Today we sent off Team I back to Houston as Team 2 arrived safely, minus 3 bags, which we are praying will arrive tomorrow. Last night was a tremendous time of sharing after an amazing week of ministry and the end of a beautiful day. On our return to Guatemala City, we took a ferry across Lake Atitlan to spend a few hours in Panajachel, another pretty little town on the lake front. It is more “touristy” than San Pedro, but it was fun to shop in the market area filled with small stores full of colorful Guatemalan handiwork. Then it was back in the vans to complete the drive to the city, pack up and take some time to reflect on what the Lord had shown each of us during the week. Each person on the team was touched in various ways; eyes have been opened in new ways, hearts stirred, and none of us will be the same. We were all grateful for the opportunity to minister, get to know the gracious Guatemalans, begin to understand their lives/needs, and a desire to continue to pray and be involved in this ministry. We have been His hands and feet, sharing His hugs and hope, His truth and love. What a privilege!
Now we prepare for outreach in Palencia; a different sort of town and situation, but with great needs for ministry. It will be another very full week, and we covet your prayers and we continue to pray for the Lord to work in and through us to further His kingdom in Guatemala. Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to join You in Your work!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
What is this?
I think this is why they call it the Love Boat. Harry and Debbie please behave yourselves there are children on this cruise.
Shopping complete
At the end of the day Ken has to carry everyone's bags in his family as their hands were full from their purchases in the marketFriday, July 20, 2007
Day off to shop
We have travelled across the Lake this morning on a 45 minute boat ride and now we are in the process of shopping and furthering the economy, thanks Joy for your leadership in this endeavor.
We will try and get back with you later if not thanks for all of your prayers we have had a wonderful trip. Please ask the team members about their time here in Guatemala.
We will try and get back with you later if not thanks for all of your prayers we have had a wonderful trip. Please ask the team members about their time here in Guatemala.
Last day in San Pedro Thursday update
Today was our last day in San Pedro, a very full and rewarding day! The big project of the morning was completing the second floor of classrooms at the church. The rain poured last night, and we prayed for a clear day today so that this could be completed. Prayers were answered! ALL the men (and Kristine!) pitched in for the “cement brigade.” This meant the doctors, dentists, teachers, as well as our guys and the local workers…each as covered with mud as the next one. They constructed a giant sand box of sorts on the ground floor, brought in the cement, sand, and water, mixed it by hand with hoes and hauled the cement up in small buckets from the first to second floor. Slow, tedious, but it was done! When it was finally complete, all those who worked on the floor came together under the new flooring for a picture and special prayer of dedication. What a blessing for this church…and for us!
While the men were hauling cement, we had another special time with the ladies. They listened intently as the lesson was translated from English to Spanish to their local dialect. It was my first time to have tri-lingual interpretation! The excited voices of children filled the church once again for afternoon VBS. Talk about lively! Singing, jumping, laughing, praying, listening to the Bible lessons, they soaked in every bit. Game time was even wilder than usual. The doctors and some of the helpers who were now free for the afternoon joined the children, even in jump rope. That was a sight! We closed our time with the children by having the team members pray over every child; quite a powerful, sweet time.
When everything was packed into the vans, we took a quick tour of the town in the local taxi, a “tuck tuck,” like ones we have seen in Asia. It’s like a three-wheeled golf cart of sorts that provides local transportation. They are meant for two passengers, so we had a line of tuk tuks in front of the church. I think it is a bit unusual to see six of these following one another in a row, like a caterpillar, filled with a bunch of gringos. As we weaved through the town on rough cobble stone streets, the locals looked a bit amused. It seemed like a ride at an amusement part as we bounced along, but gave us a different view of San Pedro.
Tonight was our last night with some of our Guatemalan friends. After dinner, we had a wonderful time of sharing. How we appreciate these faithful servants! It’s our privilege to come and work with them, but they continue on, day in and day out, long after we go back home. Their faith and compassion for their people in need is such a testimony of the love of Jesus fleshed out. We have formed special relationships with these wonderful people and pray that we will be able to join with them many times in the future.
It’s hard to imagine that much can be done in a city in three days….but once you experience it, you realize just how much God can accomplish! And once again, we were reminded by our friends that this is much more than just a few days of work….it’s of eternal value! And we are so very grateful to have had a part in it.
While the men were hauling cement, we had another special time with the ladies. They listened intently as the lesson was translated from English to Spanish to their local dialect. It was my first time to have tri-lingual interpretation! The excited voices of children filled the church once again for afternoon VBS. Talk about lively! Singing, jumping, laughing, praying, listening to the Bible lessons, they soaked in every bit. Game time was even wilder than usual. The doctors and some of the helpers who were now free for the afternoon joined the children, even in jump rope. That was a sight! We closed our time with the children by having the team members pray over every child; quite a powerful, sweet time.
When everything was packed into the vans, we took a quick tour of the town in the local taxi, a “tuck tuck,” like ones we have seen in Asia. It’s like a three-wheeled golf cart of sorts that provides local transportation. They are meant for two passengers, so we had a line of tuk tuks in front of the church. I think it is a bit unusual to see six of these following one another in a row, like a caterpillar, filled with a bunch of gringos. As we weaved through the town on rough cobble stone streets, the locals looked a bit amused. It seemed like a ride at an amusement part as we bounced along, but gave us a different view of San Pedro.
Tonight was our last night with some of our Guatemalan friends. After dinner, we had a wonderful time of sharing. How we appreciate these faithful servants! It’s our privilege to come and work with them, but they continue on, day in and day out, long after we go back home. Their faith and compassion for their people in need is such a testimony of the love of Jesus fleshed out. We have formed special relationships with these wonderful people and pray that we will be able to join with them many times in the future.
It’s hard to imagine that much can be done in a city in three days….but once you experience it, you realize just how much God can accomplish! And once again, we were reminded by our friends that this is much more than just a few days of work….it’s of eternal value! And we are so very grateful to have had a part in it.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Intake table at clinic
The needs
Eye clinic
Debbie helping with the eye clinic patients, she said that it was so neat to be able to help people see better with their new glasses
Makko testing a patient for new glasses
Sunday school
New Sunday school classrooms at the church we are working at. Nice breeze during the day and plenty of room to worship.
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