Lesson for the day: Take time every day to enjoy...well maybe you won´t enjoy it...but at least look at and embrace the scenery around you. Here are a few things we have enjoyed...the beautiful scenery...everything is so lush and green, the flowers...we saw marigolds at the cemetary taller than we are, open air rides in the back of pick up trucks, trying/learning/succeeding in communicating with the local people, meeting lots of people both from San Lucas and other people from Minnesota and around the United States, teaching our taxi driver the word church in English, sharing stories/getting to know each other and laughing A LOT along the way. Here are a few things that maybe we have not enjoyed...the dogs...especially when clearing the streets of dead carcusses, constant smell of smoke whether it be from cooking or burning garbage, eating peanut butter sandwiches with every meal, and a variety of other interesting sights and sounds. Please do not take this the wrong way...we are very much enjoying our time in and around San Lucas. All of our experiences have made us thankful to come home to our families and friends and remind us not take the simple things in life for granted. Tomorrow we will be traveling to Antigua to spend part of the day there before going to Guatemala city for the night then catching a plane bright and early Wednesday morning. We miss you all, peace and blessings.
Guatemala Mission 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
San Lucas Day 7
Sunday, August 7, 2011
San Lucas Day 5 and 6
Lesson of the day: Church is a huge part of the peoples´ lives here in Guatemala. At all of the churches we have been to...the San Lucas Parish, the finca parish, and Santiago every one shows great reverance during worship. People come to packed services and are willing to either sit or stand in the aisle, they kneel on the cement floor and sing with no words in front of them. It has been surprising to us how familiar the mass is even when we can´t understand the words that are being spoken. Another somos uno moment realizing we are all one . Conintued peace and blessings to you all.
Friday, August 5, 2011
San Lucas Day 4
Lesson for the day: Sometimes our lesson of the day comes to us as soon as we step onto the Church steps. Every morning we are fortunate to hear the end of the children´s daily mass. They are so passionate and ALWAYS let their voices be heard. It gives us energy for the day and is a good reminder of why we are here and the work we are doing. So let your voice be heard and sing your life song loud and proud you never know who may be listening. Love and peace to all...a BIG congratulations to Father Fred as he celebrates his 50th anniversary as a priest...we are sorry we aren´t there to celebrate with you.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
San Lucas Day 3

Lesson of the day: We have found that the lastest trend at the mission is dirty clothes...people seem to know exactly which work sites we were at based on how dirty our clothes are. There are many different groups working with us at the mission and they have been inspirational to us...one group from Oak Grove wears shirts that say Somos Uno which means We Are One...we must never forget this...we are one with the people we are at the work sites with and we are one with the people of Guatemala. Barb and Rita also saw one of the doctors they worked with yesterday whose shirt said Easy Day was Yesterday, and as we feel our energy draining each day we sit here thinking...please do not let that be true!! Peace and Blessings to you all, please keep us in your prayers.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
San Lucas Day 2
Lesson of the day: Everybody needs somebody all the time...whether you are playing soccer in the street or breaking rocks for cement or caring for the sick or enjyoing the children. We are constantly being reminded that we are all one global family and es muy bueno!!
We are counting on your love and prayers...we will keep you in ours. Peace
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
San Lucas Day 1
We found out today that we are here during their winter which means rain and 65 degrees. So...we did manage to escape the heat of Minnesota but not the rain! Almost everyone we have met is here from somewhere in Minnesota.
Daily Lesson: We are here as global citizens and working in solidarity with the people of San Lucas. As Fr Greg Schaffer put it we are not in front of them pulling not behind them pushing but walking along side them. If they are sprinting we need to sprint with them and if they are crawling we need to crawl with them.
We are proud to say we are from Fergus Falls and Alexandria, it is a constant reminder of who is thinking about us and praying for us as we continue on our mission work. Hope all is well with all of you, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Monday, August 1, 2011
They Made It!!!
I got a call from Barb & Kate, they arrived at the mission safely. The fights went well. Sounds like the 3 hour ride from the airport to the mission was an adventure. Apparently the rules of driving or lack of rules is a little bit different than what we are accustomed to. Tomorrow morning they will be at the mission to begin their orientation. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.
Peace Rick
Peace Rick
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