Hello Family & Friends!
We arrived safely without incident and went straight to bed. It was an early morning start, leaving at 7 AM to drive to the village. We got the walls built with metal studs and put up drywall and cement board. Also did the first coat of drywall mud. I was able to speak with Maria and her 5 children in Spanish, and also talk w/the many children who came to see what we were doing. (Not perfectly, but okay). I think I will try to read a Spanish book to them tomorrow. The elevation isn’t bothering me too much. We are at about 6000 ft at base camp and about 7000 feet at the village. The mountains are beautiful! It is quite an adventure to be here – you just have to experience it. Keep praying for us. Love, Char
Good Morning, mi esposo! Wake up was at 5:oo AM and we will be getting on the road shortly. My goal for today is to try to remember the kids’ names. (I’m blaming it on the altitude). So, I’m off in search of masking tape and a marker so I can label them. By the way, customs went very smoothly and all the medicines got through. The coffee is wonderful here! You will have to come on a trip just for that! Bye for now. LOVE YOU!!
Hope all is going well! We are praying for you all!
Wanted to let you know I sent a note out today for our next care group meeting and it will be next Sunday, Feb 28 at our house. Maybe you and John can share a few things at the meeting and we will do a Nooma DVD.
Please tell the kids “Hola” from Lynn in Michigan and I’m praying for them!
Hi Char, Glad for your safe arrival. We are praying for you and the group. Didn’t get online yesterday. Had to show the house. Will be in touch. Mom and Dad
Hola Sweetheart!! Glad everything went well with the arrival. Sounds like a very busy first day but rewarding. Don’t stick to much tape on the kids or their folks will wonder what the crazy gringo lady is doing. Cats are doing good, they miss you and I miss you even more!! Stay health and in one piece. LOVE YOU!!
Hello Everyone!
Workday #2 is complete. They ordered pizza from Domino’s for us tonight! It seems like we are in another world when we are up on the mountain. The end of the road is actually in our village. I ended up not labeling the kids, but instead tried to focus on learning just the names of the kids in our family and a few others. The father in the family was standing and watching us this AM, so I asked him if he wanted to help and showed him how to spread the mud. He also helped with the stucco. After our work was done with mudding and stucco-ing, we played games with the kids. They caught on very well to London Bridges and the phrase that they remembered from the game was “lock him up.” So they were saying that as the accompanied us back to the van. I don’t think they know what it means. Maybe I’ll tell them tomorrow! Well, I need to go get some pizza. More tomorrow! Thank you for all your prayers.
Hola Sweetie! Hope you had a good day at work. How are things in the man-cave? :>) You would enjoy the roads up in the mountains. Some descents are probably about a 60 degree slope and you feel like you’re going over the top on a roller coaster. We were joking about throwing our hands up and screaming. Parts of the road are so rough that it feels like you’re riding a mechanical bull! On our way back to the base tonight, I got a baggie out of my backpack and offered “Ibuprofin anyone?” Had a couple of takers. Sandy M and Sharla and I plan to use Romans 8:38-39 in our house. I’ll write the verse on the wall with a marker and they will decorate the walls. Well, I miss you, too! Keep on praying. LOVE YOU LOTS!! Char
What an adventure you must be having!! How is your spanish working out, can they understand your yankee accent? All is good back here in the man-cave. Looking forward to the weekend and some relaxation. Domino’s Pizza!!! Wow, you are really roughing it. :>))
Hope your Friday goes well. All My Love!!!
Dan
Hello Family and Friends,
We had a great day finishing up our houses, and all of the families accepted Christ! The husband & wife in the house that I worked on were already Christians, and they rededicated their lives to Christ. I thought that I could tell they already were from the glow/joy on their faces when I first met them, but we didn’t know for sure until Hermano Jesus, the local pastor presented the gospel and asked them. The kids all gave me good hugs when we left. My little amigo Elmes hardly left my side during the afternoon. Well, it’s time for dinner. More tomorrow!
Hola , Sweetie!
Hope you had a good Friday and are kicking back for a rest tonight. You will be happy to know that I am eating the meal every day in the village, as Dan Smith assured us that the women who prepare it have been well-trained in sanitation. Today we had tostados with guacamole and a tomato sauce on top. Soooo delicious! They have avocado trees growing right there, so it was as fresh as you can get. I drank 2 liters of water today and I’m still thirsty. Well, gotta go get dinner. LOVE YOU BACK!!!! Char
Char, sounds like you’re teamed up with my daughterinlaw Sandy & Sharla!! Those are two wonderful Christian women who love the Lord.
what an adventure, been praying for the whole group. No one’s gotten sick?
Hello, Faye – Yes, and we had alot of fun decorating the house together yesterday! The poster, piece of lace and valance that Sharla brought looked great with the darker mint green of the walls. They actually had some of the wall color in them. It’s a God thing! Sandy is so fun, and the kids loved to touch her curly hair. We are having a great experience!. Keep on praying! Char
Hi Char – Certain that your joy and faithfulness are a blessing to the those you are near and that God may even be increasing that which is within you. Can’t wait to see you when you return! – Jim
Hi Char, So nice to read of all that you are doing. Dad and I are so pleased that you are serving the Lord in so many ways there. We are praying for you. You and your team are accomplishing so much. God bless each of you. M and D
Good Morning Family & Friends!
We had a great day at the first medical clinic, though my energy was very low. I helped fill prescription bags as they came down the line following the diagnosis. Dan Smith has a good system going – very organized. He’s doing a great work for God down here. We held the clinic at a local school, and kept the children entertained (mostly Sandy, Sharla and Nancy) in the schoolyard with sidewalk chalk, games and the small gifts that everyone donated. The bouncy balls and sunglasses were a big hit, as well as the “dulces” (candy). If you want to feel like a rock star, just open a bag of candy around these kids! I gave my testimony at the service following the clinic, but not in Spanish – it would take too long and who knows what I would actually be saying :>) More tomorrow!
Hola, Sweetie!
Still having fun here. You will have to experience this for yourself. I told the guys that you didn’t feel called to come, and Terry Sikkema said, “We should have called him on the phone!” How are you and the cats? There was something in a dream I had last night that I had packed one of the cats in a suitcase and forgot to get him out when I got home, so he was in there for 2 days! Today we are going down to the coast where it will be very hot & muggy. I’ve been having sinus headaches here, so I think I will pre-medicate with ibuprofen since we will be having a change in climate. Well, have a good Sunday. Keep on praying! Miss you!!. Love, Char
Hey My Love!! Glad you are having a great time and know you are being a blessing to those you meet. God works in some very interesting ways. Sorry to hear about the sinus headache, and hope you feel better before the trip home. The cats and I are having a good time around the house, nothing to exciting though. Cali is a gluton for attention and Mojo just won’t warm up to anything except food, but I am working on him. I went to the movies last night, saw Sherlock Holmes (a really good action adventure) and then went to get a new pair of tennis shoes. Relaxing today after a great service this morning, watching the olympics and golf. Can’t wait to see you when you get home as we all miss you. What time is your flight scheduled to arrive in Detroit? Stay safe and enjoy all the opportunities to witness that the Lord is providing while you are there. I am praying for you every day. Love you and miss you very much.
Dan
ps: whatever people tell you I having been eating while you were gone are probably not totally accurate!!! :>))
Hello Family, Friends, and Care Group!
We went to the coast yesterday but we were all asking, “Where’s the beach?” We were up in the mountains again and talk about rough roads! I think there were angels pushing on the back of the vans to get us down into the village (El Tarrel) and back out. At least that is what I was praying. It felt like a really hard day at the medical clinic yesterday. The people were not as easy to engage in the activities in the “waiting room” (schoolyard). The boys would play a little bit, but none of the girls would enter in. Must be a very male-dominated culture there. Dan Smith and the nurse practitioner again treated about 250 people total. A few people came to receive Christ after the service, so pray for them as it feels like they are in the minority and may be treated badly by their neighbors. Dan Smith said he will probably go there again as he feels we have more work to do there. See you soon!
Hola Sweetie!
I knew you wouldn’t follow my menu! But that’s okay, I just wanted to make sure you had something that you could eat every day. Our plane is supposed to get in to Detroit around 3 PM, I think. We have to leave the base about 4:30 AM to make sure that we miss the traffic and get to the airport on time. There will be alot of wait time there. Glad you are taking such good care of the cats. Hope they will remember me and not be too scared when I come in. We got back to the base about midnight last night and today is a fun day – shopping! We are going to Antigua, which I read has alot of old Spanish colonial buildings and is a tourist destination. Have a good day at work today! Miss you, too! Love, Char
P.S. Honey,
Maybe you should keep your old tennis shoes to bring to Guatemala if you want to come sometime. Also, would you get me some Meijer brand pro-biotic yogurt? Thanks. LOVE YOU!! Char
Hello Family, Friends and Care Group –
We had our fun day in Antigua today. We ate lunch at the Pollo Campero, which is like KFC, except they wait on you. Also had something to drink at McDonalds later. What a beautiful restaurant. They had a seating area in a courtyard with a fountain! We spent the rest of the time shopping at the open air market. Well, time for devotions. Dan, I will call you when I get to Houston. Thanks for everyone’s prayers!
Safe travels and hope the group has a wonderful experience!!
Charlene:
Be safe and have a wonderful experience. I am thinking about you and the rest of the group.
Nikki
Hello Family & Friends!
We arrived safely without incident and went straight to bed. It was an early morning start, leaving at 7 AM to drive to the village. We got the walls built with metal studs and put up drywall and cement board. Also did the first coat of drywall mud. I was able to speak with Maria and her 5 children in Spanish, and also talk w/the many children who came to see what we were doing. (Not perfectly, but okay). I think I will try to read a Spanish book to them tomorrow. The elevation isn’t bothering me too much. We are at about 6000 ft at base camp and about 7000 feet at the village. The mountains are beautiful! It is quite an adventure to be here – you just have to experience it. Keep praying for us. Love, Char
Good Morning, mi esposo! Wake up was at 5:oo AM and we will be getting on the road shortly. My goal for today is to try to remember the kids’ names. (I’m blaming it on the altitude). So, I’m off in search of masking tape and a marker so I can label them. By the way, customs went very smoothly and all the medicines got through. The coffee is wonderful here! You will have to come on a trip just for that! Bye for now. LOVE YOU!!
Hola my amigo,
Que tal?
Hope all is going well! We are praying for you all!
Wanted to let you know I sent a note out today for our next care group meeting and it will be next Sunday, Feb 28 at our house. Maybe you and John can share a few things at the meeting and we will do a Nooma DVD.
Please tell the kids “Hola” from Lynn in Michigan and I’m praying for them!
Take care and don’t drink the water!
Hi Char, Glad for your safe arrival. We are praying for you and the group. Didn’t get online yesterday. Had to show the house. Will be in touch. Mom and Dad
Hola Sweetheart!! Glad everything went well with the arrival. Sounds like a very busy first day but rewarding. Don’t stick to much tape on the kids or their folks will wonder what the crazy gringo lady is doing. Cats are doing good, they miss you and I miss you even more!! Stay health and in one piece. LOVE YOU!!
Hello Everyone!
Workday #2 is complete. They ordered pizza from Domino’s for us tonight! It seems like we are in another world when we are up on the mountain. The end of the road is actually in our village. I ended up not labeling the kids, but instead tried to focus on learning just the names of the kids in our family and a few others. The father in the family was standing and watching us this AM, so I asked him if he wanted to help and showed him how to spread the mud. He also helped with the stucco. After our work was done with mudding and stucco-ing, we played games with the kids. They caught on very well to London Bridges and the phrase that they remembered from the game was “lock him up.” So they were saying that as the accompanied us back to the van. I don’t think they know what it means. Maybe I’ll tell them tomorrow! Well, I need to go get some pizza. More tomorrow! Thank you for all your prayers.
Hola Sweetie! Hope you had a good day at work. How are things in the man-cave? :>) You would enjoy the roads up in the mountains. Some descents are probably about a 60 degree slope and you feel like you’re going over the top on a roller coaster. We were joking about throwing our hands up and screaming. Parts of the road are so rough that it feels like you’re riding a mechanical bull! On our way back to the base tonight, I got a baggie out of my backpack and offered “Ibuprofin anyone?” Had a couple of takers. Sandy M and Sharla and I plan to use Romans 8:38-39 in our house. I’ll write the verse on the wall with a marker and they will decorate the walls. Well, I miss you, too! Keep on praying. LOVE YOU LOTS!! Char
What an adventure you must be having!! How is your spanish working out, can they understand your yankee accent? All is good back here in the man-cave. Looking forward to the weekend and some relaxation. Domino’s Pizza!!! Wow, you are really roughing it. :>))
Hope your Friday goes well. All My Love!!!
Dan
Hello Family and Friends,
We had a great day finishing up our houses, and all of the families accepted Christ! The husband & wife in the house that I worked on were already Christians, and they rededicated their lives to Christ. I thought that I could tell they already were from the glow/joy on their faces when I first met them, but we didn’t know for sure until Hermano Jesus, the local pastor presented the gospel and asked them. The kids all gave me good hugs when we left. My little amigo Elmes hardly left my side during the afternoon. Well, it’s time for dinner. More tomorrow!
Hola , Sweetie!
Hope you had a good Friday and are kicking back for a rest tonight. You will be happy to know that I am eating the meal every day in the village, as Dan Smith assured us that the women who prepare it have been well-trained in sanitation. Today we had tostados with guacamole and a tomato sauce on top. Soooo delicious! They have avocado trees growing right there, so it was as fresh as you can get. I drank 2 liters of water today and I’m still thirsty. Well, gotta go get dinner. LOVE YOU BACK!!!! Char
Char, sounds like you’re teamed up with my daughterinlaw Sandy & Sharla!! Those are two wonderful Christian women who love the Lord.
what an adventure, been praying for the whole group. No one’s gotten sick?
Hello, Faye – Yes, and we had alot of fun decorating the house together yesterday! The poster, piece of lace and valance that Sharla brought looked great with the darker mint green of the walls. They actually had some of the wall color in them. It’s a God thing! Sandy is so fun, and the kids loved to touch her curly hair. We are having a great experience!. Keep on praying! Char
Hi Char – Certain that your joy and faithfulness are a blessing to the those you are near and that God may even be increasing that which is within you. Can’t wait to see you when you return! – Jim
Hi Char, So nice to read of all that you are doing. Dad and I are so pleased that you are serving the Lord in so many ways there. We are praying for you. You and your team are accomplishing so much. God bless each of you. M and D
Good Morning Family & Friends!
We had a great day at the first medical clinic, though my energy was very low. I helped fill prescription bags as they came down the line following the diagnosis. Dan Smith has a good system going – very organized. He’s doing a great work for God down here. We held the clinic at a local school, and kept the children entertained (mostly Sandy, Sharla and Nancy) in the schoolyard with sidewalk chalk, games and the small gifts that everyone donated. The bouncy balls and sunglasses were a big hit, as well as the “dulces” (candy). If you want to feel like a rock star, just open a bag of candy around these kids! I gave my testimony at the service following the clinic, but not in Spanish – it would take too long and who knows what I would actually be saying :>) More tomorrow!
Hola, Sweetie!
Still having fun here. You will have to experience this for yourself. I told the guys that you didn’t feel called to come, and Terry Sikkema said, “We should have called him on the phone!” How are you and the cats? There was something in a dream I had last night that I had packed one of the cats in a suitcase and forgot to get him out when I got home, so he was in there for 2 days! Today we are going down to the coast where it will be very hot & muggy. I’ve been having sinus headaches here, so I think I will pre-medicate with ibuprofen since we will be having a change in climate. Well, have a good Sunday. Keep on praying! Miss you!!. Love, Char
Hey My Love!! Glad you are having a great time and know you are being a blessing to those you meet. God works in some very interesting ways. Sorry to hear about the sinus headache, and hope you feel better before the trip home. The cats and I are having a good time around the house, nothing to exciting though. Cali is a gluton for attention and Mojo just won’t warm up to anything except food, but I am working on him. I went to the movies last night, saw Sherlock Holmes (a really good action adventure) and then went to get a new pair of tennis shoes. Relaxing today after a great service this morning, watching the olympics and golf. Can’t wait to see you when you get home as we all miss you. What time is your flight scheduled to arrive in Detroit? Stay safe and enjoy all the opportunities to witness that the Lord is providing while you are there. I am praying for you every day. Love you and miss you very much.
Dan
ps: whatever people tell you I having been eating while you were gone are probably not totally accurate!!! :>))
Hello Family, Friends, and Care Group!
We went to the coast yesterday but we were all asking, “Where’s the beach?” We were up in the mountains again and talk about rough roads! I think there were angels pushing on the back of the vans to get us down into the village (El Tarrel) and back out. At least that is what I was praying. It felt like a really hard day at the medical clinic yesterday. The people were not as easy to engage in the activities in the “waiting room” (schoolyard). The boys would play a little bit, but none of the girls would enter in. Must be a very male-dominated culture there. Dan Smith and the nurse practitioner again treated about 250 people total. A few people came to receive Christ after the service, so pray for them as it feels like they are in the minority and may be treated badly by their neighbors. Dan Smith said he will probably go there again as he feels we have more work to do there. See you soon!
Hola Sweetie!
I knew you wouldn’t follow my menu! But that’s okay, I just wanted to make sure you had something that you could eat every day. Our plane is supposed to get in to Detroit around 3 PM, I think. We have to leave the base about 4:30 AM to make sure that we miss the traffic and get to the airport on time. There will be alot of wait time there. Glad you are taking such good care of the cats. Hope they will remember me and not be too scared when I come in. We got back to the base about midnight last night and today is a fun day – shopping! We are going to Antigua, which I read has alot of old Spanish colonial buildings and is a tourist destination. Have a good day at work today! Miss you, too! Love, Char
P.S. Honey,
Maybe you should keep your old tennis shoes to bring to Guatemala if you want to come sometime. Also, would you get me some Meijer brand pro-biotic yogurt? Thanks. LOVE YOU!! Char
Hello Family, Friends and Care Group –
We had our fun day in Antigua today. We ate lunch at the Pollo Campero, which is like KFC, except they wait on you. Also had something to drink at McDonalds later. What a beautiful restaurant. They had a seating area in a courtyard with a fountain! We spent the rest of the time shopping at the open air market. Well, time for devotions. Dan, I will call you when I get to Houston. Thanks for everyone’s prayers!