This video is dedicated to those who experienced God's blessing
even in one of the world's darkest places.
I thank
Young Life Hinsdale and Young Life Guatemala
for allowing me
a glimpse
at how God uses each and every one of us
to bless one another
in love.

Unable to Give It a Title.

I looked on as humans.
PEOPLE.
Gathered their lives out of the dump today.

Perhaps the largest man-made structure I've seen.

Did they see me?

Probably not, as the vultures waited. Watched overhead. I've never been so close to these hairless birds.

I put the cups and plates and bottles in the garbage bag tonight.

And wondered.

Who will find this stuff?

Can I afford to throw it away?

And then stand and look on?

Crazy Days!

Balancing tutoring, studying, and trying to help the YoungLife work team that is here has kept more than busy over the past week. I am at school nearly every day to tutor several kids and am so glad to be able to be helping them. My next-to-last Masters course begins this Sunday, so I'm reading and then reading some more in order to be ready and meet course requirements. And then the YoungLife team: a group of about 30 from the Chicago area here whole-heartedly working construction for some of the very neediest people living in one of the worst parts of the city. Their effort and love are overwhelming and so much appreciated. I have been able to help prepare concrete to cover a family's dirt floor and Javier and I have been leading music worship at night. I will post pictures soon!!! I'm happy to have so much to do, but would like a little more sleep one of these nights....

So I spent Monday and Tuesday sitting in horrible traffic and rain, rain, rain! We've been suffering the repercussions of two different tropical storms for about a week now! (Although I do think I spotted the sun for about 5 minutes yesterday!). The purpose of the painful (1 1/2 - 2 hour) trips was our Women's Ministry bi-annual rummage sale. Monday we set up. And we set up. And we set up. Apparently this time around saw the most donations ever! Tuesday was the sale, but unfortunately the horrible rain kept a lot of people away, so in comparison to other sales, we didn't do so well. The money raised will go to a variety of service projects that the Women's Ministry supports around the country. The left overs are given to the Salvation Army here for distribution.

Monday also saw the start of my Big Tutoring Adventure. I have so far set up a pretty rigorous schedule, and just heard yesterday that I may still be getting a call about another student, as well. I will be working with five students (grades K-12!) for about 12 hours total. I know I will end up being at school a lot more than that, though, for all the planning (for them) and preparing for next year. It's a good thing I love being at CAG so much!!!

Yesterday I also set my schedule to work with a group of high school students from the Chicago area who are coming to Guatemala on a work trip with the organization YoungLife. I am excited and will keep you posted!!