Yes!

This post comes from Terri

Greetings to all who are reading this!  I trust that if you are reading this you are keeping us in prayer too - so Thank you! 

"Does anybody want to do the blog tonight?"   "yes!"  I replied.  And here is why...  Not because I have anything brilliant to say, but because that is what this week is about for me (for us as a team) is saying yes.  Yes to God, Yes to an opportunity to be uncomfortable, and for me tonight, yes to writing the blog. 

I think it is true for all of us this attitude of "yes".  I see it as Kevin asks if anybody would like to pray before a meal, or at a family visit, or whatever the case may be.  Just this wonderful attitude of yes.  Here are some other "yes" items:

• Is Ginny a good cook:  Yes!  We had beans and rice today for lunch, a Guatemalan staple, and I really liked it.  The coffee is wonderful, and Ginny is keeping us very well fed.
• Are the "beans" talking back  "yes"  and I for one am trying to be discrete about it!
• Are we feeling stretched emotionally and spiritually "yes"
• Were home visits hard?  "yes"
• Were home visits wonderful? "yes"
• Are we learning a lot about the culture?  "yes"
• Has anybody gone "fishing" ? "yes"  (Let me explain, we cannot flush toilet paper here.  So if we forget and toss it into the toilet there are gloves provided on the wall for the fishing expedition.)
• Has the weather been cooperating so far, "yes"
• Was the Bible time with the Guatemala missionaries this morning a wonderful time of learning?  "yes"  These people know the word of God!  It is wonderful to to have this time that crosses any language barrier.
• Are the children beautiful?  "yes"

On and on we could go with the yes responses.  Pray that God would enable us to continue with this openness and attitude of "yes" as the week moves on and emotions run higher, and fatigue sets it.  That we will be able to share with those we come into contact with how God has said "yes" to us through his Son Jesus, and that we will always be ready and willing to say Yes to Him.

Blessings,
Terri

Grace Mission Team in Guatemala 2014 - Sunday Oct. 19

Man, that's a really boring title... Especially when you consider how great this first full day in Guatemala has been!!

This evening's post comes from Luke Esselman.  Hi everyone.

We started out this Sunday morning, not too early, with a wonderful breakfast made for us by our hosts, Ginny & Kevin.  At that time, Kevin shared with us what all this day would entail.  We would soon leave for church at Manuel's church (Manuel is one of the Guatemalan missionaries).  I knew this worship service would be unlike anything I'd been apart of in the past, but I didn't anticipate how emotional it would be for me personally.  The Guatemalan people were just so "present" in worship... you could just see and feel they're desire to worship & serve the LORD.  It started out with several songs (in America we would consider them fairly contemporary) and their worship band was just as good as most any band I've seen in a church setting in America.  At first it was just enjoyable to listen to the Spanish, clap, and just be there as a part of the service... but a few songs in, I started recognizing the songs & was able to sing along in English.  Of course, it especially helped when the worship leader sang some of a particular song in English.  The LORD'S presence was just so evident & palpable, it was amazing!  There was a message or sermon (not sure how they title it), and most of our group would have been completely lost if it weren't for Sarah & Rebecca Draper.  Oh my goodness!! They were so awesome; listening for a while then translating a section of the sermon for us... I was so incredibly impressed with them.

After worship, we returned to the mission house & had lunch, then the rest of the day has been spent working at the mission house.  We brought A LOT A LOT of stuff (yes, I intentionally said A LOT twice... well, three times now)!  But our group worked so diligently & hard: sorting toothbrushes & soap, boxing up craft supplies, stapling coloring sheets, rubber-banding crayons, and so on.  They may seem like tedious tasks, and quite a bit to take the whole afternoon, but it was great to serve & to grow as a group in this way.

At dinner (which again was fantastic, Ginny is quite the cook), Ginny & Kevin asked us all to share why we were here, why we had come on this Guatemala mission trip.  I'm not going to go through & tell you all the stories... first of all, PERSONAL!!  Secondly, it would take a long time.  However, let me just say... tears were shed!  So many tears!!  But don't worry, it was a wonderful experience.  I feel way closer to this whole group after this dinner & very much more emotionally connected to this trip after this whole day.

I am so thankful to our great, gracious God for granting us the opportunity to be here in Guatemala this week.  I've had so many friends come down to Groundwork Guatemala in the past, and this is looking to be everything they said & so much more.  Very anxious for what is going to come next!!

Hope this wasn't too long....  Blessings all!!  You'll probably hear from someone else tomorrow.
-Luke

We Are Here!!!!!

Hola Everyone,

We made if safely in Guatemala late last night.
We had a 4 hour overlay in Huston, TX.
While waiting for our Guatemala flight our Terminal changed 4 times on us. So we got our exercise yesterday move from Terminal 1 to Terminal 24 (4 times), which are at opposite ends of the airport. We also had a 40 minute delay on top of that. We all were very tired when we arrived to the mission house.    

We will post more later tonight.

Grace Mission Team

Less than 24 Hours!!!

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WE ARE OFF FOR OUR 3RD TRIP TO GUATEMALA!

PLEASE PRAY THAT WE HAVE OPEN HEARTS AND MINDS AS WE TEACH OUR FAITH LESSONS AND VISIT ONE ON ONE WITH OUR GUATEMALAN FRIENDS.

THURSDAY NIGHT WE PACKED EVERYTHING IN 13 BAGS AND 8 BOXES. JUST HAVE A LITTLE LEFT TO PUT IN CARRY-ON BAGS.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT HELPED GATHER ALL OF THE DONATIONS.

WE BOARD OUR VAN AND HEAD FOR CHICAGO OHARE BY 7AM SATURDAY.
THANK YOU TO TRINITY MUSKEGON FOR ALLOWING US TO BARROW THEIR VAN AND TRAILER. WE OWE THEM A DEBT OF GRADITUDE.
WE WILL POST DAILY TO KEEP YOU INFORMED OF OUR PROGRESS.
YOU CAN ALSO CHECK OUT GROUNDWORK GUATEMALA ON FACEBOOK. GINNY AND KEVIN POST PICTURES THEY TAKE OF US THERE.

THANKS YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOU LOVE AND SUPPORT!

RANDY AND THE REST OF THE TEAM 

The Journey Begins - Again!

GROUNDWORK GUATEMALA MISSION TEAM MEETING.




A big thank you to all who have signed up and have shown interest in serving the people of Guatemala. I can promise you it will be a life changing experience.

IT IS TIME TO GET OUR JOURNEY STARTED!

I know that October 2014 seems like a long way off but it will be here before we know it.

We would like to have our first organizational meeting on February 10th after church around 12:00 pm. Please set this time aside and join us.

We will, show a short power point, hand out some preliminary paperwork, answer any questions that you may have regarding the trip, and costs as best as we can. We will also begin to organize our team.

If anyone has not signed up because you are unsure please come to the meeting and we can answer your questions and hopefully help you to make an informed decision.

Until Next Time

Well here we are, 2 weeks after returning home from Guatemala and I still find it hard to concentrate on life here without constantly thinking about all we left behind. The love of Jesus that we shared with others and the love that was shown to us. All the dedicated Guatemalan missionaries and Kevin and Ginny that are so on fire for God and share God's love with their people. Not to mention the children who are so starved for adult and fatherly attention and love.

With that said, we have the great pleasure of reliving our trip to Guatemala this Sunday Feb.19 at church during the adult bible class. We will be presenting our pictures and telling all about our trip. Please make a special effort to come and see what God is doing in Guatemala.
I often think about why I have been so drawn to these people and have a burning desire in my heart to continue to go back. So many times you see or hear about the depressing way that people around the world must live and do not give it a second thought, or maybe give a few dollars to what you consider is a worthy cause in hope that it will clear your conscience and excuse you from really getting involved. I know I am guilty. After all we have so many responsibilities here. I sat down the other day and tried to put into words what I felt, not an easy thing for me to do.
here is what I came up with.

WHAT IS IT THAT CONTINUES TO PULL ME BACK TO GUATEMALA?

IS IT THE CONSTANT 75 DEG. SUNNY WEATHER?
IS IT THE SCENERY WITH BEAUTIFUL VOLCANOES ALL AROUND YOU?
IS IT THE TOURIST TOWNS WITH ALL THE TIENDAS OF GUATEMALAN MERCHANDISE?
IS IT THE FRESH DELICIOUS FRUIT?
IS IT NOT BEING ABLE TO EAT MEAT AND BE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU EAT?
IS IT THE INABILITY TO SPEAK OR UNDERSTAND THE SPANISH LANGUAGE?
IS IT THE HORRIBLE TRAFFIC MAKING 6 LANES OUT OF A 3 LANE ROAD?
IS IT THE AIR POLUTION FROM DIESEL BUSES THAT BELCH BLACK SMOKE SO THICK THAT YOU CAN WIPE THE RESIDUE OFF THE CEILING OF YOUR CAR?
IS IT ALL THE NOISY CARS, MOTORCYCLES, TRUCKS AND BUSES?
IS IT THE LITTERED GROUND EVERYWHERE YOU GO?
IS IT THE POLLUTED STREAMS, RIVERS, AND LAKES?
IS IT THE POLLUTED WATER THAT YOU CAN ONLY BATH IN BUT NOT DRINK FOR FEAR OF GASTRO-INTESTINAL PROBLEMS?
IS IT THE 4 STEP DISHWASHING PROCESS? WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE AND LET DRY.
IS IT THE CRUMBLING SEWER SYSTEM THAT IS SO POOR YOU CAN NOT FLUSH TOILET PAPER?
IS IT THE THREAT OF EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANOES ERUPTING?
IS IT THE MAINGE AND FLEA RIDEN DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS THAT ROAM THE STREETS TO FIND A SCRAP OF FOOD ANY WHERE THEY CAN?
IS IT THE GUATEMALAN DUMP THAT IS FILLING IN A BEAUTIFUL RAVINE BETWEEN TWO MOUNTAINS?
IS IT THE M-16 TOTING SECURITY GUARDS EVERYWHERE THAT YOU CAN NOT TRUST?
IS IT THE POLICE OR GOVERNMENT THAT YOU ALSO CAN NOT TRUST?
OR IS IT THE HIGH RATE OF CRIME, EXTORTION, AND MURDER?

NO, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT NONE OF THESE REASONS ARE ENOUGH TO MAKE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS 3RD WORLD COUNTRY, CALLED GUATEMALA.

I THINK THE REASON THAT I CONTINUE TO BE DRAWN BACK IS THAT GOD HAS BUT A FIRE IN MY HEART FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY AND STRUGGLE EVERYDAY.
MANY SURVIVE FROM DAY TO DAY SQUATING ON LAND THAT DOES NOT BELONG TO THEM; WITH NO ELECTRICITY, NO FRESH RUNNING WATER, AND NO SANITARY CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND.
YET THEY ARE THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE THAT YOU COULD EVER MEET.
IF THEY KNOW THE LORD THEY ARE ON FIRE FOR HIM AND COMPLETELY TRUST GOD FOR EVERYTHING THEY NEED AND SHOW IT IN THE WAY THEY WORSHIP, THE WAY THEY PRAY AND THE WAY THEY LOVE EVERYONE UNCONDITIONALLY. THEY ARE HAPPY TO SEE YOU AND INVITE YOU INTO THEIR HUMBLE HOMES. THEY WILL GIVE TO YOU OUT OF WHAT THEY HAVE, WHICH IS NEVER VERY MUCH.

YES GOD KEEPS CALLING ME TO GO TO GUATEMALA. I KNOW THAT I CAN NOT RELIEF THEIR SUFFERING. I HOPE THAT I CAN DO JUST A LITTLE SOMETHING TO BRING GOD’S LOVE AND HIS WORD TO THEM. HE IS SHOWING ME SO MUCH MORE THAN I WILL EVER BE ABLE TO DO FOR THEM.
WE PRAY FOR THEM AND TALK TO THEM OF GOD'S LOVE. WE SEE GOD’S HAND AT WORK HERE. AND YES, THEY ARE ALWAYS GLAD TO SEE YOU AND THANKFUL THAT WE CAME AND HOPE THAT WE WILL COME AND VISIT AGAIN.

GOD WILLING I WILL.

Thanks for following our blog. There is a lot of words written here that come straight from the heart.
Stay tune !!! Some of us have a desire to go again and are talking about 2014! God willing we all will be able to go and continue this journey.