Tuesday in Máncora

Yesterday, the team climbed the desert hills with members of the host church to pray over Máncora.

Solo time overlooking the valley

The team finished Tuesday night by praying around the campfire with the host church and then eating some S'Mores. 

This morning the team moved out of the church and into a hotel. Tonight marks the beginning of the youth conference planned by the church. For those of you who don't know, the Crossfire bands will be the featured musical guests for this event. It is the first time the church in Máncora has attempted to host an event of  this magnitude, so keep them covered in your prayers!

Yesterday: Soccer Game on the Beach, followed by small groups around the bonfire

Photos from Sunday night's service

Second group's safe arrival

This evening Pastor Steve arrived with the students who couldn't travel with the larger group. They enjoyed a church service with their host church in Máncora and were having more solo time on the beach this evening. Tito sent some random photos of the day, which I posted below. There should be more daily... 

A few photos from today

Solo Time on the beach

Sights from the street

The team will be staying here for the next few days

Local Girl

This morning's breakfast!

Safe Arrival

The team made it safely to Mancora at 2 AM, after a 10 hour bus ride. They were resting a little this morning, but all are well. More updates to come after a couple of ministry days.

T - 24 hours and counting

Well it's here - I'm in the office printing stuff out, packing up our supplies, getting all the last minute things in line. Let me say how proud I am of each of you for doing your homework, cultivating support, and preparing yourselves mentally and spiritually for this trip. It's going to be great. From here on in Jamie Herrera will be updating the blog periodically with updates from Peru, so check in with us.

Parents - I hope you will remember and put into practice all we learned together on Friday night. You have much to be proud of.

Supporters - PRAY FOR US! The next 48 hours see us go from Panama to Mancora and are the most stressful (for the adults, at least - OK, I admit it, I'm the most stressed out of all). Continue praying for us in our trip and our ministry. Pray for Iglesia Cristo es la Respuesta and the youth congress of Piura, for the 300+ youth who will be coming. Pray for Christian Diaz, who is travelling from Lima to Mancora while we are travelling from Guayaquil fo Mancora. Pray, pray, pray. Our Father is good and is watching out for us - keep putting us before him as you talk to him today.

Thanks!

Due July 19

Read Mack & Leeann chapter 12: “Scars.”

Mack & Leeann list three steps that “need to be part of all short-term preparation.” List each step and explain them so that someone who has never read this chapter would understand. Then explain some practical things we can do in Mancora in order to incorporate these three steps into our team time.

TO DO LIST

In addition to your homework, you have several things you need to accomplish in the next TWO WEEKS before we leave.

1. Begin assembling the items on the packing list (see the postings listed under April for the packing list)
2. Purchase something you can use as a journal while you are in Mancora. It should be something easily portable. You will be given journal topics beginning before you leave Panama and continuing until after you return. You will also be given time each day in Mancora (well, most days, as best we can) to reflectively journal. I'm pretty sure I gave you guidelines on reflective journalling. If not, look under the postings for April.
3. Make a list in your journal of things you have prayed for regarding this trip, and make an entry in your journal about how God has responded to those requests.

Important decisions about the concert

The band got together on Thursday, June 18th to talk about the concert and the youth congress. Both events have different purposes, which we decided are as follows:

Purpose of the concert

To minister
To provide an experience in worship
To attract non-believers by giving them a chance to see God in a different way
To worship God with hearts and voices as one
To bring together Christians and non-Christians in Mancora
To rock their socks off!

Purpose of the congress
To lead people into the presence of God
To transmit our passion so they will reflect it
To learn how others worship and put that into practice
To encourage and refresh them in their faith as leaders
To equip them and encourage them to evangelize others
To build bridges and friendships

We then talked about the differences between a good concert and an excellent concert, and how if we wanted the concert in Mancora to be excellent, we had to be willing to put in the effort to do the little things that make the difference. Below are the resolutions we have made regarding our preparation and practices.

When we practice/ rehearse/ set up we will…
Warm up
Have water
Listen closely so we can detect anything that’s not played or sung right
Lovingly correct people when they sing or play wrong
Make sure slides are together and accurate
Practice harmony
Have a good attitude
Do it all for Christ
Take our time while setting up and do it right
Practice to perfection
Take the time to memorize chords, words, etc.
Be totally committed
Be excited about our circumstances

When we are on stage we will…
Worship freely from the heart
Smile
Jumpy
Be focused on God
Dance
Have a good attitude
Trust in God
Be humble
Be content
Enjoy ourselves
Have fun
Do it for God and not for ourselves
Do our best
Interact with the audience
Be prepared and ready to play
Pay attention to what we are playing
Everyone sing, not only singers
Don’t be a distraction to audience
Clothes
Actions
Behaviors
Tune every couple of songs
Arrange sounds of equipment
Sing all together
Have a water bottle – fight dehydration
Don’t scream!
Be responsible to have everything we as individuals need (charts, cables)
Listen to others
Follow orders
Dress appropriately

At all times we will
Memorize!
Practice
Have a positive attitude
Be aware of people in the team and outside of the team
Interact with the people
Focus on God and not on ourselves
Think before we act
Not be hypocrites

Concert playlist

Es Tiempo
Quiero Mas
No Quiero Vivir
OK
Tomalo
Quiero Proclamar
Mi Universo
INSTRUMENTAL
Desert Song
Aqui Estoy
Revolucion
Saltando
Tu Eres Digno de Gloria
En Tu Luz
Second Chance
Dulce Refugio
Desde Mi Interior
La Nina
Te Alabare
Feliz
Mi Futuro
Espiritu Santo
Revolucion (Gerry M)

Canta Al Senor

Encore pieces?