It is early Friday, 8/8, as I type this update.  Just received word from our Michigan friends that they arrived home around 1:00AM their time which means all team members are now safely home.  We are thankful to God for traveling mercies.  Yes, the folks flying United into Mobile were delayed by about two and a half hours but they did arrive.

Our last day (Wednesday) was an emotional one for most of the team members.  We began with the usual time of worship in the upper room.  That time is so crucial to the teams I lead.  It is definitely one of the most important aspects of the trip.

Prior to the morning worship time, the team packed food bags to be given to the families from the ministry center and also prepared sandwiches for the folks from the local dump.

After the worship time, we immediately headed to the local dump to provide a meal to the folks going through the garbage.  Humbling would be a good adjective but even it does not adequately describe it.  The men, women and children there were a bit “stand offish” at first but eventually warmed up and received the food i.e. sandwiches, chips, cookies and drinks we had brought for them.  The Gospel was shared before we shared the food.

The team then moved on to dedicate the final twelve homes that had been built.  We had three dedicating teams and the stories told during our share time were powerful.  You would never think that two bags of food would mean so much to a family!

We went to an early supper and then came back to the mission house for our share time.  Good stuff!  All of the team except for the Michiganders left at 3:30AM headed to the airport.  The Michiganders followed suit at 7:00AM.  The first wave arrived at the airport in about forty five minutes while the second wave took about ninety minutes to do the same.  Yes, the traffic makes that much of a difference.

So, who gets the credit for all that was done during this trip?  Does not matter!  What does matter is that God receives the glory and He does!

I close by simply saying “thank you” to the team members, the prayer warriors, and those who supported this trip financially!  God is good!

Our Tuesday began with Tom Compagner sharing a word from the Word.  Good stuff from personal experience.

Another dental clinic was held at the ministry center.  Dr. Ashley did not see as many patients as on Monday but did pull a number of teeth including one wisdom tooth.

Our building teams were “unique” to say the least.  Two were all female and two were all male.  They did a nice job of getting the final four houses built.  Eight more received concrete and all twelve were finished which brought our total houses built for this trip to thirty.  This team did very well in this area as the last two days of building saw them going into some difficult places i.e. very high and very tight sites.

Our painting team did a nice job of finishing the exterior of the ministry center.  That building is now “complete” which is a blessing.

Today, this team continues doing ministry.  Other than a couple of hours of shopping on Sunday, this team has been ministry focused and I appreciate that about them.

All/everyone is well.  Thanks for checking on us via this blog.  Please pray for us.

Our Monday began with Dr. Mike Clark bringing us a word from the Word.  Very good time of worship!  Dr. Mike & Miss Dottie have been such good friends to GRACE Ministries over the years.  It is always appreciated when they take time from their busy schedules to come share with us.

A group went back to Chirijuyu and put the finishing touches i.e. hasps, barrel bolts, et cetera on the seven houses there which means those eighteen houses are completely finished and have been dedicated.

A group began the process of painting the exterior of the ministry center.  They got a first coat on almost all of it.

Dr. Ashley Holladay was joined by Shari Compagner and Leah Cochran in hosting a dental clinic at the ministry center.  They are doing extractions.  The folks were lined up to see Dr. Ashley.

The rest of the team built eight more houses with four of those receiving concrete.  We are now in an area where the houses are located a good ways from each other which means you do not walk from one to the other.  The locations provided some challenges with tight spaces, a lot of rubbish, et cetera.  The team members proved very “flexible” yesterday.

Everyone is well.  Thanks for checking on us and thanks for praying!

A somewhat different Sunday for this team.  The day began thirty minutes later and, after the musical worship, Lazaro Suruy brought us a word from the Word.  It was then off to Antigua for a couple of hours shopping followed by lunch at Las Antorchas.  We then came back to the mission house, packed food bags, and got other things ready for the house dedications in Chirijuyu.  All eighteen homes were dedicated.  Have not had a chance to speak to each of the dedication team leaders but it seemed to go well.  We then attended a service at the Gran (Great) Commission Church.  Good service attended by several hundred people.

We arrived back at the mission house around 9:15PM or so in anticipation of another big day on Monday.  The remaining twelve houses will be spread out which will make it a little more difficult but this team loves a challenge.

Everyone is well.  Brian Ellis basically has “wowed” the girls (especially Katie D).  Keri C is jealous!  Josh S got lost in Antigua about five times!  Otherwise, we are good.  Keep praying!  Blessings!

A blessed Saturday.  Pastor Joe David Bailey brought us a really good word from the Word following our musical praise and worship time.  That morning worship time is so crucial to each team that I lead.  God really moved in our hearts yesterday morning and we give Him the glory.

The team returned to Chirijuyu where seven more houses were built.  That brings our total built with concrete poured to eighteen.  Of those eighteen, eleven are completely finished.  A couple need the fronts put on them and seven need the door/window hardware.  Good day of building.

Our building efforts slowed down around 2:00PM as our folks joined Clubhouse Guatemala in hosting a block party for the children in Chiriujuyu.  A great time of fun, games, and candy for everyone.  Special thanks to Mike Parker’s staff for helping us!

Brandon & Pam Baker leave us today as they have teaching responsibilities that begin tomorrow/Tuesday.  They have been a big help to this team.  Pray for them to have traveling mercies today.

I have to give props to Pastor Joe David Bailey as he helped pour the concrete in seven houses yesterday.  He worked non-stop.  I guarantee you that no one had to rock him to sleep last night!  I am thinking that Wood, Bowling, Glenn, et cetera could not have stayed with JD yesterday!

Thank you for checking on us.  Thank you for your prayers.

Our Friday was good.  Our praise team led us in musical worship and then Dr. Tico Vargas brought us a word from the Word.  Great message on the second coming!

Our building efforts were good.  This team completely finished four houses, built two more that received concrete, and built five more that are ready for the concrete.  So, eleven houses were built in total.

House building continues today along with a block party in the afternoon.

Everyone is well.  Thanks for checking on us but most of all thanks for praying for us.

Our summer in Guatemala has come to an end!  It has flown by, and we are still trying to reflect on everything the Lord has done throughout the summer.  The last week was unique but I wanted to share a few photos and videos to recap some events.

A group from Tennessee helped us serve hot dogs at the El Tejar dump.  The people loved them and they were able to have seconds!  We were also able to give small food bags to each family.  Hopefully, this will be the beginning of building a relationship with the people.  There has only been one older lady to openly profess her Christian faith.  We are praying that they will all become followers of Christ

The mothers from the feeding center had me a surprise baby shower!   It was very thoughtful of them as they provided words of encouragement, played games, and ate crepes!   One game was “guessing” the correct measurement of my baby bump.  They all thought I was way bigger than I actually am!  It was a very humbling experience for me and Soy.

The children from the Feeding Center plus Lizzi and Sydney!

The kids enjoying their spaghetti lunch!

They made a pinanta for Haley Ray in order to celebrate her help at the Feeding Center.  She had very mixed feelings about it because they all took turns hitting the pinata and screaming “Hit Haley!”  LOL!

These are some short videos of the mothers expressing their gratitude.  Their gratitude is towards every person who has served, given financially, and prayed for the people of Guatemala.  Your burden for the lost and your desire to meet physical needs is not taken for granted.  They are truly grateful!

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Here is the link to Haley Ray’s blog.  She was such a blessing this summer.  I think it is definitely worth reading.

http://haleyraegarnett.blogspot.com/2014/07/have-you-learned-while-you-been-in.html

Everyone is present and accounted for after a day of traveling yesterday.  I was a late arrival so I have not met/seen everyone but do know that everyone else arrived safely.

Usual routine with our morning worship time and then a long day of work in Chirijuyu.  Rumor has it that Brian Ellis can/will work circles around Pastor Joe David Bailey.

Josh Schlehuber needs a hair cut!

Will post an update either late tonight or early tomorrow.

Thanks for checking on us.  Pray for us.