Day Three - July 9, 2007

Today was a great day. A very long, but very good day. At 8 a.m. we left for Amatitlan. We did our children's VBS for a half dozen kids at the ministry there. The ninos loved our puppets and had fun making their very own "Whiskers." They also loved playing and goofing around with Chris.

When we first arrived there, the little girls were calling me and Heather "bonitas" which means beautiful. I can't describe just how this touched my heart. After VBS, we left for house visits. We were split into two groups - half from HCL and half from Trinity. I was with Heather, Evonne, Chris, Maria, Jason, Collin, Matt, Sherri, Rachel & Kristen.

We went to a very run-down "house" in Amatitlan. To see the way these people live breaks my heart. The place was filthy, poorly built and had horrible structure. But, they had a beautiful garden with beautiful flowers. They also had chickens, ducks and a rooster. There was a boy named Samuel who was 10, a young girl and two older women.

We were there to see one of them, named Maria. She was in need of some serious medical help. Her right leg was, for lack of a better phrase, falling apart. She had what must have been some type of open sore that got infected with some flesh-eating bacteria. It had taken over her right calf and was pussy and downright disgusting. It looked like something took a bite out of her leg. The wound was at least a half inch deep from the skin. Coca prayed with her and then we read a portion of Hebrews 13 in both English and Spanish. Coca preached with her for a bit, talking about Christ's great love. He said it was so hard to see this woman who has been dealing with this for 29 years and praying to God for relief when she receives none. The woman was crying and you could just feel the love of God in that cramped, hot and sweaty room.

I asked Coca to share Isaiah 40:31 with Maria.

They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strenth. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will walk and not be wary, they will run and not be faint.

We then said a very lengthy prayer for Maria and it was one of the most powerful experiences of my life. There was not a dry eye in the room. I don't think I will ever forget Maria (at least, I hope I won't) and the thorn in her flesh. There is a reason why God cast this burden on her. We must remember that she will be perfect in heaven with Jesus one day.

After we all hugged Maria goodbye, we left for another house visit. It was in a much nicer part of Amatitlan -- within a gated community. We went to the home of Maria. Her home was a night and day difference from the first house visit today. She had TV, radio, nice furniture and a beautiful kitchen. Coca asked her what she would like us to pray for and she said her son, Alfredo, is an alcoholic. He's 32 and doesn't believe in God because he doesn't think his life is worth God's love. We shared some Bible passages with Maria and (I'm guessing) her mom. Maria became very overwelmed with emotion during this time.

We said a prayer for Maria and her son and then she wanted to share a snack with us. She had made fresh lemonade and had some crackers to show her appreciation for our presence in her home.

We then went outside and Coca said a prayer of thanks for God sending us to him and El Corazon del Servidor. I really admire Coca and his ability to use the Spirit in his work with the Guatemalan people.

Then it was time to go back to the ministry in Amatitlan for lunch. I had a PB&J sandwich and some chips. The Servant's Heart men set up the tarps over the courtyard -- planning to block the afternoon sun. If only they knew!!!

We made some hats with the group from Iowa. That was their craft for the children. Unfortunately, a few minutes later when the storm came, my hat lost some of its color.

When the women and children were arriving, they greeted all of us with a hug and kisses. It was so special.

A huge storm blew through Amatitlan. We thought the tarp roof would hold up but God had a different plan. The tarps started gathering rain water and began to collapse under the weight of the water. We tried to get some of the water off and got drenched instead. It was so funny because instead of freaking out, all the ladies and children began laughing hysterically.

We had to be flexible with our plans for the afternoon because we couldn't keep the women and children out in the courtyard. The Iowans took the kids upstairs for VBS and crafts while we got most of the women in the first floor room. Marilyn and the others began a service/bible study with them while some of us tried to take care of the rain and tarps. There were two women who stayed under the tarps because they didn't want to get wet anymore. I sat with them for awhile and sang some songs because I couldn't really speak with them in Spanish.

While it was raining, the street in front of the ministry became a river. It was so funny and we kept laughing while we were looking out the front door.

It was very interesting to see 60-70 women packed into a small room, eagerly listening to God's word. Very powerful, indeed. When they were praying at the end was a little freaky. Almost like seeing a group of people speaking in tongues (after all, it was a foreign language to me).

We gave them all hugs as they left and it was so amazing to experience. I even got to hold a little baby girl who was so precious.

After cleaning up, we headed back to Guatemala City. I had to dry out my shoes, socks, shirt and towel. Disgusting. I just hope my shoes will dry before tomorrow!

I will say prayers for those I met today and for Coca, who is wrestling with a difficult decision of whether or not to leave the ministry for another job opportunity with a different ministry.

Before supper, Adrian went to the grocery store for us. Many of us gave him money for Salsa Verde and Pepsi Light. I got two 3-packs of salsa to take home and a bunch of Diet Pepsi.

After eating a supper of fried chicken and potatoes, we had our devotion and then went downstairs to make hats with the team from Iowa. I made a hat for David and for the man who donated a lot of money toward our trip.