Over the two weeks I have now been living in Guatemala, those few expectations I clung to so feebly have vanished. Not quite vanished as in evaporate entirely, but more like shot down from the clear blue sky with .22 caliber rifle. Being enveloped by such graciousness and compassion by the people here was not what I had anticipated. But the most unexpected surprise probably came from which area my knowledge grew most— not in that about the country or the culture, the food or the language, but about myself.      It’s funny really....

I must admit, this past week has seemed to go by rather slow. I kind of expected to jump straight into ministry once we arrived, or at least be in intensive ministry training. However, until our prayer walk Thursday morning, and our scavenger hunt today, our team didn’t really leave Casa Verde except for morning runs up the street. Yet, as always, God has a reason for everything, and this “slowness” was much needed for me. You see, I have a prideful heart. Actually, that’s an understatement. I have a VERY prideful and VERY judgemental heart. I am so ready to call...

“Happy One Week Anniversary!!!” That was the main theme of this past Monday. All seven of us “Guat Girls” took a moment to realize that we’d known each other for an entire week. And during that week, we had grown closer than most people will over years of friendship. Already we had been through a lot as a team. We had left our homes, are families, and our ideas of normal behind to train for a few days in Georgia. When we finally met each other, we were the giggliest bunch of girls I’ve ever come across. By day 2 ½, we began to wonder if our...

How has it been a week already? How has it only been a week? It's crazy to think that after a summer of preparing and almost a week of training camp I am still learning so much!  I've learned a lot about myself, but mostly I have just been learning about what God has really called me to do here. If I could sum up this week in one word it would be this: Listen. Much like at training camp when we learned to just stand still and listen for God, I have found myself time and time again closing my mouth and opening my ears (which, if you know me, is not one of my strongest points)....

Day One: Arrive to Puerto Barrios after a 5 hour or so bus ride at around 4am. Sleep and rest the rest of the day. We are now on….hang on let me count….day three. It seems like I have been here a month already! Everything has been amazing (I have fallen in LOVE with the food and the people) and I was on cloud nine. Until church last night. I didn't think I had an expectations coming into this trip, but last night proved me wrong. At the service yesterday morning, the worship lyrics were on a screen and the pastor was video recorded from the US so he spoke slower. I was able...

We just spoke with the team leader and they've all arrived safely in Guatemala.  They are in route to their ministry site via a five hour bus ride and will be settling in these next few days and getting some orientation from their host.  Expect to see some blogs rolling out in the next few days as they find internet. Thanks for all the prayers for this team! The Passport field support team