Sardis UMC Team

This small but mighty team was a HUGE blessing to us last week!  My cousin, Rodney, and his wife, Elizabeth, were so fun to have here.  Bonnie was a returning visitor and she brought her husband, Clifford, with her this time.  We also made a new friend in Charles!    

They were so willing to do whatever was needed including dishes, painting, drywall, car repair, etc. etc.  But it wasn't all work and no play!!

We took them to one of our favorite places to eat!  A local resident makes dobladas almost every afternoon/evening (well, except Christmas - we found that out the hard way!)  We had a wonderful team of 3 ladies from Texas who joined the AR team for much of their time here!  It was a blessing to see them all interact and develop some new friendships!

They also went to Oasis where Hannah and Bethany served them a ton of 'licuados' in a bag (smoothies)!!  

On Sunday we took them to see clinic as well as do some shopping.  We ended with a quick tour of the Children's Home.

More clinic on Tuesday!  Those of us that were not 'medical' went for a hike to a lookout (that we may or may not have found!) 

We heard rumors of protests in Guatemala happening on Wednesday (the day that we were planning to take the team to Antigua) so we packed everyone up in a hurry and left Tuesday afternoon!

Although the departure was fast, it was such a blessing to be in Antigua Tuesday night.  We started the morning on Wednesday with some shopping!

The group wanted more 'typical' Guatemalan food so we went on the search!

We found a restaurant with a nice atmosphere and the food was very Guatemalan.  We may keep seraching for future teams but it worked!

We did a little sightseeing and then had to get back to the hotel.  Caleb was arriving home from his trip to Israel and we wanted to be there when he arrived!  This is one of many, very old church/monasteries in Antigua.

We tried to keep Caleb awake to get his internal clock set back to Guatemala time! We first asked him to lead us in some worship during the team debriefing.  Then we hung out here until it was actually 'bedtime'!  He almost dozed off mid-sentence several times! 

The next day, a shuttle took the team to the airport for their return flight to Arkansas!

We were so encouraged by their time here!  

We loved the way that the Lord moved among them. 

Thank  you so much, Sardis UMC, for sharing these 5 with us!!

Lifegate Team

An awesome team from Lifegate arrived on April 18th!  They stayed and served with us for 10 days.  It was such a blessing to have them all here!

The team spent the first week of their time in Canilla with us working on the prayer room.

They painted!
 

And built stuff!


A sound room


While the boys were cutting and pounding, the ladies covered all of the acoustic sound panels wtih Guatemalan fabric. They turned out great!  Once the room is finished, we will take some pictures of all of their work!!

The ladies also went to the Widows' project with us.

They prayed over every person.


And family.


Then we were asked to do a housecall.


A young mama was struggling with physical issues and lots of fear.  The women spoke encouragment to her and prayed for her.  Don examined her and gave her a little medicine.  May the Lord continue to speak to her heart and draw her near to Him.


Then it was time for some refreshments.  Emma worked with Bethany and Hannah in Oasis all week.  Well, they actually did everything together all week!


The men built a 'bridge' for a young man that is in a wheel chair.  The bridge facilitates the chair getting into the house.  The young man fell from a tree and is paralyzed plus has incredible bed sores.  Please pray for the Lord to touch him!


Levelling it out!


The finished product!


Then we took them out to the fanciest restaurant in town!!  Dobladas for everyone!!


On Sunday, we packed us all up and headed to the Children's Home in San Andres.  We kicked the workers out and let the kids run wild!  Just kidding - only apart the wild part!!

Caleb and Peter led worship on our first night.


It was great to worship with all the kids!


Bethany made pancakes for breakfast the next morning!  The whole box makes 155 and we had very few leftover!!


Yummy!!


Jose often had a spot for Samuel next to him!


Did I mention it was hot!! The first day, Don took all of the kids and the team swimming after much asking, pleading and chanting.

The next day, we let the little ones lose with the hose!!


And Caleb got his hair done??


Lots of grilled cheese, popcorn, candy, pop, salami sticks, etc. for movie night!! A triple feature!



First one started for the young ones - not quite dark but it worked!!

The workers returned on Tuesday night and we left early Wednesday morning.  We took the team to Antigua for some much needed rest and debrief time.

The team came with such hearts to serve not only the ministries but our family.  They were all such a blessing and encouragement to us.  We are so blessed to have friends, new and old, who speak life into our journey here.  May the Lord return to all of them many times over what they gave!