On our way!!

We are through security and everyone is getting Starbucks. It's required for flying, right? :)

We did have some small confusion at check-in, but we made it through after a few minutes. Everyone is really excited and in good spirits. The Eberhart sisters have arrived in Dalls and are awaiting the rest of the group.

So we're on our way and looking forward to a good trip. Thanks again for everyone's support, prayers and donations.

Packing Party!

Last night we packed up 6 large suitcases, each weighing around 50 pounds, full of toothpaste, toothbrushes, candy, toys and stuffed animals for the kids of Guatemala. It was absolutely AMAZING to see how much stuff was collected in such a short time but a small group of people. Thanks to everyone who contributed in one way or another.

Here are some pictures. Please note, a small slideshow of the pictures will automatically play here on the blog, and you can navigate using the small "play" "forward" and "back" buttons below the pictures. Or click on any picture to go directly to the Picasa web album that has all the pictures. The pictures in the web album are in a high enough resolution you can "right click" and "save" the picture to print on your own, or email or share with friends. Play around with the pictures because this will be the format I will post all the photos while in Guatemala.

The faces...

It's the faces of the kids that I love. Here are some examples, and I know we'll see so many more...

Building a House? Yeah, we can do that

Thing are coming together really well for the trip. We have crafts and hygiene bags for 600 or more kids, filled with bouncy balls, toothbrushes and toothpaste, stickers, and more fun toys. It's great to think about blessing the children in a small way!

We just got off the phone with the missionaries, and they are hoping to build a small house for one of the cooks of the feeding programs. This would be a one room, wooden house with a tin roof and a concrete floor. Very simple, but better than what this woman is living in now.

And the exciting part: We get to help! Even though we have little experience, we will wield our hammers and work hard to get four walls and roof up for this family.

The cost is relatively small: $1,300. But right now, we don't have much extra money since we kept the trip costs low. Please consider giving a little bit extra toward this project. Ask a few friends if they could donate $20 or $30 bucks. A little goes a long way (in fact, that's the theme of our VBS project!! "When you give what you have to God, no matter how small, it is always enough!")

Cash is the best form of donation right now, so close to the trip. But if someone would like to write a check, please make it out to Hearts for Heaven. Money can be delivered to Jesse & Kellye Schroeder 2406 Altenburg Ct. Grove City, OH 43123

The town of Villa Caneles, which is the area in which we would be building this house.

The work site from 2007

Twitter Feed

I've put a twitter feed at the top of the page. While on the trip, I will update this feed as much as possible with short posts about what we are doing at the moment. Check back regularly, or if you have a Twitter account, you can follow @guat10 for all the updates!

Supplies Needed

Here is a list of supplies we will be collecting in the next month for our upcoming trip:

Crayons for children’s crafts

o These can be in small boxes (4-6 crayons), or if you purchase larger packs, we will split them up into smaller bags.

- Small toys, to be put in gift bags

o Boys: Matchbox cars (already have about 200, but could use a few more), other small toys

o Girls: Hair barrettes, bows, or colorful ties. Simple bracelets, necklaces, or other colorful jewelry. Brushes, combs.

o Both: Hard candy (Jolly Ranchers, Dum Dums, mints, etc.) Stickers,

- Hygiene Items to be put in gift bags (all items must be travel size)

o Toothbrush / Toothpaste

o Deodorant

o Soap

o Shampoo

All donations must be collected by Tuesday, July 27^th. If you would like to make a monetary donation to be used directly to purchase needed supplies and gifts, please make checks out to Hearts for Heaven.

The picture below is of a girl from the town of Santo Domingo. She received a gift bag, and you can tell she absolutely LOVED it.

What is happening in Guatemala right now??

In the past few weeks the country of Guatemala has faced some major challenges. First, the volcano Pacaya erupted. This volcano has been active for many years, and is only a few miles outside of Guatemala City. The volcano spread about three feet of ash over the city, and killed 3 people.

Only a week or so later, a major tropical storm pounded the country with rain. Because many homes are built on the sides of mountains, built on mud foundations, and use only very primitive materials, the destruction was vast. Many homes were washed away or covered in mud.

This article has many vivid pictures of these and more natural disasters going on in Guatemala right now.

The good news is, we are going to help!! We will be in the country at a crucial time, ready to lend a helping hand and offer a word of encouragement. It's exciting to be a part of such an amazing country!!