After nearly two months here in Guatemala, it’s finally time to let Katie go back to her family in Omaha. She’s been joking that she wanted to stay, and, when we got to the airport only to discover that her passport was still in my house in Antigua, it looked like she just might get her wish.
After a quick phone call to Mari, and an even quicker drive from Antigua to the airport by Manuel, she managed to make her plane with about 10 minutes to spare. (I’m still not sure how Manuel managed to make it to the airport through rush hour traffic—and am probably glad I don’t know!) It was a hard and tearful good-bye, but I’m pretty sure Katie will be back one day.
I hope her time here was as valuable to her as it was to us. Whether she was at home playing with Anita’s girls, at the orphanage, at a Hope Haven wheelchair distribution, having lunch at Camperos, or traveling, it was clear that Katie was a “natural” to the ministry here in Guatemala.
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| Dancing with Gracie |
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| Giving Rachel a piggy-back ride |
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| Working with Azucena at New Life School in Santa Maria de Jesus |
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| Visiting at a Hope Haven wheelchair distribution |
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| With Bobby at Pollo Campero |
She was as much at home in the houses of the families we visited in the villages as she was dining at one of the better restaurants in Guatemala.
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| Visiting on her first trip to Las Palmas |
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| Stopping to enjoy fresh coconut milk at Cerro Colorado |
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| Waiting for lunch at Lake Atitlan |
There’s no doubt she is an absolute kid-magnet, and her sweet and gentle spirit touched everyone she came in contact with.
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| Holding a baby in a village home |
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| Swinging with Melissa, one of her favorites at Hogar de Vida |
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| Paulo laughing as Katie hums to him |
Thank you, Katie, for all you did while you were here. Praying you come back soon. We miss you!
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| A tearful good-bye to Elmer at Hermano Pedro |
The day i get back there CANNOT come Fast Enough!
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