It was a very emotional goodbye as we prepared to leave this country that has taken over a large part of our hearts. We bawled as we said goodbye to Tita and the school teachers, the Batz orphans, Joel and the Van Dyke family, the gang chaplains. Yet our goodbye was more of a “See you soon” than just a goodbye. We know that somehow we will stay very connected to our dear friends and the amazing ministries in Guatemala, whether we organize a couple mission trips each year to take others to fall in love with the country, or maybe even another long term stint somewhere down the road.

 

It is beautiful that nearly 30 folks from the Cincinnati area came to visit us in Guatemala, and I would not be at all surprised if some of them decided to move down for awhile to spend more time in ministry. I know that at the very least many of them will maintain a connection to Guatemala through prayer and support. It was great to come home and visit friends and family here in Cincinnati and see Guatemalan relics they acquired on their trips; Mayan fabrics spread over tables and pottery from Antigua hang adorning the walls. Through this little trip God made a divine connection between Cincinnati and Guatemala.

 

We want to express how utterly grateful we are for your prayers and contributions during this trip. Through your thoughtfulness and generosity the kingdom of God came near to so many of the “least of these, our brothers and sisters.” If I tried to make a list here of all the things that happened you would be reading a thick book rather than a blog, so instead we’d be glad to tell you in person over a warm meal or a cup of coffee. We will continue to tell the stories of our brothers and sisters in Guatemala to any open ears, in hopes that more people will come and see for themselves.

 

Though we are back in Cincinnati for the time being, we don’t see our Guatemala trip as ending. We very much think of it as only the beginning, so we will keep this blog going and update it from time to time with news of what God is doing through our brothers and sisters down south. I also hope to write profiles of some the amazing saints we met along the way, who so desperately need our prayers and support. I want to write more about the natural beauty God bestowed on Guatemala, in hopes that the journey will be a little easier for future pioneers. And maybe you’ll even read about the next steps of what God is doing between Cincinnati and Guatemala. The journey continues....