As I write this entry, it is 5:35AM on Friday morning. Both the Grand Rapids and the Mobile teams made it to their respective airports last night without a glitch. We thank God for another great day of travel as their were no delays or problems. That was true going and coming so I have to give Delta credit for a job well done on this trip.
The final report shows that we built and dedicated fifteen houses, hosted a three day VBS at Rios de Agua Viva, made major strides (electrical & tile) in getting the parsonage at RAV ready for Pastor Walter and his family to move in, had some quality visits with Amor del Nino to open the door for a partnership with a Christian school in Michigan, did some work at GMO (Bernard Cohen) in Panimaquin, distributed food & clothes to one hundred families, continued to build our relationship with the boys from Vencedores (Casa Aleluya) as well as the one with President Tico Vargas from the seminary, and had great fellowship among our team members. Of course we also saw the engagement of Kira Ellens & Daryn Kuipers which was a first for any of our GRACE teams. Who knows? This could be trend setting – can you say Jwayne & Lindsey? By the way, we also planned the December ’07 wedding of Jennifer Wetterer & Jordon Zirlott – it is going to be awesome with a chimney, reindeer, bridesmaids in gift boxes, etc – it is going to be awesome and you are invited!
Derrick & Jodie Wilkerson are literally days away (8/19) from coming home after their eighteen months as our interim resident missionaries. I have seen a growth in their lives and thank them for another good week of ministry as they were a big help to this team. Pray for Derrick & Jodie as he resumes/completes his seminary studies in New Orleans over these next nine months and as they reapply with the IMB of the SBC for appointment as international missionaries.
Thank you for your prayers. Thank you to those who gave financially to make the ministry portion of this trip possible. Thank you for helping us take the Gospel to the precious people of Guatemala. Pray that we will be faithful to share that same Gospel with our family, neighbors, co-workers, and friends as we work in and through our respective church families. God is good and we give Him the glory for all He did these past eight days through the GRACE ’07 IV trip.