Josh Sanchez
Below are a few pics from the past days!
Friday, July 5, 2013
Love Intimate
Going to the school was great! I was happy to see the kids excited for us being there. Being able to share with them the love that God has for them is amazing. It was even better seeing them sing for us. That is one of the best gifts I have ever gotten. Afterwards we went to a new church in Zone 21. We were able to learn about how the church came to be. It was cool to see that it was shaped like axis. They met in Houses together and on Sundays came together as a congregation. It was great to know that there is a light in that area after learning about the struggles some of the kids go though. Knowing our group prayed over the church calmed my heart. There is power in prayer. The hardest part of the night was the landfill. Going though the houses was in no doubt a blessing but seeing the situation that they were in was eye opening. The first house we met a girl with cerebral palsy and her aunt. She immediately broke down when asked about prayer and let us know the situation. It was so powerful to see our group pray over her and her nieces. You could definitely feel the holy spirit. The second house we went to was a little strange because the women there spoke a different dialect so it was a little different to communicate, but thanks to God we were able to. The last house is the one that hit me the hardest. Seeing Anna the women talk herself out of committing her life to Christ was heart breaking. Her reasoning was that she wasn't perfect and that she was afraid to commit her life to God only to mess up. It broke my heart and I just wanted to blurt out and tell her that no one but God is perfect. And that without God we couldn't even dream of being close to perfection. She has been on my mind because I instead stood there. I will continually pray for her and even pray that I may see her again before I leave. I know a seed was planted and with prayer it will grow. Dinner was a great opportunity to get closer with the group. Being able to sleek with Walter, Ingrid, and Joshua is a great advantage I have because I don't need a translator. Getting to know them day by day is great, I can only hope the connection becomes stronger. Before we had split for dinner Matt gave us the challenge to talk with a stranger. It seemed like I would complete the challenge but right before we met up to leave. Zach asked me to go with him to talk with someone and I agreed. Our first stop was the retail store Justice. We spoke with one of the workers and got her to open up a little but when we offered to pray with here she declined saying there were cameras and that she would get in trouble. Our second stop was a store by the name of Love Intimate. We were Immediately approached by a worker and were quick to offer the same. However we were not able to ask her any questions because she said there were cameras and would get in trouble. When we walked out and we approached a young lady and were able to make conversation with her. She said she did believe in God and Jesus but would normally only looked to Him when she was sick. When asked of we could pray. She replied yes but that it was too embarrassing to say. We prayed with her and thanked her for her time. It was great that we were able to talk with her and the fact that she was honest with us even though she had barely met us. I Thank God for Zach because in a normal situation I would have sustained from walking up to a stranger, much less into the stores we walked in. But because he needed a translator I was happy to help and therefore happy to walk with him. Before we left it was great to have a bonding moment with the group by playing twister on the floor of the mall. The fact that as a group we can have fun even having just met some of them. Also it was great that we went from having fun to worshipping together was amazing. Hearing our voices together was a blessing. Being able to share our high's and low's from the day and encouraging each other is just a small sign of the companionships we have made. I'm excited for what is to come because I know God has some amazing things planned for us and especially for me.
Josh Sanchez
Below are a few pics from the past days!
Josh Sanchez
Below are a few pics from the past days!
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Breaking Through The Language Barrier
Laughter, an expression of joy & happiness, is the same in any language. This morning the team went to visit the school Lakewood helps support. Children stared at us curiously, some greeted returning members of the team with smiles and hugs. Students and Teachers gathered for the morning assembly. We danced to Toby Mac with the children and shared the story of Zacchaeus. We talked with the children about how much God loves them, He will never leave them, and how we can trust Him when we are afraid. Then they had prepared a few songs & dances for us too! They are so precious!
We then broke into smaller groups and got to visit each classroom individually to deliver a small gift to each child. There were smiles, hugs, and squeals of delight. We were able to communicate through our translators with the students as we spent time in the classrooms learning their names, meeting their class' pet turtle, and just loving on them. Their laughter echoed throughout the entire school. The love of Christ & the joy of the Spirit was tangible in that school. I cannot wait to return on Monday!
Afterwards we went to Zone 21 Church, a new church plant within a community desperately in need of His love and grace. Zone 21 Church sits near the top of a hill & as we approached it I was reminded of Matthew 5:14 which says, "You are the light of the world. A city set in a hill cannot be hidden." God is and will do amazing things through Zone 21 Church. The team spent time praying over the pastoral team and prayer walking the land the church sits on outside of Guatemala City. We all prayed at the same time in our own language. The sound was beautiful to my own ears, I cannot imagine how it blesses our Father to hear His children call on His name.
I don't speak very much Spanish although I am surprised how much is coming back to me each day. But that doesn't place as strong a barrier as I was expecting. You see, we as a team have the same Spirit of God living in us that lives within the church pastoral teams here, the teachers at the school, our drivers, & our translators. We're all one body in Him and He broke the barrier when He said "It is finished." Now, we are charged to go out & share that good news!
That's exactly what we're going to do this afternoon. Please be in prayer for the team as we go out in evangelism groups to share Christ's love with the people living in the Guatemala City Landfill.
-Ellen Hill
We then broke into smaller groups and got to visit each classroom individually to deliver a small gift to each child. There were smiles, hugs, and squeals of delight. We were able to communicate through our translators with the students as we spent time in the classrooms learning their names, meeting their class' pet turtle, and just loving on them. Their laughter echoed throughout the entire school. The love of Christ & the joy of the Spirit was tangible in that school. I cannot wait to return on Monday!
Afterwards we went to Zone 21 Church, a new church plant within a community desperately in need of His love and grace. Zone 21 Church sits near the top of a hill & as we approached it I was reminded of Matthew 5:14 which says, "You are the light of the world. A city set in a hill cannot be hidden." God is and will do amazing things through Zone 21 Church. The team spent time praying over the pastoral team and prayer walking the land the church sits on outside of Guatemala City. We all prayed at the same time in our own language. The sound was beautiful to my own ears, I cannot imagine how it blesses our Father to hear His children call on His name.
I don't speak very much Spanish although I am surprised how much is coming back to me each day. But that doesn't place as strong a barrier as I was expecting. You see, we as a team have the same Spirit of God living in us that lives within the church pastoral teams here, the teachers at the school, our drivers, & our translators. We're all one body in Him and He broke the barrier when He said "It is finished." Now, we are charged to go out & share that good news!
That's exactly what we're going to do this afternoon. Please be in prayer for the team as we go out in evangelism groups to share Christ's love with the people living in the Guatemala City Landfill.
-Ellen Hill
Bienvenidos a Guatemala
Hey Everybody,
We had a slight plane delay with another team playing musical chairs on the plane and the crazy rainy weather, but alas we are here! Bienvenidos a Guatemala! Our team is super excited to get to know the culture, to get to meet the amazing people, and to do work! We are resting ourselves currently from the crazy ride from the airport and for our supplies run to WalMart! Please pray that as we are out and about we are looking for opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus! "He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." (Psalm 147:3-5) May we be used to display God's power! Pray that God shows up and shows out here in Guatemala this week!
Live life on purpose,
Christa
We had a slight plane delay with another team playing musical chairs on the plane and the crazy rainy weather, but alas we are here! Bienvenidos a Guatemala! Our team is super excited to get to know the culture, to get to meet the amazing people, and to do work! We are resting ourselves currently from the crazy ride from the airport and for our supplies run to WalMart! Please pray that as we are out and about we are looking for opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus! "He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." (Psalm 147:3-5) May we be used to display God's power! Pray that God shows up and shows out here in Guatemala this week!
Live life on purpose,
Christa
Friday, June 7, 2013
Our last full day in Guatemala!
How awesome has it been for us to fellowship with each other today!! God has just been so so so good to us all!!! I am so thankful that God called me to go to Guatemala and serve! This was my first mission trip and I couldn't have asked to be on it with a more awesome group of people! They have a heart for The Lord and for His people!
I was thinking back today about the whole week and about the children we meet in the Hospicio, in particular Maria Fernanda, about the children we meet in the clinic, especially Edgar and Ashley, and about the 2 best friends we meet at the clinic, Segunda and Veronica.... and as I thought about them I couldn't help but feel overwhelmingly blessed to even have had the honor of meeting such strong and loving and sometimes hurting people. They encouraged me to remember all that I have been given and that gave me hope! Every time I go to complain about what I have to eat or wear, I pray to God that I would remember greatly those women and children!!! My heart can't express the love I have for them enough and how they have touched my life.
I also want to say that without this strong group of women here with me as my family, I may have not made it well emotionally. It's so good for me to be able to say these women love and they love hard! I have been utterly blessed by knowing, serving, learning and teaching with them.
Most importantly, I want to thank The Lord God Almighty who has done much work within my heart this week and has held me, comforted me, touched me and even surprised me! I thank God for the opportunity and the ability to be able to come here and serve and be blessed by Him. Word can't describe the awesomeness of Him!!!
Carla Wilson
Last Day of Serving
Today was the last day of our medical clinic and Bible study. We have seen over 200 patients in the clinic this week. They received love from the time they walked in the door. There were snacks and juice, and even massages, in the waiting area. The children lined up to receive toys while they waited. After they received their medical care and medications came the best part of all...every one of them went to one of our prayer rooms where they could share their heart and receive individualized prayer. Some were lead to the Lord for the first time, many received comfort and encouragement or a specific word from the Lord. We even had one baby dedication this week! They may have come in to be treated for infections, but they left with a lifted spirit as well.
Close to 80 women took part in our afternoon Bible study, where there was also child care for their 100+ children. From 2 to 5 every afternoon, Pastor Saul's church has been overflowing
with life! Lynn has done a wonderful job of leading the large group study each day. We also spent about an hour in our small groups, which were each named for one of the pieces of the Armor of God. My group was the "Sword of the Spirit," which is "Las Espadas" in Spanish. For our last day today my co-leader, Carla, made swords out of balloons. It was hilarious watching all those adult women playing with balloons in class! They giggled and laughed like they didn't have a care in the world. The study this week was titled "Living Victoriously in Difficult Times." I think most of the ladies in my group could have written that book themselves. It's bad enough that they have to deal with living in a landfill every day, but in addition many have lost children or spouses who were murdered, they have been raped or physically abused, face near starvation and malnutrition daily, and a multitude of other tribulations. They know what it means to wake up each day and lean on God rather than their own strength.
As the day came to an end, the tears overflowed from all of us. The ladies kept coming up to bring us little handmade gifts or "regalitos" and thanking us for all we have done. They have no idea what a blessing they are to us! Last, we handed out food bags to each of the ladies in the study. Each bag had corn meal, protein powder, sugar, salt, rice, beans, spaghetti, oatmeal, soup, ramen noodles, cookies, marshmallow treats, toilet paper, and a dozen eggs. I have no idea how they carried those heavy bags all the way home! And their children were equally loaded down with all the crafts they had made, plus a new beanie baby. We also were able to leave behind an ample supply of medication for the clinic. The Lord has richly blessed and provided for all of the needs for His work here. I think we will all leave behind a piece of our hearts when we get on that plane.
We miss all of you back home. Your prayers have kept us safe, healthy, and encouraged. None of these things could have happened without the Lord using you to hold us up. Please continue praying that the Lord will continue the good work He has begun in this community.
Dawn Kemp
Close to 80 women took part in our afternoon Bible study, where there was also child care for their 100+ children. From 2 to 5 every afternoon, Pastor Saul's church has been overflowing
with life! Lynn has done a wonderful job of leading the large group study each day. We also spent about an hour in our small groups, which were each named for one of the pieces of the Armor of God. My group was the "Sword of the Spirit," which is "Las Espadas" in Spanish. For our last day today my co-leader, Carla, made swords out of balloons. It was hilarious watching all those adult women playing with balloons in class! They giggled and laughed like they didn't have a care in the world. The study this week was titled "Living Victoriously in Difficult Times." I think most of the ladies in my group could have written that book themselves. It's bad enough that they have to deal with living in a landfill every day, but in addition many have lost children or spouses who were murdered, they have been raped or physically abused, face near starvation and malnutrition daily, and a multitude of other tribulations. They know what it means to wake up each day and lean on God rather than their own strength.
As the day came to an end, the tears overflowed from all of us. The ladies kept coming up to bring us little handmade gifts or "regalitos" and thanking us for all we have done. They have no idea what a blessing they are to us! Last, we handed out food bags to each of the ladies in the study. Each bag had corn meal, protein powder, sugar, salt, rice, beans, spaghetti, oatmeal, soup, ramen noodles, cookies, marshmallow treats, toilet paper, and a dozen eggs. I have no idea how they carried those heavy bags all the way home! And their children were equally loaded down with all the crafts they had made, plus a new beanie baby. We also were able to leave behind an ample supply of medication for the clinic. The Lord has richly blessed and provided for all of the needs for His work here. I think we will all leave behind a piece of our hearts when we get on that plane.
We miss all of you back home. Your prayers have kept us safe, healthy, and encouraged. None of these things could have happened without the Lord using you to hold us up. Please continue praying that the Lord will continue the good work He has begun in this community.
Dawn Kemp
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