PCBC Team in Guate

At the beginning of August, the PCBC team came with Buckner to Guate! A trip more than a year in planning. It was so great to welcome members of my church to this beautiful country! I knew about half of the group already, and I made some new friends quickly.

The first couple of days we were in the capital - first we worked with girls in a government orphanage of 900 children. Not a typo. 900. It is not my favorite place, to be honest, it's a tough place to visit. But I know how much those kids need hope and how much it means that Buckner is ministering there. At the end of the long day, we visited the special needs toddlers to drop off some blankets that some PCBC members so thoughtfully made and sent. Again, not easy, but they so appreciate love and hugs, just like the rest of us. I immediately encountered a tiny little friend who could only walk while holding someone's hand - an event that I bet does not occur too often in his day - and he quickly grasped mine and took off. I took him around to visit the friends who are not so fortunate to be able to leave their beds, and at each one I said "Hola lindo! Buenas tardes! Dios te ama!" (Hi sweet child! Good afternoon! God loves you!) and put a hand on their shoulder. By about the fourth bed, I heard a tiny echo from below "Hola lindo! Buenos tardes!". My little amigo was greeting his friends too. And he continued to do so around the whole room. A sweet moment that I will not soon forget. I pray he has plenty more visitors to hold his hand and more opportunities to encourage his special friends.

Sunday was an exciting day as I took my 18 North American friends to my church here, where I am normally the only one not from Guate. My pastor here had invited Sam Silva, the pastor with our team, to preach. It was great for them to meet some of the people who have been so welcoming during my time in Guate, and I was very grateful as Sam thanked them for taking care of me all of these months. It has been such a blessing to worship and serve with the wonderful people there. In the afternoon it was off to Antigua to eat lunch and sight-see. I always enjoy taking people there for the first time - it's breathtaking!

Two mornings we worked with HELPS International, installing stoves and water filters in homes of predetermined families on the side of a mountain in Alotenango. These stoves really do change lives as they use 30% of the firewood normally required (a great expense) and the smoke is filtered through the roof (a major health hazard). It was great to meet the families and children and pray for the Lord's provision and presence in their lives. The last day we had a cumulative birthday party complete with piñata! The mayor of the town came too and gave each team member a certificate of thanks.

Constructing the Onil stove 

Party!

We spent a full day at a new Buckner church partner in Alotenango - ministering to children and families through sermon, testimony, and VBS. In the morning we had about 125, and in the afternoon....425. Word gets out in a small town in Guate too! I pray that many doors are opened for the church there and for the sweet pastor who cares so much for his pueblo.

We also ministered to two local schools in partnership with the Buckner Community Transformation Center in Jocotenango. We had Vacation Bible School and plenty of soccer. I enjoyed meeting many kids who are receiving classes, health services, and family support from the CTC there.

On our last day we headed back to the city - to my CTC! We spent the afternoon with 60 of my favorite kiddos on the planet! It was so good to see them after a few days away from classes. The group had songs, stories, crafts, candy, and, of course, soccer. An impromptu limbo game even broke out using a large tree branch! I'm glad the team got to meet some of my little loves.

I sent them off on a plane at 5am the next morning - tired and thankful for such a wonderful week. I pray that lives were changed - here and at home, seeds were planted, others were watered and that the team never forgets their faithful service here.

Matthew 9:37-38

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Psalm 57:9-10
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.     
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Reality Check

As you could tell by my last post, I have really been enjoying myself here lately. I am in love with my kids, have a great group of friends, an amazing church family, and more than enough to do. Many have spoken of my ministry in Guatemala as a sacrifice, leaving behind my life and family in the states for an impoverished country with a different language, and while for a period it was quite difficult to adjust, I had lately seen myself as over that 'hump' and (besides missing family and friends) was enjoying the blessings of serving the Lord in Guatemala.

Friday was a stark reminder of why Guatemala needs love and hope so desperately. Not that I miss the daily (almost hourly) notifications of how many people are assaulted (or worse) in the streets here, but I am extra careful with my choices and, praise the Lord, have served here without incident. When I arrived at the community center on Friday morning, I was told there would be a vigil held there midday for a man that had died from the neighborhood. This is the third or fourth time I've seen that in my time there; the community doesn't have another place to have such a thing and the center is a refuge for the families during their mourning. I was saddened to hear the news, but the day goes on, and I walked up the little hill to my room and began my classes for the day. During recreation of my second class, one of my older students, Sharon, came by asked if I'd heard what had happened to Ana's dad....Ana is in Sharon's class, and the pieces came together way too easily in my head. The vigil would be for my student's father. I went down to the center to confirm the news, still hoping Sharon was somehow mistaken. The social worker quickly confirmed; she had just heard herself. Ana's father worked as a messenger, went on his lunch break Thursday, and was gunned down by assailants in the street. He was taken to the hospital but died later that same day. My co-worker told me that Ana was outside but didn't want to talk to anyone. With shock on my face and tears in my eyes, I went outside to find Ana and her little sister sitting on the curb. Ana was staring blankly at the street; Alejandra was sobbing. I sat down beside her, put my arm around her and just whispered "I'm so sorry. I don't understand either. But I love you and I'm here if you need anything." She didn't reply. "Is your mom here?" "No, she's at the funeral home." We sat there on the curb, Spanish praise songs playing from a speaker nearby. Moments later, Ana's grandmother came and asked her to take something to the house, and she and her sister disappeared up the hill. Ana's little cousin, a cute girl of 7 or 8, who I'd never seen before, scooted over beside me and put her head on my shoulder. I sat there with her for a few minutes in silence. Not really anything to say. A little while later, she headed back up the hill too.

 It was time for my lunch break, and as my co-worker gave me some more details of the family - 4 kids and a mom, the dad was the only one who worked, they would be taking the body to Coban for burial - I cried and sat frustrated that there was nothing more I could do. The family was arranging flowers on a bench outside the office, and I began my afternoon classes. Many of my older students were talking about what had happened, and what actually bothered me most, is that they were not that surprised or upset. Where they're from, this situation is way too common. They were discussing the details like we discuss a car wreck or storm damage. Since it was Friday, we were reading a Bible story and making a craft. That day it was The Lord is My Shepherd, Psalm 23, read from my bilingual children's bible. I just kept praying that Ana and her family would feel the promises of that passage - He is with us always, we don't have to fear, He gives us comfort when it seems there's no hope, He brings goodness and mercy. And even though it was very hard to see that day, I know those promises are true. In this world, we will have trouble - and sometimes it seems Guatemala has way more than it's fair share. But He has overcome the world.

When it came time for Ana's class, only 4 of her classmates were in attendance, as it was also a week of vacations here in Guate and many were out of town or spending time with family. We began by saying a prayer for Ana and I asked them if they wanted to have a normal class or make cards for Ana. The reply was unanimous, and they set to work, covering the words they were writing with their other hand so their friends couldn't read their messages to Ana. I made one too, with the words of Psalm 23 on one side. We went down to the center and while much of the family was still gathered, Ana had already gone. My students promised to give her my card and a hug, and we said goodbye until Monday. I packed up and left and cried most of the way home, thinking about Ana and her sister and how different their lives will be now. Again I was feeling helpless, because there was nothing I could do to stop what happened and nothing I could do to comfort Ana in her pain. But as I've thought and prayed about it this weekend, I've realized that the work that I and my fellow missionaries and the other believers that I know here are doing does matter, specifically those who are working with children. We can change the reality of this country, one child at a time. My kids know that they are loved, they are learning God's Word and what it means to live for Him, and they are learning a constructive skill to help with their futures. The Buckner Community Center continually emphasizes hard work and responsibility and the importance of family; they are working to help change entire communities of people here. And maybe if we keep listening and following God's command to serve His children, help the least of these, and make disciples of all nations, a senseless act of this sort won't be so common anymore, even in Guatemala. In the meantime, we have His promise - that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Please pray for comfort, strength, and provision for Ana's family, and for encouragement for all of those doing the Lord's work here in Guatemala and around the world.

Ana & Pamela

Estrella, Pamela, & Ana

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

³     he refreshes my soul. 

He guides me along the right paths 

    for his name’s sake. 

⁴ Even though I walk

    through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, 

    for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; 

    my cup overflows.

⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

    forever.

Time flies

So I know I have not been updating this as I should, but it’s for a good reason – I’m finally into my routine here and really enjoying the time. I have my ministries, my church, and my friends, and I’m okay that I don’t have much time for blogging these days ;) So thankful for the Lord's faithfulness in helping me find my purpose here in Guatemala.

 My time at CAG doing speech pathology is winding to a close – they use the US school calendar so that the missionaries can be free to host teams and travel during the summer. It was such a neat ministry opportunity to use my therapy skills with kids in Guatemala; I had a great time with my 16 kiddos. It was also a great place to meet others on mission here and hear about all the different ministries happening around the country. I will miss the friendly staff and playing Candy Land with my students!

On Saturdays I keep busy too. In the mornings I’m giving English classes to two groups of kids in Buckner Transition Homes – these are homes for kids who were in orphanages but now live in a family environment with house parents. They receive help to continue their studies and later find a job and live independently, a really tough transition if you don’t have a network to help you out. It’s been fun getting to know the kids and helping them with their English skills – they are eager to learn. Saturday afternoons I am helping a handful of youth with English at my Guatemalan church – I am enjoying building relationships with people that I might not get to know otherwise and I am glad to be part of the church’s outreach.

And on to my favorite days – Monday, Wednesday, Friday – when I’m with my kids at the CTC. I am so thankful how my relationships with those precious kids grow every day! They trust me more and I get to know them on a deeper level. Their smiles and hugs bring me such joy! I miss them on the days that we are not together. I know that I cannot meet their every need, there are so many, but I am so grateful to be a presence in their lives that mirrors the love of our Father. We have so much fun learning new vocabulary, playing games, making crafts, having snacks, and, of course, playing soccer. There is no attendance policy and there are no grades so it is only self-motivation that keeps them coming back, and I am so happy for the 60+ kids that do. On Fridays I continue to use Bible stories as our daily focus and each week we learn a phrase that corresponds to each story - God loves, God saves, God cares, God forgives.... I pray that these messages give them hope when it seems there is none and peace when the world gives them trouble.

On my free days I am now taking some more private Spanish lessons and continuing to do some speech therapy as well. I am excited to further my Spanish studies and fill in some holes that might possibly exist in my grammar… I am also happy to now have the time to go the grocery store before 6 pm :) I've been spending time with my friends from Buckner and my friends from church in the evenings - it's nice to relax and hang out with them after a busy week; I am very thankful for those relationships.

Off to make some more lesson plans....

Psalm 31:19

How abundant are the good things 

    that you have stored up for those who fear you,

that you bestow in the sight of all, 

    on those who take refuge in you.

Ready for some futbol?

Over a month without blogging?? Sorry :/ asi es la vida.... My second team from Park Cities came at the end of March. They ministered to Jocotenango, more or less a suburb of Antigua, to lead a soccer camp in partnership with the Buckner Community Transformation Center that is located there. The team rented out part of a local soccer complex called Jocofut. It was a treat for the kids, as they came from nearby schools during the day and the camp counted as their gym time for the week, and many will never have a 'camp' experience of any kind.

The team was made up of Damon Berry, Minister of Sports Outreach, Roddy Willis, Assistant Minister of Sports Outreach, Chris Dell, and Scott Balo. They had prepared a great week of activities despite their small numbers. We had one group of kids in the morning and another in the afternoon. Each group also had lunch provided for them. I was the Buckner representative and was in charge of the schedule and the finances.

The guys began each day with warm-ups and drills, then scrimmages and other fun games for practice. Next came the much needed water break, Bible story, and break-out discussion groups. They even prepared skits for a couple of the stories - the prodigal son skit was priceless, and the kids really enjoyed it. It was great to see the guys imparting Bible truths to such large numbers of kids, as the groups varied day to day - I believe over 350 kids passed through the camp by the end of the week!

I got to spend some time with some of the younger girls, and I loved that about 10 minutes into our scrimmage they asked "Can we go play in the shade?". My kind of team!! So a little duck, duck, goose was in order (or more accurately - pato, pato, gonso!).

We also got a special visit one day from the PCBC pastors (Jeff, Miller, Brandon, and Randy) who were in Guatemala to visit many of our ministry partners - it was so great to spend the afternoon with them and talk about their vision for ministry in Guatemala! I am so thankful for their support!

The last day of camp we had a big pizza party to end the day. Each group received something from the team - the young kids got Upward basketball jerseys, the middle group received PCBC t-shirts, and the oldest kids each got to take home one of the soccer balls that we had been using during the week. PCBC bought the balls from a great site that has the gospel printed on the balls in spanish - themissionball.com. Awesome idea.

On our free day we ventured back to my favorite spot, Finca Filadelfia, to take the coffee tour and relax. Then we headed to the market and out to dinner with our great team of translators! They were really so helpful, we were blessed to have them.

I had so much fun getting to know these guys, seeing their heart for loving on the kids of Guatemala and sharing Jesus' love with them daily, and discussing missions and the church. I hope many more are inspired by these men who gave up a week of work and family to come show love to the least of these - I know they left an impression that will last.

Verse for the week - Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

John & Kay: Passport to Latin America

At the beginning of March, I had the pleasure of hosting my parents in Guate for the first time! They arrived on an evening flight and my good friend Berta accompanied me to the airport to pick them up. For those who know my parents, the idea of John and Kay heading to Guatemala for a week is pretty funny. I'm thinking some of my dad's co-workers didn't believe him. But it was true! This was the trip that was rescheduled from January when my mom had her knee surgery, and thanks to some excellent physical therapy, she was up to the challenge. I had been counting down the days!

They spent the first night at a nearby mission home and I picked them up the next morning to show them my house and to eat some breakfast. Then our van came to take us to Panajachel! It is about a 3 hour drive from the city, but so worth it to see one of the most beautiful lakes in the world - Lake Atitlan! I had been there twice before but was so eager to go back. It is one of the most incredible places I've ever been; it's even in the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die. So I thought my parents should see it! We had a wonderful time walking around the little town, visiting the market, and eating at some great restaurants. And my parents were introduced to Tuk-tuks, the little motorized cars that everyone uses to get around. There were not too many other tourists since it was off-season and the middle of the week.

Lake Atitlan

Tuk-tuk!

 The second day we took a little boat across the lake to visit the market at Santiago. My mom and I had a great time shopping around, while my dad enjoyed the view of the lake while he waited for us ;) We also visited a nature reserve with a beautiful butterfly house.

The following day it was off to Antigua - a town about 30 minutes from the capital that is famous for its  Spanish colonial style. We visited the ruins of various cathedrals (all brought down by earthquakes in the 1700s) and ate a lot of great food! Our hotel was beautiful with 2 gardens, a nice restaurant, and marimba players in the afternoon.

View of Antigua from Cerro de la Cruz

Famous Arch

Central Park Cathedral

Central Park

Hotel Posada del Don Rodrigo

Marimba!

The following day we visited another of my favorite places, Finca Filadelfia Coffee Resort. If you know me at all, you know I have a bit of a coffee addiction, which only intensifies when I'm in Guatemala surrounded by amazing coffee. Filadelfia is a gorgeous plantation with great coffee and a 5-star restaurant. We took the hour and a half coffee tour which is so informative - it ties together the rigorous coffee production process with information about the people and local economy. And when you're through, you get to drink some! That's the best part. I don't think my mom wanted to leave.

After a very full week, we traveled back to the capital and stayed together in a hotel near my house. We met some of my good Guatemalan friends for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. It was so neat to have my parents finally meet the friends that are so important to me here! On Sunday I drove them to Los Cerritos so they could see my ministry in person. Then Monday morning we headed out early to the airport. But honestly, the week was so great and I was so thankful for the time that we spent together, that I didn't even really feel sad! I am so grateful that my parents are so supportive of my ministry in Guate and now they can understand a little bit more about why the Lord would have me serve here for awhile - to share the love that I've been given in a place that needs a lot of hope!

Psalm 31:19
How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.