Guatemala October 2009

10.14.09
Today in the village we had a tremendous amount of rain so we could not get the entire project done that were scheduled. We had the opportunity to visit with another 10 homes today and it was a blessing to meet the families and pray with them. A few families had sick family members and sought us out to join them in asking the lord for healing. One father had a full blown case of the chicken pox and in the midst of his misery sat up and spoke with us. Living in such close proximity as they do, the rest of the family may have it soon. We did see the medical clinic in operation today. Many mothers and children (yes a few fathers too) were in a long line to have vaccinations and to have the babies weighed to confirm their health status. After we had lunch Rob was called to a medical emergency, thankfully he is a full time EMT! A man had cut himself severely and Rob managed to clean the wound out the best he could and bandage him up. This took precedence over our scheduled work activity of helping build latrines. The women were learning what it takes to work a loom and got a chance to try their hand at it. Our medical emergency left the men with time enough to see the looms in action too. The truth be known, Rob may have a future in the business!
The rains returned just as we were getting into the trucks to head back. This provided an added layer of excitement on the drive home. We made our way back to the training center to take care of some business then back to the hotel in Nabaj. All in all it was another great day. We continue to appreciate your prayers and look forward to telling tomorrow's stories.
THE GUATEMALA TEAM

10.13.09
To the Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church and all of our friends following our journey; we are so blessed to be here in Villa Hortencia with AGROS! We wish you all could be here to see the mighty hand of God at work. We were unable to get internet access until just tonight and it is a challenge to sort out which days contained which blessings…but we will try.
We did have a bit of a rough start: the first day (Saturday) we lost a camera and despite our best inspections, one of the three SUVs developed a nasty habit of LOUD squealing. (Normally this would not be a bother but in Guatemala the roads resemble Giant Slalom courses, this was definitely an issue.) The second day another camera died and the market at Chichicastenango claimed a wallet. Another SUV had to be delivered from Guatemala City and the four wheel drive needed a bit of a roadside mechanic to make it work. In spite of all this blessings abounded all the more. We have yet to drive in heavy rain and all are healthy. I can not begin to do justice to the wonderful food, home cooked with loving hands. Hospitality is out of this world, warm smiles are worn by all.
Yesterday (Sunday) soon after we arrived to our hotel and finished unpacking the vehicles the rain came down. It started at 6 PM and by 6:30 the power had gone out for the entire region. Candles were lit, a small, loud generator was heard in the background and our hosts continued cooking dinner for us. Stephanie enjoyed a very romantic candle-lit birthday dinner and surprise birthday cake with nine of her newest AGROS friends. Actually the birthday celebrations started with lunch in the hotel St Thomas when the marimba band played Happy Birthday…even the waiter joined in for a spirited rendition in Spanish!
Today is Monday and I don’t know where to start. It was our first day in Villa Hortencia. The landscapes are straight out of tour books, post cards and lush tropical gardens. This is punctuated by steep roads and every type of animal known to the region. We entered the village to an audience of perhaps a hundred of our brothers and sisters in Christ. All but a few of the elected officials (both the current ones and those who will assume their new posts next week) were present and took turns being introduced and expressing their extreme gratitude to God for all that AGROS had done for them. We then did the same. This can be a bit of a slow process because it is translated from English to Spanish and then to Kiche (key chay) or the reverse.
Then finally we split into two groups and walked through the nearby homes to visit the families and continue the work of taking images of the families. We ended by praying for each family. For those who don’t know, to pray Guatemalan style is to gather in a circle and all pray at once, out loud. Sometimes people sing or hum too. It is indeed a joyful noise to The Lord. We continually hear the villagers praise God for his mighty provision in their lives. They freely admit their many needs of enough food and health and ask for our continued prayers and support but it doesn’t seem to weigh them down.
We have much more to tell and words are insufficient. Our days are long and full of smiles, laughter and tears. Language isn’t too big of a barrier that it can’t be broken with a smile or a game. Children and adults alike want to be the first to see the image on the digital camera screens and laughter abounds afterward. But right now sleep calls us all so we bid you ¨Hasta la proxima vez¨ (until next time). We love you all, we are healthy and safe and we still need your prayers. THE GUATEMALA TEAM.