Fortin de Las Flores

On the way to Fortin de Las Flores

No internet connection! So, Glenn and I drive over to his favorite childhood Mexican Restauant, VIPS (much like Dennys) to get onto the internet, check email and update my blog. We brought another CAM couple with us who we were able to help with a few internet hints.

CAMex Conference is going well. We are getting acquainted with new missionaries and re-acquainted with older ones. Several folks have asked about Gary. Gary joined us for the 2005 CAMex conference in San Juan del Rio and the teens remember him well.

More later,

Judy

Fresh Pineapple for Thanksgiving Dinner

Today, we headed from Comitan, Mexico to Fortin de las Flores, Mexico - a full day's drive up over the Sierra Madre Mountains and down to the Gulf coast and over towards Mexico City (not that close).

Fresh Pineapple for 10 pesos - about 70 US cents. Can't beat that.

Pineapple fields on both sides of the Autopista for miles and miles - and little pineapple stands every kilometer or so.

We had the option of already slided pineapple in a baggie, or watch the gal cut the fresh pineapple with a clean knife. We opted out for the special cut. That was the juiciest pineapple I have ever eaten.

Fresh pineapple from the field - best and most unique Thanksgiving meal that Glenn and I have ever had.

We handed out tracts to the family who cut up the pineapple at the fruit stand and tonight in the VIP's parking lot, we gave a 10 year beggar girl the last of the baggie full of pineapple along with a tract. Yesterday we gave a Guatemalan border guard a handful of tracts Pray that all these tracks would bear fruit.

We have arrived at the CAMex Conference location. We look forward in the next 4 days to love on, encourage, listen to and get to know the missionaries better.

More later,

Judy

We did arrive in Fortin de las Flores to watch the 2nd half of the Dallas Cowboy game!

On the Road again

Which way? Heading north to Huehuetenango (pronounced way way) then on to Mexico.
Although we left at 4:30 on Wednesday morning to get a good start, we were stopped in a "cola" for 4 hours. From 8:30-12:30! Nothing moving. There was a protest up a head. Thousands of Guatemalans had been blocking the main highway in protest of the Guatemalan government privatizing the water company. So, we sat for 4 hours. I did work on some Christmas cards and Glenn did some sudoku puzzles.

Waiting in line!

Johnny treated us to some eggs and sausages. Great breakfast. Thanks, Johnny!

Because of the 4 hour delay, we were not able to get as far into Mexico as we had planned. It was a long hard day and we have another hard day of traveling on Thanksgiving Day to our destination - west of Vera Cruz. Keep praying for safe travel, no car troubles and easy maneuvering on the Mexican highways.

Happy Thanksgiving. Gobble Gobble! Go Cowboys!

Judy

Florida Everglades

Florida Gator

I didn't think I would be fishing this close to the alligator. The Florida Everglades were gorgeous, surreal and eye catching. Thanks Jeff for your hospitality and friendship.

Glenn and I are leaving this morning to drive to Vera Cruz, Mexico to participate in the CAMex Fellowship Conference. Pray for safety on the road. Pray for no car break-downs. Pray for smooth boarder crossings. We have never driven this route, (however, this is the area where I experienced my summer internship, WBT Jungle Camp, back in 1977).

More later,

Judy

24 hour layover

Jeff is really into this telescope. He gets out at night and looks up at the stars. I was really impressed with his enthusiasm and knowledge of the heavens. My favorite was the 2 clusters of stars. Beautiful.

Jeff and Kathy have been long time friends since 1987. We served together in Bolivia for many years. We took our annual Thanksgiving weekend together as families. We took our kids with us on vacation to Sucre and Potosi, Bolivia in 1990. Jeff said I couldn't climb summer team mountain, and I proved him wrong! We even explored Chile with the Boerckels back in 1994. Who could forget the fun times in the white water rapids, 48+hr bus ride and fishing on that trip? While Jeff was our FD back in the 90's, he encouraged us to fulfill our passions - which was to minister to the local mission body, to make sure their physical and spiritual needs were met. We have appreciated Jeff's godly influence on our families' lives. Jeff knows how to work hard and then he knows how to play hard too. Thank you Jeff for being our family hero.

Kathy is the Spanish teacher at a local Christian school near West Palm Beach, Florida. Kathy gave me the "Carrot Casserole" recipe which I ritually make each holiday season. However, my kids don't like it, so I've tried renaming it the "Harvest Casserole". Just renaming it doesn't help the kids like it though. :(

We met up with Tina Jones, who use to work at the SAM office. Tina is a good friend.

More Later,

Judy

Snapshots of Managua, Nicaragua

Ellen's school was cancelled because of scheduled roadblocks and riots in the city. As we were driving to the airport, we passed a convoy of buses carrying the rioters. The tension is pretty serious and challenging.

Tropical Managua.
Luke and Ellen

Sunset over the jungles of Nicaragua

Ellen led the worship for the Teacher's Devotions on Monday and Glenn played along.

We had a little Christmas celebration and also a couple wedding presents - candle and guestbook.
More Later,

Judy

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Last week, we traveled (quick 3 day trip to Managua Nicaragua & a day layover in South Florida) reminding us of the famous John Candy & Steve Martin movie, "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" especially since we were approaching the Thanksgiving holidays. This is one of our family's favorite movies.

Next several posts will be of our time with Ellen and Luke in Nicaragua and the Jeff & Kathy Orcutt in West Palm Beach, FL.

More,

Judy

Medical team from Oklahoma

Recently, we met up Robert and Donna Lamb from Oklahoma. Donna's brother and my brother have been best friends since the 5th grade. The Lambs came down to Guatemala to work with Helps International in Chichicastenango. They usually come down at least once a year to hold medical and dental clinics in the mountainous villages. Great ministry.

Jack and Winona Skaggs stayed a few days longer and we met them and enjoyed an evening meal at Media Cancha (meaning half field line of a soccer field, thus the decor of the restaurant is soccer). (Sorry, Gary, you were not with us!) This is Gary's favorite restaurant in Guatemala City. It is always fun to make new friends.

More,

Judy

Sunday afternoon drive

An Infinity Pool
A Golf Course
Nestled between 2 volcanoes, just 15 minutes outside of the ancient city of Antigua, is this new Golf course. Glenn and I took a Sunday afternoon drive recently and were surprised by what we found.

Man, I wish I knew how to golf. Golfer's dream!

Judy

How Beautiful on the Mountains are the Feet

Foot Massaging
Every now and then, Glenn and I visit Pauline at her home. It is not your normal visit. Pauline is fighting cancer for the 2nd time. She is currently on round 14 or 15 of chemo. I am sure she knows the exact number! She still goes into work (wig on her head) when the initial effects of each chemo treatment have subsided. When we make a visit, Glenn heats up a pan of water, soaks her feet, then gently massages her feet and toes. This is the best we can do. We visit, we pray and we encourage.

See 4/12/08 blog

After each visit, I walk away encouraged by Pauline's cheerful spirit. I know she gets discouraged, but I do know she blesses us with her attitude and we leave encouraged too.

Judy

Isaiah 52:7 "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Our God reigns."

Women's Christmas Tea

Several weeks ago.... "The names of Christ" was the theme for this year's Women's Christmas Tea at First Baptist Liberty City. I remember walking into the gym last year and was amazed with the gorgeous table decorations.
My table setting was with Susan Hart. She chose the theme from the verse Luke 1:49 as "God is my strong hold". Each lady at the table received a Christmas ornament and a hand made beaded book mark. The color was gold and maroon. Susan even dressed the part too, gold.
The set-up was quite unique. Ladies would sign up to sponsor a table. Take a theme (name of Jesus Christ) and then decorate it accordingly. We ate off of the best china and silverware.
We were served hot tea, coffee, fresh fruit and croissants.

My friends, Nita, Patsy and Jennifer
Ladies enjoying the fellowship.
I loved this silver table. Beautiful.
32 tables on the gym. Over 250 ladies shared a great afternoon reflecting on the names of Jesus Christ. Patsy Wells gave a devotional. Nita and Jennifer sang.

Truck Problems

Here is the story - Tuesday - the Foote's truck broke down, called the mechanic, picked up the Foot family at Price Smart, took the truck to the mechanic shop, looked around town for replacement parts, no parts found. Wednesday - called Bob in US to see if he would bring the part down on Friday, found the part in the US and ordered it; Thursday - Bob picks up the part; Friday - Glenn and Danny drove to GUA airport to pick up Bob (and the replacement parts), dropped off the parts at the mechanic shop on Friday evening at 5:30pm and finally picked up the pick up truck at 10:30pm. The replacement part was water pump and serpentine belt. The Footes are good to go. Go to Daphne's blog for the full detail.

The one night stay for the Foote family at our house ended up to be 4 nights. We definitely bonded and enjoyed the fellowship. Daphne showed me how to update my blog with the new wall paper, and I showed her some "facebook" tricks.

Thanks Daphne and Danny for your visit.

More Later,

Judy