Heading to Guatemala --- on Saturday!

That's right! Last Tuesday Jason got invited to be part of a short term mission team that departs THIS Saturday for Panajachel, Guatemala!! How's that for being spontaneous???!!

As some of you know, we moved to Panajachel, Guatemala in August 2013, with a 4 month old Luke in tow.  We fell in love with the country and the people. We were incredibly thankful for our church there - Porch de Salomon - who has a wide-reaching set of ministries to the indigenous Mayan people: providing food, clean water, educational scholarships, medical aid & addiction recovery assistance and even building new homes.

We both got quite a thrill when Jason was contacted Tuesday evening by our good friend, Will Deeds, who is leading this trip. He said he could use an extra person to help with a house build and that the fundraising for the trip cost had been done already. What a totally unexpected and exciting opportunity!!!!!!!!!

We didn't know what Jason's employer would say to the short notice request for time off, especially when he didn't have vacation time to cover the whole week. We prayed on it and agreed that if he was meant to go, God would work it out. After waiting for a day and a half, he received word back from up the organizational ladder that his time-away request was approved!!!! Totally shocking.

The rest of the details are coming together. Jason has an airline ticket from Sioux Falls early Saturday morning so will be doing the 5 hour drive there on Friday after work and staying the night with the parents of a gal from our church here. Thankful for that! We'll have some other expenses (gas, airport parking, baggage fees and a hit to our food budget next month for Jason's unpaid days) that we're feeling excited to see how God will work out. Since many Guatemalans earn only $1-$2 per DAY, we realize that perhaps next month will just be an exercise in living on a more reduced budget than usual. We certainly can be okay with that. We are incredibly grateful Jason to get to be a part of this exciting opportunity.

If you think of it, prayer is of course appreciated! For Jason's travels, for cohesiveness with his team and especially that they would be able to share light and love with the people they encounter. I could use prayer too. These nine days will be the long. Being on my own with the kids for this many days is not my favorite. I know I'll be fine, but the days/hours when Jason is usually around to help with the kids (weekends and weekdays from 5 pm - 7 pm) will definitely feel very l-o-n-g.

These are the two families who are currently having homes build by the Porch. I'm not sure if Jason's team will be working on one or both homes.

This family of 8 and their current house. The youngest son lost his eye due to a tumor. The father Arsenio earns $170 monthly as a baker. The four older sons also work as farm hands to help support the family. Lucrecia is a dedicated homemaker and attends to Danilo’s special needs and medical appointments. 

Rosa Tzay (28) and her children fled their native Tierra Linda to escape Rosa’s alcoholic
and abusive husband. When the social worker brought them to the Porch, Rosa and her
children had no food, few clothes, and nowhere to live except a dirt-floor, tin shack room.
They’ve received school scholarships, clothing, and food, a decent place to live, an
Ecofiltro water system, and an Ecoplancha efficient woodstove.   

I would be lying if I didn't say I'm a bit jealous of Jason going on this trip without me. I think about and miss Guatemala on an
almost daily basis. But, I know this isn't the right time and I am truly happy that Jason gets to go, especially back to our home
church there and with his friend Will. It will be a really special time.