Our 2026 started just how any other new year starts…
WITH A WEDDING GOAT!!!!!
Ok, just kidding… Get it? Kidding??!!!
Right. Sorry. I’ll stop!
We got to spend the 1st of this year with Daniel’s cousins. Enjoying family and fresh goats milk is a wonderful way to start a new year.
And now, we are getting back into the swing of things, with a new rhythm for our family of two!
Here in Guatemala, the school year kicks off in late January – quite a different schedule than many of you are used to back up north! With no snow days to worry about, harvest seasons dictate a varied pace.
This also means that schools for younger kids often run in the mornings, while older students attend in the afternoons and evenings, allowing them to help their families year-round.
Some of you know Daniel has a heart for the village community he works in through his teaching in one of our local village schools. This includes lots of extra trips out to help paint the school, and extra foor he brings in for his students who may not have eaten yet.
His deep connections are such a blessing to these families, and they show it by inviting him for a meal here, or a coke there.
Well, starting this new school year, Daniel will be joining our team part-time after his morning teaching, bringing even more hands and hearts to serving our patients! This expansion of our team truly strengthens our ability to provide compassionate care.
We kicked off this week by visiting a few expectant mothers nearing their due dates. It’s always such a joy to connect with them and offer support during such a special time.
These glimpses into the lives of our incredible families truly humble me. Their strength is something I’ll never grow tired of witnessing!
Specifically, a new friend we met climbing out of the valley with her firewood. When asked, she imagined it weighed around 50lbs or so, nothing impressive.
But when our Guys helped carry the load, then hoisted it up in the truck since we were heading the same way, they determined it was notably over 100lbs!!!
Nothing Impressive??!!
It was also wonderful to be back at the clinic for appointments today after missing some days with wedding activities. My heart was so full sharing in their victories and feeling their losses right alongside them.
We celebrated a sweet little girl who is in such a good trend and gaining weight well! This is a precious victory her dad will share with her mom however, because she is currently in the hospital after losing their next child at only 3 months pregnant.
We also had a friend just pop in, not for an appointment, but simply to share a life update with trusted friends. Sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed.
And amidst all of this, we were able to organize all the food and clothing donations for our family visits!
Oh, and did I mention the online training we got to enhance our online and in person communications this week??
I suppose you could way we started the year off with a bang!!
So grateful for every single one of you who makes this work possible through your prayers and support. Your generosity touches so many lives here. ❤️
If you would like to support a need, or continued needs, check our our family giving page at: https://www.missiongo.org/missionary/katie-riley
