Student Story - Matt Booth

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

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



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Student Story - Misty Hamilton

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





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Student Story - Caleb Parrish

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



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Student Story - Joshua Puckett

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




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Student Story - Madalyn Walters

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



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Student Story - Layne Saliba

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



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Student Story - David Funk

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





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Student Story - Samantha Murray

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




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Student Story - Brianne Williams

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




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Student Stories - Maddie Halstead

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

Links & Blogs For Places We Visited

Casa Shalom Orphanage
thehansonsinguatemala.blogspot.com



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


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