We met with the community leaders Saturday (January 12th) and began working through a fundraising plan for the completion of the project.  We've calculated that we need $1.2 million to finish.  ENLACE will continue to fundraise for the project (we were able to raise $200K over the Christmas holiday because of a donor challenge).  We've estimated that the work will take 2 years to finish once we start, but the community does not want to wait to start the next stage. In the month of February they plan to do a survey of 1200-1500 families to see how much each family can pay towards the project.  They hope to raise between $200K-$400K themselves.  So we hope to begin the next phase in the March where we will start cutting, digging, and laying the first of 33 kilometers of piping.  We'll keep you updated with photos of the construction.

50/50...it's a great idea

Last month I spoke at Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley.  It was a great experience, and I really enjoyed getting to know the church and their vision.  In 2007 this church reached their goal of giving 50% of their income out towards missions, church planting, and ministry to the poor.  This equated to a rough total of $4 million.  This is not only incredible when compared to the national average (2-5% * www.emptytomb.org ),  but has done amazing things in their body as they've gained a vision of what it means to live as a disciple of Christ with their resources.  You can hear Francis' sermon explaining their vision earlier this year by going to their website  www.cornerstonesimi.com and looking for the sermon named "I'm in Love, Part II" under the media and sermon section. 

MA Siss Story...A Church in a Chop Shop

I just read this story about an amazing church started in a rough area in Massachusetts. "MA Siss" started a church by purchasing an old chop shop and starting a thrift store.  As a result, she and a group of believers are changing their neighborhood as they reach out to serve the least.  The Boston Globe did an incredible job covering this story with plenty of photos and videos.  Go here

One year anniversery...

If you can believe it this week will mark one year since the shooting in Abelines (Jan 18th).  I can't say enough how much God has done to restore me, our family, and use this event to encourage many to trust in God's love (to hear me share the testimony visit here see media/sermon/"the cost of missional living").  Our first mission team of the year ventured up to Abelines last week to provide medical and dental care to hundreds.  One dentist pulled over 180 rotten teeth.  I wasn't able to join them because we were in the U.S., but I heard nothing but incredible stories of how the church continues to serve and transform their community through Christ.  This year they will work to train three surrounding churches along with all the initiatives they have planned.  See more great pics (these are incredible!) taken by David Mcgee (another ENLACE missionary) of last weeks trip. Go here.

Last month Dara and I got a chance to visit Cornerstone church in Simi valley.  Lisa Chan (Francis' better half)has just released a new album (ENDLESS BEAUTY) with all the proceeds going towards feeding the poor.  We have really enjoyed the album and the message in each song that encourages honesty with the Lord and compassion for others.  I encourage you to take a listen.

check out here

In college I roomed with a long haired hippy from Georgia who used to sing U2 songs from the top of his lungs in our room.  Mr. Kenny Peavy has since become a close friend and an amazing musician.  He is a singer/songwriter and leads a school of worship for students in the Los Angeles area.  He also released an album of songs (Drawn) written out of his wonderful times with Christ.  It is fantastic and will definitely encourage you in your walk with God.  You can listen to some samples and purchase from i tunes at the following link: itunes DRAWN ALBUM or from CD baby here.

Dara and KayaFamily

As we close in towards the end of the year, our family is smiling.  It's been a rough year, but God's favor continues to shine on us.  The kids are thriving in school.  Both PJ and Isaac are playing basketball after school and have made some good friends.  Hannah has had some bumps but is adjusting well to the big new world of Kindergarten.  Both she and Kaya are beginning to speak Spanish beautifully.  Both Dara and I have grown in the relationships God has given us here.  God has given us both some precious friendships.  We have also realized the blessing God has given us through this trial, as we have watched our family grow closer to Him and to one another through it all.  Even still, we are looking forward to being back in the States for couple weeks for Christmas and starting off the year afresh.

This week the boys dressed up for their school's festival day.  PJ was a flip-flop and Isaac was a trash can with a person upside down who had been dunked by a bully.  Hannah was an infermera.  You can see these and some other recent photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.desoto/07HarvestCostumeParade

ENLACE

God is working through ENLACE.  More than ever, I feel so honored to be a part of this work and organization.  Over the last year our team has grown immensely.  I love the community that we have as a group, and the deapening friendships we have with the pastors and leaders we serve in El Salvador.  We just hosted a pastors/leaders retreat last month where there were 11 churches in attendance.  The stories that were shared only affirmed that God's heart is to use His body (the church) to restore the world.   Countless testimonies showed how these humble churches were shining admist instense challenges.  One of the things I love most about the work down here is the high frequency of laughter.  You would think that there would be a somber tone over most of our meetings because of the major challenges that face the churches.  Yet, instead there is laughter, rejoicing, and celebration.  Only in the body of Christ can there be authentic celebration admist struggle.  One of my highlights was playing "steal the bacon" with the group.  Ron, our executive director, threw the ball into the sky as he called all of the names.  Rushing towards the middle were people from all walks of life, rich, poor, country folk, and city folk.  In these moments, our earthly positions are traded in for our eternal ones and we find the community of saints that the Bible describes. For photos and some more stories please visit: www.enlaceonline.org.

Pray for 2008.  We are trying to serve more churches, manage more mission teams, and support more initiatives. Specifically, pray for our team, that we can be the light God wants us to be as we serve.  Also, pray for the water project in Las Delicias.  We have made some progress, but still need to raise close to $1 million to provide water to about 2,000 families. To get an update, please visit  http://www.enlaceonline.org/las-delicias-water-project

RECOVERY

closing up the cabin
In September, I returned to California to get away alone.  I retreated to a cabin in Lake Tahoe where I was able to get alone with the Lord. I intend to write up more about the experience at a later time, but for now all I can say is that it was such a valuable time.  The first couple days were euphoric, being free from roles and responsibility.  But for a good part of the week I struggled through my times with God, reconnecting with the emotions of this last year.  I recognized that the shooting had taken much more of a toll on me than I ever thought.  I felt strong emotions of fear, anger, isolation, even though I was in my favorite place in the world.  Yet, after seven days I left the mountain feeling a nearness to Christ.  God is working through this trial to connect me to my deapest need which is to be in His presence.  The vulnerability I've experienced has made me aware of how much I desperately need and want to abide in God.  Through this God is bringing healing.

In terms of my voice, there have been small improvements.  I still have a ways to go, but I'm trusting God to continue to restore it in His time. I was able to see a doctor from USC in September who confirmed that I have some permanent nerve damage due to the shooting.  But, out of all that could have happened to me, I am so grateful that this is it. 

I got a chance to speak a few times during my visit to the States.  It was a joy to share what God has done this year and what He continues to do in His church.  One of the places I spoke was at the Master's College in Santa Clarita, CA.  If you would like to download the message you can save the following file and listen: Master's College Message Sept. 19th.

TO READ THE FULL STORY CLICK HERE

huff familyJaime and Rebecca Huff arrived in El Salvador at the beginning of the summer. With their daughters, Reina (4yrs) and Emily (2yrs), they came to support the ministry of ENLACE and to hang out with our family. Jaime, a professor of anthropology at Vanguard University, is helping to establish a research department for ENLACE that will dramatically help our efforts to be effective with all our projects and programs. They are planning (and we are praying) to come for a full year in 2008-2009.

pete and scottScott Anderson , a close friend from college, came to visit us in the beginning of August. Scott and I worked together at Regency Lighting for a number of years before we made the move to El Salvador. Scott was an incredible encouragement to our family, and made the journey with me and Jaime for my first return to Abelines since the shooting. Visit photos of Scott’s time here.

james and pastor miguelJames Matthews , an engineer specializing in water systems, came at the beginning of August. A complete miracle, I met James right before we moved in 2005 and had been so impressed by his skill and his demeanor. Yet, I never knew what God was up to. We are currently at a very critical phase at the water project in Las Delicias. I felt a real urge to get some outside consultation on the design that was budgeted for over $1 million. I sent an email to James and ten days later he was in El Salvador. His humility and expertise are proving to be priceless gifts to this project. It is possible that we will save a few hundred thousand dollars from his consultation. Even more, we had an opportunity to build a friendship with James that will continue to grow for years to come. Visit photos of James’ time here.

In May, Dara met a wonderful woman named Sara Cramer while studying in Guatemala.  Sara made the journey last weekend to meet our kids and hang out in Hotel DeSoto.  We loved having her and look forward to this new and growing friendship.  Sara returns to Minnesota, her home, later this month. 

Family

isaac with torchThe boys were blessed to join a summer program down the street from our house in San Salvador. They played soccer, basketball, volleyball, swam, did art and drama. It encouraged us to watch their confidence grow as they felt more comfortable in a Spanish environment. PJ even shot the winning basket for his team the last day. See pics here.

pj with monkeyOver the summer we visited the a bay off the pacific coast with some friends. Renting a fishing boat for the day we explored through some beautiful waterways with amazing vistas of Salvadoran volcanoes. After the day, we ventured further into the jungle to visit a local family whose home was inhabited by 26 monkeys. With a few hoots and a number of bananas the monkeys descended to give our kids a treat. See pics here.

pj pushes sandThe boys were able to join a recent mission team as we finished a number off concrete walls to guard the well site of the Las Delicias water project. They worked diligently, wheeling loads of sand and filling in concrete. Their hearts to serve encouraged us all. Here are some pics of the day.

ENLACE

women's teaWe’ve had a full summer with a host of mission teams from the States. Watching God work in the hearts of those visiting encouraged us as a staff as well as those working so hard in the communities. Along with the hard work that each team brought, it seemed that most people realized the priority of relationship building and of edifying the people of El Salvador. One group hosted a women’s tea that brought out 100 people in Las Delicias. (see pics). The women here talked about the event for weeks as they were treated with the highest degree of love and respect. Other groups tuned into the spiritual climate of the communities and spent significant time praying over the people in El Salvador. Others brought food to the most hurting in the communities, and others responded to the Lord’s leading and shared the gospel with individuals who responded in faith.  Visit our photo albums to see pics from the various trips, here.

We have recently hired three new staff to keep up with the demand for us to work with more churches. (see story) Our heart is to be in 50 by 2010. God seems to be building a team at ENLACE to do the work He desires. Please keep us in your prayers.

These were my words upon returning to El Salvador after visiting the U.S. following Pete’s shooting. I felt so frustrated. In the States I was able to communicate with no problem, maintain relationships, and go to many levels within conversation. The sting of not speaking Spanish now felt even stronger after Pete lost his voice. When he talks he is not heard clearly so I find myself needing to step it up a bit.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE

healing hands

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE

Letters of the heart are often private, meant for an audience of one. Yet, tonight I want to give you the public adoration you deserve. Our wedding was public intended to seal a commitment in front of our closest friends and family. I want to reaffirm that same commitment to you tonight, hoping that this is only the beginning of our lives together. Earlier this year, we almost separated, me for heaven and you remaining on earth. We got a glimpse of what living apart would mean, and it almost broke our hearts. God has woven us together as one, three chords binding us with the love, hope, and strength of the beautiful spirit of Christ himself. This chord has been tested and has proven itself strong by the grace of our Lord.

You are my hero. I have watched you grow into a woman I can only hope my daughters will strive to become. Yesterday, Hannah said out of nowhere, “When I grow up I want to be just like my mommy and daddy.” It was a quote I will always treasure. Her aspiration is noble, because your humble endurance is a quality rare in this world today. You walk in complete authenticity even when it often causes insecurity. Like a woman going directly to the well to drink, you draw your strength directly from Jesus. You pray with the faith of a child, and as a result I have watched God respond to your requests. I can almost see His face smile each time you go before Him and cry out your heart. Your trust in Him only grows, and you allow Him to mold you into His image. Your heart for others continues to deepen as a result.

Yet, more than anything I am simply in love with you, Dara, the girl I met in college who boldly asked me out to our first lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Newport Beach. You walk with a style that others follow. Your quiet confidence puts us all at ease, and your beauty radiates from the inside out. You melt us all with your smile and the sincerity of your words. Everything you do is beautiful, and all who know you adore you.

Like a silly school boy, tonight I want to confess my love for you as we celebrate our anniversary apart. I want you to know how special I think you are and how I long to be with you for the rest of my life. I feel it stronger than I did eleven years ago, because then it was only a hope of the future, but today my love is based upon eleven years of heaven with you.

So for the next 50 years, I pray the following: I want to listen more than I talk (which seems to be much easier now without a voice).  I want to hold your hand more. I want to look into your eyes more. I want to pray together more. I want to laugh more and cry more. I want to dream more and reflect more on the abundant lives God has given us. More than anything, I want to be the partner that God fashioned me to be. I want to encourage you to become the person God had in mind when He gave you to all of us. I want you to be full of joy because you profoundly experience God’s love for you, and I want to be the main instrument of that love.

Happy anniversary my love! I pray that your time in Guatemala is full of adventure and that you continue to experience the sweet taste of God’s love for you. You are not alone. I can’t wait to be with you soon, but please know that although we are apart we are closer than ever because we sit squarely in the will of our Lord as one. I love you.

Pete

However, last week I witnessed the amazing opportunity that exists with short term teams. Like most, these students had to raise all of the funds to make the trip. But this year, they trusted God to not only provide for their travel expenses, but for enough money to construct a house in the community of San Jose El Naranjo. Their heart was to come alongside the work of the Jerusalem church and the ministry of ENLACE. They were willing servants who came to serve and to bring encouragement with their finances, energy, words, and attitudes.

The Jerusalem church is in its second year of building houses for some of the poorest in their communities. Last year there were 10 recipients, and the church is hoping to build at least 10 a year for years to come. Each house costs roughly $5K, inexpensive by our standards. Yet, you should have witnessed the joy of the woman, Sonia who received this house last week. Sonia is a single mother of three who struggles to make ends meet by selling tamales and washing clothes. The church and the community had selected her through a prayerful and stringent process. Sonia could not believe that God had provided this house to her, and she was astonished by the outpouring of love shown by the “North Americans.” Her perception of God and the church was forever changed by the building of this home.

Churches like Jerusalem are shining examples of the influence a church can have when it serves its neighbors sacrificially. We as North Americans have an unbelievable opportunity to come alongside such churches in our own country and around the world. God will provide resources for more than just our travel expenses. These students demonstrated that God wants to pour out His love in tangible ways through short term teams. The people of San Jose El Naranjo were incredibly encouraged by both the financial contribution Vanguard students made and by their open hearts to build relationships that will sustain the long term work in the community. I can’t wait for the next team….

You can view photos of the trip at the following link: Vanguard Mission Trip 2007

A friend recommended a great article on short term mission teams written in ChristianityToday by an African pastor. Read it below…

clipped from www.christianvisionproject.com

The African Planter

An interview with Oscar Muriu |

Nairobi Chapel pastor on mission trips, and working well across cultures.

 

What happened to change Nairobi Chapel from a dwindling group of discouraged whites to a vibrant, international, church-planting fellowship?

They began to pray that God would show them what to do, and they sought new leadership to help them reach the African students around them. That's how I got to come to the Chapel. I was finishing my studies at Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology.

 

Any given Sunday maybe ten, sometimes only four people were there! They probably figured, "He can't do much damage."

read more . . .

Posted on May 1, 2007