Athletes in Action News and Commentary

Heading Home...

Well, we have finished out week here in Guatemala, said our goodbyes, packed and are getting ready to go to the airport and head back to the states. The last few days have been special for the team as we have spent time remembering highlights from the trip and reflecting on the many things God has been doing in and around us. We also had an opportunity to affirm each other and share which qualities, attitudes, and attributes we have enjoyed or appreciated in each other the last two weeks.

Our team has grown very close in this past week and we are so thankful for everything God has provided. Today will be tough and so will the upcoming weeks as we return home, but we have faith that God will continue to work in each of our lives and that we will be used in great ways by Him. I know that all of us have been deeply impacted and changed on this trip and I am excited to see how that carries over to our lives back home.

Thanks to all our blog followers for keeping up to date on our trip! We appreciate your prayers so much. I know many of them have been answered.

 

God is good...All the time!

 

-Greg

 

 

Tikal!!!

Yesterday was another long day but it was definitely worthwhile! We left the hotel at 4:30 am and jetted off to Tikal, Guatemala. We spent pretty much the entire morning at the Mayan Ruins and it was absolutely amazing. Even though it was scorching outside, God still astounded us all.  Standing on top of the Mayan temples and walking through the jungle was such an eye opener to the beauty that God has provided. It’s a wonder as to how people can look at the vast beauty of this world, and yet not desire to seek God. He was oh so present as we journeyed through this ancient and lost civilization. God really humbled us and made us appreciate the simplest things yesterday, such as water and food since it was so hot and humid. We are so grateful!

After finishing our tour we came back to an amazing hotel and we were all blown away. Our hotel was situated right on a huge natural lake. It was a very relaxing afternoon and we had a great time playing in the pool, laying in the hammocks, and just hanging out. Team dinner and a discussion on Godly relationships took up the evening. Overall it was a great day to relax and enjoy both God’s creation and each other.

Today we spent the morning relaxing and having a quick team time. After our bible study we had a few hours to enjoy the hotel and the lake before leaving for Guatemala City again. We thank God for giving us a safe flight back and a filling dinner at Quiznos. Although we were pretty tired we got together to hear Tim and Greg's 4 H's and listened to a short talk from Gus, which were all very powerful. Tomorrow is our last day to put on clinics for the Junior National team and coaches. We are very excited but also starting to get nostalgic as it will be our last full day together as a team.

-Lauren & Greg

 

Here is the sunset over the lake at our hotel. We were told this lake is one of the best panoramic views in Guatemala.

Here is Temple #1 at the Grand Plaza in Tikal. It was a beautiful day!

A few of the girls looking out from the top of Temple #4, the tallest remaining ruins in the city.

Track Clinics in Guatemala City and off to Tikal!

Today was our first opportunity to work with the Guatemalan Junior National Track team. We had two hours this afternoon with them at the National Stadium which although 15 years old was quite impressive. There were also some athletes from local track clubs as well as coaches there ready to ask questions and learn. We split up into three groups: Throwers, sprinters, and distance runners. Unfortunately a pretty intense thunder storm passed through during our clinics and we had to take a break. We used the time to share some testimonies and encourage the athletes and coaches to seek God and grow in their faith. The rain passed and we were able to get back on the track a bit later. It wasn't a full clinic but I definitely think it was a success! For me it was my favorite clinic so far because the majority of the distance athletes were kids from local track clubs and it was so much fun to work with them. I was impressed at how athletic they were - they had never done most of the drills we were teaching them but they picked them up so quickly! After the clinics we headed to dinner with some members of the junior national team. It was a good opportunity to begin building relationships with them.

We are leaving the Hotel tomorrow morning at 4:00am...no fun but definitely worth it since we are heading to Tikal to visit the ancient Mayan Pyramids. We return to Guatemala City on Wednesday evening and will have one more day here to work with the Junior National team before we head back to the states.

Please be praying for safe travels to Tikal and that we can have a strong impact on the Junior National Team in the short time we have to work with them.

 

-Greg

 

Here is a shot of the National Stadium:

And some of the staduim seats in the upper deck:

Here is John Sharing his testimony during the rain storm. We were huddling under the stadium to stay dry and away from the lightning:

God of all Nations...& then some fun.

Today was an amazing experience for me as I know it was for the rest of the group. We woke up, had breakfast, and then went to church. Our church here in Guatemala City was at the Intercontinental Hotel and the entire service was in Spanish. The church was pretty big and the worship was off the chain. The Holy Spirit was definitely moving and two of the songs we sang were songs that we sing in America through AIA. So it was a good experience to know what we were singing. The message was powerful and the people were beautiful. I was reminded that God is the God of all nations and not just America. He is present everywhere and there are people all over the world praising Him. I'm reminded of how we're/I'm not alone and there are people in every country on every continent giving honor and glory where it's due, to the Lord. After church we came back to the hotel and changed. Then it was off to Antigua! Antigua was bomb because we went to lunch there and it went so hard. (that means it was good) The food was authentic Guatemalan food and everyone was lovin' it. Afterwards we were able to go to this market place in Antigua, because Antigua is famous for the shopping. Everyone was bargaining and getting great deals on gifts and souvenirs; I got some good things myself. As we were leaving, John "Sticks" was buying a bracelet from a lady and he gave her a 20 in their currency. Prior to doing this he asked her if she had change and she said yes. BUT, after he gave her the 20 she smiled and ran. She took off in tha other direction and was laughing. lol. It was comedy tho. So we had to chase her down and we eventually got the change, as she got change from her breast-feedin' friend in the courtyard. Ha. But ya tha whole day was comedy. Then right as it started to rain we got in tha cars and left. When we got back to the hotel we had PB & J for dinner....mmmm yumm.... (psyche!) Viveca led the bible study and Greg led worship. We also had 4 H's shared by Brenna and Lauren. The worship time was amazing though and God really showed up. I felt as if everyone was able to connect with each other and we had an amazing time. God was amazing today as always, and we had a lot fun! God Bless yall' and stay tuned...

-Freddie

 

Here is a picture from the chruch we checked out yesterday while we were touring Guatemala City. It is one of the oldest Catholic Churches in Guatemala City.

 

Here is one from a town square in Antigua which we visited today. It was a beautiful city.

 

Finally, here is a team picture in the courtyard of the amazing Guatemalan Restaurant we ate at this afternoon. We even got one of the native waitresses to join us :)

Easy day

Today was a refreshing change of pace for us.  We spent about an hour and a half in the morning doing team time, and then we went to lunch at Sub-way.  Have to say it was the first Sub-way I have ever been to with a an out door balcony for its customers to eat on.  Then we went on a small tour of the city.  We drove by the Guatemalan version of the white house which had no fences or armed guards.  Then we went to an enormous beautiful Catholic church, which we spent twenty minutes walking around and marveling at the statues of Christ and the other saints in attendance.  on our way to what can only be described as a huge hill, (or a small mountain if you will) Megan had the quote of the day, when we were talking about families and raising kids and she said, "Its usually easier if your mom is a girl."  True statement, but oddly worded to say the least.  After our tour, we came back to the hotel, and had our workout time, in possible the best weight room, slash pool slash spa I have ever been in.  Our hotel is wonderful, and I hope that even though it might seem as though we are on vacation because of the luxury fo the place we are staying, that we keep our eyes on our goal, and on God.  We are here for a purpose, and that is to show others Christ through us and our sport.  In Matthew 4:19, "Come follow me," Jesus says, "and I will make you fishers of men."  That is our goal, to help bring souls to Christ, and as long as we stay focused, there is no doubt in my mind that we as a group will continue to do that.

God speed,

Larry