Hello from beautiful Casa Bernabe where we are enjoying 75-80 degree sunshine!  We had a full day of activity as a team that started at 7am with a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, refried beans and fresh cheese, fried plantains topped with fresh cream (think creme fresche-- yum!!) and sugar.

Following that we had our daily team devotional time together, focusing on our calling to live in purity and holiness before God. We looked specifically at the matter of temptation,  framing our thoughts with two Scriptures: 1 Thess 4:3-4 and Gen 39, the story of Joseph's response to the sexual temptation placed before him by Potiphar's wife. We are already growing in transparency and love for one another as a team, and have had great times of honest discussion and prayer.

Each team member had work assignments both in the morning and afternoon, so following dinner tonight we had a debriefing session sharing the highs, insights,  and relational experiences of our day. We are all feeling healthy, blessed and part of something incredible and bigger than ourselves that God is doing here in Guatemala among these precious children and the dedicated staff members that serve them year around.

Casa Bernabe has overwhelmed my heart! I am SO impressed and humbled by the house parents whose sacrificial lives of service to Christ are laid down for these children whose lives have been marked by loss, abandonment, and in some cases abuse.  This morning I served with some of my teammates -- including my granddaughter Alexis-- at Casa Alabanza-- a home for children of toddler ages. It was fun and crazy busy!   Following our 1pm lunch (which was also delicioso!!) I worked with my teammate Stacy until 7pm in the baby house -- Casa de Los Angelitos. I was never so amazed in my life as I watched the incredible, loving parenting of ten babies & toddlers who are being taught in word and deed what it means to be part of a Christian family and to receive the love of God in tangible ways.

There are so many things that cannot be translated from the heart to the written word. So I must simply suggest that you prayerfully consider a short-term mission trip to Casa Bernabe next year for yourself or your family!! More team reflections and reports to follow.  Thanks for reading!

Warmly with joy,
Donna Alberta