our GOD is greater!

Sooooo, as some of you may or may not know, I have two children here in Guatemala - adopted children that is! =) Their names are Banner, age 7, and Henry, age 5. Three weeks ago, I had the pleasure of assisting Team Res Life Rockford in building a house for them and their family, who is one of the poorest in the semi-coastal village of La Reina, a village of 152 families located at the foot of the most active volcano in Central America - Fuego (Fire). The following is the story of mis hijos - my sons.


The journey begins a year ago when we first began building homes in La Reina. To be honest, I was a little nervous because I didn't know anyone in this village and I was worried about meeting friends and getting to know the people when I was already quite attached to another village called La Bendicion. Little did I know that all of that was about to change - and rapidly! I had first heard of Henry when Dan Smith and the people of the village began telling me about a young, special needs boy who hadn't been able to hear nor talk since he was born. This boy was Henry, and as soon as I met him, his huge smile and large brown eyes melted my heart. I was blown away by the joy he had for life, the friendship we built almost immediately, the love his older brother and family had for him, and our ability to communicate perfectly - without sound. It didn't matter to me if he was disabled, or if the village looked down on him because of it or not.
I began talking to the family and discovered that Henry's ears had never been examined. After asking for their permission, I cleaned out his hears and took a good look inside of them - nothing. Whatever he had going on was far more extensive than my little otoscope could detect, so we brought him to an ear specialist...and another...and another. Right now, the verdict is what we thought and feared the whole time - that Henry was born this way and that no operation or device could help him hear again. However, the family is surprisingly okay with this diagnosis! We talked about the option of teaching Henry sign language, and they expressed interest and excitement in pursuing this opportunity right away. So far, they have a few Spanish sign language materials in their possession, and I am looking forward to having the chance to work with them further on this new endeavor.
Although watching Henry's progress and assisting him in finding a way to communicate with those around him has truly been a blessing, the greatest blessing has come from watching the entire family grow spiritually. Last fall, we conducted a medical clinic at La Reina. Once the clinic was done, the village settled in to watch the Jesus Film and hear the songs and testimonies of the group, as well as the message of our Pastor, Hermano Jesus. That night, I was able to be apart of leading Henry's mom, Elvia, forward to accept Christ. Banner came with us, and as he finished repeating the Salvation Prayer and accepting his first Bible, he stuck around to help me pray for other children who were accepting Christ!
Then, on March 2, 2011, we had finished building Henry's house and were preparing to dedicate it to them. Since the team was a little behind schedule, we decided that we would only dedicate 3 of that houses that day - and Henry's house was elected to go first. However, God had a better plan! Henry's Dad was called into work last minute, so he was no longer present and unable to be there for the dedication, thus moving them to the fifth and final dedication that would take place the next day. As we entered the house, I had the privilege of doing something I've never done in a house before - presenting the family with a few gifts that would turn the conversation spiritual. Hermano Jesus then presented the family with the Gospel and the opportunity to accept Christ into their hearts. The invitation was extended to each individual, beginning with the father. He contemplated the decision for awhile, to the point of making me think he'd refuse, but at last gave a heartfelt and confident "yes!" His wife followed, handing her life fully over to Christ, and so did Banner - with the biggest smile I've ever seen on the little boy's adorable face! Then, it was Henry's turn. Hermano Jesus politely said, "I know that Henry can't hear or understand me, but we are going to extend the invitation to him as well." Pointing to Henry, then to heaven, and finally to Henry's heart, the invitation was made. At that moment, we all experienced a miracle as I truly believe that it was the only the power of the Holy Spirit that caused Henry to look at Hermano Jesus with those big brown eyes and heartbreaking grin, shaking his head yes in full understandment! From that point on, the rest is a beautiful history that is now recorded in the book of life. Tears of joy were shed all around, even by the father as the prayers that Hermano Jesus poured out for him after the dedication left him broken before his Lord and Savior.
With every day that passes, Banner and Henry become more and more like family to me - not just because they refer to me as "mamita gringa" (white mother), but because they are now members of my spiritual family...for eternity! You know, I think Henry described it best when he went over to his deck of spanish flashcards, picked out the heart card, placed it against his chest, and then gave it to one of the team members. That, my friends, is a love that transcends all time, place and language - and that is the kind of love our Heavenly Father has for each and every one of us.

Answered Prayers and Dreams Come True!

“All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time!” – Jude 1:25.
On Tuesday, March 15, at 6am, we said our goodbyes to precious Marcos as he entered the La Aurora International Airport en route to St. Louis, Missouri! It was an emotional time for the eleven family members who gathered to see him off as this past weekend was filled with the threat of a natural disaster and the loss of a family member. However, despite these trials, the peace of God that transcends all understanding enabled the love of a family, wanting simply the best for their brother and son, to overcome all circumstances. We watched expectantly as the beaming, excited, and surprisingly calm Marcos entered the airport, passed through the ticket counter line, paid his exit tax, and was whisked down through security and out of sight by his travel escort. Feelings of sadness soon became replaced by JOY – joy in the knowledge that prayers were answered and that the long-awaited day had arrived when Marcos would receive the medical treatment he so desperately needed. It was hard to believe that this dream was actually coming true, but the reality was solidified that evening when we received the good news that Marcos had arrived safe and sound!
Tomorrow, Friday, March 18, Marcos has his first appointment with the doctors of Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Please join us in praying for wisdom and discernment for the doctor’s, as well as peace and comfort for Marcos and his family. Also, keep Marcos’ host family and the staff of Healing the Children in your prayers as they support him through this time. In the meantime, I will do my very best to keep you updated on Marcos’ treatment and progress as I receive more information.

"oh ye of little faith!"

The humility that this statement brought with it struck to the very core of my being. As I continued to think about what was said, a slow smile began to creep across my face. It was at that moment that God gave me the grace to realize that none of what took place had anything to do with my humanity and brokenness – but EVERYTHING to do with my all-powerful and all-knowing Savior. What an awesome God we serve!
This past Friday, Marcos attended his VISA appointment, which is anything short of a miracle in and of itself! With the goal of receiving his VISA the first week of March still in mind, the earliest that we could schedule his VISA appointment was March 29. However, with lots of prayer…and a few emails, too…we were able to move the appointment up to March 4 at 8am!
From there, God orchestrated everything in accordance with His good and perfect will! I had forgotten to remind Marcos to have pictures taken for the VISA – but there just happened to be a photo shop around the corner from the Embassy that was not only open at 7am but that also had the photos ready to go in less than 5 minutes! The man at the photo shop told me that I wouldn’t be able to enter the Embassy with Marcos because I was an American – but with a quick show of my passport, the security guard let me walk right in! Once in the Embassy, I was worried that we had missed the appointment since 8am had already come and gone and Marcos’ name had not been called yet – but within a half hour, Marcos’ name was called, and within 2 hours, everything was finished and we were walking out the door! The VISA was not in hand, but everything is set in place to receive it TODAY! And as I returned back to the mission base that afternoon, I received an email explaining that a host family (with three, bilingual, adopted children from Guatemala) had been found for Marcos and that a Spanish-speaking escort was available to accompany Marcos to the United States. Marcos will now be flying from Guatemala City to St. Louis, Missouri on March 15, 2011 to receive much needed and long-awaited medical treatment at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Thanks to each and every one of you for the prayers you have POURED out and LIFTED up on Marcos’ behalf! The VICTORY is already ours through Jesus Christ, but the battle is far from over. Please continue to keep Marcos in your prayers as he travels to the States and undergoes a major operation. Pray for safety, healing, discernment for the medical staff, and most importantly - that Marcos may enter into a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ through this experience!

Greetings from Guatemala!

After about two months of furlough time in the freezing cold tundra of Michigan, I have returned to the wonderful bliss of a 60's and sunny Guatemala! I arrived safely to the base around 5pm on Saturday afternoon and since then have been getting settled once more into my home away from home. The suitcases are all unpacked, a few projects are already taken care of, and my feet are back under me and ready to jump into a full week of ministry with our second team of the winter! Just as your prayers helped me arrive here safely, please pray for the team of 15 or so who will fly into Guatemala on Monday afternoon. Also, begin to pray for the many souls who will be touched by the work of the Holy Spirit this week! Thanks again for all of your prayers and support. Despite our busy schedule down here, I will do my best to update y'all again soon!

"God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is."

Although we are already in the second week of January, I have been reflecting a lot lately on this past year, and also the many unknown experiences that are yet to take place in 2011. I always tell people when they are scared of the future that - "It's a good thing we don't know what God has planned for us because it is going to be so GREAT that if He told us right now, it would scare us half to death! We wouldn't be able to handle it - that is how AMAZING and PERFECT His plan is for each and every one of us!" But at times, no one needs to hear this encouragement more than myself. I came across this devotion by Oswald Chambers last week and it served as that reminder to me...just when I needed it most. I wanted to take this chance to share it with y'all...check it out:

Will You Go Out without Knowing?
"He went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8
Have you been "out" in this way? If so, there is no logical statement possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the difficulties in Christian work is this question - "What do you expect to do?" You do not know what you are going to do; the only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually revise your attitude towards God and see if it is a going out of everything, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in perpetual wonder - you do not know what God is going to do next. Each morning you wake it is to be a "going out," building in confidence on God. "Take no thought for your life, . . . nor yet for your body" - take no thought for the things for which you did take thought before you "went out."
Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you go out in surrender to Him until you are not surprised an atom at anything He does?
Suppose God is the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him - what an impertinence worry is! Let the attitude of the life be a continual "going out" in dependence upon God, and your life will have an ineffable charm about it which is a satisfaction to Jesus. You have to learn to go out of convictions, out of creeds, out of experiences, until so far as your faith is concerned, there is nothing between yourself and God.
January 2, My Utmost for His Highest

"For to us a child is born..."

This Christmas, I hope and pray that many of us took the time to pause and reflect on the real reason for the season - the birth of Jesus Christ, who came to this earth in the form of a child in order to deliver us, save us and offer us eternal life. Isaiah 9:6 prophecied that "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
For me, the image of a child always paints a powerful picture. It was an infant baby who came to save the entire world. It is a child after whom we are instructed to model our faith (Matthew 18:3; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:17). I don't know...maybe this image spurs off of my passion for children. From a young age, I have loved babysitting, volunteering in nursery, and holding my baby cousins in the hosptial shortly after they were born. Maybe such a powerful picture has been painted in my mind after witnessing young children living in such poverty in Guatemala. Maybe it is just the way God wired my brain. I don't know what it is.
What I do know, however, is that on Christmas day, I bore witness to another beautiful image of children who change lives, and the world, for the better. Christmas 2010 got off to a rocky start for our family as my sister, mother, and father all fell victim to the flu by the time Monday rolled around. However, my dad was still feeling well enough to accompany me to my grandma's house on Saturday evening, where I was able to spend a few hours with my dad's side of the family. Traditionally, the cousins usually draw names so that every cousin purchases one gift for the cousin whose name they drew, but due to some trying economic times for those in my extended family, we decided not to do cousin gifts this year. However, we proceeded to open gifts from Grandma, and as we ended that time, my aunt stood up and announced that she had a surprise. In her one hand was a cute colored bag, and in the other hand, an envelope with my name written on it. As she handed both items to me to open, she explained that all of the cousins, ranging in age from 4 years old to 23, had decided that instead of giving gifts, they still wanted to donate a small amount of money to a good cause. That cause, they decided, should be my work with Paradise Bound Ministries in Guatemala. As I peered at the collection of coins and bills in the bag and read the "We're so proud of you!" comments that showered the card, I had to use all of my strength to hold the tears back. That bag was filled with their allowance money, the change from their piggy banks, but more importantly, their hearts. Speechless, I mumbled a humble "Thank You" and began making the round of hugs. In each of their eyes, I saw not only the faith of a child, but the love of Christ...the love that He showed us that very first Christmas by sending His Son to this earth in the form of a baby.


I love you all so much and can't even begin to express how much this gift means to me and the many young boys and girls in Guatemala whose lives will be changed forever because of you! Thanks for reminding us all of the REAL reason for the season!

Next comes Thursday…

Sooooo, now that I’ve been back in the good ole U.S. of A. for a couple of weeks, I figured it was about time (actually, more like long overdue time) to continue updating you on my life down in Guatemala. I will pick it up where we left off…on Thursday. Every Thursday morning, Hermano Jesus and I will prepare the items we need to conduct a discipleship follow-up program in a village called La Reina/ “The Queen.” This past summer, we began building homes in this semi-coastal village with our fourth ministry team as a collapsed bridge, caused by Hurricane Agatha in May, prevented us from reaching this village earlier on in the rainy season.


When we first began investigating in this village, the people were extremely timid…shy…almost scared. Barely anyone would greet you…talk to you…shake your hand…make eye contact…give you a hug. But now, all that has changed thanks to the challenge that Dan Smith presented to the first team to build in this village. The challenge was to break down walls, soften hearts, and build relationships with these people by reaching out to them with the love of Jesus Christ. After those first three days of building, barriers were being broken, and now, after five months of being involved with La Reina, the difference in the atmosphere is a clear as night and day. Smiles and hugs greet us as soon as we arrive; children begin running up to our car from every direction; and families who we barely knew a month before are opening their new homes to us as we share a meal with them, worship with them, pray with them, and dive into the Word with them. Three families in particular have opened their arms and hearts to us as they have invited us to share in their birthday party celebrations, share in the birth of a grandchild, and join in an all-night prayer vigil they held at their local church.


In this village, we also reach out to these families in both a physical and spiritual manner by providing them with much needed medications. In one family, illness has hit hard upon every member; but one by one, they have experienced firsthand the healing power of the Great Physician. For another family, our offer to assist with discovering why her young son cannot hear nor talk has had a far greater influence. Since then, her two sons have become my adopted baby brothers, the mother has become a sister in Christ after dedicating her life to Him for the first time during a medical clinic, and her 9-year-old son has assisted me in praying for other children as they have chosen to commit their lives to Jesus.








To say the least, it has truly been a blessing to be apart of what God has done in this village thus far, and the view of the volcano, Fuego, from this village is an example of what He has promised to continue among these, His chosen people, in the very near future.