Yesterday we did a prayer walk, and then split up and did some house visits.  It was really good to get to invest into actual relationships with the people of our community… My group saw a woman outside washing her clothes on the pilla, and we offered to help.  She was so confused/ecstatic that we wanted to do her laundry… So, she and her daughter taught us how, and I played with the three little boys.  The house was filled with laughter the entire time… Even with the little Spanish I know, I was able to have a great time with the children.  The...

Guatemala. I’ve been here a total of three full days and there are four things I am sure of.  One, I am now aware of the feeling of constant sweating and one of the worst things that can happen to you is to have the power go off at night, thus killing your fan and one source of relief.  Two, driving in Guatemala means doing whatever you want, whenever you want. Hey, it’s only a ton of metal flying around…how dangerous could that be? Three, ice cold water is a rare and precious gift, something worthy of praising God for (And something you can buy...

Por fin! Fueron las palabras que salieron de mi boca al llegar al campo de entrenamiento misionero, estaba cansada por el largo viaje, muy emocionada y llena de nervios a la vez, pero en verdad no tenia ni la menor idea de lo que el Señor estaba a punto de hacer en mi vida en los proximos cuatro dias. Las cabañas en el campo de entrenamiento eran hermosas por fuera y yo hasta me imaginaba lo bien que iba a dormir en ellas una vez que nos instalaramos, cuando de repente nos soltaron la noticia "No dormiran en las cabañas, si no que dormiran en el medio del bosque;...

We just spoke with the team leaders and they've all arrived safely in Guatemala.  They are in route to their ministry site via some very long bus rides and will be settling in these next few days and getting some orientation from their host.  Expect to see some blogs rolling out in the next few days as they find internet. Thanks for all the prayers for this team! Real Life field support team

When I began this experience, I honestly was expecting something very different. I was expecting for an almost cushy time and a warm and friendly atmosphere. Although the latter is true, the former is certainly not. I have been so crazily uncomfortable these last few days. From camping in the woods on a whim with only three personal items to sharing a cabin with 24 other girls to rationing food for over 200 people… I have been uncomfortable. But the Spirit of God has given me so much peace. Every time I felt that I had doubts and was going astray from what I had been called to do, I...

4 DAYS. That's all it's been?!? After being dropped off at the airport, all of the mission trip participants (approximately 200 students are traveling all over the world!!!) were bussed to a training camp in the deep woods of Tennessee.  Even in the short time that we spent there, I can honestly say that I am already feeling a change!  What an awesome experience!  My team is comprised of 13 wonderful young women, along with 2 inspirational leaders, and after only a few hours together, the bonds began to form.  The LORD has divinely developed our team, and we...

Family is a word that is normally limited to relation by blood or people who have been in your life for many years.  Family wouldn't normally describe a group of peers that you have only knonw three days.  Relationships are developed and strengthened because we all have Christ in common. As a team we have already created so many memories together and we haven't even left the country.  Crazy Amazing things can happen when Christ is invloved.  Our second night at camp during team time we wanted to have a bonfire.  At our nighttime session we were told that...

Am I adequate?  Am I strong enough?  Am I ready for this?   These were the questions that kept flooding my thoughts as all 190 college students traveling to 11 different countries loaded up on yellow school buses and set out on the long journey to the Training Launch-off Camp in Tennessee. I was truly prepared for the unexpected when, along with the heat of the summer and exhaustion of travel, it was announced that we would be sleeping outside with nothing but our sleeping bags.  As my team of 16 began setting up camp for the night, thoughts of doubt hit me hard once...

Leaving home Friday morning was really hard for me. I had just left hanging out with friends to go on a mission trip with people I have not met yet. I felt like I was leaving my comfortable life to never come back. The whole way to the airport and on the plane I felt alone and almost regretted signing up for this mission trip but I kept thinking God has a plan. As soon as I landed in Chattanooga, a teammate from my team greeted me and it was just great. It was like meeting a long lost friend. After finding my baggage and I went and met up with other real life people and started talking to...

These last four days have been craziness. Mostly good craziness, but craziness nonetheless. I left a day early with Laura and stayed in Minneapolis with my wonderful roommate (and was entertained for many hours by my RA, who is also wonderful) in Minneapolis. We left early Friday morning from Minneapolis and ended up in Chattanooga, TN. After waiting in the airport for several hours, we met our team and started the awkward process of meeting and bonding with each other. We then loaded all our things onto a school bus and drove for almost two hours to a summer camp somewhere in Tennessee....

The last few days we have been at training camp.  It is absolutely beautiful! The land is covered with stately green trees and hills (mini mountains compared to Nebraska!)   So much has happened!  One the lighter side, picture each team facing each other in a very intense dance off….or almost 200 real-lifers dancing during “super-awesome-morning-time” to Lion King’s “The Circle of Life”!   But most importantly, God has been moving and working already in preparation for this trip. He has done many things in my heart, but perhaps the...