I had the privilege of going to Knoxville to connect with my home church, and someone asked me, "Michelle, didn't you go to Mexico to work with kids?  What happened with that?  Don't you think that maybe they might be more important to invest in?"  Most people might say, "Yes," to that question, and that's all right.  For me personally, it was a "yes" but "no".

When I see the more than 100 men sitting in chairs at the shelter every Monday, when I see Alejandra or Laurena against the wall in their stilettos and fish net tights, when I see our friends hiding their flyers for the strip club behind their backs as we walk by, I see children.  I see innocence that was lost, sold, or stolen.  I see little boys and little girls who have yet to experience the full embrace of the Father.

When I see Mario covered in tattoos, and when I look at the wrinkles on his face and the grin under his mustache, I see a little boy who needs his Daddy.  For some reason, for one reason and one reason only, I don't see the murderer, the trafficker, the dealer, or the whore.  I see my brother, my sister, my father, and my mother.  I know it is only because of Jesus.  That is where I find him, and that is where I believe I really met him the first time I went out to the streets.

Last night I felt intimidation like I haven't felt in a long time.  We went to visit a new rehab where we might be working in the future.  It was already dark by the time we got there.  They let us in the gate, and we walked down a narrow corridor.  We reached a staircase that led us down to a large tiled basement, and I could feel the heat from the number of people who were in the room.  I walked into a room where 76 men awaited us.  Being the only woman there I sat down as the worship began and prayed, "Lord, you have called me here.  Please do not let me be a distraction, but tell me what you want me to say."

I watched those men worship and dance before God, and I dreamed with God about what he intended for them and who he desires them to be.  I hope you will pray for the broken men and women who are mere children desperately needing to know their Father in heaven who has so many dreams for them.  Pray for us as we seek to lead people into their identity in Christ so that they may know him and advance his kingdom here.   

In June we traveled to Guatemala for a dental and medical mission. Our team consisted of 2 dentists, a periodontist, a dental assistant, 2 doctors, 7 non-medical folks. There is always work for any skill set! Our team members who don't have medical training spend time with the patients as they wait and recover, distribute medications in our pharmacy, clean and sterilize instruments, assist the dentists and doctors, and play with the children and pass out toys and shoes.

We stayed in the guest building at a children's home high on a hill above Lake Atitlan in Solola called the Eagle's Nest  . Our first two days, we drove to Patzibal and set up a mobile clinic at the home of Sally and Erv York, who have been missionaries in Guatemala for over 7 years. Sally runs a weekly medical clinic, and Erv mentors young men to teach them building and electrical skills as he prepares for building teams to come and build houses for widows and abandoned women. We saw and treated adults and children, birth to 103!

We then set up our clinic at the children's home where we cared for the residents and workers of Eagle's Nest as well as people from Solola. One of the children was Macario, a 6 year old we've known since he was 3. Our teams first met him in the hospital at Santa Cruz del Quiche where he was admitted weighing only 7 pounds and severely malnourished. Today, with proper medical care and lots and lots of love and prayer he is a thriving, energetic, little boy with a ready smile and bright eyes. God has big plans for Macario! 

For many of the people in these areas, the medical and dental teams that come in provide their regular medical and dental care. As we return to the same areas, we see some of the same people each year. This was our first time to stay at the Eagle's Nest, and it was great to learn about their ministry and how they provide a safe haven for abandoned and orphaned children. Please check out their website (eaglesnestint.org) to learn how you can support them.

We couldn't do any of this without the efforts of Sally and Erv who help coordinate our travel and lodging in country and schedule and advertise the dates of our clinics. They are our eyes and ears in the culture, helping build the relationships with our teams and the people of Guatemala.

We wrapped up our week with a day of play, shopping, and relaxation in La Antigua before heading back to Guatemala City for our flight home.

Our Guatemala teams go each year to provide medical and dental care, build homes, and perform surgeries. There is something for everyone to do! And everyone can spread the love of Jesus to the people we go to serve. If you would like more information on our mission trips, would like to know how you can support us or to serve on a team, contact Lorena Rojas ( lorirm@me.com) or Jim Chase ( jchasern@sbcglobal.net). 

Our next surgical mission is September 3-10, 2016. Our next construction mission will be sometime this fall (dates yet to be determined).