Greetings from Zapote! We had a good day today. Starting with Doug we had our morning devotions and continued on with the work all that was waiting for us. We finished off the cabinets that we were assigned to build and we installed most of them today. The rest will follow tomorrow. The team room now has a new counter top with a sink and desk for three. What a change and it will be used by every team that comes. We installed many of the ten book shelves in the classrooms. We are now all fairly healthy now which is an answer to prayer. Thank you! 

We hope to finish all our assigned jobs tomorrow morning, so we can head back to the oasis in the afternoon. We are still looking for our two lost members who disappeared back to the Oasis (Dave and Neil) We have not seen them since Tuesday. They have actually been busy doing needed electrical work back in San Lucas.

We ended the evening with a good supper together and devotions on 1 Peter by Sandy. I have enjoyed listening to the different devotionals by various members of our team. It’s one the things I will miss when we head home.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Dan

Note: we did not have access to the internet last evening so we were not able to post to the blog until now. J
 

More painting

 Working the sink in the court yard

Classroom shelving unit goes up.

 Visit to the local tidenda

Out exploring Zapote

After a long day of work...

more painting...

talking with one of the school boys.

 Where's our electrician when we need him

Working on the team room new counter top area

and more painting...

yes, you guessed it... more painting...  and Andrea is still smiling.

out for some sight seeing.

not sure what this used to be but it was so cool to see this very old water wheel...

nice over look...

old old water wheel

Wow, what a day it’s been! Regretfully some are still not feeling well, not quite at 100% but we were still able to get much done regardless. The team is working so well together! This is a sweet answer to prayer as we continue to ask for unity… we are all getting along great. More cabinets were built for nearly every classroom. Also, cabinets were readied for the team room where we gather regularly. It was ideal to have a sink in this room as one was not in place yet but now will be completed by the end of the week.

Each of the many cabinets built needed several coats of paint prior to being ready to hang. Lots of ongoing work there as the troopers painted on and on. Then a dirt area was cemented up late yesterday adding a step added for safety. This setup for the addition of a new sink outside the school building for the younger grades to brush their teeth closer to their classrooms. Then some remaining tile work was completed in the main dining hall entrance. This was challenging as the school is busy with many feet passing though these doors most every second of the day. We ended this workday with a team meal, which was followed by a wonderful devotion time. We were all able to share and talk about how God gives us exactly what we need when we need it.

It is such a joy to see the kids line up early in the morning and sing songs to God. What a pleasure it is to see these kids as they pass by us with smiles and hands out for a high five or a fist bump. Or they tap us on the shoulder as they pass by giggling. God is clearly present here as there is joy on every face. Frequently students stop to help us out. (See pictures below)

Thank you all for your prayers! It is shaping up to be an awesome week...

 
Ariel shot of Source of Hope school in Zapote

Starting the extra sink for brushing teeth

Helper with painting

 Finishing up the new cement pour

 Chris and Kory working on cabinetry

 Dan and Brian building cabinets

 Lowell painting and having fun!

 Andrea painting

 School kids helping out

 Sandy and Megan playing with tile

 

 

 

 

Tuesday dawned bright and sunny, with a clear view of volcano Fuego. We were touched early in the morning by the earnest prayers and songs from all the students gathered on the small cement "courtyard" of the Source of Hope School. They exhibit such joy and all seem to relish the opportunity to learn and participate.

The Team got busy with the work at hand here in Zapote: cabinet building, painting, cement work, plumbing etc. Neil and Dave returned to San Lucas with missionary Doug Johnson to attend to some needs at the Independence House, the home of the older Oasis girls. They recently had a new roof installed replacing the old rotted one and so there are some details involved there for a day or so.

Back here at the school, we had a long day working in the heat but are moving ahead to address the needs here for the students and missionaries. Two or three of our team members are dealing with potential mild illnesses or issues related to the heat and smoke from a close by burning barrel so we would appreciate your prayers for a return to health and mission effectiveness. 

Thanks for praying!

Tim

Visiting a local bus stop in Zapote.

Kids at Zapote school lining up for assembly

Lots of smiles...

Viewing the kids gathering as they sing together.

 

Good evening from Source of Hope School in Zapote.

We were up bright and early this morning, packing gear and materials for four days of work at Source Of Hope School (a remote town destination 1.5 hours from The Oasis). Initial plans are to build a variety of cabinets and shelving for school rooms, install cabinetry and sink in the missionary space and to build screens for the windows to keep the smaller critters outside! Possibly more important than the rest of the manual labor, we’re also photographing all of the school children to assist KAG/Galilea Church with fundraising needs for Source of Hope.

Yesterday I was touched by a discussion with one of the local missionaries. The conversation revolved around the term “Poverty” and the various meanings of that term. In the US, we tend to think of poverty in financial terms. Certainly, an inability to purchase the things desired or necessary for physical sustenance is an example of poverty…but poverty can be so much more than that. Poverty of opportunity, poverty of education, poverty of social connection, poverty of security… these “poverties” are often more sinister and more difficult to overcome than financial poverty alone. The town of Zapote and the kids at Source of Hope School represent the extremes of virtually all the above forms of poverty. Yet, in the midst of this poverty, God’s grace and his provision are truly on display. The Source of Hope School provides education these children would not otherwise have. Through the school the kids are provided quality learning along with two meals a day, vitamins, dental hygiene and medical care. Even more importantly, these kids are taught about the love of a Holy God. They are taught about salvation. They are taught the gospel story. They are taught that they matter and that they are loved….the hands and feet of Christ are on the move serving these kids and these kids are on the move teaching and modeling for their families throughout the surrounding town. After driving through the town of Zapote and then arriving at the Source of Hope School, you can see a difference in the kids that attend the school. They are healthier. They have bright smiles and positive attitudes. They have a gleam in their eyes that is not found around them.

Poverty comes in many forms….but poverty of faith in Christ is truly the greatest poverty. Here in Zapote, they’re on the visible front lines in this poverty battle. Please join us in praying not only for our efforts here in Zapote to be effective in serving KAG and Source of Hope, but more importantly for all of the missionaries, teachers, social workers and medical teams representing the hands and feet of Christ in this community.

Pray for the kids at Source of Hope that they would be able to overcome their poverties in all forms. Most of all, pray that God would be glorified here!

 

Chris Shedd


Early morning getting ready to leave for Zapote

Cool tree at the Oasis...

Kory enjoying our meal in the evening at the Source of Hope School. I'll let him share what we had...  The fruit is awesome!

 Whole team hunting for 'everything' we might need in Zapote

 Would you believe we ran into some road construction on our way to Zapote.  :)

 

Picturesque view on the way...

The school kids wanted to help out unloading our luggage...   Amazing!

 Tim taking all the kids pictures at the Source of Hope school in Zapote

 

Today we had the incredible privilege of taking part in a special outdoor church service at Galilea Iglesia in San Lucas. The church gathered this morning for a ground breaking service to celebrate the property that the Lord provided for a new church building. They welcomed people from at least six local churches, the mayor and denomination leaders as well as another US team and our team from New Hope. It was a beautiful occasion of praising God for His faithfulness and provision. We have enjoyed fellowship with the precious people of Galilea for many years and have seen them plant churches, build the Source of Hope school in Zapote (along with KAG) and spread the gospel faithfully. So, it was great to be a part of this wonderful day.

After church, we went to lunch together in Antigua and had a little time to look around the beautiful, historic city. We’re planning on leaving early Monday morning for Zapote where we’ll work until Friday midday.

Thank you all for your prayers as we zero in on what God has for us...

An aerial shot of the Galilea church celebration.

Galilea church pastor preaching and our Oasis friend Renee as she interprets.

Shot of the church crowd...  see any body in a light blue shirt you recognize...  :)  and many others.

 

This morning we welcomed our first beautiful sunny morning in Guatemala. We sat outside our bright yellow Team "Motel" and enjoyed devotions together surrounded by God's beautiful handiwork, including regular smoke belching from volcano "Fuego” in the distance. The girls were busy with their normal Saturday morning chores so we all decided to walk up the hill just outside The Oasis to Chicaman, the small neighborhood we have visited most every year. We were able to greet many of the families we have met in the past and marvel with the parents on how their kids have grown. A few brought out photos we have given them over the years to share with us these precious memories.

After lunch we were able to spend more quality time with the girls, and then enjoyed dinner in their houses. We enjoyed games, fun, laughter, and good food shared by all. We enjoyed showing photos of our families to them and in turn asking them questions about their ages, hobbies, and favorite subjects. We were split between all 5 homes and enjoyed varied levels of success with communication depending on our Spanish skills.  It was interesting to see how some of the girls revealed how they knew more English than we thought as they helped us along in the conversation. 

This evening we shared how we have seen real joy showing through these girls lives.  In spite of the pain they have experienced, they surround and tenderly support the new girls that show up frightened and confused. They have learned how to show love and empathy to those around them, including us. This hasn't gone un-noticed by our team, and is a great source of encouragement in this otherwise dark country.

We're looking forward to worshiping with our brothers and sisters in Christ at the local Galilea church tomorrow. Blessings to you all.  Thank you for your prayers.

 A sunny morning view of the Oasis...

 Visiting our friends at Chicaman...

 

 

Dinner with the girls...

 

 

Hola from Guatemala! 
We arrived safely this afternoon and spent the remainder of the day settling in, playing soccer and hanging out with the girls at The Oasis. The flight down took place without a hitch and even customs seemed easier this time as most of us passed through easily. The van ride up to San Lucas was a bit crazy as there were many more cars and 'chicken' buses on the roads during this time.

Tomorrow we have a planned orientation time as we have done in the past. We will be able to fellowship and get to know many of the new girls throughout the whole day, as well as get reacquainted with many of our old friends. We had the pleasure of meeting a few new staff members here, and briefly discussed the upcoming work.

Since we'll be gone most of the week working in Zapote, it's nice to have the day to spend time here with the girls.

Please continue to keep Josh Ma in your prayers. He had his second chemo treatment today but is struggling with on-going pain. They are exploring additional pain med options with a new doctor. Pray for wisdom and guidance for Josh, Susan and the doctors.

 

 

 

The team will meet early at the Main Campus this Friday at 3:30am as we fly out from MSP at 6:25AM - We look forward to arriving in Guatemala around 1:30pm in the afternoon - thank you everyone for your prayers for safe travel...