Whooaaaa, I'm Half Way There!!!(Bon Jovi Song)

Hola Amigos!!
I can't believe that it as almost been two months since I started my internship here in Zacapa. Lately I have been doing a lot of physically demanding projects, but they have also been very interesting and I have learned alot of new skills just by participating. For instance, two weeks ago we began working on putting a tile floor on the back patio of the Community center, which is where the teams stay. Let me explain, this is not your typical patio. It is roughly the size of a large appartment or condo. We have to mix the cement by hand which can get difficult. Also we have been putting a concrete counter top for the kitchen in House 6 which is the new house that has recently been completed. This coming week we are going to put sinks in all of the bathrooms of House 6. Today is an important day for two reasons. First as you know it is the 10th anniversary of 9/11. But here in Guatemala, today is the one and only day for voting of the new president. Every one who wants to vote must go to wherever they were born in Guatemala. So lots of interesting stuff going on. As much as I love telling all of you about whats going on here, I would also like to hear how you all are doing and whats going on back home. If you can, leave a comment and let me know how things are going. I really appriciate all of the prayers and kind messages I have recieved from all of you. Thanks so much for your support. I hope to see you guys soon.

Three Weeks Down

I can hardly believe that it has already been three weeks since I started my Internship here in Zacapa. Now that the teams are gone, things are a lot quiter and not as fast-paced but still exciting. Aaron and I, the two remaining interns, are doing a lot of projects around the House of Hope such as weedeating, Painting, sanding and varnishing wooden benches and cleaing up around the campus. Here is some exciting news, German and his fiance Gisella are getting married in about two weeks here at the HOH. These two are full time staff members here in charge of the church services on campus and they also are a part of the mountain ministry that we have here. Everyday I am blown away by Gods awesome creation as I look at the mountains that surround me here. I am also thankful for the the weather here, it can get hot durring the day but at night, the storms roll in. In, fact I am listening to the rain on the roof right now! Sorry to all my friends and family back in Texas, allow me to explain. Rain is what happens when the clouds get heavy with water and dropletts begin to fall from the sky. I know it's been a while since you have experienced this phenomenon. Just kidding! So far every thing is going great, and I just ask for your continued prayer for my safety and perserverence as I procede through this time of service.
Thanks agan and stay tuned.

My new home( for 3 months)

Well, I have completed week one of my three month long internship here in Zacapa, Guatemala. This past week I have been participating in  various activities with our Bent tree and Faith Bible group and it has been amazing. I have have made so many new friendships within the last week! I have seen and done so many amazing things this week. The other interns and staff here have been so welcoming and I am excited to be spending time with them. The children of the house of hope are adorable and really good at soccer! I have just moved in to the Intern House With a really cool group of guys. It has been neat getting to know them over the past week. There is a new team that came in a few days ago from California and we are already getting to know each other. Its amazing how fast time flies by here. But at the same time it feels like each day takes a long time to get through. All in all I am loving being here and I look forward to sending you all more updates. Thanks for all of your prayers and support. God is doing amazing things here and I am happy to be a part of this.

P.S. BUENOSUERTES!!!!
( a little inside joke from the team)

Adventure Awaits!!

Well Friends, the day has come. Tomorrow morning at 7:10 am, I will be departing from DFW Airport to begin my 4 month long internship with the House of Hope in Zacapa, Guatemala. At this time I would like to personally thank everyone who has supported me as I prepare for this adventure. I will be keeping a blog while down there so if you would like to follow it, heres the address: peterras.blogspot.com. Also I would like to thank all of my friends from kids club for supporting me and encouraging me as prepared for my internship. Chris Jamison and Craig Welkener, thank you both for being there for me and lifting me up throughout this process. I am so excited to get started and to tell all of you about my amazing adventures in Guatemala!
P.S. I am going to not be using facebook very much throughout this time, other than to post pictures. I don't want to get distracted from the reason why i am down there.
Thanks again.

Last Day

Well, this past Friday I concluded my career with Kids Club after a little over two and a half years of work with the kiddos at Anderson and around the district. It has been a great opportunity to work there and I have made many great friendships there, but I am glad to be moving on with life and getting ready for my four-month stay in Zacapa, Guatemala. I have just under two weeks until I set off for Central America, and with every passing day I become more and more excited!
On a side note, some of you may be confused about the title of this blog. The phrase, "Learn by Doin'" is something I once said to my sister about how somtimes you have to try and fail to learn a lesson in life. Though it's sort of a funny name for a blog, the title fits the reason i'm writting this - I'm learning new things every day.
I would also like to take the time to thank everyone who has supported me, both financially and by praying for me. I can't express how grateful I am for all of you! I got a little sidetracked there, oh well!

My First Post!

Hello everyone, My name is Peter and this is my first blog post! I know, it's pretty exciting. I decided to start a blog because in a couple of weeks I am going to be starting an internship with an orphanage in Zacapa, Guatemala for four months! I am going to be doing a number of fun and amazing things while I'm down there so I felt like sharing them with all of you. As I get closer to leaving, I am becoming more and more excited. There are still a few things left to do to prepare my self for the internship, but I am sure everything will work out. I thank all my friends and family who have supported me as get ready for this trip of a lifetime.

Well I guess that will be good for now. See ya'll later.