Jesus digs in Guatemala...

As we drive through the incredibly lush mountain side I am astounded at the hard work that surrounds our view. Es una vista muy bonita... it is a pretty view. The mountains are covered with a patch work quilt of crops. Some precariously posed on steep slopes. How might a man, woman, or yes even child stand to work the land? How do they do get water to it? How do they get their crops back up and then down? Hard work! The Guatemalan people we met may be poor financially in our American eyes, but they are rich in industry and work ethics.

Our team as well encompassed people that are industrious with incredible work ethics. In fact, astoundingly so. In order for us to build the house we first had to lay the concrete. This became almost like a work dance. Yes... I definately would call laying concrete a dance. It must be perfectly timed and pursued with passion. Chris and his son-in-law Saul showed us how to do the dance. I must confess I stayed away from the mixing. Not because the fear of getting dirty, but because I feared I might mess up such a precious commodity by mixing it wrong! We had to make sure no dirt got within the mixture. This is a little difficult since we are mixing it on top of dirt.

The first step of the dance began with sand thrown with in the frame of the home. Shovel full after shovel full. As our team shoveled the pile grew. The next thing we know Saul, small in stature compared to us Americans because of his Guatemalan descent, put us all to shame. I believe he shoveled about 5 scoops to our one. With power and swiftness he filled the spot fast. The second step required the concrete on top of the sand. More shoveling. ALOT of turn taking. One thing is for certain we are proud of our men! WOW! They were incredible and tireless. There is nothing more respectful than watching men work hard and seeing the joy for the fruit of their labors. Mind you we women did our part too. Some shoveled. Deb, Carley and Tiffany got in when they began to form a volcanoe and helped form a perfect volcanoe for mixing. Over and over the team shoveled sand, concrete, rock, and water to form volcanoes to mix the supplies to form the exact consistency to make concrete. As each time the volcanoe form took shape Rhonda and Robbie would throw water into the volcanoe hole. Then everyone with shovels mixed it up. This was done many times over and over. We were the concrete mixers! At one point they needed more rock. Gina and I picked up the shovels as they counted 48 scoops of rock! Scoop throw! Scoop throw! It was so much fun having them cheers us on. Words of encouragement flowed freely amongst us.

As I think on these moments, I realize the value of the ant. We teased several about being an ant. They never stopped. All of our men definately fit into that category and so did Courtney and Carley! I saw Jesus dig sand, concrete, and rock as our team formed volcanoes! I know Jesus digs that HIS children dug for HIM! I dig HIM, don't you? This is why our team traveled so far to dig in dirt. We know that Jesus digs it when His children serve Him through serving others! Even while digging in sand, concrete, rock and water to build a firm foundation for a simple home about 15x9 in square feet.

July 4, 2008 from Guatemala,

I must share a few JEsus moments that happened on July 2, but I did not put them down. THere were so many that I saved a few for another blog because they deserved special attention.

Did you know JEsus plays soccer? Well... He did in Guatemala. Carley and Steve gathered children in the village and pulled us all into a game of soccer. We had so much fun and so did they. Many came out just to watch us play.


We visited a widow of six months with four preschool children... one only 3 months old. Her husband was hit by a car on the way to work early one morning leaving her to struggle in providing for her family. Her face broken and sad welcomed us to her home. Dick told us of her toddler daughter and how she screamed whenever a gringo came to their home in the past, but now she welcomes them. At one point I caught a glimpse of Pastor Jim carrying this little tyke. Her dirty little face rested only inches from his and the sweetness of her cherubim like cheeks proved too much. I saw Jesus kiss her sweetly twice and hold her with gentle care loving on her as a daddy. AS we left he slowly put her down... not wanting to leave.

Kodak moments from Guatemala. It always amazes me when I must sit down and write a few notes to let my people at home know all that God has accomplished in such a short time. It is impossible. In fact, I must begin with that it is a personal prayer goal of mine for me and Cultivating Hearts ministries to go on one international trip a year... Why? GOD radically meets you in the face and shows you what is most important.

Here are just a few faces I want you see that will forever be snapshots emblazoned in my heart and mind as I reflect upon Guatemala.

My first face is Mikaylas. (Forget punctuation and grammar I dont know how to use this computer.) Anyhow, in the airplane as we were about to lift off she was so excited she could have flown the plane just with the joy bubbling out of her. SHe knows the power of God working in her and the love she has for the people here. To live it one more time made her squeal with a delight that makes my nose burn. There is nothing like doing the will of GOD.

My second snap shot is off Pastor Jim in the Houston airport as we borded the shuttle. The doors shut on him. His hand lifted to stop the door and his face registered a look of complete shock. I lost my team already and we are only in Houston.

My third and now most precious is of Robbie. She has wanted to on a mission trip for as long as I have known her. At the airpórt Pastor Julio, Lily, Genesis, Denise, and Wanda came with Pat to welcome us with love from Guatemala. As I introduced Robbie to the family she prayed for as she packed the bags every prayer burst out in tears so full that the well proved to run deep. Only the God of deep could bring forth such love so intense. Robbie found release for a longing finally answered. I am weeping now as I write this. Father, I pray I am allowed the privilege to not only lead teams someday but to always bring along a first timer.

My fourth face is the face Leo. Mare and Leo opened their home the first day to feed us lunch in a ten minute notice. Their hosipitality shames us in America. We stayed with them in November. LEo has cancer and it has mastestisized. Forget the spelling. You get the idea. Anyhow Jim and Pat gathered us in their living room and Leo knelt on the floor as we prayed. The snap shot I want you to receive is Leo kneeling on the floor as we prayed over him. HIs head bowed and when Pastor Jim finished praying he said, to God be the glory. This is our first day!

A day to renew old friendships and begin new. O yeah we did go the mall with Chris the missionary and his son at night. We ate icecream. This is so important. You must try icecream in the new country. Tomorrow our ministry begins full swing and we will start building the house. I cant wait.

Hasta Luego mi amigos. A Dios Gloria!