A Team

In 2012, Don and I led a 20 person team to Guatemala.  The Lord had given us this idea of 'taking over' the children's home so that the workers could go away together for a few days.  Our team was made up of 3 homeschool families, a young couple and a single lady.  It was so much work as we learned the routines of the kids as well as managed their laundry, meals and homework.  The workers really enjoyed their time together and asked when we could do it again.

In 2013, we went with another family (11 of us total) and again, 'took over' the home.  We were more familiar with the routine and had better expectations of how the days were going to go; however, we were a little overwhelmed with the amount of work with only half as many people.  It went well and the Lord gave us such grace and favor over our time there but we were exhausted.

As we prayed about our time in Guatemala for 2014, we really felt like we were supposed to again provide a retreat for the workers and actually increase their time away.  We had been 'in charge' for 3 days and 2 nights the previous two years.  We wanted to increase this by one more day and night so that they had more options on where to go and what they would have time for while they were away.

As we prayed for team members and even stepped out and asked some people. the team was just not coming together.  Our family and the other homeschool family (who has joined us that past 2 years) were a little hesitant about the extra time with just 11 people again.  We were seeking the Lord about all of this when the He moved . . . in the form of an email . . . from Arkansas.

My cousin is involved in missions within her church.  She sent me an email asking for more information about our trips and the ministries that we serve while in Guatemala.  We corresponded a little bit and then she asked if they could send a team with us while we were there in 2014.  This began the process of coordinating the schedules of two ministries as well as getting approval from our sending church.  As He always does, the Lord answered our prayers by putting together the help that we will need to care for the kids at the children's home for an extra day and night.

Don and I will travel to Arkansas in December to meet the team of 6 as well as do some training with them.  We are so awed by the Lord and how His plans and purposes are so beyond what we could ever do on our own.  We are amazed at His faithfulness and how He makes a way when it is hard for our eyes to see how things are going to come together.  We love how much He cares about the details as well as the big picture all at the same time.

We are also in the process of purchasing tickets for our trip in January.  The flight cost took a significant jump (about $100 a ticket) when we were ready to purchase them.  We are now praying that they go back down but also for the peace to purchase if they don't.  Our Lord owns "the cattle on a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10) and is more than able to provide all that we need . . . no matter the price of the tickets.

Love this!

Something I Believe 
About God 

Sometimes I can hear God through the loud thunder, 
feel Him in the wet earth, 
and see Him in the sparkling raindrops. 
I smell Him in the damp air
 and taste Him in the clear water. 
When this happens, I shiver with excitement. 
I know He is here, and that He is real. 
And that when I look for Him, 
I know that I will find Him.

-Bethany Allison

Every Time is Different!

Our family has been travelling to Guatemala since 2003.  The first time, Don and I went without the kids to determine if it was a place that we would want to bring them in the future (and to celebrate our 10th anniversary!!).  Since that time, we have made about 9 trips of varying time lengths as a family.  When we return, there always seems to be one person who asks about our trip but then adds a comment like "nothing new for you guys" or "must be pretty routine for your family."  It just makes us chuckle!

The Lord is very creative and, I think, He has an awesome sense of humor.  Every trip that we have gone on has looked different.  He is always stretching and challenging us in ways that, quite honestly, are not always very fun.  So when someone says, "same old, same old", we just chuckle.

Well . . .surprise, surprise . . . our next trip is going to be something entirely brand new . . . again!!  We are in the planning and preparation phase for a trip that will take place in January 2014.  This phase includes a trip to Arkansas.  Didn't see that coming?  Neither did we. . . . I told you, the Lord is creative! ;)


"Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.'" Revelation 21:5