Guatemala Arrival Blog

  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/views.module on line 843.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_display::options_validate() should be compatible with views_plugin::options_validate(&$form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/plugins/views_plugin_display.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_display_block::options_submit() should be compatible with views_plugin_display::options_submit(&$form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/plugins/views_plugin_display_block.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_field_broken::ui_name() should be compatible with views_handler::ui_name($short = false) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_field.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of content_handler_field::options() should be compatible with views_object::options() in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/cck/includes/views/handlers/content_handler_field.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_sort_broken::ui_name() should be compatible with views_handler::ui_name($short = false) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_sort.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_validate() should be compatible with views_handler::options_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_submit() should be compatible with views_handler::options_submit($form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_broken::ui_name() should be compatible with views_handler::ui_name($short = false) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_boolean_operator::value_validate() should be compatible with views_handler_filter::value_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_filter_boolean_operator.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_many_to_one::init() should be compatible with views_handler_filter::init(&$view, $options) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/handlers/views_handler_filter_many_to_one.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_style_default::options() should be compatible with views_object::options() in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/plugins/views_plugin_style_default.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_row::options_validate() should be compatible with views_plugin::options_validate(&$form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/plugins/views_plugin_row.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_row::options_submit() should be compatible with views_plugin::options_submit(&$form, &$form_state) in /home1/ucgit/public_html/goodworks/modules/acquia/views/plugins/views_plugin_row.inc on line 0.

God blessed us all with a safe arrival in Guatemala. Our trip lengths varied from 7 to 36 hours.

We were greeted at the airport by the pastor of the Guatemalan churches -- Israel Robledo and his wife, Thelma. Among the welcome committee was Nasser and Lucky Robledo and their two children Andrea and Monica, along with Werner and Francisco Solorzano.

After piling all of our luggage into a pick-up truck we had a few hours to explore Guatemala City together and grab a bit to eat at Pollo Campero. Nasser and Lucky Robledo graciously opened up their home to all of us for the weekend.

The Sabbath was an unforgettable experience with gratitude, joy and love shown by the brethren here in Guatemala. Hugs were given by all, friends and strangers alike.

We enjoyed friendly conversation as we practiced our Spanish skills. The opportunity to perform special music for the Guatemalan brethren was a wonderful privilege to show our love and care for them and this was reciprocated by the Guatemalan church choir performing the Spanish version of "Be You Holy."

The sermon and sermonette were both in Spanish, but fantastic interpreting services were offered so the language was not a barrier for us.

At the completion of Sabbath services the entire congregation shared a lunch hosted at the Robledo's house. The afternoon was full of friendly discussion, fun with little children and lots of songs and joyful fellowshipping. The adults exchanged stories and participated in lively discussion, while the kids played with bouncy balls, Play-Dough, and had a few games of hide and seek. After the meal guitars were brought out and hymns were sung in both English and Spanish. Jelly even made an appearance later in the afternoon to say hi to the kids and perform the Ten Commandments song in Spanish. It was like a giant family reunion even though this was the first time many of us had met.