Restoration - Part 1

At the beginning of August, we celebrated our two year anniversary of being in Guatemala. On September 15th, we will celebrate the one year anniversary of launching Redeemer’s House International. I thought it might be a good time to share a few our of restoration stories.

Katarina, Debora and Giovani

In October, we met Katarina, a single mom who struggles to feed, clothe and educate her three children. She was abandoned by her husband when she was expecting her youngest daughter, Debora. She has very little education and work skills. Sometimes she washes laundry or make fresh hot tortillas to sell. Neither of these jobs can adequately provide for her family. She barely earns more than $1 a day.

When she earns that $1, she has to put $0.66 towards her rent. That only leaves $0.44 per day to buy food and basic necessities. What does that $0.66 a day get her? It gets her an 8x8 room, without windows or ventilation, an outdoor kitchen area, a fenced yard for the kids to play, an open well and a latrine. It does not get her running water or electricity. She must buy or scavenge wood for cooking. She borrows water from neighbors or walks to the local municipal water source. It takes time and energy to acquire these basic needs.

She often leaves the children unattended while she works. Their lack of proper supervision leads to some behavioral and educational problems. The lack of hygiene and adequate nutrition causes frequent illnesses, yet they have limited access to medical care or treatment. There are so many things going awry, how do we get started? Where does one begin to help or make a difference?

We begin with caution, discernment, prayer and conversation. We ask about their greatest felt needs. I don’t want to assume that what I see as the greatest needs are the same as what she sees. I don’t want to reinforce the perception of being the all-knowing gringa with power and money, here to rescue her from poverty or from herself. Where is the dignity in that? Sometimes, this is so hard for me. But I have learned I don’t always know what’s best for Katarina and her kids.

For example, when we first visited Katarina’s house, I was plagued by thoughts of her children falling in the open well and drowning. I was determined to do something about making a safer environment for the kids. It was obvious that Katarina was more concerned about other things - like not starving. After we got to know her better, we offered to build a well-cover (Add link here) for her. She was happy to let us do that, but EVERY single time we visited her, the well cover was wide open - which sort of defeats the purpose of building it to keep the kids out. 

I wanted to make a safer environment for Katarina’s kids. Yet my answer to the problem eventually became a literal burden. Katarina decided to move to a different house. That well cover was her property and she wanted to keep it. So, she busted it apart and physically carried it across town to her new house. A short time later, she moved back to her original house. She again carried the boards across town. Of course, now it is useless for anything except firewood and the well remains open. My “solution” to the “problem” didn’t work out like I expected.

Sometimes we want to DO something, we want to take action. I am discovering that what I really need to DO is BE PRESENT - present with Katarina and present with the Lord. I need to listen, wait on the Lord and only sometimes is there an action.

Working with the poor is not easy. I have to remember I am not here to end poverty, although there are times we can alleviate some of the burdens of poverty. I am here to love people because Christ loves them. Sometimes we take a step forward, and then it seems like we take two backwards. The good news is that every step - whether forward or backward - is a learning opportunity. We are learning how to work with the poor, how to be friends with the poor, how to shine the light of Jesus into a dark and hopeless world.

Still growing us ...

A few days ago I wrote about some of the amazing things God has done over the past year. Well what about the future? Remember when I said God can do crazy, amazing, incredible things ... and He’s not done doing them at Redeemer’s House? 

God continues to grow and expand our circle of influence. In January, we have the privilege of welcoming Todd and Maureen Erickson and their children, Katey, Clay and Emily to the staff of RHI. 

Katey, Emily, Todd, Clay, and Maureen (and Nina)

For the last two years the Erickson’s have been working in a village outside of Antigua. Their ministry has included a VBS style after school program, tutoring program for students, food deliveries to impoverished families, and intentional disciple making. We are thrilled to have them join us as we serve the least and the last in Guatemala.

They will continue to serve in the Antigua area, thus beginning a new service location for Redeemer’s House. We are humbled by God’s grace and mercy. He continues to lead, we continue to be a conduit through which He makes himself known to the nations.

Welcome Erickson family! Hold on, it’s a wild ride!

Rear View Mirror

If someone had told me 5 or 6 years ago that my husband would leave corporate America for full-time ministry, I would have said - “That’s crazy!” If someone had suggested 3 years ago that we would sell our home and all our junk to become missionaries in Guatemala, I would have thought they were insane. If someone foretold us 2 years ago, “Hey your first gig won’t work out as expected, so you are gonna start a new ministry.” I would have laughed, knowing that is the craziest thing God could do in our lives. If you had told us last year, that God would grow that ministry as He has done in this first year, I would not have believed you. I would have said - it’s not possible. I think the Lord enjoys crushing my expectations and exceeding what seems possible.

Here is an review of our first year with Redeemer’s House International.

Sept. 2011

• Returned from US on the 15th and launched a new ministry. 
• New school year begins - Parker in 6th grade, Anna Kate in 4th
• Application for 501(c)3 Non Profit Organization submitted
• Begin work on website - www.redeemershouse.org

Oct 2011

• Met Katarina - single mom of three beautiful children
• Visit from Peterson family
• Tropical storm damage - We saw the undeniable strength and power of water as it destroyed homes.
• Launch Adopt-a-family program to assist with nutritional needs, home improvement needs, educational needs and whatever else comes down the pipe.

Nov 2011

• Met Casimero & Maria - who lost their home in the storm.
• Burgers visit - Built a well cover for the protection of Katarina’s kids. 
• We adopted the world’s CUTEST dog into our family - Ali 
• Conversations begin with Rick & Emily Everswick about an extended summer visit to Guate.

Ridiculous, I know - but soooo cute!

Dec 2011

• RHI receives approval for 501(c)3 from IRS.
• North Metro Church hosts the Hope Market and raises over $6000 for RHI - used the funds to build a house for single mom, Rosa
• Mimi visits for Christmas - lots of sight-seeing and fun excursions.

Tradition - baking Christmas cookies with Mimi.

Jan 2012

• Rich & Cheryl Buhre arrive for four months - tons of fun serving and building ministry together.
• Began the process for creating a Guatemalan Non-profit Association, called Casa Del Redentor.
• Talked with 3 young adults who want to serve for one year with RHI - Lexie, Michael & Karri.
• Bought school supplies for needy families headed back to school. 
• Conversation with Everswicks evolves into long term co-laborers instead of a summer visit.

Feb 2012

• RHI’s first intern Eliza arrives for three months of service.
• We launch an After School Tutoring program to help kids with reading, math, English and Bible.
• Construction on Rosa’s house begins
• Took Casimero’s daughter, Maribel to an Orthopedic clinic in San Lucas Toliman.
• Lee helped build a front porch at Casimero & Maria’s house.

Working on Casimero & Maria's house

March 2012

• RHI’s first short-term team - ECHO - who helped with construction at Rosa’s. 
• Visits from many friends including - Maggard’s, Gibson’s, Pearson’s, Kicklighter’s.

April 2012

• Brown Family Team - such fun to share and serve together. 
• Residency process is finalized, we are now residents of Guatemala.
• Xocomil - we took the kids to an amazing Guatemalan water park to celebrate their birthdays.
• Met Sebastiana - a grandmother helping to support and raise two adult children and two grandchildren.
• Took Maria Celestina to an eye clinic in Chamancaj, Guatemala

Our favorite lazy river!

May 2012

• Angel’s parents arrive with a team from the Crossing Church in Tampa, FL.
• Friends from Antigua bring family and friends (13) to support Todd running the Panajachel Half Marathon in the rain.
• Grandfather/Grandson team help build a new latrine for Casimero’s family.

Todd running on a lonely stretch of mountain road.

June 2012

• Intern Cat Marlow arrives for one month - such a huge help with teams and school programs.
• NMC brings a rockin team who helped host an amazing science camp
• Accidental Intern Kristina moves in for 6 weeks and wrecks our life - (actually she was a divinely appointed blessing to our summer)
• Rob Greene arrives to talk Lee’s ears off - I mean brainstorm through Vision, Strategy and Goals, blah, blah blah and other really helpful stuff.
• Casa Del Redentor receives approval as a Guatemalan Association.
• Met Nicolasa and Dominga - two single moms trying desperately to keep shelter over head and food on the table.

Amazing day at the lake.

July 2012

• Cruser Family - Father and two daughters arrive to serve and bless the families of Pana. Bonnie Leigh stays an extra week to serve and visit clinics.
• Lee & I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.
• We take all the interns kayaking on Lake Atitlan. (BL, Kristina, Bethany & Katie)
• Melder Family Team - Parents and 3 daughters came to serve and teach 4 days of Art Camp. What fun, messy times we had!

Paper Mache art projects - fearfully and wonderfully made.

August 2012

• Radfords are headed to the States for much needed rest, relaxation and Chickfila.

See you guys soon!!

So as I look in the rear view mirror I see - 2 non profits created, 4 long-term missionaries joining, 3 mid-term missionaries joining, 5 interns discipled, 130+ days of guests/teams hosted, 55 visitors from US, served 9 Guatemala families (50+ people), taught 40+ kids in after school program - and ONE amazing God who can do crazy, insane, impossible things with any old passenger in the car.

Guess what? He’s not done yet - He’s doing more incredible and unbelievable works. 

A conduit of God's grace

This morning as I was washing the dishes, I was praying and pondering all the amazing things God has done in the last year. I am amazed at some of the exciting things He is in the midst of doing right now. Last night, as we talked with some of our dear friends and board members, we joked about God being so far out in front of us. He seems to be moving so much faster than us, we wish he would slow down and let us catch up or at least catch our breath.

As I was praying about this, the Lord said “Silly child, if I let you catch up with me, you might get the impression that you have something do with my plans, you might get the idea that YOU can do it in your own strength or you can make it happen. I am at work on my plan and you are just the conduit.”

I started thinking about that - conduit - what is conduit anyway? According to Wikipedia - “electrical conduit is a piping system used for the routing and protection of electrical wiring.” Interesting, so I am simply a routing system for God’s love, his grace and his power.

When an electrician installs conduit, the conduit doesn’t tell the electrician where to install it. The electrician knows what type of conduit to put in various locations based on it’s capacity to handle power. The conduit itself has no power or ability to generate power. There is a source of power and there is a recipient of power, but the conduit is simply a path through which the power may pass.

So, we have no power on our own to execute God’s plan. He is the source of power, the people of Guatemala are some of the recipients of his power and we are simply a path through which his power may pass. 

Lord, lead on and we will follow. Do your thing in us and in this ministry you are building. May we humbly allow your power to pass through us as you are building your kingdom. 

Rockets, Magnets & Gooey Gak

Ready to explore the world!

I had the amazing privilege this week to help teach a Science Camp to about 45 Guatemala children, ages 5 - 16. (in Spanish) The education system in Guatemala struggles to effectively teach the basics of reading, writing and mathematics. So when it comes to history and science, they do not have the necessary resources to teach much more than the simplest of scientific concepts and minimal history. We often find that we have read more on the history of Guatemala than the average Guatemalan. 

Kids, Teachers and NMC Team

Every week we host an After-School tutoring program at a local school. While talking with Principal Nancy about different ways we can help advance her work with the kids in her school, she mentioned that they don’t have the experience, resources or materials for science experiments. They read science facts from a text, but they have no hands on experiences.  Can you imagine trying to understand the concept of magnetism without using magnets or chemical reactions without actually mixing baking soda and vinegar?

Learning about plants....

and magnets ....

When I found out we had a crew of teachers coming from North Metro Church, I asked if they would be interested in planning a mini-science camp. I was a little hesitant, knowing it might be more than I could pull off. This group of teachers were AMAZING. They came up with the activities, the group management plans, 90% of the materials and they even had the lesson plans translated into Spanish. What a joy to have this team serve our ministry and the kids of Guatemala!

Lava lamps were a big hit!

The kids had the opportunity to examine, observe, explore, touch, smell, hear, taste and feel plants, magnets, sound vibrations, chemical reactions and food mixtures. They especially enjoyed the chemistry day as we made a gooey mixture called “Gak.” We also made rockets from plastic film canisters with water and Alka-seltzer. On the food science day, they loved making trail mix, fruit punch, and peanut butter balls.

3 - 2 - 1   BLASTOFF!!

The kids and teachers were so grateful for all that they learned this week. The Lord sees these kids and Nancy’s desire to provide a well-rounded education for them. He provided for a great need in their school. We just happened to be available for him to use. It was our honor to serve alongside this NMC team as we planted seeds and grew young minds. Gracias a Dios!

Sweet little treasures!

Read to me

I come from a long line of readers ... my maternal grandmother was a voracious reader, my mother doesn’t leave home without several books, I frequently say to myself, “just one more chapter, then I’ll turn out the light and go to sleep.” Gotta keep the legacy going ...

I was that mother, who read to my babies while I was still pregnant. I read aloud the original Winnie the Pooh when Parker was only nine months old. It’s such beautiful and clever writing. It’s not important to me if my children look like me, or look like Lee or sound like me or resemble me in any way, BUT I want them to LOVE reading. 

I want them to know the joy of leaving this world for a few minutes and getting lost in the land of Bilbo Baggins or Lucy Pevensie. I want them to learn about space, the Titanic, how to make your own bow and arrow, and Abraham Lincoln. I want them to read for pleasure and for learning. It’s a skill for all ages and phases of life.

That’s why it crushes me that most Guatemalans do not enjoy reading. Depending on the website you look at, Guatemala has a 69 - 75% literacy rate. There is not a real good definition for what qualifies as literate. My experience is that people can read somewhere between a 2nd and 4th grade level. (That is for rural, indigenous people with limited education - not urban, educated Guatemalans.) 

Kids in school don’t even have their own text books. Sometimes they use photocopied books or the teacher has the only copy. How is a person supposed to get information for themselves if they can’t get their hands on a real live book. Suffice it to say, they do not read for pleasure. It is purely a functional skill with minimal satisfaction and limited applications.

As I work with kids after school, one of my goals is to expose them to reading and books. I read to them, I let them look at books, touch real books, and read them to each other. I do anything I can to encourage an affection for reading and a love for books. One of our limitations is finding good books for a variety of reading levels in Spanish.

Recently, two young women have made a huge contribution to our book collection. After visiting Guatemala last Spring, Rebecca, age 13, decided to take Spanish as her language requirement in the 7th grade. As an assignment, each student was required to make an alphabet book in Spanish. After the assignment is completed, the books are then donated to a local program for Spanish speaking children. Rebecca asked if her class would like to donate their books to kids in Guatemala - which she then delivered herself when she returned to Guatemala this Spring. They are beautiful, hand made books which the kids are LOVING! Thank you Rebecca and Williamsburg Middle School Spanish class. Little ones all over Panajachel are practicing their letters and sounds. You are changing lives and opening eyes to the wonders of reading.

The following is a video clip of how we use these alphabet books.

Another young woman, Meredith, age 15, also visited Guatemala last summer. When she returned this Spring, her small group at church wanted to do something to help her on her trip. She brought me a ziplock bag full of money and change which they donated for any worthy purpose we could find. We tried to find books here in Pana while she was here, but alas, there were none to be found. So, we did the next best thing - we ordered them from Ebay. They just arrived a few days ago. This next week, every child in our after school program gets to go home with their very own book - to keep. I am especially excited for some of the older kids who get to choose from some classic books like - James and the Giant Peach, or Bridge to Terebithia, or Island of Blue Dolphins. The extras will be used in our after school program as well as the small but growing library of the school where we tutor. Thank you Meredith and Small group girls! You have given these kids a gift which is not only hard to find but a challenge to afford. You are blessing the nations!

Reading and education is not the Holy Grail for solving poverty and healing lives. BUT it is a hinge on the door that swings wide open to soooo many opportunities. Thanks to all of you who help us and others as we hold that door open, beckoning one and all to a whole new world.

A heavy gospel ...

Over the last few weeks, there have been many philosophical and theological conversations happening in our house. I am beginning to wonder if I have wandered into an episode of the Twilight Zone. 

As we dig deeper into the lives of the people around us, as we discover more and more about Guatemalan culture; we are learning, growing, questioning, and being challenged.  After a year and a half, we still get culture shock. Lately, we have been shocked by the “gospel”.

You see, the gospel has been here for over 500 years when the Spanish brought Catholicism to Central America. The Evangelical Protestants have been here for over 100 years. The legacy they have left is what I call a “Gospel Plus Theology.” In other words, the {gospel + ___________ = salvation.} You can fill in the blank with any number of legalistic rules, good works or false teachings. (i.e. no drinking, no smoking, no secular music, pray harder, go to church more often, have more faith, etc.)

The Joshua Project lists Guatemala as a reached nation. Yet, Guatemala is plagued with social, economic and spiritual problems. Poverty, crime, and broken families are pandemic across this nation. Where is the transformation and freedom that the gospel promises? 

The problem with a “Gospel Plus Theology” is that it makes me responsible in some way for saving, rescuing, healing or blessing my own life. If I do “X,” then God will do “Y.” For those already beaten down by poverty, hopelessness, and powerlessness, the burden of the {gospel + anything} is too much. 

It reminds me of a song by Casting Crowns - “What this World needs”

“We can’t strap ourselves to the gospel

because we’re slowing it down

Jesus is going to save the world

But maybe the best thing we can do

is just get out of the way.

What this world needs,

is a Savior who will rescue,

A Spirit who will lead

a Father who will love them 

in their time of need” 

This has brought us a season of reflection, introspection, prayer and study. We are challenged by the weight of responsibility to handle the gospel with great care. We desire for people to know and share the freedom of life in Christ. 

I don’t have many answers or solutions for the problem. Right now we are seeking to first understand culture of Christianity here in Guatemala. We ask questions, listen and learn. We wait for the Lord to reveal the next step in bringing his truth to his people.

Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 29-30

We are compelled to carefully consider how we handle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Are my words or actions adding to someone’s burden? Does it bring freedom and the abundant life? Does it bring rest to the soul? Or does it steal joy and peace? If it weighs us down, I’m not sure it’s from Christ.

What about you? Do you feel weighed down by the gospel or does your soul find rest in Christ alone?

Between the rains ...

to commune - 1. means to converse or talk together, 

usually with profound intensity or intimacy, 

an interchange of thoughts and feelings. 

2. to be in intimate communication or rapport.

God has created us to live in community. After he created Adam, he saw the need to create Eve because he intended for us to be relational beings. We are meant to converse and exchange thoughts and feelings. We are created with an innate need for intimacy and deep rapport with one another. We see evidence of this throughout the whole of Scripture.

We have been blessed in so many ways during our time in Guatemala. We love our home, our life and our ministry. Yet, if we had to name one thing we miss from our old life, it would be community. (and probably Chickfila, but definitely our spiritual answer would be relationships) Especially, where our children are concerned. We have friends and we have a church family here which we love very much. But we miss some of the intensely deep and intimate friendships we used to have in Atlanta. Following God’s call can be an isolating experience at times. The beauty of it is that I am forced to depend on Christ alone and not the comforts of earthly relationships.

As we serve others, we pour out ourselves. It is our joy and honor to be a blessing to God’s people. After a long season of being poured out, we can start to feel dry or even empty. We don’t even realize the tank is running on fumes. When we start to get cynical or caustic, we need to refill the tank. We need some rain.

Last week, we had the joy of a visit from some of our very dear friends, the Brown family. On the evening of their arrival, we went to a favorite restaurant in Antigua. Lee and I nearly burst into tears when we looked at the far end of the table and watched our children laughing, playing, and joking with their friends. (We also learned they were burning straw papers in the candles ... not sure about the influence of MKs.(missionary kids)) It had been so long since they were all together, but that rapport instantaneously returned and joy was overflowing. There’s nothing quite like knowing and being known by beloved friends.

We spent 10 days living in deep community, serving alongside one another, breaking bread together, worshipping the One True God together. (There may have been some knife throwing and blowing up of Coke bottles too.) Love was poured out on our family like the rains after a drought. It was precious for each of us. None of us realized how much we needed the rain on our dry and thirsty souls. Souls longing for connection in a deep and meaningful way. It is so kind of the Lord, to send exactly what we need, exactly when we need it - especially when we don’t even realize we have a need. (I know their family needed it too, as they are living and serving in a whole different kind of mission field - Washington, DC.)

More than a few tears were shed at the end of our time together. I take it as a sign of life well-loved. We feel loved and restored and refreshed - ready to face the season between the rains. 

How about you? Are you in a dry season? Do you need the rains that only deep and abiding community can bring?

The Everswicks Are Joining The Redeemer's House Team

Angel & I are very excited to announce the addition of the Everswick family to the Redeemer's House team.  They will serve alongside our family here in Guatemala helping us grow the ministry that God has entrusted to us.  You can read more about the Everswick's journey here http://tinyurl.com/czvo5pn


As you can imagine Parker and Anna Kate are just a little bit excited.  Stay tuned for more... 

Be the ECHO!!

“Make God’s glory resound; ECHO his praises from coast to coast!” Isaiah 42:12

ECHO is a college/young adult worship service at our home church, North Metro Church. They sent 12 students to serve in Guatemala during their Spring Break. This verse from Isaiah is central to how they are serving this week. They are the echo of God’s glory resounding in the lives and hearts of children and families in Guatemala.

We have had some amazing moments this week, I have trouble picking just a few. Here are a couple of my favorites.

Playing in the warm afternoon sunshine!

On Sunday afternoon, we prayer walked through Panajachel. (That just means that we walked along the river wall and prayed as we saw the community that risks house and home by living in the riverbed.) As we walked, we encountered one of the families whom we serve. They invited all of us into their home. They have a one room home and all 18 of us found places to sit in the 10 X 12 room. They graciously served us Coca-Cola. The mom, Maria has had some serious health issues the last few weeks. She is greatly discouraged by the lack of improvement, in spite of the expensive medicines she is taking. We prayed for her and her family - out loud at the same time in many languages. It was so sweet to see these students fervently petitioning the Lord for healing and restoration for this precious family. It was even sweeter to see the encouragement in the eyes of this family.

Praying and walking through Pana.

Later that evening, we invited several Guatemalan families to join us for a cookout. We had a great turnout - about 40 people. The girls brought out nail polish, the boys brought out soccer balls, Rich cooked hotdogs on the grill - What a blast! I loved watching everyone playing, talking, eating together. Regardless of language barriers - there is something powerful in fellowship and breaking of bread. I think our Guatemalan friends felt valued and loved. I think our college students felt humbled and grateful - grateful for the privilege of loving and serving.

Playing ball with Tomas!

Girlie girls with pretty nails!!

The main project for the week was building a house for Rosa and her boys. The students worked so hard in the strong Guatemalan sun. They carried bricks, sand, wood, shoveled dirt and rocks, swung sledgehammers, dug holes and poured concrete. It was exhausting, back-breaking work. They did it with joy in their hearts for the glory of the King. 

Moved a lot of dirt this week.

Lexie and Lynsey - super dirty!

At the end of the week, Rosa and her sweet mama, Margarita wanted to give back to this group that traveled hundreds of miles to offer their time and talents. They prepared a classic Guatemala dish called Pepian. It contained chicken, vegetables and rice - smothered in a delicious Pepian sauce. It was such a generous gift from a family that gives so much already. We were humbled and honored to sit at their table and be served.

Lunch at Rosa's house. Pepian is delicious!

With Rosa and Margarita after a delicious lunch!!

I loved this group’s heart of service and their desire to ECHO the praises of God from coast to coast. I want to be the ECHO of God. How about you?


PS - I didn't take any of these photos. I totally pirated them from everyone's Facebook page. Gracias!!