One Month Away

With just a little over a month to go until I head off to Yap. I am truly excited to see what God has planned for this trip. Nine months is a long time and I can't wait to see what He has planned. I have been fund raising for the last few months. So far the startup costs are covered and plane tickets are purchased. Now I am working on raising the funds for each month. I am so thankful for all the people who have already pledged to support me monthly! I am so grateful and I couldn't do it without you! I am looking forward to see God work and provide the funds for this trip.

The New Non-Profit!

This month I started my own Non-Profit that is tax-exempt! What does this mean you ask? Well this means that any money you give to Sent, Inc. will go directly to the Yap fund. AND you will receive a receipt in the mail that you can use on your annual tax return. I am so excited that this non-profit is finally up and running. I loved getting to see how God was able to use people to accomplish this task. Everything came together quickly in a way only God can do! If you want to give you can do that through PayPal or a check mailed to our Sent, Inc "office" (aka, my house). Click on the Support tab to donate!

A New Adventure on Yap

So your probably wondering, What is Brittany up to these days? While, nice question! Right now I am working on graduating this December. Then I'm embarking on my longest trip by traveling half way around the world to the island of Yap. There I will be running a school and working with the church plants on Yap. But first, I have four months to raise about $20,000. SO the FUNdraising has begun. Ready. Set. Go!

Rock climbing

So today I did something amazing. I climbed an enormous cliff (ok it probably wasn't that high but it sure felt like it). And when I got to the top I got to see the world from an entirely new perspective. I could see beautiful mountains and rolling hills and miles of breath-taking forest.

Of course, getting to the top was no piece of cake. It took a number of breaks and quite a few pep talks from my instructors on the ground. They were always guiding me, telling me where to put my feet, where hold onto, which way to go. Of course there advice was only good if I followed it.

Towards the top of my second climb, which was a lot higher than my first climb, I reached a huge piece of rock sticking out from the rock face. To my right, where this Australian guy was climbing, I could see lots of hand holds, practically a ladder to the top of the rock. But my guides were admit, go to the left. Now to the left all I saw was the big ledge In my way. I had no idea how I would get around it. Each time I tried, I failed. But they persisted. Go around the ledge and up the left. After many many minutes of debate in which I did nothing but hang there I decided to trust the people on the ground who climb the rock every day and I went to the left. And anyone want to guess what was around that ledge? Well of course it was the perfect set of hand holds leading right to the top. And I made it.

Of course that wasn't my only obstacle on the trek upwards. Oh no, half way I reached a tough patch of completely smooth rock. The next place to place my foot left my knee above my ear. They told, "just go for it. 1, 2, 3 and up!" Of course, I mean come on! My knee is next to my ear and I'm not exactly in great shape here. Let's jus say, it was not that easy. I hung there, physically exhausted, staring at that completely smooth rock. 5 minutes pasted. Then 10 minutes. And I was still staring at the rock as if I could stare holes into its surface and climb my way up. Finally I hear, "Don't think, just do! Sing a song or something! Distract yourself. Then, do it!" Well of course I could think of nothing to sing. Until a really old church hymn, whose name I can't remember, if I ever knew it, popped into my head. The lyrics were about God's strengthen. So I prayed for strength, I stopped thinking, and I climbing, all the way to the top! Haha, wait that's not what happened!!! What really happened was I fell about 2 feet then heard a voice from below yell, "Good, now try again!" Yes folks that's right I prayed for strength, He gave it to me, but I still couldn't climb the rock. It wasn't magic, it didn't come with the skills of an expert rock climber. What it did come with though, was the knowledge that I had the strength to reach the top. All I had to do, was keep trying. It took me 2 more attempts to actually make it past that bit of rock.

I prayed for strength thinking that God's strength would help me climb a mountain. Well, it did, I certainly could not have done it on my own. But, God's strength did not give me skill. Maybe I should have prayed for the skills of am expert climber, although I doubt he would give me that. To become a good climber I would need to practice and work out all the time. I would have to stay in shape and condition my body. God gave me the strength to climb a mountain, but the skills and lessons on how to climb that mountain I had to learn the hard way, by experience. I learned not to use my knee by using it and waking up the next morning looking like I had been beaten up. I learned where on the rock I could put my feet by putting them there and seeing whether or not I fell. Suffice to say, I did a lot of dangling from the rope with two instructors on the ground shouting instruction and not letting me give up. (Literally won't let me, I would hang there for a while and they would say "you go up, reach the top, then you get to come down") so I did reach the top, twice. By my third climb I stopped half way for fear of not being able to walk when I came down. Of course, it's been two days and let me just say, ouch! Walking hurts, but it's nothing compared to riding on the airplane. One flight down and four to go in the next few day, hoping my body will not be as sore when I get on my really long flights tomorrow!


Brittany Crutcher
Sent from helipad

Oh My Thai!

Well folks I am here in the lovely city of Chiang Mai! And it is quite beautiful here. Not to mentioned filled with food from practically every country. I've even eaten quality Mexican food here and you can't get farther from Mexican than Thailand! It's also filled with people from every culture, speaking nearly every language. This city has something for everyone.

Back when I visited Bangkok more than a month ago I felt that God was calling me back to Thailand. I had no idea how exactly I was going to manage to get back. But after a lot of prayer I stepped out in faith. I bought a plane ticket, booked a guesthouse room, and started to plan what I would do for two weeks in Chiang Mai. I still can't exactly tell you what God's going to do with my two weeks here but I have already met some people and watched God work in ways I never thought I would see. I have met good people who have a heart for serving however, whenever, and wherever God tells them.

In two weeks I will be back home, seeing my family after three months apart. I will go back to school and work. But the experiences this trip given me will never leave me. They have become a vital part of who I am, and more importantly, who I can become. One day I will do this, I will step out in faith and serve God however and wherever He tells me. Today I am more excited than I've ever been to see where God will call me next!


Brittany Crutcher
Sent from helipad

Preparing for Goodbyes, and Hellos

This week I am preparing to say many goodbyes. Although I have 3 weeks until I am home again, I have only a few short days with my friends here in Myanmar. I am heading back to Thailand soon to spend my last two weeks. I don’t know what plan God has in store for this trip back to Thailand, but I do know for sure that God has asked me to go there. I have learned a lot of valuable lessons on this trip. Like God’s plan and my plan are not the same, even if my plan was good and based in a desire to serve. God’s plan can’t be stopped. And if you ignore what He tells you He will come back and enforce His plan. My mother can tell you how I felt about my trip to Uganda before it all feel apart. She would tell you that I was filled with a lot of misgivings about the trip and wondering if I had missed God’s call. But I shouldn’t have worried, because He certainly got me where He wanted me in the end. Of course, it was a bit of a stressful process. So this time when I felt His call, and was sure it was His call after a lot of prayer, to return to Thailand, it was an immediate yes.

Out here in Myanmar I am surrounded by some great, Godly people. But it’s very different when you are surrounded by people outside your culture. Many time, when I faced a challenge, it was just me and God. Although I yearned for some kind of companion who felt the same things I felt I know that this trip has caused me to rely on God more than I ever had before. And I wasn’t alone at any point. Not only was the God over everything here with me but I have an entire support system back home that has helped me in some many ways I cannot express them all. Through email, messages, and phone calls I have received so much encouragement and much needed guidance, even when I was having a complete mental breakdown. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.

I am living a dream I have had since sixth grade. I never thought I would be here doing this. I never thought God had this plan for my life. If this is how it starts I can’t wait to see where God takes me next! It can only get better from here!

 

 

 

                                                                                   

The Flood

It's raining! I love the rain. When it rains really good the weather gets perfect! Since I hate the heat, I love the rain. I have always been a believer in the motto that you can always add more layers but you can only take so many off, I have preferred cooler weather. Yesterday I stood in the rain and simply let it wash over me. It was wonderful. I think everyone was wondering what was wrong with me and eventually Rev. Dorothy came and got me worrying I would die of a cold. I thought that was unlike as it was still pretty warm outside.

Today the rain was not as pleasing. Sure it meant the air was cooler, but it also meant the roads were flooded. I love water and walking through it, with one exception, flood water. I mean if it was simply rain water pooling on clean roads I would have no issue. But it's not. Firstly, the roads are not clean. Imagine a dirt road made of garbage. Then imagine storm drainage off to the side. Now these storm drains are almost always full and many times not draining. So the water just sits. And we all know what happens to sitting water. So some scum accumulated. Then the rains come and flood the road and suddenly all that scum is in the road. These drains are filled with waste of all kinds and are uncovered nearly every where in these neighborhoods.

I can remember growing up and the road down the street would flood and we would walk to it. My parents would tell me about all the dangers of flood water. Well when you need to cross the road and the road is covered with water, you cross the road. So on this trip I have walked through my fair share of flooded roads. One was so high that it came to my knees and I could barely keep my skirt from getting drenched!

Sometimes you walk through the floods, but eventually the water goes away. This trip has taught me more than just not to wear my nice shoes when it might rain. It has taught me how to hike up my skirt and walk through the flood. Through fear, confusion, heart ache, and pain. Sometimes the floods come and wash away all your preconceptions and your left feeling wet and naked. But God is always there, the water doesn't stay forever, and before you know it you are standing on dry ground. Until the next flood. And another flood will come, but it's days are numbered too. Have faith. Keep your head held hight because you are a child of God and walk through the flood water, no matter how gross, because you'll be a better person when you reach the other side.

PS. Check out this goose that wondered into a children's club meeting! Or a duck. I'm not really sure.

Traveling Myanmar

So, this week I got to do some traveling around Myanmar. It all began Sunday night with a very long night bus ride. Wondering about what a night bus looks like. Well I suggest you watch the third Harry Potter movie. And it was nothing like that. It would have been really comfy if my legs were only Asian sized. As it was I was glad to get off at noon the next day in the small city of Lasho.

Lasho was nice. Much cooler weather than Yangon and I loved it! We did some shopping, met with the pastor of the church and his family, and took a tour of the church. The next day we left for a 5 hour drive to Pyin Oo Lwin. We took a taxi with a driver and 4 passengers. It was tight and we were all happy when we arrived. The roads were like something out of a car commercial. Very curvy and tight and we were constantly passing semis. And it didn't help when we passed not one, but two, fatal accidents. Yes, could have gone without seeing those, especially since one was a motorcycle.

Now Pyin Oo Lwin was the most beautiful town I have seen this whole trip. It is small and full of fun things to do. The hotel was gorgeous and spacious and super cheap, although I do have to say that every time I walked into a hotel they charged me twice as much as my traveling companions. This hotel still rung in at only $30. No AC but it certainly didn't need it. The weather was fantastic and the town gorgeous. Horse drawn carriages, colonial style homes, and mind blowingly gorgeous flowers. We went to the church (which was amazing and surrounded by flowers), then to eat at a nice restaurant where I got some ribs and sushi. Next day we had a lovely breakfast at the hotel then off to the botanical gardens. We hiked up to the tower overlooking the gardens and town. Then we road the elevator to the top (7 stories) and walked down. It was very cool and windy and a little scary as the wooden steps were not in great shape. Then we had to walk down the epic hill we walked up to get to the tower.

Then back in the taxi for an 2 hour drive to the big city of Mandalay. Well the weather was certainly warmer, or hot. We arrived and checked into our hotel then went to see the old Palace. $1 for my friends, $10 for the white girl. Ah the life of a traveler. We climbed yet another tower, this one small, yet still needed some maintence on the steps. From the top you could see the many palace building. Most of them were the homes of many wives the kings had. And there were a lot of queen houses.

Then we went off to see the last church of the trip. The Mandalay church was just as beautiful as it the other two churches we visited this week. Although, it was quite a bit warmer there. Then back to the hotel and for our last night of the trip followed by an early morning. We finally made it on the bus headed to Yangon. The bus back was nicer than the bus there with personal TVs. Fun!

I'm glad I got the chance to see more of this beautiful country. If you are planning a crazy vacation you should definitely check out Pyin Oo Lwin. There is so much to see there and it has marvelous weather. And it like walking back in time seeing all the colonial houses left from the many years of English control of the country.

Bangkok

Bangkok! Amazing City! I loved it!

Yeah, I believe that it may have been one of the coolest places I have visited so far. I can definitely see myself going back to that city again. I felt a deep connection to it and it was the beautiful in so many ways.

I spent two lovely days there getting my visa renewed (successfully by the way) and doing a little shopping. I went to Siam Paragon (you should look that up). It was enormous! I must have gotten lost at least 10 times. Thanks to Dave for letting me know where I could find all the things on my shopping list.

I even went to the Church of God in Thailand, which is where I picked up a lovely care package from my family. It was an amazing feeling to open up something from home. I am grateful everyday to have such a supportive family that is ready to pick me up when I fall and help me accomplish my dreams.

Flying back to the Church in Yangon was bittersweet. I was glad to be back to my home away from home but also missing a city that had captured my heart. I hope to one day return to that city, but until then I have English to teach. This week we are expanding our vocab with games and movies. Tomorrow's lesson, Frozen!

Brittany Pictionary

Well folks Brittany Pictionary was a success. It took 2.5 hours to get a winner. Two guys vs. four girls, and what would you know but the guys won. It was close but the boys took the lead in the end. It going to be hard to come up with a game that was as good as that one.

Got big plans for this week including getting a care package from my family which I can pick up on Thursday. Super excited to see what is in there.

Been chatting with friends from home and making friends here. Looking forward to an interesting week filled with English lessons, traveling, and, hopefully, laughter and hard work.

Also been speaking at churches. Speaking twice today. Hoping it sounds better when they translate it.

Pasta, Pizza, and Pancakes

So I have been in Myanmar now for 3 weeks. I have eaten lots of new dishes and found one common ingredient in them all, peppers. Now if you know me very well you will know about my tolerance for all things spicy is relatively low, like mild salsa has me running for a glass of milk, low. So my hosts just load down these already spicy dishes with even more chills and you can smell how crazy spicy their food is. They love it and think that my dislike for chilies is hilarious. So I have taken to visits to the pizza joint down the streets and making pasta and pancakes when I have the opportunity. These dishes bring me a little taste of home while I am far from it.

I have also been teaching English while I'm here. My students are incredibly quick at picking up the language. What I'm working on now is expanding the vocab. So tomorrow we will be playing Brittany Pictionary. I have yet to find any board games here but I have had lots of fun making them myself. So I made my own easy Pictionary game I hope will be at the perfect level for my students and that they will have tons of fun playing the game. I look forward to seeing how it goes!

Now lets talk hair. Humidity and rain equals so much frizz. I look like someone rubbed a balloon on my head. I brought some pretty good stuff with me, or what I thought was good hair products, but at last I feel nothing can combat this weather. I will have to learn to deal with the never ending bad hair day.

I am often struck by God's work here in Myanmar and by the people impacted by the church here. I hope that God will be able to work through me and use me to accomplish far more on this trip than I could possible accomplish alone.

Cold Water and Rain

Well, it's rainy season. That right folks, heavy showers, gloomy skies, and very wet me. So I love that I can walk around barefoot practically everywhere I go because you take of your shoes before you enter a room, but that also means I am wearing out my only pair of slip on shoes, my flip flops. Now these flip flops have survived for 5 years, far outlasting any pair of flip flops I have ever owned. Well today they have finally kick the bucket. The strap has broken in a really odd location, and I could fix it with some tape but instead decided to simply wear another pair of shoes. So me and my chacos, were out cruising the town with the girls, going to children's club, when the rain started. It wasn't really a problem though until we were on our way back and we got on the bus by way of a very flooded street. So my pant legs were soaked by the time we jumped off one bus and hopped on another as it was driving away. Then we got off still a mile or so from the church. Our plan was to grab a taxi but you know how plans go, they don't. So I get to walk. Don't get me wrong, I like to walk, but this isn't a stroll down an average American city block, this is a watch where you step, run fast, dodge the cars, and try not to slip kinda walk. So we made it back to the church and I am truly gross and soaking wet. I walk upstairs take a shower, and when I come downstairs, they ask me if I would like them to show me how to use the hot water. At this point all I could do was give a small chuckle, since all day I look forward to a nice cold shower after sweating out my entire body weight. The rain may cool the city down but I haven't been cold once since I got here. I'm looking forward to winter in Kentucky with lots, and lots, of snow.

the Equipped vs. the Sent

So, if you asked me before I left what I would be doing in Myanmar I would not have told you teaching English to people at least 5 years older than me. I would also not have said preaching to whole church congregations. I would not have said riding buses and taxis with three young women, all older than me, in order to bring children's ministry to the children. Yet yesterday I preached (well really I shared a story) to a congregation of about 100 people. Last week I went to three different regions in Yangon to help with children's club. That involved multiple buses, taxis, and new experiences for me. And tomorrow I start teaching English, without being able to speak Burmese. It will be interesting.

Yesterday, before I got up in front of 100 people, I prayed that God would speak through me, and that I would remain silent. I believe that is what happened yesterday. Now I pray the same prayer for my English lessons starting tomorrow. I hope that God will use these lessons for the glory of his kingdom.

This trip has already proven to be more challenging than an experiences I have ever had before. I expect I will learn a lot and learn to trust in God. It's just me and You God, I will lean on you alone.

God does not send the equipped, but equips the sent.

First Week in Myanmar

Well folks I've been in Myanmar for a week. You may have been wondering what on earth happened to Brittany when I left last week for Myanmar and became very quite. So far I have only posted one short blog and Facebook post. But that is all about to change.

So the first few days I was here I had, what some would call, "hit the wall." A mixture of jet lag (which is way worse than it sounds), utter exhaustion, little to no sleep, the realization that I am very possibly insane, and being thousands of miles from my friends and family. The black pit of despair I fell into was deeeeeeeeep. But luckily for me God put some great people in my life to help me be pulled back out again.

When I arrived I had no idea what I would be doing. I had no purpose and it was eating me alive. I wondered why God has sent me around the world to do nothing. That mixed with my black hole of despair I was in brought me to my knees. I spent hours simply crying out to God to help, to do anything really. I asked for him for strength, but it was two whole days before I accepted that it was just me and God and began to let God do the work. My mind began to shift from what I was there to do to what God was there to do. I did find a purpose.

So next week I will begin teaching English (yeah I know, scary right?). It is going to be interesting indeed and if anyone has any advice, I'm all ears. There will differently be a learning curve.

I will also be "preaching" at a church this week. It will be a first and it will be interesting. The good news is it's being translated so I only have to speak for 20 minutes to have a 40 minute sermon! Of course right now I'm looking at 15 minutes without translation so a little shorter than what they are used to here.

This week I also rode my first bus, taxi, and got to go with the young women here who work for the church to work with children. I love children and I had lots off fun with them. I can't wait to get some pictures posted so you all can see.

Myanmar First Days

Well I arrived safely in Myanmar after three very long flights. I have now flown over half the world. What you could see from the plane was every kind of landscape imaginable. When I landed I was meet by the Church of God national leaders in Myanmar, Dorothy and Shelly. They took me to the church compound where I will be staying for the net three months. Yesterday Don and Caroline Armstrong, COG regional directors, arrived in Myanmar. Today I will be traveling to a church in Yangon with Caroline. Then tonight I will be introduced to the home church where I am staying. It looks like lots of traveling and exploring is in store for me. It is very hot here on Myanmar and even more humid, which is a sharp contrast for the it-just-stopped-snowing-in-Kentucky weather we were having at home. I miss my friends and family deeply but I look forward to the adventure God has sent me on. Keep me in your prayers.

Airports

I love airports, until I actually get there and then they just make me really bored. The music is terrible, it's like a mix between a salsa and bad elevator music, and the airport is deserted. I may have arrived a lot earlier than I needed to, opps. Oh well, I'm on my way, even if I am still in Lexington. Myanmar here I come.

Myanmar

Well it looks like God's got other plans for me. Myanmar here I come.

First Rule of Mission Work- Be Flexible

So, when I went to Guatemala in the summer of 2012 I was repeatedly told to be flexible, things won't happen like you plan them, they will happen the way God plans them. That's why three weeks ago when I heard my trip to Uganda was being cancelled I was shocked. Then I realized that I was forgetting about God's plan. It was time for me to be flexible and trust in God. I was fully funded and ready to go, so all I need was someplace to go to. So I called up my friends and asked for help finding a new internship placement. And what do you know, God had a plan all along. I am delighted to say that I'm leaving in less than a month for Thailand for a three month internship. I will be teaching English, working with a newly opened preschool, and tutoring local children. I am really excited and feel so blessed to serve a big God whose plans are always better than my own.

Dangerous? Oh yeah!

A lot of people have asked me lately if Uganda was a dangerous place. I would answer with a short chuckle and reassure them that it was "safe". It was a stretch for me to say such a thing, because no aspect of missions is safe. It is filled with dangerous I won't even know about until I have my feet on the ground in Uganda and am inside the danger. Yet I'm not at all fearful of the danger. In fact, the danger that most third world countries have (in my experience) is not nearly as fear inducing as the dangers we ender her in the states.
I read an article today about a toddler that cut his hand on the monkey bars at his local park because someone had glued razors to them. It took me an hour just to wrap my head around something so horrific as a person who glues razors to playground equipment! Yet it is hardly the first time such horrors have happened in the states. School shootings and the teen violence rate have colored our news stories for decades. When I was in Guatemala the batman movie came out. When we heard about what happened in Colorado we were in shock. Yet just that morning we were discussing the murder of a local political figure in broad daylight. Guataka may have had a lot of guys with guns, but we have the truly crazy people. Our danger strike fear. Our dangers have no reasons.

City BBQ is HERE!

I'm having a fundraiser for my trip tomorrow (Thursday March 20th) at City BBQ on Richmond Road in Lexington KY. I hope everyone can make it out to share some good food, with good friends, for a great cause. I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! Bring everyone you know with you. Be sure to print out this flyer so that I get 25% of the sales. I'll be there all day to talk about my trip and answer any question you may have about it.

City BBQ is open from 10:30AM to 10PM and is located at 3292 Richmond Road in Lexington KY.

God's Got Plans

I can't tell you how many times I've been told to make plans but be flexible to adjust them at a moments notice, cause God ain't going to follow my plans. Well I've been planning all week how I was going to come up with my $500 trip payment due at the beginning of this month. I turned over numbers in my head and calculated how much my pay check would be this week, and being unable to find $500 in any of my finances. Then I realized that God has even big plans, and an even bigger pocket book. So I trusted in him and requested my STW account balance. All I was hoping for was a few hundred dollars that could set me so much closer to the looming payment. But of course God had other plans! Of the $4000 I need to raise I have currently raised almost $900, more than enough to cover my $500 payment this week. And all that money comes straight from God! because their is no way I could have raised that much money in only one week of fundraising. I am grateful to everyone who has already donating and for those who will donate in the next few months. I look forward to where God's going to find the other $3000.

City BBQ Fundraiser

Come on out to City BBQ on March 20th and I'll get 25% of the sales. This is a great way to support me and enjoy some delicious food. All you have to do is print the attached flyer and present it when you purchase. Please help me spread the word about this amazing fundraiser by sending these flyers to your friends or taking your coworkers out to lunch with you at City BBQ on March 20th.

City BBQ
3292 Richmond Road
Lexington KY 40509

Money Money Money

It is every person favorite time of the year: FUNDRAISING! I just received the estimated trip cost from Spread the Word. STW needs $4,000 in order to send me to Uganda. This money will cover my airfare from my missions plan meeting (possibly from Warner Southern in Florida or Anderson, IN) to Uganda and back to Nashville for IYC at the end of my trip. It will cover all my food, lodging, and transportation while in Uganda. I am responsible for the cost of airfare to my missions plan meeting and my stay in Nashville for IYC (International Youth Convention) where I will be representing STW.

My first deadline is February 28th for a $250 deposit. This first payment is closely followed by a $500 payment due by March 3rd. I know that God will provide and that the money will come in, so I have fully placed my faith in him. Although I have been saving I cannot afford this trip without assistance from my Christ-following family, the Church. Friends and family please help me with pray and financial support. If you wish to give financially, thank you. Please contact me by selecting my name on the right hand side (in orange) and contacting me by email. I will send you a letter of support, an accounting slip, and postage. All money will go to the Church of God national office and each person who supports me will receive a receipt so you can use this as a tax write off.

For those of you who wish to support me through prayer, thank you. I know that God moves through prayer in big ways. Knowing that I have people who are praying for me everyday gives me the strength to go when God tells me too. If you are willing to provide prayer please contact me so I can keep you informed and send you my thanks.

I am really excited to be answering God's call to go to Uganda. I know that He is moving in big ways throughout my life and through this trip.

Uganda and the STW Internship

So it's official, I'm going to Uganda! Got the news this week that I got the Spread the Word internship in Uganda. To say I'm really excited is an understatement. Can't wait till its time to go, but first comes some hard core fundraising. Can't wait to see where God's going to get the money from.

Bitter-Sweet Goodbyes

Today I had to say goodbye to some really awesome people. The amount of hugs and tears was incredible as me and Megan both prepare to leave. When you go on a mission trip you learn about the people, but when you live there for 7 weeks you know the people. Guatemala has become my home and leaving it is incredible hard. The people here are so deserving it brings tears to your eyes thinking about them.
There is a boy in the village who was always around. He was the sweetest and kindest boy I have ever met. He just wanted attention which we were always delighted to provide. Saying good bye to him on Thursday was the hardest thing I had to do this summer.
Then their we're the workers. There had never been a better group of people than them, or a group as entertaining. They put up with our mistakes, redo our work, never complain, and are always willing to help out with a smile. To Edgar, Luis, Manuel, Romero, Caesar, Raphie, and Diego I say some great thanks because you all are the best. I have got to know your quirks and jokes and learn a lot from you all.
Paula and Fontaine along with their daughters Ally and Katy and Kevin have done a fantastic job hosting teams. Without them my experience could not be as wonderful as it was. Of course the girls here had a huge part in that. Each one is wonderful and talented and I am proud to know them.
I am glad to see my family and friends but leaving without knowing when I'll be able comeback is the hardest part. I hope to be able to return next year to learn more about Guatemala and God's plan for here and for me.
Thank you all for your support and prayers.

Location:Mimi's House

No Such Thing as Boring at Mimi's House

By many people standards my week would be considered boring. I, of course, disagree. We currently have no group so its just me, my friends Chase, Chad, Megan, and Ashley, the Greene family, 11 niñas, a dozen or so workers, and the girls tudor and her husband. The house seems almost empty. While the girls our at school me and Kevin watch some movies or play some games. Monday Fontaine took everyone, including the workers, out to lunch. McDonald's taste a lot better in Guatemala, maybe because it's clean, people smile and take pride in their job, oh, and they sometimes come to the table to take your order. Yesterday I got to visit CAG, the Christian Academy of Guatemala, where missionaries in Guatemala send their kids. This school is staffed by church sponsored teachers who have committed to providing education to the children of missionaries. Education for their kids is the number one reasons missionaries leave the missions field. It was really cool. The youngest girl at Mimi's House, Allison, is getting tested tomorrow in English to see if she can attend CAG in the fall. Keep her in your prayers because going to CAG can improve her English and open new opportunities in the future. Today we went out to look for a good spot for a new school to be. It was really cool to look around at the kind of places and towns are in Guatemala. The team arrives this weekend and it will be my last team before I head home.




Allison out at McDonald's for a fun trip before church that night.

Location:Guatemala

Photos

As I have some time today, so here are some pictures from my time here.

Location:Guatemala

This Week

This week was really awesome. Got to meet up with some friends and spend the week with them. The villagers loved this group; they played with the kids and a comprised a lot of work for so little a group. I made lots of new friends as well this week. Because I wasn't always need at the worksite I got to hang out with the kids after school. I made two new best friends forever and had a nice helper who help us scrub some letters off our bus. Hope I can get some picture of the kids up soon. I also got to go zip lining this week and it was super fun. Nothing can compare to zip lining above a monkey jungle overlooking the famous Lake Antillian. It was gorgeous.

Location:Guatemala

Start of the week

We have begun building a house this week with Ken and Sam Mills. This group is small, only 8 people, but they are a lot of fun. They are already ahead at the worksite and they take time during the day to play with the school children and feed them lunch. Lots of fun!

Location:Guatemala

Yew Paint

I'm leaving to go to the coffee plantation soon to fill some coffee orders. We tell the groups to buy there coffee from us because it helps support the girls in Mimi's house. We had a group that just came down and visited the girls on Sunday who ordered coffee from us. So today me, Megan, Katy, and Manuel are heading down to Antigua to pick up the coffee and deliver it to this group.
So yesterday we painted an entire bedroom and bathroom in like three or four hours. Just trim around the doors are left. We do have to paint the large team rooms and bathrooms before the team get here Friday. However, we won't do any panting tomorrow because we will be at the beach. Hope we get it all done!

Location:Mimi's House

Last week

This week at the school









At the work site











Panajachel


The lake


The house

Location:Labor De Falla

How?

How do you know if an idea pops into your head if it comes from you or God? Is it just a feeling? Is there some kind of confirmation? How can you be sure? Do you jump in and hope it was from God or do you wait for him to tell you again so you will know for sure?
I have always been so sure when he is talking to me. But it seems lately that is more of a whisper. When it comes so quietly how will I know?
And even if He is saying something how do you keep your hopes up when it seems impossibly big for you? Even when you know God can accomplish anything it is hard to believe He can use you to do it when it is so big.
How can you be sure and how can you still have hope when tells you to accomplish something huge?

Here are some pics. Wish I could post more!

Waterfall on the way to Panajachel on my first day.



View from the balcony of the girls room I stay in. (its really beautiful at night but to dark for pics)




My roommates. And they are both older than me. But you won't probably know that unless I tell you because they are Guatemalan sized.





















Children of Cerra Alto.

Location:Guatemala