Visit to a village.

While I have managed to keep pretty busy since I arrived, I have also had time to do a few other fun things. Last week I was able to go with another ministry (ASOSAP) on one of their village ministries. Since they all spoke Pokomchi in that village, I spent most of my time taking pictures of cute kids until my battery died. :(

They visit these villages on a regular basis teaching them about God's love for us as well as hygiene and other skills.

Cute baby. Her mom is the 16 year old in the green top to the right.

 These guys were listening to the message. As long as I wasn't distracting them with pictures! :)

 Consuelo giving the lesson. 

 This baby was so cute! But her little bare feet made me sad. It is cold there, and I saw many babies and mothers without shoes.

 Watching the Jesus movie in Pokomchi.

 This little girl was so cute with her monkey!

 After the lesson and movie, we all shared lunch together. Then the ladies from the ministry cut hair and did hairdo's as well as painting nails. It was so fun to watch their excitement at it all.

 Big monkey!

 These girls were pretty shy, but warmed up quickly. They had the most beautiful eyes, like their mother.

 This lady sat with her hand over her mouth the whole time they were cutting and styling her hair. This was obviously a treat for her and she was enjoying it!

 I love all the colours.

Curious George's mom getting her nails painted. :)

I really enjoyed spending time with another ministry in a small village. It was hard not being able to speak to them, but I enjoyed communicating in different ways. I hope to do it again soon!

No (wo)man is an island.

I would love to admit that I know that line of poetry because I read great poetry, but I actually got it from watching the movie About a Boy. :)

Anyway, the point is, I am not in this project alone. First and foremost, God is with me always, no matter how well or poorly I am doing. But He knows that some help on the ground is necessary too. 

Here in San Cristobal I have met many wonderful people and families. One of them is from the Southern U.S. and they were so helpful to me the first week.

The Thomas family. They have been a great help and such an encouragement to me. And I love Karen's cooking too! :) At one point I called (again!) about something and told them I am normally not that needy. Now we are in the fun part of just being friends. I have an invite for lunch tomorrow. ;)

Jeff has been sharing my vision with others in the town and there is a lawyer now very interested in helping with whatever he can. We meet with him on Monday. I am so thankful for all the help offered to me.

My pastoral care team from CTEN let me know that their son Ryan could help me out. He travels to different ministries and helps out with things that people don't have the time for, or (like me) don't have the skill for. I am so thankful he will spend a few weeks here. There is a guy in town who lives alone and has graciously allowed Ryan to stay with him, no charge! The people here really are very friendly. 

Ryan is helping with little things like hanging curtains,
 fixing some plumbing, and changing a lot of light bulbs! He quickly worked through the list of nit-picky things in the first few days.

 This wood is going to be a gate to block the kids access to the pool. Surprisingly, this is not a certification requirement, this is the lifeguard and nurse in me requirement!

Ryan will also be building me some bunk beds and cribs and a changing table. I want all of these to be built very sturdy so the kids can use them as supports, etc. We sat down and I gave him a rough idea of what I needed, and I am excited to see them take shape in the next couple of weeks!

Things are going well since moving in. I am working on getting caught up on "computer things". Some days I am so cold sitting at the desk, I just want to curl up on my couch and read a book! So far I have resisted.

This is me trying to stay warm and keep my arms free! Now I know why the snuggie was invented. Too bad I don't have one. :) The camera is sitting on my computer desk to take the picture. I envisioned this area as an office, except then it turned into a closet as well!

Take care and have a great weekend!

Small town living.

I have lived in a small town for the last 2 1/2 years. And that town was even smaller than this town but for some reason I have already immersed myself more into this town than I did the last.

Each person I meet has been more helpful than I had ever expected. And it leads me to more and more people who want to help out even more.

Today I was greeted with the traditional kiss and hug at the bank by a teller (female) that I have met once. Later I met a mechanic who had heard about me the day before and knew about the electricity problem I am having at my house. I was walking with a friend today and we saw a guy who delivers purified water and I now have my water delivery set up for Mondays. Last night I met another guy who had already heard about me from a couple of people. Tonight I was driving in town and saw a friend and later the Mother Superior from a Catholic orphanage I had visited earlier. I have met the caretaker of the property in town and the guy who drove all my stuff out from Parramos waved at me yesterday as I drove by. I saw another friend in the bank the day before yesterday. I can't go into town without meeting someone I know!

I love it here. :)

Moving day.

I'm all moved in! That of course doesn't mean I am all unpacked. :)

Friday was a long day but it was full of helpful people and God's grace and strength for me.

Four of the men from the Rehab came over to help load the truck, one guy from the Children's Home, and 3 guys came with the truck. So we loaded up fairly quickly and we were able to be on the road at 10:30.

 First I had to say goodbye to my landlords. Adele, my landlady cried. I lived in the apartment above them for 2 1/2 years! That is the longest consecutive stay in one place since I was 19 years old. I will miss living there.

This was my view for the next 6 hours and 15 minutes. I don't like to drive that distance alone in case something happens to my car. Which is funny because I have driven for days and days throughout Canada and the U.S. and never been worried. Things are different here. The truck moved pretty slow. It gave me a nice opportunity to sing at the top of my lungs for a while. :)

 This country is beautiful.

 A little construction on the way. This was one of the many parts of the road that has been washed away. Construction has been ongoing for years.

Once we arrived, a new friend of mine had brought about 8 or 9 teens to help with unloading. They sure had a lot of energy! But they got the job done quickly and gave me a good welcome, applause included!

 My first visitors! 

Ruth has been a very good friend of mine since we were both in grade 6. I am so excited to be living only 1/2 hour away from her now! Their family came back the next morning and brought help to get things in order, gas stove and washer hooked up, etc. I was thankful for their help! 

My first morning, a missionary family I had met on my previous trip called to see what they could do to help. I invited myself over for dinner. :) I had a great time visiting with them that night and she made a cherry pie! If only I had taken a picture of the size of the piece of pie she gave me! I can just say, we will be very good friends. ;) 

They told me of a lawyer that now wants to help out with whatever I need. He also talked to some other people and they would like to give some donations. More local support! I am so thankful.

The house is definitely big for one person to be living in. I can't wait to have some kids running and wheeling around and keeping me company. Until then, there is a lot to do to get the place ready for them!