Guatemala Short-term Missions trip

The entire week has been a tremendous blessing for the entire team. For many of us, or at least this member of the team,  sleep did not come easy the night before our journey was to wind down. The major events of the day were similar in scope and goal. We would divide into groups, some doing home visits, some stove builds, and others home builds onto already existing cement slabs constructed the day before. The work was physical and exhausting, but truly a labor of love, Christ's love. I did not/do not want to leave.

The day culminated in the dedication of the house to a family of 6 children and a mom. The oldest child, a son, Jephet (sp?) would help in the labor from beginning to end. He was extremely happy that this home would meet the needs of his family and make his mom's worries and struggles less.  The house dedication was different this day as it included the entire Grace and Bethel Ministry teams, as well as local social workers, and other family members, and members of the nearby community. God was given glory in prayer and song!

Our hope is that they don't see us but Jesus who provided for them. Our hope is that they don't see us as those who answered their cries for help, but Jesus. Our prayer is that they rely on Jesus and that their hope is in Him!

What the families may not see or realize is that they blessed us beyond measure.

Our prayer and hope is that what God revealed to each of us individually in those blessings does not end as we land in Iowa. We want to listen to God's whisper, be anxious about nothing fixing our eyes on the eternal, build each other up, serve others in joy, sacrifice for the Kingdom, and to understand the idea of blessing.