Where's your security?

Jay and I at Casa Hogar (truck in background)

This past Sunday was a very different experience.  After dropping off a former student of mine at the airport we accepted a new Canadian volunteer named 'Jay'.  He has been travelling through Central America with his camera and video equipment taking in the culture and entrenching himself in the happenings of different missions.  On our way back home to Jalapa we exchanged stories and I primarily focused on the frustrations of how Casa Hogar needs a better maintenance plan.  Embarrassingly enough the truck broke down on the side of the mountain highway due to a loose battery terminal, a dirty rad and limited supply of oil in the engine.  I'm sure the thought rolling through his mind right away was "And you are helping them with maintenance?"

The truck is such an important tool here
to deliver supplies, carry people, and
to drive over the rough terrain.

We began to wiggle wires, check fluids and attempted to restart vehicle after each adjustment to only end in the same disfunction.  I reassured him the truck has been nothing but a maintenance nightmare as I quickly called my friend and new employee Arnold to get us out of the bind.  As we waited at the side of the road many of my fears of bandits that I had in my first visits here came through my head.  Knowing that we were going to have to wait this out until help came I prayed quickly that we could get the truck going and relax in the safety of our home.
 Only waiting a quick moment a man in another black Toyota pick-up in the same model as mine stopped and got out of his truck and offered help.....and in English to boot.  He told us that he was at his home when a few people in a passing bus yelled out to him that some people need help with their truck around the corner.  He quickly wiggled the same wires we had, checked the fluids again and proceeded to sit in the driver's seat and started the truck.

Might as well snap a photo while waiting on the road.

I wish I could have seen my face when the car started because it just didn't make sense.  The man stepped out of my truck, shook hands, walked towards his truck and went on his way. I called Arnold to stop him from coming to save us in the mountains and we went home.
 Often the fears we carry are real and can be justified, however God used that small instance to show me that He is always present and that we only need to lean on Him for our security.  I often laugh at how I try to accomplish or control things on my own and how God can quickly turn those events on my head.
To carry the story further, as soon as Jay and I got home Arnold (without prompting or indication) pulled in behind us immediately with the tools to fix the problem.  Arnold also showed us that a little lemon juice and baking soda can clean the corrosion off of terminals in a pinch......got to love the ingenuity of Guatemalans.  When God provides He does so in ways that you can't imagine.
Needless to say the truck has been running much better and we are truly thankful for the provision of safety, aid and friendship as we continue on with our mission.
Praise God.

Can Missionaries Have Fun?

This is a question I struggled with leading up to and even being here.  I feel sometimes guilty that I have such a great opportunity to be here.  Not with having fun in our mission but outside of it.  It does come with its many struggles though.  I think God provides  fun times  as a gift to refresh us and keep us going.

At the visa office

My husband and boys just called me from the top of a volcano.....how cool is that?  I was planning on joining them but unfortunately we had no one to watch Mercedes.  The hike would have been too much for her.   We decided to have a girls day, so we sat on the roof top in the sun having "coffee" together and then did nails.  She is growing up so fast and I am taking in every minute of this time together.

This week has been interesting to say the least.  We have had some major break throughs, scares, frustrations and fun.  Matt had a major meeting with another organization and was able to make some significant contacts.  I will let him share that another day.  We drove to Guatemala city on our own for the first time and I have to say, I am VERY proud of Matt.  He did great.  Despite the failure of our GPS, we managed to find our way around.  Our purpose was to take Fransisca to apply for a visa and visit another missionary couple  to see what they were doing. We arrived in the city at 8 am and took Fransisca and Sister Wanita to Mc Donalds for breakfast.  They had never been before!  It amazes me how we take so much  for granted.  Another first for them was riding the escalator at the visa office.  It was actually quite hilarious watching Fransisca try to get on and off.

At the mall

After spending 4 hrs in what should have only taken at most 2, we walked a short two blocks over to the mall with the girls.  It was very beautifully decorated for christmas and I felt like a kid full of excitement walking in.   We took Fransisca in to buy a pair of jeans.  Can you imagine, being 21 years old and having the opportunity for the first time to go into a change room at a mall and try on different clothes?  It was a privilege for us to see such joy on her face.  We didn't realize the time and had only 20 mins to get the girls to a bus stop in a city that we didn't know.  It was some crazy driving, but we managed to find a street that the bus was passing and would stop to pick up the girls.

Bathrooms built by Mano con Mano

Girls waiting in line to their drinks

We made our way to visit Gerry and Barb Normand ( friends we met at C-TEN orientation in Texas back in June)  After a great sleep ( in a queen size bed...can you hear my excitement:), we accompanied Barb and Gerry to el Yalu, a village up in the mountains.  I brought my scissors to offer Barb and Gerry haircuts.  ( I usually bring them every where I go)  They were thrilled.  They asked if I would be interested in cutting some of the boys hair in the village.  I was thrilled.  Barb graciously lent me one of her guatemalan skirts so I wouldn't insult or offend by wearing my jeans.  I wonder what they thought of my red hair and piercing?  We spent some time taking a walking tour and learning about some of the history of the village.  As I walked through the village, my heart felt heavy and I could sense the  oppression.  We passed homes ( if you want to call  it that) with absolutely nothing.  Dirt floors and no furniture.  I can't imagine how these families stay warm at night.  There has been frost a few times already.  Most  of these families may only own one set of clothing and are lucky to have shoes.  The organization  Mano con Mano, started building bathrooms and stoves as a part of their mission.  We were invited to a ladies home to see her kitchen and new stove.  It was an honour.  We helped serve lunch as part of their feeding program.   Max handed out vitamins and Gabe served Atol. ( a corn based warm drink)  Matt helped with the homework club and him and Gabe sorted pre-natal vitamins.   The Normand's invited us to stay on an extra night so they could watch  our kids and give us a much needed break.  I was so happy I almost cried.  Matt and I have not had time alone since August.  God provided an opportunity and we accepted.  My high was sitting in a cafe sipping hot chocolate and listening to U2.
The next morning, we braved the drive back through Gautemala city and homeward bound.  On our way to the Walmart, we missed our turn and ended up heading down another highway.  We were driving along, looking to get off at the next exit, when a pick up truck from the oncoming lane jumped the curb and crossed three lanes of traffic.  We witnessed a crazy car chase and the police pulled out a gun and started shooting at the truck.  It was 10:30 am and people were walking the side walks.  Matt held back traffic and we got off the road as soon as we could.  It was crazy to see and is a reminder that anything can happen and we need prayer huge!  God is so good.  We were so lost and almost afraid to ask for help, but found a guy who let us follow him to the road that led us back to Walmart.  I was praying the whole way that this guy wasn't leading us to some dead end.

We got to Walmart and I am embarrassed to say that I have never in my life been so excited to walk into that store.  We picked up a few things that we cannot get in Jalapa. (relish, peanut butter, and gingerale)

I am thankful and know that God has us in His grip. Thank you for your continued pray and support.