We're home!

We apologize for not adding to the blog our last couple days in Guatemala. Let's fill you in ...

On Friday, we went back to the AA site to finish the foundation we were working on. We were able to lay the first two rows of block - including making our own chain links to link the rebar which was laid inside the second row and filled with concrete. The exciting part was that we were also blessed to meet Pastor Sergio who was heading up this project. He was a very kind and joyful man and we had a great time trying to share stories with his limited english and our even more limited spanish - thank you God again for Bert (our translator and guide). He also explained that he was choosing rocks from the area to build an altar. The courtyard area will hold the altar and be used for worship and bible study - and we thought we were just building a wall ;)

While most of us were at the worksite in the morning, a few went back to the nutrition center run by Sister Edna which we had visited our first day in Guatemala. They held, loved, and prayed for the children there, some of which were so severly malnourished it moved them to tears. There would never be enough hands or love to shower on those beautiful children, if yours are aching to hold them you must join the next trip!

After lunch at the H.I.M. house we all went back to finish up at the AA worksite. One of my most memorable moments of the trip was placing a cross Sheryle made out of some extra wire into one of the corners of the building. Pastor Sergio joined us as we prayed that God would bless this building and the men who will be served there. We pushed the cross down into the concrete as we dedicated the building ''In the Name of the Lord''. I wish we could see the finished project, maybe someday... They let us finish a little early on Friday and took us for our ''suprise activity'', a couple house visits. We were able to visit and pray with an elderly couple and their three grandchildren (their daughter was out working) as well as with Bert's grandparents. Actually visiting and going into the homes in Guatemala gives you such a different perspective, some of us had great difficulty imagining life this way.

To celebrate the end of the week they gave us dinner and a dance party on Friday night. We celebrated, some of us more than others. Sheryle was so filled with joy for Jesus and the week we had that in one of her dance moves she pulled, tore, or broke her achilles' tendon. (Dr. visit is pending) I only share this because she needs your prayers. Prayers for restored health, a full recovery, and patience throughout it all.

On Saturday, we had breakfast again at the H.I.M. house and said our good-byes to most of the staff. One more trip to the rooftop, and some good-byes to Guatemala, the mountains, and our time there. Then on to Antigua. What a beautiful city! (I need to do some research now on its history) We stayed at ''Casa de la Fuentes'' ''home of the fountains'' (come to think of it I never did see a fountain). We did some touring and shopping, and enjoyed the dinner that H.I.M. treated us to on Saturday night. Sunday morning we had our own worship service in the hotel courtyard. Sharing the peace has never been so moving!

Our plane trips home were smooth and ''non-eventful'', just the way it should be. I believe many of us did some personal downloading along the way. I personally was having some mixed emotion about returning but God saw fit to greet us in Houston with Christian, our new friend who wheeled Sheryle through the airport. (we expect to see you again this summer) As we moved quickly through the airport we talked about Jesus and the joy and love He brings to our hearts, then we sang a few songs as well! It is good to remember that our friends, neighbors, and strangers here in the states need to hear the wonderful news about Jesus' love for us just as desperately as those we met in Guatemala. I will say that a week in Guatemala is much too short!!! But as I tried to share last night at a congregation meeting I have never personally been in such continual prayer or been blessed to see God so visibly answer those prayers. I thank my God for this opportunity and pray that He will continue to open my eyes to His ways and my heart to His people.

Our love and thanks to the staff who shepherded us through the week...Dan, Bert, Julio, Lauren, Robin, Norma, and Jolie. We look forward to the day our paths will cross again! Our prayers are with Julio this week as he drives a donated van from Highland, IN back to Guatemala and with Bert as he flies to Mexico and continues the drive with Julio. Dan, that God will bless your work to set up the orphanage, those children need a home. And that God would fill you all with His love, joy and peace as you so diligently serve Him and His people. Also, to our new friends Megan, Amy, and Adrian... a safe visit filled with experiences to stay with you throughout your lives as you serve our Savior through healing. May He bless your hands as you remember that true healing comes only from Him.

To the rest of our team - if you're reading this please post a comment with your own thoughts as we returned home. Mine are so many and so heartfelt, but I know that everyone had a different experience and that our friends would like to share in them all.

With great Joy in Jesus!
Carrie

P.S. Prayers for Tami C. as well, she has bruising and slight numbness on her foot and can't recall why it would have happened