We are grateful for the opportunity to share Christ's love with others this week. So far in Guatemala, we have seen beautiful landscapes, tasted delicious food, and met wonderful people. Most importantly, we are seeing God at work around us.

Sunday, we attended an amazing Spirit filled service, with the music and message in both English and Spanish. We were surprised as Pastor Mike started his message to hear him credit his friend Pastor Mack Hannah of DBC for the content of his current message series, Being the Best Me I Can Be. (Thanks, Mack!) After lunch, the team participated in different activities to assist in our immersion into the Guatemalan culture. Some team members took a historic walking tour of the town of Antigua while our youngest team members, Bethany and Kevin, participated in the local church's afternoon youth outing. Unfortunately, the activity was shortened when Kevin injured his foot playing soccer. This led to a "tour" of the private hospital, complete with xrays, casting and crutches. We were grateful to be together again at the end of the day. We know that things don't always go according to our plan, but we are confident that God is in control, and we are excited to see what He has planned.

Monday, our team of twelve joined with three from the IDC (Iglesia del Camino)church staff to build a new prototype house. Marlene, a widowed single mom and her two boys Allan and Jose, were with us all day. They were overjoyed as they watched their new home go from stacks of materials to a completed house. The six guys of our group worked like there was no tomorrow! Even Kevin, on crutches and in a cast, drilled like a champ all morning long. Nine hours of building was tough physically, but rewarding spiritually. We returned to our hotel covered in dust, but filled with joy for all that had been accomplished today for God's glory.

Guatemala 2012!

We're going back!! January 14 - 21, 2012

Our 2012 team members ~
MaryJo and Vickers Chambless
John and Sloane Mills
Bethany Kinsey
Cary Kresl
Amy Harley
Mark Britt
Bruce Friddle
Kevin Masse
Brent Allen
Ellen Powell

Thursday

Wednesday

We spent today in Santa Maria de Jesus, on the side of Volcano Aqua (don't worry, it's not an active volcano :)). The church we worked with is quite unusual. It was started by the Southern Baptist Convention, but the project was abandoned 4 years ago. Because of land use restrictions here, the convention "donated" the building to the existing pastor and small congregation. What is unusual is that the church is 100% Mayan, including the pastor. It is the only known evangelical church in the area where services are in a Mayan dialect rather than Spanish. So four years ago, when they set out on their own, there were about 15 members, all in the same family as the pastor. Today, there are over 75 members.

This morning we provided a program to the women of the church. It is the first event ever held for the women of the church, and was very well received. During the afternoon, we had a kids' program for 60 children. Of the 60, 18 made the decision to accept Jesus as the Lord and Savior.

Both today and on Monday, the children were asked if they wanted to know more about becoming a Christian. They were told that they could meet with Clay, our project leader from the church here in Antigua while the other children received snacks. They would get a snack later, but if this was more important to them, then they were invited to stay and meet with Clay. This is remarkable for any child to willingly wait for snack time, even in the US. But remember, the majority of these children suffer from malnutrition. So to postpone their snack, we know that their decision was sincere.

Tomorrow will be a special day - spending most of our day at the Malnutrition Center. Pictures tomorrow - I promise!!

Tuesday - House Build

We built a house today for a widowed single mom with 6 children between the ages of 6 and 15 and her mother, who also lives with them. The only furniture they had was one bed. We built the house, including a new outdoor stove for the family, and purchased a small table with eight stools, and a triple-decker bunk bed so that the children no longer have to sleep on the floor.

We were blessed to be used by God in the way today!

Monday at Monzanilla

We spent Monday at a small village outside of San Lucas; in the morning, we walked through the village inviting the families to El Club for a clothing distribution. In the afternoon, we provided a kids' program for 145 children. El Club is an after-school tutoring program that includes Bibical teaching with the tutoring, and provides breakfast every morning to school children. These children walk 30 minutes to come for breakfast, and then 30 minutes back home and then to school. Since the breakfast program started earlier this year, grades for these children have increased significantly!

20 children asked Jesus to be their Savior and Lord this afternoon!!

Sunday

We started our day with attending the worship service at Iglesia del Camino. Our afternoon was filled with resting, walking, taking in the sights. Even though this is not yet Semana Santa (Holy Week), the celebrations of Jesus' death are in full swing. There were processionals through the streets throughout the day, even one at 9:30 tonight.

In preparation for the processionals, the roads are "paved" with carpets. Carpets are intricately designed by hand with all organic materials, including flowers, rice, beans, leaves, pine straw, wood shavings, vegetables, fruits, etc. These carpets take hours to create.

Men dressed as Roman soldiers begin the processional, followed by men carrying burning incense, all dressed in purple from head to toe. Next comes a large "float" that is extremely heavy, taking 90+ men to carry it. Every block, another 90+ men take over, and so on. This first "float" is either Jesus in a clear coffin, or Jesus carrying the cross. A band follows behind, playing somber, mournful music. Next is a "float" of Mary. Some of the carriers for this float include women. Again, another band follows behind playing the mournful music. The night version of the processional is really quite eerie. People are quiet and respectful during the processional.

It is heart breaking to see that the celebration ends with Jesus' death. There is nothing celebrating His resurrection.

We are prepared for a busy day tomorrow. I hope to share some pictures with tomorrow's blog; just way too tired tonight!!

Thank you for your continued prayers!!!