Iowa Mission Team

This past week we had a team of four volunteers down to work with smallchangeforbigchange for 7 days. This team included Bill Shirbourn, our third board member who lives and works for us in Iowa, his daughter, and another father and son. Unfortunately the father and son had to leave early due to a death in the family, but we able to meet an incredible family that we have begun working with.

We began in Chichicastenango visiting another project for two days, then returned to work in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. They sponsored a distribution at Hermano Pedro Albergue (an orphanage for children through adults that have severe disabilities and their families

cannot take care of them. The next three days after that we installed three stoves, and constructed two chicken coops. One of the families that we were working with this week has a beautiful story. The father, nicknamed Chaps Chaps, who is 24 and never learned to read, is now putting himself through school in the evenings. He wants to gain an education to support his family better. He has a wife, and two children. Both of the children are studying. The family lives in a remote area of San Antonio, called Alta Verapaz, in a small community of family members. This family clearly loves each other very much and enjoys each other’s company. The women took the opportunity to dress me in my first typical outfit! (Called guipil and corte). This is the clothing that the women wear daily. They typically have one or two pairs only, because they are expensive outfits. They thought it was extremely entertaining!

This particular family connected with Chaps Chaps’ family so much that he will begin our sponsorship program to be supported to continue with his education. This sponsorship will encourage him to keep going and we hope provide the extra support that this family needs; and they will know that people and God care about them!

It was an excellent week, and gave us a chance to talk in person with Bill and spend time with him. He had the opportunity to meet these special people that we serve, and see the projects and how they function a little more.

Summer Home Visit

I spent the last two weeks at home with my family. I must say that it was one of the best trips home I’ve had; I was able to spend all of my time with them, with Will and Erin too. My sister, close friend and I took a two day trip to the beach, and the rest of the time was spent with the rest of the family at home. (Not to mention Catonsville’s 4^th of July celebrations, which are unbeatable!)

Each time I am with them and the time between visiting home gets longer, I realize how much more I love them. Each person has a special place in my heart, and each relationship with every member is different. I am thankful for the new relationship I feel I have with my sister, Haley. She is 13 years old, and we are able to talk in a different way than we ever have before. What is the most difficult, is seeing her, Eli (my brother), and my niece and

nephew grow up. I was able to be home for Eli’s 11^th birthday party. I know I am missing a large part of their lives, and it is painful. That is the word that most describes it. I don’t doubt that this is where God wants me now, and where He wants us always requires sacrifice, but why does it have to be so challenging? I believe that God, through all these years, has wanted most that I lean only on Him and His strength; not the strength or support of my family. That’s not to say that He doesn’t agree with them supporting me, but rather He is the ultimate strength I need.

I took the past 2 days being back in Guatemala to “readjust” and get myself in order, and today begin working again. There is a group, Bill’s group, (our third board member) coming on Saturday. They will be here for a week, and we will be working on stoves, chicken coops, and taking some of the kids from Hermano Pedro out to lunch. We are looking forward to having them here, and spending time with Bill. He is wonderful to be around because he is extremely passionate about smallchangeforbigchange! God is good.

Please continue to pray for me and the work here; especially for wisdom and peace in my heart. I thank you all always for your support!