June 7th

Today was a wonderful day full of God's blessings. We started the day around 7:15 when we woke up and had our devotional. I led the devotional today and it was over the verse 2 Corinthians 4:8. The verse is "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you." This verse was really important to me because we should always remember that even when we are frustrated or tired or worn out and feel like we can't go on, it's important that we all are united and that we remember that nothing is too much to handle with the help of God.
We started the day thinking we would be having breakfast at our contacts house, but when we arrived we were told to get back in the van because there was no time for breakfast. We arrived at a technological charter school that consisted of mostly young men. We had the responsibility of leading an hour long presentation. We sang a few songs and Jason gave his testimony about what it is to be a developing Christian man. I felt like his testimony was really effective for the young men because it is important for them to understand what it is to be man and what it is to live up to the Lord's expectations verses the world's. After this we went and had a breakfast of eggs and pineapple cinnamon rolls. Our contact Jane always cooks us the best and most nourishing meals.
We then got in the van and headed over to the church to do some decorating. We colored and cut out lots of drawings for the nursery. It was awesome to see how all of us were able to use our talents to glorify God. We really enjoyed listening to the Sterling College Praise CD and singing along. The Guatemalan's at the church also really enjoyed the music as well so it was awesome that we could spread our music to another country.
After this we went to a college and gave another presentation in which Wes,Addie, and Cortnea gave their testimonies. They really touched a lot of people and it meant a lot when one of the teachers said after wards that she knew we had saved at least 85% of the kids at that school.
After wards a girl walked up to us and introduced herself. She is a US citizen who was born to illegal immigrants in Boston. They moved back to Guatemala when she was eight and she is now fifteen. She told us how she was told a few years ago that she had a brain tumor. She ended up having surgery but in the middle of the surgery she began to bleed a lot and they were only able to remove half of the tumor. She prayed and felt very close to God throughout her illness. One night she had a dream in which Christ told her "Your faith has saved you." Two weeks later when she went to the doctor the doctor told her that she had been given a miracle. There was no sign of her tumor and she seemed to be completely healed. After her sickness she began to feel disconnected from God. She expressed to us her desperate longing for a close relationship. She felt that no matter what she couldn't have the intimate relationship with Christ that she once did. We prayed over her and asked God to bless her and prosper her. This was a very emotional experience for not only the girl, but many of our team members.
After this we worked again at the church where Erica and I started painting a mural on a wall while the rest of the group worked cutting out and coloring a border for the nursery. We then went to the Pastor's house for a wonderful spaghetti meal and fellowship. Wes enjoyed playing with the children and lighting off fire works while the rest of the group sat on the roof enjoying the breeze and the company of each other.
Overall this day was amazing. I can't wait to see the way that the Lord will bless us in the following days and the ways he will help us touch the people in this country and each other. Thank you for all of the prayers and thoughts!! --- Laura Allen