Connected Community Update

So happy to share this report from Honduras.  

Our team just returned from La Ceiba Honduras a couple of weeks ago. One of our purposes was to continue adding value to the community through a 3 day Mission Conference. The conference was fantastic and there was a lot of momentum built.  

In addition to the conference, we also had the opportunity to engage in a couple of other community outreaches.  

One was to the Comedor de JesuCristo and the other was to the Little Lambs Refuge Girls Home in a town called La Masica.  

Connect Global has come to really love the mission and vision of Little Lambs Refuge.  

It was founded by a couple originally from Puerto Rico. 

On our recent visit we were driven by our good friend Juana Bustamente. She is a great friend, host, chauffeur and she has an amazing heart as well. 

I could tell that our visit to the girls home was special for Juana. She lives only about an hour from this home but this was her first visit.  

The girls are happy and taken care of but the house has needs.  

When we stopped in we found out that the original founders, David and Dialys are in the US currently because she has been ill and is receiving treatment. 

The home is left in the capable hands of a couple who are doing an absolutely great job.   

We also found out that their food & transportation budget are both very tight. They had hardly any food in their pantry when we visited and Alison described it being very difficult to make sure they have enough diesel to get the girls to and from school.  

Thanks to our partners like you, and our team members with us on the trip,  Connect Global helped meet their immediate needs for the month, and we are making plans to continue to support them in the future as well. 

Since we left, Juana shared this story with her husband who happens to be one of the highest ranking police officials in the state. We met them last year and Connect Global has partnered with the Police Department in La Ceiba several times. 

Just a couple of days ago Juana wrote to tell us how happy she was because the Police Department, which has recently increased their community service involvement, went for a visit to bring gifts and food to the girls at the home.  

Juana gave us compliments for introducing her to the Lambs Refuge girls home. She was very happy that because of our introduction, the police department was able to make a connection there as well. 

This is exactly what we had in mind when we began focusing our intentions and investments in La Ceiba. Connected Community is a way for everyone in the city to look after those in need. This is a progression of serving. No one person or group relies solely on the help from an outside source, rather, each member of the community shares the responsibility and care with each other.

The decision to go a mile deep rather than spread ourselves out in our relationships was made with this very outcome in mind. Blessings have been given to us, we in turn gave to The Police Department and now they are giving to the Little Lambs Refuge, and so on and so forth.

We are committed to La Ceiba, the Police Department, The Lambs Refuge Girls Home, The Comedor de JesuCristo, CCI Church and many other strategic partners in Honduras.

Connected Community is gaining momentum and we want you to be a part of the success.

We would like to invite you to become financial partners as well as travel partners to help us continue investing in this community.

You can click here to make a donation.

If you want more info on our travel schedule please click here.

You can also Contact Us for more information, 

Thank You

LA INICIATIVA DE ESTHER

LA INICIATIVA DE ESTHER

EMPODERANDO MUJERES PARA HACER LA DIFERENCIA

“VEN Y RECIBE VISIÓN,ESTRATEGIA, Y LOS MEDIOS NECESARIOS PARA QUE SEAS ENPODERADA. IMPACTARAS GENERACIONES CON TU SABIDURÍA ,INFLUENCIA Y DONES.”

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SESIÓN GENERAL

AGOSTO 18 a las 5:30PM

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Iglesia Puerta Del Cielo - La Ceiba

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General Registration Esther Initiative 2016

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 INVITADOS ESPECIALES

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MARY LIECHTY

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KATHLEEN WATSON

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MAYRA DE VALLE

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No Idea What To Expect

No Idea What To Expect

Special Guest Post by CJ Palmer of PrepareMyMission.com

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Preparing for a mission trip can definitely be a challenge. Packing all of the right clothing and gear, tracking all of the flights and times, and preparing mentally to embrace a new culture are all things that are running through my head as I get ready. This weekend my wife and I will set out on our second trip to Honduras with Connect Global.

 

Since my wife and I went on a trip with Connect Global last year, you would think that this upcoming trip would be less of a challenge. And in some ways it is. We remember what the country looks like, we know who our trip leaders are, and we’re somewhat familiar with the food. Knowing these things does make this trip a little easier. But no matter how many times you’ve been on a mission trip, it’s always a challenge to prepare.

It’s difficult to prepare for a mission trip because you really have no idea what to expect. We can prepare for the meetings we have at work tomorrow. We can prepare for the people we have staying in our guest room two weeks from now. But it’s nearly impossible to prepare for the people we’ll meet and experiences we’ll have during this trip.

This goes against everything we know and experience in the United States. We know what time to be at work. We know what we’re having for dinner. We know who we’re going to see before we see them. We know what time we’re going to bed and what time we’re setting our alarm to wake up and do it all again.

Wonderful job by these two as they helped serve up about 50 meals for people in need of a hot lunch. #GoServeChange #ServeOthers #Honduras

A photo posted by Connect Global (@iconnectglobal) on Jul 30, 2015 at 4:06pm PDT

You can’t plan and prepare for these things when you’re going on a mission trip. But, I think that’s exactly why we need to go. We need to practice what it feels like to follow Jesus, even when we’re not sure where He’s leading and what we’re going to do when we get there.

When Jesus asked His first disciples, Peter and Andrew, to follow him, they had no idea what He was up to. They had no time to prepare and no idea where He was leading. They were in the middle of their daily routine—casting their nets into the Sea of Galilee. But God had other plans for Peter and Andrew beyond their daily routine—plans they could in no way anticipate. God was up to something.

He’s still up to something. When we let go of our daily routine to see what God is up to in the world, we’re not only more open for God to work in us, but also for God to work through us.

My wife and I are so excited to serve the people of Honduras next week. We are excited to see what God is going to do in the Honduran people, in our team, and in each other. We have no idea what to expect next week, but that’s okay. We’ll find out soon.

Check back this Saturday and follow along as we begin our journey to Honduras.

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2016 Mission Conference La Ceiba Honduras

Special Announcement

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Connect Global along with CCI Church in La Ceiba will be hosting a Mission Conference June 14-16. 

Dr. Mitch Arbeláez

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Jason Holland

Joshua Nations

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Dr. René Peñalba

CCI Church Honduras

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We are very excited to be putting together a special time of training and encouragement for the Church leaders of Honduras. This goes along well with the time-line of our existing Connected Community initiative and is a part of the long term vision of Connect Global. 

There are several special guest speakers and trainers that will be with us including Dr. Mitch Arbeláez, International Mobilizer from Go To Nations, Jason Holland Director of Operations for Joshua Nations, and Dr. René Peñalba President and Founder of CCI Church Network in Honduras. We are happy to have musical guests, Nate Wood & Milton Valle as well. 

There is Online Registration Available by Clicking the Button Below

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2016 Conferencia Misionera en La Ceiba Junio 14-16

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Connect Global junto con CCI Iglesia en La Ceiba es anfitrión de una Conferencia de Misión de Junio de 14-16 .

Estamos muy contentos de estar armando un tiempo especial de formación y el aliento de los líderes de la Iglesia de Honduras .

Hay varios oradores invitados especiales y entrenadores que estarán con nosotros, incluyendo Dr. Mitch Arbeláez, Movilizador Internacional de Go To Nations , Jason Holland director de Operaciones de Joshua Nations , y Dr. René Peñalba presidente y fundador de CCI Iglesia red en Honduras . Estamos encantados de tener invitados musicales, Nate Wood, y Milton Valle también.

Registro en línea, haciendo clic en el botón de abajo.

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Update on Pastor Fredy at the Comedor de JesuCristo in La Ceiba

We are always excited to see and hear updates from hardworking individuals in La Ceiba Honduras. 

Pastor Fredy Ventura runs a local kitchen which serves the citizens of La ceiba who are of the most food insecure in the community. You might remember that our most recent team from the World Race had a chance to serve there in April. 

They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner - 7 days a week. 

He shared this update on his Facebook Page yesterday: 

This local kitchen is preparing, and serving 350 meals a day on a budget that comes solely from local and international donors added to what he contributes. We are happy to be connected to his ministry and look forward to serving him in just a couple of weeks during our next Mission Trip to La Ceiba Honduras. 

Heart Transplant

 Cardiac Transplantation: The replacement of a patient's diseased or injured heart with a healthy donor heart.

Think for a moment about the monumental process of removing a person's heart.  Taking what may be the single most important organ in a person's body out because it is not functioning properly.  Assessing the current level of damage as being so great that there is no other course of action but full removal.

Then think for a moment about the cost of the donor.  One must die so that another person may live.  The donor does not receive a new heart.  Their heart is, however, healthy enough for the new recipient.  The donor's gift in death becomes life for someone else.

I think this physical example is not unlike the emotional and spiritual journey of a mission trip.  Someone gives of their life so that another may receive life or hope or food or clothes or comfort or ...

A few weeks ago Gina, Noah and I stood at the Hedman Alas bus station in La Ceiba, Honduras waiting for our heart recipients to arrive.  A group of 6 young ladies whom we had never met, but already loved.  Little did we know that our hearts would be extracted over the next month and placed in each one of them.

It was already dark, and still 85 degrees, by the time they arrived.  Gretchen, Hannah, Ryan, Kate, Brittany and Amber came pouring out of the bus with another half dozen Americans.  They were tired from a long day of travel and weighed down with their huge backpacks.  We were their 11th country on their WorldRace.  Their 11th host.  Their 11th ministry stop.  Just one more location on their journey home?  Maybe we could be more.

A few greetings with our new family of strangers and we were off to get them settled into their sleeping quarters and then dinner.  Over the next month we visited orphanages, hospitals, police stations, churches, schools and feeding centers.  We laughed together.  We cried together.  We prayed for the sick and fed the hungry together.  And in all of these activities and meals and conversations, our hearts were slowly excised.  Piece by piece this cardiac transplantation took place.

We heard the stories of their visits to other countries.  We heard their family histories back in the US.  We got to know their brothers and sisters through pictures and tales of family Christmas and sorrow and joy.  They hugged my wife.  They played Uno with my son.  They have our hearts.

And I'm forever grateful for it.

Cardiac Transplantation occurs when the patient's heart is too sick or injured to continue pumping.  It's often times the last chance for the heart recipient.  And the final gift of the heart donor.  Each of us on this earth experience the impact of life.  Our hearts grow.  We receive love and betrayal.  We experience joy and sorrow.  Our hearts gain strength and sometimes, often times, our hearts get sick.  Our hearts become bitter by betrayal.  Our hearts become sour by sorrow.  Our hearts become timid by trials.  And we begin to die.  We need a new heart.

In the book of Ezekial chapter 36, verse 26, God makes an incredible promise to us.  He says, "I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."  God Himself describes the first heart transplant.  He promises that He will not leave us in a sick and injured condition of cardiac arrest.  But that He will become our ultimate heart donor and give us life.

As Gina, Noah and I poured out our own hearts into our team, I could feel the Spirit of God filling us with a new heart; filling us with His heart.  I could feel His love for people growing inside of us.  I could feel my own bitterness and sorrow and fear leaving as His grace and joy and boldness came flooding in.  I could feel my heart of stone being removed and His heart of flesh was carefully sewn in and began pumping new life.

This supernatural cardiac transplantation is indeed a miracle.  Yet it occurs through the very practical action of "Love Your Neighbor".  It first requires the extraction; the emptying of self; the giving of your own heart.  When we are empty, then we are ready to receive His new heart.

We met our team prepared to give to them.  We were there to be the heart donors, and indeed we poured our hearts into them.  But in so doing, we became the recipients.  We became the patients getting the new heart of flesh.  Thank you team #kylo for the month you gave us and thank you God for you have given me life.

Travis Moffitt

“In April of 2016, Connect Global hosted a team from the World Race in La Ceiba, Honduras as a part of our ongoing initiative, Connected Community. At Connect Global we are committed to fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus to share the Gospel with the whole world through collaborative and sustainable efforts. You can join us in these efforts through financial partnership and/or trip participation. ”

Connected Community

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CPR Training at the Police Department in La Ceiba Honduras

Last year we introduced you to our friends at the La Ceiba Honduras Police department.  

We made a great connecting with their leadership and wanted to serve the department at a greater capacity.  

Our organization has donated time and resources to renew their on site clinic  as well as have a medical exam table donated. 

The police in La Ceiba, as like any department, are tasked with a very difficult and dangerous job. These officers are diligent to serve their community and we are committed to serve them.  

This week we had the opportunity to engage on the next stage of our plan to serve and prepare this police force by teaching CPR and trauma training to their officers.  

Led by Brittany and Gretchen of our World Race group, our team taught the valuable life saving techniques of CPR to several of the departments officers.  

Patrolling the vast, populated, and rural area of La Ceiba with this new training will make missions safer and more productive.

The Police Department staff has described scenarios in which officers have lost their lives in the line of duty simply due to being too far from aid after taking gun fire. With this new training it should allow officers to receive better in field aid and allow officers a fighting chance when they encounter injuries. 

Thank you to all who have donated and served Connect Global.  

What kind of work do you do?

When thinking about what it is that we at Connect Global do on a daily basis it’s a little difficult to break down for people.

We are essentially a non profit that was founded around the idea that we could all make a difference in people’s lives by going to them, and simply serving them.

Of course we have written and revised a catchy mission statement over the years to describe what we do, but that does not exactly sum up the impact of our actions in a ‘ground level’ sort of way.

Between the four founders of Connect Global we have all found ourselves doing lots and lots over the years to build an organization that could really make a difference. We have become accountants, fundraisers, travelers, painters, chefs, plumbers, pre school teachers, website designers, preachers, as well as so much more.

We have found ourselves being each of these because that was what was needed in order to help someone at any given moment or to sustain the help that we have implemented over the years.

At times our job can be very ‘Instagram worthy’ work like meeting a mayor or being interviewed for the local news, most of the time, though, it consists of things like attending the funeral of a 6 year old who just passed away after a life-long battle with cancer. Our job is pretty hard to define while holding a broken mother in her torment, as she asks us why her kid was taken at such an early age and not being able to do much more than cry along with her.

So, now you have the very tip of the iceberg in understanding why it becomes harder and harder to answer the question, ‘So, what do you do?’

Our work is a gut wrenching, 24/7, heart breaking, satisfying, challenging, ever-evolving, mission that takes us from the highest of highs and the lowest of lows all in a matter of minutes at times.

The absolute best I have come up with at narrowing down what we do, is to say that on a daily basis we engineer and execute deliberate ways in which to demonstrate the phrase, ‘Love Your neighbor’.

So, what does ‘Love Your Neighbor’ Look Like?

‘Love your neighbor’ is something you may have only heard in Sunday School and can be pretty ambiguous. Does this mean love your physical neighbor — someone who lives on your cul-de-sac, in your state, or your country of origin? Is your neighbor someone with whom you agree politically, or who holds your same beliefs?

We believe everyone is our neighbor.

From fellow co workers, to the local barista. Our kid’s teacher to the maintenance person in our building. Every person in which we come into some form of contact we describe as our neighbor — and we are willing to Love each of them.

We show love in all sorts of ways both here in the United States as well as throughout our travels to Thailand, Mexico, Haiti, & Honduras. Love comes in all sorts of packages and transcends language, political opinion, and socio-economic differences.

We have prepared meals for the hungry, clothed the needy, prayed for the sick, and given shelter to widows and children.

‘Love’ as work sounds kind of hippy-dippy, but that is in essence ‘what we do’. We are proud of the work we have accomplished and we get very excited when others take part in this journey alongside us.

From the generosity of those who give financially to the adventurers who join us on treks outside the US, we are eternally grateful each time you show Love for one of our ‘Neighbors’.

The world is a big place and there are plenty of ‘neighbors’ who need your love.

While it is impossible to think we can help every person in the world, it is not impossible to change the world for one person — or 5, or 10, or even a hundred.

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“Do for One what you wish you could do for everyone.”

—   Andy Stanley, Northpoint Ministries

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We decided long ago that ‘Love Your Neighbor’ would not be just a slogan on a T Shirt, or simply a cute quote for Pinterest, but our sincere hope is that loving our neighbors would define us and we would be known for it — and in the end those we have loved would be the one’s showing love, and so on. We don’t do it to become famous or so we can drive a fancy sports car, we do it because it is the right thing to do.

If you want to join us, we invite you to take a trip with us and experience this work for yourself. Whether you are an accountant, entrepreneur, cook, executive, plumber, or just someone who wants to help others, we need your help. Become a Volunteer or travel with us, either way, You will be glad you did &  you will be changed forever.

Until then, drop us a comment below and tell us, ‘What Kind of Work do you do’?

Update from La Ceiba

We came across this inscription on a door while serving at the Comedor de Jesus Cristo. Cristo vive translates to Christ lives. In just a few short days our team has served the poorest and homeless community, blessed the local police, encouraged workers at the hospital and Children's Cancer Foundation, prayed for children in the hospital and put smiles on the faces of many kids in need at a local preschool and orphange. Truly Christ lives inside of each member of this amazing team.

-Travis Moffitt  

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