Thursday Posting

Boys will be boys

Peter showing his muscles

Kelly Jo cooking up some brew

Patti with the kids

Roger and Kristi at EFL training

Melanie at Flannel Graph training

Fuzzy slippers anyone?

No room in front for Kim

 10 PM Thursday

Ola everyone from Guatemala.

Another jam packed day here with much of the same as yesterday.

Today’s devotional was done by Matt and the theme was prayer.  It was based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17.  Matt was asking himself the question, “Why doesn’t God just fix it?”  He was referring to all the poverty, malnutrition, and other issues plaguing the world and particularly here in Guatemala.  Matt had a good answer to this question.  He wants us to seek him in prayer so he can do his work through us.

After worship it was off to Oscars for a breakfast of omelet, hash browns, and toast.

After breakfast it was off to El Yalu to continue our work on the stoves.  We completed 2 stoves today with another probably being finished tomorrow and a forth well underway.  We also finished hauling bricks to the last house I discussed yesterday with a very steep road leading to it.  I couldn’t help but notice a boy running down this washed out road like a mountain goat and with little effort.  It was like he had shock absorbers or something on his legs.  We seemed to have a little less demanding day today and most were able to move around the village during or after their work interacting with the children and people of the village.  Patty had some fun playing tickle tickle with the kids and Katie was playing duck duck goose with some others.   Some of us found this amazing high spot overlooking the mountains and the whole village that no photo will ever do justice to.  The boys on the trips have been troupers.  It has been a real gift to have these kids on this trip.  They have brought a new dimension to this mission that should not be forgotten.

After cleaning up from the grime of the day we had dinner at Oscars.  Today’s menu was chicken, rice, and a light cake.  We never go hungry with Karla cooking.  We then had a pleasant surprise of having Vicenti and his daughter Hilda sings us some wonderful songs.   They have sung to us on other trips and Hilda’s voice is incredible.  Many often have tears in their eyes after hearing their serenades.  Yes Craig I recorded the whole thing so you can enjoy it.  Craig Heilman our executive pastor was unable to come this year but our prayers are with him that he gets well and will be able to continue the work down here that he has been a big part of.

Our English as a foreign language went well.  This is our third cycle through our scripts with the people of Los Olivos.  It appears that people are learning from us.  At least they are having fun and we are as well.  There seems to be a lot of interaction and some relationships have been built.  Often after class they are using the words and phrase around the church and using them on our staff.

Melanie, Kim, and Patty continue to concurrently teach their class of flannel graph training.  I cannot speak much for it myself but I have observed that the people in the class seem very interested.

Hope all is well with everyone at home!

We wish well to Matt’s mother and Sam’s grandmother who is recuperating from some surgery she had while we are down here!  We will be home in a few says and back to our loved ones holding down the fort whom we miss very much.

Adios