September Guatemala Trip Update #2

How do I put the last 3 days into words? I wish I could open up my heart and let everyone peek inside. It was over flowing with squeals, giggles, hugs, singing, playing and lots of God’s love. You can feel God’s love here. Greg and Sarita, the Directors of House of Hope Zacapa, cultivate God’s love and the importance of family. There are 24 amazing, wonderful and unique children here at HOH. Each with their own personality and gifts, as well as their own devastating story. Greg and Sarita are the essence of being God’s hands and feet, pouring into each and every one of their children, physically, mentally and spiritually.

You see, most of these children still have parents, however, they have been taken out of their homes because of abuse or neglect. Greg and Sarita step in and welcome the children with open and loving arms, giving the children a safe and loving environment to grow in. Despite the hurt these children have endured, they are joyful and loved.

As a mother of two young adult girls, I know how challenging it can be to raise children and how fiercely I will fight for their well being. Five years ago, God placed the children of HOH in my life and I can say I feel the same about them as I do my own. I love being a part of teams and bringing new people down to experience what God is doing here. The love and joy is infectious. These children pierce your heart in a way you can’t explain. I feel blessed to be just a small part of their lives.

Our last day here during our devotion time with the children, we discussed how Jesus is our living water and in Him we are cleansed of our sins. We are then filled with that living water and it will flow from our hearts to others (John 7:37-39.) We then finished our devotion time with a water field day! To see the joy and excitement, and to hear the laughter of the children, it reminded me of the scripture Mark 10:13-16 “People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”

I asked the Lord to make me like these children: “with immeasurable joy and laughter for you!”

Patricia Campbell

September Guatemala Trip Update #1 - September 23, 2019

What an incredible first two days it has been! Our small team of six went forth on this trip to Guatemala with this verse in our hearts: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10. The first part of our trip has indeed been focused on “beginnings,” and God truly has allowed us to see how He is at work in these moments.

Our flight arrived into Guatemala City on Saturday around noon and Glenn Stewart picked our team up from the airport. Glenn and his wonderful wife Judy have committed their lives to missionary work, primarily in Central America, including Bolivia for many years and now Guatemala for the last thirteen years. Glenn was our driver for Saturday and Sunday and showed our team the heart of a servant and an incredible love for others in ministry. He drove our team from the airport to Solola, a Mayan town overlooking the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Atitlan. Here, nestled above the lake, is Eagle’s Nest orphanage, a children’s home that our ministry was visiting for the first time. Although traffic delayed our team’s arrival at the orphanage and our time was short, we spent an amazing time with the kids through playing baseball, sharing in mandolin music, making crafts, and holding and goofing around with the youngest kids and babies. There are 35 children at the orphanage, ranging in age from 6 months to high school. While we were there a 2-year old little girl was brought to the orphanage by a policeman and was very upset while they processed her entry. We do not know her situation but pray that God will have his hand on that little girl’s future. As always, leaving the children was so hard and our prayer is that we will be back and will have a part in each of their lives.

After spending the night at a hotel by the lake, we breakfasted with Denise, a missionary to Eagle’s Nest who directed our team while we were there. Denise has an amazing faith and testimony that was inspiring to us all. Our team then drove back to Guatemala City where we met up with Greg Miller, the orphanage director of Zacapa, and were led on a tour of SETECA, a Bible college, by our gracious hosts Irv and Janet Wenger. SETECA has about 1,200 students enrolled. Janet heads up the music department but she and Irv are planning to retire and move back to Pennsylvania next year after 40 years of faithful service and teaching in Guatemala. SETECA is a special place and has great opportunities for music missionaries for our ministry and possibly for our orphan children to attend there when they graduate from school. Finally, we went to dinner with Janet and Irv, Bob and Anne Henriques, another amazing missionary couple who teach at the seminary and travel to spread the Good News, and Greg Miller. Tracy Arntzen met Bob on a plane about four years ago and God brought us all together in this moment through that connection. As with our initial visit to Eagle’s Nest, we do not know where this latest “beginning” will lead us, but we do know that God rejoices in beginnings and does more than we can ask or imagine when we are faithful and follow his leading.

On to see our kids in Zacapa tomorrow!

-Adam Reiley

August Cambodia Trip Update #5 - August 22

As we return to from Cambodia, back to our lives and I reflect on my time there, the word Suffering comes to mind. It’s easy to think that the people of Cambodia, or any third world country for that matter, are suffering because of unclean drinking water, or food sanitation, or any other commonality of a 3rd world country. It is hard to cope with, but it’s just normal for the people there. The fact is, their suffering is much like everyone of us. Their stories will impact you, not because they are so different, but because they are more alike than you could imagine. When they break down in tears, it’s not about dirty water, but it’s because their parents force them to pray to the temple when they do not believe in it, it’s because their family abandoned them when they were a baby, it’s because a daughter lost a mother in a moto accident. It’s because they were molested as kids, or beaten, or it’s because a father went to prison. I have learned that while their living conditions are in stark contrast to mine, our suffering is not so different. We suffer not for punishment, but so that we can tell our story. So that we can become the human being we were destined to be, and when that other lost soul, who has a story just like you, sees your light, they will know that Gods grace will cover them as well. 

Don’t be afraid to tell your story. No matter how bad you think it is. No matter the shame or regret you may feel for your actions. You have a story for a reason, someone else needs to hear that exact story, because they went through the same thing.

Much love and thanks to everyone who supported and prayed for my wife and I on this trip, we are forever grateful!

Darren Zelgewicz
Genesis Elevator Company

August Cambodia Trip Update #4 - August 18

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray.” 1 John 3:7.

What an amazing trip and journey with Saving Susan, and the people of Sanctuary Church, to Cambodia. I have shared my life with people I barely knew from Sanctuary. I have shared my soul with all of them on this trip and I feel as if I have made many new friends. I have also grown to love the orphans of Cambodia even more. I have grown closer to my 6 parent partner children on this trip. I have also grown to love these girls as I have always loved my own 2 biological children, Heather and Kristi. These girls from Bileg in Kampong Thom have captured my heart as a Father. I love these girls as if they were my own blood. I remember the laboring as a father many years ago, as I prayed and thought how I hoped my girls would be as adults. It took many prayers and tears to see my girls grow up to be well balanced Jesus-loving women of God. This is the love I have for the young girls of Bileg. I love Mei-Mei, Srey Leak, Srey Near, Mercy and Savonne. I will make sure , with all that is in me, that they grow to love and follow Jesus as my own girls have done. Their papa loves them and I will pray and lead them as I have led my own. These beautiful girls are my family. I love you girls with all my heart. DAD!!!

David Delk