we've arrived!

We arrived in Guatemala Monday with all our bags and feeling a little tired from lack of sleep during the flights! People have been so friendly and the change in culture was immediate! The country is celebrating "holy week" which is a week long celebration.

On arriving at the FeViva base, we met the children (who instantly embraced Mackenzie and Lukas, giving them lots of hugs!) of Casa Esperanza and the other staff members who live on the base. Our hosts, Felix and Teresa, spent some time with us orientating us to what would be happening in our time with them.

Tuesday we spent the morning meeting with sponsor families. Felix, who is Guatemalan, went with us and translated and shared the stories of the families we met. We delivered care-packages of some of the items that we brought with us, as well as the toys that Sam brought along from his classmates. We didn't know what questions to ask at first but slowly got used to asking the families questions through the translator and speaking our few words to communicate. All of the families welcomed us with open arms allowing us to see their homes and meet their children. Before we left, we were able to pray with the families through a translator. In the afternoon, we spent time with the older children of Casa Esperanza, teaching them music and singing with them. We weren't sure what our hosts were expecting of us and this has been a challenge but the children love music and have been quick to learn our English songs. Chris taught the kids "Jesus Loves Me" AWANA style with the clapping and they have enjoyed that one! We as a team have also been learning our worship songs such as "Blessed be your name"; "Awesome God"; and "Change my heart O God" among others in Spanish. This has been fun and the kids love singing these songs in their own language! This has been a huge learning curve and we are enjoying it too!

Today, Wednesday, most of us spent the morning sanding the metal doors of Casa Esperanza and then putting a coat of white paint on them to seal them from rusting. Sam has been a huge help in playing with Mackenzie and Lukas and the other kids while we work! Chris spent the morning putting some pieces of computer together from some donated computers to make some "working" computers, installing Windows XP, among other things. This afternoon, we spent our time doing music with the kids, similar to yesterday and after supper have been able to come into Chiquimulilla to check our email and see more of the area.

Some things we are grateful for: all of us travelled well! (including Mackenzie & Lukas); all of our suitcases cleared customs; the staff and workers at FeViva have been so welcoming - making transition into this new culture helpful; we have been connecting with the children of Casa Esperanza in spite of language barriers; we are very thankful that Brad has been feeling good physically; Mackenzie and Lukas have been sleeping well through the night(!).

Please pray for us
- Our hosts, Felix and Teresa (married couple from FeViva) have been sick since before our arrival. They have been very gracious and helpful but are really exhausted.
- We have already been struggling with not feeling "useful" - we know these thoughts and feelings are not truth, but they are real. Please pray that we know that God has us here for a reason - whatever that may be...even if we are not to know the details.
- For Sam, to connect more with the kids and be able to relax and be himself; and for all of the kids - Sam, Mackenzie, and Lukas to adjust more to the culture and their surroundings.
- Please pray for continue health and safety. Mackenzie and Lukas are playing everywhere, drinking off the floors (much to their mum's chagrin!). Please pray that we will continue to adjust to the food and water.

Thank you for praying for us and supporting us. We love you!
~Angela for all

We have had to go into town this evening for internet access as there is currently not any available to us on the base so we do not know if we will be able to post regularly.