Finishing Up & Saying Goodbye

Today we wrapped up all of our work projects. It felt good to bring them to completion. 

We then spent the afternoon playing with the kids. Soccer and volleyball, corn hole and scooter races filled up the gym. Tonight we surprised this kids with pizza from Dominoes for which everyone was thankful (us included.) 

The night finished with a video of the week followed by the children expressing their thanks to us and laying hands upon us to pray before we return home. We had the opportunity to share our words of thanks and appreciation with them as well. It was a powerful night to cap off an amazing week. 

Thank you to everyone who has participated in our trip by reading our blog and lifting us up in prayer. We leave Guatemala in the early a.m. hours and should be back home by 11:30 a.m. Saturday. 

God's best to you all.

Gringos in Antingua

Today we headed out to Antigua for a day of Guatemalan culture and shopping.

We started by having an amazing breakfast at the Hotel Santa Domingo. Next we proceded to a coffee plantation for a tour. The place we visitied is a supplier for Starbucks. Then we toured some 17th century ruins of a convent.

Lunch was at Pollo Campero aka Chicken Country.

We took off to the market place for an afternoon of shopping and deal making. It's a good thing we have lots of suitcase room from all the supplies we are leaving here.

Guatemala is a beautiful country and it was an honor to take in the sights and sounds.

Pops for Good Behavior

Today we continued our work projects and then ended the afternoon with an outing to Pops for ice cream with all of the kids who are on level 4 for their good behavior.  You should have seen their eyes as they ordered whatever they wanted - banana splits, milkshakes and sundaes. Of course we joined in with them.

Tonight was dinner with the older and younger girls, followed by a devotional time with all of the kids. We gave them all toothbrushes and put toothpaste on them and then challenged them to get the toothpaste back in the tube.  Then we talked about the power of our words and how taking our words back is as difficult as puting toothpaste back in the tube.

Tomorrow we are off to Antigua, the ancient captial of Guatemala for touring and shopping. Buenos Noches from Guatemala.

Aching Bodies & Full Hearts

After a late night volleyball marathon with the teenage boys here at the home many of us awoke this morning with aching joints and bruises, but it was all well worth it as getting the teenage boys to spend time with us was quite an achievement.

Guatemalan volleyball bares a close resemblence to soccer at times, but a good time was had by all. We continued on with our work projects this morning by doing demoliton of tile floors and removing the debry with wheel barrows. Dry wall was completed, walls were preped for painting and picnic tables were sanded. On the work project front it was a busy and productive day.

We had dinner again in the two boys homes - no surprises here - black beans and tortillas were on the menu. We spent the rest of the night with Lee & Staci Jarvis learning more about the individual stories of the children who live here. When you consider the tragedy and abuse out of which these children have emerged you can't help, but be overwhelmed by the redemptive power and grace of God at work here in this children's home.

It is a privilege for us to spend a week serving here.

August 2, 2010 - Demo, Drywall & Power Shopping

Today we started all of our work projects. Jeff, Chuck, David and Lyndol headed over to the old director's house to begin haning dry wall, put up a down spout, trim back some bushes and power wash the exterior. Chris, Debbie and Michelle headed into town to assist with the weekly shopping trip for groceries and supplies for the children's home. They were all quite impressed with the power shopping skills of the missionaries. The ladies then came back and worked on demo and hauling away concrete tiles. It has been a busy and productive day. We are having dinner with the boys tonight in their homes. Something tells us to expect black beans, tortillas and rice. We are also managing to have a lot of fun with the kids at the same time. Buenos Noches from Guatemala.

P.S. - Sorry to inform all of you who have asked, but no we didn't see the Mambo King this time.

Sunday, Aug. 1 -Pacaya Welcomes Us

The day started off with Pacaya, a Guatemalan volcano blowing off a couple of plumes of smoke for us to witness (very cool!) This morning we went to a Guatemalan mega-church in Guatemala City along with about 5,000 other people. We were truly impressed with the translation of the worship service. All you LifeSong folks will be glad to know that the pastor preached on the book of James so it seemed as if we were still part of the "According to Jim" series with all of you. After having lunch with the children and missionaries we took a tour of the children's home and learned more about the history of New Life. Tonight we will share dinner with all of the children and missionaries once again as they have a going away party for their summer interns. Tomorrow we will begin all of our work projects. Thanks for following along with our trip on the blog and for your prayers. It is great to know that we have a team of people who are supporting us back in the states.