Guatemala Family 2009

July 31 - The last day

2009-07-31T22:38:00.000-07:00

We turned today into another work day. There a few finishing touches to make on the place and we really felt led to get them done. Let the pictures tell the story...

We had a great week and were supported by six great interns...thanks guys and gals.

Now it is home to Houston and back to our lives, but always with the memories and experiences that we had serving our Lord.

July 30 - Nearing completion

2009-07-31T21:47:00.001-07:00

There are many things going on during this trip...projects galore, clinics, VBS and tonight men's meeting.

Our projects are all coming to a close. We put the finishing touches on the wall on the playground. Go back on look at Monday's picture. I think I can say that the team put together an amazing thing here. The best part of the whole wall is how we painted the grassy patches. Each little patch is a hand print from the kids at the school, the teachers, administrators, Tito, Rolando, Makko, Wendy Dr. Oswaldo and even our team (interns included). God's hands are all over it as well. Without Him keeping the weather perfect for painting, we could not have done it.

Clinics were amazing with over 160 patients seen, as well as many dental and vision patients. Our team worked with interns there mainly i the dental and pharmacy. They learned a great deal as well as met some neat people.

VBS closed today with our last story about God's favorite word, Love. Sally Underwood told the story of Jesus going to the cross using the flannel board and kept the kids engaged. The last craft was a bead bracelet using the colors depicting sin, blood, purity, eternal life and a crown.

Our focus on the men's meeting tonight was on servanthood. Knowing the culture a little and gaining insight from Hector, Tito and Pastor Menfil, we decided to start by providing a service to the men. We opened with the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet and proceeded to do the same to those men who desired it. It is hard to say what the impact was, but several men seemed to be very appreciative. Each team member took a turn.

After this, we discussed servanthood as it relates to our relationships to God and our families which are the two places God calls us to serve first and foremost. Pray that hearts were touched by this and that marriages in Palencia will be strengthened...

July 29 - Making headway

2009-07-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

We have been working on our projects and trying our best to ensure that what we start we finish. Some of these are bigger than normal, but it looks like we might just make it.

Our VBS today was a huge hit as Anthony told the story of the unforgiving servant to the kids in Spanish. I think they like it better than when the other guy talks in English...

July 28 – Progress

2009-07-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Today, we had another brilliant day. Brilliant sun; brilliant work; brilliant people. Everything we are trying to accomplish is on schedule. That makes for a very rewarding time for all of us.

Projects in the works include our wall, which now has the beginning of an amazing mural; the last room which is now almost completely painted except for the staircase going to the loft (like room one); the library mural (second room upstairs); the toilet project. All of these are going great.
God has provided some amazing weather. We continue to pray for this, as it is what makes the projects go faster.

The clinics have gone well and several of our team has spent time in the pharmacy and dental clinic. This has been a very successful clinic season. The doctors and dentists have been seeing about 50-70 patients a day.

Palencia is really changing and we are excited to be a part of it.

July 27 – Day One-Perfect

2009-07-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

We experienced a great deal of God’s grace today. And, why not, this was today’s VBS theme word.

Seriously, after two days of spotty, but heavy rain, the weather was perfect. Sunny and warm, but with a breeze. It does not get much better than this for working outdoors, playing outdoors and bring a clinic patient and waiting outdoors. These four days this week will be packed with activity.

We got to Palencia about 9:30 and unloaded materials for the clinics. A second truck showed up a few minutes later and we off loaded everything else. We now have also met all the interns as Justin, Ellen and Stephanie joined the group. These are a diverse group of students, from WA, OR, MT and TX. They are working in the clinics, but are also pitching in where needed, which is usually VBS.

Our team broke into specific groups and then did what we usually do when trying to get started, waited for everything to get organized. We scurried about for the paint supplies and all the tools needed to get to work and once prepared, set sail.

Our tasks included a new mural in an upstairs room; painting a large wall on the playground and the front of room 4 upstairs. These are just our first paint projects. Many can follow if we make enough progress. So, our paint teams jumped in, and, blessed with sun and wind, the paint went on and dried in no time, such that we have both of the big projects primed and ready for paint by lunch. This was really quite a step. It gives us plenty of time to get the other coats on as we try to create a large mural outside as well as those inside. (You can look forward to seeing the results in Friday’s post.)

After lunch, we prepared for VBS. This was rather simple as this year we have two storytellers. Sally Underwood joined me on stage to tell a story of grace based on the Fall. I warmed the kids up, teaching them the word in English and then she told the story using a flannel board, something they have never seen before. The reception was quite good. We went on to do a small craft of a lamb (showing the sacrifice God made to clothe them) and then the kids went to do what they do best, PLAY.

We all joined in the fray, adults and interns and kids mixing it up and the basketball court, soccer court and the bubble factory. If you need to dose of joy, this is where you come.

One great story from today: One of our first timers saw a need here that really touched him. He is a little more mechanical than most of us and he went to look at the children’s restroom and found that the conditions, while quite the norm here, were still not acceptable. Moved by this and by a real tug from God, he assisted in getting a plan together to replace the old, non-flushing toilets (by non-flushing I mean the way gringos understand it) to new, regular flushing toilets (with seats even). That in itself is a great story, but the best part of it is that he say, if this is the only reason God has me on this trip, it was worth it. And the better part of this story…after we remove the old toilets, we will donate them to families that have none. Does God not take a blessing and multiply it?

Amen.

July 26 Church – Shopping

2009-07-28T09:12:00.000-07:00

Not what you think. There is only one church for us in Guatemala City, Communidad de Fe.

This is the house church that Tito and Rolando attend. It is a great little church and this time we were surprised to see a new structure in the church that houses the drum set and musicians. This creates a whole new space inside the house and also adds a new dimension to the church.
In another new wrinkle, there was another mission team here that is connected through another church member. They were here from Michigan, so the total count of gringos outnumbered the Guatemalans. The team from MI did Sunday school for the kids while their pastor, Steve Gill, did a message on generosity and giving from 2 Corinthians 9:1-15. It was a well taught sermon and timely as we consider what we might give while we are here.

After church and some socializing with the folks and the other team, we had the Guatemalan version of Subway. Amazingly, it is just like the US version. Short on meat and cheese. Fortunately, we could add our own fixings. We also met three of the other interns, (we met intern #1, Kevin yesterday) Justin, Annie and Brian. These three are from WA and OR. Kevin is an Aggie (whoop).

After lunch, we made the trek to Antigua for shopping. This is always a treat as we wander through the narrow aisles, lined with more colorful items and unique things and useful and useless things than one could possibly use. As would be the case, we got there and it started to pour while we shopped. Of course, it is covered (if you call tin roof a covering), so we stayed somewhat dry. It was just a minor cloud burst, so after a couple hours of negotiating our way through multiple purchases, we all headed back, but left time for a group shot against a beautiful fountain and floral arrangement.

This is a busy day, but nothing like what we are about to plunge into. We begin work in Palencia tomorrow and we are excited to see how our group will be able to serve and give back that which God has given to us.

Arrival-July 25

2009-07-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

We made it to our destination and have been relaxing for the balance of the day. Our hosts have made us right at home and we are anxious to get underway.

Like Houston, they have had little rain here lately. We cleared that up, though. It has rained for about an hour like only it can in Guatemala. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate for all we need to do this week.

Thanks for your prayers.

Trip Prep - July 22

2009-07-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

We had our last planning meeting tonight. We covered all the details of our trip and made sure everything is ready to go. This is the smallest trip from FBC yet, but it is a hearty group. Cast members are:

Del and Sally Underwood
Rene Matthews
Sybille Lang
Anthony and Nick Spagnoletti
Judy Condra
Bethany Bradley
Kevin and Stephen Hicks

Please pray for safe travel and health and protection through out the trip. We are off Saturday morning.