Bethany is currently in Guatemala for the 5th time during her college years and for her 3rd consecutive summer with the Liberty University Spanish Institute. I was super thrilled to be able to see her and the work she is doing. Bethany finishes her coursework at Liberty University this December---wow, this has gone quickly.
John-Marvin is in Lake Geneva, WI. John is working at Covenant Harbor for the summer in sports/recreational activities. He is transferring to Vanderbilt University in the fall. We are thrilled!
Matt will be serving in inner-city Chicago for one week this summer as part of Chicago Impact (July 17-23). HS football conditioning and summer football camp will fill the rest of the summer. Matt is looking forward to his senior year at Wheaton North HS.
Gabi will fill her summer with sports camps and time at the pool. That’s what 12 year olds get to do --- sounds pretty good!
Mike (me) was in Guatemala for meetings of the ReachGlobal Europe Division Leadership Team, May 23-June 1. Our International Leader, David Ruiz, is from Guatemala, thus it was a great opportunity to see his country and family on their home turf. David and family did a superb job serving as our hosts. During these meetings the following was accomplished:
• Really coming together as a team under David’s leadership. This was our 3rd time together under David, and I left Guatemala with much hope and anticipation regarding the future of RG Europe.
• Clarity on our teams within a team---that is, we have Area Leaders with City Teams and Area Leaders with the role of strategic partnerships. I continue on the side of an Area Leader with City Teams (as I’ve been for nearly 6 years).
• We were able to learn much about the history, evangelical culture, and see a few sights in Guatemala. Our meetings took place in Antigua (what a cool place).
• The time with David’s family was important for each of us.
The following are details of my time with Bethany and her work in Guatemala…taken from emails
PART 1---May 31
After dropping you guys off at the airport (the Europe Area Leaders), I went with David to Hertz, unloaded the rental van and loaded up Andrea’s (David’s daughter) car. David and Andrea took off.
I was picked up at Hertz about 40 minutes later. Esperanza de Vida, the center in Llano Verde where Bethany has worked these last 3 years, had sent two drivers, Chon & Henry. Actually, one guy serves as driver and the other is watching for trouble and is armed with a hand gun. Turns out that the drivers/bodyguards are not believers. Bethany told me that later. She also told me that believers don’t normally carry guns (or drink). Drivers/guards do. After my pickup we went to the airport to pick up Kimberly, a mother of one of Bethany’s team members. There are about 20 on the team from Liberty University. We ended up waiting for 1 ½ hours for Kimberly to come out and then had to go a local hotel to pick her up. She did not feel she had confirmation for her pickup so she had come off the plane, out the exit door, and straight to a hotel where her and her husband are staying. He is doing work for Delta Airlines at present this week. So after this delay, we went to Pollo Campero for lunch. Yes, David, I got to try the chicken (good stuff). Then we started out on our nearly 3 hour drive. The road to Llano Verde was filled with construction, tons of commercial trucks, and a lot of “big rocks” in the road (literally). When the driver was able, we were going 80mph, and we crossed that solid line in the middle of the road probably a hundred times. By the way, nobody wears a seatbelt. I would have but mine was broken. The drivers just prefer not to. I enjoyed talking with both drivers and Kimberly on the way up. Kimberly was glad I speak Spanish. We arrived about 5 PM at Esperanza de Vida (photo below).
The drivers took me right to Bethany. She looked really good, tan and healthy. She was in the team room/internet room where they have Spanish courses, etc. After getting settled in my room (with air conditioning since Bethany is a “big shot”), Bethany showed me around the grounds/ministry property (it is very big). Everyone here knows Bethany well. I saw their warehouse/staging area where they keep supplies, the nutrition center where they care for very sick and abandoned babies/toddlers, the school, the main offices, etc. We then had dinner with Bethany’s team, followed by their devotional time. We then went into the town of Llano Verde, broke up in small groups with at least one guy, and did home visitation. I went with Bethany and Candace, the co-leader with Bethany. We went in the homes of some folks they know well as she wanted them to meet her padre. Everyone says the same thing to Bethany: “I see why you are so tall.” Bethany’s Spanish is perfect. She has made the switch from Spain to Guatemala so well and it is so obvious that they appreciate and love Bethany. Afterwards we went back to the team room where Bethany and I did internet for a few minutes before heading to our rooms (she is right next door).
After a shower and a good night’s sleep (with AC), we had breakfast with the team. The place where they eat is like the dining area at the beach resort we went to with the EDLT. There is a beautiful pool right beside the dining area (really nice). Following breakfast we went to the warehouse where Bethany and a Guatemalan worker instructed the team how to put together food bags for visits to the small, poor towns in the area. The bags consisted of a big bag of corn, some noodles, canned goods, etc. They probably weighed 20 pounds when completed. Bethany does a great job leading the troops. While the team was finishing up with the bags, Bethany had the drivers take us to the house where she lived for a month three years ago. You talk about simple and primitive---wow. Her “Guatemalan mother” was thrilled to see her and meet me and kindly brought us pure water, an apple, and later an orange Fanta to take with us --- how generous! We also visited another family across the street. One of the guys was a soccer player on Guatemala’s national team. The drivers then picked us up, as Bethany was called to come back because the bags were ready to be delivered. The team is taking them to a nearby town to give away and will come back at 1PM or so for lunch. I stayed back to keep out of the heat for a bit. I know the rest of the day will be full. I think there is more warehouse work this afternoon and Bethany wants to take me out to visit more people. In addition to a lot of the aid work, Bethany and Candace teach Spanish to the Liberty Team as well as help with homework, grade papers, etc. The days are very full.
Bethany has spent so much time and many of her Guatemalan friends and co-workers. I could not be more proud of the work Bethany is doing here. That’s enough…internet is NOT that good here..
PART 2-June 1
I am sitting here in the lounge at the Guatemala airport. David, your “passwords” still work They let me in.
The team Bethany was leading returned later than expected yesterday morning/afternoon (2:30 PM). The truck full of food bags for the distribution was late in arriving to the town. The team handed out food bags for each family and then fed them a nice lunch of beans, tortillas, etc.
After the team returned to Esperanza de Vida they all ate a late lunch and had free time until dinner---they were thrilled after a full morning in the sun. Bethany and I were moved by the director of Esperanza de Vida, Carlos Vargas, to the house on top of the hill to spend some time together. This place had AC, a stocked frig and snacks, a couple big beds, and an incredible view both during the day and at night with the sky full of stars.
I shared regarding my missions journey after dinner during their devotional time. What a great audience---20 college age kids open to missions and on a missions trip in Guatemala. The interest level for Europe was very high. About a half dozen kids talked to me afterwards and had real interest in serving in Europe.
From 7:30-9:00 PM we then went into town and the Liberty team played hard court soccer in the town’s sports facility with kids, youth, and adults from the town. There were probably 50-75 people out to play soccer on this rainy, wet night. They come every Tuesday while the team from Liberty is there. After the games, one of the Liberty students shared his testimony in Spanish for the first time. He did a nice job! All the Liberty kids share their testimony on a couple of occasions during their 1st month in Guatemala. They also learn how to share a basic plan of salvation for the door-to-door work. Bethany works with them on their testimonies, etc.
Bethany and I arrived back at our room on the hill by 9:15PM. We had some time to chill and talk before going to bed. I was picked up at 4AM to take me to the airport as they had an airport pickup of 6 folks at 7am. This time the two dudes with guns (Chon and Henry) followed us in their truck while we (Juan Jose, me, and Kimberly, a mother of Liberty student) drove in a dark windowed van to the airport. I was up front with the driver. At least I look like a bodyguard a bit, though I didn’t have a gun.
So here I sit in the lounge…9:30 am. Flight loads at 11:30am.
John-Marvin is in Lake Geneva, WI. John is working at Covenant Harbor for the summer in sports/recreational activities. He is transferring to Vanderbilt University in the fall. We are thrilled!
Matt will be serving in inner-city Chicago for one week this summer as part of Chicago Impact (July 17-23). HS football conditioning and summer football camp will fill the rest of the summer. Matt is looking forward to his senior year at Wheaton North HS.
Gabi will fill her summer with sports camps and time at the pool. That’s what 12 year olds get to do --- sounds pretty good!
Mike (me) was in Guatemala for meetings of the ReachGlobal Europe Division Leadership Team, May 23-June 1. Our International Leader, David Ruiz, is from Guatemala, thus it was a great opportunity to see his country and family on their home turf. David and family did a superb job serving as our hosts. During these meetings the following was accomplished:
• Really coming together as a team under David’s leadership. This was our 3rd time together under David, and I left Guatemala with much hope and anticipation regarding the future of RG Europe.
• Clarity on our teams within a team---that is, we have Area Leaders with City Teams and Area Leaders with the role of strategic partnerships. I continue on the side of an Area Leader with City Teams (as I’ve been for nearly 6 years).
• We were able to learn much about the history, evangelical culture, and see a few sights in Guatemala. Our meetings took place in Antigua (what a cool place).
• The time with David’s family was important for each of us.
The following are details of my time with Bethany and her work in Guatemala…taken from emails
PART 1---May 31
After dropping you guys off at the airport (the Europe Area Leaders), I went with David to Hertz, unloaded the rental van and loaded up Andrea’s (David’s daughter) car. David and Andrea took off.
I was picked up at Hertz about 40 minutes later. Esperanza de Vida, the center in Llano Verde where Bethany has worked these last 3 years, had sent two drivers, Chon & Henry. Actually, one guy serves as driver and the other is watching for trouble and is armed with a hand gun. Turns out that the drivers/bodyguards are not believers. Bethany told me that later. She also told me that believers don’t normally carry guns (or drink). Drivers/guards do. After my pickup we went to the airport to pick up Kimberly, a mother of one of Bethany’s team members. There are about 20 on the team from Liberty University. We ended up waiting for 1 ½ hours for Kimberly to come out and then had to go a local hotel to pick her up. She did not feel she had confirmation for her pickup so she had come off the plane, out the exit door, and straight to a hotel where her and her husband are staying. He is doing work for Delta Airlines at present this week. So after this delay, we went to Pollo Campero for lunch. Yes, David, I got to try the chicken (good stuff). Then we started out on our nearly 3 hour drive. The road to Llano Verde was filled with construction, tons of commercial trucks, and a lot of “big rocks” in the road (literally). When the driver was able, we were going 80mph, and we crossed that solid line in the middle of the road probably a hundred times. By the way, nobody wears a seatbelt. I would have but mine was broken. The drivers just prefer not to. I enjoyed talking with both drivers and Kimberly on the way up. Kimberly was glad I speak Spanish. We arrived about 5 PM at Esperanza de Vida (photo below).
The drivers took me right to Bethany. She looked really good, tan and healthy. She was in the team room/internet room where they have Spanish courses, etc. After getting settled in my room (with air conditioning since Bethany is a “big shot”), Bethany showed me around the grounds/ministry property (it is very big). Everyone here knows Bethany well. I saw their warehouse/staging area where they keep supplies, the nutrition center where they care for very sick and abandoned babies/toddlers, the school, the main offices, etc. We then had dinner with Bethany’s team, followed by their devotional time. We then went into the town of Llano Verde, broke up in small groups with at least one guy, and did home visitation. I went with Bethany and Candace, the co-leader with Bethany. We went in the homes of some folks they know well as she wanted them to meet her padre. Everyone says the same thing to Bethany: “I see why you are so tall.” Bethany’s Spanish is perfect. She has made the switch from Spain to Guatemala so well and it is so obvious that they appreciate and love Bethany. Afterwards we went back to the team room where Bethany and I did internet for a few minutes before heading to our rooms (she is right next door).
After a shower and a good night’s sleep (with AC), we had breakfast with the team. The place where they eat is like the dining area at the beach resort we went to with the EDLT. There is a beautiful pool right beside the dining area (really nice). Following breakfast we went to the warehouse where Bethany and a Guatemalan worker instructed the team how to put together food bags for visits to the small, poor towns in the area. The bags consisted of a big bag of corn, some noodles, canned goods, etc. They probably weighed 20 pounds when completed. Bethany does a great job leading the troops. While the team was finishing up with the bags, Bethany had the drivers take us to the house where she lived for a month three years ago. You talk about simple and primitive---wow. Her “Guatemalan mother” was thrilled to see her and meet me and kindly brought us pure water, an apple, and later an orange Fanta to take with us --- how generous! We also visited another family across the street. One of the guys was a soccer player on Guatemala’s national team. The drivers then picked us up, as Bethany was called to come back because the bags were ready to be delivered. The team is taking them to a nearby town to give away and will come back at 1PM or so for lunch. I stayed back to keep out of the heat for a bit. I know the rest of the day will be full. I think there is more warehouse work this afternoon and Bethany wants to take me out to visit more people. In addition to a lot of the aid work, Bethany and Candace teach Spanish to the Liberty Team as well as help with homework, grade papers, etc. The days are very full.
Bethany has spent so much time and many of her Guatemalan friends and co-workers. I could not be more proud of the work Bethany is doing here. That’s enough…internet is NOT that good here..
PART 2-June 1
I am sitting here in the lounge at the Guatemala airport. David, your “passwords” still work They let me in.
The team Bethany was leading returned later than expected yesterday morning/afternoon (2:30 PM). The truck full of food bags for the distribution was late in arriving to the town. The team handed out food bags for each family and then fed them a nice lunch of beans, tortillas, etc.
After the team returned to Esperanza de Vida they all ate a late lunch and had free time until dinner---they were thrilled after a full morning in the sun. Bethany and I were moved by the director of Esperanza de Vida, Carlos Vargas, to the house on top of the hill to spend some time together. This place had AC, a stocked frig and snacks, a couple big beds, and an incredible view both during the day and at night with the sky full of stars.
I shared regarding my missions journey after dinner during their devotional time. What a great audience---20 college age kids open to missions and on a missions trip in Guatemala. The interest level for Europe was very high. About a half dozen kids talked to me afterwards and had real interest in serving in Europe.
From 7:30-9:00 PM we then went into town and the Liberty team played hard court soccer in the town’s sports facility with kids, youth, and adults from the town. There were probably 50-75 people out to play soccer on this rainy, wet night. They come every Tuesday while the team from Liberty is there. After the games, one of the Liberty students shared his testimony in Spanish for the first time. He did a nice job! All the Liberty kids share their testimony on a couple of occasions during their 1st month in Guatemala. They also learn how to share a basic plan of salvation for the door-to-door work. Bethany works with them on their testimonies, etc.
Bethany and I arrived back at our room on the hill by 9:15PM. We had some time to chill and talk before going to bed. I was picked up at 4AM to take me to the airport as they had an airport pickup of 6 folks at 7am. This time the two dudes with guns (Chon and Henry) followed us in their truck while we (Juan Jose, me, and Kimberly, a mother of Liberty student) drove in a dark windowed van to the airport. I was up front with the driver. At least I look like a bodyguard a bit, though I didn’t have a gun.
So here I sit in the lounge…9:30 am. Flight loads at 11:30am.
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