Last Day in Guatemala

The Lord has so blessed me this week.  Being my first mission trip I did not know what to expect. I just knew that God had this thing under control. We arrived Friday evening to a wonderful meal prepared by the greatest cook. We prayed, enjoyed time with one another, went over the itinerary for the week ahead.

Saturday we enjoyed lake Atitlan, shopping throughout the village, lunch near the lake, and then just aching to get to work.

Sunday one of the best Church services and worship I have been apart of, it started my mind wrapping around Romans 15: 1-6.  Ash falling from the sky to find out about the volcano, but aching for work right to washing cars and building Cornhole for the school at Membrillal. Of course we needed to break them in, so a few games were enjoyed.

The work week was amazing, thru this team we rocked a lot of work out. God kept us safe, full of energy, and hearts full of service, we saw a building just get higher with each block we layed. Sore muscles yet not one complaint, just pure joy in service for such a beautiful place.

Friday just finished up a little work, poured some columns, and off to Membrillal for a great VBS and great time enjoying kids teaching some cornhole and the love that our Lord has for each one of them.

Today we enjoyed a trip to Antigua, and just some time unwinding from a very powerful, God enjoying week. I experienced the “shopping” malls of this city and then we went to a hill overlooking the city and then off to a little village off the grid called Hobbitenango  what a cool “shire” right out of the Lord of the rings books. Saw some very large millipedes. From one of the lookouts up there you could look across the valley and see the roof of the church in Membrillal, Amazing.

As this mission trip comes to an end I have been blessed this week with many new friendships, growth in my heart for the kingdom, and a true love of Guatemala.

I will be returning...until then lets pray for Guatemala, the people, the people that have had their lives torn in the eruption of Volcan de Fuego, and for this team. Coming home is going to be hard for me, because time seems to stand still here, and the “hustle” of home is about to hit us all.

God Bless Guatemala…

Troy Brown

 

This has been my eighth trip to Guatemala.  Every year I am astounded of the love and grace of people who seemingly have so little but are willing to give themselves away over and over again. 

Simply put, this place fills my heart. 

Risen Life, you should be proud of the team you sent.  This has by far been the easiest trip to lead.  Your loved ones have showed the love of God to each other and every Guatemalan they have come in contact with.  It has been an honor for Jared and I to lead this team. 

How do we sum up ten life changing days into a few words?  We can’t.  From the largest volcano eruption in over a century, preaching and teaching, singing songs, building a church, loving on hundreds of children in Membrillal, and spending sweet time in sweet fellowship with Tono, Rudy, Maria Jose, and all of our friends here, God has done so much in our personal lives and we are forever changed.  After eight trips these people have become family.  My heart is full.  We can’t describe what has happened here, but I double-dog dare you to come with me and experience it for yourself. 

We are tired and sore but at the same time we are energized and ready for the work at home to continue. 

Tomorrow we will get on a plane and travel home.  A piece of me will always be here.  Until next time Guatemala. 

Sean Patrick

Risen Life, this has been an amazing team and an amazing time. As Tono mentioned today, it was as if we packed a month’s worth of ministry into one week. Some of this was planned, but much of it wasn’t. God ordained our time here in a great time of need for Iglesia Galilea as well as the people of Guatemala and this team was happy to serve in any way we could. I could not be more proud of this team.

With that said, I want to say thank you to Risen Life and many of you that supported this team so that they could be here. Your investment in the kingdom is incalculable. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I like Sean challenge you to come with us in the upcoming years.

There has been a lot said about the ministry done here as well as the work. But truly, I cherish the example that our Guatemalan Christian brothers and sisters in Christ have shown us. They have shown us what it means to serve others, to love others, to lay down their lives as Christ has done for us. I cannot say enough about how these brothers and sisters teach me to be a better pastor and a better Christian. They continually show me how to trust God in deeper and deeper ways. It brings tears to our eyes to part from our Christian family here in Guatemala. We look forward to the day when we all live together forever with the Lord.

Jared Jenkins