Joshua 1:9  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Tonight the team is traveling 2 hours on horrible roads to get to a village that has been forgotten by all…except for God. He prompted Dan and the Paradise Bound Ministry team to seek them out.  Our team is the one blessed with the opportunity to truly be God’s Hands and Feet for these precious people. Already roadblocks are being put up by the enemy, one of the vans broke down. Yet, we already know Who is victorious! 🙂 The team is safe and the other van has been brought in to bring the team to the village. Usually, when things like this happens it means there will be a huge harvest for the Lord!

This is the point in the week when people start  feeling run-down maybe a cold coming on, and yet they are called to be strong tonight. Many of the team were feeling sick this morning but meds were given and they are feeling stronger.  Our job here at home is to be on our knees in prayer for them. Praying a hedge of protection to surround the team. Praying for boldness as they play with the kids, hand out meds to those in dire need and to answer the call to give their testimony. Pray for Dan and Hermano Jesus as they lead the worship and give the message of hope, love and grace.

The team won’t return to the base until very late…we may or may not hear when they get back. Usually we don’t hear anything until Saturday morning. Please check back then. If you wake during the night, please keep the team in prayer.

Thank you for being so faithful in your prayers for this amazing group. Many lives are being changed…including those on our team.

In His grip,

Kristy Van Wyhe

ps. Several people have asked where the pictures are on this site. The easiest place to find them is directly above this post, under the picture of the team. Just click on each day, then click on the first picture and it will open up into a slide show. The pictures will then be larger and easier to see.  Thanks again for posting on the team’s individual pages. Your words of encouragement mean the world to them!

Friday, June 14 -4:30 AM

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone and the new has come!”  -2 Corinthians 5:17

The concrete slab at the end of the dirt trail, bare and covered with only a layer of dirt, was not much to look at.   It was a flat surface set in the steep slopes of the Guatemalan Country side.   The surface by itself served very little purpose and didn’t really make sense by itself.  As the teams arrived at their building sites on Tuesday morning these cement pads were where our hands-on journey of transformation really began, with the people we have been working with here in Guatemala.  The very first thing that we did on these 10 x 12 surfaces, was to gather with the families we had just met to pray and ask God for His blessing on us as we offered ourselves to him to be his hands and feet.

By the end of day one, where 5 rectangle foundations once lay, now stood 5 homes with a roof, a door, a window and a porch ready for stucco and paint.  By the end of day 2 these homes were complete and covered by a protective waterproof layer of stucco and  personalized on the inside with a coat of paint and decorated by each team with hand written verses and beautiful works of art.

Transformed is the best word I can think of that would describe what took place on the steep slopes where these precious people live.  What a beautiful sight to see.  What pride each team felt as they gazed upon their completed work of art.  For the world, the transformation of seeing a house stand where there was once nothing would be cause for great celebration.   A family, once struggling to stay dry and warm, now has a place of refuge from the ever changing elements that each day brings.   This transformation for many groups and for I would guess most people, would be a marker of a successful two day mission trip.

But hang on to your seats… Day Three was a game changer.  Thursday, June 13, day three in Guatemala. It unfolded to be a day that the people here in this remote village and the team of 40 from Michigan will remember for a lifetime.

Our ultimate purpose for coming to Guatemala was not to give these strangers a new house, no our purpose was so much more.  We were honored to be the first team of many, who over the next three years will build over a hundred homes in this difficult to reach and very remote mountain side in Guatemala.   The relationships and not the structures, are the real foundations that we came here seeking.

When we arrived on Monday, we found a village of strangers who had probably never spent any real time with a single gringo from the states. Let alone being invaded by a group of 40 who they would end up spending three days with them.  Like any relationship though, it has to start somewhere and it always takes someone making the first step. Traveling the distance that separates them and reaching out their hand with a “Hello” or “Hola” and a willingness to get to know the other person.   Monday morning we finished the journey of over 2000 miles from Michigan to Guatemala to reach out our hands and begin a relationship.  

On Monday these relationships at the start of the day were not much to look at.   They were awkward and very much on the surface.   We struggled to even get to know just the basics like each other’s names.  The relationships were very much like those plain concrete pads that we found ourselves standing on as we began to build the houses.

As day 1 unfolded, this group of gringos from the states and this group of Guatemalans, had built connection where once there stood nothing.  The smiles and exchanges of gifts, laughter and conversation were evidence of a beautiful and amazing transformation that was beginning to unfold. Day 2 as we arrived, we were no longer walking into this village as distant strangers, but as welcome guests.  Day 2 brought stuccoing and painting. Those simple connections, just like the houses we were working on, became so much more.  Beautiful friendships were being painted on the slopes of the village.  By the end of day 2 as we left, we were no longer shaking hands and exchanging hellos, we were holding hands and sharing hugs.   For most in the world, this would be seen as a incredible and an amazing end to a successful trip.

But day 3 is where everything changed.  Yesterday we arrived to a street full of people eager to greet us.   Immediately these Guatemalans were now taking the first step to cross the road to greet us with hugs.  The Love that now was felt and shown by both sides was impossible to miss. 

As we arrived to the first home, where just 2 days earlier only a slab of concrete on the mountain side could be found, the real purpose and transformation that took us over 2 thousand miles to discover began to unfold.   On these plain concrete floors in these houses, we began the real journey of transforming plain and hurting hearts into beautiful and eternal homes where Christ would take up residence.

To describe in detail what all took place yesterday would take way more time than you or I have.  Yesterday we saw these relationships and friendships turn into what could only be described as people who now saw each other as family members.  

From inside each home surrounded by the team members praying, the transforming message of Jesus’ love was shared by team members and the pastors that were with us.   On those once plain cement foundations, I heard the familiar and life changing words:  “In this moment, enter my heart Lord Jesus and Change my Life.”  This moment to me can best be described as the tipping point of eternity.  The point that what was once dead in this world is transformed to new life in Jesus Christ.  What an unforgettable moment to be in! To witness a person who is lost in darkness cry out and be brought into the light and hope of our Savior and Lord.  Yesterday, every member of all 5 homes accepted Christ as their personal savior.  Every person that this team, along with hundreds of others, prayed for now shares the title of “Child of God”.    

What a day of transformation that took place over 2000 miles from our homes back in Michigan.  As I reflect over the past 3 days I can’t help but make the connection to another day 3 that took place over 2000 years ago that was the “Eternal Game Changer”.  The day that Christ stepped out of the empty tomb and conquered death forever.  The day that opened the door for you and I, and the people here in Guatemala, to find forgiveness and hope.   Day 3 changed everything.  

But wait… yesterday, day 3 was not over when we left the village.  No, the transforming power of Christ still was working in the hearts of our team.  Yesterday, not only did hearts of Guatemalans make the change from old to new, but so did the hearts of several on our team as we found ourselves before the cross in worship last night remembering the great price that Jesus paid to earn our place in heaven as children of the King. 

Today is a new day and we continue to chase after our calling found in Matthew 28 to “go and make disciples”.

Today and tomorrow we will engage the enemy head on with the power of the cross.  Today we begin the medical clinic side of our trip.   In just a few hours we will travel a couple hours on the challenging roads. Once again to arrive as strangers to a new village where we will again build relationships that we pray will transform into many people experiencing the tipping point of eternity.  

Pleas pray for us today.  Many on the team are feeling the wear and tear that comes with being hands and feet of Christ.  Tiredness, stomach pains and head aches are being felt by many of us.  Pray that we will be able to push through what ever challenges we face to be able to bring the news of Jesus to the ends of the earth here in Guatemala.   Pray for us as a team that Christ will continue to make a transformation in our lives as well.

We are so grateful and thankful that you are on this journey with us through your prayers, reading the blog and looking at the pictures.   We will likely not be able to post pictures and stories until tomorrow morning because we will be getting home very late tonight.   We look forward to sharing with you what God has in store for us.

Thanks for sharing these moments with us.

In His Grip,

Kevin

Green Team summary of Dedication day: [ -Jessica, Jake, Ella, Bob, Jenna, Molly, Tyler, and Katie]

Today was physical and spiritual dedication day for the homes and for each of the families that we built homes for. Our team had the privilege of going back to the village early to finish the verses that we needed to paint on the wall while the rest of the team stayed back to pray for the families we would be dedicating the houses to today. At first we were not happy about being the only team to have to go early, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise. We were able to spend more time with the entire family and really be intentional about the verses and paintings we were putting on the walls of our house.

On dedication day the whole group gathers around each house and we begin with taking specific team photos of the people who helped build each house with the family. Then that home’s team entered the house with the family. The rest of the team members gathered around the house to pray. Each time a house is dedicated; they begin by receiving the gifts that our team brought to them which are donated by our numerous supporters back home. The gifts each family received were specific to the family. Families with children received toys, hair products, mirrors, children’s books and fleece blankets. All families received kitchen supplies, hygiene products, building materials and a water filtration system.

After receiving the gifts the family members all individually thanked all the team members for their time and gifts. Then each team member knelt down and expressed their gratitude to the family with the assistance of Nemo translating for us. This was followed by Dan giving gifts of black beans, salt and soap. The black beans were a gift to show the need for food, the salt was to show a need for flavor in life and the soap was to show the need to be cleansed. After this Dan asked what was more filling than beans and richer than salt and what was more cleansing than soap. He then gave them a Spanish Bible to help them understand that God fills us fuller than any food ever could and is more flavorful than any spice. He also said that the Bible is more cleansing than any soap could ever be. He gave each of the other family members a New Testament Bible, even the smallest children. At this point Pastor Pablo stepped in and had a family member read a passage and then asked them if they believed in God and if they were willing to accept Jesus into their hearts.

 Each house had a unique experience. At the first house we met an older couple Flavio and Felipa who have many grandchildren. Each of them accepted Christ into their hearts. At the second house we met Luiz, Eusebia and their children Eliza, Joel and Nina. During this time we were battling against many distractions and spiritual hindrances. We spent a longer time at this house as Dan asked the team members outside of the house to continually pray and sing fervently with hands laid on the outside. We spent quite a bit of time calling out to Jesus to come and fill the hearts of this family. The atmosphere changed and prayer intensified.  They then accepted Christ into their hearts and were overcome by emotion. House number three was Zerapio and Fidelia and their daughters Aura and Maria. The father in this house was not wanting to fully commit to dedicating his life to Jesus Christ. However, after we began to pray earnestly outside the house he did recommit his life as well as his wife and daughters. The fourth house was Venturo and Maria and their children Jose, Justino, Maria, Francisco and Vicente. They had a knowledge of Jesus Christ previously and recommitted to Jesus Christ as well as their children. A man named Santiago lived in the fifth house alone. He was a spiritual man, believing in God, but not necessarily a Christian. He was invited to accept Christ into his heart, and after some conversation, he rededicated his life. We left in both a spiritual and literal downpour. By the time we were due to leave, the few raindrops we noticed at lunch had grown into a steady rain; we made our way down the slippery mountain trail, carefully watching our steps. We were also rejoicing at the fact that all of our families had committed their lives to Christ today.

              God had been present in everything we did today, and turned every low point into a turning point. We have witnessed over and over again how His plan goes beyond what we initially see. Currently several of our group members are not feeling well. So we ask that you can keep them in your prayers.

-Jessica, Jake, Ella, Bob, Jenna, Molly, Tyler, and Katie

Thursday Morning, June 13, -4:AM

What if you found this letter in your mail box:

My Dear Child,

   I love you. I desire to spend as much time with you as possible.  I took great Joy in being part of your creation and your salvation.  I consider My sacrifice for you as a sign of my significant love for you.  My child, I want the best for you.  I believe in you.  I look forward to our daily times together.  It gives me great pleasure to spend time with you.  Don’t forget, I’m with you always.      Love –God

The silence has again greeted me this morning at the base.  I again find myself in a familiar place here in Guatemala, alone in the dark with my maker.   Sometimes it is easy to spend time with the creator of the Universe while other times it is difficult.  Here in Guatemala there is constantly a  weight of leading this team and always preparing for the next part of the experience. I feel that though I have barely any free time, somehow my time alone with God is easier here then when I am back home.  Maybe it is because here I don’t feel the distractions of the World or maybe it is because I desperately need the strength and direction that comes from plugging into Him. 

Last night for our small group time we wrestled with our personal relationship with Christ.  We shared with each other how difficult and yet how important the time with spend with our Lord is to each of us.   Many of the things we use each day depend on electricity and need to either be plugged into a power source or rely on a battery that needs to be charged.   A flashlight has the potential to light up a room or illuminate a dark path but if your flashlight’s batteries have been neglected and are no longer have any power, that flashlight is of little value.   Taking time to make sure our spiritual batteries remain fully charged is probably the single most important thing we can do as Christians.   Without the power of the Holy Spirit we cannot realize our full potential and will stumble through life.

Each morning we carve out time as a team to spend with God in devotions and prayer.   This is our charging station that gets us through each day.   Today, our batteries need to be fully charged as we enter one of the most challenging days of our week.   Today we dedicate the homes that we have built and not only giving these families the title to their house, but we are also offering them the Keys to an eternal Home in a kingdom that is not of this world.

The homes are built.  Only a few details of painting scriptures and pictures on the walls remain.   We have poured our selves into giving these precious families a new dwelling, safe from the rain and the harsh world around them.  Today as we dedicate these homes one at a time, we are praying that these 4 walls become a haven for all who enter to find rest and comfort in their maker.

Today as we arrive in the village, we enter with a purpose of bringing God’s word to life.  We have earned the right to be heard by showing Christ’s Love, now armed with God’s word we will boldly proclaim Jesus death and resurrection and the Grace that He offers to us all.

One house at a time we will gather as a team with the families inside along with the small group who built the Home.  With the rest of the team gathered around the home praying for victory in Jesus name over the enemy, we will begin each dedication giving gifts to each of the members.  Then we will have a chance to share in our own words our Love for these people.   Then God’s word will be opened by one of the Guatemalan pastors that we have here with us.   Through the power of the spirit, we will be praying earnestly that each person will find a new Home with Christ at the center.  Today we will witness the tipping point of eternity.  The moment that Christ transforms a heart that is lost in this world into a new creation.  Today, inside the 4 walls of each home, we are praying for hearts to receive Jesus and for people to accept him as their personal savior.  There is really nothing like it.   To see the lost become found and the blind to see.  Once you have Christ in your life, there truly is no greater moment on this earth, than to see another person give their life to God.

Please pray for each of these 5 dedications that will begin today around 10 am [Noon back home] and last well into the late afternoon.   Pray for the team during this exhausting yet very rewarding time. Pray for the pastors, whose words along with God’s Word will bring hope.  Pray for the members of each family that they will hear Christ knocking at the door to their heart and open it wide.

Some of the team members have been feeling a little sick.  Please pray for health and healing for everyone on the team.   Continue to pray for the weather.  Every day we have seen many rain clouds, but we have not yet experienced rain.    We know that this is not just a coincidence but rather an answer to our prayers.  Pray for us as we again travel many miles.  Today Satan will be trying his best to stop us from even reaching the village.   We are confident and unafraid, because we know that God’s hand is upon us and your prayers will carry us.

This team has been truly amazing.   They have poured their hearts into this trip.  They have truly become Christ’s hands and feet to everyone they meet.   They have shown and will continue to show Christ’s love to both the Guatemalans and each other on the team.

The sky is just now displaying a sliver of orange in the horizon.  The Sun will soon rise as well as the team.  Our devotions last night that challenged us to strive to spend time each day with God.  This morning I believe will be an amazing morning where our spiritual batteries will be filled to over flowing.

Often times we view our alone time with God as a time for us to grow and be refreshed.   That is true, but it is also a time that He looks forward to.  Christ longs to spend time with us.  He longs to hear us whisper in his ear.   He longs for us to spend time with him in his Word.  He longs for us to sing praises and worship him.  That is what we will be doing this morning and each morning we are here.  What about you.  Christ longs to spend time with you as well.

We are excited to share this journey with you.  Tonight we will again have many pictures and stories to share. The names of the people we are sharing the Gospel with will be included in another post. Please pray for them by name throughout the day as well as each member of our team.

Thursday Morning -June 13 -Alone time with God

In His Grip,

Kevin

Today began with a reminder that God enters each day with us – a beautiful sunrise over the mountains, and even the clouds, during our personal devotion time. It is hard to ignore his presence when all that is set before you is a sky lit up in pinks and reds. There is none of the busyness of home to distract our eyes and hearts from the words of Christ.

Once we arrived at the village we continued to finish the dry wall by mudding and sanding, preparing the walls for paint at our families’ homes. We then joined together with the rest of the teams to apply the pink stucco to each of the homes. It was a beautiful sight to see 40 people working together with the children from the village. Many of the young boys we eager to deliver the stucco from the wheelbarrow to our team members. Their faces lit up when they were invited to participate in the work.

Our team has been working on a home for a grandpa and grandma in their seventies. The husband, Flavio, has been by our side throughout the process and we couldn’t help but notice his proximity during the stucco process. Despite the fact that his home was going to be the last to get done, he followed along from house to house. He was full of joy at each of these homes, watching all of the commotion with a smile. He knows no English, but didn’t hesitate to comment on the action and compliment the students as they worked.

Their children and grandchildren were another highlight of our day. They wanted candy and to play games, but they also wanted a part in the work on their grandparents’ home. They spent time reading the verses we had picked for the walls and wanted to add one of their own. Their son was sitting on the porch, reading one of the Spanish Bibles when we returned from lunch. They were excited to learn that we knew some of the same songs. What a blessing to hear “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do” being sung in English and Spanish at the same time.

Each team picked 4 verses to paint on the walls of their homes, one on each wall. Our team picked…

-Psalm 121:1-2: I lift my eyes up to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

-Psalm 118:24: This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

-Isaiah 55:6: Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

-Joshua 24:15: But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

We pray that these verses will be a constant reminder of our love for our new Guatemalan family, and, most importantly, Jesus’ love for them.

We covet your prayers as we head into the village tomorrow (Thursday). We will finish our work on the homes. More importantly, all of the teams will join together to dedicate and pray over each home. Pray that we have earned the right to be heard. Pray that these families will have seen the source of our joy and the one who taught us to serve in this way.

Team 2: Al Jurgens, Linda Mulder, Kaya Miedema, Connor Romano, Rob Green, Caleb VanderKooi, Leah Wychers, Sara Cunningham

Wednesday Morning, June 12  4:AM

The smiles again caught our attention.  Smiles from a small boy who was just handed a piece of candy.   A little girl sitting in the lap of one of the team members getting her nails painted.  The smiles of a group of children playing catch with tennis balls and Frisbees.   Smiles from kicking a soccer ball.  Smiles after catching a helicopter toy flying down from the sky.   A Smile from one of the fathers who had just used a cordless drill for the first time.  Smiles from a mother and father as they wrote their names on the wall of their new home that had been a slab of concrete just hours before.   Smiles from teenagers having conversations with team members.   Smiles from children being able to hold hands with one of our students.  An ear to ear smile that came from a boy after he was given a soccer ball. The list goes on and on. 

Some of these smiles were filled with teeth, others missing most.   Some of these smiles came from faces that were wrinkled and worn, others young and tender.  Some of these smiles were small and reserved, while others were unconstrained and even carried sounds of laughter.  While each smile is unique to the one displaying it on their face, all the smiles seen and were shared by the team had something in common.   Each smile gave a window into the heart of the person giving it.   Each smile gave proof that, at that moment, there was something very right in their world.

The language barrier between English and Spanish can often be a difficult thing for many to overcome.   It is often a wall that unless you know even a little bit of the other person’s vocabulary is a road block.  A smile does not come with a vocabulary.   Even a baby, who knows no words, has the ability to communicate through a smile.   Yesterday, I saw the universal language of the smile become the most impactful part of the day experienced by both this team of 40 from Michigan and this village of newly found friends at the end of long footpath off a random mountain road in the heart of Guatemala.

Last night in our devotions, we again were moved by the Spirit to cast our gaze on the relationship that Jesus had with one of his closest companions and friends, Peter.  If you think about it, Peter was about as ordinary as a person comes and was not by any stretch of the imagination a person that would stand out in a group of people in his day.   He was not highly educated.  He was not born into a wealthy or a powerful family.   He did not lead a country or an army.   He was just a plain Jewish fisherman, who was trying to make a living the only way he knew how, catching fish.

The day that Jesus stepped into Peter’s boat was one that did not happen by accident.  No, it was a day that had been ordained for Peter since the beginning of creation.   That day changed the life of Peter and the world forever.  That day, an ordinary fisherman was called to be the first of many who would carry the eternal message of the greatest Love that creation would ever know.  

The story of Peter is a familiar one.  We have already covered the miraculous catch of fish that lead Peter to leave everything and follow Jesus.   We know that over the many months that followed, Peter and Jesus became very close and Peter became very vocal and was often the first to stand up and declare his allegiance to Christ.  But we also know that even after seeing Jesus perform countless miracles and teach countless powerful lessons,  the day that Jesus was arrested, his fear caused him to forget who Jesus was and deny Him three times as Jesus was being tried and convicted to die.

In John 21 we find Jesus really giving Peter a second chance.  Jesus has already stepped out of the empty tomb and revealed to his disciples that He was no longer dead, but alive.  Now He again finds Peter in a familiar setting, out in his boat fishing. 

Peter’s denial certainly put a barrier between him and Christ.  The guilt Peter must have felt about abandoning and denying Christ was probably one that Peter thought Jesus would not be able to forgive.   After receiving advice from a person walking on the shore and finding their nets full of fish, Peter was reminded of that first day that Jesus stepped into his boat and He recognized that the man on the shore was no stranger but indeed His Lord.   I’m sure there was nothing that Peter wanted more in his life at that moment, then to find forgiveness from Jesus and go back to having a relationship with Him.   At that moment, Peter could not even wait for the boat to get to the shore because they were trying to get all the fish in the boat.  Peter, who was known for his impulsive nature, in Peter fashion could not wait another moment to be with Jesus, so He jumped out of the boat and swam to Jesus.

John then brings us to the moment that Jesus asked Peter 3 times if he loved Him.  Each time, Peter responds yes.  The third time, as Peter publicly proclaimed his Love for Jesus I wonder if the rooster crowed in Peters mind.  Yes, now we see Peter without reservation declaring three times that Jesus is His one true love.  Jesus then gives Peter a second chance to follow Him with his life.   He calls Peter to “Feed My Sheep” and “Follow Me”.   We know the rest of the story.   Peter never looked back and until his own death declared the resurrection of Jesus and the message of salvation to everyone he came in contact with.   This ordinary fisherman, who even denied and disowned Jesus, became the Rock on which God built his church.

As I sit here, alone in this large room at the base, I can hardly see the screen on my computer through my own tears.  How often have I denied Jesus with my life?  How often have I chosen to put myself first and let my fears and worldly desires keep me from proclaiming Jesus with all that I am?   Jesus has given me everything.  He has turned my night into day and my sorrow to laughter.  There is nothing I need in this world but to have Jesus hold my hand.   There is nothing I want more than to be in his presence and feel his love.

Today, I know I am not alone.   I know I am not the only one who feels the nails being pound into Jesus hands every time I fail at being a follower of Christ.  I am nothing more than an ordinary fisherman who Jesus continues to offer second chances to.  What about you?  

What a comfort you and I can find in the calling of Peter.   We are all broken people who make mistakes and fail.   Isn’t is amazing though that Jesus does not call people who are special in this world?  Jesus is not looking for extraordinary people to carry out his message of redemption and grace.   No, Jesus does not call the equipped but he equips the called.  Jesus takes the ordinary to do the extraordinary.

This rag tag team of broken vessels has been called here to Guatemala to not only bring temporary smiles to the faces of the people we meet, but to bring an eternal smile to the soul and heart of those that Jesus has called us to.  Jesus gives us the same call today as he did to Peter 2000 years ago, both here in Guatemala and back home in Michigan to feed His sheep and to “Come, Follow me”.

Please pray for us today as we finish the homes and continue to build relationships.  Pray for us as we, just ordinary people, are called to do an extraordinary work.    We will also pray for you as your calling wherever you are is no different than ours.  We will post many pictures and stories again tonight.  Thank you for being a part of our journey.

In His Grip,

Kevin

Good morning, Lord

We started the day at 5:30 am with personal devotions and breakfast.  A few gathered outside on the patio and sang “How Great Thou Art” while overlooking the beautiful mountain view. 

God’s safety

We departed for the job site for over an hour on winding, gravel and rocky “roads.”  We all arrived safely and were eager to begin building a 12’x12’ home for Santiago.  We carried supplies up the mountain and received instructions from our construction leader Anya.  We witnessed several God-sightings throughout the day.  For example, Naomi was taking a break when sheet of corrugated metal slipped and fell from the porch roof.  Brandon saw it in time and pushed the sheet metal enough that it fell right behind her—she was amazingly oblivious to the whole thing!  At the same time Jared fell backwards, tripped on an unexpected tool box and hit an electrical wire.  “It was a little shocking,” he remarked.  Through these events we all remarked about God’s goodness and protection.  We are in His hands. 

God’s grace

Some of us didn’t know many in the team before coming on this trip. The eight of us were assigned to Team 1 and have had a great time getting to know each other and working together on day 1.  Some of us even learned new skills along the way!  A delicious lunch was provided by one of the families—the BEST pico de gallo EVER!!

God’s beauty

Despite the rainy forecasts, we were blessed with a gorgeous day to accomplish the work needed.  Not a drop of rain.  The smiling faces of the children and the people of the village welcomed us.  In the afternoon about 8-10 children came by to see us at our job site and some of our more youthful team members took some time to play with them.  How beautiful are the feet of the children of God!

Naomi Baker
Dustin Carpenter
Jared Faber
Summer Michmerhuizen
Brandon Mulder
Marcie Pyper
Julie Schrotenboer
Joey Tuttle

Tuesday Morning, June 11 -4:15 AM

The mountains shake before Him, The demons run and flee at the mention of your name, King of majesty, there is no power of hell, or any who can stand before the power and the presence of the great I am.

Last night during our worship time, these words from the song “The Great I am” were echoed through the large gathering room at the base which we now call our home this week as the team opened their hearts in worship.   These words are a reminder that the God we serve and worship has no equal.

The Bible says that our battle is not of flesh and blood but it is a battle that rages in the Spiritual realm. Coming with a team of 40 people to Guatemala to share the message of Christ  is without a doubt an expedition that has not gone un noticed by the enemy.  The enemy will stop at nothing to keep the life changing message we have from being spread to those who are lost and dying.  Over the many times coming here, I have seen the enemy every time try his hardest to attack, distract, destroy, damage and stop us from spreading the news that can change hearts for eternity.  Today I expect he will again show up somehow in one of those attempts.   However, I have always seen our maker, creator, savior and God of the Universe, the Great I Am reign victorious over any attacks we face.

The team is still sound asleep here in Guatemala as I write to you.  Early mornings here are some of the most peaceful moments that I can think of as I write on the Team Blog.    It is a time when I feel very close to my maker.  I am looking forward to spending time with Him and with you during these precious early morning hours.

Today as we begin to construct the 5  homes that we have been preparing to build, I would be lying to you if I said that these homes were our purpose.  These homes are really just vehicles of Love for us to show these 5 families how much God loves us and how much He loves them.   Today we begin earning the right to be heard.   Earning the right to on Thursday, open the doors to salvation to these people who in just a few hours will become more than just a faceless name on a piece of paper.  Children, parents and grandparents who over the next 3 days will become etched in our minds and hearts and ultimately we pray will become brothers and sisters for all eternity.

Today as we arrive at the village where we will be building the homes we will arrive to 5 slabs of 10 foot by 12 foot of concrete.   These slabs are the foundations of their new home.   By the end of today, 5 homes will stand, each with 4 walls, a door, a window and a roof.  The drywall will be covered with a coat of mud and the outside walls will be fastened.   In just a short time, these families will witness the team poor into them with a great deal of sweat and probably even some blood and tears and by days end see their new home.  

As we build these homes, we will also be building relationships through conversations, playing games, sharing food, painting nails, tossing balls, giving candy, and just spending time getting to know them.   I know that by the end of the day both these families and our team will be deeply impacted by their new found connections to each other.

Please pray for this first stage of our trip.   Pray that as we witness the enemies attacks that we would see the Great I Am show up in spades.  Pray that we can see the walls of culture and language and distance that separate us, come crumbling down.   Pray that the weather provides an open door for us to do what needs to be done.  Pray for the health of the team as we already have a couple of members feeling sick.

Last night in our small groups we continued reading in our small devotional book, “My Heart Christ’s Home”.   This short books takes the reader through a journey of comparing the invitation of Christ into their life to inviting Jesus into their home.   Each room in the home relates to a different part of our life.   Last night we ventured into the study.  The control center of our lives, the mind.  Both the team devotion book and “My Heart Christ’s Home are available on this blog for you to follow along this week.   We invite you to not only view what is going on here and to pray but also be open to seeing God impact you as well.   To be able to truly become a fully devoted follower of Christ.  To truly live life with open hands to whatever God’s will and call for us is.  To be able to humbly let go of what we think we know and say “But Because You Say so” we must first do business in our minds and hearts.    Romans 12:1-3 says:   “Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer you bodies as a living sacrifice, Holy and pleasing to God.  This is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good pleasing and perfect will.”

May today be a day that not only here in Guatemala we turn our backs to the world and set our gaze on Jesus Christ and offer our selves as living sacrifices to one for whom the mountains shake and the demons run and flee, “The Great I AM”.

We will be posting lots of pictures tonight!   Have a blessed day.

In His Grip,

Kevin

On the Plane to Guatemala – Monday, June 10  -12:45 PM

At 38,000 feet you have a different perspective of the ground below than what you have as you go about your normal life each day.  Normally we see the trees and buildings right in front of us and our world can seem quite small and our own lives seem so big and important.  Often times, I find myself focused on the many little details around me and forget that there is a much bigger picture out there.   As I look out at the clouds below with the vast ocean beneath them, the trees and buildings are no longer even visible and I am reminded how small I am and that there are much more important things going on than just my own world.

In about an hour and a half we will be landing in Guatemala City and the experience that God has before us will truly begin to unfold.  I have had the privilege to be in this position many times and I find many familiar thoughts flooding my mind as we approach our destination

The smiles of children being loved on by members of the team,  the joy of a child receiving a gift or couple pieces of “Dulce”  [Candy], the colorful clothing worn by so many children and women in the villages, the laughter of children that can be heard over the games being played, the feeling of small hands holding onto your own from a child needing attention, the look of gratitude on the faces of the families who have just been given a new home, the sound of passionate prayer being lifted up as the team surrounds each home at the dedication, the powerful message of a savior who gave his life to give hope to those who are lost, the heartfelt prayer of families accepting the call to invite Jesus into their lives, the lines of people waiting to receive medical attention, the familiar story of the life of Jesus being shown on a white sheet, the tears being shed by people crossing the tipping point of eternity, the team singing at the top of their lungs in praise to the king, the members of the team dedicating and rededicating their own lives to their Master. 

These images and so many others have again found their way to the forefront of my mind.   It is hard to believe that the trip that started over a year ago as a conversation with students, youth leaders, adults, the outreach team and fellow staff is about to become a reality.

Tonight we will settle into our living quarters at the Paradise bound base.  We will begin to pack and prepare for the work ahead.  We will also spend some time in worship, digging into God’s word and in our small groups in discussion and prayer. 

Tomorrow after, hopefully a good night of sleep, we will hit the ground running.  Our first day will be spent with the 5 families we have been praying for and begin building them their new homes.  This time tomorrow, what was only a slab of concrete today, will be the walls and roof of these families new homes. 

We covet your prayers tonight.  Please pray for the recovery of the team from a long day of travel.  Pray for weather that will allow us to begin the work of building the homes. Pray that we will be able to connect with the people we are working with, pray that the Love of Christ can be shown through our actions and attitudes.  Pray that the team will bond well together and that we will discover more of who God is.

The team members should be getting a chance to post on their personal blog pages and read the comments and encouragements from you.   We will be posting pictures tomorrow after our first day of building.   We hope this will give you a chance to see and experience better what God is doing through us this week.

The team is clearly excited and ready to open their hands up to the plan that God has prepared for us.   Through your prayers, we are confident that we are firmly in His Grip and in the center of His will.

The big picture of God’s calling is clear.  There are countless people who are lost and need of a Savior.   The God of Love has given us the gift of Grace and hope to share.  This week we are the ones along with your support and prayer who have the opportunity to bear the image of Christ’s Hand and feet.

Thanks again for being a part of this journey with us.  We are excited to see what lies ahead.

In His grip,

Kevin Van Wyhe

The team has landed safely in Guatemala. Please pray them thru Customs and for a safe drive to the base.