On Tuesday we said goodbye to most of Team Ivanrest (Esther, an exchange student from South Korea is still with us until tomorrow because of issues with her visa). Tonight in a few minutes we go to pick up Team Maurice....small in size, but on the rise. Sorry, had to throw that in there. We are VERY excited for this team. For obvious reasons, but also for the meds they bring, the many needed supplies for the vehicles and base, and for the souls that will be touched because of our LORD Jesus Christ. Both the gringos and the locals will be moved by His Spirit. We pray that you pray this team through the battles we face this week. Saturday and Sunday will be our medical clinics (from 1pm until 11:30pm we pray for traveling mercies. On Monday through Wednesday we will be building houses (we simply pray that the good LORD will make them Houses of Hope). We will also keep you posted as the week goes on.
It was really nice to have 3 days to get things in order instead of 24 hours. At the beginning when Dan said they run on adrenaline, he was not joking! Thank the LORD for Guatemalan coffee...of which I am sure will be served in Heaven. Well, mi cambienette is calling me. I have Embra tonight and Dan is in Macho. Dios es Grand!
Dios Le Bendiga mi familia en Jesus Christo
Friday, June 25, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Village ~ Medical Clinic
Well, where do I begin? Justin & I had decided that I would go to this medical clinic because the people were supposedly more sick than the night before. So our departure time was to be at 10:30, the earliest I have seen a departure yet. So, what does that mean? The village is a distance away and the roads are not good. By the way, 3 of the bridges were washed away in the tropical storm Agatha, and have been fixed enough for us to drive over them one vehical at a time.
I rode with Estuardo, the Guatemalan that scouts out the villages. At on point Estuardo stops the van and asks Dan if he wants to proceed down this road with the 2 wheel drive van or if he wants us all to pile in the other 2 4x4 vans becasue the next part of the road is particullary ruff. Dan said, awe we can take all three. Estuardo said OKay and when we turned the corner to go down the two track path Estuardo sighs and says Okay. I take this response as okay here's our next adventure. After much bumping and attempting to miss the holes in the dirt road we arrive at the 'school' and set up shop.
At first glance these people are dressed really well and look clean. Then I remind myself that they are wearing their best clothes and have all just taken a bath. They are attempting to present us with their best. We begin to see patients in the clinic as others are playing with the kids in the court yard. The patients are spending lots of time with Dan and YoJana which means they have lots of illness. At one point YoJana asks me to examine a young man's throat. It was extremely swollen and red. I tell Dan so he can translate for me. Dan smirks and says are you going to do surgery and take them out. I said no but they should come out. So we prescribed him some antibiotics and on this family goes. Then Dan has another situation and he asks me if I want to do exploratory surgery on an older gentleman that has 12 or so soft tissue deposits under his skin. Again I say no way, Dan quit asking me to do surgery. I take a few more blood pressures and listen to a 7 month in utero babies heart beat. I never get sick of hearing a neonates heart beat.
Then Dan shows me a beautiful women who has a lesion on the left side of her face. And says do you want to do surgery. I said this time let me go get the Doctor. A team member, Julie, is a Physicians Assistant. She says you bet, if we have the right tools we can defiently help this women. Guess what, I had packed all of that equipment right before the team had come. So we got to do a minor proceedure in the middle of a small village on a beautiful women. We pray that it doesn't get infected and that she has positive results from our human hands. The clinic saw patientes all of the way through the Jesus film and through testemonies. There was a harvest of souls on this medical clinic night. One adorable young couple came to know Christ. This couple is dealing with some medical issues and we will be following up with them in a month to see if our treatment is successful.
Our pack up and departure went really smooth. nothing was left behind that we can see. We all said a prayer and sang one song under the starry sky. God had held back the rains to allow us dryer roads and a possibility of actually getting all 3 vans out of this village. We drove for about 15 minutes and our van could not make it up the mountain. So we had to rearrange the road, move rocks, scrap off the mud and rearrange some more rocks. We also had to put chains on the vans. (Glen ~ the chains worked amazing!) After many team members getting frustrated and people not wanting to follow through, we regrouped and explained what had to happen, spirits were lifted. I realized in the middle of the dark with 35 people around me that in stressful situations the Lord fills me with a calm spirit and lets me lead by example. With much to do around us we kept plugging away and 1 hour 30 minutes later the first two vans were up the mountain. So, the team began to climb to get to the top. Half way up Dan is walking down and says, we need 15 people to come down to put weight in the van. So, back down the mountain we go. Then that van climbs right out without incident. Mind you my body is not so in shape but this night I climbed and descended that mountain a few times and yet I was not out of breath. Thank you Lord for breathing air in my lungs.
We, the 2 wheel van, did need the assist of the 4x4 one more time, but that went relitivly easily. Shortly after we were back on paved roads and on our way home. Our arrival time was 2:30 am. Safe and a great story share.
After much reflection, I realize that the souls that were brought to Christ were well worth our time and energy, even if it meant our late arrival home and sweat to get our vans up the mountain. The Great Physician can heal physical aliments and spiritual even in the already saved. The village members and I turned our eyes on Jesus!
Vicki
I rode with Estuardo, the Guatemalan that scouts out the villages. At on point Estuardo stops the van and asks Dan if he wants to proceed down this road with the 2 wheel drive van or if he wants us all to pile in the other 2 4x4 vans becasue the next part of the road is particullary ruff. Dan said, awe we can take all three. Estuardo said OKay and when we turned the corner to go down the two track path Estuardo sighs and says Okay. I take this response as okay here's our next adventure. After much bumping and attempting to miss the holes in the dirt road we arrive at the 'school' and set up shop.
At first glance these people are dressed really well and look clean. Then I remind myself that they are wearing their best clothes and have all just taken a bath. They are attempting to present us with their best. We begin to see patients in the clinic as others are playing with the kids in the court yard. The patients are spending lots of time with Dan and YoJana which means they have lots of illness. At one point YoJana asks me to examine a young man's throat. It was extremely swollen and red. I tell Dan so he can translate for me. Dan smirks and says are you going to do surgery and take them out. I said no but they should come out. So we prescribed him some antibiotics and on this family goes. Then Dan has another situation and he asks me if I want to do exploratory surgery on an older gentleman that has 12 or so soft tissue deposits under his skin. Again I say no way, Dan quit asking me to do surgery. I take a few more blood pressures and listen to a 7 month in utero babies heart beat. I never get sick of hearing a neonates heart beat.
Then Dan shows me a beautiful women who has a lesion on the left side of her face. And says do you want to do surgery. I said this time let me go get the Doctor. A team member, Julie, is a Physicians Assistant. She says you bet, if we have the right tools we can defiently help this women. Guess what, I had packed all of that equipment right before the team had come. So we got to do a minor proceedure in the middle of a small village on a beautiful women. We pray that it doesn't get infected and that she has positive results from our human hands. The clinic saw patientes all of the way through the Jesus film and through testemonies. There was a harvest of souls on this medical clinic night. One adorable young couple came to know Christ. This couple is dealing with some medical issues and we will be following up with them in a month to see if our treatment is successful.
Our pack up and departure went really smooth. nothing was left behind that we can see. We all said a prayer and sang one song under the starry sky. God had held back the rains to allow us dryer roads and a possibility of actually getting all 3 vans out of this village. We drove for about 15 minutes and our van could not make it up the mountain. So we had to rearrange the road, move rocks, scrap off the mud and rearrange some more rocks. We also had to put chains on the vans. (Glen ~ the chains worked amazing!) After many team members getting frustrated and people not wanting to follow through, we regrouped and explained what had to happen, spirits were lifted. I realized in the middle of the dark with 35 people around me that in stressful situations the Lord fills me with a calm spirit and lets me lead by example. With much to do around us we kept plugging away and 1 hour 30 minutes later the first two vans were up the mountain. So, the team began to climb to get to the top. Half way up Dan is walking down and says, we need 15 people to come down to put weight in the van. So, back down the mountain we go. Then that van climbs right out without incident. Mind you my body is not so in shape but this night I climbed and descended that mountain a few times and yet I was not out of breath. Thank you Lord for breathing air in my lungs.
We, the 2 wheel van, did need the assist of the 4x4 one more time, but that went relitivly easily. Shortly after we were back on paved roads and on our way home. Our arrival time was 2:30 am. Safe and a great story share.
After much reflection, I realize that the souls that were brought to Christ were well worth our time and energy, even if it meant our late arrival home and sweat to get our vans up the mountain. The Great Physician can heal physical aliments and spiritual even in the already saved. The village members and I turned our eyes on Jesus!
Vicki
Monday, June 21, 2010
Safe at the Base...
Just an update that the team arrived safely at the base at 2am. They said that the prayers WERE needed and VERY felt. More of the story later. All I know is that it could have been in the top 10 for worst roads list. Thanks for your prayers.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day
A great big shout out to all Fathers on this day. Well I, Justin, decided to let Vicki go on this medical clinic tonight because it is a coastal village (which means very sick) and Team Ivanrest has some people that can easily drive. I went last night to the village and was amazed at how 25 people in this tiny village, gave their lives to Christ for the first time. The drive their was BEAUTIFUL...but the drive back was nerve racking at first. VERY narrow roads, rain, and fog. The LORD provided and we were able to get home around 11:30pm.
Okay, back to tonight. As write this, it is 8pm....the team had a 4 hour drive, and if it rains, they probably will not make it back to the base tonight. Dan was already stating via phone call to Heidi, that it was an interesting road. More than likely the chains would have to come on the 4X4 van even!
PLUS, this village does not have electricity AND the gas generator got left at the village last night by mistake. Can definitely tell that there is a force not wanting this team to advance in the name of the LORD. So, pray that the rains hold off, that the team arrives home safely, BUT more importantly, that this village that has not a single Christian and is forgotten by the rest of the world, has its residents come to know Christ!
I had a good Father's Day with the kiddos. We laughed, and were busy at the base. Yes, I know it is Sunday, but I still feel like we are called here to help out whenever and however. So I painted the new shelf above the sinks, I put together a closet rack for Erin (the new staff member coming down in July), I organized the construction boxes, read, played games with the kids, weeded the retaining wall, and am typing a blog. This team leaves on Tuesday and then we find ourselves with three days to get ready for the next team, Team Iowa (Maurice!!!!). We are very excited. I am anxious for when we build the houses because the 5 of them are right next to (about a block away) from the last five we built. One of them is for an aunt of kids we just built for. 5 kids, the oldest is a 15 year old girl named Grisyelda and Elisa is a 12 year boy. I did not meet the younger 3 kids, as they were not at the dedication. But all 5 of these kids have been abandoned by their parents. The aunt is close by, but is barely involved in their lives due to her poverty. I look forward to reconnecting with these orphans. They both excepted Christ on Friday. After they prayed the team that built the house hugged them and gave BIG smiles. When I bear hugged Elisa, he just melted in my arms and started to sob. I wondered in that moment, when the last time this boy, who has had to grow up too fast last felt love of a father? I turned to Grisyelda and did the same, a big bear hug that lifted her off the ground. The sounds of her sobs are one that will never leave my mind. I told that she is never alone and that God has watched over them and loves them. Please look up James 1:27
Not only do we need to watch over the orphans and widows, but we need to live a life that is free from pollution of the world. The first part is easy to do. But when we really allow the first part to move us, the second part follows quickly.
Well, I am starting to ramble and I am anxious to hear what God has done in the village tonight. We will keep you posted as to when the group returns. Thank you for your continued prayers. These missionaries here at Paradise Bound give so much. We as a family are trying our best to help as much as possible. Yet, we realize the best help we or anyone can give, is to bathe them in prayer and lift them to Christ with each step that they take!
Justin
Okay, back to tonight. As write this, it is 8pm....the team had a 4 hour drive, and if it rains, they probably will not make it back to the base tonight. Dan was already stating via phone call to Heidi, that it was an interesting road. More than likely the chains would have to come on the 4X4 van even!
PLUS, this village does not have electricity AND the gas generator got left at the village last night by mistake. Can definitely tell that there is a force not wanting this team to advance in the name of the LORD. So, pray that the rains hold off, that the team arrives home safely, BUT more importantly, that this village that has not a single Christian and is forgotten by the rest of the world, has its residents come to know Christ!
I had a good Father's Day with the kiddos. We laughed, and were busy at the base. Yes, I know it is Sunday, but I still feel like we are called here to help out whenever and however. So I painted the new shelf above the sinks, I put together a closet rack for Erin (the new staff member coming down in July), I organized the construction boxes, read, played games with the kids, weeded the retaining wall, and am typing a blog. This team leaves on Tuesday and then we find ourselves with three days to get ready for the next team, Team Iowa (Maurice!!!!). We are very excited. I am anxious for when we build the houses because the 5 of them are right next to (about a block away) from the last five we built. One of them is for an aunt of kids we just built for. 5 kids, the oldest is a 15 year old girl named Grisyelda and Elisa is a 12 year boy. I did not meet the younger 3 kids, as they were not at the dedication. But all 5 of these kids have been abandoned by their parents. The aunt is close by, but is barely involved in their lives due to her poverty. I look forward to reconnecting with these orphans. They both excepted Christ on Friday. After they prayed the team that built the house hugged them and gave BIG smiles. When I bear hugged Elisa, he just melted in my arms and started to sob. I wondered in that moment, when the last time this boy, who has had to grow up too fast last felt love of a father? I turned to Grisyelda and did the same, a big bear hug that lifted her off the ground. The sounds of her sobs are one that will never leave my mind. I told that she is never alone and that God has watched over them and loves them. Please look up James 1:27
Not only do we need to watch over the orphans and widows, but we need to live a life that is free from pollution of the world. The first part is easy to do. But when we really allow the first part to move us, the second part follows quickly.
Well, I am starting to ramble and I am anxious to hear what God has done in the village tonight. We will keep you posted as to when the group returns. Thank you for your continued prayers. These missionaries here at Paradise Bound give so much. We as a family are trying our best to help as much as possible. Yet, we realize the best help we or anyone can give, is to bathe them in prayer and lift them to Christ with each step that they take!
Justin
Thursday, June 17, 2010
What did you do on your 10th Anniversary?
We can say we spent our 10th Wedding Anniversary serving the Lord in Guatemala. But, more specifically Justin spent his day put porches on 5 houses and stuccoing those same 5 homes. Vicki spent her day caring for 5 kiddos, painting the laundry room and making homemade bread sticks for this group of 50 people. We honestly believe this is a one of a kind Celebration.
Today I, Vicki, was asked what I do all day by one of the teen team members. I smiled, while she responded, "do you play with the kids all day?" Again I smiled and said yip and make food. I left my comment at that, but in my mind I was thinking, oh honey, you have no idea the things we do in one day as a mom and servant to you teenagers. But, without much more she walked away content with that answer. yet, I was left pondering, do I play with my kid enough and not get caught up in the daily to dos? I have learned over the last 3 weeks in Guatemala to sit and take in the world around me instead of constantly going. Now don't get me wrong, my busy hands are a genetic down fall and blessing. I am letting the Lord teach me to find a happy medium between getting the work done and being lazy.
I have a devotion for you to read through by Oswald Chambers from his book, "My utmost for His highest." (I am a bit jealous cause Justin can write his own inspirations to you and I have to copy mine from a book, but this book is an amazing devotional, so read on, you will be glad you did!.)
We step right out with recognition of God in some things, the self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where he engineers your circumstances. the things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. then comes His rebuke, ". . . why did you doubt?" Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.
If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. never start to say, "Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?" Be reckless immediately- totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything - by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon your self, surrendering everything to Him. you will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness -being willing to risk your all.
Now, aren't you glad your read through that. This is my prayer over the next 7 weeks and continually, "To always listen to Him, even when I am in the middle of what He called me to do"
God bless
vicki
Today I, Vicki, was asked what I do all day by one of the teen team members. I smiled, while she responded, "do you play with the kids all day?" Again I smiled and said yip and make food. I left my comment at that, but in my mind I was thinking, oh honey, you have no idea the things we do in one day as a mom and servant to you teenagers. But, without much more she walked away content with that answer. yet, I was left pondering, do I play with my kid enough and not get caught up in the daily to dos? I have learned over the last 3 weeks in Guatemala to sit and take in the world around me instead of constantly going. Now don't get me wrong, my busy hands are a genetic down fall and blessing. I am letting the Lord teach me to find a happy medium between getting the work done and being lazy.
I have a devotion for you to read through by Oswald Chambers from his book, "My utmost for His highest." (I am a bit jealous cause Justin can write his own inspirations to you and I have to copy mine from a book, but this book is an amazing devotional, so read on, you will be glad you did!.)
Keep Recognizing Jesus.
"Peter . . .walked on the water to go to Jesus.
But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid. . . " Matthew 14:29-30
the wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn't see them at first. He didn't consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and "walked on the water." Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went, Why couldn't our Lord heave enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them: He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter's continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.We step right out with recognition of God in some things, the self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where he engineers your circumstances. the things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. then comes His rebuke, ". . . why did you doubt?" Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.
If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. never start to say, "Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?" Be reckless immediately- totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything - by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon your self, surrendering everything to Him. you will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness -being willing to risk your all.
Now, aren't you glad your read through that. This is my prayer over the next 7 weeks and continually, "To always listen to Him, even when I am in the middle of what He called me to do"
God bless
vicki
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
***A Hard day at the office***
So we are on Team #2 (Team IvanRest), from Grandville, MI. This youth group has been down here before and has brought with them a lot of energy. We literally had 24 hours to say goodbye from Team 1 and get ready for Team 2. Wow, can you say crazy? PLUS, we have been under a small attack in the vehicle department. Right now we have two vehicles in the shop and one waiting to go in! It makes things very interesting to say the least. Just keep praying for the drivers and the vehicles. Today was day one of building 5 homes. Today was also the coolest temperature day yet.....which should have been a warning sign. Right at noon, it rained, and rained and rained. So with trying to keep kids on task and grabbing for more bandaids for me (long story short: I was grabbing the tin to put on the roof to save the dry wall and someone was trying to help but just as I had both my hands on the tin, they pulled it without saying anything, and well, I have some REALLY nice cuts on both hands). Well, we got to where we needed to be for the day and only lost 2 sheets of drywall to the rain. And you know what, when we were walking back to the vans, it was sunshine and heat.
What I noticed though. In the morning, it started to rain and we snagged a few kids to get in the corner and pray, and it stopped. RIGHT AWAY. Yet, at noon when we were trying to eat, it rained and in our rush to get things taking care of, no one stopped to pray the rain away. I mean, sure there were some that said, "it sure would be nice if it stopped". But none or us really stopped what we were doing, and said, "In the name of the LORD, stop raining". There is power in HIS name and YET, we fail to go to that day in and day out with the "little things". A few things that Vicki and I have realized is that prayer is essential down here. We need prayer to stay on roads, for peoples hearts to be opened to the Gospel, for protection from the enemy. Yet, we need prayer at home too! Oh how we fail to stay in His presence sometimes. Matthew 8:18-22 has a great point. Two people say they want to follow Jesus and His response both times is with a wild statement. The first has to deal with home: which equals our comfort. The second with our plans or agenda....can I get a "Control". Comfort and control. Two things that we cling to in life, YET two things that Christ says we MUST give to Him before we are to follow Him. Sit with this passage as we have and see what God says to you. HOWEVER, if you listen and hear, you are left with a choice. To follow Him, or disobey Him. We are ready for day 2. It is stucco day tomorrow as well as putting on the porches to the houses. We build the house, and our prayer is that the LORD will make it a home.
I'm leaving you with a quote that I read (yes, I do have some time for reading). It is from Edmund Burke, an English scholar from the 16th century. "To define justice, we need to first define evil. Evil is when good men and women see injustice in the world, and do nothing!" Powerful.
HE >ME
What I noticed though. In the morning, it started to rain and we snagged a few kids to get in the corner and pray, and it stopped. RIGHT AWAY. Yet, at noon when we were trying to eat, it rained and in our rush to get things taking care of, no one stopped to pray the rain away. I mean, sure there were some that said, "it sure would be nice if it stopped". But none or us really stopped what we were doing, and said, "In the name of the LORD, stop raining". There is power in HIS name and YET, we fail to go to that day in and day out with the "little things". A few things that Vicki and I have realized is that prayer is essential down here. We need prayer to stay on roads, for peoples hearts to be opened to the Gospel, for protection from the enemy. Yet, we need prayer at home too! Oh how we fail to stay in His presence sometimes. Matthew 8:18-22 has a great point. Two people say they want to follow Jesus and His response both times is with a wild statement. The first has to deal with home: which equals our comfort. The second with our plans or agenda....can I get a "Control". Comfort and control. Two things that we cling to in life, YET two things that Christ says we MUST give to Him before we are to follow Him. Sit with this passage as we have and see what God says to you. HOWEVER, if you listen and hear, you are left with a choice. To follow Him, or disobey Him. We are ready for day 2. It is stucco day tomorrow as well as putting on the porches to the houses. We build the house, and our prayer is that the LORD will make it a home.
I'm leaving you with a quote that I read (yes, I do have some time for reading). It is from Edmund Burke, an English scholar from the 16th century. "To define justice, we need to first define evil. Evil is when good men and women see injustice in the world, and do nothing!" Powerful.
May you go out and do the something that you can do through the Someone who enables you to do it!
(Read that senstence again, slow and sit with it for a minute.)
Blessings for now. Justin <><HE >ME
Monday, June 14, 2010
No more NORMALIZATION
No more NORMALIZATION
So I realize that the above word might not be an actual word, but by the end of this blog, hopefully it will make sense for you. The last few days have been busy. On Friday, Vicki and Emilee went with the team to the first medical clinic. They both had a blast. Vicki was able to get out of the base and use her nursing skills. Emilee was a big hit with her red hair, and of course, her smile. She also made a friend really quick, and it was not long before they were going everywhere hand in hand.
Emilee also was a big helper with the passing out candy too.
Saturday saw Justin and AJ going out to the second village. Even though it was a small one, it was a village that God choose this team to go to. A big connection was formed and again, many people came to know Christ as their LORD and Savior.
Did you know that 2/3 rds of the world is poor? That same group, contains many who have never heard of the LORD. Every second, someone who does not know Jesus dies. Yet, we as Americans, can get so comfortable in our lives, and in our normalization of our lives. For me, this is something that I have been fighting. I do not want to simply go through the motions of life. I am tired of “playing church”. I am not wanting to look back on my life when I stand before Jesus face to face and see that I lived the safest life possible and was not radical for HIS name. I want to “BE the Church”. I want to be that down here this summer, back in Iowa this Fall, every moment. This week has been a great one for us already. This team has been great. It has been a team that has not been what it originally perceived to be. God has used this team to bless many. They fixed the pump, built four houses, ministered to the staff, and sang praises to God in Spanish at the villages, and much more. I shared with Vicki today, that I am curious to see why God brought our family to Guatemala for a summer. I had always looked at what it will do in my life, but it really hit me…what if God brought us all here to impact one if not all of our kids for Christ! It might be something that will grow in their hearts and lives and something that Vicki and I will never see this side of Heaven. It has been worth it so far. Yet again, what if the reason is for us to share Christ with just one person in a village who would not have know Christ otherwise. More than likely that person will never be famous. You may never even know their name. Would it still be worth it, being down here. Please look at Acts 16 and you tell me. We thank you for your prayers everyday. They were felt Saturday night when my van ( a 4 X4 Ford) got stuck! We slid off the road partially because of the slick dirt roads. The passenger front tire was buried in mud and water…buried! By the power of the LORD and answering the prayers of the passengers, we were able to get unstuck. No luck or chance, simple grace. Keep the prayers coming, and keep the focus that the Schrock family can remain in the center of God’s Will. Blessings ~ Justin
So I realize that the above word might not be an actual word, but by the end of this blog, hopefully it will make sense for you. The last few days have been busy. On Friday, Vicki and Emilee went with the team to the first medical clinic. They both had a blast. Vicki was able to get out of the base and use her nursing skills. Emilee was a big hit with her red hair, and of course, her smile. She also made a friend really quick, and it was not long before they were going everywhere hand in hand.
Emilee also was a big helper with the passing out candy too.
Saturday saw Justin and AJ going out to the second village. Even though it was a small one, it was a village that God choose this team to go to. A big connection was formed and again, many people came to know Christ as their LORD and Savior.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
~PRAISE GOD moments~
So today we dedicated the houses that TEAM FREEMONT built. Basically finished the houses, roofs on, painted, and then presented house warming gifts to the family and presented the Gospel. All four families, were actually one big family. A grandpa and grandma with three daughters and their families. They all either accepted Christ or rededicated their lives to Christ! a Praise God Moment!
The Team had another great meal at the villages...tostados today...another Praise God moment
It has been wonderful to see the Holy Spirit truly at work among His people. Another praise God moment, I farted today. Sorry that sounds crass...BUT you do not understand! For the last week or so, I dare not fart for, um shall we say unsafe reasons! Yet, some of the kids are getting sore tummies now too. AJ and the twins are needing an extra prayer tonight. All in all though, The LORD has keep us all safe and healthy.
Another praise God moment: It rained hard at the base....no, HARD at the base. At the exact same time almost directly west, we were dedicating the houses outside and felt maybe one or two drops. The storm skipped us at the houses. Well, I must sign off for now. The family is all sleeping and so must I as we will have a late night tomorrow as we travel to a village 2 hours away to host a medical clinic, and show the Jesus film and present the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Beunos Noches (Good Night)
Justin
The Team had another great meal at the villages...tostados today...another Praise God moment
It has been wonderful to see the Holy Spirit truly at work among His people. Another praise God moment, I farted today. Sorry that sounds crass...BUT you do not understand! For the last week or so, I dare not fart for, um shall we say unsafe reasons! Yet, some of the kids are getting sore tummies now too. AJ and the twins are needing an extra prayer tonight. All in all though, The LORD has keep us all safe and healthy.
Another praise God moment: It rained hard at the base....no, HARD at the base. At the exact same time almost directly west, we were dedicating the houses outside and felt maybe one or two drops. The storm skipped us at the houses. Well, I must sign off for now. The family is all sleeping and so must I as we will have a late night tomorrow as we travel to a village 2 hours away to host a medical clinic, and show the Jesus film and present the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Beunos Noches (Good Night)
Justin
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Caleb's Day for Adventure
Well, yesterday (day one of the building day) AJ came with for half a day (sorry no camera came along) and today, Caleb wanted to go. He did great. He was hot and tired too, but he did jump right in a help where he could. The few high school girls on the team absolutely LOVE him.
He was busy getting things for me, as I was in charge of attaching the porches to the houses with 3 other guys. He also ran with the local boys and girls carrying the stucco on the cement boards to the people that were stuccoing the houses. The funniest thing I thought was when I looked over and saw him doing what both Dan and I have done in years past, but not yet this summer....resting in the wheel barrel! I guess the apple does not fall far from the tree.
Well, after 2 days of building in the HOT sun, this red lobster is tired. Vicki was at the base again today and seems to be interacting well with Noemi and Heidi. She is also getting a lot of "little things" done that either have not gotten done, or needed to be finished up. She has such a good eye and creative mind. Well, we hope that this entry finds you all well and enjoying the summer. We are starting to get a feel for how things will roll around here for the summer, but have NOT gotten used to the 175 thousand miles an hour behind the scenes that the Smith seem to go! HA We do not know how Dan and Heidi do it all."
He was busy getting things for me, as I was in charge of attaching the porches to the houses with 3 other guys. He also ran with the local boys and girls carrying the stucco on the cement boards to the people that were stuccoing the houses. The funniest thing I thought was when I looked over and saw him doing what both Dan and I have done in years past, but not yet this summer....resting in the wheel barrel! I guess the apple does not fall far from the tree.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
~Learning Curve ~
Well, yesterday was crazy hot and stressed and busy. We were at the end of our whits end. I ran into the CITY (Guatemala City...a city of 10 million people!) with Dan to pick up the first team....Vicki was here at the base with the kids, all of them. It really was fine, it was just a bad day. Then.....today came along. It was still hot, but a productive day. Vicki stayed at the base and got a lot of little odd jobs done and even busted open the MRC GREEN cookbook to teach them how to make cornbread! I, with AJ, went with the teams to start building four houses. Now, keep in mind, one of my jobs this summer is to be a foreman on a house with the teams. YET, every time I come down here, the plans or blue prints change just a little bit more. So, even though I had a really good idea, Dan did a great job of coming over and teaching me short cuts and reasons for why we changed some of the stuff. AJ was a big helper, but the heat zapped her and she went back to the base with Malachi and Heidi around 11:30am. Today, beans, rice, and homemade tortillas! Even if you do not like beans or rice in the states, if you are ever down here, the first day you MUST try it. It is way better, plus it really shines perspective on all things when you realize that this is 90% of what the locals eat, all the time. Humbling. Yet, satisfying. God truly does provide all the time.
Tiring day, but Team Freemont is doing well being rookies. An older group, out of 24 only 5 teens and the rest 40 or 45 and older. With one "Granny Nancy". Devos tonight were great. God's Word truly opens our eyes to HIS heart. I will leave you with a question tonight as I must get some sleep to up and ready at 6am.....a question that Dan trough out: Are you working FOR Christ, or are you working WITH Christ? It is an eternal difference. How many people go to church and do good things and try to serve, but fail to realize that the CHURCH needs to love and live and breath in full reliance upon Christ, for all things. ALL things! Are your hands open? Have you given everything to HIM, or are we still trying to be in control of certain parts of our lives, our plans, our dreams, our desires?
Justin
Tiring day, but Team Freemont is doing well being rookies. An older group, out of 24 only 5 teens and the rest 40 or 45 and older. With one "Granny Nancy". Devos tonight were great. God's Word truly opens our eyes to HIS heart. I will leave you with a question tonight as I must get some sleep to up and ready at 6am.....a question that Dan trough out: Are you working FOR Christ, or are you working WITH Christ? It is an eternal difference. How many people go to church and do good things and try to serve, but fail to realize that the CHURCH needs to love and live and breath in full reliance upon Christ, for all things. ALL things! Are your hands open? Have you given everything to HIM, or are we still trying to be in control of certain parts of our lives, our plans, our dreams, our desires?
Justin
Sunday, June 6, 2010
A Sunday Night of laughter...
Well, it is Justin now. I know, I know....you are thinking, "TWO BLOGS IN ONE DAY?". Nothing big here, but you still might want to sit down. Come on, you deserve it. I know you do. We have been busy the last few days making preparations for the first team. Actually for the first three teams, as we will have little rest or time between them all. Today was a good day. Our two families joined in a tradition that the Smiths have, family day, the day before the teams start to come. Our family has really gotten along well with the Smith Family. It has been fun. Right now as I type, most of the kiddos are down in the main floor in the dark playing "glow stick tag". Much laughter is filling the base!
We appreciate your prayers. One answer to prayer, or partial answer is that a road grader has been hired to work on the road. Already about a third of the road is "smooth" (for rural Guatemala standards anyway). Keep praying.
Both Vicki and I have been saying we totally felt called to come down here for the summer to help out Paradise Bound Ministries, but are not fully sure of the why. The doors for us a as a family have been opened tremendously. We are still praying as to what and why we are supposed to be down here for 10 weeks. One thing hit me today. For those of you who have been down here, you know what I am talking about. THE VISION. It is a ministry that is truly Christ's Hands in action. Lives are being touched. Many individuals and churches have joined together (even though some or many have not met each other) to form the CHURCH in action. Being with the Smiths for about a week and half, already we are hearing from Dan and Heidi the dream and vision that PBM is headed into. We have heard some of their "wish list". Now, those of you who know Dan, also know that he will not share his needs. So, I will share some of the "wish list" to see if God is speaking to YOU, with your gifts, talents, or resources to join in a movement in Guatemala that is truly bringing peoples and families to know our LORD and Savior. With the list I will say good night, as tomorrow will be an early one for Dan and I are making a run to the airport to pick up the first team, Team Freemont. This team is a rookie team made up of all or mainly adults. Dios Le Bendiga mi amigos (God bless you my friends)
Justin
***Walk in Cooler (he has the doors and the refrigerator, just needs some time (3 days), and resources ($1,000), and labor (a few people who know something about refrigeration)
***a converter for a stove to make one from natural gas to propane (usually about $40 in the states, but impossible to get down here...I can get the model number soon)
***some iron work on the gate to say welcome to paradise, or something of the such. Basically someone who is good with welding and metal work
***a garage - physically and financially, with the orphanage being built this fall, they are needing to make a work area for the vehicles and storage (organized) for the tools, and maintenance equipment
***Apartment #3 (which would actually be for Dan and Heidi's family). Their current apartment would be turned into much needed office space, as their current apartment is that too, plus living quarters for 4 kiddos too (roughly about $10,000 to frame it up and get it sheet rocked and to the point of painting
***a newer computer...nothing fancy, just something that would work every time you turn it on :)
I am sure more will come for the list, as we did hear long range plans with the Hydro Generation and water filtration system and the such...
We appreciate your prayers. One answer to prayer, or partial answer is that a road grader has been hired to work on the road. Already about a third of the road is "smooth" (for rural Guatemala standards anyway). Keep praying.
Both Vicki and I have been saying we totally felt called to come down here for the summer to help out Paradise Bound Ministries, but are not fully sure of the why. The doors for us a as a family have been opened tremendously. We are still praying as to what and why we are supposed to be down here for 10 weeks. One thing hit me today. For those of you who have been down here, you know what I am talking about. THE VISION. It is a ministry that is truly Christ's Hands in action. Lives are being touched. Many individuals and churches have joined together (even though some or many have not met each other) to form the CHURCH in action. Being with the Smiths for about a week and half, already we are hearing from Dan and Heidi the dream and vision that PBM is headed into. We have heard some of their "wish list". Now, those of you who know Dan, also know that he will not share his needs. So, I will share some of the "wish list" to see if God is speaking to YOU, with your gifts, talents, or resources to join in a movement in Guatemala that is truly bringing peoples and families to know our LORD and Savior. With the list I will say good night, as tomorrow will be an early one for Dan and I are making a run to the airport to pick up the first team, Team Freemont. This team is a rookie team made up of all or mainly adults. Dios Le Bendiga mi amigos (God bless you my friends)
Justin
***Walk in Cooler (he has the doors and the refrigerator, just needs some time (3 days), and resources ($1,000), and labor (a few people who know something about refrigeration)
***a converter for a stove to make one from natural gas to propane (usually about $40 in the states, but impossible to get down here...I can get the model number soon)
***some iron work on the gate to say welcome to paradise, or something of the such. Basically someone who is good with welding and metal work
***a garage - physically and financially, with the orphanage being built this fall, they are needing to make a work area for the vehicles and storage (organized) for the tools, and maintenance equipment
***Apartment #3 (which would actually be for Dan and Heidi's family). Their current apartment would be turned into much needed office space, as their current apartment is that too, plus living quarters for 4 kiddos too (roughly about $10,000 to frame it up and get it sheet rocked and to the point of painting
***a newer computer...nothing fancy, just something that would work every time you turn it on :)
I am sure more will come for the list, as we did hear long range plans with the Hydro Generation and water filtration system and the such...
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