Is this real life?!

As I write this blog, I am looking out over the beautiful mountains surrounding Antigua from the patio outside my room. Did I just type that? My room. I have a room! Is this seriously my life right now?! I can hardly believe this is really happening!

Well, I just wanted to let you all know that I made it here safely. I got to meet some missionaries from Florida that were on both of my flights with me. They are going to be working in Antigua at a ministry center where they have some childrens' programs and interns from the states who are learning to be missionaries. And they invited me to come visit sometime this week while they are there!

My room has a great view! My doors open right onto the patio that looks over a little courtyard. And I have a view of the mountains and Agua (a dormant volcano) from my bed (when the clouds aren't covering them). I've got a little tv, a dresser, a comfy bed, and a desk made out of an old sewing machine...how cool is that?! But, this is only my temporary room. It is very nice and I love the view, but a room that is twice the size downstairs is opening up in a few days so I will be moving to that one. I'll miss looking out from my bed and seeing the beautiful plants and mountains, but I'm looking forward to a larger room where the wifi actually works (right now I have to go onto the patio to use it and as it is currently my only means of communication that's kind of a pain). And I can always come upstairs to the patio when I want to see the view.

Well, my computer battery is running low so I have to go back into my room to plug it it. But here are a few pictures of where I'm staying:

My keys!

My bed

Desk!

It's a sewing machine!! (well, it was)

View from my room

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Panorama of my room

Sitting on my bed, this is what I see (it was much prettier before the clouds rolled in)

Panorama of the patio area

Cool table outside my room...

...made from an old sewing machine and an old door!

I'll update you all again soon!

Love Always,

Rachel

P.S. I'm still fundraising so please keep me in your prayers!! If you would like to help support me, see my previous blog post for details. Thank you!!

So long, Florida!

So, I've just finished packing. That was quite the ordeal! It's so hard to know exactly what I'll need for 4 months and manage to get it all packed into 2 40lb suitcases. But, I did it! I even had few pounds to spare, and if you know me you know that's a big deal! I probably still over packed like I always do, but at least I'll be prepared! :)

I can't believe I'm leaving tomorrow! It still doesn't quite feel real. Maybe it'll hit when I board the plane to Guatemala alone for the first time. Or during my layover in an unfamiliar airport. Or maybe it won't set in until I'm actually there without the familiarity of the same hotel I usually stay in and the same people I'm usually accompanied by. I don't know when it'll finally set in that I'm really doing this and I'm actually going to be on my own in Guatemala for the first time, but I know that when it does God will be there. He will comfort me when I'm scared and give me strength when I'm overwhelmed. He will give me love, hope, and joy every day that I hope to pass on to everyone I meet. He'll be right by my side every step of the way and I can't wait to see how He changes me through this experience!

Even though I don't know exactly what I'll be doing over the next few months, I know God has it all planned out for me and He will be with me always.

I'm getting ready to head off to Guatemala in the morning, but I am still in need of donations to cover all of my living expenses while I'm there. If any of you would like to help, here's how you can:

1- Donate via PayPal using the Guatemala Fund Donation link here on my blog.

2- Donate at VolunteerForever.com/volunteer_profile/rachel-froelich.

3- Donate directly to me in person or via mail (message me on Facebook for my address).

4- Purchase any Mary Kay product from my mom (Lisa Freeman) before September 30th! 25% of proceeds will go directly to support my trip to Guatemala. Visit the Facebook page for the fundraiser here or visit my mom's Mary Kay page (www.marykay.com/lisalfreeman11) where you can place an order or contact her directly for more information or with any questions you may have.

Please keep me in your prayers over the next four months! I'm sure I'll need them :) Thank you all so much for your love and support! If you have any questions at all about my trip to Guatemala or what I'll be doing, please don't hesitate to ask! You can leave a comment or contact me via Facebook.

You can keep up with my fundraising progress as well as my trip updates right here on my blog.

So long, Florida!

Love Always,

Rachel

Flight is booked...one week to go!!!

I have officially booked my flight to Guatemala!!! Only one week to go!!

Woah. I just booked a one way ticket to Guatemala. One. Way. No scheduled return date. Reality is setting in. This is actually happening. I can't believe it! It has felt somewhat like a dream that I am actually going to Guatemala long term, but now that I have scheduled my flight, it all feels more real. I am so beyond excited!! (And maybe a little nervous, too.)

Now that I am officially Guatemala bound, it is more important than ever that I raise the rest of the funds I need to live in Guatemala for the next 4 months. I would like to ask all of you to pray for me and consider donating to help support me. If you are able to donate even a small amount it would be greatly appreciated. Every little bit helps! If you aren't able to donate, I ask that you please keep me in your prayers! I know God is in control and He will take care of everything I need.

For those of you who would like to help support me, here are several ways to do so:

1- Donate via PayPal using the Guatemala Fund Donation link here on my blog.

2- Donate at VolunteerForever.com/volunteer_profile/rachel-froelich.

3- Donate directly to me in person or via mail (message me on Facebook for my address).

4- Purchase any Mary Kay product from my mom (Lisa Freeman) before September 30th! 25% of proceeds will go directly to support my trip to Guatemala. Visit the Facebook page for the fundraiser here or visit my mom's Mary Kay page (www.marykay.com/lisalfreeman11) where you can place an order or contact her directly for more information or with any questions you may have.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, love, and support!! I'm so blessed to have you in my life. If you have any questions at all about my trip to Guatemala or what I'll be doing, please don't hesitate to ask! You can leave a comment or contact me via Facebook.

You can keep up with my fundraising progress as well as my trip updates right here on my blog. Thank you again! One week!!!!!

Love Always,
Rachel

17 days!!!

Getting close!!! Only 17 days until I leave for Guatemala!!!! I am so excited for this amazing opportunity and cannot wait to get there!

Thank you so much to those of you who were able to make it to my fundraiser!! Your love and support means so much to me! Also, a big thanks to everyone else who has donated toward my trip and all of you who are praying for me! I am blessed beyond words to have all of you in my life!!

I do still have quite a bit of fundraising to do. I have raised $1956 of the $5500 that I need. So, I need $3544 more to meet my goal. It's a huge number, I know, but I also know that the Lord provides and He will provide everything that I need! I ask that you please join me in prayer that God will provide everything necessary for me as I prepare to leave for Guatemala.

If any of you feel led to support me, here are a few ways for you to do so:

1- Hire me! I am available to babysit, pet sit, bake, clean, run errands, etc. I am totally willing to work to earn the money for my trip. I am available just about any time between now and August 30th.

2- Donate via PayPal using the Guatemala Fund Donation link here on my blog.

3- Donate at VolunteerForever.com/volunteer_profile/rachel-froelich.

4- Donate directly to me in person or via mail (message me on Facebook for my address).

Thank you all so much for your love and support!! Check back here for updates and fundraising progress (see Guatemala Funds Raised on the right hand side of the page).

Love Always,

Rachel

Update: Fundraising Progress

Hey, everyone! I wanted to give you an update on my fundraising progress. So far, in only about a week and a half, $1355.00 has been donated!! Praise the Lord!!! Only $4145 to go! I know that's a big number, but I also know that God can do big things and He will provide!

Thank you so very much to everyone who has donated so far! My gratitude is beyond words for all of the love and support I am receiving from you all! God has seriously given me the greatest friends and family in the world and I love you all so much!

I also have a quick update about my trip. Due to some unchangeable circumstances (AKA Federal Court Jury Duty) I am pushing my trip back to August 31st. While this is a bit later than I had wanted to leave, it allows me a little more time to raise the funds I need to get to Guatemala, so it all works out for the best. Well...except for the jury duty part. So, this means that I now need to raise a little over $1000 a week for the next 4 weeks.

We will be having an open house style fundraiser this coming Sunday, August 10th, from 2pm to 4pm. The details are here: https://www.facebook.com/events/565732500203145/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming. Feel free to stop by anytime between 2 and 4 to visit with me and ask any questions you may have about my trip. I look forward to seeing you all there!!

If you are unable to make it to the fundraiser, but would still like to donate, here are a few ways to do so:

1- Donate via PayPal using the Guatemala Fund Donation link here on my blog.

2- Donate at VolunteerForever.com/volunteer_profile/rachel-froelich.

3- Donate directly to me in person or via snail mail (message me on Facebook for my address).

Thank you all so much again for your love and support!! Check back here for updates and fundraising progress (see Guatemala Funds Raised on the right hand side of the page).

Love Always,

Rachel