Baby Pouch

Typical Guatemalan style to carry your baby.

Hannah's style!

The Guatemalans take a double look when they notice Hannah carrying little Gracie "in a pouch" in the front instead of slung across the back which is the typical Guatemalan Mayan style of carrying babies.

~J

It's A Zoo Out There

Yesterday, we took the Self family to the Guatemala City Zoo.  I asked myself, "Why haven't we been here before now?  We've lived here in this country for 4 1/2 years and had never even gone to the zoo once."  Maybe it is because we are not a young family any more with kiddos.

There were Giraffes

and

Zebras

and

Peacocks

 and

Otters

and of course

Turtles.

Conclusion:  We will go back to enjoy the Zoo again.  
110 Quetzales for all 6 of us including parking!  Not a bad price.
How much is that?  Divide by 8 to get the dollar amount.
~J

Orphan Outreach

Last night we hosted a group of friends with Orphan Outreach for dinner.  Mike was the leader of this group, and we've known him for over 30 years now from back in the days when we attended Grand Prairie Bible Church together. Mike was an elder and was part of commissioning us as missionaries to Bolivia back in the day.

Mike is now the Director of Orphan Outreach which has ministries here in Guatemala besides Honduras, Russia and other parts of the world. Great Organization.  Last year while my nieces, Molly and Haley, were visiting, we were able to participate 2 days in a ministry trip out in Xela.  What a great experience! 

Around the dinner table we were able to share how God has worked in our lives here in Guatemala and how He has lead each one of us.  We also got re-acquainted with a new family, Todd, who will be returning later in the year to help out with Orphan Outreach ministry in Xela.  Check out their blog.

Never a dull moment!  During the evening Glenn was helping Mike look over some computer problems that Gloria had.  Then Marievelia came over and we helped her stamp the envelopes she was sending up to the states stuffed with her latest news letter.

Besides that, I tried out a new Crock-Pot Barbecue Chicken Recipe which I borrowed the other day from Courtney's blog.  Thanks Courtney.  Delish!

{photo courtesy of Courtney}

 Get the recipe here

Simple and easy to make!

~J

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace
"twas grace that taught my heart to fear
and grace my fears relieved
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed

my chains are gone
I've been set free
my God, my Savior
has ransomed me
and like a flood
His mercy reigns
unending love, amazing grace


but God who called me here below
will be forever mine
will be forever mine
you are forever mine
you are
you are forever mine
you are forever mine
you are forever mine...."

My friend Courtney posted this on her blog recently.  I've heard "Amazing Grace" countless times.  But this time I really listened to the words.  I let the words and music speak to me.  They are powerful.  This song is not your standard Amazing Grace melody.  The words are there.  The meaning is there.  My chains are gone.  I have been set FREE!

Now you listen to it.
~J

Over-Loaded

How about this vehicle?  Full or what?  You never know what you might find on the streets here in Guatemala City!

~J   

My Best Friend

Thirty one years ago today, I married my BEST FRIEND
January 19, 1980 - Has it been 31 years? 

We got married on a Saturday afternoon.

Glenn sang to me during the service. 

I wore Bev's mother's dress (25 years old).  I loved the lace!

For the past 31 years, Glenn has taken me on an adventure.  A journey. We have raised our 3 children overseas in Bolivia and we have

• worked as auto mechanic serving WBT missionaries for several years
• worked as Aircraft mechanic, Field Director and Administration in Bolivia for 15 years
• worked out of Dallas in the Field Support and Pastoral Care for 5 years
• ministered in Guatemala for 4 1/2 years as Pastoral Care givers

All in all, Glenn has blessed me with his graciousness and sweetness throughout our marriage.  He has loved me, been there with me through Thick and Thin.

As I reflect, we have had some sweet years together.  There have been some pretty tough years - 1990 when Glenn's mom died, all 3 kids got chickenpox and we were moving back to Bolivia all in the span of 2 months. We also all got hepatitis. Then most recently, during the fall of 2010, as we were traveling, I fell and broke my ankle.  Glenn was a magnificent caregiver for me.  He is patient and thoughtful. Come to think about it, I did not marry my best friend 31 years ago, Glenn has become my best friend during these past 31 years.

Happy Anniversary, Honey!

~J

Bible Translation

Last week, we had Larry J, from our sending church visit us for the day.  Glenn was able to take him to visit veteran CAM missionaries, Dave and Helen E. Among other topics, they discussed Bible translation.

Larry also got to see how our Pastoral Care ministry works here in Guatemala.  He saw how our plans adjust to the needs of our fellow missionaries.  For example, he saw Glenn open and sort out the mail that arrived via UPS from our home office, how we were planning for the arrival of new missionaries, Jordan and Hannah, our many phone calls we made, drop-in visits at SETECA and how we were "networking".  

Thanks, Larry, for your visit!!

~J

Note to Self

Jordan* and Hannah arrived on Friday!

We've prayed a long time for them to arrive, and now we are so excited to see them join the CAM Guatemala family.

I think Grace kinda looks like a
Cabbage Patch Doll

Gail and Judy joined us at Pollo Campero after they helped form part of the Welcoming Party at the airport.  The Selfs arrived with their 8 pieces of luggage, 6 carry-ons and 2 kiddos!

*Jordan was a South America Mission MK growing up with our kids in Bolivia, and now he's a young man with a young family serving with us in Guatemala as a member of CAM.

Christmas Comes Late This Year

Yesterday I got 3 of my very first Christmas Cards, 2 Christmas photo postcards and 4 Christmas letters through the Guatemalan Postal Service. 

Yes, they do come in, but arrives like 3 - 4 weeks later than normal.  Most of the post marks were in early December.  But at least they get here.* 

So, our Christmas lasts way into January!

I do look forward to hopefully receiving more Christmas cards in the next few weeks here in Guatemala from friends.  The Christmas Cards mailed to our US address will be forwarded here soon, so it's like Christmas all during the month of January.

* Glenn got his July birthday card from FBCLC (mailed in July) yesterday also!

~J

Roses

I found these flowers in my garden!

Elevator Buttons

You know those huge TV remote controls with the large numbers?  I found something similar to that in the elevator in Quetzaltenango. 

I guess you would call them 

Texas Size 

elevator buttons.
~J

Breakfast Club

When we are ever in the Dallas Fort Worth area on a Thursday morning, we like to join the Breakfast Club at Cracker Barrel.  These folks are friends and supporters whom we have known for over 30 years now.  They have prayed and cared for us.

The french toast was pretty good. 
~J

Glenn's Bicycle Trip in 1976 - 35 Years Later

We've come full circle.  Glenn first visited Guatemala back in 1976 on his Bike trip and I was here on my first mission trip in 1973 and then again in 1977 as in intern.  Who would have thought that 35 years later, we would be living and ministering here in Guatemala?  God is Good!

Several months ago, we visited Ben B.  He and Glenn rode their 15 speed bicycles from Dallas, Texas to Colombia, South America. 

With permission, I quote from Ben's FB page

1976-01-01 After many months of preparation The Spokesmen, Glenn Stewart and myself, headed south from Dallas, TX on bicycles believing that sports evangelism could be a very effective tool in reaching bicycle racing enthusiasts. We had done very little amateur racing and no professional racing but we went off in faith anyway. With only a few sponsors and not enough to cover our expenses we were surprised by God over and over again when very poor people invited us in and shared what they had with us. Sorry, these are not in chronological order yet. 35 years later Glenn & I are still missionaries and God continues to provide for our needs in much the same way!!!

Wow, Glenn, you have aged wonderfully.

Imagine 4 months and 5,000 miles!  I am proud of you, Glenn!

~J

Central Cathedral - Guatemala City

Downtown Catholic Cathedral - Guatemala City, Guatemala