The 46

We finished our first work week in The 46 on Friday working with a group from North Carolina and building a retaining wall behind the school.

We are the first American group to come into this village and they are so grateful for that. They are a village that is overlooked by most of society so we are blessed to serve them.

This week the group will continue building the wall and will also begin VBS. This is a big deal because the majority, if not all of these children(and families) are without Christ. 

Pray for the power of the Word to come alive to these children. Also pray for Mitch as he translates! 

I am joining the other half of the North Carolina group in a town called Parramos. We are working in several different villages doing VBS, painting, building & farming. 

Our view from the worksite is breathtaking! 

Mi amiga, Nidia

Chicas 

Soccer break

beautiful

I cannot believe it is already our last week in Guatemala! Praying that the Lord blesses this week. 

-Amanda 

an unforgettable week

It has been a crazy couple of weeks. The beginning of this week we were in and out of the hospital. We have been in Guatemala City for a few days now resting. It has been wonderful to go more than 3 days in a row without getting sick! Praise the Lord we are feeling better! Last week we served in Parramos getting the field ready for the team to begin planting. Some of the kids even showed up to help. Monday we start working with our 2 teams from the States! We will working in a area called "The 46" and in Parramos. 

Mitch and I will leading a group in The 46. There will be a lot of construction for us. However, our main concern is for the people there. The majority are without Christ and there is no church established there. We are praying and expecting for God to do big things this week as we minister to an essentially unreached village. 

Last week, there was one day in particular that quite adventeruous. I'll let the pictures explain themselves….

It all started when we set out for a pig, yes, a pig. We walked down the steepest hill of my life, only to find a guard horse. I've heard of a guard dog, but a guard horse? Well, it worked. We were very intimidated. It took about 30 minutes before we were able to pass by him. 

We finally made it into the piggery with our friends Josh and Autumn.

As you know pigs are gross animals. I chose to post the least gross of the one's I took. The piglets were adorable, the older one's were not. We got a pig(not pictured) and it now lives at the farm we've been working on! And she's pregnant! This will help the precious family that lives at the farm. It was a neat experience :)

 I am thankful for all our little adventures we've been able to experience…except for that visit to the hospital. The Lord has protected and provided for us. So blessed. 

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; 

I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, 

the streams will not sweep over you. 

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; 

the flames will not set you ablaze. "

Isaiah 43:1-2

Beauty

Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.

 Job 37: 14

It's been hard living out of a suitcase, traveling to and fro with no real home. As soon as we un-pack our things, it's time to re-pack and move on. Whenever I'm discouraged by this I stop and think about the apartment that awaits us in Nashville (our home!). It gives me hope of some kind of normalcy.

But then again we didn't sign up for "normal" did we? Our lives are an adventure. We are learning that maybe life is meant to be lived unsettled.

And I think we're ok with that :)