Life in Guatemala

So sorry to be so long in posting! As you can imagine we have had our hands full getting settled, fighting a terrible virus, the kids starting school and me starting at the AMG office...so much new! We have been trying to take one step at a time so as to not get too overwhelmed by it all!

We are here! After so much work and preparations we cannot believe we are actually living and working in Guatemala. The Hastings family has been such a wonderful blessing to us...they prepared our home for us, took us shopping for basics and made what could have been a very difficult transition such a pleasure. Thank you so much Bob, Robin and Family!!!! God has blessed us so much with our home here, our children´s quick adjustment to their school and my transition into work. Our house is in the suburbs of Guatemala City and only about 20 minutes from Antigua...a beautiful colonial city that will be perfect for short escapes from the city. We are surrounded by mountains and volcanoes so the landscape is so enjoyable. The children are attending the Christian Academy of Guatemala which is only 1 block from our house...another incredible blessing! They love the school and have made great friends already with both Guatemalan and other missionary kids.

We are really enjoying finally being settled somewhere. This is the first time in several years we felt like we were laying some roots and could call someplace home. I have worked 7 days now at the office and am beginning to get a feel for this complicated ministry! I am amazed at what we do here with such limited funding, small staff and so many children! The team in our office is amazing...the majority of them could be earning more in the private sector but choose to come here every day in order to serve the Lord here. I can´t wait to share the fruit of the ministry with you all as I experience it each day. Yesterday I was introduced and got to welcome 500 primary aged students to their first day of school... it was great seeing them in their new uniforms, shoes and backpacks (provided by AMG) and their incredible excitement at being back at school... I think many of them would rather be here than anywhere else! It was also nice seeing many improvements since I was last here...fresh paint in some classrooms, a new computer lab for the kids to learn computation and a fully functioning dental clinic with a dentist. (on my first visit here they were just building the clinic.)

We still have much to learn, so much to experience here and more settling to do...but we´re here! Many many thanks to all those who have helped us to get here...supporting us with your prayers, your finances and so much encouragement... you are such blessings to us.