Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Duggars in Central America 2014 Part 1

Last month, Jim Bob Duggar, Ben Seewald and several of the Duggar kids traveled to Central America for a two-week mission trip. Here are a few photos from their voyage:

Jinger Duggar
 Jinger Duggar

Duggars Central America mission trip

Jessa Duggar
 Jessa Duggar

Duggars Central America mission trip

Duggars Central America mission trip

Jim Bob Duggar Central America
 Jim Bob Duggar

Ben Seewald and Jessa Duggar Central America
Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald

Duggars Central America mission trip

Duggars Central America mission trip
 Jinger Duggar (third from right)

Duggars Central America mission trip
 Memorizing Scripture

Duggars memorizing Scripture

Duggars memorizing Scripture

Duggars memorizing Scripture

Duggars Central America mission trip

Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald
 Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald
Duggars Central America mission trip

Duggars Central America mission trip

Duggars Central America mission trip
 Jinger Duggar (center)
Duggars Central America mission trip

Duggars Central America mission trip

Ben Seewald and Jessa Duggar courtship
 Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald

James Duggar
 James Duggar

Jim Bob Duggar Central America
 Jim Bob Duggar

Duggars Central America mission trip

Jackson Duggar and Justin Duggar
Jackson Duggar (left) and Justin Duggar (right)

Duggars Central America mission trip

Duggars Central America mission trip

Duggars Central America mission trip

Duggars Central America mission trip
 Group photo of the Duggars and members of their church 
who accompanied them on the mission trip

Jinger Duggar and Jeremiah Duggar
 Jinger Duggar (left) and Jeremiah Duggar (right)

Jedidiah Duggar Central America mission trip
 Jedidiah Duggar

Duggars Central America mission trip

Duggars share music Central America
 Sharing music

Duggars act out the story of Jonah
 Acting out the story of Jonah

Jackson Duggar Central America
 Jackson Duggar (right)

Jedidiah Duggar sharing the Gospel
 Jedidiah Duggar sharing the Gospel

Duggars Central America mission trip

Jessa Duggar
Jessa Duggar

60 comments:

  1. it's kind of funny. in the first pic. Ginger looks like Jessa. and then in the pic of Jessa. Jessa looks like Jill.

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  2. Obviously the Lord is at work with the people in these communities. The building up of everyone's faith is a great blessing. Also we can believe that the Lord is at work with the people in each of our communities and coming into our lives. Let's build up our faith and rejoice!

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  3. Again we see the hand of God on Jessa, as well as the others:
    Isaiah 52:7
    How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
    Thank-you Lily and Ellie for posting these pictures, it is exciting to see the Lord in action fulfilling his words as they are written in the Bible.

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  4. I noticed (also in some pictures from people when they came in Texas) that Jessa is not wearing her "courting" goft/necklace anymore. Wonder why?

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    1. If they were returning from honduras that would explain alot bc you can't wear jewelry there they may try to rob or kidnap you

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  5. Hey!! see Jessa holding on to Ben, whats up with that? Hmm I don't see their marrige workng. Hope I'm wrong.

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    1. You don't see a potential marriage working because Jessa rested her hand on Ben's shoulder? I must have missed something!

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  6. Ben's hand is extremely close to Jessa's like they were told to stop holding hands for the pic!

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  7. Hi Lily and Ellie,
    Could you please let us know which of the Duggars went on this trip?

    Thanks,
    Alexis

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  8. In the first picture of Jessa and Ben it looks like their holding hands

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  9. Lily and Ellie. Clear up some confusion. I don't see how useful the Duggars can be when they go to countries where they don't speak the language. What do they do? They can't preach. It seems like if they keep going to places, they would be learning the language. I just don't see how they can be that useful there.

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    1. Good point. However, the Lord works in amazing ways and He can make awesome things happen without speech. Furthermore, there was likely an interpreter or two along for the trip to help in that area.

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    2. Smiles, hugging, touching, and playing are universal.dont have to speak the language to be of service.They donate lots of money to better their day to day life as well, things we do not see.I dont personally know anyone in my life that goes on missions and donate a small fortune every year like they do. That doesnt even scratch the surface of the good deeds they do locally, and in the states, and abroad.

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    3. These poor folks see that Americans from far away care about them, it gives them hope.Also, they see the same familiar faces coming back year after year, not just a one time thing, that also developes trust .

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    4. Not useful? They bring food, clothes, toys sing and perform for them and paint the childrens nails. You can see the happiness they bring . If that's not useful I don't know what is.

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    5. I'm assuming they hire translators, that's what we've always done on any mission trips I've been on.

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    6. I have been on many mission trips and even though I do speak the language I have seen others who don't speak the language still used of God. Also translators are usually present when any teaching/preaching is involved:*)

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  10. Sometimes I feel like these pictures are unethical. It's as though "look I was with this poor person!" Do the people really want their pictures online?

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    1. Don't look at it that way, look at it as saying these are the people The Lord are touching, these are the faces of the children of The Lord.

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    2. To my knowledge, mission trips are usually done with a different attitude than you're suggesting. It's not about how poor the people are but about coming along beside them and sharing in the gospel. They often return favors in some way as they don't want to be takers; they want to be givers and work for the Lord. Also, there's usually an interpreter to help with language barriers.

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    3. Seriously, do you think these people have ipads handy, or that they check to see if their pic is on the world wide web? lol!

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    4. They are highlighting a cause, not showing off. Hoping to encourage others to help as well. With the level of poverty and strife they deal with do you honestly think these people would care that their picture was online??

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    5. @jamie
      yes they want their pictures taken. I have been going on mission trips since 2002 and now have reconnected with children that are young adults and they always enjoy seeing pictures of themselves and are thankful.

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  11. Looks like they had lots of fun and great pics !!!
    -Brittany :)

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  12. @Alexis Kushner

    Hi Alexis,

    Sure! Jim Bob, Jessa, Jinger, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, and Jackson went on the trip, along with Ben Seewald.

    Blessings,
    Lily and Ellie

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  13. This is awesome that Jim Bob takes several of his kids on mission trips! I think everyone needs to go on a mission trip at least once in their lifetime.

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  14. thought duggars had church @ @ there home? thats what i read before. where do they attend church? is jimbob an ordained minister and quailified to preach ? just curious. thanks crystal claridon ohio

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  15. I don't know the Duggars personally, but I can speak from personal experience of going on mission trips myself that you do not go for yourself. You go on mission because you love God! You go because you love His people and you go because He told us to in Acts! These people were blessed by the Dugggars, not because of who they are, but because of Who they represent.

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  16. To the person who is "confused" of what good the Duggars or anyone for that matter, could be overseas when they don't know the language, let me help you out. One doesn't need to speak the same language to help others in need with food, or to give an orphan a hug or to play with a child a game of soccer or to paint a girls fingernails or to show love to them when they might not have love shown to them on a daily basis. One doesn't need to speak the same language to help out in building a home or a church or any type of building for someone in need. You don't have to know a language in order to be of help. And just because YOU don't see how they can be useful doesn't mean they weren't in God's eyes or in the eyes of an orphan or a hurting family in need. All you can "see" is a perspective that is given by a picture. I know people have mixed feelings with the Duggar and sure they put themselves in the public eye for others to scrutinize and judge but nobody "forced" them to go overseas and help others in need. They "enjoy" reaching out and being reminded that to serve and to bless others is truly a wonderful feeling.

    And who is to say that the Duggars aren't learning phrases in Spanish? Or even taking classes online or a CD/DVD lessons on Spanish? Don't assume what you don't know. Assume the best.

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  17. My little Jackson is all grown up, he looks like he's having the time of his life.

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  18. I think I saw a picture of Joy Anna with Jinger.

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  19. Love watching your reruns on netflix. Love your family values and find your shows so encouraging and uplifting! Thank you for being you!

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  20. Great pictures!!!Thank you Lily and Ellie!!!!!

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  21. The ethics of having photos with the poor is good as far as I understand. They would be blessed.
    There are many positive verses in the Bible that bless those who are poor, an example:
    1Samuel 2:8
    He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

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  22. Yeah for Jackson, his first trip to Central America!!!

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  23. well it is very sweet going there to spend time with the people. but I can't help but notice that it looks like they're on vacation, they're wearing cute little sandals and some of the pictures of their hair has clearly been curled. I guess there is no digging wells on the trip?

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  24. I thought I saw Ben and Jessa holding hands too. Or really close to it. ;-) I can't get over how big Jackson got. He's sooo tall. Beautiful family, gracious servants.

    #9, you don't have to speak the language to help someone and be a blessing to their lives. But I believe some of the kids have learned Spanish, it was in an episode a while back. So while Jim Bob may not be able to speak to them, some of the kids can.

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  25. Haha! Everyone keeps saying that they think Ben and Jessa are engaged. Obviously they didn't look at her left hand in the 7th picture. No ring! :) I hope she gets one soon!

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  26. If you look closely at the picture where Jessa has her hand on Ben's shoulder, you will notice that she is standing on the edge of an eroded hillside. Would you rather she slip down that hill? Judge not that....bet you know the rest of that quote, but if not, it's time to look it up.

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  27. How does Jessa stay so stunningly beautiful everywhere she goes? :) Lovely pics; nice seeing them serving the Lord in other countries.

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  28. Lily and Ellie could you tell us if Jessa and Ben are engaged!? :) Also ive noticed that her instagram account is jessaseewald?

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    1. Hi Anonymous at 10:05am on Aug 7,

      No engagement announcement yet. We asked the Duggars about that and were told that Jessa is just saving the name for when she does get engaged. :)

      Lily and Ellie

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  29. *note to self* Don't read the comments! Gracious!!!!!

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  30. Notice Jessa's hand over Ben's shoulders? Jessa isn't touchy-feely!

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  31. I love the pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jessa and Jinger are so pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  32. To #9 - The Lord uses EVERYONE who goes on the trips, and language is no barrier. You just have to be willing to love on the people! Plus, we always have translators, so the teams are always able to speak to those around them.

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  33. The Duggars "give away a fortune" because they are tithing, they must give away 10% of their income as they believe God commands.. Their worth is around $3million, so if they "give away" $300,000, they are wanting to be in His favor so they can make more $. Plain and simple.

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  34. I think Jessa isn't wearing her necklace simply because she's on a trip and doesn't feel like wearing jewelry. And sheesh, people, if J and B are close in a picture, it's really not nearly as bad as the rest of the world. I see wisdom in in their relationship.

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  35. Do you know what city or town they were in? Or what the name of the church they worked with in Honduras?

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  36. As someone who has attended many mission trips, the goal was never to look at them as poor, but to see that they were in need, growing up with a servants heart, what better way to serve! Usually the countries visited were non English speaking, but that never seemed to matter (plus there's always a guide) when you deliver a weeks worth of shopping, or bottled water, clothes, toys, being company for an elderly person, or playing with a child(ren) the expression on there faces is more than enough! In regards to spreading the lords message, Spanish bibles are provided to those who want them, and where there invited to gatherings, there's the Spanish message played aloud on cassette, or CD Player (battery powered) if the need be! Missions trips are full of lots of pyhsical and emotional challenges, but are well worth it, and I loved every moment of serving mine!!

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  37. What a blessing to see a family giving of themselves. Jim Bob and Michelle are doing a fine job of teaching their children to have a servant's heart. May God richly bless them and their children for what they are doing in the name of Jesus.

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  38. As usual, waaay too many pictures. It takes up the whole site. What is the point here?

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  39. @lilyandEllie did jessa get the heart necklace from Ben?

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  40. I see some convictions have changed over the years. The girls are showing knees and wear form fitting clothes which are very cute but oh so different from in the past.

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  41. Thank you for posting these wonderful images of the Duggars and Ben during their mission work in Central America!

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  42. @Anonymous

    Hi Crystal,

    The Duggars are part of a church fellowship that meets in a commercial building. Sometimes the message is given by men who are members of the church, and other times they have guest speakers share. After the service, the families stay for a potluck lunch. We can say from firsthand experience that it is a wonderful church. :)

    ~Lily and Ellie

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  43. Helping without hurting. It actually hurts when you bring tons of second hand clothes to "poor" people. Why not instead bring cash to buy clothes the local community has made and are selling and double bless? I would not want my picture taken as a child half dressed in front of a metal sheet that is the wall of my house so visitors can remember me and feel great about having come to visit.

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  44. @AnonymousLet us love them and hold up their Godly Love to our Heavenly Father.

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  45. @AnonymousGodly Love is moving in the lives of these young people. Jessa and Ben are listening to the Voice of our Heavenly Father, and so should we all. (smile)

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  46. I am a missionary kid. My parents have worked for over 20 years in Asia. And I am appalled at the encouragement of these short term mission trips by American churches. Long term missionaries find that short term missions do NOTHING except make the short term missionary feel good about themselves. To really do good work for people you need to form relationships with them, speak the language, and truly understand what people are dealing with. Short term missions are an exercise of vanity.

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