Day 3

“The team goal for this morning was to be ready to leave Village of Hope at 10:15 am to go visit some friends of VOH who live nearby and deliver some food supplies.  That left a precious 90 minutes, or so, to make some more progress on clothes sorting in one of the casas and mural painting in the playground area.

Debbie L’s amazing vision for the mural continued to take shape.  The soccer field found itself with the beginnings of the silhouette of a player kicking the ball (that’s pretty much all you’re allowed to do with the ball in soccer) from one end of the pitch (that’s what soccer people call a field) to the other.  The dark-, medium-, and light-green arrangement has turned out really well, giving some feel of depth, although we thought our oil-base paint would have done a little more drying overnight than it did.  Debbie L. worked on the player.  Linda, Alle, Debbie C., and the male team member of the team did touch-up work from Monday.

Even if you live by yourself or you have a small family, you have to clean out and organize clothing from time to time.  Now is that time for Casa 2 at Village of Hope, so some of our team’s most accomplished clothing sorters rose to the task.  The male team member of the team is not among that elite group (see mural painting, above), so he’s hoping someone else has posted something about the experience.  We want you, our valued blog reader, to be fully briefed on it.

Ninety minutes flew by like a soccer game tied at 0, so, according to plan, we assembled for our home visits.  The families we were to visit have become friends of the VOH, and of the Blocks in particular.  Todd and Julio drove us about 10 minutes to the small community where these families live.  Most are extremely poor, living in small, dirt-floor quarters without plumbing or standard electricity.  We knew what to expect, but for some of us, this was the first time we had seen people living in such conditions.  We made deliveries of food that had been arranged ahead of time by VOH.  We talked and laughed and prayed with these families through Julio’s translation services.  Many of them gave thanks to God that VOH and people associated with VOH (like us!) care about them and make the effort to come see them.  We thanked God for giving us this opportunity." -Jim

We returned to VOH, and after lunch we continued some of the projects from the morning.  Three-thirty PM was Easter egg decorating time.  The children of VOH did an amazing job of decorating eggs, which will be the subject of some egg hunting on Thursday.  After the decorating, Debbie C. led a group in some knitting.  Several children showed promise as good knitters.

Debbie L. and a few others continued work on the mural.  The male member of the team, with a lot of Ronald’s help, continued installation of some sensor lights on one of the VOH residences.  This will be  the residence of the Block’s daughter, Addisyn, whose ministry goal is to house terminally ill infants in her home.  We installed a switch and ran wires from a junction box to the top of a gate where the lights will be installed, probably Thursday.

The plan for after dinner was movie night with VOH children.  “The Croods” was our featured presentation.  All went well until the 48th minute (continuing the soccer theme here) when the DVD froze up and wouldn’t re-start.  Even Ronald’s technical support skills were no match for this stubborn DVD player.  We weren’t about to forfeit  our remaining time with the kids, so playing a game was the unanimous decision.  Debbie C. wisely suggested it be a quiet, calm game, suitable for leading up to bed time.  The game selected involves counting numbers, ascending through the integers starting at “one” until such time as two players utter the same integer at the same time, in which case the game starts over.  Words fail to describe the fun and enjoyment this game brings, certainly more than would have been supplied by the last 36 minutes of “The Croods,” and at least as much as a soccer match tied at 0.

Ronald led us in praying for the children, and specifically for house parents for the two Casas, neither of which has any right now.  We felt God’s presence in our activities today.  We’re thankful to Him for leading us to this special place this week.  We’re thankful to you for reading our blog posts and praying for us.”

“Today was another great day at VOH. We worked on the mural a lot and have made huge progress. It looks amazing and Mr. Block told us that the kids are really excited about it. Before lunch we went and delivered food in a local village. Despite the dirty and harsh surroundings, the people we visited were all smiling and thanking us for coming. Their joy in contrast with their surroundings is something that strikes me every time I participate in food delivery. 

This evening after our movie time was up, Ronnie suggested that we all pray for more house parents to come to VOH. It was so cool to hear one of the girls pray for more house parents. And I absolutely love hearing people pray in other languages, so it was a really cool time.” - Alle

Thank you for your prayers, emails and comments on the blog! ~C

Day 2

Monday, March 21, 2016

“Today we ventured beyond the campus cinderblock walls and barbed wire into town. We had only seen it in the dark on our drive from the airport. We couldn’t make out much then; electric illumination is used sparingly here.

We strolled the main street surrounded by lush vegetation, stopped to gaze at the blooming peach orchard, and waved at the little girl peeking out of the mini market kiosk hoping for a customer. I marveled at the diverse homes lining our path. Some remind me of the California mission style we see here and there back home. Beautiful gates of wood and ironwork and cute brick driveways. Most of the homes, however, are shacks the size of American backyard garden sheds without the cute English country charm or clean industrial vibe. I was also reminded of a hut my brother and I played in on a California beach made by out of driftwood by bored dads. No sealed windows. No locks on doors…if there are doors. The Block’s youngest daughter pointed to some black string within her reach that was hoisted up by a large stick in the ground. “Those are their electric wires. Don’t touch them,”  she warned.

Julio, one of VOH’s team leaders and translators, called the kids out from their yards by name, “Vamos! Vamos! Vengan!”

He was gathering them up for a lesson and crafts.

Six followed our group down a narrow road. Twenty kids were already anticipating our arrival in the dirt lot below. They were bouncing on large rubber tires and jumping on each other.

We gathered them up quickly and sat down for Debbie’s story. I could tell the two girls next to me really liked that I had chosen to sit by them. We managed to exchange names, and they giggled at the quickly reached limit of my Spanish. 

Debbie pulled out construction paper sheets. She explained that she would tell them a true story written by God himself using colors.

YELLOW represents heaven’s streets made of gold.

BLACK is for our sin, which separates us from God in heaven.

RED is for the perfect Christ’s blood shed as payment-in-full for that sin, so that we may be with God.

WHITE represents the clean slate of those who believe in the above. 

GREEN is for the growth that occurs in God’s children when they read his Word and talk with him.

It was so heartwarming to hear the kids respond when asked what each color means. “Cielo! Cielo!” 

As a reminder and a tool for sharing the Gospel with their community, we made little bracelets with beads of each color. I saw a little boy thumbing each bead afterwards, gesturing to his friend as if he were talking about them. I really hope he was!

Please pray for the salvation of the Chituc neighborhood kids and that their joy in the Lord would evident in their community. Please pray that they will share the Gospel with their friends and family and become believers that persevere in faith to the end.

Please pray that our team and the believers in VOH would daily remind themselves and each other of the Gospel and it’s implication in all situations.

It was so refreshing to hear the foundation of our faith again today in simple words, stripped to its essence. All our hope in this life and the next can be understood by even a four-year-old and still baffle this 28-year-old.” -Linda

"One of the highlights of the day for me was the lunch we had at a Guatemalan home in Chituc, a nearby village.   Three lovely young women made a delicious lunch for 20 of us - fried chicken, rice, homemade tortillas and guacamole - all made in a very small and crowded kitchen.  God used them to bless us, just as He used us to bless them.

We were invited to look through the window to see the rest of their house -  which was just one room that served as a bedroom for the entire family, living room and family room.   There was a man laying on the bed and we were told he was passed out from too much alcohol.

I knew that alcoholism among Guatemalan men was quite prevalent, but seeing it face-to-face and knowing that one of the lovely women we met had to bear the brunt of his abuse was just heartbreaking.   On our walk back to Village of Hope, we saw a man lying on the side of the road, presumably because he was too drunk to make his way home.

The need for the hope of the gospel to replace the despair of their lives was made evident.   We pray that the boys with whom we shared the gospel later in the day will look to Christ with their needs rather than looking to booze." -Ginny

“Today we started our big work project for the week — the mural!!! We are painting one of the walls surrounding the soccer court green in the background (and the white outline of a soccer field) with a soccer player kicking a ball as the main focus. So far we have basically finished the green background - light green on the top, medium green in the middle, dark green on the below, and a small stripe of black on the bottom. It looks so cool!!!

We already had the wall primed by the team that came before us. Definitely such a help for completing this project. Without this pre-done work we would not be able to finish it in the time we are visiting VOH. The mural adds a liveliness to the entire area, making it a very inviting space to play. Working on it together as a team is also great experience. You get to see people’s creative sides come out and the ways in which what they are good at contributes in unique ways. From taking pictures of the process to taping the court outline to mixing paint, teamwork is needed. It is a long process but it is a great one, where you can build relationships and learn new things about one another.

Some team members also worked up in Casa 2 going through some of the kids clothes to decide what to keep and what could be passed on to other kids. It was an enormous project, and there are still two more Casas to go!!! 

Please pray that all goes smoothly for the mural and the clothes project, for both are complicated. It is so amazing to see what God is doing through this amazing ministry here in Guatemala. Thank you!!!” -Kelsey and Tasia

Tonight’s Devotion

"As we walked around the casas on Sunday praying, I felt a burden on my heart to pray for the biological families of the children at Village of Hope.  It’s easy to pray for the children and their children.  You see the faces and know there are heartbreaking stories behind those smiles.  And in some cases, a parent or another family member has sinned grievously against these children.  Our natural inclination isn’t to pray for people who’ve victimized or exploited children.  It goes against our desire for justice.  

In that time of prayer, I couldn’t ignore the fact that God is both just and merciful.  He sent His son to atone for my sin and because of that, I’m spared what I actually deserve - His judgment.  So I prayed for the family members of the kids - that they would repent and come to faith in Christ.  When you pray for VOH, the Blocks, the children, please pray for their families as well.  Like us, they are just people in dire need of Jesus and His saving grace.  We can’t overlook the power of God to change hearts of stone and bring sinners to repentance."

Please leave us a comment or send us an email. We would love to hear from you! ~Christine

For more information about Village of Hope or to sponsor a child please visit VillageofHopeGuatemala.com

A Different Perspective

Overheard from the male team member:

10) “That’s weird - there’s no line for the men’s bathroom.”

9) “Wow - there’s a lot of communication going on here.”

8) “Do we have to talk about colonoscopies during dinner?”

7) “Didn’t we just take a team picture about 20 minutes ago?”

6) “No, I don’t smell anything.”

5) “I really like Justin, but it’s much nicer sharing a room with you, Debbie.”

4) “Are you sure you don’t have any more construction or repair projects, Todd?”

3) “This time between the end of football season and the start of baseball season is kind of depressing, isn’t it?  Isn’t it?”

2) “I guess I won’t have any trouble finding someone to borrow a hair dryer from, if I need one.”

1) “Are you going to finish that?”

Day 1

We went to sleep to the sound of a rooster crowing in the distance and we woke up to… a rooster crowing in the distance. Throughout the night, at any given time, you might hear hundreds of dogs barking at a nearby kennel or the sounds of guns being fired that are actually fireworks, but somehow you're still not sure.

“We started off with a wonderful breakfast prepared by the staff. Scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, rolls, and fried plantains. Todd and Amy gave us an overview of the ministry in VOH. In the chapel many of the children from VOH prepared several beautiful dances to go along with the music. These children are truly beautiful inside and out. One of the girls ministered to us, telling us how we need to give everything to God and that we may make mistakes but Jesus always forgives us and will wash us clean. No matter where you're at in life God will use you for His glory. Everyone has a purpose according to Gods plan.” ~Tasia and Caryn

Visiting the casas.

“While getting ready for this trip, I had heard the song "Oceans" at a youth group, and I thought that it was a really great song. I talked to my mom about singing it at VOH in Spanish,  so I practiced the song and constantly played it in the car to learn the lyrics, but I was too nervous to sing it in front of people so I never passed it along to Christine. In the church service today we sang the song and I was in tears. There was no way anyone could have known that I was in love with this song, it was obviously the work of God. The moment I heard it start I knew that this is where I'm supposed to be. The environment at VOH is amazing, you can definitely feel God working here. The children smile at you, accept you even though they have been through so much, even when people haven't accepted them.  I am so happy God put it in my heart to come here.” ~Tasia

“Listening to Debbie’s retelling of Joseph’s biography in company of the VOH kids brought the very familiar story to life for me. The details of how the children got to VOH vary, but they all share in heaps of tragedy, abuse, and neglect. Some have predominant scars on their skin, but all of their wounds are much deeper. One particular story stood out to me: a preteen sold by her mother.

Without knowing the person’s past, Debbie began the story as Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery too. Suddenly, Joseph’s life wasn’t just a tale anymore. I was hearing a real person’s tragedy that someone else in the room could very much relate to. It was as if God pulled Joseph out to deep past and plopped him into today. How did he feel when he saw his brothers again? How did he want to treat them? But how and where did he find the strength to show such mercy? God was demonstrating that He empowers His people to rise above their trauma and to love even their enemies through the life of Joseph, a real person, a true believe, a genuine role model. How would I feel and what would I do if my mother sold me into slavery? How could I even go on?! God is calling this young person in this very room to tremendous forgiveness. 

God continues to encourage his people today with a rich history documented for our benefit and His glory!” ~Linda

We had the opportunity to spend some time making crafts with the kids this afternoon.  Tasia led a lanyard making activity that was a huge hit with the older kids.  They picked it up very quickly and spent a long time working on them.

The younger kids made airplanes out of craft sticks that they colored.  They all had their own ideas of how to put them together and we let them.  Some of them were, uh, very creative! 

Later, Debbie Carroll worked with the older kids on crocheting potholders.  They were all really involved in this activity too and it was great to see how quickly they took to it.

And for game time we will let the pictures tell the story…

“Knowing that I was going to be sharing for devotions tonight, I’ve prayed the last couple of weeks that the Lord would tell me what to say. Today I was encouraged that I heard what He had laid on my heart. And that is our call to “encourage each other”. To instill fresh courage into someone. To give them confidence and support. God calls us to be spiritual encouragers. To build up those that are facing great challenges. And here we are with just that opportunity. I’m looking forward to being an encourager and an encouragement as we serve here in Guatemala. A word of encouragement can change a life. Colossians 2:2-3 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” ~Connie

As you can see it was a great first day. ~Christine

For more information about Village of Hope or to sponsor a child please visit VillageofHopeGuatemala.com

Greetings from Guatemala!

The team arrived at the airport shortly after 6am this morning ready for a day of travel and a week at Village of Hope. After packing many suitcases, weighing them many times, and precious few hours of sleep we set off on the first of 2 flights. 

Our 3 hour layover gave us time to ride the Sky Link while some of us held on tight and others tried surfing only to grab a rail when they lost their balance.

Even though our traditional lunch stop was closed in the terminal of our departure, some decided to brave the Sky Link again and find a Fridays to continue our lunch traditional.

We all met back up at the gate and boarded our 2nd flight that would take us to our destination of Guatemala City. After gathering our 15 checked bags and assembling 14 carry-ons on 3 carts, we were ready to go. Customs went smoothly and outside we were greeted by Todd, Julio, Ronnie and Kallan. We loaded the vans and headed to dinner. Pollo Campero!

The van ride and dinner are always a good time to take in some of the sights and hear stories about what has been happening at Village of Hope.

Once we arrived, we found our rooms and settled in anticipating a full day tomorrow and a time of worship with those that call Village of Hope home.

We are thankful to have arrived safely and are grateful for the many prayers, sweet encouragement, and lots of generous donations that have brought us to this point. And we are praying for those at home who are holding down the fort and for those who are helping hold down the fort!

Each team the Lord brings together is unique, gifted, and a beautiful example of the way the body of Christ works to bring His kingdom here on earth. We have shared stories, prayed together, planned together, and shared much laughter already. Please pray that we would put each others' needs above our own, that we would be unified, and that we would be ready to do His will as we seek to encourage and serve at Village of Hope and in the community. May we be lights that shine brightly so that others will see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

We look forward to sharing our week with you!

~Christine for the team

For more information about Village of Hope or to sponsor a child please visit VillageofHopeGuatemala.com