Guatemala
Mission Trip

During the house dedications we were able to lay hands on the family members, pray with them, and give them lots of hugs!  During this whole process, the other people were outside surrounding the house praying, singing praises, and reading their Bibles.  It was a very powerful and amazing experience.  There are not enough words to describe our entire experience that we have had so far.  It has been so great to experience God’s love in such a special way and cross language barriers the ways that we have over the past couple days.

Here is an update on what we did today! It was probably my favorite day so far, minus the getting up at 5:30 am part. It was our second construction day. We stuccoed all four houses, which was quite the adventure. We worked together quite nicely, with some people applying the stucco and other people being “runners” to get them more stucco. The best part of the day was when we got to paint the inside of the houses, first with a base color and then with murals. The kids from the village helped us paint, which was quite amusing. They were absolutely adorable, and so fun to interact with. Tomorrow is the day when we dedicate the houses. It’s crazy to think that we built a house in just 2 days! It has been such a great ride so far! God is so good.

Sunday’s clinic service day began and ended the same way: in prayer. We took a two-hour hair-raising drive winding around the mountains to end up eight miles away in a small village, Panatzun, where PBM ministered in 2009. Dan said he didn’t know why God had called us back there but by the end of the evening, he probably had several answers. One answer was that the village may be reached more directly by air, as they also have a beautiful soccer field laid out with no obstructions. Our team fanned out into the small crowd that grew during the afternoon, as many families had been visiting or shopping on their Sunday afternoon. The dental team did double duty, working longer than the rest of us to help people with infected and impacted teeth. The medical clinic folks met with 60 families overall, and handed out many medications, eyeglasses, and prayer. Lots of fingernail painting, soccer, football, basketball, frisbees, circle games, and the group favorite–Hokey Pokey–brought giggles and laughs to young and old alike. Many families stayed into the night, visiting in small groups, and then gathering together to watch the Jesus film, listen and sing along to our worship, and hear team members’ testimonies on how they had changed once they allowed God to direct their lives. Pastor Hermano Jesus picked up on the details and shaped his teaching into a powerful testimony of how Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Many came forward during the altar call. We celebrated with more prayer and hugs!

Dear Staff, Thank you so much for empowering us to take the next steps - and leaps - closer to the Lord and His life in us during our time in Guatemala.  We pray for each of you and the ministry of Paradise Bound that all may be centered in His will for us.  Blessings to each of you!

Dear Staff, This gift is given to honor my relative who had no children of her own, but cared deeply about kids who had no place to go.  She worked hard all her life and I hope she would be pleased to know this gift will impact a life at the Open Door's Children's Home.

Dan, I want to thank you and your staff on behalf of all the members of our team, for providing such a wonderful experience in Guatemala.  The spiritual component was like none other that we have done.  We loved being able to build homes for 5 very poor families, alongside the family members, in San Ramon. Blessings to you, your staff, and your family.

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:6-7 Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the construction process at your new location. It was very enriching to work with other talented and committed men to further your mission. I thought the construction process was why I felt moved to help out and that was something I felt qualified to help with. But by the end of the trip I knew God only wanted me there to carry a Bible that was set in front of me, up a few stairs to a young man in a remote village and He will take care of the rest. That was easy! I ended up doing what I felt least qualified for, it took no special talent and it also makes the biggest impact for both of us. Bet that's not the first time someone has experienced the same thing. I can think of many things to say about how great a job you are doing by helping the people, how wisely you proceed and the enriching time I had, but the only thing that mattered once I returned home was that I carried that Bible—easily the simplest thing I did all week. Thanks for the work He does thru you and your family.

I am praying right now for you…and I’m remembering that prayer isn’t just for the great work: it is the greatest work! I just wanted to let you know how thankful I am for the trip I took to serve with you in Guatemala a few summers ago, and how God nudged me even farther towards foreign missions through that experience. I love how God works. Now I am serving in Greece, and I will be here as long as God keeps me here. So sweet to be following the plans the Lord has for me to bring Him all the glory and praise. May you be filled to the brim and overflowing with the peace and joy of Christ, empowered to pierce the darkness of this world with the light of Christ!