Wednesday, July 4, 2007
The day started the same even the plane during prayer. The kids at Bible camp were alittle more hyper today! We are getting to know more of the kids names every day. Today at lunch Dan Sr. , Mike, and Dan Jr. were able to share their testimonies with the teachers. It was very impressive!. Joel left for a couple hours to rest cause he wasn't feeling well so please keep his health in your prayers. He was able to meet up with us at 4p.m. We met at a cemetary overlooking the dump. There we could see those who lived in the dump. What a life! And to think kids live there and families live on 5 dollars a day. The money made by things they found in the dump and were able to sell. The smell was awful and there were hundreds of vultures on the edge of the cemetary overlooking the dump.Our work crews worked foundations, building walls, and set up and delivered the bunk bed to a family of la Limonada. Joel came for supper(which again was awesome) and did the devotions. Devotions were on Judges 19. If you get a chance read it and ask your kids what he said. He encouraged them not to be lukewarm Christians but to be on fire for Him. He told them that mission trips are meant to be a direction change. He as always kept everyones attention! After Joel left we made our care packages for the kids to give out to the kids at Bible camp. Now they are either playing cards, games, or just hanging out. To all you parents that asked your kids for coffee it is here and will be brought along home. Our yeah God's for today are: safety (we found out from Joel that the day after we climbed the volcano the volcano erupted and the villages we had driven thru to get there had been evacuated), Joel's devotions, seeing flowers amidst the tin homes, hearing the song The Power of Your Love as we are walking down the streets of la Limonada,Ryan & Jason feeling better(ryan had stomach problems and jason with cold symtoms), kids completing their encouragement cards and are encouraged from them, and teamwork. Please keep praying for us! We can feel them!
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9 comments:
once again the pictures are amazing! its so cool to see how you are all interacting with the kids! it gives us a little look at what you are doing each day! even though im sure it does no justice to what you are doing but its still AMAZING!!!!! thanks for all the pictures! its so nice to see all the happy faces!!! Love you all!! :)
There are no words to describe the pictures of the dump. Tears well up just imagining people- little children, trying to make a living in that. Any problem we think we may have is just so insignificant when put in that perspective. I can only imagine the impact it has made on all of your lives viewing that first hand. By now you have probably made some new close friends, isn't it amazing how God can break down any barriers in our way if we only open our hearts and allow it to happen. Our prayers are that you are as deeply affected by these new friendships as much as they are! We will all see each other again someday in heaven...in Christ there are no goodbyes! Don't miss any opportunity that God may put in your path the next couple of days...never look back and think "I wish I had talked to that person or hugged that child in the name of God" chances like that don't come along very often. Your's may be the touch that changes their life - or changes Yours! Yeah God!!!!
Keep sending those pics...by the way did Sherrie and Steve get off the plane with you? There are not many pics with them on anywhere???!!!:) The movie could turn into epic proportions...it is so hard to choose which pics to use...they are all so good and belong in the movie! The smiles on your faces is worth a thousand words as we look at the dirt on your hands and clothes...and yet you smile!!! To see some of you interact with the kids and take the time to get down on there level and show them someone does care about them is incredible and moving to see!!
We continue to keep you close in prayer...thinking of you often throughout the day. Not only are you touching lives in Guatemala, but also some here at home! Continue to walk in God's footsteps as they lead you back home!!
Luv Ya'll
Paula
Hi Nick-luv ya-miss ya!!!!!!!
Pastor Rich says. . . I thank God for each of you as
your serve Jesus. . . praying for your safety and for your health. I am looking forward to hearing your stories. . . You have been blessed to be a blessing!
Pastor Rich
Wow!! Those pictures of the dump....how can it even be put into words?! When I think of the things we find to complain about here at home I am ashamed and humbled. We take so much for granted. The pictures moved me to tears...I can't imagine what it felt like to see it firsthand. What a potentially life-changing experience for all of you this week! The smiles on the faces of all those Guatemalan children...priceless! The opportunity you all have had to make a difference in their lives has obviously not been wasted. A big "yeah God" for your willingness to be used by Him this week! We are so proud of all of you and will continue to pray that God uses and stretches you in your last few days in Guatemala. We can't wait to hear your testimonies when you get home!
Love you all!
-dave and sue dv
Hey, Matthew! Love you tons, bud! We're eager to have you home...you are missed!!
Thanks again for reminding us of how blessed we are. God is certainly using you in a powerful way to reach others "where they are at". Keep smiling, working and showing His love to the many that you work with. I am sure they are looking to you to see His love.
Happy Birthday, Megan!! This will be one you will never forget. We love you and your Mom and Dad very much and look forward to seeing you this weekend.
Love, Grandma/Grandpa H.
I continue to pray for you daily, even though many of you don't know me. I pray that God will continue to open the eyes of your heart to how and where he is in Guatemala. I would love for our group to get together with your group and swap stories sometime when you return.
Keep encouraging one another, praying with and for each other, and allowing yourself to marvel at God's goodness and love in the midst of extreme poverty.
In God's Grip and Grace,
Janice Buist
Niekerk Church Youth Director
Groens said...
Hey, Megan--- HAPPY BIRTHDAY tomorrow!! As you know, most of the really "cool" people in the world have July birthdays (with some exceptions, of course)!!! Now that you have your license, we've alerted the people of Holland to try to stay off the sidewalks as much as possible. ;-)
Thank you all for the pictures and the blogs. You guys are not only cool, but you are all totally AWESOME, doing a lot of AWESOME work on behalf of an AWESOME GOD!!!! Remember in the Bible God says that in as much as you give "a cup of cold water" or love to "the least of these..." you are giving that directly to God. Well, that's exactly what you are all doing! We couldn't be more excited or proud!!! Keep up the good work!!
Love,
The Groens (grandpa & grandma & mom & dad)
Others have said it more eloquently...but wow! I'm speechless. You guys are doing amazing stuff. You see the amount of needs out there and think, "How can what I'm doing make a difference??" But you are making a difference to some...and that's where it starts. So, thanks for your work and hang in there. See you back in a couple of days! (Mark & Tammy Mich)
Our prayer of encouragement for all of you and that you may leave with those God has put in your path this week; from Ephesians 3:
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Good night Ryan & Rachael)
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