Returning to Guatemala to Start Our 6th Term of Service

On Sunday, December 28 we left Mississippi returning to Guatemala to begin our new term of service.  It was bitter sweet to leave one home to return to another.  We were ready to get back and that made the transition a little easier. 

We had a late afternoon flight so we had plenty of time that morning to get loaded up and ready. 

Ben in our van with all our luggage.  You cannot tell it from this photo, but he was surrounded by baggage. 

 

 

We stopped for lunch at Raising Cane's on the way to the airport. 

 

ready to check in 

 

Ben watching the baggage.  

In total we had nine suitcases, four carry-ons, and four backpacks. 

 

 

boarded for our flight from Jackson to Dallas 

 

leaving Jackson, MS 

 

sunset view on the flight to Dallas 

 

sunset view as we landed in Dallas

 

We had a few hours layover there, and then got delayed another hour. It was late when we landed in Guatemala and very late (early morning) when we arrived at our house in Antigua. We were tired, but thankful to be back home.  We have since spent our days trying to get the house back in order, the kitchen restocked, and our second semester of school off to a good start.  We have been working like crazy, but are finally starting to settle down some. 

Our hearts will forever be in two places. Below is what I posted on our Facebook page the day we flew out.

 

Leaving home to go home is harder than it sounds. One place holds our roots, the other holds our calling. Both have claimed our hearts. We’re grateful for where we’re from, but changed forever by where we’ve been. As we packed our bags, we were reminded that obedience often means loving deeply and letting go faithfully, trusting that God is just as present in the goodbyes as He was in the calling. We’ll leave with full hearts, heavy suitcases, and the steady reminder that when God calls you somewhere, He provides perfect peace to go with you.

Christmas 2025

We got to celebrate Christmas in the States this year.  It was only the boy's fourth time to ever be there for Christmas.  They were excited.

 We spent Christmas Eve with David's family and Christmas Day with mine. 

 

On Christmas Eve we gathered at David's late grandmother's house in Crystal Springs.  We had a great meal and fellowship time together and all the kids opened presents. 

 

our family on Christmas Eve 

 

 

us with David's two aunts and cousin 

 

us with his Aunt Terry 

 

us with David's sister and her family 

 

David with his aunt and cousin

 

 

our tree ready for Christmas morning 

 

For breakfast I baked these caramel rolls.

 

 

This was the first year they both slept in on Christmas morning.  We have definitely come a long way from those early morning hours. Here they are ready to open gifts.

 

Ben is our candy man.  He loves sweets!  He gave me a long list of specific things he wanted. 

 

Most of Cruz's gifts were Ole Miss themed.  I got him this Oxford print on our visit to the Lucky Rabbit in Hattiesburg back in November. 

 

Egg Bowl 2025 t-shirt

I am so glad we got to go to the game!! 

 

Ole Miss blanket 

 

hot sauce for David 

 

new gaming blanket for Ben 

 

I got a small digital frame to put in my kitchen.  

 

 

My mom and Aunt Nita came down to eat lunch with us.  I baked a ham, and we had potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, Lima beans, green beans, rolls, pecan pie, and sweet potato pie.

 

Later that afternoon Mr. Thurman stopped by to see us.  We had a great visit with him. 

 

It was a simple celebration, but sweet time spent with family.  As soon as Christmas was over we kicked things into high gear and got ready to leave the country.  We had two days to clean up, pack up, and get to the airport for our flight back to Guatemala. I'll share about that next.

Lottie Moon World Mission Weekend at FBC Jackson, MS

 

This past weekend we were a part of a weekend missions conference for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering hosted by the First Baptist Jackson Women's Missionary Union.  It was a wonderful event, and we felt very honored to get to be a part of it.  There were several missionaries who participated alongside us, and we enjoyed getting to meet each one of them. We spoke multiple times over the weekend and each time was special and fun.   

 

On Friday night we had a share and prayer time hosted by one of their Women on Mission groups.  We met in a beautiful home and had a wonderful fellowship time with each one there.

 

Philip is over the port ministry in New Orleans.  He runs Global Maritime Ministries.  He was partnered with us over the weekend, and we shared together.  We loved hearing about his ministry and hope to get down to New Orleans one day and see it in person.  If you'd like to learn more about what he does, visit www.portministry.com.

 

me with a few of the sweet ladies at the prayer and share time on Friday night

 

 

Our friends, the Browns, were also there.  They attend FBC Jackson. 

 

our Friday night home group 

 

On Saturday our missionary group had a luncheon together that was hosted by a lovely couple from the church.  We met in another beautiful home and enjoyed a delicious meal together.

 

 

On Saturday night we all gathered at a private retreat center in Ridgeland for a meal and worship time.  This is a beautiful chapel that was on the retreat property.  

 

inside views of the chapel 

 

 

beautiful stained glass windows 

 

 We had a very entertaining blue grass band there to lead us.   It was such a fun night! 

 

 

Sunday morning began with breakfast at the church. 

 

 

Sara Madalin and the boys

The Acteens served breakfast to our group. 

 

 

The boys enjoyed getting to see another MK that they met earlier this year. 

 

 

David and Cindy giving final instructions for the day ahead. 

 

We shared briefly with an Acteens group.  Acteens is a missions program for middle and high school girls. 

 

us with some of the Acteens 

 

We shared in the college Sunday school class on Sunday morning.

 

 

Sunday morning worship service at FBC Jackson.  

 

To kick off the service there was a parade of flags done by the Boy Scouts in their church.  My friend Reagan recorded this video for us of the Guatemalan flag being marched in.

 

 

Each of the missionaries participating in the weekend event introduced themselves during the Sunday morning worship service. 

 

 

 

 

After the service we had a luncheon and a missions program where we all shared again.  Here we are with the Browns after lunch. 

  

us with Reagan and Malinda

 

 

They gave out these ornaments to everyone that morning. 

Lastly, me with Cindy Townsend.  She is the Minister to Women at FBC Jackson and the heart of this event.  I am so thankful our paths crossed earlier this year.  Everyone needs a Cindy Townsend cheering them on!! Her passion for women's ministry and her leadership gifting is something I greatly admire.  So much hard work and planning goes into this yearly event, and it just shows her love and dedication to missions.  

 

This is just one of many churches who support the IMB through giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, and we are truly thankful and appreciative for each and every one of them!  We couldn't do it without our Southern Baptist churches sending, praying, and giving.  Thank you for the part you play in that!

 

 

If you'd like to support mission efforts taking place all around the world, you can give online today at:  Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

100% of every gift directly supports overseas missionaries.