Team Member Pages
- Kevin Berens
- Adam Bredeweg
- Sarah Brower
- Madison Buursma
- Alyssa Carrasco
- Kristina DeVries
- Kyle Door
- Amber Goodyke
- Riley Gortsema
- Julie Gortsema
- Esther Han
- Jennifer Holsem
- Angie Johnson
- Chad Jurgens
- Alan Jurgens
- Sarah Koetsier
- Lynn McInnis
- Morgan Noordyke
- Jason Opperwall
- Dixon Pettijohn
- Ashtyn Postema
- Jordyn Roberts
- Katelyn Roskamp
- Olivia Stegeman
- Courtney Tolar
- Kevin Van Wyhe
- Josh Van Wyhe
- Rebecca Vander Vennen
- Dale Vander Vennen
- Graham Vanderheide
- Lauren VanDyken
- Jenna Veldboom
- Carlie Wolffis
- Sat Pics
-
Blog Stats
- 23,327 hits
Team Tools
Hey Courtney,
Hope you have a good trip! Be safe and do amazing things.
I’ll miss you.
Ryan
Court:
I will be praying that God will use you in many ways this week! I hope you have a wonderful week ~ “Don’t let the bed bugs bite!” Mrs. Noordyke
Hi Courtney
We are praying for you and the team while you go out into the mission field!!! What a wonderful opportunity, cherish every moment! Stay safe and be in good health! Can’t wait to see all the pictures!
Morgan’s Grandma
Courtney,
You and the team will be in our prayers. What and awesome opportunity-make the most out of every moment! Can’t wait to hear the amazing things God did through you. Love, Mrs. Stegeman
Hey Court,
Proud of you for making the decision to go. Katelyn will do fine, just remember she as well as all of us love you very much. Can’t wait to see the pictures of how God will be working through you this week. Have fun.
Love Mom
Hey Courtney – just wanted to tell you that you will be in our thoughts and prayers this week! God has some really great things planned for all of you this week – be ready to be used by Him! God bless!
Mrs. Postema
Courtney,
Just wanted to let you know your bear slept fine last night.
Love you lots
Katelyn
Courtney,
So glad that you made it there safely! Isn’t it incredible? It always amazes me how the beauty of the country and people and the devastation of poverty sits side-by-side. Praying that you have a good nights sleep and are ready for your first day of building!
Hey Court!
I hope you are surviving the withdrawal from texting. Please give my girls a hug for me.
Dear Courtney, This is my hug~~~knowing and trusting you are in God’s care! He has great plans for you this week, take a deep breathe and be Blessed. Love, gram g
Good Morning Court,
Glad to hear you made it safely without a lot of hassels. Its amazing how God works in many ways. Have a great time building make your Dad proud and make sure your house is level and square. lol Have fun and look forward to an update from you once in a while.
Love you
Mom
Hey everyone!
it has been a long hard working day! My group, morgan, kevin, carlie, jordyn, and esther did an amazing job building today!! It was very neat to see all the kids and ask for candy and get all excited for the lil things. The enviroment is amazing here nothing i expected! i love it! though it is very dirty here it is still awesome to see the the beautiful creation God has created. I am excited for the rest of the week to see what God has in store for me love you all and thanks for your support 
<3 Courtney.
Good Morning Courtney!
I have just started my day off with prayers for you and your team. I just logged on for the first time and enjoyed reading all the updates . It sounds like the Ivanrest Team has already accomplished a lot, in spite of your rainy day. I will be checking to see if there are pictures posted soon! We are praying that you continue to be held in God’s hand and stay safe and healthy as you continue serving others throughout the week.
Love,
Sheri and the VW Family
Hey Courtney!
We are thinking about you and praying for you. The kids and I check several times a day to see if there is a new posting yet. We can’t wait to see pictures.
God is doing great things through all of you.
love,
Aunt Cindy
Hi Court,
I’m so grateful for your God sightings. I like that term. It’s great when God answers yours and my prayers with a “yes” (like going through custom). Sounds like all is going well.
love and prayers,
Grandma W.
HOLA!! thats about all i know in spanish……i dont know much at all! And wish i knew more! I have had sooooo many lil children come up to me and try and talk to me and i cant talk back and i dont like that one bit! i envy Katelyn Roskamp who can just have converstaions for 20 minutes stright and translate for people. I made an amigo today i made a lot of amigos(friends)! but this one girl in particular! Her name was lessle she was 9 years old but looked like she was 5 she was tiny! but she just kept talking to me and talking to me and i could not understand a word and she knew that but she just smiled and was very patient i would sneak here candies and granola bars and she would hid them in her shirt so no other kids would see bc if they did they would attack you it would get very chaotic! I loved seeing us bond with the kids and even the adults every one is very friendly its awesome to see. Today we had no rain and that was such a great blessing because we did stucko on the outside of the houses and it was red and was very very messy! all the kids would help and bring us plates full of stucko and they were just as messy as we were its was an awesome day! Tonight we get pizza and its almost here glads for all your prayers and support!
LOVE YOU ALL!
<3 Courtney.
P.s. Katelyn thanks for keeping my teddy bear safe
love you.
Cort
I am glad that you and the team are seeing how real God can be in your life when you are able to see him work in others life situation remember them for the rest of your life.
uncle Bruce
Courtney,
It was so great to get on line and see some udates from your day. The photos with the children warm our hearts and the housing project is inspiring. Keep up the good work and enjoy each opportunity that the Lord sends your way. ~Mrs. H
Good Night Courtney!
I was just on my way up to bed and wondered if there were pictures up of today’s work. I love the pink stucco – what talent you have! The guys are all here hanging out in the basement and swimming in the Dooley’s pool. I showed them the blogs and they checked out the pictures of all of you hard at work. It is exciting to see how God is at work through you.
Love, Sheri
Courtney, sound like things are going well. You are in our thoughts and prayers. I remember when we went to the Dominican with our Youth group and I, too, was frustrated that I couldn’t communicate. Remember, LOVE is a universal language, and it sounds like they are understanding that from you just fine:)! Mrs. Stegeman
Hi Court have you seen any monkeys!
miss you, love you
katelyn
Courtney-
Continue allowing your heart to shine and show everyone that you come in contact with the quality of your character, that of your family, community, true Christians, and the core foundation the United States of America was founded on. Whenever you step across national boundaries you represent the very best of us all, always remember that and never stop serving others with compassion. Keep dropping pebbles in the pond and creating a ripple effect, eventually you’ll create a tsunami of tremendous blessing and favor. When God sends you on a mission, He will not allow you to be hindered or stopped until that mission is complete. The world will mysteriously work in your favor until the deed is done. =)
Very proud of you.
-Tim
Hey Courtney,
Just wanted you to know I am praying for all of you this week. I am so glad to hear you are having such a great time, and I pray that God will show himself to you this week. Keep your eyes and ears open!
Love,
Mrs. Groen
Hey Court,
So glad it didn’t rain while you were doing stucco. We were all praying it wouldn’t rain so you guys could get that done and it didn’t rain Gods so amazing. Love to hear all the little postings from everyone keep writing when you can. (Prob wish you had taken your camera) make sure you get pictures from someone plz. Have another great day hope your still feeling well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you often miss you and love you lots.
Mom
PS Kyle says Hi
Courtney,
I see that today is dedication day; I’m praying for you and also for the families who will be moving into the homes you have built. Isn’t it a wonderful thing that you can take the love that God has given you and share it with others? It helps me remember that the essence of this love is not only in the receiving, but the giving of God’s love to others.
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.” I Chronicles 28:20
Have a fun day!
Love, Sheri
Hey — How are you? I see from the pictures and postings that your time in Guatemala so far has been awesome! I’m praying for you and I hope you are helping Morgan get out of her string-tied, tight sheet every morning! Love ya – Mrs. N
Hi Courtney
Just wanted to write you a quick note to let you know that you were prayed for today. I start work at 6 a.m and so I too get up very early. The great thing about getting up early (and maybe the only great thing) is that it is very peaceful and quiet and a great time to talk with God. I prayed for all of you today very early and prayed that your day was and will be a highlight with many people giving their lives to Jesus! What could be any better? We will keep praying for you as you move on to different tasks tomorrow. Take Care, Lisa
Hey Courtney! It’s awesome that you are allowing God to work in your life. I hope the rest of your trip is amazing, and I’m sure you’re having a great time!
HOLA! Today was an amazing amazing DAY!! The dedications went very well! I am so thankful for everyone of those Guatemalians to give their lives to christ it is truely AWESOME! I made these two chicka amigos today and they touched my heart though they werent from any of the houses we built for it was a blessing to meet them. Niomi is 11 years old and i meet her first and she touched my heart the moment i tried to ask her what he name was and i totally messed it up :/ but she was super patient with me and knew i didnt speak any spanish lol then i meet her friend Gracia and she is 15 years old and she was a huge blassing to meet her!! When we said bye we just balled together and said i would see here monday when we come back to visit before we leave. i am now getting forced to go to bed :/ talk to you guys later!
Love you all!!
Good morning Courtney,
It is so great to get up each morning and read the posts! It is simply amazing how God is working through all of you and impacting His kingdom. Even if you don’t know Spanish everyone who meets you, will know that you are full of joy and love! Thank you for loving those kids and working so hard. Praying that today you see even more lives changed and touched. Today I am praying for safe travel. Keep Psalm 121:8 in the forefront of your heart today, “the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
big hugs,
Kristy
Courtney,
It sounds like you are off on some travels today, so I am praying that your day goes smoothly. Isn’t it wonderful to experience a totally different part of God’s world and to know that we all need the very same thing – to love God as our personal Savior! My prayers for you and your group will continue throughout the day and I will look for you in the pictures tonight.
Love, Sheri
Hey Court,
Sounds like your having an amazing time even though i have to read everyone elses notes to find out whats going on. Hope to hear from you soon. Our prayers are with you and the team often. Miss you and love you.
Mom
Courtney,
Thanks for posting the updates and sharing your personal story from the streets of Guatemala. I know tonight will be filled with challenges, uncertainties, bumpy roads and powerful testimony…..but God will be with you every step of the way and people back here are praying you through. Thinking of you and praying tonight…..~Mrs H
Hi Court,
I am praying that you make it back safely tonight. I hope you are the DJ. The ride always seems to go better when you are in charge. I hope you know what I mean.
I miss you girls and I can’t wait to hear the stories and see the pictures when you get back.
Courtney:
Praying for you today as you travel some nasty “roads” to deliver meds, love people, share the gospel, and watch God work miracles in the lives of His special people–the “Guatemalians” (I love that!) During softball games you always seem to remain so calm, cool, and collected; how cool that on this trip your heart has been broken by God’s choosing YOU to be His humble hands and feet–and you can actually break down and cry?! Know that we are praying not just for the people there, but also for you. That you will be blown away by the great things God can can do in and through you when you give Him complete control of all you have and all you are!!!! God has lovingly created and fully equipped you to bring His love and salvation to others!
Lynette Dooley
“I’m grateful that my looks, my abilities, and my personality are like a special picture frame in which You can portray Your grace and beauty, Your love, Your strength, Your faithfulness, to the praise of Your glory. I rejoice that You have gifted me for the special purposes You have in mind for my life….I am one of Your original masterpieces!” Ruth Meyer, 31 Days of Praise
Hi Courtney,
Sounds like you are having a life changing experience in Guatemala. God has definately used you all in amazing ways this week. Praying you have a great time today and all make it home safe. (tell Amber not to buy too much-ha). Excited to see you all again and hear all your great stories. God bless!
Mrs. G.
Hey everyone thank you soooo much for all your prayers and support and i havent been able to get the chance to right because i have been sick and have had no effort to get up and type to you guys i just had a really bad virus and today i am trying to recover it has been a very long two days i havent felt that sick in my entire life it was hard but i knew God was with me to give me the strength to carry on. Mom and Dad dont worry i had Mrs. G to take care of me and she did she gave me pain killers for the drives i sat in front and just held on and prayed to God to get me through i did go to the Villages each day i did not want to stay back in order for me to go yesterday i couldnt have a temp which i didnt and had to keep some breakfest in my stomach which i did but was exstremely hard today i am feeling better. I just feel really really weak. On the way back from the village yesterday it was a very very very bad road and some didnt know how this would go. When the van which doesnt have 4-wheel drive got stuck i apparently was sleeping the whole time they were trying to get that van up the slik muddy road and had no clue that i was left in the van with some people sleeping and got woken up when everyone returned everyone returned and were filled with mud and i asked what? and they were gone for 2 hours trying to get that van up the hill that whole i time i slept and didnt know they were gone and that was Gods blessing on me so i had some energy for that long bumpy crazy ride back to the paved road. Other than being sick i have had an amazing time down here! i just can feel God pour into my heart each day. Today we are going to the market and i am super excited! And after that we are returning to the villages we built at and cant waitto see my friend Gracia and her family. I love what God has shown me this week and cant wait to tell all my stories when i get home!
LOVE YOU ALL!
P.s. Happy fathers day dad (a lil late) i tried to write yesterday but just couldnt :/ Hope you had a good day. And katelyn there is no wild life down here except dogs there is dogs every where!!
By the way Mr. G they dont play the radio
plus when i wass in the front i just tried to keep my food in my stomach ha not the best car rides ive been in lol Id much rather ride in your man van 
Hey Court,
Sorry you got sick glad Mrs G could fill in for me. Im glad you still got to go to the village. Have fun shopping maybe you can get something for your new friends you build the house for. Ill pray for safe travels for you tomorrow and cant wait to see you and hear your stories. Katelyns done fine just counts down the days till you get home.
Love you.
Mom
Glad you are all back safe and at the base, or out and about shopping and preparing for coming home. Thanks for serving and we have been praying for all of you. The Pettijohns
Hola Amigos!
Today was a lot of fun! The Market was awesome! We got a lot of cool things. The Mickey D’s tasted sooo good! I am also feeling a lot better i just feel super weak but i will be okay
I dont want to leave one bit! I LOVE it here! When we went back to the village today Gracia came running up to me and hugged me and started crying and i brought them my back pack filled with a lot of things and her and her family loved it! See you all soon! Love you guys!!!