Guatemala Day 7
The team enjoyed a much deserved day in Antigua. After a lot of bartering, everyone will be returning home with some souvenirs. On our way to La Limonada each morning we would pass a restaurant called Pollo Campero. With a name like that, we just had to try it. Now we know what the Guatemalan version of KFC tastes like. We'll be heading back to Cincinnati tomorrow and look forward to seeing everyone at church on Sunday.
Guatemala Day 6
There were many highlights from day 6. One of which was having Mike Roszkowski lead a small team to build an awning for a homeless man in the ghetto. The project grew a significant crowd and allowed the gospel to be proclaimed. We ended our time at Limon and Mandarina by worshiping and praying with the staff and missionaries from the schools. it was an incredibly powerful and impactful time for everyone involved. We left knowing that we poured ourselves out, were more broken for the oppressed and encouraged by the future plans God has for La Limonada. As evening fell, we gathered on the roof top of the mission house. With the glow of a volcano in the background, some on our trip began a relationship with Jesus Christ! We are humbled and in awe of God and grateful for everyone who is back in Cincinnati praying for us.
Guatemala Day 5
The two teams switched houses today and continued our work in La Limonada. The ministry that took place today actually began last night, during our evening worship and devotion time. The Holy Spirit showed up in a powerful way. The students and adults spent nearly an hour praying for and encouraging each other. They stepped out in faith and spoke prophetic words and visionary words to each other. It was truly an amazing night. As the spirit orchestrates those divine encounters, it is apparent that what we experienced here was a directly linked to the prayers of those of you back in OH. Kevin Peyton, at the exact time we were meeting, sent out this prayer request: "Prophetic Words of Encouragement. Pray that God’s spirit would speak specific words of encouragement and direction to members of the team. Not just for this mission trip but for their futures. Pray that the Holy Spirits gifts would be released as He sees fit." I had prepared a devotional to do and as we were worshiping the holy spirit whispered, "I want you to have everyone put their hand on each other and speak forth a word that they are hearing from the Lord for their neighbor or encourage them in the Lord." God is so good, He truly connects us in the spirit! Many of the students, and adults, stepped out in faith and prayed for each other and spoke what they heard from the Lord. That set them up to do the same in the ghetto today as they prayed in people's homes. We painted, worked, repaired a roof, built an overhang for a homeless man, and continued the work God has begun here in Guate. Thanks be to God!
Guatemala Day 4
Day 4, better than day 3, simply amazing. Half the team went to Mandarina and half the team went to Limon. The team at Limon got to particpate in a powerful home visit. We visited a young man who has been sexually abused for many years. He has been closed off to the point where he speaks little and has not hugged anyone for years. During the visit, God made himself known in a very strong and tangible way to this young boy. He broke down in tears and embraced one of the team members for many minutes. Everyone in the room was cyring. Our guide Monica was in awe of what she was witnessing and the group broke out in song with How Great is Our God. I bet you wish you were here! On a lighter note, the team from La Limon was able to partake in a soccer practice with some of the older kids from the school. Thanks for your prayers, keep them coming.
Guatemala Day 3
What an amazing day. We just finished an incredible time of worship on the roof of the mission house reflecting on all the things that God revealed to the team today. The day started at 5:30 AM with a 6:30 AM departure for La Limonada. 2 hours later (the traffic was crazy, as were the drivers, including Pastor Jeff!) we arrived and split into two teams and went to the two schools, Limon and Mandarina. Both teams had the opportunity to do crafts with the children, paint the school, and do home visits to pray for families. Everyone shared how they were impacted: the simplicity of a smile from someone who lives in extreme poverty, the joy of a child receiving a pair of used shoes, the power of relationships in a destitute community, the bond of the Holy Spirit, the hope of the Gospel of grace. Story after story of ways, unique to each team member, that they were touched by what the experienced today. I also had the opportunity to sit with the leaders of several different ministries about partnering to plant a church in La Limonada! That was a specific prayer that staff and church leadership had been praying and it is evident that God is orchestrating incredible opportunities for Rivers Crossing to partner with the work happening here in Guatemala.
Guatemala Day 2
The theme for day 2, adjust and prepare. With the time change, almost everyone woke up at 6:00 this morning. We spent the morning at the mission house getting adjusted to the new surroundings, altitude (5,300 ft), etc. An impromptu basketball tournament was held at 8:00 am and Bruce Deyo would like you know that his team won. We followed this with a time of devotion based on Luke 17:11-19 -- giving thanks to God is always a good idea. We departed for La Limonada and arrived at the ghetto around 1:00. The term ghetto is used by the locals and if you check out the pictures, you'll understand why. Tita gave us some of the journey that led her to starting a school in the slums 9 years ago. She said, "I was more afraid to not obey Jesus, than to be afraid of what he asked me to do". A powerful truth and it helps explain how she and her staff are reaching over 300 kids today. The highlight of the visit was our time of worship in their new school under construction. Singing Mighty to Save in the midst of extreme poverty can't be beat. God is with us and we are hopeful of what the rest of the trip will bring. We depart tomorrow at 6:30 am and have a full day of work and love ahead of us.
Guatemala Day 1
I don't think it could have been easier to travel from Cincinnati to Guatemala - Go God. After a slight delay leaving CVG, we got back on schedule at DWF and had a smooth and beautiful flight into Guatemala City. Our guides for the trip Jacob, Leah and Monica picked us up at the airport and were helpful in getting the vans rented. We learned that a 15 passanger van in the states equates to an 8 passanger van in Guatemala! After some team bonding (i.e. sitting on each other laps) and an eventful ride, we made it to the mission house.
Day one was great and everyone is simply excited. Reality will set in about 12:00 tomorrow when we go to La Limonada. Poverty, homelessness, violence and brokeness will be front and center.