June 18, 2008

Ely had never seen me so excited as we anticipated the next groups arrival. I couldn’t hide my joy because my bride of 32 years was traveling with them. Donna works full time back in the states and only gets to accompany me once or twice each year on trips. That leaves me flying solo 8 to 10 trips each year so when she comes it’s a special time for me.

My anticipation faded a bit as I learned of the team’s delay in Miami. I had gone to the local flower shop and purchased a rose for each of the ladies arriving and of course, a dozen for Donna. Roses are very inexpensive in Guatemala.

The next four hours passed slowly as we waited and the team’s plane finally landed around 10 pm. Thankful they had arrived safe and with all of the luggage, we made our way from the airport.

This team, lead by David and Allison Mitchell of FBC Pulaski, TN, brought 10 suitcases of much needed school supplies with them. That’s 500 lbs of supplies! During the week they would be painting the school at Piedra Partida as well as holding VBS at the church in Santa Teresa and blessing some pastors with food and money.

On Sunday. the weather was beautiful as we traveled toward the coast. Arriving at the dormitory by 7PM we set up camp and prepared for the week ahead.
5AM comes early even in Guatemala. On Monday, we woke as the coffee brewed and the roosters crowed and by 6AM the team was painting the school. We stopped the painting by 9 or so for breakfast. As always, Rosa cooked up a delicious hardy meal for us each morning and we were filled with joy and contentment.

After breakfast, we loaded food and supplies and drove to some very remote areas each day to bless some of Ely’s pastors. Blessing pastors is always a very special time for the team and this time was no different. We were deeply touched with each and every stop we made.

In the afternoons, we held VBS each day and there were around 150 children who attended. The team did a wonderful job sharing Bible lessons with the children through skits, songs and stories. On Wednesday, 10 children prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior! We praised God, packed up, said our goodbyes and drove quietly back to the dorm. Many lives were touched but none more than ours.

One of the bright spots of the trip was picking up children who were walking to VBS. Many walked quite far and the temp was very hot so as we saw them along the road we’d give them a ride. One day in our van, already full of gringos, we found room for 14 more children who were walking. Twenty three in a van that seats only eight! As Ely would say…..”It must be God.”

On Thursday, we packed our things and dropped the trailer at a hotel in Malacatan. We decided to try something different this trip and spend our last night at a hotel. Ely knows the owners there and they gave us a really great rate of $25.00 per person. We drove to the mountains and visited some pastors then we retreated back to the hotel where we enjoyed relaxing around the pool, air conditioning and a hot shower.

On Friday, we rose early and drove to Lake Atitlan, a lake over 1200 feet deep and surrounded by volcanoes. At Panajachel, a village on the lake, the team did some shopping and we enjoyed lunch together at Don Rodrigo’s. We loaded up once again and finished our 3 hour journey back to Ely and Rosa’s home in the city.

We are grateful to all who come and serve with us in Guatemala. Our prayer is that your life will never be the same and you will always remember to pray for the people and the work there. May you be forever blessed in our Lord’s service.

I will be leaving this Sunday morning at 2:45AM with a mission group from our church to help out in Mazatlan, MX. I will return on Wednesday and then leave again on Friday for a family vacation. I will be going back to Guatemala on July 12 and will be working once again in the village at San Juan Bautista.

One quick praise report…..Our home church, Mars Hill Baptist, just finished their VBS and averaged over 300 children each day! There were many who received Christ and their Mission Offering was just over $1300.00! This money will go to help children in Guatemala.
I just wanted to say a GLORI A DIOS!!! WAY TO GO KIDS!!!

Thanks again for your faithful prayers and financial support.
Your Road Weary, Follower of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus,
Lewis & Donna Thomas
When Will We Cry Founders