Spanish- To make exercise?

I am taking classes in Spanish to help me be able to communicate better with my sports students. I have taken classes now for two weeks and three days. It's been an interesting time of learning when the teacher doesn't speak any English. Today, my teacher (Carmen) and I struggle with understanding why exercise needed the verb hacer in front of it. Because in English exercise is a verb but in Spanish it's not used that way. Needless to say it took us a long time just to figure out what each other was saying. Wow!!! I enjoy her very much and she works really hard to help me understand what I need to learn. She is very sweet!
Cute Story: I took her picture the other day and she asked me about why I took the picture. I told her I have a blog and often put pictures up so my friends, family and supporters can see what is going on in my life. She asked if her picture would be on the blog and I explained that it would. The next day she said she told her children; "Mommy has her picture up on the internet in the United States." Her kids screamed "Bravo Mommy Bravo!!"
Carmen's parents died at a young age and she was the youngest of nine brothers and sisters. She said she would get sent from one home to another when she was a child and had to help with her sister's store. They couldn't afford school so it wasn't until she was 30 years old she was able to go to High School because her husband paid for it. She graduated last year from HS at the age of 33. She has two kids and wants me to meet them someday. She has quite the story. Her heart is so precious to the Lord. She is catholic and has been so great to get to know. We talk about religion a lot. Please pray for her family and I can be a good witness to her as we learn about each other more and more.

Guat Gossip changes story - Thanks for your Prayers

Many of you have wanted an update on the little girl Maria Muss and her family. It turns out the father and grandfather beating the truck driver up is true but the part about him dying was simply gossip.
So I asked my roommates what was going on with the Muss family and they shook their heads like nothing was any different. Sarah and I were like ah.. is the father going to jail for killing the truck driver and she looked at us like we were crazy. She said you know how Guatemalans talk. The police are still investigating because the man is pressing charges but I am pretty sure my little Jose will be having a father around. Thank you for your prayers. Even though it was a little odd how it was answered, I for one am thankful.

I learned: No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. James 3:1-18 is a good read!!!

I am amazed at how I looked at his father after hearing the news about him killing another man. Wondering if he felt bad for doing it. Upset with him because he might leave his boy and wife behind. Now, I too see myself as guilty, for thinking bad of a man and believing the words of others before knowing the truth. He still beat his enemy but I should never judge another persons actions. For I too became the one beating another for his actions even though I never spoke a word to him.

First week of Classes- I like big butts

So my kinder class has 23 little munchkins and my pre-kinder has 13. I am not sure which is going to be harder this year. With the pre-kinder kids I have had an interesting time so far. I was teaching them the hokey-pokey and everything was going great. They were following my every move; Right hand in and Right hand out. I then proceeded with the song to the point where you put your back side in. I shook my butt and they all laughed. Usually it gets a good bit of laughter but nothing like this time. Next, time around they laughed even harder to the point of hysterics. I turned around and one little boy Danny was pointing to my butt and laughing. I thought maybe I had chalk on it or something. I proceeded with the song and everytime I turned around to do the last phrase they broke out in laughter. I asked the other teacher, "What is wrong, do I have a hole in my pants or chalk?" She politely smiled and said "No, They are laughing because they think you have a big butt." I grabbed Danny and gave him a big hug and told him he needed to be a little nicer. I guess four year old boys think big butts are pretty funny.

Rules can not be broken

We are one of six private schools in San Cristobal. We are highly regarded by many in the town and many of the principles and directors of other schools send their children to our school. One rule our school has stood on since it started is you must start from Kinder and finish your schooling with us throughout. Parents can't pull their child out of school and return at a later date. If the family decides to pull the child out they can not return. It is our policy and always has been to keep kids from leaving and returning on a continued basis.
Two years ago a young girl decided she didn't like the rules and her mother agreed to pull her out of the school. This year she returned and asked to come back. Her grandfather came with her and tried to convince our director to allow her back in the school. Needless to say, she was not allowed back in and this upset the family. Her grandfather decided to start a petition to close the school. He is trying to get other people in town to sign a sheet to have our school close it's doors. Please pray that through this hardship our school will be stronger because of it. Pray more kids will want to come to our school because we hold to strong principles. Pray the negative talk will turn into praise for our school and the teachers who work here.

Matters into Their own hands

Please continue to pray for the family of Maria (who died from a tragic accident). I can't describe this without getting a little choked up inside. Two days after the death of his daughter, Maria's father and grandfather found the man who ran over his daughter. They beat him up so badly he died just recently from injuries he acquired. Police are investigating this and are looking to accuse them of murder. Please pray for Maria's mother and family as they are going through a very hard time. It's hard to understand how you would act when someone you love was been taken away. I pray to God for everyone involved to have a peace that passes understanding. Because I truly can't understand it all.

New Take on Christopher Columbus

So I went to the market with a few friends and we had an interesting conversation about the Catholic Religion. We talked about the importance of certain people in their religion. Jesus, Mary and the Saints. One of my friends piped up and said "yeah and like Christopher Columbus." I was like," ah what?? " You know San Cristobal is named after Christopher Columbus. I said "Ah I didn't know that?" His wife just shook her head and we laughed really hard. She said sweetie thats the wrong Christopher. Needless to say sometimes we don't always know what other religions believe and we need to take time to read and learn about them or we might add people into a history book who really weren't there. Fun Times! This is a picture of San Cristobals lake, which according to my friend might have been named after Christopher Columbus.

Carmela- House Keeping!

So let's shine a fun little story in light of the past few days. We have less people living in our house therefore we can't afford our old housekeeper. Therefore, we are in search of a new one and we thought we would give this 15 year old girl a try. She was nervous and smiled awkwardly. The first day she cleaned we found our entire house flooded with soapy water from her mopping job. We also found a chair on one of beds, the trash can on the desk and the dishes untouched. The Guatemalans were not impressed because she couldn't remember to do things and they felt they should tell her the next day.
Next day arrives and we all went to the funeral of Maria (the little girl who died). Carmela came to the house and no one was there to let her in the house. She went to the office and asked the secretary what she should do because she is suppose to clean our house. The secretary called a house mate of mine (Suzy). Suzy told her to just go home and we would talk with her mother later. Instead of going home, she climbs through my window and enters the house. She starts cleaning again. Needless to say she used a two gallon container mopping only two times. Suzy comes home and there she is cooking eggs. The dishes still untouched and the floor a sloppy mess. Suzy asked her to leave and she just continued to clean. Suzy called Yanita because she wouldn't leave. When Sarah and I got home we found rocks in the house and a bowl on my desk. Needless to say it was a great comedy relief after it was all said and done. Plus a great story to write home about. Lesson learned.... shut your window and find better house keeping girl. I felt so sorry for her but it was pretty funny.

God Brought her Back to HIM!

As sweet Fernado's sister walked along the street with her mother, somehow her hand broke free of her mothers and she slipped. Causing her to roll into the street and a passing car had no time to stop. Her head was crushed under the weight of the car but somehow survived enough to rush her to the nearest hospital. Coban's doctors said they could do nothing for her so they flew her by plane to Guatemala City where she later died early this afternoon.
Jose Fernando is one of my favorite little students. I am pretty much nose to nose with Spiderman in his sweet little eyes. Jose will be in my Kinder class this year and is an excellent student. Please pray for him and his family as they go through this time of grief for his sister. I can't imagine the feeling of a mother's heart. Please hold them in your prayers as there will be a grief period of nine days. This is a picture of her fourth birthday I was so honored to attend. Her mother is a Christian but her father has been walking on the fence for many years. Please pray God will reveal himself through this tragedy. My heart goes out to the family. Romans 9: 14-16 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort but on God's mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." It sounds harsh to read right now.. because I don't understand God's ways but I understand he works all things for the Good of his people. Please pray for the hearts who are broken right now, pray they will turn to God for comfort. I can't imagine what a hard thing it must be to have to do.

Here I Go, Here I Go..... on me Moto!!!

Well, today I test drove a little motor bike to ride to my class everyday. I am very excited about having something to get around. I bought it from a family who was wanting to sell it to buy a fifteen passanger bus. They only had it for a year and a half and it's in good shape. I got a good deal on it and will be happy to have something to get around on. Please pray for safety as I drive around town and learn the streets. Zoom zoom zoom.... :)

The Four Amigas

Well, it's been a little less then a week and I am excited to say I am enjoying the time with my roommates. Yanira is standing on a chair just so she isn't the shortest in the picture. Sarah just got engaged to JJ who works here at the Ministry as our computer tech. Everyone is very excited for them as they are looking to get married in July. Suzy is now teaching at two different schools and she is very excited about it. I am extremely excited to feel like I belong here and have enjoyed getting to know the girls a little bit better then last year. Classes begin the 15th we are all looking forward to seeing the kids.

Short story: So Skype has been awesome getting to see my Scotty and family. It makes it a lot easier to feel like I am not so far away. To see their smiles has been wonderful. Although my brother says when I move I look like a red monster because my face looses its pixels. My little nephew kissed the computer yesterday. It so wonderful to feel like I am so close except when I hear noises I shouldn't. So if you miss me.. just skype me...skype.com download and look for me tschremmer or just put my e-mail address in, you'll find me.

I am BACK!!!!

Wow! I can hardly believe I am back working at the school I left 2 months ago. My time in the USA was amazing. I spoke with around 35 people individually and gave presentations to around six different groups. I raised the needed amount to have consistent support for another year. Several friends gave needed sports equipment and uniforms. I feel very blessed to be able to enjoy my family and friends. My father and I worked hard on getting a deck rebuilt for my step-mother and we completed it before her next appointment. She was able to take her Hov-Around down the block and has hopes to make it to the nearest Quick Trip soon. Mom and I enjoyed our time together after we successfully figured out she had a serious hearing loss and we got her fixed up before the holidays so she could enjoy hearing everyone clearly. Even though I clearly had a successful and enjoyable trip in the States it seems as if I had never left Guatemala because everything is still the same. Everyone greeted me with smiles and hugs. I am excited about being back even though I will miss my family and friends. Even though everyone here is the same there have been some changes right off.
First change is the number of woman living in the teachers house. There are only four of us, we each have our own room with a spare room in the back. I can hardly believe the difference it makes with less noise, plus moving rooms really helps me sleep better at night. I am away from the bathrooms and haven't had any interruptions at night. I will have to cook every month but at lest its only for four people instead of seven.
Second, I will be taking my Spanish classes at CECEP in the mornings from 8-11:00 and then teach my kinder and pre-kinder classes in the late morning early afternoon. They built the classrooms bigger so we can actually have air flow in the rooms. My physical education classes will be on Tue. and Thur. and I think this will work out best. I am very excited about learning more Spanish.
Third, our Founder, Mike, has grown ill recently and needs your prayers. He has had some pain in his head and in his chest. Please pray for healing. The doctors aren't sure what could be causing it.
Finally, I am happy to say things are looking more organized and everyone is working hard to plan for this next year to be a success. I am looking forward to seeing my sports kids and little munch kins. Lots of excitement here. Keep praying for adjusting to no water at times and lack of facilities to get needed supplies.