Today’s post is from Vance Holloman
Copeland‘s sitting over my shoulder as I write this and he wants to say hi. “Hi!” – Copeland
Today we went to a village outside of San Lorenzo El Telar, which was about an hour away from the MMM compound, so we got there much earlier than usual and could see many more villagers. It was a nice change of pace from the usual 1.5-2.5 hour bus rides, although I missed the mountain views. We set up the clinic in Iglesia Mintisterios Vida, which was definitely the biggest and nicest space we used during these four days. This was sort of surprising since they had unlocked it with a padlock and we had to go through a very dirty bottom level to reach the stair to get to our space.
Once everything was in place, Josh announced ChatGPT’s picks for station members. I had previously done triage (fancy name for a nurse) with LaDonna, pharmacy with Laura, and worked with the dentist. This morning, at the compound and on the bus, I had requested to be put in the kids area but ended up in a sharing station for the first time. I’d avoided getting put in one at all costs since we got here so I was a little nervous and disappointed. I was with Mr. David, who I’d heard was very nice to have as a partner, and that was very true. For our first two groups of people, he did a very good job at leading the discussion and prayers and not pressuring me to do anything. By the time the 3rd group came along I felt very prepared and initiated the conversation and prayed for them. I’ve never been great at praying or really excited to do it, but I think I surprised myself today. Also I’d like to quickly give a shout out to Mr. David for praying some of the best prayers I’ve ever heard time and time again. I was consistently in awe of how he could express God’s love and care for the patients. Sometimes he’d ask me if I had anything to add and I really just couldn’t say anything he didn’t say ten times better than I could.
One of our last patients was a woman who had come with her brother’s (he’s in the United States) son. As soon as we asked if she was a Christian she told the interpreter that she really didn’t want to talk about it. Mr. David asked if there was anything we could pray for her about and she spoke for a minute before sending away her nephew. I didn’t understand most of what she was saying but she started crying. I was surprised and impressed with her vulnerability since she had seemed very hesitant to even talk to us at the start. After a few minutes the interpreter explained that she had told her about many problems in her life that were very sad and disturbing. Her father has severe heart problems, her fiancé has an unknown medical issue that no doctor could diagnose. She lives with both of them and she said that they abuse her physically. She also owns some sort of salon and has been threatened by a local gang trying to extort her from money. She’s living with a lot of fear (very understandably) and said she’s struggling with depression and loneliness. Once the interpreter finished explaining, I put my hand on her and tried to say some words of encouragement and love to her with my little knowledge of Spanish which I hope helped her feel better in a small way. I started praying for her and after a minute I kind of started blanking, and Mr. David jumped in and gave a very beautiful prayer that I could tell impacted her deeply. We promised to pray to God to protect her when she was leaving and also had the whole team pray for her tonight at the compound which was really encouraging.
This final day ended with a very inspiring debrief (after we played volleyball in the rain) where I almost cried twice (Mrs. Shelly and Pastor Josh!). The impromptu a cappella worship (suggested by Mr. David) was powerful and I thank him and Mrs. Kaala for making it happen. Today was probably my favorite day on the trip and I’m glad Josh (ChatGPT) put me in a sharing station and I hope to do it again next year. Thank you for reading this far! I’d write more but I think it’s a little late, so apologies for that. ALSO: I want to take the opportunity to thank the greatest bus driver in human history! Emmanuel is literally so good that words cannot describe it. We were on some of the toughest roads I have ever seen and he didn’t even flinch. He also has a gift for backing out of impossible spots and I can’t even explain how incredible it is. Make sure to thank the bus driver in the comments if you’ve read to here. I’ll see y’all next year! -Vance Holloman
Fellowship Student Missions 
Very grateful and proud mom here! God is so good! Sending you a big hug, Vance! Praying for the rest of your time there to be a blessing to you (and the whole team) and the people you come in contact with. ❤️ Thank you, Emmanuel, for keeping the team safe! You rock!
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Vance, So great to hear your perspective- and so well-written. Thanks for sharing the details and for your honesty. Thanks to Emmanuel the awesome bus driver! Prayers for protection over the woman you told us about.
-Audrey and John Bennett
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
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Madeline Louise🐦 so grateful our Heavenly Father has loved and protected you throughout this journey. I too am very grateful that you guys had a fantastic bus driver! Thank you God for this mission team and how they are being utilized for Your glory. Continue to watch over them, in the name of Jesus, Amen. I love you Madeline and miss you and look forward to hearing about everything. Can’t wait to hug you. Love, Mom💕
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Vance, thank you for the great post! We love Mr. David too. We are so proud of all of you working for the Lord and serving these sweet Guatemalan villagers. We know they are blessed by you.
Corinne, we are so happy you are doing what God has called you to do. Your smiles in the pictures say it all! You make us smile!
Love, Daddy, Mom, Caleb, Ben, Lulu and Fancy
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Vance, thank you for the great post! We love Mr. David too. We are so proud of all of you working for the Lord and serving these sweet Guatemalan villagers. We know they are blessed by you.
Corinne, we are so happy you are doing what God has called you to do. Your smiles in the pictures say it all! You make us smile!
Love, Daddy, Mom, Caleb, Ben, Lulu and Fancy
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Vance, not only was that beautifully written, but the details were very heartwarming! We are so excited that you all have had such a wonderful experience serving the Lord Jesus. And, I just knew you would have an opportunity to use your Spanish. Thank Emmanuel for us!!! Prayers for a special time these last two days and safe travels home. We love you and look forward to hearing more details when we see you in July! Da and Ma (AKA grandparents)
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beautifully written! We know that God is doing a great work there in Guatemala through and in each of you. Praise Him!
Katherine- we are so thankful that you are getting to experience this. We miss you and can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
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Vance, you couldn’t have worded your statement more beautifully and in such detail. I’m so proud of you serving our Lord in the way that you have. You were a light in those people’s lives even if for a short period of time. I’m sure your knowledge of Spanish helped you greatly. I couldn’t be more proud of you!!! We love you so much. I can’t wait to hear more details. ❤️❤️❤️
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Best bus driver ever
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I really like this comment
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In reading this post, I realized that you are living to please the Lord and not yourself. I can feel the gratitude from learning humility, which is despised by the world, but pleases our Father the most! I hope and pray for every form of stomach weirdness to go completely away. Truly. Satan wants you to feel gross to take your joy away. I pray for you to remember that what you have done is to live Jesus’ top two commandments-“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind” and “As I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” May we all look at each person with the burning question “Are you saved or lost?” People feel easier about talking about “God” but it’s tougher to say the Name of Jesus. Ever noticed that? Let’s be Jesus to our waiter and waitress, the check-out person, doctors, nurses, etc. Ask them what their name is. Make it personal like Jesus does. Let’s tell everyone we can about what Jesus did for all of us!! Love, Pal (Copeland’s grandmother)! p.s. Eat dessert first ‘cause Jesus is coming very SOON! GO, GREEN!!
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Vance!!
Thank you for such a beautiful picture of your honest heart, Vance. I love to see and hear God at work in His people. We are so very treasured by God! You and everyone on your team plays such a valuable role. If God does cartwheels I think He’s doing them in heaven right now!
Thanks for letting us know about the woman who needs our prayers too.
And definitely to the bus driver…THANK YOU for taking such careful care of everybody especially my David.
Eileen
It is God who works in us both too well and to do for his good pleasure.
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