Community Servants

Vanessa and I went on an adventure with a group of girls, some house parents, and other staff members visiting local communities. We shared the message of Jesus Christ and brought food and clothes. The food and clothing were hauled up the mountain with mules. It took about an hour to hike there. We broke up into two teams and visited three locations. In the morning the two teams split up and went to different locations. I went with Hugo (one of the house fathers who is playing the guitar) and Vanessa. I had heard when they had visited this community before that all the children raised their hands to accept Jesus. When we got there one of the girls knelt down and pulled her water bottle from her bag and took out the toilet paper (you have to carry it where ever you go) and proceeded to wash a little boy's bare feet. I was so moved. I instantly thought about the scripture that talks about being a servant and thought about Jesus washing the disciples feet. A couple of girls gave their testimonies. The girl that washed the boy's feet gave her testimony as well and said that she remembers living in a community like this one. You could tell she had a heart for the people there. The girls played with the other children and helped make tortillas. They also helped serve food to the children, while we were able to pray with individual families. We were able to visit for a while after distributing the food and clothing and had a wonderful time getting to know them. In the afternoon we hiked up to another community that was more indigenous. We did not get to visit there as long and the people were not quite as comfortable with us there, but they did appreciated the food and clothes. Vanessa and I also prayed for a woman with cateracts and for this boy who as far as we could understand had a blood disease. We continue to pray for his healing. After the food and clothes were distributed, we passed out stuffed animals for the children and they were all gathered around to get one. It was a great opportunity for the girls to help others. We laughed and slept on the way back home. It was a long exausting day, but well worth the trip.

More Competitions and Marching Band

The girls did very well in a city wide competition of an event they call gymnastics. It is very different from the gymnastics in the states. It is more like synchronized choreography while doing calisthenics. They won both the local competition and I guess you might say the district competition. We will be traveling to the Capital next week where they will present thier routine. It was really fun seeing them do this so well as a group. I actually taught them a line dance they incorporated into the end of their routine. I was very proud. :o)

They also had the chance to be one of the marching bands in the parade on Guatemala’s Independence Day. They actually marched two days and the teachers marched with them. I was very tired after two days of marching through the city. Most everything is closed and all you see is people everywhere. Everyone joins in to participate or watch the parade. It is a big event.

Making Tamales

Vanessa and I had the experience of making tamales with some widows who were making tamales for a fund raiser for thier church. It was fun seeing the process. Vanessa was stirring, wrapping and laughing as she spoke to the ladies in Spanish. I smiled and tied the tamales and placed them into the container ready to be placed in the cookers. I didn't speak much Spanish, but they interacted with me as if I did. It was an all day project. The cookers were set on concrete blocks and then wood was placed under it. The not so good part was they used plastic to start the fires. If you think about it, plastic is a great starter, but of course it is a bit toxic and not so good for our environment, but their concern is using the resources they had. After a long day of stirring, folding, tying, and cooking, the tamales were ready to be sold. We jumped in the van and drove around the streets asking people to buy tamales. It was an interesting experience. The funny part was we sold some tamales to a lady that we knew that owned a business and she was having a big sale with cameras. Inadvertantly we ended up on T.V. two gringos (me looking like a tourist with my camera around my neck because I didn't want to leave it in the car) carrying a tub of tamales down the street. What a fun day.

Talents for God

The girls were in a city competition reciting poetry, singing, drawing, and public speaking. They competeted against other schools. Many of our students won awards. For many of them it was an emotional event. They were so proud to have done so well and they gave the Lord the glory for it all. The gentleman playing the guitar is one of the house parents. It was a fun event watching all these girls pour their hearts into their presentation and displaying such wonderful talents. The photo of the group of students were from another school, but it was cute to see how they were all dressed for their dance presentation.

New Home Part 1

I am really enjoying my new home. I finally have my room together with the essential items. I furnished my room with a bed, nightstand, and a wardrobe closet. The room just had bare walls-no closets. I found the bed skirt and pillow cases at the dispensa. That is where we go to shop for groceries in Jalapa. Vanessa my roommate did not think I would find one there, but the Lord knew what I needed. It was great. I found it but at the time I thought it was something else and then when I got it home it was the bedskirt I was wanting and the colors matched the curtains that were already there. God is so good. I found the rug I placed in front of the bed and the cover at a store that is like a thrift store when I went with the teachers to buy a new shirt for our uniforms. Our kitchen has a bar where Vanessa and I usually sit and work on the computers. As you can see we have our water bottle for our drinking water. The livingroom is were we do our devotions and prayer with the team. It's like our quiet room, although I find I spend most of my time in my room. We did set up my computer once in the middle of the room and watched a movie.

New Home Part 2

I am going to do this in two parts since it is difficult to load pictures. I am settled and content in my new home. I am getting used to the new sounds and sleepy through the night. The surroundings are very beautiful, but everything is locked. The gate up front is locked with a padlock and we have a giant metal door that is locked at all times and all the windows have bars on them. I feel like I am in a fortress sometimes. :o) The entry way as you come in the door is very pretty. The stairs go to the roof where the water tank is. That also has a metal door that is locked. Every room inside the house has a window and doors that lock. I found that very interesting. I don't find I spend much time outside partly because of the rain and partly because there is so much to do when we get home and it gets dark at 7pm. Although Vanessa and I have decided to get some chairs so that we can sit in the front yard and enjoy the plants when we eat. God has been so good to provide just the right things at just the right time. Blessings...

Mountain Top Experience

I can't believe I've been here almost two weeks. It has been somewhat of an adjustment but doing very well. I visited a couple of families on the mountain top where the families have little to no food and drink water that looks like mud water. We had to climb up the mountain to get where they were. A team from the United States was here and I joined them on the climb to their homes. They gave a little girl a pinata and it just happened to be her birthday that week. Isn't it amazing how God works those things out. The woman said that she had a dream the night before and saw the team coming to her home. She was so welcoming. I got chills knowing that she was praying and God sent a whole team with food and love. We prayed for her husband and the family and then we climbed down the mountain. I was moved by the reality of how wealthy (materially) we really are compared to others in the world. And yet realizing the wealth of faith this woman had that God would visit her in a dream to let her know He was coming.

Getting Ready to Leave

Well, I only have 3 more days until I fly to Guatemala. I have been enjoying my time with my brother. Yesterday we spent part of the day looking for a Notary to sign some documents before I leave. Today I will be making sure all my bags are under 50lbs and that I have all the items packed that I want to take with me. I have also been updating emails and phone numbers in my computer since I will not have my phone after Saturday. My brother said we will be going to a play on Saturday. I love plays...what a treat on my last days here. It may be a couple of weeks before I will be updating my blog, but know that I will update as soon as I get settled. Blessings to you all....

New Link

I have had requests for information about the orphanage I will be working at so I have added a link to my blog that will give you wonderful information about the organization (The James Project of Latin America) and their mission. I am so excited to be a part of this mission. I will add other important links as I go along. Thank you again for all your support in this incredible journey!!

School is Over

Tomorrow is my last day of school. I will be packing it all up and turning in my keys. It will be a sad day because I will miss everyone especially my students, but now I can totally focus on getting ready to leave for Guatemala. I hope to spend some time with friends and family before I leave. I will be having a final get together for anyone who would like to come on Saturday June 26th about 4:00p.m. I will give more details as the day gets closer on the exact time and place. I hope to see everyone there. Also, I added toggles you can click if you don't want to take the time to leave a message, but it lets me know that people are out there reading my blog. Thanks!! Let me know what you think....

Time is Drawing Near

First I want to apologize for not updating sooner, but so much has happened that occupied so much of my time. Mainly the move, as I stated before I rented my house. I had my last garage sale to sell as much as possible. Thanks to wonderful people helping me it was pretty successful. I had a wonderful crew help me move everything out. There were times it was a bit overwhelming and I didn’t think I was going to make it, but wonderful friends supported me all the way. The renters have settled in and have done a wonderful job with the yard. I am now living with the Pastor’s mother in law and what a wonderful peaceful place to collect my thoughts and prepare to leave. I am down to just a few more boxes I need to put in storage and a few more things to sell: my computer, kayak, and truck to name a few. God provided a wonderful home for my beloved Nylor. I am so thankful he will spend the rest of his years with a loving family. I had to surrender Skippy to the Kennel and I am still praying he finds a home. I have one week left of school and than a couple of weeks to tie up the last minute things before I travel down to California to visit my brother. I fly to my new home on July 5th. The team in Guatemala is anxiously waiting for my arrival.

Moving Forward But Exausted

What a whirlwind it has been these last few weeks. I only have a few more days before I will be totally moved out of my house. My renters will be moving in on Saturday. I still haven't sorted through everything, but I am almost there. Most of the large items are now in storage, now it is just a matter of sorting the little stuff like paperwork, clothes, bathroom items, etc. I bought a laptop and hope it has all the features I will need to do my job there and stay connected to everyone. I also purchased my plane ticket to Guatemala. I will fly to Guatemala on July 5th at 12:00a.m. I will be visiting my brother in California the last week of June and then I figured I would leave with a celebration of fireworks in my mind. I can't believe how close the time is getting before I have to leave and there is still so much more to do. God has been so faithful along the way and I know He will continue to guide my path. Praise God!! Still praying my beloved pooches find homes.

Count Down to the Move

Finally found a storage unit and I am in the process of getting all the things together that will go to storage. I have one room for storage. One room for the rest I need to sale and one room with the things I need to take with me. Found some large suitcases at the thrift store that will work perfect. Now I am in the process of getting a laptop I can take with me so I can stay in touch and use for school. Just a few more details to work out and I will be on my way. What an incredible journey it has been so far. Can't wait for what is ahead.

Market Place

Looking forward to walking through the market place again.

The Start of a New Adventure

Today I am beginning to pack and realize that my time here in the States is getting shorter. I am very excited about where the Lord will be taking me, but I will certainly miss everyone here. I have been going through everything and it really makes you think about what is truely important to you. I am having to make some big decisions and yet I feel at peace with the direction I am heading. I am looking forward to moving to this beautiful country.