Grace Missions Blog

Today was “travel day” for the team with folks flying from Mobile and Grand Rapids.  I am posting this around 10:15PM Guatemala and we are waiting for the Michiganders plus one to arrive as they had the late flight.  They have landed and are in the rental vans headed west!  The Michiganders arrived at the mission house around 11:00PM.  No one has seen Lamar!  We will look for him tomorrow!

The rest of the team arrived in Chimaltenango safe and sound around 2:30PM or so.  They were delayed at the Guatemala City airport because of bacon!  All is well that ends well!  The afternoon was spent getting everything ready for tomorrow.

We get to go help another ministry with the construction of four houses first thing tomorrow.  After that, we will head to a village that has never been visited by GRACE Ministries before so that is exciting.

Pray for us and check this blog daily for updates.  If the internet is up and running then we will be posting updates.  Thanks!

Mixed emotions filled our hearts, as we gathered on the upper floor of the mission house, for our last morning meeting, and what a meeting it was!   The devotional was brought by Bro. Travis Northcutt from Habakkuk 1:5, and he put into words those mixed emotions mentioned above, and God used him to cause us to pin them down and understand their meaning, not only in our lives, but in the lives of the people we have touched here.   Our understanding of what God has done in bringing us here was expanded, and we were challenged to carry the burden God has given us for these precious people home with us.  We were challenged to pray, give, and act upon this burden.

A burdened, but joyful-hearted group left to dedicate the fifteen homes built this week.  This experience is like  no other down here, so they were looking forward to it.

Yesterday’s activities were red-letter memory makers.  The group who went to the volcano were awed by a piece of God’s creation they had not seen before.  Some toured the Seminary, and were delighted to meet Tico.  We all loaded up and went to a church in a village to disperse food and clothing.  Bro. John gave us a brief history of  how God built this church in five days.  In preparation for our visit, when John commissioned the Pastor to first find the widows in the village, he visited from door to door, and found 50 of all ages in life, many with young children.  These were given tickets to admit them to the church to receive needed food and clothing.  In all, 80 families came through, tagging family members, totaling well over 200 folks served.  After we had cleared out everything, we sang with the pastor and his family and some of the members–they in Spanish and us in English.  Then Bro. Jerry prayed for the pastor, his burden for the people, and the church.  It was a holy time!

Supper was pizza, so Miss Sharon and Miss Kittie had concentrated on a batch of cookies that turned out to be flat disks (Miss Sharon had changed her recipe slightly), but they must have been good because they disappeared without leaving a crumb.  Sharon also fixed a batch of spaghetti to round out our supper.

Going back to this morning,we were given explicit directions as we shut down our week at the mission house, and leave it in good shape to receive Bro. Teddie’s group on Thursday afternoon.   3:00AM is our good-bye to the mission house time, as we head to the airport and home.  Pray for us.

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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!