Becoming Residents

What's weird about applying for residency is that we already feel like we're residents. We live here, know our way to the airport (ha), and do all the things the locals do. Our stomachs can even handle street food now, which is a big deal.

But, whether we feel like residents or not, we must apply to be one. Mitch and I went back and forth trying to figure out what we should apply for. It came down to a religious visa or permanent residency.

Our decision for permanent residency is simple: adoption.

Because of how difficult it is to adopt from Guatemala as Americans, it seemed like our only option was to become Guatemalan residents. And we're totally okay with that! 

I don't know the origin of this photo, but I saw it on Facebook and it made me cry. This is our hearts desire. We want to be a mommy and daddy to little girl or boy like the one in the photo.

I know we've only been here about 5 months, but we have already decided to stay longer than our 2 year commitment. We kind of, really love it here and we know this long process will be worth the wait.  We're very excited about the future and the opportunity to be residents and Lord willing have a little Guatemalan child.

Please pray for us during this process of obtaining residency. This is the first step for us in reaching our end goal of adoption. Praise God for giving us this opportunity to make his name known in Guatemala and to hopefully one day bring hope to an orphaned child. 

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18 

Antigua

 

 

 

Antigua is one of those cities that you never grow tired of. It's full of culture, charm, and amazing architecture. There's always a new restaurant to try and a new street to see. The old cobble-stone streets and rustic hotels make you feel like you're walking back into time. Antigua is 95% tourism (which explains all the European languages we heard). The short 2 hour drive from our home makes it an easy day trip. Mitch and I have visited Antigua many times, as it is the place we take groups for their excursion day. So when our friend Chase stayed with us for a month, we couldn't let him leave Guatemala without visiting Antigua. We visited many local markets, toured an old Catholic church and its catacombs, and had too much fun trying different food. 

It's truly a beautiful place and a city like none other. 

Have I convinced you to come visit us yet? Antigua is the perfect bribe, right? :) 

January photos

Mitch on his 25th birthday!

Our little puppy child, Olive.

January was a good month. 

From left to right:

1. A volcano has erupted about an hour's drive from our house! 2. Mitch and I before giving our testimony at a conference of hundreds of people. 3. Birthday kisses for the birthday boy. 4. Our friend Chase spent the month with us. The kids in Agua Zarca are going to miss him! 5. "Sorpresa!" People at the church surprised Mitch with a little birthday party. 6. The boys playing a game of chamusca (informal soccer game). 7. Coffee break at Starbucks in Guatemala City. 8. Our new puppy child taking a nap. 8. Noemí and I. We met in 2008 in Mexico and now we both live in Guatemala! 

This January was a great start to 2014. I can't believe it's already February now! Mitch and I are excited  about where our ministry is heading and we're looking forward to the rest of the year. Thanks for coming along this adventure with us by keeping up with us and praying for us. It means a lot!