Photo on Thrive Website

Recently, my photo was highlighted on the weekly publication from Thrive (formerly Women of the Harvest).

Check it out.

Thrive ministry is basically Member Care for women who work and serve overseas.  They have an on-line forum and articles. Additionally, they host retreats for women who serve overseas in locations all around the world.  I have been fortunate to attend one of these wonderful retreats.

Shot Gun

This brings a whole new meaning to the term, 

"Riding Shot-Gun".

du yus pikin glish?

 Meet Bob.

  Bob is a veteran missionary here in Guatemala.  He has lived and served with Camino Global for over 40 years.  He has had a variety of jobs here serving the Lord.

Currently, Bob is heavily involved in the leadership of his church, organizing mission exposure trips for folks from the US, making ministry trips to Cuba and he even teaches an English class to the some of the students and professors at SETECA.

The students come trickling into the class room and Bob is ready for his English lessons.

We appreciate the many years that Bob and his wife has served the Lord.  We may never know how he has impacted lives around the world.

Glenn gets together with Bob routinely on a weekly basis for either breakfast or lunch.  While they visit they also pray for each other.

Conference and Grammie Duty

Over this past weekend, Glenn and I attended the annual Guatemala Fellowship Conference.

The group is quite a bit smaller from previous years, however the fellowship was sweet, teaching was great and the food was delicious.

This year, Glenn and I were in charge of the 4 Scott kids.  So, we took them to Pizza Hut, Pizza Grizzly and McDonalds for them to joy climbing, crawling, swinging and clowning around.  We learned some words such as flexibility and patience.

We are thankful for another Conference "under the belt".

Smile

Recently I had to go to the local dentist to have a chipped tooth repaired.  After the repair and a general cleaning, the dentist offered to do a "whitening" process for my discolored teeth.

Ready.

After putting this contraption around my mouth and lips so I wouldn't close my mouth, the dentist squeezed this jell stuff around my teeth.

Then I had to wait for 45 min.

The best part - the dentist has this painting hanging from the ceiling.  So, as I'm laying in the dentist chair, this is what I get to look at.

Great job.  I'm pleased that my teeth don't look so yellow.

  And you can't beat the price.  $50.00

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.