Guatemala Update #2

Hey everyone! :)
Greetings from the land of cold weather and lots of dust! haha
Today has been both a good day of ministry but yet an awful day for me (Jessica). I will first tell you the bad news and then end with the good. I am SO sick! I'm not quite sure what exactly I have or if it's the water or altitude or what. Last night my throat started getting extremely sore and I could feel the congestion hardening in my chest. Like bad. Well this morning I woke up with an awful headache, horrible body aches and a fever. I've been having sharp shooting "flu like" pain all day. I debated whether to go do ministry but I was determined to push through. Please say a prayer for my complete healing because I'm so frustrated that I'm currently not my best.

The Good news is ...We had our first day of ministry here in Guatemala! :) Our missionary host, Shawn and his 2 sons went along with Chris & I and we cleaned up a Guatemalan church. We met the pastor and he was so sweet and appreciative. As we pulled up to the church, my heart sank immediately. It was very old and run down with very very poor building structure, etc. I instantly thought about churches back in the states and how SPOILED we are! As we entered the church, my heart sank even more. He proudly showed us the sanctuary which consisted of dusty floors and only a few plastic chairs for the people. The lighting was almost non-existent and there were no "real windows". This was the fancy part of the church.
He then led us through a door into what he wanted to turn into the children's room. Picture this--about 200 pieces of long metal rods all stacked up, about 150 plastic pipe looking things (I have no idea what, just construction stuff), the floor was so covered in dirt that it was hard not to gag and cough. Small trees and plants had started growing through the badly built walls, etc.
We were able to transform this room completely and clean everything out! :) My heart was still sad knowing there is absolutely NOTHING in that room for the kids. Oh and I forgot to mention there was no roof and no windows!
As we we were working on the church today, I just kept thinking of how many American churches are so concerned with having the next best thing---the new mac computer, new lighting for the stage, new pews, etc! These people have absolutely NOTHING and yet are so thankful for what they do have! What would happen if churches started building real churches for 3rd world countries instead of having the "next best thing" syndrome. Oh how different this world would be. Just some thoughts. Anyways--today was a work day and because I was feeling so sick it was extremely hard to push through. Here in Guatemala because of the lack of oxygen and altitude it is very very hard (especially for visiting Americans) to work physical labor. I was simply sweeping the floors and I was out of breath. Yikes! So yeah, today we were so blessed to get to bless a pastor in need. I wish I could post pictures, I will try later.
Last night I got to go to an American missionary's house for coffee & dessert with 4 other American missionaries. IT WAS SO FUN! :) These women inspired me greatly as I heard them share of their every day struggles and joys of working full time missions.
Tonight we are going to a missionary couple's house for dinner, although I'm still deciding if I feel well enough to go.
That is today's update...hope it all made sense, I'm wacked out on some Guatemalan medicine. haha! Love you all!!!

~The Gunns~