EMAILS up and RUNNING
Today, Tuesday, just 6 days after arriving here in Guatemala, we got our computers all wired up and connected with the internet. The speed is NOT as fast as what we were use to in Dallas, but, wow, at least we have email. Glenn is still working on the reception of the IP phone. It seems to be very choppy, so bear with us, and hopefully that will be resolved.

So, far, we have moved completely into the house. We've been eating off of paper plates and making do with the limited utensils that we have. I still need to buy some dishes, pots and pans, cookie sheets and good knives. We have been creative in our cooking these last few days. However, that hasn't stopped us from having friends over.

On Saturday night, we had Dr. Un-Young Wang (from MBI's Music dept) and Mona Coalter along with Chris Pater here for our first hosted meal for company in our home.
I fixed the cranberry chicken recipe that I got from Kathy Shea. It was pretty good. Then tonight, we had 2 single guys over for beans and rice, a Stewart tradition that we would eat once a week when living in Bolivia.
They call it Winter here now, because it is rainy season. It rains nearly every day, normally in the late afternoon, and sometimes all day. That means, I need to make sure the clothes are off the line and that the wind doesn't blow the rain into the open windows. My office door to the outdoor patio leaks. Note to self: keep rag nearby, especially during the rainy season.

More later about our adjustments to Guatemala.

HOME in GUATEMALA
Dear family,

Just want you to know that we arrived safely, uneventful, here in Guatemala. By the time we had to take our shoes off, unload the lap top and get the desk top computer inspected at the security check, NO QUESTIONS ASKED, it was time for us to board our airplane.

Watching "Walk the Line" and eating Fish for dinner was a good relaxing time for us. The 2 1/2 hours went by quckly.

Bob Henriques was there at the airport to pick us up. As we got in the van, I asked Bob to point out some landmarks so we'll be able to make the airport run with no problems some day. I need to buy a map of this city.

Tomorrow morning we'll have breakfast, and Bob will take us over to our house. On Friday morning, Glenn will be taking Bob to the airport (He is going to Esteban Pommier's wedding in Mexico) and then we'll use the van until Monday when Glenn picks Bob up again at the airport.

This evening, as we flew over Guatemala City, it hit me that this was now HOME. Having been "uprooted" for the past several weeks, I'm looking forward to getting into my own house and being a family again. We're so grateful that we have lots of our house already furnished from purchasing the stuff from the Merritts last month. We are still praying about a "temporary" car to use until our Van becomes available in August. Someone mentioned recently, "Imagine Glenn with out a car?" We laugh, especially since Glenn sold 2 cars yesterday and several others over the past 3 weeks.

Nice to be here. Tired. Don't know when we'll have internet connection set up adequately at our house.

Good to be home.
Judy, Glenn and Gary too

Wednesday, June 21, Guatemala City Guatemala
Our travel plans will be to fly out of DFW on AA 2195 on Wednesday, June 21 at 5:17pm. Anyone in the Dallas area is welcomed to come to the new International Terminal at DFW at the check-in area for a "send-off".

These last 3 weeks have been very challenging as we have been moving out of our Grand Prairie house and moved into my folks house as a staging area. We've been selling our cars and updating our house and getting it ready for rental. We had a family farewell dinner and then watched the cowboys at the Mesquite Rodeo. That was fun.

I had a tremendous weekend of attending a Women of the Harvest Ladies Retreat at The Cove in Asheville, NC with 77 other missionary ladies and mothers that are serving literally all over the world. This was a great time of relaxation and reflection as I'm focusing on our upcoming ministry in Guatemala. I visited with Mary Beekman, old friend from MBI days, that introduced me to Glenn. I hadn't seen Mary in nearly 4 years.

We were planning on driving through Mexico to Guatemala this week, however we have decided that it would be best to fly. Pray with us for a "temporary" car/van to use until we purchase the Toyota Hiace in mid August. Pray for us as we settle into our home and get once again organized.

PHOTO OP Ellen returned on Tuesday from 1 year in Managua, Nicaragua, teaching ESL at Nicaragua Christian Academy. She plans to spend 1 week in Chicago and then meet up with us in Guatemala in July. Karen is busy interpreting for various agencys this summer.
All 3 kids
Good time for a family photo.