Team Member Pages
- Kevin Berens
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- Alan Jurgens
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- Dixon Pettijohn
- Ashtyn Postema
- Jordyn Roberts
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- Courtney Tolar
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- Jenna Veldboom
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- Sat Pics
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Team Tools
ALYSSA!!!
How good it was to see the joy on your face tonight as you stepped out in faith to serve your Lord by loving His children–your new brothers and sisters in Christ in Guatemala. Know that God is faithful and able to provide the strength, wisdom, and courage to do all that He calls you to do. Listen for His voice; He will lead you through His Holy Spirit to to do things that only YOU can do because of your unique history, abilities, passions and personality. Be intentional. Long to share His love, His joy, and His hope of salvation. Desire to see everyone through God’s eyes.
I am so excited to see how God will draw your team together in love and unity to be an encouragement and catalyst for faith growth!!!! Try to write stuff down so you don’t forget it; I am looking forward to hearing all your Guatemala stories when you get back!
Praying for you, servant!
Lynette
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut. 31:8
Alyssa!
Hope your time of praise and worship last night was just a small glimpse of the joy your team will be experiencing in Guatemala–joy that comes from being completely sold-out to serving the God you love! Let your light shine!
Lynette
“In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:16
Alyssa,
Hope things are going well for you and we’re keeping you and the whole team in our prayers. What an amazing adventure you are going to have and we all wish we could be there!! If you could – keep an eye on Kev and make sure he does a good job building!
Love ya!
Mrs. Berens
Hi Alyssa!
Glad to hear you arrived safely!! I will be praying for you this week! I can just see you with all the little kiddos and people that you meet and Im sure your bright smile will be contagious! =) Praying that you will be blessed this week as you do the work of the Lord and bring His message to those who dont know and that many will come to have hope in Him! love ya, Leah
Good morning Alyssa,
Praying that you have an amazing week! Thank you for all your work with Kevin to get this all put together. Your joy and big smile is going to draw the little kids to you! Have fun, work hard and pray even harder!
Love,
Kristy
Alyssa, have a wonderful trip, I am so excited to hear all about everything, I am on the site constantly. Thanks for the skills in helping put this together….I am counting on you for some great photos too ! praying for you, the Pettijohns
Alyssa!
Good morning! How good it was to read Kevin’s posting and learn that God is working in great ways–like a small quiet whisper and as a strong roaring wind–to make your team strong and effective. Isn’t it ironic that sometimes you have to be broken to realize how strong you are? Someone said (although I don’t know who) that “God can do more with what you don’t have than with what you do.” Isn’t that true? Sometimes we rely completely on our own strength and never get a glimpse of what we could do, or could have done, if we had let God take control. We settle for our own accomplishments! Why do we do that?! Don’t know…. When we give ourselves completely over to God, however (even our weaknesses), we can see His mighty power at work in us. Our work is greater, and so is our joy! Honesty time…. When God calls me to do something I just don’t think I can do, in my mind I put on the full armor of God (okay…so I add a super hero cape), and then step out to accomplish the task. Know that I will be praying for you all to be fully equipped to face the many challenges you will encounter, and also to be fully prepared to do battle in the spiritual realm. How assuring and comforting it is to know that in Him you are already victorious!!!
Love you,
Lynette
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Cor. 12:9
Alyssa,
Praying for you and your team. May you experience great joy in serving the people of Guatemala. What an awesome experience. Stay strong, healthy and open to be used by God in many ways throughout the week.
Mrs. Stegeman
(Olivia’s mom)
Hi Alyssa,
……….
Hope all is well in Guatemala! We are praying for you and the rest of the team. Hope you are having fun and experiencing/sharing God’s love. Can’t wait to hear about it when you girls get back. Please make sure that Madi doesn’t fall off of any cliff’s this time
Mrs. B
HEY EVERYBODY! guatemala is awesomeeee! i love it here. it absolutely never stops raining, it will be perfectly clear and the sky will be bright blue, then all of a sudden the skies will open up and itll pour harder than it ever does in michigan
the kids are hyserical< yelling candy candy! (dolces dulces!) everytime we come in sight. the people here have so little but are so joyful, i have never seen a happier bunch of people. theyre always willing to help, smile, and just talk. ive used more spanish today than ever before, thank you miss baas and mrs veenstra! communicating with everry one helps so much! and im sorry all for all the typos, ive discovered quick that sheet metal and drills are SHARP and no fun for fingers, and that in the mountains (where we are!) air pressure is low and the blood just never stops coming from any cuts 
i cant wait to hear from you all and im excited for the rest of the week! adios!
Alyssa! It sounds like things are going great!!! Ya gotta be careful with that sheet metal!!! I hope and pray that God is showing himself to you and that He is working in you this week! Open your heart and love on the kids, as well as the mom and grandmas! Praying for you!
Jason
Hola, Alyssa!
Know that I am praying for you and your cut fingers. Keep them clean so you don’t get an infection! (I remember a former team member, Jeff Holsem, had some nasty looking fingers when he returned from Guatemala.) It’s exciting that your espanol has been so helpful in communicating with everyone! And from one candy-lover to another, I’m happy that you are distributing the candy to the children rather than eating it yourself! It has been fun praying for you–kind of knowing what you experiencing through Jordan’s stories. And yet, not really knowing because I have not gone to Guat’ myself. Although his stories were amazing and very personal to him, I know that yours will be similar and yet so personally and perfectly designed by God just for YOU!
Continue to serve with joy!
Lynette
“I am Immanuel–God with you. Your pursuit of Me is actually a response to My ardent pursuit of you. You don’t have to batter down doors between us. Rather, as you open the door of your heart to Me, you find Me gloriously present–having already thrown open My door to you!”
From devotional: Jesus Lives, by Sarah Young
Alyssa,
Your e-mail sounds full of joy! Please continue to update us whenever you can! I am so glad that God is in you and using you on this trip. I won’t even ask about the cuts on your fingers
Grandma and Grandpa just called and asked me to send you their hellos and to tell you they love you! We are praying for you and everyone and hope you continue to make progress and accomplish what you set out to do. Love you
Alyssa!
So nice to see your smiling face on the posted photos. It looks like your week is going smoothly so far. There are SO many people praying for you this week. I know for one, that Lynette is praying for you around the clock! Wow – what a community of prayer warriors we have in Grandville. Don’t feel too badly about not riding much this weekend……it is waaaaay to hot and humid to be on horseback anyway. Take in the God sightings, the culture, the work of His hands and the amazing beauty that He has surrounded you with. Be still and see what HE has to say to YOU this week. Blessings to you! Mrs. H
Alyssa:
It’s like “Extreme Home Makeover”, Team Ivanrest…and “Move that van!” instead of “Move that bus!” (Insert streams of tears here.) It must be exciting beyond words to present a home to a family who has never had one. You and your team must be incredibly humbled to have been given the opportunity to be the ones whom God chose to give such an awesome gift! I’m sure you will never forget this day: realizing how He can use you to do such great and wonderful things…and not just in Guatemala, but in Grandville and beyond! Lives will be forever changed because of your passion and decision to serve and love God’s children.
Know you remain in my prayers!
Lynette
To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:19 NKJV
Alyssa,
About those cuts… Didn’t the “boys” help you out? Anyways, it was exciting to read about your teams dedication day. The Lord was “surely in this place”. The homes look great and they are something that the Guatemalan families can be proud of. May the Lord continue bless you as serve there. Try to keep those boys on your team in line, good luck!!!! Psalm 46:10
Randy D.
Hey everybody! we’re officially over half way through the week, it’s flying by so fast! yesterday was definately a blessing. The fact that all 6 families were willing to accept Christ into their hearts and lives is something that blows me away. I can’t believe they are that strong willed and that full of faith to hear the truth and run with it. Seeing the big, stocky, (scary-looking!) father of the house my group built break down and cry at the words Dan and Hermano Jesus were praying was…insane. It made me realize how real and how powerful God really is. I had to say goodbye to many new friends i had made in the kids, especially a little girl named Merci, which was a sad end to a happy day, but thankfully i’ll get to see them all one last time. I can’t wait for today! The lack of sleep is starting to wear on me though
Dan let us sleep in today…until 630 instead of 6. I can’t wait to see what this village has in store for us! and hopefully its nothing too dirty because its my group’s turn to be last for showers tonight, of course its the night we’re not supposed to get home until the middle of the night 
mom, say hey to annabelle for me! & Mr. Door, i will for sure keep all these crazy boys in line! well i’ll try my best..they are all some crazy kids!
Alyssa,
I finally got to see who was in Ashtyn’s group and so I want to say that I’ve especially been praying hard for you and your group this week! I can read in the updates that you are all being a huge blessing to the family that you’re building the house for and all the kids, but I can tell that you’re all being blessed right along with the families! May you continue to feel God’s hands upon you as you move on to the next part of the trip! I will be mentioning you by name in my prayers and God bless you!
Mrs. Postema
Alyssa!
Wow! Your words are full of excitement and joy! It makes my life–working (alright), grocery shopping (yuk), exercising (double yuk), cleaning (okay), cooking (not my gift)–sound so mundane, boring, time-consuming, and of little value. It’s easy here to get caught up in the little bubble surrounding our community–and sometimes even in that safe bubble, I’m in my own little bubble. How good to see that in Guatemala all those bubbles have been burst open, and you have connected with one another and those you are serving…even the scary-looking guy! Your mind has been renewed, and you will not ever be the same. You will look at people, time, money, priorities, and situations all differently. You have been transformed, and you’ve only been gone a few days! Can’t wait to see how God uses the rest of the week to continue His work through you!
Love you,
Lynette
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Loved reading your post on your dedicated day! It was good to find out who was in your group and be able to pray for each of them. I will certainly say hi to Annabelle for you….she is doing well and is a big as ever. She is pining for you though….It sounds like you are having very full and exciting days. How wonderful the things that are being accomplished for God’s kingdom! I hope your stomach is doing well and will pray for God’s continued grace and guidance on this trip. Love you!! Danny is in Indianapolis but will be coming home Sunday.
Mom
Hi Alyssa,
I’m loving hearing about what’s happening in Guatamala and the blessing you and your group are to the people there. Be careful with the power tools – maybe you should’ve hung out with Grandpa more as he fixes things around the house! Give the kiddos you’re meeting a hug and some candy for me, and hope the rest of the time is a blessing to you and the Guatamalan people you’re witnessing to. Love you tons!
Auntie Pam
Alyssa,
Sounds like you are using every minute possible to bring God’s glory to as many people as possible. It is so wonderful to hear how Prayers are being answered through you to touch the lives of the children and families. You are a blessing. Thank you for your love and service. Take care. JW
Prayers for you to be strong and healthy as you finish your work there. Barb
Hi honey,
You sound so happy doing the Lord’s work…I am so proud of you! I just got back this afternoon from the trip with Danny to Indianapolis…I’m tired from all the driving but realize that I am not as tired as you…sleep well, honey, and from what I have read, you will have to sleep fast!! Please know that you, and all your group are in my prayers! I will take you out for a big dinner when you get back…wherever you want to go…now, get some sleep and know in your heart that Jesus, your Dad and your entire family, your church and school commuity Love you very much.
Allyssa,
Glad to hear your having an awesome time. We are praying for your safety home tonight and hope you had an awesome time touching lives in the village. What an amazing experience for you. Blessings!
Mrs. G.
Alyssa:
Know that I am praying for you and the team as you traverse across the long and treacherous roads to and from the village. God will use you in mighty ways to reach those whom are lost! How good that He has not forgotten them and is using you to show His love!
Love you,
Lynette
Psalm 66:1-3
Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious! Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
Alyssa,
You are in my thoughts and prayers constantly as you work in village. I will be praying for whoever is driving the vehicles to navigate the roads safely. Love you!!
Mom
Alyssa, I am so glad that you all made it safely back to the base! Thank you for keeping Kevin awake as you drove back. That is a HUGE sacrafice on your part, giving up your sleep but well worth it since you arrived back safely. It sounds likes another night of amazing God sightings. Can’t wait to hear all about them!! Enjoy your last day and make sure you go get a flurry….it tastes soooo goood!
Big hugs,
Kristy
ALYSSA!
I celebrate with you your safe return to the base–in addition to all that God was able to do through you yesterday during the medical clinic! Your team was definitely being lifted up by many prayer warriors back in Michigan and was surrounded by angels closely guarding and guiding you as you traveled. Enjoy today! Well done, good and faithful servant!!!!
Love you,
Lynette
Matt. 10:30
“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
Great news that you are back at base, hoping you got some needed rest last night and now can enjoy a free day. Amazing things have been happening as a result of all your efforts, Praying for you all, The Pettijohns
Were you riding shotgun with Mr. Kevin? You are amazing at that job so that would not surprise me!! It sounds like your time at the village was quite incredible. I pray that your time spent in Guatamala will always impact you and be a part of your being. You know I miss you and all your chatter. Annabelle says hi.
Love, Mom