A wave of mercy in missions

I truly dislike my hair.  I do.  If there were one feature of my body I could change it would be this dry, brittle, unruly, frizzy, excuse of a hairdo.  Whenver I look at pictures of years gone by my attention is immediately drawn to my hair- it seems no matter what style I try to accomplish, the type of shampoo, or any other factor- I am never satisfied with my hair.  However, that is probably the only aspect of my life that has not changed in the last decade.

Bev, Sarah, and Yolanda

In the past few weeks CCJ has had the privilege of hosting 2 mission teams.  Both of them had hearts of gold.  Vessels of Mercy directed by Bev Gibson came to hold medical clinics in some remote parts of the community we work in.  Bev and her team of ladies are a ton of fun, with humble hearts and a sincere desire to bless all those they come in contact with.  And since they are from my home town I especially enjoy getting a chance to catch up on news from home.

In total well over 400 patients were seen in the five days they held medical clinics.  Most of those patients were seen in the moutains of San José Pinula, a rural area steeped in mayan traditions carefully disguised as catholic.  The three communities we visited are very closed to outsiders.  Little by little, by bringing help such as this, we are breaking the barrier of mistrust and building relationships that will  help us in the future. 

The simple country people expressed heartfelt gratitude at the assistance that was being offered.  Their life is a hard life with little comforts.  Hard work and generosity characterize these folks who lined up in scraggly clothes and rubber boots with weather worn faces.  Some mornings our team members struggled to warm themselves in the brisk moutain climate yet the local population seemed undaunted and even amused by our team's efforts.

Consultation with a nurse

Chrissy, Joy, and Yolanda praying and counseling

Here I am helping with registration

Yet, as I relate these events, I must confess that I tell them second hand.  As I reflect back on my life one aspect that has changed dramatically in the past decade is my ability to accompany misson teams on their daily treks.  My role of mommy trumps the role of interpreter and guide these days.  I was only available to help on the last day of the medical clinic which was held at a public school nearby.


Shortly after Vessels of Mercy departed, a team from Chrissy's home church visited us.  Chrissy always seems to glow a little more while her church is here.  They visited several areas of Guatemala and spent 2 days with us at the end of their trip.  The program they did for the children was sensational.  "our kids" enjoyed it extremely.  Just another reminder for them that God is fun.  The Bible is fun.

Alfonso with the family that recieved construction

Besides ministering in our Bible Club and at an orphange, they also did some construction on the home of one of our Bible Club familes.  The men got to work adding a cement floor to the patio area- which will help tremendously during the rainy season (now!).  I was told that some of the team members were so impacted by the state in which some of our families live that they took the shoes and shirts of of their backs and gave them away then and there.  What an example of love in action!  I thank God for sending us people with tender hearts full of compassion.

And so it is with gratefulness that we close the mission team portion of this year which was seasoned with mercy.  May God continue to bless us with more visitng teams and missionaries who will partner with us to bring the tangible message of the goodness of God to this area of Guatemala.

A Passion for Compassion

Compassion... a word I have been thinking a lot about lately.

Therefore, as God´s chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with COMPASSION, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  and over all these virtues put on LOVE , which binds them all together in perfect unity.   (Colossians 3:15-17)

As I clothe myself with compassion and put on love I find myself motivated to help others.  I find myself urged to forget whatever challenges I may be facing and instead look to serve my brother, neighbor, stranger, friend, and enemy. When we make compassion a part of our daily lives we begin to see things differently, I think.  Compassion is truly the opposite of selfishness and self-centered living.  If more were motivated by compassion for others instead of self-seeking this world would be a different place.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:35-38)

I am not a Bible scholar, but as I meditate on this I see a few things.  As Jesus taught and healed he drew crowds.  Doubtless the size of the crowd was too big for a single person (Jesus) to handle.  Imagine, trying to pray for and minister to each individual need.

Imagine yourself in that crowd.  Crowds then weren't much different than they are today.  I am sure there were those who lacked patience, those who grumbled because there were too many people, they couldn't see or hear, they were being pushed and jostled, etc.  Others who wouldn't wait their turn but shoved their way to the front to have their need met first.  Timid folks, folks who vocally expressed dissatisfaction, others who kept it to themselves, some who came just to see what all the ruckus was about, others who came to make fun.... and also those who respectfully waited their turn, and a few who despite the long waits, hot sun, and uncomfortable conditions managed to keep a smile on their face and a good attitude. 

They were harassed and helpless.  hmmm.  Harassed by whom?  By each other.  By the devil.  They needed help.  What was Jesus' response to this overwhelming need?  He told his disciples to pray for more workers, others also moved by compassion who would labor alongside Jesus.

As I look around me, I am also moved with compassion.  It is compassion that motivates me to write Bible lessons, designed to sow the Word of God into little hearts.  Without the living Word of God in their hearts, these families will not see the fullness of God operating in their lives.  The will stumble along in darkness without the Word to light their path.  It is compassion that leads us to carry medical teams and evangelistic teams into remote, unreached areas of San José Pinula.  It is compassion that motivates us to constantly seek for donations to bless the families in our community.

I am so thankful to be a part of the move of God taking place in this part of the country.  I am so thankful for every person who supports this ministry and makes it possible for us to continue.  I am so thankful for the mission teams who have come and the missionaries who visit.  But still there is much work to be done.

Join us as we pray for more laborers to join us in the harvest.

Special Thanks to a Special Family

AAAAAAHHHHHHH!  Finally.  Corban returns to school after a 2 week break.  I love having him around.  I love hearing him sing loudly and off key all through the house.  However, despite all the joy it brings to have my little sidekick around, I can never get as much accomplished as when he is gone :)

Jeff, the dad of the visiting family, and his daughter-- sorry, sideways picture!

And so, the man who drives a little van and takes Corban to school came by at the usual time and with bribes of cookies and chocolate milk in his hands, Corban reluctantly climbed aboard and left for school.  I got busy.  I had just a little bit of time before I needed to head out to join a family of four that was here.  They had generously offered time and resources and set aside the entire day to help one of the families in our Little Giants Bible Clubs.  "Doña Ana" we will call her- is a prime example of life in Guatemala for most of the population.  She is a hard worker, with a bright smile and cheery outlook despite the hardships she has faced.  She is a joy to be around and so are her children.  Doña Ana is the mother of 6 intelegent, talented children who have been in our program for several years now.

So, as I was packing the car and getting ready to spend the day at Doña Ana's house I received a huge shock.  Suddenly Corban's van came around the corner and pulled up.  A dazed and disoriented Corban hopped out and announced that classes actually began the NEXT DAY.  oooooops.  my bad.  Quickly I changed Corban's clothes and plopped him in the car so that our missionary adventure could begin!

The plan for the day was to repair some sheets of metal on the roof as well as take care of some other repairs on the house.  To the left is a picture of the kitchen ceiling.  You can see one shiny new metal placed up there.  You can also see plastic which was hung to catch the leaks.  Doña Ana was so grateful for help with this.  You see, her husband, a taxi driver, was killed a few years ago by gang members seeking extortion.  All of her children are somewhat young still... so getting up on the roof to replace the metal was something she was saving up her money to do herself.

The tortilla fire.. sorry, this picture is sideways.

When Corban and I arrived we found that Kelly (the mother of the family visiting with us) and her 2 girls had already done crafts and games with Doña Ana's children who were at home at the time.  Doña Ana was already putting more kindling on the fire to make her tortillas for the next few days.

Her small garden patch

She grows her own corn, harvests it, degrains it, takes the grains to the mill to have it ground, and makes her own tortilla dough/paste.  She does things the old fashioned way!  As does a large portion of Guatemala's people.

Corban was impressed.  He had only seen me buy tortillas.  It had never occurred to his 3 year old mind that some people make them at home.  He wanted me to learn so that I could make some.  yeah right!  for a little over a dime I can buy 4 tortillas.  I think I will stick to buying them freshly made and leave the hard work to someone else.  Still, to appease him and to initiate a cultural exchange - Doña Ana began tortilla classes for all interested!  Kelly and her daughter tried their best.  After many laughs and failed attempts a couple of the tortillas came out right!

another sideways picture!  Getting tortilla making lessons....

While the men worked, the women were busy tending a Güisquil plant.  Gúisquil is a vegetable native to the area that grows in abundance.  We pulled off dead leaves and pruned the vine a bit to bring new life to it.  The footing beneath was a muddy, messy clay.  Our shoes were extremely yucky after that day!

pruning the gúisquil vine

As the morning wore on, more of Doña Ana's children appeared.  Each dressed in school uniform and with books on their arms.  In Guatemala, the public school has 2 shifts.  Some of Doña Ana's children study in the morning and others in the afternoon.  At one point I noticed Corban doing a familiar dance... he had to go to the bathroom!!!!!  And so began yet another adventure.  Doña ana does not have running water in her bathroom.  Basically, the toilet sits over a hole in the ground.  And the shower is just a stall.  You must bathe with the use of a bucket of cold water and a cup or something to dip the water out.  Unfortunately, the hole under the toilet is filling up.  The stench invades the house... Doña Ana has taken it upon herself to begin digging another hole outside of the house so that she can move the toilet to a new location.

This barrel holds rainwater.  The bucket on the floor is used to draw water out and pour into the toilet bowl, forcing the sewage down.

dirty, dingy bathroom with a muddy, yucky floor.

The hole Doña Ana has begun to dig by herself

It was a morning to remember.  We spend a good portion of our days teaching in the Bible Clubs, orphanages and schools.  At various times throughout the year we visit the homes to take provision and minister to the families.  Still, there is something very special about spending an entire day one on one helping a family that is doing all it can to help itself.  Corban and I had to leave just before lunch.  The baby at home was due for a nursing soon!  But our missionary guests stayed on with our team to continue working.  They even treated everyone to a hearty lunch and a very American dessert of brownies!

From the bottom of my heart I think Jeff, Kelly and their girls for coming to Guatemala and blessing the Least of These.  Jeff and Kelly, you have such wonderful, humble, servants hearts.  Your girls are simply amazing.  What a wonderful way to spend your family vacation- on a mission trip serving others.  We hope you come back again!

Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.... (Matt. 25:40)

Helping hands

Sarah (me) during the class

Well, the weekend came and went.  And what a weekend!!!!  As I mentioned before, we held a training class for area churches.  Although Alfonso has been telling me for years that we should do training classes, I was hesitant to do it.  First and foremost- although we do much better children's ministry than most of the churches in this part of the world, when I compare our classes to those I have seen in the States, I realize that we still have a long way to go.  Secondly, there are other ministries in Guatemala that do fantastic training for children's ministries.  I didn't want to seem as though I were copying them, and also I didn't want to do training just for the sake of doing it if there was already a realiable source for churches to refer to.  However, as a favor to a church we have begun to work closely with we decided to do it.

Alfonso directing an ice breaking activity

Chrissy and Alfonso doing a choreography.  

I never like to throw something together at the last minute, so after several meetings with Alfonso to prepare the written materials we would hand out, plan the curriculum to be taught, etc, we were finally ready to hold our own training class!!!





 I have to admit- it was TONS of fun.  The 4 hour class had a half hour intermission/coffee break.  We taught hard, we taught from the heart... and we were tired at the end.  But all of the planning paid off.  All of the teachers were pleased and felt as though we had opened their eyes to something new.

I started off by teaching about the importance of children's ministry and how God sees children.  We touched on different aspects of planning a class.  Seat work was assigned!  Those in attendance had to creatively come up with object lessons using objects in our classroom.  The teachers were the "children" as we had them play games, win prizes, learn a Bible verse, etc just as we would do with the children.

practicing an object lesson

a reporter looking for Noah

And we found Noah!!!  Fresh off of the boat

And to follow up, we arrived at church on Sunday all ready to take over the children and give them a live example of how we do a class.  The church is held in the converted garage of the pastor's house.  Due to construction, the children's class was held outside under a small roofed area.  The area was small and tight... but no one seemed to mind in the least. 

The small space we had for the class

It was fun.  Corban was such a cutie.  All of the children were cute, but of course, I happen to think that my 3-year-old was the cutest of them all.  He tried to keep up with the motions to the songs, but was always one word behind!!!! 

Corban trying to keep up with the motions.  He is in the long sleeve plaid shirt

Chrissy aka Miss Chriss doing an object lesson

Francisco in a neighbor's house warming the bottle

We went as a family.  And were once again reminded of the difficulties of throwing a baby into the mix.  Cohen missed his morning nap and began to cry as soon as the worship was over at church.  Francisco spent his time walking the tired, cranky baby and observing us from afar.  Cohen was too distracted to drink his bottle well, too tired to care.. and so, there you have it.  Trying to drag a baby along with us always means that either Francisco or I end up with baby duty.  It really is easier just to keep the baby at home and happy for the first year.

Still, it was good to show up as a family.  And it was awesome to see how the children responded to the lesson we taught.  Before we knew it we had parents and other Sunday School teachers lined up to watch us and comment on what a good job we were doing.  We were very pleased to see how much adults and children alike enjoyed the class.

Corban showing off the craft.  He was tickled to see his rainbow blow in the wind.

 We left extremely satisfied with a job well done and looking forward to next month when we will teach chapter 2 of our new training manual!

Random Thoughts on a Typical Day

I sit here on my couch with Cohen cooing in his baby seat on the floor.  Corban is upstairs watching a video, and hopefully falling asleep.  That will give me a chance to actually finish some of my thoughts.

Our ministry was so blessed by the visit of Fielding and Carla Cage.  Their visit was a bit different.  It was a mixture of having a mission team here (setting up churches for them to minister in, setting up the crusade, etc), a bit like having interns (showing them our ministry sites and how we do things, introducing them to the culture, etc), a lot like having family visit (playing with the kids, babysitting so Francisco and I could go out one night), and mostly a blessing for our whole team in a lot of ways. We all missed them when they left.  I hope they come again soon and often.

We are starting to prepare ourselved mentally, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and all other ways for the onslaught of visitors, missionaries, teams, and whatnot that we are expecting throughout the month of July.  We truly enjoy having mission teams, we love having interns, each team member gleans a ton from all the new faces we meet... still, it is a lot of work on our part.  I suppose if you have never been on this end of receiving missionaries and teams you cannot know the amount of prayer and planning that goes into it.  None of us complain.  It is a good switch from the "ordinary" every day stuff.  Yet, trying to fit the planning of teams and visitors into our already full work week can sometimes leave us a bit drained.  I was talking to someone not long ago and compaired it to exercise.  Have you ever participated in a sport of some type... the adrenaline rush was fantastic and the physical exhaustion afterwards felt good- as if you had accomplished something.  It is a delicious exhaustion that makes taking a break seem like a fit reward.  Hosting teams and guests is like that.  There is an exciting adrenaline rush that pushes us on through to the end.  When it is all over we are tired, drained, and so ready for a break- but at the same time are filled with such satisfaction.  ahhhhh, love having guests.

This weekend we are going to be holding a training class for 2 or 3 area churches.  All of us are excited about that.  It all started as a favor for a pastor friend who is getting his children's ministry started.  It grew.  We are so glad.  A lot of time and effort has gone into making this class a professional deal.  To know that all this hard work is not for a handful of people but rather for about 25 to 30 teachers and leaders of children, well, the satisfaction is great.  To know that we are multiplying ourselves in more ways than we thought possible is an exciting new adventure.

I get so excited as I see this ministry grow.  And then I go through moments of panic.  How to balance the growing ministry with the growing responsabilities of motherhood.  hmmm, now that requires the wisdom of God.  It is something on the forefront of my mind and heart and at the top of my prayer list lately.  But I am learning and growing every step of the way.  My desire is that my life would be worthy of being an example for others to follow.

 Lord, lead me and guide me.  Help my heart's desire to be yours.  Help me to be patient while I wait to hear from you.  Use my life to bless those around me even in the little things. And above all, may you be magnified and glorified though me and my ministry team.

Corban has just come downstairs to announce that he would like an apple.  So, my random thoughts end here for a while.

Sunday Dinner

I remember going to Grandma's house every Sunday for a family lunch- Sunday Dinner.  Daddy had 10 living brothers and sisters at that time- and the cousins were countless.  Adults would linger around Grandma's extra long kitchen table (and yes, it is extra big, it seats over 20) sipping on ice tea and savoring homemade poundcake while the children would play softball in the front yard.  Warm, sweet memories of childhood.

This past Sunday I had the chance to be a part of a differnt Sunday Dinner at the home of a very special lady- Yolanda- who is a member of our outreach team.

Fielding and Carla Cage, the missionaries who are with us this month, had been invited to speak at Yolanda's church.  Her church is located right on the edge of over populated gulley known as La Limonada.  I have been to her church many times.  Sometimes to take visiting missionaries to minister and other times to minister myself.  The day dawned rainy and yucky.  The atmosphere outside of the car was bleak as we drove to zone 1, however inside the car we prayed, rejoiced, and fellowshipped on the way.

Yoni- Yolanda's husband

 Once we arrived at the church we were greeted by Yolanda's husband, pictured on the right.  He and other men from the church were in charge of "the sales" that day.  Many churches in Guatemala, both protestant and catholic, raise money by selling food after the service.  Those in charge of the sales for that particular Sunday must get up early, bring the food fresh from the market, and prepare it during the service.

It was fun to see the men eagerly take part in the sales this Sunday.  It isn't often that we find men in the kitchen in Guatemala.  They laughed and joked among each other, their commrodery was evident.  One man laughed as he showed off the church "kitchen" which consisted of a few tables pushed together to form a sort of counter top and a grill made of an abandoned tire rim on legs.  

The grill

Rebecca, on the left, serving with the dance team

Yolanda's entire family is involved in service at the church.  As we left the men to their work, we were greeted by Rebecca, Yolanda's 12 year old daughter.  She was all dressed and ready to serve with the dance team. Yolanda's 17 year old son climbed into the drum box to serve with the praise team.  And Yolanda rushed off to join the prayer team before the service.  We "gringos" were left to fend for ourselves!!!!  Luckily, after serving in La Limonada with Tita Evertsz for over 5 years many of the faces in the church were familiar and friendly.

After a lively time of praise and worship Fielding was called upon to preach to the congregation. 

Fielding preaching.  me interpreting.

His encouraging message on recieving freely from God as children and not servants moved the hearts of the hearer.  When the altar call was made for salvation, healing, or a stirring of the gifts and callings of God, a third of the congregation gathered at the front for prayer.

The beginning of the altar call.  Eventually one third of the congregation was huddled at the front

Fielding and Carla moved among those at the front, praying indivually for each person's need.  Salvations and healings took place.  Many wanted prayer for their spiritual life.

Carla praying for a lady

Kimberly and her baby

Sandy and her baby

Once the service was coming to a close a very special surprise unfolded.  Kimberly, a former student from my days teaching in La Limonada, was dedicating her month old baby girl that day.  What a privilege to be a witness to such an event!  Kimberly had been my student when she was just 11 years old.  Now, to see her grown and married with a baby of her own- words cannot describe the joy I felt.  With her that day was her sister, Sandy, who is also married with a 7 month old girl.  And little Evelyn, one of the most adorable, shy little 4 year olds I ever met was standing there big as day- and 15 years old!!!!!!!  How quickly the time flies!!!!!

The pastor leading the congregation in a prayer of dedication

Kimberly quietly took her place on the platform next to the pastor who gently took the sleeping baby girl from her.  The pastor lead the congregation in a prayer for both the baby and her parents.  I felt nearly as proud as the grandparents must have been.  and afterwards I had a chance to hold and kiss that precious little angel.

By this time Sunday dinner was sounding better and better!!!!!!!!  And so began our descent into La Limonada.  There is no other word to describe the walk along those well trodden cement trails.  At the beginning of 18th street there are a set of stairs that lead straight downward all the way to very bottom of the gulley.  I had traversed that path daily on my to and from the bus stop for many years.  But now it had changed.  It was in slightly better condition.  I suppose progress reaches even the forgotten depths of La Limonada!

As we entered more and more deeply into gang territory my mind began to play back pleasant memories of my time as a teacher there:  Memories of walking those alley ways holding the hands of sweet little children, greeting beggars, homemakers, and gang members alike.  The progress to Yolanda's house was slow as along the way I stop to chat with aquaintances from long ago.

Kevin and Rebecca on the stairs of their house

At long last we arrived at Yolanda's house.  She is so proud of her 2-story home.  After many years of believing God to enlarge her one-room home Victory Christian Academy of Faith Landmarks Ministries in Richmond, Virginia raised the money to make that dream come true.  Yolanda proudly gave us a tour of her tidy little dwelling.

Then we sat down to eat Pepían with her family.  Pepían is a typical chicken dish made with sesame seeds, sunflowers, and a variety of other ground spices.  Keep in mind that all the seeds and spices are purchase fresh at the market and ground by Yolanda.  She also served us Christmas fruit punch.  The smell of the cinnamon and cloves wafted up to fill our noses with the sweet smell of the holidays!  Our ears were full of the sounds of family and friends outside as neighbors mingled in the street. 



After dinner Yolanda pulled a cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to Chrissy whose birthday is this coming weekend.  After singing serveral different versions in several different languages we finally dug into the cake.

It was definitely a day worth remembering.  It was good to be a part of blessing so many people during the church service.  It was good to participate in Kimberly's baby's dedication.  It was good to rejoice with Yolanda over the many blessings over her life.  It was good to fellowship with friends and family.  IT WAS GOOD.

Honoring Mothers

The scorching sun slowly slid down the horizon cooling off the afternoon.  With a cup of punch in my hand I turned and surveyed the empty room, now echoing with the tired footsteps of my busy outreach team.

This was the first time we had planned a Mother's Day Event in somewhere other than our ministry base.  We were thrilled to be able to bless the moms of all our Little Giants.  Because of the crafts class (Manos a la Obra) we had some new faces this year.  Since our attendance continues to grow we have found that we no longer fit in the ministry base for events such as these.  Therefore we found ourselves looking for other alternatives.  A local resataurant with a room for events was the solution.  For the price of a hefty snack we were afforded use of the room which supplied us with ample space to spoil the mothers with a bit of attention just for them.

the snack

donated cakes for dessert- pictured above, Fielding Cage and Alfonso Alvarado cutting and serving the cake

Preparations for this day started several weeks ago as our staff worked hard to make decorations, make and deliver invitations and gather raffle prizes.

here you can see the tables set beautifully

Carla speaking, Sarah interpreting

The tables were beautifully set with hershy kiss rosebuds serving as center pieces.  Games and raffle prizes gave the moms a fun way to relax.  Praise, worship, and an encouraging word from our special guest, Carla Cage, rounded off the event.

A song and choreography

game time!

a time of worship before the message

a time of prayer and ministry at the end of the message

And event such as this costs around $5 per person- relatively low cost to bless these moms in such a way.  Please pray with us as we now look forward to our next event: Día del Niño, or day of the child.  This event will take place at the end of September, but we must start our planning now.  We need sponsors!!!  Consider sponsoring one or several children for this special day.

Special guest speaker, Carla Cage, loving on some of the mothers

 www.crossculturejesus.org