Team 1 is home! They were blessed to have so many amazing interactions that were ordained by God to bring hope and the Good News. 42 women showed up at their women’s conference where the majority of women heard the stories of Rahab, Mary, Martha, Ruth and Esther for the first time. From these biblical accounts of women, they were able to see that God has a plan for their lives, God sees them and cares deeply for them - even when they can’t see it.

Boys and girls from El Club received their devotionals well. They showed the kids how God cares for them and wants to have a relationship with them. They were also taught vocational skills that helped them see a different future for their lives. Girls followed recipes and created 3 amazing dishes that they were very proud of. The boys learned valuable carpentry skills, how to safely use power tools and they created hand crafted step stools. They were very proud and loved the day they got to carry them down the hill to their homes.

The team was blessed time and time again when they made home visits to individual families. These families were encouraged to know that God is for them and so are we. They also received water filters, bibles, food essentials and time. The team spent time sitting with each family, getting to know them, sharing stories and the hope that Jesus provides us all.

The team continues to be praying for all them and ask that you also pray specifically for Jennifer, who did not have a relationship with Jesus and was not interested in hearing much about it. Pray that God softens and penetrates her heart with the truth of the Gospel.

For Clara who will be going to a Guatemalan hospital to have a C-section July 2. The hospitals there are NOTHING like ours, pray for her and her baby to be cared for well.

Prayers for Lupe, age 22, who took on 4 siblings after her mother passed away. Life is doubly hard for her as a single mom of one to take on her brothers and sisters who are all under the age of 9. Genesis is her 1.5 yr old daughter. Her brother Jeremy is 2wks older than Genesis. Her sister Norma 7yrs, who Epic Kids sponsors. Her sister Nancy 8yrs and brother Andres 9 yrs. The girls need prayer for their education and Andres for his behavior at home and at school.

What an amazing week Team 2 experienced in Guatemala! Every trip is different, but what remains the same is that God always shows up.

The team spent three and a half days building a house near El Club in San Lucas for Ophelia and her children, Eduardo and Nancy. While the majority of the team worked on the house with Fester from El Club, about five members spent time playing with the neighborhood kids (mostly all cousins of Eduardo and Nancy), painting faces, and making necklaces. On Monday and Tuesday afternoons, the team split up so worship and Bible lessons could be conducted at El Club while the home was still being constructed.

On days 2 and 3, 4 groups were formed to deliver food bags, water filters, and Bibles to families in the area, and it turns out most of them were siblings of Ophelia. What a blessing to be invited into a home to present such wonderful gifts and to talk about Jesus and his amazing grace. By day 2, it was noted that Eduardo had been peeking in at the progress of what would become his very own bedroom, so by the third day, he was helping to paint the walls and secure the trim in his room, smiling from ear to ear. Four team members went shopping to furnish the home, and the team turned over the keys, prayed with, and loved on this beautiful and thankful family. The team had even raised enough money to add an attached bathroom to the house, not common in this neighborhood.

Friday was truly special as the team was the first to be able to go into Santa Maria de Jesus to help feed the children at Campos de Suenos after a recent earthquake left the town isolated and devastated. One lane of the road was cleared with strict windows of time in place to go in or out. After feeding and worship, the children broke out into age groups and the theme of each was having confidence in God and not having fear. The team was able to present backpacks to Marcos, Kimmy, and Norma, the kids Epic’s children’s ministries sponsor, and a gift of scrubs, shoes, and socks to Ericka, who had been sponsored all the way up through nursing school. She is Marco’s sister and she and her husband recently had a baby, Isabella. Many hugs were given and it was evident that the children, staff, and volunteers were happy to have visitors, helping their lives to have some routine again. One thing taken away is that though our cultures may be different, we are all one family, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.