Saturday, August 1, 2009

Today we were able to deliver the 5 bunkbeds that we built to the Rosa De Amor Orphanage.  Rosa De Amor is a relatively new orphanage serving 21 children, 2 with special needs.  They have been forced to move 3 times within the last 6 weeks.  When we arrived we found an orphanage that had nothing, absolutely nothing.  The children had 3 cribs and 1 small bed to share and were sleeping on the floor.  We assembled the beds we had made as a team and dressed them with the new bedding we bought.  The kids climbed around us so excited to finally have something to call their own.  We also gave them shoes and what toys we had left.  The children were so appreciative to just have our love and attention, but were very thankful for our meager gifts.  This was absolutely the hardest day on us.  When Team Cornerstone left, there was not a dry eye on the team.

We then toured Hope for Tomorrow, an inner city orphanage in Guatemala City.  They currently serve 9 children in a very well kept and well run facility.  We were able to take the kids to lunch at a nearby Burger King and spent a lot of time playing with them also. 

Again, this was an extremely hard day on us and we know that tomorrow will be the hardest of all as we will spend the entire day with our friends at Fundaninos, ultimately having to say goodbye.  Please think and pray for us often on Sunday as we will need your support more than ever. 

We closed our evening devotional with the following verse:  Ephesians 3:20-21...Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Thank you and God Bless!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Our day today started with a tour of the coffee plantation by the owner, William.  We found it interesting to see how coffee is produced.  We then went to work at Fundaninos.  We repaired several toilets and sinks, completed painting the Girl's and Laundry House, and worked on the addition above the Baby House.  We were able to play with the toddlers and babies as we worked.  We stopped at 3:00 when the children go out of school and spent the rest of our time with them.  It was hard to say goodbye to them for all of us, but we changed our schedule so that we can spend the entire day Sunday with them.

We are amazed every day by the spirit of the children.  They have touched each one of us in different ways and have certainly changed our lives forever.

Our verse for the day is, James 1:27...Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans in their distress.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

We had a much needed day off for our team today, although we still began the day by making a food delivery to two orphanages as a team with ORI.  We were able to tour Shilom, one of the orphanages, and spend some time playing with the children.  As always, we found ourselves being greeted by children so excited to have someone visit them who were willing to give them the love and attention they so desire and deserve. 

Later we went to Antigua and spent some time shopping the local markets.  Several of us were excited to stop for lunch at McDonalds and have internet access for the first time on the trip.  There were many acts of kindness and giving by Team Cornerstone throughout the day on the streets of Antigua.  From giving to the poor, to praying with the needy, the Church That Left The Building continues on thousands of miles from home.

We would like for you to read the following verse, 1 John 3:17, If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  As always, our sincere thanks for your continued prayers and support of our mission.  God Bless You.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Today we constructed three more sets of bunkbeds, finished painting the cafeteria at Fundaninos and delivered food and supplies to other orphanages with ORI.  We then came together as a group at Fundaninos and made bead bracelets with the children.  We gave each child a soccer jersey along with several soccer balls for the group.  We concluded our time with the children interacting both individually and in small groups. 

God has called together an incredible team from Cornerstone with numerous talents!  We feel extremely blessed to be serving together. 

We closed our evening devotional with prayer and by reading the following verse: 

Gallatians 6:9- Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

As a team, we thank you for your continued prayers and support.  We cannot wait to share our journey with you personally.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Our group arrived safely in Guatemala yesterday.  We got ourselves settled in at the plantation and met our partners from a Baptist church in Texas.  Tuesday morning we split into groups to perform different projects.  One group built bunk beds for an area orphanage, one group performed various maintenance at Fundaninos, and another delivered food to area orphanages with Orphan Resources International.  Later everyone met back at Fundaninos to perform craft projects and interact with the children.  We were proud to see that Cornerstone's support of Fundaninos was alive and well.  Our sincere thanks to each of you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.