Hi Andrea,
I didn’t get to see you at the airport this morning, so here is my hug to you. I’ll be praying for you each day. I hope you enjoy working in that the sunshine and warm weather. May God richly bless you as you reach out to the people in so many ways during this week! (Thanks for taking care of Rod this week, too!)
Love you, Jill
Hi Andrea,
Enjoy your week in Guatemala. You will be so blessed while you are there.
The first building day is the most difficult physically. The days get more enjoyable as the week goes on. You will love Dan and Heidi – they are great! I hope you all get a turn to talk, since you are with Allan. He will be a wonderful mentor to all of you. I’ll pray for all of you all week.
Mary Molegraaf
Hi, Andrea,
What a great smile on your picture!Hope you smile all week long!We can’t believe you still remembered a card for Rog’s birthday! You are amazing.
We are praying for you and Dan, as you experience this trip together,and are also remembering Scott and Brian at home. We know this will be a great week for all of you!
Gods blessings, Rog and Cheri
Hi Andrea!
I hope that everything is going well! I will keep you in my prayers this week, and I’m excited to hear all about it! I’m sure that God is using you in amazing ways. Hope to see you soon!
~Jodi
p.s.–If you’re a fan of Josh Groban, ask my dad what I wrote on his page–or just read it 🙂
Thanks for the notes, much appreciated at the end of our first work day! Wow! It was amazing. The sun is so intense here and the day is hot until about 4:00, then it cools down nicely. The kids here are so beautiful and sweet. Mary DeGraaf and I played ball and handed out candy while the guys got the steel studs together (we couldn’t get near their work site, too many men!) But, later I got my first experience with power tools, and now am quite proficient with the power drill, believe it or not! We had a great lunch, and then got all the drywall up and called it a day. The roads are so dry right now and dusty because it’s the dry season, and there are dogs and kids on bicycles and wild bus drivers everywhere! The electricity will go off at weird times, usually when I’m in the shower, so the water turns ice cold (seems to happen to me alot!) Love to you all and so appreciate your prayers!
Hey Auntie A
Hope you’re keeping my dad in line (some needs to : ) )
Have you met Margarita or Hermano yet???
They’re absolutely AMAZING!
How about lunch?!? Ok, I have a feeling my mom wasn’t too thrilled with it, but honestly, I LOVE the food.
I hope you’re enjoying your time…I’m sure you’ll enjoy tomorrow : )
let’s just say, wear something that you won’t mind getting covered in pink stucco…
With love
Blake
Hi Andrea,
Just popping by to remind you that we are praying for you. I tried calling your boys a few times today, but….they must be doing great. I talked with Dan’s dad this afternoon, and he said all must be fine. He sounded very good also. He was happy to hear my update about your work, too.
Take care and I hope that shower is warm for you today!
Love,
Jill
Little sister,
just was thinking and praying for you, thought I better drop you a note, you with a power tool worries me, all I have in my tool box is duct tape? I have had a bad experience with Alan and a power tool, so if you work with AJ keep the cord away from the blade so you dont cut the cord, (not my fault) maybe it upset him bescause we were leaning over the edge of the roof when it happened, or maybe it was the sparks that almost started a fire? well OK the rest of the story, I might have forgotten to move the bundle of shingles before Mr. in hurry started to nail them, and a few 10 or so got nailed in place sideways, and he finished that row and then another before he tried to move them and then realize that they actually were nailed into that spot.THEN he cut the cord, either way stay clear of Alan till he reachs his goal of the day. I think I knocked his radio off the roof on that same job, we actually went home early that day if I remember right. I heard the Unity kids talking about a big party tonight in some out building, they just had to move a trailer out of it or something like that. well gotta go (actually I just tt Brian Douglas and he just got home from work,) he is making Scotty a meal for when he gets out of work later) all is well, enjoy your time away
God Bless
DJ
Hey Andrea,
I just got a phone call from Ruth. She says your guys are both doing great. They were over for dinner last night at Pohler’s and Ruth said they ate well. Scott has worked every day that he was scheduled, and he is getting on top of that bug! Ruth said to assure you that they are doing very well. She didn’t know if she’d have time to email you tonight, so asked me to let you know.
Love you,
Jill
Hi Andrea,
So how you doing kiddo? I think of you often, and pray for you and Dan alot, I was by Mom and Dad yesterday when Jill called. That was so nice of her to call and give them an update. Mom is actually doing a little better this week. They went out for lunch and got the car washed on tuesday. Bob and Kathy are going to go out for supper with them tonight.
I went by your house last night, there was only 20 cars at your house. Just kidding!!!!!!!! All looked well.
I hope you have a good and safe day today. Love ya, Bev
Hi Andrea,
Glad to hear you are holding your own down there. (isnt the piano a power tool? 🙂 ) I just had to comment about the shower/loss of electricity ~ I would be looking for Clare Van Dyken just in case he snuck along. hee hee
Take care,
Lori
Hi Andrea and Dan,
What a great picture. Take care of your hands with all those power tools, remember the piano is waiting for you. I would love to see you with a power tool. Your boys are doing great. Brian even was alert enough to know there was a 2 hour fog delay and not go to leader’s meeting for YL. Not Steve, he waited for Brian and then left for the meeting. Ken saw it after Steve left and guess where I was…in bed. Oh well. Steve and Brian were together a while after school today…no work. Pray for you often. I think we’ll need a Signature breakfast soon. Love you.
Ruth
Today was an incredible day. The weather has been beautiful, not too hot, not too cold. It was an awesome experience to dedicate our house to the family that will live there and to give them the opportunity for the eternal gift of salvation. The family was Catholic and knew there was a God, but did not have the knowledge that Jesus could live in their hearts in a personal way. The entire family renewed their relationship with Jesus Christ. It was spectacular!! Thanks for your prayers, looking forward to a half hour hot shower at home!
What an amazing day we had! Today was the big day where we dedicate the houses to God with our families. After that, we put on a fiesta for the kiddos with a pinjata (sp?) and that was craziness with tons of kids, kind of reminded me of Grandville’s 4th of July parade with kids diving for candy. Back to the home dedications, incredible! We picked out special gifts for each member of our family and presented them in their house. We painted the interior today, a very pretty ocean green and then got to decorate too. Thank goodness Mary DeGraaf is on our team, she is very artistic and painted beautiful flowers on the walls. The verse we painted on the wall (in Spanish) was “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. The family, mom and dad, and eight children (!) were all extremely appreciative and said they could feel the love that went into the house. How could you NOT love them all! The oldest girl, Irma, really touched my heart, she is 12 years old and so pretty and sweet. She sang songs to us in Spanish and we learned alot of words together, I practiced my Spanish on her, and she practiced her English on me! I hated to leave her today, I feel like I left part of my heart there. But, how awesome to know that someday in heaven I will see her and each member of her family and we will all praise God together, and we’ll all understand each other! Wow! Thanks so much for your prayers and messages, they mean the world to Dan and me. Miss you all, you are so precious to me! I am really missing my ice cream, Dan Smith says I do not want to try it here in Chimaltenange, so maybe in Guatemala City at a MacDonald’s : ) Love to you all,
Hola Andrea,
It is so good to read what is happening with your group in Guatemala! God is definately working through your group for His glory!! We have been praying for you all. I would so like to be down there with you. I have been thinking of Ecuador so much this week. It is so very much like Guatemala-such grinding poverty. The kids look the same! We were mobbed when we gave out candy also! Definately wait to get your ice cream from McDonalds. Ice cream in Ecuador was a huge disappointment! It was nothing like our ice cream in the States. I am looking forward to reading about your experiences in the clinics. The people there will be grateful for anything you give them. Even a simple bag of aspirin or Tylenol is a huge thing for these people. When you have a headache or a toothache and have nothing to help make the pain go away you can seen where these simple little gifts make a big impact on their lives. Keep the Faith, hermana! Que Dios le bendiga! (God Bless You!)
Tu hemana en Cristo,
Brenda
While family is always the last to know, we haven’t seen anything in the paper or on TV about activities at your house. We haven’t had any calls asking for food or for instructions on how to fix anything, so I think that’s positive too.
I looked at all the pictures and it appears as if everyone is glad that they’re there.
I’m always amazed at how fast one of these special weeks pass. I’m hoping that your remaining time is as blessed as the first days look to have been.
You’re looking kinda skinny! Are they feeding you guys or is it just work, work, work? I love those decorative touches to the finished walls. We’re praying that you all stay safe and healthy!
Hey Aunt Andrea,
I just today (Feb. 26th) got an email from Kris with all these cool pictures and emails that your team has been updating all week. What an awesome way to keep people back here informed of what your doing! I only wish I would have known about it sooner, I would have encouraged you more along the way. I hope you know you’ve been in our thoughts and prayers as you are on this amazing journey. I will be praying for safety in travel as you wrap up your mission and head home tomorrow. I can’t wait to catch up with you eventually and hear all about your trip. Love ya lots!
Heather Collins
Sorry I haven’t updated this, got a touch of the Montezuma’s revenge! I ended up missing the first visit with the clinics to other villages and Dan came back with me so I wouldn’t be alone on the very looooong ride home. I did get to go on Saturday however, and it was amazing and life changing!
I worked in the clinic, 29 families came through with variious ailments, so four of us dispensed meds as needed. It took me a long time to catch on, but the others were extremely patient with me. I kept getting mesmerized by the kids beautiful eyes and their smiles, so I would lose track of what I was doing! Everyone but the babies got parasite pills and vitamins. While we were in the clinic, Dan and others were having a marble marathon with the kiddos outside. We also went through lots of polaroid film taking pics of the kids. As the day went on, alot of us were concerned because the people were more reserved than the other village. I think everyone stepped up their prayers at that point. But Satan was really at work, too many people were sick to sick before the movie and the drama team was dropping like flies, so couldn’t do that either. They showed the Jesus film, several of us stayed in the clinic and prayed. Then Hermano Jesus began to give the presentation of the gospel. We could tell he was starting to give the invitation to accept Christ, so we went outside. To our surprise, there were over 15 children and several adults in the front, ready to accept Christ! Tony was very instrumental in gently leading people, he of course, speaks Spanish, and just shines with Christ’s love. Music was playing this whole time in Spanish, one of the songs was “Breathe”, and “power of your love”. The atmosphere was just full of the holy spirit. I have never been involved in such an awesome God moment! I don’t even know the numbers that accepted Christ that night, I think the night before there were 6 at the other village, but God opened up the floodgates at this village, where Dan Smith had never been before! Please pray for both villages that the people that accepted Christ will be a light to the others in the village, that the other people will see a difference in their lives, and want that for themselves too! As we were leaving, by the way, a van wouldn’t start after we got there, and there was another flat tire 1/2 a mile before we got to the village, Satan was working overtime! Back to our leaving, the villagers let off tons of fireworks. Hermano Jesus says they light off fireworks when they are happy, so I guess they were all pretty joyous that night. Please continue to pray as we head home, for the health of our team, there has been alot of various stomach ailments, and we would love to have everyone feel good on the plane ride home. Oh……..finally saw a spider, by flashlight, in the bathroom at the last village, it was HUGE and HAIRY! Glad Dan was with me or I would have screamed like a maniac!!!
Thanks so much for all of your prayers this week, we could feel them and they really carried us through. Love to you all!
Dan and Andrea (He hates to type, so this is from us both!)
Ivanrest Impact Ministries
February 20, 2007 at 12:00 pm
SMILE
love ya DJ
February 20, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Keep smiling and God Bless
February 20, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Hi Andrea,
I didn’t get to see you at the airport this morning, so here is my hug to you. I’ll be praying for you each day. I hope you enjoy working in that the sunshine and warm weather. May God richly bless you as you reach out to the people in so many ways during this week! (Thanks for taking care of Rod this week, too!)
Love you, Jill
February 20, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Hi Andrea,
Enjoy your week in Guatemala. You will be so blessed while you are there.
The first building day is the most difficult physically. The days get more enjoyable as the week goes on. You will love Dan and Heidi – they are great! I hope you all get a turn to talk, since you are with Allan. He will be a wonderful mentor to all of you. I’ll pray for all of you all week.
Mary Molegraaf
February 21, 2007 at 12:28 am
Hi, Andrea,
What a great smile on your picture!Hope you smile all week long!We can’t believe you still remembered a card for Rog’s birthday! You are amazing.
We are praying for you and Dan, as you experience this trip together,and are also remembering Scott and Brian at home. We know this will be a great week for all of you!
Gods blessings, Rog and Cheri
February 21, 2007 at 9:35 am
Hi Andrea!
I hope that everything is going well! I will keep you in my prayers this week, and I’m excited to hear all about it! I’m sure that God is using you in amazing ways. Hope to see you soon!
~Jodi
p.s.–If you’re a fan of Josh Groban, ask my dad what I wrote on his page–or just read it 🙂
February 21, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Hey everyone,
Thanks for the notes, much appreciated at the end of our first work day! Wow! It was amazing. The sun is so intense here and the day is hot until about 4:00, then it cools down nicely. The kids here are so beautiful and sweet. Mary DeGraaf and I played ball and handed out candy while the guys got the steel studs together (we couldn’t get near their work site, too many men!) But, later I got my first experience with power tools, and now am quite proficient with the power drill, believe it or not! We had a great lunch, and then got all the drywall up and called it a day. The roads are so dry right now and dusty because it’s the dry season, and there are dogs and kids on bicycles and wild bus drivers everywhere! The electricity will go off at weird times, usually when I’m in the shower, so the water turns ice cold (seems to happen to me alot!) Love to you all and so appreciate your prayers!
Andrea
February 22, 2007 at 12:45 am
Hey Auntie A
Hope you’re keeping my dad in line (some needs to : ) )
Have you met Margarita or Hermano yet???
They’re absolutely AMAZING!
How about lunch?!? Ok, I have a feeling my mom wasn’t too thrilled with it, but honestly, I LOVE the food.
I hope you’re enjoying your time…I’m sure you’ll enjoy tomorrow : )
let’s just say, wear something that you won’t mind getting covered in pink stucco…
With love
Blake
February 22, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Hi Andrea,
Just popping by to remind you that we are praying for you. I tried calling your boys a few times today, but….they must be doing great. I talked with Dan’s dad this afternoon, and he said all must be fine. He sounded very good also. He was happy to hear my update about your work, too.
Take care and I hope that shower is warm for you today!
Love,
Jill
February 22, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Little sister,
just was thinking and praying for you, thought I better drop you a note, you with a power tool worries me, all I have in my tool box is duct tape? I have had a bad experience with Alan and a power tool, so if you work with AJ keep the cord away from the blade so you dont cut the cord, (not my fault) maybe it upset him bescause we were leaning over the edge of the roof when it happened, or maybe it was the sparks that almost started a fire? well OK the rest of the story, I might have forgotten to move the bundle of shingles before Mr. in hurry started to nail them, and a few 10 or so got nailed in place sideways, and he finished that row and then another before he tried to move them and then realize that they actually were nailed into that spot.THEN he cut the cord, either way stay clear of Alan till he reachs his goal of the day. I think I knocked his radio off the roof on that same job, we actually went home early that day if I remember right. I heard the Unity kids talking about a big party tonight in some out building, they just had to move a trailer out of it or something like that. well gotta go (actually I just tt Brian Douglas and he just got home from work,) he is making Scotty a meal for when he gets out of work later) all is well, enjoy your time away
God Bless
DJ
February 22, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Hey Andrea,
I just got a phone call from Ruth. She says your guys are both doing great. They were over for dinner last night at Pohler’s and Ruth said they ate well. Scott has worked every day that he was scheduled, and he is getting on top of that bug! Ruth said to assure you that they are doing very well. She didn’t know if she’d have time to email you tonight, so asked me to let you know.
Love you,
Jill
February 23, 2007 at 7:08 am
Hi Andrea,
So how you doing kiddo? I think of you often, and pray for you and Dan alot, I was by Mom and Dad yesterday when Jill called. That was so nice of her to call and give them an update. Mom is actually doing a little better this week. They went out for lunch and got the car washed on tuesday. Bob and Kathy are going to go out for supper with them tonight.
I went by your house last night, there was only 20 cars at your house. Just kidding!!!!!!!! All looked well.
I hope you have a good and safe day today. Love ya, Bev
February 23, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Hi Andrea,
Glad to hear you are holding your own down there. (isnt the piano a power tool? 🙂 ) I just had to comment about the shower/loss of electricity ~ I would be looking for Clare Van Dyken just in case he snuck along. hee hee
Take care,
Lori
February 23, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Hi Andrea and Dan,
What a great picture. Take care of your hands with all those power tools, remember the piano is waiting for you. I would love to see you with a power tool. Your boys are doing great. Brian even was alert enough to know there was a 2 hour fog delay and not go to leader’s meeting for YL. Not Steve, he waited for Brian and then left for the meeting. Ken saw it after Steve left and guess where I was…in bed. Oh well. Steve and Brian were together a while after school today…no work. Pray for you often. I think we’ll need a Signature breakfast soon. Love you.
Ruth
February 23, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Hola Everyone,
Today was an incredible day. The weather has been beautiful, not too hot, not too cold. It was an awesome experience to dedicate our house to the family that will live there and to give them the opportunity for the eternal gift of salvation. The family was Catholic and knew there was a God, but did not have the knowledge that Jesus could live in their hearts in a personal way. The entire family renewed their relationship with Jesus Christ. It was spectacular!! Thanks for your prayers, looking forward to a half hour hot shower at home!
Dan
February 23, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Hola people back home!
What an amazing day we had! Today was the big day where we dedicate the houses to God with our families. After that, we put on a fiesta for the kiddos with a pinjata (sp?) and that was craziness with tons of kids, kind of reminded me of Grandville’s 4th of July parade with kids diving for candy. Back to the home dedications, incredible! We picked out special gifts for each member of our family and presented them in their house. We painted the interior today, a very pretty ocean green and then got to decorate too. Thank goodness Mary DeGraaf is on our team, she is very artistic and painted beautiful flowers on the walls. The verse we painted on the wall (in Spanish) was “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. The family, mom and dad, and eight children (!) were all extremely appreciative and said they could feel the love that went into the house. How could you NOT love them all! The oldest girl, Irma, really touched my heart, she is 12 years old and so pretty and sweet. She sang songs to us in Spanish and we learned alot of words together, I practiced my Spanish on her, and she practiced her English on me! I hated to leave her today, I feel like I left part of my heart there. But, how awesome to know that someday in heaven I will see her and each member of her family and we will all praise God together, and we’ll all understand each other! Wow! Thanks so much for your prayers and messages, they mean the world to Dan and me. Miss you all, you are so precious to me! I am really missing my ice cream, Dan Smith says I do not want to try it here in Chimaltenange, so maybe in Guatemala City at a MacDonald’s : ) Love to you all,
Andrea
February 24, 2007 at 10:27 am
Hola Andrea,
It is so good to read what is happening with your group in Guatemala! God is definately working through your group for His glory!! We have been praying for you all. I would so like to be down there with you. I have been thinking of Ecuador so much this week. It is so very much like Guatemala-such grinding poverty. The kids look the same! We were mobbed when we gave out candy also! Definately wait to get your ice cream from McDonalds. Ice cream in Ecuador was a huge disappointment! It was nothing like our ice cream in the States. I am looking forward to reading about your experiences in the clinics. The people there will be grateful for anything you give them. Even a simple bag of aspirin or Tylenol is a huge thing for these people. When you have a headache or a toothache and have nothing to help make the pain go away you can seen where these simple little gifts make a big impact on their lives. Keep the Faith, hermana! Que Dios le bendiga! (God Bless You!)
Tu hemana en Cristo,
Brenda
February 24, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Hi Andrea,
While family is always the last to know, we haven’t seen anything in the paper or on TV about activities at your house. We haven’t had any calls asking for food or for instructions on how to fix anything, so I think that’s positive too.
I looked at all the pictures and it appears as if everyone is glad that they’re there.
I’m always amazed at how fast one of these special weeks pass. I’m hoping that your remaining time is as blessed as the first days look to have been.
Jack
February 25, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Hi Andrea,
You’re looking kinda skinny! Are they feeding you guys or is it just work, work, work? I love those decorative touches to the finished walls. We’re praying that you all stay safe and healthy!
Jan
February 25, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Hi Aunt Andrea-
How are you? I am praying for you and asking the Lord to bless you richly!
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Love ya, Sara
February 26, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Hey Aunt Andrea,
I just today (Feb. 26th) got an email from Kris with all these cool pictures and emails that your team has been updating all week. What an awesome way to keep people back here informed of what your doing! I only wish I would have known about it sooner, I would have encouraged you more along the way. I hope you know you’ve been in our thoughts and prayers as you are on this amazing journey. I will be praying for safety in travel as you wrap up your mission and head home tomorrow. I can’t wait to catch up with you eventually and hear all about your trip. Love ya lots!
Heather Collins
February 27, 2007 at 9:40 am
Hola everyone,
Sorry I haven’t updated this, got a touch of the Montezuma’s revenge! I ended up missing the first visit with the clinics to other villages and Dan came back with me so I wouldn’t be alone on the very looooong ride home. I did get to go on Saturday however, and it was amazing and life changing!
I worked in the clinic, 29 families came through with variious ailments, so four of us dispensed meds as needed. It took me a long time to catch on, but the others were extremely patient with me. I kept getting mesmerized by the kids beautiful eyes and their smiles, so I would lose track of what I was doing! Everyone but the babies got parasite pills and vitamins. While we were in the clinic, Dan and others were having a marble marathon with the kiddos outside. We also went through lots of polaroid film taking pics of the kids. As the day went on, alot of us were concerned because the people were more reserved than the other village. I think everyone stepped up their prayers at that point. But Satan was really at work, too many people were sick to sick before the movie and the drama team was dropping like flies, so couldn’t do that either. They showed the Jesus film, several of us stayed in the clinic and prayed. Then Hermano Jesus began to give the presentation of the gospel. We could tell he was starting to give the invitation to accept Christ, so we went outside. To our surprise, there were over 15 children and several adults in the front, ready to accept Christ! Tony was very instrumental in gently leading people, he of course, speaks Spanish, and just shines with Christ’s love. Music was playing this whole time in Spanish, one of the songs was “Breathe”, and “power of your love”. The atmosphere was just full of the holy spirit. I have never been involved in such an awesome God moment! I don’t even know the numbers that accepted Christ that night, I think the night before there were 6 at the other village, but God opened up the floodgates at this village, where Dan Smith had never been before! Please pray for both villages that the people that accepted Christ will be a light to the others in the village, that the other people will see a difference in their lives, and want that for themselves too! As we were leaving, by the way, a van wouldn’t start after we got there, and there was another flat tire 1/2 a mile before we got to the village, Satan was working overtime! Back to our leaving, the villagers let off tons of fireworks. Hermano Jesus says they light off fireworks when they are happy, so I guess they were all pretty joyous that night. Please continue to pray as we head home, for the health of our team, there has been alot of various stomach ailments, and we would love to have everyone feel good on the plane ride home. Oh……..finally saw a spider, by flashlight, in the bathroom at the last village, it was HUGE and HAIRY! Glad Dan was with me or I would have screamed like a maniac!!!
Thanks so much for all of your prayers this week, we could feel them and they really carried us through. Love to you all!
Dan and Andrea (He hates to type, so this is from us both!)
February 27, 2007 at 10:43 am
Aunt Andrea-I hope that you have a safe trip home. It sounds like you had an amazing time and I cant wait to hear about it!!
Lots of Love,
Lisa