Our Cowboy Experience....in Guatemala!

My parents were just here for a couple weeks and we were able to do some fun and different things with them. One of those experiences we had was a Cowboy Event. It was about 10 minutes from our house on the outskirts of town where many farmers live. As we headed for the place we heard the event would take place, I wondered to myself, "What is this going to be like?". As we pulled up to a large property we were greeted right away by a local pastor, an American (who does Cowboy Ministries throughout Guatemala), and one of the organizers from another city in Guatemala. They were so welcoming and kind to my parents, our friends and the kids. There were about 10 cowboys on their horses and nothing really happened for about 30 minutes, which is kind of common here. Then people just kept coming, from who knows where, and more and more cowboys too. There was probably around 15 cowboys when it really began. They started the event with sharing about Christ and how you can be a cowboy and know Christ as Lord and Savior. Then there were some kids relay races and they had a chance to try lasoo a barrel too. Elijah, Noah and Rachel all ran in a relay- so fun for them! Then the cowboys did some competitions, which we so neat to watch. During all this time my dad was taking pictures from all parts of the property. At one point the owner of the property's son came riding his huge horse and asked if any kids wanted to try. This kid was not 12 or 13 but 5 years old and incredible on this huge horse. Noah was thrilled, got on right away, and rode with the other little boy for at least 10 minutes. Elijah had a turn too! So fun to do things like this with our kids and my parents! We ended up being there watching different races and competitions for at least 2 hours. Each person we met was so kind and friendly. Who would of thought we would be at a cowboy event in Guatemala with my parents and my kids! You never know what life will throw at ya! Enjoy each moment and savor the memories!

The Roof....

About a month ago, Steve was able to see one of his dreams come true. It all began a year ago, when Steve and I were in Guatemala and we went to visit a place that was in need of some food, as they were in a major drought. The House Dads had been looking for places that were really affected by the drought and found this place, called Flor del Cafe. It was a village made up of about 12-15 families. They were given food provisions and we got to be a part of it! The village really impacted us because the people were so organized with the way they layed out their homes and the land they lived on. We loved to be there with the people and had an amazing experience.
Last July, we went there again with our kids, handed out some clothing, food, and did a few crafts with all the kids. I loved to be able to see my kids first hand just playing and loving on the kids from this village. A kid is a kid, no matter where you are from or what your upbringing is like. So great! On this visit, we found out that the village had a teacher that would come and teach all their kids, but they didn't have anywhere to meet. Steve felt led to find a way to help. The leader of Flor del Cafe told us they could build the building(out of clay/dirt bricks dried in the sun), but they were not able to get the roof. They had even approached the Mayor of the area and he was not able to assist them in any way. Steve found out it would only be a few hundred dollars to get the metal roof. He said he would get them the roof once they built the building.
Well, the building was completed just over a month ago and Steve and some of the house Dad's were able to go help and put the roof on. It was amazing to see the pictures afterward. To see how a village did what they could and then we were able to come along side them and see something they wanted for their kids happen. Now Flor del Cafe has a school building and the teacher can come teach their children. There is already a group of Guatemalan youth that will be going and helping with school supplies and doing a Vacation Bible School with all the kids(about 40 or so). So beautiful to see all of us working together and loving each other.