Everything Means Everything

To read the original post on the Hungry for Life website click here.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Today was the day we visited Iglesia Galilea and worshiped with the Guatemalan believers. It’s easy to forget that the body of Christ exists outside of our small bubbles. Although the words on the screen were in a different language than we are used to, we still worshipped the same God that we do in Salt Lake. God worked in each of our hearts to show how big He is and how small we think He is.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 were the verses we focused on and this is a verse we easily skip over in our daily devotions. I know for myself, this is one that I have on my wall right next to my door to read every day when I walk out. But it is more than just a devotional or a verse to place on a coffee mug. This should be our mission daily and it was exactly what we needed to hear.  We can be so focused on the mission, that we forget this command. Everything we do needs to be done in love. Everything means everything.

Last year’s Sunday service, the message focused on Joshua 1; today, Pastor Merari used Joshua 1:9 to drive the point home. “Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Wherever we go, whether Salt Lake or Guatemala, God will always be there.
We also had the opportunity to hear Iglesia Galilea’s vision from Pastor Merari and Tono and the history of their mission. Today we were able to bond as a group as we prepare for the rest of the week.

Tomorrow, we head to Zapote. We will take the first step across the river and start the work God has planned for the village.

Jay

We're Here!

In 2013, Risen Life Church sent a team with Hungry for Life to Guatemala.  Our main goal was to help make the plans for a new school in Membrillal a reality.  Over the next few posts you will see the details of that trip.

To read the original post on the Hungry for Life website click here.

 Greetings from Guatemala!
This is Sean.
Our team of 12 has done really well traveling together and has been very flexible despite some changes to our schedule.  Today we had a chance to check out the land where the school will be built in Membrillal.  Our team will be mainly working the concrete forms to lay the foundation
for more of the building to be built.  Iglesia Galilea has the goal to finish the school by the end of the year and our team of 12 will be able to work a lot of the foundation.

We will also have an opportunity to go back to Zapote on Monday and Tuesday to build 1 house, 2 stoves, a fence at the church there, and an addition on to one of the homes that Tono had previously worked on.  That is a lot of work for two days but our team is ready to serve!

Tomorrow we will attend the worship service at Iglesia Galilea and will get to spend some time with Tono and Merari.  Please be in prayer for Merari’s wife, Lucky.  She recently had surgery and is recovering.  Praise God that she was given a clean bill of health as they had removed come cancerous tissue.

We will have a lot more to report on Monday.  The team is seeking to be an encouragement to each other and to the folks here in Guatemala.

Good-Byes

To read the original post on the Hungry for Life website click here.

Blog entry written by RLC Team Member – Zak

Our time here is nearing a close. We’re packing our bags and preparing to say our good-byes to Guatemala. It’s been a powerful trip. A lot of laughter has been shared and a few tears shed. It’s a bittersweet feeling knowing that tomorrow we’ll be back at home. We’re excited to see our families and friends again, but we’re sad to leave our new family and friends here. Guatemala has given us a part of itself that we’ll carry with is for the rest of our lives, and we’ve left a part of our hearts here as well.

But this isn’t the end. As we think about the future we are hopeful and encouraged, by God, that this will not be the last time we see Guatemala. This will not be the last time that we get to REACH out to our brothers and sisters here in Guatemala. This will not be our last good-byes to our new friends and family. No, this is only the start of something greater.

Because of this encouragement and hope, we can return home joyfully, knowing that this is only the beginning. We will see you all tomorrow. God Bless.

Oil Based Paint Stinks to Get Off Your Hands

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Blog entry written by RLC Team Leader – Sean

Today was a much easier day.  Iglesia Galilea was blessed with the property that we have been staying at and will have a huge celebration next week.  We spent the day painting and preparing the grounds for their event.  We were happy to do this as Pastor Tono has been going strong for two weeks now and will host yet another group next week for the party/celebration.  This facility has been such a blessing to come home to every night and it felt good that we would be able to bless other groups that will be staying here in the future.

After lunch we had the opportunity to head to Antigua and do some touristy things.  We ended up at a souvenir market and were able to pick up some gifts for our loved ones at home.  It was really funny to watch how each member of the team bartered their prices.  I’m sure I got taken to the cleaners but no matter.

Tono asked me a few days ago to speak/preach to his youth group.  I was very honored that he would ask and tonight I was able to share, through the translation of Tono’s wife Courtney, a little of what God had put on my heart.  It was such an encouragement to worship with the youth and even learn “Heart of Worship” in Spanish.  Such an amazing thing that though the language may be different, we worship the same amazing God!  It was also good to see Tono in his element, ministering to those kids!

Tomorrow we will get to say thank you to our hosts as we spend our last day in Guatemala enjoying the new friends we have made.

God has been doing amazing things in the lives of each of the team members.  Far more than we could think to write down.  I’m sure it will be some time before I can really put into words how grateful I am for this opportunity to be in this beautiful country serving our God.  Thank you to everyone for the comments.  It really feels good to share this with you.  We are looking forward to sharing this with you in person!

Our Last Day in Zapote

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Entry written by RLC Team Member – Scott

Today we started out in Zapote. We were there to finish the house that we started yesterday and install a new stove. Upon completion we noticed that we had what appeared to be a considerable amount of kids and adults anxiously awaiting the completion of the house and stove. Once it was completed we gathered with everyone to pray and bless the house. Glen had the opportunity to turn over the keys to the new house to the family. The most impactful thing for me was when the mother of the family was asked to say a few words and tearfully thanked us, saying that she could never repay us for what we had done, but that she would pray that God would bless us. With the extra cement from the construction we were able to place an engraving in front of the house that said “Regalo de Dios,” which means Gift from God.

We came to Guatemala to serve the local people, but we as well as them, are being blessed by seeing the compassion and love to Jesus in new ways. To God be the glory and we covet your prayers.

Entry written by RLC Team Member – Glen

I have been touched since we have been here by the incredible heart, compassion, and drive that the Iglesia Galilea pastors have for God and the people they serve.  The home we completed today was right next to the one we completed the other day.  The two created sort of a court yard area.  As we prayed and handed over the “keys”, Tono emphasized that the homes were a gift from God, to use them for good, and to pay-it-forward in the community.  Everyone was truly touched as evidenced by the tears.  We also had the opportunity to complete the finish work in the computer lab at the Zapote church-run school.  The kids that attend this school are receiving nutritious meals, are healthier, are learning English, and can now learn computer skills.  This school is a critical tool in helping future generations.  Please keep all of them in your prayers.  The time we have spent here has also emphasized to me that we are truly a blessed people, and has reminded me that to those who much has been given, much is required.

HFL Team Leader, Aaron Jones here. Thank you all so much for your comments. They have been such an encouragement for the guys here on the field. Your prayers for strength and endurance have been answered and seen clearly. God is so good and faithful.

God’s Speed, Loved Ones,