Orphanage Day 5

Today was the final day at the orphanage. We didn't end up getting any of our projects completely done, but we made a lot of progress in our time here. Ivan and Kimberly were very impressed by the work and work ethic of this group. They blessed everyone today with a picture magnet of everyone at the orphanage.

It has been an amazing trip and I can't wait until I can get back down here.

Tomorrow we will be touring Antigua and be driving into Guatemala City to fly out on Sunday. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers for everyone who came in this trip. We really appreciate all you do for us and for allowing us the opportunity to get to come back.

Orphanage Day 4

Not much of an update today, everyone is still working on their projects. We have high hopes for finishing all the projects by tomorrow. It's hard to believe that tomorrow will be the last day!

Thanks everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Orphanage Day 3

We had another proficient day at the orphanage today! We are getting close to the end of a few of the projects, but still have work to do. The end of the week will be here before we know it. The trip has been going well so far. No illness or injury, and the weather has been amazing this far, possibly has something to do with the rainbow we saw over Guatemala while we were in the plane.

Everyone is working hard and doing everything they can to get the jobs completed. Even Ivan is helping dig trenches! It's hard to not work hard when you see someone who is so passionate about what they do.

Thank you everyone for reading and your thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there is anything you would like to hear about it if there is anyone you would like me to pass a message along to. You are all amazing!

Orphanage Day 2

Today was the first day of work out at the orphanage. We got quite a bit accomplished today. The main projects of the day were concrete and wall removal in the 2 story storage building as well as painting one house and staining in another. I didn't get around to the painting or staining groups but I think there progress was just as good as the concrete group. By the end of the day, you could tell that the groups were getting tired and were really slowing down.

Tomorrow will more than likely be similar schedules. Hopefully everybody will be in high spirits for another hard day of work.

Please be praying for one of the members of one of the other teams. She was bitten by a bug this morning and her foot is in a lot of pain and very swollen. Other than that, everyone is doing well. As always, if you would like to share anything with the group please let me know. Also, thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!

Orphanage Day 1

Today was the teams first day at the orphanage. Most of the day was spent with the rules of the orphanage and the tour of the orphanage and widows homes. Some of us who have been down here before got a little work done today during the tours. Tomorrow we will hit the ground running. The projects that we will be working on are cutting out sod, breaking up concrete, digging footings, painting, and staining cabinets. It should be a very busy week!

So far everyone is in good health and in high spirits. Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and prayers!

If you'd like to share anything with the group please email me at Jjschuh7632@gmail.com and I will be glad to pass it along.

Orphanage Day 1

Today was the teams first day at the orphanage. Most of the day was spent with the rules of the orphanage and the tour of the orphanage and widows homes. Some of us who have been down here before got a little work done today during the tours. Tomorrow we will hit the ground running. The projects that we will be working on are cutting out sod, breaking up concrete, digging footings, painting, and staining cabinets. It should be a very busy week!

So far everyone is in good health and in high spirits. Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and prayers!

If you'd like to share anything with the group please email me at Jjschuh7632@gmail.com and I will be glad to pass it along.

Arrival

We have all safely arrived at the hotel in Guatemala despite a few delays along the way. Today we will be heading out to the orphanage for the first time. There are many new people on this trip so please be praying for open hearts for all of us as well as good health and weather for this week. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers and ill do my best to post every night of the Internet will allow.

Last day at the orphange!

Well, as hard as it is to believe, it is Friday morning and we have one more day at the orphanage.... always a hard day.  We hate to leave these kids and such a peaceful place.  Internet was very sketchy last night.  We worked again yesterday, and plan to do the same today.  The Houston team brought brisket so we will be having a Texas cookout today as a celebration of all the hard work done at the orphanage.  We are having a hard time leaving our hotel.  Lydia and her staff are so amazing and we love them like family!  They take care of us so well, and have had the most amazing meals and fellowship here.  This is a special place that will be missed.  We will be staying at a hotel in Guatemala City tonight and will be catching a very early flight for home tomorrow morning!  I will try to connect and post again tonight if possible.... Time to load the bus for our last trip to the orphanage!  I am sure there will be more tears shed this afternoon!!! 


Peace out!!

Progress being made!!!!

It is Wednesday evening and we just made it back from the orphanage.  Wow, lots of progress being made.  The Laundromat is almost finished, just need to dig trenches for water!  Craig has his crew working hard.  The Paint crew has also been working very hard!!  Living Waters House has been officially repainted for its remodel and they are still working on cabinets.  Ivan says children should be back in there by next week!  The Harvest House has been finished being painted on the outside and maybe one more coat of paint on the inside!!  The Iowans are smiling!!!  And another house has also been started with painting!!  Way to go Foreman Chad!!!  The new barbeque pit was finished today and chicken was enjoyed by all the children today!  It was a fun site to see!  Lots of eye exams have been done the past couple of days for both the children and some of the villagers.  Jodie and Michelle have been working hard!  Kathy was able to get into the clinic today and clean some teeth for the children at the orphanage, especially those who are fairly new!  We have been working very hard and when we see the smiles on the faces of those special children, well, we know all that hard work is worth it! 

First Day at the Orphange

Well, the first day at the orphanage is complete!  It was a beautiful day, lots of sun and lots of gorgeous scenery.  Here in Guatemala, flexibility is a must, and despite a later start this morning, lots of work was accomplished and we got to play with the children!  For those of us that were here for the first time or for those that have been gone a while, they gave us a tour of the orphanage and after lunch took us into the village to visit some of the widows that Casa Angelina is helping to support and also the widow who is getting a new house this week!  What an eye opener!  Lots has been accomplished at the orphanage even since last July, and this week we get the opportunity to contribute to that!   Tomorrow EVERYONE will get the chance to start working and serving those amazing kids.... hopefully pics to follow soon!  Thank you all for your continued prayers!!

First Day - Feb. 16, 2014

We had a great first day in Guatemala.  We started our day off taking a trip to the Cross on the Hill.... the view was spectacular.  After some photo ops, we attended church and worshiped with Pastor Ronnie.  It was an experience we will never forget.  Following church we were treated to an amazing lunch by our good friend Bindy's family.... chicken, black beans, rice, tortillas, and the most amazing guacamole!!  We are so thankful for our good friends here in Guatemala.  We then spent the rest of the day touring Antigua guided by Alejandro..... did some shopping in the market, admired some beautiful authentic Jade jewelry, and treated ourselves to delicious chocolate!!  After arriving back at Lydia's we were able to get some rest... we didn't get much sleep from a later flight and early morning!  Lydia threw us a BIRTHDAY party for those celebrating their birthdays this week with cake and piñatas!  We are not going hungry here, the food is first class and we so appreciate the cook, Jorge.....  Chad and Jodie led us in some devotions, with some awesome music led by Preston and Michaela.  We are enjoying getting to know each other and looking forward to our first day at Casa Angelina tomorrow! 

On our way!!!

We are sitting at the Sioux Falls airport waiting for our first plane.  We stop in Chicago and Houston and then Guatemala City.  We are full of excited anticipation for what God has in store for us.  Please pray for safe travels today with little to no delays, other than the one we are now experiencing!  :)




Will blog again once we are in Guatemala!