Guatemala Story #1

It's hard to know where to start, but I have to start somewhere! First, I'll give you some facts. Guatemala is the third poorest country. There are 7 million people in Guatemala City, 54% of those live in poverty and 38% live in extreme poverty. 3 million live in "squatter villages". The city is divided into "zones" and we did most of our work with zone 18, or the poorest zone in the city. There are two hospitals in the city, one built in 1942, the other in 1980. We saw many children with rotten teeth-a result of being fed sugar water from birth because formula is too expensive. Many had no shoes. Several times our group gave children their food because they asked for money to buy food.



It has been eight years since I have been in Guatemala. I did notice a few changes. I saw a couple of baby strollers and infant carriers, but for the most part babies are still carried on the backs of their mothers. Knowing sign language, I was hopeful that I would find a child to "talk" to, but at that time, I was told I would never see a deaf child because they would not be allowed to be in public. That proved to be true, and I did not see handicapped children in public. However, THIS time, I did! One of our first days of ministry was in a "park" area of a squatter village. I was unprepared and certainly a bit rusty, but I saw a little girl talking to her parents in sign language. I immediately jumped right in and started talking to her. She was so sweet, and it was obvious that she and her parents were thrilled to have someone able to talk to her! She told me that she went to church and had asked Jesus into her heart. I have now been able to talk to someone through sign language in Equador, Romania and Guatemala! Carissa found a baby to hold. We did our program in this area, Carissa was in the skit called "park bench" (the blue mat). As we watched, we saw this lady pass by many times carrying cement blocks on her head. These ladies arrived at the park, the one carrying the huge bag on her head. I'm not sure what was in it! They seemed to enjoy the program-even the adults do, seeing puppets and skits is not something that happens often in their lives. This lady accepted a Bible, but you never know if they are able to read or not. On another day I talked with a lady who shared her umbrella with me to protect us from the heat. She was older, and I talked with her through one of our interpreters. When I asked her if she knew about Jesus she told me that she hadn't heard much because she couldn't read or write. Our conversation was cut short because a HUGE rain storm came and she ran with her umbrella! She was so captivated by the program and I knew that it was being presented in a way that she could understand.

We're Home!!!

We arrived home last night and were welcomed by little gifts from our little friends! Flowers, a bit of food to get us through our next meal, and coffee! We felt loved and missed! We are MORE than worn out, and I have LOTS of stories I'll be telling you about, but right now, it is time for the Sunday afternoon nap!

Guatemala Bound!!!

We are off! We will run home from church tonight, sleep for a few minutes and leave for the airport by 5AM! Kaylee called us from camp today and things seem to be going very well, just like we thought they would! Joshua came and picked up Spike and delivered him to Jen's house, where I pray he will behave himself and be welcomed back again sometime! Carissa, Cary and I are packed and ready to go! We'll return late on the 28th, so till then...

Camp 2007

I realized after I was in bed last night that I had added pictures to my computer last night and then forgot to write the blog! Yes, things are a bit crazy around here! Yesterday morning we sent Kaylee off to camp. Cary and I are very excited-Louie Giglio and Andy Stanley are doing the camp, and if there had been ANY way to be two places at one time, we would have been there! I KNOW God is going to do great things during camp, and can't wait to hear all about it! We took Kaylee to Starbucks before sending her off-what good parents we are! She will return on Friday and Josh and Jen will pick her up and get her to the airport on Saturday morning. She'll stay in Atlanta with the Andrews until we get back from Guatemala. Kaylee definitely adds a lot of spunk to our lives-these couple of days without her are going to be very different! We miss her!

Heart Preparations

I think I told you about finding a new friend that has been working in Romania with babies. I have been reading her blog for the last couple of weeks, trying to catch up on exactly what she is doing there, finding out all I can about her ministry there. It has caused my heart to start thinking Romania thoughts again! I just love that country and the people! I also told you about a group from church that were headed to Italy. They returned this week and while they were in Italy, they were able to lead TWO ROMANIANS to the Lord! Oh my goodness, I was a mess when I found that out! God is just too much sometimes! As I thought about this yesterday, I just had to wonder what is ahead for us in Guatemala. I am getting excited and anxious! At church last night we sang "Where He leads me, I will follow" and I am just so thankful for the blessings that come from following Him!

Scrap Booking Day

I just found this picture, I forgot I never told you about our scrap booking day this week. On Tuesday, Michelle, Grace and Claire came over for the day. The big girls scrap booked, the young ones just tried to keep themselves entertained. It was a great day, we haven't seen much of each other over the summer. Grace worked on the computer a lot, and Claire just watched. At one point we were pulling Claire's leg about something and she said..."I'm NOT buying it!" What joy and laughter they bring to us!

Dinner at Jen's

Tonight we went to Jen's house for dinner. Joshua grilled, and Jen put together a wonderful meal. The whole family was there-even Spike! He got to go and visit and check out where he will be staying while we are in Guatemala. It was the first time we had seen Jen's house-and it was beautiful! She has done a lot of work in a short period of time! Of course, she now is a bit distracted by wedding plans! By the way, the date has been set, and we're having a wedding on April 12!

100th POST!!!

Yes, this is the 100th time I have written! I have always loved to write, and I feared that by starting this, it would "eat" a lot of my time. It does. It is worth it! It makes keeping in touch so much easier. I write when I want, you read when you want!

Just two weeks from today we will leave for Guatemala. Cary, Carissa and I will go with a group of our college kids. Guatemala was my first mission trip, the place that won my heart and forever changed the way I look at life, others, and myself. I did not send out a letter this time, so I am trusting that this will serve as a reminder to be in prayer for us while we are away. I have been known to scold people for not sending out a letter so that I could be involved through prayer. So, please pray for us! Kaylee will be flying to Atlanta to stay with friends while we are gone. Joshua and Jen will be taking care of the smallest member of our family, Spike. We will be gone July 19-28.

I have been spending a lot of time the last couple of days reading the blog of a new friend I have found. She is working in Romania, with orphans. I have been so blessed to read of her journey. Tomorrow we have a group from our church leaving for Italy. Also, another friend leaves for Italy.

I am so thankful that somewhere along the line, I learned how blessed I am when I have a part in touching other's lives. That looks different at different times. Sometimes I can invest time. Sometimes I am able to help financially. I just know that it is such an honor that God chooses to use me to love on others in whatever way is appropriate at the time. It is my desire that others see Jesus through whatever He asks me to do, and that I be obedient!

Please pray for us as we prepare to go. This will be our first mission trip with Carissa since her first mission trip, to Guatemala, when she was 11. Pray for Kaylee as she flies alone for the first time! It's a direct flight, thank goodness! I'm sure I'll have stories to tell when we get home!

July 4th

We had a very nice 4th. We didn't do a whole lot, a little shopping and running around. John, Lisa, and Ashley came over for dinner. It was just a relaxing day-until the fireworks started! We have a bunch of neighbors that celebrate a bit more than we do. Like half the night! Oh well, it's once a year and I'm thankful we are in America and have the freedom to celebrate!

Memories

Memories are such a gift, but kind of mysterious at the same time. You just never know when something is going to send you back. I had one of those experiences last week when we were at Disney. Growing up in southern California, we frequented Disneyland. Usually those trips included my mom and Dan, and often some or all of my brothers. When we were riding through Small World, I kept thinking "Mom loved this, it was her favorite!" And then we got to Bear Country, and it was almost more than I could take! Mom and Dan both loved it, but somehow, it had Marvin and Harold written all over it. They could weave those songs from Bear Country into most any conversation. They were all good memories, but still there was a bit of sadness that came with the memory. Lives have changed, we live all over the country and may never get to go to Disney together again, and mom and Dan aren't here at all. It won't ever be the same again, but the memories of those times just made me grin. Good memories. Really good.

Home Again!

We got back home yesterday. We had a good time in Orlando last week. Before we left town on Friday morning we went to the Gaylord Hotel and walked around. We had heard about it for years, but just never had done it while we were there. Then, we went to Brooksville to see Cary's family and returned home yesterday. Today life was back to normal...church, lunch with the college kids, and church tonight. Joshua and Jen are gone to Michigan for the week. Joshua is meeting Jen's grandmother and brother. He tells me they have not scared him off yet! I hope he remembers that talk about being on his best behavior!