Today was our last day in Guatemala. We’ve finished the houses, said our goodbyes to the people in the village, bought our last souvenirs, and are in the process of packing our bags. We’re ready to go home but sad to leave. This last day was devoted to the dedications for each house. We stopped at every house and gave them housewarming gifts, prayed, sang the Doxology, and took a family picture for them to keep. In celebration, we lit fireworks at each house. The boys loved to light them and dash away to safety! The families’ immense gratitude was evident through the tears shed, hugs given, and handmade gifts they offered back. At one house, the grandmother was so overwhelmed by tears that she could hardly speak. We know that these houses will not last forever. The metal will eventually rust, and the wood will slowly rot. But we are confident that our presence in the village will leave a more lasting influence. We pray that God will work in the hearts of those who are not Christians. We hope that the Christians there were encouraged to see their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ come all the way from Michigan to help. These people have left an even bigger impression on us. They are hardworking, content, and joyful for the things we consider small. We spent all week developing relationships with these families, and although we may never see them again in this life, we will never forget them. John and Susan Helmholdt

Whew! Today was a busy day, and God blessed us in many ways. My day went unexpectedly today, and I was reminded of this verse, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8 Today we spent our day separated into two groups, one that went to the village to build homes and one to head to Love the Child (orphanage). As we are able to choose where we would like to serve, I decided this morning that I wanted to head the village to help with home construction. I seated myself in a van and waited. Shortly after, it became apparent that one more person really wanted to go to the village and I gave up my seat in the bus for her. It was not what I planned, but I was HAPPY to go cuddle babies at the orphanage too. When we arrived there, Steve Osborn who is the director, mentioned that an optometrist serving at a nearby orphanage needed extra help with his clinic because his son (who helped him at the clinic) was sick. I just happen to be an optometrist by occupation. I had just happened to have MY plans changed for the morning and was able to join in HIS plans to serve HIM. I jumped in the van with two other members from our team and headed to Casa Hallelujah to help examine the children who lived there. It was a great experience , and I was able to jump in and help. Meanwhile, the construction team was able to complete construction on all 15 homes! Tomorrow we will head out to the village to dedicate the homes and give each family a house-warming gift of many practical household items. Thank you to all of you who sacrificially donated your funds and prayers to make this happen. Later in the day, we were able to distribute food, blankets, hygiene items, and toys to 150 families in a nearby village with many people in need. It was one of the poorest areas I have seen while in Guatemala. We served the people in a local church, and after all the goods were distributed the local pastor asked us to sit down in the church. He and fellow church members then thanked us for serving them and presented us with drinks and snacks to enjoy. It was hard to accept their gift because we knew how much purchasing this had cost them, but we gladly enjoyed their snack and enjoyed fellowship with them. I’m looking forward to serving God tomorrow and looking forward to heading home on Thursday! Laura Kenyon

Monday February 24

We had another beautiful day of enjoying our Guatemalan brothers and sisters. What a joy it is to be here! Thank you for your love and support in so many ways! Beth De Vries and I went to the feeding center opened just 2 weeks ago. The children arrived after morning school, ate lunch, and enjoyed Bible stories, coloring, and a simple craft. However, it is much more than that! They are taught to wash their hands, brush their teeth, learn table manners, and care for their skin by using lotion. The children are so eager to learn and we hugged and kissed each child as they left after 3:30. We hope to show you pictures soon! The homes are almost complete and the families are excited for dedication day when the home is officially their own. Bible school happened again today and many kids attend and receive a wonderful blessing through learning the Bible stories. The crafts are always a huge hit! We have a prayer request. Would you please pray for a family who is grieving in the village? Alcoholism is a huge problem in this village. When a family member is dead because of this we need the comfort that only Christ can give. Please pray for their self-control. We have many stories to tell you! The week is going quickly and we will do the food distribution tomorrow. Please pray for our safety. We are having a lot of fun together! Miss all of you! Bev Ouwinga

Today we were able to slow down and spend time together as a group. One of the highlights of my day is the time we share singing and worshiping together. We started our day with singing and prayer before going out and enjoying the splendor and majesty of God in His creation. We had amusic loving group in our van and we randomly burst out in song. How great Thou art was my favorite. This evening we had Pastor Lazoro and Glendy come to the mission house and share their stories. They have totaly different stories and while so different, both bring God glory. He came from a home of abuse and was found in a dump searching for food and anything to make some money. A missionary from Texas went up to him and told him that Jesus loves him. That was the first time he had ever been told he was loved. Today he is a pastor because one person cared enough to approach him and share the love of God. Tonight we were challenged to share our own stories, so all will know and we don't keep God and the things He has done for us to ourself. We ended with the song Word of God speak, prayer and some tears.

Good Evening from Guatemala! Those are not words I ever thought I'd say...but, yet here I am far from anything familiar to me. Last night Steve Osborn was speaking to us about the childrens home they run here in Guatemala and made a special point to thank us for our service. Today, I was able to spend the day at their orphanage and I cannot believe he would even thank us when they give ALL of themselves the way that they do! What pure, unselfish hearts Steve and his wife, Sheryl have. I was amazed and blessed to be able to spend time in a place where people would be so filled with the Holy Spirit that they would dedicate their lives to serving the children of Guatemala. Children are such tender spirits. Watching the nannies care for them the way they do is indescribable. As our team observed them we were in awe of the organization and schedule that they maintained...but overall the LOVE they had for the children. It made me think of the verse where Jesus said "Let the little children come to me..." Jesus, who was here to save us from our sins, took time for the children and called them to Him. Children, who maybe others had pushed away, thinking they were a bother. He called them to Him, and loved them. This is one of my favorite verses because it shows how our Father in heaven cares, takes time and calls us to Him. In this same way, I observed our team members in the village calling the children to them on Friday. I loved watching the response they gave as they warmed up to us "gringos" and even came for hugs and high fives as the day ended. I love children! I think they are amazing little people and to be invovled with them here, in this far away setting, is opening my heart in many new ways. I am experiencing serving in a whole different way. A way I never expected to be called too. Our God is an awesome God! Jennifer Sterk

Hello friends & family! We were blessed in countless ways today, thank you for your prayers! Those who felt less than 100% last night were feeling better today and the ovens that weren't working in the Mission house when we arrived are now functioning! Ryan started our day with devotions challenging us to encourage each other and step outside of our comfort zone in service. Singing praise & praying together with the sound of birds chirping in the background while drinking Guatemalan coffee is a favorite of mine, but nothing could've prepared me for the beauty of this day. The village we were in was on a very steep mountainside with unbelievable views and the weather was beyond perfect. More importantly we began building strong relationships while constructing homes ~ these people are so open, kind, and hardworking. The men in this community worked alongside our team to help build their own homes which isn't the "standard". The group who held VBS was blessed to run their program in the local school and worked with approximately 70 children, we praise God for that opportunity and these connections. Our cooks rocked from the kitchen from pre-sunrise to post-sunset today. The Reeman Team came for supper at the mission house this evening and we enjoyed strong fellowship. Tomorrow we are splitting up - half of our team will head back to the village to build and the other half will be at Love The Child orphanage. Please continue to pray for our team leaders, our drivers, our cooks, for team unity & health, and above all that our good, patient, & loving Father will continue to guide our feet, hearts, eyes & ears as we seek to be His hands & feet. To Him be the glory. Michelle for all forty of us <3

February 20, 2014

To was largely a wonderfully uneventful travel day to Guatemala, which was certainly a blessing. After a warm send off from our brothers and sisters from the parking lot of Moline CRC we sailed through all our connections. There was some excitement when we were hustling from one gate in Houston to our departure gate to the sound of "Moline, report to your gate for departure" over the paging system. But we and all of our luggage made it and we are safely here in the mission house. Our Father took care of all the necessary details today just as surely as he has in the past and will in the future. Apparently he new we all needed a brisk walk in Houston. We started making connections with our co-workers over supper and look forward to what he has in store for us. Thanks to all for your prayers. Serving on your behalf for HIM, The February Team