I’m sitting on a sidewalk a little ways from our cabina overlooking the swimming pool, watching the rain clouds approach, and trying to get a better internet signal. Things have been pokey on the internet connection, so we haven’t been able to post as much as we have intended, and there have been lots of good tasks to stay busy with as well. We spent a few days cleaning, dish washing, and bed making to prepare the team cabins. Our first team has arrived in two parts late Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Matt drove to San Jose by himself to pick up the second half. Kris has been shadowing Dena and learning to meal plan and cook evening meals for them. Today they all rolled up their sleeves and dug in to the list of work projects. Matt and I are enjoying getting to know the new faces and quizzing ourselves with their names. There are even a few runners that let me keep up with them for a mile and a third this morning.
We are working to find a new rhythm of life for our time here. How much time to spend with the team, what will entertain our children, what to cook for our family, etc. Laundry, for example, is a whole different ball game here. I love that our children are getting to play outside every day, but their clothes show it. We are thankful to have a washing machine of our own to use. Line drying everything before the probable afternoon rains is a bit of a dance. The daylight hours here are from around 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. We are realizing that getting up at 5:45 a.m. is sleeping in here. Our kids pop out of bed at 5:30 a.m. We are used to having some quiet time before they get up so our alarms are going to start getting a workout.
We are each finding our way through the adjustment. This morning, while he was supposed to be piously quiet during devotions, Ezekiel, our three-year old, started a kissing and “guapo/handsome”-calling match with Vanessa, a tia here. It is sweet to see him open up to someone who doesn’t speak his mother tongue. Bugs and sticks suddenly have high entertainment value for all the kids. We worshipped with Iglesia Biblia church on Sunday and Eliana and Elijah met some other English-speaking, homeschooled children near their ages who live here. This gave them the confidence to feel comfortable going to the children’s program after an hour and fifteen minutes of worship. I went with Ezekiel to his class and was able to practice my Spanish on toddlers.
Please continue to pray that we find the balance for this work here at Hogar de Vida. The kids also have some serious welts from bug bites that we are praying over and putting benadryl on. Please also join us in lifting up the hearts of the team that the Lord would plant great seeds in this time. I will conclude with the verse that one of the team members gave me as we rode in the van to church.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this. . .” Psalm 37:5
Pre-breakfast entertainment provided by a millipede and a spoon.
The Good News Family 
I should be focused on all of the other things you have shared, but all that I can feel is just how painful that early morning would be…… 😀
i am so excited for you guys! just think, god has been preparing your hearts for this for…well, forever! you’re impacting lives & their lives are changing yours 🙂 how amazing our dad is 🙂 thinking of you in the morning when i workout w/ jillian. thinking of you doing it on the tiled floor! hope you’re all sleeping well too 🙂 xoxoxoxo
Yes, yes and yes! It is a dance. I had to get into the routine of doing 2 to 3 loads of laundry everyday in Guatemala order to keep up and get everything dry by the early afternoon. Yes, the days are early but make sure your evenings are early as well. The kids are soooo tired from being outside so much that they are ready for bed sooner (and you guys should go there as well!). You will get it! The best place for the internet is right by the swimming pool! You are correct. I always moved my chair and sat about where you probably are and didn’t move so I could keep my signal!! I love that you are experiencing all of this! You guys will be a blessing to the teams that come through there and to Tim and Dena as well! Your kids will be soooo blessed by this experience!
Love you all and lifting you up in prayer to our faithful Father. Know that you are in my heart, Kris, and I’m trusting in the Lord’s peace to cover you, His light to guide you, and His joy to fill you as you serve Him. We are glad you are where He has called you to be even though we miss you here!