If you are reading this e-mail, you either have a profound love for the people of Guatemala or you have been a vital part of my support in serving the people in Guatemala! Either way, I thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail update on what has been happening this past year. Many of you know that I made my first trip to Guatemala at the end of 2002. I immediately fell in love with the way the Lord moved in me and around the people of this country. On my first trip, I began to understand that this place was going to be a special place and the land had a sense of holiness to me. I had to take some time off from this passion in 2003 and 2004 to care for my mother, but I have been able to return three times since the spring of 2005. Many of you know that the church that we support in Guatemala, Mt. Zion Church of God, has been meeting in a tent for the past 13 years. This church, which has blessed the families of the surrounding villages, is full of people who are passionate about their faith and are willing to serve with everything that they have. These people have very little in our terms but are overflowing with faith and passion, so much that being near them is a blessing. |
This church is not a meet on Sunday and go back to work kind of church. This is an ACTS like, 7 day a week, community transforming church. They pair with the ministries of Hearts for the Children to help in medical clinics, feeding programs, bible studies, and city outreach programs for the drug addicted and prostitutes. Every day of the week, this church is reaching out to help show the love of Christ to the people in their lives. In my visit in April, I was able to be a part of the groundbreaking ceremony for their first building that will be a full time church. This building will become the center of their ministry and will be used throughout the week for church services, meetings, feeding programs, medical clinics and even a retreat center for short term missionaries. Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, I was able to take my whole family for a visit. We had a wonderful time working in the missions while taking the time to review the church plans and site with a local engineer. We have raised over $40,000 on a goal of $80,000 to get the land paid off and the building constructed. I am glad to report that the plans are complete and we have begun construction of the temple over looking the city of Guatemala! |
On the weekend of January 21, 2006 we were able to get all of the foundation laid out and the first footings poured. The weekend was a real celebration for the community as all hands were on deck to start the construction. I could tell you a hundred stories, but let me tell you just this one. One family, with a mother of thirteen who lost her husband, served in every way possible. From the small children who actually helped dig the footings to the mom who prepared all the meals and worked from 4:00 to midnight doing everything from cooking hot dogs to mixing concrete, it seemed that the entire community was out in full force to "build the church". |
On Saturday morning, we began work in a mixture of misting rain and sun. That combination revealed the biggest rainbow over the church that I have ever seen. What an encouragement to me and to these people to see this symbol of God's promise over their new church. They have waited thirteen years and God is going to be a part of this building in supernatural ways. They have a vision for their church,one of community transformation. I believe that God is the creator of that vision and is fully behind the vision these people have been given for the community. I have included a few photos for you and I hope you will enjoy. I am planning at least two more trips this spring to help this project stay on target. If you have any desire to go on either of these two trips, please let me know. All are welcome and everyone can be a part of this project! We have some more money to raise too. If you would like to contribute, I have asked for my church to set up an account for this project. You can send your checks to: Riverstone: A Wesleyan Fellowship Church Church for Guatemala 531 Roselane Street Suite 830 Marietta, GA 30060 Phone: 770-420-2446 Fax: 770-420-1544 The tentative date for the next trip is March 24,25,26. This trips will be constructing block walls and pouring concrete slabs. As of now, they are three day trips, but the invitation is there to extend either of these trips. I could really use some experienced workers to fill in where I will not be available. If you have a desire to go with me, lead a team or go on your own, please let me know. Thanks for praying for me and this this church. I cant wait to see what God will do next and I pray that many of you will also experience the proximity to the Lord while serving Him in this way. Gracias y Dios Bendiga! Jeffe |