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Lauren,
Have a great time in Guatemala -we will be praying for you and knowing that God will use you in great ways! Blessings to you!
Shelley
Lauren- have an amazing trip; may God work through you in Guatemala. Be safe and know there are many prayers coming your way! – The Spencer family
Today is the day! Leaving tonight at 6. Pray for safe travels today and tomorrow. I know it will be a great experience for me as well as the whole rest of the team. My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 3:14 which says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” I think this is a good verse for me to remember throughout our travels the next few days. Hopefully our internet will be up and working there…talk to you all soon!
you are going to have such a wonderful time laur!
loveyou!
can’t wait to hear your stories when you return.
kris (oh and nate)
Hi Lauren!
Prayers for you tonight as you meet with your team, sleep and head off to Guatemala in the morning! I am so jealous of your trip, yet know you will have an amazing time and will let God work through what you do.
Prayers and love always!
Rachel
Lauren!
The look on your face tonight as you prepared to leave to serve God and others in Guatemala was that of an angel! Really, I will remember it for a long time! You were not merely “happy” but you were “joyful”! There is a difference. Happiness is based on circumstances; joyfulness is based on a deep conviction that God is in complete control and you can rest in His faithfulness. God has been preparing you for this trip for a long time–even before you sat and listened to the awesome stories Rachel brought back from her trips. He has been working in your heart to prepare you for the works He has planned for YOU to do! Know that God is faithful and will walk beside you as you serve Him–and will give you wonderful opportunities to love His children. And when you return, YOU can share your stories not only with Rachel, but with Olivia, your parents, others, and me too!
Know you are in our prayers!
Lynette Dooley
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.” Psalm 28:7
Lauren
Well, you are off and we already miss you. Couldn’t stop thinking of you tonight!! Praying every time I think of not just you but all of the team as you prepare to leave in the morning. As I read all these messages I am reminded of what a honor it is to be part of the big family of God. Being apart of this big family is one of the best parts of being a Christian, knowing how much others love and care about you. Hope you can get some sleep tonight and may Gods grace be with you as you seek to serve him.
Love you so, Mom
Lauren,
You are in our thoughts and prayers as you begin this journey. We pray that you will have safe travels and get through customs with no problems. May God richly bless you as you begin your work doing His work.
Love you — David and Ellen
Lauren
I was up early this morning but probably not as early as you! Thinking and praying for you constantly, sometimes hard to stay focused around here. Wanted to start your trip out with a verse from Isaiah 12:2 “Surely God is my salvation and I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my song” Love you dearly, Mom
Hi Lauren:
We were very proud to see you off on your trip yesterday!
We are praying for you Lauren that everything will go well for you on your trip and we met your prayer partner (Carol Pettijohn) who I know will also be praying for you many times every day that you will be gone.
Gram & I got up this morning and you were the first thing that we thought of and prayed for.
May God speed Lauren.
Love, Gramps and Grams
Hey Sister!
Hope you have a great time in Guatemala and you will share God’s word to those around you. Have a great time…
Love,
Livi
Lauren-
You’re there! God is at work preparing the way. He will use you in his sovereign plan to accomplish His perfect will!
Continuing to Pray!
Sandy Johson
Hi Lauren,
I hope and pray that your day is going great and that travel was good. I know you are going to have an amazing time of growth and eye opening experiences which God will use to bless others and you as well. Hope to hear from you soon.
Love,
Dad
Hey Lauren,
I hope you had a good flight last night and that you are enjoying the first day of your trip! Just wanted to let you know that I’m praying for you this week as you serve in Guatemala. Praying that God will bless your work, your team, and bless you individually as well. I hope you have an awesome time and really grow while enjoying your time serving others. Have fun, stay safe, take tons of pictures and eat something crazy for me too ok?
Praying for you,
Grant
Hi Lauren!!!
So I thought about it, and I decided that i would write you a message. Aren’t you proud of me? =] haha Anyways, I hope you are having an amazingly awesome time!!!
What language do they mostly speak there/ can you talk to them well?? Well, I am praying for you hoping everything goes well!! Love and miss you!!
Jeanne =]
Lauren -
I’m so glad to hear the team made it and I hope you made it through customs easily.
I’m praying that tomorrow – the first building day – you will feel the Lord working through you not only while your are building, but also as you begin building a relationship with your Guatemalian family. Take it all in.
Bless you Lauren.
Take care.
Linda (Jenna’s Mom)
Hi Lauren,
Praying that you have an amazing week as you serve God and others in Guatemala. I’ll continue to pray for your health, safety and that God will bless you in great ways as you reach out to bless others.
Love ya,
Mrs. Goodyke
Lauren
We heard tonight at about 10:00p.m that you all had arrived safe and sound. Hey! Now the part that you had been sort of looking up against the most is over. Great! Miss you back home as Liv and I set up most of the day for the G Sale. Hopefully we will have a good couple of days with lots of customers. Dad is leaving for up north for the rest of the week tomorrow so he will have to call me to get the updates. Love you Laur and pray that you will have a good nights sleep and a really, really awesome 1st building day tomorrow.
Love you, Mom
Great news that you all arrived. Praying that your day tomorrow is wonderful. Carole P and Bob too !
Lauren
This is a verse that may bring you back in time, one that we learned as a family long ago but one that is so appropriate for today. Colossians 3:23 “Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as if were working for the Lord” Have a great day working for God today.
Mom
Hello Lauren – we are so glad you and the team arrived safely to Guatemala! Hope all is well and you have a great day building today! You are in our thoughts and prayers and pray God will fill you with His love to share with all the great people you meet today! Enjoy the day!
Good Morning Lauren,
Our prayer today is for safety as you travel to and from your work site. Also as you build that God’s love and strength my be enfolded into the walls of the homes you are working on. Grow in God’s love and grace!! Stay safe and healthy.
David and Ellen
Loreno,
God will use you today to change someones heart! I will pray that you seize the opportunites placed before you as you begin this week. You have many gifts and God will use all of them week so watch out!
RanDALL Goodyke
Good Morning, Lauren!
Praying that today will be a beautiful day of serving God and knowing that you are held in His sovereign care.
Lauren……blessings to you today…..you will have a wonderful time and you will be used by God. Take care as you watch those homes take shape, your heart will also be shaped in new and different ways. God bless, the Pettijohns
Good Morning Lauren!
Thrilled that you guys are in Guatemala and able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to so many that are suffering and don’t know Him! I have really enjoyed reading the updates from Kevin and also all the comments people have left you. What an encouragement. It seems that you have seen God in many incidents already on your trip and you have only been there 3 days. WOW! That is amazing. Praying for you and your group as you build houses and minister to the people of Guatemala. We serve such a big and awesome GOD! May you find great strength in Him this week!
Love ya
Sharon L Nienhuis
We are thinking of you and praying for you today, Lauren. Praying God will use your smile and warm heart to serve the lives of many there. Lots of love!!
Hey…
Gald you got through costoms and you got there safely. Hope your day is going good and you are sharing the word to the people there. Love ya!
Liv
hey guys!
today was our first day of building, and it went great! we got there about 7 am and right away started. we are building 4 regular houses and one house has premade concrete walls and we are fixing it up. it rained for a good long time after we ate lunch (Which was AWESOME!) and so our stuff, building and backpacks got pretty soaked! after building most of the day, we spent some time playing with the kids and taking their pictures. they loved us! Today was the day when i knew taking spanish for 2 years has paid off! it was really fun to speak to them and get to know them a little. tomorrow will be even better i assume
we are having a great time and everything is going well. talk to you all soon!
Lauren,
I’m glad you’re able to use some of your spanish! It’s fun to talk to the kids, in their own language, isn’t it? They’re very forgiving of the funny words we say when we screw up….I remember that much! So good that the rain held off until after lunch! Praying that you have a great day tomorrow!
Brenda
Dear Lauren
So glad that you had such a great day today building and playing with the kids. Jorge called me this afternoon and asked if you were there because he is getting nervous that it is wed and you will only be there till the beginning of next week. I told him that you had his number and were going to try and call him. Hope that you can connect with him some how, some way. Enjoy your day tomorrow!!!!!! Praying for you!
BLessing, sharon
Lauren
How wonderful to hear from you and to hear that your first day went great in spite of the rain. I can only imagine how happy and thankful the people must be to see you guys come and start building a place for them to live. What a blessing it is also that you can actually talk with them a little, how fun!!! Your Spanish will probably improve this week as well and give you motivation to continue taking it. Yeah! We continue to pray for you as well as the whole team. We pray that you will let your light shine as you work hard to serve Him.
Love you Laur, Mom
Lauren,
Sounds amazing! Sounds like despite the rain the SON was shining all around you today. I will keep praying for you and your team.
Mrs. Stegeman
Hey Lauren!
I hope you have a great time in Guatemala! Im keeping you guys in my prayers. Glad to hear you guys made it there safely and I hope you get to learn some construction skills haha.
David K
Hey Lauren!!
It was nice seeing an update from you! I’m glad the first days are going well in Guatemala -I know the time there will go fast, so enjoy it!! I’m praying for you and your team often! I know God has many great things planned for this week – remember to keep your eyes open to see them! Have a great rest of your week!
Eric
Lauren
James 4:8
“Draw close to God and God will draw close to you” Praying that you will continue to deepen you faith and relationship with Jesus today. Love you and have a great day!
Mom
So glad you’re first day went well! Have a good day today as you will be getting tired from the early mornings and a lot of work. We are praying for you often!
Love Rae
Hey Lauren!!
I hope you are having a great trip, i’ve been praying for your team, and I hope you are all making a difference! I can’t wait to hear all the stories, and see some pictures =]
hope the rest of your trip goes well, sounds like your enjoying it. See you when you get back
~Maci
Lauren
I hear you are in Al’s group. That’s great. I know you will love being on this trip. I’m sure you’ve heard lots of stories from others but each person has their own story to tell when they return. God will use you this week to touch so many lives. It’s so amazing and makes you feel so humble that he uses us even though he can do it without us. You will witness so many God sightings it’s unbelievable. Keeping you all in my prayers this week.
Lauren,
Were praying you keep safe and that you do the best for the people of Guatemala…Spelling?. We look forward to all you say when you return. Stay dry! Psalm121:7-8
Love your favorite Aunt and Uncle Jeremy & Carol I would say kids too but they are gone all week. GG is traveling east coast trip and William at grandma Kuipers.
Love you Lauren!
Hi Lauren, I know you are having a great time and we are thinking and praying for you each day. I don’t want to make you homesick but want you to know I picked sweet cherries today. I know you love them but they will still be around next week. Hope the food is agreeing with you and I am sure you are enjoying the kids there. Love you Gram
Lauren,
Praying for you! Can’t wait to hear how God is using you. Look for the many God sightings. I am praying for God to stretch you and grow you in ways you can’t fathom.
Karen
Lauren-
Praying that the children are blessed by your presence and that you are blessed by the children. May you feel God calling you to Him this week as He has called His children to come near Him.
Continuing to Pray,
Sandy Johnson
hola amigos!
thanks again for all your prayers!
mi tiempo en Guatemala es muy bueno! los ninos son muy bonitos. hahaha day two was a great success. we started the day by stucko-ing the houses. i was completely covered in the pink stuff. it was so cute because the kids would take our empty stucko palates and run and get us a new one. they were completely covered as were we but they were having so much fun helping us. then i got mobbed by the girls of the village because i pulled out my bag of headbands and hair scrunchies. haha it was so worth it to see their faces light up after i gave them one. i also got to paint fingernails for the girls, but some of the boys liked my black nail polish and wanted to look “Guapo”! priceless. after that, we all kind of did our own thing. me, madi, and a few others went with some of the teenage girls to their house to see some baby puppies that were like a week old. i was ready to take one home right then and there! they asked me if i wanted one and if it wasn’t for the trip home i would’ve taken one. haha i almost got us another dog liv! then we ate another delicious lunch made by the village women. after lunch we played with the kids a lot. we played “perro-perro-gato”, duck-duck-goose spanish style, and i drew some pictures with a little boy in the dirt. he loved to draw “osos” or bears. then i would draw one and he would guess what it was. at about 3 we got back to the base and we all took some great showers. and that’s about all for now! we get pizza tonight
Nice almost another Puppy! Glad to hear your doing so good! I will miss you wakeboarding this weekend at the cottage but I will see you when you get back!
~Liv~
How wonderful to hear about your adventure in Guatemala. I’m praying the weather is good and you are able to finish your homes tomorrow. Sounds like you are having a great time getting to know the local people. Let the Lord continue to shine through in all you do. I’m praying your feel the power, presence and love of God during dedication.
Take care Lauren.
Linda
Hi Lauren,
It sounds like you are having a great time with the kids in Guatemala! I’m sure they love spending time with you. We’ll pray that each day you wil feel closer to God and that you will continue to share God’s love with the people you meet. We’re so glad you had this opportunity to be a part of this team!
Jan TenKate
Hey Lauren,
Love the pictures on the web site. We can see how you fall in love with the kids. We have two of our own and just love them to pieces. We could not find a picture of the “pink” you. Just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers often during the day. We pray that you will complete the homes you are working on and God’s blessing on them and the families that will be living in them. Stay safe, stay healthy, and remember you are not working alone.
Love Ya,
David and Ellen
Oh Lauren! So great to hear from you and to feel your enthusiasm and excitement through your words. You are having so much fun and are so happy I can tell. It is was really great to hear from you!! The pictures are awesome too and really help to see and feel what things are like there. We are so thankful that today was a great day with much improved weather. Yeah!! Will continue to pray for all of the teams tomorrow as this is a very very important day. We will pray for the families that you will dedicate the homes to, that they will be open to receive the gospel of Jesus. Our thoughts will be with you all. We love you Laur and will look forward to hearing from you again.
Love Mom
P.S Dad called and wanted an update. He sends his love and prayers.
ALSO DON’T FORGET TO TEXT OR CALL JORGE because you won’t want to miss a chance to see him if possible.
Lauren,
Reading the updates and looking at pictures was so exciting this evening. We are all so encouraged to hear that God blessed you with dry skies and helpful villagers. Your physical work looks complete and today the spiritual challenge will be on all of our hearts. May the Holy Spirit fill each home and each life that is present there today. As our dedicate the homes and pray over the families,we are all praying that there will be POWER in that village! It is been a privilege praying for you on this trip. Keep up the good work, Lauren! ~Mrs. H
PS – You have a beautiful smile!
I KNEW YOU’D APPRECIATE YOUR SPANISH!!!!
Awesome job with the spanish! Keep it up
We are praying for good weather today as you dedicate the homes. Have a wonderful time and don’t forget to let God use you in his own ways today.
love Rae
Hi Lauren – we hope and pray all is well with you and the team today. You will have a great day finishing up the house and dedicating it with the family. Enjoy your day and be open to all God has to offer you and your team today.
Hey Lauren!
It sounds like your having a great time! Its fun to read the updates and see all the pictures. I have been keeping you and the team in my prayers and hoping everything is going good. I hope you have a great rest of the trip!
Sara
Lauren-
So good how God is connecting you to His children. God loves them sooo much and I’m praying that His love comes shining through you to these beautiful children. Praying for the wonderful journey God has you on this week.
Lauren, Been praying for you, it has been so fun to see the pictures and the joy on all your faces….wow, looks like you are all just having a great time. I can’t wait to hear all the stories in person. Have fun when you do the medical clinics, we will continue to pray for all that you are doing and the lives being changed. The Pettijohns
Hi Lauren,
You look great with all the stucco all over you!!! It looks like you are having an amazing time. Hope you are keeping Kevin in line as well! We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers and pray that you continue to have a wonderful time and keep experiencing God’s love through your work!
Mrs. Berens
Hey..Hope you having fun down there in Guatemala! It seems as though you are having a great time with all of the smiles you have on your face in the pictures. Can’t wait to hear all the fabulous stories that you have to share with the rest of us when you get back next week! I will miss you at the cottage this weekend but I know that you are having just as much fun down there as you would have here. Have a great rest of your trip and I can’t wait to see you when you arrive home..
day three is complete! we had mostly sunny weather the whole day which was really nice for the dedications. we got to the village in the morning, about 8, and right away started to paint the inside of the homes. my group and i have a different kind of house, one that was not drywall sides it was cement, so we had to spend a little more time with the base coat and not the designs. we drew some really cool flowers and a big montain range with Joshua 24:15 on the wall. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” the family loved it. all of the people on our house gave their lives to christ today. in fact, everyone who was given a home gave their lives over. it was so awesome! after all the dedications, we had a pinata strung up for the kids and we had so much fun with that! we didn’t get back to the base until about 6:30 and then ate and then showers. busy day! but it was so worth it.
mom/sharon-i was going to try to call Jorge today, but it got to late! i will make it one of my top priorities tomorrow and if you can let him know, tell him i didn’t forget about him! Kevin said on monday would be a good day to meet up with him, in antigua when we are shopping. i will let him know though! i promise.
liv-make me proud on that wakeboard! hahah
good night everyone!
Oh Laur
What a day you had! You know what Laur, you will never ever forget this trip and I hope the love and the passion you feel right now in your heart will never leave you. What a great feeling to know that our God has used you to bring a family and village to Jesus!! Praise the Lord! Nothing in all of life can get any better!! We love to see you in the pictures with your big smile and complete joy on your face. You know me and sometimes when I see you I just want to cry! So Happy for you! Continue to take lots of pictures with all the people especially your little favorites as Rachel still has pictures of hers in her room now. Keep being smart about being healthy and know that we all love you so very much. We keep giving you over to God everyday!
Love Mom
P.S Great Laur, maybe you could see Jorge on Monday and he could go shopping with you and help you get some good deals. Give him hugs and kisses from all of us!!
Lauren,
It was soooo exciting to hear about all of the families and their committments to Christ! Your smiles in the photos are heartwarming and I especially love the photo with the stucco all over your face. May the Lord bless and protect you as you head into the mountain villages. ~Mrs. H
So glad to hear from you and see all your wonderful pictures!!! You somehow manage to look beautiful sleep deprived and working hard!
I hope you enjoy the medical clinics the next two days. They were my favorite part! Praying for you as you bring medicine for the body, but most importantly life for the soul. Love you bunches
Rae
Good morning Lauren,
It is so exciting reading these posts each day as we see the way God is moving through this team and making an impact on these beautiful people as well as everyone reading this blog!! Today as you start a new part of the ministry, I pray that you open yourself to the proddings of the Holy Spirit. Seek out the hurting and the lonely, make them a priority and you will see great things happen aduring the movie and when Hermano Jesus preaches.
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
Rachel:
Your face continues to shine with the love of the Lord! It is so cool, it makes me cry (of course, a lot of things do that…but that glow really does)! Continuing to pray that you remain healthy so you don’t have to miss out on one minute of the trip. Isn’t it amazing to know that you are right where God wants you to be right now?
Love you,
Lynette Dooley
Eph 1:8
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints.
Hi Lauren, WOW! I just got back and read your stories so far. God is really working! How cool is that when whole families accept Christ because and though your serving.That is absolutely fantastic. Keep up the great work God has planned for you and you will see more great things. I am praying that the medical clinics will be very helpful for bodies and souls. We are so proud of you Lauren. You look like you are having a wonderful time. The pictures are GREAT. Can’t wait to see you next week.
Love you so much, Dad
On a lighter note, Liv did ok on the board( it was kind of windy) and i got only a few fish, but still had fun.
Hi Laur
Otherwise all is well. Oh, Charlie really misses you too. He got a haircut this week and looks so cute!! He went with us today and is all tired out tonight with all the excitement.
Just thought I would say Hi today before the day is done! I did not really expect to hear from you and yet I was kind of looking for something. I guess we were getting kind of spoiled with all the nightly updates!
Rachel said that you would not likely be back to the base until quite late so I will check right away in the morning. We went to the cottage today and had a great afternoon with them to celebrate Fathers Day! We have been so blessed with Godly men in our family and am so thankful for that. Papa and Gram send their love and are anxious to see and read all the pictures and updates. They cannot get internet service at the cottage.
I love you Lauren, we all talked about that today more than once! It just wasn’t the same without you! Praying for you to stay strong, healthy and well and that God will continue to use you and the team to win people for Christ!
Love you soooo soooo much,
Mom
Good Morning Lauren,
Just want to let you know that we are still holding you and your team up in prayer as you finish your work and travel back to Michigan. We pray that the medical clinics will be a lasting reminder of the love of Christ for the people whose lives are impacted by them. It is fun to see how God is using you and the rest of the team. When you get home we would love to get together to hear your stories and see some of your pictures.
Stay safe and enjoy your last couple of days.
David and Ellen
2 Corinthians 9:8
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you; so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever”
Thought of you Lauren. Love You,
Mom
Lauren
I am so very proud and humbled to be your Mom. I cannot express it to you in words. Thank you for giving your story last night!! I am so very proud of who you are and for what you are doing for Jesus.
Mom
Hey Laur!
We are praying for you and your team and it sounds like everything is going well so far which is awesome! Miss you and cant wait for you to get back so we can play tennis and have our adventure! Keep it up girly! ♥
Liz
Hola Lauren!
It was great to read your updates! Nice work on the espanol, it’s a lot of fun when you can actually put to use something you learned in school (dosen’t happen that often does it?
Nosotros vamos a hablamos en espanol, semana proxima cuando llegas a casa!!
Awesome pictures – from what I can tell it looks like your enjoying your self! I’m praying that you are having an awesome trip and that you are growing in Christ as well. It is so cool to think of all the people that are are being blessed by you and your team, and to think that you are being blessed by serving others. How cool is that? It was so neat to hear about the conversions that happened while you were building houses. That is so exciting and powerful, what an exciting experience for you, you will never forget that.
Enjoy your last few days, and know that I’m praying for you,
Grant
Hi Lauren, We just got back from the cottage and got the last update. WOW what an experience to tell people the message of Jesus who have never heard the saving news!!! Now you know why you had to go on this trip. We can’t wait for you to get home and give us all the details. So gald the food and travel has agreed with you so far and we will pray for you and the team for the next few days as you complete the trip. We could not be more proud of you and know we love you so very much. Love Gram
Hey Lauren,
It has been so wonderful to read all the updates on how things have been going. You have been in our thoughts and prayers all week, and we are so encouraged to know that you are doing well and that God is working through you. What an amazing experience! You have planted many seeds, and I know we can trust God to water them and make them grow. We look forward to hearing all your stories! We will continue to pray for your safety and health as you finish this journey. Love Donna
Lauren-
So good to read your post and hear about God’s work through you. As you return home in a few days, keep all those faces and names in mind as they will need our prayers to continue with their commitment. I am praying for travel and for you to continue to serve the Lord however He calls you. Know that you are covered in prayer as you journey on this last clinic.
Sandy Johnson
Hi Lauren
Just wanted you to know we have been keeping you in our prayers as you are
experience this amazing journey. Hoping that God is working through you and
everything that you are doing while your there! Treasure your time!
Love The Otto’s
Lauren,
How exciting to hear that you were bold with your faith and God used your story to lead others to new life in Christ! We praise God with you for answered prayers and we look forward how his life challenge will not only change the people of Guatemala but will impact others back home. We are all earnestly praying for the Spirit to fill the village you are in right now! Also, praying for your safe return to base tonight. Keep up the great work, Lauren! ~Mrs. H
Hi Lauren,
Continuing to pray for you and hope you have a great trip home from the village. Looks like you are having an amazing trip. God is really blessing you all over there and our prayers are being answered. Soak it all up the last couple of days and take in all God wants to show you. Can’t wait to hear your stories. God bless!
Mrs.G.
Hi Lauren, So glad to hear you are doing well, what an awesome experience! We can’t wait to hear all your stories when you get back. We will be seeing you on Saturday, stay safe and healthy. We love you,
Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Carol, Georgia and William
Hey Lauren! I was just looking through all of the pictures, and you look beautiful as always(: I can’t wait to hear all the amazing stories when you get home. You’re making such a difference in these peoples lives, you’ll never forget it and neither will they. I can’t wait to see you when you get home!!
Love you!
Georgia
Hey Lauren! Have been keeping you and your team in prayer during your trip! From what I have read, sounds like God is providing you with an awesome experience! So admire your willingness to give of yourself and be such a blessing to souls that need to know God’s Amazing gift of salvation and love! Praying God guides and protects all of you during your travel back from the villiage late tonite. As well, that He will continue to bless the remainder of your visit and your journey back home. I know your family (including Charlie!) miss you terribly. We all look forward to you and Ashtyn returning to our little ‘hood! Grace, Peace and Love from Sherri & Chloe
Lauren
Ready to go to bed but not sure how well I will sleep. I feel concerned for all of you because via email from Dan, we have learned that we need to pray for the rain to hold off in order for you to get home tonight. I will pray throughout the night and will keep praying for safe traveling mercies until we get word that all is well. We know that our God is able to do miraculous things and for him to hold off the rain tonight would be easy. “Cast all your cares upon him; for he cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7
Casting my concerns on Jesus,
Mom
Lauren
Praise the Lord that you were able to make it through onto the asphalt roads. We thank God for his protection! Can’t wait to see how you are doing Laur. I will have Liv call me at work today to give me your update. Love You,
Mom
Lauren – Wow, what an amazing travel adventure the team was on last night, anything is possible through prayer. I pray you continue to feel God’s presence with you every step of the way. Enjoy your day at the market today! I pray you will continue to share God’s love when reconnect with your building village.
I also pray tonight you feel the spirit move you like nothing you have ever experienced before, it will be amazing!!!
Bless you Lauren
Linda
Hello again! the past few days have been extremely busy and we have been getting home very late, last night it was 2 am!, so i haven’t had any time togo on here. the past 2 days we have been doing the clinics in the villages. I helped in the clinic the first day and it was very fun! me and alyssa worked together. then the second day i played with and talked to the people in the second village. It was really fun talking to them because they had been learning english in school and knew saom of the words. one kid counted up to 20. each night we showed the jesus film and hermano preached. it was so cool to see the poeple come up and give their lives to christ. today market day! i’m meeting jorge at the mcdonalds in antigua at about noon mom. thought you’d want to know
talk to you all soon!
Dear Lauren
I just finished reading all the updates from the past 4 days as I have worked the last 4 and didn’t have the energy to get on the computer after work. I sit her choked up and with tears as I read of your experience in Guatemala! AMAZING! So clear how God has not only worked in your team members but also in the people that you went to serve.
It is so clear that each of you were the hands and feet of Jesus to some very hurting and poor people. It is also so clear from the updates how God has been very present and never farther than an arm away -protecting all of you during your trip.
I have not been able to see the pictures but would love to hear about and see your pictures when you get back home and settled
Sure hope that you were able to connect with Jorge today. I know how very much he was looking forward to seeing you while you were down there.
Have a safe trip home and know that prayers are still being lifted up for you and the group!
Love Sharon
Lauren, Well this is it, the trip is wrapping up and you all are back at base safely. What an amazing experience, so glad I could share it with you by praying for you specifically. Thanks for being part of this great team, I will be anxious to hear all the stories. Carole Pettijohn and Bob too.
Lauren
Just wanted to write a final note before you come home. I just got home from work and have read everything over and have looked at the new pics. What a story to hear about last night. I am trying to imagine these 2 vans being stuck in the mud for 2 hours and all of you putting down rocks and anything else you could find to help get these vans out. Oh, my word. But once again in Kevin’s note God was there. He said it was just like a miracle and as if a angel was pulling these 2 vans right up and out of the mud. What a sight to see. What a awesome God we serve!!!
Laur we are so thankful that you could have the opportunity to go on this trip. We are so thankful for those who went with you and have prayed all week for all of you. We pray that this trip and the things that you have seen will always stay with you and will only make you a more passionate person for Jesus. We will continue to pray for all of you until you are home safe and sound. We love you beyond words!!
Mom
Lauren
So happy that you could meet up with Jorge! He called 3 times in a panic and in tears because he waited an hour for you in the park. When I told him that you were suppose to meet at McDonalds, at noon, he was so upset. So glad that you were able to finally connect. He sounded so happy when I called him back and he told me he was with you.
Thanks for taking the time to connect with him. Him being exposed to all of you in the group is another great example to him of the hands and feet of Jesus.
Love you
Sharon
Hi Lauren,
WOW! What an adventure you’ve been on. It kind of reminds me of Pauls missionary journey’s and all the things he faced but kept going for the sake of the gospel. Just think you all are doing the same thing.It’s awesome to see and hear what wonderful things the Lord is doing through your whole team. We have prayed for you constantly and can’t wait to see you. I hope your meeting up with Jorge was fun. See you tomorrow.
Love you lots,
Dad
Lauren-
So good to read of God’s protection and provision over the last couple days. God is good! I’m praying that as you head for home, God challenges you to take what you’ve experienced and share it. Share it with stories, share it through your life. May God truly continue to mold and shape you!!
Praying you home…
Sandy Johnson
Hello again!
this is probably the last time i’ll be writing on here, but i just wanted to say thank you for all your prayers and support thoughout the week. there have been some very trying moments, such as when we get stuck in the jungle at midnight on a hill, but with all of you nothing was impossible. i’ve had such a wonderful time here and have really seen God in a whole new way. thank you for everything. please pray for safe travels tomorrow and that our team will arrive home safe and sound. Good night!
Lauren -
I am praying for safe travel for you and the team today. Thank you for being our hands and feet this past week in Guatemala!
Linda