Picnic and fun day for the girls

We had a great Saturday here at the Oasis. It started out at lunch where we BBQ'd hot dogs and hamburgers for the girls and the Tia's. It went really well except for the charcoal did not quite want to start so the meal was delayed about fifteen minutes. The girls still loved the food.

 Afterward we all played games with Randy the Game Master. Some of the games we played were with balloons which went all over the place because of the wind. We also did a number of relay races and "Steal the Bacon", which the girls had a lot of fun with.

Dennis closed out the games by praying for the group. Then we had a rousing game of soccer where five of the guys played against the girls. Some of the girls had pity for us and played on our side. It was a very fun afternoon.

For lunch we fed them, for dinner they fed us. We had a typical Guatemala dinner that the girls normally have. Xochitl and I went to the Purple House, which is the same house that I have been to for the past four years. It was nice to have Xochitl there to help cross the language barrier. We talked about what they were going to be doing in the future and about what it was like at home in Minnesota. The evening ended with the Tia asking to say a prayer for us, after which, Xochitl prayed for the girls. To finish off the day our team closed with recap and devotions.

~Dan

We arrived safely. Thanks for your prayers!

Buenas Noches!

After standing in long lines at the Minneapolis airport with only twenty minutes to make it to our terminal, a few instances of heavy turbulence, we made it successfully to Guatemala. All our baggage arrived and there were minimal issues with customs. Our KAG Team Hosts, Matt and Nora, were waiting there for us and gave the team our first look at the newest member of their family, baby Eva.

Unloading our gear and supplies upon arrival. 

Meeting Matt & Nora's new baby, Eva.

 After we loaded up the fifteen passenger van with our baggage we started making the hour plus drive through traffic towards San Lucas.The familiar smells and sounds of Guatemala (Dust, vehicle exhaust, honking horns, wood fires) started to present themselves. We are always impressed with the way Matt and Nora are able to maneuver through what most of us would consider extreme and aggressive driving conditions.

The girls are always willing to take us on in soccer or basketball.

Arriving at the Oasis we quickly downloaded our bags and sorted our personal belongings from the tools and equipment. The girls where still in their houses when we arrived finishing up a Bible class or one of the their counseling sessions. Most of the girls were out and about after our team received a orientation brief from Matt on some of the changes to the KAG program. There were hugs and laughs as the girls greeted us and we started the process of getting to know some of the girls for the first time. A few of the team played basketball with the girls while a couple of the Oasis staff went over the weekly projects.

After the girls returned to their houses for the night, the team sat down for a dinner of corn and rice, mixed with a beef and potato stew.  For devotions we discussed Christ's mission for the poor, oppressed, and afflicted. There was insightful dialog and a renewed commitment to be on the alert in our daily lives for instances to 'do onto the least of these".

After a very early flight this morning, we are looking forward to a good nights sleep...That is if the dogs and roosters don't keep us up all night.

Caleb


P.S. Team member Xochitl Cachon's father was admitted into the hospital just hours before we left Minnesota. Please pray for him and his doctors as he is fighting both pneumonia and influenza. Pray for Xochitl as she shoulders this burden from down here in Guatemala. Thank you.

And we're off!

T-minus 6 hours and counting. Our 5AM departure is approaching fast. Thanks to God that we should get out between snow storms without any flight delays. We hope.

We were able to gather together at church this evening to share pizza and prayer with our families. What a sweet time of fellowship and anticipation together. Afterwards we loaded up many of the items we're bringing down to the staff and missionaries at The Oasis. Thanks to your generous support, we were able to buy badly needed replacement tools and supplies they can't get in Guatemala easily. We filled up at least a half dozen extra suit cases.

Please pray for traveling mercies and safety on our flights down there and also on the roads in Guatemala. With little to no traffic laws or enforcement, we covet your prayers for us in this area.

Lord willing, we'll have an update for you once we're settled in at The Oasis late Friday.
Thanks friends!

Ever-Onward!