Day 5 - Part 2

Here is the post from our final day. Our week was full — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — and each of us is thankful for our time in Guatemala. It is our hope that you have been encouraged by what God is accomplishing through the body of Christ at Village of Hope and that you too would be inspired to defend the cause of the fatherless. ~Christine

“Our original schedule for Thursday, our final day at VOH, was to have the kids for about an hour and a half. Our day turned out to be quite different. Because of Holy Week, most of the nannies and staff at VOH had the day off, so we ended up having the kids for most of the day. It was definitely good practice in being flexible! In the morning, the older girls painted the grass on the bottom of the mural while the little kids played and did crafts.

Next, all the kids split up into groups for English classes. While we were planning the trip, Todd asked some of us to prepare a short class for the kids. We were supposed to teach them the days of the week and names of family members in English. This was a really fun opportunity to interact with the kids as we helped them with pronunciation and worksheets. At the end of the classes, all the big kids played a game that helped them with the vocabulary they had learned.

For the rest of the time until lunch, the kids did crafts and decorated jewelry. The older kids went downstairs to the kitchen and made alcohol-ink necklaces, which turned out beautifully. They each got to make three — one for themselves, and two to sell to raise money to go to a Christian concert.

For lunch, the team drove down into San Lucas and ate at a small restaurant. One of our team leaders told us that we could get chicken, steak, sausage, pork, and cat. Some of the more adventurous team members were contemplating getting the cat, and were trying to order “el gato fritas" when he informed us laughingly that he was just kidding and that they don’t serve cat at this restaurant.

We enjoyed the meal, and went shopping in the market and purchased some Guatemalan candy. Some favorites are the coconut chunks, white chocolate-like candy, and mint candies (las dulces!). After that we headed back to VOH. ” ~Alle

“The first thing we did when we got back from lunch was to plan the Easter egg hunt — a favorite that we have done once before! Now it might not seem exciting to you, but it is for these kids. For some of them, it was probably their first time. They love it. They came down the steps to the play area with Julio, one of our team leaders, and we let them go in groups — the little ones and their moms or nannies, the middle-aged kids, and the older ones. The team members helped the younger kids, and I helped a partially-blind little girl named Margot find eggs. The kids then trooped inside to open, look at, and eat the contents of the eggs — stickers, balloons, teddy grahams, goldfish, gummy bears, and pretzels.

Afterwards, the kids then made t-shirts for themselves using fabric paint — drizzling it on the shirts or painting with a brush. We also jump-roped and even tried double-dutch. We retired to Domino’s pizza and chips, after which we had devotions led by Jim. We shared reflections on the week and took our traditional pictures in front of the Village of Hope sign. Thus ended an awesome week with the kids at VOH. We spent the rest of the night talking and packing, then went to bed and got what sleep we could before our early morning.” ~Kelsey

“Time really "flies" when you're having fun. All of us were just sipping our coffee, talking, and laughing not paying attention to the time. My grandma looked at the screen at the gate and realized that the monitor said Los Angeles. She told us and all of us were a little concerned. Christine checked her phone and had a text that we were boarding at a different gate. We quickly grabbed all of our belongings and sprinted to the correct gate as fast as we could. We barely made it but everything was in God's hands and we all got on the flight.”  ~Hannah and Tasia

“On the few short-term missions trips I've been on, I sometimes wonder if the money spent on travel and other expenses would be more productive just sent in a check to that particular missionary or missionary group. In Guatemala, I asked Todd Block about that, and he said that our team's help and presence at Village of Hope was very helpful and encouraging to their ministry. Todd said the mural, the electrical work, and other projects we were involved in are things they simply wouldn't have had time for. Todd and Amy both told our team that they believe short-term missions teams are helpful to Village of Hope.” ~Jim

“I feel so blessed to have been a part of this team and mission trip at VOH. Todd and Amy Block head a wonderful Christian ministry providing food, clothing, shelter, therapy, education, and training for orphans and young mothers with children (many who have been abused and neglected). Having experienced physical abuse myself, and knowing of sexual abuse and neglect in my family, I felt sorrow and pain at times. It can take many years for those scars to heal and forgiveness to occur. Most often, the perpetrator has also been abused. It is only through Jesus Christ that forgiveness and healing can occur. We can become victorious instead of remaining a victim. At VOH these children are given a great opportunity to have a wonderful life, truly know Jesus, and glorify God. I saw so much of that this week in these children of God. I cannot imagine doing life with all the pain and hardships without Jesus Christ. He is our hope and our future.

“For I know the plans I have for your declares the Lord, plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11”  ~Caryn

If you would like to sponsor a child, please go to VillageofHopeGuatemala.com.

Day 5 - Part 1

Day is done and so is our mural!  We finished just as the sun set here in Guatemala.  We had assistance in painting the grass this morning by these wonderful girls.  It was a fun experience for all of us as several got very creative in their interpretations of what grass looks like.  

Our day today was packed full with English lessons, crafts, mural painting, lunch in San Lucas, and more crafts and games.  We're loading our suitcases and getting ready for our 4:45 AM departure for the airport so we'll blog more tomorrow.  It's been a fantastic trip! -Debbie L.

Day 4

“So, a break in the week…we ventured off to Antigua this morning, all 17 of us in a 15 passenger van (which made quite an effort to chug us all up the mountain), we arrived at an absolutely beautiful place, much like an outdoor museum. Huge chairs, carved wooden birds and caballitos (little horses) were just a few of the pieces intentionally set to appease the crazy art lovers like me and Debbie L.

This was just a bonus as our purpose here was to put on some gear and throw ourselves across hundreds of feet of Guatemalan countryside, hundreds of feet above the ground and hope for the best. While waiting for our turn, we stopped to take pictures, group pictures, and more pictures in front of the 3 volcanoes and suddenly one of them (the active one) began to vent (just smoke, but still exciting)…another bonus. Finally our turn. We climbed a platform, signed our lives away and each of us was handed a pile of gear and a helmet. One by one we stood still while a zip guide clicked and looped and strapped us up with a bunch of ropes and a few spanglish words. Then we stood on a box one by one, much like a plank on a ship, and were hurled, one by one, into the air at unbelievable speeds. We did this several times increasing in height and length each time. At some point, we climbed a 120 ft ladder which we jokingly referred to as Jacob’s ladder.

We thought this was the pinnacle achievement of the adventure, however Superman was still to come. Waiting for the hurdle from the Superman tower was much like the moment you think you might be about to die and there’s nothing you can do about it. There were hugs and kisses and thoughts of Jesus. And then….you fly…like a bird. Nothing like it. Followed by massive impact at the end and plans to visit the chiropractor upon US arrival. Tasia, our 90 lb, 17 year old, sadly had to be in a sitting position for Superman, rather than fly like a bird, (100 lb minimum weight limit) but she was such a trooper being quite unnerved about the whole thing to begin with. 

Following this life changing event (that we all survived, for the record) we were whisked away to quite possibly one of the best meals of my existence. Sky Cafe, deep blue painted walls, open air, practically at the base of Agua Volcano, we were served like royalty with platters of battered deliciousness and a trio of meat and sauces and tortillas, quesadillas, bacon topped jalapeño poppers, chicken spring rolls and fried yucca. A specialty there was Limonada Soda served in a soup bowl sized goblet. We were truly grateful for the rest and kindness showed by the staff and thankful to have both feet firmly planted on the ground once and for all.” ~Mary

“The Antiqua marketplace is fantastically overwhelming for a newcomer like me. Vibrant colors, Mayan patterns, bold florals, thick stitching, rich textiles fill the entire space floor to ceiling. Every nook and cranny is filled with displays of carved wood, stamped leather, painted mugs, nativity scenes, painted crosses, T-shirts - even Christian T-shirts, and purses galore. Stacks upon heaps of bags and table runners and every other textile use imaginable. 

“Business is business. How much you want to pay?”

“I give you special price.”

Storekeepers with big smiles are eager to show you eeeeeeverything! 

Within a few steps, you are gazing into the next store. Some shopkeepers do fall asleep with headphones in; teenagers…they seem so similar in every country.” -Linda

“I led devotions tonight on the topic of sleep - - - ill-timed sleep.  The scripture was Matt.  25: 1-13, the parable of the 10 Virgins about the return of Christ.   I focused on vs. 5 " . . .  and they all became drowsy and fell asleep."

I heard a Vietnamese Pastor speak about the situation of Christians in Vietnam.  He said the drink they had been given is bitter.   He went on to describe the bitter drink of persecution, suffering and hardships that Vietnamese Christians have experienced.

He then went on to describe the sweet drink the American Church has been given, where we have enough to eat, and we live in comfort and security.  We do not suffer persecution or death for our faith.   Our drink is indeed sweet he said.  But our drink is a sleeping potion.

We are distracted by our possessions, so that we don't spend the kind of time with God that Christians without such possessions do.  We can go through our days without feeling a need for God because we can provide for ourselves in many ways.

I was very impressed with our Guatemalan leader last night.  After movie night and a game, he suggested that we pray for the needs at Village of Hope.   I honestly don't remember the last time I was with friends and a need came up, where we stopped and prayed about it.

My hope and my prayer is that this opportunity God has give us to be on this trip to meet children and adults whose lives are less comfortable and secure than ours, will motive us to be aroused from our sleep to pursue God more intentionally and consistently, despite the sweetness of our lives.” -Ginny