Saturday, May 12, 2018

Bienvenidos a Guatemala!

We made it! Thank you everyone who prayed for our safe travel and who helped us to get here. Whether you made it finanically possible or physically drove us, we are grateful. We are also thankful to everyone that helped us fill our bags to bursting with donations. Tomorrow, we are looking forward to unpacking everything and helping sort and put it all away.
After our flight to Miami, we found Maddie who joined us via Baltimire and our team was finally all together. We grabbed a quick bite to eat and once again were on our way to our final destination, Guatemala City. Our trip through passport control and immigration (a first for several of our team) was like a breeze, thanks be to God! Before we knew it, we were walking out to the warm embraces of Kevin, Ginny, Manuel and even Julio! For several of us it felt like coming home to family. By the end of the week, I believe that will be the case for the whole team.
We are now at the house where we will stay each week. Kevin and Ginny showed us the essentials. Everyone has scoped out their bunk and been introduced to the odds and ends of living here this week. Will several of us need to go swimming for the toilet paper you aren't supposed to flush? Time will tell. Will everyone find the "sweet spot" for the hot water in the shower? That is yet to be determined. What we have already figured out is that Hannah may actually be a cut throat card player, several team members are forming a mint chocolate chip ice cream lovers group, and Jack has had several offers to do his hair. It is just the first day and some have just learned each other's names. Who knows what else we will learn about each other.
During our evening devotions, we talked about the fears in general we each have and specifically what we might be apprehensive about this week. We were reminded of the promise God has give us that He will command His angels concerning us, to guard us in all our ways (Psalm 91). This week we will tell the story of Barnabas encouraging the Christians at Antioch. Paul and Barnabas referenced Isaiah 42:6-7 to bring the light of the Gospel to the Gentiles, and we believe that promise to be true also for us. No matter what fears we may have, the Lord "who created the heavens and stretched them out", will keep us and make us to be His light. 
The house is quiet now. All of the early morning travelers are getting a good night's sleep. Rest well, and you will hear from us again tomorrow.
Adios! Dios le bendiga!

~Deaconess Betsy

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