Serving in Love

January 21, 2015

Today was our last day serving at Aminta's house. We mixed concrete and mortar for the construction of the wall. All of the large components of this job are complete, Dylan and Aminta's family will complete the wall in the near future. 

In the afternoon some of the team accompanied Missy on her weekly prayer visits. This was an amazing experience to be welcomed into church member's homes to lift them up in a time of prayer. 

Working for the Lord

January 16, 2015

It is absolutely wonderful to feel the Guatemalan sun on our first day in Villa Nueva. Our focus this week is serving Aminta's family. The SARF team, with help from Aminta and her family are extending a wall which the October team started.

Cate (Dylan and Missy's dog enjoying the morning sun) 

Every day we leave the work site to have a traditional Guatemalan lunch prepared with love by Diana. 

Much of our day consisted of digging the trench for the wall 

and having some fun

Lucy and Lilly Aminta's friendly neighbors

Aminta and her family 

The view from Aminta's house

January 17, 2015 

On our second day at Aminta's we continued to dig, laid the footer, made tacos, and bent re-bar for columns. The majority of our energy and test of teamwork came into play as we moved all of the building materials down to Aminta's home.The street to Aminta's is quite steep, but seeing the community come out to help with this task was completely uplifting.

Making tacos 

Taking a break to play Barbie dress up 

The assembly line technique- great for passing cement blocks  

January 18, 2015

Sunday we had an needed day of rest as we attended Missy and Dylan's church, Ciudad De Refugio. This was an amazing experience complete with Dylan translating the message, spirited worship songs, and warm welcomes! After church we embarked on a trip to visit some of the families in the community. Unfortunately this did not happen as the borrowed church van broke down on our way to the families. Pastor Jorge Jr. came to our rescue along with a mechanic. Despite this unexpected breakdown we had a good afternoon bonding as a team.

Mingling after the service 

January 19, 2015

The third service day we continued working at Aminta's. We mixed concrete and made re-bar columns. In the evening we had an awesome ice cream party and learned more about Missy and Dylan's call to ministry with SARF.

January 20, 2015

Tuesday we finished constructing the re-bar columns for the wall. The construction experts continued building up the wall and the rest of us mixed concrete and mortar.  

  

Let the Adventure Begin!

Our journey began this morning at 3:30 am. We shared in sleepy greetings and thoughtful prayers before departing to Dulles International Airport. All travel ran seamlessly as we boarded our connecting flight to Panama and then arrived in Guatemala. Most of us agreed the trip was long, but upon meeting the missionaries, Dylan and Missy I knew it was well worth it. Their love and spirit for God, his people, and Guatemala is contagious. This is my first time serving in Guatemala and participating in an international mission trip. I could not be more excited to be a part of this ministry!

My prayer for our team is to love relentlessly, accepting all challenges and obstacles enthusiastically. We are blessed to be a part of God's work here in Guatemala.

      

Last Day

We had a great time decompressing in Antigua on our last day here.  Please pray for us as tomorrow we make our way back to the States.


Also, here is a video of our trip!