Day 6: It Changed Everything

Maria and Lauren

Our day began with devotions led by Guatemalan missionary, Carlos. He reminded us that our experiences change everything. Because we are God's children, it changes everything: our outlook, our "back-look," what we do, and what we say. And today was one of those days that changed everything.

It wasn't that our day in Amatitlan was unexpected, but it was just an exceptionally high quality day that changed us. Kelsey, Lauren and I had the opportunity to visit the homes and families of the students we sponsor (Karen, Maria, and Joel, respectively). The team divided into three groups; each group went to one of their homes. Each visit was extra powerful because we all felt an emotional connection to the families; the sponsorship program really does make a difference in their lives which bonds us in some pretty powerful ways. Believe me, it is a definite win, win. Each family story is substantially different from the other as are the homes.  Every time we step into a home we discover another way of looking at and thinking about the world, and that happened in spades today.

Joel's family and friends  

Karen and family and Kelsey and friends

Gonzales Park is about as far from a park as it gets. It is a big slab of concrete, period.  Groundwork quickly transforms the "park" with tents, plastic molded stools, and approximately 600 people of all ages who appear out of nowhere on foot.  It has the potential for complete chaos, but instead, everyone knows the drill.  The kids go to one corner, the adults two corners, and the teens to the other corner. Then the music and faith lessons begin.

"The Skit"

The Voices

Amanda and friends

Sally and Joel

Amanda and Nate and their new best friend 

Olivia and friends

Kara and one of her many new friends

Riley and Alaina helping with the teen lesson 

Team and Guatemalan missionaries by the lake

I hope you can tell from the photos that we had a blast.  Those with the gift of instructing young children did, those of us who groove on teenagers were hopefully in the groove, and those of us who are blessed with the desire to adult educate, shared the faith with the adults.  We were all back on that adrenaline again, and it felt good.  I hope the photos capture that we were changed today... for the better.

Before we left Amatitlan, but after we convinced Jim U. he could not take any children home with him, we stopped by Lake Amatitlan to take a few photos, but the highlight turned into dancing on the sidewalk... without the music.  You had to be there.

God's blessings and thank you,

Nathan Rico Suave, Alaina, Kelsey, Sue, Debbie, Bruce Willis, Jimmy Sue, Maui Jim, Emily, Lauren, Amanda, Kara, Emma, Jenna, Riley, Olivia, and Sally