What we are doing here

So we have approached and passed our half way mark here in Guatemala. As I think about this I am amazed at how fast the time has gone and how I really want to grasp a hold of what is happening here. So for those of you who know little about what we are doing, here is the scoop.
We are working along side some great friends here in Flores, Guatemala who run a ministry called Buen Samaritano (Good Samaritan). There are 2 aspects to this ministry that run daily. First is a medical clinic that sees people for little or no cost. They will never turn someone away, even if they can't pay a dime. Second is a vocational school for young boys aged 15-20. At the vocational school is where Craig works. Currently there are 10 boys that he works with daily to help them learn carpentry, welding, and others sometimes teach computer and electrical classes. This ministry was started to help young boys to stay out of gangs and get their lives on a path that would guide them to a future of great success. When our friends felt the burden to start this ministry they asked the boys why they join gangs. They gave 2 main reasons 1. quick money through drug dealing and other crimes (minors can't be prosecuted here so they are recruited to do this work) and 2, a sense of family and belonging. Most of the boys come from homes where the father is absent and one boy has no father or mother so belonging is hugely important to them.
So our friends, Ovidio and Derida, have created a place that meets both of these needs. The school is free to the boys and after they have been there for a bit they have to opportunity to make a small salary funded by the projects they make and sell. This gives them a sense of pride and ownership in the work that they have accomplished. Also, this shop where they work becomes a safe place for them to come and place of belonging. The boys are great friends and enjoy what they do together. It gives them a place to be every day and something positive to do. And Bio, Derida & Craig would do anything for these boys if they needed. They have gone to educational school functions when a parent couldn't. They have given them clothes when they were needed. They feed them daily a hearty nutritional snack. And most importantly they love them by sharing life with them daily. The boys love coming to school. They have a great sense of pride in their work and they love having a group that they belong to.
We are so happy to be a part of this and we look forward to an even greater 3 months to come. Thank you to everyone who loves and supports us!

The past week!

Sorry it has been so long since we have published a post. We spent the last week visiting with Papa and Nana Ushler. We had a great time being tourists for a week, seeing the sights and visiting all kinds of new places. Here are a few pictures. I will post more later but the kids are needing my attention right now. Thanks for following our adventures!
Craig and I got to go on a zip-line canopy tour. So much fun!!!


Here are Isaac and Josiah on a horse. Isaac actually went for a ride with Craig (his first ride on a full sized horse). Josaih just sat there for a minute and pet the horse.


Here are a couple pictures from Tikal of old Mayan ruins. It was pretty amazing and beautiful landscape.

Weekend Getaway!

A beautiful view of the sunset from near the pool. My how amazingly beautiful a sunset can be!

Isaac got these new swimming muscles for flotation. He loved them because they allowed him to swim anywhere in the pool, including the deep end, by himself. Apparently I didn't get a picture of him in the water though.

Napping poolside with Josiah. Don't be fooled though, there is a nice layer of sweat between us because it was sooooo hot out!

Josiah jumping into the water.

Last weekend was a holiday here so we took advantage and snuck away for a night to a hotel down the lake from us. It was beautiful with serene gardens and a pool in woods. It was great to have some down time. Honestly most of the time we were there we spent it in the pool because it was record breaking hot, but boy were we thankful for the pool. We had the pool to ourselves pretty much the whole time we were there and we loved every minute of it!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. We are blessed as a family to have wonderful moms and Grandmas that love and adore us. I (Jennifer) feel especially blessed because I look to them as an example of what I want to become. With that said, we love you and miss you and hope that you are having a wonderful Mother's Day!