I am sorry it has been so long since I have written and updated everyone on what has been happening in Guatemala. I do want to get you up to date and so I have to start with what is weighing heavily on me right now. I will be coming home on Friday, June 22nd. Last night I was not feeling well and after a few tests it was deceided that it would be best for me to come home where I can receive adequate care and support. Do not get me wrong, the directors and other interns took great care of me and it is tremendously appreciated. I am stable and will be prepared to fly on Friday. I want to thank everyone for the support they have provided me thus far and I ask, now more than ever, that you would please continue with your prayers and support focusing on my health concerns. I know I will get the care and attention that I need in the United States, it is just very hard for me to come to terms with having to leave early and feeling that I have left so many things unaccomplished. Please pray that my fears are calmed as I make arrangements to come home and that I can begin to see that this is for the best. I am sorry this is not a lively and fun update and I'm sorry that this is where my trip in Guatemala ends for now. I am already praying that I will be able to return and pick up where I am leaving off. On a brighter note, the team of 19 has arrived from Texas- mostly consisting of high school students or current grads. They all seem very nice, I look forward to getting to know them through out my last day here tomorrow. On Sunday the kids had a fundraiser in the square of Villa Nueva with the proceeds of about 1,500 pizzas through Domino's going to the Children's Home. It was a very neat event. Eslin and the younger girls danced beautifully to aide the effort. Well I am going to get some rest and I will try and update tomorrow on when I'll be flying. Thank you for your prayers and support that are immensely appreciated.

Hola, I am back in Villa Nueva for the last time. I spent the week in language school, learning a lot with 4 hours of one-on-one a day. I had a blast. For those of you that heard about the earthquake, don't be alarmed- it was only a 5.4, not as large as the news made it out to be and there was no damage done where I was. I actually didn't even feel it, sadly...

This week has been adventurous. I met with some friends (who I met in Houston from the layover) for dinner, shopped at the market (bought a blanket, 2 skirts, a purse...), debated about staying until August but realized I need to stick to my commitments in the States. I climbed up 314 steps to the cross on the hill, which was beautiful even though the clouds were enveloping the city (there's a picture of the cross). I visited my 'mommy' Margarita and she insisted on Shelly and I staying for lunch; food was on the table before we could say otherwise. She's a doll. I went to YWAM- which stands for Youth with a Mission, for a service and worship; it was neat to network although sadly all in English. Oh yea, how could I not mention that I climbed up Pacaya?! About 2 miles up and 2 miles down... (what goes up must come down, right?) anyway- it took about 3 hours. I got some shreds of molten lava in my hand, it's very sharp. I also roasted a marshmallow in lava and ATE it (as you can see). Amazing, it was a truly amazing experience. Today I returned to Villa Nueva, I'm a little tired and a little under the weather from my cold- but all is well. Thanks for your prayers.

I'm sure some of you have heard about the earthquake offshore in Guatemala. Corrine is safe!! We heard that communications within the country are sporadic right now and we're not sure if she has access to email yet but we got word that everyone is safe. :-) She sent the below pictures and journal about an hour before the earthquake so we're not sure if the internet in Antigua has been affected.

Colley

Pictures of the arch (below) and the volcano agua from the street as well as just the street ...

Yesterday we climbed up to where the cross is on the hill. It was about 314 steps up and very beautiful, it was a little cloudy, but amazing and a lot of fun. Shelly and I visited my mom from the other week and I'm a little mad because she doesn't have anyone staying with her... so we could and she had lunch on the table for us before we could say no. It was very good though. I ran into the people that I had met in my layover, we walked around some shops and went to a very pretty restaurant. I have a bit of a cold too, Shelly and I are both under the weather, but we're determined to climb the volcano today, so be it. Pray for a safe trip from 1-8PM today, Wednesday. I hope to have amazing pictures to show you!

Hi, I had a second before school and thought I would let you know that I am climbing Pacaya today with a few others!!! I will update you more after classes, now time for some intense Spanish

We haven’t heard from Corrine the last few days, however, we know she’s in language school this week and I’m sure the study is intense. Let’s focus our prayers on her studies the next few days. Let’s pray that her eyes are open to God’s love, blessings, and grace within the culture as she continues to learn the language. Let’s also pray that she touches the lives of those she meets and that her heart is ready to receive from others as well. I’m sure we’ll hear from Corrine again real soon.

Adios for now!
Colley (her friend in mission)

Hoy era el ultimo dia antes de necesitamos salir. Los ninos jugaban en el agua, es la primera vez que he visto esto, tan bonito! Dios te bendiga.

Orientation has begun for all the interns, some parts are boring, some really interesting. Last night, we watched Invisible Children, it was phenomenal and ever since I have been seriously debating going to Africa. Go to InvisibleChildren.com and see what I'm talking about. I would also strongly suggest seeing the movie. Anyway, it was amazing and changed my thinking and feelings a lot. I was completely speechless afterward. I think my stomach was a little uneasy because the movie was shaky and I got a little dizzy from it. But all is well today. So I've been thinking a lot about going into Missions as well as the Peace Corps. A lot of missionaries have trouble adjusting abroad and once I get my PhD or whatever I could really go anywhere and use my degree. That is something I'm really praying about. Like, where I should go after my externship and what I really, really actually want to pursue that will make me happy and will also make a difference in the lives of others. Because that is what I want to do most. I want to help others and reach out to them. I love going abroad, I really want to go to Mexico, South America, more of Central America, Asia, and now Africa. I want to travel and make a difference. Once I'm done my externship I want to be doing something that requires traveling where I can go abroad for a little, put myself in a completely different environment, learn the culture, the language, and make a difference. What do you think? I would really love to go into the Peace Corps and am still seriously considering doing that after my externship and I can work with a Grad school that I can do it abroad and complete it after/during my time somewhere. I would love to go to Asia or South America. So those are my thoughts and where I'm at right now and where God is taking me. Keep me in your prayers with figuring out my future as well as my safety while in Guatemala.

Today we went to Antigua, ate at a beautiful restaurant- Santo Domingo for breakfast, it's a $249 (over something crazy like that) a night hotel as well. From there we went to see their candle shop- where they're all hand-made and visited the language school. We then went to the coffee plantation. Lots of fun. Anyway, three more cakes down- if I didn't mention that before- we're at a total of 10! ha... and there's lots more to come. Attached are a couple pictures. The first is a view of Fuego, from Antigua- I thought it was a pretty shot. The second is me, duh, sitting on one of the fountains outside the Santo Domingo restaurant. Take care and thanks again for your support!

I had a minute between orientation meetings that I thought I would send a message. The other interns arrived yesterday, they are all females and very nice. They haven't been here before, so it's neat to see them getting acquainted and playing with the kids. I am having a lot of fun getting to know everyone and not so much fun sitting through meetings of what to do and what not to do... because I think I'm pretty knowledgeable with everything. This weekend is the 'intern retreat' and orientation, tomorrow we are going to Antigua for the day, that should be fun. Then 6 of us head there for language school even though I'll only be there for one week as opposed to the others being there for 2. Well time to get back to things. Take care and thanks again for your support because I can't thank you enough.

The kids love playing on the playground and being pushed on the swing!

All is going well. Everyone got back from the conference over the weekend and all the other interns, which consists of five girls, are arriving tomorrow. The intern retreat starts tomorrow night with the usual getting to know you games and such. We are also taking a trip into Antigua and Santo Domingo, which I'm excited about. This Sunday we are headed back to Antigua for language school. I will only be there one week while the other interns will be there for two weeks. When I come back to the children's home I'll have exactly 1 month here, because I'll be coming back on the 15th.

There will be a team down here the end of this month, I think about 19 people – Wow! But that will be the only team that I will be around to meet. The rest of this week is going to be pretty busy with everyone else here. I should be able to get back to you this Monday. I hope that's not too long. Thank you again for all your prayers and support.

Here are a few of the younger boys at the Children's Home. They had a fun time getting their picture taken, as all these kids do.

This is a picture of the volcano in some of its glory during the night when it's glowing orange. The volcano is not the bright light to the left of the picture, that's a street light. The faint glowing right in the middle of the picture is the volcano. It looks cool in real life.

Hi again! I wanted to let you know that all is still going well. Today Shelly and I visited the school for a little, she observed the kindergarten class and then we started making cakes. It is Emily's 20th birthday. She's been here for about 10 months and is leaving soon. We made two yellow cakes and two chocolate cakes. As you can see... they don’t have icing yet. The other picture is of Shelly when we were making cakes. Well, time for the icing. Have a nice Monday night. Tonight the Directors of the Children’s Home, and a few other interns are returning, therefore tomorrow we'll be doing lots of work.

This weekend has been nice, Shelly (the other intern) and I got to spend a lot of time with the kids. Sunday morning we went to church, which was phenomenal. We sang "Open the Eyes of my Heart" in Spanish, which was amazing! It's my favorite song in English. We met an older Guatemalan lady at church who speaks 5 languages and was just all around amazing. That was neat.

After church Shelly and I sat and talked, as is now our usual ... we won't have that luxury after today because it won't just be the two of us. I don't think I have ever clicked so well with anyone and on so many levels ... or so fast! Our favorite color(s), our proficiency in Spanish, our love for these kids & this place, and just who we are - we have so much in common, it's a blessing. I'm glad that I had the weekend to spend here with her.

That's all for now. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers and for your continuous support. Words can not explain how appreciative I am. Dios te bendiga!

This is of my "mom" Margarita. This was taken right outside my room, at the middle of the house where it is open to the sky. It's so pretty, isn't it? I left today at 3 and took a taxi for 200Q which is approximately $28.50. 70Q here equals approximately $10- so I'm pretty rich. I got to Villa Nueva around 3:30 and reunited with some of the kids; saw the new pproperty with the girl's house which is BEAUTIFUL; and met the other intern that is here. She is very nice. This weekend I don't have a lot to do because Kendon, Wendy, Kara, and Daniel (the directors) are away for the weekend. So if you would like to email me, I'll have time to answer. My email is beachtone03@juno.com - Buenas noches.

Here is my school - we sit at individual tables and talk, I take notes on what I don't know and such.

After getting to Antigua (where I'm attending language school) I got settled in with my family. My mother's name (here of course) is Margarita... like the drink and she's very nice. She has an older daughter and a younger son. There is also a professor staying where I live and another girl who is from Nebraska. Friday, June 1st I leave for the New Life Children's Home. I'll be there for the week and then return to Antigua for another week of school. I can already tell I’m learning so much because I sit one-on-one with my professor for 5 hours a day and just talk and review things that I need to know. It's amazing and a lot of fun. Yesterday I went to the market and bought a notebook for class- it's very cute... and some regalos. I know a lot of people that have been getting sick from amebas. Keep this in your prayers because I don't want to get them. I attached some pictures... the one with the red bed-spread is where I sleep and the blue one is right next it, it works well to hold my luggage... ha. It's kinda like I have my own very, very small studio... I hope when I find a place in Philly it's bigger than this.

The photo of the yellow house is where I live with my “family". The pink building is the school that I attend. I hope to get pictures of the 3 volcanoes. I live between them ... only one is considered active. I hope I have the chance to climb one before I leave. Oh yea, one other thing … it's the rainy season in Guatemala right now- so every day around 12-2 it rains and pours and drips and rains. It is great at night though because my house is open to the sky in the middle, therefore if you look down on it you can see in the inside and there's plants and stuff there. So when it rains I can hear the rain hitting outside my room because I live right under the awning beside the open part of the house.

I hope that makes sense. I'll try and take a picture so you understand. Thank you for your prayers and support, none of this would have been possible without you.

I just wanted to update everyone real quick while I have a chance. I missed my flight in Texas because the Baltimore flight couldn’t take off due to severe storms in Houston. When I finally arrived at Houston I had already missed my connecting flight. Bummer! Luckily the airport put me up in the Hampton Inn. I left the next morning at 9:40am and arrived in Guatemala around Noon and went straight to language school and studied for 4 hours with a professor. Then I went to the family’s home where I’ll be staying while I’m in language school. It’s only about 6 blocks from the school which is great. I’ll update you more when I have the time and can connect my camera!

Thank you for your prayers! I made it safe!

My Internship in Guatemala

Hi everyone! Thanks for visiting my blogsite! I am in Guatemala serving as an intern at a children's home from May 29th - July 15th. Please continue to check for regular updates on my experience serving at the Home!