Day one...via Jill

Hey All!

This is Jill Chrusciel and my first time to come to serve in Guatemala. I am feeling a draw to serve the Hispanic community in some way and as God often does, he hasn't fully fleshed out his plan. :) So, took a step out in faith and served on the Rio Bravo, Mexico construction team in spring 2010. Had such an amazing experience, I wanted more and dove headlong into learning the language and preparing for this trip. My daughter saw my enthusiasm and chose to donate any money she received for her birthday toward the cost of my trip. Such a humbling and unexpected blessing!!

Here's how it's going so far . . .

11 members, 22 pieces of luggage, three airports, torrential rain, customs processing, connecting with our host families. Lots of places for anything and everything to go horribly wrong. But, God provided amazing traveling mercies and not a single person or personal item was lost. (There were a few touch and go moments upon the descent into the Guatemalan airport--more like the Screaming Eagle at Six Flags, and on the journey to the New Life Children's Home--a full-on traffic no-holds-barred cage match free-for-all.) So, it looked like God used the concept of contrast to demonstrate just how good he was to us. :) Thank you to all of our supporters for the fervent prayers. Totally answered!!

We are in the process of getting acclimated, meeting the kids and gathering materials for our camp beginning Tuesday. Please continue to pray for the camp time with the kids that we can see the love and delight God has for each of them and show them this love in a tangible way--through marshmallow dodgeball, carnival games and s'mores. ;)

Muchas Gracias!

Jill