February 2008 newsletter

March 7, 2008

Lost luggage, weather-delayed flights, repeated illness, a teachers’ strike, power failures --- these were a few of the obstacles our team faced on the International School Project (ISP) trip to Guatemala.

I found it hard to complain when our team included two people with multiple sclerosis (one in a wheelchair). If they could manage, so could I! With so many challenges, we expected God to make great things happen, and HE DID!! I’ll let the team members and teachers tell the stories in their own words ---

FLORES, Peten: 420 Teachers

[On Tuesday ] the teachers arrived bright & early, eager to begin the day's activities. First up was the film "The Story of Jesus for Children”. . . . Even though the DVD suddenly went on 'pause' during the scene where the tomb of Jesus is found empty, the glitch was corrected and the film continued to the end after the teachers took their morning break. – Linda Dunshee, Assistant Trip Director

A village leader in the group related the story of being swindled out of a lot of money and was very upset and bitter toward the person who had done this to him. As he watched the JESUS film on Tuesday morning and saw what Jesus did, he realized he needed to forgive this man. -- Jon Deans, Admin Track

I had never seen people applaud when we announced they would get the Bible. -- Pat Mills, Primary Track

Right after we got the Bibles, one man said, “Is Jesus the way to God?” I had the Bible in my hand and was able to show him in the Bible what it says. – Deb Hogue, Primary Track

Many thanks for this conference. I’ve been part of many training seminars, but this conference has strengthened my personal values and increased my knowledge. It has given me what other conferences have not; it has filled my spirit, because all of you have filled us with love. And I trust we can continue to have your help. – comment from a supervisor in the Administration Track received by Haroldo Arreaga, ISP Guatemalan staff

We come to meetings that are no help to us; but this has given us a tool that we can take to our schools and use. -- Comment received by small group leader Ken Brown. Secondary Track

This was my 15th convocation, and I have never seen the involvement or participation by the administrators that I saw here . . . 100% said they will find a way to use the curriculum. [They] were so enthusiastic. – Bob Dunshee, Administration Track

GUATEMALA CITY: 488 Teachers

Our departure and [9 hour] journey back to Guatemala City on Saturday was certainly an ‘event’ the team will soon not forget! [The substitute bus had no air con nor rear shock absorbers.] But as team member Jon Deans said half-way back, “Now I feel like a REAL missionary!” -- Linda Dunshee, Assistant Trip Director

“Amazing!” “Can you believe this crowd?” “Can we find more chairs?” These are just a few of the comments heard from our team members as teachers in Guatemala City streamed into the opening session of our convocation here. We had anticipated as many as 400 teachers attending, but when the number continued to grow, and we ran out of chairs in the main auditorium, we were all just thrilled at what the Lord was doing here. – Linda Dunshee, Assistant Trip Director

After the teachers watched the Jesus Film, we offered to show the film in their schools if they wanted. 107 schools are ready to watch the film!!! -- Haroldo Arreaga, ISP Guatelamalan staff

I don’t remember another conference when so many people were sick; but at the same time I’ve never seen so much enthusiasm by team members or teachers; thank you for coming; thank you for including me as a speaker; I felt at home. – Haroldo Arreaga, ISP Guatemalan staff

Your presence here as been like rain that has come in a drought. Maybe you didn’t realize what was happening with us during these days; but through your love and friendship you have supported us a lot during these days. You were here for the teachers and for us too. You shared your love and friendship and lives with us and we love you and you are special to us. We will be praying for you. You can help us by coming back here. José Ajsivinac, ISP Guatemalan staff

When the Bibles were given out in our track, one woman in my group immediately took one and simply held on to it, just staring at it. I learned that she just recently started attending a Bible study group and did not have her own Bible, nor the money to purchase one. Now she has a Bible of her very own! – Dianne Van der Putten, Elementary Track

Today there was a demonstration of teachers and we prayed that in would not impact the conference. Few of the teachers [who had registered for our conference] desired to go and participate in the strike. They sacrificed by coming in taxis to get to the conference today. What speaks so loudly is the love you [ISP team members] show to the teachers. It causes them to come every day. -- Martita Arreaga, ISP Guatemalan Staff

There is a man in my group from the state education office. He said that the Prodigal Son story presented in the track had really spoken to him. He turned to the small group and said, “If there’s anyone in this group that I have offended, I want to apologize and ask your forgiveness.” -- Dave Hills, Administration Track

Know for sure that the seeds that you have sown this week in my heart will continue to give fruit for the rest of my life -- Irma, one of the teachers in my small group