June so far

As we've spent the past 3 weeks here in Guatemala, reality starts to check in that next year we will be moving overseas permanently (well for 2 years). There are so many things I miss about the States. For one, the ice cream here is no where close to as good as back home. I could really go for a Reese's blast from sonic right now :)
I think my main longing for home is the fact that I have been sick on and off since Friday. And I just really want that to go away.

We have been working in a municipal called Parramos, about 45 min from Guatemala City. There are a lot of surrounding villages that we have been working in as well. Right now it is "winter" which I think just means rain. The weather is very nice though.
A typical day in Parramos varies. We are partnering with an organization called Loving Arms. Some days we have been visiting different schools and teaching them English through Bible stories. The afternoons are spent doing various work in a field owned by Loving Arms to provide crops for indigenous people. We have decided that we are not cut out for the life of a farmer! It's hard work!

One of the days, we went to a indigenous villages and painted their new stoves. These people grow up cooking with fire and breathing in all the smoke. Loving Arms has built new stoves for them so their homes and their lungs will no longer be filled with smoke. 

Tomorrow we will celebrate my sister-in-law, Megan's birthday! She will go back home on Monday. Mitch and I still have a good 4 in a half more weeks here. Our next group doesn't come in until July 15th. It is very easy to get tired and weak here, pray the Lord gives us stamina. We have been relying on His strength a lot. We are nothing without Him. All in all, Guatemala is good, and God is good!

Have I mentioned that the view here is amazing? I could get used to seeing this everyday!

"And now the weak say I have strength

                                By the spirit of power that raised Christ from the dead

And now the poor stand and confess

That my portion is Him and I'm more than blessed"

Delivering water filters to the indigenous Cakchiquel people

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

So far our time in Guatemala has been great. It is probably one of the most beautiful countries I have ever seen. The city is very modern with crisp, cool weather. 2 hours away in the village of Santa Luisa is a more tropical climate and the people there are just as warm as the weather. Beautiful kids, sweet sweet people.

Aside from all the sweet people that we met, one of the highlights of my week was experiencing my first international soccer game-USA vs. Guatemala! It was incredible. Unfortunately, we were told no cameras so I have no pictures from the game.

Jesús es el Rey! - Jesus is the King!

Antigua, Guatemala

Tonight we are picking up Mitch's sister from the airport! The 3 of us will spend the next two weeks working in a village called Paramos. We are not sure yet what we will be doing there, but we are excited to find out! 

Not sure if we'll have internet in Paramos. Pray for stamina, good health, and for the gospel to go forth!

Also, Happy Father's Day to the best dad around! I love you!!

Family fun & Guatemala bound!

I've been neglecting the blog lately because of all the great family time we've been having! Mitch and I

spent time with my family in Pensacola and and his family in Houston. 

Pensacola beach!

Enjoying some authentic Tex-mex

San Jacinto monument

Kemah, Texas

Tomorrow we fly out for our 2 month journey in Guatemala! We are excited! What more can we say?

Follow along with our journey through this blog and here at the Mobilizing Students in Guatemala facebook page. 

Adios mis amigos!