My 1,000th Blog Post

 Today, you are reading my 

1,000th Blog Post.

Now that is a lot of Blogging!

Most of my blogging posts have been of our life and ministry here in Guatemala. 

How we have come along side the missionary family

helping them

crying with them

encouraging them

loving on them

listening to their struggles, their fears, their excitements

We love this job.
Thanks for following us on our

JudyFromMoody 

Blog!

~J

Wood Carvings

Exodus 20:4

You shall not make unto yourself any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Snapshots of Antigua

Modern Technology

Last week while at LBN in Panajachel, we had Marta Skype with
"Don Ronaldo" as she calls him.  Marta got the biggest smile on her face!

 They enjoyed the short 5 minute chat together!

~J

Team Meeting

 Glenn is a team leader for the new families heading down to Guatemala soon.  Since I was in Dallas for several activities, I decided to get together with the 3 Dallas families.  I can't pass up an opportunity for a trip to Spring Creek Bar-B-Que!

The 3 new families are:

 The Makidon family

The Tarwater family

and

the Herrington family too

We had Ron and Marcia join us for our meeting.  Ron shared his heart about his ministry in Guatemala many years ago.  There were some questions and answers.  In summary, he said that the Lord would take care of each of us, as long as we are in the Lord's will.  He also pointed out that it is important that everyone write thank you notes to those who partner with us in ministry.  We had lots of laughs as we shared together.

Here Comes the Bride

On Saturday the ladies at GPBC gave Gary and Madison a Bridal/Wedding Shower.

What a great encouragement to have friends and family from our home supporting church honor Gary and Madison.  They did great!  We had great food, laughs and they got a lot of nice gifts.

Grandmommy had a Doily that she made in 1949 and had it framed to give Madison as an heirloom gift.

Madison, Janie and Gary

Nancy, Karen and Aunt B

Gary and Madison shared how they met, their engagement and their future plans.

Gary, Grandma Vi and Madison

Congratulation Gary and Madison!!

June 23, 2012 will be here before you know it.

Its Greek To Me

This past Saturday Karen and Thomas joined the Greek Orthodox Church (Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, TX).

There was a special ceremony with the lighting of candles, anointing of oil followed by the priest cutting 4 strands of hair off of each of the 8 new church members.  

The following morning Karen and Thomas were allowed to take communion for the first time in the Greek Orthodox Church.

Easter at Home

 This is home.  This is where I grew up.  The neighborhood is changing with young families having moved into the "Circle."

Saturday afternoon the neighborhood had an Easter Egg hunt.  Everyone brought goodies to share.  G'mommy and I made brownies.  We all sat in lawn chairs and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Alfombras

On Thursday afternoon while most of the residents of the city were either at the lake, at the beach or visiting families in outlying towns, we were able to drive Quickly and Freely through the city streets to give the Hansing family an overview of the downtown section of Guatemala City.

We came across this carpet that a few folks were making.  The carpets would be on display for a few hours before the parade "trampled" them later in the day.

Puppets and Friends

On Thursday we took the Hansing family over for a meal at the Stoddard's house. 

The Stoddards shared about their ministry at SETECA and their puppet ministry too.

Thank you, Diana, for the delicious Tex-Mex dinner we shared!

Glenn and David S graduated together from HS 39 years ago.  Glenn having grown up in as a WBT MK in Mexico and David grew up as a CAM MK here in Guatemala.  They took Spanish classes together, were in the choir and sat next to each other because of their last names are alphabetically in order.  And now 39 years later, they serve together here in Guatemala.  Small world - No, BIG family.

~J

Tired - and Worn Out

Coming back from the lake on Wednesday morning, we were driving along CA 1 (Central American Hiway One) when we heard a strange sound.  Sure enough.  Tire blown out!

We were thankful for several things.  

1. We had chosen the main road instead of the "back road" because of the recent rains and the washed out bridge.
2. I kept reminding myself of the email I sent to folks at FBCLC who were praying for our journey on Sunday and then back on Wednesday.
3. The spare tire is located UNDERNEATH the van, so we didn't have to pull all of our luggage out to get to the spare.
4. We had Jim who got his hands dirty instead of me getting mine dirty helping Glenn.
5. Glenn was able to pull off of to the side of the road at a "chicken bus stop" thus giving him more room to change the tire on a side road instead of the highway.
6. The Hansing kids were able to share tracts and some candy with the Guatemalan children who were walking by.

While we were changing the tire, a Chicken Bus appeared,

Crossed the highway,

Unloaded 2 passengers and their market goods,

Then continued up the steep hill around the corner and to different villages in the area.  I'm sure glad Glenn parked in such as way so that the bus driver could get by us.

~J

Santiago, Guatemala

We had a full day at the Foote's house in Santiago.  

 First there was the 50 minute boat ride over to Santiago.  We had requested a "special" drop off at the Bambú hotel dock near the Foote's house, so after dropping off most of the passengers at the public dock, the boat driver stopped at the Bambú.

Both families' kids hit it off great.

Esme and Chloe Ann are the same age as are Issac and Ian.

They played together all morning and afternoon.  They swam in the lake. 

 They giggled, laughed and played tag.

What Fun!

With a strong south wind, it only took us 30 minutes to return to Pana across the lake!

More later

~J