Today we had to take our truck in to the repair shop because it has been making a squealing noise when you push on the accelerator. We have noticed there are some things that are the same no matter where you go in the world:
1. Every house with a refrigerator has a place in it for unused ketchup packets.
2. Children loose their shoes.
3. People get sick at night after the doctors' offices are closed.
4. Your vehicle never makes the noise when you take it to the mechanic - even here in Honduras.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
July 29, 2008
Well, it has taken seven months but Brad finally did it. He wormed his way into a prison. Brad spend about 2 1/2 hours in the prison in San Pedro Sula this morning. The prisons here are a little different from those in the states but the people inside are the same. They are just people that appreciate you coming. Brad said he felt at home and will definitely be back.
July 28, 2008
We were suppose to go have supper with the pastor of one of the new churches, his wife, and children. Cindy wasn't feeling the best. Saul was sick. And Miguel couldn't make it either. So, Brad went after not paying attention to the time and being about an hour late. He arrive about 7:15. The pastor and his family only speak Spanish and they speak very fast. Brad is wondering how in the world are we going to make this evening last more than 20 - 30 minutes because we can't communicate. Hi. How are you? How was your day? How was work? etc. can only go on for so long before everybody is bored.
They had eggs, frijoles, cheese, crema, tortillas, and pepsi for cena (supper). Before they know it the pastor looks down at his watch and it's 9:00 o'clock. We need to stop the conversation because he needs to get up early for work and the kids need to go to bed. They all pray together for about ten minutes and then Brad leaves. Wow! What a wonderful evening.
They had eggs, frijoles, cheese, crema, tortillas, and pepsi for cena (supper). Before they know it the pastor looks down at his watch and it's 9:00 o'clock. We need to stop the conversation because he needs to get up early for work and the kids need to go to bed. They all pray together for about ten minutes and then Brad leaves. Wow! What a wonderful evening.
July 27, 2008
Sunday: In the evening Brad went to one of the new churches to speak. He knew he was in trouble when pastor Miguel showed up at our house just before he left to say Miguel was going to take the van and bring people from some other churches to the service. Turns out he made two trips to two different churches to bring people. After arriving at the church with Saul, Saul took the truck and went to get people from another church to bring to the service.
This church meets outside at a house in El Porvenir. The family that owns the house where it meets had worked most of the day decorating the area where the church meets with balloons, streamers, and a big sign that read "Welcome to the Baptist Church of God" Well, actually it was in Spanish but we are using are translation skills to help out here. This was turning out to be one big party.
Brad's plan to do his first message in Spanish to a small group was not going well. By the time everybody was there they had more people at this service than at the one Thursday night. Too late now, might as well go for it, gotta start somewhere.
Brad did speak. For about 20 minutes or so. All in Spanish. And from the people's faces and their reactions he thinks they may have understood most of it. He did explain to them up front that he would be speaking slowly because his brain works very slowly in Spanish. The people were very understanding and very kind.
This church meets outside at a house in El Porvenir. The family that owns the house where it meets had worked most of the day decorating the area where the church meets with balloons, streamers, and a big sign that read "Welcome to the Baptist Church of God" Well, actually it was in Spanish but we are using are translation skills to help out here. This was turning out to be one big party.
Brad's plan to do his first message in Spanish to a small group was not going well. By the time everybody was there they had more people at this service than at the one Thursday night. Too late now, might as well go for it, gotta start somewhere.
Brad did speak. For about 20 minutes or so. All in Spanish. And from the people's faces and their reactions he thinks they may have understood most of it. He did explain to them up front that he would be speaking slowly because his brain works very slowly in Spanish. The people were very understanding and very kind.
July 26, 2008 Passports
Hey, today we are legal again. Not sure if we've been legally in the country since we returned from Guatemala. When we went through immigration at the airport in Honduras, upon returning from Guatemala, the gentleman at the desk didn't stamp our passports OR give us the piece of paper we need to be able to leave the country. Brad went back to him and told him we needed the paper. The guy didn't seem to want to give us the paper so Brad didn't push him on stamping our passports also.
We have begun the process of applying for permanent residence status. While we wait we can get our passports stamped, in the country, showing we have applied. However, those stamps are only good for a maximum of two months. Our stamps expired while we were in Guatemala. Therefore, we had to pay a $100 fine each and then the $20, or so per month, for the renewal of our stamp. Well, since our's had expired our lawyer had to take our passports to the capital (about 4 hours away) to work some magic there and get us legal again. However, he wasn't going back to the capital until some other stuff for Faith Home was taken care of.
Therefore, we have been a little reluctant to stray too far from Faith Home since the police at the road blocks have been sticklers about wanting to see your passport and checking that they are up to date.
So, today, our lawyer brought us our passports, with the bill, and with the appropriate stamp. We are now legal again until September 6th.
This renewal headache may go on for awhile since the head of immigration in Honduras just walked out of the office and quit about a month ago. They are having a presidential election in November and the president appoints the head of immigration. So nobody wants to take the job because they will probably be fired when the new president takes office after the election. So, our permanent resident application process is in limbo because nobody wants to sign the forms. How fun.
We have begun the process of applying for permanent residence status. While we wait we can get our passports stamped, in the country, showing we have applied. However, those stamps are only good for a maximum of two months. Our stamps expired while we were in Guatemala. Therefore, we had to pay a $100 fine each and then the $20, or so per month, for the renewal of our stamp. Well, since our's had expired our lawyer had to take our passports to the capital (about 4 hours away) to work some magic there and get us legal again. However, he wasn't going back to the capital until some other stuff for Faith Home was taken care of.
Therefore, we have been a little reluctant to stray too far from Faith Home since the police at the road blocks have been sticklers about wanting to see your passport and checking that they are up to date.
So, today, our lawyer brought us our passports, with the bill, and with the appropriate stamp. We are now legal again until September 6th.
This renewal headache may go on for awhile since the head of immigration in Honduras just walked out of the office and quit about a month ago. They are having a presidential election in November and the president appoints the head of immigration. So nobody wants to take the job because they will probably be fired when the new president takes office after the election. So, our permanent resident application process is in limbo because nobody wants to sign the forms. How fun.
July 26, 2008
Well, we returned for the second service of the new church that started on Wednesday. Once again the service started at five because there is no electricity so we must do it before dark. This church meets under a piece of canvas attached to the side of a gentleman's house. People have to bring their own chairs because they only have about 5 chairs and a bench. There were probably 30 people there during the service. It's just amazing and humbling to watch these people, who you think have nothing, praise God. The mosquitos here are also very nice. You really don't feel them bite you; however, when you get home you begin finding all these bites on you. How wonderful.
July 24, 2008 PM
Tonight Brad went to one of the new churches to preach. He has been there before and they have about 25 - 35 people. Not too big, so he thought this might be a good time to try his first message completely in Spanish. He practiced and felt pretty good about it. Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. By the time church started they had brought in people from at least three other churches and there were probably 90 plus people there. Ah oh! That is muchos, muchos eyes looking at you when you are talking. By the time is was Brad's turn he spoke for about 5 minutes in Spanish and then returned to English with the use of an interpreter.
His thinking was he was also suppose to speak at another church on Sunday night and he would give it a try then.
His thinking was he was also suppose to speak at another church on Sunday night and he would give it a try then.
July 24, 2008 AM
The team that is here passed out beans and rice in a new community that we have never visited before. Steve Comfort (the MVP coordinator) was talking with one of his buddies at the airport, Rene' one of the baggage handlers, and Rene' said he lived in a very poor community and could we help them sometime. So Steve and Brad drove out there one day (it's about a 45 drive from Hogar de Fe), checked it out, and decided we should give it a try. {Ok, it took them a little longer to find it because they were not 100% sure of the directions Rene' had given Steve. Then they had to stop several times and ask for direction. Of course the directions were all given in very fast Spanish so more wrong turns were taken before they eventually found it} Today the team passed out about 50 -60 sets of beans, rice, flour, and oil to families. Then they returned to Faith Home and passed out another 30+ sets to families in El Barro.
July 23, 2008
Wednesday: Well, we had our first service for a new church we are starting. This is our fourth, possibly fifth depending on how things go in Tegucigalpa, since May. The Lord has been opening a lot of opportunities lately and we are trying our best to follow along where He is leadings. One of the pastors of another new church, Ronaldo, preached and we had about 35 people or so attend. It is in a very poor colonia (community) with no electricity so we meet at 5:00 in the afternoon. This is another area where the team passed out food last week and it made an huge impact with the people. The area is basically where the mayor has agreed to give the people some land to build a house on if they will move off the side of the road where they were living as "squatters". Using the word house here is not what we normally think of when we use the word house in the states. Here it means a roof of metal or canvas, four walls of whatever they can find to use and a dirt floor. Please join us in praying for what God is starting in this community.
The mayor has also set aside some land in the community to be used for a church so Saul, Brad, and Miguel will be trying to arrange a meeting with the mayor soon to discuss this more.
The mayor has also set aside some land in the community to be used for a church so Saul, Brad, and Miguel will be trying to arrange a meeting with the mayor soon to discuss this more.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
July 17, 2008
During the morning we took the team to pass out rice, beans, flour, and oil to families in the area around this church. It was an extremely hot day and the team was worn out when we were finished. That evening, at this same church where we went the pastor's wife shared with the church what had happened earlier in the day. A lady had come to her door and told the pastor's wife that the lady had no food in her house and her children were crying because they had no food. The lady had begun praying on this day that God would provide food for her children. That morning the team had come by and had given her some food. The lady was thanking the church and God for His provision. What was so touching was as the pastor's wife was telling the story she had to pause for a moment because of the tears in her eyes. It was so moving to see the the pastor's wife's love and concern for the people of her community. If we just let God lead and we follow we will truly see some great things.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
July 17, 2008
Brad and Saul along with a couple of members of the team that was here went to one of the new churches tonight. One of the men from the team preached the sermon in a driving rain storm. The church meets under a metal roof that leaks. So during the service at times it was difficult to hear because of the rain hitting the metal roof and the people had to continually be moving their chairs to avoid the leaks. People kept coming even though it was pouring down rain. The people walk from their homes to church without umbrellas. So, when they arrived at church they were soaked but didn't seem to care. We had about 40 plus people at the service. Brad spoke for about five minutes all in Spanish. Might not have been long but we guess this was will count as his first message completely in Spanish. Very humbling to be standing in the back and continue to watch people come into the church soaking wet with smiles on their faces.
This is a picture of the church
July 13, 2008
This one is a little late. Shortly after we returned from Guatemala some of the girls came to the house to visit Cindy and hang out for awhile. They missed Cindy and Cindy missed them.
July 12, 2008 El Banano
At our church in El Banano the pastor has decided he needs to take some time away for personal reasons. From what we have learned there have been some problems with this church in the past and our present pastor has been working very hard to reestablish the church in the community. His name is Elias. If you would, please pray for him and his family. We don't know everything that's going on but we do know he is a wonderful man who could use our support right now.
The other pastors in the area are very concerned about this church and have come up with a plan to provide someone to help with the church two nights per week. Please pray for our pastors. As this begins to expand more responsibility and demands are being placed on them.
The other pastors in the area are very concerned about this church and have come up with a plan to provide someone to help with the church two nights per week. Please pray for our pastors. As this begins to expand more responsibility and demands are being placed on them.
July 12, 2008 New Churches
What about the churches???
Here are pictures of our three newest churches.
We added three new churches while we were in Honduras and are in the process of starting another new church in the next couple of weeks. We are trying to allow God to direct and us to go where He is guiding. With all three of the new churches God brought people to us who were wanting a church in their area and we followed where God was leading. Similar to the principle Jesus gave the 72 when He sent them out in Luke 10:1-7. He told them to look for a man of peace. A man willing to open his house to them. A man God had already prepared to receive them and allow them to use his house a hub for the gospel in that area. One of the churches is at a person's house, another is on property very close to the person's house, and the third is located next to the person's pulperia (that would be similar to a very, very small quick-stop without the gas).
The new church we are hoping to begin soon is located on property in a new colonia (small community) that has set aside some property for a church. Two men from the area came to visit Miguel (the president of the pastors) asking if we would come and start a church in their community since they have no church.
In Tegucagalpa (the capital of Honduras) we actually own a building but there is no church meeting there. The churches in the area are getting together in an effort to see about beginning a church at this location also.
July 12, 2008
What happened with the pastors and the churches while we were in Guatemala? Well, let's see!
1. The budget idea with the pastors managing the budget didn't go as planned. Not that they spent more than was allowed, but that they really didn't use the budget as a tool for managing the money. However, this has provided great info about where we need to go with managing the money and where we need to focus our efforts in learning to use a budget.
2. The Month Long Bible Institute Classes: The month long course did reconvene in May with one more student than the February class - we had five students this time. But only for about a week. Then Juan Bonilla (one of our pastors who has been very sick for many months) passed away. Two of his children were students at the Bible Institute. They returned home taking with them another student who lives in their area. It's not always the best idea to ride the bus for long distances by yourself so it was best if the other student returned home with them. We are hoping to begin these classes again in August.
3. The Sunday Bible Institute Classes: This begin in June and now has three students - all local pastors.
1. The budget idea with the pastors managing the budget didn't go as planned. Not that they spent more than was allowed, but that they really didn't use the budget as a tool for managing the money. However, this has provided great info about where we need to go with managing the money and where we need to focus our efforts in learning to use a budget.
2. The Month Long Bible Institute Classes: The month long course did reconvene in May with one more student than the February class - we had five students this time. But only for about a week. Then Juan Bonilla (one of our pastors who has been very sick for many months) passed away. Two of his children were students at the Bible Institute. They returned home taking with them another student who lives in their area. It's not always the best idea to ride the bus for long distances by yourself so it was best if the other student returned home with them. We are hoping to begin these classes again in August.
3. The Sunday Bible Institute Classes: This begin in June and now has three students - all local pastors.
Friday, July 18, 2008
July 11, 2008
Brad had an interesting experience today. A first for him. He was up at the Bible Institute and it was raining on and off. He looked to his left toward the Sula valley (for those who have been here it's toward the banana plantation) and saw a rainbow. He didn't just see the rainbow but he was able to see both ends of the rainbow touching the ground. Never seen that before. He didn't have his camera to get proof but he did have a witness with him to verify the story. After seven days of digging he has given up on finding the pot of gold.
July 10, 2008
Have you ever been in a position where you get up everyday and don't know how to do what you are suppose to do. Not maybe one or two things you need to do that day, but everything you need to do everyday you really don't know what you should do or how to do it. It quickly creates a lot of stress and worry. Ok, just being honest here. We know "Trust God" and He will take care of it." So easy to say - not always so easy to make the knot in your stomach go away. After several months of this day after day it begins to wear on you. Not just mentally but physically.
So, what's the answer? To make the Words in that Book called the Bible come off the page and be real. Sounds so easy doesn't it. We are being forced to rely on Him as never before in our lives. Sure wish this learning was easier. Many times when there is a knock at our door we would prefer not to answer. Not because we don't want the interruption. Not because we don't want to talk with people. But 90% of the time we know there is going to be a question, request, or problem on the other side of that door. And we are not going to know what to do or what is the best thing to do for that person or for the situation. To be honest, these things happen so frequently, that many times we try to handle them without consulting the One who would be of the most help.
We keep thinking we should be able to handle this or that and we will consult God for the bigger things. We guess the truth is, even what we are seeing as the little things are part of the big things. If this is going to work and be what God wants we are going to have to consult Him on everything. This will require us having the courage and the confidence to say "I can't make a decision about that right now. I need to talk with God and see what He wants done." Even with what may seem like insignificant things.
We could use some prayer here because it wears us down. Not our commitment to God and where He has directed us but physically it wears on you. Anybody have a special "spiritual pill" for this situation?
So, what's the answer? To make the Words in that Book called the Bible come off the page and be real. Sounds so easy doesn't it. We are being forced to rely on Him as never before in our lives. Sure wish this learning was easier. Many times when there is a knock at our door we would prefer not to answer. Not because we don't want the interruption. Not because we don't want to talk with people. But 90% of the time we know there is going to be a question, request, or problem on the other side of that door. And we are not going to know what to do or what is the best thing to do for that person or for the situation. To be honest, these things happen so frequently, that many times we try to handle them without consulting the One who would be of the most help.
We keep thinking we should be able to handle this or that and we will consult God for the bigger things. We guess the truth is, even what we are seeing as the little things are part of the big things. If this is going to work and be what God wants we are going to have to consult Him on everything. This will require us having the courage and the confidence to say "I can't make a decision about that right now. I need to talk with God and see what He wants done." Even with what may seem like insignificant things.
We could use some prayer here because it wears us down. Not our commitment to God and where He has directed us but physically it wears on you. Anybody have a special "spiritual pill" for this situation?
July 3, 2008
Thursday afternoon we distributed beans and rice to one of the poorer communities. However, the distribution was interrupted for a brief time while the cattle passed through and then a little longer while we waited for one stray to make sure we were ok.
june 30 - July 3, 2008
Last stop - Recreation. Guess the favorite activity of the boys. Soccer (Futbol). The girls jumped rope.
june 30 - July 3, 2008
What is VBS without snacks. They prepared the snacks in the bed of the truck and then took them to classrooms. If you look closely you will notice Cindy showed up in the classrooms during the snack time.
June 30 - July 3, 2008
Then Saul (the superintendent of the Bible Institute) shared the gospel with the kids.
June 30 - July 3, 2008
Next, the short video followed by a skit. The team did all this in Spanish which they had practiced prior to their arrival in Honduras.
June 30 - July 3, 2008
Next the kids made a little bracelet as they learned about Christ and God's plan for salvation.
June 30 - July 3, 2008
The VBS days started with the music team going into each room. The students stayed in their classrooms and the different ministry teams rotated through each classroom.
July 4, 2008
We have spent the past week with a high school group from Delaware. They did VBS in five local schools. Doing a session in the morning and a session in the afternoon. Most schools in Honduras are only for half a day. So at three of the schools they did VBS in the morning and then again for the afternoon classes. During the four days they saw about 3,000 very excited children who loved having them here. The group worked so hard and both the children and the teachers of the school seemed to really appreciate them.
The VBS team had to deal with pigs and piglets in the school yard during the recreation time, cows wandering around and at one school a very upset and large bull roaming the the perimeter of the school fence.
In addition, one of the high school kids was drafted by one of the schools to teach an English class. The school had an English class that day and their English teacher wasn't there, so one of the team members filled in.
The VBS team had to deal with pigs and piglets in the school yard during the recreation time, cows wandering around and at one school a very upset and large bull roaming the the perimeter of the school fence.
In addition, one of the high school kids was drafted by one of the schools to teach an English class. The school had an English class that day and their English teacher wasn't there, so one of the team members filled in.
June 28, 2008
Today when we went to the clinic we were surprised by what we saw. The team that was here a few weeks ago, and specifically Dr. Rudolph, had built four sets of portable shelves on rollers. Not only had they purchased and built them but stocked them with supplies. And had purchased two additional exam tables (we now have exam tables in all four rooms). Just what we needed.
Monday, July 7, 2008
June 27, 2008 Airport
We get to the airport on time. Say goodbye to Eddie. Take our bags inside and get in line to check-in. We wait maybe 20-30 minutes total and we're checked in. Next we go upstairs and grab a bite to eat at McDonalds before heading through security. While we are eating we realize something is different from the other times in this airport. It's air conditioned now. Boy does that feel good. We go through security and get our to gate about 10 minutes before we are suppose to board. Things are going perfect.
Only problem is there is no plane at the gate where we are suppose to be boarding. Could be a problem. We are suppose to board at 5:05 and leave at 5:35 pm. A little before six the word is the plane is still in Cancun and will be leaving soon but it MAY have to stop somewhere else first to pickup some other passengers. MAY have to stop somewhere else. Sounds a little suspicious from where we are sitting. Of course all these announcements are in Spanish through a megaphone that distorts the sound meaning we have little chance of understanding. Fortunately, a lady near us helps us get the details. All we could get was that we were delayed until about 7:30. No problem.
About a half hour later the word is the plane may, or may not, come tonight. If this plane doesn't make it than we will not be able to leave until the next morning. This is not as good as the last news. On the bright side, they did provide us with a meal while we waited.
Eventually the plane does make it in after stopping to pickup the additional passengers and we get to Honduras only about four hours late. Hey, four hours is a lot better than spending the night at the airport in Guatemala since the only eating place was closing at about 8:00 pm.
Only problem is there is no plane at the gate where we are suppose to be boarding. Could be a problem. We are suppose to board at 5:05 and leave at 5:35 pm. A little before six the word is the plane is still in Cancun and will be leaving soon but it MAY have to stop somewhere else first to pickup some other passengers. MAY have to stop somewhere else. Sounds a little suspicious from where we are sitting. Of course all these announcements are in Spanish through a megaphone that distorts the sound meaning we have little chance of understanding. Fortunately, a lady near us helps us get the details. All we could get was that we were delayed until about 7:30. No problem.
About a half hour later the word is the plane may, or may not, come tonight. If this plane doesn't make it than we will not be able to leave until the next morning. This is not as good as the last news. On the bright side, they did provide us with a meal while we waited.
Eventually the plane does make it in after stopping to pickup the additional passengers and we get to Honduras only about four hours late. Hey, four hours is a lot better than spending the night at the airport in Guatemala since the only eating place was closing at about 8:00 pm.
June 27, 2008
Can't say this is a day we have been looking forward to. We are ready to get home to Honduras but we have made A LOT of good friends here and it is difficult to leave them. Today we had to say goodbye to our maestros (teachers). They are not only our teachers but they have also become our good friends. During class today we took our teachers for ice cream. Then Cindy took here teacher to exchange a book Cindy had bought for her but she already had. Brad and his teacher just went for a walk around the town and talked. After class we had to say goodbye to everyone at the school that we have gotten to know over the past 12 weeks.
Then we headed to our house for lunch. On the way we stopped at the the YWAM coffee shop to say goodbye to Bill and Pat (the couple that run the place). We have spend a lot of time in there over the past 12 weeks studying and talking.
When we got back to the house we had lunch with Allyson (a new student at the house that arrived about 10 days ago), Miguel (the student from Germany that has been at the house almost as long as we have), Lesbia (our house mom), and the three girls who are on vacation from school this week - Majo, Andrea, and Marcela. We started eating about 1:25 and our ride to airport showed up at 1:45. It wasn't much time to spend with people you have grown very close to over the past three months. It seemed very rushed and very sad to be leaving them.
The driver taking us to the airport was Eddie. Except for our initial arrival, Eddie has been our driver every time we've come or gone to the airport. He also works at the school so we see him regularly. He has gotten to know us so well that when we returned to Guatemala in May he didn't even bring a sign with our names on it to hold up at the airport. So, it was nice to spend some time with Eddie on the 45 minute ride to the airport.
Then we headed to our house for lunch. On the way we stopped at the the YWAM coffee shop to say goodbye to Bill and Pat (the couple that run the place). We have spend a lot of time in there over the past 12 weeks studying and talking.
When we got back to the house we had lunch with Allyson (a new student at the house that arrived about 10 days ago), Miguel (the student from Germany that has been at the house almost as long as we have), Lesbia (our house mom), and the three girls who are on vacation from school this week - Majo, Andrea, and Marcela. We started eating about 1:25 and our ride to airport showed up at 1:45. It wasn't much time to spend with people you have grown very close to over the past three months. It seemed very rushed and very sad to be leaving them.
The driver taking us to the airport was Eddie. Except for our initial arrival, Eddie has been our driver every time we've come or gone to the airport. He also works at the school so we see him regularly. He has gotten to know us so well that when we returned to Guatemala in May he didn't even bring a sign with our names on it to hold up at the airport. So, it was nice to spend some time with Eddie on the 45 minute ride to the airport.
June 26, 2008
We've spent the past three days doing some final things: eating at certain places for the last time, shopping in the market for some movies to take back to Honduras with us. They have a much better selection of movies in Guatemala than we do in Honduras. The movies are copies but you can't find originals because of all the people selling the copies that are so much cheaper than what an original would cost they just can't compete. We also had gone to the little pueblo (town) of Pastores on Saturday and ordered some boots for a friend that wanted some. The man at the boot store told us they would be ready by 11:00 am on Thursday. We, thinking we are working on Latin American time, hoped they would be ready by 2:00 pm or so. Rarely do things seem to be finished by the time someone says. It's just the way it is and once you learn that everything is fine.
So, we took the "chicken bus" for the 15 minute ride to Pastores and arrived about 1:50. Only problem was the store was closed. The lady in the store across the street said he was at lunch until at least 3:00. Not much to do in Pastores if you're not there for boots so we caught the next bus back to Antigua to eat lunch. (we haven't eaten lunch up to this point). Got back to Antigua, ate lunch, walked back to the bus and rode another "chicken bus" back to Pastores - arriving about 4:00. This time the store was open, the boots were ready, we picked them up, caught the next bus back to Antigua and learned a lesson. Sometimes here, when someone says it will be finished by a certain time they mean it. Oh, well. Guess our problem now is learning how to tell when they actually mean the specific time and when it's an approximation.
There is a circus in town this week. On the second trip back from Pastores as we passed the circus we noticed a group of people standing around a trailer attached to a pickup. The trailer was a small, home-made, wooden trailer with screen around the top. Looks like a trailer someone would make at home for hauling wood but with the additional screen on top. The trailer is attached to an old pickup. And, inside the trailer is a full grown lion. Wished we had our camera.
So, we took the "chicken bus" for the 15 minute ride to Pastores and arrived about 1:50. Only problem was the store was closed. The lady in the store across the street said he was at lunch until at least 3:00. Not much to do in Pastores if you're not there for boots so we caught the next bus back to Antigua to eat lunch. (we haven't eaten lunch up to this point). Got back to Antigua, ate lunch, walked back to the bus and rode another "chicken bus" back to Pastores - arriving about 4:00. This time the store was open, the boots were ready, we picked them up, caught the next bus back to Antigua and learned a lesson. Sometimes here, when someone says it will be finished by a certain time they mean it. Oh, well. Guess our problem now is learning how to tell when they actually mean the specific time and when it's an approximation.
There is a circus in town this week. On the second trip back from Pastores as we passed the circus we noticed a group of people standing around a trailer attached to a pickup. The trailer was a small, home-made, wooden trailer with screen around the top. Looks like a trailer someone would make at home for hauling wood but with the additional screen on top. The trailer is attached to an old pickup. And, inside the trailer is a full grown lion. Wished we had our camera.
June 23, 2008
Well, today begins our last week in Guatemala. Cindy took her Grado D test and passed. Brad spend his entire morning talking with his instructor about communion, baptism, how we know we can trust the Bible and other topics of interests - all in Spanish of course. Kind of limits what you can say when you have to use a language you're just learning. Both of our instructors are strong Christians who read and study the Bible quite a bit.
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