Just a quick update....

We are so blessed to be serving an ALMIGHTY God here in Guatemala!!! So blessed to love on children every day and to search for solutions, creative solutions to the challenges that life presents....

July passed by us so quickly....It seems it was only 24 hours long! We were so blessed to have AWESOME teams here during JULY, working, blessing and sharing JESUS in every action....each hug, each encouraging word, each prayer lifted!

Stefan and I continue to adapt to our new home.....We are definately past the "honeymoon" and into reality! Stefan has missed his family in such a profound way in these days! He's had the flu twice and now has an upper respitory thing going on but each day we determine together to put one foot in front of the other knowing that God has brought us this far....

Stefan spends the morning playing with the toddlers....it's so fun to watch him love on them....pushing them on the swings, huging them.....wiping their tears....being a true friend....BEAUTIFUL! We are studying Individuality this month...."Discovering who you are meant to be so YOU can make a difference." Each day brings new opportunity to put our daily devos to work.....(Thanks PAULANN for the tools to keep developing Character in my little one!)

I have been working on projects....LOOKING forward to completing some this week. Newsletters, July thank you letters, weekly occupancy reports (God truly has a since of humor! I ran from this exact project in Texas....THANKS ASU for the skills to do this!) and all kinds of other little projects.....Definately keep busy 10 hours a day!

Prayer requests:

1. PROTECTION: Please pray for our protection as we leave the safe walls of CB and drive in and out of the city.
2. WISDOM: The Bible says that he who asks for it will receive it....WE NEED IT and WE ARE ASKING! Each day brings so many challenges and we need wisdom....
3. DISCERNMENT: Please pray that we will respond well to each situation and that we will be able to discern what lies in the hearts of each of our precious children and therefore guide them through this life more effectively.
4. PRODUCTIVITY: I have so many projects started on my desk. Please pray that I can complete these projects WELL and be able to more to the next step.

THANK YOU! We are so blessed to be here....continuing the FIGHT - Tonilynn and Stefan

FINALLY a blog entry...

Our time here is flying by! Each day bringing new challenges, adventures and opportunities to share Christ with those we serve.

Since arriving in Guatemala Stefan and I have moved into our new home, Stefan's been busy re-learning Spanish as have I (!), and we've been exploring our new responsibilities and of course enjoying Casa Beranbe!

This is a pic of our little kitchen area in our room. While our new home is small - - it's PERFECT for us! We feel so blessed to have everything we need! A place to sleep, eat....a wonderful escape! Through the PaulAnn team that came down last week we received much needed lamps and more curtains to cover our large windows.....THANKS PAULANN!!!!! (Bill and Celeste!)

Stefan's Adventures....

Our first week here, Casa Bernabe was so good to give us time to get settled and get re-aquainted. We got here just in time to go with ALL the kids to a local water park - about an hour away! CRAZY times!!! You've never been to a water park until you've been with 170 kiddos! Then we visited Escalas....it's a small commercial area that has a zip-line, petting zoo, slides, tree houses, etc. It was SOOO much fun!

Stefan, his buddy Mario and I went on the Zip-line....such a physical experience that mirrored the steps of FAITH we've just taken as a family! Stefan and I were both so nervous....as I stepped off into nothing, I could feel the strong ropes, holding me up.....As Stefan stepped off he felt the same, nervous....very nervous but as we both arrived at the first platform we agreed that it was WAY fun and we'd continue to the end of the course.

As we've stepped off the edge so to speak we both agree that we were nervous about this move but we've felt the strong arm of our wonderful LORD sustaining us the whole way!

Some updates about our areas of ministry!

I now serve in the Social work office at Casa Bernabe. I'm getting to know the office, office procedures and vocabulary! Last week I sent out my first Donor appreication letter for the ministry and I'll be serving alongside Verbo's 20-30 group as we work together on a quarterly newsletter~ Should be exciting!

I'm getting to know house-parents as well as children. My goal is to know each child by name in the next month.....

Our precious little Juanito who is 4 had two heart operations this week. Please continue to pray for his healing and restoration! It was so fun chatting with him! He's such a cute little guy.... We are so grateful for the surgeons who came to Guatemala.....the donors who have provided for the surgeries and most of all for GOD's faithfulness.....

Prayer Requests:

1. Continued adaptation....for Stefan and I.

2. For a vehicle just for Social Work....

3. For more vehicles for Casa Bernabe as we are down to 1 van and 1 truck.....

4. For continued wisdom and discernment as our family serves the children/staff of Casa Bernabe.

THANK YOU for praying for us, supporting us and journeying with us!

Hearts of service....

Each week the women who serve the children of Casa Bernabe take a moment to share in worship, prayer and the breaking of God's word. As I sat in the corner watching these precious women, I was astounded and amazed by their strength, their hearts of service and their love for oneanother. As a part of this weeks moment together we had the opportunity to wash eachother's feet. As we washed we prayed over eachother, wept over eachother and we left that place changed. Refreshed, renewed and recharged to serve the children with passion, with hope and with energy!

We have several amazing teams here right now....and they too have been so amazing! Our family enjoyed a moment of worship last night with one of the teams and I was greatly impacted by the lyrics of one of the songs that they sang...Take me in...I am going to write the lyrics below and pray that as they challenged my heart that they will both encourage you in your times of personal worship and challege you as you serve those in your community.

Take me past the outer courts
and through the Holy Place
Past the brazen alar
Lord I wanna see your face
Pass me by the crowds of people
And the Priests who sing their praise
I hunger and thirst for your righteousness
But it's only found in one place

take me into the Holy of Holies
Take me in by the blood of the Lamb
Take me into the Holy of Holies
Take the coal, cleanse my lips, here I am. (Kutless - StrongTower)

When our children look to us may they see imperfect servants of a Holy God in constanst pursuit of purity, holiness and more of Him! More of His presence!!!

Please continue praying for us! We are glad to be here!!!

True Prosperity by James Robison

"Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather, it is telling the difference between right and almost right" Charles H. Spurgeon

During my time at ASU books would randomly appear on my desk...usually GREAT books....

Just before my departure...a new set of books appeared and among them was the book True Prosperity by James Robison. As I watched Stefan swim yesterday I picked it up and began to read...I was not ready for what the pages of this book contained!

Over the past several months as we've prepared to leave for Guatemala I have struggled through what it means to "give up what I cannot keep to gain what I cannot lose." Let me explain....
For the past four years I have made a home for my family....which of course is not limited to material things but of course includes them. I wanted our home to be comforting, safe and a refuge really from the business of life. And as I began preparing our family to move to Guatemala I struggled to give up sentimental things - - - like picture frames, special projects that Stefan made and even some items of furniture. I wondered if I was sinning by not wanting to get rid of "stuff" and rationalized that I had had a HUGE garage sale and several free bazars at my home giving things to friends and students. Still on the night before we were to leave there was so much "stuff" left. Had I been disobedient?

As I walked to the dumpster for the millionth time, I felt the Lord whisper to my heart:
"Toni do you not think that ALL of me is better than all this stuff?"

The Apostle Paul addresses this very issue in II Corinthians 7:8-9
"See that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."

My answer: Yes....YES Lord I know that ALL of you is better...only help me to obey.

As I read through True Prosperity God is confirming the battle/struggle that is raging inside me and I am beginning to see that even through I feel it's important to craft a home for my son....to make a place for him to feel secure, comfortable and safe from this world, it is even more important to seize opportunities to invest in Stefan's little heart....because while the picture frames will not accompany us on our journey into eternity - - Stefan's little heart/soul will.

I am humbled today! And grateful for the Father's patience as He teaches me the way that I should walk!

(If you have a chance....pick up True Prosperity by James Robison! The Lord has really used it in my life!)

Two weeks from tomorrow - - June 22, 2009

It seems impossible that time has moved this fast....just two weeks until we leave for Casa Bernabe! Six months has passed so quickly....but they've left us so impacted! God has done such wonderful things and we (I) am just so humbled!

Last week we finished up our season at Angelo State University....it was tough letting go, stepping to the side and accepting the end! That may sound a bit weird but I think it's just part of the journey toward surrender. We cleaned out our apartment, said our good byes, packed the car and headed for Oklahoma last Sunday! We arrived to a surprise Birthday celebration at my parents house for Estefan....he turned 8 on May 21st! (that also seems so crazy!!!!) Stefan LOVES popcorn and so his grammy and aunties make him a popcorn cake - - - it was the coolest thing! They carved popcorn kernals out of yellow and white marshmellows and glued them on cupcakes using frosting - AMAZING!
Stefan was stunned! Then his aunties blessed him with new clothes for Guatemala and a new portable dvd player - SUCH A BLESSING! He will be able to watch his school videos on this since we don't have a TV. God has just so provided for us each step of the way and as I look back I am just overwhelmed by the details, the care and the ways that He's provided!

As I was packing up our house I found an old "To Do List" on my desk. On it I had written...three supporting churches???? I am amazed....stunned...to share that God has provided six!!!!
PaulAnn Baptist Church
First Baptist Church, Supulpa
Iglesia Vision de Fe
Snow Hill Baptist Church
Houston's First Baptist Church
Primera Iglesia Bautista el Calvario

These churches have committed to pray for us, to encourage us and to support us financially! It's been so amazing to watch this all come together! We are so excited about speaking in 3 services on Sunday @ Supulpa and would be so blessed to see some of you there!

Beyond these churches we have received or have committments financially for our entire budget!!!! This is a HUGE praise and we are so grateful for all those who have committed to give, have already given and who will give so that our family can focus on ministry at Casa Bernabe. This is an amazing gift! To not have to worry about finances is HUGE! THANK YOU!!!

We are working this week on getting things tied up - - - so many details...

Meanwhile we have some HUGE prayer requests for the ministry itself....

1. Pedro Hernandez - Pedro has been ill for a while now and recently has spent a great deal of time in the hospital. His liver is diseased and he has a very tough infection raging through his body. Please pray for his health - For God to touch Pedro's body in a way that only the Great Physician can. Please pray for his wife - Donie- that God would strengthen her during this time and that she would feel God's sweet peace overwhelm her. Please pray for their children -
2. Flory Herrera - For strength and wisdom as she makes decisions daily for all the kiddos at CB.
3. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the ministry and we are so excited about opportunities to give God glory and celebrate all that He has done in the ministry throughout these years. Please pray that God will continue to use us and empty us for His namesake in Guatemala.

Okay...this has been a long update....THANK YOU again for your support, love and for your prayers as we journey on!

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.....Tonight as I sit, beginning this blog and I wonder what exactly it is that the Lord would have me to post here. And these words come to mind...We are the Steere Family. We currently live in San Angelo, Texas and are excitedly looking to the future feeling God leading our family to relocate to Guatemala City, Guatemala.Over 10 years ago God introduced me to Guatemala through some dear friends, Bill and Barb Lowe. I remember it so clearly. I had never seen such passion or brokeness. Bill and Barb shared hundreds of photos and they shared a passion for relationship building in missions. As I left their home I remember feeling different, taking with me a bit of their brokeness...a renewed passion for the Kingdom of God.When I left their home that August I had no idea that God was preparing my heart for a December trip to Guatemala. I had no idea the mountains He would move to make the trip possible nor the mountains that would be moved over the next ten years in the lives of dozens of children.In January 2000 God took me to Guatemala for the first time. It was amazing to say the least. I felt so inadequate....there were language barriers, cultural barriers....and there was laughter, there were tears and there were relationships built. Relationships that continue to grow and bear fruit."You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written no with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." (II Cor. 3:2)For years God sent beautiful people to minister and speak into my life...the Allens, the Lowes, the Littletons, the Richey's. Their words of life took root in my heart and as I went to Guatemala I felt as though I'd been created to serve there, prepared to serve there and it was now my turn to pour into others...And so the relationship with Casa Bernabe, a small orphanage in Guatemala began.I returned home to complete a bachelor's at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. During that year the Lord invited me to serve on another short term trip to Casa Bernabe and it was during that time that He confirmed His desires for me to join Him there for two years after graduation. It was also then that God invited our family, my parents to adopt my beautiful sister Michelle and that God invited me to lead another team from SBU down on another short-term trip. It was a busy year.....A busy year that led to two more busy years. In March of 2001 I joined the staff at Casa Beranbe as a full-time missionary. I served that first year as a pre-kinder/kindergarten teacher in the Christian school at the orphanage as well as working and living as a helper in Casa Samuel.Casa Samuel was the home that served the "littlest." We had up to 32 little ones at a time....there was truly never a dull moment!On June 18, 2001 life took a turn. At that time we did not have babies at our location. The youngest children we served were three years old. But that day everything changed. A social worker arrived late in the evening with a little bundle of blue. A 4.0lb baby boy nestled inside....we were asked to please take him. So we did and somehow that precious little one ended up in my arms. Life changed in a moment....There is so much to his story....so much that God did....During those two years God imparted the gift of speaking Spanish, He allowed for walls to be broken down in the lives of our children and for the seed of the Gospel to be planted.My desperate cry as I began the journey at Casa Bernabe and as I continue the journey is that God will allow for us to embody the Gospel and that we will be able to communicate in word and deed a Hope that does not disappoint. A hope that we can only find in Jesus.In addition to God blessing the ministry and our lives at CB God also began to move in the area of adpotions.He moved mountains, uprooted mulberry trees and softened the hearts of men allowing for me to become Estefan Antonio's (the little bundle of blue that I mentioned earlier) forever mama. Our adoption was final on December 31, 2004. We have so enjoyed the past four years....growing as a family, experiencing "firsts" and growing in the Lord.Stefan is now 7 years old. It's been fun to be a part of ministry together, to watch his little heart grow for the nations....specifically Guatemala. It's been humbling to watch his faith lived out in action.Our relationship with Casa Bernabe has continued to grow through the years and for us they've become our family, Guatemala our home.So as the Lord invites we faithfully accept His invitations to join Him there, serving the children of Guatemala through the ministry of Casa Bernabe.Our hope for this blog is that you will join us on our journey. That you will partner with us in prayer over the lives of these children, over the lives of the ministry that God empowers and entrusts the lives of these children to and that you will pray for us as we step out of our comfort zone and into all that He has in store.