Monday night the entire team arrived! I was able to be at the airport to welcome the last 8 members of the team. They were tired but so ready to experience Guatemala life wearing their Guatemala shirts. Yay our whole team was together! Once everyone arrived and reunited in Magdalena (the other 16 were waiting at the cross to greet them) all were divided into their host families. The host families walked them to their house, showed them their rooms and had a good nights sleep. Yesterday the day was spent in orientation. After a great devotional, students were given orientation to life in Guatemala and policies and procedures of Students International. We had lunch of Dominos pizza, ironic, right? Since that is what we sold for school lunches for the past school semester. The afternoon we had Orientation to our ministry sites and met the leaders. Then it was history and orientation to Guatemala, and a language exposure class. In the evening we had dinner with families and team time. Team time was an amazing experience, better than we have ever had. Kids really shared from their hearts about expectations and how they hoped to see a long lasting impact after we return home. I had just heard news that my biggest fear that my Mom would have something happen to her, did. I was in tears, and Mario and Ingrid prayed over me at dinner. During team time, Taylor Boyle wanted to offer up a prayer for my Mom, my and Courtney 's tears began to flow, and the entire CVC team prayed over us. Got is so great. My Mom is recovering at home after being in the hospital for a few days. His timing is great and He knew I would be here, rather than home, to give Him control of the situation. I am so thankful for my kids on the team and so proud of how God is at work among them.
So..how to tell you all about our first day at ministry sites TODAY? There is no other way to tell you than to say...serve. You would be proud of the interactions your kids shared and experienced today. There were stories galore...many of them were in things they did, many others were in things they saw, others were stories of families they heard, and all of them glorified God by using their hands and their feet for them. I mean, really, using their feet.
Blake rocha, playing soccer on the street with the kids near his house, Courtney Branderhorst, hugging every little kid, especially Lizbeth, Kaitlyn Erickson, getting her picture taken as well as sharing her camera to the amazement of the little kids. Todd griffin, using the electric sander with a
young child in the construction site until the piece of wood was down to nothing because that kid had never seen or used an electric sander before. Alexa Blundell, taking initiative in the agriculture site and tackling the animals getting injected. I was able to visit the Education site in El Gorrion today, be
with Kylee Rogers, summer intern, and meet the new staff member, Alvaro, who works there. God is doing great things in that community, and it is great to see God's love extended to the homes. Stories like these warm my heart, seeing and hearing what their experiences were after a very
emotional and blessed day. I am so excited to see what tomorrow holds and seeing how God works through us, but through the faces of the Guatemalans as well. We are being so blessed in return for just being here. Praise Him for this opportunity!
I apologize for the limited Internet capabilities and that I am not able to post a blog each day as I did in Antigua last week. Know that we love and miss you, and are anxious to share our stories with you when we return. Buenas noches!
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