2017 Year in Review

How can it be that this year - 2017 - saw the completion of our 3rd entire calendar year in Guatemala!? It hardly seems possible, yet the difference between how we felt our first and second years (terrified and overwhelmed, respectively) and our third year is tremendous, and makes it obvious that we really are growing into our roles and realities of life on the mission field. It is at once bittersweet, strange, and comforting that Guatemala truly is become home in a more tangible way with each passing year.

Sometimes it's good to take stock of life, and this seems like a logical and fruitful time to do so. In light of that, below are some highlights and stats about this past 12 months.

In 2017, we:

• Hosted 27 dinners in our home for people
• Did 16 prayer and/or Bible study sessions at the Bible school
• Said goodbye and sent our oldest daughter to college 3,000 miles away
• Taught 14 four-hour classes at the Bible school
• Renewed visas six times and renewed two passports
• Gave 37 English classes and took 25 Spanish lessons
• Attended three missionary potlucks with others who serve in our city
• Participated in five teacher and/or board meetings for the Bible school
• Helped with 140 class days at the Bible school
• Did Bible studies at the women's shelter 25 times
• Assisted with running an after school program 23 times
• Spoke at nine different churches, small groups, Bible studies, etc. in the States
• Took one scouting trip to check out a new ministry opportunity God put on our hearts
• Volunteered more than 250 hours with a K-12 school
• Participated in the Bible school's graduation, with over 120 graduates from 7 locations
• Hosted six groups (nine people in all) in our home for a total of 24 nights
• Finished homeschooling 4th, 6th, and 11th grades, and started 5th and 7th grades
• Helped with one children's outreach and one youth outreach 
• Attended our first wedding shower, baby shower, and wedding in Guatemala
• Translated and assisted with one wheelchair distribution
• Met the U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala 
• Spent 41 days/nights in the U.S.
• As a family, got 96 new passport stamps 

It's fun to look at how God has used and moved us in simple yet profound ways this past year. We are super pumped and energized about a big vision God is revealing to us about our ministry in the year 2018 and beyond. (More on that in upcoming posts.) Beyond everything, though, we are so grateful that God allows us the privilege of sharing the good news here in Guatemala, and for all of those who are partnering with us in this work. Here's to the next 12 months and all the awesome things that Jesus has ahead for all of us!