Sunday, July 14, 2013

What Now?

This has been an amazing week.  We've seen abject poverty side by side with all the conveniences of a major city back at home.  We've seen gorgeous landscapes & and real suffering - sometimes at the same time.  Best of all we've witnessed (and been allowed to share in) something special God is doing.  Communities & living conditions are being improved, children are being educated, and ministries are being formed to provide jobs/a source of income.  Most importantly, new churches & small groups are being multiplied to plant the Gospel in more & more communities.

Coming home, our minds turn toward what God wants to do where WE live.  Poverty may not be as pervasive, but it's still very real.  And while it's hard to imagine, the percentage of people who profess Christ & are connected to a fellowship may be lower in Hall Co. than in Guatemala.  If the experts are right, our own nation is sliding towards secularism at an alarming rate, and we're watching it happen.  

The  "What now?" question is about where we're willing to be available.  If its just one week a year... 1000's of miles from home, we've missed the point of missions.  Each of us is coming home with a fresh commitment to make some changes.  Hopefully the result will be a missions lifestyle everywhere we are, not just here.  We want to be as available to God @ home as we have been here.

Jojo & Debbie Thomas

Friday, July 12, 2013

Another amazing day!

I am sure my wife, Kristin Wagner, will find it amusing that I am writing a blog that consist of anything more than, " it was great day"!  But I would be doing everyone on the team and those at home a great disservice if I did not mention some of the amazing things that be all experienced today! 

We started the day with taking a group to the old building that the preschool use to be located in order to give it a new face lift.  A wonderful group, For the love of missions, which is a ministry out of the Buford area, has rented the building and will be setting up a business that will allow people in the landfill to work and earn a living. We were able to paint four rooms and are excited about the blessings that the families in the landfill will get as they have new opportunities to provide for there families.

Another group went into the landfill in the afternoon to do house visits.  The group brought bags of food, shared, prayed, and witnessed to these families.  Several wonderful reports highlighted by a 19yr old young man, David, accepting Christ! Glory be to God! Pastor Saul and his team have been witnessing to David for 2 years.  Today was his day, he committed his life to the one and only Jesus 
Christ, what a blessing!

We then regrouped with everyone at 5:00 pm and went to the landfill to pass out dinner to the families there.  God was great as he held off the heavy rain, just a few showers, and were able to have several wonderful conversations and play time with the kids.  We finished off the time in the landfill with a gathering in the church there, as we were honored by Pastor Saul and all given some cool shirts!  We also thanked him and his team with a gift as well, prayed, sang songs, and encouraged each other...what a great time.

We finished off the evening with a group devotion back at SETECA, which always is a highlight.  How amazing it is to see God at work in so many hearts!

Until tomorrow.......

Joy, Joy, Joy

Today was a good day, we had a great day in Antigua touring the city and some doing homeless ministry. It was a fun filled day of bonding with our translators and thanking them, as well as Pastor Saul and his family. The work that the Lord gives us opportunity for here in Guatemala would nearly be impossible if it wasn't for the hard work and dedication that Ingrid and Pastor Saul put in before we get here. They are a key aspect in the ministry of God here in Guatemala City and Antigua. It was a joy to be able to sit down, share a meal, and thank them for all their efforts. 

While I speak of joy, I think back to Wednesday when we were at the AID's hospital and I was able to reconnect with a sweet little girl named Maria. She is not the typical patient that you would see in the AID's hospital, most of the kids can function as normal just with medication, and seem as if nothing is wrong from the outside. Maria was different, she could not run around and she had a much different outward appearance. She is 4 years old and has had cancer, most likely in her brain because of the scarring on the base of her neck and lack of hair. Not only this but she is deaf and mute, along with the loneliness of having no recorded family at all. I first met Maria last week and she was basically quarantined from the outside and I was unable to communicate with her or play with her, due to the lack of spanish and sign language knowledge, so we just sat there. As we sat there I repeatedly proclaimed her beauty to her and prayed that I would get another chance to see her, play and communicate with her. 

Now, back to Wednesday. I had first visited the hospital with the AXIS team and have stayed for the Family trip as well. Returning again to the AID's hospital with a new group of people, I was hopeful for a new opportunity to arise with Maria. We walked in and there she was eating her snack, but still in the solemn attitude that she had had the week before. I went over and began to smile and sit with her again and gave her a sticker sheet, then we wandered around inside the common area and then it hit me that Debbie Thomas knew sign language and I could finally communicate with this young girl. Then I turned and there Debbie was with some bubbles to share with Maria. She began signing to her and it was as if a new child had entered into her body and took over. Maria's face lit up more than any light bulb ever could. It was and overcast day so she was able to go outside since the sun was not out,so  finally we could play. We did bubbles, stickers, and pushed her gently in the swing. All the while, Debbie is teaching her sign language. 

We played the entire day and then towards the end I wanted to proclaim to her that she was beautiful and so Debbie taught us the sign for 'beautiful' and we did it and within seconds she repeated it after us, knowing that she was truly beautiful and a child of God. She then found it funny to pin these hair clips to my shoes and just giggled the sweetest giggle ever. I know God has a plan for all the turmoil that is in Maria's life, because he changed my life through hers. Although we were only with her a few hours, those were a few hours that she did not have to know she was sick, she didn't have to know that she has no family, and it didn't matter that she couldn't hear or speak to us, God made a way to answer my prayers and let Maria know that she matters to someone, but most of all she matters to God. 

This entire experience with Maria made me reevaluate my perspective on life, and how I think I have problems, yet I truly don't. I have good health, my 5 senses, a family, and I have a home to return to each night, Maria has none of that. I was convicted to now begin to truly survey anything before I choose to get upset about it. 

The Scripture that was posted on the wall was Psalm 84, and it couldn't have been more suiting for the day. It says: 

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heavens Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of The Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heavens Armies, my king and my God." Psalm 84:1-3

Whitney Brechter

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Jesus is All We Need

My heart is full as I reflect on our day and on our trip thus far. I have seen The Lord answer prayers that are big and small and can't help but be reminded of His faithfulness and His perfect love for us. We started our day doing our final VBS at the school "Rayitos de Esperanza". This was a special time as we shared the story of Paul's conversion and the role Ananias' obedience played in his life and ultimately in the life of the church. Next, we walked to the courtyard for an assembly from the students and the staff. Seeing the children and staff members dance and sing will be a sight I will never forget. (As well as the memory of them asking us what dance we could do for them and the best we could come up with was the chicken dance...we were glad they gave us white Americans a break and left us off the assembly agenda)!

Later in the afternoon we traveled to an aids hospital where 70 children from birth to 17 years old live. These children either have HIV or were orphaned because their parents had HIV. Our team immediately began to love on the children by playing soccer, blowing bubbles, sharing bible stories about Daniel in the lions den and jumping rope with them. It took me a little while to connect with a child as the language barrier has been a discouragement to me at times. So I just started walking and praying for The Lord to direct my steps and show me who He wanted me to love on...He led me to Olga! Although Olga and I spoke very few words to each other we enjoyed laughter, smiles, hugs and high-fives through multiple games of tic-tac toe ( in which I lost the majority of the time). Olga asked me my name and even wanted to know how to spell it. Olga was an encouragement to me as she reminded me that all things are sacred in Christ and in all we do we should do it for The Lord; even a game of tic-tac toe with a beautiful girl named Olga. The Love of Christ can be seen in all things BIG and small.

We ended our night by celebrating one of our team members' (Lexi) 14th birthday with cake and ice cream and worshiping together thru music and devotion as a team. It was a sweet picture of the body of Christ coming together as one family to serve, love, worship and fellowship! 

This week two verses have really been on my heart. The first is Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Many times throughout this trip I have looked into the eyes of the people and felt discouraged because I didn't feel like I could do anything for them. I can't cure their addictions, I can't instantly take away their poverty or heal their sickness. BUT I know a Savior who can...and the hope I have in Him and His love I can share with these precious people. And that hope and truth does not put us to shame-it is life changing! 

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task The Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace" Acts 20:24. I am amazed by the believers in the landfill and those who serve there daily. They exemplify this verse. In the midst of dirt, trash, sickness, and poverty they are able to sing, dance, worship, pray, and share the gospel with others. They have Jesus and they truly believe that Jesus is all they need. The race they are running is one that will last throughout all eternity and one is which they will be richly blessed! 

I am forever grateful as I will always remember these people as I daily claim the truth that Jesus is all I need, He is enough in every circumstance, He is our only hope, and to love others because He first loved us.  For everyone at home who is praying, we are so very thankful and are feeling those prayers every day. 

Holli Howard


Wednesday, July 10, 2013

First Timer

Filth . . . That is the only adequate word for what we've seen. As a first-timer here in Guatemala, I've been blown away by the conditions these people live in. Mounds of trash twice my height, a stench that is sometimes beyond my ability to stomach, and dirt. Everywhere. 

I've been on numerous mission trips, and I've seen extreme poverty, but I've never seen such living conditions. And I complain when our garbage can at home isn't emptied on time. Perspective? Mine is being changed.

Today started off at the school. It was my privilege to work alongside some awesome team members as we served the six-year olds. I was transformed into a human jungle gym, but I didn't mind one bit. Their sweet smiles and attempts at calling for me ("Eriiiiiiiiiin!") made it worth it. 

I felt as though I stumbled through the story of the Good Samaritan, not making much sense, until one child spoke up. We had discussed the way our heavenly Father is always there to help us when we've been wounded, and how we should behave as He does by doing the same for others. A sweet little hand shot into the air. "We should be generous," he said. Generous . . . Here he is with NOTHING,by American standards, but in the eyes of heaven, he's got it all. A heart of gold, a love for his peers, and a Savior who loves him beyond comprehension. Perhaps I should reevaluate the generosity of my own heart . . .

The afternoon was spent doing VBS in the landfill. It was a semi-chaotic compilation of Red Light/Green Light, the beautiful story of Christ Jesus (aptly illustrated with puppets), snacks, and coloring sheets galore. Children, some who already knew and some who didn't, heard about the Man who'd loved them enough to die for them. Mothers and grandmothers who'd tagged along heard about the Man who will never leave them or forsake them, even when other men in their lives had. It was such a sweet time. I left physically dirty from the unwashed hands that had hugged me, touched me, tugged at me, and the precious unclean faces that had pressed their cheeks to mine. But my heart was full, my Jesus was near, and I had been reminded, once again, of the universality of the gospel. 

Tonight we worshipped with Pastor Saul and his congregation. Joe Joe brought a compelling and comforting message that, quite frankly, convicted me deeply. Wayne, Whitney, Josh, and a band from the church led us in musical worship. To someone who doesn't know Jesus, it may have sounded like a mess when we all joined in singing together. A chorus so familiar to us being sung, all at once, in Spanish and English. It was somewhat indistinguishable, but I sang, thinking that this must be what heaven will be like. A harmonious cacophony of adoration. And He listens with joy and understanding.

I'm tired, but it's a good feeling. God is good. God is faithful. And the God of creation is honored by His children in the U.S. and those in Guatemala. How sweet to share time with believers, no matter the location.

Erin Chewning
Ivy Creek Baptist Church





Tuesday, July 9, 2013

2 Nations, 1 God

Our first day I was privileged to witness a significant transformation. Not only in my family but here in country. Over the past four years I have seen God work wonders in and around the Guatemala City Dump. When we visited Restoration Church It brought joy to my heart to see the body of Christ worshipping together, to find many faces from years past, to witness the hope Some have found in Christ, and the love they return to us. What touched my heart the most was to hold in my arms a precious little girl that I have seen grow up over the years in a hopeless situation, deaf and unable to communicate, she does have hope.She is growing physically but we saw she was singing. That was humbling to us. A reminder that God is at work even when we are not. 
This morning, our family did a devotion out of Exodus. It was a reminder God leads us day and night. He has called us out. As we shared our hearts and what God has called us to do. It is emotional to know our Savior unified us not only as an earthly family but as part of his heavenly family. 
Alora and I went to the school for our first day of VBS together and we were beyond blessed that God is allowing us to love on the precious and beautiful Children. My hearts swells knowing that thru Christ love and God's grace he has great plans for His babies. This tragic environment they live in will not hold them back from God's work. With Faith and Hope this is only the beginning.  " This hope we have in Christ is an anchor for our soul, sure and strong" Hebr 6:19

Angela Horne



Missions is Continuous

It has been an awesome week in Guatemala with the Axis mission team! I have told several people that I don't want to leave! Truthfully, I don't! I have been on a number of mission trips in the states and abroad. There is something powerful, and so encouraging, about spending time serving others with people of the same mindset. Here in Guatemala our team has had the opportunity to spend time with AIDS patients; orphans; serve food to the hungry; sing songs with little kids; and help rebuild a home for a family in the landfill. It has been an amazing experience! But ya know what? This is all mission work that I can do in the states! Nonetheless,there is something about being in another country away from the familiar, away from routine and monotony that makes you take a look at where you are and what you are doing in your life, to set your heart straight.

Personally, this week has been a refreshing time of being away from work and "normal" responsibilities. I had become stuck in my own funk and saw the necessity of how the Lord needed to break me. He has held me in His arms and allowed me to experience Him. He has forced me to love the unlovable, the forgotten, the abandoned, the broken. He has shown me myself in all this. He has let me see how much I need him! Where I thought I had it all is where I will return with nothing. It is in the nothing the Lord has shown me He is everything! As I return tomorrow to the states I will go back renewed, refreshed, changed, and ready to come back...to Guatemala and to Georgia to serve the forgotten, the orphans, the homeless, the broken, the rich, the poor, and the haves and have nots in Gainesville.

Guatemala and Gainesvillle...where missions is continuous!

Micah Thomas











Glue Service

Tonight we attended the Coffee and Beans service, at which I had the pleasure of sharing God's greatness, and how He sets us free through His mercy and grace. This is a service for addicts, most of which are addicted to huffing glue. These men and women come in and are able to wash their hands, for most of them its the only time they wash their hands all week long. We sang a few songs, I shared my testimony, then we served those that were there a meal. The hurt and pain of addiction was plainly visible on their faces, and you could see the physical pain in their body language. I was reminded that addiction, of any sort, is a global issue, not just a local issue to Gainesville, GA. Sharing my personal story of addiction, hurt, and struggle was a blessing, not only for those who regularly attend the service, but for myself and those from Lakewood who were with me.

In my message to them, I reminded them that we ALL fall short of the glory of God, which is why we needChrist, that if we are in Christ we are a new creation, and God has great expectations and a future and a hope for us. Being able to pour my heart out to the people of Guatemala, I feel as if The Lord has allowed me to leave part of myself with them. But the most important thing that I was able to show them through my testimony, is that our God is a God of restoration, and that He loves us, no matter what season of life we are in. All we have to do is make a choice; a choice to follow Jesus, because our restoration and recovery is only possible with Him.

This experience was truly a blessing to me, and I will never forget it.

Much thanks to my translator, Andrea, pictured with me below.

Jeremy Shockley



Monday, July 8, 2013

First Day

Right now we are in the air on the way to Guatemala. Our plane was slightly delayed, but nothing major. When we leave the Guatemala airport we will meet up with the AXIS team. Tonight we will be attending Iglesia Restoration. This church plant is located in the Guatemala City landfill. I haven't had the opportunity to go to a church service there yet, so I'm excited about that.
     This week we will be visiting the preschool, the landfill, the mal- nutrition center in Antigua, a special needs hospital, and an orphanage. I know that God is going to do great things this week. I ask that you pray for our team as the week continues. 
     If we want to see miracles we need to step out in faith and ask for miracles.  I know the greatest miracle, that I sometimes take for granted is in our salvation, which is found in Christ Alone! Check the blog frequently. We will be posting more about our trip later. 

Psalms 20:7 
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the  Lord our God .

-Regan Puckett :)




Blessing in Disguise

Today, some of the team went to the landfill to do foundational construction work on homes and the rest of us went to the school that Lakewood helps support, Rayitos de Esperanza, to do VBS. While at the school, we split up into different groups to go into each of the classes. We worked with ages anywhere from 4 years to 2nd grade.

To begin our time at the school, we sang a few songs with the children and then they had a few songs prepared for us! Once we finished with the group session, we went to our classes; I was in the 5 year old class. The lesson today was from Ephesians 6:11-18, that talks about the Armor of God. We read them the story and had a visual that was made for us that showed why we need the Armor of God. My favorite verse from this lesson is Ephesians 6:11 that says "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." For me, this is strong. Sometimes it is hard to grasp the concept that God is there for me no matter what and no matter what type of situation I am in. It is hard for me to let go of things and whole-heartedly put things in God's hands. It's almost like I don't have on the full Armor of God on because I think I can handle things myself. But this lesson not only taught the kids to put on the Armor of God and stand for on His firm foundation, but also taught me to do the same.

We had recreation time, snack time, story time, and arts & crafts. These kids loved to color and it was such a joy and pleasure to be sitting with them and interacting with them. Every chance they had, they would run up to us and show us their picture and name tags they colored. They would have smiles ear to ear when we told them how good they look and how great of a job they were doing. This made my heart smile!

One of my favorite moments of the day was after everything was done, we read the kids a children's book about how much God loves them. This book told about how they are put on this earth for a reason and how God has great plans for them. At the end of the book it asked the question of "What kind of blessings has God given you?". Several of the kids had the answer of family or friends or something of that nature. But the answer that stuck out to me was when a little boy said my school. It made me think of how I've had my moments, as many of us have, saying that I don't want to go to school a particular day or that I wish I was done with school, but these kids beg to go to school and love going to school. It made me take a step back and be thankful and appreciative of the kind of education that is offered to me.

"I will praise the Lord God with a song and a thankful heart" Psalm 69:30

Courtney Brooks




















Sunday, July 7, 2013

Antique places of healing.

"To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. hear the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your holy sanctuary." (Psalm 28)

But, what if the voice heard and hands lifted, are those of the Fathers, in and around our own hearts by the voice of the silent and response of the deaf, living within society's pit? When in an act of mercy we are found helplessly adrift in a sea of Gods own mercy abandoned by any power of our own. Left eye to eye with an equal creation who's final chapter the world has long since written.

Saturday was devoted to an Aids Hospital sat high upon a hill overlooking countryside villages and farms, A 'Special Needs Clinic' residing within a classic cathedral in the heart of Antigua and on the streets of Antigua itself.

We were blessed with the smiles of little faces who's hearts have been scarred by HIV/AIDS within their own small bodies, or the bodies and lives of those who bore them. Skits were acted, swings were swung, finger guns shot, goals scored along with much more atop that countryside hill. Two things for sure, we're not as young as we used to be, and these little lives are precious to our Father.

The special needs clinic is a sight of the abandoned; It's also the sight of some of earths strongest women. Day in and day out these nurses are severely outnumbered in the battle against the infirmities of a broken worlds broken bodies. We were incredibly fortunate to assist in lunchtime feeding of these near and dear to Christ heart. Mere words will never do true justice to the needs of this sanctuary and the truths spoken to our hearts.

Antigua is a city immersed in culture and heritage. From its cobble stone streets to its antique architecture it's a city all its own. We walked the tourist lined streets absorbing much of the old city's culture both old and new. Among its history, much western influence can be seen flanking its foundational roots; from Micky D's to Piccadilly the world has moved in to satisfy the convenience of tourism. It provides a great metaphor to what influences of convenience has moved into the heritage of our Faith.

Not to be forgotten, a great thanks goes out to our Sister, Taylor Ewing, who gave us the grande tour of Casa Shalom'. She's made this her home for many months spending each moment of daylight caring for some of Guatemala's cutest children and infants. Her time spent touring the facility and walking the streets of Antigua was a bonus of a blessing.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers as we move into another day of The Lord.

Chad Towler




















One Family United

The families arrived in Guatemala today! What a blessing it's been to jump into the arms of my family that I haven't seen in almost six weeks! I flew straight into Guatemala to meet up with the AXIS ministry group (aka 18 through 20-something's), for missions here last week after a month of studying abroad in Costa Rica. This was my first mission trip with Lakewood, and what an awesome ride it has been! Not only did I get to take part in God's ultimate mission for our lives here in Guatemala City, but I also have had the privilege to get to know and reconnect with some of the most incredible, talented and God-fearing group of young people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Today, 21 people from various families arrived in Guatemala to join the AXIS group making 39 of us total. As close as our AXIS group has gotten within the last week, the families that arrived by no means caused us to skip a single beat. We all became united the moment they stepped off the plane. We returned to Seteca Seminary where we're staying, and immediately the greatness of God shown through as he pulled us all together for worship and fellowship. Lakewood has even had the pleasure and blessing of working, for the first time, in Guatemala with another church within our community in North Georgia, Ivy Creek Baptist Church.

Sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends and cousins alike gathered together tonight for our first night in Guatemala at a church in the landfill called Restoration Church. Songs were sung unanimously in both Spanish and English as well as sermons spoken. The power of God fled through the tiny church tonight. It was an amazing start to another week of God's work here.

What's been special to watch today is that it doesn't matter what age we are, or what family background we have, what language we speak or even what church we come from, we are all one family united under one father - our Father in heaven. We are all here for his purpose.

One point that has laid heavy on my heart from a devotion this morning that carried over into our devotion tonight is that God doesn't need us to do his work. He could do it all on his own as he is an all powerful God. What's incredible is that he choses to invite us in to work with him along his side. He gave us the power to change the world with him as an unstoppable force! How much more amazing can life get that we may have these precious opportunities to change people's lives not only abroad in a third world country but also in our daily lives?

Luke 18:27 "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

Megan Rochester







Tag and Limbo

This morning we went to the AIDS hospital. Last year I was blessed to bond with a girl named Ingrid. Today I was able to see her again. She was just as happy as last year. It broke my heart to hear more of her story. She told me that she has lived there for as long as she can remember. Despite this she still maintained an abounding joy. Before we left Seteca, Matt read us a quote by Tim Keller that said, "If God exists then every good endeavor, even the simplest ones, pursued in response to God's calling can matter forever." This quote was on my mind today as we served these children. Today our ministry was simply loving these kids. My day consisted of playing games of tag a limbo. It was such an awesome experience to love on these kids. Please continue to pray for these children. I know God has great plans for these children. And for us to be a small part of that plan is such a blessing.

In His great love,
Zach Johnson

Ephesians 3:8 " Unto me, who am less the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;"









Friday, July 5, 2013

Connections Rekindled

Today was a very good day. After we went to the Malnutrition Center we came back to Seteca for a little while. Then at 4:30 we met back up and headed out to the landfill to help with the Friday night feeding that Pastor Saul's church does weekly. One of my prayers for this week was to reconnect with the people I had met in the past which I have been able to do. At the feeding I reconnected with several girls I met on my spring trip and was able to give them some pictures I had printed of us from when I met them. They were so thankful for the pictures and thanked me several times, they don't generally have an opportunity to print pictures and they were so thankful to have them. I was also able to see a woman I met my very first trip to Guatemala in 2011. I was so glad she remembered me and it was really great to see how her little boy had grown up. When I met them he was only a tiny baby and I sat and talked to Carla, the mother and rocked the baby for a long time. But now he's two and a half and it was wonderful to see them again. Another thing I thought was cool today was to see some of the same babies at the malnutrition center and to see how much more healthy they look now than even a few months ago. Tomorrow we are going to the AIDS hospital and the special needs hospital in Antigua. Then we are going to spend the rest of the day in Antigua and then spend the evening sharing and loving on our drivers and translators. The Lord is working in Guatemala through us and even in our absence. Please keep the Guatemalan people in your prayers, because prayer is so powerful!!!

Gracie Parker





From Streets To Rocking Chairs

Today we went to the malnutrition center and I got to see Gerson And Andrés. To give some back ground to them they started out homeless and and born in a strangers house. They are now 3 years and 8 months old and every time I see is a blessing because there story is very sad and it seems like they have very little hope. When Gerson was born it was a struggle for his life because he had a tumor on his face and he almost lost his sight and almost his life because of the tumor. Also to add on to that is that he had a deep cut in his upper lip from a broken bottle when he was being fed by his mother. The cut which i saw on my first trip looked like he had cleft pallet that's how bad the cut was and he was only 3 months old when he received the wound when I first met them my heart broke for them because they were only 6 months old and they have already had such a hard life. But every trip I have been on to Guatemala I have been able to see them which is such a blessing to see them grow up like being able to see them start to walk and talk and even run! Also just being Gerson recover and see God heal them. God has shown me so much these past few years with them but this trip has broke me. Today at the malnutrition center I was able to hold Andrés and sing songs to him and rock him in a rocking chair and he fell asleep in my arms and just being able to see him sleep and have peace even though they don't have a mom or dad because they left there, it was amazing to read this morning how God takes care of the orphans and it was such a blessing to see how God takes care of them even though there isn't hope and how he has a plan for them and I know he will do great things through them and there story together.

-Joshua Puckett
Romans 8:28
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know I Am"