Hosting a Team is the Best

The whole team plus their team house hosts

At the Staley’s who hosted the team in their lovely house.
Jorge and Julia’s kids helping the team work on their house.

Last week our first Limitless Ministries team that we’ve had the privilege to host returned to their home in Pennsylvania. It was so great to view our people and this country through their eyes. We put them to work constructing and making beautiful the rooftop at Pastor Jorge’s place a suitable gathering place for his flock. They were also able to rebuild the outer wall of the home of a single mom of three boys and install a new wood-conserving stove for her outdoor kitchen.

Carrying supplies to Lillian’s house

Lillian’s new stove

This group came ready to work hard and accomplished so much.

This is Reagan giving a hand.

Pastor Todd explaining this construction was a gift from their church.

Pastor Jorge’s blessings and thanks to the team.
Btw…this is Julia, who many of you have prayed for through her cancer.

All the kids loved Daniel, including my own.

Lillian’s kids and neighbors

We introduced them to Antigua’s outdoor market (making sure they were exposed to the hanging meat and fish isle for the gag factor) where we gathered food baskets for several of our single moms and Pastor Jorge’s family. They were all blessed. But when we were delivering one basket to a single mom of two, there were tears shed as she explained she didn’t even know how she was going to feed her boys that night as she only had a handful of beans in her house and no money to buy more. God knows our every need before we do. While most of us were food basket shopping, Pastor Todd and Kevin from the team taught and shared at the Saturday morning pastor’s training class.

At the market with all it contrasting colors and Volcano Agua in the background

Purchasing our staples for our food baskets…babies in–tow

Fun baskets for our friends to provide needed nourishment for their families

All our Antigua Market shoppers (and babies) with mucho comida

delivering a few baskets

   
It wasn’t all work for this lovely group, they were able to experience incredible zip-lining over the coffee farm where our two oldest boys once worked. And probably the highlight…hiking up very active Volcano Pacaya. We’ve never had the experience of actually going into the lava spewing crater until this trip. They all returned exhausted and exhilarated.

the team and our three oldest at Finca Filadelfia for their awesome zip-lining tour

the three seniors first time zip-lining

Everyone who went all the way up to the inside the crater of Volcano Pacaya

The long hike up the volcano

inside the volcano where the lava is spewing

Eric, one of Britt’s best friends, helped lead this team from PA.
He and his wife Kylene have been here 3 times now.

 
The whole month of March and half of April is pretty insane in Antigua as thousands of visitors come for the weeks leading up to Semana Santa (Holy Week). Our team was able to experience and view a bit of the carpets they build for the somber processions representing the time of Christ’s death. It’s great to experience as a visitor, but can be chaotic and frustrating for residents.

One of my favorite parts of having this team was the interaction they had with my kids. My kids loved doing everything with the team, and the littles especially still talk about the different friends they made and reminisce over that special week. And as providence had it, there was a physical therapist on the team who gave Kate and me some guidance on things we could do to work with Lincoln and help in his development to help strengthen his low muscle tone. Plus Lincoln got lots of extra lovin’s from everyone.

Clint helping with construction. He planned this last semester of school to include time to help with this team.

Karen, Julia’s daughter, loves Kate.

The girls helped paint nails…one of Kate’s specialties.

Lincoln and Addylen spent many hours together so her mommy could be with the team.

We had a physical therapist on the team who helped us with things we could do to improve Lincoln’s development.  Alisha’s husband is holding Lincoln here. It was her goal to convince Lincoln that Kevin was okay by the end of their stay. It worked. Everyone loved Lincoln…we’re used to that though.

But the most important thing that happened as a result of our guests was a renewed vision for me personally. It’s been a long time since we’ve had guests other than family here to participate in our ministry. I’ve grown weary. I’ve hit some pretty hard lows, which probably is mostly to do with having had a baby. But cultural differences start to stand out and get on your nerves after awhile. By seeing our people and this country through the eyes of this group from PA, my spirits were renewed.  I was reminded why we are here and the great need for what we are doing. I see less of the negative and see some hope. And for this I am most grateful for our 11 visitors (and a baby) from Pennsylvania.  Thank you, North Annville Bible for coming and making a difference in our lives. And thank you for believing in what we’re doing here.  (And for all the chocolate...like a whole suitcase full 😳...somebody knows my love language!) We’ve been so encouraged through your visit.