On Our Way Home

Well, I finished the last of the cleaning and packing to be ready to go back to Canada. I was so thankful for 3 days of warm, sunny weather, so that I could get all the laundry done! I also cooked and baked enough to fill the freezer so that Rocky will have some good food when we are gone.

This year we had the opportunity to work with some pretty amazing people. Heber, the young man third from the left in the photo, is someone I work quite closely with. I have come to really appreciate him. He has a real way with people and I admire the way he works with both the teams and the Guatemalans. Things don't always go as planned in our work here, but he rarely gets frustrated. I forget sometimes that he is only 20 years old.

We have also worked with numerous Guest House hosts, the last of which are on the far left in the photo - Al and Judy Willms. They were such a huge blessing to us the way they not only served the teams, but also really embraced Hope, allowing her to stay with them while we were in the capital picking up or dropping off teams.

Les and Rita Peters, of course, are in the center, and we continue to marvel at how the Lord is expanding this ministry under their leadership. We know it is not always easy work, especially as the ministry grows, but they are committed to the vision the Lord has given them and are here for the long haul.

As you know, Rocky will be staying back for 2 additional weeks, hoping to really focus on the work projects now that there are no teams here. He has worked so hard this year, taking on not only his team responsibilities, but also trying to supervise the many work projects. I know he has been a big blessing to the ministry and they are thankful for his input.

For me, I just love being able to serve the Lord here. I know I am not perfect - far from it - but I also know that the Lord is using me to advance His Kingdom both with the teams that we serve as well as with the Guatemalans we are so privileged to know and work along side. This little girl in the photo with me is Darlin and she attends our Chicoy school. A few months ago I was visiting Chicoy with a team and noticed she was not playing with the other kids the way she usually does. I picked her up and she snuggled right into me and I could feel she had a fever. I held her and rocked her and quickly discovered she had an ear infection. We just happened to have a doctor along with that group and so in a matter of minutes we were able to check her out, give her some Tylenol for the pain and some antibiotics for the infection. What could have gone on and on and perhaps even damaged her eardrum permanently, was corrected, just like that!

This last week when I was back at Chicoy, she saw me and came to me. I picked her up and she wrapped her arms around my neck. I felt so blessed to have been able to be a part of helping Darlin in her time of need.

Before we came here, people said to us that we were sure selfless for giving so much up to go to Guatemala. I don't think we have given anything up at all. What material things we sold or left behind are nothing compared to the honour of serving the Lord here. I keep thinking, that if just one person is impacted for the Kingdom because of our presence here and the Holy Spirit working through us, then whatever we have had to "give up" is so worth it.

We may not see the harvest, this side of heaven, but we know that our time here is of eternal value and we are so privileged to do what the Lord has called us to do.

Blessings to you and your families!

Karren, Rocky and Hope!