Externally Focused at Watermark

Psalm 37:4 says “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Ashley Sellars, an operating room nurse, began wrestling with how God might use both her particular skills as a nurse and her passion to for the poor and desire to serve others.

Ultimately, she decided to serve with Mercy Ships in Benin. Mercy Ships is a full fledged state-of-the-art floating hospital that provides a variety of surgical procedures to the world’s forgotten poor.

Ashley says that “It has been amazing to see how the Lord leads through each season of our lives to teach and mold us to be more like Him.” Check out her website to learn more about Mercy Ships and what the Lord is doing through her in Benin. www.ashleysellars.com

Sorry we were down for a bit…had some server issues and some other problems which I can’t even pronounce much less explain.  In any case, we’re back up for business again for the time being.  It reminded me that sometimes “analog” can be more reliable.  Like this guy who is called the “Liberian Blackboard Blogger” in Africa.  Great story if you’re interested… http://www.afrigadget.com/2009/03/13/liberias-blackboard-blogger/

While we might debate the value of standing all day on the street updating a blackboard with currency conversion rates, it’s just another example of someone who is passionate about serving others, in his own unique way.  It reminds me that to be a servant means we have to release our calendar to the Lord and allow God to interrupt our schedules as He sees fit.  Let’s continue to pray that we would see interruptions as “divine appointments” and opportunities to lead through service.

By Stephanie Schweinfurth

We have truly been to the other side of the world and seen Jesus in the people of Burundi Africa! Our journey started in the capital city of Bujumbura. We were met by the warm and welcoming ALARM staff and the first sights on the road were overwhelming; women carrying large baskets on their heads and babies tied to their backs, people washing clothes in ditches, men on bikes carrying very large bundles and the automobile traffic as dense and aggressive as in New York City. Our first night’s dinner was unforgettable as were served whole fish, eyes and all. But we were blessed to hear the personal story of Deo, the director of ALARM in Burundi. At the time of the rebellion, his “neighbor” killed his uncles and hired someone to kill his father. Deo later became a believer and went back to this man and forgave him and asked for forgiveness for the terrible thoughts he had through the years. It was a powerful story and a somber reminder of what these people have been through. We started the next day, Sunday, with an incredible worship experience. Each of the choirs sang for us, the children, the young adults and the women. The music and singing was angelic.

After worship, we headed north to Bubanza. As we would later learn, we were the first white people to spend more than one night in the Bubanza province since 1993. The reception was warm and welcoming and many joined us in our three day conference. We covered topics including conflict resolution, bible study methods, health and hygiene, AIDS/HIV, parenting and family planning. The women were eager to learn and brought to tears when they received bibles as gifts and reading glasses. One woman began crying as she put on her glasses, as she had not been able to read in quite some time. The women learned bible study methods and broke into groups to practice their skills. They also had many questions and difficult situations which they shared with us during the conflict resolution session. During our time together we were serenaded often by these sweet women and their harmony. By day 3 we were embracing these women and they sent us off with special blessings and testimony as to how much they had learned.

Our last day in Bubanza was spent serving and being with the community. The governor arranged for us to plant trees in the town’s center where we were quickly surrounded by hundreds of elementary students, many of whom had never seen a white person. They loved shaking our hands and practicing the few phrases they knew in English. We also got to witness a dance group practicing for the final dance competition in the province - the same competition documented in the movie “War Dance.” We were then taken by the governor to a remote refugee village, home to 300 families. The governor addressed the people and knew the families by name. We distributed beans and cornmeal to each family. The dwellings in this area were small and made of sticks and we were told that the water source was a 2 mile walk one-way. It was hard to see a people with such hopelessness in their eyes, but we were encouraged to see in the crowd one of the women who attended our conference.

Our last night in Bubanza was spent at dinner with the governor; he was appreciative of our service to his people and encouraged us to return. We left Bubanza to return to Bujumbura for one more night. We were treated to a great meal at Deo’s home and were excited to experience AC and warm water. What a treat! The ALARM staff and drivers took incredible care of us and were such an encouragement to us through the entire experience.

Thanks also to all of you who prayed for us during this incredible experience. What a privilege to serve people so far away in the name of Jesus and on behalf of Watermark. I pray that we would continue this service both here in Dallas and also in far away places. There is much more work to be done.

Here’s a few excerpted responses from the various Service Day sites the External Focus Team wanted to share…  If you have particular questions about how you can serve with any of these organizations, please contact us.

 

BUILDERS OF HOPE   

 

posted by K.D. Mar 29th 2009 at 5:59 pm edit this

Today was awesome! I loved seeing what the Lord is doing in West Dallas. Mr. Henry’s [Norm Henry is the Founder and Director] work in the community is amazing! Better than providing affordable housing, they are transforming lives of the young men in the community. I went to a building site for Builders of Hope. Many of the Watermark volunteers helped to tear down an old house, but we had more volunteers than necessary, so many of us set out on foot into the neighborhood to pick up trash and talk to the neighbors.

The best part of the day was hearing the testimony of one of the men employed by Builders of Hope – Mohammad. Mohammad grew up in the neighborhood we were working. He told us the house we tore down was a drug house and the men who ran the house had a very profitable business. Mohammad was envious of the men who ran this house and wanted to find success like those men. Although the house looked like it was worth very little, he used to look at the house as if it were worth a million dollars. Mohammad was running with the wrong crowd and engaged in inappropriate business endeavors. After spiraling down, he ended up behind bars. About a year ago, Mohammad started working with Mr Henry for Builders of Hope. Since getting a second chance, and having good men surrounding him and encouraging him, Mohammad found a relationship with the Lord.

What an amazing day! Builders of Hope will have opportunities for volunteers to help on the build sites the second Saturday of each month. Come out and help transform West Dallas by building new houses and transforming lives.

And here’s a note from Norm Henry:

Thanks for allowing us to participate with your church. The volunteers from Watermark came to work, and everyone exceed our expectations. The Lord blessed us with beautify weather, and most of all, with beautify friends. We met some old and new friends. We accomplished everything that we had planned.

 

Please thank your Pastor and the leadership team for allowing the Church members to share your worship day with us.

 

The community of West Dallas witness a new day of Hope and Transformation. Thanks for being concerned about the least of these in our city. May the Lord richly bless your church for giving a day of service to many people.

 

Norman

TEXAS VISION HOUSE

from J.P.:

How can we thank you…for opening the doors for the blessings we all received today with the fine women at the Texas Vision House. Tabitha, the Executive Director, and her husband Will have such gentle, humble spirits and a missile-lock passion to help these wonderful women. The women were amazed at the love that was expressed today through our Team’s tenacious service….painting the kitchen (we are going to finish painting Tuesday night), massive cleaning overhaul of the dining room as well as the common areas of the home, and the extensive grounds cleanup and tree and bush trimming/sculpturing. One of our workers offered to donate a huge area rug for the dining room – the heart of the fellowship in the home. Mothers and fathers alike worked alongside their children – these kiddoes viewed firsthand the selfless focus on others. Countless kids came up to me and said, “What can I do next?”

 

I saw some of our folks ministering to the women quietly in private – tears of despair and past hopelessness were mixed with a glimmer of renewed dignity. Hearts dared to be vulnerable. Jesus was clearly present among us all and His promise of renewal and love will bless all involved.

 

Tabitha, God is clearly working through you, Will and others in your home to lovingly care for these fabulous women. You clearly heard God call you to service at a young age of seven and have obediently followed His calling. God bless you for your passionate pursuit of these women’s hearts. It is so apparent that you radiate Jesus’ love and His compassionate caring ways.

 

Thank you for the gift of being Jesus’ hands and feet. It stirred a hunger for more in the hearts of several folks.

Response from Texas Vision House Director, Tabitha

 

To God be the glory!!!!!!!  Thank you guys so much for the opportunity.  I’ve been in ahhh all day. The women were so emotional, they tend to feel that they are forgotten, so for them to see people in their home serving them it encourages them to keep believing in themselves…….thank you so much!!

 

We encourage the women to believe in the Lord, and to know that people do care and believe in second chances… your team confirmed that this morning. WiIl and I and 36 women are so grateful…..  

 

…

Tabitha Pennon
www.texasvisionhouse.org

 

Here’s also a great 3.5 minute You Tube video showing photos from the day:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhhiOhdHDkI

 

HOPEFUL SOLUTIONS

 

Hello there!

Some of you I know, some I don’t – but I am so excited to share with you all what God did yesterday at our place of service! I would really like to speak to one or two of you … about our experience serving the Hopeful Solutions ministry in South Dallas, with our point person there being the lead volunteer, Natalynne Walton….

 These women are enrolled in a number of recovery programs, but don’t have any that teach them the healing and restoration that comes from a relationship with our Savior. As we know, that is the only true way to full recovery and sobriety….

M.L.

From Natalynne Walton [the Director]   May God continue to have His loving and caring arms around you spirit and whole being.  You are definitely heaven sent!  I am still excited and elated by the love and care that Watermark showed to total strangers. You all trusted your spirits and showed up in good faith and God did the rest for all of us!!   Thanks again for all  you do and may God bless and keep you always!   Love, Natalynne

 

And here’s another one from a Watermark member who served there:

 

I wanted to thank you for giving me and my family the opportunity to serve and be the hands and feet of Christ.

 

We jumped on a bus that took us to a ministry called Hopeful Solutions. This organization serves women who are single parents who have battled addictions but are striving to live a life free from drugs, alcohol and prostitution. As part of our service, we set up homes for these families so they land well and can focus on critical things like leading their families, staying clean and getting back on their feet.

 

I was witness to the generosity of people who had donated so much stuff for people they did not know be it mattresses, dish sets, kids toys, and furniture. I witnessed the amazing people who attend Watermark who did not judge why the people we were helping were in a precarious position in life. Rather they jumped in and loved these folks (who we may never meet) with the hope and joy that Christ showed. It was truly an empowering day.

 

Beyond that, while there was so much generosity on display, we all saw there is more to do. A drive is on to dig deeper into our own lives and provide more for this worthy ministry. If we all continue to extend, we can really help these families out and make God more famous.

 

Again, my thanks to you. The day was humbling for me and a reminder of how blessed I am and how much more I could be doing to further God’s kingdom on earth.

 

M.C.

CARR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

 

What a blessing today was for our school, students and staff.  From
changing light-bulbs to organizing our book room… we were truly
blessed.  Too many volunteers is not a bad thing!  I had to apologize to
your volunteers a few times, because I kept crying through my thank
yous! 
…
Thank you seems so small compared to what I feel happened this morning.
And as for prayer…I truly believe this happened this morning because
of people praying for our school to receive these blessings…so I
appreciate the prayer especially for our students, our teachers and my
leadership.

Thanks again,
Mrs. Christian Ruiz
Principal
C. F. Carr Elementary School

 

SEQUOYAH ELEMENTARY

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

The staff and students appreciate all the time and energy you put in to
cleaning and praying over our building.  Your generosity is
immeasurable, and it also serves as a special example of what we strive
to teach students each day. 

Too often, our children are brought up to believe in extrinsic
motivation – that is, the idea that unless there is something tangible
in it for them, they will not help.  I believe that “caring for persons,
the more able and the less able serving each other, is the rock upon
which a good society is built.”  Compassion and selflessness are traits
which define great people. 

So thank you for your compassion and selflessness and generosity!

Also….the students would like to say thanks…and would like to know
to whom they address their letters.

Mrs. Love
Principal
Sequoyah Learning Center

 

CORNERSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

 

Thank you once again for making Cornerstone a part of the 2009 Watermark Day of Service.  We thank God so much for all the work that was done to assist us in impacting the lives of the needy in the south Dallas community.  Because of this service project, the community is cleaning, the clothing closet is better organized, and Kitchen for the Homeless is much brighter.  I had plans to stop by and speak to the group but kept getting interrupted and was unable to make it over.  Thank God so much for Facebook and Kristi uploading pictures of her page as I had a chance to see the awesome team working so hard!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks again so much for going beyond the walls of your church to make a difference in South Dallas.

 

Chris L. Simmons, Pastor

Cornerstone Baptist Church

WEST DALLAS CHURCHES – Greater Mount Hebron Baptist, Jesus Ministry, and Voice of Hope’s Church cancelled services to serve alongside us:

 

The Lord truly blessed this event.  We were absolutely amazed as to how everything worked out.  We really did enjoy all the members of Watermark Church and the great fellowship. Looking forward to doing something else with you.

 

Thanks,

 

Pastor Butler