City Street - Patchwork Houses

Proverbs 24:3

By wisdom a house is built,
    and through understanding it is established

This house is right next to Casita Benjamín, Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Chicken Buses in Guatemala

What do you think of when you hear the words "Chicken Bus"?  

• A bus load of chickens
• Tyson Corporation
• Old Yellow school buses repainted 

They are called Chicken Buses for 2 reasons:

1. The drivers usually drive fast, furious (feathers blowing around in his wake...for those who want alliteration) and dangerously around mountain curves "Playing Chicken" with anyone on the road who would dare get in their way.
2. Normally there will be at least 1 live chicken on the bus.

I found this link to the Guinness World Record for the most people piled into a chicken bus.  Click on the link.

The chicken bus Guinness World Record of how many people you can fit in a bus was broken today at Jocotenango, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala with 221 people inside the chicken bus, two chickens and lots of Gallos (beer). The previous record of 209 people was held by Poland.

Chicken Bus
 

Jordan, Glenn and I were not a part of the record setting, but I did climb onto a parked Chicken bus.

Easter Egg Hunt

This past Easter Sunday, we were invited over to the Makidon's house to join in the Easter Egg Hunt.  I personally believe the young marrieds were looking for "grandparents" to be represented. I felt honored.  The young adults are the same age as my kids, so we could be their parents, the grandparents of the little ones.  Honored.

When we were in Bolivia 30+ years ago, the single gals would have Easter Egg hunts for our kids.  Our kids didn't grow up looking for boiled eggs in the grass.  I don't remember doing Easter baskets, maybe I did.

 Perfect yard to hide the eggs.

Thanks guys for inviting us to your Easter Egg Party to full fill role as Grandparents. Oh, and the chocolate/strawberry cake wasn't half bad either:).

Flowers in the Garden

The birdies in the treetops sing their song.
The angels chant their chorus all day long.
The flowers in the garden blend their hue.
So why shouldn't I, why shouldn't you,
Praise him too?

I am the Resurrection

John 11:25

Jesus said unto her, 

I am the resurrection, 

and the life: 

he that believeth in me, 

though he were dead, 

yet shall he live:

{picture of a plant in our Garden}

Snapshots of Happiness, not Sadness

Ok, I admit it.  

I'm depressed!  

I am having withdrawals from having the blessed priviledge of keeping 2 precious grand-kids here in Guatemala for the past 6 days.  They left on their 18 hour journey back to Nicaragua by bus this morning, and I've been depressed ever since.

For the past 6 days, GrandDad and I have...

Gone swimming with the grand kids at the local "hot springs"

Watched the movie Rio 2 (in Spanish) and toured Paseo Cayalá

Ridden the train at the SanKris mall

Climbed up on McDonald's playland

Sung Jesus Loves Me

Tickled, Love on, Hugged...

Lived the exciting days of discovery

Changed diapers

Bathed

Played in the Princess Castle

Invited 7 of the 8 Tarwater kids over to play

Fed the kids 

Played "Cake Doodle"

Watched BabyTV

Oh, did I mentioned that Ellen and Luke were here also?  Thanks E and L for coming for a visit and for allowing us to spoil the grandkids.  

They have blessed our lives.  

I am thankful that I got to spend a week with the family, changing the kids' dirty diapers, rocking and singing them to sleep at night, reading books, answering endless questions as David begins to put whole sentences together and hear those precious words "Whatcha doin' Ead?" and giving David's mother a break from the constant barrage of, "Mama, Mama, Mama..."

Come to think of it, I'm not depressed.  

I'm happy and blessed.

Crown of Thorns

John 19:2

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

The Grandkids are Here

After an 18 hour bus ride from Managua, Nicaragua to Guatemala City, Guatemala, Ellen, Luke, David (nearly 3) and Emily (1) arrived on solid ground.  

(Ellen holding 3 of her Babies....the 3rd little one is due Oct 3, 2014)

For the past 5 or 6 days, Nicaragua had been experiencing earthquakes.  Constant earthquakes.  Swaying.  Motion.  {Read more.}  Ellen and Luke had prearranged to spend their Easter week with us in Guatemala.   

No complaints from the grand-parenting department here.

I found this Princess tent at a garage sale several years ago for $5.00.  Now the grand-kids are enjoying playing in it.

I have the David and Emily to myself this morning, as Glenn has taken 
Ellen and Luke to climb up the Volcano Pacaya.  

Yes, I would rather keep kids than climb an active volcano!

Having the time of my life.

Welcome to the World

BEFORE

 Then 3 days later....

AFTER

Our newest missionary family added a new little family member last Friday.  Josiah David was born to Michael and Gina.  Big sister, Emma is thrilled too.

Welcome to the World, Josiah!

Sweet Thing!

Quick Trip to Panajachel

After the conference, Glenn and I took the 15 church volunteers out to
 Lake Atitlan, the most beautiful lake in the world. 

 We had a time of enjoying God's beauty,
boat ride across the lake,
breakfast at Hotel Casa Del Mundo, 
zip-lining,
 visiting Nancy in her shop,
 and then shopping up and down Santander Ave to barter with the vendors.

{Photo: courtesy of Lacie F}

We pray that those who came to help with conference and bless us
 were also blessed 
with the beauty of Guatemala,
 the beauty of the people of Guatemala
 and the beauty of God's special children, the TCKs.

Thank you again, 
FBC Lake Jackson
 and
 FBC Liberty City
 for sharing your lives with Glenn and me
 and also with the Camino Global Guatemala missionaries.   

Conference 2014

Over this past weekend, Glenn and I coordinated the 
Camino Global Guatemala 2014 Conference. 

We were blessed beyond measure.  A team of 9 (including the speaker and his wife) traveled from Lake Jackson, Texas to help with the children's programs while the adults were in their sessions.

{Photo: courtesy of Lacie F}

The 20 MK's (Missionary Kids) were prayed for, loved on and had a great time with their group.

{photos:  courtesy of Lacie F}

All the kids had their own programs, while the adults were blessed with special music by Keith W. and his worship team of 6 folks 
and a challenge from Chad A.

{photo:  Courtesy of Doc Langley}

Thank you First Baptist Liberty City for the special music! 

Photo #1 - Conference folks

Photo #2 - Conference folks
 We can not THANK YOU enough.

Thank you Chad for your words from the Word of God.  
Simple, but how profound! 

 We will be forever reminded of your cup, stones, cross and perfume  illustrations which challenge us in a fresh way to
display the Glory of God 
in our lives and ministry.