Panama Ben

Proud mama moment  - please welcome my guest blogger, our son Ben's summary and insights from his mission trip to Panama.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Panama, what a trip, what an experience. As my mom said on her blog, I am “a missions trip junkie.” Therefore as soon as I heard about the sports trip to Panama I wanted in. At first it was easy to sign up, pray about it, and get excited. Then it came time for writing support letters and facebook posts asking for support through prayer and finances. Prayer is normally easy to get, yet financial support is tougher to receive. Especially considering that many supported me a year ago, giving me the opportunity to go serve and minister in the Dominican Republic.

So I sent out my letters and prayed for God’s will in regards to my participation in this trip. In the beginning I hit almost half of my support fairly easily, but then for at least a month I did not receive a penny. I got a little nervous and antsy, wondering if this trip was a part of God’s plan for me. So I continued to pray and put my trust in God’s plan. Then within a month through a couple of generous donations I hit 100% on the dot. Wow! What a blessing and literally it all came in a week or so before my parents were looking to support me and figuring out how much they could give. Boom, God provided all my financial support even before my parents could try to support me. But this is not the end of it, I received a few letters and wa-la I had over $100 in spending money! It is just humorous to think I was worried about God providing for me to go on this trip. Ye of little faith, God provides, what a blessing.

Next thing I know we are having weekly meetings for Panama.  They started as short meetings after class with brief overviews of our trip and reminders to send out support letters. Then they became hour long meetings on Mondays, with details of the trip, and laying out of everyone's role on the team. My role was to be apart of the “choreography routine,” because never ever will Word of Life endorse “dancing.”

So a few days before the trip we received our shirts, gear, evangelism tools, etc. Then after lunch on Thursday we turned in our packed bags and took our last test. Then at 3:30 am Friday morning we hopped in our Trailway bus on our way to JFK, where we then flew to Miami and finally  on to Panama City. We arrived in Panama around midnight and drove to the Word of Life property to sleep, and then the trip began.

Right away we got into the thick of ministry. Everyday started with quiet time, when we could dig into God’s word and talk with Him through prayer in order to get our hearts right. Then we would eat breakfast and pack up the bus for a full day of ministry. 

Just about everyday in the morning we would go to a either an orphanage or typically an elementary school, where the kids typically wore uniforms. We would then set up the puppets and get in costume for our “choreographed dance.” My costume consisted of: long, blue cargo capris; a brightly colored, light blue polo, with a brightly colored red hoodie vest over the top it; and bright yellow, knee high socks. Then to top it off, I picked out my hair, wore a visor, put up my hood, wore trippy glasses, and had a black tooth (made by putting eye liner on my tooth), not to mention make up with freckles. 

Our presentations normally consisted of a juggling clown starting us off, followed by at least three songs by our choreography team. Followed by the puppets who sang a song and the story of the Good Samaritan, and then we would sing “How Great is Our God,” the chorus in Spanish. The gospel would then be presented with the help of the wordless book and we ended by handing out wordless bracelets to the kids.

Next we would go back to the Word of Life property to eat lunch and swim in the pool as a part of what you could call a siesta. On occasion we would go to the beach for lunch and try our best to get tan, however most just got red.  Close enough I guess. If we ate lunch on property we would then help do some chores around the property until we would play soccer around 3 or 4. 

Depending on the day we would have either a club or school team come to our property or we would travel to their field. Each game was a full length game, mostly without refs depending on the game. Then at the end of each game one player from our team would share their testimony and then the director of Word of Life Panama would give the gospel and an invitation for salvation. 

After a day full of ministry we would return to the property for dinner, where we were always provided with a Panamanian soda! The soda was delicious and came in glass bottles.  It was pretty classy. Then we would clean up dinner and meet together as a group to talk about the ministry of the day. This was a time that we grew closer as a group as we were able to encourage each other, tell of our individual experiences, and talk about things that God has been teaching us.

Near the end of the week we got to play basketball after the meeting, which was awesome! After all the busyness it was then relaxing time, until we all took cold showers and headed to bed. This was a regular day in Panama.

Now this is all good and dandy, but you are probably wondering how I was affected and what I learned, so here it goes…In retrospect, I thought I had a good handle on missions and thought I could do it with my own strength based on my previous experiences. Yet after each missions trip I always feel weak and realize it is by God’s grace that I can be used for His work. 

Each missions trip is different and each one brings new challenges. The challenge for me on this trip was trying to prove myself. I mean this in the least arrogant way, but generally I have a solid reputation and have heard lots of compliments from my participation on previous missions trips. Therefore I felt and realized that I was trying to impress the team leaders and the team. How foolish! It is God who worked through me in the past trips, so why would I try to impress others with “my achievements”?  God really convicted me to that I need to point the glory to God and not seek the applause and approval of others. As well as trusting in God for strength, where I can be used more effectively?

Another lesson God taught me on this trip was leadership. I was not in a leadership position, but through the leadership of the team leaders and the leadership of the missionaries we worked with, I learned a lot. In Panama, Word of Life is very understaffed and is in desperate need of young workers to continue the work into the future. Yet the director and his wife never seemed to show worry about the current state of their ministry. Rather they were casting a vision for future ministry and being proactive in looking for new ways to reach the Panamanian people. How cool is that? They have put their full faith in God to provide for their current ministry and are striving to be used in bigger ministry in the future. That is true leadership, trusting God with your ministry and laying down a vision to lead your team into the future.

Lastly, I learned from the leaders of our trip, Matt and Micah Melville. They challenged me as a man and in my leadership throughout my life. One night Matt called us all out about shaving and how we need to pay attention to the little things. As Jesus talked about in Luke 16, regarding the shrewd manager, and said, “Whoever can be trusted with little can also be trusted with much.”  I was convicted about my faithfulness to the small responsibilities I often neglect. How can I expect to be used by God with big things if I am not faithful to the small things He has given me?

This next picture is of a cross that sits on top of one of the mountains we hiked up.  When we got there we could carve our name on the cross.  To be there forever.  It was really cool.

Thank you all so much for your support!! God is good and I am so blessed to have gone to Panama on my fourth missions trip. The global church is alive and well. Our Lord desires to use us for His purposes, we just need to be willing and open to Him. God does not require the talented, rather He just requires a willing and open heart. The workers are few, but the harvest is plenty. 

Thank you for providing for me to go to minister in Panama and be involved in God’s work there!! I learned so much and have memories I will never forget. I learned and experienced so much and just wanted to give you a taste of what you allowed me to participate in. God bless you!

Our Son is a "Junkie" Would You Pray For Him?

Please pray for my son.  He's a junkie.  A mission trip junkie that is (which is exactly how we tried to raise him) and he's hopping on a plane very early tomorrow for his 4th trip outside the U.S. 

Some years ago we adopted a family dream - to take each of our kids on a mission trip to a foreign country.  Having been a part of a church who highly values and regularly participates in missions, we have seen that dream realized. (Yay North Syracuse Baptist Church!)

Imagine our delight when our kids catch the bug and continue to pursue every opportunity to go again.  Drew, Ben and Ally's passports are filling up and so are their hearts.  To date, collectively one has been to Kenya, New Orleans and Peru.  Two to Brazil and Costa Rica, and all three to Dominican Republic. 

Can I just stop one minute and tell you how deeply grateful we are as parents that they have these experiences inside them?  It is our hope and prayer that through these trips they see with their own eyes and hearts what cool things God is doing around the world, the people God wants reached with the Gospel and how they can be a part of it - lest they think American culture is all there is. 

Tomorrow morning (incredibly early) this tall drink of water (a.k.a. Ben) is flying out of JFK with a bunch of Word of Life Bible Institute students to spend their Spring Break (9 days) assisting missionaries by using sports to minister to kids of all ages in Panama.  Would you kindly pray for all of them?

We are asking not just for safety, but for God to move Ben toward the things that matter to the heart of God.  For direction and calling in his career/ministry direction.  That God would use him cross-culturally to participate in His purposes for all those they will come in to contact with on this trip. That Ben and all the students would be ruined for ministry.  And most importantly, that God will be glorified in all of it!  Yesssss!

A special heartfelt thanks to those of you who have supported Ben financially, for those of you who have already begun praying and for those of you who might just add your prayers to this trip.  We appreciate you all so much.  (I almost wrote y'all, but am not quite southern enough to pull it off.) Thank you for caring for our family this way.  We are blessed!

If you want to follow his trip on facebook, LIKE Word of Life Missions Spring Break Panama 2014.  Or go straight to the page by clicking here.  Ben assures me they will update it daily.  I certainly hope so.  Mom will be checking.

Sweet 16

Birthdays have a way of reminding us that another year has passed.  Another year closer to our kids growing up and leaving the nest.  Another year we can't get back.  Stink.

Sixteen years ago today I gave birth to our, as my sister-in-law Chris described, "baby girl Scott".  Truly, she is a Burtis when it comes to looks - and that's not a bad thing.  She is a vanilla just like her Dad. That means just what you might think it does.  Last year on her birthday I wrote a post that included pics of her through the years - you can read that here if you missed it.

Sixteen feels like a milestone year.  Not really a little girl anymore, more like a young woman.  Still, she's my baby.  She hasn't tired of cuddling up with me or sitting on her Dad's lap.  She's eager to grow up, but exchanges some "baby talk" with us from time to time.  I think she has this notion to get her learner's permit soon.  Not sure if we're ready for that!  I'm thankful for much growth in her recently physically (she's taller than me), emotionally and spiritually.  I love her so much.

Girls are different than boys, it's no secret.  Ours is so much fun.  She laughs loud and she loves loud.  She doesn't think she's funny yet brings the party wherever she goes.  She's miles past her brothers when it comes to social skills.  She would ask a store clerk for help when she was 10 - the boys still struggle with that.  :)  And she cries at the most tender things.  She compliments me on my clothes (then borrows them), tells me often how much she loves me and will text me her cuteness all day if I keep it going.  I dig that.

Tonight she leaves for her first missions trip.  Who could've guessed back on March 28, 1997 that this is how she'd spend her 16th birthday?  Not me, but we wouldn't have it any other way. What a gift from God!  She will be in the Dominican Republic for 9 days serving, learning, growing.  Feel free to pray for her, her brother Ben, and the other 40 team members if you feel so inclined.  Their adventures and prayer requests will be posted on the team blog here.

I thank God everyday for giving us a girl to dress up pretty after five years of denim and blue.  I thank God for giving us this little girl.  Don't forget Ally, just like the poster on  your bedroom walls says, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.  They are plans for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope."  Jer. 29:11

And this too..."He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:6

Jesus loves you.  He is for you.  Daddy and I love you and we are for you.  No matter what.

From Drew Burtis: A Week in the Dominican Republic

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth."  3 John 4

HI everyone,
Over a week ago I posted a blog asking you to kindly pray for our son, Drew, as he traveled to the D.R. for a mission trip.  It was one of my most read entries.  That just blesses me and Scott.  Thank you to those of you who read it and even more to to those of you who prayed for him and followed the trip info on facebook.

Tonight I'm excited to tell you what you probably already know, that the team returned late Saturday night safe and sound and hopefully changed forever.  Today we got to skype with Drew for some time and hear much about his trip.  When he finished giving us a play by play, I asked him if he would write it all down and be my "guest blogger".  He sort of rolled his eyes, but said yes.  He is such a good boy!  We both think you deserve a "report" in return for your interest. I couldn't be more pleased that he wrote it all and sent it to me tonight, exhausted as he is.  See what I mean about him being a good boy? :)  Oh, and there weren't even any spelling errors - which kinda makes me happy too! (Because that means for a kid who is his father's clone - he's a little like his mama too.)  Naturally, I just can't wait for you to enjoy it with me. So here we go....it reads like a journal and we've added some pics so you can get a visual.  Here are his words:

Hello prayer warriors and financial supporters! I first of all would like to thank you for your faithfulness in prayer and supporting my trip financially. I would not have been able to have the opportunity to minister to the Dominican people without all of you. You are all such a blessing in my life. Thank you all so very much. I want to give you all a summary of my trip day by day.

Friday April 20 -

Today was the beginning of our journey to the Dominican Republic. We got on the bus to drive to JFK in NYC at 1:00am. It was a 4 hour drive and we arrived at the airport around 5:00am. We went through security and luggage check-in fairly quickly and got to our gate around 7:00am. Our flight did not leave until 8:40am so we started boarding around 7:45am. The flight was very smooth and we arrived in Santo Domingo around 12:00pm. We got our luggage and drove to our hotel which was 30 minutes away. Our afternoon was very uneventful except for our trip to the grocery store. We went so that we could buy food for Haitian refugee families that we were going to visit the next day. We bought them rice, beans, oil and pasta that would feed them for about a week. It was funny watching us herd through the aisles to find all we needed. After that we headed back to the hotel to turn in for the night.

Saturday April 21 -

Our hotel was right on the ocean so we had the privilege to wake up and adore God's beautiful creation every single morning. This was the view from our room. God blessed us so much with just that little piece alone. We hit the road to go to the Haitian village for ministry. We sang our songs in Spanish for them and gave a couple testimonies. We split them into groups based on age and shared the Gospel with them. We used the Evangecube, the rope trick, and the wordless book. Once we finished that, we made balloon animals and swords to play with. They always seem to love that most. We finally got to the part I was most looking forward to, delivering the grocery bags full of food to individual families. Every family we gave to was so grateful and thankful to us. God really opened my eyes to how blessed we are as Americans. We came back to the hotel for lunch and then went out again around 3:00pm. We were headed to a church where they were re-opening their Bible Club. We went around the block and passed out fliers to kids to invite them to the event. Over 200 students came out to it and many of them got saved as a result. God is so good! After the meeting we ate ice cream with them and had fun with them. Overall today was an eye-opening day but we had some awesome ministry. 

Sunday April 22 -

Today we went to 2 churches, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The first church had average attendance with a fair amount of kids. We sang our 2 songs and then split the kids up into age groups to share the gospel and share testimonies. After that we made more balloon animals for the kids to play with. We visited an orphanage for Dominican boys that was started by an American couple. It was named Josiah's House and they raise 4 boys as of now. Their goal is to have 4 houses that hold 8 boys each. They need house parents for the other 3 houses. They raise the boys until they are 18 and then they will adopt more boys. They would like to have a school, medical clinic, and baseball field on property for the boys. This was a really cool organization to see. In the afternoon/evening, we went to a smaller church with not a lot of people. The only thing was that more kids showed up than expected. We played with the kids and used the handbells with them. After that we played tag, swings and even piggy-back with all of the kids. I had gotten sunburned the past 2 days so it was a struggle for me not to complain about all the grabbing and holding. It was such a fun way to end the day.

Monday April 23 -

Today was our first day of ministering in schools in the area. We went to a school in the morning that had about 75 kids in it. We presented the Gospel, sang our songs, gave testimonies and played some camp games with them. They wanted to play us in basketball and soccer so we took the challenge. We got smoked in basketball but won in soccer. I had a lot of fun this morning. In the afternoon we went to another school and repeated our morning program without the basketball and soccer. After that we visited an orphanage for kids with HIV. There were about 25-30 kids living there so we sang our songs and shared the Gospel. Us guys went and played soccer after while the girls made balloons for the rest of the kids. Today was a good day of ministry.

Tuesday April 24 -

Another early morning visiting 2 more schools. The first school was just like the other ones except much bigger! The place we were performing at was not big enough for all the kids to fit in. So they had 4 different age groups come in to watch the program. We performed our songs 4 times to 4 different audiences! I was all sung out! A couple of the other team members and me went to play some basketball with the kids. We had a lot of fun with that. In the afternoon we went to another school and did the same program as yesterday. We sang songs, gave testimonies and played camp games with them. We did this fairly quickly because it looked like it was going to rain. All of the guys left there and went to go play soccer with a bunch of Dominicans the missionary knew. We played for over 2 hours until it was too dark to see the ball! But it was so much fun.

Wednesday April 25 -

Today was different from all the others because it was the first of two days on the Word of Life Camp Property. Now it was time to do manual labor to help out the camp. In the morning we helped dig rivers for the water to drain out from the vicinity of the cabin's foundation. We used pick-axes and shovels and I ended up opening up a blister on each of my hands. We broke for an hour to eat lunch and then I spent the rest of the afternoon (3-4 hours) looking for trees to cut down to make a walking bridge. They were around 24 inches diameter and 20 feet tall. All we had to use was one axe, one hatchet and 7 machetes. We cut down 2 of the 5 in the afternoon and set them in place. The bridge was so the campers could get to the athletic fields during the rainy season. I was beat from all the hard work so I slept very good!

Thursday April 26 -

Today was pretty much the same as yesterday. We cut down 3 more trees and put the whole bridge in place. It looks so good! I was really happy with the 2 work days because I love the feeling of accomplishing a task. I felt like I was a big help to the camp these 2 days.

Friday April 27 -

Today was sight-seeing and shopping day. We toured a castle in Santo Domingo and shopped at a market in the morning. Our afternoon was free so we relaxed and reflected on our trip. 

Saturday April 28 -

We were up at 8:00am and headed to the airport a little after 10:00am. Our flight left at 1:40pm. We landed in NYC at 5:15pm and didn't leave the airport until 7:00pm. Customs took so long to get through! We got back to campus around 12:30am and I finally got to go to sleep! I had such a blast on this trip! God is so good!

God really opened my eyes to how blessed we are in America. We take so much for granted and we don't even realize it sometimes. God challenged me to be grateful with everything I have, even all of the little things like clean water. Thank you again for praying for me. It was much appreciated!  Drew

A few more words from Mom: 

 This has nothing to do with the trip or this report, but I can't help it!  I'm adding here the pics of what our boy brought back for us.  

Scott has a chess set from Kenya and one from Peru (where Drew went last year).  Now he has one from the Dominican Republic.  So awesome.  He loves his Dad.

And he knows his mama too.  He has added this to my Nativity collection.  I have two from Kenya, one from the Holy Land, one from Peru and now this from the D.R.  And he found one with Mary and Joseph wearing red. I.Love.It. butI love him more!

Seriously.....thank you for taking the time to rejoice with us in the good work God accomplished among a beautiful, needy people group!  May HE be glorified in all that was done and experienced.


 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth."
 3 John 4

Prayer for This Guy

HI friends,

Some of you have heard me mention this in recent days, but tonight I bring it to you as a formal prayer request.

Our son, Drew is leaving the US tomorrow morning at 8:40 to minister in the Dominican Republic with a group of his Word of Life Bible Institute classmates for the next 10 days. (They are leaving WOL at 1:00am to head for JFK.) If you think of it, would you pray for them?

We are so thankful to the Lord that Drew is able to go on this, his 5th mission trip.  We are asking not just for safety, but for God to break Drew's heart for the things that matter to the heart of God.  For direction and calling in his career/ministry direction.  That God would use him cross-culturally to participate in His purposes for all those they will come in to contact with on this trip.  That God would be glorified in all of it!  Yesssss!

Thanks to those of you who have supported Drew financially, for those of you who have already begun praying and for those of you who might just add your prayers to this ministry.  We appreciate you all so much. Thank you for caring for our family this way.  We are blessed!

If you want to follow his trip on facebook, LIKE Word of Life Missions Reality Dominican Republic 2012.

Dinner at the Rescue Mission

Last night I accompanied our boy's modified soccer team to serve dinner at the Rescue Mission. The coach, Mr. Murphy, wanted to add a service project on to the end of the season. I quickly offered to drive and attend - I didn't want to miss something this meaningful.

And it was. Our boys did everything from serve, clean tables, wash dishes, pull turkey off the bone and more. I was given the privilege of scooping and serving ice cream. It was no easy task to hold back the tears from time to time. Mostly when I let my mind wander to what their lives really are like.

It was a particularly cold day, too. The manager said they have record numbers for free dinner when the temps drop. My heart went out when I saw how many children came in. I do believe I have a new page to add to my prayer journal.

The experience also reminded me of a book I read this summer and loved - and highly recommend: "Same Kind of Different as Me" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Don't hesitate to get this book and add it to your library.

I'm happy that our Sunday School class will be heading to the Mission again to serve and clean up dinner 2 days after Thanksgiving. All 3 of my kids will be there then. I pray God uses it to change us, make us more giving and appreciative.

Lessons Learned in Kenya

It's hard to answer the question "How was your trip?" with a neat and tidy, concise statement. I've noticed since returning that God continues to reveal more about Himself and His purpose in it as the days go by. One thing I asked Him early on is "What has to change right now because I spent 2 weeks in Kenya this summer?" These are the immediate life lessons I believe He's requiring of me.

1. Treat everything created in God's image with respect. They each bear likeness to God. Look for good in everyone. Each one has a story - get to know it!
2. Love everyone. Even those hard to love. God's kind of love is not suspicious. Don't presume to know what others are thinking or what their motives are.
3. Die to self. Be generous w/my time and schedule. Stop being so self-driven. Give preference to others.
4. Be more hospitable. Share food and home. Lavish love of Christ on others in my home.
5. Do "good deeds" - the mark of a New Testament Christian.
6. Empower those in need, don't enable them. Be sure those I help depend on God, not me.
7. Trust God. Not self. Live out on the limb where God has to make life happen. No more operating in the comfort zone of my human abilities.
8. Live simpler. Downsize distractions of this world's pleasures.
9. Rely on prayer. Pray for others. Pray more. Don't try to manage own life.
10. Avoid sarcasm, jokes at someone else's expense and self-depracating humor. All my words should bring honor to God. Build other's up, everything else is not kingdom building.
11. Vigorously reject judgmental, condescending, negative presumptuous thoughts about others. Sinners can't rightly judge other sinners-not our job!
12. Dream! If I don't chase my own dreams, I'll live someone else's.

It's funny, I went on an overseas mission trip in hopes of changing the world for Christ (as much as you can in 2 weeks) and turns out Christ wants to change me.

You're Invited....

Hi friends,
Thanks for coming to my blogspot. I would like to invite you to view 3 slide shows below (scroll down) that we've created to share our first overseas missions trip with you. Many of you know that this summer Scott, Drew and I joined 12 others from our church and travelled to Kenya for 2 weeks. The pictures tell some of the story. We have much more that we would love to share with you in person. In the meantime, though, please take some time to experience through our camera what God played out in real life for us. And don't forget to post your comments. I plan to update this blog with stories from the trip from time to time, so check back or subscribe so you stay current.

Kenya Missions Trip 2007

Beautiful Views of Kenya

Other Fun Things We Did In Kenya