1st indoor skatepark for Guatemala coming soon!


Indoor skatepark scheduled for June...only missing $10,000

We have partnered with 3 other christian organizations in order to assist us in building the first even indoor skate park and rec center for the youth in Guatemala. Christian Skaters, Ride Nature and JSAW have agreed to travel to Guatemala from June 6-13. We have the building, we have the manpower, we have the skill and knowledge...the only thing we are missing is money. We are currently asking our friends, family, churches and business owners to consider purchasing a ramp to help us raise the $10,000. Every ramp that is purchased will have a plaque or sign indicating who or what business helped change the lives of the Guatemalan youth. I am asking all of our friends to prayerfully consider purchasing a ramp. The reality is this: the group is coming in June and we need money to purchase the wood.
3 extra children in our house.

The above pictures show the 3 girls from the orphanage we had in our home last month. We were able to give them a family atmosphere for the weekend. Even though it was only for a weekend they loved it. As a family we enjoyed popcorn, skateboarding, inline skating, church and of course the circus. It was great to see the smiles on their faces when the clowns did their comedy act. It was equally satisfying to see the look of awe when the lions came out. We have committed to bring home 3 different children from the orphanage each month. Please consider donating to us in order for us to show the love of God to these children. Your donation will help us buy much needed supplies like: toothpaste, diapers, clothes and school supplies.



The ViragsMissionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com
Mail Canadian donations to:
WIA 151-10090 152nd St, Suite 314,
Surrey, BC
V3R 8X8
write VIRAG on separate paper tax receipt provided
or use PAypal at www.thevirags.com

Make US donations to:
Shining in Florida Inc.
PO Box 120966
Clermont, FL 34712
tax receipts provided or through PAYPAL at www.thevirags.com

Dream Big

"God will take us places we haven’t had the nerve to even dream of." I love that quote. My spirit leaps inside of me as I read it. I long to live it out daily and do the things that my God has created me to do. I am driven to make a difference in this world and to have an impact. It is as essential for me as breathing is. I am not looking to do great things in man's eyes, but to do the very things God has planned for me to do. I do not need big numbers or audiences. I do not need to compete with another man's destiny. I am happy to be the part of the puzzle, the part of the body that God has created me to be, fitting along side my fellow brothers and sisters, cheering each other one.

I don't do what I do because I am better than anyone else. I do what I do in spite of my failures, shortcomings, past hurts, sins, or lack of ability. I am learning to be content in my weaknesses knowing that it is God who is strong while I am still growing, changing, and abiding in Him. He qualifies me and equips me. Without Him I am nothing, with Him all things are possible. I love being the foolish thing that He can use. I am going to dream big because I know the great and mighty God I serve. It won't be big enough and He will shock me with the places He will take me and the things He will do in and through me. I encourage you to dream big and go to those places He has for you. You will not be disappointed.

The Virags
Missionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com
Mail Canadian donations to:
WIA
151-10090 152nd St,
Suite 314,Surrey, BC
V3R 8X8
write VIRAG on separate paper tax receipt provided
or use PAypal at www.thevirags.com

Mail US donations to:
Shining in Florida Inc.
PO Box 120966
Clermont, FL 34712
tax receipts provided
or through PAYPAL at www.thevirags.com

Miraculous Healing Brings About Salvation

I was eager to get home from Saturday Skate Bible Study today to share this miraculous story with all of you who helped during the Bike and Skate Fest 2011 back on March 26th through prayer, financial support, volunteer work and/or planning. This is the fruit of our labour that will leave you in awe of the miracle working God we serve.

"This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." Hebrews 2:3b-4

A youth at the Bike and Skate Fest 2011 heard the gospel and Alex Vestal's testimony and wanted to answer the call for salvation, but was not sure of the existence of God. Instead he prayed and asked God to show Himself real by healing his brother of a stomach tumor. Two days later, just before the scheduled surgery the doctor was astounded to find that the tumor was gone and the surgery not necessary. The doctor had no explanation. Jonathan then knew God was real and told his atheist family that God had healed his brother. They denied it and credited it to the uncomprehending issues of life.

Jonathan came to Skate Bible Study today and bought a Reliance skateboard with Jesus on it. He shared with us what God did for his brother. He is desperate to make his family and friends see the truth and begged us to take him to church so he could get saved. He is eager to learn about God and yet has never even held a Bible. Paloma and Stephanie translated for us and Addison led him in the sinners prayer right there in the dirt next to where we skate. Jonathan was stunned that such a thing could be done outside of an organized service. He wept the entire time we prayed over him.

The Sozo Skate team, which consists of our family, Paloma Rivera, and Stephanie Gonzalez, shared the truth with Jonathan for hours today and watched as God opened his understanding and he comprehended the scriptures. He was stunned and overwhelmed with joy to learn all of the things we taught him. He pulled truth out of us. It was the sweetest salvation experience I have ever witnessed. With complete abandonment and child like faith Jonathan received from His Saviour.

He hadn't known that Jesus died for him or for the whole world. He exclaimed, "Jesus died for me? What?" He was ashamed of his sin and then marveled, "All of my sins from 16 years are all gone? What? I am clean?" A friend commented on his Reliance board and Jonathan immediately said,"That's Jesus. He's in my life now." God put it on someone's heart to buy the board for Jonathan before he was able to pay. Jonathan was told it was a gift from God. He wondered at how much God could do for him, "He saved me and he is giving me a board? Wow!" He realized today that he would have gone to hell without accepting the free gift of salvation. He is in awe that he will spend eternity in heaven with a new body after he leaves this earth. He asked if it was like Dragon Ball Z. lol Addison knew that answer. He now knows he is God's son, the friend and bride of Christ, and that the Holy Spirit is leading and comforting him.

He shared that he had never known happiness until today. He had money and yet it did not satisfy. He had friends and yet he had still felt lonely. He use to cut himself and showed us the scars. Now he knows he will never be left or forsaken and that God's love for him will never change no matter how he behaves. He thanked us for coming to Guatemala because if we hadn't he says he would have never known Jesus. He didn't know whether to scream, laugh or cry. We told him that all are appropriate. Today is the beginning of a new life for him and we want to thank all of you for being a part of this miracle of salvation. Tomorrow Jonathan will be loving children at a local orphanage with us through skate and face painting. Next Sunday he will be going to church with us. Within two weeks we will open up our home and our discipleship classes will start so we can help teens grow in the knowledge of God's Word.

On March 26th, God heard the cry of a hurting and seeking teen and showed Himself real to him by healing his brother. Before we ever knew Jonathan, God called us to go to Guatemala anticipating Jonathan's cry and has called many to come along side of us to help in various ways. We just want to say thank you for answering yes to that call. We could not do what we are doing without you and your prayers, support and work. Thank you for the sacrifices you are making to fulfill the great commission to go out into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. There is honestly no greater joy than this.

Remember the Jonathan s that may be surrounding you while you go about your regular day right where God has placed you. You have a truth to share that may change a person's life for eternity.

YEAH!!!! Praise God!!!

Chantelle and Family

The Virags
Missionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com

Mail Canadian donations to:
WIA 151-10090 152nd St,
Suite 314,Surrey, BC
V3R 8X8
write VIRAG on separate paper tax receipt provided
or use PAypal at www.thevirags.com

Mail US donations to:
Shining in Florida Inc.
PO Box 120966
Clermont, FL 34712
tax receipts provided
or through PAYPAL at www.thevirags.com

The Virag's “SoZo Skate Fest”

Over 6000 people heard the message and there were 240 salvations!
As a result of our first “Bike and Skate Fest” we did 6 shows at local schools and at a skate park in Guatemala city. We were on T.V., in newspapers, and on all the radio stations! 1000’s of people attended the Bike and Skate Fest and heard the gospel.

The message was simple, Jesus loves you and he wants a personal relationship with you. We had a group of 18 from Ezekiel Ministries and Barachel Bike and Skate from Florida bring their youth group which included pro and amateur skateboarders and BMXers to help us spread the gospel. Skater Alex Vestal graciously joined us last minute from Missouri. We performed demos at the schools on Thursday and Friday and invited everyone to come to our event on Saturday. It’s easy to get the attention of youth when you are performing 360’s, 20 feet in the air, or jumping over 4 of their teachers or friends. We need to be relevant. We need to show these kids that we can use our talents for God and we don’t have to be perfect to do it. People shared testimonies who came out of drugs, alcohol, suicidal backgrounds, regular Christian. One young man had cried out to God, before hanging himself, to save him and the knot in the rope undid. That man skates professionally for Jesus today. He travels the world telling people about Jesus and we were blessed to have him with us. Together we spent countless hours and a lot of money on this event and it was all worth it when we saw 240 youth give their life to Jesus! Thank you for your support, you too made a difference for eternity.

Real testimony of how Jesus changed a skater’s life!
A young man we do ministry with just privately shared with us that he was on the streets when he was 5 years old. He started doing drugs and joined a gang when he was 12. He was involved in drug and gun trafficking, and multiple murders. When the gangs came to kill him a skateboard saved his life as he rode away as fast as he could. While hiding out for 1 1/2 years and being heartbroken by what this world has to offer he found Jesus. He skateboarded when he was young because of the attention, but now he skates for Jesus. He is such a godly example to many. Today we are proud to have this young man skating for SoZo Skate and a part of our home life. He will travel with us sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen and when the pain lessons he will share his testimony and offer hope to many. Please pray for protection and complete healing for this young man. Some of the most difficult things we have to overcome as Christians aren’t the horrible things done to us, but the horrible things we have done to others. Jesus has paid for all of our sins. Thank You gracious and merciful God for the gift of forgiveness.

We need your financial support and prayers in order to be in Guatemala and see God use us as His hands, feet, and mouth. We need monthly partners to get behind us so we can make a difference together. God calls us to be interdependant in all that we do, bringing glory to His name.

Financial needs: $500 to cover the rest of the plane ticket to get a pro skater here last minute for the Sozo Skate Fest after the one that was scheduled to come sprained his ankle. Sponsors were depending on us keeping our word and offering the show we promised. We also need money to build the indoor skate park so we have a place to minister to these youth.

Prayer needs: We need a place to skate in two weeks before we get the permanent Skate Park up and running. We also need all the final details ironed out for the use of the building for our permanent skate park. Thank God with us for favor with man.

Thank you so much for sharing in what God is doing in Guatemala. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT. WE COULD NOT BE HERE WITHOUT YOU, OUR FAITHFUL SUPPORTERS!!!!

God Bless You!
The Virags
Missionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com

Mail Canadian donations to:
WIA151-10090 152nd St, Suite 314,
Surrey, BCV3R 8X8
write VIRAG on separate paper tax receipt provided
or use PAypal at www.thevirags.com

Make US donations to:
Shining in Florida Inc.PO Box 120966
Clermont, FL 34712
tax receipts provided
or through PAYPAL at www.thevirags.com

March 26 Event for SoZo Skate!

Our event next week will be a very important event. We have Ezekiel Ministries with Pastor David Buckles and Barachel Bike and Skate with Tim Fake coming from March 23-31. They are bringing with them a team of youth which includes professionals in BMX and Skateboarding. We will be visiting local schools the 2 days before the event to promote our event but more importantly, share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will speak to approx. 4000 students in those 2 days and if the estimates are right we will see approx 3000 people at our Saturday event. Please pray for this event. We are using this event to share our vision to build a skate park in our city and we will have some very influential people attending like: The mayor of the city, city council, important businessmen, lawyers, doctors and many more.

Please pray for divine connections and many salvations!

God is great and we love to serve Him full time in Guatemala!




The ViragsMissionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com

Mail Canadian donations to:WIA151-10090 152nd St, Suite 314,Surrey, BCV3R 8X8write VIRAG on separate paper tax receipt providedor use PAypal at www.thevirags.comMake


US donations to:Shining in Florida Inc.PO Box 120966 Clermont, FL 34712tax receipts provided or through PAYPAL at www.thevirags.com

Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream

I am wanting to read the book Radical by David Platt. It is about taking back your faith from the American dream. I think this is imperative. Since I have been in Guatemala I will never be the same. Christians in North America alone have the resources to transform this world and impact it with the love of God. Instead we build our little personal empires, use faith for acquiring more stuff, and we are not willing to be uncomfortable and get out there and really serve and make disciples. God please change us so that we can be all that we are called to be. It is not enough to just go to church on Sunday. Being a christian comes at a great price, or at least it is suppose to cost us everything. It cost Jesus everything and He is our example. We are made in His image and He said we will do greater things than He did. Why aren't we?

Check out this review. http://www.discerningreader.com/book-reviews/radical




The Virags
Missionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com

Mail Canadian donations to:
WIA151-10090 152nd St, Suite 314,
Surrey, BCV3R 8X8
write VIRAG on separate paper
tax receipt provided
or use PAypal at www.thevirags.com

Make US donations to:
Shining in Florida Inc.
PO Box 120966
Clermont, FL 34712
tax receipts provided
or through PAYPAL at www.thevirags.com

A Mission Team of 19 Coming from Florida March 23-31

We are going to be sharing Jesus with thousands through skate and BMX demonstrations at three schools and at two community outreaches in Xela and Guatemala city. Please pray for hearts to be changed for eternity and for God's plans and purposes to be embraced. We are believing for the team to have an encounter with God and to leave impacted and forever changed. We are grateful for this opportunity and we are expecting great things.

Updates will follow so please stay tuned. We would love for you to share this with us as well.


The Virags
Missionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com

Mail Canadian donations to:
WIA
151-10090 152nd St, Suite 314,
Surrey, BC
V3R 8X8
write VIRAG on separate paper
tax receipt provided
or use PAypal at www.thevirags.com


Make US donations to:
Shining in Florida Inc.
PO Box 120966
Clermont, FL 34712
tax receipts provided
or through PAYPAL at www.thevirags.com

We are now Averaging 90 youth every Saturday!!!

We started out skating every Saturday back in September 2010 because of the please of a sweet young man nick-named Chino. At the time of his request we did not have a place to skate until a dear man volunteered his mechanic shop for us to use for free. We skated and shared God in the midst of vehicles and went from 8 youth to 30 in a matter of 3 months.


We had outgrown that location and during Christmas break our Pastor Mike offered his to-be-constructed-church-location for us to use until construction is to begin. We are there now and are averaging 90 youth per Saturday and are in awe of God and this exponential growth.


This past week, church construction started for Pastor Mike's church and we find ourselves in need of a new location once again. To make matters more exciting we had until March 3 to have a new location lined up in order for a group of professional ramp builders to commit to a short term mission trip in June to build our skate park with us. We were all expecting God to do something to meet the need and of course He did not disappoint us. (Thank you all who have been agreeing with us in prayer.) Yesterday, Shawn had a meeting with the mayor of Xela and city counsel and they all voted unanimously to donate the use of a building for our skate park. This is such a huge gift and we only now need to know how long we are able to use the facility. We are believing for five years minimum. We ask for your prayer of agreement and God's will to be done. We do need to renovate such as clean, paint, replace doors, put in electrical, repair the roof and bathroom, etc. Please prayerfully consider financially supporting this project so that we will have a place to minister to and disciple these youth. We are thrilled to be a part of how God is drawing these young people to Him. Please be apart of this with us.


The Virags
Missionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com


Mail Canadian donations to:
WIA
151-10090 152nd St, Suite 314,
Surrey, BC
V3R 8X8
write VIRAG on separate paper
tax receipt provided
or use PAypal at www.thevirags.com


Make US donations to:
Shining in Florida Inc.
PO Box 120966
Clermont, FL 34712
tax receipts provided
or through PAYPAL at www.thevirags.com

I Want to go Home...and Where is That Exactly?

Today(written January 19th on Facebook) has been a horrible day filled with strife, pain, uncertainty, tears, disappointment, health issues, fear, stress, and anxiety just to name a few things. It is all apart of culture stress, marriage and parenting growing pains, ministry growing pains, disappointment of the 125th negative pregnancy test in the last ten years, and doctor visits for potentially serious health issues. I know my God has it all under control and I have nothing to worry about, but I am moved by sight today. Yes, I know only I can change it and I will, but there is something else that I saw in me today.

Through the tears and in desperation I heard a voice cry out, "I just want to go home!" I then realized that the voice was my own. And thus the question, where is that exactly? I am presently in Guatemala because we as a family have decided to follow God and live life as He has purposed and planned for us to live it. We are not pursuing the American dream, we are living to serve and wanting to make a difference in our world for God. Seeking some geographical relief is not the answer, even my two youngest all on their own know that and are willing to be here for the sake of the many at the expense of themselves. I know that the closest thing to home is where I am with my husband and with my kids, where ever that may be on this planet. Moving is not what I long for. This Earth will never really be my home. Deep inside of me I long to be in the arms of my loving Father and to see my Jesus face to face. That is the home I long for. That is the home I live and die to see. This pain and frustration is but for a moment. In retrospect, soon and very soon I will be in the presence of the one I call my beloved. For tonight, I will just breath, close my eyes, and dance with and worship my Saviour.

I want to encourage you to get what you need in His presence right where you are now.

Since I wrote this a month and a half ago life has returned to normal and I am doing great again. Without the North American distractions and comforts of familiarity, things come to the surface and have to be dealt with. This is a benefit of missions even though painful at times. God has been faithful to encourage me through his Word and through brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you dear friends for your support, direction, and prayers. I am up and running the race and looking forward to each and every day on the mission field. Jesus is the joy set before me as I run.


Here is my rhema word, my sword from the throne room of God. "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says."
(Mark 11:23) I am believing and speaking what God has promised my family and I and I am expecting to reap a harvest. I am concentrating on intimacy with God and savoring my relationship with Him. I am guarding my heart and mind against thoughts that go against God's Word and resisting disappointment at all cost so not to delay or block God's blessings in my life. I am dreaming big because I know the mighty God I serve.


Thank you all so much for sharing this journey with us. I just want to encourage those of you who are in a trial right now. James 1:2-8 "² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." Persevere until the end that you may reap what has been promised to you. I am here if I can help in any way.

Your sister in Christ,
Chantelle
The Virags
Missionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com

Mail Canadian donations to:
WIA
151-10090 152nd St, Suite 314,
Surrey, BC
V3R 8X8
write VIRAG on separate paper
tax receipt provided
or use PAypal at www.thevirags.com

Make US donations to:
Shining in Florida Inc.
PO Box 120966
Clermont, FL 34712
tax receipts provided
or through PAYPAL at www.thevirags.com

Youth group up to 65 kids! We need help.

Our bible study for skaters and bikers has grown to 65. We are in need of help now! Our group is growing every week and we need local help and churches to get behind us and help reach these youth for Christ. Please pray for God to speak to people and for those people to step up and help in this ministry! Here is a quick video of the 65 people at our last bible study.











Thank you so much for your prayers and support,





The Virags
Missionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com




Mail Canadian donations to:
WIA
151-10090 152nd St, Suite 314,
Surrey, BC
V3R 8X8
write VIRAG on separate paper
tax receipt provided
or use PAypal at www.thevirags.com





Make US donations to:
Shining in Florida Inc.
PO Box 120966
Clermont, FL 34712
tax receipts provided
or through PAYPAL at www.thevirags.com

Shawn messing around on the ramps...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCaP2MJ_0_0

I still enjoy riding the ramps. I hope to get back into skating a bit more in the next few months. Thanks for your continued support and prayers!


The Virags
Missionaries in Action
SoZo Skate
www.thevirags.com

Mail Canadian donations to:
WIA
151-10090 152nd  St, Suite 314,
Surrey, BC
V3R 8X8
write VIRAG on separate paper 
tax receipt provided
or use PAypal at www.thevirags.com


Make US donations to:
Shining in Florida Inc.
PO Box 120966
Clermont, FL 34712
tax receipts provided 
or  through PAYPAL at www.thevirags.com