What's the Difference?....

What's the difference?

An I really making a difference?

I think lots of people spend at least a portion of their lives asking those very questions.

We all get to the place where we wonder if the things we are doing are actually making a difference....

Chris & I are no different & honestly ask that question A LOT!

Missions... Venezuela.... Teams... Sacrifices... Stress... Craziness

Is it all worth it?

We are coming to the end of a second team. Right now as I type & ponder, our team is 

ministering in a nearby church while I stay home on Mommie Duty taking care of a young 

one who feels bad.

I have been doing a lot of thinking & soul searching recently as life has been a bit more 

on the crazy & frustrating side.

God brought my mind back to a story... a testimony, really... of a special couple in Pavia.

Three years ago, we welcomed our very first team to Venezuela.

The team was an AIM team of mostly teenagers from Raleigh led by their youth pastor... 

Ashley Penley (who by the way is now with his family in Costa Rica learning spanish before they head out to be missionaries in Ecuador!)

The team went well & we learned a lot. We learned things that worked, & things that needed to be changed.

We always look back on that team experience fondly & our friends in Pavia have often even compared every team since to that very first team.

The reality, is that the team wasn't perfect & there was lots of room for improvement all the way around...

Yet we hold that team in a special place & look back on them with great nostalgia.

Three years have passed.

We have hosted around 7 teams, went through Chris's accident, itinerated again, & have been back in Venezuela for a year.

The whole time we have still asked...

Did it make a difference?

All the way back to the first team.... Did it matter?

We have received report after report of specifically teenagers, who felt that God confirmed their calling in to ministry or missions during their time here.

Kids whose lives were radically transformed despite of the craziness with the bank, a transportation mix up, food shortages, or an outreach that went crazy.

Last month, we hosted the team from Burlington, NC. 

We sat down with the leadership team in Pavia on our first day there as we always do.

In the midst of the introductions, something caught our attention....

A young couple, the children's pastors in the church, began to share about who they were, what they do, & why they were there.

As Cheo (his real name is Jose but no one calls him that) began to speak, he began to share 

that 3 years ago he was a pretty bad guy & was running with a gang in Pavia.

He had been in & out of the church as a kid but had never really made any commitments to God.

He had just started showing back up at the church & then our first team came.

During one of the services, Cheo decided to turn his life around.

Because of the investments of teenagers, a youth pastor, us missionaries, & the pastors in Pavia, a kid's life was forever changed.

Today, Cheo is 20 years old & is the children's pastor at the church in Pavia & ministers to hundreds of children each week.

His fiance, Jaikel, who also grew up in the church serves beside him in ministry.

So...

Did it matter?

Are we making a difference?

Sometimes we ask those questions & look for immediate affirmation.

But when we invest in people...

the fruit is not always instant.

However, once they begin to show fruit, we realize...

We are indeed making an eternal difference.

...an investment into souls

Then the fog lifts & we know in our hearts that we are exactly where God wants us to be.

Team Time Two

After our arrival, we literally "hit the ground running!" We began preparing for 2 teams that would come back to back. We always love hosting teams & giving people from the USA a chance to have an incredible missions experience. But as is expected, teams are also a lot of work! 

Team 1 came to us from Elevate Student Ministries in Raleigh NC. We were so blessed to have this amazing group of mostly teenagers for 13 days. In that time, Pavia was transformed. A huge amount of demolition happened followed by the cleaning of LOTS of trash & debris. They also did a fabulous job with a VBS for several hundred children in the church in Pavia for a week. Many outreaches were done, strange foods were eaten, & people left very TIRED! 

The team with our 3 boys

And since I know how it is to miss ALL of the photos because you are the one taking them, I am including a picture of me & my friend Shanna who missed her photo op in the top picture!

Team 2 was let by the NC District. Led by Pastor Chris Connell, this team was made up of people from 7 different churches! This team did electrical work, building, welding, outreach, & evangelism. It was such a cohesive group of people from all walks of life that came together for 1 purpose... to reach souls & make an eternal difference! 

We were sad to see them all go but I won't lie that I was ready to return to our apartment after living in Pavia for almost an entire month! My boys were never quite as happy to have a bath as the night we returned home. I could hear them singing songs about "Hot Water!!!!" 

Abraza Un Niño - One Hug More....

The event "Abraza Un Niño" in Pavia was a huge success on December 19th.  But due to a lack of transportation, many were unable to attend.  So on Christmas Eve morning Chris, Isaiah, & the team from Pavia loaded up & went out to deliver presents to some very needy little children.  The event was a huge success both for those receiving the blessing and for those who went to give & be a blessing.  Below are a few special photos from the day.

This is the link to view a video presentation from this day. 
 https://files.me.com/cbng/feagu9.mov 

To view a separate presentation from the original event on the 19th, please follow this link...
https://files.me.com/cbng/0t8fcm.mov

A precious little boy & his mom.

Chris transporting some of the ministry team.

People gathered in front of a building that use to be a brothel.  Now over 20 families live inside each sectioned off in the tiny rooms formerly used by prostitutes & their nightly companions.

Jeniffer passing out toys....

Ahisahar, the youngest daughters of the pastors in Pavia, passing out toys to the children.... Priceless!

Hug a Child this Christmas... The Outcome

Our gratitude goes out to all of you who prayed for & donated to The Pavia Project for the Annual "Abraza un Niño" or "Hug a Child" event.  This year the goal was to bring in 1000 toys to bless 1000 children, teenagers, & pregnant mothers in Pavia.  The event, held on Dec.19, was a huge success & blessed over 500 children.  Because there was no provided transportation this year, everyone had to walk to the event.  This cut down on the number who were able to attend.  The rest of the gifts will be distributed on Christmas Eve morning to those that were unable to walk.  Here are a few pictures to give you a highlight of the great things that took place in Pavia.....

Follow this link for a video presentation from this special event! https://files.me.com/cbng/0t8fcm.mov

Isaiah, Imanuel & Francoise loading bags of water into the cooler.  These bags would be used for thirsty children later in the day.

Pastor Gerson addressing a multitude of kids that gathered for the event.

Some of the faces of Pavia.  They enjoyed having their faces painted that day also!

My poor Imanuel was so sleepy that he fell asleep on the concrete floor.  Ian was taking care of him while we distributed gifts to the crowd.

Here are a few of the kids with their Christmas gifts! At the beginning of the event one of the pastors thanked God for the gifts the children were getting ready to receive.  They know that God provided this blessing!

Bathrooms are coming to Pavia....

Construction is under way for the bathrooms in Pavia.  We were so happy to have the opportunity to help out with the pouring of the floor.  Isaiah especially loves to help with construction projects.  He worked so hard all day!  The other 2 boys worked until they were tired & bored & they resorted to playing in the sand pile.  It was a nasty, partially rainy, hot day but in the end proved to be very successful.  We are so excited to be one step closer to having functioning bathrooms in Pavia.  Thanks to everyone that is praying & contributing to The Pavia Project.  With out you, we couldn't accomplish great things for the children of Pavia!

The boys working hard to shovel concrete.

Isaiah doing what he loves most... building

Chris & Jorge leveling out the floor-foundation

The space for the toilets.

Ian & Imanuel in their dirt pile... they were some nasty little boys!

Happy Birthday Jehieli....

It has been a busy few months for the Pérez family.  First, Ahisahar turned 5, then the rains came, & now Jehieli turns 8!  It was a great time as we celebrated the birthday of yet another princess.  Jehieli has a smile that lights up the room & a personality that is unforgettable.  We are blessed to be able to share in her life & the lives of her sisters.

Hug a Child this Christmas.....

The following is the link to the flier for our Christmas event in Pavia.  For every $5.00 received we are able to help 2 children receive a gift at Christmas.  Last year, 700 gifts were provided from various vendors such as Coca-Cola.  Over 300 children were turned away for lack of having enough gifts.  This year the goal for the church in Pavia is 1000 gifts for 1000 children & teenagers.  Also provided below is the link to how you can donate.  100% of your donation will go to help the children in Pavia this Christmas.  Once you click it you will see a place to donate.  Below that you will see a comment box.  In the box, please type the following:

Chris & Angela Nelson-Venezuela
The Pavia Project-Hug a Child
Project code # 14501

https://files.me.com/cbng/vm3ipz 
 Printable Flier (Please note that this is a 6MB file)


https://secure1.ag.org/contributions/detail.cfm?LedgerID=9a62437c-9fe5-4829-830f-8ec455ee8cbf
Link to donate through Assemblies of God World Missions

Simple Smiles....

             I was perusing through Facebook checking out all the latest & greatest happenings from pretty much EVERYBODY that I know! (ha ha) I ran across this picture from when the AIM team was here this summer & it made me laugh & re-live a bit of the craziness.  Memories are always so amazing!  Sometimes they are wonderful... other times they are painful, but none the less they help to form us into the individuals that we are.  This photo is not all that profound, but it does remind me of a time of fun, ministry, change, influence, youth ministry, & simple curiosity.  Ian was quite fascinated with all of those crazy people on that AIM team.  He was the most intrigued, of course, by Pastor Ashley... and rightfully so!  Those of you that know him know he is quite an interesting character! (ha ha) The other star of the Photo is Rachel.  She is a special young lady.  Her expressions, mannerisms, & sweet spirit will forever be remembered in Venezuela!  This AIM team had a practice of competing in "staring" competitions when there were slow moments throughout the day.  Since they were ministering in Pavia, we had their schedule pretty packed.  But everyone needs a good competition every now & then!  Ian decided to make sure for himself that nobody cheated!  This is one of those photos that just makes me smile.  I hope it gives everyone else a smile too!  Happy Columbus Day....

The Effects of Rain

We have been experiencing LOTS of rain here in Venezuela which is quite interesting considering that last year we had barely any.  It has been a blessing for the country in terms of electricity & crops.  The problem, however, happens when the rains come so hard & quickly that they have nowhere to go.  Many of our cities & small towns are not built with run off areas.  There are few grates or ditches to collect the water & send it to another location.  In Pavia, they have been struggling with all of this water.  Unfortunately, when there is rain (and lots of it) there can be no church services.  Daily life gets harder & since few have a car... working becomes difficult.

         Due to several weeks of rain, the house & property of Pastor Gerson & his family have been flooded.  This picture shows the place where just a few weeks ago, this family used as their only living room.  The waters rose so high over recent days that the area that they used for a kitchen & bathroom was under water & the waters were entering the level that contains their bedrooms.  They have been forced to evacuate & live with a family member until they can figure something out.  Because of the swelling & cracking of the concrete, the house will most likely have to be destroyed & they will either have to sell & move or rebuild.  Either one is not ideal.  We are thankful that in everything, God is in control.  We ask that you please keep this family in your prayers.  It is impossible to pastor & care for your sheep when you have no home yourself.

Feliz Cumpleaños Princesa!

We have been so blessed to have such amazing friends in Venezuela!  Wednesday night we went back to Pavia to celebrate the 5th birthday of our sweet princess Ahisahar.  The funny part is that the 3 daughters of Pastor Gerson & Francoise are equal in personality & age to our 3 boys.  Mizraym is 10 & is the female version of our 9 year old Isaiah. (They know everything!)   Jehieli will turn 8 only 11 days after Ian turns 8 in November, and they are exactly the same as well.  (They are both moody & picky!)  Then there is Ahisahar & Imanuel.  Imanuel will be  6 in January where she just turned 5, but they are both the precious, huggable, babies of the family.  It is amazing watching the 6 of them together.

     Ahisahar is quite the princess!  She is such a prissy girl always with a smile on her face except for the time that she fussed at Isaiah & told him that it says in the Bible that Alice in Wonderland's dress HAS TO BE white!!!!!!! (ha ha)  What treasures they all are in our lives.  Happy Birthday Princess Ahisahar from your American family!  Pictured is Isaiah presenting her with her present from our family.  Oh my!  I am not sure if Mommie is ready to see her so  on one knee presenting jewelry!  At least this time it was a pink necklace & bracelet & some blue hair bows!

AIM Team Experience

For a week & a half we have been privileged to host an AIM Team from First Assembly of God in Raleigh, NC.  We planned, prepared, bought food, & made lots of arrangements.... but only God knew of the amazing things that would happen while this team was here.  As with anything we do to make a difference for God, satan fights!  Several of them were sick on their stomachs & the first day that we ministered I myself came down with Dengue.  For those of you unaware of this tropical illness.... it is a nasty high fever that is accompanied by lots of "lovely" symptoms.  It is painful to the body & takes every bit of your energy.  I was so upset not to be able to work as much with the the team.  But praise Jesus that I am now feeling better & even though I wasn't there, the ministry continued!
     The team mostly ministered in Pavia & Cabudare.  In Pavia, they did VBS, street evangelism, adult services, painted the church building, & loved on the people.  People were set free, lives were changed, & because of the love & dedication of this team.... Pavia was changed.  Their ministry in Cabudare was similar with street evangelism & children-adult services.  It was amazing to see the hand of God as this team ministered.  We are forever grateful to them & their leader Pastor Ashley Penley.  It was a treat working with them all.  Our boys LOVED having a team of Americans here & it was such a blessing to watch the team love on our kids as well.  We look forward to seeing amazing things come from those that were part of this team.  Below are a few highlights of the week.

A few of the team piled in our STL truck

Now this is Speeding the Light!

The team during VBS in Pavia

Monkey-ing around in Pavia

We work a lot in the pueblo of Pavia.  Many of you are becoming quite familiar with this place from my stories, our photos, & The Pavia Project.  We always enjoy our time there & it seems that every time we are there we always see something interesting.  On a recent trip there, we were walking down the street & when we looked up we saw a lady & her pet monkey.  It caught us by surprise that this lady had a baby monkey for a pet.  We asked if we could get a quick photo.  I just couldn't resist sharing this experience with all of you!

Speed the Light in Action!

We recently went to help with a children's ministry in the town of Pavia. This town is popular only for it's prostitution. A fellow minister here & his wife & children have felt God's call to pastor the children of this forgotten town. Since registering new churches is becoming more difficult in this government, they decided to begin a foundation known as "Fundación Abraza un Niño" (The Hug a Child Foundation) that ministers weekly to over 500 children & youth.

Only 10 minutes after our arrival the lights in the whole neighborhood went out. Thanks to Speed the Light, the missions giving ministry of the youth of the Assemblies of God that provides vehicles for missionaries, we were able to use our truck to shine light into this dark warehouse so that the ministry could continue. God is doing amazing things in Venezuela despite the attacks of the enemy. We are humbled to be a part of such amazing ministries as these and to be able to help speed the light to the next generation of Venezuelans. Attached is a short video clip that I put together so that we could share a glimpse of the evening.