A Taste of Home

There is a new store in town.

Save - a- Lot food store chain.

There was one item that I couldn't resist purchasing.  

A can of Black eye Peas! 

 I also left the store with CheeseNips, French style green beans and Fried Onions to make the green bean casserole dish.

Although we have Walmart and I've learned to use local products from Paiz and La Torre Grocery store chains, 

it was nice to have a little taste of home.

Naranjo Mall

New Surprises that we found at a newly constructed mall - Naranjo Mall

There was a special area near the food court for toddlers.  The toilets were low to the ground
and the sinks had a unique feature.

I've never seen this before.

The faucet had a dual purpose.  Right there, is where the water comes out to wash your hands, then there are blow dryers on the built in handles.  That is a new concept for me.  

I'm wondering if I am just late in this new discovery?

Visiting Others

Besides visiting with the Thomas' and her sister while at LBN last week, we got to take Paul and Rosi over to Casa Del Mundo for lunch.

The food was no disappointment for us at Casa Del Mundo.  However, I would have to rate the service unsatisfactory.  The waiter kept messing up our order.  The drink order was incorrect and even our food order was misunderstood.  However, I will go back, because I love the food and the scenery at this beautiful restaurant/hotel perched on the side of the hill overlooking beautiful Lake Atitlán.

The following day, we drove to Xela to have lunch with the Scott family.  Of course Glenn had to talk mechanics with Brandon.  It was good to visit with them.

We returned later that afternoon.  We were thankful for no police stops, no flat tires, no road blocks, etc.  

However, it took us 1 solid hour to drive the 3 miles through Chimaltenango.

The Story of Noah

Glenn and I took advantage of visiting with former Camino missionaries, Niel and Diana, who were visiting in Guatemala from SC here to prepare for an upcoming high school team.

                                          Noah and his family along with Linda and David

Meet Noah and his family.  The Thomas' along with Diana's sister invited Noah and his family over for dinner.  We sat around the table enjoying the home-made lasagna, steamed broccoli, fresh salad and garlic bread.  As we exchanged our stories of how the Lord has blessed and encouraged us, Noah told his story.  Noah said when he was just about 7 years old, Margaret Stoddard, former CAM missionary, since retired, lived here on the property of LBN.  She had a VBS 5day club program and Noah attended.  It was here 45+ years ago, that Noah trusted the Lord as his Savior.  Noah had a hard life growing up, as his father had left and there were disappointments and challenges.

Fast forward.  Noah is married, has 4 beautiful children, all walking with the Lord.  One is studying to be a veterinarian, another works as a travel agent and loves accounting, while the others are seeking the Lord's direction. 

Diana's sister sponsors the kids' education each month.  This little bit of money helps with the family's financial challenges.

My heart jumps for joy when I hear these stories, stories of God's faithfulness through the years.  These are stories that remind us that we never know how the Lord might be directing and leading.  I've marveled at how Las Buenas Nuevas and a faithful missionary were used to lead a young boy to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

God is Good.

Seek His Strength

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.

I Chronicles 16:11

4 Trees and a Volcano

 Isaiah 55:12

You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.

I've Been Framed

One of the benefits of living here in Guatemala, is that I can get a lot of things done inexpensively.

Step 1:  Choose the matting you would like

Step 2:  Measure the dimensions of the Cross Stitch project

Step 3:  Choose a Customized Frame

Step 4:  Decide which matting combination looks best

Step 5:  Be thankful that Glenn is patient with me as I order custom framing for 7 cross stitch projects that I have worked on for the past 3 years.  Yes, its been 3 years since I had anything framed.

Step 6:  Figure out the price for custom matt, non-glare glass and custom frames for 7 projects

Step 7:  Put down a deposit.  The 7 projects will be ready in 12 days.  Can't beat that service for a grand total price of 800.00 Quetzales (103.00USD).  You could not get anything done in the US for that price:) 

Picture perfect!

After waiting 2 weeks, we swung by the store and the frames were not quite ready.  Monday.

I'm very pleased with the work.

 

My first Tow Truck and then Taxi Ride

Today, Glenn and I had plans layed out where we could

 "check stuff off of our list".   

Well, the Lord had his own plans for us.

Leaving before the crack of dawn to avoid rush hour, (can you say 4:45am?), we took Patricia to the airport to catch her morning flight to the states.

Glenn and I had several errands to run in the city.  Our list was pretty long.  While driving downtown, our Hyundai Terracan started sputtering and "missing".  I looked at Glenn and said "this is not a good area of town to have car problems."  We pulled over to the local McDonald's parking lot.  Glenn opened the hood and determined that the "belts" were off.  We decided it would be best to call the insurance company for a tow.

Now, that is a first for us.  Glenn normally will put a band-aid on the broken part and limp to the mechanic shop.  This time, we decided to use the free services attached with our insurance policy.  Unbelievably, the tow truck arrived in less than 30 minutes.

It was a fancy tow truck at that.

Next, Glenn and I sat in the cab with the driver.  Not really made for 3 people, but it worked.

Once we got to Joel's Mechanic shop, it was time to roll it into the shop.

Guillermo unhitched everything and filled out the final paper work.  All in all, from the time we called the Insurance agency, waited for the tow truck, battled morning traffic to get to Joel's place, it took us just about 1 hour. Not bad for rush hour.

The car is in the shop.  Diagnosis - broken water pump. It just disintegrated.  We should get it back in a day or two.

So, for the next step, our plans changed.  Glenn decided to get a taxi and we would regroup at home.  We took Taxis all the time while living in Bolivia, however, because of the safety factor, we have NEVER taken a taxi ride here in Guatemala.  Joel called the Yellow Taxi Cab company and we were very pleased with the service.

All this to say, we had planned on visiting Helen and other missionaries this morning, but those plans were changed when the water pump broke.  And this was the first time that I had been in a tow truck and a taxi here in Guatemala. 

As we reflect on what happened this morning, we are SO VERY THANKFUL that this happened here in the city. It could easily have left us stranded several hours out of town this past week and could have presented a much more serious mechanical and safety challenge. 

"Thank you, Lord!"

Sunrise at the Lake

 Sunrise

I like the relief details as the morning sunshine hits the side of the volcano. 

Morning has broken....

27A

27A

Is it an Exit off the interstate?

Is it your seat assignment on a domestic flight?

27A Burger Joint is located in Panajachel, right off the busy Santander street.

We found out that JJ is a graduate of Texas A and M

So, if you are ever in Pana and are looking for a new place to eat.  Walk up Santander, about half way between Las Buenas Nuevas Street and Pollo Campero.  

Give 27A Burger Joint a try.  

You will not be disappointed.