As we were driving to school a few weeks ago, I was struggling with a few things. I was also overwhelmed at the daunting thought of what was ahead of me that day. I was struggling with being in Guatemala when friends and family at home were having children. And, also loved ones at home were dying. I was overwhelmed with the daunting thought of all that needed to be done that day: language school, cleaning, cooking, and shopping. All stuff in a normal day but we are in the midst of a language barrier here. I was praying that I would have a better outlook on the day, and that I would not be thinking of things at home, but rather of things here in Guatemala. I was praying that I would see outside of my world, and see the bigger picture. Not many of you reading this have actually been to Guatemala but some of you have, pictures do it no justice. Let me tell you what happened when I opened my eyes. We were coming off a mountain into the city where we go everyday for language, and as we rounded the corner right in front of me was the most spectacular view of a volcano. It was just purely magnificent! And at that moment, I thought to myself, I need to keep looking up! I see this beautiful volcano everyday and many others like it. I see the natural beauty all around me every day here in Guatemala. You need to look up to see the mountains and the volcanoes. When you look down you see the trash and the filth.
Where am I going with this? When we look at the little things the “trash” that is around us every day we can (I can) get so overwhelmed that I forget what needs to be done. And I forget the purpose of why I am doing things. Is it still hard to be away from home and not grieving with friends YES! Is it still hard being away from home and not rejoicing with friends YES! Is it hard being 3000 miles from family as my Father in Law walked into the arms of Jesus? YES!! BUT, we have the hope and promise that we will one day be together again. We are here in Guatemala serving our loving sovereign Lord. We have a hope! We need to share that hope with a lost and dying world. We need to focus on Jesus and not on the “trash” that is lying in our path. We need to focus on the people around us and their souls, not the daunting daily tasks, don’t worry I still clean my house and make meals for them. But we need to look at opportunities that God places in our lives. Who do I talk to in the grocery store? Who do we talk with when our washing machine is being fixed? Who do we talk to at the market when we buy our fruits and vegetables? These are people that need to hear of the love of the Savior that came just for them. And when we are focusing on looking up I know I can definitely see a difference in how I look at the day ahead of me.
Are you looking up?
Looking Up
Motorcycles deliver what??
We are just starting our second month here in Guatemala. We are having fun learning new things everyday. The learning starts the second we walk out the door until we all drop back in bed at night.
Here are just a few things that we have had to learn.
Well, the language obviously! School is going great for both Phil and I. After 3 weeks, I decided to switch teachers. (which is common to do until you get the right teacher) This week has been so much better by far. A much more involved teacher who "shows" things instead of "reads" things. 
Pray expectantly! As Phil prayed about making contacts last Saturday he heard a whistle outside of our gate. Thinking it was someone walking up the road to sell coffee, he opened the gate. Well, the guy sharpens tools, Phil ran to get his new machete which had no edge on it yet and let they guy do his thing. While he was working Phil shared a cup of coffee with him. He had just prayed that the Lord would bring someone to us to start making friendships with, and he met someone. Along the pray expectantly lines, we had a couple bags disappear from the house before we moved in there we a few things that were important to us like Claire's juicer (YES, she has her own juicer) we were sad that it was gone and were trying to figure out a way to purchase a new one they aren't cheap you know! Well, I prayed on Saturday morning about finding a new one. Fast forward a few hours and I went to Mega Paca with a friend (it is a glorified Goodwill for those of you who are wondering) we were talking about praying specifically for something when I turned the corner into the domestics and what did I find? A working juicer!! (it's a little banged up and used but hey, we can juice again).
Driving is another thing that we need to learn. Yes, relearn how to drive. These people drive so fast, they can whip in and out of lanes in between cars...but, merging is totally off their radar. But, we are learning. The first time I drove my legs were like rubber when I got out of the car. BUT, I did it! I actually need to do it a little more, but an still a bit too timid to be trying it.
Trusting people we don't know. In the states we would NEVER just hand out house keys to someone we don't know and say, see you in a few hours. That is just what we have to do with our empleada. Or even letting her open the doors for the workers to put the remote on the gate (today). We have many example of that from last month but, I won't bore you with those stories.
Windows, for some reason you can see right in all the windows here. Someone mentioned that it could be because they are not double pained I think that this could be the reasoning behind it. So, when someone rings the bell and you go to peek out the window to see who it is, they will see the smallest motion and know that someone is home and won't leave until you answer the door. (yes, I know this from experience)! so, we need to hang up double curtains in the windows for privacy.
Armed guards are everywhere. You actually look for them, if you pull into a store and one isn't there you probably should leave. hmmm, what would we do in the states if we were to go into a store and there was a guy standing with a machine gun ready to roll? probably leave really quick!!
Propane tanks are delivered on a motorcycle! 100 lb tanks strapped on the back of a motorcycle. I wish we had gotten a picture of it yesterday when our gas was delivered. Maybe next time!
These are just a few of the things that we have learned this month. So many more things to learn and we are excited to learn them.
We are so thankful for God's watch and care for us, and see Him at work in so many ways around us. It is so amazing to take ourselves out of the picture and see Him at work. In so many ways that we would never give credit for when we are "doing it ourselves".
Thank you for your continued prayer and support. Please let us know what we can be praying for in your lives.
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not harm you"
What does that verse mean to you? As I sat on the airplane this morning preparing to take off with Abby sitting next to me and the 6 other members of the family waiting for their plane and hour later. These were the words resonating in my head. We as humans look at our lives and are excited, scared, afraid, worried, thrilled, giddy...you get the point. We have so many emotions (especially us girls). What an exciting time for our family, but as a Mom, how uncertain things are for us. God knows what is going to be happening in our lives over the next few days, weeks, months and even years! How AWESOME is that? HE has planned out our lives, we are just simply called to follow Him. Whether that means talking with someone at the grocery store that looks like they need someone to talk to. Or packing up a family of 8 and head out of the country to a poor country like Guatemala. Whatever it is the Lord has it planned. He has planned them to prosper us not harm us! This morning, this verse has really spoken to me, it has many times before but right now today, this verse holds a new meaning to me.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and please keep our family in prayer as we settle into our new "normal" whatever that is! As we have said before, please keep us informed on your requests and praises as well. We want to be praying for YOU!
