A Great Ending

Greetings from Guatemala.....today, our last day, was a day of adventure for everyone. All of the students and leaders had cultural experiences as listed this morning., We finished the evening with a pizza and chicken party, group photos, and worship. Sorry, no pics posted today, my gear was packed last night but I will post them when I get home.
Sometime this week, I will edit the photos, some 2000 of them, and prepare a GOCC folder to share. I am thinking at this point that I will get Chris a flash drive with the whole bunch of them and the students and leaders can copy the file at church. I will do my best to get this completed this week.
There was a great joy here this evening that I think sums up the hearts and work of this team. A collection was taken of all the guatemalan currency everyone had in remainder and this money was given to a family from the village we served. They have been at the hotel for the past 24 hours selling some beautiful handicrafts. Everyone, in the spirit of the faith, gave all to these women. I tell you the truth, they were deeply moved by the generosity of strangers.
I know your students are going to have lots of stories to share with you and perhaps a few internal struggles regarding what they have witnesses in the extreme poverty here. I know they will each be greeted by faithful and loving listeners.
I wish you could all be here to witness them in their work and devotion. I am and will continue to be moved by the depth of their love and compassion. It is good to be a part of this community.

Saturday Morning....let the adventures begin

Good Morning.....today is free day. Folks are slowly crawling out of bed, tired from a week of hard work. Some folks, okay, not some folks, the young athletic guys and Chris left very early to go do a 3000 ft climb up a volcano. There might, if they are lucky, get to roast marshmallows at the top; depends on the flow.
I will be taking the majority of folks into Antigua for a day of market experiences, dining, and general people watching. The artist will all be out in the historic square today and that is truly something to see. We will be visiting a 16century Cathedral and some other cool sites as well. I am on a quest to find a machete with leather holster....still trying to figure out what I will do with it.....probably just hang it on the wall.
If this week was at test, your students aced it. I have traveled with many people in many places and this group exceeded anything I had hoped to see. Chris and Josh have done a wonderful job teaching and leading the students and it shows in the attitudes, work, and spirituality of them all. You can and should be proud of them. They left nothing on the field.
 

Work Day Four...All is good in the Kingdom!

Hey folks....the mission continues to move forward without a hitch. The floor and stove teams are at record levels of output. I tell you the truth....our students rock!
I can safely say they are having a great time and I believe, this is a transformational experience for many. It is a joy and blessing to watch them through the camera lens as they serve and love and honor God in this place.
No problems, no concerns, pizza party for our bunch Saturday night. Tomorrow we wrap up the work. Saturday day is cultural outing day....some going to hike a volcano (it really is safe), some, actually most are going to Antigua for shopping and dining. I will be leading that bunch as I know the city well.
Thank you for entrusting your students to this mission.

This Train is Rolling

Again, today was spectacular! We are ahead of schedule and work goals. Your students are helping to make this happen. They continue to do well, and embrace this mission full on. Sorry for the delays in getting photos up today, we are having some real difficulties with internet. Hopefully will get some up later tonight. Continue to pray, we feel the love.

A Great Day to Serve

I spent the day with a floor crew who is installing concrete floors, Guatemala style, in San Antonio. Before I forget, I am posting lots of photos on the Facebook Site....Guatemal13 that you can easly find on either mine or Chris's facebook page. Having trouble getting them to post on this blog.
Again today, all of the students are doing very very well, serving Christ honorably, and I believe each of them is discovering something new about themselves and their faith. Got a chance to talk with several of them today....Wow!
Todays photos are from the Paso e Paso site as well as the floor crew. Photos each day will be from differant crews and locations in the homes of the locals.
Be assured, all is well and healthy and blessed in this mission and for that, We Praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Another Day in Paradise.

Sorry these are so short.....so much going on and fast paced. The team is doing exceptionally well. Today was a cultural immersion experience for the team at the Paso e Paso (step by step) site were we are serving this week in San Antonio. Folks had their first tast of Guatemalan cuisine, enjoyed a performance by the children at the site, and had their training on constructing floors and stoves. WOW! Talk about donations. I dont think they have ever seen so much. Tables were filled today as the humanitarian supplying will begin with the children in the morning. There are still close to 30 suitcases filled and ready to replenish things as they are given away. Your students are doing very well, zero problems, zero difficulties....yep....this is a great team.

Quick update....We have arrived at the hotel safe and sound and with NO PROBLEMS :) We made our connection in Atlanta with time to spare....actually had bathroom time. The students are pumped and working excellent together getting the bus loaded and unloaded. Very easy trip today but everyone is exhausted. More later.