Bienvenidos Estados Unidos

We're back! After waking up at 4 a.m., both groups of Jackson and Lexington people made it home safely.  Personally, I don't think I've ever had a smoother day of traveling, which was definitely a blessing due to the fact that the Jackson group had a very short layover.  We actually got into Atlanta early and had time for a nice American meal!  I think it is safe to say that all of us were blessed by our time there and the kids were blessed as well.  Saying goodbye is always hard, but it's much better knowing we follow the same amazing God and no matter where we are, our lives are in His hands.  I have a feeling most of the team is in bed by now after a complete week of painting, teaching, cleaning, playing soccer, playing soccer/tennis (our new favorite game), and fellowshipping with one another.  After we've all recovered, we'll try to get some pictures up for you :)  Thanks for all of your support!

Laura Smith

Cristo vive!

"Cristo vive; a su nombre - gloria! A su gloria - victoria!  A su victoria - Amen!"

So ends every night's devotion here at La Senda.  Hearing it last night for the last time of the year was especially sweet.  I am so, so blessed to have come to La Senda for three years now, and these past few days have been some of the best I remember.  I know that God has made everyone amazing and everyone special, but of all the people He created these kids have got to be some of the best in the world.  I wish you all could see Steven's smile, could watch Victor and Phillip kick a soccer ball, could see Yeny and Mimi trying to help me practice my Spanish...  We've taken loads of pictures, but they are not enough.

For those of you wondering about our travel home tomorrow, our flight leaving Guatemala looks to be on time, so expect us all to call home from Atlanta.  For lack of time, I will not write more now about our time here, but know that it has been filled with more joy, love, and laughter than you can even imagine.  We worship such a good, good God.

--Katie

An Awesome Day

Hi this is Wil Kelly, as you can see today was an awesome day. We've been working very hard, except for J-he's such a slacker. No just kidding he has been doing a great job as well as everyone else here. So much thanks to Katie. Loving on kids has been our primary objective here, and so far we have carried it out. Today, however, we visited Antigua to do some shopping, bartering, trying not to get ripped off, and whatever you would like to call it. We all purchased something for our family or friends back in the states I think, and had a great time. We got to eat brunch in this rockin' monastery, there were parrots in the garden around our table, so yeah it was legit. We also got to visit some ancient ruins and that was a really cool experience. There were also some interesting and creepy catacombs we saw, so yeah, good day. We just want you to know that all the prayer from you guys has moved in many ways here in Guatemala. Thankyou for it, Jesus is at work here, as He is in the states. We love you all and can't wait to see you, good night!

So far this week we have been working very hard around La Senda, but today we took a small break to see some of Guatemala.  After Spencer did the morning devotions, we left for Antigua where we ate brunch at this really awesome restaurant that is in the building of an old monastery.  Once we were full we headed to the market to go shopping.  I think everyone found gifts for family, friends and themselves.  We made a stop at McCafe (the nicest McDonalds ever!) and then got some really delicious ice cream from Sarita.  After that we had time to wander around the square and look at ruins of an old cathedral originally built in the 1500s.  Spencer took the grand opportunity to have his tennis shoes 'shined' by a really cute little boy who didn't actually shine them but painted them white.  Finally after walking all over Antigua we came back to La Senda where the kids were waiting to play with us.  J gave a devotion tonight about the four things Paul says we should 'clothe' ourselves with kindness, gentleness, forgiveness, and most of all love.  I think these kids already do a great job with showing these four things already since most of them come from a tough background and now live with this huge family (18 kids, Pam and Steve) and they all love each other and help each other out.  Its really amazing to see.  I'm still looking forward to the last couple days to see what else I can learn from these kids.

Kirby Thomas

Will You Marry Me

Our first full day at La Senda has nearly ended.  I say nearly because I can hear the kids still playing football and soccer outside the window as I write this.  Laura did the devotion this evening with a great visual of how God's love should be overflowing through us.

Brooke and Laura spent most of the day listening to the kids recite their bible verses they have been memorizing.  Mrs. Susan examined the kids teeth this afternoon thankfully before the dog decided to have its teeth examined with some of her supplies this evening.
      Tonight the kids cooked rice and beens for us along with tortillas.  I think most of us even went back for seconds!  Among many of their favorite games to play is one in which they find someone to ask "will you marry me" and if the other one laughs they have to find another person to ask.  I usually lose because I am laughing at the thought of the game before they even ask.

I am learning more from the kids than they will ever know.  Not only do they teach me Spanish but their attitudes are the best and you can see God in each one.  For the first time today I saw the kids stay who didn't have any parents to come pick them up after school and it makes them that much more special to us.
We are in the best company we could be in with Pam and Steve and thank everyone for their prayers and support.

Spencer

It's a Hard Knock Life for Us

So far, the team has had an amazing day! Everyone has been very busy doing everything from cleaning and cooking to helping with math homework. This trip has been completely different from everything I expected! Coming into this, I was preparing myself to go to an orphanage like in the movie Annie with "parents" that didn't truly care about the kids. When we arrived at La Senda, it was the complete opposite. Pam and Steve love each child as if he or she were their own...but I guess that makes sense because they may as well be. 

Please continue to pray for our team as we spend time in Guatemala!

Elizabeth

The word for the day is "go"

Most of our days began around 3am this morning when it was time to go.  We met as a team for the first time in Atlanta, grabbed a quick bite to eat and then it was time to go.  We grabbed our bags in Guatemala and made it through customs just in time to jump in the van and go.  And we didn't find ourselves at LaSenda over 10 minutes before it was time to go play with the kids.
Tomorrow we will start over again and I'm stoked to see how that will go.  By the time most of you read this Katie will have done devotions for the entire school, Wil & Elizabeth will have served snacks to the students, some of the guys will be painting, others tutoring, and the rest of us will be in the midst of dozens of projects that will carry us through the week.

I don't need to tell you this but it's an awesome team.  They love Jesus and want to see His Gospel GO to all the nations...even to the mountains of Guatemala.  I'm excited to get to be with them.

J   

And So It Begins

Greetings from Guatemala! We arrived safely in Guatemala City with about an hour delay but luckily everything ran smoothly.  After a trip to a mall in the city consisting of grocery shopping at wal-mart and lunch at Pollo Campero, we made our way to La Senda.  Since there are many new people to La Senda, we had a quick tour of the grounds and immediately began the traditional Guatemala vs. USA soccer match.  I'm pretty sure Guatemala's winning already.  Our new members have already done an amazing job at learning the kids names and vice versa.  I'm really excited to see Scott Brabon's relationship with Pam and Steve's son, Phillip, develop.  Phillip hasn't spent much time with another missionary kid and has already latched onto Scott.  After dinner, Ethan gave a devotion to the home kids about love, which he took from Romans 12:9.  Afterwards, we of course played more soccer.  We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow consisting of teaching, cleaning, cooking, and as many other jobs that we have time for.  We're all exhausted from our early start this morning, but I am confident we are all about to have an amazing sleep tonight.  Thanks for all of your prayers and support!

Laura Smith

Almost There

Hey everyone! This is Laura Smith.  We are currently only a few hours away from heading to the airport to begin on our adventure to La Senda, Guatemala.  This will be my third year in a row visiting Pam and Steve English and their home at La Senda.  We would love for you to join with us by keeping up with our blog and keeping us in your prayers.  Hopefully we will be able to update everyone a few times during our week there.  Thank you already for all of your support!

Laura