Leavell College Mission Team October 2026

Last week we hosted a mission team from Leavell College in New Orleans, LA.  We had a group of nine young adults and two leaders. We always love getting to host students and expose them to missions.  It brings us much joy.  

 

our group 

 

 

We spent Saturday morning helping out with a kid's club in Alotenango with Pastor Carlos, our new ministry partner. 

 

The morning was filled with a lot of singing and movement.  

 

We played a lot of games. 

 

 

games with the kids 

 

One of the students led a devotional on Following Jesus, and then they had snack time. 

 

 

After snack was craft time. 

 

 

 

They were proud of their work reminding them to follow Jesus.

 

Saturday morning kid's club in Alotenango 

 

 

We spent Saturday afternoon and all day Monday making home visits.  Saturday afternoon was with Pastor Apolinario in San Andres Itzapa.  Monday was back in Alotenango with Pastor Carlos. 

 

 

home visits 

 

In the homes we listened to the needs of the people.  Different ones then shared scripture and words of encouragement.  We end each visit praying for the families. We also give them small gift bags of beans and rice.

 

 

 

On Sunday we split into two groups.  One group went to the Baptist church in Jocotenango and the other group went to San Rafael.  Both leaders preached in the services and several students gave testimonies. 

 

 

On their last day they hiked Pacaya Volcano.  That is always a fun thing for guests to do. 

 

We absolutely loved hosting this group!  They were fun, energetic, and came ready to share and serve.  They were a blessing to not only the people here, but also our family.  As with all teams, we were sad to see them leave.  

 

This group is part of a gap year program called Serve NOLA.  As part of the program you will strengthen your walk with Christ through weekly mentoring.  You can earn college credit while spending a year doing mission work.  You will engage New Orleans with local churches.  You will help reach the nations, locally and globally.  You will volunteer at local outreach ministries.  And, you will earn your first year of Leavell College course credit.  It's a wonderful program!  To learn more, visit https://leavellcollege.com/serve/.  If you know someone who might be interested, share this information with them. We are very grateful they chose us to be a part of their international mission trip exposure.

Life Lately September 2026

 Here are a few highlights from the month of September. 

 

David began the month with a work trip to Mexico to visit some of our IMB families.  He took very few photos but did snap this one of the Popocatépetl volcano as he was leaving Puebla one morning. While there he was able to visit with five full time families and four short term singles.  Overall, he had a great trip and was able to be an encouragement to each of these he saw.

 

 

While he was gone, I attended a baby shower for a sweet girl who is having a boy in January.  Because I am a boy mom, I was asked to share what it's like raising boys.  I really enjoyed getting to do that! 

 

 

me sharing with the group about raising boys 

 

 

On the 15th, we celebrated Guatemala's Independence Day.  We went into town for lunch at Pollo Campero. 

 

 

We also saw a few parades while there. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

The Guatemalan flag flying over our central park. 

 

I made these flag jello jigglers for the boys. 

 

We also enjoyed these Guatemala themed cupcakes from a local bakery. 

 

And, on an earlier day, we enjoyed this flag themed cheesecake from a local coffee shop. 

 

 

We were excited for college football to kick off.  For the first Saturday I made this football cake to eat on while watching the games.  

 

Our favorite game of the month was on the 19th when Ole Miss beat LSU.  

 

 

The Ole Miss vs LSU game is called the Magnolia Bowl so for our football dessert that weekend I made a banana pudding.  I thought it was a perfect Southern dessert for that game day.  

 

 

David spent a day in Guatemala City doing some translating for a team from Alabama.  

 

David with Mary Kay

We first met her years ago when we first arrived in Guatemala.  She has been a faithful volunteer team member for many many years. 

 

 

The following week he met up with this team in the Zacapa area.  Here he is with some of the team members meeting with a local pastor there. 

 

 

While in the area he met up with Miguel for a meal.  He was our faithful ministry partner for years when we lived in the Chiquimula area. 

 

 

Ben enjoyed going to the movies with his friend Josue. He also attended his birthday party earlier in the month. 

 

School is going great, most days.  We have done several science experiments. Below are photos from a few of them.

 

 

Cruz did this one during his study of bones.  He used celery to learn about different types of bone breaks. 

 

During Cruz's study of skeletal muscles, he made this bone and muscle model. He used it to see how certain muscles and joints move and connect. 

 

 

I've had beans sprouting in my window seal for a few weeks for one of Ben's experiments.

 

Ben's International cooking class has been a highlight of the semester.  He has made some delicious recipes over the past month. This class coincides with a geography class he is also taking.

 

 

 While studying about France, he made crepes. 

 

 

For Cambodia he made Lok Lak lettuce wraps.  We liked this recipe so much he made it twice during the month of September.

 

 

For Mexico he made Pan de Elote (corn bread) and horchata, which is a typical drink made from rice. 

 

 

For Australia he made Lamingtons.  

 

 

He finished the month studying Argentina and made beef empanadas.  

We have all enjoyed this class!