We're here

One of our two travel groups arrived in Guatemala City at about 10:30 last night. The other (largely Madison) didn't arrive until 12:30 this morning. That's right, after about a 5 hour delay involving mechanical problems, a repair, changing planes and then waiting for supplies, the group on the flight to Miami left long after our planned 5:50 p.m. departure time. We are all thankful everyone (and all bags) arrived safe and sound. And just as importantly, we arrived in a good mood.

Our hosts from Los Olivos met us at the airport. Together, we took a "chicken bus" (look it up) for the 40-minute drive to the hotel Sumpango. The bus sort-of reminds us of a tricked-out Partridge Family bus (look it up). It was a comfortable if not wild ride through a quiet city and countryside. We arrived at about 2:30 a.m. and finally got settled by 3.

The hotel is perched on a hill overlooking the main highway and hills filled with gardens and farmland. In the distance (about an hour away) are several active volcanoes.

We slept in a bit this morning. The elders from Los Olivos joined us for breakfast at the hotel at about 9. Everyone had a great time practicing their spotty spanish or english over eggs, plantains, bread, juice and coffee. Afterward we had a wonderful time of worship together. The day is cloudless and clear. My guess is the temperature now (at about noon) is in the mid- to high seventies.

The construction group took a short ride to the school we are to help build. There we met several of the local men. They have already completed the walls. I'm taking a break at Armando's house to use his computer to post this report. When I left, everyone was working on digging out the floor for the 2-room school, and cleaning up the site. This afternoon we hope to begin preparing to pour concrete (by wheel barrow), and possibly painting and some electrical work. We'll see.

The rest of our group was preparing their puppets and materials for their time with the local children. We expect to hear more and see lots of pictures tonight when we get back together..

Thank you for your prayers!