Hello...Can you hear me now?

I can't believe it has been 3 weeks since we have posted here. Forgive our busyness...here's a couple things we've experience since blogging last.

Sat., Sept. 27-Our Newcomers Club (all of us from CAG who are spending our first year here in Guatemala...Joe & Sharon Rosa, the school's director & his wife-the school's counselor--our fearless leaders; Brock & Kerrie Johnson (she is a teacher's aide in the elementary building) & their kids, Maddie, Brooke, & Jake; Heather Houskamp (2nd grade teacher); Becca Miller (4th grade teacher), & us) went to a water park called Agua Magic near the Pacific Ocean. The park, which cost only about $8 for our whole family (try that in the states!) consisted of a wave pool, 4 large waterslides, and a kiddie pool. There was one more pond...oh I mean pool...but due to its green state we did not partake. The awesome thing about the park was that after walking about 100 yards across black sand you arrived at the Pacific Ocean. Wow! It was amazing. I have never seen water move like that! The Pacific Coast of Guatemala is quite dangerous actually because the rip currents are very strong. So we held onto Lily tightly and let the kids just play in the fringes of the surf...we will never get all the black sand out of our suits! But Aaron and I went boogie boarding...literally one of those "once in a lifetime" type experiences for us Michiganders. The water just pulls at you constantly, but if you can catch the wave just right you are riding high right up onto the beach...Incredible...exhausting...worth every second. One other note worthy event which took place in the Pacific Ocean was the death of our camera. Aaron was standing with it about ankle deep in the surf when a giant wave came and soaked him to his waist, including the camera which was hanging from his wrist. Super bummer but we hope to get a new one from the states when my parents come in December. Sorry everyone who has been enjoying the picts. Lo Siento!

For the past few months we have been getting bit by something during the night. We tried many different things and it would work a little but the little biters would always come back. One day at school one of the teacher assistants was talking with Maya, and Maya was scratching one of the bites and Maya told her we were getting bit by mosquitoes during the the night. She said...those are not mosquitoes...those are bed bugs and found one of them on her leg. Ugh! So sure enough the little dark spots on our sheet were bedbugs and constant washing of the bedding helped but they were still there. The only things that kill them (usually) is cold (freezing them...not going to happen here in Guatemala) or heat (setting them out in the sun for a day during the rainy season is not very possible either) or exterminator. So yesterday morning we had the exterminator come. For less than $50 he sprayed the whole house (what a mess!) and last night was the best night sleep I've had since I've been here! Oh Happy Day! Maria Luisa (God bless that woman...she has been truly a blessing from God for us) is coming today to help me finish cleaning the insecticide off things and the exterminator comes back in 2 weeks for a final application. The adventure continues and for those of you who are just thinking...see that's why I can't go to be a missionary, that's why I'm going to stay right here doing what I'm comfortable with, I could never handle these kinds of things...You're right. We can't! But with God all things are possible...With Him to go to bed with at night and wake up with in the morning, and travel to the store with, and ride with you in the car...it is possible...not always easy...but very possible, and oh so good! Sleep has never felt so good, arriving safely has never felt so good, communicating with an exterminator who speaks Spanish is liberating when you feel you know what he is talking about and he seems to know what you are telling/asking him...Little things and all blessings from above. Where is God calling you to right now? Why are you not there? You will have trials (don't you have them right now?) but watching God at work making you grow in ways you never believed possible...priceless, folks...absolutely priceless. Just do it...whether it's talking to a neighbor, whether it's beginning a ministry at church or in your neighborhood, whether it's moving around the world to use the gifts God gave you somewhere else...just do it. And God will bless...beyond measure. Amazing...truly amazing!

One miracle that happened today!

So I was at Paiz (the local grocery store as many of you who follow our page know) today. (Why is it that so many of my stories begin this way?) I was just in the checkout lane beginning to unload my groceries on the belt and thinking about my busy day ahead. I had to rush home and make muffins for snack for pre-school storytime, then get Maya & Caden from their half day of school and we had made plans to go out to lunch with our friends, the Larimers, and then it was off to PriceSmart (think Sam's Club)...when I heard this noise. I look up to see to see Lily throwing up all over the groceries that were still in the cart. And it didn't stop (poor girl). So now I'm trying to catch it with my hands saying "Basura pro favor" (trash can please) to the check out girl. She is trying to get a plastic bag open and meanwhile the groceries that are still in the cart are now covered. Finally she stopped...Wow what a mess! One guy cleaned the aisle (grocery carts are no good at containing contaminates) the check out girl walked with me to the bathroom where she helped me mostly wash off Lily & the groceries that were still in the cart, and two others cleaned up our trail to the bathroom. Then we still had to check out and all I could say over and over again was "muchas gracias" (thanks so much) and "lo siento" (I'm sorry). On the car ride home the smell was almost overwhelming. With Lily in the shower I commenced washing off my boxes of food in the sink, calling friends to fill in where we couldn't be, and waiting for our maid to come so I could share with her the adventure our morning had been. Maria Luisa came very late about 10am and our morning had been nothing compared to hers. Her daughter Dulce, who was with her this morning, had been up all night with breathing issues due to her need for nose surgery. Finally at 5 am Maria Luisa had been so worried that she took Dulce on a bus to the emergency room where she had a 3 hour breathing treatment to get her breathing under control. When she finally got to our house her oldest daughter's school had called and told Maria Luisa that her eldest daughter had been suspended from school because the group of girls that she was hanging around had done some very bad things. So because Lily had gotten sick, I could send Maria Luisa & Dulce home to take care of things and get some sleep. And I also had the chance to get on Facebook since my plans were shot for the morning. It was there that a friend who we haven't seen in years had looked up Aaron & I and had asked if there was anything he could do to help our mission here in Guatemala. I told him about the surgery that Dulce needed (after doing much checking on circumstances and talking to many people about what could/should be done) and he said just let me know where the money needs to be deposited. Wow! Go God....Amazing, Incomprehensible! All of this only possible because my child threw up and God knew that that was the only way I was going to stay home today. Don't tell me that God doesn't have a sense of humor or that He doesn't have everything in control. I just wonder how many other miracles I have completely missed because I was upset by plans being spoiled or the messiness of the situation. I'm still in awe and couldn't wait to testify that God can even use vomit to make us able to serve others. God, you are awesome! At His feet, Amy

Are you great at something or are you truly great?

On Sunday evenings we go to a church called The Gathering near our house. It is a group of missionary families who meet at 6 on Sunday evenings for a time of worship...the worship band is one of the best I've ever heard...and spiritual growth. Our sermons so far have been videos of Andy Stanley and Clay Scroggins who have been preaching on a series entitled Being Great. The premise is that instead of wanting what the world wants, to be great at something, we should want what we were truly meant to be which is great people. And what does it mean to be great? What does the Bible say? To be great we must be a servant. We had messages on The "Great" Samaritan and the disciples argument about who was greatest among them, but tonight we looked at Jonathon, King Saul's son. An amazing look at his character. And a reminder to all of us...that even when we are not the lead in a story (David was all the headlines in the Jonathon plot) even if we pass for the briefest moment, we are still a part of someone else's story...many times a day. Each time that happens we make a choice...to be great or not. How many times do we let a moment slip away? At work, with our neighbor, at the store, with a friend, with the car ahead of you in traffic? Are we willing to set aside our own agendas and be a servant to someone else, who we just happened to cross paths with today, and put their needs before ours? Or is our "greatness" dependent on having enough time, or money, or convenience? Our time in Guatemala was solely dependent on the greatness of many of you. You gave time teaching us, sharing with us, caring about us, giving prayers, money & time to us. You, even by reading this, have shared in part of our story and you have been great...What is the next opportunity God is going to give you? Seize the moment and be great, by continuing to serve those around you...not because of what they can give back, or because they were nice to you, or because you like them...but simply because it is the right thing to do. I am going to work on choosing greatness. Imagine with me if you will...what would happen if all Christians world round would choose greatness...what if all the Christians in the country...how about all the Christians in our church...how would the world or country or community be changed? It all starts one person at a time. Let it be you. Let it be me, Lord. Seeking greatness at His feet, Amy

The Day with Chad in Antigua

What a day we had in Antigua this past Saturday. Having Chad here was a blessing in so many ways. He opened our eyes to the little things we'd been missing, a local bakery, the fresh tortillas around the corner, the good places we should explore when we get a chance, and great tacos right by our local grocery store. I posted pictures on my facebook page of our Saturday in Antigua and hope you enjoy them. Thanks for all the prayers while Chad was here...It was a great weekend. Pray for him as he flies through Houston today (the first day since Friday that it has been open because of Hurricane Ike). He should be home by 6ish EDT tonight. Thanks God for a great time and blessings on each of us as we seek your will and way where ever we are right now!

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6283&l=9f299&id=1268589118

Check out our pictures of Antigua!

By clicking on the following link you can see our pictures from Antigua, Guatemala. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5940&l=f4aff&id=1268589118

This is on Amy's facebook page (Aaron has one too). Look us up if you get a chance.

You know your children watch too much TV when...

You know your children watch too much TV in Guatemala when your 3 year old's favorite phrase in Spanish is "Aqui en Discovery Kids." (Here on Discovery Kids)

Lily's Spanish is getting better...here are a few things she can say...

Buenos Noches...Good Night
Buenas Dias...Good Morning.
Muchas Gracias...Thank you very much.
and No!...No! (which I'm afraid gets a lot of use when you are 3).

More Picts from Guate

On Saturday, Aug. 22. we went with the Newcomers club from school to Guatemala City. The above picture is of one of the settlements that continues to grow out of the central city. This is much steeper than it looks.
To help show the steepness. Many of these areas have no electricity. They start out as people put up cardboard sides with tin roof, then as people have a little money they start with the concrete. Once these areas are settled then the demand for electricity makes the city have to deal with their homeless. These areas have limited to no sanitation and are unsafe for many reasons (mudslides in the rainy season, pollution, no security, and disease). Thousands of people live in these situations because they move to the city to get a few cents more for working.
The valley here is called a barranco (ba-ron-co). The barrancos divide the city into sections and make for interesting travel. You can be walking or driving along and suddenly there is one of these very deep valleys. This one is quite wide but most go down at least 100 yards or more. It also makes traffic bumper to bumper most times of the day because everyone must go over bridges like this to get around the city.
This is the center of Guatemala City. Central park is to the left. To the right is the National Cathedral, and straight ahead is the Palace (used only on formal occasions, not for an actual residence.
This is one of the side streets to the Central Market (Central Marcado). The real market is actually inside. The Street level is textiles, leather goods, and knick-knacks (Guatemala pens & magnets...tourist stuff!), the next lower level (yup it's underground folks!) is produce & meat market, and the lowest level is the whole sale level...everything from dog food, to woven baskets, to candles to clothes. It is at least a block square and Aaron had to duck quite a lot!
I think this is Volcan de Agua (Water Volcano). We can see this from near our house as well. I'm not sure if it is active or not.
Caden & Lily relaxing in our purchase from Central Marcado...a new hammock.
Eat your heart out Dad! This corn is huge...but I believe it is field corn. Every extra scrap of land has something planted on it. This field is less than an acre surrounded by condos near our neighborhood.
The barranco located in our neighborhood. It must be about 100 yards (probably more) literally straight down. Those are full sized houses on the far side. Muy grande!
Caden with some sort of Grasshopper he found. Standing near the edge of the barranco! I can't believe how these pictures lose the extreme heights and depths of this land. Here is one of the homes on the edge of the barranco on our way to the top of the hill from our condo.
About 100 yards down the mountain is this house also near the edge of the barranco. Amazing the disparity of income with in feet of each other. This house is very unusual also because it doesn't have concrete walls around it with a gate...highly unusual here!
Sisters. Maya reading her homework to Lily. The kids even in Elementary School have 20-40 minutes of homework each night. They really make them work.
Sunset from our bedroom balcony. This picture does no justice to the view. Hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into our world again. God bless! At His feet, The Klandermans