Grace Missions Blog

Yesterday, 6/14, was a good day of worship and rest although it was a very full day.  We had our morning praise and worship time and then Jordan Lollar brought us the word from the Word.  He, along with his wife, Lana, Rachel Baines and Jimmy Thomas have done a really nice job of leading our musical worship each day.  I am grateful.

We had about fifteen folks to leave early heading to the zip lines near Antigua.  Everyone else, minus me, hit Antigua to shop and just look around.  I had the privilege of preaching at our daughter church that meets on the campus of the seminary.  We all then met up in Antigua for our normal lunch at Las Antorchas.

We then headed back to the mission house, changed clothes and headed down the hill for the church service at our other daughter church – GRACE Community Church.  They meet in the feeding center.  Jordan and the Jets led our musical worship in English and Pastor Keith preached the Word.  As usual, he did a very nice job.  We then observed the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper which was the first time for this young body of believers to do so.  Good service.

Our folks were then blessed to be able to feed the others in attendance.  They enjoyed a meal of tamales which is a favorite dish here.

Our evening was spent in a time of fellowship and getting the clothes ready for tonight’s distribution.  Jennifer Glasgow has led that effort and has done great.

Plans call for today to be a long one.  Pray for us.  Thank you for checking on us.  Blessings!

FWIW – I am told that Coach Collier is a terrible shopper!  Just saying!

Today, 6/13, was a very blessed day.  We left the mission house at 7:00AM in anticipation of another wet day and because we needed to leave the work site by 1:00PM in order to get ready for a block party.  The Lord showed us favor as we had a beautiful weather day and were able to work until 1:00PM.  We now have fourteen houses up with three of them only needing a roof before being ready to receive the concrete.  Nine have the concrete already as six were concreted today.

The greatest obstacle we have faced has been mud – lots of mud.  We could not put concrete in some houses simply because they were too muddy.  The tops are on now so they will be able to dry out by Monday.

Mike Parker and one of his staff members came to the school in El Tejar to host a block party for us.  It was a really great time with literally hundreds of children enjoying games, a bounce house, cotton candy, sno cones and lots of candy.

We had our devotion tonight with Jeff Holifield bringing us a word from the Word.  He did a nice job.

Everyone is doing great.  Attitudes are excellent!  Thanks for praying!  Blessings!

A team of thirty nine folks (37 from Alabama and 2 from Mississippi) arrived in Guatemala on Thursday, 6/11.  They came in three different waves – 11:00AM; 12:00PM and 9:00PM.  Everyone arrived safely and for that we are most grateful.

So, today, 6/12, was really our first day of being together as a team.  Dr. Mike & Miss Dottie Clark came to our morning worship time and Dr. Mike brought us a good word from the Word.  It is always so great to have them join us and his messages are always spot on!

All but five of the team then headed West to build houses.  The first morning always means leaving later than normal so we did not actually get to the work site until around 11:00AM.  We were greeted by rain shortly thereafter and it stayed with us the rest of the day.  In spite of that, we were able to get six houses built with three of those receiving the concrete.  Three more were built up to the point of only needing the top to be finished.  We came back to the mission house very wet and muddy but with excellent attitudes.  God is good!

The five ladies who stayed at the mission house actually spent the day at the feeding center.  They thoroughly enjoyed the children.

Tomorrow will be more of the same for us.  Thanks for praying for us and for checking on us.  Blessings!

This trip ended with a really great day!  Believe it or not, we did not have our devotional until 9:00AM.  Once again, Dr. Michael did extremely well in sharing the Word!  We then put the chairs in a circle and had our share time – good stuff!

It was then down the hill at 11:30ish for a time of interaction with the children in the ministry/feeding center.  What a great time was had by everyone!  The children sang, did skits, and gave lots and lots of hugs!  Special time!

We also gathered on the site for the proposed medical center and prayed God’s blessing on it.  Special time!

It was then off to the village to dedicate the twenty houses.  The biggest news of that happening was the salvation of a young man by the name of Wilson.  Dean Kapenga and Rich Strabbing were the ones instrumental in leading him to Jesus.  Hallelujah!

We then capped the day with a great time of food and fellowship at Rincon Suizo.  Good time!

One person leaves the mission house in the morning at 3:30AM, twenty five others leave at 4:30AM, and ten more leave at 8:15AM.   Pray for traveling mercies!

This has been a really great team.  Excellent attitudes, great work ethic, and just a fun group.  I appreciate you praying for us and for keeping up with us via this blog.  Blessings!

A really strong day!  The medical team had a good day.  I do not know the numbers but was told by several that the flow of patients was steady all day.  They also did a food distribution at the end of the day.  This was the final day of medical and it went well.  Special thanks to Laurie King for organizing everything.  She does very good!

The building team of twenty folks had an amazing day.  I had fully expected we would stay out until dark and did not know if we would be finished with all twenty houses by the end of the day.  We completed all twenty houses and drove away from the village at 4:15PM.  We do all of our concrete work which adds to the time needed to finish a house.  Amazing!  Roger, Dean, Tom & Freddie did great in their respective leadership roles today.  Everyone worked hard and efficient.  To God be the glory!

A restful evening of eating and fellowship was had by all.  All is well here.  Thanks for checking on us and praying for us.  Blessings!

This entry is late.  My apologies.  Dave Scholz was supposed to write an entry last night and he neglected to do so.

At any rate, Monday was another good day for this team.  The medical drove to the Coast again and had some really good ministry opportunities.  I do not know the numbers but I do know they stayed pretty busy.

The building team actually increased to eighteen team members.  They were able to build six more houses (only lack a couple of small things on two).  This team has been small in number, has encountered some of the hardest ground we have ever seen in Guatemala and the houses are spread out from El Salvador to Honduras which takes time to unload, load, move, et cetera.  However, their attitudes have been nothing short of amazing!

The building team left the work sites early yesterday in order to do a food distribution in El Durazno.  That was a special time.

Everyone is well.  Thanks for praying!  Blessings!

Good Sunday!  The team left at 7:15AM heading to a local water park in order to take part in a worship service which would include the baptism of eight people.  We sang, Michael Mason preached, and then Pastor Lazaro and I baptized the eight people in a pretty cold swimming pool.  Good two hours or so of worship and the Word.

It was then off to Antigua for lunch at Las Antorchas and then shopping.  Upon the return to the mission house, a good number of the team members walked the property.

We had another worship service at 6:00PM.  Great singing and another good word from the Word by Michael Mason.  Another good hour plus of worship.

Supper followed around 7:15PM and then it was simply fellowship time.  I was involved in a meeting thus the lateness of this entry.

Folks are wondering about the eruption of the volcano and the affect on our team.  Other than the detour by the medical team on Saturday night and seeing cars with ashes on them today in Antigua, we have not been affected.

Thank you for praying for us.  We are well.  God is good!  Blessings!

Our Saturday began with the devotion time.  Team pastor, Michael Mason, brought us a word from the Word.  Preached on “Simon the Leaper” (Mark 14:3) and taught about how Simon leaped every where.  Said we should be “leaping” for Jesus.

The medical team drove to the coast (two hours) and saw four hundred twenty (385 medical & 65 dental).  They were detoured on the return home as Volcano Fuego erupted today.

The construction team (thirteen members) built five more houses.  Ten houses are now completed, including concrete, with the exception of doors and windows being hung.

Good day.  Thank you for praying.  Thank you for reading this entry.  Will update tomorrow night, Lord willing.

Sorry for no entry last night.  Had kitchen duty and then a meeting.  Plan on doing another entry tonight about today’s activities.

Our Friday began with a great breakfast.  Dr. John Gissal was the lead cook and “wow” what a spread.  I am now convinced that if he were not a doctor that he could e a gourmet chef!  Homemade biscuits, casseroles, eggs, banana nut bread, and more!

Carla Mast, Laura Nyitray & Juan Marcos Ruiz led our musical worship.  (That will be the same story for the entire trip)  They did an excellent job and we truly had a worship experience.

Evangelist (he wanted me to use the words “flaming evangelist” but I refrained) Michael Mason is the team pastor and he brought us a good word from the Word.  (Kind of odd to preach on tithing on a mission trip but he did a great job) He will be preaching to us all week and it will be good.

Our medical team stayed local in El Tejar and saw around four hundred folks yesterday.  Good day for them even though they were down three NP’s.

The building team of fourteen went West and had a good day.  Five houses were built with three of them being completely finished, concrete too, with the exception of hanging the door and window.  Yes, we are doing our own concrete.

We did have three injuries on the construction.  One cut hand – not bad.  One cut  finger from a flying piece of tin – required Dr. Rich Strabbing to put stitches in last night.  One cut hand from an accident with a chainsaw – could have been much worse so we are thankful to God for His watch care over us.

Actually, the chainsaw victim had to leave so that put us one person short.  Michael Mason came to take his place which was like losing two good workers so we were really three folks short from that point forward.

Our four stragglers made it in yesterday afternoon.  Thanks to John King for going to get them from the airport.  Still missing some luggage but it will all work out.

Supper was prepared by Jan Kapenga and it was fabulous, as always.  (Will be true all trip as well)

Good team meeting last night.  Lots of laughter.  Good group of folks.  Missing Dr. John Nicely.

Thanks for praying.  Thanks for checking on us.  More to come.  Blessings!

Today was an interesting travel day for the thirty five folks making their way to Guatemala.  Suffice it to say that thirty one folks made it along with all of the personal luggage except for one piece.  We have four folks who were switched from one airline to another and ended up spending tonight (Thursday) in Atlanta.  They are scheduled to arrive in Guatemala City early tomorrow afternoon.  (Three of those four we need – the fourth one?)

Hopefully, the missing piece of luggage will arrive tomorrow as well.

I “assume” that the folks from team one made it home safe and sound today.

Thanks for praying.  Thanks for checking on us.

Blessings!