This Must Be a Hurdles Race

The race is on! You may have read a couple of weeks ago that we have received our official approval as Candidate Missionaries. We're on the phone setting up meetings and services to raise our budget as quickly as possible so we can get back to the field. However, it seems this may be a race with lots of hurdles.

The last night with the tour I became very ill. Fortunately Danny, the speaker, is a doctor and gave me some medication to help me feel better, but as I traveled home and once I got back I continued to be sick. It turns out I've got gall stones and the doctor wants to remove my pesky little gall bladder next week to take care of this problem once and for all. I'm doing pretty well right now. The pain subsided and I'm being very careful about what I eat so that it stays away but a meeting with the surgeon confirmed that it must be taken out.

A few months ago we began work on the house we are currently living in. My mom bought it so that we could fix it up and rent it while we were here. The inside work is all pretty much done, but an inspector was not happy with some things on the outside, so Corey now has the wonderful task of residing the house. Did I mention we're in Michigan so it's between 20 - 30 degrees and snowing most days? If you know Corey you know he's a work horse and he does everything with precision and perfection.

So between those two things my plans of us both sitting on the phone all day booking services and getting our year lined out hasn't come together quite so easily. This week I'm feeling a bit better and am back to calling pastors. I drag Corey in on occassion to make some calls, but I know he won't be able to focus until he gets the current task finished so I try to just let him work as much as possible so when he's done he can take on the bulk of the calls.

Unexpected things have crept into our schedules but I know this is a long race and we must stay focused on the ultimate goal of getting back to the field. I have no doubt that more hurdles will come our way but I trust that God will help us to overcome all of them and get back to Colombia ASAP!!
~Tona

LACC Choir Tour ~ The End

Well, they are off and on their way back to El Salvador. Many tears were shed today as the time drew near for the kids to get on their plane. Never a dull moment we took them to Cinnabon to grab a little snack before taking off. While eating they began to goof off and sing. I was amused and recorded a few minutes of their "performance". When I turned around I realized people were gathering outside of Cinnabon to listen to them! Never very shy, they went on to sing a little more before we headed for the gateway.



Hugs goodbye were heartbreaking as they began to cry. I don't know what lies ahead for them in life, but I hope this trip has been impacting to them in many ways. They have learned what it is to be in ministry, to share their dreams and to have hope for what God can do in their lives. Please pray for them as they go home and return hopefully with new strength to the challenges that await them.

And with that, I will end here the journey of the LACC California Choir Tour featuring the El Salvador Choir.
Blessings,
~Tona

LACC Choir Tour ~ Day Ten

Today was the last full day for the kids to be in the U.S. My three girls were eager to get up early and take advantage of the swimming pool! They had lots of fun swimming in the morning and then we took off to drive about four hours back to Southern California. I should put a little commercial in here. Our director was able to secure some of the best hotel rooms for incredibly low prices through Priceline. They kids were able to stay in places like the Holiday Inn and the Hilton for around $50 a night! After our drive we arrived at the Hilton. We went out for a last dinner at Carl's Jr.

We were talking to the kids and guessing how many had packed on a few extra pounds. When one of the leaders asked the boy who always eats double, "Why do you eat so much?" He said, "Teacher, I never get to eat pizza or burgers. I come from a very poor family and we don't always have food." It brought back the reality of just how difficult the lives of these children are. Many of them have told me their stories whether it's living in a horrible area, dangerous places, homes where there is abuse, alchoholism or extreme poverty, they have all come through so much.

Once we returned to the hotel it was time for one last shot at pool fun! The kids all swam until it was almost time to close.
~Tona

LACC Choir Tour ~ Day Nine

Today was the last day of performances. The kids did an excellent job finishing up the tour. We started in Watsonville this morning and then drove a couple of hours to Winton, near Modesto. The service in Winton was a great way to end. It was a small service with incredibly kind people. The kids, because of encore requests, were able to sing every song they had and finish in the midst of a very loving crowd. One sweet man gave us money to buy dinner for everyone so the kids enjoyed In-N-Out Burger one last time. After dinner we drove to Fresno where I now sit writing this while my three girls are enjoying some coffee and cartoons after a long day. I may regret the whole coffee thing a few hours from now, but they're just so cute, how can I say no?? :)

The girls are happy to be done, but the boys were chanting "otro mes" or "one more month" while we were in the car. I think they would be happy to do this forever! We were laughing today as we looked at their pictures from just before they came to now and some of those boys have put away loads of food and now carry it proudly in their waistlines!

I was sad to watch their last performance, but I am so proud of each and every one of these children. They have done an amazing job. Tonight before the service we talked to them about putting all their strength into this last performance and the purpose of their ministry. Some of them teared up while we discussed the many ways that God has used them to raise up sponsors for their friends back in school but also how they have touched the lives of so many people. The pastor this morning said it well when he said that LACC was started to touch the lives of children in Latin America and now here they stood touching the lives of those in America. The relationships we've made along this journey have left imprints in the lives of the children and the lives of the congregations. It has truly been a blessing to have been part of this experience.
~Tona

LACC Choir Tour ~ Day Eight

Today we had the day to spend with our host families. Ours took us to Moss Beach where the girls enjoyed playing in the freezing cold rough waters!! We experienced a very smelly but pleasant surprise as we were walking to a restaurant when we came upon a dock full of sea lions! It was quite a sight to see!


Tonight the kids performed at the Green Valley Christian Center. We'll stay another night with host families and they will perform at the church again in the morning before we move on to another part of California.
~Tona

LACC Choir Tour ~ Day Seven

Today the kids performed for the chapel of the Christian School in Watsonville, CA. At the end of their performance the kids cheered so much the principal asked them to do one more song. I was pleasantly surprised when they did a song I hadn’t seen yet that was interactive with the crowd and got everyone moving again.

After the presentation the kids grabbed some lunch, looked around a Target store and then headed for a park. I made the mistake of pushing two of the girls on the tire swing and suddenly I became the designated pusher! I definitely got my exercise! We had a lot of fun at the park.

We returned to the church because for the next two days we are broken into four groups staying with families from the church. I am with three of the girls and we’re staying with a couple and their nine year old daughter. We had a good time playing Life. I had no idea how much translation is required to play Life! As I write the girls are creating jewelry masterpieces and will soon be off to bed.
~Tona

LACC Choir Tour ~ Day Six

There's not a lot to write today. We had a long journey today from Long Beach to Watsonville, but we all made it safe and sound. The kids are enjoying the hotel pool and a ton of pizza right now. This is a nice evening for them to rest before a very busy weekend!
~Tona