Guatemala 2016 Update – Recap Video

Here’s a recap video of our trip to Guatemala put together by Dave Sgro of G.O. Ministries:

Guatemala 2016 Update – Numb

(Sunday, July 24, and Monday, July 25, 2016)

Sunday (in Xenacoj)

I woke up this morning bright and early.  Actually, I didn’t sleep all that well.  My stomach wasn’t feeling spectacular and I was also feeling the early signs of lower respiratory congestion.  It seemed like I was up every hour to go to the bathroom, so when I woke up at 6AM for my last time alone on the rooftop for my Rooftop Reflections, I was not full of energy.

My Rooftop Reflections were pretty raw.  I actually cried as I said my closing thoughts from the roof.  These were tears of joy, tears of sadness, and tears of pure exhaustion.  I gave my all while we were in Xenacoj that past two weeks, and my body, mind, and soul were (and are) feeling the fatigue.

https://www.facebook.com/jonstolpe/videos/10210405927174777/

After my time on the roof, I went for a walk while Hannah ran on ahead.  This was my opportunity to soak in the sights and sounds of Xenacoj one last time before we headed home.

German and Suzy stopped by with their girls to deliver our last breakfast (pancakes!) and to say their final goodbyes.  They are part of our family.  I really feel like German is a brother, and I’m so thankful for his friendship.

Before boarding the bus to the airport, we watched a few minutes of the parade that was winding its way through Xenacoj as part of the month-long festival.  Each school in the village was represented by a band, a banner, and a king and/or queen.  We threw our suitcases in the back of the bus, and we drove out of down.

I looked out the window as we exited the village gate for the last time this trip and made our way down the steep hill and back up the other side.  A numbness began to creep over me.  And the numbness as continued to be part of me even as I prepare to crawl in bed on Monday night at our home in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania.

We made it to the airport, and we navigated security and customs without any problems.  We grabbed lunch at Subway in the terminal of the airport (ahh yes, an American meal!).

After lunch, the kids began to wander the terminal together, and Leanne and I spent some time talking.  We talked about our future trips to Guatemala.  We talked about the need to pursue ministry in Guatemala that better utilized Leanne’s gifts and passions.  And we talked about the possibility of selling our own house sooner than later.  Some people come home from short-term missions trips, and they quickly get back into their routines.  Their pace of life goes back to full throttle, and they soon forget the lessons they learned on their trip.  This is a trap that is far too easy to fall into.  We want the changes we experienced in our family to last.  We want them to have lasting impact.  We don’t want our trip to simply be a “nice thing to do” as a family.  We want our trip to make a difference for others and for us.  So these conversations and the actions that follow are very important.

When we headed over to our gate, we soon learned that our plane at been delayed for over an hour.  (Oh no!  How would this impact our connection time in Miami?)  Before we boarded the plane in Guatemala City, we were upgraded to exit row seating which is a huge blessing for Isaac and me as we both stand at nearly 6’6″.

Once in the air, the pilot made his best efforts to make up time as we traveled over the Gulf of Mexico.

On the plane ride from Guatemala to Miami, I watched A Walk In The Woods starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.  The movie told the humorous true story of two “friends” who decided to hike the Appalachian Trail together.  Besides many laughs throughout the move, I think the movie had many great messages about life.  I resonated with the desire to seek adventure and the desire to return home.  As we leave Guatemala, I’m sad to leave.  I know I will miss this place.  But I’m also happy.  I’m happy to be heading home, and I’m happy to start dreaming about the next trip to Guatemala and the other possible adventures that wait for me.

When we landed in Miami, everything seemed okay until we heard the announcement that we had to wait on the tarmac until a gate opened.  Twenty-five minutes later, we parked at a gate, and we slowly exited the plane as we waited for others to move in front of us.

As soon as we got off the plane, we rushed to the customs area, where we discovered several serpentine lines where we could wait as we journeyed through the re-entry process into the United States.  After what seemed like an eternity, we made it through U.S. Customs and through the connecting flight security line, and we bolted for the SkyBridge Train to the distance terminals where our connecting flight to Newark awaited us.  When we arrived at our gate, we were relieved to see a few people still standing in line waiting to board the plane.  We didn’t miss it (and hopefully our luggage made the long journey through the Miami airport to our final plane home).

Monday (in the United States of America)

I moved up a few rows into an open exit row seat, so I could stretch out my legs.  I watched The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.  Then, I watched the recordings of my Rooftop Reflections.  When we landed in Newark, NJ at 12:30AM this morning, I was still awake and ready for a two-hour ride home.  Unfortunately, my suitcase didn’t make the trip from Miami to Newark, so I’ll have to wait until they deliver it to our house (hopefully later tonight).

Jeff and Cullen Grover were kind enough to drive our car up to the Newark airport, so we didn’t have to pay extra for parking and so we knew the car was safe.  We said a quick hello to Jeff and Cullen before climbing in our car for the ride down the New Jersey Turnpike.  The first half of the car ride, I drove in silence as the family fell quickly fell asleep.  The thoughts running around in my head kept me awake as I drove down the dark highway.  Eventually, I turned on my iPhone and listened to a couple of podcasts which kept me awake until we arrived at home at 3:15AM.

I climbed in bed, and turned off the light at 3:30AM.  I must have fallen asleep quickly, because the next thing I heard was my alarm going off at 6:30AM.  It was time for work.

I walked to the bathroom like a zombie, and I quickly took a shower.  After dressing, I gathered my stuff and quietly left the house for work.

People at work were happy to see me.  They asked about my trip.  On limited energy, I did my best to tell them a few details about my two-week adventure to Guatemala.

Words don’t do the trip justice.  There is something powerful about smelling the smells, seeing the sights, touching the people, tasting the food, and feeling the texture of Santo Domingo Xenacoj.

I made it through the day, and I left the office a few minutes early.

I am straddling two worlds – one foot in Xenacoj and one foot in the United States.

I’m numb, but I’m here.

It’s time for bed (at only 8:30PM).  I must rest up for tomorrow is a new day!  I wonder what adventure waits for me.

Guatemala 2016 Update – A Day Of Rest

(Sunday, July 17, 2016)

We said goodbye to our two nurses who headed home to the United States today.

Our family took it easy hanging around Xenacoj for the day.  We had lunch at German’s house where Suzy fed us a delicious meal of carne assada, roasted potatoes, salsa, and fresh strawberries.  We also took time to take advantage of his wi-fi, so we could connect with home briefly.

We relaxed during the afternoon and played Dutch Blitz, and I took a nap.

Dave brought home a Canadian, Emily, who was supposed to fly home to Alberta, Canada today, but her flight was cancelled.  It sounds like she’ll be staying with us for a night or two until her flight can be rescheduled.  I think she will be going with us to Ayapan tomorrow morning.  And she might be visiting our construction site in the afternoon.

Tonight, we walked over to Central Park after dinner to take in the sites and sounds of the festival.  Tonight was a big night of pageantry as the candidates for this year’s Queen of Xenacoj were announced and Mayan dances were performed.

I’m ready for bed as it’s much later than we’ve been going to bed this week.

Tomorrow is a new day, and I’m looking forward to what awaits us.

Guatemala Update 2016 – Preparation for Departure

Stretching was a major part of my preparation.

Edwin Moses

This week is all about preparation.  I like Edwin Moses’ quote above.  I know he was talking about the stretching he had to do as he prepared for competing at the highest level as an Olympic hurtler, but I think it applies to my experience this week.  I will be STRETCHING this week as part of my preparation.

In less than one week, our family will be in Guatemala. While we are there, we will be completing the construction of two new homes for two widows and their families. This is just part of the process. Much ground work has been happening ahead of our trip. Thank you to all of the fundraising which has helped to make these two houses possible. Thank you to German España and his team on the ground in Guatemala who have started building the bases for the homes. And thank you to the widows and their families who are already stepping in to help build their homes.

Guatemala 2016 Update – Meet The Family

Building 100 homes in Guatemala is not a goal about “Let’s see what Jon can do.”

My goal of building 100 homes in Guatemala is about helping families one at a time.  Each of these families is made up of individuals who have names, skills, passions, and purposes.  And it’s our hope that we can give them a boost to help them survive, thrive, and live life on purpose.

Over the weekend, we received our first peek into one of the families we will be building for this summer.  We don’t know the mother’s name yet or the names of her children, but we’re excited to meet her, to play with her kids, and to give her the boost she needs by provides a dry house and comfortable beds.

Here’s a picture:

Please pray for this woman and her children.  Pray that we might be effective in helping her.

I look forward to sharing more as we get to know this precious family.

Stay tuned!

What would you like to know about this family?

 

 

Guatemala 2016 Update – God Is So Good!

In less than 5 weeks, I’ll be in Guatemala again.

I can’t wait!

I long to take in the beautiful mountains of this country I have come to love.  I can’t wait to smell the aromas produced by local street vendors.  I can’t wait to walk the streets of Xenacoj where smiles and stares greet me.  And I can’t wait to experience the magnificent people who hold my heart.

Our family is going back again.  There are many reasons for our trip (admittedly some of them are selfish):

• We want to get away from the hustle and bustle of life in Pennsylvania.  We have found the pace of life so different in Guatemala.  Relationships and activities aren’t rushed.  They happen when everyone is ready.  They happen when they happen.
• We want to wrap our arms around the people we have come to love – families, children, widows, brothers, sisters, and friends.  It’s been nearly two years since our last visit, and we miss the people of Xenacoj.
• We want to re-calibrate ourselves.  A trip to a third world country for a week or two (or more) will teach you a lot of things (if you let it).  In the past, our family has learned a lot about being content with very little, about being generous, and about caring for those in need.  Yes, this is how we try to live here at home.  But there is something amazingly powerful about traveling even further outside your comfort zone.
• We want to help widows and orphans.  We want to encourage.  And we want to help them get on their feet to help them survive and thrive.  Widows and orphans in Guatemala are often forgotten.  We want to help them know they are loved and valued.  We want to give them the boost they need to make it to tomorrow and the next day and the day after that.  We want to be the voice for those who don’t have a voice.  We want to help tell their story, so others will get involved to help.
• We want to do something with our lives that matters.  Life is so short.  We have a relatively short period of time to leave our mark.  Our names may not be remembered in Guatemala, but I’m convinced these trips have helped families get on their feet.  And I’m convinced the fruits of our labor will far outlast us.  Our kids are different, because we went to Guatemala.  Assuming our kids have families one day, their families will be different.
• We want to follow God’s calling for our lives.  In the great commission, Jesus instructs us to go into all the world sharing the gospel.  For our family, this means going into our local community and going to Guatemala.

God continues to shape and mold us, and He takes our selfish, misguided motives.  And He shows us over and over again how good He is.

Many of you know, I have a goal.  I want to build 100 houses in Guatemala before I leave this earth.  I’ve helped build three homes so far.  Only 97 more to go!

A couple of months ago, our family launched a gofundme.com site to help raise funds for our trip and for building a house in Guatemala this summer.  We had already paid for our airfare and some of our expected expenses, but we needed to close the gap the costs associated with the trip and the house build.  When we launched the fundraising site, we honestly weren’t sure what to expect.  Would people step up to close the gap?  Would we have the funds to build a house this summer?  Would God provide?

Why did we doubt?

God is so good!

If you check out the gofundme.com site, you’ll see that we are close to meeting our goal.  We will definitely be going to Guatemala, and we will definitely be building another house.

It gets better!

God is so, so good!

I received a phone call last week.  Someone is stepping up to make a second house possible this summer.

Sometimes, serving others requires a leap of faith.  And often, reaching our crazy, big goals requires one step at a time.  We questioned and we doubted, and God provided through others.

God is so very good!

As our family prepares to return to Guatemala, we are humbled and thankful.  We can’t wait to see how and where God continues to work.  Thank you for being part of our journey.

What leap of faith do you need to take?  What’s preventing you from seeing God’s goodness in your life?

[Note:  If you want to get in on the action our family is taking this summer in Guatemala, please pray for safety and effectiveness in our ministry.  If you want to give to the cause, click here.  Any funds raised above our goal will be used to build more homes in Guatemala.  Thank you!]

Help Us Build A House (Or Two or More) In Guatemala!

We are the Stolpe Family (Jon, Leanne, Hannah, and Isaac).

In 2012, I (Jon) made my first trip to Guatemala to build a house with a team from our church.  My life changed forever.

The following year, I brought our family back to the village of Xenacoj to serve the widows and orphans here.  We went back again in 2014 to build two more homes for two widows in need.

I have a BIG goal – to one day build 100 houses in Guatemala.  This will only happen one at a time.  Each house provides a stepping stone for families to survive and thrive.  When a family can sleep in warm beds protected from the elements, they are better prepared to face the challenges that exist in everyday life in this village.

This summer, our family is going back to build another house (maybe more).  And we could really use your help!

We are raising $5,000 to pay for a house, to pay for 5 beds, and to pay the final lodging, food, and in-country travel expenses we will incur while we are in Guatemala for two weeks.

Here is a breakdown of the costs:

– House ($2,000):
– Concrete Floor $ 400
– Roof $250
– Masonry Half Walls $500
– Front Wall $500
– Back Wall $600
– Right Side Wall $200
– Left Side Wall $200
– Doors and Windows $250
– Electric (Lights and Outlets) $100
– Beds ($100 each x 5)
– Remaining In-Country Expenses ($2,500)

(If we raise more than $5,000, money will be used to build additional houses in Guatemala.)

In order to finalize the financial end of our project, we need these funds by the end of May 2016.

These funds will not only help me reach my goal.  They will change the lives of a widow and her family forever.

Thank you so much for making this happen.  Your generous donation of any size is greatly appreciated.

To donate to this important cause, click here.

One more thing, could you please share this post with your friends and family?  Thank you!

Passport Required (Or Not)

Do you need a passport?

Preparing for our trip to Guatemala requires steady action in order to make sure we are ready to travel and to serve in July.  On Saturday, three members of my family went to the Pottstown Public Library to renew our passports.

According to Wikipedia,

A passport is a travel document, usually issued by a country’s government, that certifies the identity and nationality of its holder for the purpose of international travel. Standard passports contain the holder’s name, place and date of birth, photograph, signature, and other identifying information.

Without our passports we legitimately could not get in and out of Guatemala.  These documents are essential to proving our identity when we go through customs.  Authorities will check our passports when we go through security at the airport in the United States.  When we arrive in Guatemala city, our passports will be checked at least twice before we will be permitted to leave the airport to travel to Xenacoj.  When we come home two weeks later, we will go through the reverse process.

The passports certify our identity.

Without this paperwork, we lack identity.  We are stranded.  We are lost.  We are unrecognizable.  We are anonymous.  We are restricted from moving about freely.

Our identity matters.

Unfortunately, many of us operate with a mistaken identity.

We base our self-worth on things that don’t really matter.  We mistakenly define success and significance by pursuits and achievements that don’t matter in the end.  We go after wealth, power, and reputation, and we pin our identity to these things.

• “I have my professional engineers license.”
• “I wrote a book.”
• “I have my MBA.”
• “I have $XXX in my 401K.”
• “I finished three full marathons.”
• “I am the president of my Toastmasters club.”

I could go on and on.  These things don’t really matter.  They are things I have accomplished, but they don’t define me.

(Are you having an identity crisis?)

If I want to define my identity, I must learn to dig deeper.  I’m fairly certain my identity really comes down to one thing (click here) – my identity is found in Christ.  I am a child of God.

I don’t need a passport to certify this identity.

Do you have a passport?  When was the last time you used it?

 

Planning For The Unexpected On An Overseas Missions Trip

When you plan for an overseas missions trip, you should plan for the unexpected.  Things happen in the land you are visiting, and they also happen before you get there that impact your plans.

Six years ago, my wife and I were making plans for our first overseas missions trip to Nairobi, Kenya.  We were excited to serve in the slums of the Mathare Valley and local schools with a group from our church and missionaries from CMF (Christian Missionary Fellowship).  We attended many pre-trip meetings with our team, so we could learn about what we should expect on our trip.  We followed through by getting our vaccines.  We raised money to help offset the funds required for this two-week missions adventure.  And we paid for the trip which included the costs for airfare, passports, vaccinations, food, lodging, and transportation.

We believed we were following the plan of God when we signed up for this trip.

For this reason, we were very confused when we had to cancel plans for our trip four weeks before the trip.  Leanne was experiencing some significant health issues, and we prayerfully discerned that a trip to Africa was not ideal at this time.  I know for certain that we made the right decision.  Leanne’s health continued to decline for a period of time and required a hospital stay and a long recovery period.

We lost the money we paid for the trip, and we wondered if we would ever have the opportunity to experience overseas missions.

In addition, I struggled with the dilemma of responding to our donors.  So many people had given money to make this trip happen, and there was no way I could repay them.  Asking for money requires humility, and telling people their donation couldn’t be used as planned is beyond difficult.

Thankfully, we were surrounded by people of grace.  So many people reassured us along this journey.  They understood our situation, and they wanted to make sure we were healthy.  It didn’t come at first, but eventually, some of our friends and family even encouraged us that an overseas missions trip may still be a possibility for us.

Fast forward to 2012.  In the spring of 2012, the youth pastor at my church asked me to go to Guatemala with teenagers from our church’s youth group.  You can read more about that decision by clicking here and here.  It required a leap of faith, and it required a renewed humility.

I went on that trip with my daughter and 29 other teenagers, and I fell in love with the village of Xenacoj.  I also made an important connection with Dave Sgro with GO Ministries.  Little did I know at the time, our family would establish a relationship with Dave, GO Ministries, and the people of Xenacoj.  We are returning there for the third time as a family this summer (fourth time for me), and I am confident in our decision to go overseas again.

As part of this journey, I discovered the importance of Missions Travel Insurance and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage.  This insurance would have prevented us from losing the monies we paid for our trip to Kenya, and it would have provided important coverage in the event something would have happened on this trip.  We haven’t had to use the insurance so far, but I feel much better knowing it has been in place for our past two trips to Guatemala.  And we’ve purchased this insurance for our upcoming trip this summer.

If you’re planning an overseas missions trip, I’d encourage you to check out Faith Ventures.  They’ve been very helpful in setting my mind at ease as we prepare to return to Guatemala.

Missions Travel Insurance and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage covers things like:  lost baggage, emergency evacuation, medical expenses, and trip costs in the event of cancellation or interruption.  Based on our experience, we will be purchasing this coverage for our future overseas missions trips.

Worth noting, Leanne’s health has been great following her recovery over five years ago.  She will tell you that her overseas missions experience has been life changing.  We are both amazed to see how God has worked through our dreams of serving overseas despite the challenges that life has thrown our way.

What concerns do you have about overseas missions?  What is holding you back from serving overseas?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

Going Back To Guatemala

Guatemala!  Here I come!

Last week, I booked round-trip airline tickets from Newark, NJ to Guatemala City, Guatemala for my family.  I also purchased missions travel insurance and trip cancellation/interruption coverage for our trip this summer.  (After an experience nearly six years ago, we know this insurance is important.)

The reality of our summer plans is starting to hit me.

I’m excited to announce that our family will be heading back to Santo Domingo Xenacoj in Guatemala this summer for two weeks in July.  This will be my fourth time in Xenacoj where our family will be serving widows and orphans in and around the village.  We will be working with GO! Ministries, and we will be teamed up with missionary teams from Adventures In Missions (A.I.M.).

In the coming weeks and months leading up to our trip, I’ll be sharing more information about our trip along with ways you can help.  Stay tuned!

What are your plans for the summer?