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Salem Lutheran Church
Juliette (Siebels) & Ryan Alvey's
Ministry in Guatamala
February 18, 2006
Link to: Salem Guatamala home page
Juliette (Siebels) & Ryan Alvey's
Ministry in Guatamala
February 18, 2006
Link to: Salem Guatamala home page
Hola Que Onda Banda!
Yesterday, we started with losing a bag off the back of the truck traveling to the airport on the freeway. But we had some people following who retreived it after it became airborn. In addition to that, we only checked 31 bages in, and we collected 32 when we arived in Guatemala. (Dont worry we checked it was ours, but it actually made it with no airline tag. We are just assuming Jesus packed it.) Besides that, we all arrived in Guatemala safely and without any problems. After a quick tour of the mission house and we got to see our first look at the shanty village that is the mission field. Then we headed to the head office, and our living quarters where we then had dinner. We were extremely thankful for the dinner that was prepared for us. It was nothing short of amazing. However, due to the exhaustion of the traveling, we almost immediately fell asleep.
Today started early. We all woke sometime around 7:00, ate breakfast and journeyed to the mission house. There we were introduced to the children of the school, and participated in a small devotion time. Afterwards, the children greeted us to the mission with a small floral gift. Next, we traveled to an assisted living facility called Mother Teresa, arriving somewhere around 11:00. There we had a chance to visit with the people, helped serve lunch, sang songs and danced. The facility was split into two parts, one male and the other female. Those of us that visited with the men had a chance to play a little soccer, and the volunteers who went with the women painted nails, danced and combed hair. Leaving there around 1:30, we traveled back to our home and had lunch. Again, we were extremely thankful for the food which was provided. Shortly after 2:00 we headed out to the local market, where we were given a chance to do some shopping. For the remainder of the day we will have a chance to reflect on all that we did and to get together for some worship and devotion time.
Tomorrow we will be attending church at Cristo Rey. Shortly there after we will be given a chance to unpack and prepare our VBS packets for the week to come and put together personal hygiene kits to hand out at the school. So far, we have not had too much of a chance to get our hands dirty and began to fully perform what we came here to do. Today and tomorrow the goal is to provide and experience which will able us to immerse ourselves in the culture.
We all are grateful for having loved ones back home to pray for us on this journey. we are especially thankful for all those who helped us get here either through financial contributions or other donations. We ask you all to pray for the continued health of all that are here on the mission trip and for those at the mission. Please ask for this coming week to be a blessing for all who are down here both volunteering and living permanently. Also, we ask for the Lord to guide the group and all those within the group so that all of our gifts and abilities can be used to benefit all who need them.
In Christ Alone,
The Guatemalan Mission Team