Hays-Z Days: July 2012

Our friends, the Gauthiers, are missionaries in Haiti. We knew them when we were in Rochester. We are thrilled to hear about their heart for the Haitian people and all the work they are doing there. They have been in the states since the end of June and came to visit us this past weekend. Their 3 oldest kids participated in a reading program and earned tickets to Great America. They went on Friday while the two youngest stayed with us. Isabella is Elise's age and gave Elise a run for her money! They ended up getting along well once they tested each other :) We had fun getting to know the girls, although it was a BUSY day! Five kids ages 5 and under is definitely a handful. It was a short visit but we were thankful for the time we had with the Gauthiers.

Charity (4), Elise, and Isabella (1...almost 2)

Isaac, Grace (7), Levi

Shane and Kara

Gabe (11) and Hammer (Abraham-10)

Dan and I arrived back from our mission trip to Guatemala. What an amazing week we had. God really opened our eyes and taught us many things. Our kids did a great job with Cindy and Darrell while we were gone, so that was a huge blessing.

What a privilege it was to be able to live out the gospel while we were in Guatemala. We studied Romans 12 throughout the week. It was a good challenge to put into practice in all of our areas of ministry. God really used the diversity of our team and our different talents to serve the Guatemalan people. Dan and I speak very little Spanish but God was still able to use us to show his love.

One of the biggest things God taught us during our trip was contentment. Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13 that he has learned to be content whatever his circumstances. The people in Guatemala have experienced many difficulties, through gang violence and poverty, yet those who know Jesus cling to his promises and have true joy.

Throughout the week, we were able to do various work projects and ministry. We helped put a cement roof on a home in La Limonada (the ghetto) and took off an old tin roof in another home. We were able to deliver mattresses/beds to 3 families. We went to the women’s prison and did a Bible study along with crafts. We painted the community center and playground at the city dump. We provided water filters to 18 families in the dump. We were able to provide shoes, clothes, toys, toiletries, and fruit to families in the dump. We also passed out devotional booklets that our team had put together to the various people we met. It was a very humbling week.

We were able to play with many different children in Guatemala, from orphanages, the ghetto and dump, and rural villages. The children there live very simple lives but are very happy and playful. We pray that they would not end up living a life of gangs and violence. We took a group of children from the dump out to eat at McDonald’s. That was a special treat for them. Some of the children didn’t even eat all of their food because they wanted to share it with their families. We went to the village of Santiago where the Mayan people had been displaced from their homes after a mudslide in 2005. They are still living in “temporary” housing. We took some of the children out to lunch at a nice restaurant. Again, many of the children saved their food so they could share with their families.

Hearing the people’s stories was very humbling. So often, it is easy for us to judge people for their circumstances but unfortunately, many of these people see no other choice. One of the gals, Leidy, shared about her rough childhood and how she became involved in gangs. She was recently released from prison and is trying to change her life. We are praying that she would come to know the Lord and be an advocate for Him.

Dan and I enjoyed being able to serve together again as a team. We pray that God would continue to take what we have learned to make other people aware and further his kingdom.