Guatemala – October 2008

By: Britt Edwards
When we arrived in Guatemala City I turned in my seat to welcome the Cookeville Assembly of God team sitting behind me.  “Welcome to being a minority.”  Soon we would all be realizing the extent of what that meant as we left the pristine new airport and made the four hour trek into a world that is not like ours.  The first night was a crash course in living without electricity and how to live in uncomfortably close quarters.

We spent the first full day in Guatemala walking from village to village, attending two church services and being welcomed into several homes to share a meal…and boy did they feed us!  We were all so amazed at the courtesy and generosity exhibited by these precious people.  We were learning fast what a giving people the Guatemalans are.  How could those who have so little give so much?  It was a question we struggled with for the remainder of our time spent in their country.  

The rest of the week found us working with our missionary friends Al and Gail Anderson.  We began a building project for a young Guatemalan couple who were living out of one small room and expecting their second child.  Getting to know this couple, as well as the Andersons, made a lasting impression on our team.  Though the cultural lines made relationship difficult at times, the Lord helped us in our ability to serve these families.

I’m so thankful to have been a part of this trip.  I hope the students that accompanied will remember the names and faces we saw there, and that the things learned during that short week would continue to change their lives.

The team from Cookeville 1st Assembly of God of Cookeville, TN spent the week of October 11-18th, 2008 serving the people of San Tecuaco, Guatemala.  Below are the names of the students and leaders who served.  Thank you for your participation.

Students:
•    Alex Ortiz
•    Carley Roland
•    Chloe Stringer
•    Devon Looper
•    Rachel Briggs
•    Stephen Sherfy
•    Steven Dunbar

Leaders:
•    Greg Canada (Youth Leader)
•    Laura Canada (Youth Leader)
•    Britt Edwards (SLAM Rep)
•    Michael Davis (SLAM Rep)