This Tuesday morning, it is quiet in the mission house for a change!  We had a great breakfast, then one group left with Bro. John for a tour of the volcano.  The other group met for worship in the “upper room.”  Bro. Kerry and Tena led us, setting the stage for just the Word we needed brought by a young Texan named Crayton.   Then groups dispersed, with just a few at the mission house–therefore the “quiet” I mentioned above.

Saturday afternoon Wes got to preach at Paul and Christy’s church.  The people who went with him were amazed at the packed house on a Saturday afternoon, and people continuing to come to the windows and doors.  Wes shared the podium with a dog, but the Lord moved anyway–one young boy was saved!

Sunday and Monday were awesome in their specific ways.  Sunday School time was a worship time with the devotional led by Miss Kittie.  We went to the same church as last year and was able to sing along in English with some of the songs.  The Pastor was so sincere and intense that we could follow a little by his voice inflection and gestures.  There was a word Wes didn’t understand, so he looked it up later, and basically it meant “gossip,” so the message may have been on the tongue.  God’s Spirit was present and felt by us all.  This church has recently begun a children’s ministry, which is a wonderful thing.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at our usual place in Antigua (the drivers were careful how they parked, remembering your bad experience, Bro. Teddie).  Then most folks went to the marketplace and shopped until they dropped!  Back at the mission house, supper was wonderful leftovers.  Then Wes preached at our evening service, from Psalm130.  Thank you, Lord, for that message!  What Wes did not know, because she died before he was born, that Psalm 130 was the favorite Psalm of his great-grandmother.

Monday’s devotional was led by Bro.Kenny, and again, God gave us exactly what we needed.  Work teams were dispersed, and Miss Sharon got busy preparing one of our best meals yet.   When groups returned from the work sites, ten houses were complete–two others nearly so, and three awaiting concrete.  Some of the ladies had shopped (with funds given by the churches in North Carolina), and Monday afternoon they put together 15 amazing baskets filled with with all kinds of household needs, including quilts, blankets, and dolls made by the “Blanket Circle” from Bro. Travis’ church in North Carolina.  The ladies there work all year fixing them, and will begin in August for next year’s trip.  The baskets are overflowing and ready for our house dedications on Wednesday.

Another group got everything organized for our trip to a village on Tuesday afternoon.

Another energetic group led by Bro.Kerry did repairs on all 40 chairs in the assembly room, replacing broken plywood bottoms.  They were short of needed tools at first, so it was amazing that they completed the task.

Today, Tuesday is the village day–we will leave to minister in a village (I can’t spell the name) at 4:00.  This is always a wonderful time to interact with the people, and they hear the Gospel.

Thank you, who read this blog, and share these wonderful experiences.  Thank you, most of all for praying for us this week–we have been so aware of God’s protection and direction.

Submitted for Bro. Jerry by Kittie.

Greetings!  We are having a great week so far as we continue our mission week.  The folks have all been extremely wonderful to work  together in cooperation.  Great attitudes, great work ethics, great flexibility.   Today is Sunday so the day started early with one van-full going to the lake for the day.  They were to have a worship service there.  We are expecting them back at any time.  The others went to Aqua Viva for church and then spent the day in Antigua.   Some heavy duty shopping occurred today!  Tonight, we are going to gather for another worship service upstairs with Bro. Wes Bates preaching with, I’m told, some special music.  I am looking forward to the evening service.  Tomorrow, we will continue to work on the houses.  Everyone is well.  Continue to remember us in your prayers.

The word “flexibility” took on new meaning yesterday, as Bro.Jerry’s team started out to Guatemala!  The first obstacle was check-in–we waited a long time to check our luggage.  We went through security and made it to our gate in good time (we thought).  We were called to load the plane bound for Houston, where we were to have a nice layover to have a late breakfast and get to our gate for the connection to Guatemala City.  We were all seated and belted in when the captain came on theintercom to tell us to deplane,because there were thunderstorms at Houston airport.  He thought we migjt be delayed sometime so he sent us back into the  airport.

We sat and waited, and waited and sat, checked weather conditions ourselves on an i-phone, and Bro. Jerry began to consider going home and trying again on Friday.  One of the youngest members of our team said, “Jesus must have a reason for our delay.”  I thought how mature this was in one so young, as I inwardly agreed with him.  Then, nearly two hours later, they called our plane, saying we were going to circle Houston and attempt to approach Houston from the southwest, and get through the weather for a landing.    We did, and didn’t letthe turbulance bother us at all (or much)!

In Houston we had 20 minutes to get to our new gate, and by some outstanding hurrying, we made it, only to be delayed another two hours before take-off! 

Yes, this entry is late!  Why?  The last night before departing for home can be crazy!  Sorry for the delay as it is now 1:30AM on Thursday morning.

Our Wednesday went well.  Our friends from First Methodist of Holland, Michigan joined us for our morning devotional.  We had a full upper room.

Our team then went to dedicate the remaining 18 houses (the Michigan team dedicated 2 on Saturday).  Mission accomplished!  Here is the best news of the day – eight folks prayed to receive Jesus during the dedications which brings the total to eleven for the week.  Hallelujah!  That is why GRACE Ministries does what it does!

About half of the team went to Casa Aleluya during the afternoon to rock babies and play with the children.  The others washed vehicles and began the process of getting ready to leave.  We had a final meeting at 5:00PM.  It was during that share time that the sisters from Lamar County presented me with a special gift which will come in handy on future trips.  Good stuff!

The entire team leaves the mission house at 3:00AM.  The United folks fly out at 6:30AM and the Delta folks at 7:20AM.  We should all be home well before dark.

It has been a good week and we give God the glory!  Great attitudes were displayed by all.  The love of Christ shone through this team in a special way.  I so appreciate Bro. Keith Martin bringing the folks from Kennedy Baptist as they were a blessing.  Same can be said for the entire team.

We appreciate you keeping up with us via this blog, the phone calls, et cetera.  Pray for us as we travel today.

This entry is way late as it is 4:30AM on the 20th in Guatemala.  Good reason for the tardiness – we had no internet service/phone service until sometime early this morning.  (Thanks Kirk Lightfield for getting us back online)  Sorry for the delay!

Our Tuesday was blessed.  All 20 of the houses are up and all have receive cement except for one.  The only reason that one has not gotten cement is simply b/c it was too muddy to mix the cement.  We hope to cement that one first thing on Wednesday and close up four others which will bring an end to the construction.

Almost all of the team had a short day on the construction site as they came back to the mission house in order to get ready to go do a village ministry.  Props go to Raymond Wilkinson, Aaron Chinners and Jordan Lowell for working late and for cleaning the tools once they got back to the mission house – the mud was pretty bad!

The village ministry went well as 100 families were given clothes and food.  They were grateful!

Thanks for checking on us.  Pray that our last day on this trip will be a productive one.

Before I get to Monday, I have to go back to Sunday.  This is something that I did not know about until I had posted last night’s entry.  Pastor Keith Martin, Gloria Massingill & Jane Soesbe all attended a mass in the Catholic church in Antigua while they waited on the others to get to the vans in order to leave.  One small problem – when they saw the casket they realized that it was a funeral service!  The promptly dismissed themselves!  (Jane & Gloria did sneak around the fellowship hall to get some of the refreshments brought in for the family!  JK!)

The band arrived right at 7:00PM last night and they were a blessing to all of us.  Pastor Carlos Portillo & Pastor Carlos Nieto arrived around 9:30PM last night after riding a bus from San Salvador for six hours.  The seventh hour was in a van from Guatemala City.

Interesting Monday.  The team built eight more houses and poured cement in six of those.  The rains came in the afternoon and caused us some problems.  We were pretty high up and the road was slick.  Jeff H. and Bro. Chris moved their vans to the bottom of the hill once the rains started.  Bro. Keith did not.  The blue truck slipped off the road and got majorly stuck!  It was very difficult getting the white truck past the blue truck.  Then we had to get Bro. Keith’s van down the slippery slope.  We held our breath, prayed and pushed on the sides to keep it in the road.

We are about to host a 15th birthday party for Ingrid Aju.  My wife & Amy Messer have spent the day getting ready.  The ladies just sent word that supper is ready!  Gotta go!

Here’s the scoop – we could not find the green board stretcher today.  I sent two sisters to look for it but they  had no success.  I cannot call their names or they will be so mad!  (I am told that you do not want sisters from Lamar County mad at you!)

Juleigh Medrano now believes in answered prayer!  Aaron Chinners thought he wanted to lead a team.  His thought process has changed.  Seth Tagert operates a mean skill saw.  Madeline Mays is a hard worker but she will not do cement duty!  Word has it that Jace worked again today – it is a miracle.  Mary Cole is no longer after guy “A” but has moved to guy “B” who is so fine!

Thanks for reading.  Thanks for praying!

Bro. Chris Taylor brought us a good word from the Word this morning

A good Sunday!  This has been a day of relaxation for the team.  We began our devotional time at a late hour (8:15) and then left for church at 9:30AM.  Bro. Jim Chinners brought us a word from the Word.  Bro. Keith & Alan continue to lead our musical praise each morning.

The folks at Rios de Agua Viva had a special day to honor the fathers.  Several years ago, the Friendship family i.e. GRACE Ministries, gave an interest free loan to the church in order for them to build an apartment above their church Sunday School rooms.  They recently paid that loan in full.  Today, they presented GRACE Ministries with a painting to show their appreciation for the help.

The preaching in the service today was. . . . but the rest of the service was good.  It was then off to Las Antorchas for lunch followed by shopping.  Supper (sandwiches) is being served as I type this.  Everyone seems relaxed, refreshed, and ready to go.  After supper we will enjoy a night of musical worship with a band from just west of Chimaltenango.  The band was supposed to be here at 5:00PM in order to set up but we have not seen them yet – a friendly reminder that we are in Guatemala!

Now for the scoop – we are exchanging prayer cards (thanks Liz Cole) each morning.  Karoline obviously has an issue as we discovered today that she “stole” the prayer card that belonged to Kacy.  Folks, that is just weird!  Why would anyone “steal” a prayer card?  Speaking of K&K, Karoline is like 6’4″ and Kacy is 5’6″.  Why would Kacy be on the top bunk and Karoline on the bunk below her?

Jeff Holified may win “shopper of the trip” as they basically had to pry him away from the market.  I think he wants to go back tomorrow but we are not doing so!

Not so fast on that “shopper of the trip” award to Jeff.  My wife arrived last night!  Enough said!

I pray that everything is well where you are.  Thanks for checking on us.  Keep praying!  More to come tomorrow!

This entry is way late as it is almost midnight in Guatemala.  Here is the reason – we arrived back at the mission house around 6:15PM or so.  I got a quick shower and then attempted to blog but could not get online.  My wife was arriving via Delta tonight and I had to leave to get her.  We just got back.  I apologize to the three of you who are following us via this blog – LOL!

A good Saturday.  We continued the building.  I think we have nine houses completely finished.  The Michigan team dedicated the two they built as they will not be building with us anymore.

We cut our building day short as we hosted a block party for the children of San Jacinto.  Many thanks to Katie Parker, Pablo, and Rachel for their hosting this party for us.  The children had a good time.  We had a good time.  Pastor Keith Martin got his head painted!  Special thanks to John King for providing the transportation for the Clubhouse Guatemala stuff.

Supper tonight was to be a typical Guatemalan meal.  I did not see it so I really cannot describe it.  I am sure it was good!

Tomorrow we will attend the morning service at Rios de Agua Viva.  I do not think we will be impressed with the preaching but I am sure the music will be good and the fellowship great!

Here is the stuff – Gloria says that the Queen Bee is doing fine!  Juleigh Medrano is a flirt!  Mary Cole gave me the scoop on the fine boys today!  Jordan is playing the field as she is now interested in some nationals (which is totally against the rules!).  The Holsonback girls are not interested in pursuing a career in the concrete business!  Seth Tagert has already begged out of concrete duty!

Thanks for reading!  Again, my apologies for the lateness of this post.  Pray without ceasing!

It is 6:00PM and the team just returned from a day of building houses.  We are building in the same village where Bro. Chris and our students built in April of 2011.

We had a different day as there were 59 (30 from Bama, 27 from Michigan, Samuel, Pastor Max) of us building.  We divided into four teams.  It required “flexibility” on everyone’s part and I think everyone got an A.  (Well, maybe not Amy Messer but you are always going to have one!)  The more folks you have on a building team the slower the process.  We finished four houses including the cement and four more were started.  Jeff H, Raymond W, Bro. Chris, and Samuel did a great job of leading the teams.

Caroline Ford, Clara Broadus and Andrea Martin remained at the mission house to cook supper.  I walked past the window a few minutes ago and it smelled really good.   However, I am not happy with the menu as it is spaghetti.  I like spaghetti but I am also on the clean up crew – have you ever seen the kitchen when Caroline finishes cooking?  Why could we not have ham and chips?

I know Kacy & Karoline’s mother posted a comment to last night’s entry but I have not read it yet.  Jane Soesbe says all of her friends should be reading these entries too.  We found out per Madeline why Miss June does not come on these trips – TMI.  LOL!  Cecy, your daughter may have a special surprise announcement for you when she gets home!  (It is not like you will be losing a daughter but rather gaining a son!)

Gotta get a shower and head to supper and KP!  Thanks for praying for us.  Thanks for reading these entries.

God is good!  Our team which presently consists of 33 folks are all present and accounted for.  We will eventually move to 37 team members as Lisa joins us on Saturday and three pastors from El Salvador will do likewise on Sunday evening.  One of those pastors, Carlos Portillo, serves in our daughter church in San Salvador.

The girls and I met the team at Pollo Campero as they came directly there from the airport.  We enjoyed supper and then came to the mission house for our meeting.  We have 13 first timers on this team.  Everyone is kind of settling in now getting ready for tomorrow.  Most folks are physically tired.

Tomorrow morning we will be joined by 27 folks from the First United Methodist Church of Holland, Michigan.  They will join us in house building for the next two days as well as a block party and the dedication of two houses.

Thanks for checking on us via this blog.  Plans call for nightly entries.  Pray without ceasing!