Seventeen Days to departure!

Getting ready for this trip to Guatemala has already been an adventure, and we haven't even boarded the plane, yet! What started with the expectation of being a youth missions trip has expanded to include several adults, and the team has now become sixteen people who have worked together, met together, and prayed together for this trip. Part of our hope is that we will be able to serve the people at Casa Bernabe and be a blessing to them. Fund-raising has also been part of the adventure. Each member has been responsible for the funds for their own passports and immunizations. Beyond that, we have been like the 3 musketeers - all for one and one for all. Using a combination of fund-raising activities, letter writing, and keeping our churches informed of our progress, we have so far raised about $13,200 toward the cost of our trip. We are still short about $1900 toward the total amount needed to cover flight tickets, room and board at Casa Bernabe, and one night in a hotel to account for an overnight layover on our flight home. We also hope to raise funds to contribute toward the project of re-terracing the 2 acre garden that our friend and missionary, Tony Breunig has worked so diligently to install. Additionally, we have had some very exciting events in the past several months. Several of the ladies on our team are knowledgeable at sewing, so were very happy when three sewing machines were donated along with fabric, quilt batting and fiberfill, and sewing supplies. We are allowed 2 pieces of checked luggage for this trip, and we have all committed to reserve at least one piece of checked luggage for the donations that we will take. We have several projects in mind, including quilts, bags, and pillowcase dresses that we are looking forward to.

If you follow our blog, in the next several days the members of the team will be introduced. We will also let you know about specific needs as we become aware of them. As our trip commences, and if the internet holds out, we will try to keep you up to date with our current happenings. We also ask your on-going prayers for health, spiritual growth, and for the needed funds to make this trip happen. If you feel led to help contribute, gifts can be sent to:

Monona Oaks Community Church
Attn: Team Guatemala
6200 Monona Drive
Madison, WI 53716