Mission trip in Magdalena! Finally!

Words can't even begin to express how happy I am to be here in this place with some of my favorite people. My team is all together now and we picked up Melanie, Jake, Cassi and Maddi at the airport Monday morning in Guatemala City. The rest of the team stayed in Antigua for some last minute fun and we all met at noon in Magdalena! House stays were given out and the students are comfortably in their host family homes. After lunch in Mi Cafecito, the afternoon was free for some much needed rest for the travellers/ The other team is here as well from Ripon (we have 18 on our team and they have 17) and they are a great bunch of kids and adults. I am so excited to see what God has in store for all of us together! On Tuesday we had an orientation to ministry sites as well as orientation to Magdalena, Interesting, but it was a long day. We also had language exposure with many skits divided up band created by the students in each ministry site.  Last night we had team time together with the other team, we played games and wrote out 3 goals for the trip: in our families, in our ministry site, and amongst the team.  Today was our first day in our sites and were given opportunity to share devotions this morning based on the book of James. Great material for thought and to motivate us for the day! Each student was positive and flexible in our areas. Jake De Haan was motiviated by just cleaning the roof and working with Mario, Jr!  Lexie Fronczek was seen this morning with 2 adorable twins on each side of her coloring and drawing in a preschool class. Courtney Branderhorst was in El Gorrion loving on and playing with adorable Lisbeth during recess. Jenn La Mar was busy on the computer arranging sponsored families with their donations. Lisa and Hannah Anderson were busy taking pictures and playing with the kids in El Gorrion. And that is only a few of the incredible things happening. I can't wait to hear more tonight during our team sharing time. God is at work and we appreciate your prayers and thoughts as we strive to be used as His hands and feet here in the beautiful country of Guatemala. You are amazing and such a blessing to ALL of us!