06/30/07
The evening was passed watching the red glow from the volcano Fuego and admiring the brillant glow from Venus. God is an amazing God. The only thing Paul said he had wanted to "see" that he missed was an earthquake! It was a beautiful morning as the team packed to leave. As they gathered in our patio for the last time we exchanged hugs, promises to write, and plans for the future. It has been a good week, slowed by some illnesses, but much was accomplished, from relationships renewed and new ones forged, filters installed, stoves built and a latrine...soon to be functional! A quick trip to PriceSmart to buy a couple of presents for new and old friends, lunch, uneventful trip to the airport and then...as we began to unload the van...first a missing camera, a carry-on bag, then another bag was missing...A short prayer, checking all passports (everyone had theirs! Praise God!), questions... It appears that the window was forced open while we were parked in a "guarded lot" eating lunch! We praised God that all were safe and sound although missing a few items...not quite the way we had "planned" to end the trip. As Elisabeth Elliot reminds us: News reports come every day concerning economic and political calamities about to befall us all, not to mention famines, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanoes, things which may at any moment strike us or people we love. There are always plenty of good reasons to be afraid--unless you know that things are under control. A Christian has this "inside information." Things are, in fact, under control. God is our Refuge, our Strength, our Mighty Fortress. Nothing will get by the moat of his protection without his permission. To be afraid of what happens today or what may happen tomorrow is not only an awful waste of energy, it is not only useless, it is disobedient. We are forbidden to fear anything but the Lord Himself. When Christians in China were being hounded to death in the 1930s, one of them (I am told) wrote this simple song, which has helped me in countless times of fear ever since I learned it as a high school girl: I will not be afraid.
I will not be afraid.
I will look upward, and travel onward,
And not be afraid. Will power, of course, will not always overcome human emotions. But willed obedience to the One who is in charge, coupled with prayer for his help in vanquishing our natural fears, is something else. Again, we are so grateful for Purcellville Baptist, your support, love and encouragement, this very special mission team and each and everyone of you! May the Lord continue to bless you as you strive to seek His will! Your sister and servant in Guatemala, Carol Kendall
06/29/07
Well it has happened. The week has slipped by faster than we can beleive. Today Paul, Bob and Forrest went back to work on the latrine. We did not finish it but got it to a good point so that Forrest can get his helpers to finish it. In the afternoon it seemed that it was raining all around us but never on us. Everytime we have been working the Lord has held the rains at bay. Carol and the ladies went on a little hike up to a look out point over Antigua and then to visit a local pastor that holds a childrens ministry in his house. The guys worked pretty late on the latrine and the team wrapped up back at Forrest and Carol's place for dinner. Please be in prayer for Forrest as he has caught a cold and is not feeling well. The team feels that we have gotten a good insight into the Kendall's ministry, the need for the things they do and most importantly the need for Christ in this land. Most importantly Bob and Joyce, who have known Forrest and Carol for a long time, have been able to rekindle thier friendship and the rest of us have made new friends that we can support and pray for. The Kendall's could use several things but shipping them is not a viable option as things often get caught up in customs and it sometimes cost more to get them out of customs than the items are worth. The team boards the plane at 2:45 tomorrow and after a short connection in San Salvadore will be landing at Dulles at 11:00. Please pray that the flight will go well and all of our luggage makes it back. We are eager to see everyone, show lots of pictures and give a report. God Bless.
06/28/07
Today Paul and Emily were able to work with Forrest installing a water filter for a family in El Tizate, the village where Forrest's work shop is. We got to sift the sand and gravel and see how important it is that the sand be dry. The path leading to the house was steep and the last section is all steps leading up to the house. Sifting the sand is back breaking work and hauling a 150 pound filter and a barrel full of sand 100 yards up a steep and narrow passage was no easy task. This is the kind of physically streanuous work that Forrest does every day in order to have the opportunity to tell these people of God's love and the gift of salvation. After lunch at the Kendall's we walked to the bank. It is amazing how the simplest of things can take so long in this town. Carol shared that going to the bank to make some transactions can take up to an hour and the same goes for the post office. It seems no one is in a hurry.....except for the bus drivers and taxis. We spent the afternoon experiencing the market as it was raining again. Tonight is cool and quiet. Praise God that Bob and April are feeling better and the rest of us are doing fine. Also that Carol is feeling better today. It has been a real blessing having Forrest and Carol with us when we go out to direct us and tell us what is safe or not, both to eat and do. We ordered pizza for dinner and had a relaxing time of fellowship and games with Forrest and Carol before returning to the Lutheran Center. Tomorrow will be a day of hard work as we try to get as far along as possible on the latrine project. What we do not finish Forrest will pay some of his workers to do. We will not be able to finish the project, but we have come to realize that what God really wanted us to do is to build a relationship with the Kendall's, witness what they do here and encourage them. They are a sweet and genuine couple who love the Lord with all thier heart. They have been a great encouragement to us.
06/27/07
Today we saw first hand how the Lord works through the ministry of Forrest and Carol. We went to Santiago Zamora and installed two stoves. It was an awesome feeling to be actively involved in providing these dear people with what we would consider a basic necessity and watching as Forrest gives them the gospel message after we installed the stoves. He speaks of the importance of keeping our bodies clean on the inside and how when we ask Jesus into our hearts he washes us whiter than snow. The women are thrilled to have these simple stoves. The stoves use up to 70% less wood than an open fire and keep the smoke out of the kitchen area. We had lunch in the home of Victoria, a friend of the Kendall's and we all had a not very successful go at making tortillias. The women were very gracious hosts. The town sits near the base of a volcano and is surrounded by coffee fields. The surrounding mountain slopes are a patchwork of crops that must be very difficult to navigate. Carol and the ladies had a bible lesson with the children of the village after lunch where they made bracelets with colored beads that tell the salvation story. Afterwards the Village ladies set out thier handiwork and we were able to purchase thier hand made tapestries and crafts. It was great being able to bless them with the purchases and knowing that all of the money was going to them directly. Please be in prayer for April as it was not a good day for her. She was not feeling well all day and became more ill as the day went on. Please also be praying for Bob as his stomach is not feeling well. We asked Forrest what the stresses are in thier life right now. He asked that we pray for Carols health as she has not been feeling very well for quite some time and often gets migrains. Also thier truck has been acting up. We have witnessed the daily occurance of it running rough and loosing power. The only way to stop it is to pull over and turn it off. It eventually starts running okay but this is really an annoyance and a hinderance. Forrest has said that we are the only team that is coming out to work directly with them this year. We are really glad that the Lord has directed us to take this trip. The needs are great here as there are many homes that want the stoves and filters.
06/26/07
Praise the Lord. He gave us another dry day. After our breakfast at the Lutheran Center the men took off to work on the latrine again and the ladies went with Carol to Santiago Zamora again to teach the women how to use one of the stoves that they will be receiving tomarrow. Forrest, Bob and Paul were able to make good headway on the latrine and ended the day putting the floor panels ontop of the block walls. We gathered back at the Kendall's house for an end of the day wrap up and dinner. Forrest and Carol have been great hosts. We got back to the Lutheran Center around 8:30 and are going to walk to the town center for a cup of coffee and see a little of Antigua at night. Tomarrow we will install 1 or 2 stoves in Santiago Zamora and have lunch with the women there. They have all chipped in to buy the food for our lunch and are very excited to have us come see where they live and cook for us. It should be quite interesting as the food will be very traditional Guatemalan. The people receiving a stove will also be receiving a water filter but the women do not seem to understand the importance of clean water or how to effectively use the filters. Please pray that they will understand how to use the filters and pray that the team will be able to intstall the stoves and be humble guests to these dear women.
06/25/07
The Lord blessed us today with bright sunshine and warm temperatures. Bob and Paul went with Forrest to the location in El Ticate where Forrest has his work shop. This is the location where we began work on the latrine. The foundation was already set so we were able to begin laying cinder block as soon as we mixed the mortar. Levi, another missionary in Antigua met us at the site and helped to get us started on the block while Forrest began forming the rebar for the corner columns. The latrine will have a water tank on top of it so that Forrest can set up a misting system for the curring of the concrete water filters. It was hard work and our backs are reminding us of our age. Please pray that they will hold out. Paul handed out a stick of gum to a couple of the village children and before he knew it kids were coming from down the street and almost the entire pack was gone. He had friends for the day. The ladies went with Carol to visit with the local women in another village nearby to teach a lesson on cleanliness. The women are also eager to receive not only water filters but stoves as well. Most guatemalan women cook over an open fire made on the dirt floor and the house fills with smoke causing health problems for not only them but thier children as well. The women in the village have been praying constantly that God would allow Forrest and Carol to bring stoves and filters to them. Through thier praying others in the village are coming to know Christ. At first there was only enough to build 5 filters and stoves. The Christian women decided to let the nonbelieving women have them in order to show the love of God to them. Then a church in California donated enough funds to build many stoves and filters. All the women are thrilled. We will all be visiting thier village on Wednesday as they have invited us to lunch. We will be having a true Guatemalan lunch. The experiences of the day have certainly made us grateful for the very simple things that we all take for granted each day, clean water, stoves, toilets that don't just lead to a river in our backyards. We are all also amazed at how hard Forrest and Carol work each day as they serve the Lord and the people here. They have to work so hard in order to build the relationships and earn the right to tell these people about Christ. The people all adore the Kendall's because they care about the people here. Tomarrow will be more of the same. Please pray for physical and emotional strength for the team and the Kendall's.
06/24/07
Today after breakfast and devotions we had a chance to worship in church with the Kendall's among many other missionaries, students, adopting parents and locals. It was an energetic time and a great message. We then went to the Kendall's for a quick lunch and then traveled to Casa Aleluia for a couple of hours. Paul was able to connect with Ani, an 11 year old girl that he grew close to last year. While Paul was visiting with Ani the others headed to the baby dorm to cuddle and play with some toddlers. The afternoon went too fast and we soon had to head back to Antigua. We decided to give Carrol a break and the team took them out to dinner for a relaxing time of fellowship and planning. Pray for a safe day tomorrow as the ladies will be traveling to a village and the men will be working on the latrine project. Also please pray for Emily as she is very nervous about leading the devotion in a few days.
06/23/07
The Guatemala team arrived safely in Guatemala City on Saturday afternoon and was greated by a typical Guatemalan rainy season thunderstorm as we waited to be picked up by Forrest and Carrol. The trip was not without a couple of scares as the Taca computer terminal froze up as it was printing our last set of tickets and the words stand-by ticket were muttered. Also one member did not bring thier drivers license and we feared that it would be needed to get through security. But God is faithful and all turned out well. The 4 hour flight to San Salvadore and the connectiing flight to Guatemala City were great. We spent a wonderful evening with Forrest and Carrol in thier home and had a great meal. Unfortunately the Kendall's internet connection was down and we were not able to access the web to send this update.
06/19/07
The Guatemala team leaves on Saturday June 23rd to work with Forrest and Carol Kendall. They hope to help build a latrine for a local village and a storage shed for the sand and materials Forrest uses when making the water filters. Also the ladies in the group will be going out to the local villages with Carol teaching the village women the importance of cleanliness and hygene. Through the water filter ministry Forrest is able to share with the people the living water in Christ and through Carol's ministry she is able to share how the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins and clense us of all unrighteousness. The teams missions journal and photos will be available here as they are able to post them.
The evening was passed watching the red glow from the volcano Fuego and admiring the brillant glow from Venus. God is an amazing God. The only thing Paul said he had wanted to "see" that he missed was an earthquake! It was a beautiful morning as the team packed to leave. As they gathered in our patio for the last time we exchanged hugs, promises to write, and plans for the future. It has been a good week, slowed by some illnesses, but much was accomplished, from relationships renewed and new ones forged, filters installed, stoves built and a latrine...soon to be functional! A quick trip to PriceSmart to buy a couple of presents for new and old friends, lunch, uneventful trip to the airport and then...as we began to unload the van...first a missing camera, a carry-on bag, then another bag was missing...A short prayer, checking all passports (everyone had theirs! Praise God!), questions... It appears that the window was forced open while we were parked in a "guarded lot" eating lunch! We praised God that all were safe and sound although missing a few items...not quite the way we had "planned" to end the trip. As Elisabeth Elliot reminds us: News reports come every day concerning economic and political calamities about to befall us all, not to mention famines, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanoes, things which may at any moment strike us or people we love. There are always plenty of good reasons to be afraid--unless you know that things are under control. A Christian has this "inside information." Things are, in fact, under control. God is our Refuge, our Strength, our Mighty Fortress. Nothing will get by the moat of his protection without his permission. To be afraid of what happens today or what may happen tomorrow is not only an awful waste of energy, it is not only useless, it is disobedient. We are forbidden to fear anything but the Lord Himself. When Christians in China were being hounded to death in the 1930s, one of them (I am told) wrote this simple song, which has helped me in countless times of fear ever since I learned it as a high school girl: I will not be afraid.
I will not be afraid.
I will look upward, and travel onward,
And not be afraid. Will power, of course, will not always overcome human emotions. But willed obedience to the One who is in charge, coupled with prayer for his help in vanquishing our natural fears, is something else. Again, we are so grateful for Purcellville Baptist, your support, love and encouragement, this very special mission team and each and everyone of you! May the Lord continue to bless you as you strive to seek His will! Your sister and servant in Guatemala, Carol Kendall
06/29/07
Well it has happened. The week has slipped by faster than we can beleive. Today Paul, Bob and Forrest went back to work on the latrine. We did not finish it but got it to a good point so that Forrest can get his helpers to finish it. In the afternoon it seemed that it was raining all around us but never on us. Everytime we have been working the Lord has held the rains at bay. Carol and the ladies went on a little hike up to a look out point over Antigua and then to visit a local pastor that holds a childrens ministry in his house. The guys worked pretty late on the latrine and the team wrapped up back at Forrest and Carol's place for dinner. Please be in prayer for Forrest as he has caught a cold and is not feeling well. The team feels that we have gotten a good insight into the Kendall's ministry, the need for the things they do and most importantly the need for Christ in this land. Most importantly Bob and Joyce, who have known Forrest and Carol for a long time, have been able to rekindle thier friendship and the rest of us have made new friends that we can support and pray for. The Kendall's could use several things but shipping them is not a viable option as things often get caught up in customs and it sometimes cost more to get them out of customs than the items are worth. The team boards the plane at 2:45 tomorrow and after a short connection in San Salvadore will be landing at Dulles at 11:00. Please pray that the flight will go well and all of our luggage makes it back. We are eager to see everyone, show lots of pictures and give a report. God Bless.
06/28/07
Today Paul and Emily were able to work with Forrest installing a water filter for a family in El Tizate, the village where Forrest's work shop is. We got to sift the sand and gravel and see how important it is that the sand be dry. The path leading to the house was steep and the last section is all steps leading up to the house. Sifting the sand is back breaking work and hauling a 150 pound filter and a barrel full of sand 100 yards up a steep and narrow passage was no easy task. This is the kind of physically streanuous work that Forrest does every day in order to have the opportunity to tell these people of God's love and the gift of salvation. After lunch at the Kendall's we walked to the bank. It is amazing how the simplest of things can take so long in this town. Carol shared that going to the bank to make some transactions can take up to an hour and the same goes for the post office. It seems no one is in a hurry.....except for the bus drivers and taxis. We spent the afternoon experiencing the market as it was raining again. Tonight is cool and quiet. Praise God that Bob and April are feeling better and the rest of us are doing fine. Also that Carol is feeling better today. It has been a real blessing having Forrest and Carol with us when we go out to direct us and tell us what is safe or not, both to eat and do. We ordered pizza for dinner and had a relaxing time of fellowship and games with Forrest and Carol before returning to the Lutheran Center. Tomorrow will be a day of hard work as we try to get as far along as possible on the latrine project. What we do not finish Forrest will pay some of his workers to do. We will not be able to finish the project, but we have come to realize that what God really wanted us to do is to build a relationship with the Kendall's, witness what they do here and encourage them. They are a sweet and genuine couple who love the Lord with all thier heart. They have been a great encouragement to us.
06/27/07
Today we saw first hand how the Lord works through the ministry of Forrest and Carol. We went to Santiago Zamora and installed two stoves. It was an awesome feeling to be actively involved in providing these dear people with what we would consider a basic necessity and watching as Forrest gives them the gospel message after we installed the stoves. He speaks of the importance of keeping our bodies clean on the inside and how when we ask Jesus into our hearts he washes us whiter than snow. The women are thrilled to have these simple stoves. The stoves use up to 70% less wood than an open fire and keep the smoke out of the kitchen area. We had lunch in the home of Victoria, a friend of the Kendall's and we all had a not very successful go at making tortillias. The women were very gracious hosts. The town sits near the base of a volcano and is surrounded by coffee fields. The surrounding mountain slopes are a patchwork of crops that must be very difficult to navigate. Carol and the ladies had a bible lesson with the children of the village after lunch where they made bracelets with colored beads that tell the salvation story. Afterwards the Village ladies set out thier handiwork and we were able to purchase thier hand made tapestries and crafts. It was great being able to bless them with the purchases and knowing that all of the money was going to them directly. Please be in prayer for April as it was not a good day for her. She was not feeling well all day and became more ill as the day went on. Please also be praying for Bob as his stomach is not feeling well. We asked Forrest what the stresses are in thier life right now. He asked that we pray for Carols health as she has not been feeling very well for quite some time and often gets migrains. Also thier truck has been acting up. We have witnessed the daily occurance of it running rough and loosing power. The only way to stop it is to pull over and turn it off. It eventually starts running okay but this is really an annoyance and a hinderance. Forrest has said that we are the only team that is coming out to work directly with them this year. We are really glad that the Lord has directed us to take this trip. The needs are great here as there are many homes that want the stoves and filters.
06/26/07
Praise the Lord. He gave us another dry day. After our breakfast at the Lutheran Center the men took off to work on the latrine again and the ladies went with Carol to Santiago Zamora again to teach the women how to use one of the stoves that they will be receiving tomarrow. Forrest, Bob and Paul were able to make good headway on the latrine and ended the day putting the floor panels ontop of the block walls. We gathered back at the Kendall's house for an end of the day wrap up and dinner. Forrest and Carol have been great hosts. We got back to the Lutheran Center around 8:30 and are going to walk to the town center for a cup of coffee and see a little of Antigua at night. Tomarrow we will install 1 or 2 stoves in Santiago Zamora and have lunch with the women there. They have all chipped in to buy the food for our lunch and are very excited to have us come see where they live and cook for us. It should be quite interesting as the food will be very traditional Guatemalan. The people receiving a stove will also be receiving a water filter but the women do not seem to understand the importance of clean water or how to effectively use the filters. Please pray that they will understand how to use the filters and pray that the team will be able to intstall the stoves and be humble guests to these dear women.
06/25/07
The Lord blessed us today with bright sunshine and warm temperatures. Bob and Paul went with Forrest to the location in El Ticate where Forrest has his work shop. This is the location where we began work on the latrine. The foundation was already set so we were able to begin laying cinder block as soon as we mixed the mortar. Levi, another missionary in Antigua met us at the site and helped to get us started on the block while Forrest began forming the rebar for the corner columns. The latrine will have a water tank on top of it so that Forrest can set up a misting system for the curring of the concrete water filters. It was hard work and our backs are reminding us of our age. Please pray that they will hold out. Paul handed out a stick of gum to a couple of the village children and before he knew it kids were coming from down the street and almost the entire pack was gone. He had friends for the day. The ladies went with Carol to visit with the local women in another village nearby to teach a lesson on cleanliness. The women are also eager to receive not only water filters but stoves as well. Most guatemalan women cook over an open fire made on the dirt floor and the house fills with smoke causing health problems for not only them but thier children as well. The women in the village have been praying constantly that God would allow Forrest and Carol to bring stoves and filters to them. Through thier praying others in the village are coming to know Christ. At first there was only enough to build 5 filters and stoves. The Christian women decided to let the nonbelieving women have them in order to show the love of God to them. Then a church in California donated enough funds to build many stoves and filters. All the women are thrilled. We will all be visiting thier village on Wednesday as they have invited us to lunch. We will be having a true Guatemalan lunch. The experiences of the day have certainly made us grateful for the very simple things that we all take for granted each day, clean water, stoves, toilets that don't just lead to a river in our backyards. We are all also amazed at how hard Forrest and Carol work each day as they serve the Lord and the people here. They have to work so hard in order to build the relationships and earn the right to tell these people about Christ. The people all adore the Kendall's because they care about the people here. Tomarrow will be more of the same. Please pray for physical and emotional strength for the team and the Kendall's.
06/24/07
Today after breakfast and devotions we had a chance to worship in church with the Kendall's among many other missionaries, students, adopting parents and locals. It was an energetic time and a great message. We then went to the Kendall's for a quick lunch and then traveled to Casa Aleluia for a couple of hours. Paul was able to connect with Ani, an 11 year old girl that he grew close to last year. While Paul was visiting with Ani the others headed to the baby dorm to cuddle and play with some toddlers. The afternoon went too fast and we soon had to head back to Antigua. We decided to give Carrol a break and the team took them out to dinner for a relaxing time of fellowship and planning. Pray for a safe day tomorrow as the ladies will be traveling to a village and the men will be working on the latrine project. Also please pray for Emily as she is very nervous about leading the devotion in a few days.
06/23/07
The Guatemala team arrived safely in Guatemala City on Saturday afternoon and was greated by a typical Guatemalan rainy season thunderstorm as we waited to be picked up by Forrest and Carrol. The trip was not without a couple of scares as the Taca computer terminal froze up as it was printing our last set of tickets and the words stand-by ticket were muttered. Also one member did not bring thier drivers license and we feared that it would be needed to get through security. But God is faithful and all turned out well. The 4 hour flight to San Salvadore and the connectiing flight to Guatemala City were great. We spent a wonderful evening with Forrest and Carrol in thier home and had a great meal. Unfortunately the Kendall's internet connection was down and we were not able to access the web to send this update.
06/19/07
The Guatemala team leaves on Saturday June 23rd to work with Forrest and Carol Kendall. They hope to help build a latrine for a local village and a storage shed for the sand and materials Forrest uses when making the water filters. Also the ladies in the group will be going out to the local villages with Carol teaching the village women the importance of cleanliness and hygene. Through the water filter ministry Forrest is able to share with the people the living water in Christ and through Carol's ministry she is able to share how the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins and clense us of all unrighteousness. The teams missions journal and photos will be available here as they are able to post them.