(Sara) Oh, The Possibilities

Last week, my husband and I each applied for our very first passport. That might not be a big deal to many people, but he and I were so excited. Neither one of us grew up in families where travel was a regular thing. Unless you count road trips to Nebraska. (Which I don't. )

I've been to Mexico, Canada and Jamaica - but at the time of my travel, a passport was not required. Now, though, one needs a passport to go pretty much anywhere outside the borders of our country. And I couldn't be more grateful. Because this trip to Guatemala is the impetus for me to do something I've always wanted to...obtain a passport. I don't know if I'll become a serious traveler, but with a passport in hand the the possibility is at least there.

One of the biggest reasons I want to go on this trip to Guatemala is to get a new perspective on what is real, what is necessary in life. I know there's no better way to open up one's mind than to travel. I'm equal parts excited and worried that this trip to Guatemala will change my life. Change it in a way that I won't be able to slip back into the life I lead right now. Oh, the possibilities...

(Jodi) Taking It to the Streets

Yesterday I stopped at two local businesses to tell our story and requested their support in preparation for the Golden Gloves Boxing event at the Uppercut Gym next Saturday night. I'm hopeful as both proprietors requested time to consider. I didn't get thrown out for solicitation! That really gives me the confidence to keep trying. I've sent literature to both places and am now waiting to hear back from 3 local businesses in good old Nordeast Minneapolis. Have to admit, it's a little uncomfortable but the cause inspires me to keep trying.

We're also getting super-close to securing an afternoon of grape harvesting at a local winery in return for their financial support. I've consumed a lot of wine in my day but I've never participated in a harvest. I can't wait! Check out winery: http://cannonriverwinery.com

Anyone have tried and true fundraising ideas? I'm all ears. We have miles to go!

(Jodi) Another Baby Step and On Our Way

We're making progress! Our fundraising website is set up and we're blogging on our blog. We can now begin communicating to our vast network of caring and supportive friends and family. In addition, Andy, a vision team member, has arranged our participation in a fundraising activity. Thanks to Andy's generous contact, we will be set up at the Golden Gloves Boxing Show at the Uppercut Gym in Northeast Minneapolis on October 1 at 7PM. Check out the website for details and join us. It will be our first of many fundraising activities... a chance to tell our story and raffle off some really cool stuff. Not sure about all the details but it should be a fun time. I feel like a fundraising rookie but hopefully what I lack in expertise, I can make up for in enthusiasm. Plus, Andy has always encouraged me to take an intro to boxing class so I think I'm finally going to go for it!

(Sara) - Common Hope Kick Off

Today our Vision Team got together with our Common Hope coordinator, Brianna. I think it was exactly what we needed to get us mobilized after the initial excitement of being chosen to go to Guatemala on this mission trip. You know how it goes - summer wound down and then there was Labor Day...time passed and it was definitely time to "get the band back together" (as my teammate Julie would say).

We spent an hour learning more about Common Hope and how the organization operates to improve life for the citizens of Guatemala. I learned a lot in those 60 minutes:

Guatemala is a country whose land is half the size of Minnesota

There are 14 million people crammed into that space; by comparison we have about 5 million people in MN. Wow.

Guatemala endured a 36-year civil war that just ended in 1996.

The legal age to begin working full time in Guatemala is 12. WOW.

I can't help but think what I was doing at the age of 12...I was in 7th grade and my time was consumed by homework, talking on the phone with my friends, after-school sports, and creating choreographed dance routines in my bedroom to C+C Music Factory songs. You know - being a normal kid. Well, normal by American standards. This trip is definitely going to recalibrate my standards for normal.

The GuatemAll-In Vision Team

We are a group of ten co-workers whose backgrounds are as varied as the work we do together at Best Buy. We've been brought together by a shared desire to volunteer our time to Common Hope, a non-profit organization that operates an outreach program in Guatemala. Our team name is GuatemAll-In because we're those kind of people - we're going to do this, and do it big! (And because Common Hope asked us to come with a name...so it was a logistical thing).

We're preparing to spend eight days in Antigua, working with the Common Hope team to further their mission of providing education and resources to the Guatemalan families who are part of their program. We'll be there from March 24-31, 2012.

Over the next several months, we'll be planning and fundraising for our trip. And once we're in Guatemala, we'll be sure to share pictures and stories from our time there. You can track our progress, cheer us on, and even make a financial donation through this blog. Thank you for your support!