Last week here In Guatemala

Wow! Our last week has already begun and we need to look at making our last few days count. Actually, we need to make the most of our last week to make the seed that is being planted flourish.There  have been so many highlights already to the trip, the team, and this place. We were able to go the beach again on Saturday, and enjoy the black sand, the waves, and the sun. We had a fun day, and the other team even performed a baptism! God is great. Saturday night we went to Antigua for dinner at the upscale McDonalds before returning to Magdalena. On Sunday, we were able to attend church at Mario's, The  Church of Mount Sinai. So exciting as Sra. B got to translate for the guest speaker that was there for Fathers Day! It was a special service for all the Dads in the community. We got to sing a song up front, we sang Something New, a song that was sung in our CVC chapel for the Spiritual Emphasis Week. After church was over, we took the bus to Antigua where lunch was on our own and then we had the afternoon free at the market or Café Barista until 5:30. We then took a bus to the Community Center for a special Taco dinner and fun and games. So much fun, we played dodge ball with socks and Have you ever...? As a big group.
Stories from this weekend that are worth mention: Todd and Skyler Griffin bought athletic shoes in the market for the 3 boys (brothers) in the Construction site. Eating lunch at Mono Loco after church on Sunday with Megan and Mitchell Borges. Seeing Katherine Grimmius relate to a staff persons daughter,Hope  (10) all fray long on Saturday- she even drew a picture for Katherine! Seeing my team play games like Dodge Ball at the Community Center! Hilarious!
Monday we were all so anxious to get back to our ministry sites. I saw a lot of great things happen among the team today. There was a birthday party for the June birthday kids at Child Sponsorship today.They broke a piñata and played musical chairs, got goodie bags, and a gift for their day. So great to be a part of that. The students made cupcakes for them, blew up balloons, and wrapped their sponsor gifts for them. Today in sponsorship, I was able to go on a home visit with the child we sponsor, Yahaira. She is so precious and already is almost 15 years old! We began sponsoring her when she was 7. Afterwards in ael Gorrion, we were able to visit some families that I love so much, read a letter to a mom in the area, handed out pictures from my daughter Caitlin to give to kids, and hugged and cried a lot. This afternoon I was able to go to the church and attend a women's Bible study there. There were roughly 40 Guatemalan women from the commute there, and Mario wanted me to be there to share about my love for Guatemala, these women, and read a verse with them. I was so encouraged by them. This afternoon we had a staff testimony and Marcela from the SI office inAntigua  shared. It was so great to hear her and what she had to say. After that was dinner and team time. More kids shared tonight and it was a beautiful display of love and lots of hugs and prayer. We sang songs together again as well.
We anticipate god being at work tomorrow and we want to be a part of what His palms are. Thank you for reading this blog and keeping up on any news we have. leave a comment or two, Wed love to hear from you!