This is your life...

by Sarah
We had a glorious time in the states!  Being there for nine weeks was long enough to feel like we belonged there a bit.  It was like taking a glimpse back at the life we used to live.  It also gave us sufficient time away from our home in Guatemala to really miss and appreciate many things about our life here.  

While in the states we visited eight churches and met with pastors or leaders of a few others.  We spent time in SW Louisiana, Baton Rouge and Alabama.  Jerry even returned to HCA where he taught for many years and shared in the chapel service.  We were extremely encouraged!  We were so blessed by the many people who recognized us and told us they had been praying for us. ​

Time with friends and financial supporters was also amazing.  We had time to have dinner with so many of you. It was wonderful to reconnect and for some have our children meet for the first time.   

Jerry and I were each able to reconnect with a High School best friend.  We were able to really see how blessed our lives have been.

And family!  We had lots of time with Louisiana family.  We met some nieces and a nephew for the first time, we attended birthday parties and a baby shower and Christmas parties.  It was so good to get to participate in such special family time that we miss so much.

Once when we were driving to a dinner I remember thinking this trip has felt like a long episode of the old game show “This is Your Life”.  So many walks down memory lane.  I was even able to step behind the counter at the flower shop I used to work in.  We are so thankful for the opportunity to have been able to share about our lives and ministry in Guatemala personally with so many of you!
We are also incredibly blessed to have so many new partners (prayer and financial) join us.  We started the trip lacking $2000 monthly committed budget.  We now only lack $1370 a month.  God is good and we know He will provide all we need! 
A HUGE Thank you to all who hosted us, lent us a car, gave us money to travel, fed us dinner or just spent time hanging out with us and welcoming us home for a short time.  Our hearts returned back to Guatemala full and refreshed!

Love, 
the Lastrapes