lago atitlán

This past week, my team took our midsummer three day break to Lake Atitlán, which is believed to be one of the most beautiful places on earth, and which (after going there myself) certainly goes on my personal list of most beautiful places. The days were both restful and exciting, full of zip-lining, trying delicious Guatemalan foods, sitting peacefully at our hotel while looking out over the volcanoes and the lake, shopping in Mayan marketplaces, visiting a textile coop and coffee roasting coop, and (of course) drinking lots and lots of coffee.

Here are some of my favorite shots from the trip:

Prayers/praises:

-We had a pediatric physical therapist come through CB this past week who worked with our 14 month old who is severely behind developmentally (he's about at the point where a 3 month old should be). In the few days she was here we were able to see incredible improvements in him, holding his neck up, looking around, focusing in on things... and while the therapist is now gone, she taught us so much more about how to be caring for him, helping him stretch and move in ways that will improve his growth, and so on. Biggest praise of the summer thus far, and I'm so blessed to be a part of it.
-As redundant as it may sound, continue to pray that I would find joy in the Lord here... it is a battle for me to fight each day, and I can physically feel it when the Lord has lifted me out of darkness and into His joy, a blessing which I know is only possible through prayer. 
-For team unity, that despite our differences, all 16 of us could remember our common foundation in Christ and find ways to bless each other.
-For presence here, that I would not be looking ahead to the next "more exciting" thing, or to coming home in about a month; that I would focus on loving and serving the children and the staff in each day and in all the little things.
-For the health, well-being, and development of the children we're working with, that they would find healing and also be aware as they grow that this healing can be found here solely because the Lord is at work and has made this place of refuge possible.