The Chile Story

Thanks!!

2010-09-01T14:38:00.002-05:00

Hey family, friends, supporters and blog followers.

We wanted to thank you immensely for supporting us in prayerfully and financially! This mission trip would have not been possible with out you. You have had an eternal impact on Chile because of your willingness and faithfulness to pray and give.

What are our plans now, you ask.

Melody is now in Houston and planning to go back to Chile. She has an extraordinary heart for missions and wants to serve in missions as a career missionary overseas.

I, Veronica, am going to Tennessee to live with my sister until her husband comes back from Afghanistan. After that, we'll see where the Lord will take me.

Again, Thanks! Thanks for being apart of what God is doing in Chile!

The Chile Challenge Begins

2010-04-24T22:31:00.003-05:00

Today, April 25th, at around 11am in California, Lance Abate started his biking trek across the US.

Why is he doing this, you say? He is raising money to build a school in Coquimbo, Chile. Check out his Facebook and his website abateministry.net.

Cinnamon Rolls Bake Sale

2010-03-24T12:10:00.009-05:00

This last Saturday Melody and I, along with some Conexión girl leaders, baked brownies and cinnamon rolls (not typical Chilean food) that the Conexión leaders sold at church the next day.

Leslie and Jael in our kitchen

The purpose of this was to for them to raise a budget for the large group meetings that they will be inviting their classmates to.

This also helped helps them to take ownership for Conexión so they'll be prepared to keep it running when the missionaries aren't around.

Naomi Was Born!

2010-03-09T18:35:00.004-06:00

Missionaries Josh and Mayra became first time parents this morning at 10. Praise the Lord that everything was quick and without complication.

The new father showing of his baby girl

The Renfro Family

Conexion 2010 Student Leaders

2010-03-07T13:59:00.005-06:00

May I present to you the student leaders of Conexion 2010.

Pedro, Melody, Tami, Jorge, Jael, Leslie, Mayra and Josh

In the fall of 09, these students went though a two month leadership training course (LTC). They learned what it means to be Christ Ambassadors and to teach these great truths to reliable men and women who will be able to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).

Keep praying for these flames which will be spread like wild fire.

January and February 2010 Newsletter

2010-02-28T17:54:00.007-06:00

In case you didn't get this last newsletter here it is. If you are not on our email list and would like to be, email us (vzamora.xa@gmail.com) so that we can add you.

Click on the image to view larger

Campamento 2010

2010-02-12T10:14:00.007-06:00

For 4 days we had an awesome time camping and learning with the youth of Iglesia El Puente plus some others from Santiago and the south of Chile.

We had good times playing "guys vs. girls" games and getting to make new friends.

God did amazing things in these youth's hearts and we got to see the yearning that they have for Christ in their lives.

We had the privilege of learning from Marcel o(the pastor of Iglesia El Puente), Josh Renfro, Tamara (from Iglesia El Puente), and Colorado (a pastor from Argentina).

It was a great blessing and encouragement to see these youth get a vision and passion for what God can do in them and do through them.

Keep praying for the youth of Chile.

El Puente Gospel Concierto

2010-01-23T13:40:00.004-06:00

One time, back in December, we were asked to sing in a gospel concert. This concert was made up of many different talented people of our church to help raise money for the youth's up and coming camp.

We only had two weeks to prepare. We had to learn 12 songs, memorize most of the lyrics, know what pitch to sing and to come in at the right time. To say the least it was a challenge, but a lot of fun.

I wish we had a video to post to let you experience a Chilean gospel concert, but we do have a few pictures.

The Choir

The Whole Band

Melody and Veronica, Choir Girls

The Arrival of the Isenhowers

2010-01-18T16:22:00.005-06:00

Melody's parents came to visit for a week and a half. They came bearing gifts. In return we showed them Chile.

Group Picture

We took them to Santiago for 2 days to see the sites and sounds of the bustling city that holds most of the country's population.

In Coquimbo/La Serena they got to experience artisan markets, a farmers market, grocery stores,the Plaza de Armas of both cities, Iglesia El Puente (Melody and my church), the public transportation, the people, and of course the food.

Karen with a Completo, a Chilean hot dog

Karen buying grapes at the Feria, a farmer's maket

Melody's mom, Karen, shared with our church about Moms In Touch International, casting the vision of having every school in Chile covered in prayer. Karen was a real encouragement for the ladies in our church.

Karen sharing and Mayra translating

It was such a blessing and encouragement for us to have them visit. For me, they represent all the support that we have back home.

Christmas Dinner with Conexión

2009-12-28T13:10:00.003-06:00

For Christmas 2009, Conexion small groupers gathered to celebrate and fellowship together.

During the planning process of the event, the Chileans decided that they wanted a "gringo" Christmas dinner with a turkey and all. Melody and I were excited to do such a dinner because making turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, cut out cookies, fudge, and all sorts of goodies reminded us of Christmases back in the States.

We spent the whole day, the day of the dinner, preparing the food. After many cooking mishaps and thinking maybe this dinner wouldn't happen, praise the Lord everything came together right in time!

Our favorite part of the whole dinner was getting to see the students enjoy the "gringo" food that they have never tasted and to build gingerbread houses that are not very common here.

It was awesome to get to spend Christmas with our Chilean family.

The Last Conexión Meeting of the Year

2009-11-24T13:12:00.003-06:00

Here in Chile, in a few short weeks, students will be released from school for the summer! In the southern hemisphere it's almost summer!

This season of Conexión has been the first of it´s kind in La Serena. There have been good times spent in fellowship and learning about God and his people. There is so much more work to be done and so much more to learn.

The last Conexión meeting of year consisted of a show-off of talent. Some sang, some showed how to make cookies, some made animal sounds, some whistled with a piece of grass, and some chugged a whole lot of water in a short amount of time.

Here are some pictures of the event.

Cesario serenading us

Pancho "throwing a beat down"

Pedro and Leslie singing a duet

The audience enjoying the entertainment

Student Conference in Chimbarongo

2009-11-05T14:40:00.008-06:00

These are some pictures from the student conference that we helped Josh and Mayra put on for students of Santiago and Chimbarongo.
The theme of the weekend was having a contagious faith.

Josh about having a contagious faith.

Josh and Mayra praying over students

Mayra's workshop over the effectiveness of youth in missions.

Melody and I colaborating on a workshop on how to have a prayer and devotional life while Mayra translated.

October Thus Far

2009-10-15T12:01:00.010-05:00

Conexión Meeting
The night was themed Noche Mexicana (Contrary to popular belief, Chilean food is nothing like Mexican food; not even close). We ate Mexican rice, beans, and quesadillas. We played Mexican bingo and musical chairs. We also had a "Who Looks the Most Mexican" contest, and a "So You Think You Can Eat Hot Stuff" competition. FYI: We have come to find that Chileans don't necessarily eat spicy food; in fact, most we've met don't even like it.

Then Mayra talked about Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Playing Musical Chairs

Playing Mexican Bingo

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LTC On the Beach
The students had a holiday on Columbus Day, so we went to a beach to have lunch and LTC (Leadership Training Course) together.

The boys and their meat

LTC in progress

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Small Group in Vicuña

Yesterday we went to Vicuña, a small town outside of La Serena, to bring small group to and celebrate the birthday of Marcela who is doing her internship at a hospital there this month.

Halfway-ish Point

2009-09-23T00:10:00.001-05:00

It has been 5 months since we arrived in Chile. How time has flown!

It doesn't seem like it has been 5 months. In some ways it feels shorter and in others longer. Short because there is so much to do and learn, and long because we have done and experienced so much.

Now we only have 6 months left! That's not a lot.

In these next three months there is a lot to be done:

Leadership Training Class (LTC) will be starting up. Eight students will be going through it every Saturday afternoon until December. This training is to give these students the resources to lead small groups.
A youth retreat in Santiago
Conexión (Chi Alpha) meetings
Small groups
S.O.S (Señoritas Obedeciendo al Señor) meetings: meetings for the young girls in the church
More meetings in Santiago

There is probably more that I'm leaving out, but the point is there is so much to do, so little time.

Please pray that our time will be stretched and used wisely in these months to come.

P.S. Team Chile Newsletter is being finished up and will be sent out soon. If you read this blog and are not on our e-mailing list and would like to be, please e-mail us and we will make sure that you are added.

Re-Cap of Dieciocho: Chile's Independence Day

2009-09-22T23:31:00.010-05:00

It was in the year 1810 that Chile fought and won it's independence from Spain.
And now in all of Chile, September 18th is celebrated with asados (grilling parties), traditional games, and La Cueca (the traditional dance of Chile).

At Iglesia El Puente we celebrated with a mix of all three.

We started our grilling.

Then we ate and were stuffed.

Next were a bunch of traditional games played by both old and young alike.

For the finale- La Cueca!

CHI CHI CHI LE LE LE!! VIVA CHILE!

"Once En Camino"

2009-09-06T23:27:00.009-05:00

We had an S.O.S (Señoritas Obedeciendo al Señor) meeting for the young girls at our church this last Friday. The theme: "Once En Camino"/ A Progressive Dinner.
We started at Mayra's house for appetizers, then to Debbie's house for the main dish. For coffee and tea we went to Carolina's house, and to finish things up to Melody's and my house.
The girls got fed physical food as well as spiritual food. The topic for the evening: Independence and Responsibility, centered around the Parable of the Talents.

Melody sharing the message and Mayra translating

The girls listening and answering questions

The girls choosing magazine clippings that represent their talents

The girls gluing their "talents" on their boxes

A group photo

Noche de Gorros Chistoso/Funny Hat Night

2009-08-15T10:50:00.004-05:00

Last night we had our monthly Conexión meeting. It was full of hats, food, fellowship and just some plain ol' fun.
We focused on what friendship is and the cost of it. (John 15: 12:13)

Jael and Francisco

Los Bomberos
Alejandro, Jano, and Carolina

The finalists for the gorros chistoso competition

Felipe, Katy, Areli, and Pedro

Group shot of having "Once"

Piyamada

2009-08-04T12:08:00.003-05:00

Piyamada!!! Sleepover!!!

This last weekend we had a sleepover with the girls of Conexión. It was a great spending time with and learning more about each other.

Like any other sleepover we had food, face masks, and fun!

The girls

Leslie and Jael

Daniela and me (Veronica)

The University Student Conference

2009-07-25T22:52:00.005-05:00

There were around 65 student who came from all over Chile! God moved in their hearts and gave them more of a vision for their campuses.

Thank you so much for your prayer.

Here are some photos from the university student conference.

They who came from the States: Nick, Paul, & Eli

Eli preaching

Students praying for their universities

Having fun

Students that we work with

Melody and I with girls from Santiago

Night #1 of the Congreso

2009-07-18T02:21:00.004-05:00

Our campus pastor Eli G. and friends Paul and Nick arrived from the United States today!! Also we "kicked off" our Congreso!! Around 50 students registered tonight from all over Chile. We spent time worshiping, learning, and having fellowship together.

Eli preaching and Josh translating.

Surprise!

2009-07-14T22:17:00.013-05:00

Reili had a birthday.

She is from Estonia.

She lives in Chile now.

Reili is learning Spanish like Veronica and me.

Everyone likes her long blond hair.

I like her humor.

God loves everything about her.

He wants Reili to know that.

Deja Tu Huella En La Universidad/ Leave Your Mark On Your University

2009-07-14T20:52:00.014-05:00

We're putting on a conference and all Chile's university students are invited!

We are busily working and most importantly fervently praying for the upcoming congreso, or conference, this weekend (July 17th-19th). University students from various parts of Chile are coming to learn about how to make a true difference in their universities by means of prayer and discipleship. They have the potential to change the world for Jesus.

Thank you for praying. We have seen many of them come to fruition already.

Melody

We made a special trip to Santiago's Starbucks to prepare mentally and spiritually for the congreso..... No. ...But we did make a trip to Santiago to promote the congreso and happened to stop in at Starbucks.

Pictures of the congreso to come. Keep praying......

2009-07-11T13:19:00.003-05:00

This is our Chilean house.
Here we have small group, a "Prayer for the Nations" wall, and Spanish study time.

Homemade Strawberry Syrup

2009-07-10T14:19:00.004-05:00

Today Melody and I made pancakes and strawberry syrup...from scratch!! All we started with were the basic ingredients! No pre-made packaged foods, just pure straight from mother earth foods.

Not having a Wal-mart, where you can buy pre-packaged foods to your heart's desire, made me realize how much I depend on convenience. Now that I think about it, I've been missing out on the satisfying and accomplished feeling of non-convenience. Sometimes convenience is good and necessary, but to be cooking and boosting the local economy like the pilgrims is priceless.

Not a picture of the actual thing, but a close representative

Much To Be Done - Much Being Done

2009-05-28T02:04:00.003-05:00

We are so grateful to have the Sam Houston missions team here. They are making a great impact-- like a meteor makes a crater when it falls to the earth. Through them we are making many connections with students who are hungry for truth. We are so busy because the need is so great. The Lord is providing many opportunities because he loves a willing heart. He is using the willingness of the Sam Houston and Chilean student leaders for great victory.

This Week.

2009-05-26T23:42:00.004-05:00

The Sam Houston XA team have arrived and have been working since.

Meet the Sam Houston XA Chile Team 2009

Monday at INACAP (a technical university). Here the team worked with students in english classes and met with students in between their classes.

Today the team went to another university, Universidad Catolica del Norte. In this university students study medicine, law, marine biology and more in this genera. During the day the XA team gave a presentation on college life in the United Stated and met with students getting to know them and to invited them to our night event, International "Cool"inary, were students could taste food from different parts of the world. There were about 80 students who attend this event.

Once- As In Eleven In Spanish

2009-05-20T15:55:00.013-05:00

A couple who speaks English, one is from Chile and the other from Europe, has invited Josh, Mayra, Veronica, and me over for "once" (ohn-say, which is dinner) tonight. They do not yet know the Lord but have come to small group a couple of times and showed up at church last Sunday. It was after the church service that they strongly suggested we all get together to hang out just for fun. They made sure we did not part without making specific plans. Now we may miss the 8 o'clock prayer meeting at church-- but isn't this what we've been praying for? Thank you Lord. Your financial and prayer support is making a difference.

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One Of The Girls Small Groups Meets At Our House

Not enough matching dishes or place mats + not enough forks + barely enough chairs + not enough space = a good problem to have.

"... I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 15:10

Status Update-Missions Night

2009-05-16T23:35:00.003-05:00

We (Josh, Mayra, Veronica, and Melody) were in charge of youth group tonight. Youth is officially from ages 15 to 25, although we've seen ages 12 to 40. It was on our hearts to have a missions night. The youth rotated to different stations to pray for different regions of the world. It was really neat to hear some of them pray with fervor for nations and peoples they didn't even know. It is our prayer that tonight was a chance for God to open eyes to the missions lifestyle.

Prayer for the Western World

Prayer for Africa

Prayer for Latin America

Prayer for Asia

Prayer for Middle East

Status Update- Sam Houston Team Is Coming

2009-05-15T15:59:00.007-05:00

A missions team from Sam Houston Chi Alpha is coming in a week. They will be the catalyst for meeting many university students.

Today we have been preparing for their coming....we started choreographing a dance for the Cafe Concert we will have. Tonight we are meeting with student leaders to pray and plan details.

There is so much to do because so many doors have been opened and connections made. Thank you Lord. Thank you for your prayers. God is listening.

Barbecue here is called "asado." These are some students from the church we have been working with.

Status Update

2009-05-14T15:30:00.003-05:00

we're getting ready for a girls small group tonight...we are having tacos (something Chileans do not usually eat. really. i promise)...the girls want to learn more about the Old Testament....should be 9 of us...a couple do not yet know the Lord....Veronica is leading a song in spanish and english....God is working on hearts....

Status Update

2009-05-13T13:13:00.005-05:00

went for a run this morning....also speed walked in the dry sand where our feet sank down about half a foot with each step....good exercise=good discipline...then we'll be learning more spanish songs for the guitar....then small group tonight with nursing students.

Small Group Pics

2009-05-10T23:15:00.008-05:00

Our first girls small group meeting (April 20th)...it has even grown since then. The 2 girls next to Veronica just came to know the Lord the day before.

Pensive....we can't be serious all the time.

The Lord is Touching Hearts

2009-05-10T22:56:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to let you know I am well. More importantly, God has been
moving among university students here. Several non Christian students
have been touched by the Lord and are coming to church and small
group. We are praying for their hearts.

Veronica and I just moved into a house. We already have a small group
ready to meet there each week. We spend a lot of time with students,
ministering to them and teaching them.

Thank you for your prayers and all your support. I'll update when I can.

Melody

In Chile

2009-05-02T00:47:00.002-05:00

First of all, we are so sorry that we have not made a post since March 28th.

Second, thank you for all your support!!! We appriciate it so so much.

Third, we have made it to Chile!! We arrived April 16th. The travel was adventerous, but without any troubles.

The Lord is doing so much here. Doors are being opened, connections are being made and we are being kept busy.

We have many stories and hope to post some soon.

We're Leaving on a Jet Plane

2009-03-28T00:02:00.004-05:00

We're leaving for Chile April 15th! We wrote you a little song about it:

Less Than $3,500 to Go!

2009-03-08T00:02:00.003-06:00

Thanks to our financial and prayer supporters, we are almost there! Great job Team Chile! Your sacrifices are making a real difference for eternity.

Last Tuesday night, Veronica and I had the pleasure of praying with the Chi Alpha students of Sam Houston State University. They have such a precious heart for missions that they wanted to pray for us. The Lord gave me a confidence that there was power in their prayers. God was hearing them and their prayers counted.

Thank you for fighting for us in prayer. Sometimes that can be the hard part, but it will always be the essential part. "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:22)

We'd Like To Give A Big THANK YOU To Our Supporters

2009-03-02T22:46:00.008-06:00

Praise the Lord! We have received 66% of our budget. With your help we will be on the Chilean university campuses at the beginning of their school year in a month. If you would like to support us financially or prayerfully, we would like to meet personally with you. Email Melody at melodiafe@gmail.com or Veronica at vzamora.xa@gmail.com. We love you!

The Importance of College Ministry

2009-02-26T14:39:00.002-06:00

I came across this post by Curt Harlow one day and he captures the heart and passion that Melody and I have for university students. Please read further.

Francesco or Friedrich? by Curt Harlow

Francesco and Friedrich had a lot in common. Both grew up with supportive families and were afforded excellent educations. Like many others, both went through a time of questioning in their late teens and early twenties. This searching caused a dramatic change in they way they looked at life. It fashioned in them determination that in turn impacted tens of millions of people. In fact, the shock waves of their impact were so intense that they are still keenly felt to this day.

At age 21, Francesco, or St. Francis we know him, rejected the luxury offered by his wealthy father. Instead, he literally stripped away material seductions and embraced an existence of prayer and simple living.

His epic devotional life sent a jolt of conviction through the corrupt power structures of Christendom. His ministry to lepers, discipleship of young leaders, and love for nature inspired multitudes to abandon material pursuits. His heart to reach Sultan Melek-el-Kamel are still so relevant 780 years later, they read like a headline from today. His famous quote "Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words" so adeptly describes Christ-like outreach that it has been cited by nearly every preacher, pastor, and small group leader who ever cared about genuine ministry.

Friedrich Nietzsche also stood to inherit his father's position. His skill in languages made him a natural candidate for the ministry and so as a teen he began his studies to be a pastor.

At the age of 21, Nietzsche also stripped off what he felt was a horrible encumbrance. Against his mother's pleas, he dropped his theological studies and embarked on a career in philology and then philosophy. A hatred for the religious traditions of his childhood and the ideas of key intellectuals merged in his brilliant mind. He ended his college experiences not as a pastor but as a skilled and ruthless enemy of Christianity.

This pastor's son has inspired more serious denigration of the faith than any other thinker in history. He is a founder of existentialism and postmodernism, and an icon to atheist groups everywhere. His concept of the self-realizing superman is said to have influenced Hitler. His quote "God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him" has energized anti-supernatural apologists in almost every philosophy department on the globe.

The stories of Francesco and Friedrich are not unique. The fact that college-age people are at the root of almost every history-shaking moment can be seen over and over again. Charles Wesley was a 20-year-old student when his fate as a Methodists founder was sealed. Charles Darwin was 22 when set foot on the Beagle. Hudson Taylor was 21 when he sailed for China. The father of all anti-supernatural philosophers, David Hume, embraced his worldview at the age of 18. At 17, Spurgeon was a seminary student and pastoring near Cambridge. Stalin also attended seminary at 17. By 21 he dropped out to dedicate his life to the socialist movement he discovered there.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the majority of great world leaders found their mission during this season of life. The inescapable conclusion is that the next great leader is sitting in any one of a million coffee shops near a campus contemplating their future right now.

In this era of globalization, no one can say if the next leader will be male, female, rich, poor, fair or dark. We know that he is around 20, brilliant, and impressionable. She lives near Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, Johannesburg, or any one of the urban areas that attract crowds of post-Christian twenty-somethings. Unlike younger teens, he has gained the social and intellectual maturity to follow through on his idealism. Even so, she does not yet know that the ideas she is blogging about will soon influence the globe.

Will he be Francesco or Friedrich? Will She send shock waves of spirituality through a sleeping church and world or will he use his political and philosophical skills to convince a generation that God is dead? We do not know, but make no mistake - he or she is out there. The only question is, who will reach her first?

You're Invited: Rescheduled To February 28th. Check Out the Video.

2009-02-19T16:19:00.005-06:00

When: Saturday February 28st, 2009. 12pm.
Where: The Isenhowers
17314 Laguna Trail Dr.
Houston, TX 77095
Got a question? Email us at melodiafe@gmail.com

February Update

2009-02-10T11:41:00.001-06:00

We're at 55%! Thank you for all your prayers and financial giving!

Melody and I are spending the rest of February meeting with people in the Houston area. We are hoping to leave in March.

Pray that God will give Melody and I wisdom and guidance in support raising and when to leave for Chile.

Team Chile

2009-02-10T11:22:00.002-06:00

We are Melody and Veronica, and are post college graduates who have dedicated to give at least a year of our lifes to furthering God's Kingdom in La Serena/Coquimbo, Chile.

We will be working with missionaries to help establish a discipleship based college ministry. College ministry is close to both our hearts. We both have been forever changed through relationships establish in Christ that were opened by Chi Alpha, a college ministry. Our vision is to teach others so that they can also teach (2 Timothy 2:2).

Right now, we are working on raising the funds that we need to get to Chile.

If you would like to know more, please contact us.