Baseball and Softball Are Over

We ended the last two practices playing boys against girls. It was fun and the boys were victories both games. I think they learned a lot and had a blast. Thanks God for such a great experience in working with the kids on a game I adore. Please continue to pray for our sports club as we try to raise more funs and continue to have it grow into a bigger outreach.

Children's Day

Friday all the kids got to just play! It was Children's Day and we had games, pinatas and lots of food. The teachers were suppose to dress like kids. So I did my best and borrowed a very tall sixth graders uniform and put my pigtails in. It was very fun to see the kids reaction to me dressed like them. They cheered for me to win the prize for best dressed kid but I am sad to report I got beat. It was so much fun parading down the streets and passing out candy to people on the streets. The kids were still going strong after five hours of games. I guess it just goes to show you they never run out of energy. There was a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk and kids keep just loading him up with candy. It was very touching. If only we could parade and give them a gift of Jesus. If it was only that easy life wouldn't be so complicated, right.

Otra Vez (Try Again) to Fly kites

In my spanish understandings. I knew we were going to fly kites, I knew what day and I knew near the church. What I got wrong was which church. I thought we were going to fly kites in our church's field but we ended up taking an hour hike up a moutainside to the top of the mountain. The church was a sacrficial church were they burn animals. It was quite interesting. It didn't seem to phase them a bit that there was an animal still burning on the top of the mountain. I was focusing on the fact it wasn't a big deal to them but my spirit felt at odds with the whole deal. I was just thankful for their attitude because I knew in thier minds it meant nothing to them.

There was plenty of wind this time and we flew our kites clear across town. It was amazing to see the view of the city. What a beautiful place God has chosen for me to live. We flew kites, ate chocolate covered bananas and drank cokes. It was odd to be doing all this on someone elses holy place but we did have a great afternoon.

On the way back, we picked more fruit and had a fruit fight. The cool thing about this is serveral of my friends have just started going to our church on a regular basis. It's been great to see because at the beginning of the year none of them were involved to the extent they are now. PTL for friendships and for God to really touch their hearts. Challenging them to get to a place where they know it's important to build good Christian friendships and do good pleasing things instead of going wild.

Thorns, kites, and little bug Bites

We spent a day in Boleo
To get there, you drive an hour.
It took us two what do you do
When contruction makes you sour.

We came upon the house
Chickens, spiders, dogs carouse.
Our friends got torrtias
While orange trees helped feed us.

This orange tree to me
Hurt my hands by thorns I didn't see.
Volleyball we did that day
With giant spider webs to help continue play

Flying kites, do we dare
Helps if your not in mountain air. (there was none)
Trees also make it tough
I just couldn't get enough.

I loved being apart of a group of friends
Makes you realize, you are in good hands.
So if you get the urge to go
You might want to let me know.

Danielle the phographer/Fantastic Four/Rainout

Danielle is one of my Kinder students in the green dress and she is so smart. She was also named a Princes in this years San Cristobel Indepence Day celebration. She decided to take some photo's of her teacher. She took several but I will only share one. We had a great time. Kids here love to see themselves in our cameras. They will stand infront of you until you take their picture. This time, I was the one getting pictures take of me. So I grabbed a few friends and we had a little photo shoot. Sometimes I don't mind being looked at as a Superhero. For my birthday the Women teachers made posters of those who have birthdays. They turned me into Miss Invisible. It was very funny and cute. I was happy they made me into someone with a great figure. I look back though, and it's amazing how sometimes I have felt that way. I didn't know at the time it was a power though. I guess there is imagery in everything. Sometimes when you are forced to see things in a different light it helps you appreciate times when you had to be put in a position to be able to be used or just learn. Not being about to speak the language has helped me be silent in times, I would normally have said something. Recently, I have had to learn a lesson about the culture here and I guess I need to remember to keep my superhero suit on at all times. Not that I need to be invisible but just know it's important to keep a low profile as a woman here in this culture and respect others on your team. Motivation is completely different here and people are completely on a different wave length at times. Teaching kids to reach out and adults to stay calm. I am learning to be a better hero. I need to keep learning how to use my powers to help others.
Side note:
Recently, we were having baseball practice in one of the class rooms because it was raining so hard. I was teaching them how to keep score and explaining all good principles when suddenly our principle came rushing in and told us to get out quickly. He turned off all the electrity and the next thing I know.... we were standing in a foot of water. The campus flooded because there was something stuck in our drain pipe. We had easily three feet of water on our campus. The kids decided it was play time and off they went running in the water. It was alot of fun. Needless to say practice was over.

Independence Day turns into Family Day

San Cristobel celebrated with fireworks and parades. It was very sweet to see so many families together walking hand and hand. They held flags and banners representing their country as a whole. It was a very beautiful day. The day before we had a run from San Cristobel to Santa Cruz. I rode in the back of a truck and cheered the runners. Took pictures of runners and passed out water. Some had to jump in the back of trucks after running a short while but everyone ran a little. It was very fun to watch them get dressed in their blue and white. I enjoyed taking pictures for the school but afterwards I started missing my family more. We got the following monday off because we had to walk in the parade on Friday. It was nice to get away with another missionary for a day and just relax. We went to a waterfall and enjoyed a swim in the river. Somedays I wonder if I am in Heaven when I see the beauty of this country. It's only when I get bit by bugs I realize I am not!

God will use who He wants to use!

I am convinced God has a plan in my life and everyday He makes it clearer. I am planning on returning Oct 28th or 29th for the States. I am thankful each day for meeting people. Remembering to smile at those who I don't know very well. Always giving a listening ear when sometimes I don't feel like it. Those are the times and what people remember. Recently, I was invited to stay at couples home while I am in the States. They worked with me at Big Brothers and Sisters and even though we didn't have a lot of converstations they have supported me on my mission overseas. I was also asked to stay with a friend from our womens bible study and church. Her and I have helped each other out at times and she is a huge support to me here in Guatemala. She lives across the street from our church and it's a great location for me to walk to Walmart and Church if needed. My mom has decided to stay at her house and not sell right now. This gave me several options for places to stay and I am very thankful. I am planning on spending some time with my mom when I first get back and then staying with my friend from bible study. Without a car I am in need of being close to where friends and family can get me or transport me easily. I can at least say I don't feel homeless now. Several others have offered for me to stay with them a few days if needed. So I am sure God knows exactly where I will be even though I am not sure of when and where the whole time I am back. I am still looking at phone services and just thankful for my computer to have to communicate with others here and there. So please keep praying for transportation and my heart being willing to be set free from fear of the unknown. I need to look at this as what an opportunity to have people willing to have me come and go as needed. God is using who he wants and how he wants. I am definately feeling like I am riding on a chess piece. PTL! Let the adventure continue........

Today, I recieved some earings from a teacher I barely know. She lost her brother last year in a basketball accident. I have been working on giving hugs and smiles to her more recently because sometimes I have in the past shown favoritism to some teachers. I guess I was surprised by her gift to me but maybe God was using me how he wanted to use me for her. I didn't do anything special but worked alittle harder on communicating in spanish to her and I am thankful for my new friend. You never know how you are going to be used and who you can help. What an amazing God!

Thanks God for caring for each of us. May we all be a blessing to one another.

Guatemala is Celebrating the Month of September

Here in Guatemala we are celebrating the history and thier independence. During September 15, 1821 the Capitancy General of Guatemala declare their indepence from the Spanish Empire. Costa Rica, along with the other provinces of the Capitancy briefly join the Mexican Empire of Agustín de Iturbide. Guatemala celebrates its independence the 15th of September, like the rest of the Central American nations, except Panama and Belize. This date has its origin in the year 1821 when the illustrious citizens of the United Kingdom of Guatemala declared their unyielding sovereignty, they disclaimed irrevocably to continue under the mandate of the Spanish king.

In spite of the subsequent divisions of the kingdom into the different countries that today conform Central America, all citizens revives the emotion and the euphoria of being members of a free, sovereign and independent country. The Independence Day is not considered a tourist attraction for inhabitants from other countries, although most locals go to the tourist areas because it's an official public holiday. The army of Guatemala, with presence of the president of the republic, celebrates with protocol act and air acrobatics. In this day of celebration, the Guatemalans repose and they thank those to whom they owe their freedom.

As the feast day come close, children, young and old people sell plastic flags in the streets of Guatemala, while in the stores the colors blue and white are more abundant than ever. In the schools the teachers and the drivers decorate with patriotic motives their respective classrooms and schoolbuses. In the assemblies of students in the schools a few days before the 15th, you can hear resound the solemn national anthem. The chorus says of the national bird, the quetzal: "that his flight rises more than the condor and the eagle, and that he rise to Heaven on his wings: Guatemala, your immortal name."

America is Remembered 9/11

I guess it's been on my mind. I watched the movie "flight 93" the other day and found myself thanking those who risked their lives to save others. I can't believe what courage they had and I just wanted to leave something on my blog about it. Five years ago today I was in a meeting with our staff at Friends University. After the meeting someone reported a plane had flown into the Twin Towers. My brother and his wife live in NY and my brother at the time worked downtown. I turned on my television and the image of the tower burning was a sad sight but at that time it was thought to have been an accident. Then while watching the news another airplane ramed the other tower. Fear drove through my heart of my brother being close by and several minutes later the towers fell. I knew my brother would be one to help and it scared me terribly. I called but got nothing. Two hours later, I recieved a call from my sister saying they were fine and my brother was helping the Red Cross with finding missing people. It was something no one could comprehend. Now it's five years later. I am away from home in a different country and celebrating Guatemalan independence. My brother still lives in NY and they are very proud New Yorkers. I am sure they are remembering today and are thankful for how NY has grown stronger and have become better Americans. I am praying for the families who lost love ones and for many of their heroic efforts that saved lives. God Bless you! NYPD and NYFD.

Nail Biting Finish 16-15

Today we got a bunch of the Sports kids together and played a game of baseball. It was an amazing time. We started on the big soccer complex and then had to move to the other field. This field was not so great but these kids didn't care. It made sliding more fun and what kid doesn't like to get dirty. We played from 10:00-12:30 and the game was 11-15 in the bottom of the 5th. We had to leave for a birthday party so we had to finish the game. The team that was down came from behind and won with bases load (two outs) and the other teams pitcher walked in the last run. It was an exciting finish. All the kids just kept getting better after every inning. We had a great time and even had a bat boy do a super job. One of my Kinder kids (Daniel) came with his sister so we put him right to work. He did such a great job he would race out to the bat and one time even practiced a slid to get the bat. It was so awesome to have 18 kids show up for a little pick up baseball game. Yeah God!!!!

Bad News Bears Day

We are now on our second week of baseball and softball. It's been awesome teaching them a game they know nothing about. I feel like I did when I was in Africa and I told one of the girls who was chasing another girl to "tag her.. tag her" and she ended up throwing the ball at the other girl. Today one of my better players turned around at short-stop and it looked like she was putting on lip stick. I teased her and later found out it was a piece of cherry candy she put in her mouth. Also today in PE we played a game called "pepper" and in the game you are not really suppose to hit the ball hard because people are standing in a line infront of you to pass the ball down once you hit it. Well, one girl swung very hard and it hit another girl smack in the eye (luckily it was a wiffle ball not a real softball). Boys, they are doing a little bit better with catching the ball and throwing. But they still are not to fond of the catchers gear. Most of them walk around like they can't move in the gear (it's so hilarious). Also the helmets have masks on them but so do the catchers helmets. More then once they have put on the catchers helmet to run bases. One thing I didn't think to get for the boys were cups. Opps! So far no serious injuries. We have only been playing with the soft baseball. Remember this: "Who's on first, What's on second, I don't know is on third." It's sometimes truly that confusing for them. God Bless.

Returning to the USA

I am returning to the States to work on getting more finances for my support, the sports club and to see my family/friends. The longer I am here in Guatemala the less I want to leave. It seems the more spanish I learn, the more I start thinking in that manner now and people are realizing they can communicate with me finally. God has been so amazing to me and I continue to pray for His perfect timing in what I need to get accomplished. Recently, I had a meeting with our director talking about staying here for several more years. He explain to me the importance of speaking the language and grasping the culture. So today, I went by myself to a language school in town and it was very exciting to hear what they had to offer me. I am planning on taking a few weeks to go through their course. It looks like things are pointing to the beginning of November for my return.

The other interesting thing is while I have been here, I have been able to communicate with family more then ever. I used to talk with my mom about once or twice a month. Now, we talk about twice a week or more (via e-mail or phone). I am very excited about going home and seeing everyone. I am a little nervous for my first trip home and what will be different.

The other reasons I feel like God is calling me to stay a little longer is because we are hoping to start up sports camps during vacation. It's our hope we can bring kids into our club and gain repetition with practicing everyday instead of twice a week. Please pray for direction as we ask the parents this next week what they would want in a sports program. Pray I will gain wisdom and strength. There is no place like home but home is where your heart is always. It's tough when your heart is two different places. It's not difficult when you hear his voice and are being lead. Thanks God for allowing me to be more patient for your direction.