In the Thick of it!

Unbelievable that it has been 3 weeks since our last post. The time has been full, and the pace crazy!
Three weeks ago we saw our students complete their final classes in Spanish and then we all began three more weeks of intensity. One week where we sent the students out on independent service projects - Tina and I coordinated all the details to partner with 6 different organization in Guatemala - orphanages, churches, and para-church ministries where we could send our students to make a difference.
A second week we sent the groups to work with a land tenure and food security project in the Coban area. There the students were in home stays with Mayan families. It was an unbelievable, unforgettable time for all of them! Tina and I were able to be there for a day, to meet, work beside, and eat with the people there - beautiful! Finally, the third big week is the 'travel week' where we take the students to Tikal, Poptun, and the Caribbean. Starting last year we turned this 'get on the bus / get off the bus' experience into an 'Amazing Race'. It really is amazing!!! It is great! It is a lot of work to pull together but it is so worth it as it adds so much to the students experience in the country. They have to figure out how to get from point A to point B (and do it as cheaply as possible!) and they work in teams to accomplish challenges and solve problems - all to win points to win an awesome prize (which I will have to describe at a later date!)
Tina and I are holding it together... 2 weeks ago we were burnt-out, and due to some glitches in plans we were forced to stay back in Antigua and rework some plans. In the end it was the best thing for us as we were also able to take some time to rest. Last week we were both sick... but we seem to be on the mend. Please pray for us that we will have the strength to finish everything well and strong!

Photos of last weeks Travel Week / Amazing Race

Ramping Up

We just past our half way point this last weekend and it feels like the end is coming very quickly. The students only have 5 days of Spanish classes left and then we enter an explosion of activity. It feels like the calm before the storm... waiting in anticipation for roller coaster to begin.
Upcoming
This next week - final week of Spanish, retreat at Antonio's farm, many meetings as we host Paul and Deanna (our Director and administrator from Canada), a flight to Coban, and Tikal, plus organizing stuff.
The following week we send one set of our students on their independent service projects, while Tina and I join the other group heading to the Coban where we will live and work with the indigenous peoples (as amazing and intense experience), from there we will host the 'Travel Weeks'- seeing Tikal, Poptun/Ixobel, Rio Dulce, and Puerto Barrios (doing the loop with each group). Please think of us during the time ahead!
I haven't posted any of my own pictures this week but check out Dales - he is one of our site leaders and he is great at photography: Dale's Pictures