I guess you take the good with the bad

This past week there has been some super happy times. My nephew had his second birthday and my gifts arrived on time. But I wasn't there to celebrate it with him. My coaches for sports club are truly enjoying coaching the public school kids. We still have one school who eats twenty minutes into the scheduled sports time. Our pastor (Mike) did several exams and they didn't find anything wrong which is wonderful but we don't know if his symptoms will be gone with just rest. Our girls volleyball team won again last night to a young girls team and even came from behind to win it. But I chased a ball in the ditch and slipped and lost functional movement in my back. Please pray I will recover quickly because this is not a good time to be laid up in bed. I guess I have time to work on the slide show for our big event on Saturday but with a lot of pain I might add.

Intermissions/ Relax / Making Friends

Well, we went to a missions conference in Antigua and it was very relaxing and interesting. For the first time they had a singles group and it was quite a range of people. From 60+ to 21 years old. Our leaders worked really hard trying to figure out how to make it all work. I enjoyed meeting some girls who worked in schools with sports as well. We shared info and it was pretty awesome to make some connections. The rest of the time I just laid in the sun and relaxed. Trying not to think about all the things I have going on right now. I am glad I went and got refreshed. The speaker talked in 2 Corinthians 3 and 4. It was enjoyable to understand we are living in a glorious time. We are participating in Christ's call to the church and there is such glory and honor in actually allowing Him to do his work through us! Amen?? No funny stories this time.. Just tired from the seven hour ride back home. Please pray for our Pastor as he has had health problems and is finally taking serious action to find out what is wrong. He stayed in Guatemala City to figure out what might be wrong. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks.

First Day for Everything

It was the first day for everything dealing with Sports here at the Inn. We had everything going full steam. First day to wear our new uniforms and play a competitive game. First win for the season beating the older ladies at the Inn in volleyball. First time Soccer Boys practiced and volleyball girls as well. First time we were able to enter the public schools and share our faith to the kids. First time for some of our kids to feel like All Stars with all the kids asking them for their autograph. Very cute! It was a great day thanks to time in prayer and giving Him all the Glory! We served 136 kids in four schools today and shared with them the story of creation. It was an exciting time. Many of them didn't have shoe, please pray we can reconcile the situation and get them shoes for their feet on the hot cement. Gracias!

Kids Day, Duck Duck Goose, Balloons and Pinatas

Accidents are Bound to Happen -Can you say Frogger?

Okay, a week ago I stopped at the front gate where my pocumchi friend was waiting on a bus. I asked her if she needed a ride. She said not that day but maybe another day. I said great let me know and she invited me to her house on Saturday. Saturday came and went and the next thing you know I am saying to her "Hey why didn't you have me over?" She laughed "Why didn't you come?" I didn't know where you lived" I replied. She said "well maybe someday." I then said "How about today?" She agreed and we were on our way. (sorry, songs pop in my head) I had no idea how far she lived. She told me it took her an hour and a half on foot to get to her house. I really had no idea it would be that far because it takes 20 minutes on foot to get to town for me and five minutes on my moto. Long story to the climax, it takes us a hour on moto to get to her house because she wanted me to go really slow. I get to her house and couldn't stay long because of the sun getting ready to set. Because the roads were so badly made it was a rough ride home. But as I am leaving her town there is a motorcycle with two guys on it and a dog biting at their feet as they drive by him. I decide to go around them so the dog will not notice me. Needless to say, the dog spotted me as I was zooming past the other moto and I shifted my body to the right side of my moto. The dog came at me full force and I proceeded for the ditch. As I knew I was going to crash I jumped from my moto and landed in the dirt. The dog sheepishly walked away like he did nothing wrong. The two guys looked back in disbelief that I wrecked because of a dumb dog. I jumped back on my moto and prayed it would start and it did. With a cracked front end and my front light lose and dangling, dirt on the right side of my body, I am sure I was a sight to see. I made it home in 30 minutes and I was thankful I wasn't seriously hurt. As I sat on my couch when I got home, one of my roommates looked at me very stunned. I was like "What?, why are your eyes big and looking at me crazy" She said in Spanish "Tu pelo es loca?" I guess my hair was a little messed up from the ride back, I didn't care. After playing extreme frogger and surviving the ultimate stage, all I wanted to do was drink my last Dr. Pepper. (Chinese voice) Not takon, when Guatemalan say hour and a half walk means, one hour bike ride with passenger and do it with a stick in hand for dogs.

Reaching our Goals

This year we have decided to have a basketball league. After discussing this, it became evident we needed to look at the condition of our goals. The goals we have right now are not solid goals. They are portable but very broken and almost unusable. To get people to come to our court from the community we need better goals. We need a facility, in which, people will be excited to play on, to reach more people for Christ. Therefore, I have decided the Sport Club will help in this endeavor to construct piping on top of our soccer goals so the goals are strong and secure, yet still portable. Thanks to Brad and Scott (friend here in Guat), we will be starting on the construction for the goals soon. Please pray for the cost to be minimal and we can get this done soon. Thanks for your prayers in helping us get things developed with Sports here. It's been an exciting year so far and we haven't even started.
Many people have been asking me what my needs are down here. I tell them equipment for the public schools and they want me to be specific. Okay, imagine if you will, a school where there is one teacher for three grades, another school 30 kids in each classroom with no PE and minimal recess, and another where the teachers ask the students to take their shoes off outside the door because it tracks mud in the class room from their journey to school in the rain (most of them don't wear socks)the teacher are also the cleaning people. They can't afford PE teachers, therefore, I am starting with nothing to try and bring the light of Jesus and PE to these schools. I am praying to buy enough balls for 60 kids each school in order to have a PE classes. We are going to be teaching Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Football and Baseball. We are teaching in three schools but our goal is eight this year.
Here is a list of needs: Prayer for strength for our coaches. We could use $500.00 each school to buy balls, cones, nets, bases, bats and shoes. We need $500.00 to buy bibles in Spanish and Pocumchi to give to 8 schools we are praying to reach by June (each bible is about $12.00). These are a few of our goals. If you can help us reach our goals, it would be wonderful to partner with you.

Sports Club - Begins Soon

I am very excited to report I have 10 students from our school signed up to be coaches and they are taking it very serious. This week we did role playing and it helped them understand the importance of not judging a book by its cover. Each kid will challenge them in some way and sometimes there might be issues at home. We had a lot of fun getting out the balls and having them demonstrate their coaching skills.

This year we have amazing news because we were able to get into three Public Schools (because of my Spanish class connections) and will be able to teach them Sports/the bible for an hour. I am very excited about this opportunity and need your prayers as we begin the process of getting organized. We have two weeks before we enter the schools and there is a lot of preparation before March 1st. I prayed for supplies for the Public Schools and just today I got an e-mail from a friend who is going to be helping financially with some of the cost. It's amazing how fast God can work!
Please pray for Juan Carlos, Billy, Jonathan, Pedro, Kimmy- top row and Diane, Karin, Tuti,Morgan and Elisa-bottom row. They will be leading the way in doing extraordinary things for Jesus! Amen to answered prayer!

Internet Dating - On Valentine's Day

Well, I know you would never see a title like this a year ago. But a year ago I wasn't dating anyone. I got back to the States and by the Will of God I got back with my ex-boyfriend Scott. Crazy thing was God still sent me to Guatemala but with just a little bit better technology. I have Skype now thanks to my great friend Kevin Mills. I was able to spend time this Valentine with my sweet guy Scott on the internet. We both have web cams and this makes life a little bit better being so far apart. I want you to know it was an awesome valentine's date and very romantic. Even though we were miles apart God supplied the perfect way for us to spend time with each other and have a little date. I know you are thinking (that's a little cheesy) but I have to tell you it was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Scott has won my heart a million times over. Each day he has grown closer to being the man God has designed him to be and it's awesome to be apart of his growth and strength. I am in awe of how God can bring even an impossible situation into such a perfect time for me to know God loves me.
I am loved and I am thankful.

What would we do without games and balls

So today we took around 80 kids to a families Ranch home for games and to spend time with their teachers. It was really fun to watch them play and enjoy each other. Several people from my singles group back in the States gave me money for new soccer balls and they were put to use today. I also bought a large basketball which we used for kick ball. They call it Kitball (which I think it hilarious). The place we played at was just wonderful. It reminded me a lot of China with crops growing on the mountains. By the end of the day we had destroyed the big basketball with a cactus and we ran out of water. I was in charge of taking photos and just loving on the kids. I think they had a great time. Only a few got injured and most just had plain old fun. I am very tired and need to take a nap! Today reminded me of my lack on energy lately, I will not claim I am getting old!

Survival with the Lewis Kids

Recently, the Lewis's headed to the States for another trip to raise more money. They needed someone to watch the kids for about a week and a half. Note they have five kids (Kimmy, Becca, Jed, Chris and Ahava) and a dog (Poochies). We have had a great time so far. Only ten times have we lost the Chihuahua "Poochies" and of course found him outside because someone left the door open. I have been woken up by crying, only to find little Ahava (the littlest Lewis) had slipped on the steps going up the stairs in house slippers.
No fights so far only fun stories, here is one they can add to their collection. We went to Coban (which is a town about twenty minutes away) to get food and play. Before we left we needed to stop by the market again to pick up onions. As we waited for Kimmy to return with the onions, we notice men with automatic guns and tons of ammunition. While we were talking about how they were probably drug runners or something, Kimmy got back into the truck. Of course, I never notice this and Brad started to drive off. Brad is a character and always does things to annoy people. I thought he was up to his same tricks and was getting angry with him. I told him he needed to head back to get Kimmy. He thought it was funny I hadn't notice and wanted to push the envelope. We turned towards out of town and I asked him to turn around right away. Then I feel this gentle hand touch my shoulder and there was Kimmy in the backseat smiling. It's been an adventure so far and it's been two days.
Please pray for the Lewis's to raise enough money for the rest of the year. Pray for protection for their kids as I am watching them for the next week and a half. What great kids they have raised and such helpers. It's been fun and encouraging for the future.

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.