Man, it gets bright here early in Guatemala. A little correction from yesterday's sunrise time. The sun is actually in full at 500am, not 600am. I could probably become a morning person pretty easy in Guatemala. We have had breakfast and will head out to the school "Rayitos de Esperanza" here in a minute to visit the children. After that we will spend our day in the landfill helping with peoples housing and sharing the message of God's redemption. The children here are so precious. Last night at the coffee and bean service at the landfill, I saw a mom named Sandra and her son. I have known this family for years. And they are always so gracious to go out of their way to greet our teams. The little boy is five and wanted me carry him the whole night at the service. I found myself so broken wondering about the future care of this child who lives in a landfill. I wonder what will become of his life. My hope and prayer is for him and his families' salvation. And if he so chooses, will have other options with his life. Possibly finishing school, maybe college, maybe a ministry pursuit as a Christ follower. The Lord knows! Our job is to pray for his spiritual and physical well being.
Once we got into the landfill our work was finishing the projects we started the day before. One of our teams went back to finish the work at Ingrid's house. Their basic plan was to finish a front door for her home. She was so grateful for the repairs and her new door. As the door was finished we shared with her again, picking up conversation from the previous day. We asked her if she wanted to hear a story about a door in the Bible...she responded curiously, yes! One of the team members shared a verse from Revelation 3:20. She was asked if she wanted to let Jesus into her life...she responded yes. We were so blown away, and so grateful for her response. This is the same Ingrid that we prayed for yesterday to be saved...thank you so much for your prayers for this family.
We are seeing such an opening to share the Gospel this year with all the families we are working with...please continue your prayers. Pray specifically for Velma and a worker at the school named Salvador. Salvador actually went to church with us tonight and he has so many questions.
In closing we are so grateful to be here in Guatemala, and the teams are working so hard through different types of ministry efforts, but the same goal in mind, to bring Glory to God. Thank you for your prayers and support.
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (Romans 3:22-24 ESV)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20 ESV)
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Showing posts with label Guatemala City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guatemala City. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Construction Trip 05-28-12, Day Two
We started out bright and early. With a two hour time difference, and the sun rising at 600am. Everyone was up early and ready to go...after breakfast we gathered to outline our day, share some thoughts and pray that God's will would be done, in us and though us. This is a great group, wanting to get the job done and serve. We have many talented carpenters as well, which makes construction projects in the landfill nice.
An activity that we did Sunday really impacted this day. On Sunday, as we were waiting for the rain to quit so we could visit the school and landfill. We gathered for a few minutes to talk, and share what we would like to see happen this week. One of our themes which became apparent, was that we would put the families we were serving ahead of the building project. We challenged each other in our group, to hear the families story first, get their name, and to pray for them while we worked on their home. One in our group expressed a huge desire to be part of the conversation in someone beginning a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
In the morning we worked on two homes, both were needing new roofs. The families were so grateful for the care and assistance. After lunch we worked on two other homes. The group was broken into two teams. One team worked with a mom named Maria and the other team worked with a mom named Ingrid. Ingrid had two children and one small baby. One of her children was continually getting sick, due to lots of rain entering their home from the roof, the team prayed for the family and shared the gospel. Ingrid was very interested, but according to her own words was not ready to follow Christ. Her reason was so pure, she said, " I am not perfect enough to be a Christian". It broke our hearts, and we tried to convince her otherwise, but she is still pondering everything. We will be going back to her house tomorrow, we are majorly praying for her tonight, and hope there will be a spiritual breakthrough.
As for the other team, the team who was working with Maria. She received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. And our team members prayer was answered...."I want to be part of a spiritual conversation where someone gets saved". Thank the Lord for Maria's salvation, and for Christ followers who are faithful to share the Greatest News ever.
Wow, what a day. Continue to pray for our teams in Guatemala. Please pray for Maria and her whole household. Pray as well for God to give us many opportunities to share the gospel, which is the hope of the families and people of the landfill, which is the hope of families and people in Gainesville, Georgia. Which is the only true hope for the world. We are all broken people, desperately in need of a Savior, thank you Jesus!
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:9-13 ESV)
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An activity that we did Sunday really impacted this day. On Sunday, as we were waiting for the rain to quit so we could visit the school and landfill. We gathered for a few minutes to talk, and share what we would like to see happen this week. One of our themes which became apparent, was that we would put the families we were serving ahead of the building project. We challenged each other in our group, to hear the families story first, get their name, and to pray for them while we worked on their home. One in our group expressed a huge desire to be part of the conversation in someone beginning a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
In the morning we worked on two homes, both were needing new roofs. The families were so grateful for the care and assistance. After lunch we worked on two other homes. The group was broken into two teams. One team worked with a mom named Maria and the other team worked with a mom named Ingrid. Ingrid had two children and one small baby. One of her children was continually getting sick, due to lots of rain entering their home from the roof, the team prayed for the family and shared the gospel. Ingrid was very interested, but according to her own words was not ready to follow Christ. Her reason was so pure, she said, " I am not perfect enough to be a Christian". It broke our hearts, and we tried to convince her otherwise, but she is still pondering everything. We will be going back to her house tomorrow, we are majorly praying for her tonight, and hope there will be a spiritual breakthrough.
As for the other team, the team who was working with Maria. She received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. And our team members prayer was answered...."I want to be part of a spiritual conversation where someone gets saved". Thank the Lord for Maria's salvation, and for Christ followers who are faithful to share the Greatest News ever.
Wow, what a day. Continue to pray for our teams in Guatemala. Please pray for Maria and her whole household. Pray as well for God to give us many opportunities to share the gospel, which is the hope of the families and people of the landfill, which is the hope of families and people in Gainesville, Georgia. Which is the only true hope for the world. We are all broken people, desperately in need of a Savior, thank you Jesus!
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:9-13 ESV)
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Christ with us
Hebrews 4: 15-16 "for we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet he did not sin! Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
I find these words this morning encouraging that we don't walk this walk alone. Christ is with us. He knows exactly what each of us will face as he has faced it. He is not a distant God but a living God that goes before us an prepares the way.
Lord, we ask this morning to give us the words to speak truth into each soul you put before us. Let them see your grace and love, do not let us get in the way. Make it so that we cannot boast and glory can only be given to you! Protect us as we go out to be your hands, feet, ears and eyes today!
Angela Horne
I find these words this morning encouraging that we don't walk this walk alone. Christ is with us. He knows exactly what each of us will face as he has faced it. He is not a distant God but a living God that goes before us an prepares the way.
Lord, we ask this morning to give us the words to speak truth into each soul you put before us. Let them see your grace and love, do not let us get in the way. Make it so that we cannot boast and glory can only be given to you! Protect us as we go out to be your hands, feet, ears and eyes today!
Angela Horne
Monday, May 28, 2012
05-27-12, Day One, Sunday Construction
We have another great opportunity to serve the Lord in Guatemala City. We had a ladies team leave on May 26th and the construction team is leaving today May 27th.
The women's team will be working with families and ladies in the landfill, and ladies and families at El Camino Church. The construction team will be working in the landfill helping with housing, putting together clean burning wood stoves, and possibly some concrete flooring. We also hope to do some construction at the new school lot. We will work on the play court area or the school building itself. We cannot wait till that new space opens for the children and teachers.
The construction mission team consist of Yale Moore, David Waldrip, Jimmy Martin, Babe Campbell, Tom Bryant, Dale Stauffer, Elizabeth Stauffer, Jason Dykes, Jimmy McGowan, James Lester, Mike Beard, Charles Pharr, Richard Hunt, Robert Puckett, and Bill Risinger.
Presently we are waiting on the plane waiting for the flight to take off, we are looking at a 1-2 hour delay, due to engine problems. We will make the most of it, but the team is anxious to get to Guatemala to connect with friends and start the work. Keep us in your prayers this week. Pray specifically we will serve well, will stay well, and have lots of opportunity to encourage believers and share the Gospel Story with many.
When the question was asked of some of our team members, "what do you want to see happen this week?", here were a few of the responses...
"that people will begin a relationship with Jesus Christ"... And..."to fulfill God's objectives"
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."(Romans 12:1, 2 ESV)
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The women's team will be working with families and ladies in the landfill, and ladies and families at El Camino Church. The construction team will be working in the landfill helping with housing, putting together clean burning wood stoves, and possibly some concrete flooring. We also hope to do some construction at the new school lot. We will work on the play court area or the school building itself. We cannot wait till that new space opens for the children and teachers.
The construction mission team consist of Yale Moore, David Waldrip, Jimmy Martin, Babe Campbell, Tom Bryant, Dale Stauffer, Elizabeth Stauffer, Jason Dykes, Jimmy McGowan, James Lester, Mike Beard, Charles Pharr, Richard Hunt, Robert Puckett, and Bill Risinger.
Presently we are waiting on the plane waiting for the flight to take off, we are looking at a 1-2 hour delay, due to engine problems. We will make the most of it, but the team is anxious to get to Guatemala to connect with friends and start the work. Keep us in your prayers this week. Pray specifically we will serve well, will stay well, and have lots of opportunity to encourage believers and share the Gospel Story with many.
When the question was asked of some of our team members, "what do you want to see happen this week?", here were a few of the responses...
"that people will begin a relationship with Jesus Christ"... And..."to fulfill God's objectives"
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."(Romans 12:1, 2 ESV)
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Saturday, April 7, 2012
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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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
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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.
- 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!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Flickr Photo Set
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:30 Calle,Guatemala City,Guatemala
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Day One (March 31)
Our team arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta this morning bright and early, ready to get started on what already promises to be an incredible week. We arrived in Guatemala City at 12:10 local time, and made our way through customs and baggage claim. By the way, what was once lost is now found. That's right all of our bags are now accounted for, and I'll be picking mine up from the airport early tomorrow morning! Hooray for not stinking all week.
Back to the blog about today...after arriving at SETECA Seminary our group rode over to the landfill, which is located about three blocks from where we are staying this week. We prayer walked and spent time with the children that live in the landfill for an hour then rode over to the lot where the new school is being built. It's been a long but great day...check back tomorrow to hear about our trip to an orphanage and more. And enjoy the pics below.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Back to the blog about today...after arriving at SETECA Seminary our group rode over to the landfill, which is located about three blocks from where we are staying this week. We prayer walked and spent time with the children that live in the landfill for an hour then rode over to the lot where the new school is being built. It's been a long but great day...check back tomorrow to hear about our trip to an orphanage and more. And enjoy the pics below.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:30 Calle,Guatemala City,Guatemala
We Are Here!
Texting plan isn't working right now, so just letting everyone know that we are here in Guatemala City at SETECA Seminary.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:30 Calle,Guatemala City,Guatemala
Today's The Day
Today at 10:05 AM is when our group is scheduled to depart from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. For many in our group, this will be their first Guatemala experience...for others, like myself, we have been a few times, and everyone else that falls in between. Regardless of whether the person is a newbie or a seasoned veteran...this trip will be life altering. It is impossible to come back from the beautiful country of Guatemala unchanged! We will see amazing landscapes. Inactive volcanoes soaring into the clouds, covered with every shade of green vegetation you could possibly imagine; a great reminder of the intricate details that God put into His Creation. Cobble-stone streets surrounded by rows and rows of Spanish style buildings in their typical faded yellows and reds. And so much more. But, we will also experience God in a fresh and new way. We will come back different. We will look the same, but we will not be the same!
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, August 8, 2011
Additional Insights on the Guatemala Family Mission Trip
One of the great opportunities we had was to install wood burning stoves in the houses in the landfill. They usually use open fires for their cooking. Below is an article taken from the Helps International website. They were the provider of the stoves. It is so easy to take running water and a clean cooking source for granted. The team was able to install multiple stoves throughout the homes of the families of El Camino church this week.
The Problem
In the late 1980's, HELPS International's medical teams reported an alarming number of children being treated for burns and numerous respiratory problems. Don O'Neal, an engineer with HELPS, investigated and found that the problem was the method of cooking that the indigenous Mayan women used in their homes, a centuries old tradition: cooking meals using an open fire pit on the dirt floor of their one room homes known as a "three-stone fire" with no ventilation, so families were inhaling noxious fumes causing Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI). More specifically, Mr. O'Neal found:
· That the high instances of facial and hand burns were due to children falling into these open fires when they were playing or learning to walk.
· That excessive smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death in Guatemalan children under the age of 5, according to the World Health Organization. The deadly gas carbon monoxide was found to be twice the level considered to be dangerous.
· That inefficient burning of wood for three-stone fires required the women and children to gather huge amounts of wood daily, contributing to Guatemala's deforestation at a level of 2% per year. The time lost to long treks to get the wood combined with the effect of carrying heavy loads had a detrimental health impact on women and their families.
The Solution
After consideration of the cultural as well as technological factors surrounding three-stone fires, Don O'Neal developed the "ONIL" Stove, a method of cooking that is compatible with traditional methods.
Today, thousands of rural Mayan families are using the ONIL Stove with the following benefits:
· The fire is contained in a clay-fired firebox in an insulated, durable stove that sits off the floor, thus minimizing the risk of burns to small children.
· Vented by a galvanized steel chimney, the stove uses an efficient burning technology, and virtually eliminates smoke and deadly carbon monoxide in the home. Using the ONIL stove means longer life expectancy, safer child development, and more time and energy for families.
· The ONIL stove reduces wood consumption by 70%, resulting in a long-term benefit to the environment and a better quality of life for families.
· Women who use the ONIL stove gained the equivalent of two days a week in time saved from gathering wood, allowing them time for social and economic activities like cultivating a vegetable garden.
· Each ONIL stove uses only 15% of the equivalents of one tree per month per family, and, since there are over 40,000 stoves in use, Guatemalans are saving over 300,000 trees per year.
Friday, July 29, 2011
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
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
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
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