Our apologies to all for keeping you in suspense. Although our day of travel on Saturday and our time in Guatemala City through Sunday was all smooth and enjoyable, we only now have gotten access to the internet cafe. We kept telling ourselves that our friends and family back home needed to hear from us, and we kept hoping that, for you, no news is good news, but we are very excited to now have the chance to provide updates.
I hope the recent flood of posts doesn´t discourage you from keeping in touch with our journey. Each team is enjoying different experiences and so each team will provide some variety to this blog. Thank you for continuing to support us through your prayers, and expect to see new posts at the end of each day.
Signing off until tomorrow,
Richie
Monday, May 30, 2011
Team Jimenez- Bryant 2 -
Guatemala in the First 48 Hrs.
the first 48 hrs of this trip have seemed like a lifetime. I don´t think i have ever been more nervous to do anything in my whole life. Still to this moment I have to keep reminding myself ¨I AM IN GUATEMALA!!¨
We arrived in Guatemala City after a 4 hr flight and I was pleasently surprised to find out that we were going to stay at a compind instead of taking a bus 3 more hours to our actualy destination. WE met out fealess evangelistic leader Pastor Louis, who welcomed 40 somthing American missionaries into his humble home. He and his family have graciously cooked us breakfast, lunch and dinner. OH and did I mention, the food here... Amazing. We spent most of the day relaxing and bonding as a team and doing random activities together. I spent most of the time watching a serious 4 square tornument and playing soccer with the fellas. By the end of the day i honestly think i could have fallen asleep standing up, the altitude and jet lag are something serious. We ended the day with a small group meeting and devotional. All 5 of the girls in our room were zonked in 5 min.
Day 2 was as equally long. I feel like maybe the minuates are longer here, or maybe the hustle of my crazy life has been removed and i can actually enjoy time instead of checking another day off the calender. We started ouyr day by having a quiet time, then an all team devotional with breakfast. This consisted of a few of us sharing our favorite verses and sharing what they mean to us. i shared Psalms 62 1-2. shortly afterwards we went to an all spanish church. Then hoped on out buses and headed for San Juan. San Juan is a beautiful small town full of life. It is so crazy to think this life has been completly unknown to me until now. As we rode along a tiny twisting one way road through the mountains i could feel my heart shifting. The simplicity of everything here is mind blowing. People everywhere. Men, women, children,and wild dogs all living a life so forgein to me.
We we able to spend a little time interacting with children today...YIKES. If any of you know me this is WAY out of my comfort zone. The best i have to offer these children is a smile and game of soccer.
Last night I sat on a rooftop that overlooks the whole city, a lake and a few volcanos. There was a slight storm working its way over the mountain tops brining in a welcomed cool breeze as well as the most breath taking light show i have ever seen. The lightening was lighting up the sky behind the clouds. As i sat there writing and reflecting i can hear a church service echoing off the mountains. People are praising our big and wonderful God using only their voices. It has been one of the most beautiful moments of my life. everything from my world has been striped away. Everything except My God and a hand full of faithful brothers and sisters. Two days down and its been an experience i will never forget.
the first 48 hrs of this trip have seemed like a lifetime. I don´t think i have ever been more nervous to do anything in my whole life. Still to this moment I have to keep reminding myself ¨I AM IN GUATEMALA!!¨
We arrived in Guatemala City after a 4 hr flight and I was pleasently surprised to find out that we were going to stay at a compind instead of taking a bus 3 more hours to our actualy destination. WE met out fealess evangelistic leader Pastor Louis, who welcomed 40 somthing American missionaries into his humble home. He and his family have graciously cooked us breakfast, lunch and dinner. OH and did I mention, the food here... Amazing. We spent most of the day relaxing and bonding as a team and doing random activities together. I spent most of the time watching a serious 4 square tornument and playing soccer with the fellas. By the end of the day i honestly think i could have fallen asleep standing up, the altitude and jet lag are something serious. We ended the day with a small group meeting and devotional. All 5 of the girls in our room were zonked in 5 min.
Day 2 was as equally long. I feel like maybe the minuates are longer here, or maybe the hustle of my crazy life has been removed and i can actually enjoy time instead of checking another day off the calender. We started ouyr day by having a quiet time, then an all team devotional with breakfast. This consisted of a few of us sharing our favorite verses and sharing what they mean to us. i shared Psalms 62 1-2. shortly afterwards we went to an all spanish church. Then hoped on out buses and headed for San Juan. San Juan is a beautiful small town full of life. It is so crazy to think this life has been completly unknown to me until now. As we rode along a tiny twisting one way road through the mountains i could feel my heart shifting. The simplicity of everything here is mind blowing. People everywhere. Men, women, children,and wild dogs all living a life so forgein to me.
We we able to spend a little time interacting with children today...YIKES. If any of you know me this is WAY out of my comfort zone. The best i have to offer these children is a smile and game of soccer.
Last night I sat on a rooftop that overlooks the whole city, a lake and a few volcanos. There was a slight storm working its way over the mountain tops brining in a welcomed cool breeze as well as the most breath taking light show i have ever seen. The lightening was lighting up the sky behind the clouds. As i sat there writing and reflecting i can hear a church service echoing off the mountains. People are praising our big and wonderful God using only their voices. It has been one of the most beautiful moments of my life. everything from my world has been striped away. Everything except My God and a hand full of faithful brothers and sisters. Two days down and its been an experience i will never forget.
¨¨The Flying Flippin Flamingo´s Blog¨¨
What´s up friends and family!? This is Garin here just letting you all know that we arrived on time and safe as ever. These past few days here have truly been amazing to say the least. The people are wonderful, the scenery is breathtaking and most of all God´s love is very evident!
So, allow me to get all you up to date on the events taken place thus far. First and foremost, our team had a great time hanging out and growing as friends and as well as family in our meetings preceeding the take off of this trip. Gabby and Jollisa have certainly grown close as prayer partners and I would certainly dub them the instigators of humor so far! Anyways, the flight went very smoothly and we arrived on time. After we gathered the luggage we immediately met up with Senòr Tony from Impacto, he helped us get what we needed on the bus and took us to the neighborhood we stayed at in Guatemala city. And let me say, Tony is a great guy! He has an amazing heart and personality and it´s very hard not to like the guy. We met up with Pastor Luis who graciously welcomed all the teams into his home were we ate, sang praises and engaged eachother in great community. Pastor Luis gave us the lowdown on all we are planning to do and from his neighborhood we traveled 4 hours up and through beautiful mountains. Now at the time you could not see anything 50ft. in front of you due to extreme fog, but we´ve been driving up and down the mountains for the past few days and its truly awesome to see God´s creations in this aspect.
On Sunday we were blessed to attend the church Pastor Luis leads. We listened to him preach a great lesson about Jesus´sermon on the mount, and played with the children of the congregation. The way these children appreciate things is so different from the way the ones at home do. Yesterday on the bus ride up here i saw a little boy digging through a pile of trash, so i waved at him and immediately he jumped up with a huge smile on his face and waved back. This boy was just in pure delight to say hello, ¨as most of the children here are¨, its soo amazing and convicting to see how they have so little and yet are happier and more content than most children ive seen around gwinnett. God has big things planned for us on this trip, and we´re quickly finding this out. I would love to share more at the moment but sadly i cannot. Just know that everything is going well and that God is wrecking every one of our lives and its a great feeling.
Psalm34:4-7, I sought the Lpord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant. And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them:
Love you guys!
Garin H.
So, allow me to get all you up to date on the events taken place thus far. First and foremost, our team had a great time hanging out and growing as friends and as well as family in our meetings preceeding the take off of this trip. Gabby and Jollisa have certainly grown close as prayer partners and I would certainly dub them the instigators of humor so far! Anyways, the flight went very smoothly and we arrived on time. After we gathered the luggage we immediately met up with Senòr Tony from Impacto, he helped us get what we needed on the bus and took us to the neighborhood we stayed at in Guatemala city. And let me say, Tony is a great guy! He has an amazing heart and personality and it´s very hard not to like the guy. We met up with Pastor Luis who graciously welcomed all the teams into his home were we ate, sang praises and engaged eachother in great community. Pastor Luis gave us the lowdown on all we are planning to do and from his neighborhood we traveled 4 hours up and through beautiful mountains. Now at the time you could not see anything 50ft. in front of you due to extreme fog, but we´ve been driving up and down the mountains for the past few days and its truly awesome to see God´s creations in this aspect.
On Sunday we were blessed to attend the church Pastor Luis leads. We listened to him preach a great lesson about Jesus´sermon on the mount, and played with the children of the congregation. The way these children appreciate things is so different from the way the ones at home do. Yesterday on the bus ride up here i saw a little boy digging through a pile of trash, so i waved at him and immediately he jumped up with a huge smile on his face and waved back. This boy was just in pure delight to say hello, ¨as most of the children here are¨, its soo amazing and convicting to see how they have so little and yet are happier and more content than most children ive seen around gwinnett. God has big things planned for us on this trip, and we´re quickly finding this out. I would love to share more at the moment but sadly i cannot. Just know that everything is going well and that God is wrecking every one of our lives and its a great feeling.
Psalm34:4-7, I sought the Lpord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant. And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them:
Love you guys!
Garin H.
Day One: The Journey
5AM came a little early for the team. We met at a Quick Trip to carpool and pray for the journey ahead of us. As we drove to the airport, we shared pleasant conversation of our present interests and the trip ahead of us. Tiredness had sapped any external excitement we had for Guatemala as we jumped through the many hoops of fire at the airport commonly known as security, but internally we were all anticipating great things to come. While the security gates were tremendously inconvenient, most of them were passed through relatively smoothly, save a rather awkward encounter Matthew had with our host. Let´s just say that they were on a first name basis after their encounter.
The plane ride itself was much less troublesome. It served us as an opportunity to get to know one another. As we began our descent into Guatemala City, I could not help but notice the wondrous beauty of the land beneath us. There was much to be learned in the landscape of Guatemala. The picture painted below us called for my attention. I laid my book aside, directing my eyes toward the picture below me as I struggled to find the words to describe the childlike excitement I felt. I simply could not communicate the wonder of my experience to my team mates sitting beside me.
There was a profound lesson for me to learn as I was a spectator of creation. In the physical realm we dwell in, we can often elevate our attention to the created rather than the creator, or the provided rather than the provider. As human beings, it is natural that we gravitate toward the tangible. The bible has a different plea however. Psalm 97:5 tells us that "The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth." The verse provokes a question: if these mountains are wondrous, how much more wondrous must the sculptor of them be? These awe-inspiring masses of land melt in the presence of their creator. The full beauty of creation is found in the pursuit of the creator. It requires a certain attention to the things of God. Today, where is your attention? The only reaction we could produce from ours was worship.
-Michael
The plane ride itself was much less troublesome. It served us as an opportunity to get to know one another. As we began our descent into Guatemala City, I could not help but notice the wondrous beauty of the land beneath us. There was much to be learned in the landscape of Guatemala. The picture painted below us called for my attention. I laid my book aside, directing my eyes toward the picture below me as I struggled to find the words to describe the childlike excitement I felt. I simply could not communicate the wonder of my experience to my team mates sitting beside me.
There was a profound lesson for me to learn as I was a spectator of creation. In the physical realm we dwell in, we can often elevate our attention to the created rather than the creator, or the provided rather than the provider. As human beings, it is natural that we gravitate toward the tangible. The bible has a different plea however. Psalm 97:5 tells us that "The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth." The verse provokes a question: if these mountains are wondrous, how much more wondrous must the sculptor of them be? These awe-inspiring masses of land melt in the presence of their creator. The full beauty of creation is found in the pursuit of the creator. It requires a certain attention to the things of God. Today, where is your attention? The only reaction we could produce from ours was worship.
-Michael
Guatemala Bound!
5-28-11
Today felt like the longest day. Once we actually arrived in Guatemala, it felt like we had been here for days. Two buses picked us up at the airport to take us to the compound. The compound is guarded and surrounded by gates. Within these walls was a community and we were able to walk around in small groups without worry. Not long after we unpacked our things, we met Pastor Luiz and his family. We also met some other members of the Impacto staff.
The last time I was in a foreign country, people did not greet each other with a hug and kiss. In India, the most that was acceptable was a handshake. Greeting one another with a hug and kiss on the cheek is part of the Latin culture. After lunch we had free time. Right down the street from where we stayed, there was a little park with a basketball court(complete with soccer goals on each end), a zipline and places to sit and talk with one another. Today has been very relaxed. I can´t wait to see what the rest of the week has instore.
5-29-11
At breakfast this morning our leader picked a few people to share their favorite verses and then explain why that verse was their favorite. I found this a very refreshing way to start the day. There are a few verses that I love but one has been in my heart lately. 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10 ¨But he said to me, ¨ My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.¨ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ´s power may rest on me. That is why for Christs sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.¨ I can go back to very specific times in my life where this verse showed me so much truth about God. It is in those times of weakness that God is growing and stretching you. He never fails to show up.
After breakfast, we headed to church. I got to connect with a 20-year old girl named Maria. There were moments when nothing was said, but we just sat in silence. Every now and then we would strike conversation and it was nice to understand a little. I really enjoyed being able to connect with her.
After church, we headed to Lake Atitlan. We drove 4 hours in the mountains. As we were driving through, for a long period of time we were in a cloud. I was sitting by the window and could see the edge of the road. But that was it. I knew we were up very high, but there was nothing to see but cloud. There was an eerie feeling inside of me. I was reminded of the third lord of the rings: the return of the king. The part when Aragorn had no choice but to go through the mountain to seek the dead spirits for help. Anyone who tried to pass through, never made it back alive. You can see where my imagination took ahold of me and ran. I also thought of Jurassic Park. Mountains, forest, eerie cloud fog...I was certain I was going to see a raptor dart in and out of the trees.
We made it to the hotel safe and sound. I founda beast with wings in our bathroom( AKA the largest moth I´ve ever seen) and happily killed it with my sparkly purple flip flops. I named it Thor. Not because the movie just came out, thats just the name it deserved.
Today felt like the longest day. Once we actually arrived in Guatemala, it felt like we had been here for days. Two buses picked us up at the airport to take us to the compound. The compound is guarded and surrounded by gates. Within these walls was a community and we were able to walk around in small groups without worry. Not long after we unpacked our things, we met Pastor Luiz and his family. We also met some other members of the Impacto staff.
The last time I was in a foreign country, people did not greet each other with a hug and kiss. In India, the most that was acceptable was a handshake. Greeting one another with a hug and kiss on the cheek is part of the Latin culture. After lunch we had free time. Right down the street from where we stayed, there was a little park with a basketball court(complete with soccer goals on each end), a zipline and places to sit and talk with one another. Today has been very relaxed. I can´t wait to see what the rest of the week has instore.
5-29-11
At breakfast this morning our leader picked a few people to share their favorite verses and then explain why that verse was their favorite. I found this a very refreshing way to start the day. There are a few verses that I love but one has been in my heart lately. 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10 ¨But he said to me, ¨ My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.¨ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ´s power may rest on me. That is why for Christs sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.¨ I can go back to very specific times in my life where this verse showed me so much truth about God. It is in those times of weakness that God is growing and stretching you. He never fails to show up.
After breakfast, we headed to church. I got to connect with a 20-year old girl named Maria. There were moments when nothing was said, but we just sat in silence. Every now and then we would strike conversation and it was nice to understand a little. I really enjoyed being able to connect with her.
After church, we headed to Lake Atitlan. We drove 4 hours in the mountains. As we were driving through, for a long period of time we were in a cloud. I was sitting by the window and could see the edge of the road. But that was it. I knew we were up very high, but there was nothing to see but cloud. There was an eerie feeling inside of me. I was reminded of the third lord of the rings: the return of the king. The part when Aragorn had no choice but to go through the mountain to seek the dead spirits for help. Anyone who tried to pass through, never made it back alive. You can see where my imagination took ahold of me and ran. I also thought of Jurassic Park. Mountains, forest, eerie cloud fog...I was certain I was going to see a raptor dart in and out of the trees.
We made it to the hotel safe and sound. I founda beast with wings in our bathroom( AKA the largest moth I´ve ever seen) and happily killed it with my sparkly purple flip flops. I named it Thor. Not because the movie just came out, thats just the name it deserved.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Introducing team Jimenez/Bryant
If I were to find myself seeing people as they are seen by God... that's just too great a burden. The responsibility is suddenly overwhelming. It’s inconvenient. It takes so much time out of my day. It is an easy thing to go through life with only one’s own interests at heart. It is simple and clean. People are like objects, like pawns that are either tools for me to get what I want or else obstacles in the way of getting what I want. Every man for himself, right?
But we are commanded otherwise. And this is why we do what we do.
We will not excuse ourselves from what we are commanded. We will not bypass the question, “What can I do?” Should we expect to change the world? I don’t know, but we can be obedient. We can do our part.
We are a group who has been called together to serve, and so we follow the call to Guatemala. Our part is to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world, to follow the example of loving others without expectation of anything returned, to bring the Kingdom. We represent countless family and friends who are partnering with us. We hope that you will join us on this journey. We hope that as God works in us and through us, you will be encouraged. We serve a God that is alive and active. He loves us and pursues us. Please be blessed by the news we share, and please keep us in your prayers. Join us in praying for safety, for needs to be met financially, and for the people in Guatemala to be blessed by our presence as we will, undoubtedly, be blessed by our experience.
Richie Brannon
But we are commanded otherwise. And this is why we do what we do.
We will not excuse ourselves from what we are commanded. We will not bypass the question, “What can I do?” Should we expect to change the world? I don’t know, but we can be obedient. We can do our part.
We are a group who has been called together to serve, and so we follow the call to Guatemala. Our part is to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world, to follow the example of loving others without expectation of anything returned, to bring the Kingdom. We represent countless family and friends who are partnering with us. We hope that you will join us on this journey. We hope that as God works in us and through us, you will be encouraged. We serve a God that is alive and active. He loves us and pursues us. Please be blessed by the news we share, and please keep us in your prayers. Join us in praying for safety, for needs to be met financially, and for the people in Guatemala to be blessed by our presence as we will, undoubtedly, be blessed by our experience.
Richie Brannon
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Video
Guatemala - The Flood from Samuel Laubscher on Vimeo.
An edited version with shorter run-time and subtitles.
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