The G Team

Peoria team & Guatemala's Medical Missions Ministries, 9/24/04 to 10/1/04

In 2003, a team of four from Peoria went to Guatemala to work with Medical Missions Ministries.  They brought back stories of salvations, healings, challenges, and personal growth in their own walks with God.  In late September 2004, three from the original team were joined by seven more for another adventure in being part of God's agenda.  Most of the new folks had never been on a missions trip before, and many fears were overcome as God was (of course) His faithful self.  We were joined by a team of ten from Atlanta's Perimeter Church, and several Guatemalans served as interpreters. 

Medical Missions Ministries has been tending to medical and spiritual needs of Guatemalans for 18 years.  Dr. Hermann Alb leads the team of four doctors, one pharmacist, and a children's director.  They host an annual pastors' conference and arrange the dates for the MMM team to visit each of the 50 participating Guatemalan churches twice per year to conduct clinics.  The churches know the clinic dates well in advance, so they're praying, fasting, building those relationships, and planting & watering the seeds of the Gospel in preparation for the visit.  By the time the team gets there, many of those who don't know Him yet are about ready to make a decision.  On clinic day, the patients see a doctor first.  While waiting for their prescriptions to be filled (even if it's just vitamins), they have an opportunity to speak with one or two visitors with an interpreter and hear about the Good News.  As far as we know, no one's ever declined to join the visitors at a sharing station.  Kids also have their own outreach outside the church (singing, story time, etc.). 

During the week that the Peoria and Atlanta teams served this year...

The team became like a small group/Bible study.  We met about once every two weeks in the few months before the trip, so we were able to get to know each other, encourage each other, express that "fear" word occasionally, get prayer partners, do some team building activities, take turns giving a lesson (even a little Spanish), and prepare for the adventure.

Day One (Friday)

As late as Thursday, Gail and Kittie didn't think they'd be joining us due to lack of financial support.  God provided the balance through anonymous donations and surplus support of other team members just in time, so we were very happy to see all 10 of our team arrive at the airport on Friday.  We were in matching red polo shirts with "A Heart for Missions" and a heart stitched on (designed by Kittie).

Julia hit something small on the road about two miles from the airport, but it did major damage to her car.  She didn't realize that until she got back to her car a week later, because she'd had no trouble getting to the airport.  The inspection upon return confirmed that she shouldn't have been able to drive it that last two miles.

Our flight was scheduled to leave Peoria at 6 a.m. with a stop in Atlanta.  Three of our team had trouble with tickets at the check-in desk and were late getting through security.  The crew of our flight, however, was also running late, and all ten of us got on the plane.

When we arrived in Atlanta, one of our team realized that she'd misplaced her ticket.  When she asked for another one at the Delta counter, the clerk informed her that it would cost $100.  He couldn't find the right form, however, so he gave her the $100 back.

On the flight to Guatemala, some of us "practiced" our messages on other passengers.  Liz even read the Spanish version to a native Guatemalan, who patiently offered correct pronunciation as needed.  We were armed with "EvangeCubes", which fold different ways to show pictures that help in sharing the Gospel.

When we arrived, we learned that it had been hailing on Thursday.  If the hail had waited until Friday, we would not have been able to fly.

After getting settled in our home away from home near Guatemala City, most of the team went to a nearby church to distribute food.  Another church had provided the funds for the food, but we were getting the thanks.  It was humbling and reminded us that we're all part of the Body of Christ, working together for His purposes.  One local woman gave a testimony that she had no food in her house, and her kids were hungry.  After she gave most of her donated food to another family in need, an American relative came to visit and took her shopping.  She got back much more food than she'd given away.

Day Two (Saturday)

We started every day with about two hours of devotions.  We sang, a different visiting team member shared a short lesson each day, and Hermann gave a message.  This morning, he introduced a theme that resounded throughout the week: We were all on a date with Jesus, not just a missions trip.  We want to please Him, be with Him, do what He likes; we don't care where we go or how long it takes as long as we're with Him.  He will take care of the rest.

We seek Him, He allows Himself to be seen, we worship Him, and He gives us His message/insight.  Both Mary and Martha loved Jesus.  Martha saw Jesus the human and attended to His physical needs.  Mary saw Jesus Christ and worshipped Him.

Our first clinic day took us to Chimaltenango, about an hour from Guatemala City.  As with most days, we took turns at different jobs: presenting the Gospel at the sharing stations, helping at the pharmacy, praying, and working with the kids.  For many, this was the first time they'd shared their faith.  We learned that many believed that salvation came through good works, so we got better at asking the right questions.  Kittie led her first of four that week to Christ.  Becky discovered that she loved working with the kids.

By the way...  Rachel and Geovani (interpreter) were sharing with a local man who was recommitting his life to Christ.  The man thought that Rachel and Geovani were married, so he gave them some advice on how to keep their marriage strong.

Day Three (Sunday)

We were all glad to have a day to process our experiences at the first clinic, but this day still had much in store for us.

On the way to church in Guatemala City, traffic was unusually heavy and we got rerouted due to something blocking the road.  One of the first-timers had a little panic attack, convinced that a volcano was erupting after hundreds of years of inactivity and we were all going to die.  When we got to church, we learned that traffic had been blocked for a parade.  Fret not; she had a breakthrough a couple days later and was all smiles after that.

The Vida Real (real life) church service was held at the very nice Intercontinental Hotel.  We were all given personal radios, and Hermann interpreted the service for us.  (If you go next year, this is why they ask for AA batteries.)  The message that day was from 40 Days of Purpose: We were made for the family of God.  The emphasis was on unity in the Body of Christ (like Friday night when we were distributing food).

By the way... a gentleman at the church came pretty close to proposing to Rachel.  He said it was his birthday, and he'd asked God that morning to introduce him to the woman for him.  He was very happy to meet her.

That afternoon, we went to the Casa de Ninos Aleluya orphanage (http://www.casaontherock.org/).  The director, Mike Clark, had been invited by a pastor friend to visit Guatemala several years ago for a conference.  Although Mike had repeatedly turned down the friend's invitations to Africa, he agreed to this trip.  He couldn't sleep after he arrived, so he went for a walk about 4 a.m.  He saw several children sleeping in the streets, and God touched his heart.  He cried for the first time in his adult life.  When he got back home and told his wife about his experience, she asked when they were moving.  He'd been pastoring a church in the U.S. when God called him to Guatemala.  Now there are more than 400 children at Casa Aleluya - off the streets, going to school, and learning about Jesus.  Many of the children go on to college.

Day Four (Monday)

Our two-hour devotions time came especially early (6 a.m. was still 7 a.m. back in Illinois), because we needed to travel more than three hours to Lake Atitlan.

Our hosts at the Santa Maria Visitacion church treated us to thick black bean soup with rice, a tortilla, and a bottled soda while chickens strutted nearby.  Yes, that's a turkey in the front yard.

Two of our first-timers led their first people to Christ in the sharing stations!  Becky shared the prodigal son story with a young man who'd been back-sliding, and she gave him a Bible.  God was giving her the words.  She kept praying silently, "Keep it comin', God!"  The young man thanked her and said he looked forward to seeing her again in Heaven.  While sharing with a Mayan man, Karla and her interpreter got the same word: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty.  (Zech. 4:6)

Sam discovered that he loved working in the pharmacy and with the kids.  As Wendy the interpreter explained to one of the first-timers... when you're not teaching, you're learning (about God, about yourself, ...).

The Atlanta team went to Iglesia Evengelisma Misión Wesleyana, where we learned that their team captain really has a way with the kids...

  and Guatemala has really tall corn!

For the three days that we were in the villages, most of us stayed at the home of Rene and Glenda in San Pedro.  (The towns around the lake are named after the 12 apostles.)  Their neighborhood had a blackout just as we were driving through town, but it didn't last long.  Liz realized that her bag of clothing didn't make the trip, but others were kind enough to loan her some duds.  In a 'missions trip miracle' of sorts, a borrowed skirt that should not have fit did work.  It was even "Liz Wear" brand.

Day Five (Tuesday)

Becky had been feeling sort of down on Monday night, but Tuesday's sunrise brightened her whole day.  Our temporary home had a balcony with an amazing view of Lake Atitlan and its surrounding mountains.  A first- rate breakfast didn't hurt either.

Karla informed us that this was our 'stretch' day, and that stretch seemed to be something different for each of us.  For some, it was being separated from half of the team.  We mixed up the Peoria and Atlanta teams, some going to San Juan's Iglesia Evangélica Shalom M.W. and the others going to a church in San Marcos.  For some, the stretch was in serving in an area that was outside of our comfort zone.

We all survived, and some even had a breakthrough with God.  For example, one of the first-timers had been having a tough time seeing so much poverty and wondered how we could happily spend money on souvenirs on Thursday.  Gail pointed to Jesus' words about how the poor will always be with us.  Even if we gave all of our money away, there would still be poor folks in Guatemala.  On the other hand, what we have to offer will make a difference - one by one - for eternity.  Another side of this is our own comparatively-wealthy American bias.  God takes care of his people, and His definition of poverty is often different from ours.  The 'country of eternal Spring' even has fruit-bearing trees all year.  Gail said that she knew all about having "stuff", and she was miserable.  Now she knows the One who is our peace.

A full moon shone over Lake Atitlan that night as Hermann shared the history of the ministry.

Day Six (Wednesday)

We began our last day in the villages "unplugged".  The power was out again, so we sang a cappella and without coffee.  Hermann reminded us to continue to encourage each other in God's work.  To reach others for Him, we should also remember to keep developing those genuine friendships, pray, fast, and don't forget that spiritual warfare.  A witness tells what he's seen and experienced, and we're His witnesses.  Every day just before we went out, we prayed for the town, to bind the enemy (more of that warfare), for unity within our group, and for those who've supported us in prayer and finances.

We walked to Iglesia Evangélica Eben-Ezer church there in San Pedro, and the Atlanta team covered the sharing stations.  One man was accompanying his little girl in the kids' area while his wife was seeing a doctor.  Cheryl started chatting with him, soon called for an interpreter (Peggy in pink in the back row), and he accepted Christ right there as his daughter finished her coloring.

Meanwhile inside the church; Karla, Rachel, & Gail were praying... and praying... and praying.  For all three ladies, this was a highlight of their week.  Karla said, "The prayer came like fire across dry grass."  At one point, they were praying for the men of Guatemala - the backbone of their families.  The ladies were encouraged when they looked up and saw two men from the group holding babies (for the first time all week).  They prayed for 100% conversions of those that didn't know Him yet, and that day 19 out of 19 made decisions for Christ.  One opened her Bible , and it fell open to a section of Ezekiel that talks about support for the church.  When it was time to go, one from the Atlanta team felt like she couldn't leave yet.  She gave the local pastor a financial gift and then learned that it was his birthday.

We headed back to home base near Guatemala City, stopping for some great photo ops in the mountains.

Day Seven (Thursday)

On our last full day in Guatemala, Hermann's emphasis was on the Holy Spirit's river of living water flowing in our lives.  (John 7:38, Ezekiel 47)  There's power in a river when it's moving, and there's life wherever the river goes.  If you're in the river ankle deep, it doesn't carry you along.  When you're in deeper, you lose control to its current.  That's a good thing when you're in with the One who renews you.

God gave Julia a word that should be especially encouraging to future first-timers:

"... you are to move out from your positions and follow....  Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before."  Joshua 3:3-4

We went to La Antigua's market district for souvenirs to give the folks back home.

It had been the colonial capitol until an earthquake hit in 1773, so ruins are mixed with the markets.