Travel Reports

Campus Crusade for Christ International (CCCI) and LifeTouch Ministries, Inc. (LTM) have partnered together with their respective resources to bring (1)Jesus’ message of mankind’s redemption to Himself from this fallen world and (2) wholeness for mankind’s fractured identity and his/her return to joy.

Darla France, executive director of LTM recently traveled to Orlando to present her signature conference: When the Pain is Too Deep; Returning to Joy. South Orlando Baptist Church graciously hosted the first combined efforts of CCCI and LTM. They premiered the film: Magdalena, Through Her Eyes, a CCCI film created by the Jesus Film division and they hosted the LTM conference—used as a follow-up to the film.

CCCI , Jesus Film Division, had the foresight to realize that those who view Magdalena, Through Her Eyes, might experience emotional pain and need someone to minister to them. The conference is designed to help anyone who may be stuck in such pain. It is also a tool to train the non-professional who wants to help others return to joy from that emotional pain.

Eleven different churches/ministries and four separate Campus Crusade ministries were represented at the South Orlando conference with fifty-five attending, both women and men. This size conference allows for group activities and bonding as well as our staff being able to interact personally with those who attend.

What attendees had to say:

• “[I learned that] no matter what happens-circumstances in our lives- no one can ever touch/destroy our spirit.”
• “This has been really helpful for me personally-plus I feel I can help others…return to JOY.”
• “Thankful for the focus on joy in the midst of heavy realities.”
• “The topic on receiving and giving was an eye-opener; also the process of maturity and how it affects all that we are and do; that joy is a significant factor amidst suffering and that Jesus is available to give it all.”
• “Teaching was delivered with passion, precision and clarity. The course was timely and relevant to times of life.”
• “Having a ‘take-away’ sense of hope…”
• “Nice balance of speaking and activities.”
• “…this was fantastic and I believe everyone needs to hear this message.”
• “ I would like to attend another workshop like this and try to bring other people next time.”

We measure our success by evidence of lives touched. It was a successful conference and LTM wants to thank CCCI, Jesus Film Division, for inviting us to partner with them in reaching others for Christ and in helping them to return to joy from deep pain. Thank-you South Orlando Baptist for hosting the Magdalena Film and When the Pain is Too Deep; Returning to Joy conference. You made us feel welcomed and enjoyed.

Our thanks to CCCI staff for their willingness to record the conference and produce a DVD to accompany course materials which will be available globally to reach more people for Christ and assist in their healing.

To our readers: We would be grateful for your prayers for this effort. Thank you.

Helping People Return to Joy

Guatemalan people are some of the most joyful people I have come to know and love. In Monjas Jalapa, southwest of Guatemala City, there is a group of people who live in a community called Shadow of His Wings Orphanage.

The Lord has blessed LifeTouch with the opportunity to build relationships with the people from Shadow. We have been invited to return twice per year to provide continuous training in trauma recovery. This will aid those who parent and minister to the girls who live at Shadow. These children are court appointed because of abuse, neglect or abandonment.

This past June, LifeTouch staff and husbands spent a week teaching and ministering to those at the orphanage. It’s humorous to say that

we speak and teach about returning to Joy from deep emotional pain when the Guatemalan’s already “do” joy so well!! I know we all came home with multiplied Joy from being with them! They really LOVE to play!!

Darla and her team taught When the Pain is too Deep; Returning to Joy to 45 orphanage teachers, house parents, staff and members of Nueva Vision church in Monjas. This workshop helps those who are stuck in deep emotional pain and those who assist others who are in pain. Carol Wieland and Bobbie Mohler shared personal testimonies of God’s grace in their lives.

Sandy Hatcher and her team taught 80 girls the same concepts of Joy. However, they expended much more energy! The highlight of Sandy’s teaching wasthe”Dance of Joy” and the large outdoor obstacle course where the girls were “blindfolded” and then coached by “The Shepherd” to reach their destination.

The orphanage grounds keeper, Antonio, with the help of Jeff France, painted one of the two-story duplex’s that houses two of the families.

They even sang a song together while painting! (See Darla’s article The Gospel of Paint.) Gary Mohler was the team photographer and took photos to depict “A Day in the Life of a Girl at Shadow of His Wings Orphanage.” He also helped to update their directory of students and families. Elise Comello came to assist Sandy with teaching the girls and translating. The day before we were to leave, The Lord made it possible for Elise to join our team. She helped with translation along with Maria Cervantes and Norma Jeronimo, our wonderful Guatemalan translators and friends.

The highlight of the week was Thursday’s Praise and Worship time at Nueva Vision Church. Wow! We were carried away with the love of the Lord and for each other. Sandy’s group of children performed their Dance of Joy for the house parents and staff and earned a standing ovation. An 18 year old resident with a history of extensive trauma responded to Sandy during the dance. This interaction between Sandy and the girl was a Joyful surprise for all of us!

The Shadow house parents, teachers and staff also performed the song they learned and the girls, who were in the audience, were overjoyed to see their parents and teachers sing and play.

Testimonies were given about the impact the workshop and team testimonies had made on the participants. Even the young girls gave tearful testimonies of learning about the Joy God intends for His children. The worship ended with spontaneous banner waving and dancing to worship songs!

Shadow of His Wings is dedicated to bringing healing and restoration to the girls in a beautiful “home-like” environment with parents and siblings. LifeTouch Ministries is excited to partner with Shadow in helping these children recover from trauma and return to living in Joy. It is our passion at LifeTouch to Help People Return to Joy.

Bobbie Mohler