Drew and Peter at the Grand Plaza
Star Wars shot
Julie, Geoff, and Tommy
Climbing the steps
Spider Monkey

Casa Shalom


Petthehorse.com

What a trip.

In myriad ways, we were able to experience God's provision, the beauty of creation, the uniqueness of cultures, the joys of friendships, and the mirth of laughter. We have gained a new perspective on our lives and our Savior.

Thanks to all of you who supported us on this trip: whether through financial giving, prayer, donations or following along with us...you were such an integral part of our team, you allowed us to be a blessing to many people. Thank you.

Thanks also to the Osborn family and their love and care for us while we were in Guatemala. Thanks Dave for guiding us along.

Thanks to Julie (and Tomas) for the hours of planning, preparation and prayer that you put into it. Much of what we have learned and now love is a result of your passion and foresight. You guys are awesome...Tommy you are so gifted with people, thanks for helping us to meet Ricardo, Jose and Margarita.

Thanks to all the team members for being willing to take a step of faith and go on this trip and for choosing to have a positive attitude in the midst of many subject to change moments. Life is all about relationships and the relationships that we've gained and strengthened over the last 8 days will make each of our lives more full.

Thanks to our God and Father who has blessed us with every heavenly blessing in Christ Jesus.

-Geoff

Hanging out on the pyramid in Tikal in the evening. Only 1 other person was in the park with us!

Waiting for news about how we'd be getting home, at the Continental desk, for over 2 hours this morning.

Some of our team members cutting potatoes at the Imperio Maya restaurant. Most of our team was in Margarita's kitchen helping her make our dinner. Fun.

Julie speaking...So after a LONG day in the airports of Guatemala City and Houston, the rest of our team is on their way home now. While it was frustrating to have our flight delayed, then canceled, then delayed again, it was worse for the poor Continental agents (Pobrecita Itza) trying to figure out how to get 14 people back to San Diego. No other airline had room for us, so we're thankful God worked it out. We're thankful too that we found Kate's passport (in my purse, somehow) and that Tomas finally made it through secondary inspection at Immigration! We wanted to leave you with a couple more pictures of our adventure. Hope you enjoyed experiencing it with us! This was an amazing group of people and we're sad to end our time together. Please pray that each person continues to learn the lessons God has for them and that not even one of us would go back to life as it was. May we all be changed.

P.S. To my team, thanks for the soccer ball! I love it.

Tikal Star Wars shot
Group photo
on top of the rainforest

Yalu
building a coopdelivering a coop to una mujer
ninos de yalu
delivery

We come home tomorrow. We have had an incredible couple of days, there is really no easy way to describe them except that they have been life-changing in many ways. Absolutely full of God. Thursday we went to an indigenous village named Yalu, it was about an hour outside of Guatemala city and Dave took us to a ministry they have there where they provide meals for many in the village. We built 9 chicken coops and Kate and Dave drove to Antigua to get baby chicks and feed. We delivered 6 coops to families in the village with 10 chicks in each. It was both beautiful and heartbreaking and beautiful again. We all gained such a perspective on the simplicity of life and a reminder on the things that matter in life. Friday we flew to Flores and drove an hour into Tikal national park. We woke up at 4.30 am and landed in Flores at 7.30 am. We spent the morning tourning the Mayan ruins in the rainforest with our guide, Donald. We all agree it was the most beautiful place we have ever seen. So mysterious and powerful, Tikal is a place unlike any other. Plus, it was used for a shot in the original Star Wars, so that´s pretty sweet. We came to our little hotel in the park for lunch, naps and swimming in the pool for relief from the humidity and mosquitos. In the evening most of us went back into the park (about 25 minute walk from the hotel) and toured more ruins, climbing to the top of one of them for a 360 degree view of the forest and sunset. Breathtaking. Dinner was a Tomas special. We visited the 1-star restaurant of Margarita, a sweet little lady that Tomas and Julie knew from last year. Our group ended up being the clientel, the waiters, and the kitchen staff all at the same time. It was hilarious...great greasy fries. This morning we took a canopy tour of the rainforest in our zip lines and harnesses. What an rush. So much more to tell you, we'll have to do it face to face. Holy smokes, Brazil is about to lose to France in the World Cup. That may be the most amazing thing we've seen yet. Love to all. See you tomorrow...we land at 1.50 pm in San Diego, Continental Airlines from Houston...we expect signs and a large contingency.