Where are we going?

Well, in a previous post I had stated that I was only going to take a few kids out at a time.  As a parent I should know better than make such a bold statement.  Today was a day with just the Schrock's and the Smith's.  After debating on what to do with our time we decided to drive into the capital, Guatemala City, and go out for dinner.  With 9 kids, one 15 year old and 4 adults where are we to go?  Well we decided on a location that has good pizza, games, and seating for all.  This location is in the states and a place I have told my kids many times, no we are not going there.  Where did we go you are wondering?  Chuck -E - Cheese.  you are thinking are you kidding me I know you are!  Yep we took the whole tribe to Chuck E Cheese.  It went relatively well, despite the excruciating heat in the restaurant.  Then Heidi and I had to run to a store like Sam's club and grab a few bulk items while the rest went to Mc Donald's for ice cream.   Now I know you are thinking, I thought they went to Guatemala, a 3rd world country.  We did, but sometimes some normalcy is nice to have.  So, our Sunday was full of family time and excitement before the team arrives tomorrow at 11:30. 

Short Run Down

Well it has been a few days since we updated.  Nothing extra ordinary has occured, but here are a few updates.

On Wednesday evening we took a walk down the 'road' as a family.  We saw some amazing scenery and had a great time as a family.  The quote of the day came from AJ on the hike.  When we were at the bottom of the hill AJ nonchalantly said with her attitude, "I want to take a picture of all you WHITE people."  We about fell over in laughter, this is the photo that came from that comment.

Then on Thursday; Justin, AJ and Caleb were able to go to Antigua with the team that was still here.  They went out to eat at Pollo Compero and went shoping for a few small item.  While they were out they saw a blind man laying on the side of the road, Justin gave him some change and AJ's heart broke.  AJ doesn't understand why there are people that are so poor.  How do you explain that to a 7 year old?? 
While they were away, I was able to hang all of the curtains that were made for the dorms and Noami's apartment.  One task complete.
Then on Friday we as a family went out to eat, a drive that is down a bumpy road and takes about 20 minutes to get to.  While eating I was reminded why we don't go out very often, it was totally crazy.  The kids were all over the place and continuelly needing my attention.  Did I eat my food or did Kira eat it all?  I don't remember much of the busy meal except I made a mental to only take a few kiddo's out at a time.  Parenting in a 3rd world country isn't much different than home :) 
So that brings me to Saturday morning; The rest of the team left this morning, that means that Aunt Katie had to go home.  It was sure nice having her here.   We were able to sleep in a bit this morning, and Miya is adjusting a little bit each day, that is an answer to prayer.  We get to keep getting ready for the team that is coming on Monday.  The village we were going to build in had to get switched because The bridge is out on the road we need to take.  So, we will be building really close to the base for the first 3 teams. 

Well, that is a short run down on our last few days.
Vicki

A Trip to remember

Sorry that we do not have pictures for today...imagine driving in downtown LA....yeaah, easy compared to today.  SO, Vicki, Miya, Heidi, Eli, and I went into Guatemala City...roughly 45 miles away.  We had to take in one of the 15 passenger vans (Macho) to get realigned or something.  So we left at 9am for our day.  We then picked up the other one (Suzi) to run some errands  We then needed to get groceries for the base, the Smiths and for the Schrocks.  Since we have a team still here we were almost out of food. Yep, the team that was supposed to leave on May 29 is still here.   Some will be able to leave Friday and the rest on Saturday...maybe.  We also dropped off a few locals at the hospital so that they could pick up a friend who was getting discharged today.  Oh, and there is no cross over.  So if you are going one direction on Roosevelt Road, you are going that direction for a good 3 miles before a CHANCE to turn around.  Throw in the fact that we might need to take the locals and there friend back too, we were busy.  We went to HIPER (owned by Wal-mart) and then to Price Smart (Sam's Club) for groceries and supplies, went to eat at... (drum roll) McDonalds.  PLEASE, do not tell the kiddos.  Yep, that Big Mac tasted pretty good.  As went eating HOT McDonalds food, we were almost laughing that the only kid with us was Miya.  Needless to say, if tasted good.  Long story short, after many turn arounds (are we picking them up?  Where is the entrance to the Hospital?  Look out for that Taxi!) we finally made our way back.  When we stopped to drop off our passengers, they were so grateful for the ride for their friend (he needed to lay down and would not be able to do that in the bus), we were invited in for pop and cake (this is now 6:10pm)...neat experience. 
Well, a long day, but a good day.  The rest of the clan played at the base with the team and even did a little more work.  The team got the bathroom done, so the apartment is done!  Minus the sink and counter in the living room, this was not on the plans for now anyway.  It is nice to have our own space for the family to "get away"  Beans and rice again for supper...ooohhhh so good!  Excitement, Caleb lost a tooth today too. 
I am starting to see double, so I will say good night for now and go shower.  Thank you for your prayers....OH, random.  About the capital.  We drove past the airport and it is totally shut down.  the whole city is in clean up mode from the ash from the volcano.  It was cool seeing all the black ash everywhere in piles.  Very similar to glassy sand.  We will try to collect some the next time we are in the capital.  Updated prayers:  that the airport would open up this weekend so the team may return home/  for the villages that lost a lot, and for the summer teams that will start to come on Monday.  Again, this would be seriously a miracle....but if the road to the base could get paved.  The city or government started, but did not finish.  SO picture nice smooth sand roads.....then with Guatemala weather on them.  I would take Iowa potholes anyday.  It takes 20 to 30 minutes to get to Chimaltenango (about 7 miles away).  Dios Le Bendinga y ve con Dios  **God Bles You and go with God**

God's Beauty

Well, yesterday morning we woke to a different sound, quietness.  The building we are staying in is made of tin and with all the rains it is almost deafening with the rain on the roof.  But yesterday morning the rains had ceased.  AJ and Caleb had prayed for the rains to stop and God's mighty wisdom matched their prayer.  We continue to get acclimated to the world we will be living in for the next few weeks.  The sky was clear this am too so we got to see the view from our appartment windows ~ a million dollar view!

Miya still struggles; is it teeth issues, too many people, or just the unknown?  Continue to pray that she transitions well soon!

Today, much work continues to be accomplished as the building team has been unable to leave.  They were scheduled to leave on Saturday, but now may not be able to leave until This coming Saturday.  Pray for this team has they have many things that the 'were suppose' to be doing in the states.  I woke up this am wondering what on earth did I get myself into, but God continues to reveal Himself in the beauty all around, nature, children, laughter, accomplishments, sun sets, the list goes on.  Thankyou God for the joys you have placed around us; please allow me to see each blessing from you!

Vicki

Day 3 Saturday May 29

prayer requests for now: 
*with the volcano erupting, flights are canceled until Tuesday.....the team of 10 were supposed to leave today

*it is raining 24/7...raining HARD.  even Dan said this is unusual for this time of year.  this causes a few problems: 1. the road is almost washed out, so even if there are flights on Tuesday, it is still a question mark as if we can get them to the airport.  2.  The water truck cannot get here and with the rain, we dare not run the pumps, because then we might be pumping muddy water into the water tower  3.  supplies are not able to go out to the village for the first building team for the next week.


Prayer request:  that God would stop the volcano, that the ash would cease, and that the rains would stop.  Mircale prayer, that the government would finish paving the road this summer!  Pray though, knowing that our God is bigger than any other problem or hurdle that we ever face.  We are grateful that spirits are still well and work is still being done  

Day 2 and us versus a volcano

Day 2 here brought us BETTER energy after a great night of sleep.  We were exhausted yesterday.  We jumped in and joined the team of 10 here that were working on the apartments and helped where we can. They are amazing  (both apartments and team).  We both chatted about how God has really grown this ministry as well as the staff and buildings.  It has been fun.  Vicki hung curtains and was a busy little bee, and I jumped in the electrical "team"  (just Bob and me).  We put sockets, changed 3 way switches, put covers on (harder than it sounds when the boxes do not line up and the screws are jjjuuusssstttt, that much shorter.
So, funny story.  Today, AJ said that she wants to live in Guatemala forever....translation, she loved the beans, rice, and homemade tortillas and guacamole that we had for lunch.  Top that with the pancakes for breakfast (Caleb was happy) and the lasagna for supper, the crew said that they are definitely leaving with gained weighed and a happy heart.
So, now about the volcano.  Do not worry everyone, we are completely safe from it.  The Schrocks did see smoke coming from it when we were driving home from the airport.  However, the airport is closed and a question mark as to when it will open up.  Continental has a flight (maybe) going out on Sunday night....but all the airlines are saying, plan on Monday OR Tuesday.  SSSSooooo, the building team of 10 is with us for a few more days.  Yes, the Iowans and Michigan folks are here a few more days.
    Now for the story, now that the dust has settled....even if the ash has not.  So we got to the airport in Omaha and plenty of time.  We got to the line, and about 45 minutes later, we were ready for the security check point.  LONG LINE, about another 45 minutes later, we heard over the intercom, the gate to the Houston flight "if you are not at the gate in 3 minutes, the flight will be leaving without you."  We at that point, were 7 Schrocks without shoes on and all of our carry on bags just coming out of the check point.  Oh, yeahm we now have to check in at the gate counter too.  So Vicki ran with Miya, Em, and AJ, and I had Caleb, and Kira, and got to the gate...but realized Em's backpack was still at the security, so I ran back and snagged AFTER a different guard said she needed to check it again.  We made it on, the last people, with 5 kids 7 years of age and under, with EVERYONE looking at us with that "oh great, small kids on the plane" look.  4 of them kids did fine...Miya is lucky we love her, because from Omaha to Houston, we did not like  her too much.... :)
We had plenty of time in Houston and that flight went better with all of us taking a nap.  Yesterday seems like a blur, but after a good nights rest, we a little back to normal.  Oh yeah, we are 1 hour before the Iowa crew....no day light savings down here.  Blessings for now.  Until the next time.  Dios Le Bendiga (God Bless You)

WE ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is currently 6:10pm, and we are safe and sound at the base.  We have had our dominos pizza with the work team that is here, the kids have invaded the Smith Kids (all are loving it), and we are going around and introducing ourselves to the staff and the work team here.
We had QUITE the adventure.  We will definitely update that story, but not tonight.  We are all exhausted and ready to the dust to settle.  Thank you for your prayers for traveling mercies, they were felt...we almost missed our flight from Omaha, thank you TSA.  But, we are here, the forces that want us to not be here, have no match for THE force that is driving us, the teams, the mission, the Gospel.  Until our next update, pray for the work team, the staff, the teams will be starting to come in a few weeks, and more over the lives that will be forever changed by the Holy Spirit!  Dios Le Bendiga (God Bless You)

Twas the night before we left....

Twas the night before we left and all through the....oh, forget the cuteness of it all.  Let us boil down to the basics.  It is now 10pm the night before we leave.  We will be on the road in a little over 5 hours.  The only kiddo awake still is Emilee (go figure).  Vicki and I have most of the bags in the van.   We are busy putting the last things away, writing notes for those helping us this summer, and double and triple checking our mental lists of "what are we forgetting?".  Passports: check- bags of clothes: check- kids: check- etc etc.
We GREATLY appreciate all of the prayers.  Here is the plan, we will be leaving about 3 am (we will try not to wake the college crew staying at our house this summer), get to Omaha, fly to Houston, then fly to Guatemala City.  We are scheduled to land around 1:30 CST.  Then about an hour drive and then we are at the base to unpack and get settled into our new home for the next 10 weeks.  We will do our best to notify when we arrive, but it might not be until the evening when we can update everyone.  Dios Le Bendiga (God Bless You)

Just two days away....

Wow, the last few days have been busy.  Stressed?  No, not really, just busy.  Vicki has been packing the bags for the cherubs and we have been trying to tie up loose ends here at home, and with the ministry at church.  It is hard to believe that after a journey of almost two years exactly, we are on the eve of leaving.  People ask us if we are nervous or scared.  Really, we are unsure of what exactly the summer will look like.  We just know that we are needed and that there is need.  We have been praying for our kids and ourselves to be used in any and all ways this summer.  We do appreciate the prayers and the support.  It had been a blessing.  Well, on to tying up more loose ends before we shove off.  We will try our best to send notice when we get there, but it might take a day or two before the BLOG is up and functioning.  We will do our best to have you come along with us on this journey via notes, pictures, thoughts, and prayers.  Glory to God Forever....  HE > US

Bags are starting to fill

Well, today we started to put our possessions into suitcases.

AJ had a dentist appointment today, the last of the appointments before we leave. 

Now, what do I put at the top of the priority list?

Well, the laundry is caught up . . . for today.

Do I wash all the windows or should I wait till we get back and enjoy clean windows?

Do I, Do I, Do I?

I will just sit back and enjoy the beautiful weather and an evening with my kids!

vicki

"so...why are you going to Guatemala anyway?"

I thought that I would throw out our 2 cents on the table now, to answer the now ever famous question. When people hear that both of us are putting a pause on our jobs/ministry, taking our 5 kids (ages 7 and under), and moving to a third world country for 10 weeks, they think we are nuts! Truth be told, some days we think we are too. Here is the story
back in 08 we were able to go to Guatemala with friends and family and had a great time (once again). Vicki had the opportunity to go back then in May of 08 and chatted with Dan Smith, the missionary. He had mentioned that when they moved into the new base they would be needing extra help for the summer with the youth groups, devotions, building, medical clinics, cooking, etc etc etc. ALL....ALL of the things listed off by Dan either matched up myself or Vicki. We began to hear God's voice over the next few weeks saying....GO. Every time at first, we had a "yeah, but God..." excuse. Then it hit us. We need to be obedient first....then understanding would come.
We had a lot of life and loss from then to now. We said goodbye to a baby now with Christ and hello to two babies brought to us via adoption. Through the course of time we are now ready to go. We have about 14 days before our flight leaves.
We ask for your prayers, your thoughts, and your continued support. We look forward sharing with you when we get back as to what all God did in and through many for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Guatemala AND in North America.
Dios Le Bendiga (God Bless YOU)