Global Outreach Website

We spent a wonderful day in Antigua yesterday.  We visited a new school called Mundo Creativo and spent time with those teachers who attended the conference.  They were doing wonderful activities with the pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade students.  We were very encouraged and inspired by what we saw- very developmentally appropriate, very colorful, good teaching. Then we headed to the market in Antigua for shopping.  It is fun to interact with the vendors and bargain for a "good deal."  We had so much fun together admiring the local handicrafts and buying souvenirs.  We finished the day with lunch at Pollo Campero and a trip to the famous Antigua McDonalds for pictures.  The volcano was spewing smoke and we were able to take some pictures.  

It is impossible to summarize adequately a week like this:  We return with even more of a passion to pray for the teachers and students in these three school, to pray for ways to strengthen and support them in their work, and to share our story with people at home that want to share in this vision.

We got to enjoy looking at the beautiful mountains and volcanoes on our drive to Xetzitzi this morning.  It was a beautiful day, but it did not compare with the beautiful faces of the children that greeted us.  The sweet teachers, children and Carlos (the principal) gave "Welcome" a whole different meaning today.  We were overwhelmed by their hospitality.  They held an assembly in our honor in which they sang our national anthem, their national anthem and their community song.  Each of us was presented with a beautiful handmade gift and personal words of appreciation by each teacher and the principal.  It was so heart-felt, so warm, so special.  Each teacher had already begun to put into practice what they had learned from the conference.  They were so kind to provide a special lunch for us in which they served homemade tamales and bread.  It was a sacrifice for them to feed us and give us gifts, but they were so eager to make us feel appreciated.  Carlos had already set up a meeting that 30 other principals will attend so that he can share the ideas that he learned from the manual that Bobby Scott prepared for the headmaster training.  Carlos was very moved by what he learned in the conference and by our continued support of his school that serves very poor children.  Over the last three years the team from Perimeter has observed a dramatic change in Carlos, the clear work of the Holy Spirit in his life.  It has impacted the whole atmosphere of the school.  Praise God!  We are humbled to be part of what God is already doing.  Carlos and his teachers feel very connected to Dr. Alb's ministry and the PCS team.  He referred to us as "familia" many times during the day.  We were able to leave them with many teaching supplies and books today.  What a blessing it was to them!  Thank you to all of our supporters and to the children of Perimeter School who raised funds for this trip.  Our hearts are full.

Today we traveled to Esquintla to visit Maná de Vida- Bread of Life- school.  We were greeted with banners and singing children.  There was an assembly in which all of the students and teachers prayed for us and thanked us and our school for our support.  We visited classes and were humbled and encouraged to see the teachers implementing things we had shared with them at the conference.  The contrast between this new facility and the former cement block building in the inner city was huge.  God provided a spacious, plant-filled, airy new facility that even includes an outdoor pool.  We had the opportunity to spend time with Jessica Tsorin, the principal, and hear about her vision for the school and its impact on the community.  We heard about so many miracles today.  For example,  Jessica struggled last year to have enough money to cover the cost of food for the students' breakfast and lunch.  Already this school year God has provided more than what they needed and the middle school students distributed the extra food to those in need in their community!  Jessica said, "Every day we see the hands of God and our lives are transformed.  We want to thank our supporters."  We stand in awe of Him and what He is doing in Maná de Vida!

We are so happy to be here in Guatemala and at the MMM ( Medical Missions Ministry).  We experienced God's kindness through our safe travel, our free checked luggage (Delta waived the $40 fee for each bag!!! ), awesome worship at Vida Real, a great message from the pastor, the view of Antigua from a park with a 70 year old stone cross hundreds of feet above the city, and sweet fellowship with Dr. Alb, Linda, Ilse and the team.

Today, we hosted a teacher conference for 40 teachers and principals.  We shared ideas and teaching methods with them and we hosted them for breakfast and lunch.  The best part, though,  was spending time with the teachers, encouraging them in their profession and encouraging them in their faith.  God is working in their lives and we get the privilege to be a part of it!  Please pray for us as we continue to share our faith and serve these Guatemalan teachers.