January 11, 2010

We arrived back home in Guatemala around 11:00 p.m., Dec. 31. A new intern, Sarah, came with us. She will be living with us and teaching English in Patzun for the next 10 months. We brought our suitcases in the house, then left to attend the last few minutes of a New Year's Eve party with fellow missionaries. We wanted Sarah to witness the fireworks that happen at midnight. (Much more than in the States.) The last several years, the fireworks have gotten pretty. When we first came to Guatemala 19 1/2 yrs. ago, the fireworks consisted of just noise! It sounded like a war had broken out. Now, at least, the sky is pretty. (There is still a lot of smoke in the air though.)

Sarah

On Saturday, Jan. 2, Ken and Sarah, along with another missionary and his adult daughter, who was visiting, climbed Pacaya - the volcano south of Guatemala City. They were able to get within 3 or 4 feet of a lava flow! They roasted hot dogs over hot rocks! It was a first for Sarah!

Since getting back from the States, we've been to Patzun twice, and Ken has been another time, plus Panajachel. Yesterday we showed Sarah Patzun's Sunday market (biggest market of the week). It was quite the CE (Cultural Experience) for her. She said she wouldn't complain about Wal-Mart being busy ever again!

The Kakchiquel radio station is progressing in their move. They have the new tower up as you saw in an earlier post. Construction has begun on the guard's two rooms, and the room for the transmitter. The radio committee is doing a great job.

Guard's two rooms and transmitter room

Ministerios Alfa y Omega has a new board. They all seem to be very willing and ready to work to seek God's will and to do it. We just found out last night that Guatemalan government has decided that school will start Jan. 18. That means we need to move into our two rooms (one for us and one for Sarah) at Alfa soon! It will definitely be a challenge to live there, but we'll enjoy being closer to the people. We'll need your prayers.

We also need to find a guard/gardener for our house in the capital. Please pray that we will find someone who is honest and hard working soon.