Addisyn's Devotion

Tonight Addisyn Block shared her story of her mission project that many in Leroy took part in this year...that was to give up lunch one day to donate the money you would have otherwise spent. She was inspired by her trip to Africa to get her sister and by Proverbs 24:12, which reads:

"Once our eyes are opened, we cannot pretend we don't know what to do. God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows what we know and holds us responsible to act."

This week we are surrounded by children who do not hear each day how much they are loved. Somehow, by our presence, we hope to show them that they are loved by the only one who can truly give unconditional love. And yet, we know that we will leave at the end of the week. Others will come and go, too. We realize that we don't have to go to Guatemala to see this. There are youths even in Leroy who do not know the blessing of parents who make them feel loved each day and there are people in Leroy who do not know Christ's love for them.

Now we know...

Birthdays

Maddie and Steve celebrated in style with fireworks, a fun day of work and play and tres leches for dessert.
WooHoo!! Feliz cumpleanos a todo!

Nolan

Nolan, while not quite as mean as Ethan, he to got a surprise. He got a nice chicken foot for his lunch

Ethan

Due to Ethan's "meanness" (according to Kaycee), he ended up with a surprise chicken head on his plate for lunch!

Solola Market

Went to the farmers market in Solola. This is not a tourist market, but one where the locals shop. It was crowded with Guatemalans wearing thir traditional woven outfits, the color patterns represented their home village. The isles were narrow and we stuck out. I heard the word "americanas" a couple times! The sights and smells were interesting!

Family

It feels like family! Ever since we got here we haven't felt like an "outside" group. From the greeting we got on Saturday and each day since Todd, Amy, and Pedro have been awesome! They want to make sure we are happy and satisfied with everything that we are doing. In fact it seems like we are the ones being served! I know we are here to help and serve the kids and families but we will go home with a special feeling about this place because of the families that are serving here. I know that the new Village of Hope in San Lucas will be an incredible ministry because they have an incredible family who will be running it. Thanks Block family!

Birthdays Guatemala

Today is Steve & Maddies birthdays. Tradition here is to set off a meter legnth of firecrackers for each year of birth...at 5:00 in the morning. We've heard them coming up from shacks in the Vally some mornings. Interesting what traditions hold in a third world country. The Block kids & syd made sure we didn't miss out on this tradition! Here is a picture of purchase of the fireworks late last night at a little shop at the bottom oh the hill in Solola...and a picture of the mess left in front of our cabanas