As we landed at the Guatemala City airport, the natural beauty of the country overwhelmed us, but we did not anticipate how the beauty of this place would continue to overwhelm us as we set out for a prayer walk on Tuesday morning. We saw a beautiful lake surrounded by amazingly green volcanos and hills all set below the bluest sky with the whitest clouds you can imagine. As we greeted the people we passed on the street, their joy and inner beauty overwhelmed us. The children´s smiles overflowed with joy, and their eyes lit up so bright that they could blind you.
Very soon after experiencing this overwhelming joy and beauty, we also felt overwhelmed by the poverty here–it´s worse than most of us have ever seen. Yet, the local people still seem full of joy. We struggle to understand this. They say that they need nothing, but we feel that they ¨"need" much more than they have. It´s humbling. Overall, our introduction to Guatemala has overwhelmed us with all of the joy and beauty around us.
Em,these people have made quite an impression on you. Is the poverty worse than in Santa Maria? The children have such beautiful eyes and smiles. Some of the girls in these photos remind me of Anna and the others from last year. Sounds as though your location is even prettier than Santa Maria; do you think it’s the lake that makes it so? Remember how you felt after your first Mexico mission? Sounds like you feel that way again. There are no words to adequately describe how proud I am of you. I used to pray over you every night from the time you were born that you would be a true woman of God. Graciously, God answered those prayers with “YES.” Thank you for being willing to be used by God and guided by the Spirit for the Kingdom. I love you, Mom
Hi Emily,
Your mom just showed me this website. You did a great job with your post. I am thinking of you and praying for you. See you in a week. Love, Grandma
Hi Emmers, When your first call came on my cell, I didn’t recognize the phone number. Then my screen read “Joel Miller” so I answered the call and it was you. He happened to send me a text at the same time you called. His text reads “if you blog Em today tell her I say hi and I miss her tons!” He must be working for Corey today and can’t get on the computer. Thank you SO MUCH for the calls! We miss you; it’s SO quiet when you’re gone. Love Mom
Hi Em! It’s been a quiet Sunday. I watched the Angels beat Colorado 10-3; Brandon Wood got his first grand slam. Andy’s going to Calvary Chapel tonight. Last night we went to the Olive Garden for dinner. We had dessert, too. Zoppoli or something like that; little puffy Italian doughnuts rolled in powdered sugar. Had a chocolate dipping sauce. Yum! Kevin prayed for you in service today. Over 140 people went to Hurkey Creek, so both services were way down. Bryan led music with Ari, Mandy, Jamee, Trevor. Jon Hutton was playing bass; do you know if he’s home for a while? Everyone in our class was glad to hear how well things are going for you. Don’t forget to check your cell phone when you return to Atlanta; I will text you the luggage receipt for your flight home. Hurricane Celia off Mexico was stirring up the ocean. The Wedge at Newport Beach had 8-foot sets! Should be 78 in LA and 84 out here Friday! Andy says “hi.” We love and miss you, Mom and Dad.
Dear Mom Dad Chelsea Mikki Andrew