Back in Canilla!

Our Arizona family minus Shea manning the camera

Our Kansas family with my Parents and all 16 grand kids

Our temperatures have risen significantly, and the persistent dust lingers in, and on all of my kids clothing. This signifies our complete transition from northeastern Iowa, to Kansas, to Arizona, and now Guatemala. We're excited to be back to work in Canilla, Guatemala. This year has brought plenty of changes both to the landscape of Hospital Adonai, and my children's clothe sizes.

The kids enjoying shorts and time outdoors in Guatemala!

We are glad to start our new year here and eagerly await the challenges ahead. The construction progress is incredibly encouraging and we were happy to hear about the success of treating our first inpatient at the end of 2016. There remains much work ahead. Organizing containers of donated equipment, working on future staffing, and establishing hospital structures all remain formidable obstacles. Nonetheless, the goal of a fully functioning hospital is much closer to the horizon. As obstacles arise our Lord always gives the solutions we need, and His truth can always be trusted.

She working on an infant warmer in the hospital!

I was reminded recently, that in 2016, a new word was coined in the Websters dictionary. It was actually the 2016 word of the year. The word is post-truth. Such an interesting word that means: relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion then appeals to the emotion and personal belief. Simply stated: There is no real truth. As I've watched our culture change over the years this word should really come as no surprise. It saddens me that our "modern" culture is now lead by our momentary feelings and no longer by the Creator of Truth. In other words: if something feels right at that time then it has to be right. Unfortunately, even people of faith find this path dissatisfying and even heartbreaking in the long run.

As we enter 2017, we can all be encouraged to know that we can serve the God who is the Truth. He sent Jesus Christ to defeat sin. There will always be struggles and difficulties in life, but with complete reliance on Jesus Christ and His Truth we have reassurance, and assurance of salvation. In scripture John writes in John 14:6 :

"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. "