running here and there and having a ball

Justin here yet again.  I had another free moment so I thought that I would share with you some of the adventures of the day.  First let me back track.  Yesterday we dropped off Team Hager Park/Hillcrest and then went and got some flowers and trees and the such.  Now, keep in mind that this project was supposed to be done during May, but because of few volunteers and Tropical Storm Agatha, it was done yesterday and today.  The price we paid would have easily bought just a few trees and special plants in the states.  Oh the joy of Guatemala.  We had the back seats out of Embra and had TWO fifteen passenger vans LOADED with tropical flowers, plants, and tons of fruit trees.  Vicki is excited because Dan has made her chief landscaper on this project.
So that brings us to today.  Vicki and the girls (Caleb wanted to stay behind) went out to run a few errands: fuel up a van, pick up two "Elephant Ear" plants that we forgotten yesterday, purchase 20 Birds of Paradise and other plants at a closer greenhouse, pick up some building supplies near Ruth's house. and swing by Maxi Bodega to purchase cabbage (we have been asked to make fish tacos AGAIN.  Yes, in about 15 years when the country has caught on to the wonder of fish tacos, maybe my face will be on some of the currency....okay, enough yacking again.  We got back and unloaded and started the process of arranging the plants (in between te rain showers), repacking the construction boxes, worked on the new shelves a little, and worked on reorganizing the medical clinic (Vicki and Erin).  A busy day, but a fun one.  One little thing that I forgot was on our way to town from the base, AJ and Emilee packed a bag of candy and wanted to throw it out the window for the kids.  The local kids on the road know the white vans as the Dulce vans (Dulce is Spanish for candy or sweets).  It was a fun day.  The next team is coming on Monday.  We are excited because my folks are on that team as well.  This will be their first experience of Guatemala and Paradise Bound Ministries.  Blessings to you all!

WHAT A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How do you describe a week like just had.  Team Hager Park/Hillcrest was here and right away we knew that God was going to be doing something big, we just felt it.  We have been busy with now building an hour and a half away (compared to 20 minutes).  La Reyna is a village that could easily be missed.  It is hidden but tons of trees and is just off of a main road.  It is a former coffee plantation that the government turned into a village a little over 10 years ago.  Very few concrete houses.  A lot of homes built out of junk tin and wood.  Dan said it best when he said that there appears to be a spiritual darkness there.  I would agree, there seems to be a sense of hopelessness.  Yet, as we approached there, we are reminded quickly that with God, there is always hope.  The Tropical plants abound, coconut trees, bananas trees are also in a plentiful abundance.  We are literally at the base of Fuego, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.  Now, do not worry, it is simply that because it is smoking all the time.  Pacaya was the one that errupted and we are safe.  The team engaged the families right away and built relationships.  Paradise Bound Ministries will be building there in La Reyna for the next two years and this group was the first to build there! 
Last night was a powerful night.  The last devotions night is a great time for the team and to recap for the week.  God really moved.  We saw a granddaughter accept Christ for the first time, as her grandfather was able to kneel next to her, we saw a father and son hug and cry in a way that we can easily assume that has not happened in years if at all before, we spiritual walls be broken, we saw sins being confessed, we saw a professed atheist stop running away from his creator and ran towards....with his sister who has been praying for him there to witness.  With a team that entered into this country willing and wanting to serve others and God, ended up being blessed and changed.......we are quickly reminded that with God, there is always hope.
We say thank you for your prayers thus far.  It has hard to believe that 7 weeks have gone by and only 3 remain.  We are excited to return and share what we have seen, heard, felt, and witnessed....BUT, we know that 3 weeks remain for a reason.  Please continue to hold us, our family, this ministry, the missionaries, and the last 2 teams in your prayers.  We desire to "remain in the center of God's Will".  Our prayer is that for you who have joined us in this journey, through support, prayer, and resources, will too be blessed.  Wherever you are at in life, whatever hardships have occurred, whatever walls are up or broken down, we pray that you know that God is alive and active....and remember, that with God, there is always hope!  Dios le bendiga

Rice & Beans by Vicki

Today I looked at the menu and it said frijol y arroz.  For you non -Spanish speaking people, that's beans & Rice.  I was in charge of the noon meal today because Noami, the main chef (cook) was headed to the new village with the group to teach the women how to cook with pure water and the such.
If you are courious how it turned out look at the photos.

I made a traditional meal of Hamburgers, corn, fries, and strawberries.  Not what you think when I said traditional?  Well, I haven't quit mastered the whole bean preperation process.  Hopefully by the end of the summer I will be able to come back home and make some traditional beans and rice (with the help of a rice maker :).

















I also have some photos of the celbration that we went to with our family a few weeks back.  Feast your eyes on this!

Emilee and Ruth, best of friends.  She will always have a special place in our hearts!














AJ adores all of the beautiful children.  She is holding every baby she can get her hands on and can not wait to come back when the orphanage is open and full of babies.

This is the swimming pool of the hotel that we stayed in last week.  We were way under dressed and a few too many kids for most peoples liking.  I really kinda like the base with the kids screaming and generator running much better.

We pray these photos find each of you reflecting on the blessings that are staring you in the face.  A day doesn't go by that God doesn't give you a blessing.  Sometimes we are too dense to see them when the best gifts are staring us in the face.  Open your eyes today!
Vicki