LCS - Day 6 in photos

 Macaws.

 The colors of the market.

 The largest seed-pod's I've ever seen.

 The market on the streets of Antigua, with the Volcan de Agua (Volcano of Water) in the background.

 Bartering for a "good price".

 More bartering.

 Celebrating some market day fun.

 Walking through the city center.

Ruins from the 1717 earthquake in Antigua.

LCS Student Reflections - Day 5

Every day we continue to see more and our eyes are opened to even more than they were before. The language barrier continues to lessen and our relationships with the people constantly grow. Today I had many opportunities to have amazing conversations with people. I stepped out of my comfort zone and thanks be to God I learned so much through it. The pastor and I talked during one of the soccer games and it was such an encouragement to be able to communicate. The area of Zone 18 is very devastated and the ministry is beginning to set a firm foundation to spread the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to the people of Renosmientos. I feel so blessed to have been part of the growth of the community. I know that God will be present and work in the lives of those around. Thanks be to John and Amy Banta who have been such a blessing and inspiration to my life and the lives of all those around them.

*Down where my heart will always be, I learned so much and now I can see. My life can be used in so many ways, I am God’s servant the rest of my days!*

I LOVE GUATEMALA!!!!!

With Love,

Kayleigh

I’m not quite sure where to start, as this type of thing is a little outside of my comfort zone, but I know all of you parents and well wishers take great delight in being able to have some glimpse of our experiences as we go through them as well.  Guatemala is so many different things it’s almost impossible to put my emotions and thoughts into coherent form, but in its simple form it is really fun!  At first it was a little overwhelming (and the heat didn’t help) but as I grow more accustomed to the weather and the work, it gives me more opportunities to try and interact with the locals.  I know a bit of Spanish but it’s still really hard to follow when all the little kids flock around you, jabbering away in an indistinguishable rush of sound.  As I’m sure everyone else has already mentioned, it gets much easier the more you talk, as long as your willing to try and fail a few times without being too self-conscious to try again.  We are so blessed to have all these great leaders who take so much of their own personal time to help us help them, and they do so much more than we realize even now, I expect. 

On another note, our group is coming together and connecting so much!  As the days fly by and the end of our great adventure draws ever closer, we all spend so much time hanging out, playing games at the seminary at night and talking through our daily devotions.  It’s a time well spent that I really value and hope will continue into our more mundane, daily lives upon our return.  Also, the more we learn about others, the more we can learn about ourselves!  Because even though we may wish to be examples, others perceptions are so easily formed and it really helps to see yourself from another’s point of view…  I hope this finds you all well and rest assured we are doing great! 

Lots of love to all,

Paul

LCS - Day 5 in photos

 Carlos & Osmar explaining to the kids about the upcoming GSM academy on the new field that our team helped restore.

 Team photo with John & Amy Banta.

 Cheering on the kids during a soccer match.

 Some of our team suited up for a game.

 Monkeying around in the park at lunch.

 More monkey business.

 Enjoying the day.

 JD talking to a group of Guatemalan kids.

Preparing to feed 150 kids at the afternoon celebration.

LCS Student Reflections - Day 4

Dear ya’ll,

One of the most common things I have noticed from a so called “veteran’s” point of view is that mission trips make everyone grateful for what they have. Last year I realized how much stuff I have, this year I realized how much love I get to receive daily. I noticed, and John pointed out, that Guatemalans play hard. I was asked the question, “How did you get to be such a good worker?” Apparently I am good at staying on task and not standing around… I do not know how much of that is true though. With out a doubt my answer was my father. I am pretty sure every time he comes home there is something he wants me to pick up or put away. And in every sport I have ever played he has pushed me too my limit, luckily it has rubbed off on me! Some of these Guatemalans do not get to accept very much love because they do not get much love. I get so much love that I push a lot of it away! The children today as we were leaving the fields where GSM held games for 4 different communities kept asking if we were coming back, and a few girls from our group played with them for a couple hours in the park. These kids can hardly communicate with us, but they take all the love we give to them and hold on to it with their life. That is how we should act, receiving love with open arms. Even if that means cleaning our rooms with a smile… now I have no excuses haha. But it’s a process and this trip has opened my eyes even wider than before. More is yet to come. Love you parents I’ll have to clean my room when I get back.

Sincerely,

Jay

LCS - Day 4 in photos

 Cipresales Cheering Section!

 Serving water to teams after their games.

 Playing a little soccer with kids during breaks.

 John refereeing the first of 7 GSM Academy tournament games played today.

 Cheering on the youngsters.

Some kids gather to pose for a photo.

LCS Student Reflections - Day 3

Hola!  This is Jessica & Calli.  Today was a wonderful day!  We worked at Renosmientos and we got so much done! We finished the soccer field today and we picked mass amounts of the cement clumps out of it too!  Most of the people started their day out working in the soccer field but some people stayed back at the school and finished the garden and made a flower garden.  It was very cool to see the kids trying to help us out and they had such willing hearts.  After lunch, everyone moved to the soccer field because we had accomplished our tasks at the school.  During the last 15 minutes of our work day, it was pouring rain!  When we were getting ready to leave, we all circled up with people from the community and Pastor Rimerez led us in prayer.  We saw God through one of the ladies who was thanking us for all that we had done and it brought her to tears.  We learned how much the kids appreciate the attention we give them because they don’t get that a lot.  We’re so excited to see what God has in store for the rest of this week for our team!  Thanks for all your prayer’s and support.  We can always use them!!!  Love you all! 

- Callie and Jessica

LCS - Day 3 in photos

 Trying to level the playing field (pun intended)

 It's a team circle thing... you might not understand.

 Group prayer with the Guatemalans dedicating the field to the work of God.

 Group photo of all who worked on the project.

 The leaders behind this whole operation.

 A little post-work soccer to unwind.

 Dr. Lynn keeping weary hands healthy.

 Jay testing the hole depth.  Yep, that's about right.

 Shoveling more sand, and enjoying it.

 Steve introducing the Guatemalan kids to a new form of music.

 Posing with the School mascot (ok, well it's not the mascot, just the school pet)

An attempt at stomping out the chunks of dirt.  It was more effective for creating a dust storm.