Driving down the road from Coban/Tactic we pass by many reforested areas. A fire burned through some young pine in a special area important Biosphere) for the Quetzel. Here is a picture to capture this sad event.

Well visiting Tactic cooperativo I was told about a pine stand 11 years old. On the way there I took pictures of a new cutblock. Logging was completed 3 months ago and the land has been searched for firewood, planted to corn and reforested to pine. I will add 3 pictures on this and if time one of an 11 year old pine stand.

Here are some pictures of unique vegetables:

I have to add them one at a time and this is very frustrating and takes 10 minutes each. There must be a better way!!!
Tim

We just returned from Tactic where we took pictures and learned the names of some vegetables not known in Canada. We will bring back the pictures and use them in a process to try and find markets for the products here. Tactic is located north and east of Guatemala City. They grow 3 crops per year because the climate is so perfect. They are located at about 5000 feet and it rains a fair bit so is not as hot as other places without clouds. We shared a recipe with the growers co-op and were able to see the schools of Impact Ministries, a western Canada based ministry. They have 5 schools and are building a medical clinic. They feed some 4000 meals per week. Good hot food and a great ministry. Anyway we left The Tactic area and headed down into the heat in Los Amates to view and assess a location for a possible greenhouse facility for Trees for Global Renewal. We then drove up the valley to look at an area where reforestation would help protect the local watershed and watersource for several communities. All together the growing and planting of seedlings will provide work for locals from a small destitute community. This will also provide a practical example of Christian works. Well that is the hope anyway and I will be working towards that end when back in Guatemala after our trip to Canada.

We are getting used to being here and on the roads but I must say we,like the Guatemalans are shocked by some of the violence that goes on in this country. Like today we read of a truck full of people stopped and the owner of the truck and 5 other members of the family were all shot. Perhaps they refused to pay extortion money to the gangs. There was another bus driver killed in zone 18 of the city and the drivers are now demanding protection. Soon we will see machine gun guards on every bus.

One has to be careful moving around this country ensuring that this is always done during the day time and on well known roads. Side trips down back roads are not to be taken as common practice unless with a local and even that is questionable. Today while taking pictures of the watershed we may be planting, a toyota drove by with 4 hombres in the back carrying pistolas with good sized clips. We were crossing a large finca (farm) that had grown in recent years because of drug money. The one son who helped enlarge the farm was killed in the big shoot out 2 months ago in Jalapa. Two rival gangs apparently had a shoot out. It can be pretty western out here.

I sure feel sorry for most of the people making minimum sums per day. One missionary told us that native women in his area do not make more than 20 Q per day. That is about $2.80.

We are busy with preparing brochures for Canada and presentations. We are giving up our apartment and will find another in December. Hopefully the new one will not be as noisy as here where the neighbor's car alarm keeps going off.

All the Best
Tim

Hi Tim here.

Today was a big day in that I signed an agreement and paid out money for the planting and stand tending of 2 hectares of ground. This was done on behalf of the Trees for Global Renewal project. This first tree planting project is unique (i.e. not typical) because we have had trees donated and just have to pay the transportation. We will be able to make a nice donation to the William COrnelius Vocational Training Centre which will be used to pay down some student accounts that are in arrears.
One of the areas to be planted is used for growing corn. Here is a picture of that location as it was 2 months ago. It will be cleaned up and planting locations marked before the planting actually starts sometime this month.

All the Best
Tim

Hola

Raining again today. Has been raining most days in the afternoon or evening. In 2 weeks perhaps we have received 10 inches of rain.

Here is a nice picture for you to consider.

Hmm not sure if it uploaded. May have to try again.

Pictures of berry farming.

Hi Here we have a picture of a delicacy in Guatemala. I was at an anniversary and birthday party with friends and these were cooked up in a tomato sauce. Can anyone guess what thy are?

Also visisted a aboriginal community called Chimazatec which means "Land of the Deer" The families here mostly grow strawberries. I will try to add pictures.

Trees for Global Renewal is moving along with the first plantings to happen this month.

Tim