So relieved to hear you made it safely to Guatemala! 🙂
I hope you were able to get a little sleep.
How are you feeling?
I can’t wait to hear how your first day went! 🙂
Hey Abigail!
It’s weird to be home with out you or dad. Me and mom are pretty boring together (HGTV all the way)! So proud of you for taking this trip again! I wish I had been able to come with you all but grad school is calling! I know you will do fantastic things and I can’t wait to see pictures! I read your devotional book when I made profession of faith and I hope that it will help you in your faith journey like it did for me.
Love you and can’t wait to see you when you get back (or come to Chicago, whichever comes first)!
I’m so happy y’all made it to Guatemala safely! I am so proud of you for taking this trip again! I know God will open your heart, soul, and mind to even more than he did last time! I can’t wait to here all about it over a large slice of cheesecake!
Hi all! Sorry I haven’t posted anything yet, but it’s been a busy couple of days! Yesterday after a long delay due to poor weather, we didn’t arrive until 12 am (2 am Michigan time). After waking up at 6:30 this morning, we were given time to do our devotions (as we are supposed to do for 15 minutes everyday). As I sat in front of the beautiful trees and clothes lines, I spent some time reflecting on my relationship with God and what I wanted to accomplish over this week. So often at home I find myself distracted or not making time for God; I’m often unwilling to give up my own time for others when confronted with my ‘busy’ schedule. As I sat unsure of what excuse to make for my actions I decided to commit all my time and actions to God this week. I vowed to be a joyful servant: I wouldn’t complain, I wouldn’t sit idle, and I would ask what I could do to help. This attitude was helpful during the scorching heat of today when all I wanted to do was sit down and drink my water bottle endlessly. But that’s not why I’m here; I’m here to serve.
I hope that you can find the servant’s heart inside yourself and pray for our team.
Missing and loving every single one of you ( yes, Mom, I miss you too), Abby
I hope your first day of building went well!
Which family did you get?
Relieved to hear that the rain cleared out and you all were able to have a productive first building day!
Thanks for sharing with all of us back at home!
Love Always, Mom
XOXO…
Hi Abby! Just checking in and catching up on what you’ve been up to. Wow, sounds like you have accomplished a lot in only two days there! Must be hotter this trip than last time…good thing you committed to having a positive attitude 🙂
I’ve been thinking about you and the team a lot, and saying prayers as I do. Praying dedication day is powerful in many ways!
Blessings,
Mrs. Billin
From the looks of today’s pictures, it appears you had another good weather day as well as fun applying the stucco and painting inside!! Have you taken any interesting pictures with your camera? Please try to get one of you and your dad at some point during this week! Thank you! 🙂
Hi y’all!
We had another beautiful day today in our village and got to interact with our families a little more. In our home is Gonzola, Marta, and their 4 year old daughter Keli. When we got to painting, we asked them with our limited Spanish what they wanted on the walls of their new home. I was expecting a tree or something but they asked that we put all of our names on the walls. I was shocked! We hardly knew this family but they wanted us permanently implanted on the walls of their homes. Just like we are permanently implanted (or until they decide to repaint) in their home, they smiles and names are permanently implanted in my brain. I hope tomorrows dedication goes half as well as today :).
Have fun in Michigan, Abby
Hi y’all! Abby here.
Today we dedicated our homes to the families. Gonzol and Marta were very appreciative for their new home and expressed so with hugs. They both accepted Christ into their hearts; Gonzol even said that it neccessary to have Jesus in his life. Some tears were shed from both sides but I think the most profound thing today was the way that Marta clutched her new audio Bible. Each house received one and Marta in particular seemed to like the idea that she could listen to the Bible anywhere.
Their smiles with stay with me for a while, Abby
What wonderful news that your family willingly accepted Christ into their hearts!!
One for Team Hillcrest! 🙂
That is awesome that Marta and Gonzol wanted your names on the walls of their home!
Today I am praying that you and your dad are staying healthy (as Kevin mentioned that some are not feeling well) and that all of you will remain safe as you go out to a remote village to bring numerous pounds of medicine and make more disciples.
Toby and I miss you, but we are so very proud of you for answering the call!
It’s so great to see you in the pictures! I know God will use this trip to reveal Himself in new ways. When I mentioned that it must be hotter this time, I forgot about our long trip to the first med clinic! Nate, Jason, Ian and I were reminiscing this morning about how hot it was that day…but it was definitely worth the sweat to see God change lives.
I’m eager to hear stories when you get back. I’m guessing you had fun using your Spanish. ¡Dios te bendiga!
Mrs. Billin
Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for all the prayers! It has been so fun to read what you’ve been saying in my free time! Yesterday we went to a med clinic in a coastal village. Despite some ant bites, it went great. I made friends with a little girl named Anna who played with me the whole day. I also was able to hold a woman as she cried into my chest and accepted Christ. It was powerful to say the least. I don’t think I’ve ever thought so much about the way God loves us until this week. It doesn’t matter that we are sinners or that we aren’t perfect, God loves us anyway. To strive for perfection isn’t what God wants. He just wants us to try to be good children and he will meet us where we are at.
Love you all, Abby
I am writing this to you as you are probably finishing up your last medical clinic and heading back to base for one more night and day before heading home.
I loved seeing the pictures of you coloring with the children! It looks like and sounds like your gift of art was a big hit and a great ice breaker!! Well done!
I hope you gave your dad a big hug today since you were the only one spending Father’s Day with him. Toby and I spent a large portion of our day in the car driving to and from Chicago. Your sisters are all settled in at Uncle Bud and Aunt Audrey’s place and will begin Grad school in the morning.
Enjoy your last day in Guatemala, as you probably will be doing your souvenir shopping. I can’t wait to get you a shadow box to put all your treasures from both trips into so you can treasure them forever! 🙂
Love you very much and miss you a lot as well!!
Mom and Toby
XOXO…
Team Hillcrest 2016 
Praying you through this adventure once again!
Take care of your dad! 😉
Love Always, Mom
XOXO…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and your team and I can’t wait to hear about your experience!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So relieved to hear you made it safely to Guatemala! 🙂
I hope you were able to get a little sleep.
How are you feeling?
I can’t wait to hear how your first day went! 🙂
Love you, Mom
XOXO…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Abigail!
It’s weird to be home with out you or dad. Me and mom are pretty boring together (HGTV all the way)! So proud of you for taking this trip again! I wish I had been able to come with you all but grad school is calling! I know you will do fantastic things and I can’t wait to see pictures! I read your devotional book when I made profession of faith and I hope that it will help you in your faith journey like it did for me.
Love you and can’t wait to see you when you get back (or come to Chicago, whichever comes first)!
Meagan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Abby!
I’m so happy y’all made it to Guatemala safely! I am so proud of you for taking this trip again! I know God will open your heart, soul, and mind to even more than he did last time! I can’t wait to here all about it over a large slice of cheesecake!
Love you! 😘
Katelyn
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi all! Sorry I haven’t posted anything yet, but it’s been a busy couple of days! Yesterday after a long delay due to poor weather, we didn’t arrive until 12 am (2 am Michigan time). After waking up at 6:30 this morning, we were given time to do our devotions (as we are supposed to do for 15 minutes everyday). As I sat in front of the beautiful trees and clothes lines, I spent some time reflecting on my relationship with God and what I wanted to accomplish over this week. So often at home I find myself distracted or not making time for God; I’m often unwilling to give up my own time for others when confronted with my ‘busy’ schedule. As I sat unsure of what excuse to make for my actions I decided to commit all my time and actions to God this week. I vowed to be a joyful servant: I wouldn’t complain, I wouldn’t sit idle, and I would ask what I could do to help. This attitude was helpful during the scorching heat of today when all I wanted to do was sit down and drink my water bottle endlessly. But that’s not why I’m here; I’m here to serve.
I hope that you can find the servant’s heart inside yourself and pray for our team.
Missing and loving every single one of you ( yes, Mom, I miss you too), Abby
LikeLike
I hope your first day of building went well!
Which family did you get?
Relieved to hear that the rain cleared out and you all were able to have a productive first building day!
Thanks for sharing with all of us back at home!
Love Always, Mom
XOXO…
LikeLike
Hi Abby! Just checking in and catching up on what you’ve been up to. Wow, sounds like you have accomplished a lot in only two days there! Must be hotter this trip than last time…good thing you committed to having a positive attitude 🙂
I’ve been thinking about you and the team a lot, and saying prayers as I do. Praying dedication day is powerful in many ways!
Blessings,
Mrs. Billin
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Abby!
From the looks of today’s pictures, it appears you had another good weather day as well as fun applying the stucco and painting inside!! Have you taken any interesting pictures with your camera? Please try to get one of you and your dad at some point during this week! Thank you! 🙂
Love Always, Mom
XOXO…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi y’all!
We had another beautiful day today in our village and got to interact with our families a little more. In our home is Gonzola, Marta, and their 4 year old daughter Keli. When we got to painting, we asked them with our limited Spanish what they wanted on the walls of their new home. I was expecting a tree or something but they asked that we put all of our names on the walls. I was shocked! We hardly knew this family but they wanted us permanently implanted on the walls of their homes. Just like we are permanently implanted (or until they decide to repaint) in their home, they smiles and names are permanently implanted in my brain. I hope tomorrows dedication goes half as well as today :).
Have fun in Michigan, Abby
LikeLike
Love the y’all! Praying that dedication day goes well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Abby you know that dedication day is a challenge but with God’s leading you will find just the right song to keep in your heart today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi y’all! Abby here.
Today we dedicated our homes to the families. Gonzol and Marta were very appreciative for their new home and expressed so with hugs. They both accepted Christ into their hearts; Gonzol even said that it neccessary to have Jesus in his life. Some tears were shed from both sides but I think the most profound thing today was the way that Marta clutched her new audio Bible. Each house received one and Marta in particular seemed to like the idea that she could listen to the Bible anywhere.
Their smiles with stay with me for a while, Abby
LikeLike
Hi My Sunshine!
What wonderful news that your family willingly accepted Christ into their hearts!!
One for Team Hillcrest! 🙂
That is awesome that Marta and Gonzol wanted your names on the walls of their home!
Today I am praying that you and your dad are staying healthy (as Kevin mentioned that some are not feeling well) and that all of you will remain safe as you go out to a remote village to bring numerous pounds of medicine and make more disciples.
Toby and I miss you, but we are so very proud of you for answering the call!
Love Always, Mom
XOXO…
LikeLike
It’s so great to see you in the pictures! I know God will use this trip to reveal Himself in new ways. When I mentioned that it must be hotter this time, I forgot about our long trip to the first med clinic! Nate, Jason, Ian and I were reminiscing this morning about how hot it was that day…but it was definitely worth the sweat to see God change lives.
I’m eager to hear stories when you get back. I’m guessing you had fun using your Spanish. ¡Dios te bendiga!
Mrs. Billin
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for all the prayers! It has been so fun to read what you’ve been saying in my free time! Yesterday we went to a med clinic in a coastal village. Despite some ant bites, it went great. I made friends with a little girl named Anna who played with me the whole day. I also was able to hold a woman as she cried into my chest and accepted Christ. It was powerful to say the least. I don’t think I’ve ever thought so much about the way God loves us until this week. It doesn’t matter that we are sinners or that we aren’t perfect, God loves us anyway. To strive for perfection isn’t what God wants. He just wants us to try to be good children and he will meet us where we are at.
Love you all, Abby
LikeLike
Good Evening Abby,
I am writing this to you as you are probably finishing up your last medical clinic and heading back to base for one more night and day before heading home.
I loved seeing the pictures of you coloring with the children! It looks like and sounds like your gift of art was a big hit and a great ice breaker!! Well done!
I hope you gave your dad a big hug today since you were the only one spending Father’s Day with him. Toby and I spent a large portion of our day in the car driving to and from Chicago. Your sisters are all settled in at Uncle Bud and Aunt Audrey’s place and will begin Grad school in the morning.
Enjoy your last day in Guatemala, as you probably will be doing your souvenir shopping. I can’t wait to get you a shadow box to put all your treasures from both trips into so you can treasure them forever! 🙂
Love you very much and miss you a lot as well!!
Mom and Toby
XOXO…
LikeLike