Being aware

Today has been a hurry up and wait kinda day. For some its been very hard to have a day like today. The ones who have been here before or on a missions trip just want to be doing things and being put to work. The ones who haven't are just taking it all in and enjoying the sights, sounds, faces and presence of Guatemala and its villages. We did go another boat but it was a much smoother ride. More like a canoe ride then a white water rafting trip. And it was beautifully breathe taking. 

Breakfast was very good and filling and I am praising God for that because i hadn't really eaten in 2 days because I can't get past the mushy texture of foods and haven't been able to stomach a lot. Needless to say I have been very hungry which in turn makes me very tired. For me so far it's been a very very hard trip. Weather changes, surprise boat rides, strange food, no real direction on what to do or where to go....I am BEYOND stretched. Really fighting against homesickness and desiring my comfortable life back home. Where everything is familiar, weather is dependable, my husband and children are there and I don't have to get in a boat! But what would I learn if it was comfortable? So I'm trying very hard to be aware of a lesson or self revelation in everything that happens. 

Got back into the city just to eat, pack our stuff, sleep( if you can), and shower cause tomorrow we are off to church then driving 6 hours.  we will be off to Rio Dolce where we will be until Friday. Please be praying for endurance, patience, rest but above all that I'm aware of moments The Lord wants to use me. Missing home in every way. 

Pacific Adventure

Row row row your boat gently down the stream merrily merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream. Right? That's how the song goes? Well today we weren't rowing down a stream it was more like crossing the rough Pacific Ocean and we NOT so merrily doing so. 

Left Guatemala City and drove into Monterico. The drive was fine cause I couldn't see out the window to notice how many almost accident we could've gotten into. Pulled into the retreat center looked around and left for El Dormedo. A tiny little village you have to take a boat to....that no one told us about.  All of us shuffle out of the van, took 1 look at the boat and looked at each other. It was suggested we take 2 trips but the Guatemalan men said, " oh no we fine". Looking at the Sea then back at the boat I about had a heart attack. I did have a slight panic attack after everyone got on and the water started to come in the boat every time we hit a little wave from the ocean. One of my worst fears is drowning in an ocean. So there I was in a dinky boat with a ton of people in the middle of a very rough and unforgiving ocean. We made it across with lots of tears on my part and some major uneasiness from my other members. 

Next we had lunch in Pastor Vinecios church. It's one that when Dave went he got to go to and play with the kids. It's was hard on me today thinking about him and the kids considering it was our 10 year together anniversary :) Watching the children as we sat down like kings to a big lunch just stare at us and beg for our attention was heart wrenching.  Watching one little girl receive a tiny Dora doll was the high light of my day. Her little shy face accepting this great gift melted my heart. We played and made braclets and watched gigantic pigs run around for a while then headed back towards the boats. The Lord heard my cry and we did split up into 2 boats which was MUCH better. 

Watching the sun set while laying in a hammock on the third story of a building listening to the Pacific Ocean roar was exactly what I needed. My amazing husband wrote me a card for every day I'm gone so I read that and had a good cleansing cry....ladies you know what I'm talking about. Glad to be putting day 1 behind me nervous for day. Word on the street is it will involve another boat...

Yucky white paper

Roosters, people, dogs oh my, roosters people dogs oh my, roosters people dogs oh my. The sounds of the city are alive and loud this morning. The sky a beautiful purple pink as it fades into a light blue while I type. I feel like my senses are on overload. 

 

We arrived last night, not sure what time, after a very bumpy plane ride through a gigantic lightning and rain storm high up in the clouds. It was incredible to see the bolts just dance off the thick clouds. No luggage was lost or damaged and we soared right through customs. They took one look at all our bags and us and asked 2 questions and away we quickly scurried. The drive through the city at night was amazing. The people all around, even at night, the big huge building ever made or decorated out of scrap metal and signs. Just so different for me but my heart is loving it. Today I am asking The Lord to make me and my teammates so aware of what's around us and take it all in. It's just so....foreign ;) 

Today we are heading to Montirico to look around and visit. Not quite sure if we have anything concrete planned. As is in a few days all we will see is concrete as we build a "camp" in Rio Dolce for the rest of the week. Please be praying for rest and health as we continue this trip. It's not a great place for sleep and with little sleep immune systems tend not to be at their best. Also please pray I remember to not flush the toilet paper! Gosh that's a hard one to remember since trying to potty train Olivia I have been teaching her to flush yucky white paper :D  and above all that we would be used by The Lord for whatever he wants us to do.

Motion sickness is for the birds

Tossing and turning and mind racing from the days events and the days to come journeys is what's keeping me from sleeping. My adventure began today and not quite how I would expect it to.

Said goodbye to the kids, husband and mother which went pretty well I must say. I didn't cry like such a baby as I thought I was going to. I took some motion sickness meds before I left to help with the journey down. As we pulled out of the church I started to feel a little funny. My nose was tingly, my right side of my tongue had no feeling, when I swallowed I could only feel the left side, my right arm was pins and needles and I had major weakness. I took some deep breathes and started to pray. It got to the point where I told my team members in my vehicle they needed to pray cause there is something really wrong. Long story short I had side effects to the motion sickness medication which I have taken before....pretty much my whole life and haven't EVER had a reaction to it.

So today as I lay here soaking up the last few minutes I have in a soft, comfy, clean American bed I am thankful for another day and for the unknown journey that awaits me. I have been listening to all the planes that have been taking off since 4am and with every new plane my excitement and nerves grow. Some people go there whole lives without really living it and only staying in their bubble. Well I'm not one of them. I'm living! It feels strange and unfamiliar but I won't feel guilty for leaving my family I'm going to take in all the sights, sounds and smells. But above all I am going to be the hands and feet of Jesus.