September News

Antigua, Guatemala

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11


Our Mission
Photo Gallery
Monthly News
Prayer Requests

Our Mission

The mangroves on the Pacific coast of Guatemala are home to many species of water birds.

To follow God's will for our lives so that we can serve Him in all we do,
go wherever He leads, and share His amazing love with those around us.


Continue to support missions around the world:

1) Cusco, Peru - Romulo Tupa - Local Missionary
2) Lima, Peru - Pace family and their school, missionaries and outreaches
3) Guayllabamba, Ecuador - Tulcanza Family - Local Missionary Church with three outreach locations
4) El Batan Missionary Alliance Church - Ninos de la calle en riesgo
5) Just For Kids Orphanage - Valle de los Chillos, Ecuador
6) Home of Hope - Malawi, Africa, Canadian Missionaries
7) Missionaries and mission trips that God plants in our hearts
8) Foster House - Cochabama, Bolivia



Photo Gallery

 
I never knew this, but this is how loofah sponges are grown! They are skinned/peeled, and then dried.


  
The Pacific coast at Monterico has black sand beaches, high waves, and is a preserve for sea turtles.

 
Here we are at market day in San Juan Sacatepequez, a small town north of Guatemala City.
We did not try the dried lizard above but saw that the fruits and flowers were plentiful.

Monthly News



 
Well we have been in Guatemala for two months and seem to be getting the hang of things. School is in week two and the students haven't made us want to quit yet! We are both teaching at the American School of Guatemala,a much larger school than where we were in Colombia. People keep asking us what we miss from Colombia or what was better/worse. In reality, every place is just different. I would like a good buñuelos and to eat at El Solar or El Ricon de la Hacienda in Calarca. I truly miss living in nature with the toucans outside my window and the beauty and wonder of God all around us on a daily basis. You really have to embrace every moment you are given because it is all a gift and can go as quick as it comes. If you've never heard the song, In the Blink of an Eye by Mercy Me, check it out at the link below and it will make you really think about your purpose, and why you are where you are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjmpbl2OUMU&feature=related

 
I love to visit the local markets to see everything that is for sale.

The colors and designs on the Guatemalean clothing is amazing. The actually dress in the clothing of each region and usually have lots of color and intricate designs. I enjoy having cheap fresh flowers again as we did in Ecuador. You can get Gerber daisies for about .40 each and roses for $3 a dozen. We are able to get most food items here as we even have Price Smart member warehouses. Even in Guatemala, I can order pictures on-line and pick them up in the store. Who would've thought! Not that I thought it was still a horse and buggy place, but we haven't had these conveniences living abroad for a long time and it is both exciting and sad because it does take away a little from being absorbed into a different culture when half the place looks like home.

 
Steve was very excited about his .14 chocolate/nut covered bananas

If I have to complain about anything, it would be the ants in my peanut butter! Yes. I don't know how they do it, but we keep getting these tiny kitchen ants I'll call them, in the peanut butter. The lid is on so tight that Superman couldn't get it off and they still get in there. I am all about protein, but this is a little too much. We can't leave anything out and have now put the peanut butter in a ziploc bag in another ziploc bag to protect it - it is a decent price here but still like gold!

 

I don't think the fowl realize what is going to happen to them
(It isn't a nice ride in a basket out in the sunshine)


We were able to visit the beach on the Pacific Coast for a long weekend and it was a different experience. The sand is black and the waves peak about 20 feet out at about 40 feet high. It is quite exhilerating to watch but not to get sucked away in! This area is known for its sea turtle nesting areas and mangroves. It is a protected area and has lots of birds and other animals you can see.

 
 
We went out at 5 AM on a flatbottom boat through the swamp and mangroves and saw and heard all kinds of things. It was definitely worth getting up early for. We saw three different nests, one actually in the water with weeds and sticks covering over the eggs. The others were woven right into reeds; the birds are very ingenious.


Almost every landscape shot has volcanoes in the background.

 

Monterico, Guatemala - Steve was daring and pretending that the waves didn't scare him. We still have to visit the Atlantic side to see what that holds. Apparently, El Salvador is the place to go if you want big surfing waves and that type of environment.

We are happy for the opportunity to be here and pray that God will show us His plan and that we will be listening when He does. We are looking forward to any company and invite anyone with a desire to get out of town for a week to let us know!
God is great and if you don't believe it, come live our life with us and see it first hand!


Steve and Cathy Carpenter


      

Prayer Requests and Praises


  The mangroves on our boat ride
Prayer
- Tim Goode for good reports on his brain tumor
- Physical healing for Jeff Benefield and David Sloan at CMC in Flowery Branch
- those that are relocating and starting again for strength, patience, and focus
- new connections with new people
- to maintain a Christ-like attitude and ministry of service to those around us
- for the health and healing of those in my family that are in need
- for Fabiola - pastor's wife in Guayllabamba - physical healing

Praise
- a good church here in Guatemala City to attend with opportunities for mission tams
- a good start to the new school year
- 22 years of marriage tomorrow with the person God put into my life intentionally
- good health and new health insurance for Steve and I
-  a blessed life and plenty of room for visitors to share our good fortune
- completed healing from my throat surgery and no further problems


Antiqua, Guatemala had a lot of interesting
crafts and artifacts, including these various sized people
that I will have to find out the significance of!


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