Guatemala Photo Journal

Most of my favorite shots from the trip with just a few saved for a post of their own.

Part of the week was at the Mexico border near the Pacific Ocean. A lot of tropical floribunda (and malaria medicine)

The first village was high on the side of a volcano - maybe 7,000 - 8,000 feet up. It was so isolated and the people were a little aloof and hungry and in need of so many things.

James participating in the children's program. He told me Miss Susan told him she was glad to see he could finally color in the lines. (She was his Sunday School teacher when he was four.)

This man had the most wonderful smile. He was missing most of his teeth, but it was such a gracious, thankful smile. I tried to get him to smile for a picture, but just wasn't successful. He gave me a great one when he saw his picture, though.

These guys were at that first village. They LOVED getting their picture and videos made.

Some of the team with Pastor Marco Antonio. I really enjoyed trying to chat with him. We worked with him at his church plant.

James sharing the gospel with an Evangicube.

The road to the first village. I use the term road loosely.

This little girl still haunts my memory.

Roadwork

Hope you enjoy.

Great Book

I am really not great about reading books. Don't misunderstand, I do like to read but when do I ever have time? I have decided to try to make the most of my travel time and read more. So to that end, I read The Case for Civility by Os Guiness. I will leave the book critic job to my cousin, Lisa, but I will tell you this is a really good book. (You should drop by and read Lisa. She's awesome on so many topics and I really am not biased a bit. Just to prove it, I have read an article by her in a magazine my mom had...)

Any way, I won't try to review the book and critique it, but I do recommend it. Guiness takes some of our political issues on quite directly. He's not from the U.S. so he has a very nice, somewhat detached perspective. He takes on the far right and the far left and challenges us to approach our issues as Christ would. Love to hear what any of you think if you pick it up.

I have a couple of more posts from Guatemala cooking and some pics from North Georgia...just be patient. I'm getting there.

PS Miss Jane, the boys said they felt bad for you when I said I didn't feel bad for any Tennessee fans :)

Home

We're home after a very quick week. Quite a few of us feel like this week went so quick. I have more to share and pictures to share, but it's late and I'm really trying to get unpacked.

As always, it was an amazing trip. I especially appreciated hearing Hermann talk about his vision and what exactly he's trying to accomplish there. Sometimes there I find myself forgetting that Guatemala really is a third world country - they treat us so well and sometimes it feels like the villages we visit are the exception. They aren't and there is so much need there on so many levels. Some need clean water and some need food, but on this trip I was struck how much uncertainty there is. Guatemala borders Honduras, where there are significant political issues. I was more keenly aware on this trip and the concern that some have about Chavez's attempt to expand his sphere of influence, shall we say.

We take our freedom to worship, to get news, to work hard and be compensated so much for granted. I appreciate what this team does day in and day out to transform there country starting where we all should - showing people that our only hope is in Jesus Christ.

We appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers. More soon.

Thursday

I had no idea how long today would be. It seemed like it would be an easy day given we only had to drive about 30 minutes. The little church we visited is one that is just getting started. They just had their music equipment stolen so they changed locations and had only been there a week.

I think this was my favorite day. The people were much talkative and open. I had a kind of conversation with the pastor, Marco Antonio. Between my very bad Spanish and his broken English, we were actually able to communicate. It was so encouraging to see him encouraged by our visit. It was so neat to see his heart for Jesus.

I realized during our first trip that these trips are more for us than the Guatemalans. Don't get me wrong....I think amazing things happen, but the way I am changed is also amazing. I see the needy in Atlanta so much more differently. I see needs around the world differently- I am more eager to give. So while our Guatemalan friends could do this without us, I think there wisdom in coming if only briefly.

I hope to get some pictures up soon. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Wednesday Backtracking

It was chilly Tuesday night, but it was beautiful. We were near the Mexican border and the Pacific Ocean. The plants and birds were tropical. I woke up early again - it was dark still and the skies were absolutely gorgeous. Devotion was, well, it was one of Hermann's devotions. I think we wrapped up in about 2 and a half hours. Hermann always encourages and challenges us.

We were then off to the clinic. Breakfast was waiting and was really good. We had some lemonade from a fruit that was a combination of tangerine and lemon. It was so good - it was still warm since they had to boil the water for us. The tortillas were excellent, Mexican style they called then because they were thinner.

Thr clinic was really good, but heartbreaking at the same time. The people were so open to the gospel because they have nothing else to hope in or trust in. I sat with two women who broke my heart. The first, Helen, was taking care of her siblings. Her mother died recently and although she was old enough to leave home, but believed she needed to stay with the kids because her father is so angry. I just felt for her. The other had a precious baby named Fernando. He could barely hear or so. He feet turned in. His mom had such a sweet spirit - they will stick with me for a long time.

We were there all day, leaving around 3:30 for the long drive home. We rode through a gorgeous coffee plantation. It was dotted with shanty-like homes that the plantation owners provided for the workers. It is the rainy season so it rained and rained. It quickly got dark and driving on those roads without lights was a new interesting experience. Radio driving gained a new meaning (they radio to each other when it's clear to pass, etc). It can be unnerving.

It was a late night and we were exhausted.

Backtrack Tuesday

Tuesday found us driving to a very small place near the Mexican border. We left early hoping to avoid the traffic (5am), but nevertheless got stopped behind an accident. In the end I think it took us about 5 hours to get to the church that was serving us breakfast. It was the typical beans, tortillas and picante. This small church is trying to plant churches in even smaller villages.

From there we driver another hour up the side of a volcano - Volcan Tajumtulco. The volcano is about 12,600 feet. We think we were about 7,000 to 8,000 feet up. But, I am getting ahead of myself. We travel in donated suburbans, some of which are getting old. The road wasn't a road at all. It was stones pushed into the dirt an was about as wide as the vehicles. They had obviously been hand laid. This road didn't see much traffic - there were plants growing among the stones. As we neared the top, the rear differential stopped pulling, is, the transmission was acting up. We went to front wheel drive and then that differential started overheating. In His way, this happened at the only spot where there was level ground to the side of the road. We were able to park the suburban and leave it during the clinic.

We were literally perched on the side of this mountain for the clinic. It was so beautiful until the clouds descended on us. We were in mist most of the day. The youth had prepared breakfast and the men fixed lunch. Real tamales wrapped in plaintain leaves. There was something else that was like a polenta consistency wrapped in corn husks. The men outdid themselves.

The clinic itself was interesting. This area had been ravaged by the 30 year civil war. The government killed thousands across the country and the communist guerillas weren't much better. The area was very poor and the people were not very trusting. For the first time in all our trips there was someone who said she had never heard of God. I found it hard at times to not break into tears.

The women covered dinner. Amazing how different ways you can have beans, tortillas and rice and it still be good. The best surprise was our accomodations. It was a retreat center. There were two small pools and it was beautifully landscaped. A true treat.

Christopher, love you and miss you. Keith, love you. Record the Alabama game, please :)

Wednesday

I will have to backtrack and catch you up on yesterday tomorrow. Today was a very long day. Up before 5 and dragging into Guatemala City at 9. I think this trip we have seen the most poor of all our trips.

Ok. So not much of an update, but my battery is dying and I am very tired. I'll backtrack tomorrow for both days.

Monday in Guatemala

Interesting 24 hours. Last night we lost power for about 2 hours. We had plenty of food, but of course Susan and I had to be difficult. We needed a Christopher special so we went to Hermann's house (with a gas oven) and toasted our peanut butter, Nutella and marshmallows on tortillas. Yummy.

James and I were up around 4:30 so we had a lot of time to kill before devotion at 7. Dr. Alb was on a roll and it lasted about 2 and a half hours. We were loading everything up when suddenly Hermann came in and called us all together. Today is their "Columbus Day" and there were protests all over. I have tried to understand exactly what it is about. Something about foreign companies coming in and then something about the lack of control by Mayans who were here when the Spanish landed. A lot of political undertones that i don't understandvbut am fascinated by. One news report was saying some thought the government turned off the power in anticipation of today. Roads were blocked by the protesters everywhere so they decided we wouldn't venture out today. It's been a good day for getting to know the team and visiting with the translators we already knew.

The plan is now to LEAVE at 5am. Yikes! (That also means devotions have to be tonight. We were harassing them asking if God would know tonight's devotion is really for tomorrow.)

By the way, we watched a movie by the same folks who made Facing the Giants. Faith Like Potatoes. I bawled my eyes out, but would recommend it.

Tip Wednesday....

Sunday in Guatemala

Today was church at Vida Real. A special treat today because Hermann preached. He taught about God showing us His supernatural power...pretty good stuff.

Lunch was at Chili's. Bless Denise's heart - she convinced everyone that instead of going to the food court and having 10 people go to different places we should just go to Chili's. I didn't care that much about the food, but I was beginning to stress about having to collect all those receipts. (Don't think I've mentioned that I'm the accountant for this trip - I avoided it the last two trips, but Susan roped me in this time.)

Sunday afternoon is always reserved for House on the Rock. It's a children's home with hundreds of children who have been abused, abandoned, or dropped off because their parents can't care for them. We go over and just play with them. Today we just played with the "angelitos" or little angels. Their play area is covered and since it was pouring (we just can't escape the rain), we got to stay in there.




The kids are so starved for attention and love. It seemed to me that this trip more of them just wanted to be held and loved on. Angela jumped in my arms and just cuddled for a long time. They were just so cute.

The camera is always a big hit. They like seeing themselves and they like taking pictures. Of course, the focus or focal point is really not important.






James hit it off with Antony (on the left) and some other boy. I never could understand his name, but his friend just kept calling him bad. It was heartbreaking to see all his little front teeth just totally rotten.






James really had to cultivate Antony. He just ignored us for the longest and didn't respond to anyone calling his name, but James just kept loving on him.





When it was time to go, James didn't want to leave...he just wanted to stay and hang out with Antony.

Time to go back for tomorrow. We are headed to San Marcos, which is close to the Mexican border and relatively close to the Pacific Ocean. It's supposed to be really hot there. Fortunately, the next day will be in the mountain where we've heard there's been a lot of rain (of course) and cool. We spend the night out in the villages the next two nights so no updates until hopefully Wednesday.

We're Here!

We arrived around lunchtime after a fairly uneventful trip. The day of arrival involves unloading all the bags and making the grocery list for the trip. We have to plan for certain meals for about 20 people. I always find it fascinating to shop in the Guatemalan version of Costco. (They have just about everything we do, except marshmallow fluff. The Christopher specials just won't be the same with regular marshmallows, but we will do our best. For those who don't know what that is, it involves peanut butter, Nutella and marshmallow fluff...you will have to ask for more details.)

We now kind of hanging out (trying to stay awake) before dinner. Hermann is taking us out for Italian.

It's odd how this kind of feels like coming home. This is going to be a good week.

The Countdown

Well, I survived the redeye back from San Fran last night. I have to admit I became very curious after three hours in the airport (and I had two to go) about what possessed someone to get on a plane at 1:45am EST to arrive at 6:17am EST and miss an entire night of sleeping. I really never came to a good answer, but I have some serious concerns about all the people on that overbooked flight.

I say I survived, but it actually wasn't horrible except that I woke up with a migraine. Lack of sleep, migraines and a very long to-do list doesn't make for a very pleasant mama. Thankfully, my family have been very patient with me and my very sweet husband has done a lot to help me and James get ready. (Maybe he's just looking forward to that week of peace and quiet, but he has been such a big help!)

Two other team members are supposed to arrive here at 6:15am and Keith, CBT and my parents will bid us adieu. I do hope I have everything. I had this wonderful list prepared, which of course I couldn't find. I do hope it is an adieu to everything that is supposed to be going with us.

Thanks again to all of you who are supporting us financially and with your prayers. Next post should be from Guatemala!

Deep Thoughts

Last post I had thought that maybe getting to this once a week would be good for a while. Alas, I think it's been a couple of weeks. We've been busy, but I have to confess that that is really not the reason that I have neglected posting.

For those of you that don't know, my house follows things politic closely and with great interest. I carefully have avoided that subject....well, 'cause you know, religion and politics...those subjects that should be avoided in mixed company. That said, I feel myself slipping into commentary and so, I have avoided blogging at all.

I have been so bothered by so many things we have been hearing. Both "sides" have been harsh and both sides have been spending more than we have. I have been reminded of Ron Blue's testimony before Congress years ago of how to become wealthy. Spend less than you make and do it for a long time. I have also thought about freedom a lot and what it means. I feel less free than I did even ten or fifteen years ago. Maybe I'm more aware or maybe I really am less free.

We have talked at home about how there is really only one answer. It all comes down to a heart issue. That's why our forefathers set up our government the way they did. That's also why they knew that a democracy would be doomed to fail as soon as its people lose their moral compass.

I have been fascinated by a group of moms that have been on Glenn Beck's program. They feel that they need to protect their children. From what? So many things. It felt like they want to protect them from lies and liars. They were concerned about history not being taught and children being taught world views than their own. They are getting out and speaking truth as they believe it to be.

And then this morning, Steve Brown spoke at church. If you've never heard him, he has the most incredible deep baritone voice. I love to hear that voice, but more importantly, I love to hear him teach. This morning, I think I heard the best sermon I have ever heard. Ever. Period. He said all things that I have been mulling over and trying to make sense of for the past weeks and even months. Things I knew, but not all put together. Explanations about what is going on in our world today. If you ever listen to podcasts, this is one I would highly, highly (overkill to say highly again?) recommend. The bottomline is that there is absolute Truth. If you don't believe it, it changes your worldview and your view about white lies....and deep, dark lies. It also means that your agenda means more than truth. Granted, we all have agendas, but without truth agendas become crazy dangerous. It was profound and enlightening. It also brought peace because there is One who has a plan, even if I hate am not crazy about it.

You can catch it at iTunes under Perimeter Church. It would have today's date (October 4th) on it. I really recommend it. If you can't find it, let me know because I will get you a CD of it. It was that good.

I'm curious now how I will see Guatemala next week. I'm going to blog from there so stay tuned.