Welcome to the Queens University of Charlotte 2009 Guatemala Mission Team Blog!
This is not your typical blog!
The students on the mission trip will most likely not have much of a chance to get to computers in Guatemala. Instead, I (Cherie Clark, faculty member at Queens and mission trip member for several of the last 10 years) will be relaying information as I receive it via cell phone. Dr. Diane Mowrey, the team leader will purchase a phone on arrival in Guatemala dn will update me as she is able (given signals available and itinerary). I will then post updates with pictures from past trips of the places the team will visit again.
If you would like to post additional information or questions -- PLEASE DO SO !!!
If you would like to contact me directly, please email me at clarkc@queens.edu
Buen Viaje a todo!
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go megan wheeland! woohoo
ReplyDeleteI watched them fly across the U.S., land ahead of "on time" at IAH and then depart, once again, on time. Hopefully, Dr. Mowery has had a calm airport adventure. They landed just a few minutes ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping with the blog, Zeb.
Via con Dios to all.
Kristin's Family
Today I was reminded how powerful a word of encouragement could be. As the team prepares to minister to our neighbors in Guatemala, I think of how powerful both their words and actions will be. Their impact will be lifelong. Go, team!
ReplyDelete"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."
Los queremos,
Mom, Dad, Kelly
"Sugary dreams."
ReplyDeleteLoving you.
As the team is out in the community, we're praying that they will be blessed not by the realization that they have so much at home, but that blessings aren't about what you HAVE, but what you GIVE.
ReplyDeleteSer bendecido.
Dear Mission Team,
ReplyDeleteThis is a note to thank each one of you for touching my life. I have not met some of you, most of you in fact, but I am enjoying the opportunity of praying for you every single day. I have the 5:00 a.m. time slot (M-F), which gives me the opportunity to bring you in front of my Maker before you even wake up. (It's 4:00 a.m. in Guatemala.)
Walter, Sarah, Star, Geoff, Joey, Jon, Kristin, Erin, Whitney, Kate, Stephanie, Brittany, Chelsea, Jenny, Natalie, Megan, Alice and Dr. Mowrey, I bring you by name, individually, for every need you'll encounter during the day, for your health and protection and for a tender heart.
If you come back thinking that you have not done enough, know that you have touched this life forever. I would venture to say I am not the only life you have touched. Thank you. God bless you and keep you.
Kristin's mom
I'm back....
ReplyDeleteToday I decided to learn about Xela and this is what I learned:
Quetzaltenango, more commonly known as Xela (shel-lah) is the second most populous city of Guatemala, after Guatemala City. It is both the capital of Quetzaltenango Department and the municipal seat of Quetzaltenango municipality, and has an estimated population of 300,000. Quetzaltenango is located in a mountain valley at an altitude of 7,655 ft above sea level.
The name may be derived from "Xe laju' noj" meaning "under ten mountains".
"Quetzaltenango" is generally considered to mean "the place of the quetzal bird". Quetzaltenango became the city's official name in colonial times. However, many people continue to call the city "Xelajú" (pronounced shay-lah-WHO) or more commonly Xela for short, and some proudly, but unofficially, consider it the "capital of the Mayas".
There are two main seasons in Quetzaltenango: the rainy season, which generally runs from May through mid-November, and the dry season, which runs from December until May. During the dry season, the city frequently will not receive a single drop of rain for months on end. From December through February, the days are quite warm, but the temperature drops dramatically during the nights.
Most of that is from wikipedia. Here's another good link:
http://www.elmundoenespanol.org/quetzaltenango.html
Want to see pictures of the city?
http://www.elmundoenespanol.org/media/gallery.html
buen sueño (It's the best I could do, Kristin :)
Amor y abrazos
Hello, All,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like tomorrow you go to Panajachel, and from what I learned, it sounds like it will be an amazing place!
Panajachel, isolated in the Guatemalan highlands, provides breathtaking views of three volcanoes that embellish perhaps the most beautiful lake in the world, Lake Atitlan.
Panajachel is a town in the southwestern Guatemalan Highlands, at an altitude of 5,238 feet and a population of approximately 14,000...significantly smaller than Xela.
Wishes to enjoy the people and the sights.
Que Tengas suenos dulces.
Los queremos.
The itinerary says our team is staying at Hotel Utz Jay tonight. Research indicates there's something for everyone...two very friendly german shepherds who enjoy people, a central garden, good breakfast and sometimes even yummy chocolate cookies, baked on site.
ReplyDeleteNo trip of this type is without challenges, as is the case as we walk through life. I have a particularly favorite bible verse that reassures me and provides me with comfort:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. WHEN you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and WHEN you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. WHEN you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze, for I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Is.43:1-3
We're not promised life without problems, but we are promised life with Help.
I hope you all had a great day!
Que duermas bien.
Amor y abrazos
As the week draws to a close, I'm focused on love and how it crosses boundaries, cultures and languages. It's been quite a week of eye-opening experiences - experiences they'll never forget. What a rare opportunity to be able to touch another culture, one with seemingly so much less, and walk away feeling like YOU are the one who has been blessed.
ReplyDeleteWhat does love look like? A moment of focused listening; a smile that says you care; helping with necessary tasks; a gentle touch; prayers. It focuses on the other person first, or even entirely, with no thought for yourself. The Beatles said, "all you need is love"; the bible says, "love never fails".
Everybody needs loves, so there's always an opportunity to give...whether you're in Guatemala or the U.S., love makes a difference.
I'll be watching you fly home tomorrow and we're excited to have you back. We look forward to learning from your experiences!
Via con Dios.
What an exciting trip home the team has had! After a very close connection in IAH, they successfully boarded and departed...only a few minutes after the scheduled departure time.
ReplyDeleteThe team is about an hour from the end of this journey, but that also puts them about one hour from the journey of "the rest of their life". What an eye opening and growing experience they've had, brand new for many.
Team, as you start the process of acclimating back to your everyday life, remember that it does not matter where you are - you can always make a difference, and there are always people who need help. And when you can't do something physically, I have learned that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength or ability to help in some other way.
Thanks for all you've done and are yet to do.
Ser bendecido. Los queremos.