I have only been here for three days but my life has been changed forever. The people here are friendly and the country is absolutely breath taking. The accommodations provided by Buckner have been more than I could imagine making this an experience of a lifetime. The most memorable event of this trip will certainly be the trips to the orphanage. The children greet you with so much desire to be loved and to be able to give love in return that it warms your heart and brings a tear to your eyes. In short, all I can say is WOW!!!!!! What an awesome experience so far and we have another week and a half for more heart warming experiences and beautiful sight seeing. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!
-Reggie
28 May 2009
Mercer - Day 4
Today (Thursday) begins Day 4 in Guatemala and Day 2 of ministry. The team got to see Fundacion Salvacion for the first time yesterday, and had a wonderful time meeting Sandra (the Director) and all the kiddos. It is always interesting to see the reactions of first-time visitors to these homes, and I hope to get one of the team members to post some thoughts today or tomorrow about their experience. Often times expectations of what they will see and the reality of what they do see are so different - always a cool perspective. Be looking for an update from one of the team members soon.
Overnight last night, as I'm sure you heard, there was a large earthquake off the coast of Honduras. We felt aftershocks here, but nothing too large. In fact, yours truly slept through every bit of it! Rest assured that everyone is safe and there is nothing to worry about here.
Please pray for energy and strength for the team. While our schedule is honestly not TOO demanding, this is a long trip and rest will be very important for everyone. Today we begin ESL classes and some other fun activities for the kids. It should be a great time. Thanks for your continued prayers and stay tuned for updates.
Dios le Bendiga!
John
Overnight last night, as I'm sure you heard, there was a large earthquake off the coast of Honduras. We felt aftershocks here, but nothing too large. In fact, yours truly slept through every bit of it! Rest assured that everyone is safe and there is nothing to worry about here.
Please pray for energy and strength for the team. While our schedule is honestly not TOO demanding, this is a long trip and rest will be very important for everyone. Today we begin ESL classes and some other fun activities for the kids. It should be a great time. Thanks for your continued prayers and stay tuned for updates.
Dios le Bendiga!
John
25 May 2009
Mercer University in Guatemala
If you are reading this, we’ve landed safely in Guatemala (I’m actually writing this on the plane). Today begins just short of three weeks with a group from Mercer University who will be serving in Huehuetenango. The group will be teaching ESL classes and just generally loving on the kids. I’m excited that we get to spend so long in one place, and I’m especially excited to see how this group will be transformed by what they experience.
Usually about this time on the plane ride an unspeakable weight settles on my spirit. Not a burden, but a solemn, soul-stirring weight – as C.S. Lewis would call it, “the weight of glory.” I posted on my personal blog just last week something along these same lines. There is something of such significance at hand here…eternity is so thick in the air you can see it. Just now as I am writing this I’m listening to Brooke Fraser, who is one of my favorite artists, and one of her songs begins the chorus by saying, “Oh can you feel the gravity falling, calling us home?” Perhaps that’s the best way to describe it: the draw of Christ wooing His children unto Himself, calling them to Himself. ..it’s like gravity. But the enemy is not going to let those children go without a fight – a present reality that is equally as tangible.
As we step foot off the plane, we step into an other-worldly battle. But in this case our weapons are far from traditional: compassion, kindness, gentleness, tears, laughter…in a word, love.
Christ is here, because we are here, and He is in us. Not that I, or any other team member, have anything to offer. But Christ in me is actively fulfilling His promise to the orphan and the widow. In His Sovereignty He has allowed the situations these precious children find themselves in – and in an equally Sovereign act He is redeeming them for His great glory and their great good. What an honor that He would use us in the process.
I am fully convinced that the heart of God beats for the orphan and the widow…after all, we all fit into that category. Thanks for your prayers over the next few weeks as we seek to serve the kiddos in Huehuetenango. We will do our best to keep you updated on what’s going on!
John Adams
Usually about this time on the plane ride an unspeakable weight settles on my spirit. Not a burden, but a solemn, soul-stirring weight – as C.S. Lewis would call it, “the weight of glory.” I posted on my personal blog just last week something along these same lines. There is something of such significance at hand here…eternity is so thick in the air you can see it. Just now as I am writing this I’m listening to Brooke Fraser, who is one of my favorite artists, and one of her songs begins the chorus by saying, “Oh can you feel the gravity falling, calling us home?” Perhaps that’s the best way to describe it: the draw of Christ wooing His children unto Himself, calling them to Himself. ..it’s like gravity. But the enemy is not going to let those children go without a fight – a present reality that is equally as tangible.
As we step foot off the plane, we step into an other-worldly battle. But in this case our weapons are far from traditional: compassion, kindness, gentleness, tears, laughter…in a word, love.
Christ is here, because we are here, and He is in us. Not that I, or any other team member, have anything to offer. But Christ in me is actively fulfilling His promise to the orphan and the widow. In His Sovereignty He has allowed the situations these precious children find themselves in – and in an equally Sovereign act He is redeeming them for His great glory and their great good. What an honor that He would use us in the process.
I am fully convinced that the heart of God beats for the orphan and the widow…after all, we all fit into that category. Thanks for your prayers over the next few weeks as we seek to serve the kiddos in Huehuetenango. We will do our best to keep you updated on what’s going on!
John Adams
24 May 2009
Elena
Today was incredible. This morning we had a water day with the kids; I think we all had a blast! It was amazing to watch all of their faces light up the second they walked out, and saw all the fun water activities we had prepared. Then this afternoon we a dance party! It was amazing! At first the kids were scared, and shy to dance, but once they saw all of us having a good time, they quickly joined in.
I had the joy of meeting a little girl named Elena! She had gotten in a little fight with one of the other girls, and was crying on the stairs. I couldn´t just walk away from her though, so I grabbed at interpreter and asked him to help me figure out what I could do. She wanted me to hold her, so naturally I did. She just sat there crying in my arms for at least ten minutes. Then I asked the interpreter what she wanted to do; she was ready to play again! So we went back to where the rest of the group was, and danced for over an hour. By the end of the afternoon, she was, in Spanish of course, calling me her mom. She stole my heart! It was so hard to say good bye at the end of the day. I just wanted to stay there, and take care of her forever.
It was an incredible experience being able to be there for her, and give her that sense of security, and emotional support. I can’t think of a better feeling than that. I personally do not know very much Spanish. Before coming on the trip, I was so worried about the language barrier being an issue. But if nothing else, on this trip, I have learned that love is the same in ever language. And our ultimate goal is to show them how much we love them, and how much their Father loves them!
A piece of my heart will always be here in Guatemala!
I had the joy of meeting a little girl named Elena! She had gotten in a little fight with one of the other girls, and was crying on the stairs. I couldn´t just walk away from her though, so I grabbed at interpreter and asked him to help me figure out what I could do. She wanted me to hold her, so naturally I did. She just sat there crying in my arms for at least ten minutes. Then I asked the interpreter what she wanted to do; she was ready to play again! So we went back to where the rest of the group was, and danced for over an hour. By the end of the afternoon, she was, in Spanish of course, calling me her mom. She stole my heart! It was so hard to say good bye at the end of the day. I just wanted to stay there, and take care of her forever.
It was an incredible experience being able to be there for her, and give her that sense of security, and emotional support. I can’t think of a better feeling than that. I personally do not know very much Spanish. Before coming on the trip, I was so worried about the language barrier being an issue. But if nothing else, on this trip, I have learned that love is the same in ever language. And our ultimate goal is to show them how much we love them, and how much their Father loves them!
A piece of my heart will always be here in Guatemala!
22 May 2009
Guatemala Update
Upon hearing of this trip, I really wanted to go, but if I am honest with myself I did not really trust the Lord would provide the money for me to go. When He did, I was so humbled, and just REALLY excited to get there, albeit nervous since this was my first mission trip.
When we arrived in Guatemala and walked into the orphange that first day, I looked into the eyes of those sweet little children and it broke my heart. They have so little materially, but yet are so rich in the things that count. They have so much joy and love in their hearts for people they do not even know. They are starving for attention and just want to be loved on. The language barrier is not as big of a deal as I thought it would be. Love really is the universal language as cheesy as that sounds.
Although I have always been confident about my ability to work with children, I had NO idea what God was going to show me or do on this trip. I am just asking him to surprise me, and that maybe in some small way that my teammates and I can make a difference. I have never seen myself going into missions before, but I am falling in love with Guatemala and the people. It is going to be so bittersweet to leave, but I know God has these precious little ones in the palm of his hand.
Continue to pray for us as we minister to the kids, and for our team to continue to stay spiritually united and well physically.
In His Grip,
Elizabeth Mullins
When we arrived in Guatemala and walked into the orphange that first day, I looked into the eyes of those sweet little children and it broke my heart. They have so little materially, but yet are so rich in the things that count. They have so much joy and love in their hearts for people they do not even know. They are starving for attention and just want to be loved on. The language barrier is not as big of a deal as I thought it would be. Love really is the universal language as cheesy as that sounds.
Although I have always been confident about my ability to work with children, I had NO idea what God was going to show me or do on this trip. I am just asking him to surprise me, and that maybe in some small way that my teammates and I can make a difference. I have never seen myself going into missions before, but I am falling in love with Guatemala and the people. It is going to be so bittersweet to leave, but I know God has these precious little ones in the palm of his hand.
Continue to pray for us as we minister to the kids, and for our team to continue to stay spiritually united and well physically.
In His Grip,
Elizabeth Mullins
20 May 2009
Bittersweet
As I walked through the gate of Hogar Temporal in Xela, Guatemala, I began to have flashbacks from my very first trip there 2 years ago with DBU. I remembered the sound of laughter, partnered with the sound of crying. I remembered the hundreds of hugs given to me by excited children, and the hundreds of hugs that the lonely child in the corner never received. I remembered the feeling of joy, followed shortly after with the feeling of hopelessness. Overall, my time there was bittersweet.
I quickly snapped back to reality when I saw one of the faces I depended on seeing each time I returned to Xela. Jonathan sat, surprisngly attentive, in a small classroom. Jonathan is one of the special needs kids at Hogar Temporal. A good descriptor of Jonathan; I asked my co-worker who had been to Xela a few months after me if she met him, and she responded with, "Oh, the one who winks and raises his eyebrows at all the girls?" Yep, thats my boy.
We only stayed at the home for a few minutes so that we wouldnt disturb their classes, but I couldnt stop thinking about Jonathan for the rest of the night. I realized that my time here would again be bittersweet. I layed in my bed last night thinking about what will happen to Jonathan, and the rest of the kids at Hogar Temporal. Selfishly, I was so excited to see familiar faces of the kids I had met in years past. But the other part of me knows that ever year I see them is another year they are living in an institution without a family. The thought went through my mind that 6 year old Jonathan would probably be there into his teenage years. It didnt hit me how terrible this thought was until I said it out loud to a dear friend on the phone this evening.
Shortly after we hung up, I replayed a song in my head that we sang with the kids this afternoon. The song described God with words like, big, strong, powerful, mighty and majestic. This song that was so fun for the kids because of the motions, but once I actually listened to the words, it made me remember something that I so ignorantly doubt. Gods greatness. How dare I think that He cant work beyond the doors of the orphanage, after seeing His goodness and faithfulness over and over again?
I know that God has the plans mapped out for Jonathan and the rest of the children at Hogar Temporal. And no matter how many times I am told in scripture, or see first hand the greatness of God, I still doubt and ask Him for reminders of His goodness...thankfully there are childrens songs with silly hand motions to do just that.
I quickly snapped back to reality when I saw one of the faces I depended on seeing each time I returned to Xela. Jonathan sat, surprisngly attentive, in a small classroom. Jonathan is one of the special needs kids at Hogar Temporal. A good descriptor of Jonathan; I asked my co-worker who had been to Xela a few months after me if she met him, and she responded with, "Oh, the one who winks and raises his eyebrows at all the girls?" Yep, thats my boy.
We only stayed at the home for a few minutes so that we wouldnt disturb their classes, but I couldnt stop thinking about Jonathan for the rest of the night. I realized that my time here would again be bittersweet. I layed in my bed last night thinking about what will happen to Jonathan, and the rest of the kids at Hogar Temporal. Selfishly, I was so excited to see familiar faces of the kids I had met in years past. But the other part of me knows that ever year I see them is another year they are living in an institution without a family. The thought went through my mind that 6 year old Jonathan would probably be there into his teenage years. It didnt hit me how terrible this thought was until I said it out loud to a dear friend on the phone this evening.
Shortly after we hung up, I replayed a song in my head that we sang with the kids this afternoon. The song described God with words like, big, strong, powerful, mighty and majestic. This song that was so fun for the kids because of the motions, but once I actually listened to the words, it made me remember something that I so ignorantly doubt. Gods greatness. How dare I think that He cant work beyond the doors of the orphanage, after seeing His goodness and faithfulness over and over again?
I know that God has the plans mapped out for Jonathan and the rest of the children at Hogar Temporal. And no matter how many times I am told in scripture, or see first hand the greatness of God, I still doubt and ask Him for reminders of His goodness...thankfully there are childrens songs with silly hand motions to do just that.
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