Day 3

Today we went to the village of Las Flores, San Jose to pass out food bags and bibles.  We had such an  amazing experience.  We walked the dusty roads of this village, staring at faces of poverty stricken people who still find a way to put a smile on their face.  We always feel so welcomed by the people of Guatemala.

Getting food bags in order

Before we began handing out food bags, we met this family on the street and were able to give out our first dress from the ladies at the Presbyterian church.  Kalie Taylor made little Maria feel like a princess, by dressing her up, fixing her hair, painting her nails and taking her picture.  Needless to say she had a very big audience on this day.  Plenty of people passing out compliments to this little angel.  

Kalie and Maria

Each home we would deliver a food bag, a bible, and ask the family if they had anything we could pray for them about.  The response was great and so inspiring to everyone.  Just being able to talk with these people and spend a little time with them was such a blessing.  Everyone is very open about their needs and really longing to have you pray for them.   Here are a few people we met today:

Our first home Pete Williams prayed for a
man and his wife and their family as
well as their spiritual growth

Catie Grace praying for a lady who 

specifically asked for prayer for 

her husband 

This lady was 100 years old and Troy prayed for her 

health and family.  What a blessing to see her!

Kaylan Williams prayed for this sweet 

lady who asked her to pray for her 

husband's alcoholism and abuse.

Karly Cochran & Ambria Gates met

this lady where Karly prayed for her 

family

Morgan & Kaitlyn Martin, Audrey Loper

& Derrick Gates met this sweet lady

where Audrey prayed for her marriage

problems with her.

This is the pastor of the village 

standing on the land he just purchased

and now waiting for the Lord to 

provide a church building.

Troy prayed over this land with 

him for protection, provision, and 

future souls to be saved.

Even though it was extremely hot, words can't describe the feeling of watching so many of our team members pour their hearts into prayer for people they just met. I am reminded, as I think back through our day, of the scripture I read this morning and how I actually watched it come to life within our team today.  The scripture came from Matt 10: 11-20 and it stated, "As you enter the home, give it your greeting.  If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.  If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet." I can truly say that this day the peace of God DID rest on each home we visited, our words were welcomed and I believe the hand of God will be seen in their lives, just as we all prayed.  This scripture goes on to say, "... do not worry about what to say or how to say it.  At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of the Father speaking thru you." This is exactly what I witnessed throughout our team!  I watched as God used so many willing vessels today to be his mouthpiece to the hurting.  I watched kids who have never prayed out loud before approach God on behalf of broken families.  There were no worries here of what someone would think, or what should be said, it was a time of complete obedience to what the Lord was leading them to do. I know God heard these prayers today and I believe these people will see Him at work in their life.

Once we returned to Hope of Life campus, Wendy Kradolfer wanted to spend a little more time with her new found love.  She has been swept away by this itty bitty thing.  Her name is Genesis Dulce Gonzalez and she was born prematurely to a single mother of 17 years of age.  She is at Hope of Life because she has a heart murmur that is being monitored.  Once she is released with her mother, she will continue to come back to Hope of Life every 15 days for checkups.  

Wendy & Genesis

 A special thanks to Mrs. Christine Lee for providing these little blankies for us to share with the precious babies.

Genesis & her blankie!

Of course, a day wouldn't be complete without a trip to the hospital for everyone else as well.  Just a few more hours of play time before supper. 

Kaylie playing cars with sweet Alex

Miriam giving Brooke all 

her sweet love and kisses

Ambria bringing a smile to sweet

Hiedy

Guy & Hannah in love with 6 month 

old Dulce, who was abandoned

when she was only 1 month old

To end our tales of the day, I will leave you with one last story...

Kayla Pelto spent an amazing time with Ipolito, a blind man at the elderly home.  If you can just imagine what it would feel like to not be able to see and have the voice of an angel read to you!  Kayla gave him a gift he couldn't provide for himself.  It brings tears to my eyes each time I see this picture.  I see a forgotten man feeling pretty special, I see hope shining from behind those glasses.  I see love and joy flowing from Kayla's mouth as she reads a Spanish devotional with no fluency of the language on her own, but most of all I see the love of Jesus radiating from this entire moment.  Just a few moments, just a few words, engrained in Ipolito's heart forever.  God WILL use anyone in anyway if only we are willing.  Thank you Kayla and the rest of our team for being willing...

A moment never to be forgotten