August 8, 2009
As a sort of continuation of my previous entry, I just want to update on what has happened since our flight. Unfortunately, I only had time to read half of 1st Peter, and I didn't get a chance to sleep. Our flight was over shortly after I finished writing. You know, there were so many chances on the plane I could have tried speaking to the couple next to me, but every time I got scared, and I didn't. I don't know why.
Anyways--getting through immigration/customs was so quick and easy. David and I were shocked when we realized we were through. In Jamaica, they asked us all sorts of questions and searched our bags and stuff, but here all we had to do was pick up our bags and then hand over forms. SO easy...
Outside the airport, Ron, Mrs. Ansley, Drew, and some of the people Ron works with met us and took us to the vans. After a quick restroom break we loaded up for the 45 minute drive to Antigua. It was already basically dark though, so we couldn't see too much. Tomorrow we'll get a better idea.
After we arrived at Posada Dona Luisa, we unloaded all of our bags on a tiny one-way cobblestone road, and managed to finish without anyone getting hit by a car. Haha. We then ate a delicious dinner that included some meat/cheese combo, rice, salad, pineapple, and bread. Soon after, Ron went over rules, tips, and schedules real fast, and we were free to head to our rooms. Speaking of which...Emily Murphy and I are sharing Room #1, and it is TINY. The room itself is fine, but OH MY! The bathroom is SO SMALL! Erin tested it out for us and reported that you can indeed go to the bathroom, shave, and wash your hands just fine...all at the same time! It will be difficult not to put the toilet paper in the toilet, but we will try! Haha.
Well, for tonight I'm out. It is currently five minutes to 10pm Guatemala time, which means about midnight back home. I wasn't very tired earlier, but now I'm feeling it. I have to wake up at 6:30 tomorrow morning, so PEACE OUT!
-Courtney
Guatemala Blog #2
Guatemala Blog 1
August 8, 2009
Currently, I'm sitting on a plane to Guatemala with Beth, Val, Erin, David, Misty, Sherma, Marie, Andres, Aaron, Alex, Rachel, Evan, Emily Murphy, and Emily Reed. We are headed to Antigua, and our plan for the next week is to go to a malnutrition center and finish up some light construction and work with the kids.
This morning everyone met at the church around 8:30 am and Tom the Bus Driver brought us to Miami. We stopped and had lunch at the Florida Baptist Children's Home, and then they transported us to the airport. After much confusion and chaos, we were finally able to board the plane. While most of the group is together, some of us are separated. I WAS sitting in an aisle seat across from Erin and in front of Aaron and Val, but then I was asked to move so that a mother was able to sit with her kids. Of course, I didn't mind much at all...I can handle myself. :] I'm not sitting ten rows up from everyone else, next to the window seat. I can't tell you at all how long we've been flying, but so far I've been able to sleep a bit, and being along has given me a chance to pray and regain focus...I needed it, because after the heat today, the confusion, and other people's complaints, I've already lost sight of why I was going to Guatemala in the first place. Honestly, I'm not sure if I was spiritually ready for this trip. I've been praying about it a lot, but I feel weird. In one of my quiet times lately I felt like God was reminding me that on this trip I need to be selfless, and of course the only way I can do that is by putting myself aside completely. I took that to include whatever issues are going on between me and other people, as well as whatever worries and concerns are plaguing me from back in Florida. I guess maybe I just need to work on that a bit more.
Lately I've been so easily bothered by certain things, and even though I ought to trust people more, I can't help it. I see things going on, but whether it's my own insecure self twisting them or I'm seeing things as they are, I'm not sure. It just occured to me, though, that I haven't prayed about it...
Well, for now I'm out. I'm going to read my bible for a bit, then try to sleep a little more. As boring as it may seem, I've been enjoying my time apart from the group.
-Courtney
Currently, I'm sitting on a plane to Guatemala with Beth, Val, Erin, David, Misty, Sherma, Marie, Andres, Aaron, Alex, Rachel, Evan, Emily Murphy, and Emily Reed. We are headed to Antigua, and our plan for the next week is to go to a malnutrition center and finish up some light construction and work with the kids.
This morning everyone met at the church around 8:30 am and Tom the Bus Driver brought us to Miami. We stopped and had lunch at the Florida Baptist Children's Home, and then they transported us to the airport. After much confusion and chaos, we were finally able to board the plane. While most of the group is together, some of us are separated. I WAS sitting in an aisle seat across from Erin and in front of Aaron and Val, but then I was asked to move so that a mother was able to sit with her kids. Of course, I didn't mind much at all...I can handle myself. :] I'm not sitting ten rows up from everyone else, next to the window seat. I can't tell you at all how long we've been flying, but so far I've been able to sleep a bit, and being along has given me a chance to pray and regain focus...I needed it, because after the heat today, the confusion, and other people's complaints, I've already lost sight of why I was going to Guatemala in the first place. Honestly, I'm not sure if I was spiritually ready for this trip. I've been praying about it a lot, but I feel weird. In one of my quiet times lately I felt like God was reminding me that on this trip I need to be selfless, and of course the only way I can do that is by putting myself aside completely. I took that to include whatever issues are going on between me and other people, as well as whatever worries and concerns are plaguing me from back in Florida. I guess maybe I just need to work on that a bit more.
Lately I've been so easily bothered by certain things, and even though I ought to trust people more, I can't help it. I see things going on, but whether it's my own insecure self twisting them or I'm seeing things as they are, I'm not sure. It just occured to me, though, that I haven't prayed about it...
Well, for now I'm out. I'm going to read my bible for a bit, then try to sleep a little more. As boring as it may seem, I've been enjoying my time apart from the group.
-Courtney
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Awhile back I suggested to Val that he shouldn't take his laptop to Guatemala just because of the WiFi, so that he doesn't get all distracted because of it, because I know I would. He's taking it anyways. Yesterday I was talking to Erin and I told her that now I was thinking about borrowing his computer just for Word, to type up my blogs, but I knew he'd give me a hard time about it after what I told him. Sure enough, I mentioned that to him last night, and he was like "NO. You're not touching my computer! You're the one that said I shouldn't take it..."
I'm so used to typing my blogs now...How will I ever find the time to hand-write EVERYTHING I want to say?!
I'm so used to typing my blogs now...How will I ever find the time to hand-write EVERYTHING I want to say?!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
I was reading this great blog earlier, and in it I came across a link to The Modesty Survey. This survey was conducted in 2007, as a project of The Rebelution. Over 200 Christian girls submitted questions concerning modesty, and over 1,600 Christian guys ages 12 and up responded by rating each question from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree", and also left text comments to voice their opinion. It was veryyyy interesting to see just what guys struggle with the most when it comes to guarding their eyes, even as a girl who tries to be conscientious about that.
I've always considered myself to be modest, and for a long time I've understood that guys are wired WAY differently than girls, and are distracted by things that may seem completely retarded to us girls. However, as I was reading through the results of the survey, I was blown away by the little things the guys said are a stumbling block. A lot of what the guys were saying, too, related to how modesty is more than just how a girl dresses. It also has a lot to do with attitude and how a girl holds herself. Reading all the messages Christian guys typed out to their Christian sisters was such an encouraging reminder of why I try so hard. It was so cool to read through them all and see that there REALLY are guys out there who notice when girls cover themselves and are thankful for it, not just guys who think it's weird.
Girls, I strongly encourage you to check this survey out, and that other blog too. And before I go, one of my favorite proverbs:
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
PROVERBS 31
I've always considered myself to be modest, and for a long time I've understood that guys are wired WAY differently than girls, and are distracted by things that may seem completely retarded to us girls. However, as I was reading through the results of the survey, I was blown away by the little things the guys said are a stumbling block. A lot of what the guys were saying, too, related to how modesty is more than just how a girl dresses. It also has a lot to do with attitude and how a girl holds herself. Reading all the messages Christian guys typed out to their Christian sisters was such an encouraging reminder of why I try so hard. It was so cool to read through them all and see that there REALLY are guys out there who notice when girls cover themselves and are thankful for it, not just guys who think it's weird.
Girls, I strongly encourage you to check this survey out, and that other blog too. And before I go, one of my favorite proverbs:
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
PROVERBS 31
Today is a great day.
As I sit here watching The Incredibles and hating the pile of clean laundry sitting in front of me, I've got Guatemala consuming my thoughts. Today at church, the service was mainly dedicated to hearing the stories of the adults who just returned from their trip, and viewing a video of pictures. One of the things they talked a lot about was The Oasis, a ministry that reaches out to women who are stuck in the prostitution industry. They described the "line"--an old railway where the women rent the rooms that they use, and along which men from all over walk to choose the woman. They told detailed stories of two different women they met who are trapped in the cycle, but want to get out.
I truly do not like being emotional, but I couldn't help it...I wanted to cry. Sex trafficking and prostitution is something that tugs at my heart a lot--probably more like yanks at it. Lol. So, for me to hear those stories and even to hear that there was a 16 year old involved...it was really hard. Before the ushers collected this week's offerings, Pastor Stephen explained that it costs approximately twenty U.S. dollars a day for the women to survive, between paying rent for the room, paying the gangs that "own" them, and providing for their families. So, he called all the men to step forward and give $2.50 each week to get those women out from underneath the weight of all of that. It was beautiful, really. To watch all those men stand up, walk to the alter, and put money in that basket for those women was truly AWESOME. Whether it meant anything to them or not, it meant a lot to me, and believe me when I say that it could be the difference between life and death for those women.
Now that the day of our own departure is coming up, I'm feeling more and more desperate to pray for the Guatemalan people that we'll be visiting, and the ones that our adults got to meet last week. I can't wait to see what God has in store for US when we go!
More later.
=]
As I sit here watching The Incredibles and hating the pile of clean laundry sitting in front of me, I've got Guatemala consuming my thoughts. Today at church, the service was mainly dedicated to hearing the stories of the adults who just returned from their trip, and viewing a video of pictures. One of the things they talked a lot about was The Oasis, a ministry that reaches out to women who are stuck in the prostitution industry. They described the "line"--an old railway where the women rent the rooms that they use, and along which men from all over walk to choose the woman. They told detailed stories of two different women they met who are trapped in the cycle, but want to get out.
I truly do not like being emotional, but I couldn't help it...I wanted to cry. Sex trafficking and prostitution is something that tugs at my heart a lot--probably more like yanks at it. Lol. So, for me to hear those stories and even to hear that there was a 16 year old involved...it was really hard. Before the ushers collected this week's offerings, Pastor Stephen explained that it costs approximately twenty U.S. dollars a day for the women to survive, between paying rent for the room, paying the gangs that "own" them, and providing for their families. So, he called all the men to step forward and give $2.50 each week to get those women out from underneath the weight of all of that. It was beautiful, really. To watch all those men stand up, walk to the alter, and put money in that basket for those women was truly AWESOME. Whether it meant anything to them or not, it meant a lot to me, and believe me when I say that it could be the difference between life and death for those women.
Now that the day of our own departure is coming up, I'm feeling more and more desperate to pray for the Guatemalan people that we'll be visiting, and the ones that our adults got to meet last week. I can't wait to see what God has in store for US when we go!
More later.
=]
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