Happy 4th of July!

Well here we are again, the day before we leave.  This is my 7th trip to Guatemala and you would think that it gets easier.  Some things do, like knowing what to pack, how the day is expected to go tomorrow, and .........  Well honestly, the rest of it is never the same!

I still get jitters, butterflies, lightheaded and all the nerves and excitement that everyone else does!  I still hate flying even though I can do it without the use of narcotics now. :)  I still pack and unpack and change things at the last minute.  I still worry if I have forgotten something or if everything will be okay at home while I am gone.

But I am so excited to go back.  Back to my second home.  To a place and people that I feel like I just left yesterday because they are never far from my heart, my mind and my prayers.  I look forward to seeing how Barbara is doing and seeing her beautiful smile as she once again says thank you for our help.  And I can't wait to see Gregoria, Vilma, Claudia and Estaban, whom we built a home for last February.  I'm praying they are doing better than they were last July and that the younger children are able to go to school.  And to see all of the other families we have built homes for and have the privilege to pray with and for them.  To see the teens at the school and ask how they are doing since we were last there.  To follow up with Brother Tomas and find out if the teachers who were interested in finding out more about Christ ever went to church.  So many reasons.....

And this time I get to share the experience with my daughter, Cassady.  She was only 6 when I went on my first trip.  She has seen the pictures, heard the stories, and prayed with me.  But this time she gets to 'go'.  I have been praying for her for months and I am so excited to see how God will use her and work in her.  She is my sunshine and I know she will spread that sun to others. 

Everything is packed, waiting by the front door, and we are enjoying a quiet afternoon until festivities start this evening.  It will be a fun night, but a different one for sure.  Because as we celebrate our freedom here in America, I am reminded of those who go without and those who don't have the freedoms or the things we do.

I am blessed!  And I know that it is not because of anything I have done.  God placed me here in America, it was His choice.  But I have to believe it was for a reason.  I have much so that I can share with those who don't.  So today and this evening my heart and prayers will be grateful to those who gave their lives to fight for those freedoms and I will not take them for granted.  Tomorrow, I will go on the mission that God has called me to, to serve others, to bring love and hope and share Christ with the people of Guatemala.

Our team will meet at 5:30 am to leave for the airport.  We are ready! We are excited!  Most of all we are willing!  And I can't wait to see what He has in store for us!

You Are Invited!

Wow!  Time sure does fly when you are having fun.  It's hard to believe that one week from today the team will have it's annual packing party to prepare for the trip to Guatemala.

 

We have spent the last few months getting to know one another, studying the culture, preparing programming for the kids that we will minister to and preparing our hearts for the work that God will do within us and through us.

 

Now we would like to invite you to join our journey!  If you haven't already, you can start by praying.  There are many things to pray for.

 

1.  Pray for us as we spend the next few days preparing to leave our families.  For our hearts and for those that we are leaving behind.

 

2.  Pray for the people that we are going to minister to and come into contact with.  For God's will to be done and our eyes, hearts and ears to be open to what he would have us do.  Also, that they would be willing and ready to receive His love.

 

3.  For all the kids that we will be teaching to.  The younger kids will hear about God's love and forgiveness while the teens will go deeper into social issues and leadership.

 

4.  For the health of our team during out time there.  For no illnesses.

 

5.  For our Guatemala team leads, translators and driver.

 

6.  For our flights: safety, anxiety, connections, and all the details that go with traveling.

 

7.  For the family we are building a home for.  That they can see and experience Christ's love through us.

 

During our trip, you will hear from every member on the team.  We will share with you stories, experiences, pictures, and prayer requests.  So check often.  And leave comments as we love to hear from you as well.  :)

 

 

Thank you for taking time to read and to pray with and for us.  We are excited to be called to this mission and look forward to sharing all that God has planned for us and the people of Guatemala.

 

 

Paula Lucero, Jenn Matthews, Heather Zagar (Lead), Paula Darr (Lead), Cheryl Moyd
Janine Simon, Elias Simon, Cassady Darr & Katie Schaefer