Final Entry for January 2014 Trip

FELLOWSHIP!

On Wednesday, we were able get the computers positioned and setup in the lab.  In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to visit Fabiola and her family.

On Thursday, we had the most excellent time participating in a school ministry lead by Pastor Jorge's son, Jorge, in a school in Linda Vista -- a different school from where we have been setting up the computer lab.  It was the first day of school for the kids ranging from the ages of 5-8 so there were some teary-eyed girls and boys who were missing their parents. Luckily for us, we have a secret weapon for this kind of sadness, Katrina!! 

We began by singing a song or two.  We then moved into an activity where we divided the kids up into 6 lines, with each line representing a day of creation in Genesis. Then each of us taking a line, painted pictures on the kid's faces that represented what was created that day --- stars, water, land, animals, fish, etc....  The kids really enjoyed that.  Then Jon read the creation account in Genesis and had the kids stand-up when it was their day and showed off their face paintings!

We ended the activity by passing out candy to the kids.  It helped to keep them awake for the remainder of their school day ;)

In the afternoon, we returned to the computer lab at the school for some finishing touches on the computer lab.  It was also this school's first day as well.  While we were there, a humbling event occurred.  The principal, other education leadership, mayoral staff and a local TV station came and talked with us.  The day before the principal, Yvonne, indicated that her bosses didn't believe this computer lab wouldn't happen so to have a finished lab shows that nothing is impossible with God! A ribbon cutting ceremony and words shared by Trent to the group concluded our time at the computer lab. Again a very humbling experience.

We're now back home.  But I can't help to think......we can take what we saw in Guatemala and choose to continue doing something about it OR we can choose to settle back into our normal everyday lives.  By relying on God and with discipline and purpose, I think it is safe to say Dylan, Missy, Trent, Katrina, Gene, Chris and myself will continue to grow the body of Christ and humbly serve.

Special thanks go to Dylan and Missy for their hospitality and opening their home to us!  Thank-you so very much!

It was a honor and privilege to serve with these most excellent servants of Christ!  It is with humble thanks Father for the opportunity You provided to us.  Praise be Your name!

Serving the Servants

Today was another awesome day in Guatemala. We started in front of Pastor Jorge's church - where we attended on Sunday - and begin to dig out dirt for a sidewalk. We mixed up the cement in the street - so weird - and made the new sidewalk level with the side of a board. Fred from the church helped us.  I think we all have a Fred in our church who knows the ins/outs of our buildings, has extensive knowledge of the different trades, has great wisdom and carries the keys. Pastor Jorge also showed us their "dream center."  They would like to purchase a building next to their place of worship and they want to use it for youth, church gatherings, worship in the warmer months, congregational meals, etc. We also went to a home across the street where a member of the church "Papa Bete" lives.  He is in his 70's and his job in the church is to share his knowledge of growing vegetables, etc. with the youth of the church.  He also is trying to fatten up a turkey in the backyard that Pastor Jorge bought for Christmas dinner.  However, the turkey lost weight between the time they bought it and Christmas dinner, so they did not kill it and eat...LOL.  Please pray for Pastor Jorge's church to get the funding for the dream center so they can continue to make a difference in their community.

In the afternoon, we went back to the computer lab to do some finishing touches before we set up all the computers tomorrow.  This was also the day that students could begin signing up for school.  We saw the mom's and kids waiting to sign up.  It was interesting to see how some mom's were clearly living day to day wearing clothes that had holes or are patched up while others were dressed up and "appeared" to have a better lifestyle.  I saw women with bruises and many with babies and lots of children to send to school. In Guatemala, a family must pay for their children to go to school because the public school system is nothing.  Sometimes the family can only pay to send one or two out of their family and it's usually the younger ones that attend so the older ones can try work to earn money so the families can eat.

Our van is having some mechanical issues, so please pray that we can get it fixed easily. It doesn't start unless you jump it. So we ask whoever is closest and the Guatemalans smile and help us.  They won't take any money for helping - it is what they do in this culture - they help each other with whatever they have.  I am loving the Guatemalan people and appreciating their culture so much more on this trip. I really love interacting with them, serving them, praying with/for them, and seeing the beauty in the mountains and their food and plants, etc. God is really showing where He is in this country and I am humbled and in awe by it.

Monday, January 13th

Today was a big workday as we worked hard toward finishing the computer lab. We have an incredible Guatemalan contractor we are working with - his name is Hugo.  He is a very good carpenter and really knows what he is doing.  He is very proud of his work.  After we assisted Hugo with installing all of the counter tops, he left and we bolted them down.  Katrina, Gene, Bobby, Trent, Missy, Dylan and Chris all worked together to complete it.  We installed fans and cleaned up. I think that if anyone needed an electrician, Katrina can now do the job!  Gene worked with the plumber at the school all the while keeping up with our project.  It was a really great day.

We also saw the community come together today around the school we are working in.  Women and children showed up this morning and they cleaned, painted, and had such a fun time together.  When I say cleaned, I mean truly disgusting things like the bathrooms that we would never even let our dog pee in, walls of filth, and general garbage laying around.  School begins on Thursday and the school will be ready!

I think we are all still thinking about our day yesterday visiting some of the SARF families.  We are looking forward to seeing two more families later this week.

(Chris -- electrical conduit queen!)

(Katrina getting those table-tops on)

(Gene lending a hand to Victoria who is getting the water system ready for the school)

(Trent and Dylan installing the fans)

(Water system ready for the kiddos!)

(Working hard for the Lord!!)

(Missy's getting those computers desks ready!)

(The ingenuity of the Guatemalan people is amazing!!!

(SARF's own Cowboy! -- way to go Jon!)

Saturday, January 11th

Thought a picture post might be cool....

(Our team mascot -- Cate)

(Neighborhood near the School)

(Another view of the neighborhood)

(Front of the School)

(The beginnings of the computer lab)

(Hugo and his apprentice)

(Missy is THE electrician!)

(Gene helping to get the metal frame for the desks installed)

(Katrina is an electrical expert!!)

(Chris receiving instruction from Walter)

(Trent going hardcore w/ painting!)

(Enjoying a wonderful lunch)

(Excellent stuffed squash!)

Muchas Gracias Dayana!!

A great day serving Christ by serving Guatemala!

Sunday, January 12th

Today was one of the most amazing, beautiful, heartbreaking days. We delivered new backpacks filled with school supplies.  You cannot possibly comprehend the kids and families' faces when we gave them the backpacks. These families live in squalor - perhaps there is a different word that means extreme poverty.  SARF raised enough money to pay for many of the kids from these families to go to school.  The opportunity to go to school and get an education is everything to these kids and families - it means the possibility of breaking the "poverty cycle" for them.

Some of the kids are malnourished as seen by their hair, skin color, etc.  Some of them are very dirty because they live on dirt floors with corrugated metal walls just laid together to make a box, which is where they sleep.  They have outdoor kitchens fuel by wood fires to use if they have food to cook.  When we visited the families, their genuine smiles and delight in seeing Missy, Dylan, and Jon - and yes, us :-) - were so evident.  Guatemalan families are not ones to "take charity."  Their culture is big on working to get what you have, which is why all of the initiatives that SARF is carrying here is so important.  Teaching, loving, sharing, community, relationships!

SARF is working with 33 kids to get them education - and most importantly Jesus and the hope He gives us all.  The tears continue from what I saw, heard, smelled and felt yesterday - there are no words.  But as I look beyond the "materials things" of a nice home, sanitary conditions, etc., I weep more for those we work with who have not yet accepted Jesus - therein lies our what we are here for.  My heart is broken.  

I urge you to get on knees and pray for these families -
Apalonia and her two daughters
Carman and her family
Mirna and her daughter and son
Jackeline and her mother, son and daughter
Yanira and her siblings, who does not have a mother and is living with another family who already has a house full of mouths to feed

Friday, January 10th

Doing our part....

Gene, Katrina, Chris and Trent with our wonderful hosts Dylan and Missy had a great first day!

Missy, Katrina and Chris had the opportunity to participate in a Celebrate Recovery session. Seeing women who are really struggling with horrors in their lives is heart wrenching - but then you see how Missy is teaching them and praying with them / for them, and loving them.  God is really at work in this ministry and it's so needed here!!!

In the afternoon, we began working on the computer lab for the school. So you might think "computer lab in Guatemala???"  It's certainly not what we would expect from a computer lab.  But by the end of next week, it will be a school room with used computers, a counter surrounding the room, and place for the students to begin to break the poverty cycle by learning essential computer skills.

Gene, Katrina, Chris, Trent, Dylan and Missy were all working side by side (and I mean that literally) with Guatemalans beginning installation of metal framing for a flat work space for the computers, running electrical wiring & conduit, and security bars. 

(Katrina jumped right in)

(And so did Gene!)

(Kids don't try this at home!)

(With Missy -- The walls of Jericho would have trembled!)

(Dylan overseeing the "ladder project")

The ingenuity and work ethic of the Guatemalan people is amazing!

In the evening God provided His own version of "fireworks" by having the volcano, Pacaya, erupt!!!  It was unbelievable to see especially since it was at night and could see it so well.....truly spectacular! It is a true testament of God's awesome and mighty power and our respect/fear of Him!  

(Yes -- that's a lava flow)

Excellent day one!  It is so awesome to see Christ's body moving in His will!!  

Thursday, January 9th

We've arrived!  God truly blessed us with uneventful travels to the land of eternal spring, Guatemala.

Upon leaving the airport we planned a brief stop at Pastor Jorge's house in Linda Vista.  We had been there a few minutes in the van, when Gene began to smell something burning -- smelt electrical.  We started looking around and saw whisps of smoke and thought it was coming from the house.  We were getting ready to pull out, got about 6 inches and abruptly stopped.  Tried it again, same thing.  Backed up a few inches, tried again, same result.  We weren't moving.

At that point, we got out so the it could be looked over.  It turned out the rear brakes had fused to the rotor.

What an amazing time!  We were able to meet some of Pastor's Jorge's family, families/individuals that stay at Pastor Jorge's house until they can get back on their feet, and Crystal who is doing an internship.  We also had the opportunity to experience for ourselves why it is called Linda Vista on Pastor Jorge's terrace rooftop.  The "beautiful view" is truly amazing!  You can see for miles.

We were grateful of the hospitality of coffee and sweet breads shown by Pastor Jorge's family.

While this could have been perceived as a set back, nothing could be further from the truth.  It is amazing how God works His will and shows us the beauty of His love through His people and His creation.

We ended the day with a wonderful meal of bean soup and bread made by Dayana.

We are all looking forward to what God has in store for us and how we can be His hands and feet!!!

The transformation continues........