Watch a slideshow of pictures from the trip

3.19.10

We had a good day yesterday, but energy was low due to weariness and sickness. About a dozen people stayed back or eventually went back to the hotel due to sickness. Mrs. Bloxham has been the one to stay back with everyone and we are very grateful for her.

 
In addition to our on-going projects, we had a small team travel to two communities to visit schools where there are students who are on scholarship from Balcones. In the end, we came to the conclusion that we need to find ways to send more children from Balcones to these secondary schools.

 
Friday was supposed to be our “Fun Day” with plans to travel to Antigua for a day of sight-seeing and shopping, however, our team insisted on staying in Balcones, as there is more work to be done and more people to interact and pray with. That’s pretty awesome and speaks volumes of our team. We are leaving the hotel now; please continue to pray for our health throughout the rest of today and for travel tomorrow.
 
 
Thanks for your support,
Casey

3.18.10

 Yesterday was very productive. The road construction progressed nicely, although we had a couple of setbacks including rain for about half an hour. This required us to quickly move 40- 95 lb. concrete bags to a covered area.  We expect work on the road to progress nicely today.

 
 
The clinic was busier yesterday than the previous day.  At one point throughout the day, we had 5 doctors at work, including two of our team members: Dr. David May and Dr. Tom Bloxham.  Dr. May encountered some difficult cases that required more time than expected, the longest being an hour.  He actually extracted a tooth with roots around 1.25 inches long.  I was present and I can attest that it was not pleasant.

 
 
Many of our team members traveled with Dr. Bloxham to various homes throughout the town.  Throughout the day, they had the opportunity to see, treat, and pray with people suffering from pneumonia and other illnesses.  The most extreme case, however, was a woman with untreatable ovarian cancer.  As a believer, they ended their time together by saying, "We'll see you in heaven."

 
Several soccer games took place yesterday. Guatemalans 3, Americans 0.  To be honest, we're never really in the games.  They take us to school and drop us off. Soccer is the best way for us to connect with most of the teenagers here in Balcones.  
 

Today will be marked by the same activities as previous days.
 

Prayer requests:
1.      Continued health - some in our group are starting to experience some stomach pain.  Nothing serious, just typical stuff.
2.      Continued strength and energy for Dr. and Patsy May.
3.      Opportunities to strengthen existing relationships with the villagers
4.      That God would lead us to people whom we can help and encourage
 

Below picture: Gordon MacLeod is now the favorite amusement park ride at Balcones. He can lift every kid 4 feet into the air...
 

Have a blessed day,
Casey

3.17.10

Our team is finally complete! We had an emotional reunion last night at 10:45 p.m. as we welcomed the last group of team members to Guatemala.

We are hard at work this morning on the road, in the clinic and throughout the town. However, the medicine has not been released from customs yet, but God continues to provide all that we need. Please continue to pray that the medicines will be released.

Yesterday marked a day of hard work and beautiful interactions with those in the community. More progress was made on the road yesterday than the first day. The clinic was full as many people arrived to see doctors and a dentist, all from Guatemala City. The one dentist saw 60 patients and pulled 75 teeth. Some of our students assisted in various ways.

Today, Dr. May is getting set up and will begin similar work later this morning.

Today will also be marked by many medical house visits by Dr. Bloxham and several of our team members.

We really began to see the Lord's hand upon the relationships that were quickly being built as many of our students returned yesterday to visit some families they had met on Monday. They brough some food and spent time in prayer with them.

We have only one student who is not feeling well, but nothing serious. Please continue to pray for good health.

I think that's it for now.

In His Name,

Casey

3.16.10

Thank you all for your prayers. Yesterday was a great day of work and service to the people of Balcones. Below is a picture of our first work day. We started construction on a street and this is the first 20 meters.There were a few cuts and bruises, but everyone is doing great. Other team members visited the school children and did lots of prayer walking throughout the village.We prayed with a family that had no food or a roof over their head. We were able to give them food and shower them with love. Students and the team worked great together and are ready to begin a new day of service!

Prayer Requests for the day
1. Pray for the group that will be traveling in today. Their flight leaves from Wichita to Dallas at 2:35 p.m. and from Dallas to Guatemala City at 5:25 p.m. At this point, everything is on-time and everyone has a seat assignment. Pray for safe travels and an easy transition into Guatemala.

2. Four of our boxes of medical supplies are still being held at customs. It has the medicine for Dr. David May who will be attempting to start dental work tomorrow on people throughout the village. Customs may not release it..and if they do, they may throw a tax on it (we won’t know how much). Pray that they will release the supplies in order to start work on Wednesday.

Today is going to be filled with more road construction, clinic work, various projects, and personal time with families helping meet needs, prayer, etc. Again, please follow my “tweets” which are also being placed on our High School webpage at www.livelifeloudstudents.com or you can go directly to Twitter and read the updates at: http://twitter.com/guatemalatrip.
 

Praying,
Casey
 

 
Update on Group #3 in Wichita

Friends:
Yesterday was a true blessing! We had the group meet here at Eastminster at 11 a.m. and had a great time of prayer and meditation on God’s Word. We headed to Knolla’s for a quick bite to eat and then went to the brand new World Impact Thrift Store (WITS) at Waco and 13th Street. Our team was greatly utilized as the new thrift store had an abundance of donated items to organize, price and display on the shelves and racks. Other students were used as painters, painting throughout the building. Our team was there for nearly five hours and when they left, all the shelves and racks were filled with items for people to purchase. Everyone had AMAZING spirits and attitudes. We have really coined the motto “It’s not about me; lead where you are.” I am overwhelmed by their great love of the Lord.

The team ended the night together at the Oliphant’s house, watching a movie and hanging out. We will meet at the airport at 12:30 p.m. to check-in!

 
In His Name,
Katy Lee

3.15.10

We arrive at breakfast this morning excited about the day and the work that this day will bring. We are here, however, without 22 members of our team and their absence is felt. Let's just say that yesterday was an emotional roller coaster for some as they arrived at the airport to find their flight canceled. We then made the decision to send them onthe road to Dallas as an attempt to catch their connecting flight from Dallas to Guatemala City. The attempt fell short. Following an extended period of time at the airport and in the car, the team returned to their own beds last night. They are set to fly out of Wichita on Tuesday. Please pray that the logistics of their travel will flow seamlessly.

The rest of us, however, are currently sitting at our hotel eating breakfast preparing for a long day of construction as we begin preparation for the road we hope to complete later this week. Pray that our actions, attitudes, and interactions today will bring great glory to God.

FYI: Guatemala does not "spring forward" so we are one hour behind.

Declare his glory among the nations.

3.5.10

As we prepare to leave for the trip, we ask that you read over each biographies of the students and leaders in the April issue of Eastwind. Begin to pray for us as we embark on this great journey. Some of our top prayer requests are:

- Safety in work and travel

- Trip logistics. There are 66 people to keep track of!

- Openness from the people of Balcones to our help and the message of Christ.

- The heart attitude of those in our group.

We are so grateful for your prayers and support as we strive to "declare his glory among the nations."

More to come soon!

- Casey and the team