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Guatemala Update 2016 – Preparation for Departure

GUATEMALA UPDATE 2016 Preparation for Departure

Stretching was a major part of my preparation.

Edwin Moses

This week is all about preparation.  I like Edwin Moses’ quote above.  I know he was talking about the stretching he had to do as he prepared for competing at the highest level as an Olympic hurtler, but I think it applies to my experience this week.  I will be STRETCHING this week as part of my preparation.

In less than one week, our family will be in Guatemala. While we are there, we will be completing the construction of two new homes for two widows and their families. This is just part of the process. Much ground work has been happening ahead of our trip. Thank you to all of the fundraising which has helped to make these two houses possible. Thank you to German España and his team on the ground in Guatemala who have started building the bases for the homes. And thank you to the widows and their families who are already stepping in to help build their homes.

In the United States, we take for granted our houses and comfortable beds. Many in Guatemala (and elsewhere) do not enjoy such “luxury.” As a result, they often struggle just to survive. Our hope in providing homes for widows is to give them a boost to help them thrive and to show them God’s love in a practical way.

The crazy thing is this: our lives end up impacted just as much through this process. These will be houses number 4 and 5 on my way to a goal of 100 houses. It never gets old, and I can’t wait to participate in this ministry next week, next year, and into the future.

Thank you, David Sgro, for allowing us the opportunity to serve alongside you and G.O. Ministries. And thank you, Ann Flynn-Heffernan, for joining us on this adventure this year!

This week, our family will spend time packing our suitcases and making the final arrangements for things like transportation to and from the airport, collecting our mail while we are away, and taking care of our puppy (who’s not really a puppy any more).  While these preparations are necessary for a trip of this nature, I’m praying that God would prepare our hearts and minds to the messages and movements we experience along the way.  I’m also praying that God would open doors, open minds, and open hearts of those we will be serving.

If you’d like to join us in our preparations, you can pray for our health and safety as we make this journey.  You can also pray for Maria and Dolores and their families.  These are the women who will be receiving new homes while we are there.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can help financially in making future homes possibles for other widows in Guatemala go to our family’s Go Fund Me site by clicking here.

And if you’d like to learn more about how you can join me on a future trip to Guatemala, leave a comment indicating your interest below so we can connect.

What’s on your agenda this week?  How are you practicing preparation?  Why is this stretching you?  Let me know in the comments.