eXchange

Our Crasher’s internet connection is giving them some fits today so I’m posting for them. -Shawn

Today’s blog was a done deal by 9am.  We met for our usual meeting to start the day where we talk about the details of the day, and someone shares a devotion.  I was up early enough to do my Life Journaling and found 2 Corinthians to speak to me about our week, and I made a note to talk about this passage when I was due to lead a devotion later in the week.  Too late.  Amanda read from that passage: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the knowledge of him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.” (2 Cor. 2: 14-16).  Amanda talked about what we smell like when we leave the orphanage: sweat, dirt, the body odor of young men.  But what is the smell we leave?  That of our savior.  Susie said that she appreciated those words, for she had been praying and reading this morning from Psalm 121 “I lift up my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, and the maker of heaven and earth (v. 1-2).  She had been thinking of that verse as we drove past hills covered with shacks on the way to the orphanage, and also that she felt that God has been pouring His spirit into us so that we can share his “aroma” with the staff at the orphanage, to bless them and pour the spirit of God into their lives for strength and purpose in their lives and the lives of the orphans.
Then Jo Ellen spoke up and asked me to read something for her, as she didn’t think she could get through it without crying.  She said that God gives her words sometimes, and this morning (well before our devotion time), He had given her the following:

We went to Guatemala
the orphans there to see.
But we found much more than that,
a witness there to be.

This foreign land so far from us
God asked our group to visit.
It wasn’t for our own success
but for our Lord’s we did it.

The children are so needy
of God’s great gift of love.
Many times we shared this gift
and found strength from above.

Community was formed down there
between  new friends and old.
Because the cause is worth the trip,
the group found patience bold.

And so the cause was added to
because our Lord commanded.
We left the sweet aroma
of God’s love as He planned it.

There was more than one tear when I finished reading.  I thought that was enough of a demonstration of the presence of God in our community this week, and then Joanna told me that she was so glad to hear what Susie shared because she’s been reading Psalm 121 over and over this week.  As my friend Scot says, “Bam, Bam, Bam.  And Bam.”

The rest of the day was wonderful.  Painting at the babies’ home (and holding babies, of course), yard work at the new girls’ transitional home, and making purchases for some projects we want to do at the boys’ home (the bunk beds are very wobbly, and the guys want to reinforce them).  This afternoon we talked about humility with the boys at the orphanage and decorated photo frames with pictures we took of them yesterday.  And then we played and talked and threw the frisbee and colored the ground with sidewalk chalk.  There was a greater openness with the boys and a greater connection with them as individuals.  Tomorrow is our last day with the boys, and I think it is going to be very difficult to leave them.

Tonight in our team’s time together, we shared our passion for the orphans we’ve met and the pain of separation that we know will come.  But there is such joy and contentment in being in the midst of serving God with abandon, even when it aches a little.  One of the many mysteries of God: how we can serve and give and pour ourselves out, and feel such peace and certainty in the knowledge that we are doing what we were made to do.

-Jody

Today was another sunny and gorgeous day in Guatemala City, and we spent the day at the boys’ orphanage.  We nearly finished a painting job, laundered clothes, and chopped vegetables for lunch.  Whatever they were having, it smelled delicious (lime, cilantro, peppers).  It was a good opportunity to serve the staff at the orphanage.  Five women who wash dozens of pants, shirts, and linens on a daily basis.  Three women who feed an army of unruly boys three times a day.  I hope that we can share some assistance, attention, respect, and some practical tools which may enable them to continue their tasks.

(Amy with Flavio & his art)

We spent time with the boys again this afternoon talking about self control, and it was a bit like spitting into the wind.  It’s difficult to talk about self control when the leader is interrupted every 10 seconds!  Overall, though, our prayers for more calm and a more receptive spirit were honored, and we each had encounters with boys one-on-one which were fruitful.  The most disruptive boy in our (Jody, Joanna, & Dave) group, was a gem when invited to play frisbee individually.  We are also learning that our plan isn’t as important as the present needs of these kids.  It’s unclear how we could possibly meet their needs, but we trust that God is using us in our discomfort and uncertainty to love His children.

(Ezra & his entourage)

Jo Ellen was sharing yesterday that she thinks that it is for each of these boys that we come.  When we look at the photos on our cameras, and there is Daniel with Jennifer, Tito with Amber, Jose with Ezra, Miguel with some animal he made out of play-doh, it is for each of those boys, and in the moment it’s only for them, that we come.  God would show up for an orphanage with one resident.

(Jennifer fell for Carlos, hook, line & sinker)

(Cristina & Daniel)

Today was our first day of serving, and we dove in head first.  We started out with painting and cleaning at San Gabriel, the boys’ orphanage we’ve visited on previous trips.  The painters were speckled with paint and there was quite a competition in the bathroom as to which duo was the cleaning champions (Ezra & Susie vs. Amy & Dave).  After breaking for lunch we returned to San Gabriel for a lesson on compassion and an art activity.  The boys enjoyed the art, and I saw some amazing talents in some young boys.  There was some frustration with fighting among the boys, and we spent time praying about that tonight.

We ended our evening visiting with the babies and toddlers at the Buckner Baby Home, taking the toddlers to McDonalds for dinner and playing in the playland.  It was a delight to see John & Emily with Juan Pablo, the little boy they are trying to adopt.  There were several tears as we held the babies, played with balloon animals, and enjoyed the pleasure of their company. 

We’ve been here for about 24 hours, and we’ve already had amazing encounters with God.  Each of these boys we meet are created in the image of God and in need of His love.  It’s an encounter with God to show them His love this week, with a hug, a toy, a piece of candy or a photo.  And today is only the first day.

We’ve arrived safely in Guatemala City after a bit of a delay in Dallas. Everyone is tired, but looking forward to tomorrow and our first visit to an orphanage, San Gabriel. Will try to post some pictures tomorrow. Thanks to all for the support and prayers.

I left the office this afternoon for a week away, and several of my wonderful friends at work told me they’d be praying for me. I’m so thankful to have such supportive co-workers, and there is such delight in knowing that there are so many people praying for our trip. I’ve been praying myself, too, and have mulled over the prayer options. Pray for safety, pray for blessing, pray to be a blessing. I was laying in bed the other night and thought that I’d like for my prayer to be that we would follow Jesus very closely. That we wouldn’t decide what we want to do and then ask for his blessing, but that we would be moving in the same direction Christ is, following him so closely that we’ll bump his back when he stops. Our noses inches from his back. So closely that we can’t see exactly where we’re going, but that’s not so important because he knows where he’s going and that’s sufficient.
-Jody

Here’s our activity plan for the time we’re in Guatemala. We’d appreciate your specific prayers as we are in each orphanage and with each of the activities we have planned.

Sunday, March 30:
1:50pm: Depart Indianapolis
9:00pm: Arrive in Guatemala City

Monday, March 31:
9:00am: Cleaning and painting at San Gabriel (boys’ ophanage)
2:00pm: Ministry program at San Gabriel
5:30pm: Dinner with the Buckner Baby Home (taking them to McDonalds)

Tuesday, April 1:
9:00am: Cleaning and painting at San Gabriel (boys’ ophanage)
2:00pm: Ministry program at San Gabriel

Wednesday, April 2:
9:00am: Cleaning and painting at Buckner Baby Home
2:00pm: Ministry program at San Gabriel

Thursday, April 3:
9:00am: Cleaning and painting at Buckner Baby Home
2:00pm: Ministry program at San Gabriel

Friday, April 4:
9:30am: Sightseeing in Antigua, visiting town square, jade factory
1:30pm: Shopping in Antigua

Saturday, April 5:
9:00am: Serving at Buckner Baby Hom
12:00pm: Hosting pizza and ice cream party for Boys’ & Girls’ Transitional Homes
7:00pm: Farewell dinner with interpreters, staff, and team

Sunday, April 6:
8:25am: Depart Guatemala
6:45pm: Arrive in Indianapolis

So, last night after church we packed up all our donations we’ve received from our friends, family, and church. Crayons, ibuprofen, toys, candy, toiletries, crafts, etc. Each of the 15 of the travelers will take an entire suitcase full of items to donate to the orphanages, and we have lots of goodies to share. We need to finish packing our own bags at home, making our lists and checking them twice.

I was reading some devotions we were sent to help prepare us spiritually for our trip, and there was a part about how in all our preparations, it’s almost like we need to remember to pack Jesus to take with us, too. Except for the fact that Jesus is in Guatemala. We know that the widows and orphans are near and dear to his heart, and that he is close to them. I imagine that Jesus is in Guatemala right this very minute, waiting for us to arrive.

We’re heading back to Guatemala City for our third visit to serve at a few of the orphanges in that part of the world. We’re still working out the details of the agenda, but we have a great team of 15 heading down. We’ll be heading out on Sunday March 30 and returning on Sunday April 6, 2008. Please be praying for the team and the work that God would call us to perform in that week. Check back for more updates soon.

Crashers:
Ezra Birt
Cristina Eversole
Jody Elslager
Jo Ellen Gilbert
Joanna Lee
Amanda Lennen
Jay Mosteller
Dave Parks
Jennifer Seddelmeyer
Amy Switzer
Amber Telle
Emily Wiggins
John Wiggins
Jennifer Woodcock
Susie Wylie