Day Two- Sunday

Today Jim fullfilled my third grade wish, to be a line leader...I had the chance to lead the whole group to church..which was just up 15 steps. Anyways, on a more serious note, we went to church with other missionaries in ChiChi. We then had some free time, where some people played frisbee, while others learned to juggle..with lemons. After lunch we all went to the market where i used my AMAZING bargaining skills with Emily. I purchased an item originally priced for 300 Q for 175 Q. We also got to practice our spanish skills and witness to 3 little girls named Jennifer, Rosa, and Juanlina(i couldn't understand what she said). I had an amazing time dancing with them and acting like a 5 year old..once again. The overall expierence has been filled with laughter and fun times. We hope this week brings good memories and experiences that we will remember in the years to come.
~Hannah G.



To start off my day, I woke up around 8:00 a.m. Guatemalan time. I turn only to see Hannah G. (my roomie) sitting reading a book. Apparently, she had woken up aorund 7:00 a.m. and I didn't hear her make a sound. Anyways, we went down to breakfast around 8:30. For breakfast, we had some amazing french toast and the syrup was also very good. After breakfast, we were told to go get ready for the church service being held. The service was about prayer and i was able to closely relate since prayer is a strong topic for me. Once the service was over, we had lunch and got ready for the market. Boy was that an experience! We started out by walking down to the market in groups. Once we got to the market, I didn't quite know what to expect, but it was nothing like what i thought it was going to be. First, we went into this store called De Colores. Aftewards, we ventured into the market. I was astonished by all the people, women, and children who would just come up into your face and ask you to buy something. They would make several offers and I had no idea what to do except to say "No Gracias" and walk away. I felt terrible saying it to the children, but I didn't want what they were selling. Oh, and by the way, mom if you're reading this....I GOT YOUR BLANKET! I'm now allowed back into USA. After the market, we came back and played with these 3 little girls who were very cute. We then had dinner and group devotions and that's pretty much my day!
~Kaitlyn



For everyone else this is day two, but for me this is only day one. I got a call Friday morning saying that I might not be able to get my passport on time and I may not be able to even go on the trip. My mom told me that if it didn't work out there was a reason for it, and I wasn't meant to go. When we had almost given up hope, two options suddenly appeared. One was to drive to the Philly office where my passport was being approved and the othe option was to switch my flight and have me fly down to Guatemala City by myself. We made plans to make an emergency trip to Philly until we discovered that the Philly office closed at three and there was no way we would make it there in time. So we expedited my passport to get it there on Saturday and switched my flight to Sunday. God found a way for me to get to Guatemala and that made it apparent that I was meant to be a member of the '09 Guatemala team. I was okay with flying from Pittsburgh to Atlanta by myself, but from Atlanta to Guatemala was a completely different story. I have never flown internationally by myself until today. I was so nervous about getting all the right papers and filling them out correctly, and figuring out where to go once I got off the plane. But luckily while I was sitting in Pittsburgh International Airport waiting for my flight to board I overheard a group of people talking about how they were flying to Guatemala City. As the plane began to board I walked over to them and explained my situation and asked if they could help me get through immigration and customs once we landed in Guatemala City. Without these people I don't know if could've made it through everything as smoothly as I did. After I made it through customs and immigration i was rushed out the door by a security guard. When I stepped outside the airport i was overwhelmed by the huge crowd of people waiting for their family members, friends and relatives. I stood by the wall for a good 20 minutes and there was no sign of pastor scott anywhere. I began to a little worried and scared. I had no clue where he was, let alone where I was. Then a missionary came up to me and asked if I needed help or to call someone. She even offered to drive me Casa del Ray, where we were staying, which was about 3 hours away from Guatemala City. I was so thankful for the people God put into my life today. My faith was put to the test, but I continued to trust in God and he came through for me. Hannah S-J


4 bombs went off last night during our sleep. I heard 3 of them, I don't remember the 4th one. Guatemalan's make small makeshift bombs to set off for numerous reasons including to scare off spirits and to celebrate birthdays. It is very common to hear these bombs go off anytime of the day or night. The hard work has not set in yet. Today we attended a church service for missionaries and then headed to the market to do some shopping. I had 3 young girls follow me for 20 minutes trying to get me to buy their toys. I bought a couple stuffed animals from one of the three girls and the two other girls were VERY upset that I didn't buy from them. They proceeded to follow me and tell me that to make it up to them for not buying their toys, I had to buy them ice cream. I laughed and said no.

I have very mixed emotions in the market, ranging from deep sadness over the poverty of the people to joy in seeing the simplicites of their life. It was hard to see the babies strapped to the mom's back for what seemed to me HOURS of the day while the mother's sold their wares. The 3 year olds who sat in their mother's lap for what seemed HOURS on end while their families sold items. Their didn't seem to be a lot of joy in the children's eyes. I can't imagine my daughter having to sit with me at work for hours and hours and hours and have to do it everyday.
I was speaking with a woman as I was purchasing an item and she asked me if I was pregnant. (because I do look so) Now, earlier this week, I told myself that I would not pass up a moment to talk of my son and how he is no longer in my life and I can still bless the Lord's name, so this was my moment of truth. I told her that I had a son 4 months ago that passed away. She looked at me with great concern and said something that I have no idea what it meant and we parted ways. I don't know why we were meant to have that conversation, but we did. I had another conversation here at the hotel and found out about 2 other women losing children who are in the neighborhood, so with an odd anticipation, I hope to speak with them. I shared with my group tonight that I feel very humbled to be one of 27 that God has brought here for a reason, for a purpose. I feel so inadequate right now in my life as I feel I have been needing a lot of comfort from those around me as opposed to giving it right now. I pray that God will show me his purpose and show me while I am here to take full advantage of it.

Well, games are being played right now, I must go join everyone. God is good all the time.
Hannah H.