Yesterday we went to the markets in Antigua.  That was a crazy experience of hearing the words “good price” and “one dollar” way too many times.

See you all soon if the Lord wills!  Blessings!

#guatemala, #casaangelina, #markets

The post Day 7 – Casa Angelina Mission Trip Returns first appeared on Brian Friedl.

What a great privilege it was to work on the School Project/Ministry House with a team from all over the U.S.  We were so focused that we didn’t even stop to take a picture until the very end.  This unfortunately meant not all of our fellow workers are in the picture.

One of the great things about being on mission together whether at home or abroad is that you get to meet your brothers and sisters in Christ and hear the amazing stories of how God rescued them and added them to His family.  Loved getting to spend time with one of my new brothers from SD!  It also opens your eyes and expands our understanding of how big God is and the depth of His grace.

The work in the trenches is hard, tiring, exhausting, and every other word to describe life draining.  These trenches need to be dug to move on with the school/ministry house project.  We are pictured in one of the many trenches above.  Each one needs to be dug 3ft down and is about 16″ wide.  Our tools included pick ax, shovel, and a long heavy metal bar.  For 4 1/2 days, some used a jack hammer to bust concrete, some used a chisel and hammer to clean the edges, some picked, some dug, but we all worked together

A job like this is reflective of life.  We don’t always understand all of the details of the why other than it must be done.  As time unfolded we began to get more information about earthquakes and why the holes needed to be dug that way.  As we listened to the testimonies of the girls that came from abuse and abandonment, my arms continued to pick, shovel, scrape even when I couldn’t lift them.  I couldn’t help but feel compassion and power to make sure no child is waiting in a situation like that.  Not only I but the entire team kept working.  When we trust in God in all things, He will complete His plan of redemption with our hands and feet.  What a blessing it is to work for our God!

Today we’ll be heading out to Antigua to do some sight seeing, take a tour of a coffee plantation, and spend some time at the market, followed by a picnic.  Please pray for continued beautiful weather and that God would form a hedge of protection during our travels.  The roads and driving are not like the USA at all.  Picture New Your city on streets that are barely 2 lanes wide and at some points we’re driving through a foot of water with motorcycles passing on both sides with on coming traffic.

May God richly bless you today and may His presence satisfy your every need!

The post Day 6 – New Brothers and Sisters in the Trenches first appeared on Brian Friedl.

We’re worked on the ministry house again. More trenches and busting out flooring and walls today.   It’s the location that will eventually house the Gym, staff housing, as well as a REC center.

I have to admit with all the changes I’ve seen, I was a little surprised that this building wasn’t complete.  It will cost over 350K to finish.  I’m praying about what my involvement will be in that project as I’m really feeling like helping to lead a fundraising campaign for it.

There are many blisters, sore backs, legs, hands and fingers.  But progress is being made and we really haven’t had any major injuries.  This is amazing considering we are using everything from pick axes to jack hammers.  Praise God!

We read from Psalm 146 and learned how praise is connected to salvation not situation.  God continues to bless us as we submit to doing His work.  It is such a blessing each day to see all of the kids lined up to greet us as we come in on the bus!

Thank you to all of you who are praying for strength, endurance and healing.  We love all of you and can feel your prayers!  Spirits are high and God has been so faithful.  Please keep praying for us and the completion of the Ministry House and I will continue to send updates as I am able.

God Bless You!

#ministryhouse, #guatemala, #casaangelina

The post Day 3 at Casa Angelina first appeared on Brian Friedl.

This is the view of the courtyard of our hotel, Dona Isabel.  It’s filled with vegetation and flowers, not to mention some of the local wild life of birds and insects

The hotel is surrounded by mountains and there is no direction to look without seeing God’s amazing hand of creation!

Included with the beautiful view was a volcano that decided to perform for us.  We get a great picture of our smallness in this vast world and universe that have been laid our for us.

Next we journeyed to the orphanage of Casa Angelina.

Nestled in a hillside, it’s filled with beautiful views.  It’s so great to see how this place has grown in the last 3 years including the addition of 3 houses including Harvest House sponsored by our community.

We began our time with worship and praise including 2 testimonies from orphans at Casa Angelina.  what a powerful witness to what God can do and has done!   Shortly after we toured the entire facility followed by visiting some of the local widows who have been blessed by this ministry.  At the end of our journey we had the opportunity to play with 80 kids currently housed here.  Truly a full day.

On a personal note, My eyes were filled with tears today as I stood in front of Harvest House.  The progress on God’s vision that he laid on my heart and others in our community.  I’m blessed beyond measure when I think of the smiling faces, laughter and joy that will fill this place!

After returning to Dona Isabel, we were again blessed with a home-cooked meal for kings followed by a great time of fellowship and praise!  I will continue to try to include as many pictures as I am able.  I’m left with the thought, What a might God we serve!!

#harvesthouse, #guatemala, #casaangelina

The post Day 1 at Casa Angelina first appeared on Brian Friedl.

Today will be a whole day of travel from shuttle to plane to bus ride back to Dona Isabel.  We’re up at 4am and won’t arrive until about 10pm.

One of my favorite parts about Guatemala is the hospitality.  Lydia and her staff are amazing!  The only way to describe it is coming home to mom’s house where you always feel welcome and the food is like no other.

We get to meet the other members of our team tonight and we’ll be up for breakfast bright and early to hop the bus to Casa Angelina.

Please pray for all of us today to have endurance and for us to rely on Christ for our strength.  Also for unity and protection as the enemy knows we are here to do the Lord’s work.

This will be a long day of sitting – for me that’s the most draining

More upon arrival…

#harvesthouse, #guatemala, #casaangelina

The post Long Day first appeared on Brian Friedl.

We left at little after 5pm to start our journey to Des Moines. We will spend the night and rise early to catch the plane to Guatemala.  Thanks Amy for snapping our photo!

The post first appeared on Brian Friedl.