Ivanrest Impact Ministries – Guatemala

brenda, i’ll be praying for all of you as you head down to guatemala again! i’m so excited to see casey and kristina are going with you. have a wonderful time. hold lots of babies for me! i’d really like to get together when you are home and hear all about your trip. i miss you! i’m leaving tomorrow for a week long service project trip in roseland, chigago. i’ll check in with you guys when i can. i can’t wait to hear all your stories! love ya! dawn

boss…i’ve got you on my prayer calendar for the entire trip. this will be so awesome for you and how wonderful that casey and kristina will be with you. GOD BLESS.
kirk

brenda,
praying for safe travel today.
have a great day!
kl

Hope your travels went well today! You’re in my thoughts and prayers.

Hey Boss –
Oops – I know you’d rather not be called “The Boss” but I’m so used to hearing Kirk say it….
Praying that all of your travels today have been uneventful. Also praying for strength and good weather for the next 3 building days.
Thank you so much for serving and I’m SO EXCITED that we’re both signed up for the February trip (lookout Al!).
By the way, can you sneak on the roof & get some pictures? I was never able to “test the system” and we should be in the new base by next February!
Seriously, you’ll be in my prayers all week and I can’t wait to hear the stories.
Love ya,
Karen

Brenda,
I hope your travel day was uneventful and safe! Our family will be praying for you and the whole team this week as you serve in Guatemala. Have a great time – especially sharing the experience with Casey and Kristina. Can’t wait to hear the stories when you return!
Shari

Hi Brenda,

Just finished reading that you guys are 2 hours behind. Oh well-what ya going to do? Just reminds us that we are not in control of what happens, even if we have the best laid plans. We hope and pray your week will go well. Enjoy the experience with your children. I think that is so neat they are there with you. You’ll be in our thoughts and prayers throughout the week.

Kathy Door

brenda,
can’t wait to hear that you are safe. sounds like you (hopefully) got in 5 hours ago. stay strong for your first day. having pete over later this week. we’ll be having fish…and bread.
praying you through.
kirk

Hi Brenda –
I hope you found the extra blankets in the overhead bins last night – those planes are always freezing cold!
Praying that Day#1 was a huge success and you’ve already connected with the people in the village and your “homeowners”. It is so powerful to stand on the foundation before building and pray that you’ll see them again in Heaven…wow!
Praying for a good nights sleep & that you stay strong & healthy. So cool that Casey & Kristina are serving alongside you – you & Jim are incredible parents!
Love you mucho,
Karen

Boss,
Is it warm enough for you down there? The last 2-3 days here have been cold for June…so it goes to show that you are definitely in the right place…and for good reason. Can’t wait to hear updates from the team. We’re praying for all of you big time. Say hello to Casey and Kristina.

This will be my last post since tomorrow I’m leaving on vacation.
We will have to catch up when we both get back to Michigan. Lunch??
Thanks for offering the amazing hope we have to the people in Guatemala and for shining your light for all to see. You inspire me girl!
See you soon.
Love, Dawn

Hi Brenda
we heard that you guys got into your last stop a little late. We’re praying for you and the kids that you will have enough strength to work through the day a have some time to catch up on your sleep late. I know you probably need, but the kids can work right through it. Give them both a hug for mom and I

Love Dad

Brenda, I miss you! I haven’t seen Kara at all! She seems to be keeping busy. I’ve been praying for you and the kids every day. I hope you’re getting enough rest. Stay focused on your Heavenly Father, He will strengthen you! Love you!
Shannon

Hi Brenda,
I can’t wait to read your detailed reports!!! I am sooooo anxious for them! I was thinking about you all day today, imagining the looks on the women’s faces when you present your gifts! You are such a wonderful woman and I am blessed to know you. Thank you for using your gifts in so many ways! Take care and have fun at the medical clinics tomorrow and Sunday!
Love, kristy

brenda…good news from kevin. too bad about the internet, but that’s ok. we’re thinking about all of you constantly. had a great night with james…and into the early morning of today! can’t wait to hear from you. hope you are having a great saturday!

Brenda i hope all is going well with you and the kids. What a cool experience. Want you to know im praying for you this week as you serve Him. Take care, ALAN

oops…forgot to change Jim’s name after he posted to all of you last night

hey boss. thinking of you today. we had a great service this morning. you’ll be home soon!

Hi mom. i’m finally back and I had a great time.We went tubing at Megan’s trailor. Me and Megan didn’t get to go very fast though because we had to ride with some yonger kids and they wanted to go slower. I hope your doing good too.

Hey Boss!
Wow – hard to believe tomorrow is your last full day in Guate!
I’m praying that you had 2 awesome days at the medical clinics and have been refreshed thru this trip.
Not sure what your schedule is for tomorrow – hope you’re able to get to the new base if you haven’t been there already. It will certainly be another GOD sighting!
Continuing to lift you up in prayer for strength, health, and safe travels on Tuesday. Can’t wait to see you & hear all of your stories.
Love you tons,
Karen

Wow! We’re sitting here in McDonalds, and I’ve already typed a message that didn’t get through. I’ll try to do it again and hope this works. It’s been an awesome week, full of miracles and Godsightings. La Bendicion was beautiful, and I was able to build for Edilberto and Rosa, a pastor and his wife and their 8 children. 7 boys and one girl at the tail end, that they prayed to have for many years. I talked for many hours with him, and we shared a common bond in Christ. I was able to love on them with two full rubbermaid containers full of stuff, that the kids and I packed into our suitcases. Rosa loved the utensils, the dishtowels and dishes, utensils, spices, lotion, and many other goodies. She loved the lilacs on the wallpaper border. I was told that those flowers are huge at the coast. The kids loved the knives, stuffed animals, bible story books and matchbox cars from Casey, as well as a pair of drumsticks, that he showed them how to use. I miss the family already, and am so happy that I’ll be able to see them again on the other side. What an awesome thing! I’m so proud of Casey and Kristina, and it’s so cool to be here with them both. Jim and Kara, can’t wait to smother you with hugs and kisses. Kirk, thanks for being my prayer partner. Even though we couldn’t get to the internet until today, I knew you were pulling for me and lifting us all up in prayer. Mom and Dad, you’ve prepared the way for us to come here in so many ways….thank you! Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement! See you soon!
Brenda

Brenda,
It is so exciting that you are able to go to Guatemala again! I am praying for you and hope the trip is amazing yet again for you in even more ways than before. Stay healthy!
Renee