Hi Folks

Over the last year we have been quite frank about what we are feeling and seeing. Frank to the point that our readers may think we are ready to pack it in. I can assure you that this is not the case. This is no picnic and we can sure see why some missionaries last for a year and leave but our plans are to maintain the course. Help where we can at the WVCVTC and build a ministry here. That said here are a few thoughts for you and a picture taken yesterday at a fun day.

They have better juice here than in Canada.
The local beef is terrible, but the chicken is great.
Just when you think you know where to find something in the store, they change it around. AND, things are not always where you would find them at home. Eggs are not in the fridge, and the cranberry sauce is in the baking aisle.

They shoot off more fireworks this time of the year every night than Thunder in the Valley or the Calgary Stampede. Sometimes we can see 6 sites at once letting off the big fireworks and the cannons. Camperos Chicken will launch a massive display from every restaurant in Guate in the next 2 weeks (not sure which day).

The worship service at MegaFrater would match any service in the world including Hillsprings.

Language is acquired over a longer period than one would think. The old adage "if you want to learn a new language, move to where it is spoken and stay there as long as you can" Is true.

The Trees for Global Renewal Web page is nearing completion and could be launched by February.

The crazy driving is a reflection of the difficulty of doing anything down here (according to Hoyle).

This is a country of lack of trust and is rather dangerous. One has to watch where they go and when.

Yesterday the lawn mower started up next door and woke us up. We started to laugh thinking about snow blowers in Canada.

Good weather does not rate that high when you are lonely.

Cultural differences are significant and compounded by language and cannot be discounted because the lack of meaningful relationships pushes one to seek fellowship with English speaking people which works against language acquisition.

We are starting to sell some coffee and are hopeful that this will take off in the next 3 years as a great fund raiser opportunity for school grad classes, churches and other groups.

Here is a picture.

Off to sing carols at the church!

Tim