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.

Noche de Talento (Talent Night)

I can't tell you how much I felt like a mom two nights ago. Our precious Pre-Kinder through 3rd grade did a little talent show. I was there early taking pis of the kids and giving them hugs. I got a seat right up at the front. I wanted to get really good pics and trust me,I truly did. Pre-Kinder (the four year olds)dressed like their parents and the song (I want to be just like you, caues he wants to be just like me) came on. I so started to tear up. Kinder, dressed like animals and did a cute presentation giving the parents a great time of laughter. Prepa, dressed like cowboys and signed/danced to the song (I'm Trading My Sorrows). 1st grade, dressed as angles and second grade did the nativity scene (with thier teacher being the donkey). Third graders started the show with the story in bible where the son leaves with all the riches..then comes back broke. Well, It was fantastic and I was so proud of them. Several pre-kinder kids saw me from stage and started counting on their fingers in English and of course osmar did his mime of a cow... (okay maybe they really like English). I know it's nothing compared to being a mom.. but I fill privilaged to be apart of their little lives.

Break Time

Everyday at 10:10 I have a break and it's when Kinder and Pre-Kinder eat their snacks for the day. I have enjoyed the new schedule because I get to spend out of class time with my sweet kids. The other day Osmar wanted to tickle me but after I showed him his cheeto infested hands he quickly went to wash them. Mariletta "Always yells my name and says Ah ah apple, Ba Ba Ball, Ca Ca Cat! Miss Tina. Kenny screams "Ah Ah Apple Miss Tina" Osmar usually sings one of our many songs. His favorite are "Monkey's jumping on the bed" and "This little light of mine". Sometimes they show me a toy they brought to school that day but we always talk English mostly. We plan cowboys and indians, run from Miss Tina, soccer ball chase, and of course a tickle game. Each day is intertaining. Today we played mime and they did an animal and Miss Tina had to figure out which one they were. Their favorites are a eagle, cougar and horse. They are learning so much and we have fun everyday.

Jars of Clay

I am reminded of the suffering there is in delivering the Gospel as I look at my legs and find myself unable to sleep at night. There are so many bugs in this country and everyone of them bite. Last week on Thursday we had our second practice on the field. I decided to wear shorts to get a little sun on my legs. Well, at the end of practice my legs were red but not from the sun. I had 23 bug bites from the top of my knees to my sock line. One bite looked as if I had gotten hit by one of the softballs but it itches so terribly I now have a bruise from scratching it. As I search the scriptures for answers in other areas in my life. I see God is faithful and I can breath again (literally). He is faithful in showing me scripture that will encourage me once again. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show at this surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus sake so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."

Torn between needs and a bigger need.

So we have started baseball/softball practices. We start with boys at 3:00 and girls at 4:30 till 6:00. It's been very exciting to see them work so hard at practice. Teaching them the basic fundamentals, rules and how it relates to the bible has been so incredible. These kids are used to just hanging out and having something structured is different for them. I decided because they are not familiar with the rules of most sports that I would teach baseball and softball. I have two high school students who are playing and going through everything with us to learn to teach it. Please pray for our sports programs here because it's necessary to do things with them during their break which is from Oct. 15th - Jan. 9th. During this time they have tons of free time and nothing to do. It's also a time I can go home and spend with my family/friends. I am praying about when to come home during the break beacause many of my family members want me home soon. The kids want me here to keep sports going. I am torn because there is also a need for me to try and get sponsors back home. We stared with 20 soccer balls this Feb. and we are aleady down to 12 balls because they have been flattened by the cement walls and fences. I also found out we have increased rent which means I will need to find more supporters for myself to live here. This takes time to spend telling others the vision I have for the sports program and to ask for money always takes a certain amount of time to be patient. I would appreciate your prayers on this subject. I understand being a missionary doesn't stop whether you are in another country or not. I so feel like, I want to stay and help; but apart of me knows there is even more I can do with going back if I can reach more supports. Thanks for your help in praying for me.

My Birthday Wish

I am so blessed to have great friends/family at home and here. It's been amazing to see how much love God can give to you and help you give others. My Birthday was great and for the first time.....I had a birthday during school. It was so cool. So many kisses and hugs.. I was showered with them all day. I think I was sung to about ten times and had to hear my age.. again and again.. It's not that my age worries me or makes me feel old.. it's now the reaction of others that gets me alittle.

Well, I must say I was surprised by my little kinder kids, again. They made me cakes. Dirt cakes with flowers on top. How did they know my favorite cake was Chocolate? They were so sweet. I have pictures.

My wish came true and God allowed me to see how much love is in this place called the heart. Even though one has been wounded by life, love heals all wounds.

Thank you all for remembering my special day. I love you guys!

Basketball was a Success!

We finsihed our basketball unit with a game for our Sports Club last Sunday. We had the boys play the girls and it was an exciting time. We had uniforms for the boys and they were very excited to play the girls. The girls were alittle over confident with their numbers being more then the boys. The fifth and sixth grade boys did show their stuff and beat the girls 43 to 15. The MVP of the boys team, Tony, scored 28 points and couldn't miss. We had quite a few people their cheering them on and even our Pastor came out to cheer them on. Many people showed up with microwave popcorn and the excitment was in the air. I was very pleased to see so many young people who didn't come out for basketball this year show excitement for next year. Our Director shared how he can see great things coming from this program. I was encouraged and felt like for once I am really starting to feel like I am making a difference here.

Allergic to Guatemala

So for the past five days I have not been able to breath properly. It seems the infection, which was once in my throat, is now in my lungs. I went to the doctor and spent around 150.00 dollars on medicine. It's the fifth day on the medication and I am still coughing up. The doctor mentioned it's a terrible time for allergies right now in Guat and with it being rainy season my room is extremely moldy. I called my mom and mentioned to me how allergic she is to mold. I am praying this is not the case with me but it's looking like it might be a continued struggle until it gets dryer. Please continue to pray for my health. I have an inhaler and have to use it three times a day. If anyone else has suggestions for getting rid of mold, allergies or anything to help please let me know.

Sincerely,

Chain smoker Sue (Tina)

No Insurance means cost for family!

My dear friend Kimmy is our sixth grade teacher here at Colegio and her brother was killed in a car accident Saturday the 5th of Aug. He and a friend were driving a car that wasn't theirs and they hit a parked car (luckily noone else was in the other car). They were both in their early twenty's and both died at the time of impact. Kimmy is already back to work after only two days of seeing her brother in the hospital and then funeral. She had to come back while the rest of the family stayed to mourn for nine days. Her mother owns a business and she must take care of things here in order for her family to keep their business going and straighten out all the police paper work. Please pray for her family. In Guatemala no one here carries insurance. So with funeral cost, car cost, hospital fees, and ect. It's going to be a huge load on them. They are catholic and Kimmy has been coming to our church. Please pray for their family as they put their full trust in HIM. Kim came to church last night and her strength is definately coming from the Lord. She saved me a place next to her and I felt very honored she considers me such a good friend.

YOU CAN DO IT!

For the past five weeks I have been hearing this phrase over and over again. It's been amazing. It's not just one person screaming at me (if it were I would be very frightened.) It's been so many people who don't even know my circumstances. Even my little nephew has a book my brother's family reads to him called "You can do it!" I recorded several videos of him while I was visiting but the one of him doing everything his daddy does in this book just inspires me. My brother would say an animal and then do a motion. My nephew is encouraged to try the motion. Sometimes he got it perfect other times his legs just wouldn't let him do it just like Dad. God has shown me so many things I can change and become more like him. It's so hard at times, I feel so much like a toddler. I feel like I am not even going to come close to doing all he is asking. Then God speaks through others.... you can do it! His Word says I have been blessed with the power of the Holy Spirit. Anything is possible. Anything God? Yes, you can do it!
Whether it be my spanish, learning new chords on the guitar and singing spanish words to the music, giving more of myself, loving those who have hurt me, forgiving and forgetting; God is saying, I can do it! It's been so encouraging to read the Word and really fight for truth with truth.

Imitating the book; "I am God and I share my Love... can you do it?" "I CAN DO IT!!!!"

Bananas and Years

So when I first got here I was going to buy bananas and I heard the lady in spanish say something like fifty Q for the bananas. I didn't know how many that would buy me or if she was talking pounds or not. But in my head that was way to much to spend on bananas. So seven months later after my Spanish is much better, I am really craving a banana. I got to the store close to our school and (luckly or unluckly) one of our neighbor lady's was standing there as well. I told her I wanted 5Q worth of bananas. She took me by the hand and started grabbing bananas. I ended up with like 16 bananas. I didn't want to tell her I really didn't want that many bananas so I brought them back home with me. Realizing they were .50 Q per four bananas.
Needless to say my roommates were very curious who bought all the bananas. I humbly had to tell them my story. At least they got a big kick out of it.

The other silly thing I did this week was make new flyers for our volleyball night. And because I don't have a spanish computer I can't put the correct accents over the letters that need it. I usually remember to do it by hand but this time around I forgot. There was a sentence in the paragraph talking about "you have to be twevle years old play." But in spanish I wrote "You must have 12 butt-holes (anos) to play". So for this I got a call from the head of the ministry at 7 a.m. laughing hysterically with me.

Just thought I would share a little humor.

There are bananas in the picture. After I published this.. it was funny I put the title Bananas and Years because it looks like I am going to write something about "Bananas help you stay young" or "You get old if you don't eat bananas" but I didn't (and they don't!)

Dreams (Singleness is okay!)

So have you ever had a really crazy dream before and woke up? Then when you wanted to go back to sleep to go back to the dream to see where it leads, it didn't happen you couldn't go back. Well, this time I went to sleep and woke up two times only to find myself back in the same dream. Now this dream was very strange yet when I shared it with a friend she laughed hysterically. I am not going to share all the dream with you but I will give you a very short but hilarious insight.

So it begins with me getting back with someone. This person and I find ourselves back together in Israel and the next thing I know we are in Las Vegas getting married on a escalator. Yeah.. like we were one of hundreds of couples on this escalator and they just zipped us right through. We were wondering why everyone else had black duck tape on their clothing or hats and later we found out if you didn't have duck tape you weren't really married. So we found ourselves alittle frustrated. I wake up. Then I go back to sleep and he has sent me to a beauty salon to get my hair colored and cut. (it was a nice thing) I didn't mind.. but I was late to the shop and the gate was closing. The girls at the shop were like really upset I came in so late and started talking about me. I finally told them my circumstances and how I was going to get married to this great guy. I then started gluing a toothbrush to a piece of paper while explaining my whole life story to these women. My dad was in the lobby; don't ask me how he got there. I had several other things happen but I will leave just this part for you to enjoy.

If you know me.. I have never been to Israel even though I would like to go. I can't stand Las Vegas or the thought of being married there. I am not fond or unfond of duck tape but it's very handy. I rarely go to beauty salons because my father was hairdresser for most of my hair growing life. I would never share my life story with women I don't know. The toothbrush; I have no idea what that is about.
I am not in a hurry to get married. I promise!!! I just want the Will of God. Help!!!!!

Friendship

I just wanted to write a little something about my friends I met a few weeks after arriving here at a conference. I met Mel and Amy at an intermissions conference because they sat at a reserved table and were kicked off it to our table. I laugh now because we have got a great friendship simply because of timing. God's perfect timing.
Now, recently I was planning on going this week to see my friends back home who are on a missions trip to El Salvador but because plans got changed here I wasn't able to see them. But God still brought friends into town this week from here. Mel and Amy were able to hangout and stay with us for a day this week. We shared stories and I was totally encouraged. Thanks God for bring such great friends into my life and allowing me to see them with perfect timing. You are such an amazing God. Thanks for giving me someone to share my thoughts and prayers with this week when I couldn't see my other friends.

Airline Story (I am sure you can relate)

Story time: Flight back to Guatemala

My plane was scheduled back to Guatemala on the 3rd of July from JFK. I was extremely sick and needed to be drinking lots of water. At this point, I have no idea what is wrong with me. I did manage to make it to the airport. Our flight was on time and everything seemed to be fine. We boarded the plane and the first announcement was there was no water usage on the plane. Therefore, they were going to be bringing bottled water on the plane which might cause a little delay. Finally we cruised out to the runway for about fifteen minutes. Then the pilot comes on with an announcement that they are delayed in Atlanta and we are going to just wait to take off for about twenty minutes. Five minutes later he says “To save on fuel we are going to shut the engines down.” The engines shut down and the next thing we know there is no air conditioning as well as no air. I ask the flight attendant for a glass of ice and water. Meanwhile, breathing in the cup for fresh air, two men (one from some African country and the other a rather large white man) began arguing back and forth because the pilot was at the front of the plane making announcements we couldn't hear. The flight attendant threated to kick them off the plane. I was about to ask her if I could be kicked off the plane. Twenty minutes later a small truck tows us back to the airport. Two hours later after trying to figure out if our plane would be fixed and if my luggage would go with me, I decided to stay on the same airplane. Needless to say, I missed my connecting flight. I must have looked terrible when I arrived in Atlanta at the terminal because the attendant worked really fast and told me she was going to put me up in a Hotel for the evening. I got to the hotel and was able to rest. It was a nice break and I just wanted to lay down. I thanked God for just being able to rest a bit in a very nice hotel. The rest of the trip was adventurous but typical for Guatemala traveling on a bus.

Sick as a Dog!

What does it mean to be sick as a dog? I am mean I have been sick since June 29th and here it is the 18th of July. Now, am I as sick as a dog?
Some of my family is from Missouri area and some heritage in KY too. We have some fun saying and sometimes I find myself using them. I get very embarrassed. Do you have a term you could share with me to make me laugh of how you are feeling lately?
Please share laughter is good for the abs!

Home Church- Body of Believers

This past week my church (Central Christian) brought a group of wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ to our Ministry here in Gautemala. It was so great to see some old friends. Karen and Darren have been my friends for several years now and they were so encouraging to me. Teaching is very rewarding because of the kids but it was great to have them see me work with our kids. I have been sick now for the past three weeks and I am finally getting to the doctor tomorrow. Cindy blessed me with her sincere questions and also blessed me with a special gift. It was so comforting to see my friends. They worked so hard in painting our school and gave it a fresh look. It was neat to see them bring so many gifts for our children and the smiles they left along the path. Pastor Al came with his wife and two grand daughters. Pastor Al played our whole congregation in ping-pong and won every game but two. He is amazing. Even at 72 he climbed the hills to villages others didn't even attempt. He was very humble in his teaching and he encouraged me so much. Thanks Central for being a Church that cares about missions and puts others first. I love you!

Take me out to the Ball Game!

In August we are starting baseball/softball and it's very exciting because they have never had it organized before for them. They have never had all the gear and they haven't gotten the opportunity to really play. I am very thankful for a group of friends back home who gathered together and went shopping. They sent some much needed baseball equipement (helmets, bases, t's, catchers gear, nets, and wiffle balls) with a group who came here for a missions trip from our church. To my surprise we recieved everything we asked for and a throw up net. It was amazing! Again, feeling overwhelmed I called my friend Amy and she was so excited for me when we recieved the equipment. I am reminded that friends are a wonderful thing to have and the body of believers strengthen me with their willingness to do what it takes to help a friend help those in need. We are making a difference in the lives of our kids and I can't tell you how great it feels to give them the experience of competition and learning to work as a team. God is blessing us everyday in the sports ministry. I am awe struck by His greatness. These are some photo's with the net/wood for bases and we used bats from two kids who used to live in the the USA. Now we will have our very own equipement. Amen!

Diet Plan - Gaut to America "it works people"

Okay so I had gained some weight in Guatemala and after being in America five days it hit me. Stomache ache, bathroom visits, and eventually the smell of bacon led me to the road of vomit. I know it's not something everyone wants to hear but maybe it's what some need to hear. A new diet plan!!! Well, I just wanted to say my visit in NY was great despite the frequent trips to the bathroom! I received much needed shoes from my mom and much needed reading material from friends. We also got all of the blankets donanted to a village in my bag to take back with me. I was very pleased to know everything I had gone there for was accomplished even losing some weight. With walking the streets of NY for the first five days and losing everything I ate the next six, it made for a great time of fun in the states to lose weight. So you visit Guatemala for less then 6 months because 6 months you will gain weight. But go for a week long trip and maybe drink the water. Go back home and with in days you will lose 5-10 lbs. I promise or your money back. Wait... I didn't charge you for this advice but if I would have, it wouldn't have been a money back deal. That's how much I believe in it! I mean, am living it!

Safe Arrival to USA

I am in NY City and was able to spend a little time with my brother's family before they went to LA. My brother was ending a week long VBS at his church. It was a crazy time with lots of dancing and fun. I totally enjoyed the kids and thought it was a blast. My brother of course was Farmer Troy and the kids loved him. I was quite a favor in the audience because they all love Troy and Troy loves me. I recieved orange blankets from his youth group and then my brother had the kids hit two pinatas. Okay this is where the story get interesting. So instead of two strings and pulling the pinatas around Troy tied one of the pinatas on the end of a broom type stick. Which because the kids were so anxious to hit the pinata many of them did not stand back and few got hurt. So he decided to run with the second one and have them just tear into it. My thoughts were at the time... I am so glad God called me to Guatemala instead of my brother because of course after having been to seventeen birthday parties in Gaut I can see that putting up pinatas is an aquired skill. I think the kids would have done the same thing with Troy in Guat and this might have been just as insane. Lots of tears but also lots of laughter. My brother has such a great heart for kids. I loved watching him teach the kids about Jesus. I didn't cry because I was hit by a pinata stick but I did tear up after hearing the story of a little boy wanting to do sweet things for his mother after attending VBS and knowing Jesus wants him to be a helper. I know it meant a lot to my brother because he puts so much energy into everything he does. It's nice to hear of the fruit of his service. I love you Troy!
Also, being here I was able to spend the entire day with my nephew and he is amazing. He has such a large vocabulary and he loves some of the same things I do. He loves the number 2, apples (which I have realized I love yellow and red ones in Guat), and he loves talking on the phone. My poor sweet nephew had to visit the doctor to get his shots and it was not a happy site. He looked at me and cried mama..... I tried to hide so I wasn't left in his mind of the person who was with him at the doctors office but later that evening Jonny sat beside me with him and he burst into tears. (I told her it was probably a reminder of his shots). Oh well. we made up prettyy quickly. I love Huck so much.... bye

Me Papa!

Well, it was Father's Day and I was busy preparing for my trip to the States and then just got preoccupied with meetings. The next thing I know, it was nine in the evening and we were at a missionary families house. We were wishing him a happy Father's Day and then it hit me. Oh no! I haven't called my father. Because I am an early morning caller on special events dad had gotten a little nervous. When I called he seemed so relieved. He was so sweet and we talked for an hour and a half. WOW! I couldn't believe it. It was as if he didn't want to get off the phone with me. I had to tell him I was heading to the states but not to Wichita. It about broke my heart. He was quite for a moment and then said but you are coming in Oct. right? It was all my little heart could do to not cry on the phone. I got a chance to go to NY because we have to travel outside of the country to renew our visas. I was planning on going to Hondorus and check out the sights. But the trip got canceled so then I was hoping to go to Wichita. After looking at prices it was twice as expensive to go to Wichita then NY. Then after talking with my brother about the possiblity to go to NY. It was exciting to know his church was going to present blankets to a village we sponsor here. Because he is wanting to have me accept them, it's a great opportunity to talk with his church and share the ministry I am involved in with them. Plus it's our mom's birthday that weekend and it's been exciting to know I will still get to see her on her special day. Please pray for my dad as he is really enjoying his life right now and be able to help others. He is not yet a believer! My heart prays for our eyes to join in Oct. God Bless. I miss you daddy!

Some Come and Some Go

My roommate has decided to go to language school and pursue her dream of writing. She will be missed and I thought I would contribute a small blog in her honor. I thought about some of the things she has taught me. Jello rolls (which, I think at night she was putting in my stomache because it's looking like I had too many), maps and locations of cities in Guat, how strong toes and fingers can be when you have been in gymanastics your whole life, cereal can be eating late at night in bed, photos can go for a lot of money if put in the right frame, you can change colors of pants without spilling something on them and late night talks have a way of bring about lots of laughter. God Bless you Amie as you travel and find where God has placed you for His purpose.
Two additional missionaries have joined the team recently, Josh and Ryan. They have been great to get to know and God continues to bless this ministry with addtional help. So far Josh (a RN) has witnessed a kid at recess bust his nose into a bar and a little girl break her arm just running out to recess. He has been great in working with our secretaries and teaching first aid to our kids. Ryan has been working extremely hard grading papers and much needed maintance work. He has been a great addition. Please continue to pray as our ministry continues to change and grow. God Bless!

Shockwave!

There are a few things my old roommate wanted me to share with you all on my blog. I would like to share with you right now things that have surprised me or even shocked me since I have been here. One thing that is a little shocking is the size of bugs. They have a bug here called the rhino bettle. It's about three inches long and one inch thick. It flys to the groud and craws slowly towards anything it can crawl up. One night during a volleyball match one crawled up my leg it was extremely scary.
Another surprising thing was seeing people carrying water on their heads in jars but talking on cell phones. But it shouldn't be that surprising. I thought the jugs were clay and when I went to a store here they were plastic. I just thought that was a little smarter then clay.
Feet- people here walk everywhere and some walk barefoot. It simply is not unusual to see women walking with flat sandles and her children not wearing shoes. The weather is not bad for this because it usually rains and going bearfoot is the best way to not have to clean your shoes, I guess.
Most everyone here wears white socks with black shoes and color of clothes doesn't really matter nor the pattern. So basically anything goes here so you don't have to worry about matching. Although, most of the shops here sell name brand clothes or at least put the name brand on their clothes. It's interesting to see top brand clothes names being wore by most of the city people. They dress very stylish and look very Americanized.
Did you know they have a bug here that goes into your skin and it doesn't stop iching until it dies. So some bug bites will stay iching for about ten days. Right now I have about fifteen on my feet. I woke up about 3 am because they were bothering me so bad. But it caused me to read my bible so that's a good thing, right?
I will have a picture of the rhino bettle soon for those who want to see it. Just a few things I haven't shared much on my blog... I hope you enjoyed the insight.

School Trip with Junior High and High School

This year we took the kids to Guatamala City and to Antigua. It was a great time of visiting museums, the national theater and the zoo. I was very impressed with their zoo but forgot my camera on the bus. We stayed the evening under a eight car garage in tents because it was raining. It was still a lot of fun. We played "Chubby Bunny" and "Honey if you love me smile". It was great to listen to them speak in English and we laughed until we couldn't laugh anymore. I won the chubby bunny contest and one of the kids said to me "I am impressed Miss Tina you really have a big mouth." After fourteen marshmellows stuffed in my mouth, I have to say they got some good pictures of me. Alittle embarrassing. Two of the kids who went with us, father was murdered and therefore they had a body guard with us the entire time. The two boys changed out the peace rose in one on the museums and it was a very touching moment for me. Those two boys are so loved by this school and I am thankful they have their friends here to love on them. They smiled a lot this trip it was very good to laugh.

Youth Group teaching kids!

I volunteered to help with the youth group here and it has been a lot of fun. They minister to a village called Acamal. It's about fifteen minutes away from our town. They use car batteries to have lights in their homes. That day we used a battery to work the keyboard. There is a nice new church on the top of the hill where they worship. Inn Ministries helped pay for the construction. The pastor of their church works through Inn Ministries and provides them with a full time pastor. We were able to visit them this past Sunday and it was a ton of fun. Our youth did a great job and it reminded me of being back at my old church working with kids. The interesting thing about this VBS is the kids didn't speak spanish. There are several languages in different villages and these kids speak a lanugage which has recently been translated for them to have bibles. They were very interested in having fun and loved it when I got on the piano and taught one of the guys a song. Well, it wasn't a christian song but it was fun "Hey, hey baby!" Anyway we played games and then fed them a snack. It was only about two hours but it was so beautiful at the top of the hill. God truly cares about everyone.

Sports: A Success 4 Him!

This is Marianna and she is such a sweetheart. We had them fill out sheets on what they liked about sports club and what they didn't like. Marianna gave a great responds to this question and I wanted to share it with you. "I like sports club because it teaches you how to do sports better and also biblical applications along with it." I am very excited to hear there have been positive results because of sports here at the school. Joshua wrote, "I like sports club because the kids don't get mad when they mess up and it's a lot more fun that way." They are not used to having to be places on time and to start things as scheduled. It's been great to see them coming to practice early and gaining responisibility. Sports club has been good with teaching them to balance school work and sports. A few had to quit because of grades while others perservered through. Sports Club has taught me it's important they learn how to have fun with something and still gain an understanding of responsibility. I was very proud of these girls and boys. They are all sad these sports have ended but they are pumped about basketball getting ready to start up. We had fifteen girls at our first basketball practice and it was exciting to see them play through the rain and make a good transition in sports.