Friday was another great day in Guatemala! Up at six and breakfast at eight. Another tasty meal with a few variations from Wednesday's fare. The orange juice is fresh squeezed and the papaya juice is also good. After eating, we had our market experience. Each family was given a small amount of money for each person to purchase a food item. We walked through the market to the park which was our central meeting place. The walk through the market was a very interesting experience in itself. Very crowded and people pushing on your back, lots of sights and sounds and smells and all kinds of things for sale. Everything has a price here! Robert carried Emily on his back for most of the time. Lots of live chickens for sale, chicken head soup, home grown vegetables, and freshly plucked chickens all laid out to enjoy. After making it to the park, or public square, Robert and Paige and Hannah went back in to the market to do their bartering. Laura stayed back at the park with Emily. Emily and Laura enjoyed people watching and Laura came very close to purchasing a beautiful handmade blanket from a women who had her English sales pitch down pretty good. Alas, the price did not get down to a comfortable margin for Laura but it was a fun experience. Robert purchased some bananas which tasted sweet and tangy and the girls enjoyed their kool aid type drinks. They also were quite proud of themselves at a couple of bargains they were able to barter for. The entire market time was eye opening and unforgettable.
After lunch at a delicious pizza place, Paul knows all the right people in all of the right places, we headed back up to the Eagle's Nest orphanage. So many crying, love starved babies and a few very willing volunteers. It is amazing at how each life, big or small, has been created with the need for love, for fellowship. This orphanage is considered the best one in Guat., run by a very special American couple, Claire and Larry. It is clean, well run, the staff is kind and efficient but there are still needs. The bible story for the older children was well received and the craft was made with much enthusiasm. The parable of the lost sheep was read by Emily Schmitz from a Spanish Bible and we also had an interpreter to help us along the way. We played a game of find the sheep which the kids loved and despite the sticky glue and cotton adhering to just about everywhere, the home made sheep seemed to a real treat. These children are very loving and a smile and a hug goes a long way when normal communication is difficult. Paul is great with the children and his Spanish speakin abilities have been invaluable. We cannot imagine doing this without him.
The guys finished up their wood sanding and staining and also spent some quality time with the babies and children. Robert looked very comfortable holding babies and the older children especially gravitate to the men. They just don't get that one on one with a male very often. When it was time to go, there were many tears and cries of can't we take one home with us. Robert and I have been blessed to see the compassion and servanthood of our girls. Emily especially has been good at pushing the babies in their swings and playing with them in their bouncers. The girls have been able to greatly enhance their babysitting resume!
Each evening we have had devotions with Paul leading the first night and Robert sharing from Romans about faith. Very timely, as our faith is being stretched and we were all reminded that it is not how much faith we have but WHO our faith is in. At times our faith is only the size of a mustard seed but with God that is enough to move mountains, to be stretched in a far away land and say good bye to sweet, needy babies and children and leave them in God's very capable hands.
Today we are headed to lunch around eleven and then a surprise for the young people. A trip across the lake to Santiago where we will spend the next few days at another orphanage. Thanks you for all of your continued prayers. A big concern for us was Emily and her mobility and that has not been too big of an issue. Good thing Robert has a strong back! As most of you know, Emily has her own way of touching people. One of our mission trip companions, Linda Schmitz, was very moved by Emily. On the way to the orphanage, we passed a very bad wreck and Emily immediately said that we should pray for them and then without hesitation, prayed for the people who were in the crash. In many ways she has been stretched more than any of us and she has been a real trooper.
We love you all and look forward to being with you soon. Talk to you later!
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
We got here Wed. with no problems, then we negotiated about an hour with the car rental agencies and rented a 12 passenger van with a luggage rack. We had planned to visit the Mayan Ruins on the way to Pannajachl, but we were running short on time so we decided to visit the zoo in Guatemala City. The Zoo was interesting and beautiful. Then, we went to a Guatemalan restaurant called Chillis - ha, ha. The drivers are very aggressive and not courteous. There seems to be no speed limit and alot of dinted and scratched up vehicles. It took us 3 hours to drive to Pannajachl. Some of the roads were smooth but the last hour of the ride was pot hole city. Laura said it was worse than the Alaskan Highway. We got to Panna. late and were ready for bed. When we woke up Thur. morning we went outside and were taken back by the beauty of the mountains and lake, along with 3 volcanoes. After breakfast, which included scrambled eggs, real dark refried beans, cheese, fried bananas, watermelon, pineapple, papaya juice, and homemade bread. It was different but tasty. We traveled up the mountain approx. 15 minutes to 9,000 feet above sea level to the Eagle's Nest Orphanage. There were 50 babies there and about 30 pre-schoolers. The ladies were in baby heaven. Paige and Hannah obtained some good experience feeding babies and burping them; and comforting crying babies. We were impressed by the cleanliness of the orphanage and the care the babies and children received. Larry and Clare run the orphanage and they were very friendly and appreciative. We delivered the towels and wash cloths. The joy on the faces of the workers was a real blessing. Thanks to all of you who donated these items and tooth brushes/toothpaste. The men sanded and varnished lumber most of the day. In the afternoon we held a bible school for the kids. It was a joyous time and we saw many smiles on the faces of the kids. Paul picked up some chicken and fries for lunch, then we ate at a restaurant in Panna. for dinner. Laura and Hannah ate chicken kabobs and said they were awesome, the best they had ever eaten. We had a very good devotional time before bed, with Paul leading. The hotel accommodations are nice and the staff is very helpful. Today, we are headed back up to the orphanage.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Rob, Laura, Emily, Paige, and Hannah Cole are going to Guatemala! We have never visited there but we are excited to go on this journey and share the love of Christ with those in need of a Savior. We are also praying that this will be a life changing experience. In the past, we have been challenged by several church leaders to participate in a short term missions trip. This will be a first for us and we are blessed to have this opportunity. Also, Gary, Linda, Emily, and Adam Schmitz are going on the trip with us.
Lake Attitlan considered to be the most beautiful lake in the world is surrouned by some of the poorest villages most people would encounter. If you are interested in donating anything for the orphanages or the kids of these villages then please leave your response as to how you would like to help and partner with this trip! Guatemala Missions Trip
March 28th is an exciting day for two families who have decided to not just make a difference in thier relationships here in Indiana, but extend that influence to around the world. On the 28th we head to Guatemala to help out with two different orphanages and hold Vacation Bible School in several different settings and villiages. It is going to be an exciting time, but more than that, it will be a God shaping time. Pray with us as we take this leap of faith for the gospel of Jesus Christ in order that we may do our part in reaching the world.
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