Guatemala Trip - EXTENDED - Day 8

Day 8: Well, as is to be expected after 3 earth quakes and 2 eruptions from Mt Pacaya, along with a tropical storm, a hurricane, cyclones, and incredible flooding, we will not be flying out today. Instead, Walter and Jim will be flying out of San Salvador tomorrow, and we will all be traveling there together in the morning. (4:30 in the morning to be exact)

But we can talk about tomorrow then, for now, let's recap the day...

The day started off a little later with breakfast at 8:30. We then had a worship time as we sang songs and encouraged one another. Then we dove into the passage where Christ talks about marriage and divorce, and we had a good discussion about the purpose and meaning of marriage. I was asked to give my testimony, and since it fit rather appropriately to the topic, I had the privilege of sharing my story of God's grace in my life. It was neither easy or devoid of pain, but I think it was helpful for the team. I pray that God uses my story to keep others from falling.

It did allow me to talk about the wonderful grace of God, but also the power of a forgiving and loving wife. I was able to share about the wonderful help meet that God has blessed me with, and be reminded of how wonderful my wife is. I thank God for such a godly woman, who I miss dearly, but who stood by me in spite of my failures and faults. I truly have an amazing gift from God in my wife - she is more that I deserve, and much much more than I could have ever imagined.

The rest of the day was rather uneventful. We went and hung out at the Dennett's home, played games, watched shows, transferred pictures over on the computer, etc. Just a great time of relaxing. God did give me a chance to do a few special things...

1 - Share with the team a little of the trip to Uganda last year
2 - Spend some time encouraging the ladies to make wise choices regarding dating
3 - Get most of my clothes laundered because there was a puddle in our room and almost all of my clothes were soaked.

Thelma's home is full of water - there are standing puddles everywhere. I wish we could stay and help, but it seems God has other plans for us.

I look forward to traveling tomorrow, but am even more excited about an official ending to the trip on Tuesday. Don't get me wrong, the trip has been incredibly wonderful, but I have another ministry at home that I enjoy as well, and I miss the smiles of my children and the hugs of my loving wife. Only a few more days...

Guatemala Trip - Day 7

Day 7: Today was supposed to be the last full day of our trip, but it seems God has other plans. When we woke up this morning, we looked outside and there was black sand-like ash all over the ground. Schools were canceled. The city leaders were encouraging people to stay home and not venture out because ash was everywhere. We were told that the airport was closed, and would probably not open until Sunday.

We had breakfast at the normal time, and then we had our devotional time. “If your eye offends you, cut it out” was the passage we looked at in Matthew 5. Jesus challenges his followers to recognize lust early and keep a close eye on the heart of the matter. We talked about the fact that much in our world promotes lust for things, for women, for relationships, for selfishness, etc. Jesus told his followers to take drastic measures, and we discussed the importance of taking measures to keep ourselves from sin.

On the way to the office, it took almost 2 hours to get there, Brian informed us that over the past 2 days there were 3 earthquakes, the largest of which was 4.6 on the Richter scale. I didn't feel any of them, but I will take his word for it – the news confirmed later in the day that this was true. We were also told that the airport would probably be closed until Sunday, maybe even until Monday. En route, I started to clean up the pictures we have on the computer – almost 2 Gig – it will be tiresome to complete that task.

At the office, I spent the morning handing out candy and talking with teachers. The rest of the team finished the painting jobs we had around the campus, basically finishing in less than an hour. Then we met together for lunch.

After lunch, we played the teachers in basketball. They were about half our size, but very fast. The guys that were open were not open for long. They covered a lot of ground in a short period of time. Of course we won, but that really wasn't the point of the game. I believe both the guatemala team and the USA team had a wonderful experience. We did split teams after that to allow us to play together – it was a lot of fun. The teachers expressed their appreciation for us, and we returned the sentiments to them.

The rest of the afternoon was spent interacting as a team, while some went and played ball with the kids. Walter, Kristin, Jim and I played Rage – just to teach Walter how to play. Eventually we made our way back to Thelma's to get ready for a dinner with Brian, his wife, and a couple of the people from the child care center. It was a wonderful dinner, but it was overshadowed with the news of the day.

We found out during the day, that at the very earliest, we would be flying out on Monday at 2:00, and would not get home until very late in the evening. Add to that the fact that the airport is still not open, and we will not know if it will be open until Sunday PM, we cannot make any other plans to return home. Add to that a second eruption from Mount Pacaya at 6:00 today, that was actually worse than the first, and a tropical depression/storm has entered the area, it has been one piece of bad news after another.

The group has handled the news very well, but it is obvious that some of them are ready to go home, myself included. We have had a wonderful week together, but it is getting close to time to return. I pray that God opens a door to return as quickly as possible. I miss my family. I miss hugging my children. I miss the special private times with my wife and best friend. Our talks via skype are limited, so that makes me miss her all the more. I look forward to holding her again and talking with her. As I told Pete today, the best thing about my job is also the worst. I love to travel, I love to meet people, but I hate leaving my family at home. Without my wife here to share these memories with, the trips seem incomplete. Thank God for skype, e-mail, blogs, etc. But there is nothing better than looking into the eyes of my wife from just inches away and telling her I love her.

I need the prayers of those that are praying so that I might be strong and focused to the very end. It is amazing how easily that is done when the end is in sight. When it is like this with an open end to the trip, it gets much more difficult. The team has been wonderful, but I am certain many of them are dealing with similar issues, and may cause problems over the next few days.

Tomorrow we are planning to go to Camp Canaan. Hopefully that will reignite the enthusiasm in the team for the ministry of AMG Guatemala. I pray that it will be a wonderful time for all of us, including Brian and his family – who are supposed to travel with us.

Guatemala Trip - Day 6

Day 6: Another amazing day! The day began again with breakfast followed by our devotional time in the sermon on the mount. We studied the passage which talked about reconciliation, anger and murder. We were challenged to walk through the day realizing that our relationship with God is impacted by our relationships with one another. Keeping short accounts with others. Confessing our sin against others to them and asking for forgiveness. Offering forgiveness for those who ask (and even those who don't).

After breakfast, we headed to Verbana to begin painting. At 9:30 the first group (consisting of Pedro, Ethan, David, Josh and Jake) headed to the ravine to visit a child's home. It was obviously an impacting moment for them, as they came back basically speechless about what they had seen.

While they were away, we involved ourselves in painting. God gave me a brief opportunity to talk with Becca and Kristin. It was very exciting to talk with them, and I am certain that God is going to use them both in the future. I pray that they would listen to some of the things God laid on my heart to share with them, especially Kristin. I pray that she would see her value in Christ, and that it would be evident in her speech and actions.

When the first group returned, the rest of the team (Walter, Jim, Becca, Kristin and I) was able to make a trip to the ravine to visit another home. We drove through the neighborhood at about 10 miles per hour – because the roads were small, congested, and rough. As we entered the neighborhood we were met with a number of obvious gang members, but there was no interaction. We drove the closest place to the home that we could, and we parked and walked the rest of the way. Many steps down with houses all around (and when I say houses, I use that term in the loosest way possible). We got to the bottom of the housing area, and were met by a fence that had just recently been installed because a young woman and her child had fallen off the bottom ledge into the ravine. Then it was time to take the stairway back up, and up, and up. We finally arrived at what I can best describe to you as a shack with 4 walls and a wet dirt floor (it has been raining since Tuesday). The walls were corrugated steel, as was the roof. Inside was one bed, a stack of wood and miscellaneous sundry items that had little or no value. Outside the door area was a bucket of bread- soaked by the rain of the day, and a bucket of corn with flies all around. Back inside all five of us, the social worker, Ruth and Alex (AMG workers) crowded into the room joined by the woman and her daughter. We offered her candy, rice and beans, and a beanie baby for the little girl. We made a few brief comments about her daughter (Kenya), and then told her about the love of Jesus that compels us to give of ourselves to others. When asked if she were a Christian, she replied that she was not. We pray that she will come to know our Savior as a result of our visit. While heading back to AMG, we had to again drive the dangerous roads of the city, and one man was walking down the street toward us with his hand firmly planted deep in his pocket. He walked right up to, and then past the driver. I was certain he had a gun in his pocket, but the Lord protected us.

Back at AMG, we unloaded from the van, and the little girl hugged the girls on the team, and then hugged Walter. His heart was clearly broken as he held the little girl and cried. It was a very touching scene. Most of us were crying. Here is a large grown man bawling because of the conditions of this little girl's home life. For almost an hour he could not even talk. God is really working on him. Jim was next in line to hug Kenya. With tearfilled eyes, he held her in his arms. This group is very emotional, but due to the things they had seen, they held it together rather well. By the way, after Jim, she walked by me and they encouraged her to give me a hug – she just looked at me like she was scared. I think I might have said something at her home that made her think I was there to take her. Anyway, me scaring kids is no new thing.

After lunch, we got back to work, well, kind of. After our extended lunch and reflection time – which ended at 1:00, we only had about 2 hours to paint. I got rapped up in a variety of things, watching a movie (Butterfly Circus), talking to kids, taking pictures, showing children pictures, handing out candy (and more candy), blowing up balloons for kids to play with... on it goes. Not really work but boy was it a lot of work! I even got to see Diego, the boy that Harrison cared for so well when we were here in December. He remembered Harrison, and asked about him. We took pictures. I gave him some candy and a special balloon, and said goodbye.

At 4:00, we began to prepare for the USA vs Guatemala AMG Soccer game. In the mud, barefoot, and much older than most of the guys, I was out there with the rest of the team playing soccer. For almost an hour and a half we ran up and down the field. I scored twice with 2 assists, but came up short in the end as AMG Guatemala took the first annual competition win at 6-5. For most of the game we had the lead, but I guess all that matters is the numbers at the end of the game. Following the game, we had a time of prayer and then of course, group photos. The guys were hilarious – they loved us taking time to care for them by playing with them. We had worked alongside them all week, and now we were playing with them. Bonds were made and sealed today. I have a number of new friends that I look forward to seeing over and over again.

Following the soccer game, we came back to Thelma's, had a wonderful dinner and wrap up session. While skyping with Dee and the kids after dinner, ash began falling from the sky. At 7:00 pm Mount Pacaya erupted sending ash all over the local area. We also found out that a tropical storm is brewing, so we might be in for an interesting couple of days. Only God knows, but this I know, in God's hand is the safest place to be, so I am at rest.

It is about 11:30 PM local time (1:30 AM Chattanooga) so I believe it is time to go to bed. I am looking forward to another great day tomorrow.

Guatemala Trip - Day 5

Day 5: Another amazing day! As the team put it – “the best day yet!” “Why?”, You ask. Well I am glad you did.

The morning began with our usual devotions talking through the Matthew 5 text where Jesus tells His disciples that he did not come to abolish the law, but fulfill it. And then He encourages them to have a righteousness that surpassed the righteousness of the Pharisees in order to enter the Kingdom of God. To the people of the day, they must have wondered if anyone would be able to make it. How could they be more “righteous” than the Pharisees? We talked about the fact that when Christ gives you His righteousness, it is perfection! There is none other who can claim that level of excellence, nor can anyone add to what He has done. We were motivated to live our life in a way that the perfection of Christ was ever before us, and that in our weaknesses, He is made strong.

After devotions, we headed to Las Vistas (Spanish for “ the views”) and believe me, what a view it was. The pictures that I will put on facebook will not be able to capture the view that we had from the top of that mountian (nearly 7,000 feet above sea level). The view was amazing, but even more amazing was the opportunity to meet about 200 children and to encourage them, to talk with them, to give them candy, to hug and kiss them, to share the love of Jesus with them. Especially one little boy named, Ludsvin. Ludsvin is the child my family sponsors, so it was a joy to visit with him (he is 4 years old) and to talk with him, show him pictures of the family on the computer, and to give him the gifts that the kids picked out. We looked at his toys. I let him play on my computer. We just spent the time talking about things. He was anxious, I believe, because he thought I was there to take him away, but eventually he settled down. We had a great visit, and then it was time for him to go.

There were a couple of other kids that we met today that I want to remember. In a 3-4 year old class, we met a young girl who's mother died last year of cancer, and just last week her father died in an accident. She lives with her grandmother and her 2 siblings. She needs my prayers. Another boy we met introduced himself to Pedro by saying, “I have a tumor in my head so I forget a lot.” Finally, we met a miracle boy. Born with his heart outside his chest, the doctors did not give him much chance to live. He had a corrective surgery where they placed the heart under the skin (above the breastplate). They lifted his shirt to show the scar, and you could actually see his heart beating just a few centimeters below the skin. He is 8 years old. He should have been dead years ago, but God has allowed him to continue to grow. He needs my prayers as well, as corrective surgery is not a possibility, so he needs to be very careful.

Around 11:30 we left Las Vistas, and headed to “Pollo Campero.” (Chicken Country – a KFC type joint). We ate lunch with Brian, 4 of the translators, and 11 of the maintenance guys we have been working with all week. I had the chance to give the guys a brief back massage as they were waiting for the meals, and they really had a good time laughing at the responses of each other as they writhed in pain from the rub. We enjoyed the fellowship and food together. I was able to spend some time talking with Walter – I really enjoy hanging out with him. He is a monster of a man, but a soft servant as well. It is fun to watch him with the kids, but it is even cooler listening to his heart as he talks.

Following lunch, we went to Verbena to meet with the other sponsored children from Fellowship Bible Church. We had a wonderful time talking and presenting gifts. Asking questions, sharing information, showing pictures (I was able to show the girls from Filadelfia the pictures from the BOL trip last December). Then we went to the basketball court to play hoops. Some of the team were playing against the kids, while I was on the side playing the guitar and showing pictures on the computer. The kids loved it. Eventually – as you can imagine – I had to get out there and play some ball. Four of our team (myself included) played against 10 of the kids, and it was a lot of fun. Eventuallly the maintenance men came by and we hung out with them on the basketball court.

When they had to go, we found out that Brian had a late meeting, so we ended up sitting down and doing our end of day recap outside. What a wonderful time of rehashing the day and rehearsing all of the wonderful conversations and events with these sponsored kids. We talked for about an hour or so, then we ended up coming back to Thelma's. Dinner was a beef and potato mixture over rice with mixed vegetables. As always it was delicious. We finished dinner, played Rage, then the team went to their rooms to journal and pray. It was by far the best day yet. I love what I do, and am blessed to be able to serve God in this capacity.

To date, we have over 1700 pictures taking up over 2 Gig of memory on my computer. I can't wait to get home to show everyone!! Tomorrow we are back to work painting, and hopefully doing house visits throughout the day. It is because people are praying that we have been able to see God do such amazing things.

Guatemala Trip - Day 4

Day 4: What an amazing day. God allowed us to interact with kids throughout the day, to get almost halfway done with our work, and to see the first of 2 murals done. It has been a wonderful day.

The day began with a discussion about the passage in Matthew 5 that dealt with us being salt and light. We were challenged to function like salt and light in the world by preserving, healing, exposing, enlightening, etc. We talked about what it means to be salty in the world, and the difficulties that we will face if we seek to live as God asks us. We talked about the importance of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to let us know when to expose sin or when to illuminate the love of Christ. We were encouraged to help develop patterns today.

After breakfast we made our way to the Verbana child care center and began our day of painting. During the day, we were able to play basketball, soccer, football, and frisbee, blow bubbles, chase bouncy balls and balloons, whatever gave us opportunity to interact with the children. Three of the team members were asked to help in an English class, so they helped the children practice their English communication. They loved it – finally they were the ones that knew the language. It was a great outreach. We handed out John 3:16 coins to the children – they loved them. It is our desire that they take them home and be constantly reminded of the love of Jesus. We know the word of God does not return void – only eternity will tell us of the effect of those coins. We also had a candy scramble at one point in the day. Imagine about 50 kids playing soccer/basketball/etc on a small court and all of the sudden 1,000 pieces of candy are thrown all over the court. Kids were running everywhere – screaming, picking up candy all over the place. They were having a great time, and so were the teachers and the team members. I had the privilege of teaching kids to throw a football – Otto was the first of these boys. He was very energetic – and quickly learned to throw the ball well. I really enjoyed teaching them even though we could not talk with each other.

Later in the afternoon, we heard a number of sirens, and I asked the guys I was working with, Marco and Juan, if they were policia or ambulancia. They said, “ambulancia”. On our way home, we were informed that literally right outside the child care center another bus driver was shot and killed. On our way home, we had to drive past the bus – with the driver still inside. They were waiting for the judge to show up at the scene, as is Guatemalan custom. It made for interesting conversation – the most interesting part was the fact that the locals were not gathered around to watch – with all of the deaths of drivers in the past year, it seems that they are not even affected by another devastating event.

Dinner was wonderful – we had rice and corn with a oriental stir fry on top. It was delicious. After dinner we sat and did our usual recap, I was pleasantly surprised by the openness and willingness of the younger team members to share. The team encouraged one another. They made observations about what they saw in each other. They talked about what God was teaching them. Walter talked about how God had helped him make it through a very difficult day as he was struggling with a migrane. James shared how God had showed him the importance of taking time to share with the kids over just completing a task. Josh encouraged the team by talking about each member and what they brought to our team. Becca jumped to the front of the class to share her experience in the class with the kids. It was an amazing team building time.

Add to that (after a game of Rage), the team got together and worshipped in song. I am writing right now at 11:24 in the evening, because I just encouraged the team to head to bed as some were getting tired. It was an amazing day – full of excitement and the hand of an amazing God.

Tomorrow we visit Las Vistas and then head back to Verbana. We will be visiting with 28 children that are sponsored by the team (and the church in New Hampshire). It'll be a great day!

Guatemala Trip - Day 3

Day 3: Well the day began with our devotional time in Matthew 6. We discussed the “beatitudes” and what it truly means to be blessed. The team had much to say about what it meant to be blessed, and we concluded that truly we are a blessed people, but not because of the wealth, health, or anything else we have. However, it is because of what Christ did for us on the cross – making a way for us to be in the family of God – that we are blessed.

We began the day by going to Verbana and getting a tour of the facilities. The team was impressed by the ministry of AMG, and their involvement in the lives of the kids. We stopped by a class of 13 3 year olds, and they were very well behaved. They were having snacks, and sang a song for the team. From there we went to a class full of 6 year olds (32 to be exact – with only 1 teacher), and they asked some questions, and then they sang a song for us. It was a very familiar tune, but it was basically colors in Spanish and English. Hopefully I will be able to put some of the video of this on Facebook. Anyway, after they sang, one of the children asked to pray for us. She prayed for the sick, the poor, the people on the street, she asked for God's blessing for them. As she prayed, the children would repeat every phrase she said. It was incredible – hearing 32 children pray for others. We finished our time with them by Walter praying for them – he almost broke into tears as he asked God to bless them – knowing full well (as he told us later) that they had blessed him already.

We spent another hour touring the facilities, and hugged bunches of kids. They asked for photo ops, then of course wanted to see the pictures. Walter was asked to show off his biceps. It was hilarious watching this 6' 4” monster of a man – who seems to be a teddy bear in nature – amaze the kids with his massive size.

For the rest of the day, we worked on 5 rooms – getting them ready to paint tomorrow. The team worked very hard, and by the end of the day, they had taken all of the wood pieces off the walls, they had scraped every inch of the walls and the ceilings, they had filled holes in the concrete, the washed down every part of the walls to prepare it for paint. I fear it will take a number of coats of paint to complete this task, but God will take care of that I am certain.

We have been challenged to a futbol game by a teen class and the maintenance crew. Right now we are scheduled to play the maintenance guys on Thursday evening – we definitely need prayers. Seriously, God is using the team to connect with teachers, workers, and children to encourage them in their faith. From hugging them, talking with them, giving candy, smiling and nodding, the team is showing the people here that they are not alone, and that our God is one God who loves us all and wants to be a part of every area of our lives.

I did run into a team of college students from a Florida College, and they would like to take a missions trip in the future with AMG. Only God knows what will happen with that contact.

Our evening consisted of getting paints for the mural that Walter is going to paint – I would appreciate your prayers as he considers what he is going to do – then we went back to Thelma's for dinner followed by our evening wrap up session. The group is being broken by God as I listen to them speak about the children and the workers at the child care center. They have been challenged in their own walk with God in their parenting, in their personal walk with God, in the use of their finances and resources, etc. God is doing wonderful things in their hearts.

Tomorrow we paint... (and I do hate painting, but I love serving God).

Guatemala Trip - Day 2

Day 2: Began the day early in the morning – about 4:00 local time. Couldn't sleep, but I laid in bed until about 5. Pete woke up and went to take a shower, but the water ran out while he had soap all over him. He came back to the room all soapy, and asked about the water. I turned it on, and he finished his shower. Breakfast was ham and eggs with french toast. After breakfast we got ready for church then started our Bible Study lessons in Matthew. Conversation was good, but I need to include the teens more, especially Ethan, Becka and Kristin. I would like to hear more from Walter as well – I am very impressed with him. Brian showed up shortly after 8, and did an orientation for the team, and exchanged their money. Then we headed off to church. We arrived after the service had already started, but found our way to the front right of the sanctuary. Josh was sitting next to me, and he said he thought the music was very beautiful. The Spanish singing was different, but as they sang some familiar songs, we were able to join in worship. Then pastor Dan Anderson spoke. He talked about not throwing our valuables before the swines. The title of his message was “ the indescribable value of the truth”. As he spoke, he referenced over 22 verses, so I spent much of the service reading the verses he was talking about.
After church we headed back to Thelma's to change for our trip to Antigua. We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping in Antigua. When we arrived there, we went to the park and ate our lunch. I pulled out candy to give to kids – bad idea – instantly I was swamped. I had to say, “no more” to a lot of kids.
Brian had his shoes shined by 2 kids with 2 other kids looking on. I gave them candy too. We spent a little time at the part watching a mime (same one we saw last time) perform. He was rather good, and very entertaining. He drew a large crowd. After that we headed to the market and the kids were spending like crazy. The most popular item... knives and machetes. Yeah, I know, a missions trip where kids purchase weapons. Brian said he felt like an arms dealer.
Finally we went to dinner at a restaurant at a hotel and museum (same one as last time). We were able to walk through the museum, see the ruins, the artwork, the bones of dead people who are long gone... it was very interesting. Dinner was a buffet with a variety of Guatemalan delicacies. The kids and adults seemed to have a great time.
When we returned home, we played a game of Rage while the men sat and talked. I was able to join them (after a brief swim in the freezingly cold pool) and thoroughly enjoyed talking with them.
This is a great team, and I am looking forward to beginning the work tomorrow.

Guatemala Trip - Day 1

Day 1: Began the day in Chattanooga at 4:00 in the morning. After getting ready to go, Dee and Brooke drove with me to Groome Transportation. Due to a misunderstanding, my name was not on the roster – but Kenneth Evans was. Yeah, the guy couldn't figure out that it was a typo – you know Ivins is so far from Evans. Anyway, we left for Atlanta – via Dalton – a stop where we picked up 3 men. When they got in they informed us that they were on a missions trip to Belize, and had been working there for years. The man in the seat in front of me fielded questions from one of the passengers, and his friend in the front seat overheard. He asked the passenger if he was going on a “missionary” trip, to which the man responded and said he was just going to Maine to visit family. The man in front of me responded, “well, you can be on a missions trip from here to Atlanta. Talk to the folks, Gene!” His friend in the front seat began talking to the people right behind him – for about 10-15 minutes (keep in mind it is 5:20 in the morning). I really couldn't hear what they were saying, but I don't think the response was very positive.

I arrived at Atlanta without a glitch – right about 7:00 in the morning. Flight was at 10:10, so there was plenty of time. When I went to check my bags, they weighed in at 57 and 52 lbs. The man just ignored the scale, then turned to me and said, “Are you active military?”, when I said no, he looked at me like he should have charged me for the bags. Instead, he just said, “You know, on your way back they will charge you for the extra weight (it should have been $100).” I told him that most of the items would not be coming back. I know people were praying, because this should not have happened.

Finally it was time to board the plane, and I ended up boarding 5 minutes late – no big deal, but then the plane taxied on the runway for an additional 15 minutes. I only had 55 minutes between flights, I had to meet the team and board the next plane, and these delays were cutting into my time. I was able to talk to another passenger about the fact that God had it all worked out, and that things would work out – no stress here... By the way, the plan had about 40 seats, I had to check my guitar, we had to disembark on the tarmac and take a bus to the terminal. My guitar was the last checked bag taken off the plane... I think God was testing me a little – just a little... All that being said, I met the team at the airport terminal E-4.

The team arrived in Guatemala, went through customs without a hitch – both parts (before getting bags and after – they didn't even scan our bags). We met Brian and Bob outside and headed to Thelma's. After a brief orientation with Brian and Bob, the team hit the pool for a brief swim. A game of “hit the guy in the head with the ball” broke out – I didn't get all the way in the water, it was still much too cold.

At dinner (6:00), the team sat around and talked about their first impressions of Guatemala. This team is very intelligent and interactive – I am really looking forward to tomorrow's lesson in the morning. Well, after a game of Rage – yes, I did teach them and Josh Bell was our first winner, we are heading to bed. I am writing this at 11:30 Chattanooga time – which is 9:30 local time. Off to bed with me, it has been a long day!

Lessons from the Dentist Chair

This morning I received a call from my wife telling me that they had an opening at the dental office. Since I had been complaining of a hurting tooth (and she told me that it was cracked), i figured I would go.

Due to the fact that my body does not get numb easily when receiving anesthesia, the dentist gave me 5-6 shots in various places in my mouth to numb my tongue, my teeth, my jaw... eventually it worked, and he completed his task.

Here's the life lesson. As I left the office (with saliva running down my mouth) the left side of my face felt swollen. My tongue felt huge. My jaw felt freaky. I thought for sure I was a sight to behold.

However, when I looked into the mirror, I realized nothing had changed! My face was not swollen, my tongue was normal, my jaw was still in tact. What I felt to be true was immediately nullified by the mirror. I still looked exactly the same as when I walked into the office.

Often times in life, I feel things that are not necessarily true. God has abandoned me. God isn't really real. Life does not make sense. Sin is not as bad as I thought. And on the feelings go. I find though that when I look into the mirror of God's Word, the truth never changes. What was true when things were going good is still true when life is falling apart.

So, whenever you feel like things are not just right, take some time to look into the mirror. Or, to save yourself the aggravation, look into the Word before you get to feeling badly.

Hope this helps a little. I know it has for me.

Less than 20 days to go...

On May 22, I will be leading a group of 9 people from Fellowship Bible church in New Hampshire on a short term trip to Guatemala. They have been there before, as a matter of fact, Phil and Jen Wilson (missionaries to Guatemala) are members at their church. This group will be the beginning of my busy summer with trips to Guatemala, Mexico and Peru back to back to back. It seems that my trip that was scheduled for Uganda will be canceled, but from what I gather, I might be going later in August.

I get excited about going as the trip gets closer. I get concerned about my family as I am gone - and things always seem to go wrong. I grow in anticipation of meeting the people to whom we will be ministering. I can get overwhelmed at the amount of work that has to be done in the final days.

I covet your prayers as we go. I covet your prayers as we prepare to go. I covet your prayers as we are home. In other words - pray for me.

I will be posting pictures and information on my facebook page, and on AMG's fan page on facebook - feel free to check it out.