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.

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!)