Posted by: Chris Maddox | March 25, 2009

Spring Break 2009 – Seeds Planted (by Matt Cyganik)

Seeds are an important analogy in much of the Old Testament, from Genesis to Isaiah. But the overarching context God uses it for is to advance the prosperous quantity of God’s chosen people. So it is with divine knowledge that Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven and a Gentile’s faith in the new Covenant comparatively to the strong quality of that of a mustard seed.

“It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:32).

With much attention given to escalated drug crimes in Mexico of late, many were concerned with the safety of traveling to Puerto Penasco. Factoring in the economic recession and differing college schedules during spring break this year, Love God Love People was impacted heavily in its planning of a week-long trip.

Still, by the gracious will of God, a small band of souls were generously given the opportunity to serve for the entire week, and another set of amazing volunteers were able to participate for the weekend. Though many of the original ideas for the trip formulated in the beginning were altered or canceled due to the prior circumstances, through the magnificent work of Christ, the trip ended up being a miraculous success that should have long-lasting fruit borne out of these humble seeds.

“It had been planted on good soil by abundant waters that it might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine.” (Ezekiel 17:8)

The theme of the weekday sojourners was 1 Peter, and the Word began to take shape before our very eyes as the weekend approached. Through trials meant to refine us (1 Peter 1:6-7), issues about leadership and direction (5:1-5), and a new outlook on grace (4:7-11), obedience (1:22-23), suffering (4:12-19) and anxieties (5:6-8), a new sense of beautiful urgency in Christ and the Gospel emerged, and it had already begun to see light by the weekend.

This canvassed throughout the week with several construction projects. We met a wonderful family, the Guadelupes, and stuccoed and painted their house. To bond with this family in Christ throughout the week, from the housework to the community of Saturday night Fiesta, was a major blessing for all. The quality and strength of this immediate relationship will never be forgotten. We can only hope it, as with other families various members of the organization have come to know the past couple years, will grow in the coming months.

Our volunteers joined together with members of Bethany Community Church to lay foundation on the Los Olivios family’s house (see the previous month’s entry). This partnership lasted for a few days, and new shades of Christ’s love was revealed as we continued to build a relationship with the Los Olivios clan, as well as the Bethany volunteers.

When the second wave of LGLP volunteers arrived, we took an in depth look at the story of Jonah, really attempting to dig to the root of what Truth lies in his book. The sovereign power of God really resonated with the members.

They spent a couple of days doing stucco work on a new community center in the heart of the invasion area, handing out bag of food to needy families, and playing with local kids during the traditional Fiesta.

After a few meetings throughout the week, the organization has been bestowed some amazing ideas to reach out to more families that might not otherwise get a chance to hear about Christ.

The seeds of growth have been planted and will only continue to be sowed. God will undoubtedly be satisfied with whatever He plans for this organization in the future because so many hearts here are comprised of humble servitude in the name of His Son. Any missions trip- to Mexico, to Rwanda, to the heart of your town’s inner city- can be a safety risk, but if God calls us to, we must go. Live to feed the hungry, stand beside the broken, we must go.

Fill us up, send us out Lord.

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:8-10


Posted by: Chris Maddox | March 25, 2009

Spring Break Rewind….


Warning: This video contains Christian rap music, though it does not play throughout the duration of the video, we recommend you proceed with caution. If necessary, focus on the lyrics to keep from involuntarily tapping a food or swaying from side to side.


Posted by: Chris Maddox | March 3, 2009

LGLP raised money with over 650 GoodSearches in February!

Thank you to everyone who has helped to spread the word that GoodSearch is a great way to raise money for Love God Love People. After a good start in February our goal is to top 1,000 searches in March. Don’t forget, you can also raise money by using GoodSearch to connect with your favorite online stores; from iTunes to Amazon, Travelocity to Gap…there all there!

goodsearch-copy


GoodSearch: You Search...We Give!

Posted by: Chris Maddox | February 27, 2009

Mexico.February.2009

By Volunteer Matt Cyganik:

“May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you”

- Psalm 25:21 (ESV)

February 2009 is drawing to a close and Love God Love People wrapped it up with another inspiring weekend in Rocky Point, Mexico. With new volunteers, some from as far away as Chicago, the organization came together to serve, bond, and rejoice in the ministries of construction, children, and food distribution.

COPY RIGHT PRESETThe construction projects were in full swing, even as the sun baked through the morning clouds on an unusually warm February afternoon. LGLP volunteers dispersed into three separate groups and covered quite a bit of ground.

The largest group continued to do renovations on the Rios Olivas house, adding a roof and painting the drywall. Reynaldo, the patriarch of the family, performs the keyboards with his wife during the mission’s Fiesta nights at the Nueva Creacion rehabilitation center. His love for Christ and the relationship many volunteers have begun to build with his family and others like him are a primary reason LGLP continues to serve in Rocky Point.

One small group of guys built some new doorways and a roof on another house. A faction of ladies went and painted two homes, then applied help to the Rios Olivas house where needed. The rest of the volunteers visited Julio Mesa to play with the kids.

LGLP wrapped up the day with a food distribution run through Rocky Point’s “invasion” area, building 150 bags of tuna, beans, rice, oranges and other assorted perishables and handing them out to the local families. Fiesta, a mid-evening COPY RIGHT PRESETtradition held at Nueva Creacion, saw a rousing celebration of Christ through intercultural dance and play. The ministry capped the night with some campfire worship and a strengthening of fellowship.

One missional goal that has begun to come to fruition this month is that of specialized gifts in serving. LGLP wants to get in tune with its’ volunteers’ God-given assets in order to reach out to Rocky Point in unique ways. For some it involves the arts, for others it may be in organizational skills or behind the scene work.

First time volunteer Mike Divelbiss, all the way from Illinois, rallied the Rios Olivas clan together to create a beautiful family mural primarily out of 4 colors. Britt Smiley taught her knowledge of photography to children, many of whom had never seen themselves in pictures before, while her brother Brennan broke out the acoustic guitar for some Saturday night worship. Others, like Johnna Gibson, just gave their 100% effort out of Christ’s love despite the risk of smelling like tar and gasoline the rest of their lives.

COPY RIGHT PRESET

It was definitely an exciting trip, and the seeds of important growth as an organization have begun to be sown. Love God Love People look forward to many more future projects, including a revamped childrens mission and further development on personal and creative outreach. We hope to see you there!

To see more pictures from the trip click here and here.

Additionally, for more pictures from the trip you can visit:

ChrisMaddoxBlog.com

brittleighdesign.com


Posted by: jennkitson | February 17, 2009

Volunteer Communication Survey

Dear Friends,

In order to be effective in our mission, it is vital that we know learn how to best communicate with you, our volunteers, organization members and financial contributors. It is your valuable support that helps our organization conduct programs locally and regionally, bringing help and hope to those in need.

Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey by Sunday, March 1, 2009, that will enable our organization to better serve your needs.

With Gratitude,

Chris Maddox
Executive Director

Posted by: Chris Maddox | January 27, 2009

Good Search

Do you want to help raise money for Love God Love People while surfing the web? If so GoodSearch is perfect. GoodSearch partners with Yahoo search engine to get you the web sites you want, and get your favorite charity (that would be us!), the money they need. Here is how it works. Instead of going to yahoo or google to search for things, you go to goodsearch.com (or for an easier shortcut click here). Then search just like you normally would. GoodSearch partners with Yahoo so you still get quality search results and GoodSearch pays Love God Love People every time you use it!

The first time you search for something simply type in “Love God Love People” in the Who do you search for? box. From that point on it will save LGLP as your preferred charity. We have shown this below.

goodsearch

For more information or to start searching go to:

www.goodsearch.com

Thank you for your support and for helping Love God Love People in a creative new way!

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