Operation Central America

Come and see what is happening on the Operation Central America missions trip. Also learn about the teams and their prayer requests.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Malacatan Day 2

Tonight's post features updates from leaders of each of the service teams.  We are wrapping up our last service day in Malacatan with a worship service at the our host church.  Tomorrow we head up the mountain to San Marcos.  Its only about a 2 hour drive, but if the weather cooperates we will stop to hike through a Quetzal (Guatemala's national bird) reserve that is on the way.


Childrens
Today we went to our biggest school with 800 students who each personally wanted to play with our team.  Our students did great interacting with the kids.  Emma and Lauren played with a group of little girls entertaining them with games like London Bridges. An exciting game of Duck, duck, grey duck was in another corner with Anna and Jack. Sydney, Colin, Johnny, Edgar, Mike, Nick, Seth and Michael played several games of modified basketball.  Chantelle, Janelle, Luci and Abby facepainted a never-ending line of kids.  Bryce played keep away, vs.a large group of boys.  Jumprope was popular with many of the girls who wanted to play with Haley and Lara.  Tanya and Gabby played a game of soccer in the intense sun for over an hour.  Dylan and Brendan both used their Spanish to have conversations with small groups of boys.  It was somewhat overwhelming, but we all came out of the experience energized.  Pray for us to keep up our energy and for us to do each presentation as if it was the only time the Guatemalan kids would hear about Jesus.

Service

The Service team is really working as a "team".  We had the blessing to paint two churches in Guatemala City.   One was the main church who was hosting us. (I don't believe any of the students thought they'd be able to do all they did).  The other church was where the Childrens team was perorming and we were able to see their performance and participate with them as they brought the message to the smiling young children. In Malacatan we have been working on a new drop ceiling in our host church and just spent the past 3 hours on a hot tin roof fixing the leaks so that our handiwork underneath will be a lasing reminder that the Wooddale service team was here and helped make their house of worship a more inviting place to praise our Lord.

Drorts

The Drorts (drama/sports) team welcomed members of the Service team today, and they are fitting right in. We all learned about flexibility and patience this morning when school was canceled. Our team still went to  the school and gathered a group of kids to minister to. We played soccer and basketball as well as more interactive games with the smaller children. We performed the drama and Colton shared his faith story.We are excited to visit another school this afternoon and see what God will do. Please continue to pray for our health and that lives would be changed.

Mime

Hot and sunny, thunder and lightening, have been the backdrop to our first six presentations.  After starting out with three presentations using our Forgiven By His Love sketch, the team has moved into using the 30-minute program material. So far, we have shared the Gospel with approximately 1500 people. The Salvation Poem giftcard handout has been a hugh success!  The team is doing well.  Matt was the first down with some stomach issue, then Nathan with the same.  Though feeling under the weather, Nathan stepped up and performed. Please continue to pray for health for the team and renewed energy as we head into the final week of performances.

Medical
Today our venue was a school and the space was airy and perfect! Several students were enthralled to be able to watch Dr. Byron, our Guatemalan doctor, do a few surgeries.  In the morning the patients trickled in, so we didn't think it would be very busy.  God clearly had other plans, as we ended up seeing 350 patients....the most ever. We have nicknamed Jonah, Dr.Jonah. Like the other teams our primary prayer request is for the health of the team members.  The long days and hot, humid weather can be a challenge.  As much as we love the relationships in Malacatan we are looking forward to the cooler weather in San Marcos. Overall the team is working well together and each student is discovering their passion within the clinic.

The Word for today speaks to the team's reliance on God to carry us strong into our final location for serving the Guatemalans.  It comes from Lamentations 3:22-25: "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him."

Thank you once again for your prayers and support.  I will try to post an update tomorrow from San Marcos!  






4 Comments:

  • At 11:21 AM , Blogger Sheri Guimont said...

    Callie, I just heard you're a bit under the weather (Thanks Tom!). We are praying for you and so are the STEPPERS--what could be better? :) I love you and miss you. May your strength be in the Lord, and may your weakness make you STRONG. Lord, cause these things to be so, and heal her body. xoxo

     
  • At 8:24 PM , Blogger David Schmid said...

    Nathan - are you feeling better? Grandma Ann called very concerned.

     
  • At 4:34 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    Praying for good health for you Nathan and Matt. Will continue praying that the weather will cooperate and that the team would be able to see the impact that they are leaving on the cities they visit.

     
  • At 2:06 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    Nathan, Hope you and others are feeling much better! Grandma and Grandpa and I have enjoyed reading the posts each afternoon. You all are in our prayers. Love, Susan and G&G

     

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home