February, 2017

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GRACE II 2017 (2/9/17)

Thursday, February 9th, 2017

Thirty of the team members just headed down GRACE mountain heading for the Guatemala City airport.  Two others left late yesterday afternoon to spend some time in the northern part of Guatemala while four others have remained for a few days in Antigua.

The medical/dental folks were down in number yesterday but had a good day.  Since Laurie King is not here I do not have the final numbers.  I do know they had a good week all in all and we give God the glory.

The building team dedicated all twenty houses.  They saw one profession of faith in those dedications and had a sweet time with the pastor, elders and deacons of the local church.

Pastor Terry’s surgery that was scheduled for this morning has been delayed.  They need to do another procedure first.  Most likely, his surgeries, elbow & shoulder, will take place later today.  He certainly needs our prayer support!

Once again, thank you for praying for this team.  Let’s pray them safely home!  Blessings!

GRACE II 2017 (2/8/17)

Wednesday, February 8th, 2017

Pastor Terry Rainey had surgery on his knee yesterday.  I am told it went well.  Tomorrow, 2/9/17, he is scheduled to have surgery on his shoulder and also on his elbow.  Keep praying for Pastor Terry.

The medical team saw over two hundred patients yesterday.  They also did a food/clothes distribution.  It was a good day for them.

The construction team has been small in number this entire trip but they have been amazing.  All twenty houses are completely finished.  The major difference in this GRACE team and the first GRACE team can be summed up in two words – rocks and distance!  The first team was just as amazing but had very difficult building conditions and spent ten hours more on the road.  (Plus, the Paul on this team actually works!  Just saying!)

Today will see another medical clinic and house dedications.  Pray that these things go well.  Blessings!

GRACE II 2017 (2/7/17)

Tuesday, February 7th, 2017

The most pressing thing on the collective mind of this team is Pastor Terry Rainey and his condition.  Here is the latest as of 2:20AM on 2/7:  Pastor Terry was set for surgery all day yesterday.  The final word was that surgery would begin between midnight and 2:00AM today.  However, a couple of trauma emergencies bumped him from the list.  He had been NPO the entire time he has been in the Florida hospital.  So, they gave him something to eat and drink and immediately put him back as NPO.  The thought is that he will go into surgery at some point this morning.  He continues to have much pain so they are trying new medicines to hopefully control it.  Keep praying for Pastor Terry and know that I will not be able to update his situation until some time tonight.

The team had a really good Monday.  As a matter of fact, the medical/dental team and the building team both arrived back at the mission house around 7:15PM last night.  I do not know how many patients the medical/dental folks saw but do know they had a really good day.  I am very thankful for the medical folks on this trip.

The building team had a good day.  As it stands now, thirteen houses are completely finished.  Two others are ready for the concrete and one double wide just basically needs the roof metal and it will be ready.  The remaining three houses will be built today.  The building conditions have been favorable.  This building team has been small in number ranging from twelve to fifteen each day.  The houses are not situated close together as in literally miles apart in some situations.  So, each change of location requires a truck.

Both Laura & Kaley wanted me to announce their impending engagements!  I am happy to oblige!  So, now you know!  Save the date for December ’17 and June ’18.

Thank you for praying for this team.  Keep praying for Pastor Terry.  Thank you for checking on this team.  Blessings!

 

GRACE II 2017 (2/6/17)

Monday, February 6th, 2017

The Lord is good!  Pastor Terry Rainey left the hospital in Antigua via ambulance around 4:30PM yesterday afternoon and then left Guatemala City via a medical jet just before 7:00PM.  By midnight, he was in the hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  Laurie King traveled with him and will be there for a few days.  Pastor Terry’s daughter, Shannon, will fly from Greenville, SC to Ft. Lauderdale this morning.  Her Aunt Libby (Miss Cookie’s sister) will fly with her.  We do not know when the two surgeries will take place but are praying they will happen really quickly.

Let me say a word about the insurance company, International Medical Group.  On the initial call to the insurance company, we were connected to a lady who handles the request and then coordinates everything from if the patient is deemed in need of a medical jet, to where the patient will go, et cetera.  That lady’s name was Barb.  Folks, Barb and I became good friends through the night on Saturday and almost all day Sunday.  Could not have asked for a kinder, more caring person than Barb.  She was genuinely concerned about Pastor Terry and did the very best she could to get him back to the States.  I told her early yesterday morning that she got an “A+” from me just for her kindness and compassion.  Refreshing in today’s world!

Yes, Pastor Rainey was in a great pain the entire time especially with his knee.  He was very relieved to be heading to the hospital in the US.  Pray that the surgeries will take place quickly and then he can get back home to South Carolina.

Meanwhile, the team had a usual Sunday.  Tom Compagner led the morning devotional.  The team prayed for Pastor Terry.  They then enjoyed a nice day in Antigua and attended the church service.  At least one person was saved.  Some folks then enjoyed time with their sponsored child and the rest just spent great fellowship time at the mission house while sorting pills and getting ready for today’s medical.

So, the prayer is that today will be a day lived to the glory of God.  Pray for this team!

GRACE II 2017 (2/5/17)

Sunday, February 5th, 2017

Yesterday morning, the medical team left and drove maybe ten minutes from the mission house for a major (numerically) clinic.  Pastor Terry Rainey went with them and as he was attempting to cross the road on foot he was hit by a motorcycle.  He suffered a broken elbow and a broken leg (near his knee cap) on the left side.  He was transported to a hospital in Antigua where he remains now.  He is going to need surgery on his elbow and surgery on his leg.

We have always had insurance for situations like this with the understanding a person physically unable to fly on a commercial airliner would be transported back to the States on a medical jet.  Very surprised late yesterday afternoon when told that the only place they would fly him to was Costa Rica.  So, after prayer and requesting a different outcome, the insurance company has agreed that, if they do fly him via a medical jet, they will take him to Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  If Pastor Terry opts for this then it “should” take place at some point today (Sunday, 2/5).

The people who have helped in this situation have been numerous.  Laurie King faithfully sat beside Pastor Terry all day and deep into the night last night.  She was his security blanket.  Dr. John Nicely spent most of the day with Pastor Terry at the hospital and conferred with the doctors here as well as doctors in the States.  Dr. Clint Griffin viewed the x-rays and talked to the insurance company.  Tico Vargas spent much of the day at the hospital and has spent the night with Pastor Terry.  Jerry, a local pastor who is bi-lingual, spent hours at the hospital with Laurie to make sure nothing was lost in the translation.  John King drove to and from the hospital several times transporting folks.  Kirk Lightfield was always a phone call away assisting any way requested.  Pastor Ben Labriel was on stand by in the event he was needed.  I have probably missed someone but you get the idea that it was a team effort.

So, pray for Pastor Terry.  Pray that he can be transported to the States on a medical jet.  (He “could” refuse this option since it will only take him to Ft Lauderdale and not home). Pray for Pastor Terry’s daughter, Shannon, and his church family, Motlow Creek Baptist Church.

Updates will be posted once we know more or something takes place.  By the way, the doctors have determined that the surgeries could wait up to possibly one week which is why nothing was done surgery wise yesterday.

Thanks for praying!

GRACE II 2017 (2/4/17)

Saturday, February 4th, 2017

A really good first day for this team.  The medical team did not get back to the mission house until around 6:00PM.  I am told they had a rathe busy day but I got no numbers.  They went to the strawberry village and had a really nice set up.

The building team consisted of twelve persons and they had a good day.  Two houses were completely (as in ready for dedication) while three more are ready for the concrete.  The houses are located far apart which means traveling by vehicle each time.

Carla Mast and Pastor Terry Rainey started our day with great worship and time in the Word.

All is well.  Thanks for checking on this team.  Thanks for praying!

GRACE II 2017 (2/3/17)

Friday, February 3rd, 2017

The second GRACE Ministries team of 2017 has arrived safe and sound.  Everyone seems well and will soon gather for worship and the Word before heading out to do construction and medical.  Pray for this team and check back either late tonight or early tomorrow morning for an update.  Blessings!

GRACE I 2017 (2/2/17)

Thursday, February 2nd, 2017

The vast majority of the GRACE I 2017 team just left the mission house heading to the airport in Guatemala City.  Even though most of them do not fly out until 9:05AM the decision was made to try and beat the early morning traffic in the city which can come to a complete stop.

It has been a blessed mission trip.  Much has been accomplished.  Thousands of folks came through the medical clinic lines.  Twenty houses were construction.  An untold number of lives were impacted in a positive way which included the lives of the team members.  Friendships were made.  Friendships were renewed.  A servant’s heart was displayed many times over.  One guy lived in the GRACE garage!

So, thank you for checking on this team but most of all thank you for the prayers!  You were a vitally important part of this team because of those prayers regardless where you live.  God honored your prayers!

As the GRACE I team departs for home, many members of the GRACE II team are on their way to the airports to depart for Guatemala.  Pray for traveling mercies for all.  Blessings!

GRACE I 2017 (2/1/17)

Wednesday, February 1st, 2017

The team had a good Tuesday.  The medical folks tell me that their numbers were down a bit from the previous day but it was a good day.  I really appreciate the doctors, nurses, and other medical folks who give of their time and talents to serve the people of Guatemala.  What a blessing!

The building team has everything finished except for putting concrete in four houses and then finishing those houses.  They have worked extremely hard this trip as they have left each morning around 8:00AM and gotten back to the mission house around 8:00PM.  They have been very flexible and have not complained once.  Pretty amazing!

So, today will be the final medical clinic and the house dedications.  The dedications are always special.

Pray this team through this final day.  Thanks for checking on them.  All is well.  Blessings!