Grace Missions Blog

I know, I know, there was no post on Monday night, Tuesday, or yesterday!  Happy Thanksgiving!  Monday night was wild as we hosted a large number of guests and then had a team meeting very late.  Tuesday was a day full of traveling, and yesterday saw me trying to get out of town with my family for the Thanksgiving weekend.  I apologize for the tardiness of this post! 

Monday saw us dedicate all fifteen houses that were built during GRACE ’08 VI.  Actually, our team members poured cement in two of the houses on Monday before putting the final side on them plus they put the final side on one other. 

Monday also saw a team go back to Casa Aleluya to finish laying the tile in the gringo dorm.  So, they finished the entire dorm (the bathrooms had been done previously) in three days plus a few hours one other day – amazing! 

Monday late afternoon saw us go past Panimaquin to a village where we distributed food & clothes to one hundred families.  That was a neat experience.  We were joined by a mother & daughter from another country (Mississippi) and a young lady from Georgia.  Long story but suffice it to say that the mother was a relative of Rita Vice – need I say more? 

Tuesday saw the Americans leave in two waves – one at 4:00AM and the other at 9:30AM.  The early folks entered the States through Houston while the later group went through Atlanta.  Everyone arrived home safely – praise the Lord.

Tuesday also saw the Canadians stay in Guatemala to climb a volcano (Picaya), minister in Palabra Viva Church, and take a tour of the mountain with Paul Leytham.  They left yesterday morning on the early flight through Houston and I assume they arrived home safely. 

So, this team actually probably completed more work than any team I have ever led personally.  That is pretty incredible when one considers that I had so few bubbas/bubbaettes to help me!  They built 15 houses, laid around 2,000 square feet of tile at Casa Aleluya, laid 300 square feet of tile in the seminary’s main office, painted the inside of one of the seminary’s houses, installed a drop ceiling in that same house, made a new set of curtains for the main office in the seminary, painted the entire outside wall at Panimaquin, grouted tile in the medical clinic in Panimaquin, did some other painting at Panimaquin, hosted three days of VBS, did one night of village ministry, painted the iron work on the mission house’s patio, and hosted our first ever block party – awesome!  (I may even be leaving something out!)

We had a great week and we give God the glory for all He did!  Plans call for our next Thanksgiving trip to take place November 17 – 24, 2009.  Contact me if you are interested in joining us! 

Thanks for praying and thanks for keeping up with our adventures.  God is good! 

Hello Everyone, this is Stephanie from Canada updating you for the past two days. Yesterday was a work day but everyone had choices as to where they wanted to go. Some went to the seminary to lay tile, some to Panimaquin, some to Casa Aleluya , and some back to the village we have been working in. A van full also went and did Bible school in Chimaltenango in the morning and another Bible school by the mission house in the afternoon. 

As of today there are 12 houses completed, 2 that need cement and 3 that need finishing touches. The tiling at the seminary and Casa Aleluya is just about completed. A HUGE thanks to those who stayed late at the Seminary on Saturday evening to complete the work there. The group that went out after supper got back to the mission house at 11:30 p.m! Both of the Bible schools were very successful and many kids came out. Everyone who helped is now an experienced CD fish maker, along with the other crafts that have been made throughout the week.

I was one of the people who went to Panamquin so I can tell you a little more about it. Panamaquin is a small mission outpost way up in the mountains. A fearless group of women white washed the outside walls and painted the front side of the buildings. Another group grouted the tiles in a new classroom. Then, I guess there was Mark who did a little of everything!

We ate a bag lunch at noon, sharing with 4 of the neighbourhood (thats how the Canadian’s spell it, eh!) dogs and then we played soccer with the kids.

 We left there at 3 pm and joined the group doing Bible school at Cristy Leytham’s church near the mission house. There were many children and adults in attendance.

Today (Sunday) was a very good day. We all got to sleep in and had a good devotion by Mark. He shared about how we need to listen to God and what He is telling us. We attended Agua de Viva church this morning. All the Americans/Canadians sang two songs for the congregation and then Teddie shared a message. He also spoke about how we need to listen to God when He is telling us about salvation. We then need to go out a share the good news of Jesus with the world.  We were very welcomed there.

After church we drove to Antigua and enjoyed a delicious meal at the Las Antorchas resturant. After lunch the group split up and explored the markets throughout Antigua, bartering with the locals for gifts and souveniers. What an experience it was!

When we arrived back at the mission house, we saw Fugeo (the volcano) erupting with huge plumes of billowing white steam and smoke. It was a breath-taking view! The evening has been free for everyone to visit, play games and write Thank You notes that Teddie assigned to us.

It has been a marvelous day in Guatemala.  Oh, before I get too far with this blog, reader be advised that this is not Pastor Teddie…  I am Mark Mast, participant with the Grace Ministries Team, November 2008.  I hail from Canada and am blessed to have 12 fellow Canadians accompanying me, eh?  We are all having an absolutely wonderful time and would like to thank Pastor Teddie and all the people of Friendship for this awesome opportunity.

Getting back to today…  It started bright and early with a devotional from Pastor Teddie.  Miriam and Kelsey led in worship.  We couldn’t sing “off the wall” (powerpoint) because te power went off at 6:55am and didn’t come back on until after we had left to build houses.

We got a late start because of a l-o-n-g message by Pastor Teddie.  It’s a miracle we even had time to build houses after sitting through that marathon message… until well after 8:00am… Pastor Teddie shared from Colossians 3… “put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience… LOVE!”  I’m sure it was because of all the virtues that we were challeneged to “put on” that we were thus able to work together as a team so well today!

We went to the village (Aloga Tunino) to build houses again for a second time.  We had three crews building homes and another crew doing cement work.  All three building crews each had a house built by noon, and after lunch began working on another.

At 2:00pm, we invited the villagers to join us for a “block party”.  I wish that y’all could have been there…  Did you pick up on that “southern talk”?  The bubbas and bubbettes are rubbing off on all of us Yankees and Canooks (Canadians)…  Getting back to the block party.  It was one of the most wonderful times of my life!  Many people came out (mostly children with their mothers) and enjoyed eating cotton candy, bouncng in an inflatable jumping gym, getting their face painted and receiving lots of toys and candy.  The highlight was having Pastor Max share the Gospel and seeing a number of people come forward to receive Jesus Chrst as their Lord and Saviour!  We were all soooooo blessed to be a part of what God is doing in a tiny village tucked up in the beatiful mountains of Guatemala.  I personally cannot recall seeing bigger SMILES than the ones I saw on the faces of the children when we began blowing up the inflatable gym!!  These children had NEVER seen anything like it before.  When the first children went inside, they had to be taught what to do!!  They thought they had to slide around on thier belly!!  I began to jump up and down and encouraged them to do the same.  You really had to be there to appreciate it, but suffice to say, EVERYONE had a fantastic time!  “Gloria Dios!!”  (“To God be the glory!!”)

This evening we enjoyed a scrumptious supper of ham, beans and noodles.  Dessert was HOMEMADE PIES…  Wow…  I can’t beleive I ate the whole thing.

Many of us are now visiting and playing games.  It has been a blessed day and we are especailly thankful for  each of you who are praying.  God is doing beautiful things in Guatemala!!

Our third day was the best day of the trip thus far as God blessed our efforts.  We sent one team to Casa Aleluya to lay tile in the gringo dorm, one team to do a VBS in Chimaltenango, one team to the seminary to paint, remodel the office area, et cetera, one team to take care of some projects around the mission house, and we hosted the boys from Vencedores. 

The VBS team had 70 children present and our folks were very pleased with how it went.  They will go back tomorrow and Monday. 

The seminary team did a great job as they painted the inside of one house plus adding a drop ceiling in the same house.  They also destroyed the office area getting it ready for a make over. 

The CA team actually worked until 10:00PM as they have now finished the two of the three bedrooms in the gringo dorm.  I don’t know if they are that committed or just slow workers? 

The boys from Vencedores played soccer at the seminary, explored every square inch of this mountain, devoured a ton of pizza and cookies, and had a great time.  I appreciate our team members being so kind to them!  

Today, we go back to the village to build houses and then we are doing something brand new for GRACE Ministries.  We will join with Mike & Carla Parker (Casa Aleluya) with Clubhouse Ministries of Guatemala to host a block party in the village where we are building houses.  I think it is going to be an awesome time.  Pray as this will be an evangelistic event too! 

Thanks for taking the time to read this entry.  I hope you have a great day! 

The Lord has placed a great group of folks on this team!  As it is written about the folks helping Nehemiah rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, these folks have a mind to work!  Wednesday saw us build ten (10) houses with four of those completely finished!  That is pretty impressive when you consider that we didn’t get to the village until around 10:00AM. 

We are doing ministry in Tuneno (I think that is the correct spelling) and it is a very poor village.  It is also a very “steep” village and we had some challenges getting to the work sites but it was all good! 

Miriam Mast, Kelsey Quibell, & Erin Olsen did a great job of leading us in worship yesterday morning.  The ladies who stayed and cooked did an awesome job as supper was great! 

We are going a bunch of different directions today.  Pray for us! 

Even though seventeen of us arrived yesterday, today is the “official” first day of our final GRACE ’08 mission trip.  The remaining twenty-five folks arrived safe and sound today arriving at the mission house around 3:00PM.  Some of the Michigan folks were delayed getting to the Detroit airport due to snow but they all made it safely – praise the Lord! 

Mark Mast and the Canadians went to The Potter’s House today and had a good day of ministry.  (I am not sure if they saw T.D. or not)  They also stopped by Amor del Nino to visit with Steve & Shyrel.

The other four of us went to Casa Aleluya this morning and began laying the tile in the building simply known as the gringo dorm.  It was a good start to what we hope will be a successful project on this trip. 

Our prayers and sympathy go to Mike Geerlings and his family as Mike’s mother passed away last night.  Obviously, Mike was not able to make this trip because his mother was so low physically.  Please keep the Geerlings family in your prayers. 

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the house building.  Our goal is fifteen houses.  Pray that we will have a good day. 

What a day of traveling!  As far as I know at this point, the Yankees arrived home safely (I know they had gotten to Detroit and were driving home) and Davy Bosarge made it safely home through New Orleans.  Glory to God!

The team members on Delta had a slight problem in Atlanta – they cancelled our flight from ATL to Gulfport.  So, Delta gave meal vouchers and a hotel room to each passenger.  However, seven of us made the decision to rent a car and drive arriving home at 1:45AM today.  The remaining fifteen team members will arrive on two different flights with the latest flight scheduled to arrive in GPT around 10:00AM.  Glory to God! 

We serve an awesome God and we thank Him for all He did in our lives this past week even with the flight problems.  God knows!   

It is a little before 3:00AM and the Michigan crew plus Davy Bosarge are about to leave for the airport.  It will be a long day for the Michiganders as they have an extended layover in Houston. 

Yesterday was a very good day.  The folks who hiked (actually the rode horses) Picaya had an awesome time.  Doug Wiltjer stayed behind and washed vehicles – what a great servant’s heart!  The others came home and helped finish washing the vans, mowing the lawn, et cetera.  We had a good share time last night which was a good way to finish the week. 

Pray for us as we travel today.  The Alabama team will leave here at 8:30AM and is scheduled to arrive in Gulfport at 9:45PM.  Thank you for your continued prayer support. 

Good afternoon from Pollo Campero.  We have had internet connection issues since late yesterday afternoon.  Our friend, Kirk Lightfield, is diligently working to correct the problem but to no avail up to this point. 

Yesterday was another good day as noon saw us completely finished with all fifteen houses – dedications and all.  A group then headed to Casa Aleluya while the rest of the team went to the seminary to replace a roof that had been blown off by a storm and to paint. 

We hosted Jack & Carolyn Ciak’s dorm for pizza.  It was different as we were without electricity for about three or four hours.  Pizza by candlelight – so romantic!  The girls were great even though one was dressed in an Auburn outfit thanks to Kim French – how disgusting! 

Today, almost the entire group is hiking Picaya.  I must be getting soft in my old age!  Actually, this team has worked really hard and really fast.  Also, it is raining here today so any outside work would have been hindered.  When the others return, we will wash vehicles and get ready to head home. 

Chris has done a good job of uploading the pictures and I appreciate his efforts.  Check them out via the gallery section on this site. 

Pray for us as we leave in two waves tomorrow – the Yankees leave early and the Bama folks a bit later but both groups get home really late.  I appreciate you taking the time to read these entries.