Chris picked us up bright and early today so we could load up and head for the wheelchair factory. Some of us are going to load up another bunch of food and replenish our clothing supply, while the rest are heading to Tecpan to complete a house that another team started. The food and clothing is headed to an area near the El Salvador boarder that was hit really hard by tropical storm Agatha. Unfortunately, we were unable to make it the whole way as the road is still closed. The social worker from the build site in Jalapa was able to drive down to meet us with her 4 wheel drive truck. So we stayed in a little mall while we waited – Stacy, Kari and the girls were so pleased to be able to shop even though there were not very many stores to choose from. We loaded all our supplies into black garbage bags and put them in the back of the pick-up and they were on their way.
At this point there was not anything for us to do, but head for the Lutheran Center in Antigua. This was definitely for the best as most of us are just raw emotionally. The girls are ready to go home and most of the adults are short tempered. The only ones who seem to be hanging in there are the boys – again, we could learn so much from them.
Cathy keeps saying that God has to break your heart before he can change it – I think we are all feeling pretty heartbroken this trip. For me, I have found this trip much more emotionally draining that last year. Randy has been dealing with some medical issues and would really like me to be there for support. I am finding it very difficult to be this far from home and not be there for him. It is a feeling that I cannot explain to the rest of the team and therefore feel quite isolated much of the time. I am so glad to have the mission work though, when I am working with the people of Guatemala I can see the joy and love in so many of their faces that I feel less alone. Thank God for Brad - he has been my rock this week! I am looking forward to getting home so I can begin strengthening myself for my family.
