Home Safe and Sound

We started the journey home at 4:00am this morning and made it safely to DIA by 2:00pm. We're thankful for all the prayers and support everyone has given us from the early stages of planning this trip up to the time we landed back in Denver today. Memories have been made that will last a lifetime; friendships have developed as we've labored together for the Lord; a Guatemalan village has clean water at the church; over 75 kids heard the Good News of Jesus Christ proclaimed; and lives have been changed for God's glory. All of this is only because "of Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His great power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church in Jesus Christ throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen."

We had the privilege of serving others and being served. We worked hard, laughed and shared an amazing adventure, but more importantly we have seen God work in our own lives and the lives of those around us.

Maybe it's because I've been up since 3:45am this morning, but I can't find the words to say how much I enjoyed everyone on the trip and how grateful I am to have shared this opportunity with each of them. I look forward to seeing how God will use this experience in each of our lives in the coming days. And now I'm going to bed:)

Steve

Friday! Zip Lining Day!

Today, instead of going to help in the village we went zip lining and picked up some souvenirs. We started at the same time as every other morning and drove to a little strip of shops to pick up some souvenirs and then went to lunch. Then we headed up to Antigua to do some zip lines and pick up some coffee! The zip lining was fabulous, and the feeling of flying through the treetops was so awe inspiring. After zip lining we finished our drive to the Mennonite seminary in Guatamala City to stay the night and prepare for the early morning tomorrow. I can, and many others would have to agree that the wonderful zip lining opportunity today, on top of the awesome views for the village early this week just display the power and wonder of our Creator. We would like to ask for prayers tonight for safe travel tomorrow morning, prayers for our leaders to feel well during travels tomorrow, and for smooth transitions through immigration. Also praise for safe travels today, for our wonderful helpers Gabe and Hugo, and for safety and beautiful weather during zip lining today!

-Lauren

Last Day at the Village!

Hi! I had so much fun today in the village and the kids club. When the kids came into the church, most of the kids finished school and yes it's early to finish school. We played games like tag, frisbee, soccer, and duck, duck goose. At the end of club, we all hugged eachother to say good bye and we got really cool small blankets from the women who sewed them for us. They really cared for us and helped us too. Like they dug more than us so that we could get it finished faster. It's really amazing what they did for us. Also I loved the kids because they were really friendly and encouraging too. Thank you so much for your prayers and support of us! PS. Please pray that there will be no rain tomorrow so that we can go to the zip line! :) See you soon!

-Andrea

Today was our last day working and teaching in the village. It has been an amazing opportunity to go out and work with and fellowship with these amazing people. They are so loving and happy all the time. The ability to spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ has been such a blessing and the mutual learning between us and the villagers has been so amazing. We came to help them and love on them but they very much loved on us as well. Meeting and playing with the kids was so much fun and getting to know them was great! Today we had a great day seeing the well set up and functional. The lesson today was fantastic with the most kids yet showing up. I taught on growth but was given the ability to review creation, sin and Jesus, with emphasis on the gospel to make sure as many kids heard about the free gift! This whole oppurtynity to visit the village was amazing and I as well as the whole team have learned so much. Thank you to all that have supported and prayed for us! It couldn't have been possible without your prayers and God's help. 

-Nathan

Filling the trenches/Kids Club #3

Today was a muddy, tiring day, but it was fulfilling and a bit encouraging. It was amazing seeing how dedicated the people are to their work, and how joyful they are as they work. I thank God every day for the opportunity he gave us to come to Guatemala. The water line is all laid...and filling the tank!

-Corrie

Today we had a lot more kids! We started off just playing games with balls and frisbees, which they loved. They loved the tag games and we also broke out the bubbles! Then we sang the 2 part song and we had a contest to see who was loudest. Josiah's lesson was good and they loved the picture cards. We did a craft of a cross and they loved putting all the beads on them. Then they went back and we had lunch. They all came back and lots of the girls had their baby siblings on their backs! We just played games until the end.

-Zoe 

Say "cheese"!

Had a great day today at the village. We were able to get a lot done on the pipe line that we are putting in so that the church there can have clean drinking water!! All the people here are so kind and loving. I heard Trent say that he thinks the people here are happier than us even though they live less privileged lives than us and he is right!! The villages have been very helpfull in helping us put in the water pipe like for instance this morning when we got to the place we were supposed to stop diging today the locals had already dug to that spot for us which was much appreciated!

-Spencer

Kids Club went great today. We got a way better turnout than yesterday. Probably 40-50 kids! We played Gato Gato Perro(Duck Duck Goose) and a tag game. We sang a new song that we learned last night. Then we did a lesson on sin. After that we did a craft to make animals using thumbprints. The kids loved it! 

-Matthew

Again thank you for praying for us! The rain let up a bit today and spirits continued to be high. On a funny note...Steve told all of the kids today to say "cheese" for a picture. Cheese in their local dilalect (momm) is fart! Oops. They thought that was so funny!

An Adventure

"I'm convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it." - Chuck Swindoll

There's a lot happening down here in Guatemala and everbody has a great attitude!! The team is working well together and working hard and they're doing it with smiles on their faces. The first day of work went well. The kids club was a success and we're looking forward to another day full of adventure. Everyone is healthy and excited for day 2. Thanks for praying. 

                                                  - Steve

Yo tengo gozo gozo gozo gozo en me corazón

Today we started digging trenches and we started our kids club (which was more fun)! It was raining cats and dogs here, and it is cold! We've seen many trees knocked down by the wind and we drove through a mud slide! How fun! While walking to the village about 7 of us got lost. The good news was we knew enough Spanish to figure out our way back. There were some adorable little chicas that were standing outside in the rain watching us as we ate lunch. We invited them in and asked them their names. The youngest one was named Isabel, her sisters name was Maura, and their friend's name was Romelia. It took a bit for them to warm up to us but when they did it was because we started to play catch with the soccer balls. They would squeal with joy when they would catch the ball, and it was probably the cutest thing ever. We only had around 8 kids total today but we decided to do name cards. Surprisingly the kids knew how to spell their names so it made that easy. We were able to communicate a little bit about what they were drawing and how beautiful it was. It was really fun! Next we sang songs. They were really shy but were hoping we can figure out more songs and get them to be more out going. Trent presented our lesson while Corrie translated and they both did a great job! We told them to come back and bring friends! Pray for safety while we travel and that no one will get sick! (So far so good!!)

-Sarah