Bless Guatemala
We went to be a blessing
and came back truly blessed
by team journalist Erin Harvey

Opening Prayer: Thank you, Father God, for making our trip to Guatemala possible. Thank you that You go before us. Make ready the hearts for what You want to do here. Empty me of myself and fill me with Your Spirit and Your Anointing. Use me as a conduit of Your grace and love.

Back row, l to r: J.B. Flores, Pastor Larry Milhollon, Gwen Milhollon, Nita Leckenby, Gayl Belcher, Larry Belcher - Middle, l to r: Erin Harvey, Romeo Salazar, Stephen Leckenby - Front, l to r: Jared Prentice, Don Cantwell, Tello Huerta

Thursday/Friday, December 1 & 2 - After a wonderful meal at the Olive Garden we took a short trip to Guatemala. We entered a whole new world. Some we might recognize, but most is completely different to us. We stayed in a beautiful little Hotel in Guatemala City. After a quick stop at McDonalds in the morning, we were all loaded into our little yellow school bus and on our way to adventure. What an adventure the bus trip was. We know God went before us because we all came through it just fine.

No matter what we first-timers expected at the Mission Center, nothing had prepared us for what we saw when we arrived. Not a sparse, rough place to house its visitors, but a compound more beautiful than many 4 star hotels. Six large white columns, marble tile, bright colors and beautiful landscape met us just beyond the front gate. Not to mention the pool area and the 43 foot lighted Christmas tree and millions of lights that decorated the upper patio and any part of the grounds that didn’t get up and move (one part of the ground the did move was Nancy's pet monkey!) God has certainly blessed missionary Nancy Sheldon with a wonderful place to bring people in and minister to then.

Once we settled in and were filled with an excellent lunch, we pulled out as many supplies as made it there with us. We made 800+ packets of school supplies to be given during our Children’s Outreach. Once the work for the day was done we enjoyed another good meal and spent the evening singing and playing “Rook”. Very late tonight, the final member of our lively group (Stephen) finally made it in.

Saturday, December 3 - This morning started with a great breakfast before we set out for our first mountain village. We went to Oquen. Four-wheel drive takes on a whole new meaning here, as do the standard rules of the road. With so much to see, the trip is short. We climbed past the coffee beans drying in the sun. We passed countless people carrying their wares down the mountain to market. Blankets, bed mats and large baskets are common. Going up the mountain were as many people of all ages carrying fire wood and their supplies for the week from town. Everywhere you see people. As we get closer to the mountain Church, you see children tucked everywhere along the road. Very sweet, but stony faces look at you, then shatter into bright, big smiles as candy is tossed by those of us in the back of the truck. There are several hundred children there waiting for us. We met the pastor, Roberto and his wife. She was in her palm covered kitchen cooking, as the baby turkeys ran the floor. The kitchen is next to the 2 room house built for their family. Across the yard is the Church building. Large doors open along with windows that line both side walls, to create a draft. The Church quickly fills with children and mothers. There are a few men, but mostly women and children. The Ministry team brakes the ice with music and “audience participation” activities. Stephen, Jared, Romeo and Tello (pronounced "Tae-O")present Jesus in a simple, fun way to the 250+ group of people and it is well received. After, there is a tug-of-war that was won very quickly by a group of very small boys who are amazingly strong. We then challenged those boys to a match against our team. That was indeed a site to see. Then comes passing out the gift supplies and more candy. These were a lively bunch of people.

After coming down to lunch and time to rest or swim, we loaded up for the next mountain village. I thought the last trip up the mountain was rough, but I quickly found it was nothing compared to this one. Straight up, around, and OVER whatever was in front of us. Once there we found a quiet, reserved, but smiling group of women and children waiting. This Church was more shaded and closer to the pastor’s house. There is a group of about 60 people here for our meeting. There the children watch you with curiosity and the women are warm and inviting. The ministry time is the same as earlier but this time when they are invited to pray, there is a low rumble that grows into a soft roar, vibrating off the walls as these beautiful people begin to pray. Most come forward at the invitation and we have the opportunity to lay hands on them and pray with them. I believe the experience touched our hearts as much or more, as we had a chance to impart what we brought for them. “Thank you Father for the chance to meet with these beautiful people”.

Sunday, December 4 - Today started out bright and early with a trip to the local market, before breakfast. What an amazing sight. Once again it proves that we were outsiders. Each stand was packed full of goods. At some points, all of us had to duck under the coverings. Those who are the tallest spent most of their time bent over. Hundreds of people trailed through the path, stopping to buy what was needed and even more selling what they had produced in the last week. Small pigs lay tied out front of several booths – letting everyone know how unhappy they were about it all. Gifts are bought and we rushed home for breakfast and Church. The meeting hall was quickly transformed into a worship hall after our meal and we got ready for our first Church service. A Special Speaker had been invited for today, so we opened the service with praise and worship. Praise flags waved and God was worshiped. People were anointed with oil, prayed for, prophesied over and loved. How the Spirit moved in this service. The Guest Speaker did a wonderful job of keeping the people involved. It is my hope that the people were blessed, even more then we were. We received so much.

After service we had lunch and free time. We went early to the Church in Jocotan to set up and plan for our night meeting. What a warm welcome we received by Pastor Armondo. It seems our greatest blessing of the day would be received during the evening service. Praise and worship began and flags were flying by the second song. The children of the church eagerly joined in waving flags to praise Jesus leaving us free to praise and intercede for the people. You could see their whole-hearted praise as the usual “stone” faces changed into smiles and earnest worship. How I prayed the joy of the Lord would fall on these people, truly setting them free. After praise and worship, Pastor and JB preached a simple sermon of love. Gods love for us and our love for others. When ministry time came, the front filled up quickly. There is a true earnestness in the hearts of these people to be closer to God. It is my prayer that the Spirit will fall in a very real way, setting these people free from traditions and generations of pain. Walls were brought down in people and the love of Christ replaced the old pains. We’ll return for the next 3 nights, to Jocotan, and can’t wait to bring more anointing to these people.

Monday, December 5 - This morning started out bright and early with the same old rooster that I haven’t gotten my hands on yet. However, the little talk I had with the parrot seems to have worked. He didn’t start in until after 7am. Today was the big Ministers Seminar, at the Ministry Center. 24 pastors and leaders from the mountain churches attended. Pastor spoke on our place in God’s love, receiving that love and then showing that same love to families and others. Many seemed very involved. After a lunch break, the meeting began again. There was evidence of the Spirit at work everywhere. One woman with reflux was healed. A man with a hole in his neck, a muscle missing, was healed, and the difference could be felt. A woman with a stomach problem was healed and an old man, loosing his vision, also received healing. Those not involved with the Ministers Seminar met to put together school supplies for the Embrace Outreach. We learned what it means to be REALLY HOT. It was a sacrifice that was well worth it. After a cooling dip in the pool or a short nap, we gathered for dinner. We all felt anticipation when it came to going back to Jocotan. People were waiting for us tonight, when we got there. We definitely received all we could have hoped for. Praise and Worship began and before we knew it, the service EXPLODED! The Spirit rolled in as huge clouds. He filled the room and then He began to fill the people. People let go of the past burdens; they jumped and screamed; they experienced God’s power and began to impart and pray for each other. This was well worth the trip.

On the way home, we were all hot and wound tighter then springs. A nice trip to the ice-cream shop and exploring the soccer stadium helped immensely. I am so thankful to be apart of all this. I have become on of the family and I’m glad I have something to give. I can finally see myself as an “Oasis of God’s Grace”. I can never be worthless again, that lie will never be apart of my reality again. For this I am truly thankful.

Tuesday, December 6 - Today we went up the Mountain of the Holy Spirit, to the village of La Puente. Pastor Omilio was there with 300+ people. The weather was wonderful – clouds and a cool breeze. We had already spent MUCH time in prayer, just from the ride UP the mountain. There were 250+ children who received school supplies. Several people came forward for prayer and an elderly woman gave her heart to Jesus. Once we managed to come DOWN mountain there was lunch to be eaten and we put together more supplies for the Embrace Outreach.

The evening meeting in Jocotan EXPLODED early, for tonight God’s power was waiting at the door! Praise & Worship ended with everyone at the alter to be prayed for. We saw amazing things take place that challenged us greatly in our own willingness to receive what God has for US. We couldn’t have asked God for more. He was there and loving His children.

Wednesday, December 7 - Today was our last mountain church visit. We went to Aqua Zarca, which means “green water”. This was where the newest Church had been built. Pastor Otto was there to greet us. There were about 80+ people there for the Children’s Ministry. We were received well and had the opportunity to pray with many of the people who came.

On the way home Nancy took us to see the area that had been wiped out by hurricane Mitch. They have been rebuilding. The foot bridge used to cross the river was washed away. They had rebuilt the footbridge and then a drive over bridge. Once the drive across bridge was built the people started taking the wood from the foot bridge for firewood. We also took a brave walk UP the street. I had to try doing it just to prove to myself I still could. We won’t tell anyone I had to rest twice on the way up. That was the workout of a lifetime since the elevation change from the river to the top of the street was several hundred feet IN A HURRY. We also had a chance to shop in the stores along the road, where the market had been set up on Sunday. A few of us also sampled "Coke in a bag." After a cool dip in the pool, we were ready for dinner and our last meeting in Jocotan.

The Church was full by the time we got there. We got set up and started with a bang! The kids were ready and willing to sing and wave flags. Praise and worship brought in the Spirit like a WALL OF FOG!! He enveloped the place. We celebrated the goodness of the Lord. Pastor Larry taught on love and service. He and Gwen demonstrated this by a foot-washing of all the local Pastors and their wives. It was extremely emotional. After, there was a time of greetings and prayer for each other. Everyone prayed for everyone and the Spirit moved mightily.
The saddest point of the whole trip was when it came time to go home for the last time from Jocotan. We have come to truly care about these people and I will miss them greatly!! I pray God will deepen their desire for more of Jesus. I pray they will carry what we have imparted to them every day for the rest of their lives.

Thursday, December 8 - Today we did “Adopt a Child” day. These are children who are not sponsored yet in the Embrace Program. The Pastors choose the children from their Church depending on how may of us come. We are given basic instructions: You have around $25.00 American to spend; they need a shirt & pants or a dress; they need socks and underwear; they need a hat; they need a bag or backpack; they need basic necessities. Some of these children had never been down the mountain past Jocotan. They had not traveled in a bus or been in a city. All of this is new to them and they get to experience it with a total stranger, who doesn’t speak and of their own language. Luckily, none of the kids, whose ages ranged from 5 years to 10 years old, got car sick. We went to eat at Campero’s, a chicken place. These children weren’t used to air conditioning or meat with a meal. It was a joy to watch them eat until they were FULL.

After lunch we hit the market. There was an enclosed market with 3 long lanes of shops. The merchandise was from floor to ceiling. Dresses and shirts hung from the rafters above you. You made you way from “cave” to “cave”. The owners would come to help you find the right sizes and to take things down to be bought. It was rather interesting trying to decipher the cost of things when many of us do not speak ANY Spanish. When I asked my little 9 year old girl, Arcaley, what she wanted, she decided on a dress. When I pointed to the dresses above, in a waving motion, and made a sign for “choose one”, her face lit up and her finger went straight to a satin and lace dress that was above us. She had chosen a “princess” dress with crinoline under layers of white satin. The over layer was white lace with pink and green flowers embroidered into it. We tried on the largest one they had and luckily it fit her. I don’t think I could have truly satisfied her with a different dress. From there we picked out pink socks, a pink under shirt and white sandals with pink flowers on them. We got hair trinkets, a white “Easter” hat with lace and a Barbie bag to carry everything in.

After all this we finally spotted Nita and Stephen. We went with them, since I didn’t have a watch and didn’t want to miss the bus. When we were out of time, we made our way to the others and on to the City pool. Everyone was excitedly showing off their new things. There was only a short ride to the pool and the fun continued there. It was a beautiful set up, with several different pools and a giant water slide. Everyone had a great time. We all roasted, but the water was COLD!! I had to be reminded that this is their winter.

The trip home came all too soon. The kids got to wear their new clothes home so they could show them off to their family. When we all got off the bus their families were waiting. Arcaley’s Grandfather was there for her. His eyes lit up when his little “princess” came around the corner and went to hug him. You could see the pride in his eyes and a giant smile on his face. That was worth it all. She had chosen well and pleased him, too. What an experience this was for all of us. We realized just how BLESSED WE ARE!!!

(From Stephen) Nita and I along with Jared had another amazing opportunity upon our return from “Adopt-a-Child”. We were able to bless the family of one of the children, Alba, with a ride in a truck up the mountain (a luxury for them). Nita and I have sponsored Alba for the past two years. The truck however didn’t make it all the way to the family’s home because NO ROADS WENT THAT FAR. We then had to hike straight up the side of the mountain more-a-less to get to their home. I volunteered to carry little Alba since her Mom ALWAYS has to. That quickly proved to be a challenge since, at times, I was holding her by one wrist on my back and climbing with my other hand. There were more that a few spots that required very careful footing to avoid a quick tumble back down the mountainside. However, God gave us “hinds feet on high places” and we made it without injury. Seeing this family’s home made and understanding the environment in which this family lived made the greatest impact of the entire trip on me personally. I probably spend in a week what they live on for a year. We were able to present the family with gifts that included soap, shampoo, tooth pasted, towels, and a few toys. After a day of food, fun and new clothes, Little Alba got the most excited when Nita presented here with pink bear. Apparently, no matter what country it is, little girls like pink.

It was hard to leave that home. I wanted to stay and do SOMETHING to help with family. Lord willing we will be able to return again.

Friday/Saturday, December 9 & 10 - This morning started at 3:45 am, along with that rooster. We were on the bus and on the road by 4:45 am, headed for Antigua. We would spend the day shopping, eating and enjoying the beauty of the town. There were all kinds of shops and the market place to explore. There were several excellent places to eat. Here we had a chance to relax and just be tourists.

We enjoyed our time together as a group, during dinner and desert. Then it was off to pack, for the bus would be there to take us to the Airport by 5:00 am.

It was our prayer that God would water the seeds that were planted on this trip. We pray that the Spirit that we imparted would complete His perfect work. Thank you, Father for making this all possible.