Hello from Guatemala!  I’m sorry for not updating this blog in a timely manner.  I brought an old laptop since mine was fried by lightning the day before we left but the machine is an HP and I brought a Dell power supply. L Best laid plans…

 Everybody is healthy and have been having a wonderful time serving in Guatemala.  We will finish the playground tomorrow!  God has shown us favor in many ways.  We are in very rugged rocky country and were told we’d probably unearth rocks the size of VW bugs as we dug the 76 holes for the playground. We prayed over the land before we laid things out and began digging.  We asked for favor and the biggest rock we found was the size of my non-functional laptop. 

We will finish the playground tomorrow with the help of the six Guatemalan men who have been helping us.  They have been amazing workers and we’ve enjoyed working with them. They are being paid a very good wage in Guatemala - $9 a day – not an hour. 

Today we took a well-needed day of rest in Antigua.  We worshipped at a bilingual evangelical church.  We then toured the old capital city of Guatemala and did some shopping.  Many on our team are bringing fresh Guatemalan coffee home for our friends and family.  I’ll let a few others on our team jot down some of their thoughts.  Thanks for your continued prayers and for allowing us to make this trip.  –Rich Anderson

On Friday and Saturday the women went to the local church and did crafts with the children.  Each day found the five of us with the help of our translator, Josh working with 75 children.  The children are patient and gracious with us as they wait for instructions from our interpreter.  A highlight of the experience is seeing the joy and excitement of the kids as they share their completed projects with us.  The smiles on their faces are priceless!  We have experienced the blessings of God and look forward to more crafts on Monday.  We will continue the celebration of the playground dedication when we host a carnival with all the school children.  – Linda & Amy