Friday I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. I made brownies and my mother's cabbage roll recipe. (My little kitchen gets HOT!) In the late afternoon we drove to Patzún to attend the Friday night service at Alfa & Omega. They had a special service for Mother's Day - one day ahead. (Mother's Day is always on May 10th here, no matter what day of the week it is.) We drove back home after the celebration was over, because we needed to be home for Saturday's events.
Saturday morning: began with fellow missionary Dave Ekstrom arriving a few minutes after 7:00 a.m. We had a meeting of the youth team here at our house from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. I served various refreshments.
Lunch: We had invited Paul and Ruth Philippi to eat with us. It was fun having them here. (I served the cabbage rolls along with other things.) Dave joined us.
Saturday afternoon: We had another meeting! This time with the AMDET team (Auxiliary Ministries Development Team). We met (here in our home) from 2:00 to 5:00. I served refreshments again.
Dave E. and Mike Stephenson ate a late supper with us (left-overs). Dave spent the night with us then Ken took him to the bus station on Sunday morning at 6:15.
Sunday morning: Church - another Mother's Day service. Mike S. ate lunch with us. Ken and I were both able to call our mothers! (We can't always get through, especially on special days.) Two of our kids were able to call me.
Sunday evening: We went to a small birthday celebration for Mike S. at the Steve Sywulka home and had a good time visiting with fellow missionaries.
We had a busy week-end, but enjoyed it!
Quest
Here is a picture of the CAMers who attended "Quest", April 20-25. (I mentioned it in my last blog.) Ken and I are on the back row, close to the middle, and Larry and Jayme (my sister and her husband) are in the front row, fifth and sixth from the left. We had a great time with friends (and family) made several new friends, and learned a lot.
April 2-29, 2008 - Busy Trip to the States
We left Guatemala on April 2, to travel to the States. My parents (Cindy) needed help with the flooring in their den. Jayme and her friend, James, came from Berea, Kentucky, during her Spring break to help. My parents are really happy with their new floor.
While in Tulsa, we visited with several people who are thinking about coming down on a work/evangelism team in Patzún this summer.
For many years, we have had things stored in Dallas at Ken's parent's house. When they moved to Oklahoma, the things were moved to Ken's cousin's house. Then when he moved his family, the things were moved to CAM's facility. We needed to take them to our kids, so we borrowed Ken's parent's van and drove down to Dallas to pick the things up. We loaded them in the van, and left for Huntsville, Al, to take some of the things to Drew. We were able to stay with Drew, Rachel and Evan one day, then headed up to the Pittsburgh area to take things to Erin. One the way, we spent two hours (only two hours) :( with Jayme. We stayed one day with Erin, Scott and Isaiah, then headed back to Tulsa, by way of St. Louis, to see Ken's brother Keith and wife Janet. The whole trip was around 3000 miles, which we traveled in 6 days! It was quick and tiring, but we were glad that we were able to see 3 of our 4 kids, and had at least 24 hours with our two grandsons. (Minus naps and sleeping at night, of course.) We did miss getting to see Kyle, but California is a LONG way away and we just didn't have the time to go there. So sorry, Kyle.
Ken & Evan; Cindy & Isaiah
April 19, we went back to Texas to attend some meetings (called 'Quest') with other CAMers in Big Sandy. (April 20-25). We really enjoyed the interaction with other missionaries from different fields. It was a joy to have my sister Jayme and her husband Larry there too. We don't get to see each other very often, so we were glad to be together.
We were able to attend Lake Ridge Bible Church both April 20, and 27. I was also able to go to a ladies' brunch at Redeemer Bible Church yesterday morning (April 29) with my best friend, Charlane. John and Charlane were our gracious hosts the last four nights of our trip. We flew back to Guatemala last night.
While in Tulsa, we visited with several people who are thinking about coming down on a work/evangelism team in Patzún this summer.
We were also able to visit Ken's parents in Tahlequah, and his brother Karl and wife Judy, who were visiting from Pennsylvania.
the Spaugh & the Johnsons
the Spaugh & the JohnsonsFor many years, we have had things stored in Dallas at Ken's parent's house. When they moved to Oklahoma, the things were moved to Ken's cousin's house. Then when he moved his family, the things were moved to CAM's facility. We needed to take them to our kids, so we borrowed Ken's parent's van and drove down to Dallas to pick the things up. We loaded them in the van, and left for Huntsville, Al, to take some of the things to Drew. We were able to stay with Drew, Rachel and Evan one day, then headed up to the Pittsburgh area to take things to Erin. One the way, we spent two hours (only two hours) :( with Jayme. We stayed one day with Erin, Scott and Isaiah, then headed back to Tulsa, by way of St. Louis, to see Ken's brother Keith and wife Janet. The whole trip was around 3000 miles, which we traveled in 6 days! It was quick and tiring, but we were glad that we were able to see 3 of our 4 kids, and had at least 24 hours with our two grandsons. (Minus naps and sleeping at night, of course.) We did miss getting to see Kyle, but California is a LONG way away and we just didn't have the time to go there. So sorry, Kyle.
Ken & Evan; Cindy & Isaiah
April 19, we went back to Texas to attend some meetings (called 'Quest') with other CAMers in Big Sandy. (April 20-25). We really enjoyed the interaction with other missionaries from different fields. It was a joy to have my sister Jayme and her husband Larry there too. We don't get to see each other very often, so we were glad to be together.
We were able to attend Lake Ridge Bible Church both April 20, and 27. I was also able to go to a ladies' brunch at Redeemer Bible Church yesterday morning (April 29) with my best friend, Charlane. John and Charlane were our gracious hosts the last four nights of our trip. We flew back to Guatemala last night.
March 14 - 20, 2008 - Raymer Visit
Lake Ridge Bible Church pastor Roger Raymer, and his wife Judy came down to visit us during part of Semana Santa (Holy Week). We took them to see different ministries and sites here in Guatemala City (Seteca {Seminary} Radio TGN, the Relief Map, the National Cemetery and the National Palace. (We didn't go inside the palace.) On Sunday we took them to Patzún so they could attend church there. Monday morning, Alfa Y Omega school had an Easter party for the
elementary kids. Roger and Judy passed out some candy to the children.
Monday afternoon we drove on to San Marcos, spending the night there, before going on to Tuililen to visit Urbano's widow, Catalina, and one of his daughters, Susena. It was really nice to be able to visit with them. Ken encouraged Catalina to get involved with mentoring younger women. 
Some other stops on our way were Comitancillo, and the Mam Center near there. The care-taker's family at the center was very excited to have us visit.
We made one stop along the highway for Ken to take pictures of some interesting rock formations.
elementary kids. Roger and Judy passed out some candy to the children.
Monday afternoon we drove on to San Marcos, spending the night there, before going on to Tuililen to visit Urbano's widow, Catalina, and one of his daughters, Susena. It was really nice to be able to visit with them. Ken encouraged Catalina to get involved with mentoring younger women. 
Some other stops on our way were Comitancillo, and the Mam Center near there. The care-taker's family at the center was very excited to have us visit.
We made one stop along the highway for Ken to take pictures of some interesting rock formations.
Intermissions Conference - Feb. 29 - March 2, 2008
The Weekend of Feb. 29 - March 2 we attended the annual Intermissions Conference in Antigua. The speaker this year was Dr. Steve Strauss, director of SIM; USA. He brought messages on the book of Ruth - about how God reigns and is sovereign in every situation - even when it doesn't seem that He knows or cares. Cindy helped with registration and designed, printed, laminated and tied string on over 500 names tags for everyone attending. Ken ran the sound system during the conference, and was a general 'go-for.' We had a great time.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
We've had a very busy schedule since Feb. 14. A work group of 11 from Burlington, Onatario, Canada, came to work with us in Patzún. The leaders arrived Feb. 14, and the rest of the group arrived Feb. 16. While here, they worked on the prekinder/kinder room (which is almost finished) made tables for this class of 19 students, painted, and made bookshelves for several rooms.
When we had the 'dedication' of the prekinder/kinder room, the children, teacher and director were really pleased. The members of the group who were in attendance had fun too!
Here are close-ups of some of the prekinder/kinder children (The two girls are cousins.):
The group also put up sheet-rock above the block walls on the kinder room and the new 4th grade room. (The 4th grade room was originally going to be a computer room, but the 4th graders need a better room - so they get first choice.)
Something that I was excited about was that a false ceiling was put up in the kitchen. The building we are in has a metal roof. There is an open space between the roof and the walls. Consequently, a lot of the dust and dirt of Patzún comes in through the open space. Now, at least, the kitchen will be a little cleaner.
Several of the ladies in the group taught some ESL. Everyone wants to learn English, so the children enjoyed this labor of love by the ladies. I even got to take off a few minutes from cooking the meals one day and teach the youngest class!
When we had the 'dedication' of the prekinder/kinder room, the children, teacher and director were really pleased. The members of the group who were in attendance had fun too!
Here are close-ups of some of the prekinder/kinder children (The two girls are cousins.):
Something that I was excited about was that a false ceiling was put up in the kitchen. The building we are in has a metal roof. There is an open space between the roof and the walls. Consequently, a lot of the dust and dirt of Patzún comes in through the open space. Now, at least, the kitchen will be a little cleaner.
Several of the ladies in the group taught some ESL. Everyone wants to learn English, so the children enjoyed this labor of love by the ladies. I even got to take off a few minutes from cooking the meals one day and teach the youngest class!
Friday, Febrary 8, 2008
Wow, it's been three weeks since I posted anything. We've been busy. As 'big brothers' to new missionaries, the Conners, we have been helping them get settled. They started language school on Monday and have survived the week!
Ken went out to Tajamulco (toward the Mexican border) because he was asked to speak at a church anniversary, but when he got there, they had another speaker! So... he just enjoyed being there, instead of having to speak.
We are getting ready for a work group to come down from Canada Feb. 17 - 29. I have been figuring out the menus, and then the grocery list. It takes time to figure out how much chicken, mayonnaise, tomatoes, onions, etc. etc. that you will need to feed 13-15 people for that long. Ken has been doing the planning for the group - what they will do, plans for the construction, prices of materials, buying doors for two classrooms and two bathrooms, etc. We are looking forward to seeing our friends from Canada!
The Intermission Conference here in Guatemala will be held Feb. 29-March 2. Ken and I are both on the 'finishing committee' for the conference. This year's speaker will be Dr. Steve Strauss, director of SIM (Serving In Missions). We've heard him at three other mission conferences in the States (at supporting churches of ours) and are really looking forward to the conference here. We have also been working hard on designing, printing, laminating, and cutting over 500 name tags for the conference. Nylon thread needed to be burned (instead of cutting it) and threaded through two holes cut in each tag. The thread was then tied so that the tag can hang around each person's neck. None of this was hard, just time consuming.
Tomorrow Ken is going with me to a birthday lunch for one of the ladies in my craft group. We are going to her week-end home an hour and a half away. The husbands of the group don't get together often, so this will be fun.
My friend, Ginita, who was hospitalized last month, is doing fine. We praise the Lord for her health.
Our daughter Jayme took a course last month (in Kentucky) where she made her own personal kayak. She wasn't able to finish it completely, but hopefully she'll have some extra time this semester to do it. Being a perfectionist, she added some extra beauty features to her kayak. When we have a finished picture, we'll let you see it. She started her spring semester classes on Wednesday and is again a TA in the wood's lab.
Ken went out to Tajamulco (toward the Mexican border) because he was asked to speak at a church anniversary, but when he got there, they had another speaker! So... he just enjoyed being there, instead of having to speak.
We are getting ready for a work group to come down from Canada Feb. 17 - 29. I have been figuring out the menus, and then the grocery list. It takes time to figure out how much chicken, mayonnaise, tomatoes, onions, etc. etc. that you will need to feed 13-15 people for that long. Ken has been doing the planning for the group - what they will do, plans for the construction, prices of materials, buying doors for two classrooms and two bathrooms, etc. We are looking forward to seeing our friends from Canada!
The Intermission Conference here in Guatemala will be held Feb. 29-March 2. Ken and I are both on the 'finishing committee' for the conference. This year's speaker will be Dr. Steve Strauss, director of SIM (Serving In Missions). We've heard him at three other mission conferences in the States (at supporting churches of ours) and are really looking forward to the conference here. We have also been working hard on designing, printing, laminating, and cutting over 500 name tags for the conference. Nylon thread needed to be burned (instead of cutting it) and threaded through two holes cut in each tag. The thread was then tied so that the tag can hang around each person's neck. None of this was hard, just time consuming.
Tomorrow Ken is going with me to a birthday lunch for one of the ladies in my craft group. We are going to her week-end home an hour and a half away. The husbands of the group don't get together often, so this will be fun.
My friend, Ginita, who was hospitalized last month, is doing fine. We praise the Lord for her health.
Our daughter Jayme took a course last month (in Kentucky) where she made her own personal kayak. She wasn't able to finish it completely, but hopefully she'll have some extra time this semester to do it. Being a perfectionist, she added some extra beauty features to her kayak. When we have a finished picture, we'll let you see it. She started her spring semester classes on Wednesday and is again a TA in the wood's lab.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)