Grace Missions Blog

Wow! We had a wonderful day today. We went to build houses again and to finish some of the others that were ready after the concrete had been done. Jodi Wilkerson, Jody Odom, Nathan Armstrong, and Tena Hovel worked on concrete all morning finishing three. Craig & Sherry Walker, John Bass, Jessica Bass, Adam Gully, Emily Hughes, & Ryan King challenged the others, saying they could build two houses and all the others would only have to build one. They definitely did a great job (although I know others helped) so they rightly deserve their dues. They finished everything up to the concrete stage and making one door and window.

The team I was on built a house for a very nice young couple with four children. I enjoyed having some fun with them, clowning around and acting like a “goofy gringo”. I was extremely please as no one on that team was an experienced builder; yet, I felt like the house was one of the best that I ever saw built. It was actually level too! Half of the team were from Canada so it was interesting to work with them and “interpret” what they were saying and I know they were having fun laughing at us with our “southern slang”. Of course, everyone was making fun of me (a Yankee grafted into the South) and my words like “roof”, and “root”. I still don’t know why…I can’t help it if everyone else say their words wrong!

Our goal was to finish building the framework of the last three houses by noon and to do the concrete in three others but it was more like 1:30 p.m. before we quit. (We might have made it had we not stopped on the way for a Magnum Bar graciously purchased by one of our group members.) Sooo good! Anyhow, we left the worksites and went to the Maxi Bodega and everyone had their choice of lunch. From there, we went back to the mission house and prepared food and clothes for distribution. We left at about 3:30 p.m. going up, up, up to a town called Comolapa. They had a beautiful church building (being renovated) with some of the best artistry on the walls I’ve ever seen in Guatemala. The main doors were beautifully hand carved. We fed 100 families (thanks to those who donated to GRACE ministries) and passed out clothing, toys, and candy to the less fortunate. It was again a very moving experience with many tears being shed afterwards. The ladies of the church made little handmade table napkins, gave a can of coke, a package of crackers, and many hugs and kisses to our folks for giving so generously.

Tonight is pizza night and we were running late getting back to the mission house to pay the pizza ticket. Derrick suggested that he and I take off and hurry to the mission house to pay the bill. After thinking about Derrick’s driving, my car sickness, and the word “hurry”, I felt lead to give him the money and let him “hurry” back on his own! We all made it back safely and had a great time of pizza.

I tried to get on the internet and do today’s blog, but was unsuccessful. What you are reading is an entry made on Friday with the hopes of placing it on the website when it comes back up. It was a very good day.

I forgot to mention that Ryan King, assistant youth minister, from MRBC shared a devotion this morning. I really appreciate Ryan for assisting us in our music as well as all the others from MRBC and the great spirit in which they have conducted themselves this week. They have added so much to the success of this week’s ministry.

We were very saddened to here that Christine Leasure, a dear and faithful church member, passed away.  Our love and prayers to Bro. Jack and family.

Bro. Jerry

Today was a great day in the Lord.  It is amazing that the Lord allows us to take part in His awesome commission and uses His ordinary people to reach the lost. 

We started off the day by worshiping Him in music and in the Word lead by part of the MRBC praise band and Craig Walker.  We then headed to the colonials Valle del Sol and Los Pinadas.  While their the Lord allowed us to minister to a few more families by building 5 more houses.  The total is now 7 houses completely finished, 2 with cement, 3 waiting on cement, and 3 more to start tomorrow.  

While building a window, Suellen thought that one of her fingers was a screw, so she decided to put a hole in her finger with the drill gun.  However, we had a few nurses take good care of her, and she is doing fine.  It only went to the bone!

At the day’s end, we hosted Max Lara and family for supper.  After supper, we had another devotion which was lead by Pastor Gordon Armstrong from Canada.  He challenged us to express the love of Christ to the Guatemalan people by showing our love for each other.  Please pray that we will obey this commandment given by Christ throughout this week.

The question has been asked:  Why do all the poor people live on the top of the mountain?  Answer:  Land must be cheaper above the pearly gates!

Today was a great day!  We started out with a great breakfast cooked by Louise Morris and Sharon Jardee and then a wonderful devotion lead by Terry Stephan from Dauphin Way Baptist Church, Mobile Alabama.  We have nearly completed 6 houses and are in the process of starting another.  The rains did not come today and much was accomplished for which we are thankful.  We had opportunity to ask several Guatemalans about Jesus Christ in their hearts.  Several declared a positive yes!  We played with the children and we had a wonderful time fellowshipping as we built.  We ended the day with a delicious meal and hosted John and Laurie King and their grandson, Nick, as well as Samuel, Juan Marcos and a friend for supper.  

On a side note:   Larry Blackwell did enjoy a glass of tea after potatoes were mysteriously dropped into his glass!  It was a surprise to say the least!  The games have begun with Tena, my wife.  This year it seems like ALL the ladies have squirt guns.  I’ve been wounded several times already!  We are blessed this week with several “jokesters” including one from Canada, Bro. Don Ricci.

    We arrived at the airport around 4:15AM. and had to wait for the gate to be opened.  Then we stood in line at the desk for what seemed to be over an hour before anyone showed up to help us. Finally, this very nice lady came along and helped us get checked in.  We then proceeded to the gate and the plane was delayed due to regulations about pilots not flying for at least 8 hours after their last plane trip.  Apparently, the weather the night before caused major backups and the pilots did not get to land until late Sunday thus causing them to be late for our flight.  This caused a chain reaction and we missed our next flight in Houston scheduled to leave at 9:40AM.  The airlines was very gracious and quick to give us lunch and supper vouchers but the drawback was a delay of about 9 hours before we could get on the next flight at 7:10PM. The time arrived and they were overbooked!  It was time to get out the big guns of prayer and fortunately we were able to get on the plane.  Every seat was taken and, you guessed it, I got the window seat!  I felt like a sardine in a packed can.  It didn’t matter as I was so glad to be on our way.  Oh, I didn’t tell you that our luggage was unloaded from the plane in Mobile as it had too much weight on it.  We were very unsure when we would see it again.  Our real concern was the perishable food items we had packed in the luggage for our meals.

The real regret was that one of our dear brothers, Willie Johnson, who was somewhat drafted into flying out of Gulfport to accomodate a ticket change also had problems with connections.   Knowing that he would most likely miss his connection in Houston as well, he choose to return home.  I totally respect his decision but feel deeply saddened knowing how much we will miss him on this trip!  Who will I give a live chicken in a pot to this year?  Thank you Willie for all your help and sacrifice.  I have depended upon you heavily in the past on each mission trip and will certainly feel the loss this year, but then I trust we will be able to do it again as soon as possible.  Again, thanks so much!

Supper time —Pizza Party!!! 

We finally arrived at the airport about 9:15PM. Guatemala time and arrived and into bed about midnight.  It was a long day but we also had our blessings during the day meeting some very interesting people traveling the world.

Thursday night and all is well.  On Monday I spent the day mixing, pouring and finishing concrete.  Hard work to say the least.  Someone asked me that evening if I enjoyed concrete work.  I replied, “Of course not…I can think of about 100 different things I’d rather do that finish concrete.”  But here’s the point…pouring concrete is just a small part of a bigger picture.  I don’t necessarily like some of the work but I sure do enjoy seeing a family moving into a new dwelling.  I think about it like this…. I cannot imagine eating a handful of dry flour…or a handful of butter…or a handful of all the stuff that you put in a bowl to make biscuits…But when you mix all that together, cut them into small circles and put them in the oven for a while…the end result is delicious.  All the work that goes in to coming to another country for a week…leaving your family, doing work you’re not used to, sleeping in a bunk bed, sharing a bathroom, sleeping in the room with people who snore louder than the fan we brought to drown them out, none of that is really thrilling.  But the end result is more than fulfilling.  So, I am happy to have been a part of a wonderful week.  I will be back.  mm