Re-entry?

It seems surreal -- I am sitting in my chair, watching some TV. My cat has curled up in my lap and is taking her nightly bath. I just finished a bowl of my favorite Blue Bell ice cream. Why is it surreal? Just a few hours ago I was eating panqueques, arroz con leche and piña at the Martinez home in Zone 12 in Guatemala City. It seems like a lifetime ago -- it seems like a dream but the still untouched suitcases in my living room are proof that I have just returned from somewhere.

It's been a long day. The flight from Guatemala City to Atlanta was followed by a rush to immigration where we waited -- and waited -- and waited. Mostly I waited. By the time I reached baggage claim, Annie, Maggie, Danielle and Jared had all the luggage and we were on the way to customs. From customs we dropped the luggage to be rechecked then the race was on to reach our gate -- and hopefully to find something to eat before boarding again for RDU. We didn't have much time and of course we were at the most remote gate possible in the terminal without the normal fast food choices. Jared was scheduled to take the next flight from ATL to RDU and his gate was not as far and had a better selection of food but he made the trip to our gate out in the boonies just to help us. We were all rewarded when Maggie suggested that they get Jared on the wait list for our plane -- and he got a seat! We had already said goodbye to Becky in Atlanta and had determined that we would wait to welcome Jared home but instead we made it together.

Maggie's sister was the first to break from the welcoming party. I think she missed her. Words tumbled over words -- we all have so much to share. All too soon it was time to part. The past 12 days have been a shared world but here we have our separate homes and lives. As we unpack our treasures won through bargaining and negotiating we will also unpack memories: cleaning the boys' home, touring the orphanage, driving through the river, freezing in the back of the pick up on the way home from the hot springs, bumping over rough roads in the back of the big truck, sharing Chick-fil-A cows with the people of Arenal -- have you actually stopped to think how funny it is that a cow wants people to eat chicken instead? The people of Arenal enjoyed the joke.

Altogether we have 1000's of pictures to share. Some of them will only make sense to those of us who were there. Others will tell a story anyone can understand. We have seen God at work in Guatemala. We have seen the enemy's desperate attempt to hold these precious people in pagan superstition. We have been forced to step outside our personal comfort zone for the sake of our team and the people we were privileged to serve. We have come home with a vision for ministry that goes beyond today. Whether we return to Guatemala ourselves or we become senders who support others who go we know first hand the needs of the people we have met.  We have made friendships that will last into eternity. We know we have been blessed beyond what we can ask or think.

Tomorrow is the first day back in our "real" worlds. My menagerie of cats and dogs have tired of welcoming me home (especially since I still won't let them share my ice cream or lick my empty bowl) and gone to sleep. I should probably do that too but I am not quite ready to admit I won't wake up in my little room behind the washer and dryer in Huehue. I don't want to forget my second homeland. I miss my friends who live there. I am grateful to be home with my girls, cats, dogs, Diet Coke, Blue Bell, Walmart, Bojangles -- but I am ready to take the next flight possible for Guatemala. God knows when that will be and I will rest in His will. Tomorrow I will unpack and begin to distribute the souvenirs I have brought home (way too many pounds for two suitcases but that is a story for another day). Tomorrow I will make plans to return to school and make my classroom ready for students. Tomorrow I will drive my car to Chick-fil-A (gotta do what the cows urge) and remember the laughs and smiles of children and adults alike who got their very own cow thanks to the generosity of a franchise owner. Tomorrow I will put all my pictures on my computer and relive the past three weeks I have spent in Guatemala. Tonight I will unplug the overly full answering machine that keeps beeping at me and sleep in my own bed grateful that God allowed me to to be blessed serving in Guatemala with Annie, Danielle, Maggie, Becky, Jared, Edwin, Gail, don Carlos, Douglas, Mary, Rosy and so many more,

En manos de la gracia!  In the hands of Grace.

Catching up! What we have been doing - - - -

(Note: I want to post pictures with this entry but I also want this to be timely. I will edit it soon and add the pictures. Please check back!)

Once the team arrives it seems I have little time to write. The time is filled with activities and sometimes sleep. As I write, we are at Berea Bible Institute. The young folks are painting and I have gotten a short reprieve to update my blog.

Friday was a long day. Annie, Danielle, Jared and Maggie arrived about noon. I took a transport from Antigua to the airport to meet them. We ate lunch and had the opportunity to go to the central market in downtown Guatemala City. Becky’s plane was delayed so we had a late night. 

The next morning, fortified with an excellent breakfast, we loaded the van and headed for Huehuetenango. We took a detour to eat our bag lunches lakeside in Panajachel. I was grateful that everyone was able to see Lake Atitlan. It is a beautiful area ringed with volcanoes and small Maya villages. 

The weather was not as cooperative as we would have liked. This is Guatemala’s winter which mainly means it’s the rainy season. We went through several areas of heavy rain. We were delayed at one point where there had been a landslide. The Pan American Highway is fourlaned through most of Guatemala but in reality there are always stretches where most of the road is covered by mud. Nevertheless, we made good time. The young folks drifted in and out of wakefulness. It was a good opportunity to get some rest. 

Sunday morning we went to a community called San Gaspar Ixchil. We took the Pan American Highway north and then went up into the mountain past a larger town named Colotenango. San Gaspar Ixchil is a Maya church where the main language is Mam. Thanks to the diligent labor of Wycliffe translators, the Bible is available in Mam. Our group sang in English and Spanish and Jared and Becky both gave testimonies. We are grateful for the privilege we had to share Sunday worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. A highlight of the service was the profession of faith made by a young lady in front of the church. A new soul was added to the Kingdom!

Because we had some extra time between church and lunch, we stopped along the Selugua River. The massive rains have swelled the river which is now the color of café con leche – very appropriate for Guatemalan coffee country. We had some good photo opps too

 After lunch we had some free time so Douglas (pronounced Doog les) took us to see the ruins of Zaculeu, the last stand of the Mam people. We got there right at closing time. No problem – we went to the Huehuetenango State Fair instead. I have been to this fair before and am amused that it is so much like any other fair. There’s way too much food – including roasted corn – and rides and all manner of stuff for sell. What is unusual about it to me is that the ferris wheel goes at about the speed of a roller coaster. I rode it once and never foresee the need or desire to do so again. Our intrepid young folks (and Douglas who is youngish as well) took the challenge and seem eager to do so again. I was very content to hold backpacks and take pictures.

Monday morning we finally had the chance to walk to the Parque Central and Mercado – the Central Park/Square and the Market. I like to take groups into the market through the door that opens onto the butcher shops. Get the rough stuff out of the way first. This is a true Guatemalan market. It is not meant for tourists. Many people buy their meat, fruit, vegetables, grains and anything else they need at the market. This is a slice of Guatemalan life. I have been through this market so many times that I forget that my white face is drawing attention. With five more gringos, we got even more attention. I have never taken pictures inside the market. This is everyday life for Guatemalans and I want to respect that. They are not oddities to be photographed for curiosity’s sake.

Monday afternoon, we went to a home called Finca Juvenil. It is a home for boys who do not have anywhere else to live. Many of them are former drug addicts and/or former gang members. The goal of this ministry is to keep these boys off the streets and make it possible for them to have better lives. I do not know a lot about it yet, but the founder/director is a man named Mark. We did not meet him because he had gone to Guatemala City to be married. The physical house has been built by the boys and some volunteer groups. They are still working on the inside. Our goal was to do some deep cleaning. Can you imagine the grace of this new bride who is willingly moving into a house with all boys? We were able to help the guys clean the main floor and the second floor. It did look – and smell – much better after we finished. We also cleaned up around the yard. We hope she will be encouraged when she comes to her new home to see it neater and cleaner. We were also able to leave a box full of navy and khaki pants as well as oxford cloth shirts donated by the Cary Christian School uniform sale. The boys can use these for school and work.

Last night the group finished dinner in time to go to Pops, the ice cream store in the mall. They brought it back so they had time to practice their songs, discuss the day and eat ice cream. We had an early to bed night – everyone appreciated that.

This morning we went to the orphanage here in Huehue. Sadly for us, the children were all at the fair. It was a good day to take that many young ones but we were very disappointed not to see them. We might have an opportunity to go back but we are not sure. The young child/mother I mentioned previously is still at the orphanage. Her name is Mercedes. The babies look so much better!  I found that their names are Esther Sarai and Esther Nohemi. Good Bible names! Mercedes seemed to be recovering well from childbirth. I gave her a handful of gifts: a couple of crocheted blankets and hats, preemie size sleepers, and socks. We chose one of the quilts made by Jared’s mom to give to Mercedes for herself. Please pray for Mercedes and her tiny daughters. Praise God for this home for her to raise her girls with watchful care.

Becky brought construction paper and markers – all supplies the school needs – and we left these for Alycia, the young lady mentioned in my last entry, to use. We also had small size uniforms for the boys and girls donated by the CCS uniform sale as well. Even in public schools in Guatemala, the children wear uniforms. Since navy blue and white are especially popular here as they are for us, these will be well used. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry you can read their website at MoreThanCompassion.org.

Our next stop was Bonanza Colchas – a factory where blankets (colchas) are woven. The production has been drastically cut since I first saw the facility 13 years ago. There was not a single loom in use. Despite the reduced stock, we managed to buy 18 blankets. Danielle was so intrigued by one that the lady of the home considered inferior that la señora gave it to her. Add one free blanket to the 18!

Finally, we arrived at the ruins of Zaculeu in time to tour. We spent about an 1½ hours walking among the history of the Mam people. Zaculeu was possibly built about 400 AD. The Spanish conquered them in the early 1500’s after a long standoff. The loss at Zaculeu meant the defeat of the Mam. Foreigners are charged Q50 (about $6.50) to enter but Guatemalans pay only Q5 (around 75 cents). The reason is that the native people need inexpensive access for freedom to worship their gods. When we arrived the altar was still smoking from a very recent sacrifice of worship to the gods of the Maya. We prayed God’s protection from the evil one and prayed that God will someday break the hold Satan has over these precious people.

Lunch was ready when we arrived back home: quesadillas, fresh guacamole, black beans – all very good and enjoyed even more. Our afternoon will be the subject of another entry. As for now, it’s almost time for dinner!

¡Adios – hasta luego!

Update Since Saturday

Tomorrow I will be welcoming the team to Guatemala! As I write this, the Raleigh group is meeting to pack team suitcases, eat pizza, and, most importantly, pray for the team. They arrive at 11:12 tomorrow which is 1:12 in North Carolina. Guatemala is in the Central Time Zone but when we switch to Daylight Savings Time, they do not. One team member is coming from Georgia and arrives at 8:45 in the evening. Then, for the first time, we will have the whole team together.

As for me, I traveled from Huehuetenango to Antigua on Monday. I rode the first class bus, Los Halcones, to San Lucas, then crossed the Pan American Highway to catch a local bus into Antigua. My hotel is not too far from the bus terminal but I treated myself to a tuktuk ride to the hotel door. Altogether, all that travel cost me under $14.00. Not a bad deal at all!

On Sunday, while I was still in Huehue, I had lunch with Hilde, a young lady I met through the Martinez family, who is now a missionary here. Afterward, we set off to find the orphanage, Fundacion Salvacion. We walked up just as Alycia, the young woman who oversees the day to day activities, drove up. Good timing!

Alycia showed us around the facility. It is very large and well kept. There are about 96 children from infants to 18 years old. Many of these children have been here most of their lives but it is not unusual for children to show up at the orphanage door. Some of them have parents who are not able to take care of them and surrender them to the orphanage.

The most recent child to come to the orphanage had been there 5 days. She is 14 years old and she came with her two-day-old twin daughters. The babies are so small. I have not heard any update on this young girl and her girls but I pray that they will begin to thrive. Alycia told us she is welcome to stay as long as she wants to stay.  I hope to see them again next week. Please pray for them. The babies had not yet been named when I was there and I do not know the mom's name but God does.

There is more to say but for now, here are a few pictures from the orphanage.

 



 
 

Made it to Guatemala!

I arrived in Huehuetenango  on Tuesday night exhausted, cold, queasy from the long bus ride on top of the flight on top of not sleeping at all on Monday night, but thrilled to be home. Huehue is a home to me. Coming here is like what I imagine Lucy felt stepping  back into Narnia: I have a home with my children, parents, friends, school, dogs and cats, and I love them all dearly but, like Narina for Lucy, Guatemala never leaves my heart. There are people here who are precious to me. I am honored and humbled that they also care for me and welcome me home.

Wednesday was a "catch up" day for me. I basically slept all day -- even in the car. There is a small group here from Snellville, GA. I always enjoy meeting the other groups who come. It is fascinating for me to "see" Guatemala through their eyes and experiences. I learn from them as they share their ministry ideas with me. I also enjoy playing tour guide and leading them to the Central Square and the market. Those who are first-timers notice and comment on the things I have come to take for granted. Lori focused on the practical: the market bags. These bags fold flat but carry far more weight than they appear. They definitely hold up longer than the mystery fiber of our reusable bags. 

Sarah was fascinated with the aprons. They are frilly and might seem frivilous but to a Guatemalan woman the aprons provide pockets to carry what they might not be able to otherwise. And, just because it is utilitarian, that doesn't mean it has to be plain. It can be made beautiful as well. God made us to seek beauty in our surroundings. I will look at the aprons with a little more interest now. 

As I write, I have the house all to myself. Edwin, Gail, don Carlos, Mary and the team left yesterday for three days in Agua Dulce. They will return on Monday but I will already be on the way to Antigua. I will see them on Tuesday when they stop to shop on their way to Guatemala City. I miss the companionship but I savor the silence as well. Freed from the tyranny of closets that need to be cleaned, floors that need to be cleaned, grass that needs to be mowed, porches that need to be painted -- well you get the idea -- I have time to relax, write, crochet, write, read, and sleep when I want. But, for now, I want to get out into the sunlight and enjoy being in Huehue.

Stay tuned! More later! In the meantime: please continue to pray for my team. I am looking forward to seeing them on Friday at the Guatemala City airport. We are still a little short on our funding -- please pray for God's provision for us. Prayer is what we need most of all but if you are interested in supporting us financially, please message me and I will gladly tell you how to contribute. We do need financial support as well.

Support Raising 101

Support raising is perhaps the scariest part of joining a mission team. Who wants to ask other people for money? It can be uncomfortable. But, that’s one of the things you learn as you prepare for and participate in a mission ministry. It takes you out of your comfort zone in so many ways. The process of raising support serves to prepare you for what is to come!

The apostle Paul sets the precedent for asking for support. In many of his letters to the churches he thanks them for giving to him and lets his need for support be known. Paul believed (and taught) that the gift is not the issue. In the fourth chapter of Philippians, Paul is thanking the church at Philippi for their support. He acknowledges the gift they gave him and then says, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit” (Philippians 4:17). He knew that the act of giving was a blessing to him and to those who gave. When we request support, we are doing that same thing. We are asking to be blessed and we are offering our supporters the opportunity to be blessed. The New Testament sanctions the process of raising support for the Lord’s work.

This is what I teach my teams as we begin the process of procuring funds for our trips.  Like so many lessons I teach, this is one that requires me to practice what I teach. I have learned that it doesn’t get any easier to approach others and ask for money. I have no problem asking for money for my team, but when it comes to me my pride kicks in. Is this why God makes sure I have to raise support to participate? Does He know my desire to go is stronger than my pride? Is this what it means for me to “lay down my life” for others? To challenge my own pride?

God continues to challenge my pride and my faith. Team funds are coming in slowly. We have tickets for the five of us who have passports but we still need to raise funds for our in-country and ministry expenses. We have five suitcases that will each cost $40.00 to take and we need funds for these as well. 

We continue to need your prayer support but if you had the intention of supporting our ministry financially, please know that it it not too late nor is any amount too small. If you are interested in supporting us, please contact me at huehue2go@gmail.com. 

Personally, I still need to raise funds for ministry in Costa Rica  with the Senior Service Practicum, but Guatemala is first and God knows the schedule.

 

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters”

1 John 3:16

Three Weeks and Some Tickets -- Progress and Provision!

With the certainty of some funds on the way, I was able to book my ticket and tickets for my three young ladies flying out of RDU. The fourth young lady lives in Atlanta -- a Delta hub -- so she booked her own. I like flying Delta because, for one thing, I avoid the Miami airport. Delta usually has the best prices for our needs anyway. If American had been cheaper, we would be flying through Miami. Gratefully, it wasn't.

Our sole guy is waiting on his passport renewal before we purchase a ticket for him. It will be tight but if it is God's will, He can even work through the red tape and speed a passport on its way back. We are committing this need to prayer.

I have also been able to take care of another critical issue: the tee shirts! The art work has been delivered and the order has been placed with my tee shirt guru, Larry Butterton of Shirt Tails. The only thing more excellent than his work is his service -- and his work is very excellent. 

With tickets secured, I can turn my attention toward other tasks. There are still many plans to make. Thank you for your prayer and financial support. Please keep praying -- we really need you on our home team!

Four Weeks and No Tickets

My 2013 team is scheduled to fly four weeks from today but our funds are coming in very slowly and we do not have tickets yet. I am watching the prices climb quickly and I am discouraged. My head keeps reminding me that God is in control, He knows where the money is and He controls even the price of airline tickets. My heart is troubled and fearful.

I have seen God work miracles in the past on our behalf. One year we were told that if all our funds were not in by a certain date, the trip would be canceled. The weekend before d-day, we had almost no money. It all came in that weekend. In fact, we were over-funded. Another year, we were four weeks from leaving and had $50.00 in our account. And, that money had not be solicited. A neighbor of our bookkeeper showed up at her door with a check for $50.00 and the explanation that God told her in the shower that morning to give us the money. I still do not know this lady however remembering God's provision and goodness in the past energizes me to persevere. I am sure this is the reason God instructs us to "tell to the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord." We must remember! Incidentally, this is why I believe the study of history is so important. It is the record of the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.

I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has ordained our 2013 team. I have seen too many "co-incidences" to doubt. Why, then, am I so afraid the money will not be available? As the disciples exclaimed, "Lord I believe; help my unbelief." Where God guides, He provides, right?? Lord I believe; help my unbelief.

I am copying my support letter here for any who might be interested. Please pray for our team. We have so much ahead to do. Please pray that I will not be mired in doubt and miss the joy of the journey.

June 4, 2013

 Dear friends,

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16).

What is love? What does it mean to “lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters?” Who are our brothers and sisters? These are all questions we grapple with as Christians. While we are content to know that Jesus loves us, we often hesitate to pursue what He might expect of us! In John 3:16, we learn what it meant for God to love the world: it meant His only Son would pay the price for our sin. 1 John 3:16 reminds us what love cost our Lord: He gave His life. But, what does He expect of us? He expects us to do likewise and “lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

The members of the 2013 Guatemala summer team believe that God is calling us to “lay down” 11 days of our summer to follow His call to Guatemala. We are a small team but God continues to confirm that our calling is from Him. We believe that He is equipping us and will provide all we need to answer His call but the fact remains that whatever God calls us to do, we cannot go unless we are sent. And, we cannot be sent unless those God has called to our home team support us both prayerfully and financially.

Our project for this summer will take us to Huehuetenango, Guatemala. We will visit the communities of Agua Dulce and Arenal as we have in years past. We will probably conduct Bible School for the children in these communities. We are exploring the possibility of opening an ongoing relationship with an orphanage and school in the city of Huehuetenango. This will be a new ministry for us but it is one that has been on our hearts for many years. As past teams have done, we will minister in Mayan and Latino churches singing and sharing testimonies..

Through the years and through your prayers and financial gifts, you have been very supportive of the mission work God has called me to do in Guatemala. Many of you ask me when I am going to the field full time. The truth is I am already on the field full time. Teaching, even at a Christian discipleship school, is a mission field. Coordinating groups and being part of summer teams is also full time. Forming and guiding summer teams is not just work done in the summer. It requires year round attention.

This year, in addition to my Guatemala ministry, I have been accepted as a chaperone for the Cary Christian School Class of 2014 Senior Service Practicum (SSP)!  I am thrilled to be joining this team but it significantly increases the amount of support I must raise. All in all, I need $2,100 for Costa Rica by mid-August in addition to $1,600 for Guatemala support by mid-June. Gratefully, my position in mission team leadership at Christ Our Redeemer PCA means that I can raise tax deductible support through the church’s oversight for both of these ministries. I welcome the accountability and my supporters receive tax assistance.

My most pressing need now is prayer support.  Where “God guides, He provides” but I must trust. Thank you in advance for praying for me. I believe participation in the CCS work is an extension of the mission ministry that God has graciously given me the past 18 years. The circumstances surrounding my acceptance to the SSP confirm to me that He has called me to be part of this work. Now I must trust Him to supply the funds but I must also let my need be known.

The Christ Our Redeemer Guatemala team travels July 13th  to 23rd. I will be going the last week of June. This gives me the opportunity to polish my Spanish skills a little and to help prepare for the team’s arrival. I hope to visit the orphanage and school in Huehuetenango before the team’s arrival and thus lay the foundation for potential ministry. Obviously education is close to my heart and adoption should be important to all Christians. It is the way God brings us into His family.

If God is leading you to contribute financial support, there are steps that must be followed for your contribution to be tax deductible. Here’s the “legal speak” I am required to include:

Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law and you will receive a report of all charitable contributions in January 2014, as long as you follow these steps:

·         Checks should be made to Christ Our Redeemer PCA.

·         On the memo line write, “Mission Ministry." Please do not write my name on the memo line. Checks with specific names on the memo line cannot be accepted. Your donation will be properly credited.

·         Mail donation directly to:

Mission Ministry – Angela Kennedy

c/o Cheryl VandenEnde

Christ Our Redeemer PCA

131 Castlefern Drive

Cary, NC  27513

Prayer support is the most important support I receive but the fact remains that I cannot go unless I am sent financially. Thank you for being part of my ministry team.

En manos de la gracia!

In the Hands of grace!

Angela Hudson Kennedy

1210 Lexington Farm Road

Apex, NC 27502

How do we know the love of Jesus Christ?

He laid down His life for us.