eXchange

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

Did you know we have a blog set up just for the Guatemala 2008 team? That’s right, we do! If you want to check it out you can do so by clicking right here (or clicking Guatemala 2008 near the bottom right of any page on this site).

They’ll be striving to update the blog daily but sometimes internet connectivity can be spotty there so if they don’t update, don’t be alarmed.

Be sure to head over there, read what’s been posted so far and leave a comment of encouragement. We can’t wait to see how God moves in Guatemala!

Easter blew up Sunday with nearly 2000 people in the building!  We celebrated the fact that we were salvaged.  In grand style, the team pulled it together.  Some highlights:

• Hundreds of pieces of junk
• Crazy scaffolding used as band risers and stage props
• Dancing to "Glory of it All"
• You are My Joy with cello and surdos
• Live painting with a beautiful twist
• Solid message on the resurrection of God in our lives
• Guitar Hero
• Tons of visitors
• Media off the chain (center screen, a dozen TV’s, and other eye candy).

We had a large hard working crew who went crazy with their time, creativity, and energy. It was a pleasure to serve with them.

This coming Sunday at 6PM, we kick off our "Unleashed" series.  We will explore how life was REALLY designed to be lived.  See you Sunday!!!

- Scot  

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

Bam!  I wish I could tell you all that was happening for Easter Sunday.  Let’s just say that it will be off-the-chain.  If I told you all the details, you wouldn’t believe me.  You have to see it to believe it.  Even after you see it, you might not believe it.

Check it.  We were once salvage.  No more.  Why?  We were rescued by a God who is not far away.  He is close, and (the best part), he is alive.  Forget visiting the tomb of Jesus.  He is not there. 

If the last week of final preparation has taught me anything, it has taught me this:  the crew at MCC knows how to rock a party.

So, see you at the party on Sunday.  Don’t come alone.  A party is always better with a friend!

–Scot

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 a little light on the news this Friday but both items are important. Read on and we’ll see you Sunday night!

ConneXion CRASH: That’s right! For our next conneXion event, we’ll CRASH Shady Oaks Village on Saturday, March 22, 9am-noon. Residents from this retirement community are requesting cleaning jobs in their apartments & are so excited to have some extra hands to help! It should be a great time to serve others, show Christ’s love, and have fun with fellow eXchangers. Meet at the Information Center at 9am to break off into groups, located at 1101 Shady Oak Ct, near the south branch of Wal-Mart. Afterward, we’ll meet up at IHOP for lunch. Any young adult is welcome. Questions? Email stephanie925@gmail.com

eXchange needs your electric leaf blowers! – "Remember how I said that Easter is gonna be off the hook? Well, we need your help in getting there. This might sound like a crazy request, but… We need to borrow 20 electric leaf blowers. We don’t want donations, we just need to borrow them. You’ll get them back after Easter and we won’t harm them. Honest. When you see how we use them for Easter, you’ll be soooo glad you let us use them. Maybe you have more than one electric leaf blower? Bring ‘em. Bring ‘em all! If you’re willing to let us borrow your electric leaf blower (we can’t use gas leaf blowers, sorry), bring it with you to eXchange and drop it off at the welcome center. Be sure to put your name on the leaf blower somehow and, again, you’ll get your leaf blower back after Easter. Thanks for your help. Easter’s gonna be great! -Scot"