Monday-
Hey everyone! Greetings from Guatemala! Sorry about the delay...internet issues again! So will catch you up. We went to Jericho Baptist Church where some of us were working with the ladies from the dump area. We are using the book "Life's Healing Choices" and introducing them to the principles of Celebrate Recovery. They were very excited and many were saying that they knew that God had led them there. Blanca shared her testimony and many were moved to tears. There is alot of healing going on and it is so cool to see God using women of different cultures to help each other. Some things just transcend the language barrier. The rest of us were upstairs with their children. We played games, did crafts, sang songs and just generally had a good time! We held babies from 10 until about 3! Whew! Cute kids!
We did have a miserable day as far as weather goes....lots of rain and wind and it made it pretty chilly here! Guess it was from that tropical storm that we heard about.
Tuesday-
Yay! The sun is out today and it is warmer. Thank goodness! Back to Jericho again to work with the women! I don't know who is being blessed more, them or us!! We had a wonderful time singing and praising the Lord! Then the women got busy in their small groups and up we went with the kids! The children are so precious! We played games and had so much fun! We acted out some Bible stories with the children and that was quite amusing!! But the kids were great sports and played along. We got a big treat today and took 16 kids to the zoo! They were so excited and we had alot of fun! Lunch was eaten in the parking lot and we spent a cool two hours looking at all the animals. Then back to Jericho for a video.
Meanwhile, the ladies were hearing Debbie teach the third choice. It was about letting go and letting God have control. When she finished, they gave an altar call. Several of the women came down front to recommit to Christ, one came for the first time to receive Christ! There were alot of tears and hugging. Women all around the church were praying with and for each other and many were very blessed. Lynne said that this hadn't ever happened before, so it was pretty awesome!
Wow!! The men's team just walked in the door! I think that they came in just to snake our pizza!!! Just kidding! It is very good to see them here safe and sound. They said that after they got off of the plane and it got refueled and ready to take off back to Atlanta, the plane caught on fire!! Yikes! They hit the ground running and have already put in a full days work. But all is well and just know that we are all working hard and serving where we can. Please know that this work wouldn't be possible without all of your help and prayers. We appreciate you, and so do the people of Guatemala. We all ask that you continue to lift us up. It is hard down here and very tiring. People are tired and some are fighting illness, homesickness, and mosquitos! So, thanks for praying for us. Well, I'm outta here for tonight. More tomorrow...buenos noches!
In Christ,
Sue B.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Retry of Day 2 and Day 3
Saturday
Sorry we did not blog last night. The internet was down. So here are two days in one.
Very busy day. We went to the town square in Antigua. Beautiful and busy. Many women and their children dressed in native clothing selling their wares. Some were very persistant. Kadi was an especially easy target. We finally learned to put her in the middle of the group. Eye contact with the women is an open invitation. We learned how to haggle and made some good deals. FYI, $5 is equal to 40 quetzales.
Ater lunch we visited Casa Shalom, an orphanage in San Lucas. They house 50 children and have a school for 150. The children range in age from 5 months to young adults. In addition to their own children, they teach children from the local neighborhoods. Their goal is to raise the children into respectful and responsible young adults who have a love of Jesus Christ. These children have no real option for adoption, so Casa Shalom will be their home until they are 18. An awesome and amazing responsibilty for the staff. I was humbled by ALL of it.
During our time at Casa Shalom, we were able to help paint the main commons area and love on the children. Each member of our team was deeply touched. There was many a tear shed, but at the same time our hearts were lifted by how God has provided for these children. They are safe and loved!
Sunday
Today we went to church service at Iglesia Del Caminos in Antigua. I was blown away by the music ministry! My heart was soaring to hear the singing in Spainish and English. I would have loved to have a recording to play when I am back home.
After lunch we said goodbye to Antigua and El Palacio de Dona Beatrice, bought eight loaves of fresh bread and relocated to Clubhouse Guatemala. We are now staying in a home for term missionaries. It is true dorm living at its finest. There is a group from Knoxville, college interns, college students on summer break and us. Many people, small kitchen, few bathrooms and many new friends. THIS IS A VERY BUSY PLACE!
Sue and Alaina cooked spaghetti for dinner. Feeding many faces! While the kitchen was busy, a group of ladies were getting things ready for tomorrow. I went with a group to buy supplies for the week. Hugo Paiz was a little like a crazy Walmart. Think Gainesville Walmart times 10 in craziness. I really can't explain it.....just an experience I will never forget!
We are now winding down. Who's going to make it to the shower for hot water? Stay tuned to find out...... Oh, I understand there may not even be hot water......sigh.
Keep praying for us. We are definitly feeling His presence through our experices and GREAT devotional times each morning. We are very excited about the upcoming events this week and seeing His plans unfold. :)
April and Sue
Sorry we did not blog last night. The internet was down. So here are two days in one.
Very busy day. We went to the town square in Antigua. Beautiful and busy. Many women and their children dressed in native clothing selling their wares. Some were very persistant. Kadi was an especially easy target. We finally learned to put her in the middle of the group. Eye contact with the women is an open invitation. We learned how to haggle and made some good deals. FYI, $5 is equal to 40 quetzales.
Ater lunch we visited Casa Shalom, an orphanage in San Lucas. They house 50 children and have a school for 150. The children range in age from 5 months to young adults. In addition to their own children, they teach children from the local neighborhoods. Their goal is to raise the children into respectful and responsible young adults who have a love of Jesus Christ. These children have no real option for adoption, so Casa Shalom will be their home until they are 18. An awesome and amazing responsibilty for the staff. I was humbled by ALL of it.
During our time at Casa Shalom, we were able to help paint the main commons area and love on the children. Each member of our team was deeply touched. There was many a tear shed, but at the same time our hearts were lifted by how God has provided for these children. They are safe and loved!
Sunday
Today we went to church service at Iglesia Del Caminos in Antigua. I was blown away by the music ministry! My heart was soaring to hear the singing in Spainish and English. I would have loved to have a recording to play when I am back home.
After lunch we said goodbye to Antigua and El Palacio de Dona Beatrice, bought eight loaves of fresh bread and relocated to Clubhouse Guatemala. We are now staying in a home for term missionaries. It is true dorm living at its finest. There is a group from Knoxville, college interns, college students on summer break and us. Many people, small kitchen, few bathrooms and many new friends. THIS IS A VERY BUSY PLACE!
Sue and Alaina cooked spaghetti for dinner. Feeding many faces! While the kitchen was busy, a group of ladies were getting things ready for tomorrow. I went with a group to buy supplies for the week. Hugo Paiz was a little like a crazy Walmart. Think Gainesville Walmart times 10 in craziness. I really can't explain it.....just an experience I will never forget!
We are now winding down. Who's going to make it to the shower for hot water? Stay tuned to find out...... Oh, I understand there may not even be hot water......sigh.
Keep praying for us. We are definitly feeling His presence through our experices and GREAT devotional times each morning. We are very excited about the upcoming events this week and seeing His plans unfold. :)
April and Sue
Friday, June 25, 2010
Finally Here!!! :D
Day 1- We arrived about 1:15 US time... which was 11:15 Guatemala time. After collecting all of our luggage, and getting into our taxi, we had a yummy lunch at Burger King then visited the preschool that Lakewood sponcers. We also got to see the dump. It is a very sad place, but God is working throughout all the trying times. We are having an amazing time here and we are so happy that our many months of training have come down to this next week. We are looking forward to sharing pictures and memories with everyone!!! Please continue to be in prayer for the safty and well-being of our team as we allow Christ to work through us.
-Courtney Staples
Friday, June 4, 2010
Let's be BOLD for Christ!!!
While we have been sad that we could not go to Guatemala "as we planned", we are so thankful that God protected our team just as He promised He would!
As we prepare for our rescheduled trip, we ask that you be in prayer for God's guidance and direction in our thoughts, steps, and actions. We KNOW that God is up to a HUGE work, and we are humbled that He wants us to join Him. We are walking in faith, praying and believing that He has a plan to reach the lost and hurting for His glory. We do not take this mission lightly, but are being intentional about praying and digging into His word to find the path He wants us to travel.
We ask that when you pray for our team, you remember the words of Paul in Ephesians 6:18-20. We want to be BOLD for our Lord!
Ephesians 6:18-20
18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
As we prepare for our rescheduled trip, we ask that you be in prayer for God's guidance and direction in our thoughts, steps, and actions. We KNOW that God is up to a HUGE work, and we are humbled that He wants us to join Him. We are walking in faith, praying and believing that He has a plan to reach the lost and hurting for His glory. We do not take this mission lightly, but are being intentional about praying and digging into His word to find the path He wants us to travel.
We ask that when you pray for our team, you remember the words of Paul in Ephesians 6:18-20. We want to be BOLD for our Lord!
Ephesians 6:18-20
18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
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