And then it was done...

I can’t believe how quickly the week in Sumpango went. It was full of amazing experiences and left little time for sharing those experiences with you our supporters so I apologize for the tardy entry. I believe I left off with a promise of more information regarding our time at the orphanage. I mentioned that we, the gringos, took over as substitute teachers for the residents and students at the orphanage school. The main reason for the take over was to free up the nuns and the teachers for a training on how to be a trauma competent caregiver. The training covered how a child’s brain develops differently after experiencing trauma, explaining typical behaviors, and tools for supporting children who have been through traumatic experiences. The teachers reported the information was transformational. They would not only use what they have learned at the orphanage, but also at the other schools where they teach in the community. 

While our time of teaching felt chaotic and disjointed at times, it was a really special time. Many of the kids don’t think about the future let alone dream of anything outside of what they experience in day to day life. They were exposed to 10 different careers over 3 days, and though they didn’t have traditional homework or tests during that time, they engaged with the material that was taught. One of our ministry partners overheard kids in the neighborhood talking about what they learned and what they wanted to be when they grew up while playing in front of her house. It was cool to hear her perspective and excitement about the service we provided for the kids and the teachers. 

The bunk bed project successfully concluded with a Gospel message on Tuesday night and a class on making healthy nutrition choices Wednesday night. Wednesday is always a special night as the kids and parents learn about nutrition together before receiving their beds. The kids are encouraged to thank their parents for attending the classes so they can have a new bed to sleep in and the parents are encouraged to treasure and protect their children as they’ve learned in the classes. We pray for each family and there is an opportunity for them to say a few words about what the training has meant for them. There are many tears and much laughter as we celebrate together. For some of the kids, it will be the first bed they have ever slept in. Once the service is completed and families have received their certificate of completion for the classes, a parade of beds moves from inside the church into the streets of the city. It is a beautiful sight and this year was no exception.

Between Wednesday night and Friday morning, a nasty virus had worked its way through the majority of both the American and the Guatemalan teams. The plan was for Thursday to be a retreat day for the Guatemalan team hosted by the American team, a worship night in Antigua lead by a Guatemalan worship leader not on the Sumpango team, and then Friday a group of about 12 to climb the volcano Picaya. A modified version of the retreat occurred for those feeling well enough to participate, everyone made it to Antigua for the night of worship, and we ended up with about 6 people making it to the top of the volcano on Friday morning. Though it wasn’t exactly what we had planned, I believe God showed up and was glorified through it all. Personally, I had a cool experience during the worship night and then on Picaya that I will likely expand on further in my personal blog.

It was an incredible week. I feel honored that God chose this team to do his work in Sumpango and show us the ways he is working in and through the Guatemalan team we partner with to bring light and hope into the community. I was blessed by each smile, each hug, and each conversation, no matter how much Spanglish was required. God is good and he faithfully demonstrated his power in my weaknesses and our team’s inadequacies to show each one of us to trust more deeply in him. As most of the team returned to Minnesota and a few of us stayed for a second week of ministry around Lake Atilan, my prayer is that we don’t lose sight of what a great God we serve.

James 1:27 is off and running...Feb 2017

The team gathered at the airport early Saturday morning (or late depending on if you went to sleep or not) for a 5am departure for Guatemala. The departure was bittersweet for me. I had anticipated a week of service with my sister and was excited to show her around and introduce her to the friends I have made here. But due a significant knee injury, she was not able join us on the trip. She still wanted to drop me at the airport and after a weepy good-bye (for both of us) she drove home and I found the rest of the team getting ready to check-in. The travel day was a blur of airports, cat naps, and traffic from Guatemala City to Sumpango where we would be staying for the week. We arrived safe and sound, most of us feeling like zombies, and organized our supplies and activities for the week. Betty and the pastors came to share a meal with us at the retreat center and introduce us to the ministries we will be working with all week. After dinner most of us went to bed, or at least tried with the assistance of ear plugs to drown out the mountainous, highway curve the retreat center sits on where the cars and trucks brake and honk throughout the day and night.

Sunday morning we had the privilege of hosting a carnival for the families that have received bunk beds in the past. There were games, a photo booth, and ice cream where families could enjoy having fun and spending time with one another. It was great to see all the smiles and laughter at the 3-legged race where I was stationed. During one race 2 moms had their legs tied together and their babies tied to their backs. They were laughing so hard they could hardly move. 

Our teaching for the new bunk bed group began shortly after the carnival. Typically classes are an hour long (a Guatemalan hour) but for Sunday morning we asked a local organization to come do the training on sexual abuse, which turned out to be about 2 hours. We separated the adults and kids so I tackled teaching on sexual abuse with the kiddos for 2 hours instead of the one we typically do.It was cool to see God’s hand at work during the training because I was certainly out of my comfort zone and at the end of myself. I had a wonderful team supporting and praying for me while I taught as well as providing hands on assistance for the crafts and activities we both planned and improvised for the 2 hours we shared together. The following night we taught about alcoholism and how it impacts the family dynamic. Randy shared his testimony with the adults followed by representatives from the local AA. They shared their stories and provided resources for anyone struggling with alcoholism. I wasn’t able to hear what was shared because I was in with the kids, but those who were there reported the stories were all very impactful and the audience was engaged with the stories. Deb and Rachel provided teaching for the kids and did a wonderful job making it age appropriate, relatable, and hopeful for the kids whose parents may be struggling with alcoholism. They also planned some great activities for the kids to experience what it feels like to be drunk without actually consuming alcohol. Our interpreter for the kids class also shared about her experience as the daughter of an alcoholic which really connected with the kids. 

Monday morning dawned bright and early with a 6am breakfast call before heading to the orphanage to teach classes about careers. It was a bit of organized chaos, maybe more chaos than organized but everyone survived and I think the kids learned a few things. We were able to adapt things today and it went a bit more smoothly. We taught about 90 kids each day through 4 interpreters and many conversations with Spanglish and charades. In future posts, I’ll share more about the orphanage and our experiences with the kids there but we are heading to dinner soon so I’ll have to wrap it up for the day.

Thank you for you continued prayers and support. Please pray for the families receiving bunk beds this year, that the beds bless their lives but also that the teaching and the gospel that will be presented tonight will transform their lives. Please pray for stamina and endurance for the last few days of the trip. Please pray for the pastors and missionaries here, that the retreat would bless them and encourage them. 

Hasta luego!

Ready, set...

The James 1:27 team will be departing for Guatemala in 1 week! I’m experiencing a nervous excitement for our visit as we prepare lesson plans, gather supplies, and begin to organize the packing list. I’m excited to see old friends and make new friends while exploring the beautiful country that awaits. We will be doing a lot of work while we are there but I’m hopeful to stay in the moment and allow God to work through us and not try to take control of each situation. I ask for your prayers, that God would break the cycles of darkness and bless each part of the work we will be doing.

The Orphanage:

We will spend our days at the school on the campus of an orphanage for kids who are HIV+. We will be teaching classes for kids birth to 6th grade about career exploration and how what they are learning now can be used in the future. There will be about 80 kids at the school, 14 gringos, and a couple interpreters. While we manage the school, each teacher, nun, and adult that is in regular contact with the kids living at the orphanage will go through a 3-day intensive training about becoming a trauma competent caregiver. The training is run by a Guatemalan organization that will equip each caregiver to provide the emotional support a child who has been through trauma needs to grow into a healthy adult.

Prayer Requests:

1.) The kids would begin to dream about their future and see life beyond the orphanage

2.) The training would bring healing not only for the kids, but also for those attending the training as many of them have likely experienced trauma as a child that has never been addressed

3.) The team would be patient and graceful to ourselves and the kids as we teach and interact with the kids

The Bunk Bed Project:

Sunday will kick off with a carnival and reunion for all the families that have participated in the bunk bed project on previous trips as well as the families selected to receive bunk beds during the week. For those of you unfamiliar with the bunk bed project, families who are at risk or known to be abusive are identified by the church and invited to attend 4 classes on how to build healthy families. Those 4 classes include topics of the origin of sin and brokenness, alcoholism, domestic or sexual abuse, and nutrition. The first 3 classes are broken into kids and adults so that age-appropriate content can be presented to each audience. The nutrition class is taught with families working together to learn about making healthy food choices. At the end of the 4 classes, each family is given a set of bunk beds to take home with them. Many families come from homes that are either one room or one bed homes. When a family shares a bed, there is increased opportunity for abuse to occur. The bunk beds provide a physical separation and the classes offer hope and tools to resist opportunities for abuse, encouraging safe sleep environments for children.

Prayer requests:

1.) Families would find freedom in Christ to break the cycles of abuse

2.) Families would be restored and find hope and healing through Christ and the local Church

3. ) The team would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and teach in a way that is pleasing and glorifying to God

The Retreat:

We partner with an amazing team of pastors and missionaries on the ground in Guatemala. They work tirelessly to proclaim the Good News of Jesus, host numerous teams from the United States, and graciously serve their local communities. On our last day, we will host a retreat to allow them time and space to rest, find restoration, and encourage one another. The retreat will include group devotions, worship, one-on-one counseling, couples counseling, and free time.

Prayer Requests:

1.) Our partners would find rest and be ready for a busy season of hosting teams and serving

2.) Our partners would find freedom and grace to speak of the troubles and hardships they experience in ministry and allow God to encourage them in broken places

3.) That we as a team would be supportive and vulnerable in our own struggles and brokenness

Thank you so much for your prayer support as we travel. Stay tuned to our blog for fun pictures, videos, and stories of our time in Guatemala!