Blessed to Go

Last year our GAP team met with about 12 local pastors in a historic meeting....  Catholic, Protestant, and Pentecostal pastors all in one room talking with us about the joys and challenges of their ministries...and some ideas as to how our team might be of service to them.  The item that was seen as the major need was in the area of leadership training...both for teaching children and for leading adult Bible studies.

As the time grew closer for this year's trip, the World Renew office let us know that a training in adult Bible study leadership was especially important to the local churches.  I prepared a training session in the Discovery Method of Bible study which is used in Coffee Break and other adult small groups.

On Monday of this year's trip, 6 pastors (all Protestant/Pentecostal) gathered to participate.  It was challenging because of the language barrier, but our wonderful Patty translated all the exchanges between the pastors and me.  It turned out that the pastors were expecting a training in teaching children, but they were more than willing to participate in the training that had been prepared.  They were engaged in the discussion, asked questions and made comments, and all in all, I think the afternoon was seen as worthwhile.  The highlight for me was at the end of the session.  The pastors gathered in a circle around me, laid hands on me and prayed for me...all at the same time, and with much feeling.  It was a very moving experience for me!

Note: Pastor Feliciano (our friend from Monte Margarita) shared with us later that some of the pastors had been concerned that I might try to teach "a different doctrine"...which of course was not the case...but it probably explains why none of our Catholic brothers attended.

~Terri Baas


(Together in the classroom)

 

(Last year's team with all the local pastors)

“Double Blessings”

We all left our work in MN to come to Guatemala and work with Vine & Branches and World Renew in four communities. We played soccer, games, and sang songs with the children. Some of prayed with members who were hurting and alone. Others dug trenches for water pipes on the side of a mountain. We all helped with the construction of a new classroom in Esperanza Miralta. We opened our hearts and hands and modeled the love of Christ the best we could each day. We were so blessed by encouraging the children and members of the communities. But we can’t stop here – there is more to be told. We witnessed God working in Guatemala. He taught us about compassion through Duncan and Liz (Who run ministries in Guatemala City) who work with the street kids in the city. We learned about humility  through Hector who works so hard for his people but does not want any praises. We saw David as a gentle leader of Vine & Branches. Carlos is a man of encouragement for his community in Esperanza Miralta. Our list could go on. God is working in the hearts and lives of the people we met in Guatemala. As Gustavo sang on the mountain side, “our cups are overflowing” with Blessings from our Heavenly Father! “How Majestic is Your Name in all the earth!” – Kris

Thank You for keeping up with us during the week. Thank You for the prayers, the encouragement, and love. Thank You for pouring time and energy into this awesome ministry. Thank You for taking the time to pick, peel, slice, and bag apples. Thank You for the long hours of making pies. Thank You for networking with co-workers and family to buy and sell every single apple pie we made this year. Thank You for addressing emails, budgets, and planning. Thank You for making T-shirts, ordering and gathering school supplies, making wooden cars & crosses. Thank You for ordering and buying books. Thank You for the donations. Thank You for the rides to & from the airport. Thank You for loving God with all your heart, mind, and strength. Thank You for loving your neighbor (Guatemala neighbors too).

Thank You for your trust in God and may He continue to bless this ministry and partnership.

 

“You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden”

                                – Matthew 5

 

So before you tear up from all the emotions - I couldn't help myself

(When you figure out the word you've been using for years to get the Guatemalan children to circle up was actually a naughty word) 

Peace & Love!!! See you on February 28 to hear our stories & see more pictures!

Dios Te Bendiga!!!!

UNITY part 2

Q&A for Kelli

What do you miss most about home?

I miss brushing my teeth in the sink while not worrying about the water. And I especially miss my kids and grand kids.  

Did you have any expectations about the trip?

I expected to see dense jungles & snakes! But....through our devotions, I have found the strength to give my fears and worries to God and knew it’d be okay. I worried about packing, going through TSA, the flight.....but I just placed my trust in Him and knew it's in God’s hands.

(A long way up hill)

Who invited you to the Guatemala meeting?

Kevin Koppendryer invited me to the meeting in early fall.

Craziest thing you’ve seen here?

The driving!!! The way these people live out in the communities… it’s so different than our lifestyles back home.  

Has there been a moment that has taken your breath away?

The children here, the love & kindness of the communities. They have shown us each and every day. They are so giving… they were always trying to share with us and express how much they appreciated us and our help. They made us meals. For example, they gave us gifts like necklaces, hand carved wooden horses, hand stitched dolls and pens. It's not like they went out and bought the necklaces...they hand made them from the seeds they grew.  Seeing the active volcano was also an awesome sight too! 

Any fun experiences on this trip?

Going to the hot springs was fun. I have never seen anything like that before.

Do you see any similarities with these communities and back home?  

The closeness. Everyone is always coming together when there is a need. If there is a need, there is an outpouring of support and love- just like back home. They take such pride in their community and where they have come from.  

- Kelli

Q&A for Julie 

  Did you have any expectations before the trip?

                I have never been to a place like Guatemala so just going off of the past teams’ experiences, I expected to see poverty. I expected to see beautiful kids that deserve so much more. And I expected to see hard working families living on their faith. I saw all of these things! What I did not expect to see was the amount of work these men, women, and children need to put into just simply getting by and surviving another day.

               

Has anyone influenced you here?

                This entire team of people has been so dynamic and has grown together so much since the first meeting we had back in November. Since being here the team has done devotions each morning and evening. I think I have been influenced by each person just by getting to know them more and going through this experience together. Even though each day we were in the same community, we were often doing different tasks and were split up. It was fun to get back together in the evenings and really take the time to hear about how God worked in each of us that day. Being surrounded and supported by strong Christians really helped me process this experience.

(Julie & our new best friend, Luisa - Translator)

How has God spoke to you this week? What is he saying?

                Our devotion yesterday was about having peace. When I reflected on that… I decided I was at peace with my experience here. I felt like I really participated. I felt like I gave it my all with the kiddos- playing with them and making them feel special. I felt like I made great relationships with everyone on the team. But then at the same time... I feel uneasy. I feel like God has spoken to me and shown me certain things on this trip that I need to process and I really need to figure out how I can go back to “normal” life with a changed heart.  The fact that I don’t quite understand what exactly he is saying yet is what makes me feel uneasy. But I know that he is working in me to help me discover what changes I need to make and He will continue doing so until I make sense of this incredible experience. 

- Julie 

Unity - being one in heart and purpose

Colossians 3:14 - And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

(Davidsky at the far right - World Renew Bridger)

After two days of being visiting another communities, the team went today to Esperanza Miralta which is the place where the classroom is being built. During the morning, the teachers of the School presented several activities to celebrate the new facility at their school, and after a delicious lunch - prepared with local ingredients – it came the time to work in the project.

The team members split in groups to do three different activities: helping in the construction itself, carrying water, and prayer visits. The people who helped in the construction were sifting sand or compacting the terrain for the classroom floor (a really heavy task); the ones that were bringing the water for the construction had to go far from the school and carry the water containers with a plastic strap hanging the from their fronts (a mecapal); and, the people who went to the prayer visits took their walking sticks and they had to walk in really twisted and narrow roads. I had the opportunity to see all of them because I went for a round to take pictures of every group. Having the chance to see all the groups in different places and performing different tasks, but working for the same purpose, helped me to understand that we do not have to be all in the same place in order to have unity if we are united by a common mission.

The groups worked hard and experienced the heavy tasks which are part of the daily lives of the people in the community. The water carriers and the ones who were in the construction went back to a classroom for having a break. However, the group who went for prayer visits were still walking to come back. I call to one of the team members but the phone call was rejected. I tried a couple of times more, without answer. Worried a little bit more, I called the officer who accompany them. He answer and told me that they were on their way back to the school. They finally came and reunited with the team with joy and telling each other what was their experience about.

In that moment, when they were exchanging experiences, I remembered the time when the seventy-two disciples returned with joy to Jesus and told him what they experienced in their trip (Luke 10:17). The Disciples of Christ went to different places, but with the same mission given by Jesus.

When God is leading us, we can be united by his Holy Spirit, even when we are in different places.

Davinsky de León

Unity - a day in Esperanza Miralta

(Arriving at Esperanza Miralta's school)

(We started the morning with a Catholic Service)

 (Handing out books, pencils and a mint)

Yesterday evening Kris, Terri DeVries and myself were here sitting outside talking about our experiences in Guatemala and what type of impact we are really making. Here we are, for only one week, working in 4 different communities. What kind of impact or change can we really make in their lives? So we help support the building of a one room school house and are helping them finance the building of a water storage tank. Do we really make an impact or difference?

Today God gave us His answer at the School of Esperanza Miralta.  They presented a gift to Terri in recognition of her father Warren, who passed away in a car accident.  Warren was a retired farmer ad was doing only what he always did, nothing special, just loving and paying with kids and wanting to help make a difference in the lives of people here in Guatemala. Warren, who made the trip twice, which equals two weeks down here, and out of those two weeks, only 1 or 2 days were spent in each community.  Warren made a difference in their lives in just a couple days out of his life to this community! He was always encouraging through his actions and words.  All he did was be himself by showing them unconditional love, just as God shows us his love.  By his encouragement, they knew someone in this world cared for them and that meant God has been listening to their prayers. They were motivated to move forward in their lives.

                Can we make a difference? Do we make a difference??? -  We do and YOU CAN ALSO!

-          - Tom

(A plaque in memory of Warren)

Today Terri Baas, Julie Moorlag and I went into the community to pray with two community members. One precious lady had lost both her parents last year within two months of each other. They had lived with her and her husband for years and she took care of them because she was the only daughter. She remembered Terri’s promise, from last year, to come back to visit her mother. She was so happy that Terri kept her promise. She now gets up in the morning and doesn’t know what to with herself. She mentioned being depressed and that broke our hearts. She cried while she talked about her life. We prayed that God would help her get through this all and feel the joy of knowing the Lord and remembering the relationship she had with her parents. She was so grateful for us being there!

 

The gentlemen we visited lived way up in the mountains and his wife had died 8 years ago. He lives alone and said he never gets visitors. His son lives in another village and visits a few times a week. He has trouble walking and with the paths up there, I can see why! We were so grateful to have been able to visit him and make him feel loved for a few minutes. It was exhausting to climb up the mountain paths and yet, we felt more blessed I think than they did. It truly was a wonderful gift to be able to go out to these homes and touch their lives because they definitely touched ours! God is all powerful and we thank Him for all He gives us!!

-          - Linda

(New classroom for Esperanza Miralta - the volcano in the background)

(A dedication of the new classroom to PCRC)

(Walking to the water well)

(Getting water for the cement)

(Bruce & Carlos carrying water back to the site)

 

(Doing our best to fill the tank with water)

 

(Leveling the classroom floor)

 (Suns Out, Guns Out)

(:HOW GREAT FAMILY IS:)

This is Julee...the one with 2 e's!  :)  Nick asked me to write about my experience to today, and what feelings arose because of it. 

So, a little background is needed first.  My dad and mom were the first ones in my family to come to Guatemala about 13 years ago.  My dad returned 2 more times, once with my brother and once with me.  Since that time my daughter Jackee has been here 2 times with me and my son Dylan once.  This is my 8th time here. 

This past Christmas my dad's 12 grandchildren decided rather than buying him something he didn't really need, that they would donate money to GAP in his name for books for the school children.  When my siblings heard about it they also contributed.

Last year Terri B. and I spoke with the teacher of La Palmera (Luis).  We asked him what would help him to teach the students.  He said a library of good literature so that the kids could enjoy and learn to love reading.  He felt this is the only way to keep them reading, and therefore learning once they have completed 6th grade.  Most of the children here do not continue school past that point.  The money we donated was used to purchase approximately 60 books, including a dictionary and Bible to begin their library!

Today I had the honor of presenting the books to the children and teachers.  I was very sad that their teacher Luis had been transferred to another school.  He will not be able to see these students reading the books from the list that he thoughtfully recommended. 

The new teachers were extremely grateful, as were the leaders of the community and the parents.  They had been informed of this gift ahead of time and had already built a bookshelf!  They also honored my family by presenting me with a plaque that expressed their appreciation for the help in the education of their children.

I was overwhelmed with pride....pride in my family for their generosity, pride in my dad for his willingness to go to Guatemala and then teach his family to love this country as much as he does.  But mostly pride in the community of La Palmera.  Over the last 4 years they have become my friends.  I think about and pray for them almost every day that I am not with them.  I wonder how they are doing and I look forward to seeing them again.

As Terri D. said....today was like a party in my heart!  One I will never forget!

~Julee

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Today was like a party in my heart. This morning after another very bumpy bus ride we arrived at the village of La Palmera and were greeted by sounds of firecrackers and the sight of children anxiously awaiting our arrival. The school yard was decorated with arches made from branches, streamers and signs welcoming us to their village. Shortly after our arrival, I was brought to the kitchen that donations from Pease helped to build and shown a sign indicating this building is in memory of Warren Kamstra, my dad. Part of the reason I went on this trip was to experience the things my dad did and get to know the people he met. 

Leaving the airport in Minneapolis and the first day in Guatemala was very emotional for me because my dad was in the forefront of my mind but it didn’t take long for this trip to become my adventure. Seeing the plaque on that building brought all of that emotion back to the surface. Hector, a strong leader of village development made a speech in my dad’s honor and I was given a plaque in his memory. I knew Dad made an impact on the people in Guatemala, but I didn’t realize how big of an impact he made until today. What did my dad do that was so exceptional? He was just himself and let the love of Christ shine through him. God does not call us to be something we are not. If we let him, he can use us whether we hand out Wilhelmina peppermints and play with children in Guatemala or go about our daily lives at home.  

The people of La Palmera are so thankful to have the community of Pease, Vine and Branches and World Renewsupport them. Money was contributed so a cement water reservoir tank could be built and soon more families will have access to better quality water. Before we arrived here three shelves consisting of their school library were empty. Julee will tell you more about this later in the blog.  Every school-aged child received books, two pencils, an erasure and a Wilhelmina peppermint.  The village anxiously awaits our arrival every year and Hector described today as a party in his heart. After all of the speeches were over, plaques were received, and the fantastic food prepared for us was eaten, each team member received a hand-carved wooden horse.  I felt like they gave us so much out of the very little they had. My sacrifice of time and money to come here was not great.  We were all so extremely humbled by their kind words of appreciation and gifts. Hector said over and over how much our support is such an encouragement for them. Today really reminded me how much difference a hug or word of encouragement can mean to the people we encounter every day. ~ Terri 

Five of us had the privilege of digging a trench for the outlet pipe from a new 3500 cubic meter cement water reservoir tank. The people of the village plan to bury a pipe from the holding tank to their village which about 1 Kilometer away. We dug about 40 meters. This tank is fed by Two springs in the hills above the tank.  Pipe must be laid from those as well.  This tank will supply 30 homes with water that will need only minimum treatment to be drinkable.  There are more tanks in the planning stages.  Digging was hard work in this heat though once we got through the vines and roots the ground is quite soft.  I cannot imagine how it stays in place in the rainy season.  I had the honor of uncovering our first tarantula, Yikes it was big.   ~ Bruce

Challenge EXCEPTED!?!?

Someone noticed! And the one who noticed first, are at least the first to comment about it on Facebook, doesn't surprise me one bit!!! Who, you might ask? A man with an exceptional vocabulary who often interjects words into everyday conversation that fly over the heads of his co-workers. A man with a degree in philosophy who is very articulate. A man who probably reads the dictionary as a pastime.....Pastor Michael!!!

A recent blog post written by Jessica TenHaken about Saturday, titled "Challenge Excepted" was being heckled on Facebook because of the title name - Although; grammatically correct, this mistake is called malapropism. But in this case, it was intentional! Hear me out. 

Excepted: verb (used with object) 1. to exclude; leave out: verb (used without object) 2. to object (usually followed by to or against): to except to a statement; to except against a witness.

Definition part 1: If you study the definition of "excepted" you understand what it means: to exclude and leave out.
Saturday, we were challenged, no doubt about that! We were asked to step out of our comfort zone to interact, embrace, and pray over people we would consider excluded, poor, dirty, and lazy. Why were we asked to embrace them? Because God's grace (like water) flows from the top and pools at the bottom. In our eyes, we strive to be on top and we belittle those on the bottom (I mean the very bottom). But if God's grace is most abundant at the bottom, why aren't we showing more grace to the "excepted"?

Definition part 2:  When we pulled around the corner and saw the people we were about to interact, embrace, and pray over - I (maybe I'm speaking for everyone, maybe not) thought, this is crazy and I don't feel comfortable doing this at all; they're reeeeeally dirty people on a scary street. I "excepted" to the idea of witnessing to children of God. I "excepted" to pouring grace to a handful of people I thought were scary and gross. I "excepted" TRUST in my Heavenly Father. 

"Exception" is a foothold we give Satan. He wants us to think "everyone except me" can do this. When faced with a challenge, like we were on Saturday, I believe we all wanted to "except" this challenge. The worst part was, we knew it was a challenge God was putting us through - and yet, we still wanted to except. We had the option to Accept, or Except it - I feel terrible for wanting to except this challenge, but once I accepted it....we got to talking and it was getting easier. It really wasn't that bad! And when we got to praying, it was one of the most rewarding and peace-filled moments in my/our lives. 

Which one will you choose when God asks you to do something? Accept or Except? 

We tend to think highly of ourselves - this is why God warns us to humble ourselves. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you" (1 Peter 5:6) 

I know this "Challenge Excepted" blog title sounds like a brilliant idea to remind us to not think of ourselves so highly and also be reminded that God's grace; which, flows to EVERY nation and peoples. But in all reality, I (Nick Hoffman) didn't have it planned out this way at all :P I'm the world's worst speller! I ABSOLUTELY used the wrong word.  But..... God used my little malapropism error to teach us a bold lesson to not forget the forgotten and to embrace, encourage, love on, and pray over the "excepted". - Who is He putting on your heart?

This morning we were surrounded at the breakfast table by 7:00am to order breakfast and go through our morning devotions together. Today’s action word is Discipline: the work of growing, learning, and following. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…whatever you do, whether in word of deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Colossians 3:15-17)

We packed up the bus and took off for El Tineco by 8:30am. We were greeted with excited students & firecrackers. We spent almost two hours in El Tineco as we shared excited welcomes, prayers, and speeches of gratitude back and forth. We handed out the school supplies, gave each child a Colors of Faith bracelet, and many hugs before we took off for Monte Margarita. Monte Margarita and El Tineco are neighboring communities so it didn’t take too long to get there from El Tineco. Once in Monte Margarita, we heard the National Anthem again – except this time it was played by the middle school band! That was a first!! We shared more greetings, prayers, supplies, bracelets, and encouragement with the Monte Margarita children before having lunch at Feliciano’s home. Feliciano is the principle of Monte Margarita and pastors the church at the Finca. The local pastors joined us as well! Lunch was AWESOME!!!! Nothing special, just chicken, mixed veggies with mashed potatoes – but….. IT. WAS. EPICALLY DILICIOUS!! If vegetables tasted like that every time, I would definitely get my suggested daily serving of them. I don’t know if it’s because they were so fresh or because they were made from love; probably the latter.

Guatemalan National Anthem in El Tineco

Monte Margarita

Sharing the CCS books

5th grade 

6th grade

A Thank You gift from Monte Margarita

After lunch, we broke off into teams. Terri Baas and Patty (Interpreter) taught the pastors how to approach on studying the Bible, called the Discover Method. It’s based on learning how to ask questions on the passage. What does it say? What does it mean? What does it mean for my life?

The pastors were afraid Terri would be teaching them Doctrine, so they were refreshed to learn a new way of looking at approaching a Bible passage. The Discover Method really gets the congregation involved. The goal here is to value the interaction rather than JUST hear from a pastor.

Bruce DeVries & Linda Droogsma visited four homes to pray.

Down at the soccer field, we broke into four groups:

Julee Moorlag & Terri DeVries played games with the children: Red Light, Green Light. London Bridge is Falling Down, Duck Duck Goose, & Simon Says.

Julie Goslinga & Kelly Snell did face and arm paintings.

Nick Hoffman & Tom Kiel played soccer with the kids – yes, we both fellJ #humbled

Jessica TenHaken & Kristi Kiel taught and sang songs and read Bible Story books.

4:30pm came rather quickly today! Time to load up the bus and head back to the hotel to debrief, eat dinner, and finish our day with devotionals, praise, and prayer.

Sunday's volcano eruption made the newspaper!

God is Good! El Gibhor (a characteristic of God) - it's Hebrew for Strong & Mighty God