Casa Hogar Elim: Feb 11

February 5, 2011

Well, it’s the last night of our stay at Casa Hogar Elim. As always, this has been an amazing trip! Casa Hogar Elim is an orphanage in Nuevo Laredo, Mx that is home to over 100 children. There are six of us on this trip, and our main goal was to find out more information about their educational needs and develop a plan for helping the older kids through school. However, we’ve had to work through some unusual circumstances while here.

The first night we were here the temperature dipped into the low 20′s and it snowed and sleeted, which is very unusual for Mexico! The next morning there was ice everywhere and many roads and bridges were closed. But, the worst part was the lack of heat. Since it rarely gets cold here, there is no heat in any of the buildings, and the kids missed 3 days of school due to “cold” days. They don’t have heat in their schools either! I’ve literally worn almost every article of clothing I brought with me every day! It’s finally warming back up, but it’s been unusual to say the least.

Four of the six people on this trip have never been to Casa Hogar Elim. I love watching people fall in love with these kids! They are some of the most beautiful, smart, amazing kids I’ve ever known. They are so full of laughter and enthusiasm even in the midst of extreme poverty. They are well taken care of and well loved. However, the reason for our trip was to help these kids have opportunity and life after Casa Hogar Elim.

One of the best ways we know how to do this is to help them get a solid education while challenging them with the idea that God has big plans for them. I’ve been told that poverty is a cycle that is very difficult to break. Once in it, it’s hard to realize there is something outside it. I believe God doesn’t just want to make sure these kids have food, shelter, and love while here, but that he desires to use them as change agents- leaders that will provide hope and opportunity to others in Nuevo Laredo and all of Mexico for future generations. They have the aptitude, courage, and discipline. They just need the opportunity to learn and someone to give them permission- to challenge them to succeed.

There are currently about 6 of these kids in college and several have already completed some type of college or vocational training. The cost for attendance at one university is only about $600-$700 per year! There is also a cost to attend high school here, but it’s even less. Our goal is to see that each of these kids have a sponsor, even a mentor, to help them with their education, to pray for them, and to challenge them. What an amazing opportunity for you!

If you think you might be interested in making a small sacrifice to provide such a life-changing opportunity call the Beachside Church office for more information.

It’s hard to write with a 5 year old in my lap, and I think I’d rather give her my undivided attention right now. So, hasta luego!

Shaun

Beachside Update

October 14, 2010

Hey Beachsiders, Check out the video below. It’s my very poor production quality attempt at sharing some information about Beachside.

Shaun

Puerto Vallarta Mission Trip Update #2

October 7, 2010

Well, the week is almost over, and it has been amazing! I wish I could have posted

more pictures, but I have to sneak off to Burger King to use WiFi, and there hasn’t been much time (and their ice cream machine has been down).

As Juan has said, “we work hard… and play hard…”. We’ve definitely done both! I’ve watched these kids work hard for years, so that’s no surprise, but yes, they really know how to have fun too! Juan has surprised me the most. I’ve known Juan for many years, and I didn’t know he was so funny. I  think he usually has so much responsibility that he doesn’t have much of a chance to let his guard down and just have fun. He’s filled up a 1GB memory stick in his camera, has taught me how to pronounce “Burrow” in Spanish, and is a constant encourager as well.

I’ve also been practicing my Spanish colors by playing Punch Buggy with Liliana. I have to call the color in Spanish and she in English. I’ve learned 2 things: Lilly is much better with English than I am with Spanish, and there are a lot of VW Bugs in Mexico!

The ladies from Calvary Chapel Puerto Vallarta cooked dinner last night, and it was fantastic. However, not to be out done, Diana and Cynthia cooked lunch today: Green spaghetti and chicken wings. We need to keep a little healthy competition going!

I think the kids are really understanding their role as missionaries and that God

desires to use them to make a difference in this world. They’ve certainly had a huge impact on me. Thanks to all the kids of Casa Hogar Elim for helping me see life a whole lot clearer. Also thanks to Brice and Manny of Niceville UMC, Kenny of GiveMeShelterMinistries, and Ray White. You guys are awesome for all you’re doing this week!

Shaun

Puerto Vallarta Mission Trip 2010 Update #1

October 4, 2010

Well, we made it to Puerto Vallarta! There were a few bumps getting here. Mexican customs stopped Ray as he was delivering the suitcases and clothes to Nuevo Laredo, and after 8 hours, finally let him go with more than half of the clothes (did I say that politely enough?). This was a REAL bummer, but it wasn’t something we couldn’t overcome. Ray and Kenny were also told they couldn’t get on the plane with the kids in Nuevo Laredo, however, a last minute phone call by Mama Lupita, or maybe it was a direct call from God, put them on the plane as they were closing the door.

The kids from Casa Hogar Elim are having a blast. Honestly, I thought this would be a great trip, but it is so much more fun than anything I had imagined. They are so excited! I thought us Gringos were supposed to look like tourists, but they are taking pictures of anything and EVERYTHING!

They were anxious to see the beach yesterday, so after church and lunch, we went to la playa. They rounded the corner, took off running, and didn’t stop till they were waist deep, which quickly turned into neck deep, and they were still wearing their church clothes! It was the first time any of them had ever seen the beach or ocean.

Today we went to the mission site which is located at the dump community, and the kids worked so hard! They all worked hard, but Iracema and Juan get the “hardest worker of the day” award. They are all having so much fun helping others.

I so wish everyone who helped sponsor these kids, provided clothing, or committed to pray for us could be here with us. I don’t deserve to be enjoying this as much as I am. I wish I could share it with all of you. I know this short snippet won’t do it justice, but just know that you are providing a life-time opportunity for these children. Keep praying that the Lord would use this to grab their hearts, help them see beyond their circumstances, and help them see that He desires to use them in a powerful way for a lifetime.

Shaun

Multipliers: Mexico Missions

September 8, 2010

A little over a week ago I received an email from Diana, one of the leaders of Casa Hogar Elim, the children’s home in Nuevo Laredo, Mx that we work with regularly. It was a desperate email in regards to the trip we are leading in October to help 15 of the older kids from the orphanage travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mx to serve others ON a mission trip of their own.

This is a trip we have been working on for almost 2 years. These kids are incredibly excited and so are we. I have been working at this orphanage for about 14 years and I’ve watched many of these kids grow up in this home. It’s an amazing place, but if you read about poverty, you’ll learn that it’s a cyclical pattern that is very difficult to break. This trip is a small part of our attempt to begin investing in these kids in ways that will help them see beyond what is right in front of them and provide opportunities for them to become more and do more than they ever imagined.

For many years we’ve worked to help provide basic needs: Food, shelter, medical care, clothing, school supplies, etc…. for the kids at Casa Hogar Elim. Those things are urgent and must continue, but we believe we can’t stop there. It’s not enough to just provide them with essentials for survival. We must do more to provide them with essentials for living a purpose filled life. These kids are incredibly smart, funny, and caring. They have amazing opportunity. Getting to know them caused us to ask these questions: “What if they had the same opportunities as we have had? What does God really want to do with this incredible group of kids?”

I believe God wants to do a LOT with them, and I believe He wants to do a LOT through you in that process. You and I don’t have all that we have because we are smarter, work harder, are more deserving, or are better looking! We have been entrusted with so much in order to be a blessing to others, and these kids and this children’s home is a great opportunity to do just that. I can’t imagine what all God can do through these kids as they are challenged, encouraged, and equipped, to do more and use their gifts for His purposes.

So, back to the email. Diana was basically informing me that Mexicana Airlines had ceased operations the night before, and we had 18 plane tickets reserved on that airline. After a full day of looking for solutions and talking with numerous people we had a plan. First, we decided that the whole basis for the trip was to help these kids overcome their current circumstances that are mostly a result of the decisions of others around them. If we canceled the trip at this point we would be reinforcing the very thing we were trying to help them overcome. That wasn’t an option. Traveling by land had never been an option because of the distance and difficulty of the trip. So, we booked new flights on another airline.

At this point we are almost certain the cost of the original tickets will be refunded. However, the new tickets cost an additional $5000, and we are looking for sponsors who would like to invest in these kids and help cover this expense. We believe this trip is the beginning of (and a huge part) of an incredible opportunity to help these kids break the cycle of poverty (spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical poverty). We are so grateful to all of you who have already sponsored one of these kids or have provided clothes, shoes, or other items for the trip. We’re also grateful to all of you who have invested in Casa Hogar Elim over the years by doing construction work, painting rooms, providing Christmas presents, cooking meals, playing games, leading Bible school, cleaning and fixing teeth, and just loving on kids. You are all awesome! You are also what I would call a  Multiplier.

A Multiplier is just a leader of leaders, and by investing in these kids you are multiplying your resources and influence to help these kids learn how to do the same. Jesus didn’t just lead a small group of followers. He entrusted the future of the Church to a small group of leaders who multiplied their limited influence and resources to change the world. We believe these kids can do just that, and you are doing that as well by investing in them. Please join us by praying for the children of Casa Hogar Elim and the opportunities we have with them this fall. If you would like to help financially you can make checks payable to Beachside Community Church: Mexico Missions. P.O. Box 445 Fort Walton Beach, Fl. 32549. Or, you can donate online here. All donations are tax deductible.

Check back in October for pictures and stories of an amazing journey!

Shaun

Update (11/15/2010): Here is a great highlight video of our trip!

Love for Orphans Transforms- from Catalyst Monthly

July 15, 2010

I’m leaving in a few hours to go back to Casa Hogar Elim, an orphange in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico that I have been visiting for 14 years. I can’t wait to be there. I miss these children and look forward to every opportunity I have to spend time with them. I’ve often wondered myself why I’m so taken by this place and these kids. This morning I woke up to a monthly email from Catalyst and it contained the following article. The timing was perfect. I think Jedd Medefind says it better than I ever could so I included his article below. I hope you’ll take time to read it, and I pray that you have a transformational experience as well.

Shaun

Love for Orphans Transforms

Unwanted infants in ancient Rome were often disposed of via the practice of “exposing.”  Whether undesirable because it was malformed, female or simply inconvenient, the child would be left alone, outside the city walls, without defense before glaring sun, icy winds or roving animals. Read more

Daraja Children’s Choir of Africa

June 23, 2010

Wow! That pretty much sums up this past weekend for me. I’m still riding the wave of excitement. For those of you who were not able to attend Beachside this past Sunday we had 20+ kids from Kenya, Africa lead us in worship. The singing, dancing, costumes, and drums were awesome, but it was the smiles that did me in. Read more

Rock the Beach

June 22, 2010

This Sunday evening, June 27th, was our scheduled Beachside at the Beach night. However, due to the current oil spill crisis, Okaloosa County has scheduled a last minute concert at the same time and location as our event to promote tourism in our community. Therefore, we would like to encourage you to support our community and enjoy a great FREE concert by the Doobie Brothers and Kenny Loggins at 5:00 pm at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. We will reschedule our beach event at a later date.

So, instead of an official Beachside beach day, let’s Rock the Beach!

And don’t forget about part 2 of Everybody. Everybody’s Included Sunday at 10:30am.

Sarah Canterbury Joins the Beachside Team

May 13, 2010

We have great news! Kim Neel has done an amazing job of creating  our Family Ministry environments here at Beachside, but she recently decided it was time to step back from her staff role and find a new role as a Beachside volunteer. So, as usual, God has provided in an incredible way! I want to introduce you to Sarah Canterbury and her husband Ryan. Sarah is now the newest member of our team of Beachside staff, and she will be serving as our new Children’s Director. Rather than me telling you about her why don’t we ask Sarah some questions:

Q: Tell us a little about Sarah Canterbury. Where are you from, where have you been living, are you married, kids, etc…? Read more

Beachside Meets Weekly!

April 7, 2010

So, we’ve finally arrived! Beachside Community Church officially began meeting weekly this past Sunday, Easter, April 4^th 2010! Services will now be held every week at 10:30 am at the Boys and Girls Club on Denton Blvd, in Fort Walton Beach!

As incredible a day as we had together on Easter, and as excited as we are that we will finally have weekly services, we have to admit that we really haven’t yet arrived. Actually, we know we never will. This is just another step in an ongoing process. Our goal was never to just start a new church in Fort Walton Beach. We want to be a catalyst that helps change what the church IS in Fort Walton Beach. We know there are already plenty of places where church people can go on Sunday, but our desire is to create opportunities for us to BE the church TOGETHER. What this community needs are environments…

• that are engaging, relevant, and helpful
• for people who don’t like church
• where you don’t have to be an insider to fit in
• that are easy to come to and easy to invite friends
• where you can ask honest questions about faith and life
• where you can build meaningful relationships
• where you aren’t judged
• where you are cared for and prayed for
• that challenge people to live out God’s Word
• that expect and facilitate life change
• that lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ

Sound interesting? You can see what it’s all about THIS SUNDAY!

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