It is early morning. We are preparing our notes of thanksgiving. We are preparing to praise. We are preparing to explore and experience the beautiful Antigua, Guatemala together. Yesterday we were joined by visitors and today we will have more. These visits are truly miracles. My writing is probably over until I arrive home. I want to say a huge thank you for all who have prayed for us and followed us. PLEASE KEEP PRAYING…there is more yet to come. I feel that we have been joined by more people on this mission than I will ever be able to count. Even the “cloud of witnesses” seem to have been with us all week.
LORD, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Keep melting and molding and using our hearts…just like Bonnie gave us in the Thursday morning devotion. We are yours in our work, we are yours in our pleasure. We are…quite simply…yours. And we love you. Amen.
We woke up early but we left our hotel with heavy hearts…knowing today was our last day in La Toma. Before we left the parking lot we were belting out the chorus of “Hosanna”…the specific line that says, “break my heart for what breaks yours”. We acknowledged before we ever arrived at the church and school this one truth: it’s OK for us to let our hearts break when God is in it. And so we went…willing for our hearts to break and knowing that somehow in the breaking, we are being molded into the image of God.
At the church Pastora Myriam finished the women’s sessions with another powerful lesson. Part of this teaching included the shattering of a clay pot and the creation of a cross from both the broken pieces and a variety of items that symbolized the week.
The teachers of La Toma gathered with us as we made presentations to them, and they to us. The friendships between the Tennessee teams and the school at La Toma are long lasting. This week they were extended further…as they will be with the next team and the next team. It is so much fun to see new people added to this connection. And isn’t this so precious? The SHARING of God’s grace…one new person after another.
Olivia shared her voice during those presentations as she spontaneously sang a solo to the teachers, “Welcome to this Place”. Michael shared his music by just picking up his guitar and adding some ambiance to the heat and squeals of children playing. Bonnie carried feathers just looking for the right moment to add them to the mix. Kristine Kline (a member of FUMC that sent a gift) added handcrafted bookmarks with Christian symbols and messages in Spanish. It goes on and on….a dance of God’s grace.
Our last moments with Pastors Felix and Manuel were so powerful I hesitate to describe it with words. I want you all to know about it, but also to know I am so limited in sharing it in a way that you can know fully what it was like in those moments. The children had crowded in on us so tight we had to make an exit. They just kept coming.
So here we are standing outside the church. Pastor Manuel was on his motorcycle about to leave and we asked him to stay. (In Guatemala when a friend stops you and asks you to stay, you stay. You would never look at your watch and say “I don’t have time”). So both pastors are standing there and the team has assembled. We are literally covered in kids…maybe 30 or 40. We said words of thanksgiving for the time and then we presented each of them with soccer balls so the churches can use them with their youth. Michael presented a poster card to Pastor Felix from our teamWe know that playing soccer and learning to be a team can be a powerful way to share the gospel with the children. And then…it was Ashley’s turn to share.
Ashley presented Pastor Felix with her guitar. She shared with him how it was given to her by her parents…her first guitar and how much it had meant to her life. Her prayer had been that it would mean even more to the life of the church in making music for God’s glory. All of our tears were flowing as we watched this 17 year old child of God present Pastor Felix with this gift. Ansley presenting the guitar to Pastor Felix. May God bless this gift. Ansley and Kenny…friends forever Bonnie with Danielo and Elvia Kenny and Ansley playing tug-of-war with the kids. Kenny is a young lady that helped us every day this week…lovely lady! Bonnie receiving “thanks” from one of the teachers. We were all given expressions of thanksgiving.
Later, when we were standing at the altar with soccer balls, guitars, posters, feathers and the cross piled on high… Pastor Manuel said he was looking forward to Pastor Felix becoming a guitar playerJ Several years ago…Jeff Blum left a guitar in the hands of Pastor Manuel and he also began to make a joyful noise in the house of the LORD. It changed his church. We lay hands on these two pastors as we gathered around this altar for prayer. We remembered the words of Jesus when he said to Peter, “ on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hades will not overcome it.”
We did not say “adios” as we drove away from La Toma today. We simply said, “hasta luego”.
This team amazes me every day. I go to bed at night with my spirit wiped out AND full of thanksgiving. I wake with anticipation because while I don’t know all that will happen today – I do know without a shadow of doubt – that God will reveal a clear presence of the Holy. It happens every hour with us.
Last night in our reflections of the day Pastora Myriam shared that she needed a Bible for one of the women in her sessions that has expressed a desire to preach. Terry and Julie immediately said, “we brought a Spanish Bible but we didn’t know why!” This is one of our DAILY examples of provision and following.
I am up early and when I waved to Felipa in the kitchen she knew I was really looking to see if the coffee was made. I sit on the steps outside to write because this is the best internet connection. After a few minutes I hear her sweet voice in the morning air: “dos minutos tienes café”
Felipa in the kitchen making breakfast this morning!
Sherri Joyce is one of those people that after getting to know her you think, “OK…I would go pretty much anywhere with this lady!” She is a champion of flexibility and engagement in whatever is happening in the moment. And there is a light shining through Sherri’s eyes that, as with many team members, is getting brighter every day we are here. Sherri Joyce and her buddy making bracelets
Michael and Jake are musicians at heart and in daily life. Jake just graduated from high school a week or so ago, and Michael is a young adult navigating through life with a job, a band and a dream. Michael was in Nicaragua in 2008 and this is Jake’s first international mission. Both were part of the youth group in our church in earlier years. From guitar strumming, drumming and stove installations..these guys rock! They have emerged as leaders in music sessions, stove installations and generally “hanging out”.
Let me be clear: “hanging out” is just a way of saying that the team is meeting each person exactly where they are…taking time to “be with” them and in doing so they provide a clear message: You are a child of God and worthy of my time and attention. You are not my project.” I praise God for this attitude and Love. Jake and Michael…the drummer guys:)
B.J. is a veteran missionary in Guatemala and other Latin American countries. She is a part of our church and has a heart for missions that runs deep and wide. Her love for the people is overflowing and her gift of helping is endless. Over the years, she has developed many friendships here. It is a beautiful thing to see someone just offer love and love and love. She has washed stove parts, visited in homes, played games and many more things to express the love of Christ here. B.J. Elder..a. veteran in mission with a gift of helping and loving the people wherever she goes. Michael during recess…a little soccer along the way. Music, soccer, lead singing…”whatever it takes” is his daily attitude
Sherri and LaVerneLaVerne and her new best friend…
LaVerne has served as the church’s Finance & Business Manager for many years. She recently shifted to part-time as she contemplates retirement. It is such fun to witness LaVerne experiencing a country where the church has been in mission for so many years. From checking writing and hearing stories.. to holding the hand of a child…God has perfect timing. It was LaVerne’s “time” to be in Guatemala. We give thanks for this blessing.
Michael, Olivia and Ansley leading singing in the school on Wednesday. FABULOUS trio! Olivia and the “Esther crown” made from bamboo leaves. It is our “Plan B” story in case we need another.
Olivia is a sophomore at Samford University. This is her second international mission; she was in the Dominican Republic last year. Olivia grew up in our church and is gifted in her music and love for children. She brought along a host of crafts and songs to share – all of which have been needed! But I think what has touched me most about Olivia during this mission is the spiritual insights she has shared. She has opened her heart to the Spirit and it is pouring through her in a beautiful way.
I’m losing track of who I’ve introduced through the stories and who you have yet to meet..but more it coming. Our conversations have been seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6) day and night. Our eyes are being opened to one another as God has shown us how we are connected to one another through our Creator. I don’t know that I would ever see the gifts God placed in each person except by first being connected to God. It is through the eyes of our Maker that we are able to see the Holy in each person. What an amazing gift of grace!
Hania (La Toma Principal) greets the team and makes introductions. A happy reunion for me!There is a place in the experience of God’s grace and revelation that you are on “overflow”. At first that sounds like mountain top when you hear it, but overflow today is poured out, overflowing and yet trusting and knowing there is more to come today. The dental team is feeling it physically and emotionally. The teaching teams are feeling it as they encounter needs too great for us to control or fix. In our chaos we are finding peace. In uncertainty we are finding the Spirit moving strongly in us and in our friends at La Toma. It is beyond us and yet, here we are, standing in the middle of what God is doing. The musical trio leading singing in the classroom. So much fun!
Pastora Myriam is seeing many women in the sessions each morning. Yesterday’s teaching was on reconciliation. Of the 18-20 women attending each day, about 15 of them have never stepped inside this church. They are experiencing God’s grace and love in a place they did not know had it to offer. They are engaging and asking for special prayers and ministry. Forgiveness was overflowing yesterday and with laying on of hands, oil and love…Sherri, Bonnie, Myriam and BJ witnessed the Spirit at work. Maybe the “overflow” is like the river in the mural. The river of God’s love…touching all of us and changing us day by day by day.
In the school our lesson for 4-5-6 grades is focused on Integrity; Respect and Trust in God. We are using the story of Joseph and I think we will add Esther today. We sing for a while (thanks to the amazing trio of Michael, Ansley and Olivia), then they tell us about their family and then we tell them the story. The next part is a melodrama where they act out the story. Ansley (by the grace of God) had a towel of many colors so the “coat” was easy to find. The craft is a bracelet with 3 beads (standing for integrity, respect, trust) and after the children make it we place it on them and say the words as a blessing of God upon them. After all of that we ask them to write a prayer to God for their family and we collect those prayers. We will divide them up at the end of the week and take them into our prayer time.
Yesterday Olivia led our devotion with Proverbs 15:15. It was beautiful and it is what we see. The people of Guatemala are richest where we are poorest. We often measure our happiness, contentment and peace by our material wealth. They measure it all in relationships, family and faith. We all are in need on earth. For the basic of water, food, shelter….AND equally basic: Love and grace from one human to another. Our creator made us this way. This mission has been a reminder to us and possibly even to the community of La Toma that we must see one another as Jesus did those he encountered…truly SEE, listen and share the love that every soul needs so much. Aurora expresses the love of Christ in her cooking. We came home to a wonderful supper with fresh veggies, meat, tortillas and fruit! Wonderful!
My prayer today is that we will all receive a glimpse of that love before we lay down to sleep tonight. Let it be.
Our first day in the church was great. It was clearly God’s arranging and blessing. Our focus was on three things:
1. A women’s group in the church
2. A youth activity in the afternoon
3. The art mural
The women came in and embraced Pastora Myriam’s leading and teaching with great joy. They laughed, they shared, they prayed. It was incredible. Pastora Myriam holds a women’s group at the church.
The children that flocked to the church with their moms or just from rumors of us “making bracelets” (which I think the mural team began!) were met with a spontaneous craft session, singing and the love of many team members. Ansley and Olivia and LaVerne handled the surprise congregation with grace. It was awesome to see them connect and just love.
In the afternoon Michael and Jake did a music session with guitars and drums. Manuel (pastor from neighboring area) joined them in the later part and there was a jam session, a teaching, and Guatemalan youth making music before the day ended. Priceless!
Sometimes art just speaks for itself. Often it does. The eyes of the students when they saw the mural…..the words of gratitude from adults…and even our own team just being awed at watching the mural take life….all these things encourage me and tell me that if we simply follow what God shows us to do, amazing things will come into being. How hard, though, just to follow!
At the end of the day one of the great blessings was finding Sergio (Pastor Felix’s son and a study of architecture in the university) and Will (our driver this week and Adolfo’s son) contributing to the mural. Both of these men have gifts of drawing and architecture. To see them participate and contribute to the mural is a great encouragement. This mural is an expression of peace and unity in this community. The peace that comes from the work of God here. Sergio and Will drew the letters and Terry painted them
Everyone found a place to be and serve today. Bonnie pulling out her creative gifts, Julio translating in unexpected moments, B.J. visiting families and telling stories…Sherri connecting children with her smile…the list goes on and on. We are overflowing. Please pray for us to be humble, open and obedient. It is all we can do here. Let it be.
Sherri, Jake, LaVerne and Michael putting together the stove. They became quite good at this work!We had the privilege of going into homes for stove installation on Saturday. It is humbling to be invited inside, to see the cultures clash – we with our cameras, the people with their joy. Children with their hands outstretched to give whatever they have, we with our awkward and eager hearts wanting to connect. Olivia and Lucy (Lucy is a Guatemalan translator working with the dental team) with their new friends!
The stove is the excuse around which we all gather. We stumble across the language and cultural barriers. Sometimes the stumble is full of grace. Other times it is painfully wrong. And the Spirit of God stands right there with us and covers all of our gaps when and if LOVE is the primary motive. This is important teaching. “love as I have loved you”. However, we cannot love carelessly. We must love – as Jesus loved – with humility, with respect, with grace. Pastor Felix, our friend and teacher at La Toma, Celeste, BJ and Pastor Myriam.
As Pastor Felix led us to each home and closed our prayers with his pastoral prayer we could feel the movement of the Spirit with us. It is strong. Pastora Myriam’s presence with us is a blessing and a gift. It is nice to hear Julio and Angellie speaking with the translators and locals with ease. It is nice to have more of the cultural perspective added to our conversations.
The culture, learning, leadership and love of the church are finding an expression in the mural that is emerging right before our eyes. The artist is our Guatemalan friend, Chester Zepeda. Chester and Will (Aldofo’s son) chat as that art project continues.Chester is joined by a team of joyful painters, encouragers and helpers. Laura’s love and gift of art is shining through like the sun as she works with Chester and his original finds life. The children come and say, “los montanas! Rio! Café!” Julie is encouraging and observing with her social worker mind and her open heart. Terry is finding JOY in painting that he never knew existed. And Ansley and Angellie are taking on the futbol (soccer) pros in the school courtyard. For me, this is a picture of I Corinthians 12.
Indeed one body with many gifts. I see this at work in this team hour by hour, day after day. Ansley and Angellie playing with the children
On Saturday morning Pastor Myriam led our devotional with a powerful message grounded in Matthew 25:14-29. She encouraged us to give out everything the Holy Spirit gives us each day so we will be empty enough to receive what the Spirit brings to give us the next day too. It is receiving, sharing and emptying that keeps the fullness of God’s presence filling us and flowing through us. Every day.
JulioTerry. Look at how those mountains dance! Like the Scripture…” and the mountains sing your glory hallelujahs!” Julie and her amiga Nancy.
Mario (Pastor Felix’s son-in-law) loved the mural too and picked up a brush and joined in the creation! Laura is a great art partner for Chester. As it turns out – she studied art in school and is now an interior designer!
We have had an amazing day. We started with the prayer of yielding the day’s plans to God and when we shared our experiences around the table tonight it was obvious that God honored that request and yielding. We needed the surrender and we needed the blessing of trusting.
The dental team took care of 48 patients today and 84 teeth! That’s a rocking day in the life of any dentist. Dr. Robin, Abby and Julie came to the table tonight with stories of courageous kids, humble men and determined women. The people were waiting in line when we arrived this morning…maybe 20 before Dr. Robin ever set up the chair.
First a white background….setting the stageThe art team took a blank concrete wall, a vision on paper and some paint….and the miracle of inspiration began to take life before day’s end. And then the color comes! De Colores!
They played soccer in between with the children hanging around. There was no school today. The teachers were out on a project to raise money for the school…something they do often and with diligence. The teachers that work in the La Toma school are highly committed. They love these kids.
The remaining team had a day of learning and conversation that will we never forget. We learned how to install stoves. Bonnie called them the “Jenn Air of Guatemala”, which tells you how impressive they were once put together. The first one took us 2.5 hours! The last one of the day took about 45 minutes. Haha…this is a skill that improves with practice. After installing the stove…teaching the family how to use it.After building the stove and installing we shared a card with each family and a prayer. The cards were made by the children of our church; their sweet words and art reaching across the boundaries of language and culture…again.
Ansley and Angellie with their newest buddy!We are certain as the night draws to an end that the most important thing that happened today was not about teeth, or stoves, or art…although all of those things were incredibly good! The most important thing today was being together. Conversations in local homes, holding the hands of little children, learning the culture and allowing God to change our hearts. Miracles happened in us while we were making friends and living into the vision that in Christ, we truly are one. Peace be with you. Peace be with all of us.
The team has safely arrived….all 17 of them! This is an answer to prayer. They made the connection in Miami with a gracious pilot holding for a moment for the last one to take his seat. Isn’t grace in a moment of need so nice? I was glad to see them all arrive.
Felipe
We have the hospitality of two Guatemalan cooks with us for this time: Felipe and Aurora. Felipe is a regular cook for many teams and this will be our first experience with her. Aurora is the wife of Pastor Felix and a friend. So we will be eating Guatemalan food cooked the way it would be in any local home. The hope is that our interactions and experiences will teach us more about the people here. As relationships form, we anticipate discovering what God is doing here and how we can support and join that movement.
Tonight we will have “orientation” and the leaders of the VIM (Volunteers in Mission) of the Metodista Iglesia will speak with the team. And I suspect we will all fall asleep with thankfulness and a touch of exhaustion. This always makes for a good sleep:)
We had a good visit with Beatriz earlier in the day. Her family is doing very well. She took us by the John Wesley School and we were able to see the preparations for an upcoming feria (fair/festival) in June. The teachers and children were making all of their decorations out of recyclable materials…plastic bottles, paper, etc. Creativity in motion. It was good. The principal and Beatriz are going to come meet the team next week.
We also received news from Pastor Felix today that his dear friend, and the friend of many in the USA, Andres, died 15 days ago. He was very sick when I was here in March. I am so thankful for that visit, and knew at the time that it would likely be the last. Andres has been a partner and friend for Pastor Felix in this community as they did many projects together. The two of them, along with Norris Allen of Dickson, TN, have led projects that changed communities forever. Andres lived an incredible life; we were all blessed to know him.
There is a part of me that still wants assess the worth of day by the tangible accomplishments of production. I am aware (a little painfully so) that “production” does not always include what Jesus did with his 3 years of ministry. He planted seeds with his teaching. He healed those who were sick. He took time to hear the stories of those who had been forgotten. He made time for prayer and fed the hungry. Pray that we will be able to follow that way of “production”, in whatever ways it comes. And give thanks along with us, for the safe arrival of the team and the privilege of being here. May we be something of the Light and Love that Christ is to us.
It always feels good to arrive. The welcome began with the two Guatemalan sisters sitting beside me on the flight from Dallas to Guatemala City. They had been to New Jersey for a family wedding. Their English was better than my limited Spanish and we enjoyed a brief chat between napping. The flight was full of Latin Americans. I am the minority…as everyone needs to be on occasion. It keeps one humble and widens the perspective on human life.
It is the rainy so it is raining…and raining…and raining. I love it. But it has its challenges. The bridge was washed out so a detour took us back to rough and slow traveling. Still, it helps me to see humanity bend to creation. It reminds me that we are not machines or even invincible…we are quite simply, God’s children. And as we have been equipped to do amazing things with God’s provision, the same can be said for all of God’s creation. The wind and rain and snow and hail….it also can do amazing things.
So it rained and we drove. Arriving safely at the destination, we went in search of paint supplies for the mural. The mural project is the blending of beauty, culture and friendship. Desgined by a local Guatemalan and painted by the artist, members of our team, and community friends will create this visual of unity and culture. T
The connection is not good and I am having some technology challenges so I am accepting this for the moment with hopes of resolution soon. It makes writing difficult. The team arrives in a few hours and it will be a great day of transition for all! we welcome God’s help in that transition.
Life in the Deep End 