Guatemala - Day 4

Let me start this post by saying...boy, am I glad I don't have to drive in Guatemala!!! Our bus driver, bless his heart, scares the mess outta me! LOL Traffic here is nuts...it's the worst I've ever seen! It's so common here to literally run up the bumper of the person in front of you. People walk all in between the cars and buses...for real, like interstate traffic and there will be people in between the lanes! Motorcycles just drive in between the lanes of traffic. The cars and buses cut each other off like there's no tomorrow. Horns honkin' all the time, yet they all remain calm...no road rage! LOL It's seriously crazy...I don't know how they don't have wrecks all the time...but they don't. WHEW :) Oh and another thing, everything here measured in KMs (kilometers) so it's funny to see our bus's speedometer maxes out at 160...LOL! Gas here is $31.99...of course that is in Guatemalan money and it is sold in liters not gallons...but still funny to see on the signs! One of our dollars is worth almost $7.50 here. Crazy!

Well, today was an adventure! After breakfast we loaded the buses and headed out to another community. We started out ministering in La Esperanza - Villa Nueva. We had a wonderful morning and the children were just amazing. They were all so welcoming and loving! They really enjoyed the To Be Loved skit, most of the children thought it was so funny! We got to pray with them and again so many of them wanted their pictures taken so I could show them what they looked like on my camera. It was precious! After ministry we were able to shop some crafts that were made by the local ladies, it was neat to be able to support the local village. They were so appreciative of the team coming to minister, it was just awesome!
When we left the village, we headed to McDonald's for lunch. We were treated to Quarter Pounders and fries along with a hot queso pie...I had never heard of such but it is basically our hot apple pie except its like a cheesecake filling instead of fruit and its still fried instead of baked. They were really good! ;) It was sort of funny because at one point we realized we sitting in Guatemala eating at a McDonalds (across the street from a WalMart) and they were playing Taylor Swift on the radio! For a minute you forget you are in Guatemala...then you spot the menu board and see its all in Spanish! Hahaha
After lunch we headed out to another village in a very remote part of Villa Nueva (New Village). After traveling a long winding dirt road we wound up in a small community of metal shacks filled with families. As we unloaded the buses a storm began moving in. It was so nasty looking but the team was determined to minister. So we spread our tarp and got started with prayer, asking God to move the storms past us. As the team prayed their prayers turned into worship as they started dancing to Break Loose. The clouds began moving and the sun began to peak through the clouds. But when we started with our first set and the heavens opened up...they persevered even through the pouring rain. Eventually we had to retreat to the buses and cover all the sound equipment. We waited out the storm and when it finally let up we went out and did one last dance then we told the people we would be back Sunday instead. Before we left we handed out snacks and drinks. What was crazy was the people didn't leave during the storm, in fact they kept coming...in the rain! They were desperate to hear God's word! We can't wait to go back Sunday!!!
So back to the hotel we went, soaked to the bone but full of joy from what we had just experienced. After some quick showers and a dry change of clothes we were off to dinner :) then devos and off to bed so we can do it all over again tomorrow! :)
Until then...
Love & Blessings :)

What a journey!

We landed safe and sound in Guatemala on Tuesday around 12:30 local time. We had a little trouble getting through customs with all our bags but eventually we made and our buses arrived to take us to the hotel.
Our rooms are great...most rooms have 5 queen beds in them :) so we all get our own bed this year!
The first night we had dinner and then had an amazing consecration service. It was so powerful and the presence of God was so strong. It was a long day and a late night so everyone was ready for bed when we got done.
The next morning we got up and had breakfast at the hotel. Pancakes and fruit is what was on the menu. After breakfast we loaded the buses and headed 2 hours into the mountains to Village 46 for ministry. The road into the village was so bad that the village women came down to shovel and rake the road so the bus could get through. We had an incredible time and I didn't want to leave. I really loved the children there. So sweet and the kids had a blast playing with them also.
We prayed with so many children and adults, it was very humbling to be there and to pray with those sweet people. After ministry time we headed down to have lunch at a little place in town. We had hamburgers and fries and some great down time to hang out and debrief.
After lunch we headed back into another village for a 2nd ministry time. The mayor even came to watch us. He thanked us and was so happy that we came. I met a little angel named Christopher. He stole my heart! I absolutely wanted to bring him home! He was the sweetest thing and he wanted me to hold him and love on him. He kept taking camera because he wanted photos so he could look at himself. He would just laugh when he would see the camera. He has a heart condition...like a murmur...so he had an odd shaped indentation in his chest. He mom said that he was born with it and he needed heart surgery when he was one but they didn't have the money. The doctors said he wouldn't make to five years old. He is four now! I prayed for him and the team joined me in asking God to heal his heart and make it new! It was funny to me that the little boy who needed a healed heart had the biggest heart in the village. He loved on every one of us and made us all laugh! Just precious!!!
I will never forget him and I will continue to pray for him.
After we left the village the mayor wanted to take us to a new bridge that they built to get to another villages school. It was a walk bridge suspended high above a river. He wouldn't have it any other way than for us to cross that big bridge. LOL! It was pretty scary but we did it and once we did we got to hear the story of how the bridge was replaced and how now they can serve the whole village with school that was previously not accessible for the last 10 years. Then he wanted to take us to see the hot springs where the volcano bubbles. That was pretty neat and he had the kids touch the water so they could feel the temperature. The volcano is always active but hasn't erupted for a long time. The country side is so beautiful here. Lots and lots of big mountains. I have discovered that they can grow corn anywhere...and do I mean anywhere....one place even had it growing along the driveway.
We left the hot springs and headed straight to dinner. After dinner it was time for devos and prayer. It was another long, hot day but such an amazing time.

Day 3 was just as incredible. We went to another village in the city called Villa Neuva. We got to go door to door to invite the children to come watch us. We had such an amazing time at this village and got to pray for so many people. It was just such a cool experience and one I will never forget!

I have posted almost a thousand pictures on Facebook so be sure to visit my page or the PEAK page to see all our adventures.

Off to bed I go...hasta mañana!

Get Ready Guatemala!!!!!!!!!!!

After a 1:30am wake up call, it's 3am and we are on our way to the airport! We have to meet the team at 4am sharp and our flight leaves at 5:30am...after a short layover in Atlanta we should arrive in Guatemala around 11:15am (12:15pm CST).

We are super stoked and can't wait!!!

Until then...
Blessings from The Kennedys :)