Westwinds Student Journey Team: Photo Journal

 Gift Basket team #2

 Gift basket team #1.

 The team praying with a family as they receive a gift basket.

 The team arriving safely at the airport.

 On the bus.

 Purchasing a chicken.

 Gift basket team #3.

Gift basket team #4.

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Day 2 (Monday)

   We’re in Guatemala! I have been looking forward to this trip for so long, and I am so excited we are here.

            So here’s the thing – I am not going to lie, I have some major culture shock going on right now. You see people living in shacks on those sad commercials on TV, but I have always brushed it off, until today. I saw it in person, and it has changed me forever. Today we went to “the terminal”, a huge market in Guatemala City. We bought fruit and LIVE chickens (and yes, actually, I not only held one a chicken, but I named it Fredrica! I was SO proud!), and we made baskets to give to needy families. We went to four houses, but one stood out to me. I was actually blessed enough to be the one to pray for this family. I prayed, and I looked up to see this mom with tears in her eyes. She looked at us and said, “Thank you, I had no food to feed my kids today, so this is a true blessing from God.” Okay, back up. No food. They had no food, and didn’t think they were going to have any today. Tears started welling up in my eyes as I realized this scary truth – there are families who don’t have food. It seems extremely simple, but when you look into the eyes of a woman who didn’t have any food to feed her family, it becomes real. I honestly don’t know how to process this, and I am still working on it. All I know is this- I am so blessed, beyond what I should be. After seeing that woman today, I know one thing. I will not stay in my comfort zone. I refuse to let anything stand in my way of listening to God. Whether that means he will bring me back here to Guatemala, or somewhere else, I don’t know, but I refuse to sit on my couch and do nothing while there are kids who literally have nothing to eat. My prayer for this trip is simple, God: I am yours. Use me however you want .I cannot wait for the rest of this week. It is only day one and my entire perspective on life has been flipped around. Not to us, but to him be the glory.

            To everyone back home, I love you and miss you, but I am truly having the time of my life serving the Lord here. I hope we can have an impact on this community, no matter how small. God can do amazing things, I have seen him do them today, and I can’t wait to see what happens for the rest of this week. Keep up the thoughts and prayers, see you next week!

Love, Tori

So the events that Tori wrote about were extremely powerful for me as well. However, the most impactful moment for me so far occurred right before that. Before distributing the food to the families, we played in the soccer field with the kids in the community. I approached a beautiful little girl, who looked about three years old, to see if she wanted a piece of candy. I knelt down to her level and said, “Hola! Como te llams?’ (Hello! What is your name?) Even before she knew I had candy she sprinted towards me, throwing her arms around my shoulders. She clung tightly to me, speaking with excitement and giggling with sheer joy. Never in my life have I received that kind of greeting! After we hugged for a few minuets, she climbed onto my lap and I offered her the candy. She gratefully accepted it with wide eyes and an ear to ear smile. We then had a grand time kicking a ball back and forth. Even though we could hardly understand each other, there was genuine love between us. This little girl brought so much joy to my heart by loving me and I felt such warmth being able to love on her and shower her with affection. It reminded me of the affection Jesus showers on me when I love Him with childlike faith.

-Valerie

Westwinds Student Journey Team: Day 1 (Sunday)

Last minute suitcase checks, hoarse voices, tearful goodbyes, no sleep, early drive, Guatemala here we come baby!

It was a whirlwind of activity in that airport, all different kinds of people surrounded us as we tried to find out what we were expected to do. We stood for a good half hour, waiting for someone, anyone, to start giving us directions. We were all punch drunk from lack of sleep, so there was an endless supply of interesting conversations.

The passport machines, as well as security were the easiest parts of the beginning to what promised to be an amazing experience. We didn’t have to wait that long for our flight, but Earl of Sandwich made the waiting less of a choreJ.

I boarded the plane and found to my dismay I was seated next to a strange Canadian couple. They were nice, a bit eccentric, but nice never the less. When the plane landed in Miami a couple of my friends and I went on an epic Starbucks hunt, only to settle on a local coffee shop and walk away sipping on our frappalatte’s. I got to sit by my friends on that plane trip. 

When we touched down in Guatemala City, it was almost surreal in a way. It was like a dream, like it wasn’t really happening. Time went by so fast, and now the thing I had been looking forward to the most for so long was finally stretched out in front of me. My smile widened as I stepped off that plane and into the terminal, breathing in the new culture that waited for me.

It’s a very colorful city, to say the least. Building with bright colors everywhere you turn, brightly colored fabrics, brightly colored people, just like in those books you read, but this was real. It may have been like a storybook, but I know all to well that Guatemala City can be no fairytale.

Immigration was stressful, both my friend and I were concerned over the fact that these people may ask us a question and we would blank on the answer and look stupid, or worse, be denied access into the country. Foolish thoughts, yes, but hey, you got to admit it’s a scary one. I walked up to the guy behind the counter and said my hello’s in Spanish. He brightened up and asked me if I spoke Spanish. Of course I answered “un poco”, “a little”. He smiled wide and told me to have a fun trip. It pays to know the native language were hospitality is concerned. I found my oversized suitcase and hauled it with me to Customs. This was a pleasantly surprising breeze. The guy took my form and waved me through without a hitch, without a single word. It was like a huge weight had been lifted, I made it. I’m in Guatemala.

We all conjugated outside the airport, meeting up with our leader who had arrived before we had. We waited for his instructions when a bald man started boisterously proclaiming how excited he was that we had all made it safe and sound. He introduced himself as the leader of the missions group we are working with, and it all made sense then. He led us to a brightly colored bus and threw all of our luggage inside the back. He then proceeded to take us to McDonalds. Yes! McDonalds! I couldn’t help but laugh as he told us this, it was a strange thought to me, something so American in Guatemala.

As we drove to McDonalds I came across another spectacle that made everyone on the bus laugh. We saw, what for it……. A Wal-Mart. That honestly made my day a whole lot brighter.

We got our food and headed over to the Missionary we’re currently staying at. We ate on the steps in front of a basketball court, then got our room assignments. We unpacked, settled in, took quick naps, then got the low down on what was expected of us, how to dress, how to behave, cultural differences, that sort of thing.

After the low down we had about an hour to just chill and play ball, or talk. Then, after that hour was up, we had pizza from Pizza Hut. It just amazes me how many American things are here. We ate and our leader talked with us about our day.

My expectations for this trip aren’t anything specific. My main goal is to experience God in a way I have never experienced Him before. I want to be able to become closer than I already am with him, and maybe even change lives through him. These kids that we’re helping are so much less fortunate than us, have so much less than what we have, I want a chance to help them, to show them that life isn’t just about pain and suffering. Through the things we will be doing on this trip, we can help them look to a better life, help them see through the haze of doubt and hopelessness. Ultimately, we are all God’s children, no matter race, age, social status, we are all equal in his eyes, and they deserve to know that.

My last words are this: your children, grandchildren, friends, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, they all love you and miss you very much, but they’re having a blast already, and it’s only been the first day. So smile, don’t worry, because we are all in God’s hands. J  ~Kiley 

Westwinds Student Journey Team Arrives!

The WWSJ team arrived safely, on schedule, and without a hitch on Sunday afternoon.  Ben joined the team here yesterday, also without any complications.  Internet access has not been as readily accessible as I had hoped, so I apologize for the delay in these updates.  The following posts are reflections from the students on their experiences thus far.  It's already been an amazing two days and I am excited to see what God does with this group.  Keep up the prayers!
Peace,
joe

Westwinds Student Journey Team Headed to Guatemala!

Yesterday, the JCS team returned back to the USA after a great week of serving here in Guatemala.  You can read all about that on their team blog: http://www.royalservants.blogspot.com/  They arrived home safely, late last night.

Early this morning, the Westwinds Student Journey team started their journey down here.  I was just texting with one of their leaders and they are in Miami ready to board their flight to Guatemala City.  I am looking forward to another great week working alongside Global Soccer Ministries.

I hope to be posting regular updates and reflections from the team members throughout the week on this blog.  Stay tuned for those updates.  If checking a blog sounds like too much work, simply "like" the Simply Missions Facebook page and get the update links right on your Facebook home page.

We all appreciate your prayers (especially for good weather this week).
Thanks!

joe neill
Director of Short-Term Missions
SimplyMissions.org

Jackson Christian School Team Headed to Guatemala!

This week I'm really excited to be leading my my sixth trip for Jackson Christian School.  I actually led my first short-term mission trip for JCS back in 2006.  We went to Guatemala - It was also my first international mission trip.  Each year since then I've led students from JCS on trips to Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and of course, Guatemala.  Because JCS has had such a long history with us, we have a special blog just for their teams called, Royal Servants.  If you check out this blog you will find stories and pictures from participants over the years.  This week on the Royal Servants blog, you'll be able to follow the progress of the 2011 JCS missions team as they make their journey to Guatemala.  Please check it out each day and take time to pray for this team as they serve God in Guatemala.
Thanks,
joe neill
Director
Simply Missions

Increase your Cultural Intelligence (CQ) - Read this!

I just stumbled upon this little post by Carrie Nye, and it is a great reminder of some cultural differences to keep in mind when you are traveling internationally.  Check it out!