"Our God is Greater"

Wow...what a day! Words cannot even begin to describe this day...we were tested, pulled and pushed more than any of us had ever imagined!

After a couple of trips to Chicago O'Hare and a few non eventful plane rides on a couple airlines all 30 of us arrived in Guatemala, tired, but safe and in one piece. After loading all 60 pieces on luggage on the top of the buses we headed for a quick breakfast at McDonald's before the 5-6 hour drive to Huehuetenango, our home for the next 7 days.

Unfortunately, our plans were shaken up a bit after breakfast. After returning to the bus, some in our group realized their belongings were not were the left them and missing from the locked bus. It became quite apparent that during our breakfast someone had broken into the bus and stolen Merrie Beth, Terri, Brad and Ally's personal items. The thieve or thieves took four bags by opening a locked window on the side of the bus.

It was a very frustrating experience for all of us and required great patience. The lot was guarded and supposedly under video surveillance. Unfortunately, none of the security guards admitted to seeing anything and the video surveillance was not working right. Although one of the men appeared figity and guilty we had no proof that he was the person who had taken the items. The Guatemalan police were called and a police report was filed, but the items were not recovered, nor do we believe that they ever will. It was really hard for all of us to see the flaws in the system that is in place to protect the innocent here in Guatemala.

Brad and Ally's passports were among the stolen items and now need to be replaced. We contacted the American Citizens Unit at the US Embassy in Guatemala City and they will be able to replace their passports, however, this cannot be done until Monday. We made arrangements for Brad and Ally to stay at one of our translator's home for the weekend. They will be headed to the US Embassy on Monday morning to get their passports replaced. Our hope, Lord willing, is that they will be able to rejoin the group late Monday or Tuesday. Please pray for them and also for Merrie Beth and Terri.

The bus ride to Huehue took a lot longer than expected due to torrential rains and lots of fallen rocks in the road. It was a long and exhausting ride through the mountains and we were all thankful to arrive at the hotel at 8:00 tonight. After a good dinner, some showers and a great devotional by Glenn and Nancy things quieted down quickly.

We leave the events of today in the hands of God. We find peace in knowing that this is part of HIS plan for our group. We have spent months planning and preparing for this trip, but ultimately, it is God's trip. He is the potter and we are they clay and we looked forward with great optimism to what He has in store for us for the rest of the week.


"Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…

Into the darkness you shine
Out of the ashes we Rise
There’s no One like You
None like You.

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God...

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
What can stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…"