Visiting the Dump

On Friday afternoon we went to the dump in downtown Guatemala City to share candy, toys and the love of Christ with the residents there. It was an amazing site to see thousands of people living in this dump, sifting through the trash in order to recycle items that others throw away to make a daily living. Recently the government had opened up this landfill to allow residents to make homeplaces within the dump itself. These homes weren't much bigger than 20 x 40, but each family was so proud of the space they had been given. Most of the doorsteps were neatly swept and some even had flowers outside of their homes. As you walked through the streets, the sewer ran down the middle and in between homes; the smell was overwhelming, but the children paid no attention to it as they ran and played in the same streets. The things that stood out the most to me were the smiles and sincere gratitude that these people showed when we shared our simple gifts with them. This entire trip will be an unforgetable experience for me; my life has truly been changed. The people I have met will go home with me in my heart and I pray that God will continue to bless each one of them, this ministry, and the workers who serve. Meredith

Friday in the City

Friday at the Mary Mag House was difficult yet a blessing. It has been a long time since I have seen so many people in great need of Christ...such beautiful souls taken over by the evil ways of the world..cought up in prostitution and drugs.I prayed for a willingness to stop that way of life they are leading and ask that if you read this you also pray for them to open their eyes to the Ministry that is willing to help them if they are willing to walk away (a day at a time )and receive recovery in Christ. There was a connection with many of these precious people and me...I felt comfotable therefore was able to allow God to minister to them through me. Thank you God for bringing me into recovery from my past and allowing me to openly accept and pray for those in the same situations. The task of working with these people seemed overwhelming at times but God showed me that He can do it with the help of His workers. Please pray for the other workers to come forward to help the missionaries..
God has worked in and through the team..gosh, how I will always need people to mentor and minister to me as I minister...thank you to all those at home and here that have led me and molded me and continue to do so..I am so grateful! PS people have no problem calling you on your stuff after spending a week with them..hee hee!!!!Mary Fowler

No turning back

I can't believe I'm writing my last post from Guatemala (for this year). It's gone way too fast. It's been amazing. Life changing.

Today we went to the Mary Magdalene House in Guatemala City, a street ministry that provides Spirit-filled worship (in a garage), food, ministry, and medical clinics for people that live on the streets. Many are high on paint thinner. Some have been shot or knifed. Some have a place to live but almost no money, and many are homeless. Little children come to this ministry too. Many people return week after week, but every week new people come in to hear the Word of God and have a hot meal. They truly accept the invitation - "Come as you are." It doesn't matter if you're high, or dressed in rags, or grotesquely scarred, or haven't bathed in weeks. Let's gather and worship the Lord together.

In the middle of worship this morning, several of us stepped outside to make room for newcomers. A girl walked up, hysterical, overwhelmed, desperately needing prayer. After we prayed with her, and she was able to look up and receive the peace of the Lord, we sat down next to her on the sidewalk, in the doorway, to offer encouragement and listen to the message inside.

As we sat there, a man came up. He was drunk, very loud, very agitated. He got into an argument with me and then started to manifest what the enemy was doing to him. It wasn't me that laid a hand on his arm, which he described as a sword that cut through him. It wasn't me that looked into his dark, tormented eyes and told him who he is in Christ. It wasn't me that put a hand on his heart and told him he has the heart of God. It wasn't me that told the enemy to go to the foot of the Cross, and the Holy Spirit to fill those empty, tormented places. It wasn't my tears that fell on his feet. It wasn't me that spoke the Word of Truth like a laser. It wasn't my voice that told him to rise up and walk in the calling God has for him. It wasn't me speaking Spanish to him, when I don't speak Spanish. It wasn't me whose words broke the chaos off of him and silenced him with peace.

None of that was me. It was Jesus. I was hardly conscious of being there.

I've prayed with people for years. I've ministered to people in tough situations. I've let the Holy Spirit fill me and use me to reach people. But I have never experienced what happened this morning. Not even remotely like that. I've prayed for that, but I've never been "dead" enough. Of course, there was more. That one encounter unleashed the Holy Spirit in me, and I started walking up and down the street, speaking or praying with people as the Lord led. Once again, it was not me. I've never been so "un-present" in my years of ministry. And I've never been so bold in all my life.

That encounter with the Lord this morning changed my life. It is seared on my heart, to where I don't dare forget, or walk backward from that experience. I don't think I could if I tried. I can't un-know what that felt like, to let Jesus take over and use me with a boldness I don't have. There's no hiding anymore from God. I can no longer allow "fear of man" to affect my ministry or my Christian walk. God will hold me accountable for what I experienced this morning. There is no turning back, or the conviction of the Holy Spirit will be all over me.

God, thank You for bringing me to my knees this morning. Thank You for letting me feel Your heart and Your Spirit in me in a new way. Thank You for loving each of those beautiful brothers and sisters, both at the Mary Magdalene House and later in the community that lives at the City Dump. God, don't let me go back to the way I used to be. Help me walk in the new boldness of knowing what is possible when I surrender my fears to You. Thank You for bringing me here, to let me die to myself. Thank You for new life. Thank You for this vibrant ministry that You continue to grow here in Guatemala, and thank You for the privilege of serving You in this way. Thank You for all that You have done in our hearts and spirits on this trip, and bring us home safely. I don't want to ever be the same. Seal what You've done, sweet and awesome God, and let me bring home what You've given me. In el nombre de Jesus. I love You, God, and I love Your people in Guatemala. In Christ - Janet Eriksson

The volcano

Wow. Today I did something I've never done before. Today I climbed a volcano. I slept on a lava bed that was warmed by the lava flowing underneath. I stood in a natural sauna, where if you toss water against the rock wall, it sizzles and makes steam.

Our team spent the day at the volcano Pacaya. This is the Guatemalan volcano that erupted a year ago in May. Today we walked across the steaming lava field. We saw huge boulders that were thrown from the volcano. I can't imagine.

Several of us rode up on horseback while the rest climbed, some with walking sticks. It's been years since I've been on a horse and I thought I'd fall off. He kept going close to the outside edge, where the ground dropped straight down. I finally put everything in God's hands. Last night I had mentioned it would take an angel to get me up the mountain today. Guess what my horse guide's name was? Angel! Isn't God amazing?

When we arrived at the lava field, that was as far as the horses could go. We walked the rest of the way, as far as we were allowed. There was a "store" at 4,500 feet, where a group was selling jewelry made out of the May 2010 lava, to raise money to help those who lost the roofs of their homes in the volcano eruption. Many still don't have roofs.

We had a picnic lunch on the lava field and gave scraps to a dog we named "Hot Dog," who rules the mountain. Pretty smart dog, hitting up tourists and climbers for food. We received a cell phone call (believe it or not) from the ministry house, telling us of a bad storm in Guatemala City. The clouds over the volcano were starting to look dark, and fog was pouring over the mountain. We headed back down.

I tried to go back down the mountain by horseback, but it proved too difficult for me. The lava path was too steep and it was exhausting trying to hold on. I ended up walking, sometimes sliding, the rest of the way. We made it safely, before the storm.

Every muscle of my body hurts, but it was worth it. I would do it again. It was fun, it was challenging, it was an adventure, and I saw and experienced something I'd never done before. The views from the mountain were amazing.

Standing on the lava field, feeling the heat from the lava flow beneath, and looking at what had poured out of the volcano a year ago gives a deeper understanding of God. The power of the volcano is inconceivable. God's power is so far beyond that. It makes me wonder why I ever have a moment of doubt, and act as if He is not all-powerful. God carved those majestic mountains with His hands. He knows every scar on every rock. He rules in power and majesty. He is worthy of all our praise.

Heading off to sleep! Janet Eriksson

A perfect day

When I woke up this morning, I asked God one thing: to give me new eyes and a new heart to see things as He wants me to see them. Now, late in the evening, exhausted in body but soaring in spirit, as I look back on today, I can say that God answered my prayer.

This was one of those perfect days. I'm not saying it was easy, but it was perfect. Why? Because God was here. He was so close, His presence a constant reminder that He never leaves our side. I can look back on today and in my memory, He is standing there, plain as day, sweet as the dulce treats we handed out to the kids, and more wonderful than my heart can contain.

What happened today that was so incredible? Life. Just life. With God right in the midst of it.

Early this morning, part of our group left for an all-day medical mission. The other part of our team went to the new church, where they've been doing construction and tiling the entire basement that has been, until now, a dirt floor. The tile is gorgeous! I hope one of them will share their experiences.

Those of us in the medical group went to a new location today - a school in a more urban area outside of Guatemala City. It amazes me how fast we've learned to set up and take down our portable medical station that gets loaded and transported on a pick-up truck each day. Folks were already lined up outside as we arrived. We carried everything up a flight of stairs and started setting out our medical supplies. By this, our third day, we were pretty organized. We were also running out of basic medicines.

The location was unforgettable. We were in a small school auditorium - meaning a wide-open room with an elevated platform, nothing fancy. As we looked out the windows along the side of the room, we could see a volcano spewing smoke. Now that's something you don't see every day.

When you're doing an all-day mission, it's important to scope out the bathrooms, especially in a place where hydration is crucial. Dehydration and high altitudes do not go well together, as I discovered yesterday. We were shown a public bathroom outside in the courtyard, under a grate, down a flight of stairs. Without a guide, you'd never find it unless you tripped and fell over the grate. When that bathroom became unavailable two hours later, due to the appearance of two giant padlocks on the gate, and after prayers for favor, we were offered the use of facilities at the municipal government building across the street. An armed guard smiled as he let us in. God was with us.

Within minutes of our arrival and setup, our patients began to form a line. The line continued down the stairs and outside, and folks kept coming from 8:30 to 4:00. We saw more than 150 patients today. Lots of folks had skin rashes of different kinds. Stomach disorders were prevalent. Malnutrition, especially among children, was a huge problem. A 7-year-old girl, for example, looked like she was 4 years old because of poor nutrition. Several kids came to see the doctor by themselves, with no parents. A 12-year-old girl was pregnant and in need of better nutrition.

A little boy had a horrible laceration in his thumb, and he was in great pain. I prayed over him as one of our nurses treated him. He alternated from holding his breath from the pain and smiling as we told him what a good job he was doing. I know he felt the Lord's presence, because I could feel the Holy Spirit all over him, and he was so calm.

Throughout the day, we were constantly aware of God's presence. There were times when we needed to find a particular medicine or supply, and digging through the boxes was like looking for a needle in a haystack. I got to where I immediately asked God - "Lord, we are tired and we need this medicine. Please pop it up for us to see." And He did. He always did.

I know nothing about pharmacy or medicine, and I don't speak Spanish. Yet by the power of the Holy Spirit, I was able to find whatever medicine was needed, give instructions in Spanish, answer questions, and bless each patient as they left with a smile. They weren't smiling because of anything I did or said. They knew God was smiling on them, and they responded to Him.

God worked so beautifully among the team. We moved so well together, and God moved through us. It amazes me how He can bring people together from different places and backgrounds, with different experiences, and assemble a medical station that moves in unity. It shows what He can do in the Body of Christ. We really can move as one with Him.

We had frustrations too. It was frustrating to run out of vitamins -infant vitamins first, then children's, then adult vitamins. If we could just pop down the street to Wal-Mart and buy more. This was our second round for the week. We take so much for granted at home. It was frustrating to have a cataract patient who needed and couldn't afford surgery. It was frustrating to give out a bag of 10 Ibuprofen tablets for consuming pain, knowing the source of the pain will still be there when the bag runs out.

At the same time, I believe God heard and is even now answering our prayers that those without vitamins would be nourished by Him; that surgeries would be provided by Him; that the source of pain would be lifted by Him. I believe He will do all those things. I believe it because He was standing right there with us today, and He loves His people. I believe it because He tells us to ask, and we did.

I left there feeling physically exhausted but spiritually uplifted. My memory of today is not one of lack and pain and things that couldn't be done. My memory is of the amazing presence of the Lord. I have such hope because of Him. I believe the patients we saw today were renewed in hope as well.

Tonight we shifted gears and ministered to about 75 very lively children in the cobblestone street in front of the new church. Before you get worried, let me assure you it's more of a cul-de-sac than a street. There is no through traffic to get in the way of the children's activities.

We put together an impromptu dramatic presentation of Noah's Ark - one team member read the story from a Spanish children's book, while the rest of us acted like wild animals (not too much acting involved, it's our natural state!) and climbed aboard our four-door mini-van ark.

We then brought out the jump ropes and tug-of-war ropes. What started out as four to a side in tug-of-war became an exercise in herding cats. It ended up a free for all, with about 12 kids tugging on each side and one very exhausted pastor in the middle. The kids had a blast and so did we. We ended the evening by handing out glow-stick bracelets and stuffed animals.

There was so much more God did today. If I tried to describe it all, I would be writing well into tomorrow, and He has more in store for us then. I know there are specific moments I will remember from today. Others I might not remember. What I will remember most, though, is God's presence with us. So close, so attentive, so much a part of everything we did, in every moment. I want to keep that awareness of Him. That is now my prayer for every day. He is always there. I don't want to miss that anymore.

Pray for us tomorrow. We will be climbing a volcano.

Blessings and love from Guatemala - Janet Eriksson

Praise be to God

Last year we were digging in this ground to lay drain pipe, what a blessing this year to be laying tile on top of that same area. A big thank you to all the folks at Due West United Methodist that sacrificed so that this temple could be built to the glory of God. What a wonder it is, now ten years after I was working on the tent so that rain would not pool and cause it to fall we now have a beautiful temple with a glourious view. Glory to God, Art

Child like faith

Seeing the children yesterday really touched my heart. Some of them I remember from last year , and it was really cool seeing them again. They all have so much joy inside,and it flows out from them. It refreshes my spirit to see the faith they have. The faith of a child is something we should all desire, knowing that Jesus shall meet every need. I thank God for the blessing of being here. Mark Miller

Simplicity

What a joy it is to know that life's most greatest pleasures can be found in: a 5 year old's big brown eyes and smile, a 80 year old's joy of having received a bag of beans, sugar, and cornmeal, that underwear can dry after your luggage is rained on..just by hanging them under your overhead bunkbed, that God had a perfect idea for when and how this Church building would be built,that you can feel the Holy Spirit so freely no matter where you go, that it IS all about LOVE and relationships, that God died and rose and lives today so that we may be forgiven and live in Him regardless of age or background, that people from different states can work together on a mission trip and feel like they have known each other for years...love in Christ is so beautiful, that you can be still and hear God..someitmes more easily when away from home. I plan to carry this with me home as I allow God to simplify my life so that I may easily see Him all around me! Please pray for the wonderful people of Guatemala ...and the team..that we may do His will in their lives while here. Mary Fowler

10 things I learned today

Here are 10 of the many things I learned today:

(1) Guatemalan children come out of the womb playing soccer.
(2) David annihilated Goliath with a wadded up piece of paper (and a lot of help from God).
(3) It is possible to pray a rainstorm away.
(4) A hot meal makes a difference to a lot of kids.
(5) Every one of God's children (young and old) is a beautiful and unique treasure.
(6) Dos gotas dos vezas al dia para cinco dias means two eyedrops two times a day for five days (I might not have spelled it right but it gets understood).
(7) A smile is worth more than a billion quetzales.
(8) A 7-year-old boy can fit exactly 21 stickers on his face.
(9) Even in poor conditions, children smile and laugh so easily.
(10) Art Fowler is an amazing Guatemalan driver!

Blessings to all from Janet Eriksson, Guatemala Team 2011

Medicine, soccer, love ... all from our Lord

This morning, we set up two tents in a neighbor's front yard. A cement wall divided the dirt yard from a busy highway. Opposite was a small cinder block house with a tin roof, a makeshift greenhouse with gorgeous flowers and orchids for sale, and a small patch of weeds where a pig fed. Several dogs rested beneath a truck, taking shelter from the blazing sun. Behind the house, the ground fell straight down the mountainside.

Under the tents, we set plywood boards across sawhorses and spread out our donated medical supplies. One makeshift table was for patient check-in and examination, and another two tables were for dispensing medicine. Our team consisted of four medical volunteers, three non-medical volunteers, and three volunteer interpreters - the family of the missionaries we are serving with, a huge blessing! We had no pill cutters, so we sterilized a large butcher knife procured from the family kitchen. I felt like Crocodile Dundee as I chopped deworming pills in half.

The patient waiting area was a semi-circle of kid-size plastic chairs set up next to the plywood tables. Families came on foot from up and down the highway and the mountainside. They came seeking help for hypertension, skin infections, worms, foot ulcers, kidney pain, high fevers, respiratory difficulties, sore throats, headaches, diabetes (including a 480 blood sugar level), diarrhea, joint pain (from walking everywhere and lots of heavy lifting), and generalized pain.

Many patients were severely dehydrated and received teaching on the importance of proper hydration. Pregnant mothers were in need of vitamins and iron. Many children received a ziploc packet of 10 chewable vitamins. Each child was given a new toothbrush and a small donated toy.

While the families waited to see the medical team, the children entertained themselves with soap bubbles, small plastic balls, and a tug-of-war rope provided by the mission team. I made a friend, a little boy named Daniel, who is an excellent soccer player. I cannot play soccer to save my life, but my competitive nature and his sweet smile led me to run all over the dirt yard, trying (unsuccessfully) to get the ball away from him. As I doubled over, gasping for breath, he walked up, shook my hand, and showed that adorable smile. Despite my lack of soccer skills, apparently he found me a worthy opponent. :)

A little while later, a two-year-old girl came in with a burn on her leg. Her screams pierced my heart. As we crushed up some baby aspirin in water, the medical team applied Sylvadene cream and a non-adhesive dressing. We prayed for the Lord to lift her pain and trauma and heal the burn caused by a pot of boiling soup she tipped over.

In the early afternoon, we took a quick lunch break and prepared for another wave of 100 patients. We were rained out, however, so we had to call it a day. Now we are back at the ministry house, sorting through medical supplies we hurriedly boxed up in the rainstorm, and setting out our next day's supply of children's toys and games. We're thinking of bringing beach balls and punching balls for our medical mission tomorrow, along with more donated stuffed animals (dressed in colorful outfits knitted by a dear friend of the team) and animal finger puppets. We've decided to go with just one tent for the medical station tomorrow, because the $60 per tent rental fee is eating into our supply budget, and we're trying to be good stewards of what we've been blessed with for this mission trip.

It's hard to walk away at the end of the day, knowing we put a band-aid on a gaping wound. As with Jesus, our hearts are moved with compassion for these people who struggle with so much. I'm reminded, however, of the deeper meaning of what the Lord did today. He allowed us to offer strength and encouragement to our Guatemalan brothers and sisters, as they walk out their faith in our precious Lord, in this difficult environment. A smile, a hug, some needed pain relief, some medicine to kill parasites and stop the damage of infection, words exchanged in kindness, a stuffed animal to hold, a shout of encouragement on the makeshift soccer field ... in each of these moments, in all these different ways, Heaven met earth today.

We were all reminded, together, that we are children of the King. We suffer together in this earth, but still we live in God's Kingdom. Little by little, in moments like this, we help each other see His Kingdom more and more. Wherever we gather together in His name, our Lord Jesus Christ is there. By His love, we are healed, strengthened, encouraged, and transformed.

"Asi, todos nosotros, que con el rostro descubierto reflejamos como en un espejo la gloria del Senior, somos transformados a su semejanza con mas y mas gloria por la accion del Senor, que es el Espiritu." (2 Corintios 3:18)

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Gloria a Dios! Praise be to God.

Blessings from Janet Eriksson, Guatemala Team 2011

Saturday arrival and fellowship dinner for young couples

I was on the team in 2010, and have been blessed to return this year. Upon arrival I could already
sense the presence of the holy spirit at work. There was no denying that. We had the privilege saturday evening to serve dinner to 50 couples from the community. What a blessing to be a part of that, to see the smiles and joy that they had. They have a hunger for Jesus and faith that is growing each day. During the worship time the Holy Spirit fell, and I believe that people were healed, and lives were changed. The worship leader had lived on the streets and was an alcoholic. Now he serves Jesus, and leads people to the throne of grace through music. Saturday was powerful, can't wait to see what God is going to do next. Its awesome to see what is happening here. Its a blessing to me. Tom and Elizabeth need your prayers, they are those who give all daily. May God bless You. Mark Miller

Come, Holy Spirit

Two years ago, on my last visit to Guatemala, the new church was nothing but a vision and a fenced-off patch of ground on a hillside with a dramatic view. This morning, it was like walking into the throne room of God. As I walked up the steps, I had to stop and take a moment. When I finally made it inside, I had to drop to my knees. There was such a holy presence of the Lord. I was in awe of what He created on that spot - not only a beautiful, holy place of worship, but also a fellowship of people with hearts intently seeking God in everything they do.

We were about three songs into worship and the worship team began to play Agnus Dei - "alleluia, alleluia, holy, holy are You, Lord God almighty, worthy is the Lamb" - and on this Pentecost Sunday the mighty wind of the Holy Spirit swept through that sweet and reverent place. I watched hearts melt into His fire.

God is planting deep roots in the fertile soil of that Guatemala hillside and especially deep in the hearts of the families that gather there for worship, fellowship, the Word of God, and His call to take His love into the community. I am in awe of these open hearts, so real, so hungry for everything God has, so willing to let Him set their lives on fire for Him and His Kingdom.

Come, Holy Spirit. Have Your way. Blessings on Your family here in Guatemala. My heart, my life, my witness will never be the same. - Janet Eriksson, Guatemala Team 2011

Friday

Soon to leave, tonight duffel shuffle.