Day One in Guatemala ~ Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Woke up in Hot Springs, Arkansas @ 2:30 a.m. Loaded the luggage and headed to Oaklawn Church of God with my wife, Amber and my 14 year old son Austin to meet the other 5 members of our mission team. Pastor Steve, Diann (my mother-in-law), Charles, Jeff & his 16 year old daughter Heather. Prayed together and headed for the Little Rock Airport. Flew from Little Rock to Houston, met up with Karvin from Partners in Missions, 3 hour layover, then on to Guatemala.

Prince of Peace Guatemala Mission team 2009

As we headed out of Houston and started over the Ocean it all started to sink in.

Last of the U.S Coast

Flying into Guatemala the view from the window seat was amazing as it switched from dense jungle with rivers snaking through the mountains

First glimpse of Guatemala

to makeshift houses packed in as tight as possible.
Easy trip through customs and interesting 45 minute ride through Guatemala City to the home. Beautiful, lush vegetation, crowded streets, poverty stricken areas and 2-story American Fast food restaurants with motorcycles weaving in and out of cars from all directions. We arrived at the Prince of Peace girl’s home and were given the grand tour meeting some of the 53 girls briefly along the way, decent buildings, clean living quarters, beautiful trees and flowers

view from grounds

 

bright cheerful wall surrounding home

 

with not so cheerful broken glass topper and razor wire

 

One of the girl’s rooms

 

A playhouse built by a previous mission team

 

the washing machine for all the girls clothes

avocado tree

mango tree

orchids

bird of paradise

morning glory

We were given some work projects to choose from and a quick sandwich before we unpacked and then were given time to meet and begin to build relationships with the girls, met several of the girls and played a simplified game of volleyball, no net, no lines, no score keeping, no established teams, everyone gets a turn, no arguing, taunting or complaining.

volleyball???????

So much unconditional love in the eyes and smiles of these girls, so hungry to connect and build relationships with people that won’t take advantage of them or hurt them.
Awesome dinner of beef stew and rice, homemade salsa & fresh made tortillas

 

Played basketball until dark

 

had a time of praise and worship songs on the porch of the girls in independent living singing some songs in Spanish, but Lord I lift your name on high in English and Spanish until it was the girl’s bedtime.

Evening devotional time for our mission team led by Pastor Steve… We talked about building foundations which is exactly what we had done on day one. Set alarm for 5:30. Thanked God for an awesome day. Looked forward to serving as the hands of Christ and building more and stronger relationships with these girls.

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