What's up with Willis?

Will and Mr Wilson:)

For those of you who missed the post about Will, I want to re-introduce you to his journey.  Two years ago, Will accompanied his grandfather on a  short term missions trip, touring the southwest part of Guatemala.  They visited and helped out areas in dire need of housing.  A spark ignited the flame that burns so brightly in Will's heart for global action and outreach.  It was the beginning of a journey that would later bring him back to the place where it all started.  This past February, Will organized and hosted a concert called "Share the Love" in the chapel at Calvary Church.  What was intended to be a teen event,  got the attention of all ages and the night was a hit.  Various bands preformed and many donations were made such as socks , underwear and toothbrushes, for the girls orphanage we work at.  Will gave a testimony and shared his passion for God and how He calls us and makes disciples out of all of us. Matthew 28:19  "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit."   In taking a stand at the age of 14, Will also shared this scripture  1         Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no one look down on you because you are young but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.

I love what Will's mom Cindy shared with us in an email,

donations from Canada!

 "Throughout the night I just kept thinking my 14 year old had an idea and his idea grew and others saw his vision and embraced it and supported him, people from different churches all coming together.  I learned that if an idea comes from God and we learn to let go and let God, He can make it happen.  God can do anything!" 

Thank you to all those who supported and are praying for Will and for partnering with us,  helping accomplish more than we could ever do on our own!

Will and Mother Claudia

future dental hygienist :)

high/low

Something we used to do around the dinner table back home in Canada, was go around the table and express our high/lows of the day. I've forgotten this simple method of expressing what each of us got out of the day.  It wasn't until last week when we joined a team of high school students from Toronto, that I was reminded of this frequent family ritual.  Its a pretty loaded question around our dinner table these days.  The range in emotions vary from one difficult moment or situation to the next.  But one day that really was set apart from many others for me,  was a week ago today.

this photo is from last summer...we need an update

As usual, we pick up "our four girls" to come and spend the day and be part of our family.  On this particular Sunday, many parents are scheduled to come and see their girls art Casa Hogar.  This is a big deal as it only happens about four times a year.  For our girls, it was a matter of them making the effort to see their mom.  They insisted that Matt and I tag along and have the opportunity to meet her in her home.  We felt honoured that they wanted to share their precious time with their mom, so we graciously accepted their invitation.  We drove up to where they thought their mom was living, only to find a strange man working on the house and not having a clue who we were talking about.  Immediately, I sensed fear and upset in Fransesca.  From there, we went to a distant uncle's house to try and track down their mom.  Matt and I pulled up to a series of shacks only blocks from our house.  It was devastating to see such horrendous conditions.  The houses were made of scrap metal and garbage bags, kids running around half naked and most of the family weren't wearing any shoes.  I watched as the girls climbed out of the truck to seek out their great uncle for help.  I felt so proud of Fransesca for taking on the responsibility she does. I can't imagine all the thoughts that  flooded her mind as she tracked down her mom.  Fears of abandonment ..again, and her moms' health are just a few.  Matt and I respected their space and sat patiently and prayfully in the truck.  I glanced down through the chicken wire and noticed a hen with her chicks.  The hen moved from place to place among the dirt and scratched up whatever food it could find as its chicks followed under the protection of her wing.  I felt angry thinking about Fransesca and her sister's situation.  Angry at the thought that a hen was looking after her young better than a mom after her girls.

We drove out to the house where their mom was living and again were reminded of what life these girls left.  It was a realization of the impoverished conditions they came from.  Matt and I were welcomed in and sat in the doorway on plastics stools.  Fransesca politely made conversation and the other girls literally hung on us.  Words cannot express the feelings I was having sitting there that afternoon.  I felt overwhelmed by the love these girls showed us.  And all they wanted back is love. It was in that moment that all the questions I've wrestled with (of purpose and trying to figure out missions and helping), escaped my mind.  All I could think of was that these girls are craving relationship, to be part of a family and want to be loved.   High-low....what's yours?

better late than never....

I really should be going to bed.  It has been a crazy last 24 hrs of travel.  We had a safe landing back here in Guatemala this morning, and as the early morning sun hit the tips of the mountains casting shadows across the landscape, I knew we were once again back home in Guatemala.

For starters, we had to say goodbye to Matt's dad during our visit to Mexico.  He came down with an infection and didn't want to risk further illness.  We were sad to see him leave but glad mom decided to stay on with us for the remainder of the month.

I had been meaning to fill all of you in for awhile.  The hours seem to slip away and before I know it another week has come and gone.  I guess better late than never.  I have a million things go through my mind and I often think of blog topics or even have it written in my mind before crawling into bed at the end of an exhausting day.  Some days it's just hard to keep up.

Okay so a lot to catch up on.  I want to re-introduce you to our pastoral couple Steve and Tammy from CTEN.  A couple weeks ago we  had the privilege of spending five days with them here in Jalapa.  Tammy, Julie, Rachel, Kait, Diane and myself visited the prison where Julie was able to run her med clinic and I cut hair for some of the inmates.  A wonderful surprise and treat for the ladies was a craft facilitated by Diane.  Thanks to a generous friend of Diane's back home, she was able to run a beading class with the ladies of the prison.  This was definitely a hi-lite and the ladies swarmed Diane for attention.  Julie, a very dear friend and missionary (a part of CTEN as well), and I were able to introduce Tammy to a morning of prison ministry.

Later in the week, we were able to show Tammy and Steve around Casa Hogar and the involement we have there.  Tammy was able to join us for one of our knitting classes with the nuns.  I surprised her and pulled out a piano and she played while softly singing worship songs as the nuns knitted away.  It was a very special moment for me as I reflected on the journey Tammy has been on.  She is an amazing....well that is even an understatement..... musician and has given up a lot to answer the call God has placed on her and Steve's lives.  I thought about how God gives us all different, unique gifts and how she blessed us that afternoon.

feet soaking, drinking coffee and eating homemade brownies

I have been running various classes, while project managing the renovation of the kitchen.  Kait and I are working with the nuns on a three week rotation of varying classes as well. We try to throw in a fun activity in the schedule.  Some of which have been pedicures given by Kait and myself, an afternoon of playing basketball, and watching the sound of music en espanol.  I've never seen anything quite like a bunch of nuns running around a basketball court chasing the ball and enjoying every minute of it.

Matt and I were asked by the kids' school to help teach english classes.  One  morning a week,  we accompany the kids to their school just outside of Jalapa and are helping develop a program that will be sustainable and effective.  I am amazed at how different the education system is here in Guatemala, and it is a good reminder of the need for aid in this very important area.  I am so proud of our three kids and the efforts made in adjusting to a new culture and language.  It hasn't always been easy but they have a good attitude and being positive is important.  Thank you for your continued prayer and encouragement!

Showing a young mom how to use a breast pump
donated by a friend back in Canada

Kait and Mandy giving out pedicures

Tammy having fun with Mercedes on the piano

basketball with the nuns

can't have a birthday without a pinata!

just a little thought

I started another post but wanted to share just a little thought from yesterday.  Last night Matt and I drove out to Casa Hogar to deliver brand new cooking pots for the kitchen.  As we were driving home our truck broke down on the dirt road leading out of Los Pinos.  It was dark and I didn't feel overly safe.   We tried and tried to get it started and it just wasn't firing up.  We got out and tried pushing it to kick start the engine and even that wasn't working.  Just a little back ground information; I am currently reading "Believing God", by Beth Moore and she challenges the reader not to just believe in God but to actually believe God.  The book refers to our prayer life and by living out a life of prayer, we can expect answers. Matthew: 17, 20, ..."Jesus told them, For if you had faith even as tiny as a mustard seed you could say to a mountain, Move! and it would go far away.  Nothing would be impossible."
Our mountains can take on all sorts of shapes and sizes.  Whether, it's a struggle with an addiction, a stronghold, a conflict in a relationship, an illness, or even a broken down truck on a dirt road, we can pray believing God can move anything we ask in His name.
  I kept thinking if I push a little harder, maybe I can do this. Wrong! I threw my hands up and asked God for help.  God sent someone, who was biking home from work at 8pm after a long day working in the fields.  As we were pushing the truck down the road together I chuckled and was reminded of our fundraising presentations.  We talked about how God uses people to help and walk along side others.  That, we as christians are that answer to helping this hurting world.  God showed up!

rewards

I can't believe another week has come and gone.  The days just seem to flow into another and I feel like everyday is summer.  I love it!  We have more rain and clouds lately for this time of year than normal.  I guess Ontario is not the only place that is having unseasonable weather.  I have gotten so use to the sun that when it doesn't shine, it feels so dull.  Somedays I don't even know what day or month it is.  I loose track of time.  What a different pace than racing the north American clock back home.  With that different pace comes a lot of patience and perseverance.
We are coming to the six month mark in a couple weeks and I have spent a lot of time the last couple days reflecting on this time so far.  It has been an incredible ride and I have seen the hand of the Lord provide, guide, and lavish His love on us.  Our journey started years ago and now looking back, I believe it all happened for this very reason.  For us to bend our knee and serve Him with our everything.  Things haven't come easy and it has been a lot of work even getting here.  When I reflect back on some of the most intense times of my spiritual growth, it has been through hardships.  It takes a lot of energy and strength to not loose sight of our goals.  And sometimes they change along the way.  What's important though is to stay grounded in God's love.  No matter how hard things get, we know that the Lord loves us and will see us through.
A couple of Saturdays ago, I stroked off an item on my bucket list.  A group of us hiked Jumay, a volcano just outside Jalalpa.  It was intense and there were many times I felt like my legs were going to give out.  Being a long distance runner, I know that feeling all too well.  I was determined to keep going.  I just knew that all this hard climbing would pay off and we would make it to the top and be rewarded.  Amazing is really an understatement and I can't even describe the span of beauty.  I just couldn't help think how great our God is.  He breathed life into and formed with His own hands this earth.  As I stood in awe at the view of endless mountains and not even knowing where the sky met the earth, I praised Him.  I praised Him because He gave me the strength and perseverance to make it to the summit.  Stopping was not an option for me.  I can be a little stubborn and determined and yet at times in ministry those feelings fly out the window.  I would be lying if I said I didn't want to throw in the towel and let someone else do the hard work.  I learned something very important that day.  Not giving up, not throwing in the towel, to keep on going, even when you feel you have nothing left to give, God will bring you to a place where He will reveal His love and show you great things.  A reward worth all the hard labour.
I had been feeling a little empty.  That happens from time to time I think for most of us in our walk.  It's incredible how God meets us where we are.  Our acceptance is never based on our performance.  He just loves us.  I have been doing  some reading in the little spare time I have, but I came across this.  "the primary hindrance to satisfaction in our lives is refusing Him access to our empty place."  I know that as much as I like to say God fills that void, I often look to outside sources.  He is putting me in situations that are so out of my strengths and comforts that I truly need Him to fill me.  And more and more I now know that when I go into my day, I know it's in His strength not mine.
I have to share one last thing.  I opened up my bible yesterday and God literally threw this one at me.
Isaiah 40:31 says "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

a full house

 Quietness! I am soaking up these few minutes.  We have a house full this weekend and I love it! Our house has always had a revolving door and things are the same here in Guatemala.  The days are a surprise and we just don't know who will drop by.

Facility at Global Shores

This past month has brought about a lot of excitement.  We welcomed back our friend Kait who will be spending three months working with us at Casa Hogar.  A week later, we picked up mom and dad Wilson who will be joining us for the next two months.  Aside from the already full house, we have our four girls here every weekend visiting.  I am thankful for the extra helping hands to keep up with the house work and cooking.  I has been a joy watching mom and dad experience new things here.  I think they too are quickly learning how inconvenient life is here at times and how many luxuries we take for granted back home.  Our first stop upon Matt's parents' arrival was in the town of Antigua.  We spent a couple of days easing them into culture shock and exposure of the poverty in the country.  It gave us time as a family to catch up and relax.  A little disappointing for me, that the hotel we stayed at had no hot water and I was diagnosed with scabies.  It was actually an uncomfortable stay on so many levels, however I was happy to step out of Jalapa for a few days and have a much needed break.  On our way back home we stopped in to visit friends at another mission just outside of Antigua.  I have never in my life travelled up such a steep road.  I didn't dare look back as the truck chugged its way higher and higher up the mountain.  It was quite the adventure as it over heated and everyone had to get out and walk.  I was the lucky one who was in charge of getting it up the hill.  I felt like the little engine that could.  Matt and I were blown away by not only the structure of the facility but the staff and concept behind it.  It was another reason to get back in that truck and drive to Jalapa and do the work we so humbly do.  Instead of feeling defeated, it gave us hope.  We felt encouraged and inspired.  What I really loved the most was seeing a group of Canadians from a small town in Ontario coming together with a vision and working with the communtity in Guatemala to see BIG change.  It started with years of  building trust and relationship that has blossomed into something beautiful.  For more information, check out Global Shores in Guatemala.

We have started our kitchen renovations at Casa Hogar.  The first thing to come out was the drop ceiling. I was amazed to see the nuns and even the girls roll up their sleeves to get the job done.  It was literally "raining" cockroaches.  We hired a local friend who has worked at the orphanage before  and Eddie's brother in law to cement the ceiling.  As we have been praying, God is working.  Connections we made with people two years ago are surfacing every time we are here and we are thankful for all the help.  The tiles are coming tomorrow and the walls are being started.  Kait is busy working on kitchen hygiene protocol and we are developing a checklist to get things rolling once the kitchen is done.  My prison visits lately have been few and far between as others things are occupying my time.  However, I am going there tomorrow morning to cut hair again.  I am working on translating material for  a bible study that I hope to get up and running the beginning of March.

Matt had the opportunity to visit another missionary who flys into remote areas in Guatemala.  I think he was a little taken back when he showed up at the airport and had to help put the plane back together.
Apparently the brakes didn't work and after much thought, the winds were not worth the risk.  They ended up driving, which made for an adventure in itself. I am thankful for the opportunities to meet other missions and encourage each other in our journeys.  We can learn a lot from each other.

Dad has been busily learning spanish and tries to communicate every chance he gets.  We get a kick out of him trying to say "quetzal".  Mom is a HUGE help around the house, taking care of meals and laundry.  It frees up a lot of my time so I can focus on homeschooling and mission planning.  We have established more of a routine with the kids school and homeschool as well as the classes I teach at the orphanage.

Cleaning out the cupboards

Please continue to pray for strength and better health.  We have all been under the weather with a cold/virus that brought mom to the doctors.  She had quite a reaction to this bug and is on the mend now.  However, it has taken it's tole on all of us and we are tired.  Thank you!

Share the Love!

"Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  Gal 6:9

I just want to welcome our newest blog followers.  It has been so encouraging receiving notes and messages from you.  I feel inspired to write more knowing that people actually care enough to take time to read about our lives here in Guatemala, and what God is doing in and through us.


I want to share a little about a student who Matt taught three years ago.  His name is Will.  After returning back to Canada after our first trip to Guatemala, it set our family on a different path.  One that I couldn't nor wouldn't of dreamt of.   Matt took his passion for the people of Guatemala to his class of grade seven students at Port Weller Public School.  His enthusiasm sparked the interest of Will Leone.  Will was in grade 5 when he first learned of Guatemala.  When he heard that his grandfather was heading on a missions trip to Guatemala, Will was not missing out.  

Matt and Will continued to share their excitement and interest which developed into a cool relationship.  Will and his family have been so encouraging and supportive leading up to and while being here thus far.  When we share something we are so passionate about, you never know who is inspired and interested.  Matt had a captive audience in his class and I believe many  seeds have been planted.  God may plant a seed that we may never see harvested.  And some, we have the opportunity to marvel at their growth.  

This past christmas, top of the list, was a ticket to Guatemala.  The last week before the break, Will decided to organize a benefit concert to raise money for a flight and donations toward our work at Casa Hogar. At the age of 13, he has taken initiative to put together a battle of the bands, and invite a community to "share the love".

I spoke with Will's mom and learned that if he feels strongly about something, he goes for it!  Nothing can stand in the way of God's work through His children.  At the age of 9, Will started a "Christian Club" at school and got involved with "Kids Help Phone".  

On Sunday, February 12th, Will is calling out a for a harvest.  He is stepping out in faith that God will provide and that people can come together to see greater things be done. And as his  mom says..."sometimes you can't stand in the way of God's plans and have to move to the side and just support your son."


Please check out his Facebook page for more information!   


Battle of the Bands

Sunday, February 12 at 6:30pm