Serving outside our borders has a way of taking us out of our comfort zone and a step closer to fulfilling our call to go and make disciples of all nations. This summer we will be taking two trips:
July 25-31 (Student Trip): Travis Soles, Director of Student Ministries will be leading this trip designed for high school and college students.
August 8-14: This trip is open to both students and adults.
Trip One Summary
DAY 1
We made it safely! The group is energized for a week of serving.
Alright so with only a few minor setbacks we are in Guatemala City, and it is incredible. Weather is perfect, hospitality is awesome and the fellowship is strong.
Weather predicted rain all week, yet as we landed in Guatemala City I cannot imagine any better weather to walk off the plane to. 75 and partly cloudy! Getting our currency swapped was entertaining as everyone fumbled to combine money trying to get better rates. Customs in Guatemala is slightly less strict than the USA, so we made it through smoothly. Moms and Dads, you can rest assured that we are safe. Our neighborhood is safe. The trip to the local Centro Commercial (similar to a strip mall) was quite entertaining as we were all enthralled by the 3-liter sodas and local food, and equally captivated with the Spanish receipts.
As a whole I think we are all happy with the day, and equally as excited to head to the ghetto tomorrow! I know I am looking forward to the big slumber party tonight!
Goodnight Family,
Dan Trimmer
P.S Mom I’m fine!
DAY 2
Spontaneity seems to be the word that summarizes the day. A swift change of plans right before we left for the Ghetto changed our course for the day to Antigua.
Eggs and juice hot off the skillet started the day off right, and God blessed us with another incredible morning of weather. We enjoyed our breakfast outside with some powerful early morning worship and prayer. The ride to Antigua was slightly crammed but entertaining nonetheless. As we pulled into Antigua, the views were breathtaking from every aspect. Our first experience in town happened to be in a small café, where we got our drink fix in. Guatemala says 10% is a good tip, which makes me like it even better, because we needed to save our Quetzal’s for the market! We wandered to the market as the clouds came in and got to meet all of the local connections made by Donnie, one of our Mission house residents. Watching the crew barter, or try to at least was quite amusing. All of us know at least a little Spanish now…”No Gracias”. As it started to rain, we went to have lunch at Café Sky, and it was a blast. From our SOUR lemonade and glass bottles of Pepsi (Spencer was happy it was Pepsi!) to our highly desired lunch the trip was very satisfying. We were tired from walking and ready to return home, so we made the trek back to the Mitsubishi L300 super van that would be our carriage back to the mission house. The Lemonade House was filled with the aroma of some authentic Guatemalan cuisine prepared by our housekeeper Rena. The mix of potatoes, mini pumpkins and chicken tasted as good as it smelled. A powerful evening of worship followed our dinner, and our first devotional as our group. The spirit was moving throughout the room, and we got the opportunity to break out into some deep prayer in pairs.
I would say successful is an understatement for the day, and as we were yesterday, we are anxious and excited to see what God holds for us in the Ghetto tomorrow.
Buenos Noches Familia!
Dan Trimmer
P.S. Mom, I didn’t even talk to strangers in the market, and I bartered like a local! Don’t forget to water the money tree!!!!
P.S.S. Thanks for the pictures, John.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rc3students/
DAY 3
After a lot of anticipation we made it into La Limonada today. Our team was excited and ready to get to work at the school in Limon. We worked in the classrooms and taught a lesson from Psalm 139:14.
Te alabaré, porque asombrosa y maravillosamente he sido hecho; maravillosas son tus obras,
y mi alma lo sabe muy bien. (I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.)
Thankfully some of our senior high students speak Spanish pretty well. (A big shout-out to the Kings High School Spanish department.) We talked about the uniqueness that God instilled in each of us and the children were able to draw things that were special about themselves and their families.
Before lunch half of our team was able to do a home visit led by the staff at Limon. We walked through the streets of La Limonada and were graciously greeted by everyone we came across. The teachers and leaders of the school are well respected members of this community and we felt safe walking with them through the narrow streets of the ghetto.
We went to the home of Brayan, a child sponsored by Seth and Kristina Kidwell from RC3. Kristina’s sister Madison is with us on the trip and gave Brayan a gift from the Kidwell’s. He was so excited to meet Madi and loved his Bengal’s t-shirt and “American” football. We were able to pray with him and his family. We have been so impressed at the level of familiarity the children have with the families that sponsor them. I was able to meet Walter, a child that my family has sponsored since last year. He remembered my wife, Nona (he met on last year’s trip), and my son Jake (who is with me on the trip this year). While we were in the classroom Walter bragged to his friends “This is my sponsor family.” Tomorrow we get to visit his family and give Walter the gifts we brought with us.
While in the neighborhood our guides took us to the home of a mother who had recently lost her one year old daughter to mal-nutrition. She was beside herself with grief and sobbed uncontrollably as she talked about her young daughter’s recent passing. She was convinced that her daughter’s death was her fault and she had resolved to no longer eat to ensure her other three children would not suffer the same fate. Her grief needed no translation as we shared in the international language of tears. We prayed for her and did our best to console her as one of our students gave her a prophetic word of encouragement. It was hard getting back to the school and playing games with the afternoon kids while I thought of the grieving young mother. Please pray for Cindy as she grieves the loss of her daughter Kimberly.
We’re back at the mission house now, unwinding and decorating brown bags for tomorrow’s project. Each night we gather for worship, prayer and a team devotion. I love worshipping with students, they speak to the Lord with an abandonment that we adults sometimes lack. I’m preparing tonight’s devotion on obedience to the Spirit. After witnessing one of our high school students step out in faith today and tell a grieving mother “I believe the Lord wants you to know…” I’m not sure there’s much needed to say.
In the middle of this suffering there is joy and we’re excited to help bring some to La Limonada tomorrow.
Peace,
Kevin Peyton
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rc3students/tags/tuesday/
DAY 4
Wow, today has been one that will never be forgotten by those in the group, and the kids of La Lemon. Its only been a two days of being the with the kids and the Holy Spirit is moving in so many lives.
Today started out like the others, the early risers of myself, Dan (who makes one heck of a great breakfast) and John, and those who stay in their bed till the last second. For instance we have found out that a few people talk in their sleep and sleep in the most interesting positions. What amazes me most every morning is how full of energy we are for the day when the night before we all collapse with exhaustion.
Driving into the ghetto is always a sobering experience. For me personally I see these houses where you can’t tell where one starts and one ends and I see these children who run into school with such smiles on their faces. It truly is touching to see these innocent faces everyday just loving on us as we love on them. Today we had them create themselves out of cookies, icing, M&M’s, and gum (the parents I’m sure appreciated the sugar bomb that came running through their doors). The coolest part was that when we told them to eat them some wanted to just take them home for their families while others wanted us to eat them, even though they themselves don’t have much they give more.
Now here come some of the coolest things that have happened this week, personally and to others. Kevin and Jake Peyton’s adopted child Walter was the first stop on our family visits and that family was so touched by the love from the two of them and Walter could barely contain the smile on his face. The part that touched me most about that visit was the hug that Walter gave to Jake and Kevin. A love was expressed through both that only they can describe. The next house was my families’ girl Andrea Tunches who I might have to bring home with me (Make room mom and dad). She was a bundle of energy at school but so quiet at home when we were there, she was so quiet. I was praying she would open up in some way before we left. And as I was about to step out the door I see her peaking around the corner of her house, I called her name, and she sprints around the corner and jumps into my arms as I go down to my knees. She embraces me with such love that I have never felt come from someone. I told her I’d see her in the morning and as we begin to separate she leans in to give me a kiss on the cheek and I give her one. Such an amazing girl.
Lastly and shortly, tonight worship the Spirit showed up in power. One of the many things stood out. One of the students gave their life and heart completely to God. One of the coolest things she spoke was that, “I can’t even cry even though I should be, I’m just so filled with peace and confidence in this feeling.”
Sorry for the length but today was full of things I can’t even come close to expressing. We have some great stories to tell you when we get home! We are so thankful for the prayers you are sending our way and know that they are working and God is showing up. We are standing firm, God is holding us close.
Until the whole world hears,
Spencer Hewes
P.S. Good night, and love you mom and dad!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rc3students/tags/wednesday/