My first Thanksgiving away from Home

Forty years ago, 1,000 miles from home, as an 18 year old student at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, I had my first of many Thanksgiving Days away from my family and home in Dallas. 

Pamela Barden's mom gave me a ride from the downtown campus out to my home college church, Foster Ave. Baptist Church for me to stay with the Schroeders.  It was snowing that Wednesday afternoon.  The following morning, the youth had their traditional Turkey Touch - Football game.  In the snow!  That was my first snow experience!

Since then, I have been celebrating Thanksgiving more away from home than at home with family.  That is the way of the missionary life.  Now, it just feels so natural to be with friends rather than family for this traditional US holiday.  

However my friends have become family.

circa 1975 Thanksgiving weekend

back row:  Eldon Schroeder, Gary Barden, Dan Genheimer and Steve Hardy

front row:  Nancy Stevens, Ramona Schroeder and me (Judy Marr Stewart)

               Recently I read a blog about Why Missionaries can Never Go Home.  

In essence it summarizes the statement that

Missionaries live in a world where

Home is Everywhere

and Home is Nowhere.

Good read.

Psalms 98:8

Psalms 98:8

Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy

Lake Atitlán

Behind the Seens*

Several weeks ago, I had my yearly check-up with Dr. Bristow.

Stop, don't read any more if you don't want to read about a medical procedure.

 Dr. Bristow said it was apparent that I had a bladder infection and I need to take some oral medication for the next 7 days.  I drove over to Walgreen's, sat in the consultation area, while the Pharmacist completed my order.  Three hours later, I was on the plane heading back home to Guatemala.

Then earlier this week, I get a personal phone call from Dr. Bristow explaining that some more blood work had revealed that the oral antibiotics that I was using were not being effective and that I would need to get a different type of medication administered intramuscular.

 

I really don't have a general doctor here in Guatemala, however, Glenn went down to Cruz Verde Farmacia to see if he could buy the medication and then just have someone give me the shot.

For the past 3 nights, I have been going back to Farmacia Cruz Verde to have the nurse, Glenda, give me this special antibiotics for my bladder infection.

I'm thinking, I sure like this procedure where you can get medication off the shelf without a prescription, and I'm sure it is cheaper than the medication issued in the states.  I'm thankful for Dr. Bristow who took the time to call me here in Guatemala and suggested the correct medication. 

STEPS TO GETTING A SHOT:
1.  Find a local pharmacy that sells your medication

2.  Purchase the medication and syringes

3.  Check for a volunteer to administer the shot.  Cruz Verde has a small clinic on site and has a registered nurse to do give the shot.

4.  Give the medicine to Glenda and watch her fill the needle up.

5.  Don't cry.

6.  Watch Glenda fill the form out - also give her a propina, "tip". 

 *If you have read this far, do you understand the title of my blog post?

Bottom line is that, oh, you get the point.

Thanksgiving a Week Early

No, Thanksgiving is not a Guatemalan holiday.  But we missionaries still celebrate it here in Guatemala.  And we celebrate any way we want to.  We will have the traditional dinner on Thanksgiving Day with co-workers and friends.  However, we had an early celebration at the special invitation of good friends, Bob and Ann earlier this week.

 Bob's brother, Joe and his wife, Bonnie; were here from Virginia visiting Bob and Ann as well as Bob and Joe's mother.

Family Shot

Ann, Bob, Mariana, Joe and Bonnie

Bob and Joe with their 88 year old mother, Mariana

I am thankful for Family.

Helping With Rio Hondo Youth - A Very Good Day

On Sunday, Glenn and I helped John and Sarah with their youth group from Rio Hondo.

This is what Sarah posted on her FB about the event.

"These kids all said Romans 8:1-17 so for their reward, they got to come to the city and see a movie at the nicest mall in Guatemala City. For some of them, it was their first time to the city, to a mall, and on an escalator. (Kind of funny to watch the escalator part.)

After attending early church service, we drove our 12 passenger van to the other side of town to pick up the youth group at the bus station.  Their bus left late, but made up time.  This group of young people had memorized and recited Romans 8:1-17 to earn a trip into the city.  Several of the kids had never ventured outside of their small village, let alone into the large city of Guatemala City of at least 4 million people.  

Can you imagine their eyes wide open as they saw this Oakland Mall, all decked out in Christmas decorations, the electronic waterfall, a 5 star movie theater and trying to navigate an escalator?  It is hard to imagine never having stepped on an escalator before.

After exploring the fancy Oakland Mall, the group enjoyed some Pizza at

Pizza Hut.

Then they watched a Disney movie about Alexander having a very bad day. One thing is for sure, their day was a LOT better than Alexander and his family had.

I am so proud of John and Sarah and their ministry at the farm with the kids in Rio Hondo.  They help out with the food kitchen, Awansa (Awana) program, teach English and have such a love for the kids.  I am glad we could have a small part in their ministry by helping with transportation to get the kids from the bus station to the city mall and back for their day trip into the city.

Team Meeting - Antigua

Saturday we had a team meeting and meal in Antigua.  We all drove up to Antigua in our van together. You can't complain about the scenery. 

 We even tried out a new restaurant called Sobremesa.

Both Emma and Jackson enjoyed playing in the court yard at the market.

The Makidon family.

This was a new restaurant for Glenn and me.  The Sobremesa.  We walked out completely full and satisfied with the tastes and also our time with the team.

Car Wash in the Rain

It was pouring down rain, and these guys kept washing the van.  

I guess it will sure be clean, for a while.

I Love Lucy

 Over the past several days I was blessed to spend 4 days cuddling and loving on the grandkids, especially the latest edition, Lucy, born September 27th.

Emily - 18 months old

David - 3 years

Lucy -  5.5 weeks old

David and I enjoyed coloring.

Little Emily ready for the University of Texas football game.

Ellen with her 3 babies

Me and my 2 grand daughters!

My quick 4 day trip was an added and unexpected blessing.

Thank you Jesus for giving me this trip to love on my grandkids!