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

LACC Choir Tour ~ Day Five

I woke up at 2am this morning so incredibly sick! Fortunately today the leaders were given the morning off until 3pm to rest up for tomorrow when we will be driving all day to Northern California. I had great plans for my day, like going to see the Queen Mary that is within walking distance from our hotel, but all of that changed at 2am. I ended up in bed all day in misery unable to eat or move. Fortunately by about 10am the worst had subsided, but I stayed in bed feeling weak and achy. As 3pm drew near I got up and began to get ready. As I went to meet the van I ran into Danny, our speaker, and he, too, had been up all night super sick. My part in the presentation is to translate for Danny as he gives his testimony so we were both hoping that neither of us got sick on the platform or collapsed from weakness! Praise God, we made it through! I know many of you were praying for us and I am so grateful for that.

The kids performed at Arleta Assembly of God. Again, they did a great job. This church has a wonderful heart for missions and 13 more children now have new sponsors!

I will ask you to keep the kids in your prayers. Some of the girls, especially, are beginning to get homesick. They return to El Salvador on Tuesday, so we are in the final leg, but I think they're all getting a bit tired and when one started to cry it had a trickling effect through the rest of them. They've having a great time but they've been here now four weeks and I think they're all missing mom and dad a bit.

One of the girls, Raquel, had her birthday today. We wanted to celebrate so after the service we headed to Baskin Robbins to buy an ice cream cake. The plan was to take the kids in for a snack and celebration all in one, but when we went to get the cake the lady inside said she was closing the store and we couldn't stay inside to eat it. This became one of those silly scenes that I'm sure Raquel will never forget. We took the cake back to a bench in front of where the vans were parked. We had the cake and some plates. We quickly realized that we didn't have a knife or silverware. Lee, the director, found something like a Swiss Army Knife and used it to cut the pieces. It was quite a sight to see a group of 18 standing on the sidewalk of the streets of LA eating an ice cream cake with thier hands. I'm glad it happened that way, though. It was one of those times that although the situation was just crazy, we were all laughing about it and I'm sure it will be one of my fondest moments of this trip.
~Tona

It's Official!!

Let me take a moment here to break away from all the LACC updates and give you exciting news! Today Corey received the call that we have passed all the screening and application process and are officially Candidate Missionaries! Although to most it may seem just a change in title, to us it is much more and we are very proud to have made it to this milestone and look forward to this new chapter in our missions journey.

I should note - we are officially approved to return to Colombia at the end of our itineration!! Corey and I, as well as Alex and Maggie, are thrilled and anxious to raise our funds and get back to the country we so dearly love! Please keep us in your prayers as we begin filling our schedule with services and seeking supporters to help us get back to the field. Let us know if you'd like us to visit your church or if you'd like more information on becoming a support partner with us.

Blessings,
Tona

LACC Choir Tour ~ Day Four

Today the kids had a chance to perform for a Christian school's chapel. The best word I can use to describe today's performance is electric! There were 320 kids clapping and cheering! Of course the choir did another excellent job. It was great to see the school kids humming the songs and completely energized as they walked out of the auditorium.
~Tona

LACC Choir Tour ~ Day Three

Today the kids were invited to perform at Carson Street Elementary School. They were supposed to perform for one fifth grade class. The teacher had been at church on Sunday and invited them, but when we arrived all of the fifth grade classes wanted to take part, so the presentation was moved to the auditorium. Again, the children did an excellent job and Danny shared how his faith in God helped him become a doctor.

In the afternoon it was time for some relaxation! We headed for Newport Beach where the water was a bit chilly but that didn't stop the kids from diving in! They took advantage of every minute available to play. As the sun set and they began to freeze we loaded up and headed back to base.
~Tona

LACC Choir Tour ~ Day Two

This morning I watched the choir perform at Christian Life Church here in Long Beach, California. They were amazing! Here's one of their songs ...


Danny Gonzalez also shared his testimony. He was a student in Costa Rica who has fulfilled his dream of becoming a doctor. Here is his testimony ...



After the service several members of the church took us all out for pizza. This church has been amazingly generous and allowed the kids to stay at the church throughout their time here in California when have been in this area. Not wanting to interrupt events going on at the church during the afternoon we found ourselves searching for things to do to keep the kids occupied. We came upon a shopping center that had almost every store that various ones were requesting to visit.

I went with a group of girls and we had a blast in a Payless Shoe store! I think each girl tried on about 15 pairs of shoes and we started a shoe fashion shoe in the middle of the store! They were so funny, posing and rushing to get out of one pair and try on another. I should note they were wonderful about putting each pair back where it belonged before pulling out another. As we left the store to meet everyone for dinner they were laughing and chattering about their photo shoot and the poor boys were overwhelmed with five girls all at once trying to tell them about it. One boy said, "Talk slower. I have no idea what you're saying!" which really just led them to start over and talk all over each other again.

It was another great day. Tomorrow they have been invited to sing in a public school. Thank you for your prayers!
~Tona

LACC Choir Tour ~ Day One

I woke up at 4 o'clock this morning and made my way out the door to start a very long and exciting day. I hopped on a plane to Atlanta and from there one to Los Angeles. It was just before noon when I landed in LA thanks to a three hour time difference. After a quick run to drop my bags at the hotel and something to eat I made my way to Disneyland to meet up with the LACC choir who is here from El Salvador.

They are 12 amazing kids from El Salvador and their three chaperones. They arrived in Southern California three weeks ago on a mission to use music and testimonies to share what God is doing throughout Latin America in their schools and to seek new sponsors.

Thanks to the very generous Christian Life Church they were given a day of Disney bliss and they had a blast! The girls were thrilled to see all the princesses and the boys couldn't get enough of the thrill rides. We were blessed with a perfect day not only because of nice weather but also because we went the day after Halloween and it seems everyone else was either too tired after a night of trick-or-treating or just too sick from candy to go to Disneyland, so the lines were short and the kids were able to do everything they wanted to.

My favorite part of the day, or I guess night, was watching them watch the fireworks show and listening to their oohs and ahhs. It was the perfect end to a long but wonderful day. As I write this it is now 11PM in California which means I have been on the run for 22 hours. I'm tired but so excited about the next 10 days that I get to spend with these amazing kids as they close out the tour and head back to El
Salvador. Please keep them in your prayers as they finish out these last weeks.
~Tona