Ladies Luncheon

 

Each of the tables at the Luncheon were decorated differently.  

I loved this snowman one. 

 

I liked the Texas theme table too.

And Diane decorated her table in different nativity scenes.

Diane bought this nativity set on the right while she was here in Guatemala last year!

~J

Thanksgiving

 Thanksgiving Dinner

Some played dominoes

And everyone watched football

note the sign:

We interrupt this marriage to bring you Football Season

Ballet Performance!

 Several weeks ago, we had the awesome privilege to drive a "van full of folks" to the National Palace for an yearly Ballet performance.  

Despite the traffic, and getting lost, we made it there in the nick of time.  

It was a wonderful experience to watch Katy, the CAM mk, perform. 

 ~J

Tradition Lives On

We had a tradition in Bolivia that when a missionary family acquired a new car (most likely not a brand new car, but new for their family), 

we would

treat them to Ice Cream as long as they would drive us in their new vehicle.

So POP's it is.  There is a new Ice Cream store in our neighborhood. So we loaded up the car with the Foote kids, plus Jordan and Solomon in their "new" car:)!

I love this tradition!

Connections

 Recently, over the past few weeks, we have met up with some old and new friends.

We've had house guests and dinner guests.
We've hosted, entertained, encouraged, laughed and cried with many of our co-workers.  It is part of the job.

~J

Dairy Queen

There is a new mall in the city.  Portales Mall.  And there is a new fast food chain too.  Dairy Queen. 
There is also a new Dairy Queen at the Oakland Mall.

At the Portales Mall (and Oakland Mall) there is a digital waterfall.

Glenn got a sample of El Cafetalito coffee.  We already knew the coffee would be good, from our time with Jeff recently.

~J

C + C = Coleman

 My brother, Rick, gave his youngest daughter, Catherine, away to Clay!

What a beautiful bride!

(used with permission)

~J

David Stands Alone

Last week, while we were attending David's Baby dedication, we enjoyed every minute of being with 4 month old David.  We changed his diapers, gave him multiple baths (he loves the water), took him to the mall, rode the train in the mall and also went swimming.

GrandDad did his normal stuff.  For the first time, he balanced David on his hands in the water.  Then he balanced David in his hands in the living room.  

Check out the YouTube video.

~Grammie

Snapshots of our Visit

 GrandDad and David

 Riding in Herbie (Stewart kids' favorite movie back in the 80's - Herbie Goes Bananas!)

Baby Dedication

November 20, 2011

David's First Thanksgiving

{note his Turkey outfit}

~J

L Is For The Way You Look At Me

I recently made a video of baby David.

Enjoy.

Click on the "play" arrow in the picture 
or click here

Baby David's Dedication

On Sunday, we had the awesome experience to witness the Baby Dedication at ICF where Ellen and Luke attend in Nicaragua.

Of course he was the cutest of ALL the babies there!

~J

Skyping Class

 Oct 30 and Nov 6, we participated in an adult Sunday school class via Skype with a group of people from Wildwood Church.

It was fun to chat about our lives and ministry, the political situation in Guatemala, the out of control violence here, and even the beauty of the country and people here.

We shared some prayer requests also.

We turned it up a notch.  On the second Sunday, we went mobile with Skype!

We the lap-top in hand, Skype turned on via the Tigo "finger thing", we took the Wildwood Class on a ride.   As we drove, we turned the camera around on the computer and focused on the drive.  We ultimately drove towards the city dump, Casita Benjamin and the Cemetery.

The down side - you couldn't capture the smell, though, especially the strong south wind from the dump area.

I love technology.

What a great way to get to know your missionaries by using this technology with the computer and internet!  Thank y'all for calling us.  Thank you, too, for your prayers and partnership.
~J

Harvest Fair at CAG

 Glenn and I went up to CAG for their Annual Harvest Fair.  The theme was Pirates.

 We found a little "Lady Bug" (aka Gracie).

Dr. and Mrs. Núñez

 

(About my dear friend Esther, now in Glory!)

Recently Glenn and I made a house call along with Gary and Esperanza to our missionary friends, the Núñez'.  We literally had to follow in our car behind Gary as he drove past the old section of town, across Calle Martí and down a winding and curvy road to the colonia in which the Núñez' lived.

Esther had not been feeling well.  It was a challenge for her to walk up and down the stairs.  They hoped to be moving soon to a one-level house.

I just loved listening (in Spanish) to their stories.  Hearing them talk about their experiences, friends and ministry that they have had over the years.  

Glenn says, "Dr. Núñez, is like Dr. Howard Hendricks at SETECA (a similar seminary to Dallas Theological Seminary)."  And I can say, I see why.  He is well respected, intelligent (having written several books with another on the way) and very loving.  

What a privilege to serve in pastoral care and when I think I'm ministering to them, in reality, they are ministering to me.

(I had this Blog to go out this next week, but will post it now.  We just got a call this morning at 5:30am that Esther passed away at 3:00am this morning.  There will be a burial today or as late as tomorrow.  I grieve for the fact that within 4 days, 2 CAM missionaries (David and now Esther) have passed away. Both will be missed!)

~J

David Ekstrom

David Ekstrom passed away yesterday morning.  We count it a privilege to have known him over these past few years.  There have been many tributes posted about him in the past 24 hours.  Check out Daphne's words!

Dave and Helen have served in Guatemala with CAM since 1950.  They translated the Bible into K’anjobal, San Mateo Chuj and San Sebastian Chuj and were currently working on the Jacaltec Old Testament.  Their ministry has also included radio, leadership training, medical work, construction, children’s classes and many other endeavors. {quote: Steve S}

Today CAM International and the Christian community in Guatemala lost a hero. David Ekstrom went to be with the Lord this morning. He was 85 years old. David leaves behind a legacy of 60 years of faithful ministry. He and his wife, Helen (who survives him), dedicated their lives to Bible translation among indigenous peoples in Guatemala, including the K’anjobal, Popti' (formerly Jacalteco), and Chuj. {from CAM International FB page}

Friendship Through the Years

 We have appreciated the friendship of Jeff and Kathy over the years.  We have vacationed together, attended their kids' weddings, ministered together in Bolivia and have enjoyed long laughs.

While they were here, we drove out to the lake and went to Casa Del Mundo.

I'm proud of them for both zip-lining at Cables Extremos in Panajachel.

We visited San Antonio Palopó and they got dressed up in the local garb.

Jeff enjoyed MANY good cups of coffee.

They shared with us as we visited many different missionaries here in Guatemala.

We all enjoyed a delicious "Económico de Lomito" at Media Cancha.

They helped us hand out 90 backpacks to the kids at Casita Benjamín.

We also had a chance to go to the Hot Springs at Santa Teresita.

Thanks, Jeff and Kathy, for coming down and encouraging us...for helping us with our ministry as we visited folks and places along the way.  Come again.

~J