What a blessing it has been to be able to serve God in such a fun and exciting way by joining college and carreer students from Alabama, Michigan and Wisconsin. Throughout the year some of us college and career keep in contact through Facebook. We look foward to reuniting here in Guatemala each August. We understand that our purpose here is to show through our actions the love of Christ to the Guatemalans, but we also enjoy having Christian fellowship with each other. It is so neat to me that even though we come from different states, churches, etc. that when we combine you can’t tell who came from where (that is until we talk). I know that so much prayer has gone in our preparation and it has been effective, for I have seen His hand in many situations already this week! Thank you for your prayers. From the moment we arrived here, I have not been able to stop thinking about how incredibly blessed I am. I have met such loving, hospitable people here-people who are so appreciative of the small amount of time we spend with them.The love of the children is so profound yet is minimal to the love that Christ showed on the cross for us. My eyes and heart have been opened and softened to see and understand a little bit more of God’s love for me and the world. Even though we cant speak each others language, we communicate through smiles and hugs, prayers and actions. Comming here to Guatemala definately changes my perspectives on life. I can’t stop pondering on how we serve such an amazing God! Our cultures may be different but our needs are the same. Our hearts are as one with God in the center.

I know, I know, I know that there wasn’t a second post yesterday.  Internet service down?  No!  We just had a long day as our team members got back to the mission house between 7:00PM and 7:30PM.  Caroline Ford & Kathy Genzink had prepared a great meal for the team.  I had kitchen duty but actually spent very little time in the kitchen as I had a local pastor waiting to see me about an important matter in his life.  Next news you know it was already 9:30PM here and the second update just didn’t happen.  Sorry about that! 

Here is a recap of our day:  the praise and worship was very good as Kristen DeYoung and Brian Cochran (I gave Leah Compagner her props yesterday but she threw me under the bus!) led us in three or four songs.  Several of the team members shared about why they were here and about their expectations for the week.  We spent some time in the Word looking at Luke 19:1 – 10 and then got our assignments for the day.

We had four building teams and they totally completed two houses, have one with the concrete poured but needing the front side put on, have six others ready for the concrete, and one more framed up.  So, it was the strong first day we needed! 

Today, we will go back to the village and continue building houses.  Also, Allen Glover will begin the process of determining the electrical needs of the parsonage at Rios de Agua Viva while Ross Genzink will take a few folks there to begin the process of placing the grout in the floor tile which was laid by our July team.  It is a little after 5:00AM as I am writing this and it has begun to rain in the last few minutes.  Obviously, that could affect our efforts today but we will work adjust and adapt to whatever we need to do.  “Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape!”

The team members have been great thus far with super attitudes.  Pray that today will be another good day.  We are very quick to realize that God has graciously blessed us thus far and we give Him thanks for watching over us.  Thank you for your continued prayer support.  Pray without ceasing!