Easthaven Mission Team March 2026

In early March we hosted a mission team from Easthaven Baptist Church in Brookhaven, MS.  This is the city where we stay during our Stateside Assignments so many of the people on the team we already knew.  The team consisted of a few high school students that made it extra fun for our boys.  

Throughout the week we made many home visits, helped with an afternoon kid’s club, spent a morning sharing in a local school, led a Wednesday night youth service, and assembled a bunk bed for a family in need. This was a really fun team, and we are thankful for the time we had with them. 

Here are some photos from the week.  

Beautiful clear blue skies and view of Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes from their hotel rooftop.  

I took this one morning before we headed out. 

view of Agua volcano from their hotel

 

 

We spent a morning sharing in a local school.  Before getting started, the team entertained the kids during their break time.  Here are Cruz and Ridge doing balloon art. 

 

Ben and Cade making balloons. 

 

 

Everyone loved Susan's puppet! 

 

I helped the girls make bracelets.  

 

David doing jump rope with some school kids. 

 

As part of the assembly time, the teenagers did a skit for the kids. 

 

Cruz sharing at the school. 

 

 

Their WMU ladies made t-shirt jump ropes to give away during the week.  We left several at the school. 

 

 

the guys 

 

 

a group photo at the school 

 

making home visits

 

Tuesday afternoon kid's club 

 

kid's club 

 

 

Ben helping some kids with a craft. 

 

 

Susan teaching at the Tuesday afternoon kid's club.

 

Susan grew up as an IMB MK in the Americas.  She spoke excellent Spanish and used it beautifully throughout the week. 

 

 

more balloons for the kids 

 

We assembled a bunk bed for a needy family.  Cruz liked helping on this project. 

 

all complete

 

 

Look at that smile!  She was a happy with her new bed. 

 

 

On Wednesday night we helped lead a youth service.  Here is Cruz sharing during that time.  

 

The youth enjoying a meal at Pappy's BBQ. 

 

a team photo

Life Lately February 2026

 I realize it is almost April, but here are some life moments from the month of February.  

 

I started the month by meeting a dear friend for coffee. We had a long visit trying to catch up on all that took place while we had been gone to the States. 

 

We enjoyed watching the Olympics. 

 

 

We made a drive into Guatemala City to renew Cruz's Guatemalan passport. 

 

 

We celebrated Valentine's Day.  Here we are having a date night meal at Pappy's BBQ. 

 

 

Ben made a few visits to the climbing gym.  On this visit he took his friend Ethan. 

 

 

On this visit he took his friend Joshua (who is not pictured).

 

 

I packed away the Valentine's decorations and now have our house ready for Easter. 

  

 

Cruz translating at youth group. 

 

 

In his cooking class during February he made a mud pie (chocolate pie), cream cheese brownies, a key lime cheese cake, and a puffy omelet.  He makes one recipe each week.   

 

 

I made a roast for the first time in Guatemala. 

 

I also tried a new recipe for a sausage and egg breakfast casserole.  It was delicious! 

 

 

I made blueberry ricotta pancakes for the first time.  This was another delicious new recipe. 

 

my pancakes 

 

Ben with his friend Josue matching at church. 

 

 

I celebrated my birthday.   

 

Lastly, we ended the month attending the annual Intermissions Conference at beautiful Lake Atitlan. Here is a group photo from this year's conference.