This is love.

1 John 4:9-11 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

So I had been excited for quite awhile when my good friend and Buckner employee, Brynn Anderson, told me she would be leading a group to Guate at the beginning of 2012. We have both been serving with Buckner for some time, but never together. Then another good PCBC friend, LeeAnne, told me she was coming here with a dental team. And just a few weeks ago, 2 women from PCBC who have taught me a ton about serving, Karen and Susan, wrote to let me know they would be in Guate soon. Imagine my surprise and excitement when my slooowww mind realized they were all coming on the same trip!! And to top it all off - what was the focus of their visit? The Los Cerritos CTC! They were coming to love on MY kiddos! I love when the Lord's plans become so clear to us - even to those of us who take awhile to catch on ;)

Brynn & I

The team arrived on Tuesday the 21st and I met up with them Wednesday morning at Los Cerritos. It was so wonderful to see so many familiar faces and meet new people who had come to ready to serve. I was so impressed with their organization and focus. The theme of the trip was 'Your body is a temple' and all of the activities revolved around health and hygiene - information that is definitely lacking in many parts of Guatemala. It may seem strange, but there are many children/families who don't know how much impact proper hygiene can have on their lives. And when you don't have access to appropriate medical care, this knowledge really can make all the difference. The team came with lessons on germs and hand-washing, avoiding spreading illness, bathing and hair care, teeth brushing and care, and healthy eating. All of these were tied to the truth that the Lord cares for you and created you perfectly and you need to care for yourself. What a way to impact those kids now and for eternity!

Theme Banner

Healthy snacks only!

Bible story

Cliff-side tooth brushing

Sonrisa!

Healthy teeth

Shiny and clean!

Free professional haircuts!!

On Friday, dentist Dr. Bill Sadler and his hygienist, my friend LeeAnne, arrived at the CTC with portable dental chairs, cleaning tools, and syringes and anesthetic. And where did they set up? My classroom! They worked from 8 to 3:30 cleaning, correcting, and pulling (!) teeth, along with Cynthia, the head of health services for Buckner Dallas. What a blessing to this community - free dental care from an amazing Christian man for families who have almost no access! I was so impressed with the upbeat attitude of them all, even though many of the cases they saw were severe. They repeated this process Saturday at the Jocotenango CTC. And then, after a full day of work, Dr. Sadler led us all in devotion and song on the bus back to the hotel! "His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me...". Even I got to be a small part of the dental clinic, painting fluoride on children's teeth to seal them from plaque. Some women from the community helped us out with this - what a neat experience to watch them serving in their own neighborhood! It was also great to meet Eric, who has started a company that is the "TOMS of toothbrushes" - buy one and give one to a child in need. Check out his website and help send toothbrushes to children around the world: http://smilesquared.com/mission

Team Fluoride 

LeeAnne hard at work

Dr. Sadler & team

Watch out, kids!

During those 4 days, as I walked around and saw the smiling faces of my students (and their mothers), and I saw the team members giving hugs, holding hands, making crafts, brushing teeth, cutting hair, washing hands, sharing snacks, and smiling, I just kept having one thought in my head - This is Love.

Thank you to the team for leaving jobs and family for a week to love others as you have been loved - may He bless you abundantly! I hope more and more people like you are able to experience the joys of serving for Him in Guatemala!