Last Few Days, and Personal Messages from SOME Team Members

A Few Words 
The last few days have been very busy, and full. We finished both our work project and our ministry time at the public school. Both of these have been eventful, and great experiences for the team.
As mentioned before, we are the first team to be allowed to go into one of the public schools and tell these children the about who Christ is. It was an interesting dynamic, and at times we could see the teachers looking at us a bit oddly. However, our group did a fantastic job. Our second day at the school was a very much like the first; it rained and poured, and we soaked ourselves in the rain playing with the children, and trying as best as we could, with broken Spanish, to convey an image of Christ, and a message of love. The Children hugged us so tightly and continually sought our arms. It was very incredible to see how some of the team members were impacted by this experience. On the last day we did everything outside as it was beautiful out. The children had an opportunity to hear about Christ, and how He is risen, several times. It is our prayer that the teachers may be able to tend after the seeds that have been sown by God in this place. We are here for such a short time, and really, have such little ability to make a permanent impact on these students. However, we recognize that God desires all of these children and adults to know Him. Please pray that doors may be open for the Spirit of God to move among these people, that the work God has used us for may build relationships for Impact Ministries, and that God may continue to use people to bring Glory to His name. We know that in the least, we have been changed by this experience, and trust in Hope, that these children will come to know the Lord.
One amazing story was how a team member lost her camera on our bus. They were very very upset and frustrated by this. However, they chose to not let it get in the way of their experience here. A neat thing happened though. A team member had a extra camera and anonamously gave it to the one who had lost their camera a desire to bless them. It was awesome to see her reaction. However, it got better. Mr. Irvine found the camera in the DVBS bag, and rushed in to ask the team member what they would ask God for….what could be the best scenario. Obviously, the only thing better than receiving someone’s extra camera would be to get her own, and she did. This was a small thing we had prayed about, and we received. It was cool to see. Even more so was the fact that the extra camera was then given to a team member who had not brought a digital camera!
We also had an opportunity to go to a coffee plantation and learn the entire process from seed to roasting. It was awesome. We are all coming home with plenty of caffeine to keep us going for months to come!

The past two afternoons we had the opportunity to go on house visits. This is where we delivered care packages to sponsor children, blessed the family, and prayed for them. For many this was a mixed bag. Some felt overwhelming compassion for these families. A theme over and over was of children without parents, abandoned, or being looked after by extended family. It is so hard to see children who have so little. Words lack to explain the emotion of how these people, created in Gods image, lack just the mundane things that can just provide dignity and a better quality of life. This is one aspect of Impact Ministries that we have been very impressed with; the desire to look after the whole person, spirit, mind, and body, in an effort to raise up leaders who will proclaim who Christ is within their country. It is a powerful and compelling dream.
Tonight we are at the Peter’s house once again. We have been so blessed. We have had an opportunity to give them their blessing from Canada, actually, as I write. We have had a more relaxing evening, and are looking forward to the remainder of the trip. We know we are leaving out so much, but we know that you will all be filled in over coffee, pictures in hand, and the story of this experience working its way from our heart and minds to hopefully give you a portion of how the Kingdom of God is moving and at work in this place.

Yours in Christ

Some words form the Team Members
Chris Senger
Just a quick hello to everyone back home. Things have been amazing here, and I am appreciating the different ways in which God is challenging me. It is incredible to see such poverty, and to realize the things we take for granted. That sounds so cliché, but it’s true. This is something I have understood intellectually, but to see it first hand changes the effect upon your spirit and mind. I continue to look forward to being with this team, and the remainder of what is in store. Congrats on being Grandparents mom and dad, and tell Jen and Andre I send my love.
Danielle Beuker
I hope you all are well. I miss you guys so much! Say hi to Lauren and Ketchup for me! And everyone at church too. But everything’s ok. So many things have been happening. It’s intense, like camping! Don’t let me go back to normal when I get home. I’ve learned so much.
Again, I miss you, and I love you!
Adios!!!
Love Danielle
Robyn Sanderson
Oh my word, I can’t express what I want to say, I have learned and experienced‘ so much . Mom and Dad and family, I miss you all so much, when I come back, I have tons of things to tell, and I will probably be a totally different person.
Love Robyn
Ben Pullar
So the skits went really well with the children’s ministry, we worked at the school behind a catholic church that was also mixed with the myan beliefs of chiixim the corn god. It was really interesting to see how well the kids listened to what we said. The kids were so cute and just wanted all your attention, it was tiring but really good. I managed to get sunburned on a very shady day the only day I didn’t have sun screen.

Brittany Huber
Hey mom, dad and Haleigh. Well this is the one night that I get to write to you all. Don’t even know if you’ll even see it. Anyways, I hope you guys are having fun skiing. I miss you all, though I have to say I really don’t miss Canada. I only have a couple of minutes to write. It’s amazing here, I definitely want to come back again. There’s to much that’s happened so far for me to even let you have a glimpse if this place, but that just means you have to wait until I get home. Well my time is up and everyone else needs to get on.
Adios with love Brittany


Natasha
So far the trip has been going very well! Everything has been fine. I really love it here, but I do look forward to seeing you al when I get home. I miss you!
Breanna

Dear mummy an daddy,
And Matty 
Well we’ve been here about a week and I’ve been having a blast. I guess I can’t really say a lot because I’ve been anticipating when I can show you all my pictures and tell you all my stories then! I’m healthy, having a lot of fun, making a lot of good friendships, and really enjoying all the new experiences in the Guatemalan culture. The food has been absolutely wonderful, the weather beautiful (I’m actually getting a bit red! I’m really hoping I don’t burn), and the work has been hard, but God has graciously made it a bit rainy and not so sunny on the days we worked on the schools (we were leveling the ground).

I miss you all so much, but not enough to want to come home quite yet :P. I will see you in six days, though, no matter how much I want to stay here. I know you’ve been praying for me. Thank you! I love you!

CJ
to my family….
Dear family. I am having a great time here in Guatemala… man it’s been a long time since I’ve touched a computer. I don’t really have a lot to say here. The trip so far has been wonderful but I will tell stories in person. I miss you all. Megan, we haven’t gone to Antigua yet so I haven’t bought you anything (or anything for anyone else). Luke, I might buy a machete but you can’t touch it because I don’t trust you :P I’m doing well and learning a lot as well as helping by service and love to the people here. Many cool things have happened. I’ll see you on Tuesday night. Love you all. Have a great week.

Chad Hepting
Mom and Dad and Jamie and Aaron and Scooter and Abby
I love you guys and I really miss you. Wow, Guatemala is awesome. You would absolutely love it here. The weather is great and the people are so nice. I have so many stories to tell you guys. I am having a great time and stuff. The bedroom I sleep in is great and the living conditions are like camp. I feels a lot like camp. There is something I need to tell you though. I found out I can get married here without my parents consent. So I met a girl and she will be living with us. Haha jk. There have been a few marriage jokes around here and I had to make one. I think I am running out of time here though. I really love you guys. Ill cya in a few days.
Love Chad
Candace Howard
Why hey! I just wanted to say hi to my dog Chica. Chica, I miss you terribly. I called a little boy here chico and he laughed at me. Maybe we got the meaning of your name wrong. Anyways, my little Chica, how are my shoes you may ask? Covered in mud! You would love them…too bad you’re not here…but I really do miss you…now that I’ve actually thought about you…did I just type that? I meant to say, you would have so many friends here, all of the little dogs and puppies are asking about you! Anyways, don’t tell mom and dad, but I was MIA today…NOT on purpose. Anyways, also don’t tell mom and dad…I bought a machete! ALSO, don’t tell mom and dad…you know the girl Chad was talking about???? Well….;)
Love to everyone, from me. And everyone else!

Hope Dreger
Hey Mom! Dad! Kristopher! Danyelle! I’m having a great time in Guatemala. And hopefully you’re having a great Easter break. I love you. (bud, I couldn’t find anything sports like, no hackie sacks or soccer balls so far. Maybe in Antigua there’ll be some. If not, I’ll get you a machete! Ha! Ha! No, maybe, anyways, just a heads up) I miss you and I love you so much. Time seems to pass so quickly here, yet it seems like I’ve been here for a lifetime. I’m getting excited trying to shop for your presents. Hopefully you’ll like them. Don’t miss me too much! (I forgot to mention I’m safe by the way, no kidnappings so far, ha ha!) Don’t worry, I’ll be home sooner than you think! Love you to pieces!