If you hear reports on the news of an earthquake in Guatemala we want you all to know we are safe. About 6:30 this morning we were waking up, getting ready for the day, sitting and visiting when the earth started to shake. It shook quite hard for about 30 seconds. Some in our group jumped under the bed to be safe. Some sat around and talked about how hard the earth was shaking. Harrison blamed Steve for shaking the bunk bed to try and get him up. And Hayden was the only one who didn't feel it because he was still sound asleep. There was no damage here in Guatemala City and we are all OK, although a few people had rattled nerves. We heard news reports that is was a 6.7 centered south and west of where we are located. We have seen some pictures of minor damage in some places. We pray that there will be no loss of life and that God would protect His people. Earthquakes always remind me of Psalm 46:1. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountain fall into the heart of the sea." It is a reminder for us that when life is out of control and the earth is shaking under our feet with no power to stop it, we have a refuge in God. He has the power to stop the shaking or to stop the shaking in our heart, therefore we will not fear. Pray for our day as we share that message of hope with those that may still be a bit rattled from the earthquake.
Today has been an eye-opening experience for our team. We began our day with devotions after breakfast. Devotions were led by one of the Guatemalan missionaries, Carlos. Carlos burst into a song of praise during his devotions and touched many of our hearts. We then visited a ministry focused on "street boys", called Only a Child. The boys live 24/7 in this ministry and work by crafting beautiful wooden boxes. They attend alternative school on the weekends so they can receive an education. Many of the these "boys" are in their 20s and are still working on their junior high education. This ministry is started by a man who was a pastry chef in Boston, George Leger, but now he works full time with this ministry. The boys have to follow strict rules in order to receive their lodging, food, and education. The team was then introduced to the Guatemala City dump. This is a very large dump where people scavenge for anything that t...
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