God has brought us safely to Guatemala! It's been quite a week (month! year!! in our lives. A week of goodbyes and hellos. We woke up on Wednesday April 18th in Mesa, Arizona and laid our heads on pillows in Guatemala that night. Boy, that was a tough day. Saying goodbye to Rachel, later arriving in the ever morphing Guateamala City airport praying that our bags had all survived and arrived, then being dropped of in the team house...so many emotions...so many tears as we realized that our lives would never be the same again. Those of you who have stayed in this house remember the trucks and busses and polution and firecrackers going off all night long. Sleep was not easily found, but we just prayed that the Lord would give us the strength we needed to face the changes and lack of anything familiar. Joy comes in the morning, right??
We decided that the best thing to do was just jump right in with Thursday's activities rather than stick around the house feeling sorry for ourselves. So we went down to the ministry for morning devotions and began to see many of the faces we have come to love. Of course, that did much to remind us why we are here! Then we drove up to Amatitlan where Lindsey needed to make a couple of medical house visits. We visited with Vilma who had just had her second stroke. Lindsey brought them a name of somewhere they might be able to find some therapy for her so perhaps she might walk again. There are 13 people living in this tiny house! Seemed every time I turned around there was a different face looking at me! After sharing some Scripture and prayers, we were given something to drink (oh, please let it be safe!!) and chatted about their family. Then we drove over washboard gravel and dirt roads to see Carlos, a parapalegic who had fallen down a well resulting in the loss of one leg. The family he lives with has taken him in and tends to his physical needs. So many stories...this is going to be hard not to tell you everything!! The faith of the people is amazing in the midst of so many physical trials and so much pain.
Okay, perhaps I can start to breath again...God called you here...He will calm your fears and give you peace...
Friday is a special day at the ministry, devoted to spiritual growth. The day begins with the ministry workers gathering for the prayer walk. We sang a few songs, read some Scripture, then began walking to each building of the ministry to pray for all who worked there, for the students and their families, the teachers and the community. It reminds everyone where our strength comes from and why The Servant's Heart is here.On Thursday the ministry leaders had met for a discipleship Bible study, then Friday they become the leaders for the rest of the ministry workers. At the end of the day, then, everyone comes together for a time of worship and to reflect on what the Holy Spirit had revealed to them in their Bible study. Each week a different group leads this special time.Oh, yeah...we also sat in on our school's chapel service. The kids sure love to sing and Reyna, who is the spiritual life director, captures their attention as she shares God's Word with them. I've got to learn the words to these songs!
Well, as many of you predicted, I can (and probably will!) go on and on...And we've only been here two days!We've decided that, after the first three weeks in Antigua at Spanish school, we will move over to the missionary house. We'll bring the internet payments at that house up to date and hooked back up, so we will have more time to devote to keeping you all informed on our adventures. I'll be working on getting this blog going so you can come back from time to time to catch up without missing anything.
We leave tomorrow for Antigua and Spanish school. I'm a bit nervous, but will try to just enjoy the experience and not fret about trying to learn faster than my little brain will allow. We are truly praying that the Lord will give us the ability to learn quickly as we're so anxious to talk with everyone here!
Katie and Markito...Ruth and Astrid send their love and can't wait to see you in May!!! (I got a few hugs for you and will be happy to deliver them in person!)
I think I'd better get this published so I don't love the whole works! I keep getting kicked off line and have to keep re-doing...
God be with you all and keep you in His care!
Serving together,
All for Him!!
Kevin & Ginny
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