Well we have been somewhat anxiously waiting for news from the Guatemala team who left on Friday morning, reminding ourselves that no news is good news. We have just heard from them - and it is good news!!! I will just "copy and paste" the letter that Craig Kraft , their team leader wrote as it is easier than me summarizing it. It sounds like quite the adventure and actually made me cry...so blessed to go to a church that sees the value in giving kids this kind of opportunity.
Our mission trip is off to a great start. Edwin has a full schedule for us. Yesterday we traveled the long 300 km from Guatemala city to Huehuetenango and after a quick meal we were off to a rural church where we led the whole service. Bethany and Jon did a great job with their Spanish and the whole team formed a choir and sang in English and Spanish. Brian Dodds and Phil Grierson shared testimonies and I shared a message with Edwin translating. About 50 people had walked up to two hours for the service. I was so proud ot the team. The were tired and nervous but they all jumped right in and did a great job with the service. Today we drove two hours up into a tiny village where many of the people had never seen white people before. The road was very steep and at times we had to get out and walk because the van was out of power. When we arrived The little building was packed and there were people gathered outside of every door and window. Our team did the whole service. Jon Harris led worship. The team did special music and worship team. Bethany did a children's story and song. Tessa Remple and Bethany Newfelt shared testimonies and I shared a Gospel Message and gave an invitation with over 20 people praying to receive Christ. It was very exciting because our group had attracted so many new visitors to the church. It was hard to estimate with people inside and outside, but probably about 100 people were there, not including us.
We have not had internet here in Huehue and tomorrow we head out to the coffee plantation for 4 days. We will be doing some work on the church building that SDBC started previously. We will be doing three 1 day kids camps, and we are painting a pastors house. Weather permitting, Edwin may hold some evangelistic meetings on a couple evenings. Next weekend we will lead the service at a larger church in HueHue.
Everyone is doing well. A few have been car sick and a couple have already experienced diarhea. It is very high altitude here. Today we were at over 10000 ft, and tomorrow we will be headed to over 11,000 feet. Please continue to pray for health and that the Lord will continue to reveal himself to and through our team. You can be proud of every one of them.
Me again...I wonder what they are going to do on the coffee farm....hmm! So glad to get this update and already I can't wait for the next one. Your prayers are much appreciated... for safety, souls and sickness - notice how he doesn't say "who" has the diarhea or car sickness. Craig is an experience Missions guy who works for Outreach Canada - so blessed to have him as their leader!
