Guatemala Mission Report

Phil finished the building project today. We'll post photos tomorrow.

A couple of ladies went for an early morning walk down by the river and witnessed mom and daughter doing laundry.

Some of the team traveled to Lake Atitlan. The scenery was breath taking. God's creation is magnificant, incredible, awesome...words can't describe how beautiful it was. We visited two villages on the lake and had adventure on the high seas! Your prayers were felt as we traveled to the lake, traveled on the lake and back to the ranch. Hair-pin turns, cliffs, speed bumps, and dodging bicyclists and runners made for quite the ride. Our ears are still popping. But, no one was sick.

Continue to pray for the team as they will travel to Antigua tomorrow.

Some of team and our host Anna at the Bambu restaurant.

A thank you gift for our team.

Volcanoes at Lake Atitlan.

Early morning laundry.

Return visit with friends. They are wearing the USA/Guatemala friendship pins.

Do you know that Jesus loves you?

Guatemala Mission Team Report

The entire team is doing well. We had another day of gorgous weather.

The shed is done with the exception of the doors which will be finished tomorrow morning. The latrine is done.

The last distribution of reading glasses was finished today. The ladies shared Jesus with the kids who were at the clinic with their parents. A few also played games with them. We had no idea what they were saying but it was a lot of fun. It's tough to capture the poverty of some of the families. But kids are kids no matter where they live. They love to smile, laugh and play games.

God was good to us again today and he answered many prayers for the building progress, an opportunity to share Jesus with kids and ideas for future mission trips.

We are planning a trip to Lake Atitalan tomorrow. It has two volcanoes in the center. It should be a beautiful site.

Team #2 Arrives

Saturday marked a travel day for those on team #1 who were returning home and for five members of team #2. Everyone who was leaving returned home. Pray for those who were ill this week that they make a quick and full recovery.

The ride from the airport was...interesting. Both Jodi and Judy asked our driver what direction we were headed as we were leaving the airport. I think we were both concerned when he hesitated and said "West, I think." Well after about 10 minutes of twisting and turning through Guatemala City, we understood. We had no clue what direction we were going. Definately upward because around every sharp turn--all taken on the inside lane--we climbed yet another hill. We are northwest of Tecpan.

It is raining off and on today. Umbrellas needed. The frequent rainshowers explain the lush green landscape. It's beautiful here. Photos don't fully capture the beauty. Yesterday, Tecpan celebrated 485 years with a celebration. Several attended events last night. Today we attended a lunch with great Spanish food and then were entertained by Mayan musicians and a famous Guatemalan singer. Later we stopped by an orphanage and shared a bag of Beanie Babies with some of the children.

Tomorrow, we are planning to build three O'Neil stoves and white wash walls as well as install three water purification systems. Phil, James and two of our hosts' sons will work with the village people to continue building the shed.

Update from Guatemala Team

Please continue to pray for the 11 people serving in Guatemala this week. A few have been under the weather so pray for health and strength, too. Five members will return home on Saturday and five more will arrive for a second week of work.

Dennis said exciting things are happening. The photos reflect what the team has been doing this week...distributing reading glasses, tracts and Croc shoes as well as constructing a shed. Progress is also being made on the school.