English Classes in Parramos

We spent a whole day at the school in Parramos, which is located inside the Baptist church.  The school is a wonderful ministry of the church and they are using it to share the Gospel with many.  Our Summer Sojourner students went there to assist with the ongoing English classes as well as share testimonies, music, and play games.  It was a super fun day of serving together.

 

our group ready to teach English classes

 

amigos

 

David lining up the schedule for the day.

 

The students split into groups of two or three and divided into classes.  They would spend one period in each class and then rotate to a different grade.  Isaac and Cruz worked together.

 

Trey and Olivia

 

Melanie and Olivia

 

sweet Bella

 

Karsyn, Mollie, and Ben worked together.

 

reviewing English vocabulary

 

 

We used the song Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes to review English body parts.

 

We played games with them.  This game was reviewing the words over and under.  They had to say the words as they passed the ball either over or under themselves.

 

Cruz was a big help!

 

 

Olivia sharing with the kids while Melanie translated.

 

Isaac sharing scripture with the kids.

 

Bella sharing her testimony.

 

The students singing with the kids. 

 

another music class

 

 

game time

 

Simon Says using English commands.

 

A church in the States sent homemade t-shirt jump ropes with the students to give out.  We used them at the school and then left several with the teachers.

 

 

 

a video of our time jumping rope

 

 

A video from our overall day.

 

These students worked hard and did a fantastic job!  We are so proud of the way each of them shared and served that day.

Life Lately March 2023

 Here is a peek at our lives during the month of March.

 

a lunch view of Agua Volcano from a "new to us" restaurant in town

 

We worked  hard at school.  Here are the boys doing math and spelling on our white board.  I realized that day that we have definitely outgrown our board.  

 

 

Ben reading on our patio.

 

A new coffee mug my guys bought me.

 

 

This quarter at Encounter Academy the boys are taking an art class and have been greatly enjoying it.

 

I loved seeing the beautiful things they would bring home.

 

We attended a family day at the school.  There was someone there doing face painting and all the kids loved it.

 

Ben read scripture during the program.

 

Ben helping his friend Noah do magic tricks for the talent show.

 

Ben is continuing to take tennis lessons every Saturday with his buddy Josue.

 

 

We made two visits to the Baptist church in San Rafael.

 

David preached on one of those visits.

 

View from the church.

 

David encouraging one of the leaders.

 

We try to attend the Baptist church in Parramos several times each month. The first Sunday of each month they do the Lord's Supper.

I love that the boys can participate with us. 

 

We also spent several days at the Baptist church in San Andres Itzapa hosting a volunteer team from Easthaven Baptist in Brookhaven, MS.

 

We met this sweet family and have enjoyed getting to know them. Our boys became instant friends.

 

We have been improving our patio space and are using it often. We have especially enjoyed sitting out in the evenings with a cup of hot tea.

 

We had supper and a family game night out there.

 

patio view of Agua Volcano

 

Fuego and Acatenango are off in the distance.

 

I love a good sunset view! 

In addition, we visited a Guatemalan theme park in Guatemala City with friends and also a baby shower during one of the Saturday afternoon Bible studies at Parramos.

Easthaven Baptist Mission Team March 2023

In mid-March we hosted a team from Easthaven Baptist Church in Brookhaven, MS.  We spent the week working alongside national pastors ministering to their congregations and communities.  We had a wonderful week serving together! 

 

our team

 

We attended a Sunday evening worship service where several shared testimonies and the message.

 

The team with Pastor Apolinario.

 

The team with Pastor Juan.

 

We spent our mornings making home visits.  These were to pray for the sick, share the Gospel with the lost, and encourage the believers. The team did a fantastic job of sharing scriptures, praying, and sharing words of encouragement.

 

We do a lot of walking with our teams!

 

The local pastor directs all of our visits.  He leads out in all we do during the week. It is his church and his community.  We just want to compliment the work that he is already doing.

 

 

 

In the afternoons we did a health check-up clinic at a local Baptist church.  Here are some of the team members packing care bags to give out at the clinic.

 

My boys loved getting to help out!

 

afternoon health check-ups

 

We also prayed for each person that passed through the clinic.

 

The youth on the team along with my boys kept the kids entertained during the clinic.

 

Sharing a Bible story during the health clinic.

 

I especially enjoyed afternoon coffee and fellowship with the team at the end of the day.

 

 Playing cards at the hotel.

 

 

In addition to serving, we added in some cultural learning experiences also.  Here are some of the team members touring a local coffee farm to learn how coffee is grown and processed.

 

Touring a jade factory.

 

Taking a chocolate class.

 

and shopping.   

Teams always love shopping days!

 

group photo at one of our prayer stops

 

We are thankful for this team and the way they served and encouraged our national pastors, but also for the way they loved on us and encouraged us as well.   We look forward to getting to host them again!