Dec 6, 2003

Well I finally didn't keep up with writing every day. I have a good reason too. I have either food poisoning or a parasite. I have not been able to keep any food im me for almost two days. I am very weak because of it.

I am very grateful for the team I have. Every time I threw up or needed water or whatever, there was someone by my side. I even got out of KP duty (haha).

So many people have gotten sick: Mr. Reese, Mr. Foster, Max, Yvonne, Nicolas, and myself.

Right now the house is so quiet. Those that weren't sick went back to Antigua and also to visit some more people as well as to tour a coffee farm. Mr. Foster, Nicolas and Mr. Reese are all in their rooms resting. Philip is over here at Casa Grande reading a book.

So far at VBS there have been 23 kids that have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I am so excited to hear that.

Tonight we have the closing presentation for VBS where all the parents are invited to come.

Lord prepare the parents hearts to hear the gospel. Bring fathers to hear as well. If they don't accept it at least let them be accepting of their kid's new found faith.

Heather

Dec 4, 2003

Yesterday we went to the internet cafe after VBS. I had almost a whole 1/2 hour to myself. I wrote a lot. After the internet cafe we visited another family that Mr. Bolding knew.

While we were at the family's home, word got around that we were in the village. The neighbors next door asked us to come and pray for their girl. The girl was 14 years old and paralized from the waist down. So we all crowded in her room and prayed for her.

The whole visit was emotionally draining. The moment we walked out of the house Emmie started crying and hugging Nanci. I noticed Philip seemed a little upset so I asked him if he was ok and he said yes.  Then he gave me a hug and I just broke down crying. So there we were Emmie and Nanci, myself and Philip standing on the rode in the village crying.

I really want to be able to come back some day and minister some more to these families.(Heather: I want to make sure it isn't just because of emotions though).

After we prayed for the girl, another lady heard about us and asked us to pray for her daughter-in-law who was really sick with fever. Because of her being sick, only three from the team went in. It was Mr. Bolding, Candy and Mr. Reese. The rest of the team either stayed in the car or played with some of the kids in the village.

The ride home was filled with tears and songs. By the end though we were singing some pretty silly songs. We had a neat sharing time. I was so tired I almost fell right asleep.

Today I started feeling even more weak, so Nanci taught most of my class (all I did was pass things out to the kids). I was very grateful for her.

Our team and the church invited the 13-15 year olds (all girls) to eat with us. All 5 of them stayed. So the team has played baseball and "couch" with them. I would play except I am so tired and weak. There has been a lot of laughter with them. I am going to take a nap.

p.s. I don't know what time it is because I gave my watch to a little boy in the village.

Heather

(7:36 am)    Dec 3, 2003

Well I am going to attempt the impossible. I am going to try writing while we are driving. I have never seen such crazy drivers as I have in Guatemala. The Lord has really blessed me with restful sleep even though it hasn't been a lot of sleep.

(Heather: I quit writing because the driving was a bit to crazy for my pen to stay on the paper)

Heather

(Continued)

(9:58 pm) After all that has happened the rest of the day I don't know how I could possibly complain about stress again. We visited four of Mr. Boldings friends. I am humbled when I see how joyful and grateful they are with what little they have. The first family we visited had a 1 room living space made of stripped logs and tin, they were very welcoming. They weren't ashamed of their small home for 7 people, instead they were grateful for encouragement from us. They weren't as concerned about earthly things as much as they were concerned with things above.

One lady was a widow who's Aunt had just passed away and who's two older sons were not Christians. It broke my heart to hear her weep as we were praying. She cried out to God with everything in her. Because of her poverty (of earthly things) and how far away she lives, she can't make it to a church that preaches the truth. We sang two songs in Spanish with her. I think she is the sweetest worshiper that I have ever met. She truly know what it means to be real before God.

The smiles I saw today were the sweetest smiles I have ever seen.

I am ashamed at my selfsih attitude towards the Lord. How ungrateful I am for all the riches and blessings I have.

I want to come back and serve here if that is what You Lord want.Be glorified in all I do and who You are making me.

We went out to eat at a steak house in Antigua tonight. Candy asked each of us to share the highlight of the day. By the end there weren't many dry eyes left.

Well I am very tired. In Christ , Through Christ,

Heather

Currently Playing Drummer Boy By Jars of Clay see related

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(6:30 am) Dec 2, 2003

Last night we had a really good devotional time. I think our team is getting a lot closer. I really like hearing about everyone's day. I am starting to see a lot more of everyone's strengths/gifts. God really knew what He was doing when He picked the team. I mean of course He always knows what He is doing. It just is always neat when you can see God working.

I am very excited with what is going to happen the rest of the week. God has given me a lot of promises concerning if He wants something done no one can stand in His way. So I am very excited that I don't have to stand in His way but that I can be part of His getting His will done.

I am kind of nervous about today. I have to teach a craft class all by myself with the help of an interpreter. It should be interesting. I am counting on the Holy Spirit to equipe me with everything I will need to point all of the kids to the Lord.

We are really blessed with all the Lord has done and given us on this trip. I can't get over how nice we have it. It makes being away from home a lot easier. It makes ministering less stressful. What and awesome God we serve.

I wish I could call home or call Rachel and talk for a while. But I know that this will be good for me. Well everyone is here to eat so I am going to go get some food.

(6:59 am) Father help me to be encouraging to everyone and help me not to be sarcastic.

(2:00 pm) Everyday here has been such a beautiful day. I am falling more in love with Guatemala the longer I am here. In a way it reminds me of the beach. My cheeks have some sun on them. There is a breeze that is here almost everyday. As much as I love the weather I am learning to love the people even more. There are so many people I would love to share this with but my most important friend I know to be Jesus and He has been a part of this experience every step of the way.

Today has been a little stressful because I had to teach my own craft class. I didn't know what I was teaching because of some miscommunication. So I had 4 Bible passeges to use as a lesson. Candy helped prepare me the best she could with what little time we had.

(to be continued)