What's in a Week

Disclaimer: time, order of operation, activities, and outfits are subject to change - daily! :) 

Monday -  Thursday

Alarm goes off at 6:30. I roll out of bed, turn on some worship music, pull on some jeans and my 'Jesucristo Es Mi Amigo' t-shirt. before pattering out to the kitchen to get the coffee going. While the coffee is brewing, I fix my bed, put on my shoes, brush my teeth, do my hair, etc. I grab my Bible and head back to the kitchen to pour a cup of coffee and open some windows to let in the fresh morning air. Coffee and Bible in hand, the front door gets unlocked and I step out - only to pause for a second to breathe in the beauty of the spectacular view from my patio. Guatemala is a beautiful country and I get one of the best views on the property right outside my apartment. 

As I settle down for some quality time with God, my first thought is always one of thankfulness for the little ways that He reveals Himself to me. In the beauty, in the need, in the hearts and dreams of the people. I can hear dogs barking, roosters crowing, and horns already honking in the city nearby. 

Between 7:30 and 8:00, the native workers show up at the compound. By 8:10, the sounds of work, conversation, and laughter float up to my kitchen window where I'm washing dishes accumulated from the last few days. Breakfast probably consisted of yogurt and fresh fruit, although eggs and/or bread find their way onto my plate on occasion. Soon, I'm at my computer jotting down notes about yesterday's visits and checking emails and messages. 

Around 9:30, I head out with my coworkers for a day of doing what caseworkers do. Gloria, the sweet, bubbly, chatty one usually keeps bits and pieces of conversation going. Henry, the calm, humorous, sensible one nods and offers information when needed. Example of a typical conversation after information on where we're going and who we'll be visiting is done: 

Gloria tells me, "I've always wanted to be a tree! I see them look so happy when a breeze comes through and they have no care in the world." 

Henry goes, "Um, I don't think you wanna be a tree, Gloria." 

"Why not?" 

"They have one huge thing to worry about every single day." 

"What's that?" 

"They might get cut down." 

So ends his part of the conversation, but Gloria can't quit laughing and for several days she refers to how eye-opening Henry was in pointing out that she doesn't want to be a tree, always with the same humor involved! 

We normally visit 4-5 families a day. Some days it's up to 7 families if they live very close to eachother. Occasionally, we only visit 2 or 3 because we might have a program in the afternoon on teaching the families how to use the supplies in their food/essentials baskets to the fullest extent and in a healthy way.

A normal visit consists of the mother, grandmother, or aunt filling us in on how things have been since last month's visit. The children here normally only have school in the forenoons, so the afternoon's visits will focus more on the children's schoolwork. Right now, their report cards have come back from the first quarter. Depending on their scores, we spend extra time in tutoring them with the difficult subjects. The visits usually end with a Bible story and prayer for the specific needs of the family.  

Every family has their own story. Every life has their own hopes, dreams, and struggles. Jordan, an 11 yr. old. asks his mom why God let his father die 5 years ago. Carmin struggles with unfounded accusations from some of the village women that she is trying to steal their husbands. Natalia's family is sick a lot and her family is looked down on in their community. She and her sister - 14 and 16 - have never had the opportunity to attend school because of finances.

Since Jose's father left his mother, her family almost shuns them. She is afraid that her brother will ask her to move off the land where her house is right now. Juan only has a 2nd grade education. He had to quit school and go to work to provide for his mother and siblings. Maria's first husband left her with two children. Her second husband left her with three more, so now, at 37, she has five children that she is raising by herself. The stories go on. Each one known personally by God. Each one giving us the opportunity to spread the light, hope, and life of Christ as we step into these simple, often dirty, homes. They are proof that love can flow and blossom in the most primitive conditions. 

After work, I fill my evening with a book, puzzle, watering the garden, games with Maddie (Mads) and Abbey (Abs) and hangin out with the Binduses, catching up on Facebook, blogging, or thanks to wi-fi and Skype, sometimes I'll call a family member or friend for a chat. Rosa, the main cook, will have dinner made for me several days a week. Between 10:00 and 10:30, I tumble into bed after a nice warm shower, always thankful for the many opportunities in a day to do what I love doing. 

Friday and Saturday 

On Fridays, I have the option of going out with Kique and Sonia or finding something else to do. Kique is the native overseer of the sponsorship program here while Sonia is the secretary, and more, of Manos de Jesus. They visit the families who have been in the program for more than a year. This past weekend, Trish and Craig were gone on an anniversary get away, so I was in charge of the girls. We had plans, but I ended up sick on Fri. and didn't do much. Maddie has a dance class with Abbey, Ella, and two other girls. Lauren's mom is here for several weeks, so on Saturday we had a dance recital scheduled especially so that she could be here. Fri. or Sat. is also usually movie night for us girls. This coming weekend I'm hoping to go to Canilla' for a visit. 

Sunday 

I have the wonderful opportunity of leading worship on Sundays for our little missionary church. Mads and Abs play some guitar, so most Saturdays find us jamming in my apartment, practicing for the next morning. Carlos and Emily work at a nearby leadership training mission; Carlos usually shares the Word with us. Their girls are the others in Maddie's dance class. There are also a few other local missionary families who come. This last Sun. after church, Mads, Abs, and I headed up the mountain on a hike and for a picnic lunch. 

So, there you have it. A pretty normal week. Throw in many changing plans, lots of music, and various miscellaneous happenings and it pretty much describes my life - for now! 

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 

Easter and Before

Almost two weeks later and I'm thinking, "It hasn't even been two weeks, yet?" :D Yes, I'm loving it!

First - thank you, all, for you prayers! My flight went so well; couldn't have asked for better or smoother traveling!

Early in the morning, a little after 3, Dad, Mom, Julie, and I headed for the airport. We got there with plenty of time to go thru security and still have time on my hands before the 7 o'clock flight. Someone sent along a check bag filled with stuff for Maddie and Abbey. Dad waited outside with the car; after getting the bag checked in, I hugged Mom and Julie one last time and headed for security. 

Talk about going smooth - they told me that I didn't even need to take off my shoes and teased me about being crazy to book an early morning flight! 

The first flight was right on schedule; I got to Ft. Lauderdale about 10 min. before boarding began for my connecting flight.

Upon arriving in Guatemala, I headed for customs. There was a minimal line and everything took a maximum of about 10 minutes. The agent didn't even ask me any questions - just looked at my visa, swiped and stamped my passport and waved me over to the baggage claim area. Talk about easy! I had been obsessing over all the things that could have gone wrong. On the flight down, I pulled out my Bible and asked God for a verse to settle my anxious heart. He took me to Psalms 112:7-8a: They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear. In the end, all my worry was for nothing, but I did receive a gift in that verse that will be with me during the whole time I'm here.

After picking up the bag, I headed outside where a gob of people were doing their usual thing (holding up signs for money, food, etc.). Pretty soon, Trish made her way thru the crowd and got me over to where all 4 of the Binduses - Craig, Trish, Maddie, Abbey - and 3 of the Pattersons - Lauren, Ella, Trey - were waiting for me. 

It was close to lunch time and we were all hungry! But they needed to pick up some paperwork first. Ron was going to fly to the states the next morning on a 5 week trip and was staying at a hotel close to the airport, so I got to see him for a few minutes to say hi and good-bye. 

We finally did make it to the mall to eat and pick up some groceries. After the 3 hr. drive back, I walked into my new home, only to realize that someone had broken in!

trashed the place with balloons and confetti! 

frig, microwave, every nook and cranny had something

welcome sign on the front door

I was put to work right away, updating information on the sponsored families I'll be working with. The first week was mostly filled with computer-work and unpacking. In Guatemala, the week leading to Easter is celebrated as Semana Santa (Holy Week).

Mads and Abs <3

Starting Wednesday afternoon, all the workers were given vacation thru Sunday to spend this special time with their family.

One day, my two minions and I headed into town to get pictures of the festivities and set-up in the market area. 

these lil wooden ppl
were all over

Chichi on market day gets full -
on a holiday it gets packed

just a few of the beautiful
hand-made woven
products sold all
over on market days 

one of the store fronts all set up with the extra special purple cloth for Easter 

During vacation time, the Pattersons 'moved' from the mission house in town to Monte Flor to get away from all the activity and noise and to make in more convenient to spend their time here. One day, after playing the 'water balloon game' (tossing water balloons with towels) for a while, the kids came up with the idea of making a slip 'n' slide - Guate. style! 

a tarp...

...dish soap...

...lots of water...

...smiles!...

...and lots of laughter! 

On Friday, we all headed into town to watch the processions and ceremonies. While there is so much beauty displayed for the holiday, there are also reminders everywhere of how bound in tradition the people here still are. They mix Catholicism with their pagan Mayan religious practices. Pray for release! 

the big catholic church was
beautifully decorated - not
seen in this picture is the
altar at the bottom of the
stairs that is used for
burning incense or
for chicken sacrifices 

man kneeling before a cross
with Jesus on it -
he had incense burning as part
of his petitioning 

working on the sawdust carpets

the finished product - they do them
in all kinds of colors and designs -
truly beautiful artwork! 

'mini' pine-needle blanket
in front of a store - the smoke
is more incense

just one of the many gorgeous
pine-needle blankets
set up for the morning procession -
they are so detailed! 

they carry statues of Jesus on a big
platform on their shoulders - it's
considered a great honor
to be allowed to take part

and,
Mary the mother of Jesus,
as well 

On Sunday morning, Craig, Trish, Maddie, Lance, Lauren, and I walked the streets of Chichi, handing out bread and water to any and all drunk guys we found. We asked them if we could read a verse from the Bible to them and pray for them. Most of them said yes, if they were awake, but one was not at all interested in anything - not even in having us pray for him. Another one started to cry when he heard about how Jesus loved him - a few minutes later, he found us and stuck with us for the duration of our time there. The desperate need for the love of the Savior is so evident here! Please pray that the seeds that were sown in these lives will take root. 

before heading home, we watched part of another procession - this one different than the others - much more of a celebration! 

We moved our normal Sunday morning service to the afternoon, because the other missionaries wouldn't have been able to get thru the crowded city. Around 40 local missionaries - singles, couples, families - came for our Easter service. Oh, what a wonderful time of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus! There is nothing quite as wonderful on this earth than worshiping with fellow believers, praising God for His goodness and faithfulness! 

Please Pray for Me

Lord willing, I'll be heading down to Guatemala in less than 2 days! My flight leaves Wednesday, the 9th, at 7:00 in the morning.
Please keep me in your prayers. Pray for safe and uncomplicated flights and travels. Pray that God's will is done in my life throughout everything - good and bad.
Thank you, all, for your prayers and support! It means so much more than you know, unless you've walked in similar shoes. (no, they don't have to be black boots :D)
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his ways." Psalms 37:23

Airport Adventure

Friday - March 21 - 6 PM

My sis, Julie, and sis-in-law, Deborah, organized a farewell party for me at a local church gym. We played volleyball and had a good 'ole time hangin' out! The realization that I would really, really miss these people finally sunk in.

Sunday - March 23 - all day

Visited my old church in E. Lansing to see all the people that I hadn't seen since leaving in Oct. last year. It was wonderful to spend time with these dear ones who've been in my life since childhood.

After lunch, I headed up to St. Johns to get together with the ladies who sat at my table at a conference that took place last Oct., about a week before our family headed out. We were just as loud in that restaurant as we had been in the conference room! We've kept tabs on eachother this winter and it was such a blessing to catch up with everyone again. (love you, all! I know you're reading this :D)

Tuesday - March 25 - 7 PM

Attended one last small group meeting at my brother and sis-in-law, Marty & Deborah's, place. Joe & Bethany just got back from their honeymoon, so they were there, along with the other 'college and career age' friends that have been coming since Joe started the group a year and a half ago. Some of them hadn't been able to make it on Fri. so I was grateful for the chance to see them - and of course the ice cream was an extra, very much enjoyed, bonus ;)

Wednesday - March 26 - 2 AM

My alarm clock rang, waking me up from the few hrs. of shut-eye I'd gotten. I reset it to half and hour later, then lay there going over my mental check-list - all my personal stuff packed and put away so a sibling can use my room while I'm gone; my back-pack and purse all packed and ready, stuffed to the fullest with...(going over everything I packed - again!)...

        2:30 AM

Made another attempt to print my boarding pass online; it hadn't let me do it the night before. Decided it might be a glitch in the system, so I'd have to check in at the counter once we got to the airport.

        3:00 AM

Prayed with my family; hugs and good-byes; Dad and I headed out on the 2 hr. drive to Detroit

        little after 5:00 AM

Said good-bye to Dad. He couldn't come in with me because nobody else had come along to watch the car.

And so it began! At 7, I was supposed to be on my flight and on my way to Guatemala! Little did I know the change of plans ahead.

There were a lot of ppl. in line at the counter, but within 20 min. I was able to speak with one of the Spirit Airlines agents. She tried checking me in on her computer. It wasn't going thru so she called another agent over.

"You only have a one-way ticket booked. You can't go unless you have proof of a return ticket," I was told. They offered to book one for me but it had to be within a 90 days since that's the time period allotted for a visa to Guatemala. No attempt at explaining to them that I could renew my visa while I'm down there would convince them to let me go without a return ticket booked. I didn't have a working phone on me, but didn't want to book a ticket without talking to Dad first to see if there was a better option. The agents offered no more help but finally told me where a pay phone was.

After several attempts to call home and no one picking up, I finally talked to Mom and asked her to call Dad for me. By the time I spoke with Dad, he was an hour away, but said he'd just come back and pick me up. It was pretty much too late to do anything else.

So, at 9:00 I found myself back at home, wondering what in the world had just happened! It was a first attempt at flying out of the country for me and I found myself wondering why it had to happen to me. Thru the tears (yes, this girl who doesn't cry very easily cried that day) and the dazed feelings one verse kept coming to mind. It was like a rock to hold on to at a time when I didn't know what was going on or what would happen. Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.Whether it was God keeping me back for another 2 weeks (I have another flight booked for April 9) or satan sticking his foot in to mess up anything possible, the promise is the same - everything will work out for good. Why? Because I love God and He has definitely called me with His purpose. 

I may never find out why, but I know Who's in control, so I can rest easy and don't have to worry. And, in the meantime, enjoy the extra time with my family and friends! 

Half-way

Ok. So, I didn't update you soon after we got back :( We hit the ground running when we got home and, 11 days later, the days are still packed full of activity! But, I can't get ahead of myself just yet. 
Back in Guatemala...

Maddie, Me, Lewis, Ansy, Julie,
 (Joey the puppy), Billy, Abbey

The Pattersons came over to Monte Flor from the mission house in town, the evening before we left, to say their good-byes. The morning of the 5th, a Wed., we woke up early to get last minute stuff together before heading to the main kitchen for a light breakfast. Billy said he wasn't able to fall asleep the night before because of being so excited about going home :D

Mom, Trish, (Ron), Craig, Dad

At 7:30, we loaded up our backpacks and two big suitcases into the taxi that came to take us to the airport in Guatemala City - a 3 hr. drive from Chichi. In spite of the fact that we were very happy to be going home, it wasn't easy saying our farewells to the Bindus family and Ron. There were many tears and hugs and orders to catch up if they come to the States for a visit or if my family goes back to Guate. in the future.

Good-bye, Guatemala! 

 

Hello, USA!! 

Eleven years ago, we traveled to Guate. for the first time as a family. We flew down, stayed for a month, and celebrated Ansy's first birthday while we were there. That was the only time that any of the 3 boys were on an airliner and, needless to say, the big highlight of this winter's trip was the much-anticipated flight home!

Lewis and Billy waiting for take-off

Everything went smoothly - no run-ins of any kind and hardly any flight delays. We stepped out of the airport in Florida, while waiting on our connecting flight, just so that we could truly add FL to our list of states visited :D We arrived in Detroit, MI a little before midnight but had to wait a whole hour till our check luggage finally came through. Joe and Bethany came to pick us up on a cold, windy, freezing night - exactly what we'd been waiting for! My first step into the frosty outdoors nearly took my breath away! No, I didn't slip on the ice :P But I had forgotten how stinging a cold, fresh wind really is and how refreshed my lungs feel after breathing in the arctic air (well, not quite arctic, but it was cold!) (One of the many highlights since we've been back has been ice skating and playing hockey with our bunch 'a friends! 
Joe and Bethany want to move into our apartment next door after they get back from their honeymoon. The previous renters left a big mess, so we were busy cleaning, tearing out carpeting, etc, for the rest of that week. 

Jay & Rachel and the kiddos came in from ND a week before the wedding, Joe & Gina got here on Thurs, and Al & Barb and kiddos on Fri. (as well as our much-loved cousins). Marty & Deborah and their darling, Annie Jo, moved back up to MI, from TX, while we were gone and they now live about 2 1/2 miles from us. What you see in the picture says it all - talking, eating, loudness, activity - family! One of God's greatest gifts. I was so grateful that I could see all of them before heading back down.

Kara and Dylan making cookies

"can I eat one yet??"

cousin love! Kara and Annie Jo 

Alexis and Annie Jo adore each other :D

<3 Mr. and Mrs. <3

Rehearsel for the wedding was held on Thurs. Friday was set-up and taking-care-of-details day. And Sat. was the big day! It was a beautiful, stress-free wedding, perfectly suited to the couple and what they wanted. In answer to many prayers, it was nice and warm with lots of sunshine (tho, we could have done without the mud :/ Oh, not to be forgotten - our family has REALLY been enjoying the leftover pizza and cheesecake! 
Yesterday, I realized that I have passed 'the half-way point.' There are fewer days left to spend than have already been spent. In other words, I'm leaving in 9 days!!
God has blessed me, so immensely, with friends who are standing by my side in prayer. After the wedding on Sat. a bunch of us got together at Marty & Deborah's house for prayer. Yes, I will miss my family and the changes in my siblings and growing nieces and nephews. Yes, I will, very much, miss my friends and all the fun, crazy times we have. But if I'd have to choose one thing that I'll miss the most, it's the times spent praying hand in hand with my peers. That privilege of having a support group that is there to lift me up in prayer and to come alongside with encouragement is something that I've too often taken for granted. Many times I've wondered, what'll happen when there's noone around to turn to when I can't stand on my own? In Psalms 62:5-7 I found such great comfort and strength and a reminder of where my hope and foundation truly are: 

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.