Orientation day!

Our day began with worship and prayer, as each day here will be. We sat in quiet time studying the book of Daniel and reading and rereading. Our first team time the other night I encouraged the kids to apply this trip to their lives, to soak it all in, and journal their thoughts. The kids were given around  35 questions to journal throughout their stay here, and that night we shared our questions and answers. I asked for 6 kids to share, and we doubled that! What a great start to the trip- the students are already open to sharing with each other- tiny steps that will lead to bigger and better things, I can already feel it. Wednesday night we have team time again and the kids are going to be asked to share their testimonies. Team time is in the evenings is just our team, not the other ones joining us- we meet all together in the morning for devotions and quiet time.
Yesterday afternoon we had ministry site orientation and met with the ministry sites that we were assigned. I was able to see kids in prayer with their site teams and physically we walked to where we would be working! The Women's social work site, the group  I am in with Charlize Guess and Pam Moore, was humbling. They have a new location in El Gorrion, and do sewing and jewelry making with the women. Women are ministered to through Bible study once or twice a week. We plan to have a prayer walk with the women as well as. Is it another community, El Tablon,  this Friday. The women have small children that come to the site and we are able to read and play with them while their mom works, in addition to connecting with the women. Sheny is the new leader of this site and I am excited to see what is going to happen this not wek and a half! Sites begin tomorrow.
You will be hearing about a  ministry site spotlight over the  next few days!
We went to the Community center last night for dinner that was prepared for us and we targeted poverty and how it must feel for those eating rice and beans, every day, sometimes for multiple meals a day. We viewed a movie on poverty as it is experienced here in Guatemala and how there are multiple layers of poverty, economic, bodily/hygiene, societal, political, spiritual, and educational. Each type of poverty affects another in some cases, and when it is experienced early in life, can lead to a drastic cycle that never ends. When asked "who are the poor?" We all thought about that question and answers were given like "a lack of basic needs materially, educationally, monetarily, a supportive community/family, etc..."  Students International attempts to address this issues and transform the community By working alongside them where they are and providing support. Will you pray for us as we face this challenge?
Hearts are being broken and students are already drawing nearer to Him through this experience. One of my boys said to me tonight at dinner, "My host family is great, this experience has already been amazing!" And we haven't even begun worksites yet!
As I reflect on seeing faces that I saw just after one of the most difficult times of my life last year, I see how Gods hand is in it all, already! Will you join me as I thank Him for this wonderful group of kids I have here and for His hand of guidance over the years?" I am in awe- thank you parents for "loaning me" your kids for these 2 weeks! We are blessed!