Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Student Story - Matt Booth

Coming back from Guatemala knowing that God will always be there with them, left a feeling I can't even describe in my heart.God was definitely in Guatemala when we went over there last week, and he will always be there. There was one particular day that stood out to me the most, that was Monday night.The guys went to Bread & Coffee service at the preschool. Cliff told us that we were going to a service for men that were high on glue. The glue would take away their hunger pains, and make them high so they couldn't even stand up or walk. I was nervous and scared, and had no idea what to expect. I mean how was I suppose to strike a conversation with these men. It was definitely something that was outside of my comfort zone.

We pulled up to the preschool and there was just a long line of men, women, and children lined up outside the gate. When we walked inside there was just a bucket filled with water over the drain. When the people walked in they walked straight to the bucket of water, where we were told to wash their hands. All they wanted was to be clean. Just sitting there watching this it reminded me of God washing our sins away. It was just cool to know that God was there that night and he was there with all the men and women too. Guatemala was definitely an eye-opening experience, and I can't wait to go back next year!
- Matt Booth



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Sunday, April 15, 2012

Student Story - Misty Hamilton

Guatemala was so amazing. Probably the best experience of my entire life and God led me the whole way through it!
One of the times he spoke to me when I was hesitant was when I reached out of my comfort zone for the first time. During the VBS at the dump all the kids were coloring and I noticed this one older girl with a hopeless look on her face. God told me I needed to share Him and His love with her, and at first I was scared but I pushed myself and went and spoke to her. Her name was Kenia. Her mom had left her to take care of her little brother who wasn't even a year old yet! After getting to know her a little bit I asked her if she lived in the dump and with a smile on her face she replied yes. Then it finally hit me. I had realized those people really did live in the landfill, but they were happy about it! Even though it was sad for me to hear that Kenia lived in the dump and I felt like I needed to share God's love with her, she taught me something too. To be thankful for what I have. So when the VBS was over I told Kenia bye and gave her a huge hug. I hope to see her again next year and learn something else from our beautiful God.
- Misty Hamilton





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Friday, April 13, 2012

Student Story - Caleb Parrish

Guatemala 2012 was incredible. It was definitely my favorite of the two trips I have been on. Compared with my first year going I was more bold in sharing my faith and just jumping into situations where Christ needed to be shared. This year at the glue guys service we had to wash their hands for them. That just struck me because we were taking dirt off there hands just like Jesus took all the filth and sin away from our life. Seeing the building being constructed made me really excited for what God is going to do in the school. Seeing how the lot went from nothing to a building being made and a soccer field being constructed just shows how God's time is perfect and all you have to do is trust in him.
- Caleb Parrish, Junior at North Hall High School



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Student Story - Joshua Puckett

3 years ago there was a baby a couple months old in the malnutrition called Gerson and his twin brother Andi when they got there they were both starving and very small. Gerson however had a birth mark on the whole right side of his face and it turned into a tumor that protruded about a quarter inch on the outside of his face it about took over his eye and he would have lost sight forever in that eye. The first time I went to Guatemala and saw him in the malnutrition I was scared to pick him up because he looked so fragile and in need of help so I stood beside his crib and prayed for him and I’ve been praying for two years and I’m still praying for him but now he has had surgery and the birthmark/ tumor is gone now the only thing that remains are vein marks but he is taking medicine for it and is completely healthy now thanks to Gods love. He now is around 3 and can’t only just walk but he can run now. God breaks me every time I pray for Guatemala because he is a light in the darkness and evil there because I know God will do great things through him in the future. Also in the lot we have been praying God would help us work there and he has because we now have a first floor to the preschool which is a blessing to see Gods work succeed there. God you are Awesome!!!
- Joshua Puckett, Junior at Chestatee High School




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Thursday, April 12, 2012

Student Story - Madalyn Walters

God did some amazing things in Guatemala last week, and it was definitely the best experience of my life! One experience that had a huge impact on my life happened on the last night during the rain storm in the landfill. Between our afternoon projects and the feeding at night, we were waiting around for the rain to stop. While we were sitting in the building where we had VBS, I got to know two teenage girls (Glenda and Maritza) very well. We talked for an hour about all sorts of different things, and we had a really strong connection. They both went to Pastor Saul's church and they lived in the landfill. When it came time for the feeding, each of them only had one bowl that they filled up with food. When they brought it back, neither of them ate their food, and I asked them why they weren't eating. They explained that the food was for both of their mothers. Even though they were both hungry, they thought of their mothers before themselves. Luckily, I found a granola bar in my backpack and let them split it! When it was time to go, all of us were really sad because we didn't know if we would ever see each other again, so one of the girls gave me her earrings to take home and the other girl gave me her headband. I couldn't believe how unselfish and giving Glenda and Maritza were. Despite their circumstances, they were willing to look to the interests of others above themselves. That was a real wake-up call to me. Our culture teaches us that its all about me, when God tells us to give abundantly no matter how much we have. We should look up to the attitudes the people living in the landfill have, and God definitely spoke to me through meeting those girls. It's just another example of how God puts people in your life for a reason :)
- Madalyn Walters, Senior at Dawson County High School



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Student Story - Layne Saliba

On my first trip to Guatemala three years ago we met Pastor Steve. He has a church in Antigua. While he talked about his church, he said something that I have never forgotten. "Don't underestimate God." I find myself thinking about that statement throughout the year, but especially while I'm in Guatemala. That's such a simple but radical statement. This year in Guatemala i was doing my quiet time and came across Ephesians 3:20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." That seems to go hand in hand with "Don't underestimate God." who could have imagined that the Lot three years ago full of trash would be clean? Who would have thought that the same lot last year would have a trench dug to have a wall built? Who would have thought this year that there would be the first level of a school, a well, and room for a soccer field when in November they didn't even have a permit to build? Never underestimate God. I'm constantly reminded that even when we aren't in Guatemala, God still is. He is there and He is doing incredibly huge work. He is in the dump, He is in the school, and He is in the malnutrition center. He is everywhere. It's amazing how we can go down for a week and experience what God has done the past year. Every year brings something new and seeing the work that's being done in Guatemala is an encouragement to keep going back.
- Layne Saliba, Junior at North Hall High School



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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Student Story - David Funk

To say the least, last week was a major eye opener for me. I plan on making a lot of changes in my life and in my relationships. God told me it would be hard, and it is. These first few days back at school have been difficult for me: not everyone is as eager to accept love and hear the gospel as the children in the dump. It really hurts when you hear a no, but, just as Mike Beard said, it is a win for us whether they say yes or no. Either way, they have heard, and they will always remember what you asked them, so that when the next person comes along, they will remember what you said, and their hearts will be softened. That's what God has really been putting on my heart lately; that I don't have to see the fruit: I am called to plant the seed. It was the same way in Guatemala. We showed that dirt pile in the lot who was boss, yet the school isn't done yet. At first it really made me mad that we couldn't see it through to the end, but God gave me peace in the fact that he already has a plan, and even if my only job was to move that dirt. Whether we have a part in the end result or not, His plans will not fail. Yet at the same time, just as in Guat, you can't just sit back and wait for it to happen. I read in Ephesians chapter three verse 9, and it said "I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning." We were chosen to do God's work, even if we can see what happens in the end or not.
- David Funk, Freshman at Chestatee HS





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Student Story - Samantha Murray

Friday,before I went to Guatemala, I found out I was wait-listed at the University of Georgia. I was very upset about it because I do not like to wait. But the first day we arrived to Guatemala, we went to the Lot that the new school is being built on. While I was praying over the school, future teachers, and future students, God told me that good things come to those who wait. And being at that school was the perfect example. Two years ago, I was packing down dirt every day and last year, I was digging trenches. And then this year, there was a building, not complete, but a building. Where God was going to be present, and where amazing things are going to take place. So I really got a peace about waiting to hear back from UGA. And I learned that God's timing is absolutely perfect. I am very excited to be a part of what God is doing in Guatemala.
- Samantha Murray




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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Student Story - Brianne Williams

Guatemala 2012 was truly a life changing experience. I have been all 3 years and this year was definitely one of the best. We did alot of work in the lot where the new school will be in June. Two years ago I can remember doing some things in the lot and not thinking about what could come of it. Seeing a building there this year is amazing. I can't wait to go back next year and see it hopefully, completely done next year! I can't wait!
- Brianne Williams




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Monday, April 9, 2012

Student Stories - Maddie Halstead

The last night in the dump we did a feeding. Alot of people lined up to get food. I started to hand out bread and I looked behind me and three guys were sitting down on the ground. I kept looking at them to see if they needed more bread and I knew something was wrong. I asked a leader what was wrong and she said they are three of the glue guys. They were high, shaking and could barely walk. One guy would stick out his glass for me to come over and get it to fill up with coffee. I caught myself crying and asking God to protect them. I took a break from giving bread out and watched the guys as I prayed over them silently. It broke me to see them like that and to see one of the guys all three years on the streets high. I asked God why nothing has changed, but then I stopped myself and said wait God has it under control and he is walking along with these guys. It made me very proud of the guys on our team. The way they step up and go to the glue service every year and speak truth into them. I had bread left over and so I went to find the glue guys but couldn't so a leader & I went around the corner and I saw one walking. So I ran up and gave him the bag of extra bread and I gave him a hug. It broke me that night and it made me not want to leave knowing they are high and have no food. But God is challenging me to pray for those guys daily and to trust that God is walking with them.
-Maddie Halstead, Junior at Gainesville High School





Links & Blogs For Places We Visited

Casa Shalom Orphanage
thehansonsinguatemala.blogspot.com



Malnutrition Center
http://fbchinternationalchildcare.blogspot.com/


"A group of high school students and their leaders, from Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville, GA hung out at the Center for a while today. They do some really cool missions work in Guatemala City every year, but they always stop by and give a little time to be with the kids! Between the two groups, I don’t think I have ever seen that many people in center, but it was GREAT!  They loved the kids so much and the kids had a blast with them!  One of the best memories of the day was seeing Corey walk around with a baby in a sling around his neck- so funny!  Thanks for brightening up our day Lakewood!" -Quoted from the blog

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Last Post

Thank you to Andrea Barnette, Mike Beard, Mindy Cook, Steve Murray, Allie Pohlmeier, Robert Puckett, and Sara Schroeder for being such amazing adult leaders for our High School Ministry trip to Guatemala! This trip would not have been even remotely the same without all of you. I loved serving alongside all of you, and am so thankful that you love our students as much as I do!!

To all of the students...you are not the future church...YOU ARE THE CHURCH! I love each and every one of you!!

Next HS Trip will be March 30, 2013! Thank you for reading our blog.

- Cliff

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Last Day (Friday, April 6)

Today our group worked extremely hard despite the heat in the morning and rain in the afternoon. We were able to level out most of an extremely large dirt pile in the lot where the new school is being built. All of the dirt moving was done without the use of heavy equipment, which means that our guys and ladies shoveled every piece of dirt into buckets and wheelbarrows that were moved to another location on the lot. Moving this dirt today may have been the most physically demanding thing that we have ever done on a trip, but our group persevered through the heat, minor sunburn, and soreness to finish the recreation area which will allow the children in Rayitos de Esperanza to play soccer and other games in a safe environment.




We also installed several stoves into people's houses. Many of these people did not have a way to cook until after we finished their new stove. The stoves installed today will change the lives of the up to 10 people loving in these small 'homes'. I put homes in parenthesis because they are not at all what we would call home back in Gainesville. The houses are built on top of what used to be a landfill that eventually was covered with a layer of dirt, then sold to these people that had no home. Each home is different, but they usually include four walls made of corrugated tin, a few wooden poles, and anything else found in the landfill that can be used as a roof. Very few homes are made of old rotten wood and cardboard anymore, which is a good sign that the conditions are improving. Also, the city has installed sewage pipes, so the raw sewage does not flow freely through the narrow dirt walkways between the rows of houses. It is encouraging to see all of the changes, but there is still a lot that needs to happen for the area to be cleaned up.




The last thing that we were able to do tonight is serve food to the people that live in the landfill. Many of them approached our group with broken bowls, cardboard, and anything else that they could get there hands on to receive what could be their only decent meal until they are served again by Pastor Saul and the people from his church next Friday. A chiropractor from Gainesville donated around 70 plastic bowls that we were able to give to those that were trying to get their food with nasty things that they found in the landfill. These people (which included Guatemalans from birth to older men and women) were so appreciative for their new bowls, something that we take for granted all the time back home.




Our final day ended with pizza for supper that Allie, our Girls Ministry Associate, picked up in the nick of time because everything shuts down in Guatemala early on the Friday before Easter. We enjoyed eating and laughing together and then were entertained by a man that is related to one of our drivers who plays the Peruvian flute. Our final share time followed, and was a great time of debriefing everything that we saw and experienced this past week. We can't wait to see you all to share our incredible stories from Guatemala!



Thank you for taking the time to read our blog from our Spring Break 2012 High School Missions Team.

NOTE: PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE WILL SHARE ABOUT OUR TRIP ON SUNDAY, APRIL 15 IN THE LODGE AT 5:00PM.


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Location:30 Calle,Guatemala City,Guatemala

Friday, April 6, 2012

Student Blogs From Today (April 5)

The following stories are from some of our students that volunteered to write our blog for tonight:

Today in the landfill, I met a little 9 year old boy named Jason. He was so interested in learning every single aspect of my life this week. How I got here from America, how I got to the landfill, how I got my clothes. He eventually started repeating what I would say in English. After a while, he started using the English words I taught him. When we left, he thanked me for teaching him English and told me he couldn't wait to see me tomorrow. It's so amazing how God can break the language barrier.
~ Samantha Murray





This afternoon, group Honey Badger went to the landfill to do VBS with the children. One of my favorite parts was at the beginning when we went around the dump and looked for Ninos (children) to take to the building where we were doing VBS. I really enjoyed going around and using my recently learned Spanish skills and getting to meet new people. When we brought them all back to the building, I had the honor and pleasure to teach them Romans 4, and making God smile.
Towards the end I started looking at the kids more like we would look at American children. And then the cockroaches came out. When we finished sweeping, Andrea saw them and told us that they sensed the food crumbs on the ground. That really brought me back down to earth on the fact that I realized that they do not live in America, and that is just the world that they live in. It really broke my heart, and I would be very grateful if all who read this would pray for those children in the dump, and their environment.
~ David Funk




Today was awesome! I got to hang out with Kaitvin again in the landfill. She is such a sweet girl! We started out our day by moving an immense amount of dirt at the new school lot. It was tough work, but I cant wait to see what the finished product is going to look like. We finished a concrete floor In the landfill in the afternoon which will allow the family living in this house to not have to worry as much about rats and erosion. Overall, it was a great day.
~ James Usrey



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Location:30 Calle,Guatemala City,Guatemala

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Day 5 (April 4)

Special needs hospital
We changed our free day to Wednesday afternoon because of the large amounts of people that are in Antigua for holy week. Our group traveled to the tourist city of Antigua in the morning in our microbuses (vans) and started our free day out with a visit to a special needs hospital. We arrived in the old Spanish style city with it's cobblestone streets and drove straight to the large faded yellow building that is home to over 100 people with mental and physical disabilities. Our group broke into several groups to talk with the patients, hold their hands, and push them in wheelchairs. All of our guys and ladies did a great job loving on these people that in many cases couldn't communicate because of their age or disability. After an hour at the hospital we walked to McDonalds in Antigua, which typically has a clear view of the large volcano that towers over the city.

Free day
Our group broke into three smaller groups to walk around the city. They really enjoyed shopping because they were able to negotiate prices for all of the souvenirs that they will be bringing home. After spending a few hours in Antigua, we went to a restaurant with authentic Guatemalan food for supper. Our free day was a success, and everyone enjoyed the entire day. Only two more days until we fly back into Atlanta, and leave this beautiful country behind.

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Location:30 Calle,Guatemala City,Guatemala

Don't forget about our pictures on Flickr...

Flickr Photo Set


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:30 Calle,Guatemala City,Guatemala

Day 3 continued (April 2)

Bread and Coffee Service
The guys in our group went to the same building that the school meets in from 5:30-7:30PM on Monday night. The building looks completely different in the dark! The walls appear to be brown and black instead of the bright green and yellow that they actually are in the daylight. In fact, every sense picks up something that seems completely foreign to what would normally happen in the same building during the day. The smells, sounds, and mood are different...instead of having beautiful, smiling children running around playing and screaming there are filthy men that smell like the glue that they have been huffing all day. Many of them have a hard time walking through the black metal doors, which have a tiny door that swings open built in so that whoever is guarding the door can see who is knocking or ringing the doorbell. Many of them come stumbling to the center of the long but narrow room on the bottom floor of the three story building, and hold their hands out in what I can only describe as a begging position. They are holding their hands out to wash the nastiness away, many of them probably for the first time since last week, that is caked on from digging through garbage. Our young men are waiting in the center of the room with bowls of water, bars of soap, and well-worn hand towels for the guys as they approach the small drain that is built into the cracked cement floor. As our guys pour the water over the homeless men's hands and heads, the black water that started out clear falls down into the drain. Some of the guys are unable to wash their own hands so our guys help them scrub away the top layers of dirt and grime. After meeting our guys, your sons and grandsons, in the middle of this room they make their way to a wall to sit until the next part of the service begins.

Some Background Info: Saul and his church family host this service for the homeless men that stay in the area around the school and landfill each Monday night. Before the service begins, Iglesia el Camino prepares a meal that usually consists of soup, bread, and coffee that will be handed out to as many as 60 men, women, and children. Yes, children are also in this service that is full of men that sometimes cannot even stand up because they are so high.

The service begins with a couple of songs and some time of prayer. Many of the guys clap, almost always out of rhythm with the song, and sing loudly as the small CD player that is plugged into an amplifier blares out Spanish praise music. Robert Puckett, Missions Pastor at Lakewood, shared with the men about the Bartimaeus being healed by Jesus from Luke 18:34-42. He then asked if any of the men would like to cry out to Jesus to be healed, and several of the men walked to the center of the room in response. Our team of guys surrounded the men, laid hands on them, and prayed that God would heal them from their addictions. Immediately following this time of prayer the men are served the food that has already been prepared as mentioned above.

Share Time
Our share time on Monday evening following the Bread and Coffee service may have been one of the greatest experiences that has ever happened with our students, not only on a mission trip but EVER!

While Our Guys Were At The Service: The ladies from our group stayed back at SETECA to pray for our guys during the Bread and Coffee service, and each girl was assigned one guy to specifically pray for. Our girls then wrote one word that God revealed to them on a sheet of paper about the guy they were assigned.

Our guys started sharing about what they experienced at the service and most of our group began to weep. The guys began to build on each other's stories until our girls stared to understand what we had just encountered. So many amazing things happened that can only be credited to the Holy Spirit. The room that we met in was definitely filled with the presence of God!! As David Funk stared playing songs our group cried out songs and prayers of praise to Him...the whole meeting time was so incredibly awesome. Please ask your children/grandchildren/sibling/friend about this night when they get back to Gainesville...it will definitely be worth hearing more about this night!

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Location:30 Calle,Guatemala City,Guatemala

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Day 4 (April 3)

Blogs by students...

I was in the dump and I felt God calling me to go speak to these two young ladies in their home. I looked to the left for a translator, and couldn't find one, then looked back to my right and the translator was beside me. We went inside the home and started a conversation with the ladies. One was young with a baby, and I held her baby so she could get a break. I asked if there was anything that I could pray for, and she said that her husband beats her and is drunk most of the time. She looked for someone to turn to but couldn't find that person. I prayed healing over her and asked God to remove her from that situation. Afterwards I gave her a hug and the translator asked her about getting plugged into a church. As we walked outside Pastor Saul was right outside of her door, and he talked to her about coming to church. This experience taught me that praying for healing is so powerful and that God's timing is perfect.
~ Maddie Halstead


Second day going into the preschool, and I was just ready to see what the kids were going to do today. When I walked in and went over to my group of kids, immediately 7 or 8 kids came up and hugged me and wouldn't let go. All of them were yelling 'hold me' in Spanish. Then, I couldn't find the kid that I bonded with yesterday...then I saw him, he came over to me and I immediately picked him up. When I tried to put him down he wouldn't let go of my neck. Then we went up to the classroom and started doing our crafts and Daniel (my kid's name) wanted me to hold him the entire time. For the rest of the time while we were at the school he would get sad when I would try to put him down. I feel like he always wanted me to hold him because people don't love on him much at home. I think God put me in his life to love on him and just show God's grace to him.
~ Sam Simpson


Yesterday my group and I (pato group) went to the dump to lay cement floors. We broke into two smaller groups; one laid concrete and the other went door-to-door. We were welcomed into the third house by a woman and her daughter (Maria and Marisole). She immediately invited us to sit down which was an amazing honor. She began to tell us how she accepted Christ and soon after shared her testimony in the church that meets in the dump. A few weeks following she began to have a pain in the left side of her chest that she thought was the devil trying to attack her. We laid hands on her and her daughter and began to pray for God's strength and glory to fill her. It is amazing how whenever we are praying for them they automatically start praying for us. Her and her daughter began to cry with joy because 15 minutes earlier they were praying to God o send someone because they were so lonely. What a GODidence!!!!! (new word for coincidence)
~ Faith Willis


Today was our last day at Rayitos de Esperanza doing VBS for the little ninos. I was very excited to see three of the kids that I started relationships with yesterday, Joseph, Kevin, and Joseline. They were very happy to see me as well. We did the same thing that we did yesterday, teaching with music, a Bible story, pato pato gonzo (duck duck goose), and snacks. When it came time to say goodbye I was really torn up because of something Kevin was asking me in Spanish. I called Olivia, our translator, over to assist me in understanding what he was trying to say. He asked me if I was coming back tomorrow. It broke my heart to tell him no.
~ David Funk


All of the girls met on the first day so that Allie and Sara could give advice for the trip. They told me that I needed to see the unseen for my trip in Guatemala. During my quiet time the next day I was looking at random verses, and found the verse 2 Corinthians 4:18. This verse explains how God's people need to see the unseen. So, when we picked groups to share what happened during our quiet time I chose Sara's group. It just so happens that Sara had already picked that verse for me. Later that day when the girls were exchanging gifts, Sara had me and she wrote me a letter on her flight to Guatemala and she had already picked that verse for me. All I can say is God is amazing!
~ Misty Hamilton


I went to the malnutrition center today to hang out with the little children. This was my third time going and I hoped to see the same little fella that I've seen the past two years. At first I couldn't find him and still didn't see him after going into all of the rooms. Then, I was looking at the photos hanging on the wall and found him. I asked one of the ladies that work there where I can find him, and she took me to him. His name is Jose Luis, but goes by Luis because there are several children with that name. Luis has grown so much over the past 2 years. It makes me feel good knowing that he is being taken care of and God is providing for him at the Malnutrition Center. It was bittersweet seeing him knowing that he isn't completely healthy, but I really enjoyed spending time with him again. Saying goodbye was emotional, but I left with a sense of peace knowing that he is safe in that environment, and is getting the attention that he needs.
~ Layne Saliba
And layne Saliba is the coolesttttttttttt EVER!!!!!!!!!! :)


Last night the boys went to a service for men and a few woman who are addicted to glue. It was an overwhelming, breaking experience washing their hands and praying over them. The girls stayed back and just prayed for them and asked the lord for words for them. It was so powerful. The Holy Spirit's presence was so thick.
This morning I was reading in Exodus 15 the Israelites song of deliverance after they made it thought the Red Sea on dry land.
And verse 9 really gripped me...The enemy was boasting how he would plunder them and consume them, just like addictions consume and then verse 10 BUT by just the breath of the Lord all enemies are defeated. We serve a God who is a God of war and who wars on our behalf. How radical is that. What love! What power! What freedom we find in Him.
“The enemy boasted, ‘I will chase them and catch up with them. I will plunder them and consume them. I will flash my sword; my powerful hand will destroy them.’ But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. “Who is like you among the gods, O LORD—glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders? You raised your right hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies. “With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide themto your sacred home. (Exodus 15:9-13)
~ Allie Pohlmeier

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Location:30 Calle,Guatemala City,Guatemala

Day 3 (April 2)

We have been going nonstop and have had Internet problems, so I'm going to keep this one short and sweet.

Day three began with breakfast at SETECA seminary, which included eggs with ranchero sauce, puréed black beans, cereal, and several kinds of bread. Each morning after breakfast our group has a scheduled time for individual scripture reading, journaling, and prayer that is followed by time for our girls and guys to meet as groups separately. Our guys have been sharing about the things they are learning from the books of Mark, Ephesians, Hebrews, and Titus.

At 9:30AM our group went to Rayitos de Esperanza, the school that our church completely supports, to lead the children in VBS activities. Our group divided into three smaller groups and led the children in songs (in Spanish), recreation, a craft, and a Bible story from the book of Romans. Our students did a fantastic job!!

After staying at the school we came back to SETECA for lunch. After our short lunch break we left for our afternoon projects divided into the same three groups from the morning at the school. Afternoon projects included pouring cement floors in the houses in the landfill, installing stoves (I'll share more about this later), and leading a VBS for the children that live in the landfill. Every group did so great and worked super hard.

Going to skip a little of the day here...

Our guys went to a special service for homeless men which I am going to write a separate blog about later today/tonight. And our whole group had a time which can only be credited to the Holy Spirit which I will also write about later. Sorry it's so short but we are about to head out for a malnutrition center in about 20/30 minutes.


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Location:30 Calle,Guatemala City,Guatemala

Monday, April 2, 2012

Day Two (April 1)

The second day began at 8:00 for breakfast, where most of us enjoyed left over pizza from last night's supper. The team was well rested and ready to go, and surprisingly awake and VERY full of energy! Our schedule includes 30 minutes for quiet time followed by 30 minutes for our students to get into groups by gender to talk about what God is teaching them through their Scripture reading and prayer. Mike Beard and Robert Puckett led the guys group while Steve Murray and I (Cliff) tried to find the airport by ourselves...that was an amazing adventure that I will wait to share at our share time on Sunday, April 15 at 5:00PM in the Lodge at Lakewood. Yes, that was a shameless plug!!

We enjoyed being able to worship with Pastor Saul, the local pastor that we have worked with for several years, and the people of Iglesia El Camino from 10:30-12:30. If I had to describe Pastor Saul, it would be that he is like the Central American version of the Energizer bunny. He is constantly serving the Lord in some way, so much so that a few of our adult men talked about paying for him to go on a mandatory vacation. But Saul insists that his strength comes from the Lord, and he continues to keep going, and going, and going (sorry I had too...)

During the worship service David Funk, Claire Smith, and Walters put their incredible talents to use by leading the entire church in The Desert Song, which I think is by Hillsong United?? And Claire and Sam Simpson shared a testimonio with the entire church. Both did an amazing job. By the way, Iglesia El Camino is a refreshing site after seeing a lot of the rundown buildings in the same general area. The building itself is well maintained and very clean. You enter the worship space through a set of oversized, black metal French-style doors that open up to shiny faux wood tiled floors, that remind me of an old school basketball court. The walls, painted in some simple shade of light yellow lead up to the stage, which has a set of drums, a keyboard, and a seemingly endless supplies of wires. On the wall behind the stage are the letters 'I D.' These letters are made of yellow and green construction paper which I can only assume is the current series that the church I'd doing or a reminder that their identity is found in Christ. But, I've been wrong before...if I find out I'll let you all know.

After worshipping with our good friends at Iglesia El Camino, our group traveled to somewhere near San Lucas (look it up on google maps and use the satellite feature to see what I am about describe). Casa Shalom, an orphanage that upwards of 70 children call their permanent home, was our first stop. We started with a tour of the stunningly beautiful campus, which is a narrow strip of land that has one unpaved road running along one side until slicing through the center in order to make it to the opposite side of the property. The whole campus is built on a hill, and as we continued to walk up we were able to see where the children had their meals, enjoyed recreation time (mostly soccer), the older children's rooms, and the baby house. As we neared the top of the hill (elevation 6500 ft. I believe), we came to a clearing that allowed us an overview of Guatemala City. It was well worth the hike up the hill! The view was almost breathtaking, and not because we had walked forever to get to the top, but because Guatemala City was laid out right in front of our eyes...reminding me of the view that God must have over His entire creation at all times. Our group led the children in games, crafts, a Bible story, and songs. Everyone did a great job!

From Casa Shalom we traveled all the way to a children's hospital...which was literally located right across the street. The children's hospital was very similar to Casa Shalom, built on a hill and seemed to go on forever. The first building on this campus is made almost entirely of what looks like slightly transparent mirrored glass. We were told that this building is home to a research facility for children with diseases. Our group led the children that live at this hospital, some of them for 15+ years, in a similar VBS to the one at Casa Shalom. The time we spent at the hospital was very short, but we had to leave in order to get back to a worship service in the landfill...which we didn't make it to because of traffic. The week before Easter shuts down a lot of things in Guatemala, including some streets, making it hard to travel and get to places on time.


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Sunday, April 1, 2012

More pictures from Guatemala

Don't forget to check out our Flickr photo set to see more pictures from this week!

Flickr Photo Set


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Location:30 Calle,Guatemala City,Guatemala