Mission Trip-Guatemala 2010 part 3

Up on the mountain plateau- a new church

All the kids(and parents) listening to the story of Peter Walking on Water with Jesus

A boy doing his coloring craft during VBS- muy colores

We also conducted 3 VBS classes while there and expected to minister to apporx. 75-120 kids. But the Lord is bigger than that and we ended up playing and teaching 34o children all together. At our last VBS we had 218 kids! It was beyond amazing to see them excitedly file into a small 30x45 ft. building with only 2 lights. Yes all 218 AND their parents! Our presence in these small churches did two things: spread the gospel in a new way and also gave credibility to these new, small churches. Many came just to see the crazy American Gringos, who could blame them? I was an anomaly all my own. In third world countries if you are on the more round and curvaceous side, like I am, you are considered to have a wealthy husband, because you get to eat a lot. But add to that, that I am white and blue-eyed... talk about the perfect trifecta! I was something to look at and get a picture with. Not to mention I am silly and crazy when I get around lots of children. I can't help but have fun and smile a lot.

I guess if I have to suffer for Christ's sake this is the way to go!

Mission Trip-Guatemala 2010 part 2

Rios du Aqua Vive! Rivers of Living Water Church

Mayan Guatemalan women wrapping their hair in the traditional way for church

We set off on our journey. Our high schoolers were great travelers and we got through customs and the airport in Guatemala City with no problems. We spent 6 hrs. or so on the windy mountain highway, to our home base in Huehuetenago, in the northern mountainous region of Guatemala. We went to two small Mayan Churches.

This I will never forget: As we sat in this church with wide wondering eyes staring at us, our host, who is a pastor and native, gave a message. I became confused because I wasn't getting the whole message of what were to be doing. I could pick out a few words but it was nothing that I understood because I am not fluent in Spanish. Then, when it was translated from Spanish into the Mayan or the Mum language, I was really lost. It wasn't until our host Edwin, speak in English that I understood "in the hearing of my ears"! It was then, that I knew what it meant to hear the word of God in my OWN language. As English speaking Americans we are rarely confronted with this problem, right? Most everyone knows some English. We don't have to work too hard at communicating. What a moment of clarity for me. I will not look at God's word the same. My own language was meaningful to me in a new way. Our high schoolers gave testimonies of what Christ has done for them in their lives and we sang them songs in English. It was very powerful.

My First Missions Trip-Guatemala2010 part 1

Coffee country in the mountains of Guatemala

I am having trouble starting this post. Not because I don't know where to start but because I have so much to say. I suppose I could start by saying I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Really, you ask? REALLY. It was nothing like I imagined it to be. This trip was an exercise in trust, faith and growth. One thing I have learned about my Lord is that whatever He places in front of me has reason and purpose...nothing is wasted. It will be used for the Glory of His Kingdom someday! Isn't it exciting when you have that truth? Life becomes a different kind of adventure when you have that attitude.

I fell in love with Guatemala. Before we set out I had asked the Lord what can I do to share your love with a group of people where I don't speak the same language and He said, through art. So together the Lord and I came up with a plan in preparation for this trip. I had the children of our church make pictures to give to the children of a Mayan Indian Church in the hills of coffee country, in a place called Aqua Dolce (Sweet Water).

The picture had the scripture in Spanish of John 3:16 on it. I spent two evenings with the children of our church teaching them about Guatemala and what we would be doing there on our mission trip. I told them that they would get a picture back from a Guatemalan child. They thought this was a great idea and many of them chose to make more than one picture. It was fun to see the enthusiasm and joy as they did their artwork. It is always more fun to make something when you know that it will go to someone special isn't it? Our children also put together several kits of foamie cut outs(120) for a project to do at the VBS times while we were there.

More to come... visit soon