From volcanic eruptions to late-night traffic jams, from newborn surprises to meaningful ministry moments—this past week with Celebration Baptist Church from Florida was nothing short of unforgettable! Their 4th annual mission trip with us, held March 9–15, was a week filled with both challenges and countless blessings.
Day One: A Delayed Welcome
After welcoming the team at the airport, we headed straight to Rosana’s Hope, where the team had a chance to meet the girls living in the home and hear Jeff share the inspiring testimony of how this ministry began. While it was a joyful start, our first day didn’t go exactly as planned.
Dinner was scheduled in Antigua, but we didn’t realize that the Easter processions had already begun! Roads were blocked, traffic was gridlocked, and what should have been a short drive turned into nearly two hours in the car. But, despite the delay, spirits stayed high, and the team handled it like pros. (We were especially grateful to hear future processions would only happen on weekends!)
A Volcanic Start to Our First Work Day
Early Monday morning, Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala’s most active volcano, decided to put on a show—erupting shortly after midnight. Roads were closed, traffic rerouted, and what should’ve been a straightforward trip to our worksite in El Asintal took us four hours. But through all the uncertainty, your prayers sustained us. Eventually, Fuego settled down, and we were able to carry on.
Once we arrived, the ministry truly began:
- We hosted a mobile medical clinic, providing care for around 50 patients.
- We ran children’s programs, sharing love and laughter with over 100 local kids.
Seeing the team from Celebration Baptist jump in with such energy and heart, even after a long, stressful morning, was a reminder of why we love serving alongside them.
Unexpected Joy: Baby Eduardo
One of the most memorable surprises of the week? Baby Eduardo. At just five days old, he stole the show—and all our hearts! His proud grandmother introduced us to him, sharing that Eduardo was born with seven teeth (something none of us had ever seen before!). Seeing Shawn bond instantly with little Eduardo added an extra layer of joy and laughter to our day. We prayed over Eduardo and his family, thanking God for this precious new life.
A Day to Rest, Reflect, and Celebrate
After four full days of ministry, we treated the team to a fun day in Antigua—a chance to explore and experience Guatemala’s rich history. A guided tour through the city shared facts even our Guatemalan staff didn’t know! Afterwards, we enjoyed a team meal at the famous Guatemalan McDonald’s (yes, it’s legendary here!) and picked up some souvenirs from the local market.
Back at the mission home, we ended the night around a fire pit, sharing reflections, laughs, and stories from the week—thanking God for all He allowed us to experience together.
Saying Goodbye (for Now!)
As the week came to a close, our hearts were full. Goodbyes are never easy, especially when tornado warnings threatened the team’s return flights through Atlanta. Many prayers were lifted for safe travels as the team headed home.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this trip possible:
- Dennis and Marty (our behind-the-scenes organizers)
- Dennis and Neomi, who led and shepherded the team
- Leslie, Maddie, Raela, Elizabeth, Abby, Peyton, and Addison—the heart of this short-term team
- Our amazing local team and interpreters, who worked faithfully alongside our guests every step of the way
Every outreach, every meal shared, every prayer spoken—you all made this week a success.
From the depths of our hearts, thank you, Celebration Baptist Church, for saying “yes” once again and walking alongside us in the mission of God Said Go. We’re already looking forward to next year!
