On Location - Day Five

Hello Friends,  Family,  and Prayer Warriors!!

Great day in the village today! Almost one hundred people got to meet with the doctors today and receive medical attention. We got to meet a variety of the needs of the people in the counseling station and a lot of people really wanted bibles.  The children got to play, do crafts and hear several bible stories. We were well received and welcomed and an everlasting impression was made in EVERYONE'S life. Finished the night back at the mission house listening to three of our team members' testimonies. Getting to hear how God has worked in their lives to fulfill his promise that says for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV).

Looking forward to tomorrow!

Good night friends and family!

Marcia

On Location - Days Three and Four

Hello Family, Friends, and Prayer Warriors!!

The team is back safe and sound in the mission house tonight.  I will post a full update soon.  Please pray for travel safeties as we drive to Clinic 3 tomorrow.  Everyone on the team is healthy and blessed by our first two clinics.  We have seen 154 patients thus far.  People are hungry for the Word.  The kids love the games, the narrative of God's love for them, and the flip flops. 

Thank you for your prayers and support!

More to come...

On Location - Day Two

Hello Family, Friends, and Prayer Warriors!

Today, we attended church in Antigua.  We wore a headset that received audio from someone that translated the message from Spanish to English.  The message was on the Goal of the Heart.

After church we rode up the mountain side to our brunch location.   We took pictures along the way.  Brunch was awesome!  We took scenic pictures of Antigua and the mountain range.  The volcano top was covered by clouds.  We didn't get to see the puffs of ash today.

After that we went to the orphanage.  They currently have about 350 kids.  We toured the compound and heard some stories of some of the kids.  We got the soccer ball out and kicked it around with some of the kids.  We also got to play with kids age 3-6. 

Then we left the orphanage and came back to the mission house.  The streets were empty.  It was eerie.  We caught the end of the World Cup game.  Hermann was excited to see Germany score.  His grandfather is from Germany. 

After the game, we went on a walk.  We spent time today in fellowship with the other team that is here this week.  They are from Atlanta too.  Dinner is up next and a prep meeting before tomorrow.

More to come...

On Location - Day One

Hello Friends, Family, & Prayer Warriors!

We arrived safely today.  We got through Customs with no issues.  We met our gracious hosts (Hector and Dietrich), loaded the two SUVs, and left the airport.  The drive to the mission compound was longer than usual as traffic was bad for a Saturday.  People were trying to get to their World Cup viewing venue.

We arrived at the house.  Lunch was waiting for us.  How wonderful as we were hungry and someone was "hangry".  ;-)  New term for the trip.  Lunch was from McDonald's.   We had quarter pounders with cheese and fried chicken.  The chicken was good!  Everyone was happy with lunch.

After lunch, we got to catch up with Hermann.  Some people watched the game.  Some explored the grounds.  Some unpacked.  Some repacked supplies.  Three went grocery shopping.   We knocked it out.  Divide and conquer.

Brenda came and cooked a wonderful dinner for us.  It was excellent!  Alberto was able to spend time and fellowship with us before going to pick up the 2nd team.  Fellowship with the Guatemala Team was great.  We saw some old friends and started making new ones.

After dinner we cleaned up the dishes and had our debriefing.   We said our 6 prayers.  The second team started to arrive.

The team is dismissed and resting.  We look forward to tomorrow and what God has in store for us.  Everyone feels blessed.

Thank You and Good Night!

Patrick

On our way!

We are all on the plane.  Thank you for your prayers and support!

From Marcia: Packing Party!!

The trip is 2 weeks away!! People have been asking me if I'm getting excited...I've never been on a mission trip so I didn't feel comfortable being excited about going to a third world country and having my heart broken over poverty and the lack of basic needs. Then on my way to this 'packing party' my friend sent me a text that said "Let yourself get happy! You are inside His will on this trip!"  I can now truly say we are all so excited to see how everything is coming together, to see how everyone's donations are materializing and to administer to the needs of the people of Guatemala.

Exodus 3:13,14 ESV

"Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “ I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘ I am has sent me to you.’”"

2014 Clinic Itinerary!

The 2014 clinic itinerary has been set!

We'll be staying overnight July 14th in the Department of Jutiapa, which is down in Guatemala's malaria country.  Our clinics will be in the town Santa Gertrudis on Monday and then on Tuesday in the near-by village of El Tule.

Physical Panoramic Map of El Tule

Wednesday's clinics will be in the Department of Chimaltenango in the area of Patzún.

Physical Panoramic Map of Patzún

We'll have the final clinic in outside of San Lucas Sacatepéquez, which is located between the capital and Anitgua.

Physical Panoramic Map of San Lucas Sacatepéquez

A google map of the itinerary is linked to the image below:

From Marcia: Supporter turns Go-er!

2 Corinthians 8:7

But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

I'm so in awe of this journey so far that God has got me on and the people I get to live this life with! 10-15 years ago the thought of going on a mission trip never crossed my mind. Having been a supporter of this specific trip for the past couple of years I know what it means to really believe in a mission and to truly pray for the mission. I know first hand that contributing money for someone else to go has planted a seed in my heart that one day would send me as well. Getting the opportunity to actually go now means just that much more to me because I feel like I've been a part of this team for years in one way or another. Now that I am going I know when people say they can't contribute financially but will pray for us how that it is THE most powerful contribution we receive.

Just a few days ago I turned 40! I have everything that I could ever want or need. Even when times are tight we have our daily provisions and are more blessed then most of the world. When I put my yes on the table for the mission trip I immediately knew I wanted to throw a fundraiser birthday party “No Gifts Please”! We did a Latin theme with salsa music and Latin food. I got to tell a room full of my friends and family about what God is going to be doing on this mission trip. I had a hard time with the idea of fund-raising at first. I felt if I couldn't just write a check then I probably shouldn't be going. I was told that fund-raising has a deeper purpose than just getting the money – and after talking to people about the trip and watching that seed get planted in their heart I understood. It's another way to share the Gospel and to “go and make disciples”. I could actually see the light shining behind several peoples eyes when they said that one day they want to go on a mission trip too! Acts 20:35 says “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” That may be true, but I'm feeling very grateful and blessed by the prayers and generosity of our extended team members, our friends.

Thank you and God Bless.

Acts 20:22-24

And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Team Building with 7 Bridges to Recovery

Psalm 118:24 reads: 

This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it

Indeed, every day is a special gift from God.  Not one is exactly like any other. Today was extra special.  The team gathered early in the morning at Patrick's house for a wonderful breakfast prepared by Annette, followed by praise and worship.  Patrick led a devotional that well prepared our hearts and minds for a day of serving and loving others in the name of Jesus.

After preparing 100 bagged lunches, we headed down to The Garden in Smyrna to meet up with the 7 Bridges crew and the other volunteers for the day.  It was great to see familiar faces and met many new ones.

Our time in the city was filled with song, prayer, and many divine appointments.  There were so many sweet children out enjoying the beautiful spring weather. It was great to be able to love on them and just have fun singing and playing together.  It seemed like each stop on the Bluff route just got better and better.  Praise be to God, by the end of the day we had witnessed many souls being reconciled to Him!  

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
-- Luke 15:10

Surely there was great joy among the angels of God today!  We set out today our hearts prepared for sowing and the Lord allowed us to see His harvesting even now in the early spring.  Today is the day of salvation.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!  

We wrapped up the day back at Patrick's for dinner and debrief.  It was a long day, but what a great day it was!  We really missed our teammates who weren't able to be with us and we look forward to our next meeting with them at the end of month.

Enjoy a few pictures from the awesome day (requires a flash player):

...

The GMMM Network of Churches

Here's an awesome Google Maps illustration of the network of churches that Medical Missions Ministries Guatemala works with.  Click on the image below to open the interactive map in a new window:

Meet the 2014 Team!

We met today with the full team for this year's trip.  After reading Psalm 52 and listening to a great Psalm 46:10 inspired worship song, we discussed various details about preparing for the trip including fundraising.

We still have room on the team, so if you're reading this and hear the call, let us know.  You would be a welcome addition to the team God is assembling.

We also spent a few minutes doing some team-building activities, including one inspired by Jason's 7 year-old son, Paxton (pictured below).

We finished in prayer, praying for the people of Guatemala, the teams who have gone before us, the teams that will come after, our supporters, team unity, and for protection through the spiritual warfare we may encounter as we prepare for the trip.  

Tuesday - Clinic 2

We arrived in San Pablo La Laguna on Monday and had our first clinic.  We slept overnight at the site of our second clinic, a church pictured below in San Juan.

Welcome 2014 Team!

Hello Trippers and Supporters!

We continue this blog for the team traveling to Guatemala on a medical missions trip.

• Location:   Guatemala City, Guatemala & rural destinations to be named later
• Dates:         July 12th to 19th, 2014
• Team Size: 24 Trippers & 300+ Supporters

Recruiting is underway!

Getting started and looking at all the things that need to be done can sometimes be daunting. There is a lot to do. Focusing on the vision keeps us motivated to succeed. The vision to commit to a trip began in August 2013 when we got back from the Guatemala Medical Mission Ministries 2013 trip. Since then, we have met with Dr. Hermann Alb to hear about the vision for 2014. The vision is exciting! Hermann has encouraged all of us to invest in the next generation.

Recruiting for the 2014 team that will travel to Guatemala this year has already begun. We have both new people and some experienced veterans interested. Positions on the team are still available as we try to reach the capacity of 24 spots. The recruitment process is always a blessing as God sends people with interesting testimonies. We are continuing to reach out to our friends, family, and co-workers to ask them to join our team. The kick-off meeting is scheduled for February 9th, 2:00-4 pm in Roswell, GA, USA.

Now, our team doesn't have the customary backing of a primary church for this trip. God has provided a wonderful organization. Yay for Seek & Serve, Inc.! Seek & Serve provides some support tools and allows us to offer tax deductible donations to our supporters.

As we continue our recruiting activities, please let me know if you have a desire to be apart of the team and prepare to serve God and the people of Guatemala. Please join us on our journey!

Thank you for your interest and God bless you and yours!