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
Each day I am more blessed with this TEAM. When you work with power tools, saw blades, drills, tin with exteremly sharp edges and climbing ladders while holding and using each, accidents are going to happen. Today they did. We had 2 misfortunes, but having Doctors on the trip sets us all at ease. Perhaps as TEAM LEADER I should have given more safety precations and instructions. Too little, too late, but here it goes: DO NOT GRAB A HOT PAN WHEN COOKING BACON. One of our TEAM MEMBERS burned his hand on breakfast duty. Some peple will do anything to get out of concrete duty (Jeff H).
All 20 houses have been build and cemented. One still needs a visit from the finishing crew. 4 have been dedicated. Wednesday morning the team will finish the one house and dedicate the remaining 16.
The Medical team has logged many miles, seen many patients, and experienced many blessings. Tomorrow morning they will continue their great work. If all goes well we will have a special treat for the afternoon. I’ll let you know how it goes. Stat tuned. Keep praying
Pastor Bob
MONDAY -DAY 5; A full, busy, tiring, blessed day. We began very early; breakfast at 5:30, Worship at 6:30, in the van and on the road at 7:30. The Medical team had a busy day seeing patients. The building crew is doing quite also. 18 homes are in some stage of construction, 9 of those ready for dedication. We hope to finish construction Tuesday as well as dedicate several of those. It is late – more tomorrow. Thanks for keeping us in prayer,
Pastor Bob
DAY 4 – SUNDAY After 2 hard work days it was nice to have a change of pace. This is ONE FANTASTIC GROUP. They deserved their day off. We began the day with Worship. God blessed us with some wornderful, gifted singers. Today KALYN TRENTHAM sang a solo; Chris Tomlin’s version of Amazing grace. It was amazing. The TEAM shared the Lord’s Supper in a deeply meaningful act of worship. From there we travelled into town to worship at a local church located at the Seminary. Following church worship we went to Antigua, then had a restful (?) evening. Jan Kapenga cotinues to do a great job cooking.
The day of rest is over…We have a FULL DAY MONDAY. We will leave the Mission house at 7:30 AM. The Medical team has a long drive and a full schedule of patients to see (as directed by Dr. Mark, not Mr. Mark).
The construction team will continue toward our goal of building 20 houses. We need to beging the day earlier than usual as we will distribute food and clothes to 100 families in the evening. I will let you know how the day goes. Stay tuned.
Pastor Bob
GREETINGS IN JESUS: I will try to make this a BLOG, rather than a NOVEL. The much anticipated, much prayed for GRACE TRIP to Guatemala is here. The logisitcs of getting everyone here has been a challenge, and a prayer matter. Glory to God things are working out.
THURSDAY:DAY ONE So for those who arrived with the group MUCH PRAYER went into clearing customs. And prayers were answered. We unpacked at the Mission House with a FANATSTIC TEAM. Following supper we had a ‘pill party’, bagging pills for the MED TEAM. Tired, but cooperative members bagged a gazillion pills.
FRIDAY; DAY TWO Worship was AWESOME. Regardless of what people say, Teddie can preach. Inspired by singing led by Carla and her band we headed out for a day’s work. Not many returning builders, but all learned quickly. We had 7 houses in some stage of construction by the end of the day; 3 already cemented. The Medical team reported a successful day with MUCHO patients (who said I don’t know Spanish?).
SATURDAY: DAY THREE: OUR WORSHIP IS SUCH AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE. The clouds obscure the volcano a bit, but still an incredible view as we sing praises to our God. I thougth a had spoken words to the heart – so inspiring (that Pastor Bob is really something), as I heard oozs and aahs and WOWS. Then I noticed they were looking around me. The clouds had broken; literally. WOW was the moment. The volcano shown clearly.
SUNDAY; DAY FOUR: It’s breakfast, so not much to report yet. We will share in worship and the Lord’s Supper as a TEAM, then head into town for worship at a local church. Post worship we will travel to Antigua. More later.
Pastor Bob
We had our first “straggler” wander in yesterday afternoon. He arrived safe and sound and helped get supper ready. Seven others are expected to arrive today.
Yesterday was a good day. The medical team went to Alotenango and saw 320 or so patients. I heard Rhonda say that they filled over 900 scripts. Dr. Mark, Dr. John, and Nana Laurie told me that there was a steady stream of folks all day so it kept them busy until time to leave.
The building team went to Santa Cruz Balanya where they split into three teams. Six and one half houses were built with three receiving concrete. The folks receiving these houses are very poor!
Today the medical team goes toward the coast (La Trinidad) while the building team goes back to SCB.
Everyone is doing well. This team has some hilarious characters on it! Great attitudes! Thanks for checking on us and thanks for the prayer support! Blessings!
Our first GRACE team of 2013 arrived safe and sound yesterday but not fully intact. Three of the team members had to delay their coming with one of those scheduled to arrive today and two others scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Five others were originally scheduled to arrive tomorrow so after those eight arrive this team will be at full strength.
Almost everything went through Guatemala customs unscathed yesterday. Only one person had to pay any taxes but he is a shady looking character so that came as no surprise. It was thought that Rhonda Clark would get taxed but she just “played” dumb and just waltzed right through. The MI team did not even get checked. We thank God for all He did in getting this team here safely and with all ministry supplies in hand. God is good!
Pastor Bob Harvey is “leading” this team. He is doing a good job ! (Wink, wink!) His brother Mike from Missouri is on this team and it is nice to finally meet a “normal” Harvey!
The building team heads west while the medical team heads east today. Update coming tonight or tomorrow morning. The internet service has been spotty so please bear with us. Plus, remember who is leading this team!
Thanks for checking on us. Pray often for us! Blessings!
It is a little after 3:30AM and I just watched two vans head down the hill bound for the airport. Our departure actually began yesterday as the Duimstra family headed home. Actually, we gave Cindy the proverbial “third strike” before dismissing her from the team. Her family was innocent but guilty by association. They arrived home safely last night.
Gail Pugh and Linda Redder were supposed to update the blog the past two days and they failed miserably. Here is a quick recap – the house dedications were a real blessing. The folks in the village celebrated receiving their new houses like no other village I have ever seen. What a great day!
VBS ended with a bang too. Mark and crew saw hundreds upon hundreds of children. Many decisions were made and many seeds were sown.
The construction teams built 25 houses and cemented 26? (That will give you something to think about!)
The medical team had a slower than expected day on Friday but met some important needs.
The third wave of us leave at 9:00AM today. Mark and the Canadians will remain here until Wednesday and will be doing ministry plus a little down time.
I apologize for the past two days of no posting but I know the team members have been keeping in contact via the phone and electronic means.
Thanks for checking on us. Pray for us as we travel today.
For once on this trip I am posting an entry before our friends in Michigan, Canada, and Alabama go to bed. It is 6:30PM here and our day is not complete yet – I will explain in a few minutes.
Yesterday, I failed to mention one of the most important things that has been taking place this week. Mark & Rachel Mast along with David Vargas, Lazaro Suruy, and others have been hosting dual Bible schools each day. Yesterday, they had approximately 600 children attend. You have to understand that these Bible schools are being held outside with one taking place on a dirt soccer field. Translated that means the children are basically standing up the entire time. Mark told me it was the most primitive location in which he has ever held a Bible school and he has held a bunch. (I think Abraham’s son, Issac, was in one of Mark’s earliest schools) I have talked to Mark today as they are not back from the village yet. I do know there have been a number of salvation decisions but I do not have an exact figure.
Our teams built 4 5/8 more houses today which brings the total to 24 5/8. (It is my understanding they were really flexible today) I think 20 of those are complete, 4 others need the fronts put on, and the other one needs to be finished and then have the cement placed in it.
I have not gotten a report from our medical team yet. Someone told me that Skeeter got into some fire ants today so they may have one more patient tonight.
The team is in the village where we have built 20 houses doing a clothes/food distribution tonight. They were supposed to start at 4:30PM and it is about a one and half hour drive each way. I expect them back around 7:30PM or so.
We have had some wonderful worship/Word times in the mornings. This morning was no different as Tom Compagner shared a personal testimony. Tom is a great friend so I am biased but it was a strong word. The Band Mast continues to do a great job of leading our musical worship.
Emily E. is a machine when it comes to cement work. Heather O. leads a mean cement crew too. Rebecca Barker is not going to work as long as there are children within three miles! Jon D. is a slacker! Jasmin K. is getting married or something like that! (Problem is that the guy does not know it yet!) Peggy K. knows how to lose tools!
Miracle alert – Tico Vargas actually worked with the team today! (I did not actually see it but I am told he worked)
Thanks for checking on us – it is appreciated. Pray for us.