Monday, August 30, 2010

Over the hills and through the...jungle we went...

Monday we went...west to...north to...east to...south to...north to...west to...east to...south to...west to... home!

Off we went with Jane and Wendall with great travel plans in mind...until we got about 15 minutes out of town and sat for 3 hours.  Up the road at a major intersection, a manifestacion (demonstration) was held blocking traffic to the west and to the east.  With nowhere to go, we sat and enjoyed our time together.  If we had know that it was going to be so long, we probably would have played a game of dominoes!  We intended to take a couple of side trips but with the lateness of the day, we traveled directly to Uspantan to spend the night.  We enjoy this little hotel with its beautiful flowers and views overlooking the town.   The next morning we walked in town and through the market then before we left, we each had a shoe shine...4 quetzales...that is about 50 cents apiece.



Crossing the derrumbe once again ( it is SO BIG when we are crossing it) we headed to Coban for the night.  Being a UGA Bulldog fan who's looking forward to the start of football season, we enjoyed riding behind this truck for a little while.  Note that pretty GA red and black...GO DAWGS!! 


After breakfast the next morning with Ms. Fran, we continued on the way north to Playa Grande. 

 

Playa Grande is the most northern municipality of the Quiche department we are currently researching.  It was plotted out in 1964 to encourage people to work their own land.  It suffered greatly during the civil wars in the 70s and 80s, but become official in 1985, and people once again returned to settle.  It has the feeling of the old west but is growing.   Though spread out, there is no traffic light (not uncommon to us at all) or fast moving traffic because there are only dirt, rocky roads.  To give it an even more old west feel, as we were returning, we were met with a "cattle drive." 



With a population of about 80,000 people, twelve different people groups call Playa Grande home.  (Can you imagine walking to town and hearing 12 different languages spoken in the market?  Some speak both their indigenous language and Spanish.)  There are several evangelical churches who are working and growing among the people but many of the aldeas, where only an indigenous language is spoken, still need to hear and respond to the Gospel.

A couple of unique things we saw while traveling were
- rice growing...this particular lowland area was flooded by the river and produced great crops. 

- ostriches...We passed an animal reserve and noted these ostriches...never before seen in Guatemala, at least to us.



We returned Jane and Wendall to Coban and enjoyed our dinner together at one of our favorites spots which not only has wonderful food but beautiful orchids.




Now we are home recuperating for awhile and digesting the information we received before we head out again.  Thanks for praying for us as we hit the trail.  Walk the trail with us as we continue to pray for our nation, for all people to hear and respond to the Gospel. 

Sunday, August 22, 2010

It was a Friends and Chicken and Dumplings sort of day...

Saturday was just a chicken and dumplings sort of day...overcast and a bit damp and cool...and just the right time to enjoy friends.  So David and Regina and, of course, baby Cruz came up from Antigua and joined us and Jane and Wendall who are visiting us for a couple of days. 

But why is it when folks are ready to leave, we remember we have not taken any pictures?  Cruz was ready to be home and take his bath to go to sleep for the night and let Jane and Wendall know he was not wanting any loving at this very moment.


Jane wanted to make Cruz happy and really was trying but it didn't work until it was our time for the photo shoot...

David called after their 20 minute ride home to say that Cruz had talked all the way home and was sitting in his seat just talking up a storm.   Isn't that just like 'em?

By the way, we added fresh green beans, steamed carrots, grilled zucchini, biscuits with apple butter, strawberry pie, and egg custard pie.  Yeah, it was just that kind of day...yum, yum!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Welcoming New Friends...

Today was a special day as we welcomed new missionaries, Max and Julie and children Megan and Justin. They will be working with our friends, the Thomas', with the Pokomchi.

Carol brought them over today in time to attend worship. The focus in church this month is the Bible -- the authoritative Word of God which gives life to those who receive. The cell groups of the church are learning to use Bible storying to present Biblical truths. What an exciting day as members from 8 of the church's cell groups storied differnet "messages" as the sermon today! They are preparing to reach the Ch'orti', as well as their neighbors and family, with the Gospel of Christ. Missions is what it is all about...reaching others for Christ, making investments in eternity.

Heidi enjoyed highly enjoyed her company as well, though I don't know who enjoyed her the most.


Maybe the smile says it best.

Max, Julie, Megan and Justin, Welcome to the Family !

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Having fun with special friends

I think that we have shared that one of the most difficult things about leaving the states was leaving our bassett, Floppy. Deborah and Rebecca went to visit her the other day and took this updated photo for us. She is doing well, but well, not so sure about us...we still miss her.


While in Costa Rica, our host family had two dogs that we enjoyed. Lanyard was the older and a very gentle dog. He was terribly afraid of loud noises, especially thunder.


Scooby was the son of Lanyard and was just a big ol' puppy. David taught him to "give me five" in order to get a treat.


But again we had to move and say good bye to them as well.

Since we do so much traveling here in Guatemala, we didn't feel it wise to have a dog to leave by himself so much. But God has blessed with some special friends that we can enjoy when we visit in their home.

Diog - That is pronouniced, De-o-g, not Dog. He lives with George and Helen, but when Carol first arrived in Guatemala she lived in their home (while they were in the states) so she is part caretaker as well. He is BIG but such a sweetie.


Wally - He lives with Richard and Sharon. George and Helen were keeping Wally while Richard and Sharon were in the states so when Carol arrived, she cared for both Diog and Wally. It was so funny to watch the two of them play...Diog is a Weimaraner and Wally is a daschund, but they enjoyed each other.

Heidi - She lives with Ron and Margie. She knows us and makes us feel so welcomed when we arrive for a visit. She is staying with us this week while Ron and Margie are in the states welcoming a new granddaughter and spoiling her siblings.

Heidi LOVES to play as these pictures testify. David was hard at work...


Heidi was ready to play. So she brought her ball and put it on his legs


and waited patiently.



Well, you can be assured, he took a break and played a little. Could you resist a face like this?

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Enjoying life together...with pictures

We have celebrated our anniversary in some unique places over these past 33 years. This year was no exception. Enjoy some views from throughout the day.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Enjoying life together

Can it be that 33 years have passed...it seems like only yesterdsy we were just married! What a blessing to be married to your best friend (sometimes your only friend) and be able to serve the Lord together with one heart and one mind.

We have celebrated our life together in some spectacular places and this year is no exception.

Since I can not seem to upload pictures of earlier today for you to enjoy, we will try to share later.

Thank you for your kind wishes and love.