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.

GUATEMALA 2014 MISSION

The time has finally come.  Lots of prayer, packing, and preparation.  We are on our way to Guatemala!  We’ll be serving in the orphanage at Casa Angelina in the central part Guatemala with a team comprised from multiple states.  You can see more information on Casa Angelina

at http://whatmattersmm.org/

I look forward to seeing friends and getting an update on God’s work in the lives of the children and staff I met only 3 yrs ago.  I will have the privilege of seeing “Harvest House”.  As a local community, we’ve committed to building this house at the orphanage.

The nights will be filled with the glow of volcanoes and days mixed with hard labor.  All for the benefit of children being rescued from the streets where parents have abandoned or abused them.

Providing internet service is available, I will strive to provide daily updates on God moving as we serve!

#guatemala, #harvesthouse, #casa

The post Off to Guatemala first appeared on Brian Friedl.