Day 3 in Guatemala

News from Renee after Day 3 in Guatemala:

This day was full!  Some of our group delivered food and cleaning supplies to very needy families.  Others of us continued the construction on the 3 houses while Children's Bible School and the Women's Health Education Class launched this afternoon.  Fuego, the active volcano, even gave a little display this afternoon.  

The presence of God going before us was very real.  The contrasts of poverty and abundance are still very hard to assimilate in any meaningful way.  We are trying!  

Our kids are so impressive as they interact with each other, with the culture and with the families.  Our adults are equally showing leadership, deep faith and flexibility as we continue the hard work of communicating God's love through acts of kindness and help.  

The food delivery today was quite unsettling.  The extreme poverty of each household was upsetting enough, but the $1,000,000 view they have which overlooks one of the most exclusive high schools in the region highlights the chasm between those who have an opportunity to do something about their economic situation and those who never will.  Each recipient was so gracious and grateful.  Each one prayed that God would bless us...Honestly, that was a lot to take in!!!  

The home construction is coming along.  All three homes poured the floors today.  Remember that all that concrete is mixed by hand and carried in buckets to the house.  This is labor intensive and it is all done with smiles and laughter.  

The Bible School was on the move today.  It left the Kairos school patio for the local park some blocks away and there we found some children.  We are confident we will see more in the coming days!

The Women's Health Class was slow in coming together, but once it did...Wow!  It was so well received.  Kathy Robie and Joanna Dotts Askins were so pleased with this first group.  They, too, are hopeful that tomorrow will bring more women as the word gets out.

Preparing lunches for the teams

As usual, we feasted like royalty.  Chef Sergio is just amazing and everyone is enjoying his creations.  Even our "picky" eaters say they are at least tasting every thing...Couldn't ask for more!  

We pray for you and for Team Arizona everyday.  We told our team today, "We are blessed by God in order to be a blessing to others."  The reality of this just became so much more apparent today.  

God bless you...Team Guatemala sends its love.