Mi Familia en Antigua

After 10 days of rest, we moved to our host family for the duration of our Espanol in Antigua.  After one week Alicia is giving us hugs goodbye.  She is an awesome cook and her 50 year old nephew  Francisco takes great care of us.  Every breakfast, lunch and dinner they speak to us in Espanol.  We have already given them so much to laugh about!

Summer in Antigua

We were blessed by a visit from Summer who had been serving in Guatemala City for 5 weeks!

Trust

But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, "You are my God."
My times are in your hands;
deliver me from my enemies
And from those who pursue me.
Let your face shine on your servant;
Save me in your unfailing love.
Let me not be put to shame, O Lord,
for I have cried out to you.

Be strong and take heart all you who hope in the Lord!
from Psalm 31

Language School Begins

First day of school – SO EXCITED!

10:30 Break – GOING, GOING……

Immediately after school - GONE

SI Guatemala

We got to know Ron and Joan Frese, and their grandchildren, Issac, Jacob and Rachel last week! Ron and Joan are on the board for SI in Visalia and they were all here for language school! They treated us to dinner in an amazing restaurant high above Antigua. It was amazing!

We also spent a day with the Frese family and Fernando, the base director for SI Guatemala touring the ministry sites.

Karen had a great time visiting with the students, team leaders and interns learning about the differences between homestay and staying on a base.  Kenny had a very difficult time walking through a hospital where disabled kids, abandoned by their families because of their disability, were left to the care of others. We were filled with sadness but also hope because these children were being cared for and loved by the hospital staff and Students International staff. 

Sites of Students International Guatemala

Art Site! Amazing, gifted artists!

Afterwards we had lunch with the Frese family and Fernando's family!

Abby

Abby -  Our magnifico housekeeper, cook, translator took wonderful care of us during our first week in Antigua. We went back to visit her after moving out and she started to cry! She called us family. We love her so much!

First Days in Antigua

We arrived in Antigua late at night and at the hotel we were ushered into the smallest room you can imagine. Our first thought was “Okay, God, we can do this if this is your will for us.” There wasn’t even room to open our suitcases. The next day we were given an amazing room in the owner, Rosita’s home. Plus we received breakfast and lunch cooked for us everyday by Abby her housekeeper. Both Abby and Rosita became our good friends. We felt as though we were in language school already they helped us so much with Spanish! Both women shared their hearts with us and we were so encouraged that in spite of the language barrier we could still be in close relationship and love others!

Our first night in Antigua 

In the hotel

We were moved to a bigger room the 2nd night. Not sure why? Language Barrier!

First Breakfast In Antigua!

Church in the square

An old government building in the main square.

Old building destroyed by the earthquakes of 1700’s    

We went into one of these churches and knelt down to pray. I was brought to tears just thinking of all the people who have knelt where we were kneeling over hundreds of years crying out to God.   Karen

Is that a awesome sight?  I love walking down this street!    

In a cafe on the internet above the square! So cool!