Day seven- Friday

Today was a tourist day; after breakfast, we got all the stuff we needed and got on the bus. It drove us to the lake, where we rode a huge boat and swam close to shore for a couple hours. The lake was really pretty, with green forests on either side and clear blue water. After we were done swimming, we went back to the bus and rode to a nice restaurant next to the lake for lunch where we decided what we were doing: shopping in the market or zip-lining over the jungle in a series of switchbacks. I chose zip-lining and soon I was getting a full-body harness put on me and hiking up the mountain (a 20 minute walk). It was really fun zip-lining; one of the two guides accompanying us would slide down ahead of us to the end of the section of zip-line we were on while the other stayed at the beginning to start us. They would hook us up and send us flying over the jungle, trying to see monkeys or take pictures. The guide standing at the end of the line would wave a red flag to tell us to use our gloved hand to grab hold of the line behind us to slow down. He would then catch us at the end and we would walk to the n ext line and wait until our group was done and both guides could come and help us with the next line. It was really amazing and I’m really glad I decided to zip-line instead of shop, despite the twenty dollars I had to pay (which really wasn’t that much; in the States it probably would have been a hundred dollars). I’m so happy I got to have this amazing experience and see God’s beautiful creation in a completely new way.
~Rebekah


Today we got up a 7:oo and had devotions which I really want to keep going when I get home. We got to go to the lake and swim in the hot springs. It was so cool, I’ve never done something like that in my life before. After the lake we went and ate lunch which where hamburgers and fries. We could either go zip-lining or go shopping, I decided to go zip-lining because I have never done that before and thought it would be a really cool adventure and it was. The zip-lining was two hours long and I have to tell you that if you get the chance to do something like that do it. I’m so glad I came on the trip and got to see how BIG our God really is. I’ve learned so much and hope to take it home and use it for the glory of God.
~Abigail


Good morning world (as it is about one a clock there)
Although I would love to write a long, in depth description of today, it is about one hour after lights were supposed to be out and I still have to upload pictures and pack. The idea of packing up all of my things (which are thrown everywhere around my room) is a thought that I can’t yet grasp. I can’t believe that it has been six days since arriving in the beautiful country of Guatemala. The people that I have met and talked to this week have really opened my eyes to what a different culture is like. The things that the Lord showed me are life changing.
If you didn’t know, I had ACL surgery about one month ago, so coming into this trip I had no idea what was going to happen. I knew that I was not going to be able to play my favorite game, soccer, because of my knee, and I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to do a lot of things that I would usually have been able to do. Like carry heavy sandbags and posts at the various sites. But even through the hard change in plan, I knew that God was with me and that he had a plan for me this week. The things that he has taught me this week can be summed up into one word: humbleness. I had to humble myself and not be the leader that I know God has made me to be, but watch, wait, listen, and take instructions even though I didn’t want to all of the time. It was really hard to watch my friends and family members play a game of soccer against the Guatemalans and not be able to play, but I got through it and had fun cheering for my team. But enough about that, I don’t have too much time.
Today was a great day to end the week, it was filled with amazing food (which we get every day), shopping for some and zip-lining for others, a beautiful boat ride accompanied with jumping off of the boat, and nice long bus rides that were delayed because of traffic. I even got to jump off of the boat, but don’t tell my orthopedic or physical therapist. J As you have probably heard from reading the above bloggers, the group split up after the boat ride to either go shopping or zip-lining. The zip-line was incredible. It was so remarkable to look at God’s creation of the lake, volcanoes, trees, huts, and my fellow team mates and know that he put everything there for a purpose. Although the hike up to the top of the mountain was challenging for me because I had to leave my crutches at the bottom, I made it up to the starting point and made it down all eight of zip-line segments that wove their way down the mountain. I was one of the people with the camera so it was nice being able to see everyone go down the certain segments of the zip-line. To wrap it up, we drove back to the hotel, had an amazing dinner, devotions, and the rest of the team has gone to bed.
Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts throughout this week, because we experienced many miracles. I can’t even begin to tell you everything and every way that the Lord has shown up this week: from keeping the team somewhat healthy and no major injuries to showing up in each and everyone’s day to reveal a plan. Continue to pray for the two students (Heather and Stephen) and leader (Brian) who are staying an extra three days to further minister to the people of Guatemala. Good night to some and morning to others- I am off to pack.
<3 Rebecca