My Reading Blog

Before I begin my adventure, I will begin as our hosts did in Guatemala.  Thank you, Lord, for watching over us and blessing us every day. Our group of seven left Fayetteville in the early morning hours before sunrise amidst lightening and low lying clouds.  Fortunately there was no delay and we were above the clouds quickly to see the sun rise through the clouds.  Off to Houston to meet my brother and then for our flight to Guatemala City.  Upon our arrival in Guatemala City, we met another member of our group and then the Habitat people.  People waiting, people talking, people shouting, noise abounded at this busy airport.  I think because it is a smaller and more congested airport, it seemed much louder, noisier and busier.  We were directed through the crowds into the pick up area where we put luggage in the van and were on our way into the traffic of the city.  Horns honking, cars, buses, vans, moving in and out from one lane to the next a...

Last week, I was fortunate enough to travel to Guatemala on a mission/built trip with Thrivent Builds and Habitat For Humanity.  My mind has been a jumble of words and I've not gotten my head around all that I experienced last week.  So this SOL will be my jumble and as I sort thoughts out, I will share them along with pictures. Praise & thanks to God beauty poverty smiles sadness bright colors teaching learning sharing working playing eating relaxing gigantic corn stalks mountains lakes and streams waterfalls ruins history noise traffic acceptance shyness flowers rain hugs tears new friends old friends children parents Non-profits that really care opportunity flying kites taking pictures travel by plane, bus, van, boat and on foot dreams and hopes And always, thanking and praising God

For the past nine months I've been preparing and planning for an adventure.  Something I've never done before.  Something that will help those in need.  Something that will be enjoyable and yet consist of manual labor. I'm going to Guatemala on a mission/build trip with Thrivent Build & Habitat for Humanity! I have many different feelings going on in my mind. I'm excited I'm apprehensive  Then there's the anxiety  And, the anticipation of what the week will bring   I've gotten all my vaccinations and my passport, made travel arrangements, made my lists of what to pack, started pulling things out to pack, taking care of the little details that need to be arranged.  All of the hotels and arrangements in Guatemala are taken care of, so that part is easy. I am going with 12 other people of all ages, but most of us are in our 60's - yikes can we really handle digging trenches, hauling blocks, making mortar or will we be at the end o...

For the past two years I've been volunteering at the Ozark Center of Hope.  We are a coalition of 30 churches and 80 organizations.  We assist individuals in need of help with paying their shut off notices for electric, propane, evictions and help them to find other resources in our area who can also help them with their needs. And, one of the most caring things that we help them with is personal care items - toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, shampoo, laundry detergent, bar soap, dish soap, toilet paper and feminine products.   These items are not covered by food stamps. These are items that I always have in my cabinet.  Things that I take for granted.  I purchase them without really thinking about it.  I need them, so I buy them. We have church groups that buy quantities of these items or give us money to purchase them.  Our clients can come once every 60 days.  I look at the size of the rolls of toilet pap...