Our mission trip meeting went great last week. It was nice to meet some of the team members that we will be accompanying on our trip and hearing what gifts each person has that will be used to serve the people of Guatemala. Paul and I will be putting a list together of ways that the pastors and leaders of our sister church can use technology to enhance worship. I attended a training session on setting up and using Pro Presenter 4 (a software many churches use in worship to put videos and words up for the congregation) so that we can better train the leaders how to use the software if they choose.
One need that was discussed at the meeting was for someone who can lead the worship for the Vacation Bible School sessions. The girl who was supposed to be attending but found out she couldn't go (whose place we're taking) is normally the one who leads the songs. Unfortunately, with her out, that leaves one person who is fluent in Spanish and she says she can't carry a tune in a bucket. Ha. So I offered to step up to the plate and lead the songs (provided that the team leader is able to get me the songs in Spanish so I can learn them before we go). The good news is that I am comfortable enough reading Spanish (thanks to my two years of Spanish in High School and two years in College) that I think I should be able to learn the music pretty well provided I have a couple of weeks to play it on repeat. However, I am still a novice when it comes to Spanish so we'll see if I can pull this off. :)
In addition to providing technical assistance on this trip and helping to lead the Vacation Bible School sessions, Paul and the men will be spending the mornings constructing kitchens at several locations and the women and kids will be loving on the ladies of Guatemala and teaching what God's Word says about His love for them (since women are not as valued or held in high esteem in their culture). We're excited to see what God is going to do on our trip.
In case anyone is wondering about our fundraising, we're really close to having all the funds raised. We only need $575 TOTAL by July 1st. If anyone is still wanting to partner with us, there is still time! Thanks again to all of you who have given and who are praying for us and for this trip. We can't thank you enough for your support!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Five Weeks Until Departure
Our tickets have been booked and we've gotten our vaccinations for our trip to Guatemala! It's hard to believe it's only about five weeks away! We have been able (thanks to all of you) to raise almost all of the funds needed for our trip -- only a few hundred dollars and we'll be paid in full! Praise God for his provision!
We still have more preparation before our trip. Paul has been practicing with some of the technology he'll be responsible for and learning the ins and outs of the camera and video equipment he'll be using on the trip. Amber has an appointment this next week to learn more about the software that she'll be helping to teach to the leaders in Guatemala as we train how to more effectively incorporate technology into worship.
We are starting our first of several meetings with the whole team that is going tonight and making sure everyone knows what they will be responsible for and what our itinerary will be. We'll also be praying together as a group about how God will use us and use this trip for His glory! It's so fun to be part of something so much bigger than any one of us. We're counting down the days until we leave on July 8th. Thanks so much for your continued support and prayers as we continue on this journey. We love all of you. :)
We still have more preparation before our trip. Paul has been practicing with some of the technology he'll be responsible for and learning the ins and outs of the camera and video equipment he'll be using on the trip. Amber has an appointment this next week to learn more about the software that she'll be helping to teach to the leaders in Guatemala as we train how to more effectively incorporate technology into worship.
We are starting our first of several meetings with the whole team that is going tonight and making sure everyone knows what they will be responsible for and what our itinerary will be. We'll also be praying together as a group about how God will use us and use this trip for His glory! It's so fun to be part of something so much bigger than any one of us. We're counting down the days until we leave on July 8th. Thanks so much for your continued support and prayers as we continue on this journey. We love all of you. :)
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Change of Plans
Sorry it's been a while since we've blogged about our mission trip. There have been some developments with our trip to Kyrgyzstan and we've been in a bit of a whirlwind of decisions and plans changing and trying to contact our sponsors and the like. As we were getting close to having to book our tickets, we got word that the team in Kyrgyzstan that was going to be our main point of contact (who would be coordinating our trip and hosting us while we were there) got news that there were concerns on their ultrasound with their fourth child. The scans showed fluid on their baby's spine and brain and it was recommended they go somewhere w/ better equipment to get more ultrasounds and tests made.
After they packed up and flew immediately to Istanbul for more testing, they got confirmation that their developing baby has spinal bifida and some brain development problems. It was obvious that this was no time for us to be planning a mission trip with this couple in the midst of this heartache. Paul and I agreed that we should not pursue physically going to Kyrgyzstan right now but perhaps seeing what we could work on and plan to help with computer training this fall over skype or over video conferencing of some sort.
Pretty much as soon as we decided that we would not be going to Kyrgyzstan, we were cleared to attend a trip to Guatemala this summer (July 9-17) with the team who will be doing construction projects and Vacation Bible School for our church plant down there. The team leader told us that his worship leader who would normally be in charge of setting up the technology and sound for worship during the trip had found out she cannot attend, leaving him to coordinate the trip/people as well as teach the pastors down there and try to set up and lead worship. He asked if we'd be willing to take the responsibility of heading up the technological portion of the trip and helping to train how to incorporate technology into worship. :) So Paul and I will be going to Guatemala this summer instead of Kyrgyzstan. However, we are still planning to partner with Kyrgyzstan as soon as we are able (and as soon as the host couple is able).
Please pray for them and the rest of their pregnancy. Their baby (they've picked out the name Jonathan) is not eligible for in-utero surgery, but they have been told he will have to have surgery as soon as he's born to close up the skin around his spine. They are not yet sure the extent of his brain damage or how severe his handicap will be. They are obviously devastated at the news, but trusting God through it. They would appreciate your prayers as they move forward and try to find the best treatment they can for mom and baby.
To all of you who have given toward our trip, THANK YOU so much! We are only $1500 away (total - $750 each) from reaching the amount we need for Guatemala. We love and appreciate all of you for your giving and your prayer support! :)
After they packed up and flew immediately to Istanbul for more testing, they got confirmation that their developing baby has spinal bifida and some brain development problems. It was obvious that this was no time for us to be planning a mission trip with this couple in the midst of this heartache. Paul and I agreed that we should not pursue physically going to Kyrgyzstan right now but perhaps seeing what we could work on and plan to help with computer training this fall over skype or over video conferencing of some sort.
Pretty much as soon as we decided that we would not be going to Kyrgyzstan, we were cleared to attend a trip to Guatemala this summer (July 9-17) with the team who will be doing construction projects and Vacation Bible School for our church plant down there. The team leader told us that his worship leader who would normally be in charge of setting up the technology and sound for worship during the trip had found out she cannot attend, leaving him to coordinate the trip/people as well as teach the pastors down there and try to set up and lead worship. He asked if we'd be willing to take the responsibility of heading up the technological portion of the trip and helping to train how to incorporate technology into worship. :) So Paul and I will be going to Guatemala this summer instead of Kyrgyzstan. However, we are still planning to partner with Kyrgyzstan as soon as we are able (and as soon as the host couple is able).
Please pray for them and the rest of their pregnancy. Their baby (they've picked out the name Jonathan) is not eligible for in-utero surgery, but they have been told he will have to have surgery as soon as he's born to close up the skin around his spine. They are not yet sure the extent of his brain damage or how severe his handicap will be. They are obviously devastated at the news, but trusting God through it. They would appreciate your prayers as they move forward and try to find the best treatment they can for mom and baby.
To all of you who have given toward our trip, THANK YOU so much! We are only $1500 away (total - $750 each) from reaching the amount we need for Guatemala. We love and appreciate all of you for your giving and your prayer support! :)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Update on our trip
We just got done meeting with our Director of Global Missions at the church. She just got back from Central Asia and while she was there, she met with some of the people who will be key players in our trip in June-July. It was great to hear that we should be able to have internet access for our computer training, which will be a huge asset in helping us to be able to offer more skills to those we're training as well as be active in future trips by being able to "meet" from the United States if possible/necessary.
Our trip will be the first of several more trips in which we'll be teaching computer skills to believers in the area who will be assisting in church plants. The goal is to be able to give the church planters the necessary skills to be able to train others. We'll give them some of the basics while we're there, then the team going back this fall will be able to build off what we're teaching them, and so on. We're hoping to have at least a three-year partnership with the people of Kyrgystan and this has been a need that many of the people over there have asked for so this helps build relationships. Praise God!
Since internet will be so accessible, and since we will probably not be able to go back on most of the subsequent trips, we're excited that we can at least be available to stream video through Skype if need-be to help facilitate more training in the future.
Giving believers these skills will give them opportunities to take what they learn into the surrounding areas and villages to teach others how to use computers and to share Christ with them in the process. And since the ability to use a computer is such a desired skill set, this will be a great bridge to build future relationships. We're excited about the possibilities for the people we'll teach to branch out and teach others who will, in turn, teach others. We can't wait!
Our trip will be the first of several more trips in which we'll be teaching computer skills to believers in the area who will be assisting in church plants. The goal is to be able to give the church planters the necessary skills to be able to train others. We'll give them some of the basics while we're there, then the team going back this fall will be able to build off what we're teaching them, and so on. We're hoping to have at least a three-year partnership with the people of Kyrgystan and this has been a need that many of the people over there have asked for so this helps build relationships. Praise God!
Since internet will be so accessible, and since we will probably not be able to go back on most of the subsequent trips, we're excited that we can at least be available to stream video through Skype if need-be to help facilitate more training in the future.
Giving believers these skills will give them opportunities to take what they learn into the surrounding areas and villages to teach others how to use computers and to share Christ with them in the process. And since the ability to use a computer is such a desired skill set, this will be a great bridge to build future relationships. We're excited about the possibilities for the people we'll teach to branch out and teach others who will, in turn, teach others. We can't wait!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Mission Trip
Dear friends and family,
Can you envision a land where people of the modern world still practice ancient farming techniques using hand and horse; where families spend their summers living in the high mountains in tents, herding sheep and yaks? We want to share with you a challenging ministry opportunity God has presented to us. During June 24-July 10, we will be going to Central Asia with a small team from Biltmore Baptist Church.
Our trip will focus on the people of Kyrgyzstan, the second poorest country in Central Asia. The purpose of our trip will be:
-To train and equip local believers in computers and in teaching computer skills in order to give them a way to reach out to the primarily Muslim community/country.
-To go out into nearby villages to do hands-on teaching of computer skills such as Microsoft programs, email and web.
-To open doors to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a people group who is still considered “unreached”.
-To participate in exploration to lay foundation for future work in remote areas.
We are excited about the opportunity and experiences that lie ahead. We hope you see the value in what we will accomplish. As you can imagine, a trip like this requires financial support froma number of people. We need to raise $3,600 by mid-April and a total of $5,400 ($2,700 for each of us) by the dates of the trip. If you can support us financially, we would be very grateful. We also need your prayer support. Prayer is the fuel that will allow us to be successful as we follow God's leading in ministry. Without prayer, nothing will happen.
If you would like to be part of this mission through financial support, please send the attached document and a check to Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Rd, Arden, NC 28704. Please make your check payable to Biltmore Baptist Church and include a note that says "Zoller: Central Asia". Do not write our names on the check. All contributions are tax deductible.
While money is important, we have a great need for your prayer support. Since prayer is so important to the success of this mission, we would like to know if we can count on you in that area. Enclosed is a bookmark that you can put in your Bible, on your bathroom mirror, on the fridge, or anywhere else you will see it at least once a day. Please pray daily for our involvement in this trip and for the people we will
be reaching out to in Kyrgyzstan.
Click the picture to see the bookmark and to print it out. :)
Friday, February 13, 2009
Locks of Love
A year or two ago, I was introduced to a wonderful ministry called Locks of Love. It's an organization that accepts donated hair to make wigs for children who have lost their hair. It's a tragedy that children of any age have to go through a serious illness, but to have their appearance completely altered by losing their hair can really affect their self esteem.
I decided last summer that I was going to grow my hair out to donate. It's been a challenge for me because I haven't had long hair in quite a while and usually when it starts to get an inch past my shoulders, it gets in my way to the point that I will cut it myself in a fit of frustration. But last summer I made a commitment that there were children out there who needed my hair and I vowed not to cut it until it was ready for donation.
Today was the day that I went to get it chopped off! It's amazing to me that something as simple as growing hair can be used to bring such joy to someone else. I know I will never meet the child who gets my hair, but I hope and pray for that child that it will bring them hope and a sense of normalcy. For more information about Locks of Love, please check out their website! www.locksoflove.org
Amber
Friday, July 4, 2008
Perks
So there are definitely perks that come with home ownership -- deductions on taxes, ability to make an investment, being able to paint or change things to our liking...
But another perk to home ownership that we have personally discovered is that we got a unit facing Lake Julian in Arden. Which means that we have an excellent view of the fireworks display from our bedroom windows.
And that is just awesome.
Happy 4th of July everyone!!
But another perk to home ownership that we have personally discovered is that we got a unit facing Lake Julian in Arden. Which means that we have an excellent view of the fireworks display from our bedroom windows.
And that is just awesome.
Happy 4th of July everyone!!
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