Mother's Day and other May fun with the Kunkel Krew

 

We had a fun time celebrating Mother's Day with Jennifer and our Moms.

We had a surprise visit (surprise for Luke and the girls anyway) from Levi and Alanna as well. They were passing through for a wedding and it just happened to land on Luke's birthday.

Speaking of Luke's birthday. It is hard to believe that our oldest son is now 25!

Luke loves to go to Indians games so we took him to a game for his birthday.

It's rare that Emma gives her aunts or anyone other than Mom snuggles so Aunt Diane was eating it up.

We had a big party the night Levi and Alanna were here to celebrate Luke and Mother's Day. 

Celebrations and Birthdays

 We have had a few birthdays and some other family celebrations like Easter with our extended family recently. We are grateful to be closer to family!

Easter Sunday. At least everyone was looking but not everyone smiling

Cuties at the Drs

More easter pics

Easter fun

Ben's 47th Birthday

Sofia's 8th Birthday

Celebrating Harry's Retirement

Note from Levi our Son on an Upcoming Opportunity

Hey Friends,

I wanted to share about an upcoming trip that my wife, Alanna and I are going on. We will be going to Guatemala for a week to serve at a Guatemala Missionary Kids Camp, which they call "Camp Guamiski".

We currently reside in Kansas City. Alanna is a kindergarten teacher at a private school here in KC, I work full-time and study full time at Midwestern Seminary. Lord willing, I plan on graduating with my bachelors and go on to get a Masters of Divinity with hopes of moving cross-culturally to plant churches among the unreached.

Alanna and I have served at this camp a few years in the past and I attended this camp for several years as a missionary kid. This camp ministers to the missionary kids and their families. We come alongside them and have a week of gospel teaching and fun. During the span of five days, we do devotionals, prayer times, and preaching times. This helps the campers grow in their faith and have fellowship with their friends. We also do fun things like sports, games, team competitions, crafts, baking and much more!

The reason why this trip is so important and dear to my heart is the way I can relate to the kids that we minister to. As a missionary kid, you often feel like you don't fit in anywhere - in Guatemala you are an American among Guatemalans - in the US you don't feel like you relate to the American kids and their culture, you feel like and outsider. Missionary kids can relate to each other more than they can to anyone. This camp is very beneficial to these missionary kids, just as it was to me.

I would like to ask two things of you. First, would you come alongside us and our team and pray for our time in Guatemala? You can pray for fruitfulness and growth in the hearts of these missionary kids and in our hearts. Second, would you consider supporting us financially? We have our plane tickets covered but we need an additional $1,290 for things like food, lodging, ground transportation, and additional costs for the campers so that the families do not have to pay more. Any funds we get beyond this would help cover other team members.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Levi Kunkel

You can click here to give (click the drop down box and select the drop down "Guatemala 2025 - Pittman" Alanna's maiden name). Or if you don't need a tax deduction you can give to us directly on Venmo at @Alanna-Kunkel

Trip to Kansas City

 Jennifer, Joel and the girls took a few days to go visit with Levi and Alanna in Kansas City. They had a lot of fun. Here are a few pics from their time there.

Lots of snuggles

Levi and Alanna wanted to celebrate Sofia's birthday which is April 1st.

Lots of time in the car, but the girls did good.

 Emma liked this sign

The girls kicked the boys out and they went to watch basketball while the girls had a girls night which of course included nails.

Jake's Visit

 

We were very happy that Jacob got to visit with us for a few weeks before heading to Germany for his permanent duty assignment. Here are a few pics from his visit.

When he got back. Momma might have shed a few tears.

Thanks for praying with us for him and his transition.

Trip To Guatemala February 2025

 Ben had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala to serve alongside Carlos the new National Coordinator there. They held a pastor's conference, Ben was able to perform a wedding of couple he baptized and disicpled while living there. Love Guatemala also had a 10 year celebration of officially being a recognized ministry in Guatemala. And of course many visits with friends who are like family. 

Always fun to hang with the feeding center kids at Love Guatemala. The team continues to improve and disciple these kids.

The pastor's retreat which was held at our friend's ministry property.

Lots of time to share and worship together.

It's not a retreat without a campfire

10th anniversary of Love Guatemala

Prayer of thanks for 10 years and praying for many more faithful years serving the community of Magdalena and beyond.

Carlos and Telma the founders of LG

It was fun to hear many staff members share about their memories and experiences of working and serving at LG. This is Guicho our very first full time employee who is still working as Security.

The new staff at LG. They do a great job with Katy leading them.

Wedding time! This is Pedro and Silvia, Telma's brother and sister in law. The gospel continues to bring about restoration to their family. What a testimony to many there!

This was a special time of praying for them with their kids.

Ben enjoyed doing this wedding. Such a picture of the work of the gospel in a family. 

Getting some snuggles from Killian Caleb, Katy's son.

The best sunrises are in Guatemala!

Fun to hang out with the pastors one afternoon in Antigua!

Always hard to say goodbye!