Transformation

THE DAY. From the mind of Joni through the hands of Addie Swi-Fly.

6:39 - Woke up. I was tired but I was excited for the day and my devotional.

6:43 - I took a shower to wake up.

6:53 - Went for a walk around the courtyard around the hotel. I felt nervous about leading devotionals, so I listened to music and tried to collect my thoughts.

7:15 - Gave devotional. Romans 12:17 - forgiveness and sacrificing ourselves to live as Jesus.

7:49 - Loaded up in the big red van "Toyota."

8:10 - Arrived at Cordero's house for breakfast. I was so excited about the "Guatemalan Experience" which consisted of "empanadas" [bean filled toritillas] and "tomales" [meat filled corn bread] and coffee.

8:55 - Cortnea and I left for the high school. I was nervous about teaching the STEP, because I knew how hard it would be and I really wanted them to get it for their competition.

9:00-11:00 - Arrived at high school and met the team. (Aesdeao) And taught the team along with my faithful friend Cortnea Ralston. They picked up on the STEP extremely quick. I was surprised and proud of the girls, I could tell they really wanted to learn it and it was fun teaching them. At the very end, the team showed their appreciation by buying us bags of water.

11:05 - No sight of scheduled transportation.

11:30 - Cortnea, Karin [Guatemalan translator from church], and I walked to the bus station and waited on three different buses because of their load. (I was apprehensive about public transportation in a bustling unknown city. It was one quetzel each, we sat at the very back and communicated with a man from Guatemala who spoke French - Go Figure!)

11:38 - We met up with the rest of the team at the house we were painting.

11:42 - Started painting purple trim on the house.

1:57 - Stopped painting for a lunch break (Jelly and Ham...mmmm...my favorite!)

2:19 - Went back to painting.

3:22 - Paused for a short break of soccer, what else? It was raining, so the painting had to stop for a short time!

4:01 - Returned to painting, rain or shine, this house had to be painted. We worked on the front of the house till 9pm. Note to bloggers: DO NOT ADD WATER TO PAINT. During this time, we fixed up things in the house, when we were waiting on paint.

Later - Paint arrives! We are able to finish the painting. Git'R'Done! I felt accomplished for the family's sake. We gave the family something to be proud of. We had a touching prayer of dedication for the family when we were finished. We had our own Extreme Make-over Home Edition with our own host Wes Cates (Ty), we were able to say "MOVE THAT BUS!" It was so much fun!

Even later - when back to the Cordero's house for supper - bbq chicken, mashed potatoes and two cups of coffee.

It was a great day! Please keep us in your prayers as we experience the last days of our mission trip!

Joni...FeedPeace