
You must personally change fast too … or you’ll be left behind.

from churchleaders.com

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The suburban Chicago church plant, launched by a 22-year-old Bill Hybels back in 1975, would dramatically impact the face of American Christianity. What later became one of the nation’s first megachurches, which now draws some 25,000 worshippers each week, Willow Creek Community Church began in a closed-on-Sunday-morning movie theater and was mostly staffed by teenaged volunteers…

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