Lutheran Church of St John Groundwork Guatemala Mission

This morning many of us experienced our first earthquake. It was a rather large one, but was focused in other parts of Guatemala so we only felt a little shaking. After a grab and go breakfast of fruit and cereal, Carlos led devotion. He reminded everyone to acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit and moved us with his beautiful singing. We took about an hour's drive to Gonzalez Park in the vans. Sharon got to meet her sponsor child this morning, which she enjoyed very much. A group of us also went to visit Pastor Steve's sponsor child Dulce before lunch. Her mother recently had a baby which Pastor Steve and Ellie both held. Next we enjoyed our sandwiches and chikys before we made the short walk from Gonzalez Park to John the Baptist Park. Many children there were playing and reading the books we brought with us, so we got to spend time with them before we started our faith lessons. Hayden and Ellie both had fan clubs and it was quite funny to see the swarms of children sur

If you hear reports on the news of an earthquake in Guatemala we want you all to know we are safe.  About 6:30 this morning we were waking up, getting ready for the day, sitting and visiting when the earth started to shake.  It shook quite hard for about 30 seconds.  Some in our group jumped under the bed to be safe.  Some sat around and talked about how hard the earth was shaking.  Harrison blamed Steve for shaking the bunk bed to try and get him up.  And Hayden was the only one who didn't feel it because he was still sound asleep.  There was no damage here in Guatemala City and we are all OK, although a few people had rattled nerves.  We heard news reports that is was a 6.7 centered south and west of where we are located.  We have seen some pictures of minor damage in some places.  We pray that there will be no loss of life and that God would protect His people.  Earthquakes always remind me of Psalm 46:1.  "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.  T

Today was a day that reminds us God has a plan that he will reveal to us in his time.  God's plan is not always what we think, nor is it always what we expect... We had a 2 hr drive to Buena Vista starting at 7 am this morning.  No, this is not the same Buena Vista that is associated with the Happiest Place on Earth.  This is a remote community on the edge of the rain forest that is surrounded by a river and sugar cane fields. There are no paved roads, they just recently acquired electricity, and their main source of drinking water is from a well or the river (where they also bathe, wash, and clean dishes).  There is a large population of single mothers as men are not very family oriented.  Many teenage girls are pregnant or have small children.  Pigs and chickens share the same space as the families.  When we arrived, this appeared to be a great opportunity for us to spread God's word and provide hope and comfort to those in need.  However, when it comes to God's plan, t

Today was a wonderful day. We woke up pretty early (I woke up around 6) and got ready for the day. At exactly 7am we had breakfast, holiday inn express Quincy style, minus the waffle maker, just the way we like it (if you know Kevin you get it). I had lots of coffee to wake me up. After breakfast and before devotions I got to visit with Sandra and Aracely. Sandra braided my hair, which is one of the best parts of coming down here (totally kidding), and then we went upstairs to "the upper room" for morning devotions, led by Aracely. She spoke about callings from God vs career choice. After devotions we went and put sun sauce and bug sauce on before choosing our van wisely (I got the van with the AC and got put next to quite a few Guatemalans, so I chose wisely). I'm not sure how many of you know this, but I am starting college this fall with the hopes of becoming an OB/GYN. Aracely is 7 months pregnant, and I was right between her and Sandra on the way to El Rincon. That m

Boy what a day! Today our group was treated with a delicious breakfast of pancakes. Appreciation of that breakfast was expounded once we took our visit to the dump. It is hard to imagine that this is the only food that so many families have to eat:( our meatless diet here is a feast in comparison. After we made our stop to the dump we visited the boys at Only One Child. It was a true testament to the power of one persons ability to change the lives of so many even if it's but only 8 at a time. When we returned to the ministry house we enjoyed a lunch with the missionaries! This was a wonderful time of fellowship. We shared lots of laughs and exchanged stories about one an other's families. It was a time I am sure we will treasure. The missionaries here have an obvious anointing to do the work they have been called to do. One of the definite highlights of everyone's day were the home visits. We all came back with stories of amazement, not at the conditions that these famili

Today our group got it's first real introduction to the culture of Guatemala. We walked from the ministry house where we stay to a church not far from here.  Walking through the streets our group of 13 Americans led by Kevin did get some stares and strange looks from the people of the neighborhood.  No doubt they wondered who we were and what we were doing in their neighborhood.  But when we came around the corner to the church we could not have been more warmly welcomed by the people of the church.  Many in our group commented about the warm welcome and the friendly smiles they received which made them feel right at home.  But the worship itself sure didn't feel like  home to most.  Of course many could not understand the Spanish, but the style of worship is so much different than our normal experience.  People in our group appreciated the passion people expressed, the prayer that grounded the service, the joy in praise, and the dancers that supported the music.  It was a grea

Most groups that come down to serve with Groundwork Guatemala fly in on a Saturday.  It means that today for us was a slow day to get rested up from our travel.  We spent the morning unpacking our bags and all the generous donations that filled our suitcases.  After separating and putting away the donations we spent time helping with vitamins.  The ministry gives out thousands of vitamins a month to children, adults and pregnant women. Our job was to divide the large bottles into a one month supply.  After lunch we had a surprise trip to a local park.  Manuel, the missionary who lives here at the house where we stay, invited us to join he and his children.  The park was wet and muddy from the rain we had today, but it was nice to stretch our legs and a beautiful walk through the trees.  Tonight we had a chance to practice our faith lesson that we will be sharing with children next week.  Everyone had a chance to get in a nap and most took advantage of the opportunity.  All are doing we

We have safely arrived at our home for the next week.  Typical travel with busy airports and full planes, but all was on time and the day was mostly uneventful.  The only excitement was when landing in Guatemala.  The runway had just come into view we were probably only 100 feet off the ground when the pilot gunned the plane and shot back into the air.  He later said the runway was obscured by a cloud and so we had to try again.  The cloud must have disappeared by the time we circled around because attempt number two was fine.  We are all tired from our day of travel, but I'm guessing sleep may not come easy since everyone is excited to be here and excited for our adventure to begin.  We will be praying for all of you back home and ask you to pray for us.  We will try to post daily updates and share all the amazing things God is doing in our lives. 

In just over a week 13 servants will depart for a week long adventure in Guatemala.  While there we will serve with the ministry of Groundwork Guatemala by teaching faith lessons, visiting homes and supporting the missionaries in their week.  Please pray for our journey, the work that takes place in Guatemala and that God would use this time to work in our hearts and lives.  Check back often for updates about our adventure. 

Thursday Today our crew once again headed in two different directions.  The guys once again made the long drive to Buena Vista.  But it is funny how they came to love the drive.  During that time they laughed, shared and even cried with each other and the Guatemalan missionaries.  It was truly blessed.  Today was a holiday in Guatemala "Dia de la Raza".  This meant that there were a few extra helpers on the jobsite with some men off of work.  They were much needed as the day was spent mixing by hand and spreading 150 bags of concrete that weighed 100 pounds each.  That is a lot of concrete!  But it was just enough to finish the job, complete with some crosses pressed into the corners and a little artwork by Andy.  The Guatemalans had a great sense of pride at how  much was accomplished in such a short time.  But even better than the structure itself was the influence Andy, Mick and Tom had on the Guatemalans.  They were able to see three men of faith, working together and s