A few days ago we went on an ATL adventure (Ask the Lord). Our team was split into two groups and each group was given a packet with directions, money and our leader’s phone numbers in case of an emergency. Before we set off, our group spent some time praying, asking God for His direction and for Him to do abundantly more than we could ask or imagine. Soon, the time for departure arrived and the 6 of us headed down the street to find a bus that would take us to the Puerto Barrios market.   We successfully hailed a bus and were safely on our way when suddenly we stopped....

After living in a relatively small community for a month, you find out a lot about each person’s personality. The good, the bad, the funny, the weird. You also find out what main role each person plays. You’ve got the Peppy Pablo—always cheering you on, the Maternal Melanie—need ANYTHING a pharmacy carries?, the Energetic Evan—probably didn’t need that last pot of coffee, dear, and the Keep Crackin’ Jokes Kelly—no matter what, they’ve got the laughs. Some of us take on different roles at different times, but it’s important to know...

I must say that the mission has been a success since I have been in panajachel. The Lord is doing amazing things and it is getting better and better by the moment. I remember our first 48 hrs in panajachel, Megan, Sam and I led an un-believer to Jesus Christ and it was only less than 48 hours of our stay! Honestly, I took this sign as a confirmation from the Lord, that we were needed in Pana. Since then many people came to know Jesus as Lord. But it is not by our power but by the Lord´s and for his Glory, alone. From visting dump sites, swatting killer gnats and picking up my cross...

Mannnnn Where to start?                 First blog of the summer!! Rachel and Don you have my apologies. J Anyway, where in the world should I begin?? First I would like to give a shout out to my team. I have grown closer to some people, but everyone is unique in their way of helping me become more Christ like. I would not trade any of you for someone else. BELIEVE THAT!! My second shout out goes to the most intriguing spiritual man I have met in all my 21 years. It is honor working under Pastor Ben in Panajachel,...

Wow, quel beau voyage ! Nous en proitons pour servir Dieu, mais egalement pour profiter du temps quon est ici au Guatemala. L autre jour, alors que nous etions suppose aller aider le pasteur a ravailler sur le bord du la,  Darren et moi sommes aller samuser dans un betau qui etait a moitie innode dans leau. Nous avons troue de la peinture, alors nous nous sommes empresser de nous couvrir tout le corps de peiture simplement pour niaiser. Ce que nous ne savions pas a ce moment, cest que la peinture etait faite a base dune huile puissante pour bateau, ce qui oulait ire que la peinture ne...

Well, we’ve past the half-way point for this incredibly life-changing summer!  I’ve done things I never thought I would, met some absolutely amazing people, and witnessed the healing hand of God.  There is simply no way for me to tell you everything that God has been teaching me, so I’ll fill you in on one of the “themes” that keeps reoccurring.  For those of you that know me well, you know that I am grounded, need a plan, enjoy being in charge, and thrive off of order.  Unfortunately (or fortunately), the word “plan”...

This past week families from the church adopted two people from our team and I got the opportunity to be paired with Megan. Our family consists of a married couple, Carlos and Miriam and their three sons Carlos, Abraham, and Isai (God works through this 4 year old already and its evident).  Miriam is such a strong believer in Christ and probably has the most faith out of any woman or man I have ever met. From just being around her a few times eating with her family, I feel like my faith has been strengthened so much more and have learned so much. Every word that she says I want to pay...

 Rachel Short here, checking in from the humble abode. The Lord has revealed so much to me these past few weeks.  As I live in this culture, community, eat what they eat, do what they do, see what they see, I can’t imagine going back to what used to be my reality.  I have been praying to the Lord about my future and where He wants me to go.  For so long I was not sure where I was going with my life, but coming on this trip I gave up what I wanted so that I could receive the gift that God wanted to give me.  I am so thankful that I chose to accept what...

My heart has been broken into fragments. Broken for the 32million girls in modern day slavery             but more specifically Broken for Mercy*, one of these girls,             whose spirit is dejected and hopeless             whose eyes lit for such a brief second             when she thought she saw her son, who she hasn’t seen for 7 months. Broken for the...

´´May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.´´  Romans 15:13 Everyday here in Panajachel has been filled with so much joy and peace.  I am constantly learning new things about Gods character, but for the past few days it has been compassion.  At the beginning of the week I was drawn to John 11 where Jesus is comforting Martha and Mary for the loss of their brother.  When Jesus saw how deeply saddened they were, he was deeply moved and he...

On Sunday, Team Panajachel had the opportunity to visit a hospital in a neighboring town; our objective was to pray for the patients there and ask that the Lord’s powerful hand would heal their bodies and transform their hearts.  After a curvy and slightly nauseating “chicken bus” ride up the mountain, we arrived at the hospital in Solola.  I didn’t really know what to expect, just that it would be different than the state-of-the-art hospital where my mom works back home; what we saw was far worse than anything my imagination could have conjured.  In...