Lagomera Guatemala

The van pulled into a very poor area of town.  Some of the dirties little children you have ever seen where standing outside of the feeding center.  There were many bare feet running around the dusty streets.  In the van there were over 100 pairs of shoes that one of our teammates had sold as a fundraiser to raise money for her trip to Guatemala.  I saw tears begin to stream down the cheeks of the young ladies on the team.  These children love to just be loved on.  Dirty hands grabbed my shorts and tugged at my hands for attention.

We handed out candy and toy bags to these little ones. Then the shoes came out.  The children got really excited and smiles broke out.  More tears began to flow.   I was again reminded that everything we do must be to honor God.  These young ladies could have started judging and not wanting to get their hands dirty.  It was an awesome experience to see these wonderful young ladies be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Later the ladies painted the girls nails, made bracelets and cut hair. We played soccer and threw a styrofoam plane with the boys.  Great things are happening in Guatemala.  Please pray for all of the missionaries and nationals that are spreading the Good News of the Gospel there.

Kim, Bethany, Riley, Me, Taylor, Jennifer, Julie and Alyssa. Joe from Michigan, JJ, Stella and Andrew  

San Lucas, Guatemala

The MANNA Feeding Center at San Lucas is a little bit of heaven on earth.  It is in very poor area outside of Guatemala City.  God opened a door for a feeding center to be started in this area a couple of months ago.  They found a small building that would feed about 25 children.  One day the MANNA directors phone rang and it was a man asking to see him right away.  He told Andrew where to meet him.  The very small man road up on a bicycle and told Andrew that he was very small because he was stunted from lack of good nutrition when he was little.  A family took him and his brother in and raised him.  He became a business man and was now a community leader.  As they chatted the man lead them through a gate and up a steep hill to a 2000 sqft house on 6 acres.  He said that he wished there had been an organization to have helped him and his brother when they were little.  The man then asked if MANNA would like to use the property for their feeding center for FREE!?!?! This center now feeds about 40 children and has a waiting list of 90. The children are very loving, happy and thankful to have people come and play with them and love on them.

People in third world countries do not have FUN like Americans.  They work day to day just to survive.  Kim is working on a story of a very poor family that has three children attending the feeding center at San Lucas.  God is working and providing for this beautiful place.  It is so awesome for the children to have a safe place to come eat, play and hear God's Word.

I needed a reminder!

As we drove through the streets of Guatemala City I was reminded that there are many people in the world that have it far worse than I do.  All over the world there are people that are far more poor than the poorest of Americans.  We were told that the average construction worker makes about $10 a day.  Its hard to eat lunch or dinner for less than $10.00.

There are thousands of orphans in Guatemala.  Manna is building an orphanage that will house about 65 children at a time.  I was reminded that as Christians we are never orphans.  God is our Heavenly Father and He protects and loves us as His children.

I was reminded that we are so very blessed by God to live in America.  Without the MANNA Feeding Centers many of the children we saw today would not be able to eat regularly.  They were taught about Abraham's faith before they ate lunch today.

We also heard stories today of how God provided for all of the team members in awesome ways. It is so amazing that God plans things out for us months and years ahead of time.

I was reminded that if we commit everything to Him, He will provide our every need.

God bless!

Guatemala Bound

As most of you know Kim and I are usually in Kenya this time of year.  In an earlier post we told about God changing our plans for 2013.  The last couple of months have been rolling along pretty good.  God has really blessed everything that we are involved in.  Bible College has gone well.  I am making good grades and enjoying a couple of month break for the summer.  The photography business is growing and Kim is super busy.  I am so very proud of her and how God is blessing her.

About 6 weeks ago I was working on school work one Saturday afternoon when my phone rang.  It was Pastor JJ.  We met him in Guatemala last March.  He simply said that he was thinking about us and praying for us.  It felt great to have a pastor call and say that.  We chatted a few minutes before missions came up.  I asked when he was going on another trip.  He said that he was going back to Guatemala in 6 weeks.   I quickly asked how many people were on the team and he told me that there was plenty of room for Kim and I.  Instantly I felt like we were supposed to go on this trip.  Within a few weeks God provided the money for us to go.  It was amazing to see Him confirm that everything was a go!  

A couple of weeks later God provided in a huge way for one of the other team members.  When you commit to do what God has asked of you He will never fail you.  Even now He is providing for our trip to Kenya next March with my parents.  

Please pray for us as we leave for Guatemala on June 18-25.  We will try to post pics and stories as much as possible.

God Bless!