Hebrews 12:1-2

And it says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." 

Kaitlyn and I with our Driver, Eric. We had to wear our matching Ray Bans one day! 

So, since my last post, we have..... experienced the bargaining skills of the market, walked Antigua, dressed up as Batman, said goodbye to our Mother/Daughter Team, washed our hair with shampoo for live, and learned everything there is to know about coffee.

Janet, my ADPi sister! What a small world! I got to spend the week serving with one of my sisters. 

Ready to model our Batman attire.

I have been here for over a week and cannot believe it. Part of me feels as if I have already been here for months and the rest of me feels like this is all a dream. It is still hard for me to grasp that I am actually in Guatemala, but it is settling in. On Friday, we worked with the Mother/Daughter Team again in Jocotenango playing games and handing out lots and lots of fun toys. It was really just a fun last day of service getting to spend time together. We really loved this team and already miss them!

Mother/Daughter Team

Carlos, Sarah, Guillermo, Me, Jordan, and Brittany

Christian, one of the precious boys in Jocotenango on Friday

Saturday. EXPLORED ANTIGUA. We went to a coffee farm.. so cool. I can honestly say that even though I would not consider myself a coffee drinker, I have a lot of respect for the drink. There is a lot of work that goes into making the perfect coffee. Did you know the perfect coffee bean is red when you pick it? I had no idea. And the coffee farm was absolutely gorgeous. We got to ride on these safari looking vehicles and go through the entire farm. After that, we went to the Jade factory and learned about our Mayan Protectors. Mine is No'J, the woodpecker. Sounds protective, right? All in all, it was a very fun day full of fun activities with the group on their last day. 

The view from the coffee farm entrance

The Market. Oh, what an experience. So on Saturday at the Market, we decided the smartest thing to do was record all of the lowest prices we could get the items that we wanted. Then, on Sunday, we went back and did some hard core bargaining. Hey, I got everything I wanted at the price I wanted so clearly that is a great strategy! Do that next time you are at a market! It was so much fun to bargain with my team and use our skills together. There were actually two booths that the people knew Buckner and were both Christians. They each gave us gifts.. a bracelet and a bookmark. That was so sweet! And they gave us super great prices! When our Translator told us that they were Christians, you should have seen our faces light up! It was just so comforting to meet them and share that instant connection. 

On Sunday, I started to feel discouraged and I know I shouldn't have. But, after a week, our team was getting really sick, a little fatigued, feeling a little homesick, sad to say goodbye to our first team, a little frustrated with issues... so I woke up that morning just not in the highest of spirits. But, as I opened up my letter that I thought was from my best friend Lauren, it was actually from Nick. Immediately, by his words, I was encouraged and eager to pray for our team as I sat there waiting for church to begin. One of the wisest people I know, I knew that his words were exactly what I needed to hear that day.

He said so many things that encouraged me but one part that stuck specifically was "I know that often times on mission trips, we feel as though if we're not doing something all the time, we are missing opportunities. But, in reality, take some time and allow yourself to be filled with the Holy Spirit. There is a saying that 'God whispers in the U.S. but shouts overseas' and I do not want you to miss out on that. So don;t be too much like Martha and forget to spend time with Jesus. It's better to serve him filled with the Holy Spirit and do half what you expected than to do everything you expected and forget to acknowledge Him." (Sorry Nick for quoting a huge part of your letter! Hope you don't mind!) This is so true for me and I hate that. Every time I go on a mission trip, I am always centered on activity by activity, always keeping busy. I realized that there are so many times where all I need is my quiet time with God, to take those moments out of my day and glorify Him because He deserves my time. So, from that point on, I told myself that I need to take my time to be still. I know that is a huge struggle for me and my busy everyday life, but I will make it a practice while I am here just to be still in His presence and remember that everything that I do should be wholly in Him, for Him, acknowledging Him. I know that this is a weakness of mine. And I am on this trip to grow...so this is one area I will strive to grow in during the next three weeks.

Found the red coffee beans through the fields! That was a challenge!

Just having some fun with my camera.

Gorgeous view.

This weekend has brought many prayer requests to my attention for you all. First, our team is all taking turns being sick. We have sinus infections, head aches, stomach aches, sore throats, possibly fleas and lice.. you name it, it is going around our area of bunk beds. So, please keep our health in your prayers. Also, this week, we are on our own working in Jocotenango. We will be doing VBS activities for two groups of around 30 children each day. So, please pray for our patience, energy, and flexibility as this week progresses. Lastly, please pray for the upcoming team coming this weekend. We are already so excited for them and hope they get here safely!

Mom, I am teaching you how to make these right when I get home! They are so fun and so pretty!