Completed projects

Bonfire

Another highlight of the week was the bonfire. The last time we did a bonfire with girls was several years ago, so this was a new experience for most of the team. Friday night was a cool breezy evening, typical of evenings in Guatemala. After dinner we went outside and got a fire going - the guys sat around the fire, chatted and attempted a few songs. The evening got off to a slow start as we sat and waited for the girls to join us. As they finished their dinner, chores and homework the chicas began to emerge from their houses and the party got going! From the subdued start the evening turned into a fun night of songs, games, laughing, cuddling by the fire and of course the great Minnesota tradition of smores. It was a great night and will certainly become a more frequent tradition if we are blessed enough to be able to return next year.

Rich In Generosity

Each year one of the highlights of our trip is to visit the small village of Chicoman just outside the walls of the Oasis. This year's experience was extra special because for the first time we got to take some of the girls from the Oasis with us. There were two requirements for the girls to be able to come with us: firstly they had to be 15 or over and secondly they had to be a level 4 - the highest level on a scale that the staff here use to encourage good behavior. Chicoman is a small village of only a few hundred people who live in extreme poverty. Our normal trips involve handing out candy, toothbrushes, toothpaste and tracts - we are always greeted with friendly smiles and are starting to get to know several of the families that live there. Earlier on in the week the girls had taken part in a service project which involved filling colorful gift bags with some basic necessities, candy, toys, tracts and a hand written note. We took these bags with us to Chicoman and the girls were able to hand them out to families there. The girls at the Oasis, although they have very little by US standards have become accustomed to receiving from teams that come down here. It was overwhelming to see how they were so excited to now be able to turn that around and now give to others. This is an intentional philosophy that the director here has adopted to encourage the girls to look beyond the walls of the Oasis and impact the community around them. It was truly amazing to see how the generosity of New Hope Church and many other teams is now being passed on through the girls to others in need - that, dear friends is what being "Rich in Generosity" is all about!

Friday Work Pics

Another picture for Isaac (see comment below)

Reflections from David C.

Wednesday was another productive day at the Oasis. We worked hard and got a lot accomplished on our projects. Things are moving along and as a group I believe we feel like we are on track to finish what they have for us and finish well. However sometimes in Guatemala, actually ALL the time in Guatemala, there are surprises along the way that change our course and force us to adjust and adapt to the changes. Construction supplies and tools are scarce at times, and when we need additional items like screws, nails and wood, they are usually purchases by the piece, so there is rarely room for error. But those changes and speed bumps only bring us to a closer reliance on our Lord and they are all blessings. God is good all the time.

Speaking of blessings, God was so very present on Wednesday as we concluded the day with a special devotional and worship time with the girls. After work, we all assembled in the Bethany House (the Oasis' multi-purpose building) for a time of games, worship songs and a devotional in Spanish by our own Tony R. Worshipping the Lord in Spanish was wonderful and it was so awesome to see the girls and their House Tia's worship the Lord, raise their hands to Him and praise His name. Randy M. amused the group with a hilarious group game of Musical Chairs. The get-together concluded with an ice cream party. For those of you that have not experienced 40+ girls on sugar highs, it is a sight to see. We ended the evening with the special time of delivering our scripture bookmarks to the girls at their homes. One of the most special aspects of being down here is the amount of things that we can pack into a 24 hour day. Giving, serving and loving, but before we know it, each day is over. It is such a joy to plug into a ministry as this and get touched by the Lord as we are allowed to serve Him with our hands and hearts.

Thursday we started the day again with a morning worship song in unison, devotions as a group, breakfast and then got to work. Our projects are well underway and we are working well together as a team. There is no doubt that we will finish the goals set before us on time. The realization is now sinking in that we have only a couple more days with the girls and both the girls and us are getting ready for the hard goodbyes. It will be so very hard to not have them with us each day.

We worked hard up to the end of day bell and got ready to have dinner in Antigua with the staff and missionaries. We dined at Santa Domingo and fellowshipped with them. Thanking them for all they do for the girls here seems incomplete. It is obvious that they need our prayers daily for the Lord to give them stamina, strength and the ability to discern the best for these precious little lives that the Lord has entrusted to them.

We ended the day exhausted but ready to press forward on Friday. God has made this year's mission trip a huge blessing to say the least. It is a privilege to serve the Lord God Almighty in this way. It is only made possible by the prayers and support of you all, and for that we all are very grateful. To God be the Glory great things He has done!

Wednesday's Pics

Thoughts from another rookie

Our fourth day in Guatemala has come to a close. As we prepare for another day of hard work and investing into the girls, our mission here is becoming more and more clear. Being a "rookie" member of the New Hope Guatemala Team I have been learning on the fly, but nonetheless, I am fully experiencing the joy of this place, that has so obviously captured the hearts of each of my team members. The appreciation and company of these blessed girls and the Oasis team has supplied the motivation and energy to look forward to our work each day; despite some sickness and minor obstacles, our team is developing a strong bond with the sole aim of glorifying our Savior. Through this goal we have encountered a unique opportunity in which each of us is encountering God individually and communally in new and exciting ways. In my personal journey, thus far, God has revived in me an entire new appreciation for community and service - particularly how well the two supplement each other.

Tuesdays is only the second day of full time work, but our progress is already encouraging. Building a closet in an old classroom provides much needed storage space, installing a door opens more efficient passage ways, an entire room is being designated to computers and sewing machines, and several more beneficial additions are in the works. As frames are being cut and mounted, and boards are measured and painted, each team member is finding his place and applying his gifts. The amount of talent and professionally acquired skills on this team are a true blessing. With dedication and a high standards being maintained it is an honor to offer the Oasis reliable and practical additions to their home.

All of your thoughts and prayers are highly appreciated as our lives in Guatemala and our families in the US continue with everyday life. The few obstacles that have been encountered have quickly been countered with prayers, and our trips safety and progress thus far have only occurred because of God's grace and willingness. We continue to pray and ask you to join us as God is being glorified in each of our lives in Guatemala and at home. The importance of the support offered by each of you at home is made clear and evident through the fact that the minutes on our mobile phone are completely gone four days into our trip - the down side is that I was not able to call my worried mother to assure her of my safety......Mom I'm OK!

Grace and Peace

Zack

Tuesday's Work Pictures

Let the work begin......for most of us.

Monday morning!

We have a full slate of work to accomplish this week and the hearts to serve. Unfortunately this group of middle aged men played a little too much soccer yesterday and are feeling the effects. The knees hurt a little, our backs hurt a little but our spirits are strong and we accomplished a bunch. A great first day of work. We do have 2 men feeling under the weather today with one man not working today to heal. Prayers for their health would be great. We have teams of men installing countertops for new work spaces, a team of painters, a team remodeling a room by opening a wall up for a door and adding a closet. Mark and I got to go to the off site to Casa Esther. They are remodeling this property to house the older independence house girls. This property is closer to the city and will be much easier for the girls to get to transportation and jobs. On this property they have three 30 foot deep holes that needed a brick ring for the cap on top.

One of the absolute best part of this trip getting to spend this much time with fellow brothers in Christ. Most of us men love to put up our walls and give the impression that everything is always good. After a few days serving the Lord the conversations become deeper and the friendships become more and more authentic. We come on a trip like this to serve, to build, to encourage and we end up being served, being built up by other brothers and more encouraged then ever.

Tomorrow will be another full day of work, God willing we will have a full crew and will accomplish much.

This afternoon the Oasis was visited by an eye doctor from Texas. We had the pleasure of helping him and the girls pick out glasses for those that need them. There were some tears from girls who were not happy about having to pick out glasses. In the end we did our best to let them know they are beautiful no matter what is or is not on their faces. True beauty has nothing to do with the external and everything to do with how God seems them.

Blessings to everyone

Greg

A VERY Special Sunday

Today began with a service at Nazaret Church - entirely in Spanish. While I'll admit understanding very little of what was being said, the music was amazing and the presence of our Lord was quite evident. The service was paused for about 10 minutes so all of the members could greet us individually with hugs and kisses on the cheek. It was really an amazing experience.

After church was "Get Acquainted Day" with the kids...barbecue, football (soccer), "Games by Randy Moselle" and conversation. It was an incredible thing to experience and a memory I will always treasure. I'm quite certain several of us are going to be experiencing pain in muscles we'd forgotten we had...

Day one the girls were a little more shy around those of us who are new here. Today they really opened up to all of us. I've hugged, held, teased and just generally loved on more kids than I can even count.

A thought that just keeps constantly coming to my mind is just what a dichotomy is experienced here. Beautiful countryside with soaring volcanos and beautiful scenery...alongside decrepit buildings, roads and abject poverty. The Oasis is a beautiful place with the hand of the Lord clearly at work...with much of the surrounding countryside under clear dominion of the enemy. And most amazingly, the incredibly sad stories of the girls here. These girls have experienced more sadness and pain during the all-important formative years of their lives...and yet their genuine joy, love and hope is beautiful. Their smiles are genuine. Their hugs are strong. The sparkle in their eyes is heart warming.

All I can say is thank you Jesus for the opportunity to be here. Thank you that we could be here for you. Thank you that we could be a part of bringing you into these girl's lives. And Lord, thank you for the incredibly special gift of precious little Laura's kiss on the cheek this evening. It's a memory I will always cherish.

Chris

Some pics from Sunday