The G Team Journal 2007

Date: Saturday, August 11 th, 2007

Time: 4-30 a.m.

Not very bright, but early, our team congregates alongside a handful of supporters, including Steve Wiegand, to embark on our journey. Despite the early hour, there were many smiles and a positive energy in the air. Months of praying, financial preparation, and anticipation had brought us to this moment of departure. But we weren’t without minor obstacles. On this day we had to leave Roger behind. He had forgotten to bring his passport, but would meet up with us in Guatemala City the following day.

During our flight from Atlanta to Guatemala, I was privileged to receive a brief, but substantive tutorial on “spiritual warfare” from Karla and Liz. This was particularly helpful, considering my early struggle and doubt about being able to raise enough dollars for the trip.

Upon Arrival….

We made it to Guatemala, turned our watches back, and were soon greeted by our hosts, including Dr. Alb. Before we knew it, we had arrived at the condo and were able to rest. I’m typically a “night owl”, but found myself retiring early most nights. Our accommodations, thanks to the good doctor, were quite generous. We paired up and shared four rooms with private baths. I especially enjoyed morning showers while gazing out the bathroom window, situated in the shadow of a magnificent volcano.

Sunday began with Karla’s peanut butter “toasties”, followed by an entertaining and energetic church service in the heart of the city. It included a band and unique, politically themed drama (the country was in the midst of a contentious election season). We had headphones and translation. Dr. Alb then treated us to lunch at a nearby Chili’s. Thankfully, Roger was with us by the end of our meal.

God really spoke to me during our visit to the orphanage Casa Para Ninos Aleluya. Children of all ages live there, but it is the little ones who greeted us first, and most affectionately. They love to hug and be held. This was fun, but sad in many ways. It was fun interacting with the kids, but sad in having to say goodbye.

We returned to the condo in the early evening and enjoyed and American dinner, consisting of Domino’s Pizza.

Monday

This day provided us all the opportunity to really practice our trust in the Lord. This was a long journey from the city to Quetzaltenango, El Calvario through the mountains, via scenic, spiraling roads. And despite the aesthetic worth of this trek, these roads can be quite deadly for the inexperienced or reckless driver. We saw a motorcyclist sprawled on the roadside. But God blessed us with experienced drivers who delivered us safely to each village.

Our challenge came when we stopped for gas and could not get one of the SUV’s started. We were delayed for over two hours. In this time, we sang and convened group prayer over our situation. Eventually, one of our doctors, Hector, set out to find a mechanic and actually found one walking by the side of the road! Our prayers had been answered and we eventually departed. Since we were late, there were already dozens of people waiting for us at the church where we would set up our makeshift clinic. This was a new church in an old building run by a kind, young minister named Jonathan. Between the doctors’ work and our (mission team) sharing with the patients, our clinic didn’t close until 10-45 p.m. It was nice having Jonathan’s wife serve us homemade tamales with chicken and plums at the end of a long day. The men stayed in the chilly church while the women stayed at Jonathan’s.

There were many positive memories from Quetzaltenango and the other villages. Guatemala veteran, Liz Birkey recalls some special moments.

“I’m still praying for Gloria (appropriately named). After more than an hour, she accepted Jesus as her Lord—even though she was concerned that her alcoholic and abusive husband wouldn’t like it. She decided to let God heal her heart and to trust Him to take care of her. God had already saved her sister—and the sister’s husband became a believer three months later. I was also encouraged to watch God do his healing work within the team. That’s the God we serve!”

Meanwhile, Roger, our team leader, also touched many lives.

“When we talked to him first, he professed a strong faith in the Lord and that God will heal him eventually from his breathing problems and the pain in his back. After praying for him the first time, he did not feel any relief from his discomfort, but he still professed that God would heal him eventually. After praying for him the 2 nd time with laying our hands on his chest and back, he was healed!” He praised the Lord with tears streaming down his face.”

Tuesday…

We soon traveled to a very remote village in San Sebastian, San Marcos where we were once again treated with overwhelming generosity, including a unique mixture of cuisine. We had some of the best spaghetti I’ve ever tasted, along with black beans and warm corn tortillas. The salsa was pretty hot, but delicious! The view was breathtaking, and the temperature cool. There were more spiritual and physical healings in this tiny village church. My friend and roommate, David Davis, was also on his first Guatemala mission. He encountered an emotional, elderly woman struggling in her life. David used vivid illustrations to explain God’s mercy.

“She began to cry, and then when I opened it to the cross (evangecube), she started balling.”

Our visit to the tiny church was brief, but was followed by even more hospitality, provided by a young American lady named Krystal, who opened her large home to us that evening.

Wednesday…

We continued our work in San Marcos and saw God perform even more supernatural healings through us.

Team member Karla Lowery has been on multiple missions. She connected with a woman she sensed was a believer, but who was detached from the spirit. Karla was able to get some answers.

“I came to understand how she and her siblings had been abused daily by an aunt who watched them while their parents were working. She said she had never forgiven her (aunt) who now lived next door. Their relationship was broken. I asked her to pray also, and to tell the Lord that she was choosing now to forgive her aunt, which she had indicated that she wanted to do. She said a simple prayer to this effect and it was obvious to see her face afterward that a great burden had been lifted and the Lord was granting her His unspeakable joy. This is an example of the work that the Holy Spirit does through us as we minister in Guatemala.”

Thursday

I became ill early this morning and was unable to travel with the team to El Frutal, Villa Nueva but was blessed to have Dr. Alb’s assistant, Cynthia watch over me as I slept. I woke up and found a (much needed) bottle of Gatorade by my side. Later, Dr. Alb came up and put his hands on my stomach and prayed that evening. I was fine the rest of the trip! Meanwhile, I took time to reflect with two other very special team members—Dave and Shantel.

Shantel says she felt God’s call to witness.

“They know the story of Christ, but they felt they weren’t worthy. We explained it’s not what we have to do, but a gift. I tried to remind them that God accepts them for who they are.”

Dave had a moving experience with and elderly man who immediately wanted to share God’s word.

“He said, ‘Jesus Christ brought me to the clinic.’ I just asked him the second diagnostic question. He didn’t know the answer, so I told him I prayed to receive Jesus, have you? He said no, but that he needed to and that he needed to get his wife so she could, too.”

Friday

We had the pleasure of taking a short drive from the city to the market in La Antigua. It was a great opportunity to relax and unwind from an exhausting, but spiritually fulfilling week. This picturesque city is busy with tourists and locals, alike. There were many wonderful shops and photo opportunities. Believe me, we took advantage of having both! That evening, our hosts threw us an unbelievable farewell party with steak and fresh vegetables. There was much praise. The house was full, and we got a chance to say our goodbyes and thanks. Eventually, the party ended and we ( Guatemala team) had an intimate reflection on our trip. It was off to bed early, once again, before our Saturday departure.

Karla and Liz continued their service to the Lord by staying an extra week to study Spanish in Antigua.

The Final Word(s)….

While we realize this reflection cannot fully illustrate our experience in Guatemala, it is our prayer that it can provide encouragement and motivation to future mission teams. Our mission taught each of us so much about the people and culture we served, but even more about how God works supernaturally to heal his children when we trust in Him to do so.

I look forward to someday returning to Guatemala and encourage everyone who reads this journal to consider serving our Father in mission.

Here are some web links of interest about the our missions trip: