What's up with Willis?

Will and Mr Wilson:)

For those of you who missed the post about Will, I want to re-introduce you to his journey.  Two years ago, Will accompanied his grandfather on a  short term missions trip, touring the southwest part of Guatemala.  They visited and helped out areas in dire need of housing.  A spark ignited the flame that burns so brightly in Will's heart for global action and outreach.  It was the beginning of a journey that would later bring him back to the place where it all started.  This past February, Will organized and hosted a concert called "Share the Love" in the chapel at Calvary Church.  What was intended to be a teen event,  got the attention of all ages and the night was a hit.  Various bands preformed and many donations were made such as socks , underwear and toothbrushes, for the girls orphanage we work at.  Will gave a testimony and shared his passion for God and how He calls us and makes disciples out of all of us. Matthew 28:19  "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit."   In taking a stand at the age of 14, Will also shared this scripture  1         Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no one look down on you because you are young but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.

I love what Will's mom Cindy shared with us in an email,

donations from Canada!

 "Throughout the night I just kept thinking my 14 year old had an idea and his idea grew and others saw his vision and embraced it and supported him, people from different churches all coming together.  I learned that if an idea comes from God and we learn to let go and let God, He can make it happen.  God can do anything!" 

Thank you to all those who supported and are praying for Will and for partnering with us,  helping accomplish more than we could ever do on our own!

Will and Mother Claudia

future dental hygienist :)

high/low

Something we used to do around the dinner table back home in Canada, was go around the table and express our high/lows of the day. I've forgotten this simple method of expressing what each of us got out of the day.  It wasn't until last week when we joined a team of high school students from Toronto, that I was reminded of this frequent family ritual.  Its a pretty loaded question around our dinner table these days.  The range in emotions vary from one difficult moment or situation to the next.  But one day that really was set apart from many others for me,  was a week ago today.

this photo is from last summer...we need an update

As usual, we pick up "our four girls" to come and spend the day and be part of our family.  On this particular Sunday, many parents are scheduled to come and see their girls art Casa Hogar.  This is a big deal as it only happens about four times a year.  For our girls, it was a matter of them making the effort to see their mom.  They insisted that Matt and I tag along and have the opportunity to meet her in her home.  We felt honoured that they wanted to share their precious time with their mom, so we graciously accepted their invitation.  We drove up to where they thought their mom was living, only to find a strange man working on the house and not having a clue who we were talking about.  Immediately, I sensed fear and upset in Fransesca.  From there, we went to a distant uncle's house to try and track down their mom.  Matt and I pulled up to a series of shacks only blocks from our house.  It was devastating to see such horrendous conditions.  The houses were made of scrap metal and garbage bags, kids running around half naked and most of the family weren't wearing any shoes.  I watched as the girls climbed out of the truck to seek out their great uncle for help.  I felt so proud of Fransesca for taking on the responsibility she does. I can't imagine all the thoughts that  flooded her mind as she tracked down her mom.  Fears of abandonment ..again, and her moms' health are just a few.  Matt and I respected their space and sat patiently and prayfully in the truck.  I glanced down through the chicken wire and noticed a hen with her chicks.  The hen moved from place to place among the dirt and scratched up whatever food it could find as its chicks followed under the protection of her wing.  I felt angry thinking about Fransesca and her sister's situation.  Angry at the thought that a hen was looking after her young better than a mom after her girls.

We drove out to the house where their mom was living and again were reminded of what life these girls left.  It was a realization of the impoverished conditions they came from.  Matt and I were welcomed in and sat in the doorway on plastics stools.  Fransesca politely made conversation and the other girls literally hung on us.  Words cannot express the feelings I was having sitting there that afternoon.  I felt overwhelmed by the love these girls showed us.  And all they wanted back is love. It was in that moment that all the questions I've wrestled with (of purpose and trying to figure out missions and helping), escaped my mind.  All I could think of was that these girls are craving relationship, to be part of a family and want to be loved.   High-low....what's yours?

better late than never....

I really should be going to bed.  It has been a crazy last 24 hrs of travel.  We had a safe landing back here in Guatemala this morning, and as the early morning sun hit the tips of the mountains casting shadows across the landscape, I knew we were once again back home in Guatemala.

For starters, we had to say goodbye to Matt's dad during our visit to Mexico.  He came down with an infection and didn't want to risk further illness.  We were sad to see him leave but glad mom decided to stay on with us for the remainder of the month.

I had been meaning to fill all of you in for awhile.  The hours seem to slip away and before I know it another week has come and gone.  I guess better late than never.  I have a million things go through my mind and I often think of blog topics or even have it written in my mind before crawling into bed at the end of an exhausting day.  Some days it's just hard to keep up.

Okay so a lot to catch up on.  I want to re-introduce you to our pastoral couple Steve and Tammy from CTEN.  A couple weeks ago we  had the privilege of spending five days with them here in Jalapa.  Tammy, Julie, Rachel, Kait, Diane and myself visited the prison where Julie was able to run her med clinic and I cut hair for some of the inmates.  A wonderful surprise and treat for the ladies was a craft facilitated by Diane.  Thanks to a generous friend of Diane's back home, she was able to run a beading class with the ladies of the prison.  This was definitely a hi-lite and the ladies swarmed Diane for attention.  Julie, a very dear friend and missionary (a part of CTEN as well), and I were able to introduce Tammy to a morning of prison ministry.

Later in the week, we were able to show Tammy and Steve around Casa Hogar and the involement we have there.  Tammy was able to join us for one of our knitting classes with the nuns.  I surprised her and pulled out a piano and she played while softly singing worship songs as the nuns knitted away.  It was a very special moment for me as I reflected on the journey Tammy has been on.  She is an amazing....well that is even an understatement..... musician and has given up a lot to answer the call God has placed on her and Steve's lives.  I thought about how God gives us all different, unique gifts and how she blessed us that afternoon.

feet soaking, drinking coffee and eating homemade brownies

I have been running various classes, while project managing the renovation of the kitchen.  Kait and I are working with the nuns on a three week rotation of varying classes as well. We try to throw in a fun activity in the schedule.  Some of which have been pedicures given by Kait and myself, an afternoon of playing basketball, and watching the sound of music en espanol.  I've never seen anything quite like a bunch of nuns running around a basketball court chasing the ball and enjoying every minute of it.

Matt and I were asked by the kids' school to help teach english classes.  One  morning a week,  we accompany the kids to their school just outside of Jalapa and are helping develop a program that will be sustainable and effective.  I am amazed at how different the education system is here in Guatemala, and it is a good reminder of the need for aid in this very important area.  I am so proud of our three kids and the efforts made in adjusting to a new culture and language.  It hasn't always been easy but they have a good attitude and being positive is important.  Thank you for your continued prayer and encouragement!

Showing a young mom how to use a breast pump
donated by a friend back in Canada

Kait and Mandy giving out pedicures

Tammy having fun with Mercedes on the piano

basketball with the nuns

can't have a birthday without a pinata!