Agua Viva Team News
Experiencing Agua Viva
Agua Viva and GCM Board have a joint meeting at Agua Viva
Hope for 2012
Visiting Agua Viva during the holidays is a special treat! The New Year’s fiesta began with a dress-up dinner featuring special tamales, a worship service, a bonfire with “angelitos” (marshmallows), LOTS of fireworks, and finally gifts for each child. The older children stayed up late to celebrate, and everyone slept in on New Year's morning. A yummy typical lunch of grilled steaks, tortillas, “papas criollas”, and black beans was the perfect sedative for afternoon siestas before another play time.
It was interesting to be in Guatemala for the dawn of the last date on the Mayan calendar. Contrary to Mayan teaching, lunch conversations were not about gloom and doom; instead, the children were excited about school beginning soon. Agua Viva teachers arrived on Monday for their first day of orientation. The children and staff are looking forward to the New Year with great anticipation that 2012 will move them forward toward their dreams. They are full of hope and blessing, expecting the best to come during 2012.
Spending the New Year at Agua Viva filled our team from Bloomington, IN with both hope and blessing - hope for a bright future for the Agua Viva home and school, hope for each of the Agua Viva children, hope for the families in the Colonia, and the blessing of sharing smiles and hugs with our extended family in Guatemala.
God's Possibilities Through Faith
We came depending on God’s faithfulness and hoping to teach the children about building their faith in God through activities and games. Of course, our awesome God met us where we were, just a small group of only four, and took us to soaring heights! From making creations with homemade modeling clay, running blindfolded relays, building our faith with puzzle pieces and balloon races, and an encore game of Faith Deck, it was a wonderful week spent with the children. But, a week is never enough time at Agua Viva, so we left part of our hearts there and look forward to seeing their smiling faces and hearing their happy laughter again soon!
Redeemer Church Short Term Missions Report
We, the Redeemer Church Mission Team, were truly blessed to visit the Agua Viva Children’s Home for a week in January. The culture change was a little hard, but it was wonderful to be able to appreciate differences and be one in Christ. Everyone was very accepting and respectful. They worked with us through our limited Spanish, and the children were very enthusiastic about our singing and crafts. The staff worked very hard, and had beautiful attitudes which reflected Christ. We’ve undeniably found a second home and new brothers and sisters in Christ. We hope God calls us back to the beautiful Agua Viva.
Sincerely,
The Redeemer Church Mission Team
Written by Carmita McGeary (15) and Rebekah Kephart (14)
First Baptist Report
First Baptist Church of Cherokee Village, Arkansas, made its annual trip to Agua Viva Jan. 4-11. Alisa Black led evening devotionals and Jenny and Paige Phipps directed game time. Daytime activities revolved around a pinewood derby theme, building cars and culminating in a Sunday afternoon race. "Race master" Eddie Black officiated and awarded winners. Judy Lemonier brought her annual array of books to distribute to help promote reading. Greg and Laura Lute directed a drama on "healing the broken heart." Angie White and Debra Kehrli put together gifts to be given at the community evangelistic meeting and movie which was overseen by Larry White. Darrell Kehrli and Rodney Lemonier organized evening hot chocolate and s'mores around the fire with music led by Natalie Culver and Nick Weber. The team also participated in painting the school and rebuilding a fence. One added surprise was that we were able to help Alba move in to her new off campus house where she will live while teaching at the Agua Viva School. Thank you to Jennifer Spatara for your patience and great attitude in overseeing our visit. And a special thanks to the children of Agua Viva for sharing your home with us and making us feel loved.
A First-Time Visitor's Testimony
For many years I have wanted to go to a foreign country on a mission trip. I have felt God’s call on my life for some time now but, have been uncertain about just what he wants me to do. I had kind of marked foreign missions right off the list because, living away from my family and friends and a different culture didn’t fit into my plans. When I was given the opportunity to go on a mission trip with members of my church, Crawford Baptist , I jumped at the opportunity. Spending time with the children of Agua Viva Children’s Home seemed great. Little did I know how God would use this trip to change my heart.
We arrived in Guatemala Saturday, June 4,2011. After settling in our rooms we were given a tour of Agua Viva. The scenery of the hills and volcanoes were breath taking. The children’s paintings all over the orphanage were amazing. I realized just how talented these children are.
The next day we got up and started our day with church. Gama led worship and Logan translated the preaching. Both of these guys are examples of how Agua Viva has helped people grow in Jesus. I was very impressed with both of them and their Christian walk. All of the children looked very nice for church, and were very respectful and were great listeners to the preaching of God’s word. Later that day we took a hike up the hills, where we hillsides made for a beautiful view.
As far as planting on the hillside goes, our group was able to experience it first-hand. Monday through Friday we woke up ate breakfast and not to long after that were off to work. Over these five days we were able to plant one hundred Avocado trees on what seemed like a mountain. It was hard work, but we can all testify that it was great to look back and see the work we had done. A few years from now, when the trees produce fruit, Agua viva will be able to sell the Avocadoes for a profit. What a blessing to know we were a part!
Many afternoons, after a good shower, we were given free time which mostly consisted of soccer or basketball with the boys. They were all very rough and competitive, but at these times were good opportunities to bond with them. I also got to play with the babies during the afternoons who were desperate for someone to play with, but as cute as they are it’s easy to play back. Both of these opportunities gave me a chance to form relationships with individual kids that I will never forget.
While there we wanted to show the kids some “American” culture. One afternoon we had an Easter Egg hunt for the babies. They absolutely love opening the plastic eggs to find delicious candy inside! Another night we had a Mardi Gras parade for them, which is very common for our group From Mobile, Alabama. It was another opportunity for the kids to receive lots and toys and goodies. They “caught” on quick! Another night we had hotdogs, and also a relay night, but I think the kids really enjoyed The night we had roasted s’mores. The babies were so cute with marshmallow covering their faces.
The final night was one of my favorite nights. All the children and staff had a farewell service for the Americans. I told my final goodbyes to the kids and our group went to the far wall to get our last hugs from all the kids at the Agua Viva. That night it was hard not to cry, but I made it through. I think about that night often, and how it was an end to a great stay at Agua Viva.
I often think of the kids, most of which I can call by name, and can’t help but wonder how they are doing and what they are doing at this very moment. It breaks my heart that I can’t just get up and walk down the street to see them. I miss the kids so much, but I know they are being taken care of by a great staff and above all God is watching over them. I now can look back and see how God used this trip to show me that if I am ever called out of the country to live it will really be a wonderful thing. I miss all my new friends so much and can’t wait to go back to Agua Viva in days to come!
Richard Flowers
Crawford Baptist Church
The Better to See You With
An eye and dental team from Texas' accompanied by our dear friend Ralph Cadwallader' recently visited Agua Viva for two days. They examined all of our children plus others from the community and a few family members from Quiche' almost four hours away. An ophthalmologist' Dr. Mike' reported that there were approximately 30 children in need of prescription lenses' some with major eye correction issues. Glasses will be made in the States and sent back to Guatemala.
Regarding dental care' all of the children at the home as well as the entire middle school received a cleaning and fluoride treatment. The team also taught the children about proper brushing and the importance of flossing. Each "patient" received a new toothbrush and toothpaste. Some children in the community had gum infections and were given medicine; others needed to have cavities filled. Despite the cases that required immediate attention' many were found to have strong and healthy teeth. The team said that the health and well-being of the children living at the home was notable and commendable.
We want to extend our gratitude to the eye-dental group' and especially to Ralph' for taking time to serve the children at Agua Viva and the people of our community.
