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Update #1

Hello friends and family!

 

A couple of months we stepped out in faith and committed to serving with Cornerstone EPC (Brighton, MI) at an orphanage in Guatemala.  We are happy to report that through your support we have raised the $8400 we needed!  We are blown away by the blessing God has provided for us through your donations.

 

That is a LOT of money!  You may be wondering what the money will be used for...I know I did when I saw that price tag.  First of all, the airline tickets (and luggage) were approximately $1500 per person.  Additionally, it costs about $400 per person for sleeping arrangements and food (important!).  That actually only leaves a few hundred dollars extra per person.  The remaining funds will be used to purchase supplies for construction projects and food for distribution in the local community.

 

What will we be doing?  Our understanding as of right now (needs may change when we arrive):

 

  1. Rehab a house from top to bottom:  Over 20 years ago, our church built the first house in the orphanage.  It is in need of many updates and repairs as you can imagine. There are about 100 or so children at the orphanage that live amongst 10-12 houses in family units.  Each house has a Christian Guatemalan married couple that raises the children.
  2. Give the house parents times of respite by taking care of the children and forming relationships with them through play and serving.
  3. Gardening: I hear they have a pretty massive garden and we will get to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables from it each day
  4. New Year’s Eve Party!!:  This is the one opportunity for all of the staff, volunteers, and families to truly have a night off from all of their duties and just HAVE FUN!  We have planned a Bible skit about Jonah and the Big Fish, food, and activities.  I have heard that this is a highlight of the year for the orphanage, complete with fireworks!
  5. Day trips to poor villages near the orphanage to pass out rice, grain, and clothing that has been donated.

 

I know that some of you have already been praying for our team as we have been preparing, but here are more specifics if you feel led:

 

  1. Team:  Health, Safety, and Travel (red-eye flights both ways with several connections)
  2. Hannah:  Be able to use what Spanish she knows to help others; food; show God’s love to the children
  3. Timmy:  Food (not a fan of rice and beans – ha!); that he would find and be given ways to be useful (because of his age)
  4. Kara: I think I will be doing a lot of translating for the team and would like prayer for God to help me recall words and have effective and loving communication
  5. Caleb:  Language barrier
  6. Our family: It is always hard leaving Paisley after what happened to Hazel.  Please pray for her safety while we are gone!  She will be staying with her doggie family/the breeder

 

Thank you so much for your outpouring of love and support to make this trip possible for our family.  We hope to be the hands and feet of Jesus!

 

Sincerely,

Caleb, Kara, Hannah, and Timmy

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