Day 6

     Paige and John served up another fantastic breakfast. They cooked up some crepes, bacon, and sausage. It was really good and we should be thankful for having them here to take care of us each morning. Next, we had our devotion, led by Pastor PJ. He shared a story with us that touched many hearts. His main message was that you are good enough, and that God still has work to do in all of our lives. It was great that he finally felt comfortable sharing this story with our mission team. Directly after our morning devotion, we grabbed our bags and hopped onto the bus. We were going to Antigua.

     The trip to Antigua was about an hour, due to some light traffic. We drove to a small area with a bathroom available. Our tour guide helped us get around Antigua, and gave us bits of information along the way. We all walked down a trail to Lookout Point. The view was breathtaking! Everyone was taking pictures of the buildings and hills. It was really cool to see the Volcano erupting. Don't worry, we're all fine! We also visited the Jade museum, where you could purchase jewelry and other creations made out of Jade. Afterwards, the group explored the Ruins. Fun Fact, the Ruins consist of sixty eight domes. For lunch, we went to a steak house, which was really delicious! That left some of the afternoon for shopping. Shopping at the market was amazing! Everything the people had to sell was beautiful, and it really displayed the unique Guatemalan culture. There was so much to choose from too! Bags, shoes, purses, instruments, shirts, scarves; I'm not sure how we even finished shopping by three 'o' clock! Unfortunately it started raining, so we had to run onto the bus.

     When we got back, the majority of us went to go play with the kids at Dorie's Promise. They're all so cute and adorable; I'm not sure how we'll all say good bye to them on Saturday. Debrief was at six thirty. We all shared our highs, lows, challenges, and lessons. Rachael finished off with a prayer. We prayed for Pat, the woman who unfortunately couldn't join us on our mission trip, due to an emergency appendectomy. We really hope that she's healing and recovering well. After our prayer, we ate dinner. Some people ate what our chefs prepared, and others ate leftovers. It was a really great day, and I think that everyone had a great time. We're looking forward to being helpful at the dump tomorrow. Plus, we get to take the kids to the Circus! (It's a surprise...shh) Thank you Lord Jesus, for another great day!

Day 5

How  can one day be even more overwhelming than the next and the next and the next.
Once again John H. and Page served up (with great pizazz) a terrific breakfast.  I couldn't help but reflect on what our Guatemalan brothers and sister have to look forward to.  We have so much.

Our time in devotion reminded us (from my perspective) that we have to "let go and let God".  He just wants us to be a "filter" through the contamination our lives for His love and grace and forgiveness to get through. Then, of course, we need to become mirrors, doing what we can to reflect those blessings.

The beauty of the landscape, observed as we traveled to Paradise (isn't that and ironic metaphor!) was such a contrast to the landscape that has evolved at the hands of we humans.  As the days progress it has been sustaining to feel the energy overriding fatigue as we anticipate what is to come.  " The Light in Paradise" is a project developed to provide food and tutoring support to the children thereby enabling their continued educational pursuits.  The brave and fearless cement folks went off to create a solid "foundation" in two homes while the rest launched into sorting, organizing and packing in anticipation of the sharing of clothes, hygiene kits to the children.  Their responses were so awesome given gifts that were so minimal.

We walked the rough road (another metaphor) to visit three families and see the places they call home.  Humbling!  For me, even shaming, and yet for them, accepted reality.

Next, to the ever present soccer space for a game played with all the energy of the World Cup.

Dressed up and still ready to go, we bused off for dinner and, although long past the dinner hour, a great time of food and fellowship.  The end of a day that challenged both our physical and emotional selves guided by the Lord of all.

Jan Berghorst

Day 4

           Today was a day that began with a really heartwarming devotional.  It was called "validation".  It started with a short video, then we sang a worship song, then we chose a person or two to validate (lift up/tell them about what makes them so special).  I chose Nora because she became my friend through babysitting for her family.  We've had many conversations in the past, but crying with her and hearing her appreciation along with me telling Nora all her positive attributes.  I loved starting out my day by getting out my emotions because yesterday I let my emotions get the best of me at the state orphanage.
            We spent a great deal of time today in the Mine Ghetto.  This ghetto was set up with many houses that were basically on top of one another in a sinkhole type of area with a river running down below.  We learned that they called it the Mine because the river was the catch-all from the drains and the people of the mine go down and sift through the water to look for jewelry that they can resell.  It was very hard to walk around this area because the ground was uneven, the stairs (if there were some) were steep!  I enjoyed visiting the homes more than I thought I would.  We gave them food baskets and listened to their stories.  The Guatemalan people are such faith grounded people and they are so free with sharing the love that God has given them.  They have so little yet their hearts are so full with the Holy Spirit!  They are the most thankful people!!!!  We had two jobs while there: helping to build more concrete stairs by mixing concrete to pour into the forms and we gave out hygiene kits and clothing to the citizens.
              Upon leaving the Mine, some of the women who ran the donations blessed us and lifted us up in prayer.  I loved leaving that way...
               When we came back we enjoyed teaching the children at DP/FC (Dorie's Promise/Forever Changed) a bible story and making a craft.
LESSONS LEARNED- Everyone can play soccer, everywhere we go!

Day 3

Day 3

This morning started off with another fantastic breakfast made by John H. and Page, followed by a devotion led by Pablo, which set the tone for our day. From Luke 15, we heard again the way the father, as a picture of our Heavenly Father went after both his sons, because he loved them. In the same way, our Heavenly Father loves, provides for, protects and has adopted us as his children. What love the Father has for each of us, and for each child here in Guatemala, that we should be called children of God. 

Zumba with the special need kids.

So, with that in mind, we visited a state orphanage and had the opportunity to take some really precious special needs kiddos out for a walk in their wheelchairs! What a simple joy for them, and a gift for us to show love to them. Next, some of us played soccer/futbol with special needs older kids and others of us danced zumba and took pictures with other special needs kids. What a blast to love on them and take pictures with them and dance with them and giggle with them!! Finally, we spent some time teaching teen mom's at the state orphanage to use knitting looms we brought with us to make hats for their babies and scarfs for themselves. Was challenging to learn for some, but a real gift to spend time with them teaching them to use the looms. 

While it was amazing to show love to these kids, who have been rejected and abandoned by their families, it was also hard to be there, as well as eye opening. It is not an easy place to be, feels like a prison, and it is a tough life for those kids. And yet, God showed up and taught us a lot about not relying on our circumstances to be happy, but on the love of God and relationship with Jesus. One of the young ones moved us all as he described with tears and just a few words how hard it was to be introduced to a 12 year old girl, same age he is, who was 5 months pregnant. Another two had a conversation with a teen boy in a wheel chair. They expressed sadness to him because he is in a wheelchair and his life is really really tough. He responded to them to not feel heavy-hearted because God is with him and fills his heart with the love of Jesus. When you open your eyes and hearts, it is amazing how God shows up and blesses you.

We came home and spent a great afternoon with the kiddos at Dorie's Promise - more soccer, a walk around, and dodge ball! What a blast to be with these kids. A highlight also was spending time with the girls - we read Matthew 14 - Jesus calming the storm with his words and stilling the fears of his disciples with his presence. We learned Matthew 14:27 with the girls to the tune of "Los Pollitos" for those of you who might know it... Jesus les hablo, diciendoles, Calma, calma, calma, soy yo, no tengan miedo. Jesus said, Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid. The girls sang it, the amazing star special mama's sang it, we even had a men's chorus sing it! It was a blast, and silly, and also great to put those sweet words of Jesus in our hearts and the hearts of the kids... 'cause sometimes fear rises in us, and how good to know again and again that Jesus is with us and we do not need to be afraid. We made boats with the girls, fed them, watched one toddler begin to take her first steps. 

We laughed and cried and ate and danced and sorted donations and laughed some more. A great dinner and sweet time of debrief filled our evening, too. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for another great day.

Day 2

Day 2

 Day 2 started early in the morning around 6:30.  After showering and getting ready we all headed upstairs for breakfast.  John had prepared some delicious eggs, bacon, and potatoes.  Once we had all cleaned up from breakfast, we took a trip over to see the kids.  Today was the day that we all really connected with the kids.  Yesterday was all about breaking the ice and getting to know each other, but today was completely different.  They wanted to sit on your lap while they watched TV or hold your hand as you walked somewhere.  

     Although we all would have been happy sitting and playing with the kids for the entire day, it was time for church.  All 26 of us and all of the kids piled into the bus for the ride to church.  The mass was different than anything we had ever seen before.  We started by singing songs and clapping.  The entire room was filled with energy.  All of the kids got into it and were singing and clapping along with us.  After the third song, it was time for the children to leave for kids service and for the Pastor to give his sermon.  It was truly moving.   After lots of tears of emotion and deep, intense prayer, church came to an end.
     We drove back to the house and changed quickly because it was time for one of the kids' favorite things: SOCCER!  But before we actually go play soccer, we headed off to a nice restaurant to watch some.  But this wasn't just any ordinary soccer game.  This was the world cup final, Argentina vs. Germany.  All of the kids were rooting for Argentina and some even painted their faces.  But unfortunately after an evenly matched game, Germany scored the game winning goal in overtime.  This was sad but we were able to get over it quickly because the real soccer game was about to begin.  The teams were Guatemala and P Jay vs. USA.  We traded goals for almost two hours until the score became tied up at 8 a piece.  It was time for a penalty shootout.  Abel played keeper for the Guatemalans and Daniel for the USA.  After 4 penalties each the score was Guatemala: 2  USA: 3.  Kaleb Pfotenhauer stepped up for the USA to take their final penalty.  If he made the shot, he secured the victory for the US.  The shot was clinically dispatched into the top corner and Kaleb pranced away in jubilee.  The USA proudly celebrated their amazing victory.
Once we all got home and did the debrief, we had dinner and poached a couple more snacks.  Then we we decided to have a talent show in the living room.  Daniel and Kaleb kicked it off with an inspiring seal-themed lyrical dance routine.  When no one stepped up to go next, Daniel, Kaleb, Micah and Meghan performed their motivational interpretive dance piece entitled "Nautical Swag Land-Ho" based off the original score by Beethoven.  After Simone showed us her impressive banana eating skills, Daniel destroyed Eli in a rap battle.  Then, Dieter read an interesting piece of poetry titled "I Am Dieter".  After some more heart-lifting conversation and Daniel and Kaleb poaching people, we all headed off to our chambers for a good nights rest. 

Day 1

Day 1

          Our group of 26 all showed up on time at O'Hare  very early this morning, eager to start our Guatemalan adventure.  Two uneventful flights followed by a smooth customs experience landed us in Guatemala City this afternoon.  We couldn't help but be even more enthused after meeting our wonderful mission host Pablo, along with his second in command Abel and the driver Gustavo.  A short drive later we arrived to our home away from home for the next week, Dorie's Promise Orphanage.  Rachael, our trip planner extraordinaire

e, showed us where we'd be staying after we brought in over 30 pieces of luggage filled with donations. 

Our first Guatemalan meal together was great - tacquitos with the freshest guacamole and mole sauce - muy bein!  After lunch Pablo showed us a short video that gave our whole group a thorough understanding of the organization  Forever Changed International and Dorie's Promise.  We then received a tour of the orphanage and saw where all the children stayed - wonderful bright warm rooms that were very homey.  And after that, we were finally able to meet the children!  Huge smiles, lots of laughter, tag, soccer....we all instantly loved each special child we met and knew our week was going to be one where we would all receive so much from these kids.  A mid-afternoon downpour only temporarily delayed the competitive soccer and tag games, and many in our group stayed with the babies so that Valentina, Dulce and Shaley had a lot of love and attention!

Now the fatigue is setting in as we wait for dinner...we will all sleep so well tonight and tomorrow holds a whole new set of experiences as we attend church and get some more interactions with the kids at Dorie's Promise.

Guatemala Mission Trip 2014 Overview

Guatemala Mission Trip 2014

Forever Changed International Website

                     Two years ago, the Pfotenhauer and the Haraldsen families went and helped serve the children and staff members of Dories Promise Orphanage. They also went out into Guatemala City, with people who were not as fortunate to have the loving care given to the kids at the orphanage.

                    There are twenty long term children staying at the at Dories Promise. They range from newborn babies to teenagers, the oldest being sixteen. They have 27 people on their staff ranging from cooks to drivers to preschool teachers to special mothers. Special Mothers are helpers, much like true mothers. They show true love to kids.

These are some of the kids at Dories Promise

                     There are now twenty seven people coming to Guatemala. This group consists of people who belong to the church and some of their friends. We, as a group, hope to make a large impact on the people of Dories Promise and the people of Guatemala. With God's help we can impact people's lives forever. We ask for your prayers on our mission trip to Guatemala.