LASTING IMPRESSIONS, FINAL EDITION

Our final contribution to this year’s blog will consist of those lessons, experiences and memories that will stick with us long after we have returned home. Thank you for your interest, your comments and your prayers throughout the time we have been gone.


I’ve had a few lasting impressions…most of which can be summarized in the people who I spoke with today while doing evangelism. The first is that there are people who are ready to hear and want someone to talk with them about Jesus. This actually started before the trip, however was brought home today with a man named Santos. He came in and during our conversation I asked the question “If you were to die today, are you sure you would go to heaven?” His response was a very quick “no”. I asked him why, and he said it was because he didn’t have Jesus in his heart. I asked him if he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart and he responded with a very quick “yes, please!”. I did a short presentation of the gospel just to make sure he knew what he needed to know, and had the privilege of bringing him to Christ. The second was a woman I spent about 30ish minutes speaking with today, and in that God showed me yet again that he allows us to go through situations and circumstances both to strengthen us and so that he can use us in the future. The story is too long to put here, but ask me about it some time. ☺
Love you all and can’t wait to see you!!! - Bethany Tollberg

I think I speak for our whole team when I say that there have been countless of these “lasting impressions” this week. Today I had a “helper” while I was working with the children. Michol, the son of a church worker, spent most of the day by my side, and while I was teaching, I was learning so much more from him. First, Michol brought in a package of his stickers that he joyfully passed out to the other children that came through. As a teacher, I have thousands of stickers, and I don’t give them out too generously, and yet, here was an 8 year old boy, excited to share what he had, possibly one of his favorite possessions, with friends and strangers. It made me think about the times I give out of obligation, rather than joy. Also, when I asked him what he did when he was worried, he simply said, “I pray.” How often do I think about what I can do instead of surrendering it to the Lord in prayer? Both of these lessons seem so simple when Michol is teaching them to me, and yet, I constantly have to re-learn them. I am so grateful for him.
Thanks for your prayers! I’m excited to see you! Love, Emily

My “lasting impressions” are different every trip. Trip number fifteen will be remembered for the privilege of letting my son Ryan lead the team, the unexpected reunion with Hondurans that I had grown to love from past trips and the miraculous work of God in the lives of particular people this week. There are not enough words to adequately express what an incredible week this has been. Thank you one and all for your prayers. They were answered beyond belief. Pastor Don


MORE WILL FOLLOW LATER TODAY

FYI, Ryan Erickson is back among the living. Thanks for your prayers.





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