June 2 and 3, 2011 Guatemala Construction Trip Day 4 and 5

Day 5 and 6, July 2nd and 3rd

These past two days were tough and wonderful at the same time. They were tough because we knew that our week was coming to a close and our time with the people in Guatemala was limited. On the other hand, they were both days filled with the Spirit of the Lord as we finished 5 more houses for the people in the dump.

After we finish each house, we pray for the family that lives there and each time you can see the appreciation and joy in their hearts after receiving a brand new remodeled home A few families were in tears! This past week we have seen 12 new remodeled homes for the people in Guatemala that will provide shelter for about 50+ people, and after the last two days we did not want to come home because of the houses we had seen that were still in need of roofs, walls, doors, and etc. There is still so much more work that needs to be done in the dump which makes our time here seem too short.

Wednesday evening we had time together with Pastor Saul and some of the families we had built houses for, and our time consisted of more prayer and gratification. For some reason the way that these people pray for us stirs up emotion that grips your heart. Every time we gather with them to pray, they desire to pray for us, and without understanding the words, you can feel the presence of the Lord in their words of appreciation and thankfulness. It's an overwhelming experience to be prayed for like that on a mission trip again and again. Their prayers magnify their hearts and how thankful they are for their new homes and for our group who followed a call to do what the Lord desired. I don't know if there were any salvations this year, but we most certainly know that the Lord is using and will use our time down here to change lives! The feeling of serving in this country has been more than humbling and places us down on one knee before the Lord as we return to the U.S. as servants of the King.

Thursday morning we went and finished our last homes of the week and began to clean up and clear out of the dump in Guatemala. Before we left the dump and departed to head to lunch, our group, Pastor Saul, Darwin and Ingrid gathered to pray once more for the people there. We have prayed for each family and the people here multiple times every day, but it still feels like we can do more, give more and pray more for them. Our interpreter, Ingrid, prayed and tears came to our eyes as she has a heart for us and the people in the dump. If I could bring some of these people back home to Georgia I would.  They are more of an encouragement to us than we are to them. It's funny how the Lord can do that with people like us on a trip because He knows what it is we need to see or hear so that we can further glorify His name.

I want to thank everyone who made this trip possible: families for letting their husband go for a week, Lakewood for partnering with Pastor Saul and making this opportunity possible, and the men and women on this trip for following a call and serving with their hands and feet.

In Christ, Mark Thomas

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011 Day 3

On day three, we completed three more houses to bring our total to five. Construction is going well, and the families in the dump all know that we are here as they come out and watch us rebuild houses.

This afternoon one of our groups finished a house and gathered to pray for the family that lived in there. Instead of one of us praying for them, the woman that lived in the house just started praying for our team. She was unaware that we wanted to pray more for her. Of course most of them couldn't even understand what she was saying, but several guys said, “We didn't even know what she was saying, but you could feel that she was praying for us! It was in another language, but it was one of the best prayers I have ever heard in my life!" Our interpreter Anna Maria said that she had tears in her eyes as she listened to what they lady was praying. The lady in the home prayed for God to protect us, to send angels down, and that the Lord would meet all of our needs because we have given so much to her family. It was a different feeling to be prayed for on a mission trip but very powerful at the same time. It gave us a clear picture of how appreciative and thankful the people are here in Guatemala and their perspective on life.

The kids in the dump love to come by and play or try and talk with us. They are a joy to be around! They come by our site and interact with us, but somehow you can almost always understand what it is that they want after a few minutes of being with them. It just breaks my heart as we have learned this week that some kids have never really left the dump because it is their home, and they will probably never live anywhere else. The environment that some families grow up in at the dump has been the same for three or four generations, so the kids here are not even aware of any other way of life. Some will grow up and dig through trash and others will grow up and get involved with drugs because that is one of ways quickest ways to make money.

Tuesday evening we went to Pastor Saul's church, saw a beautiful building in the downtown area, and attended their church service along with about 45 others. We sang songs in Spanish the best we could and listened to some encouraging words from Robert Puckett on time and relationships and how they are related. After the service some of the members of the church and Pastor Saul laid hands on us and prayed for us. Again it was an unexpected moment for us as we were being prayed for again. It just shows the heart of the people here and how they are so thankful. They appreciate every bit of hard work and wanted to thank the Lord for all that we have given.

We pray and hope that tomorrow will be the same as our week has reached the middle. Pray for us that we can continue to work hard and serve where God leads.

Monday May 15th, 2011, Day 2

Today was a busy day that consisted of culture shock, construction, and Christ. We started out eating black beans and drinking warm milk that the local seminary provided for us, which is not our usual breakfast back home, but we were thankful. After breakfast we started our eye opening day and headed to the dump around 9 o'clock to survey and prep ourselves for what laid ahead of us.

You may have heard people or Dr. Tom from Lakewood talk about the dump after coming back from this trip, but until you are here your idea of the dump may not even be close. One of our crew member said today "whatever you think about abject poverty...it's worse than that", which is a pretty accurate description of the kind of environment God had us serving in today. I cannot even begin to describe to you what goes through your mind or how you feel when you see people going through trash for a living, kids sniffing glue to fight hunger, smelling filth in the air because there are no bathrooms, or seeing people drink water out of trash they found on the ground.

Our team split into two groups today and helped remodel/construct two houses that were either rained on during the night or had used tarps as their roof the night before.

Walking through the dump we heard the kids say "gringos gringos" as they watched us carry supplies near their homes. Going in there to find the particular "house" to work on instantly puts a different perspective on the word possessions as you realize the cloths on your back may have cost more than the money they see in a month.

A few of us got to work with Pastor Saul, who i have more respect for within a few minutes of meeting him than friends I've had my whole life. Even with a language barrier you can understand his heart for Christ by how he acts or what he does for these people. He shows it not just in his words but in His sacrifice for the Lord as he washed peoples hands and hair this evening, and then served them food. It is so clear that he listens to the Lord, and is willing to do whatever the Lord asks. We can praise him and admire what he is doing but only his courage, sacrifice, and willingness to follow a call. Someone said today as we were watching a young man come to him for help that "pastor Saul is a hero here". He replied, "no it's Jesus".

Jesus is the only reason we are here. We will be here for a week and constructing houses that take three hours to finish, but given the chance the tools will be laid down to share the Gospel that will establish a stronger foundation than some wood and tin. I am honored to be apart of what Pastor Saul and his team are doing because it is more than just building small 12 X 12 houses or serving food, but they are being Jesus to these people with their hands and feet!

This week is already humbling as we realize that we are being used by the Lord as an answer to prayer for these people.

Thoughts from our team...

"Appreciative for so little that we did"

"Children are a special part of the week. They have a way of touching your heart."

"They are serving the same Jesus in Guatemala City as in Gainesville, Ga.

"You Really see Christ in Pastor Saul, because he brings it to life."

"God loves the people down here the same as me"

"What's going to happen when we leave?"

Guatemala Blog 05/29/11 Sunday, Day One

Mission Team-Jimmy Martin, Charles Pharr, Dale Stauffer, Yale Moore, Mike Beard, Richard Hunt, Babe Campbell, David Waldrip, Mark Thomas, David Dillard, Tom Bryant, James Tipton, Anna Maria Tipton, and Robert Puckett

Hey Lakewood, we are back at it and on another adventure to build houses and

support Pastor Saul and his church. Iglesia El Camino. Getting to the airport was very smooth thanks to great volunteers. We arrived got the team through security, got to the gate, and boarded on time. I thought to myself this is going to easy, where is the stretch in this. Then it occurred, the pilot came on while taxing out of the gate, and stated the word you hate to hear, DELAY! I thought ok how long. Well needless to say 2 hours later and after replacing an engine computer we were back at it.

The flight was smooth and we would be there soon. We connected quickly with several of our friends at the airport, got checked in at Seteca Seminary and made our way to our favorite neighborhood in Guatemala, Rayitos de Esperanza (Rays of Hope) school. We walked from the school to around the corner, where the new school will be built and were greeted from several families and friends we have connected with over the years that Lakewood has been serving in Guatemala. We had a short service and time of prayer. Pastor Saul welcomed us in the meeting and told the families how we would be serving this week in the landfill, the families and people were so excited that we had arrived, their faces were filled with so many smiles. We then were able to pass out shoes to 20 or more children, new shoes for caldron who have so little. I bet you could guess their response, smiles, thanks and joy. I was so blown away from their gratitude and expressions of thanksgiving. The children didn't care about the color, the brand, or even if it was a perfect fit. I have some thoughts on this shoe experience in the landfill neighborhood of Guatemala

First, the reality of why do we take so much for granted. We have so much to be thankful for, and we miss giving thanks a good bit of the time. I want to be more thankful! In a recent Bible study I did on the word blessed and blessing it meant to be totally content in God and His provisions. It means you were satisfied in Him alone. I desire to be more satisfied in Him. I want to be blessed in that since of the word, not hobbies, possessions, or stuff.

Matthew 6:33-"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Secondly, thanking about the shoes and the children's experience of possibly having new shoes for the first time. I thought of our salvation and how Christ greets us and clothes us in Him. A far better gift then our temporary needs, as important as that is. I want to be more appreciative for the great gift God has given to us in Christ...we have been clothed in His righteousness.

We start construction today in the landfill. Please keep our team in your prayers, more later.

Thanks,

Robert Puckett

June Trip Is Almost Here!

Several of our church members will be traveling to Guatemala City, Guatemala to build and repair homes in the Guatemala City landfill.