It is 10:45PM in Guatemala as I write this entry and everyone else is in bed and, most likely, fast asleep.  One of our team members unfortunately missed the first flight and has literally spent all day in two airports.  He arrived at the mission house a few minutes ago tired and relieved to be here.  Why did he miss his flight?  Long story but suffice it to say that it was not anything of his own doing.

The rest of the team arrived in two waves this afternoon.  It seems that Pastor Keith & Pastor Doug (Moses & Aaron?) led their folks to El Salvador and back before arriving at the mission house.  Jim & Jeff did much better getting their folks here in a timely fashion.

So, everyone is accounted for and well.  Thanks for checking on us.  Pray for us.  Hopefully, we will blog daily.  BTW, the internet service in the mission house has been disconnected this week so phone calls and this blog are about all you can look for from this team.  It is all good!

Blessings!

God is good!  These two teams were so blessed in every area.  It is just a “God thing” to see Him blend folks from Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee into one “family” in order to impact the folks of Guatemala in a spiritual and physical way.  Actually, those of us from the States probably received as much, or more, than we gave!

Thousands of folks received medical attention, medicines, counsel, et cetera.  Forty families received houses.  Twenty-five or so folks from the local dump were given help and hope.  Hundreds of families received food and clothing.  Lives were changed and souls were saved – which is the main reason GRACE Ministries exist.  Dreams are being dreamed.  Prayer circles are being drawn.  God is at work!

As a pastor, I was very blessed to have Pastor Bob Harvey and Pastor Jack Bailey take part in these two trips.  Their messages in the upper room were timely.  (Pastor Bob does a really good job of preaching Steve Brown’s stuff and Dr. Jack does an equally good job of preaching Junior Hill’s messages.  Actually, the only mistake I noticed was when Dr. Jack said, “I told Carol jus the other day!”  That is when I knew it was a Junior message!)  I am a fan of pastors and these two men did well.

It was refreshing to hear person after person say that “I am on this trip because _____________ invited me and they are always talking about GRACE Ministries or wearing that GM bracelet.”  That is how GRACE Ministries grows.

One young lady has a confidence that God has called her to move to Haiti to do missions.  The trip to Guatemala helped confirm that call in her life.  She will do well as she follows God!  Pray for her.

Our staff in Guatemala did an outstanding job – again!  GM is blessed to be working alongside such wonderful folks!

I guess folks were glad to get home too!  One person left their passport on the plane going to the “home” airport.  I will not call any names but I am thinking this person’s mind was most likely preoccupied with thoughts of the potential “significant other” whom they met on the trip – just saying!

Thank you for standing with these two teams as they went to be Jesus to the people of Guatemala.  You were a vital part of these two teams through your prayers, words of encouragement, taking care of the children back at the house, et cetera.  We are grateful to you!  Thank you to those who contributed financially to help these teams do ministry.  God is good!

The Lord blessed and we had a good final day of ministry.  The construction team went to the dump first thing.  I was wrong in my post yesterday.  The folks do not live in the dump but they (men, women, children and babies) come six days a week to collect anything they can possibly sell.  The first lady we met told us that she had been coming to the dump for 14 or 15 years.  Her average income – about $3 per day.

The attendance was low as most of the folks had gone to sell their goods – which is an every Wednesday happening.  We fed the 25 or so that were present and Pastor Jack preached to them.  It was a good time of ministry.

The medical/dental team went back to the coast.  They had a productive day.  Not sure of the numbers.

The construction team finished the houses and dedicated them.  That is always a special time.

We had our final share time tonight.  Not a talkative group but some good things were shared.

Most of the sick folks are on the mend but one more went down tonight.  Pray that person will get better soon.

Thanks for keeping up with us this week.  We hope to soon have a new website up and running that will be dedicated solely to GRACE Ministries.  It will be filled with information, pictures, et cetera.  Check back on our existing website for updates on the progress of this new site.

Pray for safety in travel for us tomorrow.  Seven folks leave the mission house at 4:00AM and the rest leave at 9:00AM.

Again, thanks for being a part of this team.  Blessings!

First, a report on those hit with sickness.  It appears that everyone is much, much better.  Last night, I think that I saw everyone who stayed at the mission house yesterday.  We give God the thanks!  (Personally, I think some of them just wanted to sleep in but I will not call any names!  LOL!)

The medical/dental teams spent the day in Patzicia.  I do not know the numbers but I do know that had a busy and productive day.  The construction team built the final four houses and put concrete in five.  There a few houses that have to be finished i.e. fronts put on but the team is basically finished.

The construction folks then went to Patzicia and joined with the medical folks to host a food/clothes distribution.  They provided these things for 100 families.

Dr. Jack Bailey preached at the seminary yesterday morning and Bernard Suthoff worked on cleaning the exterior of the mission house.

Today, the medical team goes back to the beach.  They claim to be doing a clinic in this remote place but all of the pictures that I have seen show the team on the beach.  They will not only do dental/medical work in that village but they will also feed the people as they are very poor and malnourished.  Pray that they will have a good day of ministry.

The rest of us are going to do ministry in the local dump first thing this morning before heading to the dedications of the houses.  We will feed the 90 or so folks who live in the dump.  We will share with and witness to the folks receiving these houses.

Danny Lopez has a ministry in Guatemala.  He came to the mission house for a visit last night.  What does that matter you ask?  Well, Danny is originally from Falkville, Alabama and is based out of the Fairview Church of God.  We always ask our team members to list which church they attend.  One of our team members listed Fairview COG as his church.  I asked Danny if he had ever seen this guy in church and Danny’s reply was a resounding “no!”  Makes one wonder!

Thanks for checking on this team and keep on praying.

Yesterday, the medical team left early and arrived back at the mission house late.  I cannot begin to describe what they saw.  They could not adequately put the situation into words.  From a young girl with cancer (most likely) to cutting off a sixth finger on another person it was interesting to say the least.

The medical team came back to the mission house really tired.  However, I do not want you to feel too sorry for them as I saw pictures of the entire team on the beach!

The building team built seven houses, put concrete in six, and finished a few more.  Honestly, they could/would have built at least two more but I held the reins on them as we have some first timers who need to build today.  Great workers!  We had one team leader who refused to follow the “building code” but I will leave him nameless!

A sickness has hit the team as several were down last night.  Have not seen anyone except Dr. Jack this morning.  Pray for those who are sick.  Pray for us to know whether to put them down or to wait and see if they get better!  (Just kidding!)

In all seriousness, having Kaitlin Mast on your work team is like losing three good men!

Thanks for taking the time to read this update.  Keep praying for this team.

Sunday was a very relaxing day.  We had our morning devotional time led by Carla Mast and crew.  Pastor Jack Bailey then brought an inspiring message on tithing!  (Dr. Jack preaches Junior’s message about as good as Junior himself!)

We then went to a church service where Kaitlin Mast sang a special and Pastor Jack preached.  Another excellent message on the parable of the lost sheep!

Lunch at Las Antorchas was followed by about three hours of shopping which is about four hours too long!  Several folks stopped by Pastores and bought boots.

The doctors and I met to schedule the team members for tomorrow.  Betty Clair was in the kitchen preparing homemade biscuits for Monday’s breakfast.  Lots of fellowship taking place and Sarah Smallegan was talking up a storm – imagine that!

Pastor Jack and Lazaro Suruy went to Santa Cruz Balanya where Dr. Jack preached to a packed house of folks during their evening service.  He said it is a night he will always remember.

Today, we are back to the salt mines.  The dental/medical teams will drive approximately two hours and will work in less than desirable conditions.  The building teams will press on.

Thanks for checking in on us.  All is good!  Pray for us!

Yesterday was a good day even though on the building side it was not a huge numbers day.  The team built three more houses and put concrete in another.  Their day was shortened because some of the team members had to get back early in order to attend a wedding.

The dental and medical teams had a good day.  The medical team saw a few less than the previous day but the dental team stayed real busy.  I will get the numbers later.

Some of the team members attended the wedding ceremony of one of Pastor Max’s daughters, Yohana, late yesterday afternoon.  It was a beautiful wedding although it was different from any wedding I have ever seen.

Today sees eight of our team members get sent home.  Pastor Bob may not run a tight ship but around here if you do not obey the rules you are shipped out.  Let that be a lesson to all!

Otherwise, it will be a normal GRACE Sunday with devotional, church, lunch, and shopping.

Pray for us and thanks for checking on us.  Blessings!

There are basically three teams working within the framework of this one team.  Yesterday, the building team went to Sant Cruz Balanya where they built six houses including getting the concrete poured.  That is a good day’s work.

The medical team saw 220 patients.  The dental team saw over 100.  I do not know where these two teams did ministry.

Word on the street is that Cody Smallwood spent the day painting fingernails!  He is Eddie Turrentine’s nephew!

Carla & Kaitlin Mast are leading the worship this week along with an assist from Tony & Cody Smallwood and Mynor.  Dr. Jack Bailey preached yesterday morning and several team members e-mailed to say that it was one of the best messages they have ever heard on the second coming.  The man can preach can Junior’s messages almost as good as Junior himself!

Today will see more of the same plus several of the team members will attend the wedding ceremony of Pastor Max Lara’s daughter, Yohana.

Pray for this team as they minister today.

Changing gears from Pastor Bob back to me.  I am sitting in Grand Bay, Alabama as I write this entry.  However, I do know that all of the team members arrived safe and sound yesterday.  Thanks to Dr. Derek Draft for leading the team through the various airports.  Pastor Bob will lead the team today.  Pastor Jack Bailey is this team’s “pastor” as he will be bringing the messages each day.

Pray that this trip will be one to the glory of God!

As I write this most of the TEAM is home or very close to it.  Let me express my deepest appreciation to the members of this TEAM.  They were an absolute delight to work with this week.

We concluded on a high note.  Actually we were on high notes all week long.  The Medical TEAM saw approximately 1800 patients. WOW – way to go.

Dr. Mark did a fantastic job leading a dedicated team of caring Doctors.

The construction TEAM finished 20 houses, and had a deeply moving dedication experience.  On the last evening we were able to take a tour of an ancient Mayan ruin site.

All of this, the entire enterprise of GRACE missions, is all about God.  It is for His glory.  We, the TEAM gathered, have now become the TEAM scattered.  We did not complete a mission trip.  We are beginning one.  As we return home, freshly inspired, we are on mission with God.

Pastor Bob