Operating in one’s giftedness-Alfredo preaching & Lisa teaching

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I watched Alfredo move to the pulpit and delighted in his gift of preaching. He speaks with such authority, passion, and clarity. It was a double blessing that he was able to use his gifts in one of my home churches—Memorial Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  I loved how others affirmed those gifts in him as well.In this pictures, Alfredo leading the team of Latin Americans to bless the congregation and the pastors of Memorial Park Church

 

Alfredo and Carlos Baca giving the call to worship. 

Alfredo did a superb job translating both the words and spirit of Dr. Jim Plueddemann's teaching.

Memorial Park Church morning service led by our team of Latin Americans

I was invited to preach for the first time ever in all four services.

I prefer teaching but appreciated the privilege of speaking to over 1000 church members.

Podcast of Lisa and Alfredo's sermon at Memorial Park Church

This is the link to hear our sermon on July 14, 2013 at Memorial Park Church

http://www.mpcpodcastnetwork.org/mp3/Word/Word382.mp3

“Your father was my surrogate father.”

Those were the words a complete stranger spoke to me after the church service at Memorial Park Church. She smiled as she saw the surprise on my face and proceeded to explain: “George Anderson. That man was like a surrogate father to me. He was my ‘pretend’ father during Glenshaw Players theatre production of South Pacific.” I listened with interest: “My father died when I was nine years old so when I played the role of his Polynesian daughter in the play his kindness and the role he played made a huge impression on me just when I needed it. I have always wanted to thank him, but now I get to thank you.”  

Where, but in Pittsburgh, could I discover precious gems like that memory? Thank you Lord for how modern missionary life allows me to return yearly to my home base!

Alfredo giving the benediction at Memorial Park Evangelical Pres. Saturday night service

At that same time, Alfredo had moved to the back of the sanctuary to greet people at the end of the service at Memorial Park Church. A woman came up to him and said: “Your mother-in-law, Bobbie Anderson, helped me become a Christian when she taught my Sunday School class—I was 4 years old! And I have been attending this church ever since, and have remained faithful to the Lord.”

I didn’t even know my mother taught a 4-year-old Sunday School class!

Once again my heart was filled to overflowing with news of how God used the “good works” of my parents to make long-lasting impressions on people.

Here is an audio link to listen to my father, George Anderson, singing Some enchanted evening  from the play, "South Pacific."

George C. Anderson singing "Some Enchanted Evening" in South Pacific 1973

After the Sunday School class' overnight at our house, we hold a guided conversation with their parents

Following each Over-night Camp-out we hold a guided conversation with the parents. This is the best way to get almost 100% of the parents to stay after church and find out what their children learned at camp and at the same time meet the other parents with children the same age.

Alfredo and I create a dialogue on a pertinent subject that we observe needs to be discussed with the parents.

Gerardo Cervantes and his wife listen to his daughter share about what she learned at our Sunday School Class overnight.

The Chinrios family, Eduardo, AnaRuth, Ana, and Anabel mutually share letters they have written for each other. 

Ramon, Cesar and Grace listen to their son "teach them" what he learned about God's meta-narrative from the scroll he was taught from during camp.

"Lisa," I was asked, "why did you stay in missions for 30 years?"

In the end and in the beginning, I believe it has been God's purpose for me and so He has given me the drive to stick to this one thing and persevere.
I wanted to make a difference for Christ.

I wanted to make a mark in Christian camping.

I love what I do and can’t see myself doing anything else.

I love those with whom I work.

At a pivotal stage, soon after my mother passed away, a mentor of mine, Sibyl Towner, shared how she had stayed the post at her role in Family Ministries for 25 years at College Hill Pres. in Cincinnati and eventually saw how the church ministry joined with the camp ministry and left enduring change for Christ’s Kingdom. That comment inspired me.
God gave me a firm launching pad with my parent's faith, solid church backing and excellent pastoral support over the years. My youth pastor, Jay Passavant wrote a blog post about the role of perseverance (see link- Blog by Pastor Jay Passavant on me)

As a child, I saw how my father admired Naomi Sutter’s sticking with her mission work on the Papago Indian Reservation and her example inspired me. 

Pastor Jay Passavant and I (at 16 years of age) serving Naomi Sutter on the Papago Indian Reservation.

Perspectives of Bob Sabean (one of the founders of CCI Latin America) & Robert Bruneau (Executive Director of CCI/LA)

Bob Sabean: 
Fellow missionary with Latin America Mission and co-Senior Professor on the team
(missionary in Costa Rica for 48 years)
"As I sit here and look at our team of professors, I realize that I dreamt of having this caliber of leaders back in 1992 after our first Institute for Forming Instructors. How naïve was I back then to think we’d get quality like this after just one training event! But, the vision was right on, my timing was not! Ha, ha, ha. God knew the proper time of germination and maturation."

Our multiculturalism is God's gift to the team and to those we will serve

Bob explains to the team a bit of American history

Robert Bruneau:

Fellow missionary with Latin America Mission and executive director of CCI/LA: When Lisa presented the plan for the Leadership Summit in 2010, I asked: Why Pittsburgh? Now I see two things. First: We needed to leave our countries to see Latin America, our home, as a whole, as a mission field.





Second: I realized after spending an afternoon at the Heinz Museum that Pittsburgh is a city of innovation and is multicultural! That’s exactly the spirit we want to foster amongst our team of professors: innovation and appreciation for the richness of our multiculturalism.

Lisa explaining the unique aspects of Pittsburgh.

Robert Bruneau:

We gathered around our guest teacher, Jim Plueddemann, to lay hands on him, pray, thank him for his dedication to us this week, and Robert said:

Of all the thousands of students Jim has had, God sent one in particular to Latin America to work for CCI/LA. Twenty years later, fifteen students return to the USA to continue to learn and now will return to Latin America to continue the pilgrim journey, this silent revolution in Christian Education, inviting others to join them to seek God’s glory in all they do.

Amen Robert, so be it, amen and amen.

Lisa Anderson-Umaña earned her MA in education at Wheaton College with Dr Jim Plueddemann. His Christian philosophy of education undergirds all our texts in CCI Latin America. It was a privilege to have Dr. Plueddemann (now with Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where Lisa is presently a doctoral candidate) teach us for an entire week. 

Host families, a vital part of short-term missions experiences

Over the summer, a dozen families from the alliance of Pittsburgh churches volunteered to serve as host families of the members of the Latin American team of CCI professors. Here are the responses of some of the Latin Americans and a Pittsburgh host family.

Rixy points to where she recently served as a short-term missionary (9 months)
in Niger, Africa.

Rixy Leiva, El Salvador (recent short-term missionary to Niger)

In one month’s time, I have gone from abject poverty in Niger to the lap of luxury in Pittsburgh with these gracious host families.  I am enjoying both since they proceed from the hand of God.

Rixy at her going away party in Niger just prior to her arrival to Pittsburgh.

Rixy in the "lap of luxury"

Manuel and  Duglas were hosted by Mac and Susie McCabe

Victor Hugo, Gloria and Evelyn were hosted by Shirley & Jim Crawford

Gloria Martinez, Mexico "We are here in Pittsburgh with the folks who have opened their hands to give generously and have bent their knees to pray for us. This gives me a more complete perspective of God’s Kingdom work."

The sweet memories that Norma Lampersk had of her time with the Latin Americans: 

Things that took me by surprise: I was amazed at the fact that despite my lack of Spanish, we were able to communicate quite well with a dictionary, and hand gestures/ "acting out".

Moments we knew we were being used by God to help: 

Just the witness of the pure love and laughter which we shared during meals, quiet times, times of travel. 

The tears in my eyes when I said that final good-bye. :(.

The feeling of "no stress", hey this is fun!!!

The joy of seeing them watch a Latin movie on TV that we had rented.

it was a wonderful experience. Thank-you Henri Doren for the part YOU played in organizing everything.

What are we going to do when you die?

Victor Hugo Martinez, former Chairman of CCI/LA's International Board of Directors

Testimony from Victor Hugo Martinez, Monterrey, Mexico:

“I looked around the room as our team of professors assembled and a memory came to mind: It was Fall of 2008 and we were in CCI/LA’s International Board of Directors meeting. Lisa had just given us her annual report as director of leadership development and in private I asked her: What are we going to do when you die? Somewhat surprised by my question, I challenged her to build up a second string for when she and Bob Sabean were no longer around. In Feb. of 2009 she invited my wife, Gloria, and a number of other key CCI/LA leaders to serve on the fledging team of professors-to-be for an Institute for Forming Instructors. I never imagined, four years later, I would be invited to form part of that team of professors as well.”

Bob Sabean, missionary with Christian Camping International for the last 48 years!