This post if from Maggie.
Hello everyone, Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers! We are having a blessed time here, our minds have been opened to the culture and how we as Americans take things for granted like fresh water and the medicine and resources that are available to us.
Today we went to El Rhicon (spelling and accents are missing i have no idea how to put them along with where they go on the word hehe) It is a small farming town about 1 hour away. We got to see some volcanoes along with the hill side. What a breath taking view!! We started out doing a couple home visits. They are such a wonderful time to talk with the Guatemalans and to connect through God's word. Today was also our first day teaching the young kids about the Tower Of Babel. The kiddos were so attentive and so loving. It was amazing seeing how ready they were to learn and talk to us (even though communication was limited)
Overall it was an amazing day! Tomorrow we're off to a town called Buena Vista about two hours away. We have to leave here very early in the morning so that's all for tonight.
Buenos Noches!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Monday, October 20, 2014
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:
Blessings,
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"
Blessings,
Terri
Sunday, October 19, 2014
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
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
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
Friday, October 17, 2014
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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
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
Monday, January 14, 2013
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.
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.
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