Aren't we supposed to be there already?

Yes. We are. God intervened to keep us safe from the aftermath of the volcano eruption in Antigua Guatemala that occurred just two hours before we were scheduled to leave for the airport. We never even got to leave. Mass confusion those first 24 hours turned into a frantic searching for more news on volcano eruption on the tv or on the internet. Quickly doubts and fears surfaced among both students and parents as we were delayed to leave by 4 days. Our flight was scheduled for  Wednesday evening, the night flight arriving there Thursday morning. Yes, it is lost time on the outreach. We will miss some important orientation and rest time. But we are here, and we are safe.
Our little world seems so small compared to the horrific things occurring in Guatemala.
Magdalena is not in danger of any fallen ash, or bad air quality. The destruction, loss of life an evacuations have all occurred in 4 areas at the foot of the Volcano Fuego. It really is a mess and the recovery efforts may take quite some time.
It is my prayer that God will allow the missionaries and the staff to check on their families an extended families before the teams arrive on Thursday. Host families are anxious to see us, feeling guilt for not having students now to welcome into their home-they are THAT inviting and warm.
Students arranged a prayer gathering for the team and for Lizzy Highstreet. I was proud of the students and how they took charge of the situation and comforted one another. It was a great meeting and was an important one to inform each other and pray. Thrilled to see this happening!

Later this afternoon, my coleader Kristin Pinter and I met with a few parents to calm nerves and answer questions that they had regarding the trip and safety. That was a little more difficult but I was encouraged by parents and their trust in the system, in the links in the chain putting this all together. We are all anxious and ready to arrive, and know that god will do great things in our team and in this trip, even if it is a late start in arriving there. So, tomorrow we leave-so ready to get there!