The Beauty of Words

This "Wordle" represents the words we selected for each day during the time we spent in Guatemala. The words we used the most often are the biggest. I think it is very appropriate that the word we used most often was "love." Isn't that the way God would want it?

Mission Guatemala feeding center in Nueva Esperanza (New Hope)

Mission Guatemala employs one cook, who coordinates a team of mothers. They prepare lunch every weekday for the schoolchildren of Nueva Esperanza. This community was displaced when hurricane Stan destroyed their village. They were farmers, but now they have very little land and are struggling. Mission Guatemala provides a hearty lunch for kids who otherwise might have subsisted on tortillas or nothing.

Our new friends...

That's Marco Antonio holding the "love" sign...

Overlooking Lake Atitlan

Wow, right?

Beautiful view of the lake

All this week, our mission team has been working at an elementary school for Mayan children in Guatemala. Our main project was to build a sink that will allow 10 children to wash their hands or brush their teeth at the same time. Something that will come in handy as before they only had two faucets for their entire school of several hundred. Anyway, we had some downtime today, so the village kids wanted to show us their vista de lago, or view of the lake. They led us down a road for about a half mile and we came upon the view shown here. Quite breathtaking. -Bill

Dental office

The children who visit the Dentist here are very scared. The stuffed animals help!

One amazing week...

We were challenged to describe our week in three words. As we finished our sink project and visited the feeding centers that Mission Guatemala supports, installed two more stoves, and said goodbye to all of our new friends, it was an emotional day for all of us. Each couple or individual came up with their "three words."

Blessed. Beyond. Belief.

Humble. Helping. Hands.

Much love. Much need.

Niños. Love. Amigos.

Family. Changed. Adventure.

We'll. Be. Back.

Guatemala. My. Neighbor.

Hardworking. Blessed. People.

Fun. Love. Work.

Divertido. Amor. Trabajo.

Inspired to: Love. Serve. Give.

We are preparing to head out onto the lake today, Lake Atitlan, nestled here amongst the volcanos. There are certain to be beautiful photos to come. We miss our families and friends back home, and we can't wait to see you and tell you about all of our experiences face-to-face. We love you all, and we will see you soon!

Gracias a Dios!