// Guatemala - 01/15/2009

"He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths." Micah 4:3

Today was my "epiphany day".

I think a simple smile, handshake, high-five, or pat on the back means a LOT to these folks, and to the kids in particular. We obviously have the language barrier in our way, but that has actually taught me a lot. I don't need any well-thought-out words or eloquently-stated proverbs in order to communicate effectively. I don't have to be a good talker in order to show God's love or to show that I care. In fact, I don't need to talk at all. All I need to do is be genuine and care by actions. If I can show someone that I care in a country where I don't even speak their language, what should I be able to do in a country where I can?

We didn't work today, but instead held our VBS for about two and a half hours at a school not too far from where we've been working. The VBS consisted of coloring, crafts, songs, a Bible story, and framed Polaroids for all the kids. I helped a boy, probably three our four years of age, build a bead necklace (second picture below). It was a ton of fun, and I won't soon forget it. We had about 65 kids show up and it seemed that they had a ton of fun as well.

By the way, we decided not to work today because most of us got sick yesterday, thus the absence of any notes.