Wednesday, January 22

The last day has arrived. It was an awesome day of dedications and food distribution. We began the day with a share time to discuss our experiences so far. We then took all our group pictures, loaded up our supplies and headed to the village. After tying up some loose ends on the houses, we began the dedication. Many of the houses we went to were for people that were already Christians, but we also had several conversions. There is nothing more exciting than seeing people turn their life over to Christ. Here we are in this village building them an earthly home, when God is in heaven preparing a home for them there. WOW. For me there was also the bittersweet thought that four of the houses we dedicated today were in memory of my friend and co-worker Scott Silvernail. The thought that kept going through my mind all day was the fact that God uses all thing for good to those who love him. After the dedications we prepared for the food distribution. The food that the families received would supplement their diet for up to a month. The contrast of seeing blind old widows followed by nursing teenage mothers all who struggle daily for the things we take so for granted. The hugs from the beautiful grandmothers whos eyes were filled with tears and seeing the mothers with more than a handful of children get food was such a blessing. It made the whole trip worthwhile. We are so blessed. Tonight will be capped off with another time of sharing which I am sure will complete what has been a very emotional day and week. Tomorrow we head back to the winter wonderland with a pocketful of stories that will not begin to explain what we have experienced here. We are a team who has bonded as well as any team I can remember. This trip proves one things to me. God answers prayer. Thank you for your prayers this week and please continue to pray as we head home. To God be the glory!!! Randy Ellens

Tuesday: The morning begins at 6am with breakfast, devotions, singing and prayer. Lunches are packed and vans are loaded as we head out for the day. Work in the village continued today with all but one house being completed. The last house will be finished in the morning. The crews have worked hard to finish 15 "casa". Relationships with the children continued as well, as soccer games were played and a walk to the river was taken. Everyone ate lunch together with ALL of the kids in the village. (remember how many were at VBS?) Our lunches were shared in bits and pieces and our hearts were filled even if our stomachs may not have been. Work at the orphanage continued as well, as the playhouse in memory of Scott Silvernail was finished and dedicated. This was a pretty special time, even for those who may not have known Scott personally. The orphanage is home to 50 children from new born babies to elementary school aged. They have an awesome way of handling so many little ones; making sure each one feels loved. We helped by showering snuggles and hugs wherever we could. I'm pretty sure more than one of us would have taken one of these precious ones home if we could. Behind the scenes......our cooks stay at the mission house to prepare the dinners we are so eager for at the end of our day. A local family comes in to the mission house each morning to clean the house, and someone from the mission is always helping to make sure we have the supplies we need. Although we often do not see these things going on because we are busy out in the village or at the orphanage, we are grateful for them. God is so good and as I reflect on the faces of those we served today, and look out at the beautiful sunset over the mountains, my heart is full of thankfulness that we are given the opportunity to serve His children in this place. Sheryl Seif

Monday, January 20

Today was another great day here in Guatemala. We split up today into 3 groups to all different locations. One van went to the orphanage to continue working on the playhouse and to hang out with the children and hold the babies. They had a very successful day, getting the shelter nearly completed and the playhouse's roof and interior done. All that is left to do is side it tomorrow and a plaque will be placed on it and dedicated in memory of Scott Silvernail. Another group went to the village, where we did 3 houses, cemented 1 house, and finished up 6 of the houses that were started earlier last week. All that's left to do tomorrow is finish the other ones and put on doors and windows on all of them. Bible school had a huge turnout with over 100 children; Judy and all the girls were kept busy, to say the least. The last group stayed at the mission house to build the last doors and windows for the houses tomorrow in the village and then they went out to the market to get housewarming gifts that we will present and give to the families on dedication day on Wednesday. Almost everybody was back by 4:30 to see the food distribution center where the children had received food and school supplies that they cannot afford. They were all very gracious and thankful to us and they were hugging us, along with their parents, to say thank you - what an awesome experience... to know that the work we are doing is appreciated is a great feeling. We came back and enjoyed a wonderful meal of lasagna and enjoyed one another's company. We are excited to finish our work at the orphanage and in the villages tomorrow, serving God and showing His love to others. Kari DeBoer and Jessie Buiter

Good evening from Guatemala, Sunday is our off day here, and that gives us time to see some amazing sites, visit some markets and take a break from the work in the village. We were on the road by about 7:30 AM and we traveled to the town of Ponahajel for some extreme zip-lining. After recovering from that amazing experience, we spent the afternoon in the village market. Many of us purchased items of great usefulness such as hot sauce, machetes, sling shots and more. The people of the town are kind and fair to us. Next was a dinner at Paulino's. Incredible authentic Central American fare. We just concluded devotions here at the mission house. Pastor Lazaro and his wife Glendy gave testimony to Christ's work in their lives. Bringing the Good News to our needy brothers and sisters here in Guatemala is what they have been called to do and their passion for this is evident in all they do here. They are also charged with getting a feeding center for area children up and running. Things are moving forward in this and continued prayers would be appreciated. In conclusion, thanks for your prayers for all that is taking place here and will take place. Your part in what we are doing here is undeniable. We give praise to the Spirit's work here among us and our Guatemala family. May the love of Jesus be with all of us now, the rest of the week and beyond. Adam and Autumn Jager

Friday and Saturday

FRIDAY Our first day in the village. We are in a village called El Rodeo it is about 15 minutes farther than we were last year. There seems to be a lot more kids. We did VBS and had over 100 kids show up. We were not expecting that many kids but everything worked out.God certainly knows just how to provide. and the kids and helpers all seemed to have a great time. We got 6 houses built and the cement in 2. It was a very hot day and there were a lot of bugs. All went well and we were all very tired when we got back. Our great cooks had a wonderful meal of spaghetti ready for us. SATURDAY One team headed to the orphanage today to build a playhouse and hold babies. The rest of us headed to the village for more VBS and house building. We got the cement in a total of 7 houses. We got 11 houses done so far. It was much cooler today and no bugs to be found (an answer to prayer). The team seems to be meshing very nicely and everyone is making new friends. I think most people have stepped out of their comfort zone in some way. We are heading out to go ziplining and shopping tomorrow. Kris Hendriksma

We made it! Long day, couple set backs, and a little flexibility we are finally here and settled in. All our travels were great and customs went alright. We ran into a little problem when we got to the mission house and had no power. This meant no water, no fridges, and most importantly the tools we need for tomorrow could not charge. We left and went to dinner at Pollos and prayed that the power would come back on. After dinner we drove up the hill and saw a lit up mission house! So the tools are charging, the food is cold, and we are just resting getting ready for a big day of building tomorrow. Thanks for all the prayers so far! Sarah Westhouse and the rest of the 2014 Team