Meet our New Barber: Gabriel

With the opening of our new community center, we began to dream about what we could offer to the community. What in our own lives, creates a safe space of community and connection. A place to hear stories, and share lives. A place to instill identity, even in ways that may seem unlikely. A place that is non-threatening and that would open the door to other men in our village communities.

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We began to talk to the few men in our community that we trust, asking them to dream for their own lives, and what they would like to see for their villages. The result, a barbershop.

Gabriel has been apart of our community for a little while now, with his wife and children attending our mamas group. Gabriels family has gone through heartache after heartache, leaving him the oldest male, and the only adult male at 26, in his family. Their family of over 40 lives just a few blocks from our La Peña base in a tiny 3 room cement block house. His sisters and wife run our community kitchen. They have become not only staff, but family to us.

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Gabriel expressed the desire to become a barber, and we had just the place for him. We made connections with a barber just outside of town who agreed to train him, and just a couple weeks ago, were able to show him his new space, and gift him with his first pair of clippers.

Gabriel is also currently helping with our Marked Soccer team, and weekly serves at our La Peña base because in his words, “I believes in this next generation, and I believe that they need good role models in their life, and I can be that.”

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Just One of The Many Stories: The Goalie

*Note: Names have been changed for protection of child.

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“Why is Jorge* always the goalie? Does he not want to play on the field? Or rotate positions with the other boys? Was the question noted by one of the other team members.”

The response, “When he first started he was terrified of the ball. This was something he asked to do to overcome his fear.”

When Jorge first started coming around, he was timid, soft spoken and showed every sign of a child who was severely beaten. From his behavior to the markings on his skin, you could tell this boy had lived through many years of heartache.

At 14 years old, Jorge had lived through more than most. His father, an alcoholic took all his anger, hurt, pain and aggression out on Jorge. He was not only his son, but became his fathers escape.

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Over the past few months, soccer has given Jorge his voice back. Or maybe a voice for the first time at all. Instead of running from the ball as it came towards him, which took months to overcome, Jorge has found a love for the ball. He not only blocks it, but he now runs towards that which made him tremble with fear. Soccer has given him confidence. It has given him a band of brothers who are learning to love each other in a healthy way. It has opened the door to conversations, honest, raw conversations and it has given a place for us to love him well.

Jorge may have a ways to go, but we are seeing hope in his eyes for the first time. His smile beams from ear to ear as he runs and puts on his gloves when practice starts. Instead of hiding in the corner, he is now inviting others into the game. Others just like him.

Jorge is just one of many, all with stories of how a simple game has opened the door for transformation and wholeness to begin. A game that has allowed Jesus to show them just how fun, safe and loving a Father can be. A game that has given Jorge and boys like him a place to belong. A place to feel protected.


Some have reached out and asked to be apart of partnering with us via the Marked Soccer team, here are a list of needed items below, with a link to give:

  • Soccer net x2 for our goals: $250.00

  • More practice balls for the additional kids who have joined: $11.00 ball x 30 new kids: $330.00

  • Soccer cones for practice: $12.00 x 4 sets: $48.00

  • Agility ladder for practice: $36.00

  • Practice shirts: $4.00x 30 new kids: $123.00

  • New pair of cleats: $17/pair x 30 new kids: $510.00

  • Shin Guards: $5 x 30 new kids: $150.00

  • Re-Usable Water bottles: $1.50 x 30: $45.00

  • Dreaming* Duffle bags: $8 x 50: $400

  • Dreaming* Custom Travel Suits (slacks, shirt, jacket, tie, belt, socks) : $65 x 20: $1,305

    • TOTAL: $3,197.00

A Dinner with Mama

There are very few places that are as special to us as this house.

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If you have been following our journey for some time, you will have heard of Mama Rosa a time or two. Mama was the first person to welcome us with open arms into the village communities, in which we work. She was the first to bring us into her home to help feed and share Jesus with the children in the community.

Mama Rosa cooking our board and staff dinner

Mama Rosa cooking our board and staff dinner

Her children, who are local government officials, have paved a way for us to work in more communities, and untimely have been the key to opening the door for us to be given our new community center.

This family has sacrificed, and loved well. They are Jesus to us and to this community.

Every visit, she prepares a special meal for our team, she loves to honor. She loves to serve. She is a bright shining light and though she will tell you over and over again what a blessing we are, to us she is the blessings, and this is her inheritance. She is Proverbs 31.

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When the Board Came to Visit

Over the holiday weekend, we had the privilege of hosting our incredible board here in Guadalajara.

It was a packed weekend filled with multiple home visits, back to school drives, team meetings, soccer games, village and community programs, teachings and of coarse site seeing.

Doctor Tavis and his wife Kirsten, RN saw multiple babies, as well as adults, in addition to an afternoon spent with families to discuss the epidemic we seem to be facing when it comes to kidney failure.

Diane, spent many hours teaching, loving and simply being a mama to everyone she encountered.

We can honestly say, we couldn’t have a more incredible group of people linking arms with us in the way that they do.

They tried everything that was offered to them, and more. They danced, sang, laughed, encouraged and educated every step of the way.

Our team in Guadalajara hosted so well, making this a trip to remember.

We are so thankful for our Marked Family and every role that each person plays. Together we are stronger. Together we are seeing transformation. Together we are impacting the Nations.

Here are a few highlights from our trip:

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Dr. Tavis and Kirsten

Bought Gabriel his first set of clippers and scissors for his first week of class to become a barber.

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Diane

spent hours washing little hands, faces and brushing their hair.

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back-packs

We were able to give out the first round of backpacks to our school in La Peña

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Jaclyn

The soccer boys thought they were so funny parading Jaclyn around on the donkey

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babies

so many babies are born into our communities each month. But this one was something special. Tavis and Jaclyn have known this babies mama since she was just a baby herself.

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Family Dinner

We loved spending time with our Marked staff. Sitting around the table, eating tamales, laughing, talking, teaching and sharing. Moments like these are gold.

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Home visits

Soccer games, ice cream socials, pool parties, dance parties, nail painting and more.

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House Calls

Mama Diane loving the littles as Dr. Tavis and Kirsten discuss hard topics with the families.

For more photos and stories, head to our instagram page @markedbyheaven

Earrings Have Officially Been Stocked!

Earrings have officially been stocked!

We are sorry for the delay!

To all who have been asking, our earrings are finally up on our site ❤️ Thanks for your patience, as our team has been hard at work. We didn't expect the overwhelming response when we first launched! But more are in stock and are ready to be sent your way! 

Our earrings are handmade by those in our village communities. With each set purchased you will receive a card with the name and story of the one who handcrafted your jewelry. We hope you love them as much as we do!

By purchasing a pair, you are aiding in breaking cycles of poverty, drug abuse, trafficking, imprisonment and abandonment by empowering lives with sustainable systems to go further than they could have dreamed.

This is what you are championing, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

www.marked.org/store

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The Miller's House and The Carr Fire

We have received many calls, texts, emails and facebook messages asking about our home in Redding, Ca along with those who have or are currently serving Marked. 

Photo via Redding Facebook Page 

Photo via Redding Facebook Page 

We are beyond grateful to share that every one of our homes are still standing. 

It has been a week of not knowing whether our homes were standing or not. Mandatory evacuations and fire maps constantly changing showing our homes inside the fire line. But God. 

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Though we are overwhelmed with joy that our homes were spared and beyond grateful to the incredible firefighters, national guard, police and citizens who ARE working tirelessly to put out the fire and see that it doesn't continue to spread, we are also grieving with our community, many who have lost everything.

Redding will rebuild, and it will be stronger than before. We are seeing so much beauty already rise above the ashes, but Redding still needs your prayers and your support. 

If you would like to give towards the Carr Fire, here is what we recommend: Bethel Global Response efforts you can text "$ + Bethel Relief" to 45-777 (Example: 100 Bethel Relief)

 

You are Invited. 

Marked will be there, will you? Take this as your official invitation. We would love to meet you! Come by our table and say hello. Try the Marked Coffee, pick up a cookbook or a hand stamped key made by one of our mamas.

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A note from Resurgent: 

Imagine is our series of gatherings that are dismantling old definitions of creativity, worship and innovation. Conferences, retreats & intensives hosted in various cities all around the nation. This event is NOT just for the painters, poets, and songbirds but for all who want to grow as influencers in the earth.

Come to explore, discover, and test the boundaries of what you may have defined as "creativity". Our belief is every child was created in the image of a Creator. So come and be inspired to influence and create within your sphere of impact.

Key Note Speakers & Guest Artists: 

J E R E M Y R I D D L E
R A Y H U G H E S
J A S O N U P T O N
M I C H E A L M I L L E R
J A K E H A M I L T O N
J A C O B C O O K
C H R I S B U R N S
S T E P H E N R O A C H

MORE COMING SOON!

When: July 21st 2018

Where: Jake's House Church Arlington, WA

Schedule (subject to change):

9AM - Registration Opens

10AM - Main Session - Worship & Keynotes

12PM - Lunch Break

1-2PM - KEY NOTE

2-3:30 - Panel Session

3:30-5 - Workshop Tracks  

5-6 - Dinner Break

6-9 - Main Session Worship & Keynotes

9:30-Midnight - Afterparty - Location TBD (Ages 21+) Special Registration Required & Space Limited

Workshop Tracks:
Creativity In Business - Creativity In The Marketplace
Musicians & The Band - Learning To Play Beyond Yourself
Song Writing - Melodies, Lyrics, Hooks and More
Prophetic Art - Translating God onto canvas
Writers & Poets - Poetry that moves the heart
Video/Photo - Capturing the shot!  
More To Come!

Tickets at resurgentsound.com/seattle

Our Annual Fill A Backpack Drive

Our Annual Fill A Backpack Drive

This year, our goal is to sponsor an additional 600 children. Increasing the enrollment of those in school yet again. In a community of 7,000, close to 5,000 of them being children, our goal is to see the numbers rise to over 2,400 this 2018-2019 school year.  Ultimately working with the government to see all 5,000 children enrolled in the years to come.