I guess we will have to wait for more details and stories from our group when they return!
They are packed up and ready to head to the airport today. After getting through customs and a layover in Houston, they will return about 10:45 tonight. Pray for safe travels on this last leg of their journey!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
We're Alive!
Finally we have access to the internet!
These past few days have been very long, and very exhausting, but so far this has been a life-changing experience for everyone.
La Esmerelda, even though it was vastly different from Minnesota, was definitely worth the full two days of traveling. Everyone was so welcoming towards us, especially the kids, even though we hardly spoke the same language. We got to play a game of soccer with the youth, and we also played a bunch of smaller games with the younger kids. I don't think I'll ever forget the smiles on the kids' faces.
After La Esmeralda, we headed off to Tikal and we got a very extensive tour, and got to climb a lot of ruins, including a pyramid that was in Star Wars!
Yesterday we finally got back into Guatemala City, and today we get to participate in a quinceanera!
We look forward to tomorrow, and our two days in Antigua, and we also look forward to sharing our experience when we return home!
Hopefully we'll be able to continue to give you updates!
These past few days have been very long, and very exhausting, but so far this has been a life-changing experience for everyone.
La Esmerelda, even though it was vastly different from Minnesota, was definitely worth the full two days of traveling. Everyone was so welcoming towards us, especially the kids, even though we hardly spoke the same language. We got to play a game of soccer with the youth, and we also played a bunch of smaller games with the younger kids. I don't think I'll ever forget the smiles on the kids' faces.
After La Esmeralda, we headed off to Tikal and we got a very extensive tour, and got to climb a lot of ruins, including a pyramid that was in Star Wars!
Yesterday we finally got back into Guatemala City, and today we get to participate in a quinceanera!
We look forward to tomorrow, and our two days in Antigua, and we also look forward to sharing our experience when we return home!
Hopefully we'll be able to continue to give you updates!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Update from near Tikal
The group spent the day in Tikal yesterday exploring the ruins. There had been computers available to use in that area the last time Paul visited. This time there was wifi but no computer and our group didn't have any electronics along to access the wifi! I will give a quick report now and hopefully one or more of the travelers will update the blog this evening when they are back in Guatemala City.
Paul said they had a wonderful time in the village and enjoyed the day at Tikal. The weather has not been as hot and humid as they anticipated - low 80s with just a couple of days with some rain. I was able to say hello to some of the kids from Salem. Other than some bug bites and the minor stomach issues that come with travel, everyone is doing well.
They have a phone with limited minutes so we weren't able to talk for long. Check back later!
Paul said they had a wonderful time in the village and enjoyed the day at Tikal. The weather has not been as hot and humid as they anticipated - low 80s with just a couple of days with some rain. I was able to say hello to some of the kids from Salem. Other than some bug bites and the minor stomach issues that come with travel, everyone is doing well.
They have a phone with limited minutes so we weren't able to talk for long. Check back later!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
A Day in La Esmerelda
Our group worshiped in the village yesterday with Paul preaching and Janet and John Metcalfe renewing their wedding vows along with four other couples. They celebrated with the hotdogs and Coca Cola that our delegation brought with them for the party!
There was a time for the high school youth from our delegation and youth from the village to talk together about their lives. They also played soccer together with Guatemalans and Americans mixed up on the teams. Salem brought some good soccer players along on the trip - sounds like everyone had a good time playing together.
This afternoon, the women will be introduced to a sewing project put together by Norma Johanssen from Salem - she is anxious to hear how that goes. There will be puppet plays on the fruits of the spirit and activities for the kids led by our group.
Paul reports that everyone is doing very well. Please keep them in your prayers.
There was a time for the high school youth from our delegation and youth from the village to talk together about their lives. They also played soccer together with Guatemalans and Americans mixed up on the teams. Salem brought some good soccer players along on the trip - sounds like everyone had a good time playing together.
This afternoon, the women will be introduced to a sewing project put together by Norma Johanssen from Salem - she is anxious to hear how that goes. There will be puppet plays on the fruits of the spirit and activities for the kids led by our group.
Paul reports that everyone is doing very well. Please keep them in your prayers.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Safe Arrival and a Day of Travel
Paul called this morning with an update from our group. I could hear him but had to shout to be heard, so the conversation was mostly one-way.
Our group arrived safely in Guatemala last night, made it quickly and smoothly through customs, and slept for a few hours at the Lutheran Center.
This morning they had a wonderful breakfast at what he said was a beautiful restaurant.
They are traveling by bus for most of the day to the village of La Esmerelda, which is in the northern part of Guatemala. On the bus they will be sleeping (my guess) and working on the puppet plays and other activities they plan to do in the village.
Augustana has a partner relationship with the Lutheran Church in La Esmerelda, San Augustin. Janet, one of the leaders from Augustana, has visited La Esmerelda many, many times and Paul has been there as well so they know the pastor, leaders and many families there.
Everyone is doing well. They will be in the village until Thursday and will be back in touch on Thursday or Friday.
Pastor Lynn
Our group arrived safely in Guatemala last night, made it quickly and smoothly through customs, and slept for a few hours at the Lutheran Center.
This morning they had a wonderful breakfast at what he said was a beautiful restaurant.
They are traveling by bus for most of the day to the village of La Esmerelda, which is in the northern part of Guatemala. On the bus they will be sleeping (my guess) and working on the puppet plays and other activities they plan to do in the village.
Augustana has a partner relationship with the Lutheran Church in La Esmerelda, San Augustin. Janet, one of the leaders from Augustana, has visited La Esmerelda many, many times and Paul has been there as well so they know the pastor, leaders and many families there.
Everyone is doing well. They will be in the village until Thursday and will be back in touch on Thursday or Friday.
Pastor Lynn
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Getting ready to go!
Our Guatemala delegation of 7 youth and 3 adults will leave tomorrow morning after worship to meet up with a group from Augustana at the airport. Their flight arrives in Guatemala City tomorrow night around 10 pm. After a short night at the Lutheran Center, they will leave bright and early Monday morning for the 8-10 hour trip to visit the village of La Esmeralda (means "emerald") and the Lutheran church, San Augustin.
Please keep this group in your prayers - for safe travels, healthy bodies, joyous reunions, new relationships, learning from and about each other and about our common faith, and for those family members and friends who await their safe return.
The group will likely not have access to the internet until they return from the village on Thursday. So stay tuned to read and learn about their adventures.
Please keep this group in your prayers - for safe travels, healthy bodies, joyous reunions, new relationships, learning from and about each other and about our common faith, and for those family members and friends who await their safe return.
The group will likely not have access to the internet until they return from the village on Thursday. So stay tuned to read and learn about their adventures.
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