Posted in A Trip Update by Joshua Davis on 7/22/2009
Since Antigua we have traveled to Puerto San Jose near the western coast of Guatemala just south of Guatemala City. Prior to our arrival we were given little information about our involvement during our ten day stay which made us anxious and hopeful to say the least. San Jose welcomed us with new friends, contacts and a strong mission.
Most mission groups that pass through this town have come supplied with dramas, drimes, dances and songs. A sort of presentation aimed at entertaining and touching individuals with a message. This AIM group comprised of five 20ish year old girls have flourished in their strong understanding of relational ministry. They have exemplified their love for others through their ability to nurture friendships within the few available days.
Johanna the director of the adult youth here explained this to Liz and Lindsey last night. She explained how many groups have come through but there was something different about our group.
Relational ministry is simply about sharing love with those you become in contact with. Regardless of social status, race, language or attitude. Relational ministry requires respect. We gain that respect by
getting our hands dirty providing for the needs of the church and those
who live nearby. We have cleaned, help with construction, prepared for
church services, led worship services, taught in schools, prayed with
nearby families, met with small groups, shared our life stories and our
understanding of how God has worked in our lives.
In two days we will be leaving for debrief in El Salvador. Until then we will continue our loving mission until the end. And home is not the end, only the beginning.
Posted in A Trip Update by Caitlin Woodward on 7/9/2009
K, so, I'm not sure how in the creating of nicknames I got to be "Mom" for these 2 months, but it happened. Maybe it's cause God showed me the value of these priceless daughters of the King and my responsibility for them during this time. O sweet. Or maybe its just cause I was the first to clean out our nasty shower back in Nicaragua. Ha.
Either way it's been a really good week for me the past few days as I went with the girls to their ministry sites. It was good personal time to spend with each one of them as they showed me what they've been up to since we got to Antigua about 2 weeks ago. I've been so thankful for their conversations, wisdom, and company this week. I've been on a good side to see them as they serve from their passions as well as get a chance to share and teach me. Mighty women of God right here...
Lindsey has a great work ethic and was very precise in the system she created to paint this orphanage so beautifully. I helped finish the 'yellow' room...she's got one more to go before we leave Antigua.
On Tuesday I went with Liz to the center that serves malnourished babies. She has a compassionate heart for those less fortunate. She's a nurturer, advocate, and lover.
Wednesday I finally got to see what made Katie and Rebekah SO excited! They were able to prepare and teach their own English lesson to some students. Their joy infected the students as the afternoon was filled with learning and fun and candy!
Posted in A Trip Update by Caitlin Woodward on 7/9/2009
If you haven't already, please read Rebekah's blog "Drink Deeply".
One of the hardest things as believers
in Christ is to actually live as believers in Christ...together. The
Church. The Body. We really do get to do this together. Strengths
covering weaknesses. Grace covering faults. Love covering all. The
challenge I've seen in the states though is that in most circumstances
we allow ourselves to have an escape. We have our own cars. Own rooms,
houses, jobs, and space to run to when other people are bugging the junk
out of us. We've got that freedom...when really it's a trap. You're not
challenged. You don't grow. You're not encouraged. You can't see or
practice unconditional love if you're prone to the easy escape route -
ditch when things get hard. We need others around us. I think a lot of how we're shaped
throughout life is by the things/people we choose into and stay
committed to. No matter what.
I was a part of the World Race last year. People told me that that hardest thing on the World Race would be
the community. I didn't understand that at first but you learn to love
and hate it. But the love always wins even in the bad days. True solid
community is a nutrient our spirit hungers for. Whether broccoli or
chocolate flavored. Whether midnight meetings or afternoon lunch.
Whether hard truth or slap-happy laughter. Whether in a bar or in a
church building. Community is the people around you all working and living and
loving for the same God no matter how broken and human we are.
Like Rebekah's blog was
saying...the most productive of all ministries has been that of our own
team. Learning how to work when you don't have an easy escape route.
Choosing in when you'd rather serve yourself by choosing out. We are
all growing and being stretched and challenged in different ways just
by living and serving together.
This past Sunday we climbed Pacaya Volcano here in Guatemala.
These girls are amazingly strong and love finishing difficult tasks.
They were determined and, I think, quite encouraged by the end to have
finished the 4 hour hike. It was memorable. Their attitudes glowed with
praise for each other as we nearly passed out on the ride home. Oh, God
thank You for those moments spent together! Check out our day in
pictures...
Team Expedition at Pacaya Volcano
Hiking up a steep and sandy incline...half way there.
According to UNICEF, the status of Guatemala's country-wide nutrition is one of the worst in the entire Central American region. 23% of children between the ages of three and five months suffer from general malnutrition across the country. A 2008 census in the school system of Guatemala revealed that 49% of the students are chronically malnourished. Among the indigenous population, the rate reaches a staggering 80% in some areas.
As of 2002, the infant mortality rate was at 44 per 1,000 births while the under-five mortality was 59 per 1,000 births. In
conjunction with proper nutrition, many children are affected by
illnesses that could have otherwise been prevented with an adequate
daily diet. Over 50% of the deaths of young children are
caused by infectious diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, and
the measles, all diseases that can be easily fought with good nutrition
and medical resources.
I
spent a day with Liz at Casa Jackson to help report on her volunteering
role there. It is quite demanding with feedings every two hours and
consequently many diapers to change. The shift lasts from 10 - 5 with
a short packed lunch inbetween. The kids are fun to play with and love
any one on one attention they can receive.
Casa Jackson is located on the outskirts of Antigua, Guatemala in the village of San Felipe de Jesús, Guatemala. Behind the protective walls of the building, is the heart of operations for the center and
place of in-house care. The
welcoming atmosphere includes a fully-equipped medical clinic, kitchen,
dining room, living room, office, store room, laundry facility, and
garden.
On the second floor are four carefully designed bedrooms for the severe cases of malnourishment and a commons area. The
third story opens to a roof terrace where volunteers spend time
interacting with the in-house patients as well as tending to a rooftop garden that is used as both an educational example to the children and
a ready supply of fresh vegetables to the center. Children
who are old enough, help water the gardens and are taught that just as
plants need proper nutrition to grow, their bodies also need the same
care.
Posted in A Trip Update by Rebekah Whitaker on 7/7/2009
"Ministry," as you might call it, occurs daily here in Antigua, Guatemala. We teach ESL, paint orphanages, comfort malnourished children, and visit hospitals. We pray for the Guatemalans and petition God for this city. Even on off days we share our passion for Christ with those placed in our paths.
Underlying all of this is another ministry, and it is, perhaps, our most productive - if you will. It is comprised of six people, and it has taught me more than 1,000 days of "doing" ever will. [I say this not to belittle the outward aspects of ministry by any means, but rather to exalt a big part of what sets us apart from the many do-gooders in the humanitarian realm.] These people are my family. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ, and we share a bond that will never be broken. We have eternity, and it is from this family that I have learned community.
True community. Not a country club, swim team, sorority, or cheer squad. The kind of community that comes from agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. It comes from not being selfish and not trying to impress others because our only boast is Christ. It comes from humility, thinking of others as better than ourselves, and taking a genuine interest in them. Above all, it takes having the attitude of Christ. [Philippians 2:1-11]
It is not easy, nor is it always comfortable. We have to be willing to be stretched, molded, and transformed into God's image. We have to invite Him into our every activity. We have to stop limiting Him to Sundays and Wednesdays - to songs and prayers. He is in our orphanages and our ESL classes - true. But He was also in the lagoon as I floated and tanned. He is in our inside jokes and His joy fills our laughter. Life is ministry, and in that lies our community. We each have it - it is only a matter of asking God to reveal it and allowing it to change you.
We are not perfect, and this is not human nature. However, it is worth the sacrifice. In fact, nothing in which you gain so much can even be considered a sacrifice.
That being said, it is my pleasure to sit outside in sunny, beautiful Guatemala and write you these words. It is my joy to miss you and long to see your faces. I can say this because the Spirit of God permeates this place, my heart, and my team. More than anything, I say this because I have drank deeply from the well and experiences true Acts II community.
Posted in A Trip Update by Katie Koehler on 7/7/2009
I can hardly believe that we have been in Guatemala for just over a week. Time has just been flying by. Over the course of this week we have all plugged into ministry in many different ways. Rebekah introduced me to a school where she was helping out at. She thought I would really like it and of course she was right. I went there with her yesterday and got introduced to the school. The school runs from 2:00-5:00. The age group ranges from 1st grade through 6th grade. The school is designed for kids who have to work during the day. This way they can work in the morning and still get an education in the late afternoon.
My first day there I observed two other people teaching the class. They were teaching the students some fruit and vegetable names in English. They did a few different classes and then for the last one I got to help teach which was so much fun. It was exciting to be teaching the students and seeing their enthusiasm. I will continue to help at this school this week while we are still here in Antigua. Rebekah and I will be working together to help teach the kids some more English this week. Our topic will be verbs. We will be brainstorming ideas on how to teach the kids about verbs in a fun way!!
I am so thankful to be here and so glad God found places for us all in the community here.
Posted in A Trip Update by Caitlin Woodward on 7/2/2009
I've been reading about Peter a lot lately. In Scripture and through a weekly devotional. Yesterday it was explaining to me the Church Jesus came to establish. The disciples knew that church - ekklesia - was a "called-out people." The disciples lived Church outside of the four walls that have sometimes imprisoned us. I thought it was appropriate to share this with the girls before they were sent out for their first day of scheduled ministry here in Anitgua, Guatemala. We are a called-out people!
The Lord is faithful to us especially in working with the details. It was a last minute plan to stay in Antigua for a while. We're enjoying our days here as we wake up together for breakfast and quiet times. The ministries we're working with are fit for the hearts of these women.
Lindsey is helping to paint an orphanage just outside of the city.
Liz and Katie are interested to help a center that serves malnourished kids and babies.
Rebekah is looking into helping with a community development program. Until she gets paperwork filed for that she'll be helping with a school for older kids that haven't consistently been in the education system.
Please keep praying that we are receptive to ALL God has for us during this time!
This is just a brief overview. I'm sure the girls can tell you more in their own words. More to come...
Caitlin had an idea to paint a
mural on one of the walls at the church in Candelaria. It isa work in
progress that has been left to a few other missionaries to complete.
Linda, our host and church planter gave Caitlin Psalm 40 as
creative inspiration. Enjjoy the following pictures and Psalm passage!
Psalm 40
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.
7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-
it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."
9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
14 May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"
17 Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.
Posted in A Trip Update by Joshua Davis on 6/30/2009
Hermano Pedro, Antigua, Guatemala
We visited the Hermano Pedro Orphanage and Hospital near the center of town in Antigua. There we spent our time playing with the kids with different activities depending on their level of coherence. We played a form of baseball with bouncy balls and a broomstick and helped sweep the courtyard. Some of the children were simply unable to communicate yet being in their presence speaking their name brought them a smile. The kids there are mostly both mentally and physically challenged and have been discarded there by their families. Some families simply have no understanding or care to be hospitable to their challenged children. This is where Hermano Pedro Orphanage comes in.
The hospital is a multi-service facility
providing a home, and care for the elderly and orphaned, the mentally challenged and
chronically ill. Over three hundred people ranging in age from a few days to over ninety
live at Hermano Pedro permanently. In addition, Hermano Pedro offers a school for the
handicapped children and a nutrition center where malnourished infants and children are
treated. Hermano Pedro has approximately five hundred beds and cribs housing individuals with chronic disorders such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, mental retardation,
Alzheimer's disease, polio paralysis, deafness and blindness, and senile dementia.
