THURSDAY, OCT 19
HOMES IN GUATEMALA

Today, we worked at an Orphanage just outside of the city. Its off of the El Salvador hiway and over a mountain. Don't ask me to get you there, because we took many turns and drove across several valleys. This home is for teenage boys. Some are mentally challenged. A quite unique location, because the Orphanage use to be a prison. Again, we had our VBS program. Talked about the Armor of God. And then we lined the boys up for them to get their new tennis shoes. Most were soccer shoes, which the teens loved.


We were also joined by another Buckner group, that had come down from the states to work on a Soccer clinic for the teens. This group would be at this location all week, I believe.

For lunch, we ate at the Kentucky Fried Chicken of Guatemala. Pollo Campero! Very delicious. And even had soft serve ice cream cone. AFter lunch we headed back into the city and over near zone 1. It did take us quite a while to get there. As we arrived at this privately owned all girls orphanage, we broke again into our VBS teams. This time we only had 5 girls. They were as precious as can be. Again, we presented the girls with brand new tennis shoes.

It started to downpour just about the time we were loading up into our buses. And it seemed like it took forever to get back to Quinta Real. Thursday afternoon traffic was horrible, especially since we were approaching a 3 day weekend.

Wednesday, Oct 18 Lake Atitlán and Panajachel

We headed back to Guatemala City. There were 2 times we had to stop because of road construction. The bridges was washed out last year by Hurrican Stan. At each stop, folks would come up to the window and try to sell us hot corn, candy and even Cokes. Some were waiting for rides or just watching the traffic as they couldn't go anywhere. This was also a great time to change the tire on one of the vans.

Once we arrived in Panajachel, we ate breakfast. Then we had 2 hours to shop. I made a quick trip to meet Beth and Steve Kennedy who work at LBN. Beth walked back with me to the market street and helped me and others to purchase some souveniers. It was fun to be able to bargain and do some sightseeing. Too bad that it was misty, and we couldn't see the volcanoes across the lake. But you could still sense the beauty of the lake and the surrounding communities. As we were driving into the town, folks on our microbus were throwing candy out the window for those workers and kids standing beside the road. It was fun to look back and see them scrambling for the "goodies". And when we returned, those same workers yelled out and waved to us. We got back into Guatemala City late in the evening. Another long day on the road was behind us.

VBS PROGRAM

Each day when we would visit an orphanage, we would greet the kids. Play games with them, maybe kick a soccer ball around, or play jacks, or even color with them. We always had a handful of candy to give them. Our program was The Armor of God. We discussed how each element helped us to live a godly life.

Tuesday afternoon at the HueHue Home

After our program, we lined the girls up into the meeting room and one by one gave them their new socks and shoes. The smiles on their faces were incredible! They were so pleased to have pink and white shoes. I noticed that some boys got the tennis shoes with "blinking lights". They thought that was way too cool. After distributing the shoes, we handed the director the humanitarian aid products such as baby strollers, diapers, deodorants, more shoes and socks plus some baby medicines.

I sat and read to one child that had been given a deck of cards of "great heroes in the Bible". As we looked at each picture, we discussed why they were considered heroes. Several times, Esperanza (means Hope) would break into a song and sing about the story character. It was precious. Esperanza was so proud of her new pink tennis shoes, shoe glasses and all the little stuff we gave them. She came running up to me to show me her brand new shoes.

Tuesday, Oct 17 A full day in Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Today, we left after morning devotions and headed 2.5 hours east, then northwest to Huehue (pronounced way way) short for Huehuetenango. After a "potty" stop at Cuartro Caminos (several of our group members were getting sick with the runs), we continued on to Huehue. We arrived at the old Mayan ruins just outside of the city. The 80 kids from the privately owned orphanage met us there. We broke up into our teams. We played with the kids. Held the little babies. Someone from the team brought down some "bubbles" and the kids really loved that. At one point, several of the boys were rolling down the hill, like a snowball. And it was a sight to see the old adults do the same thing.

30 minutes after we got there, it was lunch time. Dominoes Pizza Delivers. Imagine 2 motorcycles full of about 50 pizzas for everyone. Picture this. A bunch of adults and kids sitting on the ground eating pizza at the old ruins. Quite a site.
After lunch, we loaded onto our vans and followed the yellow school bus back to the privately owned orphanage. Again, the same routine. We broke up into groups and lead our VBS program. This time, we had our little program in the dorm room of the 10 little girls. Some of them were shy, but the others just "loved on us".

Monday, Oct 16 Xela Temporary Home and Girls Catholic Home

Today, we divided up into our 6 teams. I joined team #2 and helped them with their VBS program. Teams 1 -4 went to the Government Temporary home while teams 5 and 6 traveled 20 minutes outside of town to a privately owned catholic home for girls. When we arrived the children would love and hug on us. We had candy to give them, played games and made silly faces. Then Group 2 were assigned about 10 children and we took them into the dining room for our VBS program. We talked about the Armor of God from Ephesians 6. Each team member had an object (helmet, sword, breastplate, etc) that we discussed. All the while, we had 2 translators to help us tell the story. We also had a craft time, pertaining to the armor of God. The kids were given white baseball hats and t-shirts to decorate. Most of them wrote "Dios te Ama". Some kids took their time as they colored onto their new shirt. Afterwards we sang songs together. Continually, we hugged on the kids and told them that God loves them. Several kids were hard to warm up to, but by the time we left they didn't want to see us go. We gave each kid toys, candy, new underwear, socks and shoes.

We walked to the plaza for lunch and ate at McDonalds. Then for the afternoon, all 6 groups went back to the Government Temporary home to hand the kids their new tennis shoes. Then we all went to the Catholic Girls home. This is a home for abused girls. Many have run away from home. Most do not know where their parents are. When we got to this home, the girls were so excited that they put on a program for us. Someone committented that it was like they were performing for their parents. They sang, danced and did drama. Then we divided into teams, and they took us around to their rooms. Showed us their "living room", "laundry room" and "chapel". As our time was coming to an end, we lined the girls into a long line and we each went to a teenager and gave them a goodie bag. The goodie bag consisted of deodorant, package of underwear, a watch, perfume, lotion, hairbands and miscellaneous items that teenagers would love to have. They were truly appreciative of the gifts that were given and brought down from radio listeners in the Chicago area.

This particular orphanage was quite clean. Situated high on a hill, it over looked a "gully". The road was steep to get to the place. Even on the way to the catholic home, we drove through some poor sections of town.

Sunday, Oct 15 Traveling from Guatemala City to Xela

Yesterday, I joined the WMBI folks at the Hotel Quinta Real and headed out on 2 minibuses, 2 vans and 2 loaded pickup trucks full of luggage to Xela. We stopped at Paulinas for lunch. And guess who we ran into? Clyde and Edith Murphy along with daughter Judy were there to celebrate her birthday. I immediately introduced them to Roger, since the Murphy family has a long Moody history. Roger interview Clyde right there on the spot. They'll play that interview later on the radio. We then headed on to Quarto Caminos. At this quick rest stop, some of the folks were purchasing Magnum icecream bars (our family favorite from Bolivian days). I told one couple, if they could eat it without the chocolate falling off, I would buy them another one. Everyone seemed to love the icecream. We pulled into the Bonifaz hotel, situated right on the plaza. This small town reminds me of Sucre, Bolivia. Small narrow one way streets and colonial buildings. We had dinner and learned a Spanish song to share with the kids in the following days. Group #2 invited me to join them and help with the VBS and crafts at each orphanage. My roommate is Cherrie from Indiana.

Trip to Tapachula Mexico

Monday, Oct 9, we left the SETECA headed for the Guatemalan/Mexican border town of Tapachula Mexico. We took Bob and Shirley Kasper, retiring CAM missionaries, who were heading for South Texas. We drove through sugar cane fields, rubber plantations and tropical lowlands. Glenn got to eat at one of his favorite restaurants, VIPS! We had an uneventful trip, PTL! We were on a stretch of 2 lane road and an oncoming semi-truck was coming in the opposite direction ~ just as soon as he passed us, we heard a "booom" and then looked in the rear view mirror and saw only smoke. He had blown a tire. If it had happend just 2 seconds before, we know we would have been hit with flying rubber pieces. It did rain in both directions in the afternoons. Buckets and sheets of rain. We were able to get another 90 day visa stamped into our passport.

For about 1 hour on a narrow 2-lane hiway, we were driving through small towns and villages that had “speed bumps”. Many times there were signs ahead advising us of the speed bumps. Lots of times, we would watch the car in front of us to see if they slowed down or something like that. These speed bumps sometime were not painted more often than not.

Word lesson. The word for speed bumps in Guatemala is Túmulos, in Bolivia it is Rompe Muelles (spring breakers) and in Nicaragua it is Policías Dormidas (sleeping policeman).

Instituto Bíblico Ebenezer
Saturday morning at 5am, Oct 7, Glenn and David and Helen Eckstrom left for the small village of Nenton, near Huehuetenango and arrived in Nenton at 9:20am. I would tell you the kilometers, but we go by hours. Graduation was at 9:30 so they arrived just in the nick of time. The church folks served them breakfast when they arrived and then lunch after the graduation ceremony,both meals with lots of tortillas. One of the two grads, Ovidio, is one of the Eckstrom's consultants on the Chuj translation of the Bible. The graduation was from about 9:45 until 12:45. Everyone had the opportunity to go up to the front and give a gift to the grads. There was a long line of gifts. Every church in attendance was introduced. Glenn said a few words of greeting. However, remember most of the service was in Chuj, not in Spanish.

Glenn used 4 wheel drive the last hour to Nenton because of the road conditions. He said the hour on the return to the pavement was just terrible. It rained hard during the graduation and all afternoon.



Glenn and Eckstroms returned on Sunday afternoon back into Guatemala City. Then on Monday night we read in the paper there had been a bus accident (42 Guatemalans were killed) right on same road they had traveled on earlier.

6 HOURS LATER
Glenn called me once while waiting at a roadblock on the other side of Centennial Camp. So far he had to detour because of bridge repair from last year Hurricane Stan damage and another time because of road blockage. Today, Saturday, he's using 4wheel drive for 3 hours on his way to Indian village where there is a Bible Institute graduation. Glenn and Eckstroms will return back to the capital here on Sunday, just in time for SETECA graduation.

GLENN TRAVELING TO HUEHUETENANGO, GUATEMALA

Pray for Glenn as he left this morning for Huehuetenango with 80 year old veteran missionaries, David and Helen Eckstrom to attend a Bible Institute graduation. It is about a 4-6 hour drive through mountainous roads depending on road improvements, accidents or fast moving "chicken buses". Pray for safety on the road and that the Lord would protect him from harm. Glenn returns on Sunday, Oct 8.

ANOTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION

Truck load of coffins

TRANSPORTATION OBSERVATIONS

Several days last week, as Glenn and I were driving through the city, there were about ½ dozen occasions when I would notice that a worker would turn and face a pile of bricks and then “let it loose”. I’m going, “well, when you got to go, you got to go!”

You know those large steel trailer cages that transports automobiles, usually about 8 – 10 cars, some parked at a angle on top of each other? Well, picture this. Last week, we pasted one of those trucks and trailer that was completely empty. Yet, there were 4 guys that had strung up their 2 hammocks between the steel bars and were taking a nap in the hammock as the driver was swerving through traffic. What an ingenious and creative idea way to travel through the streets of downtown Guatemala?

As we were driving over to pick up Stephanie the other day, Glenn says “Hey, look over there!” It was a whole family of 4 on a motorcycle stopped at the light. Front row seat was a toddler, then the dad or driver, another child sandwiched between the mother. And then it got even funnier. The dad was poking the front child that was sitting near the handlebars, trying to keep the child awake. You know when you are asleep, you are like dead weight, but you can’t go to sleep while driving through these streets.

SNAPSHOTS of the Countryside in GUATEMALA

Recently, we took a drive about 3 hours outside of Guatemala City. You think Nebraska or Iowa grows the corn? Just look at these cornfields. We were on our way to Lake Aticlan and drove on curvy roads through the cornfields. At some spots, it looked like a giant patchwork quilt. The mountains are steep, and I have heard of farmers falling out of their cornfield and dieing.

Independence Day
Today, Septebmer 15, is Independence Day for Guatemala. Much like 4th of July in the states. No work, no school This evening, we're going to a pot luck dinner at neighbors house. Gary is with his friends. They are having a Mattrix marathon. Watching back to back Mattrix movies. Folkls here are flying the blue and white Guatemalan flag on the houses and cars.

KAREN and GARY Saying GoodBYE

BACK IN GUATEMALA

Has it been nearly a month since we dropped Karen off at Moody? Yes, time does fly when you get older, doesn't it.

On Wednesday, we got Karen all moved into her room. Gary helped put the bed up higher and hooked up her computer. Dad hung the curtains and moved the furniture around. Karen's roommate is a continueing student so we haven't met her.

We ate lunch at Giodonios pizza (same place we had Ellen's graduation family dinner). Glenn surprised us and picked us up in a Mustang. Then drove it back to the school. During the parent orientation, we met Karen's next door (Erin) neighbor's parents. There were about 20 students who's parents went to Moody also (Glenn and me included). We got a group picture of that. After supper, we had a special parent/child worship service in TG. It was where we dedicated our child to their studies at Moody, and then when the students prayed for their parents also. It was very nice.

We walked out to the parking lot and waved Karen good by. She hardly knew anyone. But is now getting around.

The next morning, (4am), I drove Glenn and Gary to Ohare airport and they flew on back to DAllas, and then to Guatemala the same evening. I headed on south towards Memphis. I stopped along the way at many Wal-mart stores, to walk around and stretch my legs. I made it to DAllas the next day. Not a bad time. All the while, I was addressing and writing notes on our prayer letter and stuffing the envelope with our new prayer card. I did this at the rest stops and stuff.

Lake Michigan
Saturday, we drove onto West Olive, Michigan. Just outside of Holland. We're staying with the DeWitts. long time Stewart friends. After an hotdogs and hamburgers, we walked down close to the dunes and made s'mores on the campfire. What fun!

VIEWS of the ARCH in St. Louis
Friday we arrived just after lunch time at the Mississippi River in St. Louis to go up to the Arch. Karen and Gary took the tram ride to the top. Nice view.

As we were walking back to the car, and heading on to Chicago, we ran into Don and Janie Reeves and Doak and Gloria Jones from TEXAS. Small world. They flew up on AA earlier in the day and were strolling through the park and had come to the park bench to rest a bit, when we showed up. AMAZING!

KAREN'S SPECIAL MUSIC at Mimosa Lane Baptist Church
Yesterday, was Karen's last Sunday at her deaf church. She signed for the sermon and during the offertory she signed "Worthy is the Lamb". I love to watch Karen when she signs. She has so much expressions and you can tell she loves it!

Later this week, we'll be driving up to Chicago to drop off Karen at Moody Bible Insitute. She'll continue her college education ~ majoring in Applied Linguistics. She already has her dorm information. Houghton 7!

Sunrise looking out over our 2nd story patio
This morning, about 6:45am I opened up the vertical blinds in my office and look what I found. Spectacular! Amazing! Wonderful!

An evening with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Guatemala
Last night, we attended the orchestra performance at the Guatemala music hall. There was a special violin soloist from Belgium that was just wonderful. Normally cultural stuff like this is not my bag of tea. But we all enjoyed it.

INTERNET PHONE
So I put out this mass email, advertizing that for the first 20 folks that would call us on our Internet phone, we would mail them a bag of delicious Guatmemalan coffee, and wouldn't you know it, the phone is not working this morning. Glenn called the phone company and said that it should be working before noon. So, who knows. If you tried to call us, try again. Sorry you couldn't get through. Its just one of those things we deal with. So far, we have plenty of coffee to give away. And I don't even drink the stuff. Try again and give us a call.

WHERE DO WE EAT?

Last Friday, as we were driving out of town, it was about lunch time and we needed to find a place to eat. Glenn and I stopped at the Pradera (Mall) Chimaltenango. We were amazed, that in this little town about 45 min. outside of Guatemala City, there was this nice shopping mall. Although it wasn't your 2-4 story mall with glass elevator, it was a nice split level shopping mall with small specialilty shops and a nice food court. I heard there were movie theatre there, but I never saw them. Wow, look at the choices where we could eat. Taco Bell, McDonalds, Subway or even Dominoes Pizza. You name it, the mall had it.

A WEEKEND IN PANAJACHEL
Friday, we followed behind the Cokers for a 2 1/2 hour drive to the small village of Panajachel on the banks of Lake Atilican. Gorgeous place. Right next to heaven. Here we visited with the Cokers.

On Saturday, we drove out with Maria to the camp worksite to help her deliver pizza to the guys that were helping with construction. The picture is Glenn working with the wter pump to make koolaid. Never a dull moment.

Scenes from Antigua

Ellen in Antigua
On Monday, we drove up to Antigua and registerd Ellen in a one week language school course, truely a refresher course for Ellen. She is living about 7 blocks from the school with a Guatemala family. She has a private room and has a little living and study area. There is even hot water for the shower. I know she'll enjoy her Antigua experience.

BIRTHDAY PARTY

This evening we were invited over to Oscar Campos to celebrate his 50th birthday. He has a tradition of celebrating it each year with co-worker, Bob Kasper, who also works at SETECA. We had Texas Fajitas. I loved the beans and rice.

We also met Juan Medina who just arrived from Bolivia and is the CIET director with SAM. Here is Juan and Bob Kasper, a former GMU missionary from Argentia and Bolivia. Small world, Big Family Juan is in the DMin program and is here taking a course here at SETECA Juan knows all of our SAMBO friends like Jeff Hause, Paul Kienzle, Jeff Orcutt, Steve Vanderswaag, and Kenny Krestan. He thinks Jeff O is just terrific.

Ellen visits in Guatemala

Ellen arrived on July 6th and will be with us for 2 weeks. Next week she will be taking a refresher Spanish course at Christian Spanish Academy in Antigua. She will be living with a Guatemala family for the week. On July 19, Ellen will be heading back down to Nicaragua via a 16 hour bus ride.

We did take an official tour of SETECA, CAM's seminary here. It is the largest seminary in Central America. After the tour, we had lunch with CAM missionary, Laura Maki, at the famous Pollo Campero restaurant.

July 4th in Guatemala
This afternoon, we drove across town to see Cammie VanRooy. She's been a short term missionary working at Casa Bernabe this past month.

The orphanage is just 25 km outside of Guatemala City on the way to El Salvador on some gorgeous rolling hills. Cammie showed us her class room where she teaches music. There are 150 kids and 2 little bitty ones were dropped off there yesterday. We enjoyed our short visit and walked away encouraged and thrilled to see how the Lord is using Cammie. For those that don't know, it was at Cammie's Grandparents house, John and Elaine Beekman, where Glenn and I met 28 years ago. And our Gary is named after Cammie's uncle. So, we go way back.

Earlier in the afternoon, we celebrated the 4th of July by going to TGI Fridays and watched the World Cup soccer game. Gary was wearing the Italy soccer shirt that I had bought him last year, however, he did have a shirt underneath to wear, just in case Italy lost. I am rooting for Italy, now that Brazil and Argentina are out of the World Cup. Glenn is rooting for Portugal.