well....

With 99.9% of the projects on the list complete, time (briefly) reflecting on the summer with the staff, and looking at the volcanoes one more time, the family made its way back to Iowa today.  As I am typing this, we are all either in bed or near bed at home.  Man, the summer memories, thoughts, and experiences are swimming in our minds.  Seriously, when we get a chance, we will share a final report of this Guatemala mission experience.  We will see what God has in store for us whether or not we continue to blog on the next adventure that the LORD has given to us.

Thank you to all of you who prayed us home!  The prayers were totally felt and NEEDED....we literally had 5 minutes to spare in Houston.

Justin

24 hours in Guatemala

That is how much time we have left.  This summer has flown by so fast.  It truly has been an adventure.  Today is PACKED day of getting the excavator back, unload MACHO (15 passenger van) filling the batteries of the base with distilled water (only about 50 of them!), packing, finish painting 2 doors, finish building a cross, cleaning, and enjoying the mountains and volcanoes one last time.  We will be leaving for the airport at 3:30am tomorrow and flying most of the day.  Again, we thank you for your prayers and will update you more later...

Justin

So, are you guys busy now that the last team left?

Both Vicki and I have heard that question a lot lately, and just laugh.  Today, Dan is in an excavator digging for the new garage, Vicki is helping a small village worth of patients in the clinic, I am planting the last of the trees AND getting the supplies cleaned and organized.  That is just today too.  We still need to get the ladders and other supplies from La Reyna and brought back to the base and do some repair work on some roofs and a repair job of stucco on one of the houses too.  Throw on top trying to pack and debrief, I think that the apartment cleaning will be left to someone else....okay, we will do it. :)
This summer has been really good as we have tried to help our missionary friends as much as possible.  We will try our best to update more this week with a final report more than likely when we get back.  We leave this Saturday and are already praying that we can make our connecting flight in Houston.  Well, break time is over.  Blessings!

Hard to Believe

Well, here it is, only one more week of our time in Guatemala.  Tonight Vicki is out in Tecpan with Caleb and Emilee and Team Alamo City for the first night of the medical clinics.  I got word that it is raining really hard, so my prayer that they will be able to return home safely as they need to cross three streams and some very narrow roads.  Team Alamo has been fun to work with in many ways.  From the southern hospitality to the drawl in the speech yall.  The houses went up well with the dedication being yesterday.  The rain REALLY poured.  No, I mean really poured!  Dan and I were talking about if we come back on the free day to dedicate, and then the rain slowed down.  We went to the first house.  The rain came back.  We chatted again and the rain slowed down again, so we went to the second home....and then the rain stopped.  We were able to dedicate all four houses.  Afterwards, we did the fiesta/ pinata in the rain!  As I reflect back on the summer, we built 27 houses.  And we were able to witness with our own eyes, the LORD coming down upon 27 families and reconciled them to Him.  We had all 27 families either rededicate their lives to Christ, or except for the first time.  Even as I type this, I am thinking that I need to put my sunglasses on because of the tearing up.  God is truly alive and well!
Dan has devo that he uses once in a while...bear with me, cause I would like to share some of it with you.

Acts 16
Paul has a vision of a man.  The next day Paul and his companions pack up and sail off for Philippi.  Now fast forwarding through the passages, they basically spend at LEAST 2 weeks if not more, before Paul casts out a demon in a slave girl.  The owners of the slave have them beaten and flogged and thrown in the inner stocks.  At midnight, they are signing hymns and praying to God.  Then there is a huge earthquake and the jail splits open.  The jailer fearing that the prisoners have escapes, is about to kill himself, when Paul shouts out, "Do not harm yourself, we are all here."  The jailer calls for lights and sees the truth and then asks how to be saved.  Paul then is let go and goes to the house of the jailer and he and his whole family are baptized after hearing the WORD.  Then Paul and his companions leave.
A few thoughts to leave you with:
***How long was Paul hanging around?  AND still did not know why.....
***flogging (see the Passion of Christ movie) was not an easy thing....then placed in the stocked, the heavy wood and metal on open wounds, and in the inner cell meant it was cold damp, smelly, and nasty.
***when the earthquake happened, the jailer THOUGHT the prisoners escaped and then called for lights...
***How did Paul know the jailer was going to try to kill himself?...if only the jailer WAS the man in the dream just 2 weeks earlier!
***where else in the Bible is the jailer or his family mentioned?

Paul and his companions endured great trials for the sake of one man and his family that was never to become famous.  A nobody by the worlds standards, but by the LORD, a somebody.

Working FOR Christ and working WITH Christ are two totally different things.  Working FOR Christ means that you are doing things in the name of Christ, but not always following HIS leading, just what we think Christ would have us to do.  Working WITH Christ is allowing Him to take our Comfort and Control of our lives and go, say, do, be, wherever, whatever, and however for HIS glory alone.  Not for our benefit or reasoning, but by His alone.
Thank you for allowing me to share these thoughts.  This summer has given us alot to think about.  It has been a refining process of the heart and mind.  It makes the 16 hour days worth it!
To HIM be the Glory

Dios Le Bendiga

I have almost got the landscaping done around here.  I was able to make 3 trips to two different green houses and purchase everything.  We spent pennies compared to what the plants would have cost in the states.  I was able to complete 4 different areas.  and revamp another area.  The biggest bed that we planted is right where all of the groups unload and load.  What fun.  Then I transplanted the roses along the fence and put in some Dahlias and Birds of Paradise.  Wow, does that look different.  With the guard and Nissorios help we dug up some grass and made a flower bed by Estuardo and Noami's patio and between the two apparmtents.  We need some lattice yet to finish that project, all in time.  The pictures that follow do not do it justice, but just humor me and say it looks awesome!

 Before anything was done!

Same area Finished!

One of the loads of flowers.

Project complete.  I can't wait to come back when the plants have grown!

We have the small triangle to complete also, we intend to buy a big palmish type tree and take some lava rock from La Rayna to finish that out.  Hopefully after the team leaves we can complete that project.

Continue to see God in each and every day
Vicki

Howdy Yall

Wow!  We have been really busy as we just said goodbye to the Team Allendale (with a special Central Iowa connection) and got ready for the Team Alamo!  Texas is in the house...yall.  It promises to be yet another great group.  It is also hard to believe that in about 11 days, we will be returning to the states.  There is so much to do, process, relive, and look at.  YET, we must stay focused on team 6 here.  The next three days we will be building four homes in La Reyna.  We pray for no rain and for the LORD to have His spirit visible to all.    Well, I need to get up in 5 hours so for now, we will say adios.  We will try to blog some more tomorrow.

Justin for the family

Randoms From Vicki

Yesterday was an adventure of a life time for me!  I was able to go with a patient into two different hospitals in Antigua.  This patient is Marcus, he is 16  years old and has been dealing with a sever infection in his left thigh.  Marcus and his family came buy about 2 weeks ago and showed us his infection.  We were working on our next step of action when he showed back up at our clinic with some changes in his symptoms.  We immediatly made a different plan; to head to the hospital.

We left the base at 6 am, picked up our patient and his mom along the road and drove to the hospital. When we got to the hospital we had to weave our way through all of the other patients and families to get a number.  The number allowed us to be registered.  We had a bit of special treatment because Yojana, the Guatemalan nurse, had called her boyfriend to pick up a number.  Keep this in mind, she called at 4 am to get a number and we were number 10, #10, people had been waiting before 4am to get a number!  Wow, what a system.  We then had to go pay for our visit and get our paper stamped.  Then to see a crabby doctor who would only let 2 people in the room.  Then go pay again for x -rays and lab work.  Then upstairs to go make an appointment to see the orthopedic doctor.  That appointment was not available until August 20.  One month away.  This teenager will not be well if we wait a month.  So, we called Dan, after having to buy more phone minutes and then get a hold of Dan.  After realying what we saw in the x ray and the late Doctors apointment we decided to take marcus to the private hospital.  So, how do you get there?  We had to take a tuk -tuk.  Which is a little 3 wheeler with a small motor cycle engin.  Needless to say I hung on. We got to the private hospital and what a stark difference.  No long lines, no plastic chairs with rows of short Guatemalans, no crazy numbers.  We got to go see the Emergency room Doctor, who buy the way is a beautifully tall asian women.  This Dr made Marcus a priority and wants him to come back in tomorrow morning ASAP to see her husband, another Dr.  He will treat Marcus with antibiotics to his bone in order to save his leg.  I was happy with this plan of action.  So we called for our ride to pick us up and he said he would be there in one hour.  Okay, this plan was a bit challenging for a girl that likes to keep moving.  But, I did really well, I think I am learning to sit tight and enjoy each minute of the day.
Then we drove to get some oil and filter for the van, picked up 2 kids from school and back home.  How long do you think our trip took?  We left and 6 am and returned at 1:15.  Not bad for a day of adventure.

Please pray for Marcus as he is at the hospital now, making a plan of action.  Please pray for the finances to come for Marcus's treatment as this will be covered by Paradise bound.  God will be blessed through this whole process, I jsut know it.

On another note; our Kitten in Iowa had her babies last night, 2 little black kittens have joined our family. Ella decided to have these kittens in the middle of a tornado that went through town. Caleb wants to name them Tornado and Cyclozee  We have been told that our trees are down, but the house is okay at this time.  Thanks Lord.!

Today is dedication day of 4 homes here in Guatemala.  Pray for these families to have their names written in the book of Life today.  Justin's parents are here enjoying their trip.  Pray that a passion for the Guatemalan's is born.  We are enjoying Grandpa and Grandma here!

I am almost done with a major Landscape project here at the base.  I will hopefully upload pictures soon.!
God Bless
vicki

Team Allendale here and well!

The last two days have been really busy but really good.  Team Allendale is here (including some Central Iowa folks!).  Dad and Mom are here too!  We are excited as this is their first international missions experience AND first with Paradise Bound.  Maybe we can get Meredith Drive down here some day :)    
Please pray for us as tomorrow we dedicate the houses and the last two days have been raining off and on.  We pray that the rain does not come until 6pm Iowa time.
We also wanted to share with you the remaining prayer schedule
Thursday- House dedications (no rain until 6pm and for the four families that they would come to know Christ
Friday & Saturday- Medical Clinics...please for safe travels and no rain until midnight!
Sunday is our "free day"
Monday this team leaves and Tuesday the last time arrives....Team Alamo
Wednesday-Friday: Building days with the Friday being dedication day...for the four families and no rain until 6pm
Sat and Sun being the medical clinics----for safe travels and no rain until we get home....around 1 or 2 in the morning
Then Monday is the "free day".  Tuesday the team leaves.  Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we will be at the base, getting things turned over for the winter teams: medical stuff, constructin boxes, Dan will be digging a new basement for the garage area, and etc etc.  The Saturday August 7, we fly back.   Not only do we ask for His blessing traveling, but for the ONLY a hour and half in Houston.  We already are prepared that we might miss the flight, due to the short amount of time to go through customs, through security and recheck our bags and then to our gate with five little cherubs.  Thank you in advance for your prayers.  I am needing to sleep now as tomorrow we go to battle for the souls of some really cool families.....Dios Le Bendiga

running here and there and having a ball

Justin here yet again.  I had another free moment so I thought that I would share with you some of the adventures of the day.  First let me back track.  Yesterday we dropped off Team Hager Park/Hillcrest and then went and got some flowers and trees and the such.  Now, keep in mind that this project was supposed to be done during May, but because of few volunteers and Tropical Storm Agatha, it was done yesterday and today.  The price we paid would have easily bought just a few trees and special plants in the states.  Oh the joy of Guatemala.  We had the back seats out of Embra and had TWO fifteen passenger vans LOADED with tropical flowers, plants, and tons of fruit trees.  Vicki is excited because Dan has made her chief landscaper on this project.
So that brings us to today.  Vicki and the girls (Caleb wanted to stay behind) went out to run a few errands: fuel up a van, pick up two "Elephant Ear" plants that we forgotten yesterday, purchase 20 Birds of Paradise and other plants at a closer greenhouse, pick up some building supplies near Ruth's house. and swing by Maxi Bodega to purchase cabbage (we have been asked to make fish tacos AGAIN.  Yes, in about 15 years when the country has caught on to the wonder of fish tacos, maybe my face will be on some of the currency....okay, enough yacking again.  We got back and unloaded and started the process of arranging the plants (in between te rain showers), repacking the construction boxes, worked on the new shelves a little, and worked on reorganizing the medical clinic (Vicki and Erin).  A busy day, but a fun one.  One little thing that I forgot was on our way to town from the base, AJ and Emilee packed a bag of candy and wanted to throw it out the window for the kids.  The local kids on the road know the white vans as the Dulce vans (Dulce is Spanish for candy or sweets).  It was a fun day.  The next team is coming on Monday.  We are excited because my folks are on that team as well.  This will be their first experience of Guatemala and Paradise Bound Ministries.  Blessings to you all!

WHAT A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How do you describe a week like just had.  Team Hager Park/Hillcrest was here and right away we knew that God was going to be doing something big, we just felt it.  We have been busy with now building an hour and a half away (compared to 20 minutes).  La Reyna is a village that could easily be missed.  It is hidden but tons of trees and is just off of a main road.  It is a former coffee plantation that the government turned into a village a little over 10 years ago.  Very few concrete houses.  A lot of homes built out of junk tin and wood.  Dan said it best when he said that there appears to be a spiritual darkness there.  I would agree, there seems to be a sense of hopelessness.  Yet, as we approached there, we are reminded quickly that with God, there is always hope.  The Tropical plants abound, coconut trees, bananas trees are also in a plentiful abundance.  We are literally at the base of Fuego, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.  Now, do not worry, it is simply that because it is smoking all the time.  Pacaya was the one that errupted and we are safe.  The team engaged the families right away and built relationships.  Paradise Bound Ministries will be building there in La Reyna for the next two years and this group was the first to build there! 
Last night was a powerful night.  The last devotions night is a great time for the team and to recap for the week.  God really moved.  We saw a granddaughter accept Christ for the first time, as her grandfather was able to kneel next to her, we saw a father and son hug and cry in a way that we can easily assume that has not happened in years if at all before, we spiritual walls be broken, we saw sins being confessed, we saw a professed atheist stop running away from his creator and ran towards....with his sister who has been praying for him there to witness.  With a team that entered into this country willing and wanting to serve others and God, ended up being blessed and changed.......we are quickly reminded that with God, there is always hope.
We say thank you for your prayers thus far.  It has hard to believe that 7 weeks have gone by and only 3 remain.  We are excited to return and share what we have seen, heard, felt, and witnessed....BUT, we know that 3 weeks remain for a reason.  Please continue to hold us, our family, this ministry, the missionaries, and the last 2 teams in your prayers.  We desire to "remain in the center of God's Will".  Our prayer is that for you who have joined us in this journey, through support, prayer, and resources, will too be blessed.  Wherever you are at in life, whatever hardships have occurred, whatever walls are up or broken down, we pray that you know that God is alive and active....and remember, that with God, there is always hope!  Dios le bendiga

Rice & Beans by Vicki

Today I looked at the menu and it said frijol y arroz.  For you non -Spanish speaking people, that's beans & Rice.  I was in charge of the noon meal today because Noami, the main chef (cook) was headed to the new village with the group to teach the women how to cook with pure water and the such.
If you are courious how it turned out look at the photos.

I made a traditional meal of Hamburgers, corn, fries, and strawberries.  Not what you think when I said traditional?  Well, I haven't quit mastered the whole bean preperation process.  Hopefully by the end of the summer I will be able to come back home and make some traditional beans and rice (with the help of a rice maker :).

















I also have some photos of the celbration that we went to with our family a few weeks back.  Feast your eyes on this!

Emilee and Ruth, best of friends.  She will always have a special place in our hearts!














AJ adores all of the beautiful children.  She is holding every baby she can get her hands on and can not wait to come back when the orphanage is open and full of babies.

This is the swimming pool of the hotel that we stayed in last week.  We were way under dressed and a few too many kids for most peoples liking.  I really kinda like the base with the kids screaming and generator running much better.

We pray these photos find each of you reflecting on the blessings that are staring you in the face.  A day doesn't go by that God doesn't give you a blessing.  Sometimes we are too dense to see them when the best gifts are staring us in the face.  Open your eyes today!
Vicki