Welcome to EzekielTwo

Moving On

2008-03-24T13:04:00.000-07:00

All things must come to an end…

As for you that do not know, Jeff and I have decided to go home early after only five months. We had planned on serving a whole year here in Guatemala, but apparently that is not necessarily what God has for us.
That is hard for me to accept. This was my dream, to come here and just “do” whatever I could find to help out.
But after much prayer, we decided that God is leading us back to Texas. We don’t have to be in Guatemala in order to “serve” the Lord. But it just seems so much more hands on here.
There is such a visible need everywhere you look; it is NOT hard to find someone to help or an organization to join!
The challenge now will be going home and trying to apply all that we learned here and serve people at home. That will be hard to do. People at home seem so happy and seem to have it all together, it’s hard to know who is hurting and who is not.

We all wear a disguise at times. We hide behind walls, cars, jobs and happy faces. But we are lacking something; Being real with one another and vulnerable.

I have had the opportunity here in Panajachel, to form real relationships. For the first time, real relationships with real people! That was my prayer before we left Texas that we would find and bond with others in a real way! God abundantly answered that prayer!
We have made so many friends here: Tricia, Aaron, Ely (from Texas!), Christine, Tereza and sweet Mary. Those are just the fellow gringo volunteers, all our age.

We held a bible study at our place on Wednesdays nights and then would go out and eat. My prayer now is that these relationships, these precious gifts from God, will not drop here and just drown!
I want them to continue to flourish and grow! I want to connect with all these people for many years to come. (Yes Aaron, we will come to visit you in Uganda! Someday.)
We also connected with a whole community of Ex-pat believers, amazing examples of Godly people: Dan & Ann, Allen Stern, Allan & Tereza, Mike & Adelle and their daughters, Kasia & Lungi, Dwight & Maria, and Bonnie.
Then there is all the local people: Brennan & Nancy, Noe, Luis, Hector & Lety, Manuel, Daniel & Wibke, Angelina and her beautiful (large) family, Sabina to fruit lady (and the countless tortilla ladies that I have befriended. I know that I am forgetting someone, but God knows who they are!)

Lord, bless all these wonderful people living in Panajachel. You know their hearts, dreams and their deepest desires, please take care of them and protect them!

Do all things have to come to an end?
Eventually, this earth will end but until then, may these relationships never come to an end…

LA PUERTA

2008-01-22T12:30:00.000-08:00

Okay, so in the states we would not even think about calling any house, let alone, any room be complete until the door was put up. I mean, we need to be able to go into any room behind us, turn around and close that door until the latch catches. Well, here in Guatemala that is not really the case. Often times a house or property will have one main iron door that is accessed by a key. After that usually what seperates rooms is a simple fabric hanging in a doorway. Well, today at Angelina's house I spent the whole morning assembling and mounting a door for Evelyn's room. Evelyn is a new mother and I sure she now will appreciate a little extra privacy, not that makes much difference considering most any mother will breastfeed in front of any stranger. Yes, I have been around that and at first it is awkward but it is just a way of life here.

I'll try and post a picture later.

Jeff

Bountiful BECAS!

2008-01-21T12:25:00.000-08:00

What on earth is a BECA?

That is something I asked myself when I first met Melanie and she told me that we "do" BECAS. Hmmm...

A BECA is basically a scholarship given to kids and teenagers so they can go to school. So many of them cannot afford to go, but they want to so badly! I have overheard several parents that we have given BECAS to say to their kids, "Be thankful that you can go to school, because without school you can't do anything. If you go to school you can get a good job!"

Guatemalans work in order to survive. In some cases it is more serious than others. For example, Clarita and Gaby (the girls shown below) are a prime example of children in a desperate and somewhat hopeless case. Their father died a couple of years back, from what, I do not know, so their mother left them with her old father and she took off with some guy. So here is this old man with two girls, six and eight years old and no work! He has very little to support them with.

So Porch de Salomon is giving these girls a BECA and a chance to not miss out on their education. An education gives them a chance to succeed in this life and to do something different if they choose to; other than end up making tortillas for the rest of their lives! So many young women end up doing that or working in the markets selling fruits and vegetables. (I have to say though, THANK GOD for tortilla ladies... they make the best corn tortillas here, so warm and soft!)

So THANKS to all the families in Florida and all over the world that give so generously to the BECA program! There are many organizations all around the country doing the same thing and when everyone pitches in and helps these kids go to school, we are making a better Guatemala for their children and grandchildren and for generations to come.

PRAYER REQUEST: Pray for the children during this school year. Pray that God will continue to provide for their needs, like supplies and uniforms, so that they can succeed in thier education!

Dormitory Living

2008-01-14T13:24:00.000-08:00

Nat and I have a nice little place up on the hillside. A quite place with lots of beautiful scenery. At night, we like to be alone, enjoying our escape, together.

To refresh a little, the Porch has been funding a project to expand Angelina's house. (Please read the post a little farther down). This project has had more than one setback and after the New Year came and went Angelina was supposed to be back in her new home. That didn't happen. Her rent expired and she was asking her landlord for a few more days here and there. Finally, at wits end, she had to move out. There was room for her to stay with some family across the river but it was going to be too cramped for this family of SEVEN.

Now going back to our place, we have a bunk bed. We have let the kids stay there to enjoy a nice change once before but now we were being asked to let them stay with us...for how long? Nobody knew. So we were okay with the first two nights but then one night when we had just finished preparing a nice dinner we got a phone call from the mother saying her kids were on the way. Not less than a minute later they were there. We had expected them to come, but not for another hour. I responded in haste for a moment "why can't we just enjoy a few more moments alone?!?!" On the phone, Angelina said that they were not hungry and wanted to go. I knew this meant we had to share the little bit of food we had prepared because they would be hungry when they got there. I admit, I was being totally selfish but I was really upset that all of a sudden my privacy was being taken from me; they were sleeping in our room, eatting our food, and for crying outloud, I couldn't finish the movie we had started 3 nights before. Maybe nobody else experiences moments like this where they are being asked to give something they don't want to give but this was the case for me. The following day Nat and I were discussing the situation and both agreed that the Lord has done so much for us and when we are able to give we should give, especially for those in need. I felt terribly convicted for being self-centered.

So Many People Ask... Can YOU help me?

2008-01-14T13:12:00.000-08:00

This has been a very interesting past few weeks for Natalie and I. As most are familiar with, Lloyd and Melanie (the Porch de Solomon leaders) went to be with family over the holidays, returning for 2 weeks in between Thankgiving and Christmas. Alas, though our friends come home Wednesday and we are both more than ready to have them back to help carry on with all the efforts here in Panajachel.

This past week has been really crazy. More so for Natalie as she met with many families to help get a new school year started. The Porch helps fund scholarships, called Becas, for dozens of kids in the Lake Atitlan areas. Nat really used her Spanish alot and really stepped out of her comfort zone by just putting herself in the middle of so many different situations. At times feeling unsure that the family needed the money in the first place she found herself being asked for more and more everytime she met with someone. I think sometimes she even felt like a doormat for easy money. That's the honest opinion. But regardless, we believe, that it has to be done and if any of that is the case then they don't take advantage of us but the Lord.

It has encouraged me to look at my own circumstances and examine myself and see how I am using God as a handout. Read on to the next post and I'll explain how I was challenged about freely giving God's provisions.

Christmas with New Friends

2007-12-26T07:38:00.000-08:00

Nat and I have been very thankful to Lord for the many wonderful friends we have had the oppurtunity to share this most wonderful time of the year with. Many people have opened their homes to us to share meals, memories and most importantly the Birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

On Christmas eve we were with a lovely family from another local meeting of Believers who had family in town from the states. It was an evening full of great discussions and reflection for all of us. We met Jeff and Cathy and their 3 wonderful children. Jeff is passionate about ministering to college aged young adults and Cathy spends her time raising their kids in life's lessons. Gathered around the fire we talked for an 1 1/2 as the kids watched Ratouille. Later that evening we were back at our home and right at midnight the whole town of Panajachel greeted Christmas day with a firework spectacle that lasted for 30 minutes. These fireworks were something else and definitely a nice little touch of Central American heritage.

The following day we went up to an orphanage located in Solola by the name of, Eagle's Nest. We were invited by Ron and Beverely (pictures above) from the local group meeting. These two folks are from southern Washington state and decided spend their retirement helping children. Yesterday was very humbling for one big reason though. Their were two younger couples there wanting to spend this Christmas with the babies they were both HOPING to adopt. The process has not yet been approved by the government but that did not stop them from wanting to be there for the child's first Christmas. What was even more humbling was seeing the parents from both the husband and wife, a couple similar to our age, both wanting to be there, too.

It was both sad, joyful, and hopeful at the same time because the couples both knew that they were going home without that little child. Please pray that the doors open for these couples and that they can adopt these young newborns!

Love,

Jeff

Christmas Across the Lake!

2007-12-21T10:35:00.000-08:00

Jeff & I traveled across the lake to a town called Santiago Atitlan. It took us about 30 minutes by boat. The views were amazing.!

Anyway, the reason we went was to deliver gifts to some kiddos from a local church that Salomon's Porch is in contact with. The gifts were not from us, but from kids of "Element Three" church in Tallahassee sent them. We made sure that they knew these gifts were not from us, but from other kids!
Here they are opening their gifts and loving it! They were so thrilled!

2007-12-21T10:32:00.000-08:00

Evelyn's Baby has arrived!!!!

2007-12-18T13:51:00.000-08:00

Evelyn's baby boy was born on December 2, an easy date for me to remember because that is also my mother's birthday. Happy Birthday to both. He was born at 6 pounds 12 ounces. Evelyn is the daughter of Angelina, the cook for Solomon's Porch.

Nat and I have been given the honor of being the Godparent's for this wonderful child. Though neither one of us know the "responsibilities" of being Godparents we are privileged to be a part of this wonderful family witnessing, first-hand, our Father's miracles.

Santa Cruz to San Marcos

2007-12-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Mondays have become a day I really look forward to. Although I enjoy serving the community and meeting new people throughout the week I have discovered one thing about me...I need time to connect with God's Creation. I am amazed by God's creation everytime I go for a walk around here. It's sad to think that most people will call someone who likes to connect with Nature a Tree Hugger or some weirdo who believes in mythical healing powers...but I am not any of those. I am a Believer of the Truth, the Truth of Jesus Christ who created all things I believe God has revealed some of the most awesome powers of His works through Creation. That is why I believe in taking time weekly, to discover this awesome work. It is a responsibility for every Believer to respect God's creation, whether man, woman, pet, animals, or landscape...it is all His, HE owns it, NOT ME!

Yesterday, Natalie and I got out for a long day, including one hour boat trip (round trip), a 4 hour hike, and many rolling mountains later we had hike from Santa Cruz to San Marcos. It was a very wonderful experience for the both of us.

Settling in is never easy. But yet still Enjoyable.

2007-11-29T07:58:00.001-08:00

It has been a very quick three weeks here. I literally someday's feel I might get nothing done but then I reflect on all that has been accomplished and I am left amazed. Then I think man...three weeks has really gone by that fast.

But it is not easy, in fact, it has been very emotional at times for Natalie and I. We different feelings and challenges we have never faced before in our life. And though we could avoid it all by just not being here, but then we think about it more and it gives us ALL THE MORE reasons to be here. I mean if someone does not help who is?

I am challenged with effectiveness. It could be my results oriented mentality or it could be my impatience for what I see as idleness. Sometimes I feel like people don't want to change and my flesh wants to quit and move on. When the going gets tough it is always easier to downshift and avoid the problems. It breaks my heart when we hike the mountains to help one family while the children from several families walk in our paths looking for the same help from us. I want to help them but right now their are only so many resources and I wonder how long can we continue to help one family until they DESIRE to learn to not be dependent and eventually breaking the cycle of poverty.

It is a challenging fact of life that sometimes your help will be abused though. But either way we continue to fight the good fight, not just for ourselves, but as intercessors for those that are weak.

RENITA

2007-11-29T07:37:00.000-08:00

It has been quite a few weeks and though I have endless things to talk about I am going to keep it short for all those reading.

I want to focus this blog on a little girl we have been involved with almost everyday in one way or another. She had an operation more than a year ago that was supposed to help support her back. It did the opposite, and now we have to remove what was done and then WAIT for more money to come in to pay for it to be done correctly.

It is costing $2,700 U.S.D. to remove the bars and is expected to cost equal amounts to redo it correctly. Despite all the trials we have to give praise to God for the Helpers at Porch de Salomon and Juan 10:10 for providing financially, people to help with travel to the hospital, and most importantly people who care about her condition...in all these trials I believe Faith is being produced in all of us.

If you would like more information about this situation and/or help support her financially please contact either myself at GJAnnillo21@aol.com or Natalie at Naomi9000@yahoo.com.

Thanks Everyone.

What we've been up to...

2007-11-15T09:27:00.000-08:00

Well the first week has not been your usual set back, relax, and get to know the place type of week. It has been a balance of both. We have been around town getting to know the streets and their beats, the shops and their crops, the places and their faces, and most of all what needs to be done.

We have been thrown into the whole project in sorts....meaning that, Lloyd and Melanie are leaving the 20th for Thanksgiving in Florida. That means we have to begin to understand the flow of things around here. For that reason, that is why I am just now making sometime to sit down and update a little...nonetheless check email!

We just read a beautiful letter from our sister-in-law Deanna that touched us and really appreciate our time at home all the more. Now we are here and we have begun by working alongside with teams working on Angelina (cocinera-the cook, at Porch de Salomon). Currently it is a one bedroom, bathroom/kitchen place with 6 people living there. The work has included a slow process of mixing concrete by hand, laying stones, filtering sand for concrete, leveling dirt, and many other tasks. It is slow but very rewarding work.

The easier work includes getting familar with the operations of the cafe, Porch de Salomon. This cafe is run as an outreach to the community. Every month they operate over the budget but yet feel compelled to keep going because of the stream of outreach it creates. While this is going on we are also working on a possible merging of Juan 10:10, located in Santa Catarina (approx) 30 minutes by foot away from Panajachel. Last night we met with Jim Guffey about this and it was good for us because it was for the most part just a time to fellowship with other Believers while discussing some really good "what if" questions.

I will try and get into a regular habit of updating so it can be reported and read at bite size pieces.

We have some things you could be praying for us about...

Lloyd and Melanies trip back to the states, Lloyd's mother is sick with pancreatic cancer.

Creativity in outreach, I feel God prompting youth ministry

Settling into our new place and finding honest tiendas (stores)

Strong Leadership in Porch de Salomon, Juan 10:10

Unity for Natalie and I as we make decisions together.

I love you all,

Jeff

We have arrived!

2007-11-15T07:34:00.000-08:00

I finding difficulty in where to begin with this post. Maybe it's because so much has happened and it has been a tremendous journey thus far.

But I want to go back to our being delayed in Texas. First off, I think that was a great blessing in disguise. It was an oppurtunity to spend more time with our families and for all of us to have a better understanding in what was about to happen. I believe we all reached out a little more...to our families, to our surroundings, to situations. For me personally I realized that we really do have to make the most of everyday. I sometimes think that when my life is somehow surrounded by the mundane I just tend to think that "eventually" things will change and I hesitate to really move forward with full force.

What I am talking about is this massive remodeling project my mother let me take on. I completely remodeled her bathtub. Taking out the old one, changing some plumbing, creating some new framing for the new tub, laying sand for support, and then....well, there was never supposed to be, "and then". But being delayed allowed me to finish the project. I guess you could say I never wanted to lay the tile for purposes being that I had NEVER layed real tile. Of course, you want to do it right but I think most would agree that when you do it for your mom you want it done RIGHT!

Sometimes though I have to be moved out of my comfort zone. I believe that when we are challenged and moved beyond our comfort zones the reward is much richer when we reach the end and succeed. The learning process really becomes a lesson.

Here are some pictures of the project. I want to Thank my in-laws, Kathy and Carlos, for allowing us to stay at their place while we waited for our departure. We want to thank Natalie's brother's and sister for their encouragement and Teeny who really did a backflip in mid-air in supporting us finacially. We want to Thank Adam for his wonderful gift also. I don't even know Adam very well but he really did reach out to us and I am so grateful for that. I want to Thank Jay and Carrie for making the time out of their newly-birthed relationship to come and see us, time and time again. I want to Thank Jonathan, for bringing Mia down to come see us! I will never forget us jumping on the trampoline and her shouting, "Mas Pecans, Mas Pecans".

For all of you making this possible we know the list goes on and on. We hope that you will be blessed by following what is happening here through this website and how the Gospel is being lived in our lives and the Guatemalans and Mayans.

DELAYED

2007-10-24T08:03:00.001-07:00

Nat and I are amatuer international travelers and that was shown to be true the other day. We were checking in for our much anticipated flight to LAX onward to Guatemala City where we would be then meeting Mario for a 3 hour ride to Panajachel....

Well that never happened! United would not let us board our plane without showing that we had a return ticket for within 90 days. Long story short, you basically have to show any airline now-a-days that you have every "intention" of returning before you have to have a visa. But the best way around that is to purchase a full refundable ticket and once you get there either apply for visas or follow the laws that limit how long you can stay. United says they would be fined huge and then be forced to fly us back at their expense if we did not show to customs proof of return.

It is a little disheartening (no, it was REALLY disheartening) because saying good-bye has been so hard and then you do it only to figure out you won't be leaving! So now we are trying to figure out why this happened. A part of me thinks this is the enemy's plan to destroy the work God wants us to do in Pana, but another part tells me that there is something He wants me to take care of before we leave but we just don't know what it is?

Please be praying for us. I hope to find more time soon to update and post more pictures on this blog. We have been blessed to be surrounded by all our wonderful family and will take advantage of that everyday we have left here.

Thanks again for everything to everyone.

Jeff

So many children...by Natalie

2007-09-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

There is a song by a Christian artist, Sara Groves, called "Esther". Jeff and I really like it because it talks about being compelled by what we see and doing something about it. The song is about a woman (Esther) that goes to Africa and helps children. Here is the chorus, so you'll have an idea of what I am getting at:

"Now Esther has 2.4 million children. She writes us and asks us to pray for them all! She’s compelled, she’s compelled by what she’s seen. And she tells us, she tells us do anything you can To help, oh please help, there’s so much to do and I’m just Esther"

I never thought that volunteering in an orphanage would be so hard! I have always worked with kids in the best of conditions: their homes or at church. These kids have nothing compared to the kids that have been in my care, and so I feel so unprepared. I feel like I have nothing to offer them. They need so much. Their facilities here are filthy. How can you bathe the children when the showers are moldy and nasty. Or encourage sanitary habits when the toilet bowl is filled with unfinished business and reeks? How can you wash a child's hands when there is no soap and the towels are wet from being on the floor after they step out of the shower?
What I keep on telling myself, is that this place will never be like the homes that I have worked in. Its just not going to happen! The most important goal in these shelters, is to simply provide food and shelter for these kids. Cleanliness is not top priority.

My personal goal is to add a little bit of love and gentleness in these kids' lives! There are so many children and not enough working hands! The workers are exhausted and that leads to emotional and physical burn out. They are drained, fatigued and overworked. I think that by me being here, even if just for a really short time, gives the workers somewhat of a mental break!

So back to the song... There are countless children in this country that need love and attention. The number just seems to multiply! So I feel like Esther, writing to you, saying, "Pray for them all...Do anything you can to help, oh please help! There is so much to do and I'm just Esther." In all reality, I am not really doing all that much. I have not laid down my life for these children by any means. But I feel that whatever I can do, will help in some small way. Every smile and hug shows them that they are special and loved and never forgotten!

I encourage any of you who read this to consider volunteering in an orphanage, shelter or soup kitchen at some point in your lives. Its just reveals in a very vivid way, how others in this beautiful, sick world strive for survival. Just do whatever you can and you will be blessed!

Natalie

Romans 15:26-27

2007-09-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

Was doing a little reading this morning and came across Romans 15:26-27. It encouraged me and I changed it around to help it apply to our current circumstances. I hope it is easy to understand.

We are pleased to make a contribution for the Mayan people of Guatemala. Together we will be fulfilled, and indeed they deserve to have our blessings. We have enjoyed the fruit of their labor in
drinking coffee, enjoying delicious fruits, and appreciating their arts. We owe it to them to bless them with love, peace and whatever material things we can provide.

I am beginning to see a different meaning in most of the things I do everyday. Enjoying coffee, eatting fruit, whatever it may be...when I see the label on something and it says "Guatemala" I instantly start to think of the lives that we will soon have an impact on. I really believe that!

Journeys to Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias

2007-09-14T15:29:00.000-07:00

Well my friends, I have to say that the way has been cleared. We (Natalie, Jeremy and Sarah, Jeremy's wife) have all successfully journied the 1300 miles from Fort Worth Texas to Bucerias (approx. 10 miles north of PV) . It is an exciting time, considering Jeremy and Sarah are celebrating their honeymoon and well this is our first time to really use our own skills to navigate a foreign country of any sort!

Why are we here? I ask myself this often. It is frustrating at times because, well honestly, I am a control freak. Control is something I do not have here. Natalie is fluent in Spanish and is doing the interpreting, the negotiating, the whole shibang.... and it is difficult for me to sit back and be confident that everything is going smoothly. But in the meantime we have to understand each other's skills and trust that God is leading us in the journey.

But everyday, every moment, we think about Pana (short for Panajachel). I was just telling her that I feel like an Egyptian, being called out of my homeland to go to a place the Lord will show me. In my Spirit, I feel God telling me that the harvest is near and the fruit that I will bear is not of the tree (or earthly goods) but of the heart! I sincerely feel that something is taking place deeper in my heart that not even I can understand but I must patiently wait until the arrival. Please pray for us.

If you are wondering what we will be doing here, let me tell you briefly. Nat wants to help at some orphanages. There are two here that she has been in contact with. Today we visited the one that is literally 2 blocks from my Aunt Lynne's house http://www.manosdeamor.com/, and that will be a good place to help but the one I see Nat most interested in helping at is http://www.refugio-infantil.org/. Most importantly I see her willingless to go where ever she knows that she is most needed. Pray that God makes that clear and not based on what is comfortable.

As for myself. I will be doing various things. Aunt Lynne just moved into her new home and has a list of "Jeff to-do's". I will be helping with that. I am sure that where ever I am used I know that God's blessings will be there but please pray that it will all be used from His glory.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

I miss so many of you already and hope this update blesses you as much as it blesses me knowing you are reading it!

Jeff

Our Sponsor Support Letter

2007-09-04T12:10:00.001-07:00

September 4, 2007

"Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you."
"…DO NOT BE AFRAID of them nor be afraid of their words…
You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse…" Ezekiel 2

Dearest Family and Friends,
We’ve always felt the need to serve in small and big, yet meaningful ways. We simply want to love others by serving them like Jesus did. We have been given so much throughout our lives and now we want to give to others! We are young, strong and willing to serve in a variety of ways. We will spend the next thirteen months in a community, outside of our comfort zones, getting to know people and their needs and helping fulfill them. We are convinced our contributions will enrich the quality of everyday life because Jesus’ life demonstrates that to us everyday!
Our adventure will begin on September 13th in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Natalie has contacted an orphanage called "Children’s Shelter of Hope". There she will be volunteering her time with the infants and toddlers, by simply being an extra pair of caring hands. Jeff will help out as well by playing and teaching the older children. We are staying in Mexico for a month. A special thanks to Jeff’s Aunt Lynne for providing housing in Mexico!
On October 22nd the adventure continues as we spread our wings and fly south…GUATEMALA. We are EXCITED about committing one year with "Porch de Salomon", a coffee house ministry based in Panajachel, Guatemala.
Jeff has many handyman skills as well as Barista skills he acquired while working at Starbucks. Lloyd (ministry leader), believes I have the right qualities to build a sports ministry for the youth! As for Natalie, that might be comforting young mothers with their newborns and caring for orphans. Also, she is fluent in Spanish, and this will be of great use as she helps Melanie (Lloyds’ wife) continue to provide scholarships for local families who are in need of financial help.
I like the way a friend put it the other day, "I might not be able to leave the country but you can and that is why I am supporting you". It is never easy or flattering to ask for money but to be honest, we need your help to do this! We need your constant prayers and support to be successful! We are going as volunteers, not paid workers. We are confident that with your support in prayer, wise counsel, and financial donations, we will be effective in the Lord’s work. Our hope is that you will share in this experience with us!
It costs approximately $600 a month to live in Guatemala that may include rent, utilities and other living expenses. Airfare, one-way, to Guatemala costs $520.00. Whatever provisions you are able to give will be very helpful and greatly appreciated. But above all, we need to be covered with your prayers. We need you to remember us and pray for us as you enjoy a cup of coffee or at the dinner table with your families! Trust that God will provide for you as you help provide for us in Guatemala.
Lastly, we have included these coffee beans from Guatemala. When I started at Starbucks two years ago I never realized that God would one day send us to the very place these beans came from. We think of the farmers, the culture, and their way of life. It’s precious! Then I think about Jesus’ words, "go and bear fruit- fruit that will last" (John 15:16) and that is what we are going to do.

Wanna help? GREAT! You can help out by a one time donation or monthly commitments. Please write the check to Jeff and Natalie Annillo. If you prefer, you can write it out to "Porch de Salomon" and receive a charitable tax deduction, but please include our names in the memo and all contributions will come to us.
We would like to meet with those who wish to ask questions, encourage and pray for us. We will be home October 16-21 and will make ourselves available to meet.

Please send checks to either of the addresses below:

Jeff and Natalie Annillo
3741 Shelby Rd.
Fort Worth, TX 76140

or

(Include our names in the memo)
Porch de Salomon
P.O. Box 10509
Tallahassee, FL 32302

Please contact either one of us to let us know what is on your mind:
Jeff’s email: GJAnnillo21@aol.com
Natalie’s email: Naomi9000@yahoo.com

Prayer Requests:
We have some specific prayer requests that you could begin praying for now. We have also created a blog for those who would like to keep updated on the happenings.
God will take us to Mexico & Guatemala safely.
God will make the right place available for us to rent.
God will help us be wise, careful and always sensitive to the needs of those around us.
We may be a blessing to the Children’s Shelter and Porch de Salomon and all the people of Guatemala; that we "shine like stars" (Romans 2:15)
Pray for the people of Guatemala to have opened hearts and a willingness to receive us.
Websites:
Our personal blog is: EzekielTwo.blogspot.com
You can visit the Porch de Salomon website and read their Monthly Newsletter at http://www.porchdesalomon.org/. Click on the "Newsletter" tab to see the latest developments and projects!
The children’s shelter that we will be volunteering at, short term, in Mexico also has a website that you can browse through at http://www.refugio-infantil.org/

Central American Adventures

2007-09-03T18:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,

Well today Nat and I finally made a leap of faith. Well actually that process has been underway for more than two months now! We started by moving out of our comfort zones in Durango, CO. We felt we were being called to "get up and go". Nat has been compelled to serve children whose families are often, by American standards, living in poverty. And I have had a desire to discover a light way of life and serve those with humble needs. In response to this call we sold a lot of our possessions, most notably Natalie's FIRST car. We moved back to Texas to begin aligning our life towards serving in Mexico at an orphanage. My Aunt Lynne has generously opened her home to allow us to stay there for the month we will be spending there.

After our month there we will return to Texas for about six days and turn around and leave Oct 22nd for Panajachel, Guatemala. There we will be helping "Porch de Salomon", a ministry committed to serving the community. They are involved in many programs such as: building or improving homes for the indigenous, running a coffee shop that serves as an outreach, and offering scholarships to children in need of financial help.

We finally have purchased the tickets to finalize most of these details and we are very excited about this all. Also, on the radar, is the wedding of my brother Jeremy to his fiancee Sarah. They will be joining us for the two day excursion to Puerto Vallarta. This will be an exciting oppurtunity to bond with him before they get back to their lives in Seattle, WA.

Please be praying for us as we adapt to all the new changes. We are also in the midst of raising financial partners for this 13 month trip. If you are interested in finding out how you may help us please email me. In the meantime check out: www.PorchdeSalomon.org and http://www.refugio-infantil.org/. Thanks.

Love you guys,
Jeff