A Little Tour with Friends

We enjoyed our time taking the Eberline's grandkids around and showing them sights of the city.  We visited at Casita Benjamin, drove by SETECA and Radio TGN, the cemetery and then watch from a distance as human vultures and real vultures fought over scraps and junk at the city dump.

Our afternoon was topped off by a quick visit to Pops Ice Cream to celebrate Jim and Cheryl's Anniversary.  Just think Baskin and Robbins!

Moody Bible Institute Friends

Driving back to Chicago after the Michigan memorial service for Jan, I quickly texted Cheryl to ask for her mom's phone number.  Cheryl is a missionary we serve with in Guatemala.  40 years ago, I had her mom as a linguistics teacher at Moody Bible Institute.

Swanee was a great teacher.  I've enjoyed keeping up with her over the years, especially since her daughter now serves with us in Guatemala.
 {See the cross stitch in the back ground.  This is the same pattern that Cheryl taught me how to Cross stitch over 40 years ago}

The following day, Glenn and I spent the morning at Moody Bible Institute.  What fun times we had as we reflected on the role of MBI in our Christian journey.  Glenn and I enjoyed the morning seeing a few of our friends.

Do you recognize any of our friends?

My Friend Jan

I still can't believe it.  I froze in my tracks when Glenn announced that our boss's wife died 3 days after open heart surgery.  She died on Mother's Day.  Jon's response was "Well, she died peacefully and woke up in heaven to see her own mother.  Wow, what a Mother's Day present!"

Glenn and I decided it was most important for us to trek up to Michigan to attend Jan's memorial service, honor her life and support the family.  We wanted to be there for Jonathan, and to be honest, to be there for ourselves as well.

  Jon and Jan have been such a tremendous blessing in our lives and ministry.

Jan was only 73 years old.  She and Jon celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last summer.   Jon gave a 19 minute eulogy during the service.  I don't know how he did that.  Tears flowed down my face.

Jan was just so S.W.E.E.T! 

 She always had a smile on her face, although I know she lived with lots of physical pain.  It was painful for me to watch her walk and drag her feet across the room.

I wouldn't say we were super close, but I do know that she was able to ask the right questions, quietly and purposely assert her perspective and leave you with a smile and a sense of peace.

Jan grew up on the farm in Southern Michigan and it was special for us to experience her home and old stomping grounds.  There were several Camino missionary families that were able to attend the service, some as far away as Texas, Honduras and Mexico.

Jan's sisters and dear friend, Sandi, sang a special song, "Finally Home."

After the service, in typical small town community fashion, the family and church served a pot-luck luncheon.  Lots of memories, stories and laughs were exchanged around the tables as we celebrated Jan's life.

Jon with daughters, Heather and Mary and their families.

When we left the church in North Adams, Michigan we then headed to the old farm house - where Jan grew up.

"But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!

Of touching a hand-And finding it God's!

Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!

Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!"  by Wyrtzen

See you on the other side!

Bob's Mom

Last month was unusually heavy on us as we witnessed several friends die or family members of friends pass away.  One such passing in particular, was Bob's mom.  Bob and Ann are dear friends here and have served in Guatemala over the past 40 years.  A number of years ago, seeing that his mom was aging, Bob agreed with his brother, that his mom should fly to Guatemala and live here.  Great plan, great care.

The best thing was that we could visit Bob and Ann, and then walk down the garden path to her apartment and visit with her.

We were always greeted with a smile.  She would quickly turn down her "Telenovela" program and shift her attention to us.  After a short visit and a prayer, she would say, "Thank you for taking care of my Robert!"

We left her place feeling blessed.

Bob and Ann hosted a small gathering as a Memorial Service for his mom.  Bob's only brother, Joe, flew down for the short weekend and participated in honoring to his mom.

In the quiet corner of Bob and Ann's house, in their living and dinning rooms, chairs were set up.  Her doctor, care-givers, special musicians, daughter-in-law and close friends of the Henriques family honored her - as kind words were shared.

There was special music shared by Mildred and Manolo.  Her care-givers spoke and shared personal testimonies.

  Thank you Bob and Ann for allowing us to be a part of your family memories.

Newest Player Press Release

Happy Mother's Day and Father's Day to both Madison and Gary!

Recently, Gary and Madison called us up to announce that they were expecting.

I smiled when I saw their "posting" on Face Book.  It is very creative.

 {photo credit:  Gary Stewart/used with permission}

We are thrilled to the moon and back.

Bolivian friends from our Past

 Recently while traveling through Dallas, our dear friends, Dean and Linda came over for lunch!  It was so fun to re-connect. 

Then, while traveling through Colorado Springs, we made a quick stop to visit with Lori and Matt.  Lori served with us in Bolivia back in the day.

So good to visit with  
"old" friends 
 from our 
past.

Letterboxing with the Grandkids

As we drove toward Glenwood Springs, we pulled off of Interstate 70 in Vail to find a letterbox.  

The kids got out of the van, and we followed GrandDad to the letterbox.

The grandkids loved looking through the "log book" and noticing all the different stamps.

We did a second letterbox on our return back to Frisco.  This time it was snowing.

I love doing "letterboxes", as it breaks up the day on l.o.n.g drives.  It is especially fun when we have the opportunity to letterbox with the grandkids.  

Notice the stamp said "It is never too late to write a Thank you Note!

Visiting the Grandchildren

Back in April, Glenn and I (affectionately known as GrandDad and Grammie) were visiting Ellen and Luke along with our newest grandchild, Elizabeth, born March 30, 2017. Of course we enjoyed the 3 older grandkids as well.

{Better late than Never}

Here are some photos!

We drove from Denver over to Frisco, Colorado and enjoyed being with our good friends, David and Jan.  Also a Sunday afternoon picnic and bike ride was in order!

On one Saturday, we took David to the local rec center for his Basketball practice and took Emily for her gymnastic class.  What fun!