FBC Waldorf

Everyone is here and happy! We hopped right on the bus and started our journey to Huehuetenango. Group picture coming soon!

This morning, we were welcomed to church with a breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt, toast, and delicious Guatemalan coffee. Pastor Randy even had 2 cups! We jumped right into ministry and about half of the group spent the morning running Sunday School for the children. 6 different groups of happy kids had a blast doing crafts, watching a puppet show, playing games, and we have already fallen in love with them. In the church service, Pastor Randy, Travis, and Randy were able to participate in a child dedication and pray over a family that is joining the church as members. The passion of the church in worship is incredible! Pastor Gustavo preached this morning out of Habakkuk and encouraged us to keep strong in our faith even through our questions and tough sustains situations. It's been an awesome morning and we're just getting started!

This space is great and full!

Pastor Randy and Randy pray over two children.

It has been great to settle in at our home for the week here in Huehuetenango. Today was full of different ministry projects from preparation for food distribution ministry to roofing to children's ministry. There were many opportunities to use our unique skills in service today...Bob was even able to be our "cow whisperer" during sports time. Pastor Gustavo shared about his journey to be a pastor and the growth of his church this afternoon - it's incredible to see the impact that has been made through his decision to say YES to what God is asking of him. That has been one of the themes for us this week, spoken out during the evening reflection times and in the midst of the day: when we say yes and step out, even when we're uncomfortable, God can show up and do amazing things in and through us. There were over 100 kids that showed up for our time together this afternoon! It was chaotic and fun to spend time doing sports, crafts, and telling stories with them. They are so full of joy and have been such a blessing to us, and we're just getting started.

Our work project this week is keeping to install roofing over a section of the classroom building. The church is planning to use this space for classes and smaller gatherings so they can conserve energy by turning on only a few lights instead of more than 10 in the sanctuary.

We're welcoming the children to the afternoon activities.

Progress is a beautiful thing.

We took the bus to a nearby field for sports time. The kids played whiffle ball and soccer - even the littlest ones have very good ball handling skills and schooled our group a but!

Today is a day full of divine appointments. On Tuesdays, the leaders of the church (there are more than 70 altogether!) often go out and visit in the community, so we joined them this week with our "bolsas de vidas" - "bags of life." We have the opportunity to bring some food in the name of Christ and the local church, as well as pray with the families for whatever is on their heart. We also have reading glasses and Bibles to share with those who don't have them and would like them. More pictures and lots of stories to come!

Julia leads a young woman to Christ today for the first time ever!