Commence Phase 3

Now that all the research in regards to forming a 501c3 has been completed (Phase 1) and having gone to Guatemala twice this year (Phase 2), I can now-finally- begin Phase 3. From now through November the plan is to research Guatemala. That sounds like a very daunting task, but having nearly completed a minor in Latin American Studies, I have a solid grasp on how to go about studying a country. Also, from conducting research on a separate project (Uncovering LUC's Solidarity with El Salvador- my other blog) I learned how to efficiently go about research engines and finding reliable information. In case you are curious about what all goes equates researching a country...

1. Basic Info.- (Demographics from 2013 Census, Hispanic Pew, World Bank; Geography, etc.)
2. History- (Precolonial Era, Colonial Era, Independence, Civil War, Cold War, etc.)
3. Religion- (Precolonial Mayan religious practices, Catholicism, shifts away from Catholicism, Lutheran dominance in Conevisa, Zacapa etc.)
4. Case Study of Zacapa- (more indepth analysis of the state and Conevisa if possible)
5. Current Status- (Guatemala today and what it means to do mission work)

The goal of researching Guatemala --> Zacapa --> Conevisa in my mind is logical and relates to the whole purpose of why I chose to do this Independent Study. In my opinion, if you truly want to "make a difference" by doing mission work in another country, the best way to do so is to know the area- understanding why the community is the way it is. By having basic background knowledge on the area in which you wish to serve will give you a much better understanding in how you can help make a difference. My hope is that if and when this nonprofit gets up and running, churches will take the time to learn about Zacapa before embarking to do God's work. I will help teach the churches that simply going on a trip to a Third World country building, teaching, etc. for a few days does not make a difference (I call these band-aid trips) and in fact, usually worsens the community because a dependent relationship is being formed. Wanting to make an impact is not enough, you have to understand the how and the why in order to build relationships- now THAT will make a difference.

Romans 12:11

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Back to the Books

So close to finishing "Section One" (the legal aspect) of this incredible project! Here is a quick blurb about about what I learned about applying for 501c3 tax exempt status after having filed the articles and after having prepared the bylaws- Although, I still do not understand 1023 versus a 1024...

Preparing the Tax Exemption Application

1. Part I- Identification Applicant
2. Part II- Organizational Structure
3. Part III- Required Provisions in your Organizing Document
4. Part IV- Narrative Description of your Activities
5. Part V- Compensation and Financial Arrangements with Officers, Directors, Trustees, Employees, and Independent Contractors
6. Part VI- Your Members and Other Individuals, and Organizations that Receive Benefits from you
7. Part VII- Your History
8. Part VII- Your Specific Activities
9. Part IX- Financial Data (thus far)
10. Part X- Public Charity Status
11. Part XI- User Fee Information (of course you have to pay to have the IRS to look over this)
12. Then you send in your user fee, EIN, Parts I-XI, completed schedule, articles signatures, and name of the organization
13. Wait, and wait, and wait for approval as a public charity- or else be a foundation, which I do not want.

The tax exemption application looks to be one of the larger paperwork hurdles in starting a nonprofit organization. Basically, you must comb through line-by-line in the application. I am thinking about having a lawyer look it over because taxes just confuse me to no end. Only a few more posts about legal "stuff"- I promise!

Deuteronomy 31:6

Don't mistake God's patience for His absence,

His timing is perfect, and His presence is constant.

He's always with you!

What a Week!

Back in the USA and what an incredible week it was in Guatemala! God used the team to do His work in Conevisa in so many ways. For one, many of us were able to help a mother in Antigua by purchasing her handmade scarves, stuffed animals, and threaded goods of which all the money went to supporting her children. Doc, Julio, Mari, Mary, and Angie were able to provide dental cleanings, extractions, and fillings to approximately 70 men, women, and children in Conevisa. The municipal government of Zacapa reached 100% agreement to donate the 2.5 acres to construct the Celeste Mission Center on the mountain in the community and are willing to clearly the land for free as well as provide a bulldozer to begin construction in 2015. God blessed Omar and his daughter with providing a house in a very safe neighborhood so that they can move to El Maguay in December (only a few blocks from Nilss and his family!). God moved the heart of Doc on a whole new level, he is helping to sponsor the school and medical surgery expenses of a young girl in Zacapa- her life truly is forever changed. David is on fire to make the floor plans (I still want to call them blueprints but apparently that is an "old school" term...) for the Celeste Mission Center and the kids fell absolutely in love with him this past week. He had a constant following of little ones who wanted to help him on the computer, take pictures of anything and everything, and to play soccer. The team had the extra funds to buy over 160 pairs of Crocs for all the kids in the school as well as for those who are unable to attend school in Conevisa. This may seem like a small act of love, but it is much larger than one would think. In the past, the community has been promised by others groups time and time again that they were be supplied with shoes and never followed through on the promise. The kids are very excited to receive their new shoes in class on Monday morning. Also, by purchasing the majority of the shoes from the local market, we were able to support the local economy instead of the mass box stores ( I will not bore you on my position on the disadvantages of the large multibillion dollar industries that directly contribute to the cycle of poverty). How God used me this week- I will be frank, I usually do not play a whole lot with the kids while in country due to the constant meetings, construction of projects, etc. On Wednesday everything on our schedule got wiped out for whatever reason and THAT got me to play with the kids all day long. God brought little Ines into my life that day. She is about three years old and hardly ever speaks. She is dragged around by her older brother and was constantly covered in dirt and lice. She would hang out on the periphery whenever I was with the kids. On Friday when we went to say goodbye to everyone in Conevisa, she grabbed my leg and wanted to be carried. She clung to me so tight and did not want me to put her down. I am going to talk to Magalay (Magalay's heart is all about teaching little kids about Jesus as she hosts Bible studies in her home) about finding a way to sponsor her in some way.

God has plans for you and I, trust in Him and He will then make our paths straight

Carrie Underwood: Keep Us Safe

God keep us safe, safe tonight

Keep our eyes towards the sky,

Send out an army of angels to make us brave,

Keep us strong and unafraid,

God Keep Us Safe

God saw that it was Good

Breaking News: the municipal officially donated the land to Pastor Donnie! The entire city council (as in 100% people!) is all for the community/mission center to be constructed in Conevisa. The Vice-Mayor said, after signing the paperwork, that the reason that they want to donate so much land to us is because we are being disciples by going out to do God's will. Having heard him say that, a few of us were thinking, "Wow God is still very much alive in the community". And just like that, God gave us 2.5 acres to work with in order to help build up the Conevisa community in Christ. David is messing around with the physical blueprints of the building... two floors or one with a central plaza... who knows! As long as it is structurally sound and as disaster preventative as possible then it's aaaaaall good. The dental clinic served another 20 students and adults today. Again, these kids are brave and are taking the time to take care of their teeth. They all come out of the chair smiling those gorgeous smiles. In honor of the kids, here are a ton more photos (most of which were taken by them)~

Genesis 1: 9-10

And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear". And it was so. God called the dry ground, "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.

Dentistas, Montanas, y Ninos

The dental clinic was in full swing today. Between Doc and Julio (with much assistance from Angie, Mari, and Mary) they were able to serve almost 20 kids and adults in their portable-traveling-clinic! Those were some brave kids getting fills, extractions, and cleanings all on their own today. Donnie, David, and I went to survey the land that was donated by the cocode (the board of the community). It turned into a hike up the mountain through the jungle... the area has received A LOT of rain since late June and the brush was very overgrown. As Donnie, David, and I were making our way up (in a not-so-graceful-way) the kids were scurrying up and down while playing tag in their flipflops. David says that although it will not be the easiest of builds, it can be done. As of now, the largest obstacle is getting clean water to the top of the mountain because the spring that flows into the wells that the community depends on, are running low. A portable water tank might be the solution. This post is short, sweet, to the point. More to come tomorrow!

View of Conevisa from the Future Mission Community Center

Burros

Cesar Jr. (he is getting so big!)

God is Love

Lyrics from Carrie Underwood's song- So Small:

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing,

is just a grain of sand...

Live from Zacapa!

A full day of travel and a full day in Zacapa have been accomplished! I cannot believe that it has already been three months since my last visit. Where to even begin, besides at the start. Traveling from Chicago to Guatemala City went without a hitch- thank goodness and just before the snow came? Oh Chicago. None off our luggage or dental equipment got lost and the security check points were not an issue. Allow me to introduce you to the team:

Donnie Stubblefield- Youth and International Missions Pastor for Crossroads Community Church; Conevisa land proposal information update, community update, leadership update

Angie Ardis- (my best friend’s momma) Youth Coordinator for Crossroads Community Church; all travel and logistical plans, volunteer dental clinic assistance

Mary Malik- active member at Crossroads Community Church; volunteer dental hygienist assistant

Brian O'Donovan- (aka Doc) His private practice, at the Fox Moor Plaza in Aurora, Illinois has been open for 27 years; the lead dentist along with Julio for the dental clinic

David Merlo- Graduate student at Judson; architecture of the Celeste Mission Center

Omar DeLeon- Pastor and missionary; leadership training and community liason

Julio and Mari- an incredible couple! They are from Guatemala and have joined our dental team!
Herbert- our mover and shaker... literally he is our transportation guru
Nilss, Karla, Nilssletto Morales- Nilss is our CALMS leader for the week, his wife and son joined us in Antigua. What a beautiful family

and myself- undergrad student at Loyola University Chicago; researching Conevisa, architecture/land updates, community updates, business plan, 501c3 information

As a group, we headed to Antigua for the evening (10-4-14). An absolutely beautiful city in “the bowl” of the volcanos. Check out the pictures!

"Mountain Cross"

Nillsletto informed me that there are 37 volcanos in Guatemala alone, as we were watching smoke puff from the top of one early this morning (10-5-14). For a church service, we went to the top of the “Mountain Cross” that overlooks Antigua. Again… check out the pictures! Our devotions for the week will be the readings from 1 Thessalonians. Then we were all off to Zacapa of which we will be staying at Pasabien Santa Cruz. We all made a game plan for the rest of the week and are ready to get the dental clinic up and running early this morning (10-6-14)

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith

Pastor Donnie