Day 8, Friday, April 11

Hello Parents and RCS Community,

 

The God we serve is amazing.  We had three student missionaries get sick and guess what?  There was a medical missions team from Colorado staying in the same housing compound with a Doctor who was willing to talk with the students and determined that it was merely a 24 hour virus.  Then, during the work project one student was accidentally hurt and guess what?  The local medical clinic was only 50 yards down the street, cleaned and disinfected the cut and then gave him 3 stitches.  What amazed me the most was what I heard our student missionaries saying in the van, "Isn't it amazing how God has provided for our safety and health?  He knew that we would get sick and provided a doctor!!!"

 

After dinner tonight we went to a local internet cafe to send some emails home.  I asked each student to email me a couple of sentences about the week and I've cut and pasted them below for you:

 

Matt Roberts says, "This week has been life transforming. The Kids were so amazing and where energetic with everything we brought to their attention. The most amazing part of this trip for me was the home visit I went on. To see how they lived and how they loved the Lord even though they didn't all the stuff we do during our everyday lives. Christ was so alive and the people were such an inspiration to live my life serving rather than being served."

 

Austin Foxworthy says, "This whole trip has been so amazing. The work project turned out so well though we probably will never see the finishing product of what we started. The whole VBS was so good. Everyone did their part well and it ran so smoothly. This missions trip has totally put my life in the direction I want to go. I must look to God for all things in my life and not try to run it by myself."

 

Matthew Black says, "One thing that has really stuck out on this trip is not the kids or the VBS but the adults. Those that work at the school said from the very beginning that for this week the school is ours. They made us welcome and accommodated our every need. I was asked to take offering at the Wednesday morning service and I was amazed to see that every single adult gave money, however much they could, and about half the kids gave also. For them, giving was a natural part of the service so even they could only give half a Q (about 7 cents or so) they still gave."

 

Kristin House says, "I've always loved working with kids but there was something different about these kids we got to work with in Guatemala.  They were so loving and cherished every moment we had together. Even the high school kids were thankful for everything we did with them.  They treated us like we were their family and that truly meant a lot to me.  Even when we went to the home visit, they opened their house to us and fed us and answered all our questions without thinking twice.  This whole trip has been amazing and has shown me what it truly means to show love like Christ did to other people.  And what the affects of doing so are.  I believe that I'll never be the same when I come home."

 

Monique Dyquiangco says, "This week has been amazing. I have learned a lot from the people of Guatemala. The love of Christ and the joy they have for him is present in their everyday lives. Just seeing how content they are with what they little they have and praising God always, was a real testimony to me."

 

Alyssa Borgerson says, "I really enjoyed spending this week with the children at the school. They are so precious. I was truly able to feel like a servant this week. I hope that I will be able to stay in contact with people here for a long time to come."

 

Spencer Huey says, "God is amazing! This trip has helped me to realize that God always has plan for us and will ALWAYS provide for us. There were many times throughout the trip when things looked bad; God came in and helped our team out."

 

Caleb Borgerson says, "This week was amazing because we had the opportunity to help those who are less fortunate, yet are happy with what they have. It was also a great opportunity to grow closer to God and learn new things from experience."

 

Brittany Poon says, "This week has been one of the most life changing weeks of my life. I would have to say that working with the kids at their school was my favorite part. I have become so close to them throughout the week. Each child was so loving and they put a smile on my face everyday and although i was so sad to leave them, I know that every opportunity like this is from God and should be used for God. Guatemala is soooo cool=)"

 

Nick Chavez says, "This trip has truly reminded me of the perspective change I had last year. The faith of the Guatemalan people are so inspiring, and the smile on the faces of the children could melt a heart of stone...just ask Mr. Hearne. Just kidding. to end with....God IS good. God IS powerful. And the love of God is life changing."

 

Erin Suth says, "This week has been life changing. Being violently ill taught me quite a lot about relying on God in situations that I have absolutely no control over.  I will never forget the testimony of Robert and Cathy Lad, it is the experiences of those wiser in the faith that encourage us to become stronger and better ambassadors for Christ."

 

Chelsea Price says, "Even though it was the last day of VBS and the last time I would see these children, I am confident that we as a team have left an imprint on them and they have left an even bigger imprint on us. This trip was anything but comfortable but God's love is just that much greater and that much more evident because of it."

 

Josiah Gutierrez says, "The work project and VBS went well. Especially on the last day, so much was done. You can tell that we have been a blessing to the school, who was so happy. The faculty there was so amazing to talk to, especially in Spanish. God has been helpful throughout the whole thing. Pump it up to the G's"

 

Kimberly Bicker says, "Overwhelming' just might be one of the perfect words to describe this time in Guatemala! God has shown me so much through the kids and every experience i have encountered! God is so good!"

 

Tomorrow we will spend the day sightseeing and perhaps purchasing presents.  We still do not have internet access at the housing compound, so this will be the last email that I send out. 

Please pray that we have traveling mercies on Sunday, arriving home safe and sound. 

In Christ,

The RCS Missions Team                                                                                    (top)