XML Parser and Google Maps Geocoding - Array Won't Populate

I'm attempting to implement markers on my Google map on my page through city and country names within an XML file. Unfortunately, it appears that I'm unable to get the global array (countryList) that holds the country objects to stay populated outside of the XML parser. Using an alert within the parser, I can see that it holds 35 items, but outside it has 0. I'm looking for some insight, but I'm thinking that it has to do with the order in which these functions are being loaded. Due to the fact that the array is not holding any items, there are no cities to populate the map markers with.I'm attempting to implement markers on my Googl