Here is our Lenexa Baptist team under the big ceiba tree at the James Project. In the center are Brian and Tiffany Applegate, the directors. Standing left to right are Erwin Rodriguez, Darren Oglesbee, Heidi Rodriguez, Ryan Hutsell, Amy Stewart, Elise Biller, Wilson Velasquez, Faith Stafford, Brian Applegate, Tiffany Applegate, Amanda Russell, Olivia James, Jack James, Michael Ludlum, Jason Neland, Evie Neland, me, and Jon Koch.
Good morning from Guatemala!
As I write this, I am between the two projects we shared with you a little over a week ago. So I’d like to share a few highlights from our Lenexa Baptist team serving at the James Project children’s home in Monjas, Guatemala. And I must admit that we had a great time and the team gelled quickly and worked really well together. A special shout-out goes to Jack James, who led the team and kept us all going in the same direction.
Loving Kids and Sharing Jesus
Amanda receives some love from this little one.
The overall plan for the week was pretty simple. We would do various activities with the children, help with some food distribution, do some music training, paint the stage area in the gym, and serve a meal for a local senior center.
One evening, our team joined the children for devotions in each of their houses. This group held theirs outside under a beautiful sunset.
Below my signature line, you’ll find more pictures of the team in action. But before I show you those, I want to ask you to pray for our LifeQuest Church team arriving tomorrow.
Please Pray…
This team will be working with the Iglesia Damasco (Damascus Church) of Rinconcito. In our last update I highlighted how this church has already led over 150 people to Christ in preparation for our team coming!
Please pray that God will use our team to encourage the church, strengthen these new believers, and help us clearly share the hope we have in Christ.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
Love y'all!
Steve
Now more Pics!
PS…If you would like to invest in this ministry, you can give through the link below or send checks to:
Daybreak International, 11628 Oakmont St., Overland Park, KS 66210
The first evening after arriving, the kids welcomed us out on the basketball court.
The first morning, Tiffany and Brian took us on a tour of the property. Here we are seeing part of the agricultural area. Their goal is to produce as much food as possible to help offset the cost of feeding around 120 children and adults. This aerial shot was taken by Jon’s drone.
Jon and his drone captured some of the most amazing and interesting views of our team in action.
Jack and Elise lead worship training for one of the groups of children.
Amy brought some “Go Fish” cards that were a big hit during playtime.
Evie shares the trampoline with this little girl.
Heidi gives one of the teen moms a break by holding this cute little guy.
Erwin learns a routine from this little girl.
Several times during the week we had some unstructured playtime with the kids.
This tire swing was almost always occupied by children wanting a push. Amanda jumped in to help with the spinning.
Olivia shares a moment with this little girl.
With kids playing all around them, Heidi listens as a young lady pours her heart out.
UNO was a big hit with these older girls.
Jack, Olivia, Elise, and Faith lead worship during the Sunday service.
Darren, pastor of Reach Church in Paola, shares a message while Erwin translates. Erwin was born and raised in Guatemala, so he and his wife, Heidi, were a tremendous help with translation throughout the week.
Jack, our fearless leader, shares with the kids through the interpretation of Wilson, who was born in the United States to parents from Guatemala.
Darren took some amazing pictures during the trip. Here he shows some of the boys what he captured.
One of the newest additions to the James Project is this group of houses for families who need a safe place to stay. Lenexa Baptist had a part in helping with this project last year.
Our team sprang into action to serve during a special 20th-anniversary celebration honoring one of their key leaders.
Each night, we had team devotions. This was our last night in Monjas, gathered at a restaurant with an outdoor gazebo.
Jason and Carlos, one of the house parents for a boys’ home, discovered that they share the same birthday. Jason was given a Guatemalan flag as a gift, which they proudly held up together.
On the last night, the girls performed a special dance for us.
At the senior center, Faith leads us in singing the Spanish version of “Goodness of God.”
Darren and Jason roll on the paint while Ryan holds the ladder for Darren.
Darren captured this shot as we were walking down the street. If you are thinking about going on a mission trip, the message is pretty clear. Let’s Go!