September Happenings

Here is another excerpt from my newsletter for September.Please subscribe above to my full monthly newsletter!

A SPECIAL PLACE

        Ever since I began my career as a speech-language pathologist, I knew that God had given me a passion for working with children with special needs. I spent the first four and a half years working for a school system where I gained invaluable training and knowledge in special education. I loved my job and am so glad I had the opportunity to work there. 
        I never realized how much more I would love my job in a place like Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala. Every day I am greeted by so many sweet faces giving me hugs galore and saying “Buenos Dias, Seño “Jennifer!”  I am also surrounded by teachers and workers who all have a Christian faith and see their
job as a ministry. Each Tuesday, we have a staff Bible study where we can share openly and pray for the
students at the school. I also get the opportunity to pray with each one of my students and with the mothers of the children I am seeing in the afternoon.
        This school is indeed special in many ways!  I have been amazed to see how God has been working to bring about his purpose for the people of Santa Maria de Jesus.  This village is filled with so much darkness and evil, and the Nueva Vida School is truly a shining light amidst it all. I thank God for bringing me out of my comfort zone and surrounding me in a place where I can see him at work so clearly.  Thank you to all of you who have made this a reality for me and the children of Nueva Vida.

Recent Happenings

Just wanted to share some pics from the Bible Day Program at New Life today. Each class participated by either doing a song, skit or other sort of program with a Biblical theme! They all did a great job!! Also, I have found a place to rent!! Praise the Lord for what he has given me! The house is literally 50 feet away from Judy, the director's house, and it is beautiful! I will be moving in at the beginning of September when my new roommate Allie will get here. She is going to be working at a coffee farm and doing some mission work in Santa Maria for a year.
Enjoy the pics!

A Second Home

**This posting is taken from my first monthly newsletter. If you would like to read the entire newsletter, feel free to subscribe at the link above.

 

As we descended over the highlands of Guatemala City, I looked out the window and thought to myself, “welcome home.” Such a strange thought to not be in America! However, I know that God has been preparing my heart, and I feel a comfort here that makes it feel like a second home. I was graciously welcomed at the airport by Judy Kerschner, the founder of the New Life School, and Amy DeYoung, a social worker at the school. After our arrival, Judy spent the next few days showing us Antigua and helping me with all my errands. I am currently renting a room from a wonderful Christian family who has been so welcoming to me. I could not have asked for a smoother transition! God’s blessings continue to pour out each day here. It has also been a blessing to have my dad here for the week. He has seen the beauty of this country, the quality of the school, and the genuineness of the people. With his many years spent in Venezuela, he fits right in here and has been so helpful in setting up a new home for me. On Sunday, we visited the church of Christ in Antigua for the first time. We were greeted by 40-50 sincere, kindhearted Christians and made to feel right at home. I am excited about the opportunity to become a part of this family of believers. Despite the differences in culture and language, I can say with confidence that God has made me feel at ease in my second home!

Benefit Dinner Success

What a wonderful night! God has truly blessed my family and I with a wonderful church family at Fairlane. I was overwhelmed with all the wonderful people who gave of their time, money, and efforts to help this benefit dinner be a success! So, first of all, I want to express my sincere THANKS for all those who were a part of this night! Below you can find some pictures from this special night! We raised a total of
$2, 373 and also had several pledges made for monthly support!! GOD is GOOD!!!! I continue to be amazed at how God brings together his people to accomplish his purposes, and I thank you for allowing HIM to use you. I am very humbled by your generosity!
Also, I now officially have a departure date!! My dad and I bought our plane tickets last week! So, on JULY 25, I will begin my 2.5 year journey in Guatemala! Thank you to all of you who are making this happen!!

Helpers hard at work in the kitchen

Mom and I in the kitchen with the delicious dessert spread

                                             The table decorations

                                                     Speaking!

Dad giving me a blessing for my new ministry!! Made me cry!

Thanks and new Benefit Dinner

First off, I want to say how wonderful the Benefit Concert was last weekend for my mission and Jimmie's adventure! It was so much fun, and I was so honored to have so many people show up to support us. Thanks to all the bands and performers who volunteered their time to support these missions! I also want to thank everyone who helped put this whole event together! We raised over $500 that night, but on top of this, an anonymous donor decided to match whatever was raised!! Therefore, we ended up raising a grand total of $1100!!! All I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

This coming Saturday, March 17, there will also be a benefit dinner at my parents' home church Fairlane Church of Christ in Shelbyville, TN. Anyone is invited to attend, but if you cannot, please see my blog about how you can donate. Here are the details for the benefit dinner:

Guatemala Benefit Dinner for Jennifer Giesemann's Mission to the New Life School

Date: Saturday, March 17, 2012

Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Fellowship Hall at Fairlane Church of Christ, 101 Dow Drive, Shelbyville, TN 37160 (Building behind the auditorium)

Cost: $10/person

RSVP: Email Jennifer at jenngiese82@gmail.com or Patti at pittypat52@bellsouth.net

NASHVILLE BENEFIT CONCERT!!!

So, in my last post, I mentioned that a group from my church was hosting a benefit concert for 2 different mission opportunities, including my own. So, I wanted to post the official flyer for the concert with all the details. It is an open invitation, so anyone in the middle TN area (or just in town visiting!) is welcome to come! I am thankful to everyone who is putting this on and willing to help us out!! Hope to see ya there!

Benefit Concert

Throughout the fundraising process, it has been amazing to watch God work through his people to bring about my dream to move to Guatemala. Once again, my church friends have rallied to support me through a benefit concert. This concert will benefit two different mission efforts, which includes my Guatemala mission. I want to thank all the people who are putting this together and hope that many of you can come out for some awesome music and great fellowship!!
Here are the details:

Where: Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, 1949 Old Hickory Boulevard
Brentwood, TN 37027

When: Friday, March 9, at 8:00 pm

What: A Benefit Concert, featuring the band "A Girl's Guide to Marrying Well" 

There will be a small cover charge to enter. Other donations will be accepted. 

**Guatemalan coffee bags will be for sale as well.**