Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Headed Out in 2 Days!

We don't have much time for an update right now. Things are really crazy! We have never even moved before; let alone moved to another country. I will put out a good update once we get to Guatemala. Once we get our Internet hooked up we will be able to keep everyone posted and up to date.

God bless,
The Lopez'

Monday, December 13, 2010

Need to Sale!

We have one vehicle left that we need to sale. 

1998 Ford Expedition
4x4 Eddie Bauer Edition
5.4 L V8
3rd Row Seat
New Tires
198,000 miles
$5,000 or best offer

Please pass this information along to someone you think might be interested.  The vehicle doesn't get great gas mileage (around 13-14mpg), but is in excellent mechanical shape.  We have had this Expedition for 4 years and had no problems out of it.  We are negotiable on the price somewhat since we must sale before we move in 17 days!




Tuesday, November 30, 2010

"God is Showing Out Again!"

Give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.  
1 Chronicles 16:34

God continues to amaze us.  Although sometimes I feel that we shouldn't be amazed at the Power and the Marvel of God, other times I feel we should.  His magnificent plan for us shouldn't find us without the expectations and hope of what will come, but should amaze us because there is no greater Power than that of the one and only God.  I like to use this new phrase to me that I heard from a brother in Christ from the Atlanta area, "God is showing out again!".  We have made our arrangements for our final move flight.  We will be leaving December the 30th.  Flights went down in price somewhat, and we are now able to leave a little earlier than previously planned.  We are extremely excited for this move, and cannot wait to serve our Lord and Savior in Guatemala!  We know that God has some awesome things in store for us if we continue to be obedient and follow his calling on our lives!

On another uplifting note, we want to share with you that we are now at 93% of our annual financial goal!  Praise God!!!  Let us say that again, PRAISE GOD!!!  "God is showing out again!"  We received a gift of $5,000 today that will greatly help us in our start up!  We have tried to establish a start-up fund to help us with much needed furnishings for the house and the purchase of a vehicle.  With our final family doctor and dentists visits, international health insurance cost, etc. this has been very difficult.  We trusted that God would handle this for us and he did!  This same donor sent a note that they will be giving $500 a month for one year!  This is what put us at the 93%.  We have had many other churches and individuals tell us that they are planning to start committing an amount to our ministry.  The more we take in, the more ministry we will be able to do, the more we can give to others, and the more people that will come to know Jesus!  Again, PRAISE GOD!!!

Praise the LORD.  Praise the name of the LORD; praise him, you servants of the LORD,
Psalm 135:1
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Psalm 150:2

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Back in Alabama

Here I am, now back in Alabama with my family.  It was so hard to come back here.  I actually told Kim to just go ahead and bring the kids on to Guatemala.  God has prepared our hearts and minds for the mission field.  We are ready and it is tough to have the patience we need for the next 7 weeks here in the States.  I got great response and encouragement about my past updates while I was in country.  I apologize for not being able to send updates the last couple of weeks.  I didn't have access to the internet like I did the first 2 weeks.  When we arrive in January we will remember the responses that was given and try and keep the updates flowing to you all on a regular basis.  Please continue to keep our family in your prayers.  We need all the prayer support we can get as we are spending our final weeks here getting ready for the move.  Please pray for our extended families.  Both sides of our families are believers, but it is still difficult for some to understand completely the reasoning for us taking off with the kids to a foreign land.  There is a peace that can only come from God that we have about moving.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Day 12

Friday, October 29, 2010

I went back to San Antonio Agua Caliente yesterday to visit again with the family I met on Tuesday, and to meet the other handicapped children and their families.  There were already many families inside the home upon my arrival.  The family had borrowed chairs from a local church and had them sitting all around the home.  More families arrived after only a short time.  The home was quickly filled to well over its capacity.  The father of the home stood up in the center and introduced me to everyone there.  He then gave a presentation of the need the community has for a place for these handicapped children to do physical and speech therapy.  After he finished, he called out each handicapped child’s name individually.  As each child’s name was called out, the parent would bring them over in front of me and give the story of their child.  It was very heart breaking as the families would stand and weep in front of me.  The children would hug me, and I held onto each of them for a long time.  Many have spinal bifida, and many cannot talk and/or hear.  Some are mentally challenged as well.  The stories and needs of each of these families came to me one by one.  There were tears, laughter, and the complete presence of the Holy Spirit.  They were so excited when I presented to them that my family is moving to Guatemala in January as missionaries.  I promised them that I would share their stories with my local churches in the States, and that my family will help them any way that we can.  I watched the parents intently in the room.  I imagined if this was my child.  The hardship it would be for me to have a handicapped child in the States.  It would be very difficult and stressful on my family.  But I would have the means of insurance, hospitals, and all the other professional help that I could get.  These families have no money.  No means of transportation to the capital for the help they need.  No work because they must stay home and take care of their children 24 hours a day.  The need is to rent a large home in the community for these children to go to and get physical and speech therapy.  It would need to feed them breakfast and lunch, and have the necessary equipment and teachers to meet each of their needs.  What I would like to ask of you is to pray.  Pray for these needs to be met.  Pray for wisdom that can only come from God for my family to assist these people in meeting their needs.  Pray for the finances to come in for the place that each of these children can get the therapy they need.

God Bless





Day 10

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

God continues to bless me and I praise him for it.  I only wish each of you were here with me to share in this experience.  

Monday morning, I took a taxi from Antigua to the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City.  My passport was stolen on Saturday, and I needed a replacement.  The process was a little painful and lengthy, but I will receive a brand new passport in 10 days.  I will have to go back to the Embassy on November 5th to pick it up, and then go to the Guatemalan Immigration office to replace my entry stamp.  I did find out, however, that if you needed to leave the country immediately they would issue you an emergency temporary passport to get back in the States.  After I got back into Antigua, I checked out of my hotel and picked up my keys to our new rental home in San Pedro las Huertas.  The house is basically empty.  It has a twin bed, futon sofa, end table, washer, and dryer.  I will need to buy everything else including a stove, oven, refrigerator, etc.  I took an afternoon walk into my new little town.  The center park consists of a catholic church, a handful of concrete benches, and a very large community washing area (pilla).  I wanted to try out the local bus transportation (chicken bus) that takes you into Antigua.  A “chicken bus” is an old, repainted school bus that has been brought from the States and has its own name (similar to how some people name a boat).  It cost me a whopping total of 1.5 Quetzales.  That is equal to 19 cents in the U.S.   The ride was a unique experience.  I was sitting against the window and had 3 other people sitting with me.  The walkway in the middle was filled with people standing in it.  And, of course, I was the only white person on it.  Not a bad trip though.  I have made 3 other trips by “chicken bus” since.

This morning I went to Antigua (by bus) and priced much furniture and appliances again.  The prices are not much different than what you would find in the States.  After lunch, I was scheduled to meet with a local Spanish teacher that wanted me to go with him to a town called San Antonio Agua Caliente.  He does a lot of volunteer work with his students and wanted to check out a group of handicapped people he had heard about that are not being helped by the government or any local church.  We left Antigua, by “chicken bus”, and headed south-west towards the town.  This trip cost 3 Quetzales (38 cents).  Once we arrived, we didn’t know where to find these handicapped people and the locals were not of much assistance.  After around an hour of walking through the streets asking people in every local tienda, we finally found a man that helped us.  He took us to a small house and there we met a family with a 17 year old handicapped boy.  We talked with the family for some time and found out that there are 36 children and adults in the neighborhood that are handicapped either mentally, physically, or both and not receiving any assistance.  This family was a Christian family and they welcomed the thought of any assistance that may come their way.  They have been promised this and that, and even were sent two exercise bikes to a school in Antigua, but have never actually received them.  The school kept them for themselves.  This father has a vision of having a place in the community that the handicapped people can go to during the day to receive rehabilitation and an education.  They are in a desperate need of some help.  The Spanish teacher and I talked about this opportunity to possibly work together and help these people where we can.  This Thursday we are going back to San Antonio and to this home.  The father is going to invite all 36 of the handicapped and their families to share with us.


God Bless

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Day 8

Wow!  So much has gone on this past week that I don't really know where to begin.  How about if I only share the thing that is all over my mind right now.  It's not the new house, the details of getting furniture, a car, or even the fact that my passport was stolen yesterday.  What's on my mind is the people of Guatemala.  The family's that live on such a small amount of money each day.  Everyday is a worry if they will make enough for their family to eat that day or not.  What's on my mind is the need I see all around me, even in the tourist area of Antigua.  The need for Christ, the need for love, the need for a Hope that they do not have!  One family particularly I would like to share with you today is a local family that are trying to make a living through the tourists in Antigua.  I recently sent out an update via email that included a little information about this family.  Tonight, I went to their home outside of Antigua and learned a lot more about my new friends.  The home is the same as I have seen in the "dump" area of the capital.  One room, tin siding and roof that is lined with plastic to help keep the rain out, dirt floor, two twin beds, a box with a few broken toys, no stove, etc.  It cost the family 300 Quetzales per week to live there (which is roughly $37).  This family averages about $5 per day on income.  That is - only when the kids are out of school and able to work too.  The work is selling goods to tourists and locals in the central park in Antigua.  The boys, Domingo (11 yrs) and Antonio (7 yrs), shine shoes.  The two older girls, Alicia (12 yrs) and Rebecca (10 yrs), also work in the park.  Alicia sales ice cream from a push cart with her dad, and Rebecca sales chewing gum.  The youngest girl, Katy (2 yrs tomorrow), stays home mostly with her mother and grandmother.  Occasionally Katy, the mother, and the grandmother go to the park and try to sale material for making clothes.  This family is not in church and do not know Christ.  They were open to listening to me tonight, but not willing to commit.  They are an indigenous people, Quiche, and have strong cultural and religious beliefs.  The kids speak mostly Quiche, but do know a good bit of Spanish.  The parents and the grandmother only speak Quiche.  God has proven himself to me again with giving me the ability to speak Spanish more than I should be able to.  I have been able to communicate rather well with the kids, and through the kids to the parents.  The kids have even taught me a little Quiche.  Please be in prayer for this family.  They need Christ and the hope that only he can bring!













Friday, October 22, 2010

Day 6

Dear friends,

I have now been in Guatemala for 6 days.  Much has been accomplished already, and I am ahead of schedule as far as our new home.  I will be signing the rental contract tomorrow, Oct. 23rd.  It is a little tricky for a North American, but it is underway.  My closest friend here in Guatemala has generously accepted to co-sign with me.  I haven't had a co-signer on anything since I was 16, so it was a little awkward to ask him that big of a favor.  Our home is located in San Pedro las Huertas, which is between 5-10 minutes drive to Antigua.  I have priced many refrigerators, stove/ovens, beds, etc. here in Antigua.  I should be living in the house this Saturday, and start attempting to purchase the furnishings next week.  I have not been able to set up a bank as of yet.  I will try to do so when my friend comes to sign on the house with me.  I have not really looked at many vehicles here.  Our Expedition has not sold in the States and I needed that money to purchase one here.  That will have to wait until the family moves here in January.

God has blessed me greatly, and I owe everything to Him.  I praise my Lord and Savior for the opportunity He has given our family to serve Him in a different land.  Without Him, we are nothing. 

God Bless,
Danny

Sunday, October 10, 2010

4 Weeks Gone

This time next week Danny will be back in Guatemala.  He will be there for four weeks and we will miss him very much.  He will be very busy during this time finding a rental home and vehicle for us.  He has many things to do to get things ready for our family's move there in January.  Setting up a bank account which is a very small thing in the U.S. is going to be time consuming and may take a few days.  That is just one small item on his "to do" list while he is in Guatemala.  Everything takes time.  No one gets in any hurry and we will need to adapt to this way of life.
We are going to be able to send 6 checked bags with the One Way team going down in just a few weeks.  That will help a lot with getting some of our clothing, books, and toys down now.  We are still going to have to be very selective with what we choose to take.  Imagine packing your closet into suitcases and keeping it within 50 lbs. each.  It is harder than you think!
We had our big yard sale recently and the kids really surprised me with how willing they were to get rid of so much.  I'm sure it was hard to see some of their toys being purchased for other children, but they never complained.  Both were adding items to the trailer to take to the sale without having to be asked.  It is like they knew what they could and could not take.  Praise God for children with willing hearts!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

100 Days Out

We are at 100 days out of our move date today!  Things are going really well.  God has definitely been with us during this process. 

Today we sold our 1997 Ford Ranger.  It was a little hard to part with since I purchased it brand new with only 7 miles on it.  The odometer read 198,867 when sold today.  I put every single one of those miles on that truck.  We just put our 1998 Ford Expedition in the paper today.  Pray that it will go quick also. 

Our BIG yard sale is coming up very soon!  October 1-2 we will be getting rid of everything we own.  Pray for the yard sale, and that we get fair prices out of all of our things. 

Pray also about my trip coming up to Guatemala.  I will be gone October 17 - November 13.  During this trip I will be finding a house for us to live in and finding a vehicle for us to drive in country.

Our finances are holding at about 75% of our goal.  We are blessed that God would provide us with what we need financially.  We are confident and trust that He will continue to bless us.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Prayer Partners

2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

We are currently looking for churches to partner with us in prayer.  We would love to come and briefly share with you our ministry to Guatemala.

Open dates are:
September 26
October 3, 10
November 21, 28

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Update on Family

Here we are... only 137 days until our BIG move!  I wanted to give everyone a brief update on the family at this point.  Kim is still working at Hartselle Eye Care and plans to for another few months.  She has been working on clearing items out of the house that we are not taking with us.  This is about everything we own with the exception of some of our clothes.  We are having a yard sale at Fairview Church on either the first or second weekend in October.  Brayden started home school last week.  I probably should say that Brayden and I started home school last week.  We are new to this home school thing, and I have found out that it does require much planning and time from the parent as well as the student.  I will be teaching Brayden the first semester until we move and then Kim will take over.  Brayden has also started soccer and practicing two days a week.  Brianna is enjoying being a child.  She is into everything right now.  I guess the terrible 2's for her has waited to be the terrible 3's.  Both of the children are learning Spanish very quickly.  When we move I am certain that their language skills will surpass ours.  I am plugging away at numbers each day.  Working constantly on a budget.  Our financial support has grown to around 75%!  I praise God for this as he has supplied all of our needs.  I have also been working on many other things: finding us a home in Guatemala, looking for a vehicle for in country, getting our home here in the States ready to sale, getting our vehicles ready to sale, finding a language school in country that will meet our families needs, finding out what all things we are required to do for Visa requirements and living in country, working on health insurance, contacting churches to visit during our remaining time here, and much more.  Please continue to pray for God's wisdom on our decisions, and for his protection for our family.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Tabitha House

He called a little child and had him stand among them.  And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."
                                                                                                    -Matthew 18:2-5


I recently published a blog on our latest visit to Guatemala about the city dump.  This was only one part of our week of missions.  Now I must tell you about the other part: "Tabitha House".

For those of you that do not know, the Tabitha House is a ministry started by Pastor Jorge Morales and Carol.  It was Carol's vision to start a ministry for ladies and children of the dump community.  Today, Tabitha serves as a daycare for children whose parents need to work in the dump.  The parent(s) can drop their children off at Tabitha and go out to work inside the dump without having to take their children with them.  Tabitha is also a place that teaches these mothers different trades to bring in income.  Sewing, craftsmanship, and jewelry making have been the main particular trades taught to these women.  Carol and her staff of teachers are God sent and a vital role to the changing of lives in the dump.  Anyone that is part of Tabitha must follow guidelines set by Carol.  She holds them accountable for their actions and disciples them in Biblical truth.  The Tabitha House also holds a weekly Wednesday night prayer meeting.  Tabitha is in need of more teachers, as it has around 80 children today.  They cannot afford to pay anyone else, so this can only come from God.  Tabitha is also in need of a pastor as Carol has a vision of it becoming a church in the future.

A new trade taught by team from Indiana

During our week a team from Pathway Community Church out of Indiana taught the ladies a new trade.  Fernando, Michelle, and Kim taught many ladies how to cut hair.  The ladies were intent and focused as these three showed them many different styles and ways of cutting hair.  Fernando is fluent in Spanish, and without this it would have been much more difficult and taken one of our 2 translators away from other areas needed.  God provided this team with great talent.  VBS was also taking place at Tabitha and New Jerusalen Church throughout the week.  The other members of the Pathway Church team, one lady from Brook Hills Church in Alabama, one lady from Bible Church in Indiana, and the 8 One Way Ministry interns all gave everything they had in them and then some to share Christ to the Guatemalan people throughout the week.  It's hard to imagine that so much was accomplished in only one week.  The team was scattered across three and four places at once each day.  Hair cutting, home visits, Tabitha, Jerusalen Church, and construction of homes were the places God made himself known through this amazing team.

A few of the many children of Tabitha

The average income for the families that send their children to Tabitha is $1 to $5 a day.  Many of the children have been abused, been around or on drugs, seen and been through things that we, ourselves, could never imagine.  Tabitha House provides for breakfast and lunch each day.  This is meals that these children would more than likely not get if they were not coming to Tabitha.  The Tabitha House needs more teachers and more space.  Please continue to be in prayer for Tabitha, the children, the families, the teachers, Carol, and Pastor Morales that God will provide.

Kathy, basically homeless along with her 8 yr old sister

Kim feeding a baby at Tabitha

Brayden and Brianna playing at Tabitha

The many faces of Tabitha

A typical classroom at Tabitha

Monday, August 2, 2010

Work in the Dump

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
                                                                                                - Matthew 25:40


Children living in squatter homes inside the city dump
One week is never enough time to spend working in and around the city dump in Guatemala.  I am blessed to know that God has called our family to this place of extreme poverty to be his hands and feet, to be the Body of Christ, to share his love and to share the Good News of the Gospel of Christ.
This past week we were given the opportunity to take our own children into the dump to work and make home visits.  On day one, Brayden and I went to look at a job site where a new home needed to be built for a family that lives inside the dump.  The existing home had dirt floors, a tin roof that leaks when it rains (which is everyday this time of year), and siding made of tin, cardboard, tarps, and anything else you can image that the family could find in the dump to use.  After looking at this site we went to other make-shift homes in the dump to make home visits.  We took food bags into these homes and prayed with the families.  4 people came to know the Lord during these visits!  Brayden did an awesome job being patient and loving to the families.  He didn't stare or ask questions.  At one time he almost tripped over a man sleeping on the ground, but didn't look back or ask any questions until after we had left.  He made me, his father, very proud.  I can't imagine how he made God, his heavenly Father, feel.  Days 2-4 in the dump was hard.  When I say "hard" I mean extremely hard.  The team tore down two squatter homes and prepared the grounds for construction.  Rock, sand, and cement had to be hauled in by hand with buckets and then mixed with shovels on the ground on site.  Rats and large cockroaches are only one of the many everyday problems for the people that live in this area.  Disease and sickness are found in about every home here.

Existing home removed and ground prepared for construction
The team was able to provide and construct homes for two families.  The homes are basically very small pole barns made with wooden posts, tin siding, and a concrete floor.  But these homes are much better than what these families were living in before and they were extremely happy and excited to get them.  We were also able to make many more home visits in the dump community.  We passed out Bibles, food bags, hygiene supplies, and blankets for kids that the Fairview Church children's ministry made.  Many more people came to know Christ for the first time, and seeds were planted in others for God to water and harvest in time.

Children playing in the dump

Young girl finding shoes in the dump

Team preparing ground for construction

Giving a Bible to a family

Blanket given to child

Thursday, July 22, 2010

God is our provider

God continues to provide for our family!  We arrived at the Atlanta airport on July 18th ready to leave for Guatemala as a family for the first time.  When we got to the gate they announced that they were in need of 4 people to volunteer to wait and leave the next day.  They announced that for these 4 people they would give $600 each in vouchers for future Delta flights.  Kim and I looked at each other and moved to the counter as quick as we could.  The lady told us that she would give us the $600 each in vouchers, a hotel for the night, $120 in food vouchers, and put us on the same flight the next day in 1st class.  We jumped on this tremendous opportunity and blessing for our family.  Praise God!  Now our next flight to country is already paid for!

Since we have arrived, we have stayed at the Pinedas home in San Cristobal near the city.  Their hospitality is overwhelming to us.  The kids are doing wonderful.  The Pineda children have kept them entertained.  We were able to meet with John and Rita Pappa (missionaries to GUA past 17 years) on Tuesday, and get some good incite on many questions we have.  And on Wednesday, we were able to see the Brown family (missionaries to GUA through One Way Ministries past 7 weeks) to hear what they have gone through so far.  Today, Thursday, we said goodbye to the Pinedas.  We are now heading to La Antigua Guatemala to meet with a realtor and start the process of looking for a home for our family.

Keep praying!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

July Family Trip to Guatemala

Kim, Brayden, Brianna, and myself will be leaving for Guatemala July 18th.  We will be spending 2 weeks in country visiting friends, looking for an apartment, and working with a One Way Ministries team that is coming in on the second week.  This is Brayden and Brianna's first time to be in the country that is soon to be our families new home.  We are all very excited about this trip, and feel blessed to get this opportunity.  Be watching for an update and photos after our return on July 31st.

Our support is coming along wonderfully.  We are now at 71% of our annually needed financial support.  Praise God!  Thank you to all that have partnered with us financially and/or in prayer.   We know that God will continue to provide and assist in the transition.  Being a partner in this ministry means that you are a part in all God uses us to do in Guatemala.  The people that will come to know Christ, the ones that will grow in their relationship with Christ, the food and clothes that will be shared, the work projects that will better the peoples lives, and our own family being blessed to do what God has called us to do.  Thank you.

If you would like to receive our newsletter/prayer letter please send your email address or physical address to dkblopez@gmail.com.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust

Clean up time in Guatemala (this article is from the guatemala times newspaper)

The storm known as Agatha has passed and the Pacaya volcano is quiet. The streets of Guatemala City are gradually being swept free of the black sand and grit that covered every calle and avenida. The death toll from both events has reached three figures, with many unaccounted for. Landslides and flooding swept away houses, shanties and lives: this will take a while to recover from, regardless of the best wishes and intentions of national rescue and relief organizations. Unfortunately, it's just another disaster in Central America, of which memories will fade within a few days. The world has more important things to be concerned with and the news cycle needs new disasters to cover.

Tell that to the small coffee farmer who's lost his crop, house and everything else. Tell that to the family who built their home out of recycled wood, cardboard and sheets of plastic, which now are being used as shrouds for their four children, swept away in the night. The ricos of the City can have their SUV's run through the car wash and enjoy a Sunday afternoon meal with their friends and family, while the parking attendants sweep away any traces of this latest disaster. Out of sight, out of mind...some, less unfortunate, will not be eating. The shelters only hold so many and the food supply is finite. All they want is a dry place to sleep and a hot meal: all they have are the memories of what they had last week ...where do you go, when you've lost everything, even your children?

 Volcano Pacaya

Streets
 Street

 Quetzaltenango

 Airport

Monday, May 10, 2010

Update on Progress

  • We have been working hard on finding the right international insurance plan to cover our family.  We are leaning towards an insurance from Seven Corners, Inc. called Reside Prime.  The estimated annual cost for this insurance for our family is $3,000 per year.
  • Brayden and Brianna's passports should be coming in the mail any day now.
  • We have applied to a homeschool program called Hope Christian School out of Pelham, AL. as our cover school for Brayden this Fall.  They are experienced with overseas homeschool students.  We are still looking into what material we will use.
  • Checking into many language schools in country for Kim and I.  We plan to take 6 weeks upon arrival in January.  We will evaluate where we are with the language after that and make plans for further schooling throughout the 2011 year.
  • We are scheduling churches to visit and share at for August - December.
  • Looking for housing in country.  We have been looking to rent a house in, or around, Guatemala City.  We now are debating the possibility of renting an apartment short-term in Antigua while doing language school.  The reason for this would be to save money, and that we could walk to school.  In Guatemala City we would have to drive to a language school in the city.  This would be more difficult because Kim is planning not to drive in country.  We are planning for one of us to do 4 hours of school in the morning, and the other to do 4 hours in the evening.
  • We had our first yard sale this month.  We plan to have a large sale in the Fall to get rid of much of our household items due to the fact of the limited ability to carry belongings with us.
  • The kids have seen the dentist, eye doctor, and their family doctor in preparation for our move.  Brayden ended up needing his tonsils and adenoids taken out, but has recovered well.  They still have an orthopedic doctor to see the end of this month.  I have seen the eye doctor myself, and still need to schedule a physical and see the dentist.  Kim still needs to schedule a physical and see the dentist also.
  • Looking for a vehicle to purchase in country.  We will sale our Ford Expedition this Fall.  We are planning to keep our Ford Ranger here in the states for transportation when we come back to visit.  (We wouldn't be able to get anything out of it anyways.) 
  • We are around 70% of our needed annual support.  Praise God!
    • Remainder of the Year Missions Trips:  Guatemala May 29-June 6, Arizona June 10-28, Guatemala July 18-31, and Guatemala November 6-20.

    Friday, March 26, 2010

    March Guatemala Trip

    "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
    "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
    "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
    "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

    Matthew 25:31-40














    February 28th - March 21st I have been in Guatemala.  The country to which our family has been called by God to share the name of Christ Jesus our Lord; along with feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving shelter to the needy and medicine to the sick.  What an amazing and filling journey these three weeks were for me.














    The first two weeks I spent in the beautiful city of Antigua at language school.  The first weekend I went to a friend's home in Guatemala City.  Jose and Saskia Pineda and their three wonderful girls welcomed me with open arms and a loving heart.  Their hospitality towards me was encouraging after spending a full week without any English.  During the time in their home I met a missionary couple that lived in the city, but do work in rural villages throughout the country encouraging pastors.  This missionary couple has been doing work in Guatemala for the past 17 years.  The insight and knowledge they have for the culture and people of the country was enlightening and exciting.  Their views, beliefs, and call into ministry are exactly the same as mine.  The three hours I was blessed to spend with them over cups of coffee and bread were spirit filled and tear filled.  We all knew that God had our meeting planned without our knowing.  We exchanged emails and I look forward to working alongside and learning from them.  This same weekend, I was able to look at a rental house near the city that is owned by Jose's brother who is a missionary himself in India.

     










    Upon my return to Antigua for language school, I became very ill.  It started with a headache that medicine would not touch, aches and pains throughout my entire body, and a crazy fever that gave me extreme chills and then extreme sweats.  The next day a doctor came to the house where I was staying.  I wasn't thinking clearly and don't remember much of what went on during this day.  The doctor gave me a shot for pain and a prescription for antibiotics and stomach illness.  I became very nauseated for the next couple of days.  The doctor thought that I may have Salmonella poisoning.  This illness is one that I would call the worst sickness of my life.  After 72 hours I started feeling better and was able to continue my schooling for the last two days.  I ended up missing three days of language school all together.














    The second weekend I was picked up by Estuardo and Cindy who were our drivers in November.  They have become wonderful friends of ours and will be important contacts on each scheduled trip and when we arrive in country full-time.  They let me stay at their home in the city and took me to church with them on Sunday.  Estuardo showed me a house that he is building for a possible rental home.

     












    On Sunday, I met the One Way Ministries team at the airport and began our week of missions work with the Tabitha House and families of the dump.  We worked with the teachers, mothers, and children of the dump each day while the Spirit of the Lord worked on us.  I cannot put words on what all took place in the lives of the team members during this week.  It is completely indescribable and completely of God.  An experience for many that they never knew could be possible.  The team members included JT (OneWay Ministries), Greg (Missionary to Guatemala), Patty (our wonderful interpreter) Loree, Michelle, Jenny, Christy, Christa, Amanda, and myself.

    Please continue to keep our family in your prayers.  I will be going back to Guatemala the end of May and plan to take the entire family for two weeks in July.