Guatemala Family Mission Trip Day 6: Thursday, July 28, 2011

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:44a

This morning, we awoke to the smells of fresh fruit and coffee served at our Hotel de Carmen.  We were greeted by sunny skies and a gorgeous view of the volcano from the rooftop of our hotel. We then loaded up our vans and took a short ride to Casa Shalom, an orphanage located 30 minutes outside of Antigua. We were met by boys and girls playing on an asphalt playground with old soccer balls and makeshift toys. It amazed me not only how happy the kids were to see us, but how independent they were as well. A few of them were working in their garden planting various fruits and vegetables. After a spirited game of soccer, where the "gringos" were soundly beaten by Team Casa Shalom, we gathered in a circle to read a story about Nicodemus and made bracelets. The Holy Spirit was upon us as six children accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. What a great way to end our short visit!

From there we ate a quick lunch back in Antigua at the nicest McDonalds that I've ever seen. We then had some free time to walk around the square and do some shopping. We were treated to a great dinner at Hotel Antigua and enjoyed fellowship with Pastor Saul and his family. A great end to a wonderful day! Hard to believe that we only have one day left in Guatemala. I believe that although our limbs and minds are tired, our hearts and souls are overflowing with God's grace and a newfound sense of purpose in our lives.

Brian Willman

First time to Guatemala

Guatemala Family Mission Trip Day 5: Wednesday, July 27, 2011

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Yesterday, we went to a special needs hospital. I had no idea what to expect, but I could not even imagine how many children were there. They are trapped in their own bodies. It was a temporary sadness for me and the team. We can leave them and our sadness behind, but that is their life. As I was thinking and taking everything in, I started rubbing a little girl’s hand. I felt led to start singing “Jesus Loves Me." I looked down and saw this little child, who was trapped in a cage, with the biggest smile across her face. Even though I was happy, I started crying and decided to take my sadness and spread joy to these children that have little joy in their lives. The rest of the time I was there I walked around and spent time with each individual child in our room. Before we left we prayed, and I felt changed. We still have two more days of ministry, and I am excited to see what else God has in store for us.

Regan Puckett

13 years old

When we went to the special needs hospital yesterday, I was nervous to say the least. There are many people who have special gifts for children with disabilities, but I do not consider myself one of those people, so I was a bit uncomfortable. Nevertheless, when we arrived I just began to walk around and pray for each child. It was both eye-opening and heartbreaking to see this different side of missions. There are people that simply aren't going to comprehend the words you are saying about Jesus and His love, so all you can do is your best to SHOW them His love. It was definitely one of the hardest things I have ever had to experience, but I left that hospital knowing that Jesus holds every one of those children in the palm of His hand and loves them unconditionally.

Anna Eades

17 years old

Guatemala Family Mission Trip Day 4: Tuesday, July 26, 2011

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)

Another blessed day in Guatemala!  We went back to the preschool to sing, laugh, and play with children.   In the older class, we celebrated Evelin's birthday, which followed her “born again" birthday from the day before.  She was one of the children who asked Jesus into her heart at last night's service.  We got to love on her again today as Brian prayed over her this time.

Many of the men left early to tackle the job still to do at the dump.  All in all, they were able to put in 15 and a half stoves.  Mind you, Bruce and Brian R. were on this job so that helps explain the half done job! :)  A particular highlight from this project is that Jennifer's family received one of the stoves! Jennifer is the little girl that inspired this project because she had been very sick from carbon monoxide due to the makeshift cooking stove her family used.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group hosted activities for many of the precious children of the dump.  Yet again, we were amazed at the love they show for one another, but the best lesson from the day came from one young mother.  Tamara Willman had been holding this lady's eight month old baby both times we were there.  As we got ready to leave, this lady gave Tamara her ring!  Tamara tried to refuse it, but one of the interpretations explained that refusing to accept the gift would be an insult to the lady.  Just like the Widows Mite, she gave all she had to show her love and gratitude.  God continues to work in us!

This evening was spent at Pastor Saul's church.  We were blessed with their praise and worship even though the only word most of us could make out was Jesus.  The Holy Spirit was in that place!  Robert preached, Allie shared a word, Brian gave his testimony, and we all sang Amazing Grace to the congregation (in English, of course).  Okay, so we messed up a few words, but they didn't understand us anyway. Actually, we are considering starting our own choir after that performance.  Who knew we could harmonize so well?  Before leaving, we paired up with members of the church to pray specifically for one another, out loud and at the same time.  It was truly an amazing and powerful time of prayer unhindered by a language barrier. Our God is a God of all languages.

Lakewood Family Mission Trip

Guatemala Family Mission Trip Day 3: Monday, July 25, 2011

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself.” Romans 15: 1-3

Today, we were His hands and feet. This morning, we went to the preschool to work with the kids to do arts and crafts, a story, and a snack. The kids were so excited to see us, and we were so excited to see them. They sang for us when we first arrived, and then our families went into the classrooms and started the love. We had such a great time loving on them and playing with them. The little children here are artists! They take great pride in their coloring. I met a little girl there, Zoe, who stole my heart. She would not let go of me. I have no idea what her home life is like, but I just held her and prayed for her. It was amazing to see the preschool that Lakewood supports. It's a wonderful place right across the street from the dump. The teachers are wonderful! They provide great instruction and hope for these children.

After a yummy lunch at Seteca, we changed and headed to the dump. The ladies planned to do VBS, and the men planned to install stoves in the homes of the dump. The shelter we went to do VBS in was filled with many happy children. I would be lying if I said I was not afraid of the dirtiness of the place and the people.  However, I said a prayer, and everyone started to relax and play. Anna was amazing in leading the children in a couple of songs. Then we moved into the story time. Alaina told the story of David and Goliath three times today with Elsa translating. The children showed respect and seemed to understand and enjoy it. After the story, the children played Duck, Duck, Goose. It was so neat to see that these children are just like mine. They like to play games, they love a snack, and they need love most of all. I do not know much Spanish, but I can speak love. I'm so proud of the dads and young men that installed the stoves. My son saw inside several homes today in the dump, and he will forever look at our home in a much different way. We are so richly blessed. Where much is given, much is expected.

Finally, we did the hardest mission thus far: the Neighbor Church. This is held at the preschool's courtyard every Monday night. Usually only the men of Lakewood go to this event, but we as families decided we would all go. There was someone at the locked door to let us in. I was overwhelmed by the smell of mineral spirits and glue. Robert had told us that this “neighbor” night consists of men that were high on glue, and they were definitely high. It was scary to say the least. I prayed open-eyed, "Lord give this place your grace and presence." There were little children there that we took upstairs and this was the third place sweet Alaina shared the story. After the story, six children accepted Christ!  We laid hands on them and prayed, “Praise You, Lord, for You are faithful to answer.” He answered my prayer. He showed himself in a mighty way in that scary place. I had no idea what was going on downstairs with the men, but we were shedding tears of joy upstairs.

I'm so thankful for this time to serve alongside my son and these families of Lakewood.

Jennifer Hicks

Guatemala Family Mission Trip Day 2: Sunday July 24, 2011

Our day started with a light breakfast of coffee cakes and fruit in the courtyard of Setca. Everyone seemed to be well rested and ready for our day of traveling to the Shadow of His Wings Orphanage to work with over 70 girls aged 3-19.

The three hour ride to the orphanage was absolutely beautiful. We saw rolling, tropical mountains that were so lush and green they looked like they were from a movie. We passed active volcanoes, coffee plantations, pineapple fields, rows of huge banana and avocado trees, acres of sugarcane and corn, and herds of sheep and cattle. Very beautiful scenery, but as we passed through the small towns and villages, the corrugated metal sheds, barbed wire fences and tall concrete walls surrounding homes reminded us that this is still a very rural, poverty stricken country where people need compassion, love and hope.

Upon arriving at the orphanage, we were greeted by a loving staff that prepared a wonderful lunch for us and explained their ministry to girls aged 3-19.  It was quickly apparent that this was not what most of us envisioned when we were told we would be visiting an orphanage. This is more of a "girls home" that cares for orphaned girls that have been placed with them through the court system. They have 5 families that live onsite and care for 8-12 girls each as a functioning family unit. We were very impressed with the families and children. We were able to spend several hours with them singing songs, making bracelets, telling Bible stories about the love of Jesus as well as just hanging out with our new friends. Several of our mission team families mentioned they wished we had more time to spend with the girls there. It didn't take long to start getting attached.

The staff also shared with us that they were expanding next year to start housing boys that need a good, loving environment to live in. We pray God continues to open doors and provides resources for this organization to minister to the children of Guatemala.

Last night I wondered how any of us could really make a difference in this place where so much is needed. God spoke to me through His word in Luke 9:10-17. After reading the story of how Jesus feed the 5000 with just a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish, I realized, once again, I had it all wrong. "I" probably couldn't make much of a difference, but "I" could be obedient to His word by ministering to these people who need it so badly. Even though I just hung out and made a few bracelets, handed out a few bottles of juice and cookies, and tried to make a few children smile, I was sure God could multiply the efforts  like He did with the loaves and fish and use the experiences of this day for huge things in His kingdom. We will probably never know how much impact we made on this trip, but one thing we do know...TODAY, Sunday, July 24, 2011, we saw two small, Guatemalan girls accept Christ as their personal savior ! Hopefully that can be the start to making eternal differences in the lives of many more as these children tell others about their experience.

Again, this is all about Gods work...we did nothing special today...but we did do what God called us to do and He used us to make a difference in the lives of a few beautiful families.

Thank you, God, for allowing us to be a part of this. I know this is just the start to seeing many more exciting things this week as You work in the lives of the people of Guatemala.

Henry Lawson

First time traveler to Guatemala

Guatemala Family Mission Trip Day 1: Saturday July 23, 2011

“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”

Psalm 10:14

Well, this day started very early for us all. Many of us left Gainesville before daybreak. However, to Robert's surprise, we were all on time.  God was definitely already at work! After gate changes, terminal changes, passengers disembarking an overbooked flight, our 9:50 a.m. flight departed at 12:50 p.m.  We kept ourselves entertained and amused, and with some of the adults on the trip, this was easy to do!  Going on a mission trip has brought back some fond memories.  Others of us are experiencing what is sure to be a spiritual marker in our lives for the first time.  

Our flight arrived safely, and once through the airport, we were greeted by Allie, Anna, Sydney and a host of worshippers from Pastor Saul's church singing a praise song to God!  What a great way to start a trip.  We settled into Seteca, our new and temporary home, and headed out to see the places we will be serving.  This was humbling and in the words of Parker Hendrix, "a shock."  It didn't take long for our children to see how blessed we are; a sentiment realized by all.

We visited Pastor Saul's church first.  Let us say thank you to Lakewood for being committed to helping this church.  It is full of servants ministering daily to the poorest of people.  Next, we toured the dump.  Words cannot fully describe what we saw here. Contentment lives in the middle of trash, bugs, diseased animals, raw sewage, mounds of used plastic and over-crowdedness.  Yet, we were greeted with smiles and laughter, hugs and children wanting to be carried or swung by their arms.  Immediately, our hearts were touched and the very people we came to serve were teaching us.  God never seizes to amaze us.  Our last stop before our authentic American meal at Wendy's was to the lot where the preschool we support as a church looks to relocate in the future.  With the plans in hand, as a congregation, we prayed over this lot. Please be in prayer for this project.  Pray that the building can be started as we work with the city in this process. So many more children can be nurtured in a bigger facility, and hopefully, families will be able to begin breaking out of the cycle of poverty that four generations have already experienced.  

Well, it has been quite a full and emotionally draining day.  Thank you for all the prayers and support.  God is at work, and we are a blessed people.  Good night to all!

Lakewood Family Mission Trip 2011

P.s. Please let our families know that we haven't lost any of the children, yet! (Namely, Kevin.) :-)