Alisha Gebhardt: Today was dedication day. We went to the five houses we built, one by one, and the team that built that house sat inside with the family. At that time, we presented them with our gifts for them and they were able to speak to us through the translator. We also were able to speak to them about our experience. It’s POSSIBLE that I cried my head off and my own team had to lay their hands on me and pray for me during my turn to speak to my family. Shocking…I know…
It was the best day so far. We spent hours reading our Bibles, singing, and praying while these families accepted Christ into their hearts. It was an amazing day. I do not think it can get any better.
The village children loved their gifts and we have so many pictures to share!
Alyssa VanMaanen: Today we dedicated the houses to each family by spending hours praying, reading the bible and praising God!
All accepted Christ in their hearts…which is so humbling.
We also were able to give the gifts to the family we built for each of the 5 houses. When we came back I went downstairs to the orphanage and was taking pictures and talking to the little kids. It was so cute to see them take literally a hundred pictures and be fascinated easily. Then we went inside for dinner and I helped feed some of the kids I played with Nelson Angelica and Maria Sarah. After they finished I held the screaming baby Abby and bounced her to sleep… they are all so precious and sweet. We are so blessed to come here!
Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers.
Tomorrow we go to a new village to have a medical clinic for families and children who need care.
Emma Lanning: Today was so amazing! It was dedication day, which was very emotionally exhausting. Dedication day started with the team who built the house would gather inside with the family. On the outside of the house everyone else would be praying, singing and reading scripture. There was a Spanish speaking pastor who gave a short message, and the opportunity to accept Jesus. In our house we had, a widow with her two daughters, and her father. (The girls were SO cute and we all quickly became best friends) They all accepted Jesus when presented the opportunity. We even had the chance to dedicate the infant. (The Guatemalan equivalent of baptism) This was a very good day and I am so so thankful I can be a part of it. I am very tired after about 5 hours of prayer, but so happy. Thank you all for your continued prayers.
Kim Reinig: Today was amazing. We dedicated all six houses to the family. We spent about an hour and a half with each family. We prayed as the pastor presented God word and all six families excepted Jesus as their savior. One family had their baby baptized in the house. Needless to say, I cried all day and I’m spiritually exhausted. My eyes are swollen but that is a sharp contrast to the physically exhaustion from the last two days. I keep teasing Alisha that this is a lot of work. The sights here are amazing and we are doing well.
Kris Dorhout: Had an awesome day again today! Dedicated the 5 houses and all the families accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior! We had an awesome time giving our gifts to the families and listening to the family members. They were so thankful for the gifts and the homes! It would have not ever been a possibility to have this type of home without Paradise Bound. We sang, read the Bible and prayed over the homes while the families were receiving the good new! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! We are learning to not only work FOR Christ, but WITH Christ! Good stuff!
Tom Wright: What do you say to a man that tells you he does not have enough money to pay for the one room house you just built for his widowed daughter and two young children – a room that is no bigger than most people’s deck back home? It is hard to find the words to explain that in allowing me to build this house he has done more for me than he can ever imagine and that their smiles are more than payment enough. And then to allow me to participate in his granddaughter’s baptism/christening after the family had accepted Jesus only adds to that payment.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Brian Terborg: We dedicated all five of our houses today. It was an amazing experience, all family members at each house accepted Jesus as their savior! Thank you everyone that was praying for these families back home. The combination of giving them a house and other gifts, them watching us help them for no other known reason, the pastor’s message, and 1,000’s of prayers from near and far is a powerful weapon in God’s arsenal. Our whole group went to each house for the dedication. The team that built the house first presents gifts to the family and each team member spoke to the family from their heart. Then between Dan and the PBM leader and pastor they are told about Christ, what he has done for them, and how they can have salvation through faith in him. While the team that built the house was inside it with the family and PBM leaders witnessing to them, the rest of our group surrounded the houses with prayer, reading the Bible, and singing.
One of the especially profound moments was when a widow that received a house also dedicated (to me it was like a baptism) her 8 month old baby to Christ.
Tomorrow we go to the first medical clinic. Everyone in our group is still healthy, praying it can stay that way for the rest of the trip. Hopefully we’ll be able to get pictures posted soon. Thank you again for all your prayers.
Team Ivanrest 2018 