Merry Christmas!

I know it is the 25th of December, but it fees nothing like Christmas today. 

Everything that I remember about Christmas as a child, or even as a parent, is so different from the Christmas we are experiencing this year.  We are happy, together, and enjoying Christmas for what it is, but without all the expensive decorations and fancy parties.  We are sad to be away from all our family back home, but glad to be with the family here as well.  I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Christmas, for those in St.Louis, a white Christmas, and taking a day to relax and spend with family and friends. 

I was able to spend some time in the garden this morning. How strange! The tomatoes are green, the sweet potatoes are blooming, and the peas are climbing like crazy.  We had our first few green beans today, and there should be plenty more to come. 

This is our little tree. It really makes our home feel merrier.

 It might give Charlie Brown a run for his money.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

Three, going on an on....

Things have been hectic around here. After thanksgiving, we have st started our Agriculture project full force, and keeping everything else under control.  Jacob is now potty trained, and doing an amazing job.  The first day he went with dry pants all day long, we took him into town to celebrate, and had a party, complete with  chips, soda, yogurt and candy.  All of his favorite things.  Jacob is getting so big, and today is turning Three! I can't believe it!

 It has been a while since we have posted, and I wanted to get you all up to speed, but it seems impossible to write everything that happens.  The boys are doing fine, and enjoying the busyness of the season. Jacob's request for his birthday was a bonfire with hot dogs and marsh mellows, and a green cake.  I will have to post more pictures again soon. 

Joshua is definitely growing and getting into more trouble each day.  He is now crawling and saying mama and dada.  It is so funny how they boys seem to push each other along.  Now that Joshua is pulling himself up in his crib, he has gotten himself stuck between the slats.

Last week there was a Motorcycle race in Canilla, where we live. David and Joseph both raced and placed int he top three. It was a good time for the whole family, as we were all involved and helped hold things together.

You can see a video of the race on YouTube at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht7zLOYxjnY

 
Ryan has been busy planting his fields, and hopes to finish today. After a week of watering, we had a few days before Ryan would be able to get into the ground to work it, and went to Guatemala city to renew our visas, and take some time off. We stayed at the Tikal Futura hotel which has a pool, and it's own mall.  We really enjoyed the time away, and posted a small video of our trip onto youtube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkm4dwmQpjk

The video is short, and only viewable through the link.
 
 
 
 
 
This is a quick look at what Ryan has been up to with the property he is renting. 


Water the first piece of ground with sprinklers before planting.



Jacob testing the sprinkler radius.



Jacob helping haul away the water tubing.




Manually applying the fertilizer and lime.



Soaking the black bean seeds in milk as a natural inoculate.



Planting bean seeds on piece two.




Overlapped rows, to use the planter that is designed for corn, to plant the beans witch need closer spacing.



Sweet.....Potatoes!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! Or here as we call it,

 'Dia de Gracias'.  We are getting all the lunch preparations under way and the Turkey is in the oven, thanks to Leslie.  We will be having sweet potatoes with our turkey today thanks to whoever planted a starter in my garden. I was so excited yesterday, when it was time to harvest, we only planted one plant, but we got about 10 pounds of potatoes out of it. I have a dozen more growing, and they should be ready in about four months.

Thelma's puppies are doing well. They are eating food, and lots of it.  The boys enjoy playing with all of them, and the puppies like to lick and chase the boys around.

Joshua is trying desperately to crawl, but can't seem to get his stomach off of the ground. He ends up sliding across the floor to get into whatever he wants.   

 

 Jacob is enjoying the weather, and playing outside. He enjoys playing in water and mud.  Jacob is just learning to count. We hear him counting to  himself...'1, 2, 5, 9, 14, 3, 10.'  He always ends on ten. It is so funny listening to him. He is enjoying watching the sesame street Christmas eve show, and seems to be completely oblivious to any holiday today, or anytime in the future.

Ryan is continuing to work with his rental property, and with the John Deere planter ready and adjusted for the beans here, we are awaiting one more trip to the city for fertilizer, and hopefully the beans will be in the ground. 

Clinics were consistently busy this week with children who had respiratory infections, were dehydrated, and miserable. 

This little girl cam in sick, but we were shocked by her size. She is three years old, and only weighs about 20 pounds. We added her to our nutrition program, and will continue to monitor her growth and health for the next few years.

We hope everyone has a happy thanksgiving. We wish we could spend it with everyone, but we are thankful for our time here, and looking forward to seeing everyone again soon. 

rel qk

I just wanted to update you:  the 'verry sick child' that came last week to our clinic in Chiminisujaun on Tuesday, returned this week.  We were so excited to see him doing much better.  The week before we spent several hours with him, and he barely cried or whimpered. He was too tired to even blink.  This week he was squirming and squawking, and giving his mama a run for her money.  We are so glad to see that he is feeling better, and I wanted you to know that your prayers and support came through for this little boy.  Thanks again.

We have enjoyed a few quite days to re plan and rethink our goals and strategies.  Last week Ryan began plowing and dicing a three acre piece of property that he will be leasing. The hope is to plant beans on the property to either sell or use for our own feeding program.  The boys have enjoyed the extra time with their dad on the tractor, and I know Ryan hasn't minded it either.

Our dog Thelma had her pups as well last week.  She had nine puppies, 5 males, 4 females, and all healthy. 

We are thankful to have the month of October behind us as it always bring a very depressing mood over our valley and the rest of the country, especially during the local "Day of the Dead" festivities.  We retreated to Chiminisujuan again on Tuesday as normal, just as the parties were getting under way, and due to a very sick child needing IV fluids, we weren't able to return home again until latter in the afternoon. Coincidentally, after all the holiday traffic and hoopla had died down. 

Full of Hot Air

Our friend Ivan from St.Louis, came to visit this week. He has been coming along to clinics and making balloon animals for all the kids, and sometimes the adults.                

We are seeing a change in the welfare of our communities, continuing on from past weeks.  It always seems such a struggle to decide who is really in need.  As the harvest season here comes to an end, some of the families we have been helping with food and corn are able to support themselves again and no longer need our help.  We are so glad each time one on these families has had a fruitful season and can make do with what they have. For each family who achieves this, we meet another new family who is in dire need of help with food for all and supplemental nutrition for the children. We met one woman in our San Andreas clinic today who came in asking for milk for her 2 year old. When we asked her why she didn't have an adequate supply of breast milk, she explained that she had an infant at home  in addition to her other 8 children, giving her 10 all together. On top off all of her complicating circumstances, we also learned that she is now pregnant with her 11th.  It always amazes me that the children, even though they may be struggling with hunger or a medical illness, always respond to a gesture of love and kindness. As important as  medicine or food, or as seemingly insignificant as a balloon animal, it is all little reminders that God has not forgotten them, that we have not forgotten them, and that you have not forgotten them either.  Thanks for checking in! 

To Teach

Tuesday we had clinic in Chiminisujuan. The road was clear enough to enable us to drive the entire way there. We were able to bring several workers to help keep up the building and do some maintenance. We saw around 65 patients and families on our nutrition program. Many children with colds and some with Pneumonia. One girl in particular came seeking formula for her son. When we asked her why she wanted formula she just explained that she had been buying it for her 4 month old, and would rather have us give it to her. We were all frustrated with her mentality. She explained that she did not breast feed her baby, and couldn't, just because. We explained to her that she would not be getting formula for her son on our nutrition program, but we would be willing to teach her to breast feed again and coach her along the way. My heart was broken for this young mother as I watched her try to nurse her baby again. At just 16, watching her eyes well with tears, we tried to encourage her to not give up, and that she would be able to nurse her baby just fine if she could only make the commitment to work at it. I have thought of her often this week, and wonder if she has stuck with it or not. I wish we could spend more time with young mothers, teaching them and showing them the options that they have, and that their old ways and mentality are not exactly accurate and sensible.  I am very fortunate for the education that I received in school, but the people here do not have the same opportunities.

On our way down the mountain, we passed the young mother walking back to her home, up a steep hill, likely heading to another hard trail, and I am praying that she can make it through the next few weeks, and can find some sense in what we have taught her, that she may return to our clinic, trusting us a little more each time, until she can trust us about Jesus.

To Toil

Today, being Tuesday, was clinic in Chimanisujuan. Thankfully the roads were open, and some maintenance had been done to the road directly to clinic. We were able to drive the whole way there. 
We gave out about 50 numbers for medical consultations, and I saw about 20 families for food and milk. 

This was my first time back to clinic in Chim. since leaving for our trip to the states in August.  I really missed the people.  I feel like I have built relationships with families, even if it is just exchanging smiles or a few words. I was so glad to see some of the children were doing better, and was sad to see that some were not doing so well.

I spent a little time in the garden there in the mountains.  I was sad to learn that my peas were practically dead, and only a few had some life left in them.  I worked a little more ground, planted more seeds and cared for the few feet of lettuce that has survived, but has not changed in the last month. 
I can't imagine what it is like for the people who live there.  Most of the locals in that village plant corn to grow for there tortillas.  I am sure they have just as much trouble as I am with my garden.  I just wanted to leave what was left of my garden to rot. I was so discouraged when the plants were not healthy.  I can only imagine how discouraging it may have been if it were my entire corn crop that had perished.

I am hopeful that we may continue to minister to the people of this area. There is such a need for so many families for food and salvation.  I am so grateful for all of the blessings in my life, but when I spend time with the people in Chiminisujuan, I can't help but feel indebted to pour out what God has given me so that they to may have a life of fruitfulness, not just toiling in the clay.

Thanks for reading. I hope to have some pictures soon of my seedlings.

Rain, rain, go away.

As I mentioned yesterday, it has been raining.  We saw a few hours of sunshine in the morning, and thanks to my early riser of a husband, some dry laundry.  The power went out at around 9am, and stayed off until a little after one.  I always wonder when, or if the power will come back on, and how much extra trouble it will be for the men in the family if it doesn't.

We had a nice lunch, with Abi trying to 'sneak' Jacob away from the table. It is so funny to me the things that kids will try to get away with.  After lunch we had a good women only meeting, and disuced the next couple month's and the direction we would like to take as the seasons begin to change. 

I spent a few minutes in the afternoon harvesting potatoes out of my garden. For the most part is was a good crop, but I think I lost quite a few potatoes to some uniformed gardening.  I am excited to see how the potatoes in the mountain garden do. I just strated the seeds for my winter garden in the AeroGarden that someone gave me to improve ou seccess rate with seed germination. We should have a full blown veg, herb garden in about a month. Thanks Lisa!!!!


We hope you are enjoying the fall weather, and enjoying the change of season.

Ruby Slippers



Well, we made it. Home. We had a relatively smooth trip from the city, until we reached the last stretch. After Zacualpa, we ran into some muddy spots. With the new tires, the 4Runner did great in all the mud.  It was amazing to see how the water had changed the roads, making them muddy,  deeply rutted, or in some places completely relocated or non existent. It is extremely different here, with how this country is completely at the mercy of the rains and weather.  In the States, we have some control on the roads, or at least we think we do.   Here, if it rains too much... your stuck.



It started raining a little on our way home yesterday, and it has not stoped since. Aparently, the rains are really heavy in September and October. Last yaer we saw a drought, so the rain is a welcomed change.



Thelma, our family dog, made it here to Canilla without any trouble. After traveling for 5 days couped up in the car, she did manage to bail out the window or door a couple times, once at the airport.  She is enjoying the attention, and is a great reminder that our lives, though taking a different path then we had planned, can still be what they were.     



The boys are doing fine. Jacob is enjoting getting dirty again, and playing with toys and his aunts.

We are glad to be home, and still thinking of all of you, back home.

A year in a month.

Here we are, after a little over a month of traveling, and we are all exhausted.

Duane and Leslie are already home in Canilla, and catching up on clinics and work. 

We will return home to Canilla tomorrow after another long car ride.  I know that the boys, as well as Thelma, are looking forward to getting loose.

We had a smooth flight this morning from Houston,TX. We were able to visit Hannah and Matt (the newly weds) for a few hours and spend som time with friends at a Catahoula Dog trial in DeKalb, TX.

We are planning on running a few errands in the morning and having the wheels alligned on the car before we head home,  hopefully before noon.

Here, in Guatemala city, it is hard to find a hotel with a bathtub. Jacob wanted to take a bath in the sink, like his brother. 

We are so glad we had time to visit with so many friends and family back home. I wish we would have had more time with everyone.

If we missed you this trip we will look foreward to seeing you next year, hopefully in March or sooner.  

As always thanks for reading. 

As we gather..

Our trip home to the states is quickly approaching. With less than two weeks left, we are pushing hard to tie up loose ends, and we still seem to be starting projects as we go.

Just last night Ryan and Aaron returned home with a group of 12 people from the states here for about a week.

They will build a  home from a woman that we have gotten to know.

Amoung other various trips to local schools and other outreaches, this week should prove to be very busy.

We are looking forward to seeing friendly faces when we return to the states, in Texas and in St. Louis. 

We are so excited to visit with everyone,

and would like to invite you to our open house,

on September 5, from 2-5 pm at Destiny Church, Town and Country, MO.

We will be there with the rest of the family, and it will be a great opportunity to catch up and make dinner plans to spend more time together.

As we gather together, we hope to find everyone well.

As always, here are some pics.

Joshua

Jacob & Mr. Scott

Jacob at Applebee's

Ryan and Joshua naping

Jacob and a turkey

Joshua in his makeshift boppy

smile...

Joshua sitting on the porch.

Mommy and the boys.

                                                                               Jacob playing in the rain.

Three month check up.

Here we are it's July, and I can't believe how fast time has flown by.  Granted, we have had our moments, but overall, it has been a smooth transition.  In the last three months we have managed to complete several projects, and along the way we have realized the need for more help, or at the least more time.
Ryan was able to help load corn into the grain bin, and unloads some every week to disperse to families enrolled in the corn project.  Jacob has started speaking Spanish, and loves to greet the workers in the morning with a 'bueanos dias' and every time we pas someone on the four wheeler, they get an 'adios'.  Joshua is enjoying his hammock time and being held almost constantly.  My garden is beginning to bear fruit as I continually fight the bugs to keep the plants alive.  We are enjoying our time here with family, and the visits from friends. Ryan's good friend Scott will be down soon, and we are really looking forward to having some company of our own.  We can't wait to see everyone this fall, as we will be in St.Louis for about a month, following Hannah's wedding in Houston. With one trip to the city in the past three months, I am looking forward to all the perks of living near a big city, or any city at that.  We plan on having an open house in Marine at some point, and hope to be an easy time for friends and family to stop by, and catch up.

After our trip to the states we plan on coming back down to Guatemala and staying through the winter, into next year, and playing it by ear. Ryan is fascinated by the opportunity for farmers here to improve their crops and hopes to teach by example and demonstrate the possibilities of some fine tuning in their planting and harvesting techniques. The people here are very independent, stuck in their ways, and reluctant to change. We hope we can open their eyes to possibilities in agriculture, industry, and lead them to know God. As the days fly by, it is hard to imagine not living here to help in the future, but even harder to imagine never coming home. 

Reaching Out

We have seen mothers day come and go, Ryan's birthday, and a couple of friends do the same.  We are glad to be able to get into a routine here, to help and enable everyone else to accomplish more under the light of the sun. 

Ryan has become more involved with dispensing corn to families who are enrolled in the 'corn project'. Every Sunday he travels to the town North West of here, San Andreas, and in front of the orphanage where the Ficker family first served in Guatemala, he gives out 100 lb. bags of corn to families who are suffering from the drought. 

The corn truck is finally licenced after another fight here with the Guatemalan government. We were hoping to have all the final touches completed to make a trip to the coast for corn, but unfortunately, things are progressing slowly.

     There are some repairs that need to be made on the font end of the Peterbilt corn truck before it is ready to haul, but as those wrap up this week, we are ready to get the corn hauling under way. We are realizing we might need to wait until next week for more time and resources.  Every week Ryan sees at least 25 people in San Andreas, and with over 400 enrolled in the feeding program or corn project, we are lucky to have enough to go around.  Often, having to turn away a dozen families because he does not have corn to give them. As I write this, Jacob is eating his cereal for breakfast. He is asking for more, a regular occurrence for anyone who has raised a boy with an appetite. I can't imagine telling him, "Sorry Jacob, but today we will not be eating breakfast.... lunch.... or dinner, and I honestly don't know how or when our next meal will come." How hard that would be on a parent and a family.   

We are very blessed to have food on our table, and so many great cooks here to prepare that food.  We enjoyed another volleyball game down at the river yesterday on our day off. Jacob enjoyed playing in the sand and riding the four wheeler up and down the mountain.  

Ryan has been focusing on getting the grain bin up and running.  After many wild goose chases in the city, Duane was able to find the paint and hardware we needed to finish cleaning all the pieces and get all the motors running.  The Guys have been able to get all the rings up, and all that remains is the roof, which I am told will be a challenge.  Tuesday night after lunch, all the guys came back and help with the last ring.  By the end of the day they had their own method streamlined down to a science. 

The roof shouldn't take too long, and I don't expect them to put it up until the corn is paid for and David is hauling it back to the house.

God willing this will all happen next week.

We miss you all.

24 on 25

As we approach three weeks here in Guatemala, we are starting to realize why it is so hard to finish a project that you have started that same day.  The hours of the day just fly by. 
The weather was pleasant for our first week here, and the last week has been extremely hot.  Monday morning at 10 AM we were at 100 degrees F. I didn't ask how hot it got, I honestly didn't want to know.  We were blessed to get some rain last night, and as I am typing this I can hear thunder just over the mountain ridge. Hopefully tonight we will see some more rain and cool weather.  I can't imagine the hardship for the people here if they see another drought this year, so we are greatful for every drop of rain.

Jacob learing to ride a bicycle.

The boys are adjusting to life here. Joshua loves not being cold and seeing his daddy all the time. We are enjoying hi smiles an talking every day.

Jacob has become a little fish, and enjoys playing in the water.

Our house is slowly turning into a home as we invest time into it.  It has been slow, for Guatemala, we are moving right along. By this time next week we might be able to fix our own meals there and eat them there too.

Our family pulled out all the stops in the construction of our house. There is no denying that they are trying to entice us to stick around by giving us a beautiful place to stay.

I am hopefull to get some seeds in the garden this week as I wait for my starts to get a little hardier and start constucting a tent to shade the lettuce and cool weather veggies.  I will be relived when the plants are growing and bearing fruit. I have had a hard time managing the fire ants, as they are relutant to give up there hills without a fight. They are extremely painful and uniterested in comprimise. I am told they will destroy anything i plant, so they must go. 

Ryan has taken over constructing the grain bin, and is almost half way. 
Tomorrow is our sabbath (day off) so I hope we can relax a little, or atleast work slowly and enjoy it. 

I enjoyed my 24th birthday here on Sunday the 25th. I was given fresh  flowers , and birthday cake for breakfast and dinner.
Everyone in the family wished me a happy birthday, and evan some friends and family from back home.

We hope to go shopping next week, maybe find some furishings for our home, take some time off from cooking and all hustle that goes on around here.

Here are some pictures of our house, just imagine it decorated, furnished, and comfortably messy.

Front Door/ Patio

Master bedroom  on left, nursrey on right

Living Room

Front door

Kitchen

Front porch

Ceiling