Garbage Pick Up

Glenn and I get up most mornings to walk

 around

 around

 around
and ... around

in our small neighborhood.
  

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday the garbage collectors come inside the gate. 

 The garbage truck stays outside the neighborhood.  2 men carry plastic sheets with them.  They go door to door to collect the items.  As they throw the trash into the plastic sheets to haul the trash away, they go through it themselves to check for valuables.

Often we will put out an extra bag with oranges, bread and other food items for the workers.

I realize that in Dallas, where my parents live, they only have garbage pick up once a week.  And here I live in a 3rd world culture and I have the luxury of having trash pick up 3 times a week.

Then there is another guy who walks around the neighborhood (a nicely dressed man) who collects our monthly payment.  No, it is not included in our water or housing bills.  And no, we cannot pay for it on line either.  How would you like to have a bill collector knock on your door at 6:30 in the morning?

Then they load the garbage in the truck.  3 times a week.

After working on this blog, Glenn reminded me of the Max Lucado video
 "Give it all to Him".
My dad was one of the main actors in this small video.
Click here to view it.

Forecast: Blue Sky

Agua Volcano

 ...outside of the city of Antigua

Love Birds

As we were visiting El Tenedor recently wth our friend, Maria and her daughter, we came across a gentleman who had 4 lovebirds (pericos de amor).

 Glenn got on the ground and the birds hopped up his arm, over his shoulder, then were pecking at his shirt.

I was reminded of Matthew 6:26

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Double Photo Winner

I submitted another photo for the Women of the Harvest web site.

Click here to see it. 

My dear friend Virginia flew down to Guatemala back in 2009 and had a 10 day visit with us before she continued on to her ministry assignment in Bolivia.  We enjoyed a few days at Panajachel.  Be sure and click on the links to read more.

Be sure and click "Story behind the Photo"

The photo I submitted was a photo that Moody Bible Institute chose for their 2013 calendar.  I'm thrilled for that honor.

~J

My Birthday

Several days ago, I celebrated my 56th birthday.  It started off with a skype call from Baby David in Nicaragua, nice outing to a mall, meal at my favorite restaurant and FB messages from people all over the world.  Glenn took me to a new mall on the other side of town.  

The Paseo Cayalá. 

 This is a beautiful outdoor mall...sidewalk cafés, musicians in the streets and grassy areas for children to play.

Oct 20 is a Guatemala City Holiday.  The streets were literally EMPTY.  We took advantage of the opportunity to explore new areas of the city.

Then Glenn treated me to Media Cancha. We split the meal.

BEFORE

 AFTER

Delicious - Best Steak in the World

~J

Santa Teresita Hot Springs

Carol and I celebrate our birthdays on the SAME day.  October 20.  This year, we had our husbands take us to Santa Teresita.  These are hot springs just at the base of the Pacaya Volcano.  The thermal waters are naturally heated from the volcanic activity.

 As you leave this relaxing place, a billboard sign greets you.

Wonderful!

Who else has been here?

~J

56 Roses

56 Roses

for a 56 year old

born in 1956.

Can't get better than this!

Thank you, Glenn!

Happy Birthday to me! :)

October 20, 2012

~J

Hospitality Check

Last week Glenn and I, along with Elisa, drove up to Antigua to have a short visit with Boyd and Julie.  They are our NEWEST missionaries.  They are in Spanish language school.  We surprised them during their morning break.

Glenn and I love to see how folks are doing.  Encourage them.  Answer questions.  Love on them.   Boyd and Julie are a part of our newly formed Team here in Guatemala.
~J

Chicle and Marshmallow McFlurry?

No, thanks.  I really don't want a McFlurry that is filled with gum and marshmallows.

Fall/Christmas Colors

I try to look around for some golden brown and bright yellow leaves.  There are none. Guatemala is the land of eternal spring. 

 It is Green all year long,

  greener during rainy season.

But I found this in our front yard.

Coffee

 

Looks like we'll be roasting some more of our own homemade coffee in a few weeks.

~J

Antigua Street

As we were helping our newest missionaries, Boyd and Julie, get their keys for their efficiency apartment, I looked down the street and was amazed

 at the

 colorful walls,

 ironworks over the windows,

 ornate lamp posts,

 large wooden doors, 

grass growing on the roof,

 and the cúpula.

I love Antigua!

Graduation Time

Graduation time is every October here in Guatemala.  The schools operate from January/February until early October.

There were week long events happening at both Camino Global (formerly CAM International) institutions.  Glenn got to a number of activities.  On Saturday, he drove up to Chimaltenango to attend the afternoon graduation ceremonies of the Guatemala Bible Seminary.

Glenn sent out an email to the whole Camino Guatemala family inviting others to ride along in our van to attend the graduation in Chimaltenango.  Several responded.  There was good fellowship.

 There were lots of happy Graduates (and staff:)!

Congratulations!

Fuego Volcano Erupting

Well, it was just a little burp.

~J

Wood You Get As Excited?

 Recently, Glenn and I spent an afternoon with these 2 guys, dear friends from Texas.  I've never seen anything like it.  Both guys wanted to go to see some wood carvings.  We drove a few minutes outside of Antigua to this old rustic hole in the wall place where they make wooden trays, fruit, fruit bowls, etc, all out of wood. But, along the way we saw a lumber yard too, that they just had to look at.

They were literally drooling over the wood shop, the home made lathe and tools as well as the carpenter's masterpieces.  Ken and Lee were like kids in a candy store, two grown men admiring the wood work.  I learned that each of them have a carpenter shop in their home.  They work with their hands. 

The small shop was a mess.  Shavings were everywhere. 

 As as side note, they both work with their hearts...with people.  They help them deal with life's challenges.  Thank you Ken and Lee for your ministry here with the missionary community. 

Thank you for carving out time to whittle away the chips of fear, feelings of inadequacy, anger...etc, so that we all can be more like the Carpenter, His masterpieces.
~J