Since this is my first mission trip I know that it will be a rewarding experience. I have a vast knowledge of carpentry and painting. i work well with others and try to take advice from others although i at times find it hard to do so since i am self sufficent. I trust the Lord will give me the strenght to do the best that i can do.
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Dale, I'm am so very happy and honored to be chosen to serve as your Prayer Partner for this mission trip.
Remember to be sensitive to the fact that you are in America (Central) and that you are meeting Americans (Central). This was a new lesson to me the first time I went to Central America and some of us said "in America we...." We had never thought of it that there were many more Americans than just North Americans. You probably already are aware of this cultural hint!
By now, you and the team are exhausted from all of the planning and packing, and yet there is quite a sense of excitement as you come together in your travels, arrival, and settling in.
Here is the Psalm of Ascents (Psalm 121) as you begin your climb of this trip...may it bless you as it has blessed so many over the millennia...
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip-
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel (and AGLC)
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you-
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm-
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Be assured of my prayers for travel mercies!
Your sister in Christ and prayer partner,
Sun. April 18: Morning devotional, travel to Huite/Zacapa, Habitat for Humanity presentation
Dear Dale and AGLC Guatemala Mission Team -
Are you getting a sense of what Jesus and His disciples went through as they left their homes and went into the unknown, teaching the Good News from town to town?
Jesus said, Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light. (Matt. 10:9 MSG) ...well, maybe you need 2 suitcases each ;-)
In respect to the training you are going to receive in the Habitat presentation, take note of how it will require the team work of many to accomplish such an ambitious goal in such a brief amount of time.
We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. (from Heb. 12:4 MSG)
Be assured of my fervent prayers for your continued travel mercies and for wisdom and understanding to grasp the information in the Habitat presentation. Learn much so that you can bring back the story for all of us who can't wait to hear how you all served as our ambassadors...but most of all, ambassadors for Christ!
Your sister in Christ and prayer partner,
Lois Schaefer
Mon. April 19: Welcome ceremony with families and masons, Work begins
Dear Dale and AGLC Guatemala Mission Team -
As you are welcomed, so you are reciprocating with graciously accepting that welcome. Cultures and expectations will be different from what we are used to. But we are there to listen and to learn of new people in new places.
So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it! Romans 15:7a (MSG)
Be assured of my fervent prayers for everyone's acceptance, understanding, humility, and love actions. May the Lord send the protection of His guardian angels over all of you.
Your sister in Christ and prayer partner,
Lois Schaefer
Tue. April 20: Full work day
Dear Dale and AGLC Guatemala Mission Team -
And you thought Florida was hot in the summer...welcome to Guatemala to discover the definition of hot.
Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. (1 Thessalonians 1:2 MSG)
Be assured of my fervent prayers for the protection of everyone as your labor of love will not only be of construction efforts, but also in building relationships with one another on the AGLC mission team, and with everyone on the site.
Your sister in Christ and prayer partner,
Lois Schaefer
Dale, I thank God for you and the "team" as you serve him so unselfishly. Ralph and I continue to pray for each of you that God would protect and keep you all strong. Your life and service glorifies God as you so willingly give your life to the service of others. You have truly been blessed to be a blessing to everyone who crosses your path. God bless you always!
Wed. April 21: Partial work day; cultural activity
Dear Dale and AGLC Guatemala Mission Team -
I had the privilege to go to Guatemala in 2007 where I and the others in our small group grew from a better understand of the culture and the people. It was important, we found, to listen and learn rather than pulling out our electronic gadgets (smart phones, pc's, whatever) and try to "wow" them with our North American electronic magic. There we discovered that children are children the world around. With the most simple objects, they create a toy or a game.
Please bring back great stories of your cultural discoveries!
Saul spent a few days getting acquainted with the Damascus disciples, but then went right to work, wasting no time, preaching in the meeting places that this Jesus was the Son of God. (Acts 9:19a MSG)
Be assured of my fervent prayers for cultural understanding and enjoyment in a celebration of one another!
Your sister in Christ and prayer partner,
Lois Schaefer
Another day of productivity.
The God-of-Heaven will make sure we succeed. We're his servants and we're going to work, rebuilding. (from Neh. 2:20 MSG)
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess. 1:3 NIV)
Be assured of my fervent prayers for your bodies as they meet the physical challenges presented by labor, the likes they probably haven't experienced in years. May the Lord sustain you, and give you rest as Christ's light in you is demonstrated in cordiality, humility and love over and over in these days.
Your sister in Christ and prayer partner,
Lois Schaefer
Fri. April 23: Work day; closing ceremony with dedication of Zacapa's 2000th home
Dear Dale and AGLC Guatemala Mission Team -
You have toiled such long days to accomplish this build, and your labors have not been in vain. But greater building has occurred in relationships built on the foundation of Christ our Lord.
8We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. (1 Thess. 2:8-9 NIV)
You have persevered through the sun and the toil these long days to accomplish the goals you set before the trip...and have succeeded!
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)
Your works in the name of Jesus will never be in vain.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:10-12 NIV)
Be assured of my fervent prayers for your continued safety during this last construction day, and for a joyful celebration at the completion and dedication of the house.
Your sister in Christ and prayer partner,
Lois Schaefer
Sat. April 24: Transfer to Antigua (ancient colonial capital); Free afternoon; Farewell dinner
Dear Dale and AGLC Guatemala Mission Team -
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
(Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV)
Be assured of my fervent prayers for your safety in travel, for relaxation and enjoyment and the end of your productive labors, and for good fellowship as you break bread together in the blessed name of Jesus.
Your sister in Christ and prayer partner,
Lois Schaefer
Sun. April 25: Worship at the Lutheran Church in Antigua
Dear Dale and AGLC Guatemala Mission Team -
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. (Genesis 2:2)
I wonder what worship service you will attend, and whether this is the church you will attend:
Antigua St. John's Lutheran Church
Worship Services:
Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes:
Sundays at 9:45 a.m.
Spanish Worship Service:
Sundays at 9:45 a.m.
Spanish Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes:
11:00 a.m.
Be assured of my fervent prayers for your day of rest as you celebrate new life in the Lord's House in Antigua with your brothers and sisters in (Central) America.
Your sister in Christ and prayer partner,
Lois Schaefer