MARVIN & KELLY CONQUER GUATEMALA...ALSO LICE WASHES MADE EASY!

1 Corinthians 4:20: "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power."

Okay, so we returned to the girl's school of Proximos Pasos today in the little village of Santa Maria de Jesus (as a reminder, the village on the volcano!) Now, you would think that having made such a big splash with my fat gut that these girls would remember everything about us. Well, sadly no. When Lauren asked them what our names were, Jaci was "Kelly" and I was "Marvin." My first thought was "who is this Marvin and did he have a bigger belly for drum beating? Because I can eat more donuts if that's what I need to do!" So after a hearty chuckle, we reminded them of our real names and we got to work!

We led the kids in "You Are Good" and it was such a blessing to see that these little girls had written down the lyrics, studied them and practiced the motions. It was such a great worship experience for us and the kids! After the singing was done, Noah assisted in giving each class some cookies after serving on the worship team.

After that, Jaci, Noah and I presented some of the school supplies that GCCC's Kids Avenue had donated for our trip to the school's staff. We then took some pencils, pens and erasers and presented one of each to the 74 girls at the school. They were very thankful and presented us with little wooden Guatemalan dolls that they had made for us.

Then came the moment you have all been waiting for...the LICE WASH. The day before we had gone the the local pharmacia and bought the lice wash and shampoo (as well as latex gloves!) All 74 girls of the school lined up and got their hair rinsed by a hose, and then the staff (including Jaci and Lauren!) donned latex gloves and massaged some lice shampoo into their heads. It had to "sizzle" on their heads for 15 minutes, and then they came through again and were

shampooed and rinsed one more time. ALL of these girls had lice. Some of them hadn't washed their hair in a month. Two and half hours later, the lice wash was done and the ladies looked "muy bonita." Lauren actually got a lice egg on her tongue in case you were wondering (no word on whether or not she added ketchup or mustard to her delightful feast!) To my knowledge Jaci did not partake in such a grand meal. The girls and Carlos from the staff were dancing to Caedmon's Call songs while they completed the wash, including appropriately "Volcanoland."

Noah entertained some of the girls with his various karate/fighting moves that he likes to do. He has truly been a trooper during this trip.

As we were preparing to leave the school, Mirna, the principal came up to us and presented us with pens that had crocheted covers that read "Proximos Pasos." She thanked us for sharing with the girls and bringing so much joy to them. She also told Jaci that the girls and staff will be praying for healing for her MS. The power of the Holy Spirit in that moment was so powerful that Jaci, Lauren and I were reduced to tears. I put at the beginning of this blog the verse that the "Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." In that moment the beauty of the loving bond of the body of Christ was made manifest and the power of God was present in that room. That they would care so much about us and find what measly few things we did for them as a source of great joy and happiness has blessed Jaci, Noah and I more than they could ever know. Isn't that just the way with our Lord though? Just when we step out in faith to do something for Him, He returns the blessing 100 fold.

We left the school for the last time, as we will be visiting the boys school on Monday, and it was bittersweet. It is our fervent hope that we will be able to return to these precious girls again and spend more time sharing in the blessings of the Holy Spirit.

I sit here at the computer a very blessed (and yet pleasantly plump and bald) man. My God loves me so much that He blessed me with my family, my church, my friends, and my country (but not hair or thinness.) He also found favor enough on me to allow me to be blessed with an experience like this. In the epic adventure of this life of faith, I pray that He allows me many more such adventures. It is an awesome blessing and priviledge to serve Jesus Christ. Drink it in my friends!

Tomorrow, we will be enjoying a little vacation day and going to some big water park that they have down here. Needless to say, Noah is very excited about this. Thank you for continuing to read this blog and praying for us. Your prayers are appreciated and deeply felt.

God Bless!