Progress Report

Since we sent out the sad notification last summer that XYZ church was dropping their monthly support of $900.00 per month, we have been praying for new partners and also for any who might be able to increase their giving.  

To date:  We have NEW commitments of 565.00 in monthly support! PTL!  

These new supporters have touched our lives over the years in a variety of ways.  Some of these friends are past co-workers, some have visited us here in Guatemala and others we have known for many years.

We have heard from several other people who are praying about the possibility of joining our support team, and we trust God for His leading.

Also, FYI, there was a computer glitch and mail delivery was lost from the US post office to the Camino office back in November. There may have been some checks, one-time gifts and other mail that never got to us via the Camino office, so we are trusting the Lord that this problem will be resolved.  If you mailed a check and it hasn't been cashed, most likely it was lost.  Please re-send.  We are embarrassed and sad for this situation. 

We also thank the Lord for about 10 one-time gifts ranging from $25.00 to $3,000.00. Wow, what a blessing!!  Thank you, Lord!

So, Pray with us for:

Additional monthly supporters

Additional prayer supporters

but most importantly, 

Thank God with us for His wonderful provision.
 He is an ever present help in time of need.

Thursday Night Dinner

It is my favorite meal.  Mexican casserole.  I have made it twice in the past 3 weeks.  It is our "Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner" which we would have as a family while living in Bolivia.  It is easy to prepare and it is good.  Of course it has Ro-tel.

Our guests enjoyed the meal too.  We had lots of laughs and meaningful conversations as we reflected on how the Lord has lead in each of our lives. We drifted from stories of "how did I get to the mission field" to "the Lord is so good" to what are some recent challenges and blessings we have experienced.

How many of you recognize these guests of honor?

Weekend of Adventures

Over the weekend, we took some friends from Texas out to the lake.  Our normal location was booked, so we drove our van to Panajachel, took a tuk-tuk to the boat dock and then a boat to Casa Del Mundo.

On our way, we enjoyed a picnic lunch at the over-look, on the back road.

Todd would hand-out tracts as we traveled slowly through the villages and towns.  As I looked in the rear-view mirror, I would notice the little kids sitting down and reading these words from God.  

Pray that these tracts would point them to the Living God.

The Ropers visited Nancy's shop and dressed up in typical Kachiquel outfits.

Sunsets are beautiful here.

Our second night was cut short because of a near-by raging fire that was fast approaching the hotel.  Read yesterday's blog.

"Casa Del Mundo...Get Out, Get Out Now!!"

On Sunday night, just before we were to settle down for our second night at La Casa del Mundo, we looked out our bedroom window and saw a raging brush fire all along the ridge just NE of where we were staying.  It was 2 ridges away.

The staff assured us that this was normal during dry season, not to worry.  Most of the patrons at this small hostel/hotel were outside watching the fire creep slowly towards us.  The winds were horrific, causing the fires to spread quickly.

We could see small flash lights dotted all along the hillside where employees and even residents of the local village of Santa Cruz and Jaibalito were helping by digging trenches and clearing out the underbrush.

After settling down in our room, bags packed and fully clothed we heard at 12:45am in plain English, "Casa Del Mundo - GET OUT!"  We decided it was no use to stay there any longer.  The fire had advanced to the closest ridge by then and was threatening to top the ridge and head down towards us. The smoke was getting thick and the ashes were blowing around.  Glenn contracted with a small water taxi to shuttle the 20 remaining patrons for the 30 minute ride back to Panajachel.  

We counted out - 19 total with 1 boat driver.  We looked around and saw the 7 life jackets stored over-head.  Everyone's luggage was on the roof of the boat, and so we took off.

Today, we called the hotel/hostel to see how the establishment made it through the fire.  It was reported that their "storage shed" was destroyed.  Thankfully no other buildings were destroyed.

Click here to see a Youtube video 

 "It only takes a spark to get the fire going."

Sunset

Psalms 65:8

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

Sunset

New Years Eve, 2014

Guatemala City, Guatemala

Neighborhood Fire

Yesterday, our little neighborhood was filled with some excitement.  Just beyond the Southern walls, there is a steep drop-off, into a ravine filled with pine trees, and it caught on fire from the massive fireworks demonstration throughout the city on New Years Day.  It is virtually impossible to reach because of the steep incline of the hill.

The fire was burning the dry brush.  And it was getting out of control.

The fire trucks arrived, someone said an hour after they were called, apparently with little water.

So, the neighbors got their little garden hoses and ran the water from the house faucets to the trucks and then they, in turn would pump a bit more spray through the large fire hose.

 They had to break a little hole into the retaining wall, to spray to get to the brush fire. Neighbors gathered and used their own garden hoses, strung together to help control the fires.

So, you would think the fire would get put out?  Nope, this morning, two days after it started, all during the nights, I could hear the crackling sound of the fire from somewhere down below.  We smell and see smoke rising over the ridge.  Yep, it is still burning.