Monday, May 31, 2010
We Made It
Well, 2 days and one additional country visited.....we made it home. Actually we made it home late last night from Atlanta so in case you are following us just know that all is well with our team. However, our friends in Guatemala are not fairing as well as we are. Currently they are dealing with flooding, mudslides, tropical storms and an earthquake so help us maintain the focus where it rightly lies. This was never about us making it home (though we are grateful for that) but about the Gospel being proclaimed and Jesus being magnified in Guatemala. Keep our friends from Guatemala, whom we love deeply, in your prayers.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Heading Home!!!
I just heard from J and the group has made it to their seats on the plane. The are due to arrive in Atlanta at 5:56 our time. Thank for you all the prayers! The team had a great morning getting to the airport and through customs with no trouble. What a blessing! I am so ready for the group to be home, as I know so many of you are as well. As excited I am we to see them, I want to make sure to not forget the people of Guatemala as they have endured not only a volcano, but also a tropical storm ripping through their country. Please remember these people in your prayers as they try and recover and rebuild their lives.
Wesley
Wesley
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Update from El Salvador
I just talked with J and everything is going well so far in El Salvador. They arrived safely at the Sheridan in San Salvador earlier this afternoon and were able to grab a late lunch at the hotel. J has confirmed the flights for tomorrow and arranged for transportation to the airport. They are now just relaxing and enjoying some downtime in the hotel before dinner tonight. They will be heading out at about 9 in the morning to head to the hotel and will fly out about 12:30. They will finally make it home to Jackson around 10:30 tomorrow night. Thanks for all the prayers thus far that you have lifted up for our group. Keep them coming! God has been so good and we trust that the group is held in His hands. I will post tomorrow when I hear that the group is boarding the plane.
Wesley
Wesley
On the Road Again
I just talked with J and the group is seated on the bus waiting to hit the road. Everyone has a seat and all the luggage is stored. J says the bus is just as nice as the pictures on the internet! It is supposed to take 4-5 hours but J is not sure if that includes stops, customs, etc. J will call me as soon as they arrive in San Salvador and I will begin the phone tree. Pray for an easy trip today and for God's protection as they travel. YEAH for the team being one step closer to home!!!
Wesley
Wesley
Friday, May 28, 2010
NEW PLANS.
You guys know by now that, due to a volcanic eruption, we were unable to leave Guatemala City today. The airport is closed and no flights are going in and out of Guatemala City until the ash clears; the situation is similar to what has happened this year in Iceland if you have heard about that. But BE ASSURED - WE ARE SAFE. We have had a temporary delay and this morning we have seen God provide for us in every way. Here's the new, finalized plan, by which we will arrive in Jackson on Sunday night.
Tomorrow morning we will travel from Guatemala to San Salvador, El Salvador. (All international flights are being diverted to San Salvador so this is why we are going here). We will leave the Holiday Inn in Guatemala City at 6:30 AM on the Pullmantur bus - www.pullmantur.com if you are interested. The bus will drop us off at the Sheraton Presidente Inn of San Salvador - http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1597 where we will stay the night. It takes roughly four and a half to five hours to get to San Salvador, and the bus company arranges for ALL of our customs operations. This bus is very safe; this hotel is very safe; El Salvador will be very safe. We will be able to get home much quicker and be able to all stay together if we take the flight from San Salvador instead of waiting for the Guatemala City airport to open again.
Sunday morning, we will take the Sheraton shuttle to the San Salvador airport. We will leave San Salvador at 12:55 on Delta flight #374 to Atlanta. We will then leave Atlanta on Delta flight #1135 to Jackson, arriving in Jackson at 10:25 on Sunday. This, ironically, is the exact same Atlanta flight that we would have had if we had left today. We, essentially, have much the same plans as if we had left this morning.
We know this is a lot of information to grasp at once, but know that everything is under control. While this has been a somewhat confusing and unexpected turn of events, we are entirely safe and entirely ok. We have checked out information on the internet, Steve has assured us that this is an excellent way to return to the States, and we have worked out details with our travel insurance.
God has provided for us so well and we are thankful for the opportunity to trust Him more! I wish you could see the reaction of the kids when they found out we were staying another day...they all cheered and are so excited to have more time to work and to play. So, once more, be assured - all is well at La Senda and all will continue to be well. Thank you so much for your prayers! We will keep you updated if anything changes, but tickets are all purchased and confirmed so we believe this is the final plan. We are excited to see you in Jackson on Sunday night! If you have any questions, please post comments and we will get back to you as quickly as possible! For now until we leave in the morning, we will continue the good work God sent us here to do.
--Katie
Tomorrow morning we will travel from Guatemala to San Salvador, El Salvador. (All international flights are being diverted to San Salvador so this is why we are going here). We will leave the Holiday Inn in Guatemala City at 6:30 AM on the Pullmantur bus - www.pullmantur.com if you are interested. The bus will drop us off at the Sheraton Presidente Inn of San Salvador - http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1597 where we will stay the night. It takes roughly four and a half to five hours to get to San Salvador, and the bus company arranges for ALL of our customs operations. This bus is very safe; this hotel is very safe; El Salvador will be very safe. We will be able to get home much quicker and be able to all stay together if we take the flight from San Salvador instead of waiting for the Guatemala City airport to open again.
Sunday morning, we will take the Sheraton shuttle to the San Salvador airport. We will leave San Salvador at 12:55 on Delta flight #374 to Atlanta. We will then leave Atlanta on Delta flight #1135 to Jackson, arriving in Jackson at 10:25 on Sunday. This, ironically, is the exact same Atlanta flight that we would have had if we had left today. We, essentially, have much the same plans as if we had left this morning.
We know this is a lot of information to grasp at once, but know that everything is under control. While this has been a somewhat confusing and unexpected turn of events, we are entirely safe and entirely ok. We have checked out information on the internet, Steve has assured us that this is an excellent way to return to the States, and we have worked out details with our travel insurance.
God has provided for us so well and we are thankful for the opportunity to trust Him more! I wish you could see the reaction of the kids when they found out we were staying another day...they all cheered and are so excited to have more time to work and to play. So, once more, be assured - all is well at La Senda and all will continue to be well. Thank you so much for your prayers! We will keep you updated if anything changes, but tickets are all purchased and confirmed so we believe this is the final plan. We are excited to see you in Jackson on Sunday night! If you have any questions, please post comments and we will get back to you as quickly as possible! For now until we leave in the morning, we will continue the good work God sent us here to do.
--Katie
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Internet is down
Hey everyone,
Everything is fine but the computers are down thus blog posting is a bit difficult. We are heading to Antigua tomorrow so we will try to update later on tomorrow when we return.
Everything is fine but the computers are down thus blog posting is a bit difficult. We are heading to Antigua tomorrow so we will try to update later on tomorrow when we return.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Turn Your Swag On!
Hey guys! Im Madison Bell and I am a going to be a sophmore at Ole Miss in the fall. This is actually my second time at La Senda because I came with the group from the Chap last year. Today was quite exhausting but our efforts did not go unrewarded because we got alot done. The day began with Morgan leading daily morning devotion while the rest of the group got started cleaning bathrooms and planting. J went with Steve into Guatemala City to get some plants and such. Mrs. Suzie and Mrs. Susan continued to take care of the food and such we ate aswell as heading up our planting efforts. Laura and I also painted a room in the area we are staying. (On a side note: if you are ever thinking about putting concrete blocks for your wall and painting them, I would highly advise against that! Trust me I speak from experience!) We also continued to work on "the dig". We also enjoyed spending a little time with the kids when we ate a tradional Guatemalan dinner with them and make a video showing our "swag". It was another great day at La Senda. I thank yall for your prayers and ask that you keep Zach in them as he the daily morning devotions tom as well as the rest of us because it is our last full work day and we have hopes to finish up our to do list!
Adios,
Madison
Adios,
Madison
Monday, May 24, 2010
Another Beautiful Day in Paradise
The Guatemala team has had a full day with projects: teaching, providing devotionals, preparing meals for the children, cleaning floors and bathrooms, digging up old plants to make room for new herbs and plants. The most labor intensive project for the group began today; digging a foundation for a new building. Muscle men, J, Ethan and Zack, met their match today. The area requiring the digging had about 8 inches of packed gravel and dirt. The pick axes hardly made a dent. The "dig" will continue tomorrow and each day we have here. The fairer sex will be assisting in the shoveling of loose dirt into wheel barrows some of which will be placed in the flower beds we are reworking.
All children at LaSenda have chores they must complete each day. It is a pleasure to assist them with their chores which provides a time to get to know the child/person and to show the love of Christ. The children each have a story that breaks your heart; nevertheless here at LaSenda the love they receive has healed wounds that can only be healed through the love Jesus provides through Pam & Steve and those like us. What an honor it is to be surrounded with the love they show us.
Morning devotionals for the teachers and school children are being provided by one of our team each day. I love to hear what they say and see what they are doing. Tomorrow morning Morgan will be in charge of the five separate group devotionals. She will do a great work.
Laura and Katie must be out of space on their camera card for photos and we still have three+ days remaining. Hope some of you will get the opportunity to see these photos.
Tomorrow we have another day to live the love of Christ her at La Senda. What more could we wish for? Only that all could receive and know that wonderful love.
That's why we are here.
Blessings,
Susan
All children at LaSenda have chores they must complete each day. It is a pleasure to assist them with their chores which provides a time to get to know the child/person and to show the love of Christ. The children each have a story that breaks your heart; nevertheless here at LaSenda the love they receive has healed wounds that can only be healed through the love Jesus provides through Pam & Steve and those like us. What an honor it is to be surrounded with the love they show us.
Morning devotionals for the teachers and school children are being provided by one of our team each day. I love to hear what they say and see what they are doing. Tomorrow morning Morgan will be in charge of the five separate group devotionals. She will do a great work.
Laura and Katie must be out of space on their camera card for photos and we still have three+ days remaining. Hope some of you will get the opportunity to see these photos.
Tomorrow we have another day to live the love of Christ her at La Senda. What more could we wish for? Only that all could receive and know that wonderful love.
That's why we are here.
Blessings,
Susan
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Day 1
Hello everyone! I'm Carrie Willis and I am from Brandon, MS. I will be a senior at Delta State University in the fall. I attend Shiloh UMC and "J" was my youth minister in high school and he invited me to come on the trip. I am very grateful to be here and I am so excited for what God has in store for us.
As Laura already told you we led a church service today for the kids. I got to talk to the girls about what it means to be a beautiful daughter of God. This lesson has been a hard one for me to learn and I know that it can't be any easier for them. I talked about the stereotype of "beauty" that the media presents to us and how ridiculous this standard is. Since we are children of God we don't have to live up to this standard because we know that we are his creation and we are beautiful just because he made us. We each got a girl and prayed over her individually. It was really beautiful. I prayed for and got to know an incredibly sweet girl name Rosita, which was very special.
Thank you for all the prayers that you are sending our way. The children here are so special and you can see Jesus in every one of their faces. Keep praying for the rest of the week. Hopefully we can show love to these kids in some fraction of the amount that they have shown to us.
-Carrie Willis
As Laura already told you we led a church service today for the kids. I got to talk to the girls about what it means to be a beautiful daughter of God. This lesson has been a hard one for me to learn and I know that it can't be any easier for them. I talked about the stereotype of "beauty" that the media presents to us and how ridiculous this standard is. Since we are children of God we don't have to live up to this standard because we know that we are his creation and we are beautiful just because he made us. We each got a girl and prayed over her individually. It was really beautiful. I prayed for and got to know an incredibly sweet girl name Rosita, which was very special.
Thank you for all the prayers that you are sending our way. The children here are so special and you can see Jesus in every one of their faces. Keep praying for the rest of the week. Hopefully we can show love to these kids in some fraction of the amount that they have shown to us.
-Carrie Willis
Wesley Chapel Goes to La Senda
Hey everyone! Thanks for all of your support in getting us here to La Senda. For those of you who don't know me, my name's Laura Smith and I just finished my Freshman year at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY, which is where Pam and Steve English (the missionaries here) attended also. We've already had a good time sharing some Asbury stories.
I'll start by just telling you a little about our first full day here. Today is Pam's 40th birthday so the older kids and nanny's helped decorate and prepare an amazing birthday breakfast complete with fire crackers, singing, and more cake. Yum. Not to mention the fruit here is divine so we've definitely been fed well so far :) After cleanup, our team led a church service here at La Senda. J and Meredith led some singing and Madison, Morgan, and Mrs. Susan shared about how much La Senda showed us Christ last year and how much they've already been a witness to us this year. Then Zack and Ethan stayed with the boys and Carrie took the girls and shared a little about being beautiful. A lot of the girls here struggle with that due to their prior abuse and neglect, but hearing how God made us and loves us and made us beautiful in our own way helps.
After some more running around, saying goodbye to Wagner, and lunch, a bunch of us took a much needed nap. Still recovering from yesterday morning! After the nap, Guatemala vs. USA was inevitable. And again, Guatemala beat the United States 5-4. Luckily it was a much closer game this time. Pushing the kids on swings, giving piggy back rides, playing tag, and talking about the soccer world cup NON-STOP could not be a better way to share the love of Christ. It's still early in the evening so we have high hopes for what the night still holds. Thanks again for supporting us and walking with us through this amazing journey. And maybe the United States won't get completely schooled and put to shame in futbol by the end of the trip :)
Laura Smith
I'll start by just telling you a little about our first full day here. Today is Pam's 40th birthday so the older kids and nanny's helped decorate and prepare an amazing birthday breakfast complete with fire crackers, singing, and more cake. Yum. Not to mention the fruit here is divine so we've definitely been fed well so far :) After cleanup, our team led a church service here at La Senda. J and Meredith led some singing and Madison, Morgan, and Mrs. Susan shared about how much La Senda showed us Christ last year and how much they've already been a witness to us this year. Then Zack and Ethan stayed with the boys and Carrie took the girls and shared a little about being beautiful. A lot of the girls here struggle with that due to their prior abuse and neglect, but hearing how God made us and loves us and made us beautiful in our own way helps.
After some more running around, saying goodbye to Wagner, and lunch, a bunch of us took a much needed nap. Still recovering from yesterday morning! After the nap, Guatemala vs. USA was inevitable. And again, Guatemala beat the United States 5-4. Luckily it was a much closer game this time. Pushing the kids on swings, giving piggy back rides, playing tag, and talking about the soccer world cup NON-STOP could not be a better way to share the love of Christ. It's still early in the evening so we have high hopes for what the night still holds. Thanks again for supporting us and walking with us through this amazing journey. And maybe the United States won't get completely schooled and put to shame in futbol by the end of the trip :)
Laura Smith
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The First Night
Hey there friends!
So the first night is finally winding down. Morgan & Katie are finishing their journaling while the rest of the crew has gone off to bed. It's been a long day for the team that started at about 3:30am (yeah, yikes). But there was no rest for the weary upon arriving because the annual "USA vs Guatemala World Cup" quickly picked up where we left off last year which unfortunately for us had us loosing AGAIN. Then we celebrated with Dorcas because she had her 16th birthday today. She is an absolutely amazing young lady who is as sweet as a (to quote Morgan) "peach." Then I split from the group to lead an "older kids" Bible study on Mark 12. We dealt with the "Foundations of Biblical Salvation" while the rest of the team went with the younger kids to support Phillip & Jeffie as they did the "younger kids" devotion on prayer. The night ended with the team spread out throughout the whole campus with small groups of "La Senda kids" as they prayed together. As I am sure you can imagine, it was a really sweet sight. It would do your soul well to see it...maybe next year!!!
And so tomorrow is a big day too. We are doing "church" at the orphanage and everyone is involved in the service. Meredith & I are leading the singing, Laura, Madison, Morgan & Susan are giving testimonies and finally Carrie, Ethan, and Zack are leading small groups. I'm excited to see this happen. But don't just be proud...that's not what we are here for at all. We need you to pray with us and for us that the glory of God would manifest itself to all of us. I'll let you know how it goes but I am confident in Jesus to do a great work.
So the first night is finally winding down. Morgan & Katie are finishing their journaling while the rest of the crew has gone off to bed. It's been a long day for the team that started at about 3:30am (yeah, yikes). But there was no rest for the weary upon arriving because the annual "USA vs Guatemala World Cup" quickly picked up where we left off last year which unfortunately for us had us loosing AGAIN. Then we celebrated with Dorcas because she had her 16th birthday today. She is an absolutely amazing young lady who is as sweet as a (to quote Morgan) "peach." Then I split from the group to lead an "older kids" Bible study on Mark 12. We dealt with the "Foundations of Biblical Salvation" while the rest of the team went with the younger kids to support Phillip & Jeffie as they did the "younger kids" devotion on prayer. The night ended with the team spread out throughout the whole campus with small groups of "La Senda kids" as they prayed together. As I am sure you can imagine, it was a really sweet sight. It would do your soul well to see it...maybe next year!!!
And so tomorrow is a big day too. We are doing "church" at the orphanage and everyone is involved in the service. Meredith & I are leading the singing, Laura, Madison, Morgan & Susan are giving testimonies and finally Carrie, Ethan, and Zack are leading small groups. I'm excited to see this happen. But don't just be proud...that's not what we are here for at all. We need you to pray with us and for us that the glory of God would manifest itself to all of us. I'll let you know how it goes but I am confident in Jesus to do a great work.
Estamos aqui!
We are here! We arrived with no trouble to Guatemala City where Steve, Dorcas, and Wagner picked us up from the airport. After a quick lunch at Pollo Campero (Guatemalan version of Kentucky Fried Chicken!) and a trip to the grocery store, we arrived at La Senda and have just begun unpacking. The kids are already waiting for the first soccer game. Wish us luck...we need it!
Thanks for your prayers for our safe travels this morning! We will hopefully post later on tonight.
--katie.
Thanks for your prayers for our safe travels this morning! We will hopefully post later on tonight.
--katie.
Friday, May 21, 2010
18 hours...
In close to 18 hours our first plane will officially take off from the Jackson airport! Our team has done a great job of preparing for tomorrow's trip, but all the work we do in advance cannot prevent the crazy rush that happens today. For example, we went shopping for our supplies on Tuesday, but most of us are probably going back to the store today for one last WalMart run. We started packing earlier in the week, but we will not stop rearranging our suitcases until late tonight or in the morning. We have to-do lists that grow ever larger even as we check things off of them. I (Katie) have already talked to J half a dozen times today and it's not even lunchtime yet!
The mass chaos involved with the 24 hours before a trip does not stress me out in the least; it only makes me more excited. Many of us have waited a full year now to return to La Senda and see our amazing Guatemalan friends; some of us will be experiencing La Senda for the first time. For both groups, I can confidently say that we are ready. We do not know all that is in store for us, but we know that we are going with the One who will make a way no matter what we encounter.
I hope you'll check the blog throughout the week! We will try to have someone from our group post about our adventures every night. For now, you can help us pray for two specific, somewhat humorous, but still serious things... 1. That we all hear our alarms in the morning and make it to the airport by 4:30 AM sharp! 2. That we are not delayed so we can make it quickly through the Atlanta airport - we have only a 1 hour layover before our flight to Guatemala City!
I covet your prayers as we go through this week. Thank you for all you have done to make this possible so far! Can't wait to send you news from La Senda!
--Katie.
The mass chaos involved with the 24 hours before a trip does not stress me out in the least; it only makes me more excited. Many of us have waited a full year now to return to La Senda and see our amazing Guatemalan friends; some of us will be experiencing La Senda for the first time. For both groups, I can confidently say that we are ready. We do not know all that is in store for us, but we know that we are going with the One who will make a way no matter what we encounter.
I hope you'll check the blog throughout the week! We will try to have someone from our group post about our adventures every night. For now, you can help us pray for two specific, somewhat humorous, but still serious things... 1. That we all hear our alarms in the morning and make it to the airport by 4:30 AM sharp! 2. That we are not delayed so we can make it quickly through the Atlanta airport - we have only a 1 hour layover before our flight to Guatemala City!
I covet your prayers as we go through this week. Thank you for all you have done to make this possible so far! Can't wait to send you news from La Senda!
--Katie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
