Summer Fun

 We have had a lot of fun this summer with many different fun activites together as a family. Check out some pics below.

We have spent a lot of time in the backyard. We are so grateful for the place the Lord has provided for us in this season!

Levi and I took a trip to Kansas City where he considering going to college and seminary.

This was a family gathering with all my family including Harry my stepfather's kids which was fun. It had been many years since we have all been together.

Jennifer and I took a 25th anniversary trip. We went back to Guatemala and stayed at the beautiful lake a few hours from where we lived. It was an amazing time of rest and renewal other than the river we literally had to drive through to get there...see above.

The view there are incredible. The pool was nice and that is mostly what we did...sit by the pool and rest and read and swim. Oh and we ate a lot too. We are so grateful for 25 years together!

Our last night was in the city, Guatemala City that is. Our friends the Harmans took us and hung around for dinner and games together. Good times!

We also got to get awy to the Lake house our friends so generously let us use. It was a great time swimming, kayaking, reading, resting, playing games etc.

What a crew! We are so thankful for many times together this year which may be the last times together with everyone for a while.

Jennifer's Birthday and our 24th Anniversary

 Jennifer recently had a birthday. We won't say how old she turned. She is more beautiful than ever though! Unfortunately we were in quarantine dealing with Covid at the time of her birthday.

We still got her a cake though.

All her kiddos except Levi.

Selfie of the whole fam.

We also were able to get away for a night to celebrate 24years of marraige. What a gift our marriage is. 24 years we have had 7 kids, adopted 1, lived in 2 states in the US, two different countries, planted churches, established ministries, schooled kids, sent one of our kids to US and much more!

Of course we had a tag along this celebration. Next year for our 25th we are planning and saving for a trip without kiddos!

9 Years in Guatemala

 It is hard to believe we have been in Guatemala 9 years. We moved here June 20, 2012. Caleb our youngest boy was just 2. How things have changed. We did not really know what we were getting into when we moved to Guatemala. God has done more than we could have imagined or thought. Here are a few of the things God has done:

• Moved us here: Not an easy task to sell everything and pack up 21 suitcases with 5 boys and head to a foreign country. Many challenges along the way living in Guatemala but we wouldn't have it any other way.
• Learned Spanish: Well still learning but that will be the rest of my life.
• Helped further Establish Love Guatemala: Before we arrived our home church and other missionaries and mainly Carlos and Telma Lopez had established the Art, Cooking and Carpentry School and we came to support and further establish things. We were able to help further develop and implement devotionals, a sponsor programs, teams program, expand staff etc.
• Purchased Property: In 2013 we bought property which was a miracle in and of itself for a small ministry with very little resources.
• Built a 10,000 sq ft facility: Then God surprised us again by miraculously providing over a half million dollars for a new building to house our growing ministry in 2014.
• Started some new schools: In 2015 with our new space we started an English School and Literacy program which has now become a primary school for older youth/adults. 
• Started our Feeding Center in 2015.
• Started New Life Church in 2018.
• Bought more property and built our multi-purpose space in 2019. (The Lord knew we would need this space with the pandemic coming!)
• Started Bible Institute in 2020 with 10 students graduating this year.
• We have seen the Lord transform countless lives.
• Our family has grown by 2 soon to be 3 more. (See pics of family changes over the years below) 

To God be the glory! Great things he has done!

Thanks for supporting and praying for us over the years!

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalm 36:5

We are so grateful for God's faithfulness!

Our commissioning service in June 2012.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2019

January 2021

Easter 2021

Happy 3rd Anniversary to New Life Church!

 

We are grateful for the Lord's goodness in allowing New Life Church of Guatemala to complete 3 years of ministry! We have seen about 50 decisions for Jesus and 40 baptisms in these 3 years. We have over 50 people in our discipleship groups and we are finishing our membership process. 

Our band, when we started we used youtube worship songs ;-)

To God be the glory!