A Fall October

October was my month to be home-and I thank God for every minute of it! I came home first foremost for my cousin Alyson’s wedding. I was the maid of honor and my sister the matron of honor. It was a huge blessing to be asked to be a part of her special day, and a wonderful day full of excitement and visiting with my Dad’s side of the family. The weekend after, another friend of mine got married and I was able to attend her wedding. Her wedding was attended by some of my close friends and my sister and brother-in-law, and it made for a great night J I love weddings-they are days full of hope, and so much joy.

Apart from that, I had the chance to get some important dental work done. As I said, I was thankful to God for the opportunity to be home, and that includes even the dental work! I’m thankful that I have the chance to take care of my health; a luxury that not everyone has. Needless to say, I am very glad it’s over!

The rest of my time was spent mostly visiting with immediate family. I appreciate them. I love being able to watch my younger niece and nephew and see how much they are changing and developing. I love being with Eli, my brother, even though he doesn’t play as “normal” children do. Haley, my sister, is 13 and I can honestly say that I even love hanging out with her! She has the most genuine heart and I love watching her growing up as well. It is always special to reconnect with my parents, and my sister and brother-in-law who are four of the most important people in my life.

I had the chance to meet with a bible study from CUMC, and also to speak with sponsors. Letters were given to two families who sponsor students to go to school; expressing their gratitude. Letters are also being brought back to one of these students, encouraging him to continue on in his studies. My church has been supportive to not only me and meeting my financial needs, but also for smallchangeforbigchange. The only words I can say to these people are thank you, and I cannot thank them enough.

As I look back at these 2 ½ weeks, I can’t help but say that it hurts my heart to know that I’ll be so far from them again for so long. But I cherish these memories and no that no matter what, wherever I am, they are still my family and a part of me. I thank God for my time! God bless you all.

 

Monday Morning Blessings

It is a beautiful ritual to sit in the morning when the world is waking up with a cup of coffee and start my day. I think most people have morning rituals that help us start the day of well, especially on a day like today, which is Monday! God is good.

Smallchangeforbigchange received a large donation to install 50 stoves! Every stove and family counts, and it is not about large amounts of donations or projects. But what blows us away is the fact that someone believes in the project to send that amount, and want to help that many people and be a part of Guatemala this way. It is also perfect timing, God’s perfect timing, as the donations for these projects have been low. It is yet another confirmation that God’s hand is here and working alongside us. What a privilege.

The stove donation was supposed to start last week, but we were disappointed when we found out that the road to the stove factory is under construction, and there is no way to get through to pick up the materials. Again, we just have to trust God’s perfect timing.

On Saturday, Ana, one of our University students who will begin in January and one of my English students had me over to her house for lunch with her family to meet her Mom. It was a special afternoon; full of stories, seeing photos and the things that she owns that she is proud of. It is another privilege to build relationships with incredible people like Ana and her family, and encourage one another in faith.

Last weekend, September 15, was Guatemala’s Independence Day. The streets, in all towns of the country, were full of parades, street vendors, games, typical outfits, concerts, bombas, also known as firecrackers. Families spend the day together participating in the activities and spending time together with friends, much like our 4^th of July. I love holidays, and enjoyed being able to experience this one here along with its many traditions.

Santa Catarina Barahona 10K

I hope this new month finds you all well, and everyone enjoyed their summer. I can’t really believe it’s already September and that summer (at least at home) is over. Time goes by so quickly. As all of the students in the states are beginning their new school year, the ones here are in their last two. They finish at the end of October. Many of them are preparing for September 15, Independence Day, where they will participate in parades and activities in the communities with their schools. As I mentioned before, our two University students are now taking exams and registering for the 2014 school year. It is a very exciting time!

I have been participating in various 10K and 12K’s around the area, and ran one in Santa Catarina Barahona on Sunday. This specific race was special because it was in the community where SCFBC works. So all throughout the race, I saw the families that we’ve worked with, and those children that go to Paso a Paso project. It was also special because there was a team from smallchangeforbigchange that participated as well! We made jerseys and were able to give them to our friends who raced, and they wore them proudly. It was a difficult route, called “The Ascent” but everyone had a great time and finished!

It was an encouraging day, mainly because it was an incredible thing to be able to see everyone in the community I love all in one day. I feel blessed all of the time to be able to know such amazing people, and build relationships with them that are like no other. Our one employee, Enoc, (on left in photo) began an intensive 3 month English program at a school called Maximo Nivel. I have been teaching him English and practicing with him, but this will be every day. He will be sponsored as a student, and it will benefit him greatly in the work because he will be able to communicate more with teams and volunteers.

As always, I am grateful for the financial help that the members of CUMC have provided me. Without that support, I would not be here and am continually thankful!

Romans 8:37-39

God is amazing. Just as donations have been slower than in the past few months, a few different people have sent money for stove and chicken coop projects. It never gets old that God always comes through! I am very excited for our very first two University students. They have been waiting to study for a long time now, one of which I have mentioned before. (Ana). Both already have sponsors who are ready to begin with funds in September. One begins taking exams then, and the other will register. All of which have some costs. But their school year begins in January. I am so proud of these girls and looking forward to how God provides for each of them! Their programs are 6 years long, and I know there is a long journey ahead. But I know God has a plan and will stay with them through these years. I have extremely high hopes for their future.

At the same time, it has been a challenging day. There are two students that will no longer be in the education program for various reasons. It is difficult to tell these families this news, but after MUCH thought and prayer, I know this is what God wants. (But it doesn’t make it any easier!)

Romans 8:37-39
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Those are powerful words. I am astounded that even despite my weaknesses and most awful mistakes, Jesus Christ still loves me. How is that even so? It is literally unfathomable to me. But He does. I get so distressed when I feel far from Him, and know that I am the one that is distancing myself. And yet He will continue to love and forgive me, until my last day on earth. He is full of a grace that I cannot understand. It is not only my prayer to accept that grace and love and forgiveness, but to share to everyone I come in contact with.

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!

Joy and Contentment

I want to say thank you to my church family for being so supportive and loving to my family through the 15 years that we have been at Catonsville United Methodist Church! I heard it was a beautiful party last week, my parents and siblings were overwhelmed. You all are a blessing to our lives and we are thankful that we’ve been able to spend so many years growing with you all! 

I am in the process (already) of making a list of students for the year 2014. I have been feeling the Lord pressing on my heart to work with University students, and have scholarships for those desiring to study in college. So far there are 3 students in mind, two of them have to pass exams to enter and the other I am going to meet with next week to see if she is a potential candidate. College in Guatemala is relatively expensive and for many teens who graduate, they don’t have the opportunity to go. I am praying that God leads in this direction if it is what He wants, and I know He will certainly provide the students! For those who are interested in sponsoring, we will have the option of half sponsorships, since it will be around double what a monthly sponsorship costs. Ana Garcia, (on left in the photo), is one of my English students and hoping to be in the program. She already has her sponsors lined up, and is in the process of studying for exams! She has been saving for about 4 years working at a local coffee shop to enroll and was going to continue saving money for many years to come. Say a prayer for her.

I will be coming home for 2 weeks in July! My visa expires in August and I was planning on taking a trip somewhere, and after some thought decided it would be very worth to be home and visit with family. My heart has been missing my family so very much; it always does but more recently since here has become my permanent home for the time being. I don’t have to mention again how much I love and appreciate my family; I’ve mentioned it many times before! I’ll admit, there times, especially when I see photos and videos of the younger ones, that I wonder if I am doing the right thing? In missing part of their childhoods, have I been making a mistake? After thought and prayer, I know that this is where God has me, and almost all of the time does He require some kind of sacrifice. He knows what He’s doing when He calls us to something. But He gives us JOY and CONTENTMENT through it all, and a peace in our heart that allows us to continue on, even though it may be painful. There is always reason to be thank HIM!