CAMex

CAMex Conference 2009

During Thanksgiving weekend, Glenn and I made our way to Mexico for their annual Conference. We traveled by plane to Mexico City, took a nice 2 hour bus ride from the airport to Puebla and then the next day rode with the Olivers down to Fortin de la Flores in the state of Vera Cruz.

Although we were at a lower altitude, it was pretty chilly the whole time we were there. We were given the Presidential suite to allow us more room to fellowship and be with the CAMex folks. On Thanksgiving day, our suite was full of many teens watching the football games. Go Cowboys!

As tradition has it, I had a MBI photo taken & I was able to hand out Moody Alumni key chains to our dear alumni serving in Mexico.

Helen & Terry Vanderwerf, Stu Grewatz, Rod Fry, Scott & Ruth Yingling, Tim & Debbie Blycker, Beverly & Dan Kendall, Beth Hanna, Mark Boardwine, Sarah Musgrave, Bryan Smith, Glenn and myself.

God bless the School that DL Moody founded

Football At Its Best

Last week, while attending the Mexico CAMex conference, we opened up our hospitality suite for the CAMex mks to enjoy American football on TV. We had kids on both sides pulling for their favorite teams.

Glenn, Allan and Tim enjoyed the fast pace game too.

3 ways to watch a simple Football game

• Watch the game via the SlingBox on the Laptop computer which was broadcasting from a PA station. The football game was in English.
• Watch the game via the Spanish TV station in the room, which was about 30 seconds delay.
• Watch the game via the Video Projector from the SlingBox projected onto the wall.

With the tape delay in Spanish, we got to see every football play including the replays several times.

~J

There She Blows

Several weeks ago, I "zoomed" in with my camera and caught "Fuego" exploding. Beautiful site. This volcano is just outside of Antigua, yet you can see it also from Guatemala city.

~J

DeColores

If you are ever on the "Arch" street in Antigua, let me recommend that you go to the "DeColores" store. They have the cutest earrings, necklaces and bags for women. Everything was color coordinated and the prices were very reasonable and inexpensive.

Directions - from the plaza, walk through the Arch and continue to the first store on the left hand side.

Great place. Thanks Jenny for showing me this place.

~J

Our meal order

We had ordered a simple meal with steak, onions, baked potatoes and hot sauce.

However, the restaurant brought out

This! Chicken, Steak, Ribs, sausages, chips, onions.

We reluctantly had to tell the waiter he gave us the wrong order.

~J

The lake

As you make the hair-pin turn dropping down into Panajachel, you can stop at the "look-out". On a beautiful day you can see across the lake to the 3 volcanoes.

Also at the stop, you are greeted with beggars.
Or children.

~J

View Out My Front Office Patio

Just outside my upstairs office, we go out to the patio to eat a meal. Early in the morning, the sun floats over the city and mountains. The sunrise is gorgous this time of the year.

And a picture of the Arch in Antigua
~J

Gobble Gobble

Notice the turkey on top of her head. Happy Thanksgiving!!

~J

Local Store Attendant

This indigenous lady works at the local 'Wal-mart' store here in Guatemala. I just had to take a double look especially when you think how her culture is embracing the western culture here in Guatemala. How do you like the combination of her typical dress and the "wal-mart" vest?

The local mall includes McDonalds, movie theatre, Burger King plus your local Hyper-Piaz which is basically a Walmart store.

~J

Pepsi Kick

I'm wondering if this is a new product or something that has been around for a while. The clerk at the local Piaz supermarket here in Guatemala City said that the Pepsi Kick was sugarless. Glenn tasted it and said it was more like a "power drink". Who knows?

~J

The Story Begins Here

Meet the Norwoods. The story begins here. Jennifer picked up a book about the history of Wycliffe Bible Translators and of course it had short notes about Uncle Cam being a part of CAM International (back then, Central America Mission). She read on about his love for the Cachikel Indians and his work in Panajachel.

Readers Digest version - The Norwoods decided to enroll in Spanish language school in Guatemala, Googled CAM's name, called and talked to the Mobilization department and mentioned they are interested in missions. Karin R. called us. We contacted the Norwoods. When they arrived we loaned them an extra cell phone, introduced them to several families in Antigua.

Then we took a weekend at LBN in Panajachel so the Norwoods could be exposed to more ministries in Santiago with the Footes and meet other families.

Long story short. Pray for the Norwoods as they seek God's direction in their lives.

~J

Before and After

Before


After

Last week, I visited Marge W, Ann's mother. She was in need of a shampoo and hair cut. She felt so much better after the "Make Over". We visit Marge quite frequently in her 2 room apartment. We find her resting in her lazy boy chair. She always welcomes us into her home and life. After a short visit, we promise we'll come back again. We have been mutually blessed by our visits.

By the way, today is Marge's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Marge!!!

Go to Sept 4 to see a previous blog about Marge and listen to her sing her favorite song.

~J

Out My Bedroom Window

Looking outside our bedroom window, houses and apartments are stacked like dominoes along the hill side. Barb wire and tall walls surround many homes.

~J

Cuban couple

This young couple traveled to Guatemala from Cuba to study at GBS!

J

Beauty

~J

Touch of Beauty

~J

Colorful Cloth

Bright beautiful colors. I just love the colors here in this country - Guatemala.

~J

Which way?

Try to follow this map!

~J

N1H1

Several months ago Glenn got a call from Maria and Diana who had ordered some medications to hand out in their clinics. The supplier was here in the city. So Glenn helped them out by going to the warehouse and picking up the donated medicines.

Glenn's packing skills came in handy as he had every empty spot filled with the boxes of medicines.

Our van was full to the brim with medical supplies.

~J

Sweet gal

Casita Benjamín

Not too far from SETECA and the dump is a day care center that has a great program for the children whose parents work at the dump.


Two cute kids.

Judy

My Geritol Journey

These past few weeks I've been on a "Geritol trip". I don't know what Geritol does, but I think it has something to do with the aches and pains when you get old. I always think of it as an old person's vitamin to cure his ailing body. I remember seeing the Geritol bottle advertised in black and white on game shows back in the 60's.

Glenn and I arrived just 12 hours before my Aunt passed away. We are grateful for God's perfect timing ~ that we were here to experience her "home going" and help my parents. Then right after the funeral, we headed to Colorado to spend a whole week in a log cabin in the mountains with my parents. See, last year we had the honor and joy to share a week with my parents in the log cabin and I said "lets do this again in 10 years". Then I looked at my 80 year old dad and said "Nope, lets do this again next year."

Life is precious and life is short. Even this past week we have learned of a dear soul that died in a plane accident. We will miss Ron.

~J