Once again, we said goodbye to another team on Sunday and are trying to catch our breath. After hosting four teams in five weeks, we could use a little break.
Last week’s team was a small but great one. While only four members strong, Jeff, Emily, Justin, and Ginny were a fantastic group with which to work. From their first moment in Hermano Pedro they embraced the kids and loved them as their own. And, because their numbers were small, we could expose them to some opportunities that most teams do not get to experience.
In addition to some of the normal ministry options such as Hermano Pedro, Los Gozosos, and Amor del Nino, they were also able to participate in our rural village ministry. They traveled with me to both Las Palmas and La Gomera where we repaired a wheelchair and distributed food and medicine. We even had a chance to pass out some bubbles and stickers to some precious little ones.
We also stopped in to check on Reina, the elderly lady in Las Palmas who nearly died of pneumonia. I am happy to report that she is doing much better and gaining weight. On our last visit with her, we encouraged her to sit outside and get fresh air instead of staying inside in the stifling heat caused by their corrugated metal roof. She told me that the sun was too bright outside and hurt her eyes, so Zac Robinson donated his sunglasses to the cause. When we arrived this time we found her sporting her new shades.
It was a long day, and we all returned exhausted and in need of showers, but everyone was glad to have been a part of it.
The group was also able to participate in the monthly distribution of food, clothing, and medicine to the sponsored children in our town. Joni, Marcos Antonio, Carlos, and Luis Fernando all received much needed deliveries, and each family greeted those gifts with much gratitude and some tears. It is hard to communicate what this assistance means to these folks. We were also able to pray with each family and, as always, communicate that the help was from (and because of) Jesus.
We also took the time to visit with the family of Veronica, who is a resident of Hermano Pedro. Her father and siblings live on the edge of Antigua and struggle to make ends meets since her mother passed away a few years ago. We stopped by and dropped off some Kids Against Hunger packets along with some donated clothing for the children.
On Wednesday we said goodbye to Marissa Spencer who has spent the last two months with us. She was wonderful with all the kids and was a perfect fit within our family, and we are missing her greatly. Thanks for your service, Marissa! We love you!
On our way to take Marissa to the airport I had an encounter with a Guatemalan traffic cone. In most cases, instead of using high visibility cones to alert you to road work, this country will place large rocks in the road and dump some white (non-reflective) paint on them. As we traveled to Guatemala City on Wednesday at 4:30 am in a light rain I suddenly saw one of these “safety devices” in the road as I rounded a curve. A truck was in the right lane, and I had no place to go except into the rock. The damage to the van was enough to warrant the use of insurance along with our Q. 5000 deductible (about $650). It is still drivable, so the actual repair work is being delayed until August 2nd when we will have a break and not need it for a week.
Now, we are trying to catch up on some work that has been on hold for the last month as we have been hosting teams. Office work awaits, along with some vehicle and house maintenance and some extensive cleaning.
Tomorrow our entire family heads to Mexico for two nights. It is time to renew our visas, so we have to leave the country in order to do so. We are traveling to Tapachula, Mexico which is just across the border and will enjoy some time in a motel there. We plan to relax, swim, and just be together without demands of work. We would appreciate your prayers as we make that drive.
That’s all for now! Good afternoon from San Antonio Aguas Calientes!
Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew
