We did a lot of fun, eventful things today! We started off today (as we have been for the last 2 days) attending the Parkview Baptist Church and taught the kids about the story of Gideon and how you need to trust in God and He will provide for you. We then proceeded to join the children in their classrooms. I personally helped the preschoolers with their homework, I got to know a couple students very well. We later got to go outside and play with them. We gave them piggy-back rides, and I ended up running around with two of them- it was super exhausting!

Later in the day we helped serve meals to the homeless at the Miami Rescue Mission. I had the pleasure of sitting down with one person to get to know them better; he talked about how he wanted to become a pastor and then attend college. He also talked about how he knew a ton of different languages and wanted to learn more in the future. It really helped me realize that all those people without homes are more than just a number or a statistic; each and every one of them is a special person created by God with hopes, dreams, and ambitions.

We finally went over and visited the beach for devotions! After enjoying a Jamaican meal we went out swimming. This was the first time I’ve gone swimming in the ocean in a very long time, and it was my 2nd time ever. After playing in the ocean (me and Noah beat Jenae and Lydia in Chicken 3 times in a row and she never stood a chance) we all took the time to gather together to have our devotions. We learned about the Fruits of the Spirit and how they impacted Kenzi as she shared her very moving testimony. We also spent time encouraging Lydia (because it’s her birthday today) and praying for her. All things considered this was possibly the most eventful and impactful day of the entire trip, and I am blessed to be given such an opportunity!

More pictures from today:

Today we started off by going to Wee Care at Parkway Baptist. We were already in groups prepared to sing songs, tell a Bible story, and play games. There were a LOT of kids – ranging from probably 1-ish to kindergarten age. The first thing we did, once all the kids were in the auditorium was sing a few songs. It was really fun because some of the girls (about 5 years old) came up with us and helped to lead the songs! They already knew almost all the songs and sang with a LOT of energy! Then Noah, Andy, Stephen, and Logan told the story of Daniel and the Lion’s den. After that we sang some more songs – with the help of the girls again :). Then we split off into the different age ranges. I got to be with the younger 4 year old’s. They had so much energy, and while we tried to play some duck duck goose, it kind of turned into mass chaos… But the kids were super outgoing and seemed very comfortable with all of us. They are all so joyful and such sweet kids to be with – whether they were coloring or we were giving them “airplane rides” (which were a pretty big hit).

After that we had lunch and then some free time at the hotel. Then we went to a different school’s after-school daycare program in downtown Miami. We were split off into groups again, and Jenae and I got to hang out with the 3rd graders. We were going to play outside, but it started raining, so we wound up going back to their classrooms. The teacher wanted us to do something educational with them and so we (mainly Jenae) started teaching them some really simple algebra problems. The kids were so interested in the math and super excited to learn something new! We got to be with them for a few hours and it was so fun and encouraging to build relationships with them! I think we’re going to be able to go back to that school on Wednesday – which I’m super excited for 🙂

We got to have supper back at Parkway Baptist and it was made by a Jamaican man from their congregation. It was really good – a few different types of pasta and some bread (yes, mom, unfortunately no veggies….)

After supper we had team devotions with Becca and Mackenzy, which was very encouraging. I think that we’re still growing closer as a class, but I can tell these experiences are truly building memories and relationships that will last.

A few more pictures from today:

It has been a crazy-busy 2 days. Yesterday (Saturday) was travel and more travel. All went smoothly and without any snags or hiccups (apart from the fact that some of the boys were unable to stop at Taco Bell as soon as we landed). We are so thankful all went so well.

We met our 2 PPM leaders at the hotel: Becca and Makenzy. Sitting out on our hotel’s football field, with the Miami wind in our hair, we ate pizza and we had our first team meeting. We talked about service and being “All In” – even if it means we are uncomfortable. It wouldn’t be long before we had to put our “All In” lesson into practice.

This morning (Sunday) we visited our host church where we’ll be working this week: Parkway Baptist Church, a Jamaican-American church in the heart of Miami Gardens. We participated in their high school Sunday school class, then joined in the main service. The pastor had asked our group to perform 1 worship song as a whole group. This pushed a lot of kids out of their comfort zones, standing in front of a congregation of unfamiliar faces and singing. But they did it. And they sang their hearts out. (Shout out to Nathan for playing the piano on the fly to accompany our group – he nailed it!) We were so incredibly proud of these kids.

We had some down-time this afternoon (with swimming and playing basketball), then we went to an evening service at another church in Miramar. After a quick (late) dinner, we’re now back at the hotel and headed to bed. Tomorrow we’ll start our work with Parkway Baptist’s kids program, so there’s more pictures to come!

We are headed to South Florida with Praying Pelican Missions (PPM) for this year’s Senior Trip! Please be in prayer for the seniors and chaperones as they prepare to serve in the Miami area.

Travel Dates: May 14-21, 2022

Chaperones:
Beth Hoover
Anna Urquhart
Dave Swift

FLIGHT INFORMATION:

Depart	Arrive
Saturday, May 14 @ 1:55 PM Newark, New Jersey United Airlines Flight #581	Saturday, May 14 @ 4:55 PM Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Depart	Arrive
Saturday, May 21 @ 3:27 PM Ft. Lauderdale, Florida United Airlines Flight #2627	Saturday, May 21 @ 6:55 PM Newark, New Jersey

DEPATURE: United Airlines Flight Number UA1551 From: Newark Liberty, New York, NJ – Terminal C Leaving: Fri 30 Apr 07:10PM Flying Time: 4h58m Arriving: Fri 30 Apr 10:08PM RETURN: United Airlines Flight Number UA1903 From: LA Aurora, Guatemala City, Guatemala Leaving: Sat 08 May 01:30PM Flying Time:2h57m Destination: George Bush Intercontinental, Houston, TX – Terminal E Arriving: Sat 08 May 05:27PM LAYOVER: United Airlines Flight Number UA1520 From: George Bush Intercontinental, Houston, TX – Terminal C Leaving: Sat 08 May 07:45PM Flying Time:3h24m Destination: Newark Liberty, New York, NJ – Terminal C Arriving: Sun 09 May 12:09AM **Arrival back at LC around 3-4 AM.**

Our Dear Seniors,

Well, you’ve been home for a whole week (from Guatemala) and literally been home for a whole week (from school). And what a week it’s been. I know in my home it’s been a bit of bedlam getting all of my classes online, all my students connected, and my own kids focused on school work (instead of Netflix). Amidst all of that . . .

You, Seniors, have been on my mind. Alot.

This is your senior year. Traditionally the year of celebration. Of relaxing spring breaks. Of memorable proms. Of commencement ceremonies. Of graduation parties. Yet you sit at home, being told by parents, teachers, and now the government to stay home.

Perhaps you’re frustrated. Or angry. Or sad. Or scared. Or lonely. Or delighted that you can sleep in and do school in your jammies. Or maybe you’re feeling all of these things at once – because we’re complex human beings. (Just ask Mr. Swift, your psych teacher. He’ll tell you.)

Amidst all of those feelings, I wanted to offer you, dear seniors, a reminder:

You have been chosen.

Before the beginning of time, you were chosen by God to:

1. Be created (Psalm 139: 15-16)
2. Belong to Him (Romans 8:29)

These 2 points of “chosen-ness” are HUGE. Transformational. However, you were also chosen:

3. To be in Guatemala at the exact moment that you were.

The miracle that our group got to and from Guatemala without delays or cancellations or closed borders or quarantines hopefully is not lost on you. God wanted us to go on the senior trip because He had work He wanted us to do before we holed up in our homes. Maybe He knew we’d be vigilant in getting the word out to help support Clubhouse Guatemala through the pandemic. Maybe He wanted our prayers to be added to the chorus being raised for those kids and those workers. Maybe He knew we needed to see beyond our small little Lititz world during this time and realize that there are so many more in need. Maybe . . . who knows. The mind of God is beyond us, but I do know He chose us to go to Guate last week for a purpose.

My prayer, as I said in my last blog post, is that you love and feel heartbreak. Not just for Guatemala anymore, but also for those surrounding us living in fear. Now is the time to look up, see others as God sees them, and love them through the fear and uncertainty. Even when you’re watching your senior year slip past without all the hoopla you anticipated, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, because:

4. You were chosen to be a senior amidst Covid-19.

In September, 2001, I was a senior in college. And then September 11th (also, ironically, my birthday) came. The twin towers came thundering down, and I watched my senior year, and the world, change.

Your world is changing. As humans we often resist change. I would urge you not to resist. Be willing to adjust. Be willing to shift. Be willing to move in whatever direction the Lord is asking you to move, even if it means leaving behind all you had envisioned for the end of this year. Because, as Mrs. Chaboya so often stated in SenPro Class, it’s not about you.

Jeremiah 29:11 is so often touted as a scriptural promise of prosperity; however, as Mr. Lewis often reminds you, it’s important to understand the context in which scripture was written.

Jeremiah 29 is a message the Lord is sending to His people in exile – people He sent into exile out of Jerusalem into Babylon. God knew His people were suffering, and in addition to promising to bring them home (after 70 years), he also told them to: “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (29:7).

If, as seniors, you can shift your mindset away from what isn’t happening, and recognize what is. Like Esther, you were chosen. Like the Israelites, you were sent. So, amidst the pandemic, look for God moving. Look for what He wants you to see, where He wants you to serve, and who He wants you to love.

Doing that, your senior year may become the best year of your life after all.

Continuing to send love and prayers to you all, dear Seniors.

Mrs. Urquhart

My dear Seniors,

This week you experienced both the best and the worst of the world – sometimes at the very same time. Like clouds dueling with sunlight above the school play area in Bethania, darkness and Light battled it out right in front of us.

• Little hungry bellies rumbled at recess. And those same little bodies laughed and danced and played.
• Foul smells and fear permeated homes in the ravine. And those living in them welcomed us and prayed for us.
• Fernando asked for the life of our dear 14-year-old friend sentenced to die. And that life was rescued.

What do you do when you return from such a war zone? How do you go back to normal life?

In short, you don’t.

Now that you have seen what it is to live hungry and helpless, you cannot unsee it. You cannot ignore it. You cannot forget it. You are now accountable for the knowledge you have. And you are now responsible to respond.

My prayer, and the prayer of your parents and teachers, is this:

1. Continue to love. The abandon with which you loved on those school kids and Clubhouse kids was breathtaking. No amount of dirt or lice, blazing sun or fatigue, kept you from playing and running and laughing and hugging. Your focus was love. May your focus always be love. People will be messy and conditions will never be optimal. But as Christ first loved us, let’s love anyway.
2. Embrace heart break. I hope you left a piece of your heart in Guatemala – not because you left behind the children you had grown attached to, but because you now understand the full-blown effects of sin in the world and the abject need of a Savior. The abuse, the fear, the betrayal – these things are not specific to Guatemala (though perhaps they are more obvious). They are specific to our fallen world, and our hearts should shatter at the thought of souls enslaved to sin. If we continue to love, we should also expect to feel pain and heartbreak – that’s part of loving. It’s not something to resist or hide from. Heartbreak will not end us – it will soften us, it will teach us, it will enable empathy to grow, and it will allow Christ to shine out far more brightly than if we stayed safe and intact in our own isolated worlds.
3. Fix your eyes on Jesus. The world is going to do its best to lull you back into the life you lived prior to the trip – prior to the awareness of all the work there is still to do. It’s also going to do its best to distract you – sucking you into pandemics and school work and post-graduation plans. Just remember that amidst the whorl of life, there is one constant: Jesus. Stay in his word, speak to him, listen for his still, small voice, follow his example (Philippians 2), and remind yourself daily of Isaiah 26: 3-4 “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”

As I said in our team meeting, as teachers, you are our “Clubhouse” kids. We have loved playing with you, teaching you, loving on you. We know that very soon our time with you will come to an end, and we’ll watch you walk out into the world. Our prayer is that you will lead with love and let your heart be broken, all while keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

It was my honor to work alongside each of you this week. I have loved watching you serve Jesus and serve others in Jesus’s name. May this, for all of you, be the beginning of a life spent spreading light in the darkness.

With abounding love,

Mrs. Urquhart

We are boarding the bus and headed to the airport. Thank you all for praying and please continue to cover our team in prayer as we travel. Adios for now!

“Dear Children, let’s not merely say that we love each other, let us show the truth by our actions.” – 1 John 3:18 (NLT)

Standing on our balcony this evening, overlooking the city at night, my heart is full.  These seniors have been amazing.  God has been even greater!  We have had the privilege of working at a public school and sharing the Gospel with over 200 children this week.  In addition, our seniors had multiple conversations with individual children about God, salvation and faith in Christ.  The Lord was honored and His Word was made known in a clear fashion.

Today is usually a day of difficult emotions.  We have to say “good-bye” and not make promises about returning.  These kids will take every promise seriously, so we cannot speak empty words.  We cannot cry in their presence when we leave, because they have already experienced enough heartache, enough pain.  We tried to smile and show our love, so the last sight they have of us is one of joy.  We have shown love to these beautiful children through play, hugs and being present.  It’s a hard reality to know that we’re leaving.  One of the seniors even admitted that “I can’t believe how quickly I became attached to these kids.”  Today was a hard day.  We’re exhausted and sunburned, but the joy God allowed us to experience this week in serving Him FAR outweighs the temporary discomfort.

The believers we met here do not merely say they love, they love with action.  Our seniors got a glimpse of God’s love in full radiance this week.  It was more than just words.

– Mr. Lewis