August 28, 2007

Jayme left this afternoon to go back to school. She was asked by the airline if she would be willing to take a flight tomorrow and receive a free round trip ticket to use later. She was willing, but they found they didn't need anyone to give up their seat. No extra day with her, and no free ticket. :( We miss her already. I wish it got easier to see your kids leave. We were blessed to have all of them visit us this summer.
Here's a cute picture of Jayme and her daddy.

August 18, 2007

Evan
Alabama Cowboy

I have several things to write about today. First of all, our grandson, Evan, celebrated his first birthday on July 24! He is learning to walk and is doing really well.

That same day, Jayme flew down to visit us! (She finished her summer internship the day before.) She and three other students made guitars and tested the sound quality of the wood. They still lack putting the finish on their guitars. She will be returning to school for her junior year on August 28. :( We will certainly miss her. She and I have been able to make a few needed clothes for her to take back to school.

Jayme

Iximche, Guatemala

Drew, Rachel and Evan arrived on August 9 for a two week visit. We have had great fun with them. Today Drew had his wisdom teeth out. We have a good oral surgeon who has now extracted Jayme's, Erin's and Drew's wisdom teeth. Anyone else need theirs done??? Drew and family leave August 23 :( - Rachel's birthday. (Also my brother, Kris', birthday.)

Drew, Rachel & Evan

Yesterday, August 17, was Isaiah's first birthday. Our two grandson's are no longer little babies! I envy grandmothers who live close to their grandchildren.

Isaiah
"See this cool rock I found?"

Ken has made several trips to Patzún this past week, working on administrative things for Ministerios Alfa y Omega. Please pray for him that he will make wise decisions.

July 16, 2007 - Our Three Interns

Our summer interns are doing a GREAT job in Patzún. They are living with local families from the church, teaching English in the Ministerios Alfa y Omega school, working with the youth in the church, getting a lot of experience in mixing cement by hand, and building with cinder block. Thanks for all your hard work, Daniel, Sarah and Josh!!! (The above picture was taken at the Mayan ruins, Iximche - the ancient Kakchiquel capital near Tecpán.)

July 14, 2007 - Bible Dedication

Ken arrived back home last night from being away 4 days. Tuesday he picked up the three interns in Patzun. On Wed. he drove to Huehuetenango - then La Democracia, not far from the Mexican border. Early Thurs. morning (3:00 a.m.!) they started driving to San Mateo Ixtatán, for the Bible dedication in the San Mateo Chuj language. The San Mateo Chuj people now have the whole Bible in the language they understand! Over 3,000 Bibles were sold that day. Other dedications in other towns were planned for Friday and Saturday.

Fellow CAMer's David and Helen Ekstrom added this translation to their work of love.






It had rained heavily beforehand and at one point in the road the caravan of 59 cars and trucks going to the dedication came to a very steep switch-back, which caused problems for some of the heavier vehicles. Someone finally called for a grader to clean the mud away. Because of all the muddy roads, the caravan didn't arrive at the site of the dedication at 9:00 a.m. as planned, but three hours later. (They were going to be fed breakfast at 9:00, but that was canceled for obvious reasons. The dedication started at 12:25 p.m. - They still hadn't eaten anything. Ken and the interns finally each got to eat a hot dog around 4:00 p.m. which held them over until they had a real meal at supper time back in Huehuetenango! That made for some hungry people!) One of the interns said that one thing they have learned while being here is that you cannot always make set plans!
By the way, today is my beloved father's 82nd birthday. Happy Birthday, Daddy!!!

July 7, 2007 - Lake St. Louis Group

The group from Lake St. Louis was here from June 19-July 3. They accomplished several things in Patzún. The young people, along with their adult leaders poured a lot of concrete. Mixing the concrete by hand and transporting it in wheel barrows is quite different than calling up the cement company and having them send out a cement truck! They also built several walls (for rooms) with cinder blocks.
Several times they were able to perform a mime they had prepared. They performed it for the church, a national school, and near the market place.
However, not all was hard work and ministry. They were able to go to Iximche, the ancient Kakchiquel capital. The ruins are fun to climb. Behind the ruins, Mayan rituals can be seen. It's sad to see people looking for spiritual help in the wrong place. The group also went to Panajachel and Santiago on beautiful Lake Atitlán.

June 8 2007

The evening of June 6, Erin, Scott and Isaiah left to go back home. We miss them. It's hard not having family close by. However, it was GREAT having them here for three weeks. (Erin even had her wisdom teeth out while she was here!)

The same day, we picked up two summer interns at the airport. Josh and Daniel will be working in Patzun through July. Another intern, Sarah, will be coming on June 18 to also work in Patzun. We are again in Panajachel for Josh and Daniel's orientation , but Ken will be taking them to Patzun today. Ken will go on to the capital on Sunday afternoon. I will stay in Pana. this time. Lord willing Ken will return sometime next week.

A work group of 21 people from Chapel of the Lake is coming June 19-July 3, to work in Patzun.

We'll be busy, but will try to keep you posted on what's going on.

Kids Visit

May 16th was a happy day for us. Daughter, Erin, and family (husband, Scott, and son, Isaiah) and son, Kyle, and his girlfriend, Ashleigh, came down to visit us. We went to places of interest here in the capital, then went to Antigua, Patzún and Panajachel. While in Pana. we went across Lake Atitlán to visit the town of Santiago. Kyle and Ashleigh had to leave to go back to the States on Saturday, May 26. Erin and family are here until June 6. We sure have enjoyed having them all here.

(Son, Drew, and family and daughter, Jayme, will come in August!)













Erin, Scott and Isaiah






























Kyle and Ashleigh