Taking It Home...

Last night, Chris Wheeler spoke and inspired us all to do more than come home thinking we had done great things. Our eyes have now been opened to the needs in Guatemala and we are now responsible to do something about it. We must be willing to obey God at a moment's notice and not forget and become numb to what God has shown us and done in our hearts. We are already beginning to prepare for our return to Guatemala in 2010 and the work must continue. We so appreciate the passion in which Chris Wheeler communicated and gave us practical instruction on how to make the most of what God has entrusted to us in these past 2 weeks.

This afternoon, in the midst of the shopping day - team 8 decided to do the drama for the hotel staff. 45 of the staff attended and ALL of them accepted Jesus!!!

In the next several hours, the teams will be saying their tearful goodbyes and finish their packing to begin their trip back to Miami and back home tomorrow morning. Thank you so much for all your prayers, please continue praying fervently for the flights, weather and students to be rested and strengthened to make their connections home to you, their loved ones. We can't wait to have them join us again next summer - stay tuned to this blog and www.bigworld.org for details on 2010 applications, discounts and group specials!

We want to expand the work that God began through our teams this year - and we can't wait to see even all of you join us next summer!

Final Day of Ministry!

Today, the final 2 teams took the drive out to Lake Atitlan for ministry...it was simply beautiful! The teams ministered in markets in the town of Santiago across the lake. About 3 teams were ministering near the presidential palace and had the opportunity to go to the palace and meet the First Lady of Guatemala. Our current documentation of salvations is 3,348!!! Praise God!!!

Tomorrow will be a free day of shopping, hanging out at the hotel and packing to begin our journey home. We do need to warn you...these kids are not the same!

Ayeisha Woods Concert

Hey everyone! We wanted to make sure and post a few pics from Ayeisha Woods' concert for the teens last night. She had an incredible impact on them, not only last night - but also through her and her brother, Donald serving along side the ministry teams daily. True servants leaders with a heart after God and loving people. If you are not familiar with her music, you need to be - what a rare treat to have a true artist, with a ministry driven heart share with our group! Much love to you Donald and Ayeisha!!

A Presidential Day, History Making and the National News!

Hey everyone!

Breaking news...literally! Today, the President of Guatemala's wife, the first lady of Guatemala, went out to personally greet and thank one of our teams that was serving in a communal soup kitchen. She arrived with her security agents, as well as with the Minister of Health and other high ranking government officials. Her greeting and talking with the mission trip leadership will be featured tonight on Guatemalan national television!!!!

If we get any more details, we will try and keep you all posted at home...we are thrilled to see the impact of these teams (which we have heard is the largest missions team to ever touch Guatemala) and how God has opened the door into the hearts of this nation's leadership. We pray for that they will come to know God in a very real way. Team 10 was the team that had this incredible experience, we will post pics when we have a chance. They said she was very kind to the team and one of the girls on the team walked up to her and asked if she could pray for the first lady and the nation of Guatemala. She agreed :)

AND TO DATE: 2406 SALVATIONS!!!!!!

Wacky Hair Night!!!

Tonight is our annual mission trip's Wacky Hair Night...without any further explanations, we will let the pictures do the talking...or laughing...pics from Ayeisha Woods' concert coming later!

Guatemala Day #6

We're are heading towards the finish line of the Never The Same '09 trip! We know God is going to do some amazing things with our last few days here! We want to thank you all once again for sending us to this beautiful country!
Today we had about 45 Compassion International kids that were able to meet there sponsors! They had an incredible time, and it was such a blessing to see them!
We also had a team that was able to the drama in front of the presidential palace in Guatemala City! 100's of people were ministered to today, and we know that God is changing lives! God bless you all, and be sure to check out the video!

Salvation Count Updated and Some Pics Around the Hotel

We are just having the time of our lives here in Antigua!!! We wanted to post a few more pictures of the resort where we are staying just so you all can feel like you are here with us! In fact, Susie has been really encouraging these youth to not only take this passion and ministry home, but to bring it BACK with them next year. We are coming back to Guatemala and these youth here are going to come home ready to bring their whole youth group, church group and family with them...so then YOU can never be the same!!!

Now onto the BEST news of all - to date, now we have documented 1,136 salvations as a result of the ministry these teams are doing every day! We are so grateful for our contacts here who have done an incredible job, not only with the scheduling of ministry but also once we leave - we will leave with them the names and contact information of the people who gave their lives to Christ so that there will be follow up and discipleship.

Tomorrow, Compassion International will be bringing dozens of children to meet their sponsors for the first time! The latest fun surprise is that Compassion has decided this summer to cover the costs of these visits! We encourage you to check out their ministry of excellence to the children of the world - and sponsor a child!

Guatemala Day #5

Hey Family!

We serve an awesome God! Today was an incredible day of ministry! It's amazing to see what God will do with one obedient teenager, can you imagine 500? Tonight they had another incredible service where many of them were able to leave behind issues they'd been struggling with for a long time.
We know that the ministry will grow stronger every day as the students begin to lay their lives down more and more for Christ! Continue to pray for us!

Guatemala Day #3 (Sabbath)

Hello Family!

Today was our much needed day of rest. We were all able to recoup, and I'm telling you... it was AWESOME!!!
We will hit the ground running tomorrow morning with a full day of ministry! We believe that Guatemala will NEVER BE THE SAME after 500 people invade Antigua with the life changing message of Jesus Christ! Continue to pray for our teams, and keep the comments coming! We love you, and God bless!!!

Guatemala Ministry Day #2 (Part 3)

Hey family!

We had yet another incredible night of student ministry! God is not only doing an incredible work in the people of Guatemala, but to us as well! Many students experienced freedom tonight as they entered into worship during "FUAGNEM!" Susie delivered a powerful message tonight that was life changing for many of the teenagers!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we press into the ministry that God has for us. We know that much more is to come, and we are going to need all of the support we can get! Thank you all, and God bless!

Guatemala Ministry Day #2 (Part 2)

Hey everyone! here are some pictures from a team that went out into the markets doing dramas. We had a great day of ministry! One team alone had over 50 salvations! We are excited for everything God is doing on this trip! We will have more video interviews tonight... So stay connected! God bless!

WE LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!

KEEP THEM COMING...WE MAY EVEN READ YOUR COMMENT AT OUR EVENING SERVICES (FUAGNEM - FIRED UP AND GOING NUTS EVERY MINUTE!)

Guatemala Ministry Day #2 (Part 1)

We are just posting some pics of the teams having devos, team time and prayer together - as well as heading out for their days of ministry. This resort is absolutely gorgeous and the staff are very attentive to the missionaries. Last night's service and worship was incredible and we are so excited to hear the reports of all that God did through YOUR teens today!

Guatemala '09 Ministry Day #1

Hello from Guatemala!

We just wanted to drop in and let everyone know that we all made it to Guatemala safely, and we are having such an incredible time! We are so excited for everything God is going to do on this trip!
All 12 teams went throughout Antigua today doing everything from painting a school, to playing with orphans!
We will be updating our blog daily, so be sure to drop in and check it out! There will be more videos and photos posted as well, so keep an eye, because you might see your own teen! keep us in your prayers! God bless!

Never the Same '09