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