How can this possibly work?

We copied this from a friend who shared our blog on their Facebook wall...

$7 a day...

If you haven't heard by now, the Townsend's are beginning a mission to Guatemala. We are asking people to partner with them by putting aside $7 per day.   

Why seven? Let's have fun with this.  Seven is a significant number in the Bible (signifies completion, perfection, fullness) and $7 a day would add up quickly!  If twenty people donate $7 a day, the Townsend family would be set with their monthly costs!  

With the "fullness" of your support, the Townsend family would be able to move forward on this path. We understand that it will happen in His "perfect" timing. Therefore, their departure is dependent upon full funding.  

If you'd like to help, you can set up your monthly contribution ($7x30 days =$210 a month) or the amount the Lord leads you to donate at: 

http://giving.iglesiadelcaminogt.com/
Or
http://toguatemalawithjoy.blogspot.com/

James 1:22

Guatemala ver1 from Reisbord Cinematography on Vimeo.

James 1:22 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Thank you, Reisbord Video!

Take a Deep Breath...

 Philippians 4:19

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

After months of figuring and re-figuring and asking for advice from other missionaries in Guatemala, we have compiled a projected budget for our two year journey.  

We share this with you for a number of reasons: 

1.  You will know how to specifically pray for our financial needs.

2.  You can pray for God to show you how you might be able to specifically help us with our financial needs.

3.  You can come alongside our journey and be a blessing to many!  

4.  Watch the Lord do a mighty work and give Him all the glory along the way!   



FAMILY OF 8 (two years projected)

Monthly

Living Expenses (rent) - $1000
Utilities - $500
Driving (bus/tuktuk, etc.) - $200
Food/Necessities - $800
Schooling/Supplies - $600
Medical Needs - $200
Giving/Taxes - $820

Total Monthly = $4,120 (monthly x 24 months = $98,880)


Residency Fees - $16,000
Flights - $12,000
Total 24 Months = $98,880


TOTAL NEEDED TO RAISE = $126,880

 Psalm 69:30 

 I will praise the name of God with song, And shall magnify Him with thanksgiving.

What about the kids?

We have had awesome opportunities to share our journey to Guatemala with many of you.  As always, we encourage you to ask questions.   As many of you know Jack will gladly welcome the opportunity to share his heart for this mission with you!  Susie, too!

The most frequent question we receive....what about the kids?  With five, soon to be six kids, they each see Guatemala differently. 

SR is our oldest and she is 11.5 years going on....16.  ;)  She is looking forward to going to school in Guatemala and meeting friends.  SR is extremely creative and LOVES art.  Her only real concern with moving to Guatemala is missing out on her art classes.  We think she will pack more art supplies than clothes.  ;) 

AJ is our 9.5 year old daughter.  She is extremely helpful around the house and definitely the little mama of her siblings.  Along with her sisters, AJ took Spanish classes this summer in Guatemala and absolutely loved them.  She picked up the language very quickly and often times we would ask her to translate!  She looks forward to improving her language skills.  Upon our arrival in Guatemala, she has requested to see her Spanish school teacher, whom she loves!  AJ also has a heart for those less fortunate.  Her desire is to work with orphans or children during our time in Guatemala.

AM just turned 8 and is full of life!  She has so much joy and more energy than anyone else we know.  ;)  She loved Guatemala and is eager to make friends when we arrive.  AM tells us she is excited to walk around town, like we did often this summer.

PE was adopted from Guatemala at 7 months old.  Returning to Guatemala and learning more about her birth country was an exciting experience for her, as well as for the entire family.  PE is 6 years old and she has a great, positive outlook on moving to Guatemala.  She is looking forward to going to church at La Iglesia Del Camino.  She enjoyed her Sunday School class while we were visiting this summer.  She especially enjoyed "tricking" her teacher who believed she spoke Spanish!  It is our prayer that she really will learn to speak it over the next few years!

SJ just turned 2 years old so he has yet to express his opinions regarding Guatemala!  :)  He is so easy going and adapts to new situations easily and we expect no less when we move.  SJ brings cheer to our home and we look forward to seeing him reach milestones in Guatemala and prayerfully share a love for the country, just as the rest of us have.

JJ will be our newest addition to the family!  While the girls are at school in Guatemala, much of Susie's time will be spent with the boys.  Her biggest role will be bonding with JJ and running after these precious two year old boys! 


Our children bring us so much joy.  We are blessed to be able to take them to Guatemala and share this beautiful nation, culture and community with them.  Our prayer is for them to draw closer to their Savior during our time in Guatemala and find opportunities to share His love with others. 

As always, thanks for joining us on our journey!

Love,
Jack and Susie

A special thank you to Bestul Photography for taking family pictures for us! 

Home is where the heart is...

What is a home?  A home is a place that provides shelter, refuge and residence.  More importantly, it is often a safe environment that provides sanitary facilities, a place to prepare food, and gather for fellowship.

Many village structures outside of La Antigua, Guatemala are built with bamboo or corrugated sheet metal.  These homes not only provide little sanitation, they also do not fare well in the weather elements.   

  Bamboo and Corrugated Sheet Metal Homes

I was blessed to work with the building team at Iglesia Del Camino this past summer.  Each day I had the opportunity to spend a few hours working beside local residents constructing metal frames that would eventually replace bamboo or corrugated sheet metal homes.  This mission is to help Guatemalans build homes, not structures.  

 

House Design 12' x 16'

During our two year commitment to Guatemala, I will be assisting the building team with constructing metal homes, as well as home additions, church facilities and installing water filtration systems.  

 Working with Local Residents Summer 2012

Iglesia Del Camino is also partnering Iglesia Bautista Aposento Alto in Santa Maria de Jesus (SMdJ) to establish a feeding center named Campos Desuenos, to help Guatemalans change the course of malnutrition and stunted growth in the community.  Right now this center is in the beginning building stages.  When the center is complete and the water filtration system is in place, it will accommodate 350 children in the nutritional program.  Beyond meals, Campos Desuenos plans to eliminate the elements that have stunted generations of growth in the indigenous folks of Guatemala. Nutrition is important but Campos Desuenos is working towards good health, education, economic stimulus and showing the love of Christ to this community.  

I am beyond excited to get started helping with these building projects.  It was a pleasure to work beside local residents, getting to know their hopes and dreams for their country and sharing God's love.

Working with Short Term Mission Teams (Installing Homes)

We would be honored to have you partner with us on this journey:  http://giving.iglesiadelcaminogt.com/.

Blessings and joy,

Jack

La Iglesia Del Camino

Thank you, dear friends, for following us via Facebook and blog!  It's so good to hear from you and receive encouragement from our loved ones.

Please check out the church we will be working with - http://iglesiadelcaminogt.com/.  We were blessed to spend time in Guatemala this summer getting to know Pastor Mike Watkins and staff.  They are doing amazing work in La Antigua and surrounding villages.  

Please feel free to email us at townsendguat@gmail.com if you have any questions about our journey.  We would be glad to hear from you!

Meet Our Family

Jack and Susie Townsend visited Guatemala three times before they made the initial commitment to serve two years in the La Antigua area.  Their vision is to be the hands and feet of Jesus and show love in action.  Jack is eager to begin helping Guatemalans build secure homes and share the love of the Lord to indigenous residents in the local Mayan villages.   Jack and Susie shared a desire to love orphans, widows and those in need early on in their marriage.  After having three biological children, they adopted three more from Guatemala, Missouri and Haiti.  God placed a need to share Jesus' love in Guatemala and as a family, they are excited for this new journey!