Valle Verde

It has been a long while since I blogged last...sorry.  I feel like I have been on hyper speed for the past few weeks.  Mixed in with lots of activities, has been our ongoing challenge connecting to the internet and as a result, the blog has fallen to the bottom of my "to do"  list. 

This past weekend, we said good bye to the team from Chilliwack.  What a blessing it was to share time with them working in Valle Verde.  The team was extra special because we had family on it - Rocky's brother Kevin, his wife, Kathy and their son Matthew.  This was their first time in  Guatemala and is was so much fun to be here and be a part of their experience. 

The project in Valle Verde was to build a classroom, but by the time the team arrived, the men of the community had the majority of the work done.  At first I think some of them were a little disappointed that they were not going to be digging out for the foundation, but...after an hour of working in the intense heat and humidity, they were very thankful the classroom was as far along as it was! 

 The team not only worked in Valle Verde, but they also did children's ministry, attended church and did a small prayer walk.  As always, the children were so happy to be with the group, playing games, singing songs and doing crafts.  The stories (told by Leeanne - team leader) were awesome!  It was tough for those translating to have as much expression as Leeanne had!  The kids loved them! 

 On Sunday, we had the privilege of attending church in the small community and I was given the opportunity to preach a little.  This was really the first time I have preached in Spanish.  I think it was less intimidating because the people couldn't understand my Spanish - only my translator needed to understand enough to translate it into Quekchi!  After I was finished, Hector (Arryn's husband) preached as well.  It was a great service.  It always amazes me that the Word of the Lord is applicable in all languages and in all cultures.  That is what a living, active Word can do! 

After church, the pastor and his family feed us lunch and we left feeling full - both spiritually and physically.
On Wednesday, we had a chance to visit the home of the pastor.  The team had a gift for him and his family and we spent some time encouraging him and praying for him.  He asked if we'd be willing to go to the home of a family that had not yet accepted the Lord and pray with them.  We jumped at the chance.  As we got closer to the house, we realized the mom was not home, but her adult daughter and son were.  The little boy (maybe 1 1/2 years old) was badly burned.  He had pulled a pot of boiling water onto himself about 5 days earlier.  As we prayed and shared the Gospel message with her (the mom), the presence of the Lord was so palatable and sweet!  It truly was a "God" moment.  It is at times like that that I know I am where God wants me to be. 
It was sad for us to say goodbye to the group, but we know that lives were touched and God was about His business both in our lives, in the lives of those in Valle Verde and in the lives of those on the team.  Our God is so good!