Coming Home

It is true that while we LOVE AMERICA and our friends and family that live here, there's something to be said for experiences abroad. We witnessed the miracle of a man who we thought was breathing his last breaths, go home the day before we left. We experienced an answer to prayer that had us restless...and made the days long, until good news was found out. We saw smiles and heard joyful laughter of little ones who have experienced extreme pain that should never be felt by a human being. We heard the echoes miles long of thunder through the night. We saw rainbows that reminded us that God is thinking about us and the people that surround us!

If one thing I learned on this trip it's this: When things seem like they are at the most hopeless, God comes in and turns this hopelessness to joy! The story isn't over. Does it mean that life is a walk in the park? No. But it does mean that God is with us. Yes - the Emmanuel we celebrate at Christmas. The one that we celebrate in the spring saying, "He is Risen!" He is still with us...making things new.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

It was a theme that started with a book I read while I was there and continued with all the different stories I heard throughout the trip. I'm encouraged, challanged, and honestly inspired by the experience.

Thanks so much for coming along with us on this trip via the blog. The story will continue!

p.s. I've posted some pictures on facebook for you to check out. Ashley has more - I'm sure of it...

The Amusement Park

A California team GREATLY blessed Casa Bernabe by providing a way for them to take ALL the kids (even the babies) to an amusement park. It was the first time that many of these children have ever had an experience like this and it was AWESOME!

The day started early as the entire orphanage PACKED into two busses and two vans. The kids had to do a lot of patient waiting as we sorted out tickets....but it was SO worth it once we finally got inside the park. We broke up into small groups and had such a great day spending quality time with the kids. Lots of laughs, lots of happy screams, and lots of ice cream! What a perfect day! And the rain even added to the fun as we rode the park's two water rides over and over and over again.

Unfortunately on the way home we got caught in a huge mess of traffic. Tired kids snuggled close and fell asleep.

It was an incredible day!

A Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for Pedro Hernandez, one of the founders of Casa Bernabe. We got word on Sunday that he is in the hospital in serious condition. He is fighting some bacteria in his body and we are praying that he remains strong in the process.

He has a lovely wife and NINE beautiful children - the oldest is 21.

One way of helping today was going to give blood. It was an experience to say the least! Edgar first took us to a place that seemed really shady and everyone was shakin' in their boots. Thankfully, it was the wrong location. Down a couple blocks, we went in to the right blood bank and felt sooooo much better about the process.

Here's a picture of today's event:

Please, please be praying for him. He's 51 years old. Still full of life! Pray for his family too.

We made International News!

...almost.

Many who visit Antigua have a similar pic

Most of the missionaries took the day to visit Antigua - a really touristy spot with an open market and quaint shops. Ashley and I almost didn't go, but we are REALLY happy we did. We spent some time going through the market and took a lunch break.

Of all the places we could choose from, we picked...drum roll please...McDonald's!! This isn't any old McDonalds. It has an open courtyard with BEATIFUL landscaping! There's a volcano that you can see on clear days. Their service is TOP NOTCH! You think I'm kidding, but I'm VERY serious!!

Last year, our friend Sara introduced us to this little cafe called Cookies, Etc. We were determined to find it again. I wouldn't say that we were "lost" - let's just say we took the scenic route. We found the COOLEST old buildings. Seriously cool. And just so you know, the snickerdoodles are the bomb at that place. We also found this really AWESOME photography gallery. Unfortunately, bank breaking as well. Go to Jon Kaplan to check out the photos.

Random Shot outside of the gallery...I like the contrast

Fun story to go with this pic...Ashley and I braving the rain after visiting the gallery

Sooo...it was raining on our way back to the orphanage. Everything was going just fine, even with the minor mudslides taking over the roads. That was until, only four kilometers from the orphanage, we hydroplaned and hit the truck in front of us. It is pretty miraculous that nothing significantly noteworthy happened. The truck suffered a bent up bumper - but really...that was it. All I could think about was that our bus could have tipped and we could have made national news. Over 20 missionaries in a school bus were in a tragic automotive accident 4 kilometers from their destination... Wow. A prayer of thanksgiving was said! There's nothing much else we could do.

Casa de los Angelitos - The Baby House

On the mornings that we don't have any assignments, we got to the baby house for some sweet fun! There are about twelve little ones. The house parents have an awesome system going.

It's breakfast time in the baby house. Cereal is kind of a serious thing around here.

Before eating, they say, "Hands up! Hands down! Hands together!" The babies follow instructions and a simple prayer of thanksgiving is said. Then they go to town!

Sometimes, the kids are a little fussy. A perfect solution to the problem is Mimi acting like an absolute fool!!! There are little songs that Mimi sings with the most exaggerated gestures. While they may not know exactly what is going on, you can tell they are all thinking, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS SHE DOING!?!?

Going on walks with them is an adventure! There is only a few of them that are able to walk on their own. We walk to the soccer fields, play on swings, kick around balls, and finish the fun with a little picnic under the tree.

On the days that we don't go on walks, we stick to the front yard where is a plethora of TOYS - giant bouncy balls, scooters, jumperoos, and everyone's favorite...the trampoline! You may think, " A trampoline? For babies?" Yes- and they absolutely love it! The one year olds jump in the middle providing the perfect amount of bounce for the younger ones sitting on the edge.

Everyone needs to come experience this FUN!

Having Fun

Being here is like picking up where we left off last year. The kids are off of school this week so we have had a lot of time to hang out and play with them. Our week has consisted of:
~ Hanging out with awesome missionary kids (Stefan and Andy) playing games like Just Dance and Apples to Apples.
~ Cheereing on the Rojos at a professional soccer game. It was fun but oh so very hot. We both walked away with painful sunburns.
~ Making over 200 rice crispy treats (first time ever for the both of us). From what I heard, the kids loved them.
~ Spending time at the Baby House (thanks Mrs. Becky and Kel for all of the gifts. They LOVED them. Now each baby has a lovie).
~Watching soccer practice. These boys and girls have skills!
~ Playing in the rain. It has rained every day since we got here. After all, it is rainy season here.
~ Celebrating a sweet 16 birthday with a fun group of girls. Taking crazy pictures and laughing a lot.
~ Catching up with all of the wonderful kids here at Casa Bernabe. It is so fun to see how they have grown and changed over the past year.

On Friday, we will be taking all of the kids to the water park! It will be so much fun! For the next three weeks we will be working in the school. Mimi will be teaching English classes and I will be working in the special education class. In the afternoons, we will be spending time with some of the older kids.

Pictures to come!

We are here!

After an entire year of anticipation and preparation, WE ARE HERE! Friends and rain greeted us at the airport. Everything went very smoothly getting here and we are so very thankful.

Our first day back consisted of Pollo Campero, running errands with Toni, saying hello to all of our friends, and setting up camp. Speaking of camp - OMG - we are so very excited about how it worked out for us! Let me just preface this by saying, this isn't normally how it goes, and that we would totally be okay if this wasn't the case...but there was space for us at the staff/missionary house. We have a little "apartment"!!! We are sharing a full size bed and a spacious room.

If there is any confirmation for being here, I would say it was the conversation we had with Toni. Toni is an amazing, hard-working woman. She is not only busting her tail here, but she's also raising a handsome, incredible 10 year old son. As soon as she saw us, she said, "MY CHEERLEADERS ARE HERE!" I kind think it was a big deal- and I'm thankful that God has given us the opportunity to be encouragers to friends here.

Anyway- we are here. Safe. Happy. Encouraged. Excited. Ready to work.