Dedication day is always the hardest for me, having to leave the place that changed me and blessed me in so many ways is so difficult. After the all the hard work and sweat and a little bit of blood(Dellen), this was it. We built 12 houses and built countless memories with the team and the villagers. The love the people showed was overwhelming and always moves me. We started the day with a wonderful breakfast from from amazing cooks. Teddy gave devotions and even had to bring a Alabama BCS National Championship shirt with him. We headed out to the village to put a few fronts on and finish things up with the houses. Dedications were emotional and eye opening as always. The one that stuck out the most to me was the last one we did. The family consisted of a mother and father, 3 daughters and 2 sons. The reason it stuck out the most to me was because of a little boy I got to build a relationship with earlier in the week.
Francisco is 4 years old and is the cutest boy you'll ever meet. Immediately the first time I saw him he came running up to me and without thinking i picked him up and hoisted him on my shoulders. I had never met him before but the connection was real. The way he looked into my eyes I knew right then and their that God is real, he was looking me straight in the face and saying this is what you are called to do, love this little boy and just be a friend. Francisco had know idea how much of an impact he had made on me, that little boy at only 4 years old had made me feel so small at 6'2, I had never felt so small in my life, but he chopped me right off at the knees and made me realize that what God calls us to do, it can be the littlest things we just have to be open our eyes.
-Seth Harkema
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Tuesday - A Day Filled With Emotion
We started our day our day out with devotions where we learned that God is always aware, able, and available. We also learned that we need to rely less on ourselves and more on God in our decision making in life. After devotions, we loaded up the vans and headed to the dump where we witnessed the most heartbreaking way of life. The people of the dump literally dig through the loads of trash in order to find something to sell so they can merely survive. There are people of all ages there working in the dump. While there we were able to pray with them with the help of Lazaro and provided everyone there a lunch, school supplies for the kids, and other items. Lazaro told of some of their stories, which brought tears to many eyes. The sights, smells, and constant smoke in the air was absolutely heartbreaking. It doesn't take much for us to realize how good we have it at home and how blessed we truly are when we looked around the dump this morning.
After that the vans split up and two went to the orphanage and one went to the village to finish building the houses. Rachael and I went with Lazaro and Haley to the Feeding Center. The Feeding Center provides a hot nutritious meal for 75 kids, as well as providing help with homework, memorizing Bible verses, and various other activities. The kids that attend this center are chosen from the poorest of the poor and come from various home situations. We had the privilege of meeting and spending time with Joselin, the little girl that we sponsor. She greeted us with warm smiles and hugs when she arrived at the center. We were able to learn about her home situation. As the afternoon went on, she held our hands tight and continued to smile and hug us. We were able to spend some time on the playground with her and some of her friends. We were blessed to be able to witness the children sing two praise songs to us in ENGLISH.....it was absolutely beautiful! By attending the Feeding Center, these kids are able to take home the seed of the Gospel and plant it in their families. Leaving there today was very emotional and we're not sure who was blessed more today....them or us.....I think it was us.
Thanks for all the continued prayers
Randy, Michelle, & Rachael Bosse
After that the vans split up and two went to the orphanage and one went to the village to finish building the houses. Rachael and I went with Lazaro and Haley to the Feeding Center. The Feeding Center provides a hot nutritious meal for 75 kids, as well as providing help with homework, memorizing Bible verses, and various other activities. The kids that attend this center are chosen from the poorest of the poor and come from various home situations. We had the privilege of meeting and spending time with Joselin, the little girl that we sponsor. She greeted us with warm smiles and hugs when she arrived at the center. We were able to learn about her home situation. As the afternoon went on, she held our hands tight and continued to smile and hug us. We were able to spend some time on the playground with her and some of her friends. We were blessed to be able to witness the children sing two praise songs to us in ENGLISH.....it was absolutely beautiful! By attending the Feeding Center, these kids are able to take home the seed of the Gospel and plant it in their families. Leaving there today was very emotional and we're not sure who was blessed more today....them or us.....I think it was us.
Thanks for all the continued prayers
Randy, Michelle, & Rachael Bosse
Monday, January 18, 2016
Monday:
This morning we got to hear one of our great friends, Tiko, speak for devotions. He brought up a story about when he went to the U.S. and realized how boring our driving was compared to the driving in Guatemala. Until he could not find his exit and had to pull over and nearly died in a car accident. The purpose for this story was to show us that we need to live every moment for Christ.
With this in mind we started off our day. We again were fazed with two choices; Six people could go to the market to buy food and other things for house dedications, which we will do Wednesday, and the rest of us got to go to the village. We were almost able to complete all of the houses except some cement and half of a house.
We had to leave the village at about 2:30 in order to make it to the food distribution near Antigua. When we got there we were invited to the children's worship where we sang songs in Spanish with the kids. After that we set up different stations in the Church, Iglesia Tirando Lareo, each having their own type of food or supplies. These were distributed between 150 families from the area. There were many hugs, kisses and warm wishes between us. After the food was given out, the praise team from the Church sang us a few songs, then we sang "My Friends May You Grow In Grace," with the Church council. Tears were shed and good-byes were said as we headed back to the mission house.
1 Samuel 12:24 "Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done fore you."
1 Corinthians 1:26 "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by many humans standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth."
~Shared by Maddie Barber and Erika Hulst
With this in mind we started off our day. We again were fazed with two choices; Six people could go to the market to buy food and other things for house dedications, which we will do Wednesday, and the rest of us got to go to the village. We were almost able to complete all of the houses except some cement and half of a house.
We had to leave the village at about 2:30 in order to make it to the food distribution near Antigua. When we got there we were invited to the children's worship where we sang songs in Spanish with the kids. After that we set up different stations in the Church, Iglesia Tirando Lareo, each having their own type of food or supplies. These were distributed between 150 families from the area. There were many hugs, kisses and warm wishes between us. After the food was given out, the praise team from the Church sang us a few songs, then we sang "My Friends May You Grow In Grace," with the Church council. Tears were shed and good-byes were said as we headed back to the mission house.
1 Samuel 12:24 "Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done fore you."
1 Corinthians 1:26 "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by many humans standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth."
~Shared by Maddie Barber and Erika Hulst
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Sunday Funday: Door #1 or Door #2?
Another beautiful day in Guatemala! We split into two groups with one choosing door #1 or door #2 as worded by Pasotr Jim in his devotions.
Door #1 was to eat lunch at the restaurant Las Antorchas in Antigua with chips and guacamole for an appetizer followed by a squash soup and a choice of chicken or grouper with garlic sauce or steak and finishing with a dish of ice cream with chocolate sauce. YUM!
Door #2 included a horseback ride up part of volcano Pacaya and walking the remainder of the way. Pastor Jim was not certain he had made the right choice with this door but admitted he did in the end. The last major eruption was about four years ago. We roasted marshmallows over some small vents. We skied down a steep ash slope after being at the "top of the world" as Guatemala sees it! We were told Guatemala has 37 active volcanoes.
From there a group went back toward the mission house for a church service at the feeding center and others went to the market place to shop for souvenirs and gifts. Back at the mission house Pastor Jim gave devotions reminding us to fix our eyes on Jesus from Hebrews 12:1-3. We finished the day with another amazing meal from our favorite cooks and enjoyed the evening sharing our door choices we made.
Shared by the Dammen family
Door #1 was to eat lunch at the restaurant Las Antorchas in Antigua with chips and guacamole for an appetizer followed by a squash soup and a choice of chicken or grouper with garlic sauce or steak and finishing with a dish of ice cream with chocolate sauce. YUM!
Door #2 included a horseback ride up part of volcano Pacaya and walking the remainder of the way. Pastor Jim was not certain he had made the right choice with this door but admitted he did in the end. The last major eruption was about four years ago. We roasted marshmallows over some small vents. We skied down a steep ash slope after being at the "top of the world" as Guatemala sees it! We were told Guatemala has 37 active volcanoes.
From there a group went back toward the mission house for a church service at the feeding center and others went to the market place to shop for souvenirs and gifts. Back at the mission house Pastor Jim gave devotions reminding us to fix our eyes on Jesus from Hebrews 12:1-3. We finished the day with another amazing meal from our favorite cooks and enjoyed the evening sharing our door choices we made.
Shared by the Dammen family
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Saturday: Second day in the village and first day at the orphanage
This morning, we woke up to a beautiful sunrise over the Guatemalan countryside. The weather continued to be absolutely amazing with clear skies and sun all day. We started the day with a delicious breakfast made by our awesome cooks, and then Todd Dammen shared during our devotions about how important it is to keep our priorities straight; our daily life and actions aligned with our faith.
The group split up into two groups; one to the village and one to the orphanage. The group that went to the village continued to work on houses and started pouring concrete, finishing 7 houses! The VBS group had a blast with the kids again today. They played duck duck goose, went over their verse of the week (John 3:16) and the winners who were able to recite it won a special prize. Our team lead story time of Noah and the Ark, played jump rope and futbol, and the kids braided our team's hair. They are not used to seeing blonde hair around here! A couple of our team members were able to tour the church in the village that we are working in, and it is gorgeous. The villagers definitely have their priorities straight; their faith and their church is their first priority above their own houses, kind of like what Todd shared during devotions.
The orphanage is about a 45 minute drive from the mission house, and our drivers did an impeccable job once again maneuvering in the crazy Guatemalan traffic! Once we arrived at the orphanage, we had the opportunity to hold some super cute babies and play with some really fun toddlers. After a while, a group took apart a fence along the drive to the orphanage that was about a football field long. We took a break for lunch, and shortly got whipped back to work by one of the kids, Hannah, because the faster we got our work done the faster we could come and play! In no time, the fence was down, the work was done, and we were able to play more with the kids. The infants were pretty much all asleep, but some of us got to play in the yard with the toddlers... Some playing ball, some playing with the parachute, and others just hanging out.
When we all returned back to the mission house, we prepared all of the supplies for food distribution later this week. Then, we ate dinner. The biggest, most delicious baked potatoes ever.
Matt & Nicole Bouwman
The group split up into two groups; one to the village and one to the orphanage. The group that went to the village continued to work on houses and started pouring concrete, finishing 7 houses! The VBS group had a blast with the kids again today. They played duck duck goose, went over their verse of the week (John 3:16) and the winners who were able to recite it won a special prize. Our team lead story time of Noah and the Ark, played jump rope and futbol, and the kids braided our team's hair. They are not used to seeing blonde hair around here! A couple of our team members were able to tour the church in the village that we are working in, and it is gorgeous. The villagers definitely have their priorities straight; their faith and their church is their first priority above their own houses, kind of like what Todd shared during devotions.
The orphanage is about a 45 minute drive from the mission house, and our drivers did an impeccable job once again maneuvering in the crazy Guatemalan traffic! Once we arrived at the orphanage, we had the opportunity to hold some super cute babies and play with some really fun toddlers. After a while, a group took apart a fence along the drive to the orphanage that was about a football field long. We took a break for lunch, and shortly got whipped back to work by one of the kids, Hannah, because the faster we got our work done the faster we could come and play! In no time, the fence was down, the work was done, and we were able to play more with the kids. The infants were pretty much all asleep, but some of us got to play in the yard with the toddlers... Some playing ball, some playing with the parachute, and others just hanging out.
When we all returned back to the mission house, we prepared all of the supplies for food distribution later this week. Then, we ate dinner. The biggest, most delicious baked potatoes ever.
Matt & Nicole Bouwman
Friday, January 15, 2016
Friday: First Day in the Village
As first-timers on this trip, this day has turned out better than anything we ever imagined. For the VBS people, what started as a small game of futbol with a few energetic boys, soon became a crowd of near sixty kids.
We enjoyed quite a drive to the village, lasting almost two hours. We arrived around 10:45 and the building crew got to work right away. As the VBS group walked around to scout things out, we soon heard giggles coming from right near us. We looked over, and smiling goofily back at us were three young boys, in a tree right next to us. Juan asked their mother for ideas of a good, level spot to play. At her direction, we found the perfect area down the road a ways, at the bottom of a large hill. It was an ideal spot, with a flat clearing next to a pasture, plenty of shade, and enough room for plenty of fun. We started playing with the boys, and little by little, more kids wandered toward us. We blew up some balloons for them and we all had fun with some bubbles. Needless to say, our morning passed quickly and energetically.
At lunch, the children were asked to go back home and return at two. We sat down in the shade for our sack lunch, then went up the hill near the building sites to refill our water bottles and check up on the houses. The six houses were coming together well. Everyone was a bit tired, but seemed to be having a good experience.
The kids returned very soon, eager for more play time with us. We enjoyed a full afternoon of fun with the village children. Our day with the kids was concluded with a mass tickle-fight. A few children started poking us, tickling us, and giggling at our reactions, and soon, the entire mob of them was attacking us with tickles and laughter. At the end of the day, our faces hurt from smiling and laughing so much.
Too soon, it was time to leave, and we enjoyed a delicious spaghetti dinner back at the house. We are all weary after our day, and many of us will probably hit the hay soon.
Claire Jafri and Leah DeVries
We enjoyed quite a drive to the village, lasting almost two hours. We arrived around 10:45 and the building crew got to work right away. As the VBS group walked around to scout things out, we soon heard giggles coming from right near us. We looked over, and smiling goofily back at us were three young boys, in a tree right next to us. Juan asked their mother for ideas of a good, level spot to play. At her direction, we found the perfect area down the road a ways, at the bottom of a large hill. It was an ideal spot, with a flat clearing next to a pasture, plenty of shade, and enough room for plenty of fun. We started playing with the boys, and little by little, more kids wandered toward us. We blew up some balloons for them and we all had fun with some bubbles. Needless to say, our morning passed quickly and energetically.
At lunch, the children were asked to go back home and return at two. We sat down in the shade for our sack lunch, then went up the hill near the building sites to refill our water bottles and check up on the houses. The six houses were coming together well. Everyone was a bit tired, but seemed to be having a good experience.
The kids returned very soon, eager for more play time with us. We enjoyed a full afternoon of fun with the village children. Our day with the kids was concluded with a mass tickle-fight. A few children started poking us, tickling us, and giggling at our reactions, and soon, the entire mob of them was attacking us with tickles and laughter. At the end of the day, our faces hurt from smiling and laughing so much.
Too soon, it was time to leave, and we enjoyed a delicious spaghetti dinner back at the house. We are all weary after our day, and many of us will probably hit the hay soon.
Claire Jafri and Leah DeVries
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2016 Day 1
We have all arrived safely in Guatemala. Our travelling could not have gone any better, we even arrived a half an hour early in Guatemala. The weather was a bit warm and humid in the city but now that we are out on the mountain, the temperatures have cooled and it is a very pleasant evening here. The team is quite tired after traveling all day. We left Moline ahead of schedule thinking we would have bad roads and we arrived in Chicago about 45 minutes earlier than we needed to as the roads were clear and no problems. We had a quick layover in Houston and then it was on to Guatemala. As we were all sitting at the restaurant tonight for dinner I was seeing a lot of people who looked like they weren't sure if they were hungry and wanted food or were tired and just wanted a bed. We are all back at the mission house and at 9:30 at night more than half of the team has headed off to bed.
We have had a chance to reconnect with many of our friends here already. John and Samuel met us at the airport. Tico came in the restaurant to say hello and Lazero and the family have come by to say hello as well. Juan Marcos has called and will be with us tomorrow to help in the village. The friendships we have made here in Guatemala are priceless to us. They have become such close friends that we look forward to seeing each of them when we come back each year.
After a good nights rest, we will all be ready and anxious to head to the village to meet the families we will be spending the next few days with. As our plans have changed, we will have more time to get to know these families and we are really looking forward to that.
Please continue to pray for safety for the team, for a bond that will be made with the families in the village and that we will see the Spirit working in mighty ways throughout the next week. Also, please continue to pray for health for the team. We have a few that have some bad colds and we pray they do not develop in to anything more severe and the cold symptoms will be gone soon.
Donna
PS It is now 9:45 and I think I am the only one awake. Going to lock the doors, turn out the lights and go to bed.
We have had a chance to reconnect with many of our friends here already. John and Samuel met us at the airport. Tico came in the restaurant to say hello and Lazero and the family have come by to say hello as well. Juan Marcos has called and will be with us tomorrow to help in the village. The friendships we have made here in Guatemala are priceless to us. They have become such close friends that we look forward to seeing each of them when we come back each year.
After a good nights rest, we will all be ready and anxious to head to the village to meet the families we will be spending the next few days with. As our plans have changed, we will have more time to get to know these families and we are really looking forward to that.
Please continue to pray for safety for the team, for a bond that will be made with the families in the village and that we will see the Spirit working in mighty ways throughout the next week. Also, please continue to pray for health for the team. We have a few that have some bad colds and we pray they do not develop in to anything more severe and the cold symptoms will be gone soon.
Donna
PS It is now 9:45 and I think I am the only one awake. Going to lock the doors, turn out the lights and go to bed.
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