Greetings from Guatemala!
We apologize for the late post- the wifi is very weak and we have had a few minor storms knock it out. But nonetheless, we are in Guatemala and safe!
Guatemala is so beautiful, almost as beautiful as its people. Despite their unfortunate circumstances, they are so content and happy. The poverty in this area is just unbelievable. But the work that Hope of Life is doing in Guatemala is incredible! They are very blessed by God and are helping Guatemala improve. If it weren't for Hope of life, I'm not to sure how this area would be alive. Please keep Hope of Life ministries in your prayers- that God would continue to bless and use them in mighty ways. Pray that they continue to get the support that they need and can raise above and beyond their needed funds.
Wow, where do we begin? We have done so much since we have been here. Our trip began with a very long bus ride from Guatemala City to Llano Verde. A four hour, bumpy, hot, and packed bus ride. It was definitely a bonding experience. Saturday we just spent the day traveling and unpacking.
Sunday we went to church in the morning and evening, and also visited the orphanage and Nutrition Center. During the evening service, three of our team members gave testimonies, sharing how God has worked in their lives.
Monday we took a tour of the Hope of Life mission center and did a feeding at a dump. That was tough, people literally live in trash and only eat three times a week- when the Hope of Life staff brings them food. It was definitely an eye opening experience for everyone.
Tuesday we spent most of the day building a hospital. Hope of Life ministries is building St. Luke's Hospital to provide greater assistance to children; they are running out of space in their other facilities. Most of the day was spent hauling buckets of sand up six levels, to be mixed into concrete. It was definitely grunt work. We joked around saying that the Guatemalans working on the hospital were probably making us do that for no reason, just to see us do hard work- and once we got the sand up to the sixth floor, they were dumping it out the window. We were totally joking, but it just added to the fun. As boring and strenuous as hauling buckets of sand sounds, we actually had tons of fun doing it. We ending the evening with a fiesta! It was filled with great food, music, and performances from the orphans.
Today we all woke up sore- from hauling buckets of sand. We spent the day in Honduras, sightseeing and taking a tour of some Mayan ruins. It was incredible to see! Our tour guide was hilarious! We felt bad though, we were all so tired that every time we would stop for him to talk about something we would all immediately sit. He probably thought that we were just a bunch of lazy Americans. But what can you do? :)
This trip has definitely been a great bonding experience for our class! We have so many funny things to share when we get back to the States.
Please keep us in your prayers for good health and for safety.
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| Getting ready for lunch. |
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| Hang out time! |
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| Monique in the Nutrition Center. |
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| Logan giving out candy in the orphanage. |
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| Coloring in the orphanage. |
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| Becca chatting with the elderly. |
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| Marshall at the orphanage. |
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| Feeding at the dump. |
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| Mary Ann at the dump. |
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| The dump. |
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| Marshall and his Guatemalan friends at the hospital site. |
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| Feeding time at the Nutrition Center! |
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| Buckets of sand. |
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| Working at the hospital. |
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| Mallory and Kende at the Nutrition Center. He is 7 months old and weighs 7 1/2 lbs. |
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Adios!
