Guatemala 2024/25

The biggest blessing and answer to prayer today was the special time I got to spend with this beauty…. Thanking God for helping my friend make good choices today so I could selfishly spend time with her. We made bracelets for each other and caught up on life over the last year. Im looking forward to praying with her and asking God to reveal the correct time and place. We all need our Father so much and I’m praying that he draws her near. Our day…. 1. Kara helped make a sample meal for our big party tonight, but really had the most fun washing dishes with the middle school boys most of the morning. They are a riot! I love to joke around with them. 2. Hannah continued her diligent work in the bodega and doing hundreds of stairs again. She also spent some time playing volleyball with the girls today. Ask her how her wrists feel! 3. Timmy took one for the team and headed to the store today to get more food and supplies needed for projects and the NYE party tomorrow night. Part of the shopp...

The team went to the small village of Jocotillo today to pass out food at the local church. One of the house parents here has a remarkable relationship with the pastor and community. Before leaving we spent time praying for God to multiply the food and that the people receiving it would understand that God provided it, not us. Well, he sure did multiply! The team thinks about 300-400 people were given bags of food! Thank you, Jesus.  One of these bags will sustain a family for 1-2 weeks! While the team was dividing and packing the food, this beautiful woman was praying and thanking God for the abundance of his blessings, and also for sending our team. How humbling to be prayed over. Thankfully some team members had the opportunity to pray with her as well, for specific needs, burdens, and desires in her life. Marlon, the house parent with a ministry in this neighborhood had gathered house materials the day before and arrived at the village ahead of the team to build a house for a m...

First of all, thank you to anyone praying specifically for my protection against “arthropod assault.” I have only gotten one bite and it’s not bad at all. By this time last year I was pretty well snacked on. My armor is knee high socks, long pants, lots of deet, insect repellent bands worn around my ankles, and avoiding areas that were problematic for me last year. I’m so happy and thankful that I haven’t had any issues! Such a blessing! Second, I completely forgot to share that yesterday this sweetheart came up to me and said, “You prayed for me last year, do you remember me?” To be honest, I didn’t remember his name and he has changed a lot in appearance, but I do remember very clearly praying with two boys who were struggling. He’s doing so much better and thriving. God has been working in his life and he will (and does) have quite a testimony to share. This morning we got to work on re-organizing the “bodega” which is where they house all of the donations (mostly clothing).  Be...

This morning we had a yummy breakfast followed by worship and devotional time. I wish all days could start this way! Next, we were given an orientation by the missionary liason. Many of the kids from last year recognized us during the tour and we got so many hugs and warm welcomes. Timmy was quickly invited to play basketball and Hannah was recruited for swing pushing. :) One of the girls that I connected with last year was having a rough morning so I was a little disappointed I didn’t get to see her. Totally understandable. Bank and Walmart were next on the list. We purchased all the food for the New Years Eve party.  We are all looking forward to it! I’m not sure how we fit 6 adults and all this food in a Honda Pilot, but we did! My friend from last year was working in the kitchen when we were unloading groceries. She shouted my name when I walked by and I received the brightest smile and kindest hug. I can’t wait to spend time with her and encourage her and pray with and for her...

​ We landed safe and sound in the beautiful country of Guatemala. We all settled in the dorms and tucked in for the night. Tomorrow will be orientation, grocery shopping, and reuniting with our friends as well as making new ones! (The country’s bird…a quetzal; their money is also called quetzales) Praising God for smooth travel! Caleb says Paisleys doing a little better each day and still hopes to join us on Thursday.

As we have made physical preparations for our mission trip, we have also worked on making spiritual preparations by doing devotions as a team and reading the Bible and praying together, for the Lord to use us in mighty ways. I don't know the reason why, but on Friday, December 22nd, Caleb and Paisley were attacked by a German Shepherd that lives on the corner of our street.  Caleb is OK physically, but Paisley is not. Her underbelly is destroyed and even worse than this side view. Caleb was walking Paisley on our road and he heard a bell on the collar of the dog and looked up and it was charging them.  He had little time to react as the dog latched on to ours and would not let go.  They all ended up on the ground and Caleb had to kick the dog over and over again and it would not let up.  It’s owner came running and jumped on his dog and he had a few seconds to get Paisley away. Thankfully some neighbors on our street were driving by and picked them up and drove them ...

It's unbelievable to imagine that a house for a family in the rural village of Jocotillo is a mere $850-$900.  Now, this is not what us westerners would consider a house.  We probably wouldn't even consider keeping a pet in this kind of shelter; however, these houses mean more than we (I!!!) can ever understand.  What I do know is that when families receive these homes as gifts, the tears flow and many come to their knees in gratitude for what the Lord has provided for them. Our dear friends and family, and even people in the community we don't know, have been giving us returnable cans and bottles (10 cents/each) for months and months.  These collections have raised over $1000!  We are able to donate a house for a mom in need while we serve at Casa Bernabe.  Not only that, a friend saw the cost of a house and felt moved to donate an entire house; therefore, we will be able to donate TWO HOUSES! With the extra money, we will also be able to provide some nour...

One of the biggest lessons God taught me during the mission trip and since coming back is that, although the world considers orphans and widows (and others) the "least of these," I, myself am the least of these. I am full of all kinds of sin and need a Savior just as much as my brothers and sisters in Brighton, Michigan, the US, Guatemala, and beyond.  We are all on an even playing field when it comes to our need for forgiveness and unconditional love.  Our friends at Casa Bernabé may have deeper unmet physical and emotional needs; however, we all have a great spiritual need.  I would even argue that we (my family) have greater spiritual needs because our pride and wealth cause us to feel that we can do this life on our own and not depend on God.  We don't neeeed him for our next bite of food.  We don't neeeed him for our shelter...I can pay my own mortgage, thank you very much.  We don't neeeeed him for our jobs, school, etc.....  There is something ...

The moment we boarded the plane to leave Guatemala last year, I had a feeling that I would be back.  The relationships formed in such a short time were so deep and the ministry so effective at being the hands and feet of Jesus. The impact Casa Bernabé has on children, families, community, and visitors is expansive.  My heart was forever changed. In the Spring, we thought our entire family would be returning this year and brainstormed some ideas on how to raise funds because the cost of travel and projects is quite significant.  We decided to have a garage sale and accepted hundreds of donations from friends and family.  Not only did we fill our garage, we filled about half of our out building!  Caleb always knew I was crazy, but this was a whole new level. We were able to raise $3000 between the garage sale and Facebook Marketplace sales.  Truly a blessing from God.  He kept multiplying the donations and providing for the financial needs for our family...

  Romans 12:13 "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." It became quite obvious how rich our family is.  We don't drive $100,000 vehicles, my kids don't have the newest Air Jordans, we don't have memberships to the local ski hill. BUT, we are so so rich compared to so many others in the US, and especially around the world.  That means we have more to give.  Our family is looking at ways to make changes in order to be more generous with our financial blessings.   Matthew 25: 35 "...I was a stranger and you invited me in." If you know me, you know that I have a huge heart for people in our country who speak English as a second language, especially new arrivals and those who have come under horrible circumstances. I have been aware for several years now that our county does not have an ESL program for adults.  No, we don't have a huge population or a glaring need for it, but we do have "strangers" who live amon...