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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