Back from Peru videos

hello to all who read this and to those that read this in the future. if you want to contact me see my email. jd   _ lovell 84 (at) hotmail.com        (with out spaces) 

Coming back from Peru has also be great. I have been able to reflect on my 6 or so weeks.
I have made many videos and uploaded them on to youtube. (see links bellow)

Some videos show the activities that i help with. Planting trees, building a chicken coop and taking the kids on trips. What was most fun was the inflatable pool i took out for them. 

Another video shows a trip to the camp center. All this was fun, but my aim is to show and tell of God's love and encourage them.

Next summer i hope to take a small team out to be part of God's fantastic ministry.

as i wish to be in this sort of ministry full time by helping this how or setting up a new one or branching out from it. a team will see then need and maybe be part of this in the future.

people that might come back and pray for this,
tell others,
might support, 
people that might what to come along side as a team to start up this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJTBgDkh6Q4&feature=plcp   PART 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqqdFtnFR0Y&feature=channel&list=UL PART 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXazOp-SCAM&feature=channel&list=UL PART 5 with song 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkHBzqigMVk&feature=channel&list=UL PART 6 with song 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0injODQOVU PART 7 presentation 

dance, and sports day.

 Video is coming soon, please check this page again! (I'm am doing the official video for all the homes that took part in the competition)

Last weekend the Scottish team was here and the boys and girls practiced all week and gave a great traditional dance for them at an evening event here in the home on the football pitch.  The kids are really very talented and really have a love for this. They don’t even need to be told to practise - they put the cd on and practice for hours. Maybe a teacher of dance can come and teach us new moves, and maybe we can do a ‘concert dance event’ to raise support and awareness here in the city.

Saturday sports day went well. The young boys from my house won the 6 aside football match. The girls did very well at volleyball also, I was put as their coach. The older boys found it an uphill battle at football, I was even drafted on in disguise!  The sports day was with many invited children’s homes in Arequipa city.. not all came but still about 9 came out of over 35 homes here.

 Video is coming soon - please check this page again! (I am doing the official video for all the homes that took part)

I was able to be at the meeting with all the directors organising this and it’s encouraging to see that they really want to pull together to publicize the need for the children at risk in Arequipa. It is also an event for the kids - in some homes not much can be done for them as activities.

This weekend coming 27,28,29^th I’m going to take the older youth (11 of them) to the Baptist camp centre in Ite that belongs to the Irish Baptist mission here in South Peru. They have never been to a camp apart from the small children’s homes camp. So they are all very much excited and asking what all will happen. I hope it will be a great blessing for them; to hear God's word and to meet many new friends from other churches from other towns and cities.  (If anyone wants to partner in sponsoring a youth to go to these camps it would be £25 that will cover the travel and stay that equals to 95 soles here.)

This weekend the younger kids, age 4 to15 will go to a holiday bible club here at a Baptist church in the city where Paul and Ruth Turner go to. A team from England will be taking this club so I’m so thankful for this blessing and how things are fitting together.

Today, Sunday, I took the 4 year old boy from my house on his first parade with his school. He did so very well - he carried his Peru flag and had his Peru flag lapel. Also next weekend is Peru day on the 28th! So there’s going to be more flags about and the whole country will just have a big party. : )

Till later, thanks for your prayers and support.

Also pray about the visit I will make to the prison where one of our boy's mum is. I will take her boy to meet her. Please pray for this visit and that I may have the words to be an encouragement. 

I will put up video here of the kids making bread and of the sports day! so check this page again.

a week with New Hope

Have now been in New Hope one week.


Its been a blessing just to be here in a ministry where God is at work.


Lots has been happening - with a children's home everyday is different.  There's a team from Scotland here at the moment. The kids have been preparing a dance. They are really talented and have won a cup, competing against other homes.  I have put two videos showing a couple of aspects.. Part1 shows the dance and presents some individuals and the second is about daily life at the home.

Please pray for the children at the home - life is hard for them:
For example, yesterday i picked up a child from kidergarden. We ate our apples whilst we  waited for the secondary school children to take home. As we waited the 4 year old got very scared. I looked around and saw that he was looking at the police car. He hid behind me, and I saw that the police man was walking to the school gates. He stared to cry and get very upset. 


Later I spoke with the tutor from the New Hope home. She explained about his background, and we think he remembered gettting taken away from his house by the police away from his mum and home.


PART 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJTBgDkh6Q4&feature=youtu.be
PART 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf0N2NkeYas&feature=youtu.be

The way back to Arequipa, Peru 2012

I really needed to connect again with Peru.. also with God's direction for long term working with children at risk in Arequipa. 

Travel going safe, just few delays here and there, Belfast- London Gatwick- get extra luggage at Victoria station, train halts for 20minuits mid journey but am just back in time for flight out. However..- Madrid was late but ok my flight for Lima was also delayed also some incident on the plane or something - Lima and I’m in PERU! At Lima airport. I mentioned i had many things with me because you always have to take them out before they scan the bags. These are for the children’s home but they didn’t want to know this, so had to pay lots. So back for full scan security check of bags that have many things like a new inflatable swimming pool and other gadgets and lot of books.. so I prayed about that they would not pick out everything for declaration. My turn came the man at check point said, just go on through, I didn't need to put my 3 big luggage in the scanner!

Things speed up on the taxi from the airport to the bus station I pretend I know where it was in the middle of Lima capital, but only hoped I get there.
The taxi took me to my bus station ok but the taxi man was on the phone sorting out a divorce and we zigzagged through the Lima traffic as well as him pointing out with the other hand great buildings around the city, oh and we had no seat belt on.. I think I forgot or I was in Peru mode!

Now I’m on the long 16 hour bus drive to Arequipa. I’m up top on a semi bed seat no one on the seat beside me so enjoying the Pan-American high way along the Pacific Ocean. I tried to film it but was too wobbly so took pictures instead. Watch the next vid when I get one made once at Arequipa 6:30 or 7am.. I think that will be more than 3 days travelling from Belfast. Maybe there was a other way to do this... ...

Ok I made Arequipa, the end of film shows Misti, the famous volcano that overlooks Arequipa.  

  

after Childrens Ministry Leadership Course (CMLC)

1- Tell a little bit about yourself. Name, age, childhood.

Hey I’m 26 and was a student at CLMC. My name is J-D Lovell. I am from Northern Ireland but born in Peru. I have lived half my life in both countries. My childhood was controlled by God’s hand in every moment, bringing a missionary lady from France and a missionary man from Wales, UK to Peru. They both served with Irish Baptist missions and God’s miraculous guiding lead them to adopt three children. I was one of them. My life was very much surrounded by mission and evangelism. We now live in Northern Ireland as my parents have retired from the mission. They are now serving as voluntary reps with Gospel for Asia (GFA).

2- How did you hear about CEF?

I have always understood about my childhood, and since my teens have had a desire to see and look at the situation I came from. I did Peru mission teams and then after getting a burden for children in children’s homes and at risk, I went in 2009 for 6 months to see the situation, visiting homes and volunteering. I came to understand that my gifts and desire and purpose was to help other kids that are like my bothers and sisters, to get to know God and to be loved and cared for like I was in my Christian family. I decide that I would study all that would be relevant for this. I found myself studying lots of youth and children’s ministry courses. I heard from a girl that was in Peru and also loved kids in Peru who had decided to study in CEF. I did not know much about CEF but I knew that it was for me also. So I applied.

3- Why did you follow the CMLC?

I found that CMLC had a variety of deep courses that looked at how we as leaders should be prepare to serve and reach children - How to be resourced and biblically based. I loved that there were practical aspects and focused ministry to reach kids for God. I loved that there was a lot of growth times where I went forward in my relationships and understanding with God, affirming what I believe in and what I should be doing. (picture from http://cefeurope.com/en/kilchzimmer-e)

4- How and where do you hope to use what you learned?

My life has always been shaped by God and has taken me to places within me and in the world where I have not expected. I understood what love God has for the children. But also in my heart and in my life how in a practical way He showed me his love. I wish to practically go back to Arequipa, the city I was adopted from. I want to reach boys and girls that are from a difficult situation where they need to see love in a practical and transforming way in their hearts and lives. I would like first to work alongside a Christian home then after to set up my own home to reach more children. God went to great lengths to save me from a miserable and abandoned life or death situation. I know this Love is for all and hope that all also accept Him. God looked for the lost sheep, and took it out of its hopeless situation. But He also accepted the sheep back in to his arms to carry it to Himself.

5- Can you share 1 eye opener or great experience from the CMLC?

An eye opener was to see how much God was using CEF and other missions and student hearts to reach children for God all over the world! He does not want any to be lost! I know his heart and see the need and I wish to go equipped and prepared spiritually and educationally as much as I can to serve children at risk and in children’s homes. And maybe if God wants, allow me to set up a home where He can choose more children out of pain to a loving and caring home and able to hear the gospel and one day take also Jesus as their Saviour.

http://cefeurope.com/en/training-3

studying now at CEF

Studying at the CEF centre

In Switzerland, near the CEF center a month before the snow >

Hello, from the European base of CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship). It is snowing outside while I am doing my homework. I am training for the Children's Ministry Leadership Course.

All this is to teach and equip me more to reach children with the Gospel. I still have a desire to go back to Peru to reach kids and young teens who would need care and support. I want to provide them with a children’s home.

By studying here I get excellent teaching from the world's biggest mission reaching kids with the gospel.

A few subjects so far.

Biblical basis ____

Evangelism of Children ________Interpreting and Teaching Scripture

Doctrine ________Teaching a Bible lesson ________Child study & pre-school child ___________Devotional Life________________Camps Muslim Child
Roman Catholic Child __________Ministries to reach and Teach Children ________Open air ______________________Building a Ministry _______________Building Good News Clubs __________Building 5-day Clubs___________Building Prayer ________________Share the vision _______________Victorious life ____________Galatians

A verse that spoke to me, written by Paul to Timothy a young man:

I am half way through the three month course here and again have really been uplifted within about the idea of reaching unreached and unloved kids for God.

In many areas of my life I thank God that I am growing as He teaches, encourages, molds and motivates me. I thank God for reminding me of the importance of service to Him with out self-will, self-trust, self-seeking and self-pleasing. I am learning more fully about prayer life, devotional life and a yielded life to God - Spirit filled.

I know that if I ask you for prayers I have to pray likewise as much. Can I thank you all for praying for me so far and encouraging me!

• Pray with me that in all my studies I will do well in remembering all I’m taught. So that I can use it in future with whatever ministry follows next.

• Pray with me as I continue to grow in my life with God.

• Pray with me for the future in reaching boys and girls for Christ.

• Pray with me about the boys and girls that need care and love in Peru. That in some way I can help. For the vision of setting up a children’s home with a team of people that have a vision also.

'here i am'.. 4 months on.

"Here I am, I don't want to forget the things You've planned for me.

The dreams You gave, I'll achieve for You.

You don't have to search for anyone else, I want to go,

Here is my time, here is my hours."

Song by Jesus Adrian Romero.. ' aqui estoy yo'

Thank you for all who have been praying for me..!

Many know that I had a great time in Peru and Colombia, and know what is my suited ministry - working alongside Children's Homes.

Before I say more I want to say a bit about what is happening with me and my project.

When you are on a high, doing a mission trip, you get so close to God. For me I knew that this ministry was where I was called. But now, not able to get involved in the ministry that is suited to you, you can feel down......

God has a plan for you.. and when you are shown it.. you want to get stuck in straight away.....

I prayed about God's plans and purpose for me. He has shown it to me.. now somehow, in some way, I want to move on.

Things I will do:

• Pray- For staying in God's will
• Seek - Seek God for the stages of His plan.
• Find - Find God first in all things.

As I do this blog I nail my colours to the mast.

I don't now what will happen in the coming years. But I know He knows the plans He has for me.

This message was passed on to me.. It really helped me understand things a bit. It is by Paul Washer. (see bottom of page)

He believes the Word (Bible where God's Word is spoken) is true.

Then what impact can it have for kids in a children's home?

The message is for many. And the children's homes where they live day and night most of their lives is a great place to get alongside them, showing them Gods love, to walk with them on this discovery and to disciple them! Not that they get to be just a cultural Christian but to look at the Word of God, and see that that they can be changed. (This thought is expanded at the end of the message.. )

I think I would like many people to see that they can get in to these special places of children's homes as a real opportunity to reach and mentor new Christians in their hard, difficult lives to go onward with Christ. Let us not dash in and out of kids' lives but let us be an example like Christ that we are there for them all the time..

Please pray as I go on this journey, either to set up or work alongside a Children's home..

Yours again in Christ,

J-D

This is the message by Paul Washer. (below) sorry i have now update this to the sermon.

“Good, thanks!”

I’m back now 2 months from my trip in Peru and Colombia. I have found good support and encouragement about the children’s home project in Arequipa. Thank you for your interest. For some it’s still not clear what they are supporting....and in reality sometimes I don’t even know myself!

I have said that this blog will continue till I reach one of three options:

· Set up a children’s home myself.

· Or, join an existing home and take things from there.

· Or plan ‘C’......What ever that is?

In this post I want to inform you where this project is at, in the context of a few thoughts on “Good, thanks”.

Life is often presented as doing well at studies, getting a job and being happy, so that when people ask, “How’s life?” you just reply, “Good, thanks!”

However, what have I been doing? I have been to many small courses, from suicide prevention to youth ministry weekends where there’s seminar after seminar about youth and our role in their lives; I have had many conversations about the whole vision of a children’s home; I have asked questions to directors; I have been finding out everything about charities and children’s homes; I have drawn up a list of books to read........

Why am I not just thinking about “getting on with what my life has dealt me with so as to be able to say, Good, thanks”? Rather than thinking of where I’m going or what I’m doing.

Post-Modern culture has brought us up to think , “what ever”,, and , “have it our own way”.. we have an “if it feels good, go with it” attitude and in all this we are,, “good thanks” The world goes by and often we don’t stop to understand what it’s all about! We don’t take time to think what’s going on, why we do what we do, or whom we do it for....unless, one day, we find things are “not that that good”!

My thing is, don’t just “get on with living” - take a step back and think what it’s for. Whatever we do in the future will be determined by the stand point we take now.

· Think about what the Trinity is about and how this will impact how we live our lives.

· Think about the cross (Forgiveness of sins, Christos Victor, Reconciliation, Redemption) and how this will impact how we live our lives.

· Think about God Incarnate (God took on flesh) and how this impacts how we live.

· Think about a call to mission and how this impacts what we do with our lives.

· Think about empowerment by the Holy Sprit, the tasks of Word, prayer and spiritual direction. And how our lives could be with this?

· Think about our role in the Church and how this impacts our lives.

The relationship we have with these truths will guide our interaction with what we do. Let’s not just coast and keep saying, “Good, thanks”.

So this is what I’m doing at the moment...trying to:

Don Browning “action-reflection model”.

- Understand (what’s going on?),

- Reflect: (what am I doing?)

- Detect and Evaluate: ( putting down commitments in my life)

- Project: ( Strategies, on how I can live my life for GOD)

-

HOW CAN YOU BEST SUPPORT ME?

- Please pray: for the vision to set up a children’s home. May it be a God-inspired venture. Pray for God’s leading - I don’t have the answers and need to be lead forward.

- If you know of people who have gone thought setting up a charity, I would love to talk to them about what they think.

- Also if you know of any children’s home around the world, I would like to contact them.

- If you know a good book about youth or children at risk, even parenting, leadership books.. Subjects that can help me think about this project more and get more understanding.

- If you know any courses out there that are relevant to this work let me know.

- I want to start getting a list of people who will dedicate themselves to pray for this with me. So please if you want to be part of this, it would be an encouragement if you would let me know - even write your name on the comment box at the bottom. THANKS!

"who,what and then why"

This week I have been thinking very intensely about the concept of ‘a calling’ - something which God has set upon one’s heart in which to follow Him specifically.

Naturally as a human I have been asking myself many questions about this. I am constantly thinking about the future and how big and daunting it is. The danger is that it can be without God..

And that’s where you ask yourself again and again the fundamental questions that brought you to this point, to check that you are living for the right thing and not just a dream land or wayward feelings.

I have found some very good comments from the website of a children’s home which I will quote from below. (If you want to read more about what they say, please have a look as it really explains much more!)

After finding out ‘Who’ you are you may ask yourself ‘What’ you do or what you want to do. In my case I want to set up a children’s home. The next questions many be ‘Why we do it? Or, ‘Why would you really want to do it?’

I am speaking of course as a Christian to other Christians who understand ‘who they are’ and maybe know ‘what they want to do’. But we need also to think ‘Why?’ The answer to this question may help us in the approach of ‘How?’

I can’t fully write down all the strands of thoughts that will help you or me… but I will add what has helped me. And for the readers of this blog, please make it a prayer point for this stage in my life.

Many thanks J-D

This extract is from http://www.armsoflove.org/why_compassion.htm

Why We Do It: Compassion

In his recent book, "Where Soldiers Fear to Tread," journalist John Burnett writes about his time working as a relief worker for the United Nations in Somalia. John occasionally ruminates on the broader purpose of his mission, and the various reasons that the people he's working with are risking their lives to engage in the relief effort. He comes up with various reasons ... salary, egos, adventure, all kinds of personal issues, but rarely, in his opinion, compassion. John writes,

"If there are any heroes in this world, we are not among them. Who of us is in it for altruism? ... We each have our reasons. But I don't think compassion is what drives most relief workers. ... In the eyes of the mainstream, I suspect we all could be considered a bit mad, loonies pursuing some mythic quest. We have become too antsy and too deterred for a life of spiritless routine, too selfish for much compassion, and too human for heroism. All this for a lousy paycheck."

Now listen to the final paragraph of John's book:

"Day after day, it just goes on and on, one miserable event after another. As David said, God favors no one, not those who perish, not those who serve. The misery of the world will continue with or without our gallant efforts. Let others replace me; let others try to save the damn world."

John's autobiographical story is a compelling one, and these final words bring into sharp focus the ultimate question: Does any of our work really make a difference?

"Has anyone's life really made a difference?"

We read in Matt. 15:32: Jesus said to his disciples, "I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with me now three days and have nothing to eat, and I do not want to send them away hungry."

And so with seven loaves and a few fish, Jesus fed the four thousand. Compassion was the motivating factor behind Jesus feeding the hungry.

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress …" James 1:27.

What is compassion? Compassion is not merely thinking, "I have an obligation to help that person." Compassion is a deep feeling that is aroused when we see someone crying, hungry, sick, or hurting, and it stirs us to act on that person's behalf. The distinction is critical.

The post on http://www.armsoflove.org/why_compassion.htm goes on to finish with this statement:

Sometimes we see so many needs around us, so much desperation in this world, that we become overwhelmed and desensitized, and our hearts become calloused. Whenever our hearts stop breaking when we see someone in need, we need to take our hearts before God and ask Him to break our hearts afresh and fill our hearts with His compassion. This is the starting point for carrying out Jesus' ministry. And it is the wellspring of hope and perseverance in the face of overwhelming need.

The ministry of Jesus requires a broken heart.

(Please read the other extract from http://www.armsoflove.org/why_justice.htm)

Why We Do It: Justice

This section concludes:.

By ministering to all of the needs of each and every child, our goal is to bring healing into every part of their lives. Our vision for them -- God's heart for them -is that the children will be made whole … and that God's justice will be manifested and accomplished in their lives and in the lives of future generations.

(Please read the 3ed extract from http://www.armsoflove.org/why_mercy.htm)

Why We Do It: Mercy

This section concludes:,

Jesus' last words to us were to "Go, and make disciples of all nations." Go, and bring the good news of the gospel to the poor! Go, and show my compassion to the lost! Go, and execute justice on behalf of the oppressed! Go, and show my mercy to those who have been thrown away! Go, and feed the hungry in my name! Go, and bring my glory to the nations!

So why do we spend so much of our lives just staying right where we're at? "Blooming where we're planted." We are not potted plants. God gave us hands, He gave us feet, and He told us to "Go!"

There's a prevalent notion that we're just called to be good Christians wherever we are at - at home, at work, at the grocery store. But what part of that philosophy involves going anywhere? If that is all we ever did, there are many people in our own community who would never hear the good news of Jesus and who would never have the gospel demonstrated to them - much less those in other parts of the world.

We have to find ways to go beyond our daily routine, to get outside our comfort zone, to connect with people outside our every day sphere of relationships, and minister to their needs in Jesus name. Moved by His compassion. Doing justice in His name. Showing His mercy. That's what it means to GO.

(All extracts were copied from www.armsoflove.org)

Back in Belfast – one month on.

I arrived back on the first of August. It has been great to see folks again and see where they'er at. I like the summer time here as you can get out and about more as more poeple have free time. Climbing Sleive Donnard was good experience to bring it home to me that i as actually in Northern Ireland again.

The summer time also brings many Christian conferences and guest speakers. I have been attending to the Bangor Worldwide Mission Convention, and before that, listening to K.P Yohannan, the founder of Gospel for Asia (GFA). Before hearing the speakers my concentration was a bit all over the place as during my stay of six months in children’s homes life was full of the busyness that I love to get involved with.

At present my thoughts are gripped with the fact that I now have to start putting my vision in action. I have come back having eaten into my

student loan, with no job, and not wanting to return to my architecture degree which I dropped a year ago. My mind is swirling around the fact of not knowing really the best move to take next. Right now I know that some sort of job is in order, so I have signed on jobseekers till something turns up. I know with so many people on the job hunt it could be a long hunt for me too.

I have enrolled in some small courses about youth ministry and also gone back into volunteering as a mentor. I went yesterday to a College open day. Afterwards, talking to my friend in the rain under a tree, I thought how does someone that is really nobody get to have a vision for setting up a children’s home (and as my vision goes, it’s a big one – a home plus many other things that work alongside it also). Later that day I heard that a 29 year old builder from here has been setting up a children’s home during the last few years in Africa, and is now setting up a school. Then I hear of a 22 year old girl from England who visited Bolivia and has not returned as she is at the start of setting up a children’s home too.

In the Bangor Convention I sat listening to mission

representatives and missionaries reporting on the work in many countries. They spoke of a God that really works in many ways and that we cannot have an excuse to say that God does not do his work.

I also talked to others at stalls about children’s homes and had very encouraging conversations. you see the idea, It’s not just a social work idea but to bring many to know God and get alongside them discipling and reaching others.

So in all I sum up:

In a hundred years from now, what will the things of this life be worth? Really my wish would be is that if I could set up a Home back in Arequipa city where I was adopted, that many of the kids that I took in would stand by my side in heaven. Then it would be worth it! I also desire that the home and all the other ministries would keep on going. Then what a joy it will be to come across people in heaven who say:

“I was in Arequipa as a child and was taken in to the children’s home”, or “I saw the good works you did and understood that it was because God loved me first that Christian do this. And I am here

because someone said that they would follow God and do what he was calling him to do.”

Please pray that the vision may be accomplished:

· That I may take the risk of living for God, and not to play my life safe.

· That I may seek God’s will in every day as

every day counts to reach his will.

· For the things like courses that will equip

me in my thinking for this ministry.

· For employment to keep me afloat financially

· For the idea of setting up a charity and what that all entails.

· For wisdom in all things

Thank you for your on going prayers. An army of prayer can do so much more than you realise.