Day 3 at VOH - Tuesday

Who is Concierge Grande (aka CG)?

Ok, so we did receive some guesses, but no correct ones yet. Not sure how many guesses you get. I think we will give others a chance to submit their guesses for maybe one more day, but no pressure to send us your guess...


Best caption for the photo of Suzanne thus far: "Hokey Pokey?" Any more?
Bonus easy riddle:

Yesterday’s riddle
For those who are anxiously waiting for the answer to yesterday’s riddle, the answer is "meat." Ha-

Today’s riddle (hopefully more difficult per Mark's request!)
A basket has 5 apples. How do you divide them among 5 kids so each kid has an apple and one stays in the basket?

What word in the dictionary is spelled incorrectly?

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This morning the teams divided up into groups and worked on many projects. Some of us took care of the little ones so the House Parents and nannies could once again attend Parenting Classes. Marcella taught today and we heard that she did a great job and that there was good discussion in the class.

Suzy and the young boys continued planting in the large planter boxes. Brandon joined Todd in the office to update the computers. And the guys were once again in the work shop.

Neil said he was glad to report that the guys completed 4 boxes (with no injuries). With a whole day's worth of experience under our belt, it was a bit easier today. Finished planters were driven up the hill on the top of the van and are waiting to see where they will be installed along the fence.

Brandon and Andy leading game time in the afternoon in the new sport court

Soccer game started at the end of game time

"Todd, Director of VOH, had our team and staff take on the VOH kids in soccer.  Christine turned out to be a rock on defense and Edd was an amazing goalie.  We actually did win, though the kids' footwork and team play far outshone us.  The game was called on account of a bloody nose and dinner.  We do have our priorities!

"We had an amazing lunch on our trip to Chituc today.  The Blocks work with these women so they can earn money by providing a delicious meal for the teams at VOH.  One gal has been able to use her experience there to qualify for a job at a cafe in San Lucas.  As we walked home, a woman called to us and asked us to pray for her as her foot is infected from a recent surgery.  She also was in need of a wheelchair, which VOH was able to supply for her.  It is a wonderful example to us how the Blocks to take every opportunity to minister in prayer and material needs.  Please keep her in prayer. -Suzy"

Addy and Julio taking an unauthorized selfie during our lunch in Chituc :-)

Wonderful chicken meal in Chituc

Neil showing the family in Chituc how to make braided bracelets

Someone seems to have eaten a generous portion of chicken?

"When I boarded a plane last Friday, I thought I knew most of what I needed to know about the country to which I was heading. Guatemala is a land of extraordinary contrasts and troubling contradictions: natural beauty shaped by natural disasters, grinding poverty set within abundant resources, the intersection of Mayan and Spanish culture riddled by a legacy of corruption and oppression, a people whose kind hospitality contradicts the devastating reality that Guatemala is one of the most dangerous places on the planet to be a child.

        What I didn't know is that Guatemala is also a place where hope abounds. The few days I've spent at Village of Hope have been some of the most rewarding  in my life.  The nearness of God's kingdom is palpable, transcending barriers of race, language, culture and even accent (this week we've teamed with some terrific brothers and sisters from Tennessee). For example, doing a wood working project with Antonio, the shop foreman at VOH, who speaks very little English, alongside Jimmy from Tennessee, a good ole' boy with a drawl as lazy as a coon dog in July, has been a great time of learning, laughing and thanking God for the privilege of serving him in such a vital ministry. Every day, children are rescued, sheltered, and shown the love of Christ by people who sacrificially live and work here. At Village of Hope, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Grace and peace,

Edd"

We appreciate your encouragement and prayers!

Neil & Christine

Day 2 at VOH - Monday

Who is Concierge Grande?

Like a fine hotel, we have a person on the team who has provided exceptional service. This person has helped in a variety of ways, and has been given the title of Concierge Grande. After a team member left their hat on the plane, the Concierge Grande provided a cap. Another time someone forgot to pack socks, so the Concierge Grande loaned some. Same thing for the person who forgot toothpaste (after donating a bag full) and the other person who misplaced their shampoo. Any guess as to who this generous person is?

The Guys Room

As you can imagine with modern conveniences, electrical power is rather important. The guys clearly need their cell phones and shaving devices. Just wanted to show how the guys are coping with living 8 to a room in 4 bunk beds. (So far so good…)

Answer to yesterday’s riddle

If you pass the person in 2nd place, you are in 2nd place. (Ok, not the greatest riddle, but hope you enjoy it anyway.)

Today’s Riddle

Aidan is 6-ft tall, is an assistant at a butcher shop, and wears size 11 shoes. What does he weigh?

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Now an update on our day...

"Spent the morning starting in the workshop on the planter bed project. It took 8 men from both teams (CA/AZ and TN) plus Antonio the shop foreman to take a bunch of slightly rough lumber, run it through the jointer, table saw, miter saw, and router to create the pieces, then glue them together to build the side and end panel. We made a lot of sawdust and wood chips, and avoided injuries! As of today we have enough side/end panels to build 4 planters, and hopefully will make about 4 more later this week. We (amazingly) were able to coordinate all this work and after a while really were churning out a steady stream of dressed lumber. It was great to see the guys cooperate so well to accomplish a significant amount of woodworking. Just another way to help create beauty at Village of Hope, and we are glad to be able to be part of it. Other projects included painting furniture and hauling dirt...

Rafe taking time to talk with one of the kids during a delivery

"Cutting the ends of the rebar that are sticking up above the wall on the new sports court."

-Andy

...Also went to Chituc where some of the young children in the area come to a community “park” for a bible lesson and craft. These kids are a bit reserved at first; they see different teams throughout the year and I wouldn’t expect them to want to be too open. But the time spent to visit them, to share with them about Jesus, read them the Bible, engage them in crafts and games is intended to show them that they matter to other people and are loved by the Lord. Their families may not attend church and if they wanted to, it would be a bit of a walk. So VOH sends teams to spend time with these children, and we pray the Lord would water the seeds of faith planted in them."

-Neil

Walking to Chituc (bonus photobomb by local pooch)

Rafe teaching about Jesus asking "why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" and about how easy it is to see sin in others but not yourself by telling the story about Nathan confronting King David.

Neil showing the kids how to braid the bracelets

Thomas helping one of the boys braid the bracelet

Aiden and Brandon helping the kids

Kelsey helping one of the older girls

Kids enjoyed the games led by Brandon

"I spent the morning filling large, VOH-made tubs with dirt and flowering plants. It is a joy to listen to children playing and laughing, while looking at the beautiful vistas. While working around the property, I came across these tubs of flowers that we planted 6 months ago. They are a perfect portrayal of what happens here -- life, beauty, growth -- on the physical, emotional and spiritual level. The moms and kids we saw 6 months ago have grown in the same ways. We also went to a local village to visit with the children. However the best part of the day was hearing Edd say he is ready to start planning his return visit -- and he may even bring me with him."

-Suzanne

Dinah and Marcella teaching parenting classes

Dinah and Marcella enjoying the rocking chairs

 Caption contest: send us your caption of Suzanne!

Brandon and Aiden spending time with the younger kids outside the casas while the moms and nannies attend the parenting classes

Varnishing the completed planter box

Altering dresses to be used for dancing during worship services

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:17

Again, we'd love to hear from you! You can leave a comment on this post or send us an email. ~Neil and Christine

Day 1 at VOH - Sunday

Saturday morning everyone arrived at the airport bright and early. Some of us earlier that others because Andy said, “It’s easy to waste time, but it’s hard to make it up.”

We had a 3 hour layover so some of us ate at Friday’s while others found another restaurant that had “leafy greens.” Can you guess who ate where??

We also met up with our team members from AZ. Kelsey’s candy purchase at a familiar stop at the airport helped immediately bond the youth on our team.

As we boarded our plane to Guatemala, we stopped at the door for a quick picture only to be photo bombed not only by Suzanne but also by our flight attendants! I actually used the phrase “photo bomb” as we entered the plane then thought that was not the best choice of words. An airport employee asked my name, apparently, joking, but just to be safe I said my name was Neil. I thought he would fare better in jail than me. Of course, the flight attendants (see photo) themselves said they wanted to both photobomb and did a good job of it, so I guess it was no big deal.

The plane rides were uneventful. Neil shared many riddles with Andy so we thought we would share one with you now…

You’re in a car race. You pass the person in second place. What place are you in?

Lastly, yesterday was Thomas and Aiden's first plane ride. they made the most of it!

Praise God for a safe day of travel! ~Christine

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“Today was full at Village of Hope. After adjusting to the beauty and joy of being here, we began to get to know the other team which is here with us from Tennessee. (If we have a drawl when we return, you will understand.) We had a special time worshiping here, and also had our introductions and tours of the families’ homes. Our afternoon activities included making stamped leather bracelets for the older kids, decorated crosses for the younger ones, face painting, and creative ball and balloon toss games with all. We will have devotions tonight to share what God has been showing us. It is amazing what He can cram into us in 24 hours.”

-Suzy

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Photos from Sunday below:

Ready to Go

Many preparations, meetings, and much prayer have taken place even before we boarded the plane for Guatemala. And we have not done this alone! Friends and family have shared ideas; donated baby supplies, craft supplies, medical supplies for hospitals, sports equipment, clothes and more; bought baked goods, encouraged us, and made donations to help cover the costs of the trip; and prayed and then prayed some more. Thank you!!

We wanted to share one of the stories of God’s provision seen through the eyes of Thomas:

“A couple of days ago we saw an example of how God is working things for good. I had a doctor’s appointment that I did not want to go to. Earlier that day in school we had been studying how God works things for good from the life of Joseph. The day before the appointment my mom heard that some of Guatemala’s hospitals are shutting down because they do not have enough supplies. As we were at the doctors appointment my mom started telling our doctor about our trip to Guatemala. She shared about the needs of the hospitals. He offered to ask his medical supplier, who was coming that day, for some gauze pads, bandaids, ointments, and alcohol pads. I was encouraged to see God’s perfect timing.”

So to recap: Wednesday I heard about hospitals’ need for medical supplies in Guatemala. Thursday morning Thomas class learned about how the trials in Joseph’s life were used by God for good. Later that day Thomas had a doctor’s appointment that he did not want to go. We told the doctor about the need. The Dr said that his medical supplier was coming in late that day and would to ask for supplies. We received 2 large boxes of gauze, ointments, bandages, alcohol pads, iodine, scissors, and gloves. Thomas remembers the lesson from Joseph’s life. God knew the exact day we needed to be at the appointment way back when I scheduled the appointment. A day earlier and I would not have heard about the hospitals’ need. A day later and the medical supplier would have already been there. Tom still got a shot but we all saw God’s provision and plan. :-)

We have arrived safely at VOH late last night and will share more with you soon. ~Christine

A Couple more Reflections...

bubbles

“The last night at VOH was emotional. We had said our goodbyes to the children and watched them run up the zig-zagged hill up to their homes. Since our team had met for devotions and had sharing time every night of the week, it was now time for our last meeting. Before our meeting started, two of the girls who lived at VOH happened to stay behind in the staff kitchen. They expressed wanting to share some last words before they scurried back up to their homes. We had a special privilege to hear them share their last thoughts with us.They were timid at first, giggling as they attempted to communicate with us in English. After they had managed to thank us for coming and spending time with them, they asked us not to forget about them. Their eyes became glossy, and tears streamed down their faces. Not many more words were exchanged. The warm and cozy dining hall was filled with silence as our team lined up to give them our last goodbye hugs. When my turn came, it felt like time stood still; those long tight hugs spoke volumes and left an imprint on my heart that I can't ignore.

last night

I remember when we first arrived at VOH Amy, the director urged us to pray that we would be attentive to what God would have for us that week. I was definitely on my knees because even when preparing for the trip, I realized how unequipped I was. I didn't feel like I had much to offer God or the kids. I was doubting my ability to interact with the kids, and I was fearful of the unknown in the days ahead. This week reminded me that it isn't about me and what I can or can not do, but what GOD can do. I am grateful to have been part of such a prayerful team who shared the heart for special needs children and the orphan. It was a revival in my soul to witness God answering specific prayer requests. It felt liberating to feel the chains of self- doubt and anxiety begin to break as my mind slowly became occupied with how I could continue serving the orphan and support this amazing ministry at VOH- Guatemala. Through this trip, I believe God broke my heart so he could begin working on it. He pursued me through my doubt and replaced those doubts with new desires. He loved me through my anxiety and gave me a renewed hope. It is exciting to see what God is capable of doing in your heart when gain enough courage to step out in faith and trust Him with everything.

I left for this trip with minimal expectations, and I am now home; waiting, in expectation, for how God will work to accomplish His plans.

For I am confident in this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6”

games with Shelly 

egg relay

Hokey-Pokey

“Thanks for sharing this journey-by-blog.  We so appreciate your prayers and support.  Because I have now seen God's face and work in faces and places so different from how and where I have always lived, my heart is bigger, my prayers are bigger, the church is bigger, and most importantly the God I love and serve is bigger.  Each aspect of VOH exemplifies a picture of God's redemptive plan.  Enter at the gate; find grace, a family, and a purpose; share with others what you have found.  The work of redemption is complete on the cross, yet each smile, prayer and hug is a step of sanctification in which the new nature heals the pain and scars of these children's pasts so they have a hope and a future.  

Through God's amazing Spirit, we can continue to be a part of that through our consistent prayer for the Blocks, families, and staff at VOH.  We can minister in tangible ways by going to help on the upcoming trips. And we can support a child on an ongoing basis for about a dollar a day: http://www.villageofhopeguatemala.com/meet-our-kids  

I will do all three... what will you do?

-Suzanne”

Easter Egg Hunt

on your mark, get set...

GO!

Another Reflection...

Each of us continue to reminisce, pray and process all that transpired this past week. Here is another reflection…

"The car ride from Village of Hope to the airport was quiet. A few parting questions and a bit of laughter, but blank for the most part. A partial mix of still waking up and being at a loss for words, I suppose. I always thought car rides felt longer with the absence of conversation, so I was content in the silence. I felt like my words were minutes, so the more time I spent on speaking the less time I’d have left in Guatemala. At the airport we said goodbye to the brothers-in-Christ we had come to love in the same way we arrived, as a family ready for whatever God had in-store for us. Upon our arrival, our smaller team of nine (one member having taken an earlier flight home and three flying back to the east coast) exchanged hugs, kind words, and valedictions. And just like that, we were home…

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. once said, “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to it’s old dimensions.” After coming home from a week spent at Village of Hope, I’m learning just how precise of an assessment this is.

Full disclosure, I was scared to come home. I was scared of what I was going to feel, once I left what had quickly become my new comfort zone. I knew I was coming back to a place of abundance, prosperity, and personally speaking, belonging. But, as Holmes so accurately observed, I would be coming back with “a mind [stretched] by a new experience.” How should I interpret the world I grew up in through the lens of the world I just left? How could I pick up where I left off after having just put on a newfound burden? Most of all, how would I maintain a tight grip on what I now hold dear without letting the normality of life slowly pry my hands loose? I am frightened at the thought my heart having been broken for what breaks God’s, then having it be passively put back together by the hands of everyday spoils and common conversations. On the other hand, I want to humbly enjoy God’s blessings. I want to taste and see and take pleasure in the community around me. I want to live and laugh and love with those around me without it feeling like a guilty pleasure. I suppose the more common phrase of wanting to be “in the world, but not of it,” most accurately depicts where my mind is right now. I’m sure I’ll have a lot of wrestling to do over the next few days, probably weeks. But I’m thankful for the light of God’s Word to brighten this dimly lit world and the stories of His Body that testify to God’s faithfulness through the struggle.  

It’s been said that, “home is where the heart is,” and I’ve always adhered to that definition. But this assessment of where home is has now been blurred by the families at Village of Hope and every child who has yet to find their “heart.” My heart is with Christ and Christ’s heart is with the fatherless, so it only stands to reason that my heart be given over to the orphans of this world (James 1.27). I don’t quite know what that looks like, but I know it starts with understanding that we were all adopted by our Heavenly Father. 

There is still some processing I have to do - Where do we go from here? What do I do with the brokenness I’ve been introduced to? How do I use my voice for those whom “the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to?” (Matt. 19.14) As with most of the answers I’ve been given this past week, I don’t know. I am grateful, however, that God has now given me a heart and mind to ask these urgent, faithful questions. I’m even more grateful that God in His great majesty, will answer these questions as only a perfect, loving, heavenly Father can.”

I am grateful for each team member who has openly shared their hearts with you. More posts to come… ~C

Day 6 at VOH

Our final night with our awesome team leaders in the front.

Reflections from our last day…

“Some of the kids had never had an Easter egg hunt or dyed Easter eggs until last year when a team from our church arrived at VOH. We did the American Easter traditions (dyeing hard-boiled eggs, hunting stuffed plastic ones), and the kids were thrilled. This year we repeated the activities, and many of the kids told us they remembered dyeing and hunting for the Easter eggs last year. Our morning was spent dyeing eggs, painting plastic eggs, and other crafts. Then it was on to game time. The little kids’ group played several games, such as duck duck goose, and the Hokey-Pokey. After lunch in San Lucas, we did some shopping for about half an hour, and headed back to VOH. We then began hiding stuffed plastic eggs for the little kids. As the hunt progressed, each child was smiling as they discovered a surprise in each egg. The older kids’ egg hunt was a little bigger. We spent a long time hiding eggs all over the upper part of the campus. As the countdown ended, the kids sprinted off in all directions in anticipation of the hunt. Once the egg hunt was finished, we had craft time. It took a little while for us all to learn how to make macramé bracelets (hemp and beads), but soon we were all working away, talking together through translators, broken Spanish, or hand signs. One special event for me was when one of the teenage moms brought out her baby’s photo book, and showed me her pictures. It was really sweet to look through it with her. Tonight we are having a movie night with the kids, and will say our goodbyes afterward. It will be a hard evening, especially after all the time we have spent with them, and the relationships that have grown over this trip. Tomorrow morning we will be leaving VOH at 4 AM. -Alle”

“Friday has come.
And altogether too quickly, I find myself mentally and emotionally preparing for our nearing departure. In a matter of hours, the lives we all put on pause will resume. How can it be time to leave already? I walk into a silent, unlit room surrounded by leftover miscellaneous pieces of evidence from the activities of the last 6 days. Luggage bags lay open. The sound of a dozen barking dogs across the street and the musty night air set the mood perfectly. I take in a deep breath after our full week allowing myself to feel the mingled sense of longing to stay and longing to return home. A feeling of suspension between remarkably different worlds. Unzipping my bags, I reorganize their contents while my mind begins to do the same. The moments I’m reflecting on the most are those that happened perfectly only because each of us decided to say “yes” to this trip. I’m talking about the moments born unpredictably amid our planning, our lists, and our packing. Moments when it felt like God showed us “THIS is why you are here”. Those moments when love was expressed spontaneously and leave you changed: a word of kindness spoken to you in a language you don’t understand, a child gifting you a photograph so you will remember their smile, a hearty laugh from a girl thrilled to be playing a game with new friends, the cheeky dimple-grin of a boy who know’s he’s loved, and hearing the song of a beaming little girl being pushed in the swings. Must we go? These kids’ lives have been touched by God’s love and it’s incredible to see it. So, when we do go, I know there is a part of our hearts that will stay behind. And these are the iconic moments we will hold onto until we get to see their faces again.”

We will have more pictures as well as more reflections to share in the upcoming days.

He has risen, just as He said! Hope you have a blessed Easter.