So, it
only took 30+ hours of travel from Europe through the U.S. for us to arrive in
La Antigua, Guatemala. It’s
breathtaking, and Ian describes it very well here.
Despite
having unfettered internet access last month, I haven’t blogged as much. I confess I used it mostly to start planning
for my return – dropping resumes, emails, and Skype calls – as well as just
connecting more frequently with friends from home. Already, I get to see some fruit from past
months of ministry; my friend Rob is going to Kampala, Uganda and I’ve been
able to connect him with some friends there!
Rob’s missions organization is also sending a team to India, and there’s
a possibility for them to work with our ministry partners there.
So while
there’s been little blogging, I’ve used the internet for other productive ways
(so I’d like to believe). But before I
begin writing about our time in Guate thus far, I have to tell you about the
people from the Potter’s House, with whom I’ve grown in love and admiration. Oh, and I can’t forget about the people who
connected us with the Potter’s House – the missionaries of Greater Europe
Mission (GEM).
Oana is a
passionate woman of God who has a huge heart for the children of her city. She is a practicing pediatrician and her
clinic is attached to the Potter’s House. The Potter’s House kids are blessed to receive holistic care – body,
mind, and spirit. She runs medical
outreaches every few months. She and her
husband, Nelu, a teacher, serve the Lord however they can with such zeal and
love.
head honcho of the Potter’s House, the kids listen when she lays down the law,
yet she can easily join them when they play games or praise the Lord in song
and dance. Please pray with her as she
wants to see the children of the Potter’s House grow in God’s love and wisdom
and become a generation of men and women who are passionate for His glory. Pray for her health and strength and for rest
as she juggles so much at once.
Denisa, the psychologist on staff at Potter’s House. Because Dr. Oana spends most of her day in
consultations with patients, Denisa is the one who runs the show. The children love her and she loves
them. I am amazed at the way she can be
so firm (you know you better shape up when she starts counting to five) and so
kind. The older girls, the teens, all
count her as their best friend. She
loves the Lord so much and you can hear how sweet her love is in her voice when
she praises Him.
fellow itinerant missionaries here, too. We met Jill, from Northern Ireland, whose faith and testimony encourage
me so much. One of my new favorite
phrases is now, “o happy day!” thanks to her, though I can’t say it in the cool
accent she says it with. She’s been
working at the Potter’s House for about a year, and just recently returned home
but will come back to Romania, so long as her father’s health allows – please
pray that God will heal him!
Jalene are two young crazy Canadians who spent three months in Timisoara
working with refugees and the kids of the Potter’s House. I’m grateful that they bothered to hang out
with us old farts. 🙂
We love
all the kids at the Potter’s House, but I feel it necessary to highlight a few
that made deeper impressions on my heart. There are nine Sandu brothers and sisters, most of whom have passed
through or are in the Potter’s House now. The ones I’ve spent the most time with are Nati, Marius and Rebeca;
Alexandra and Denis have also been regulars at the Potter’s House too. They’re all such a good-looking bunch of
kiddos, bright and sweet and silly and fun to be around.
Continued in next post.
