Summer _News

I can't remember the name of this noisy bird on the left, but it was hysterical to listen to
as it seemed like it was laughing and having a party up in the trees.
On the right is the green heron, a bird we've seen in almost every country we've traveled to.

An abstract look at the mangroves at Monterrico, Guatemala

This is a four eyed fish that you can see skipping across the water like a stone.
It has two eyes in the front and two eyes in the back of its head so it can really see what is coming and going.

Steve is playing chicken with the giant waves that break about 12 feet high right on the shore in Monterrico's beach.

Monthly News

As the heat wave and drought seems to be hitting the states, we are blessed here in Guatemala with cool weather and daily rain. It is definitely a climate change. I think climate change can also apply in our own lives as we look at what kindof "weather" is affecting our moods or actions each day. It is amazing how a little action by someone else or something else in our lives can change the whole outlook on our day. It is important to be aware of our emotions, but not to become our emotions or let them dictate our reactions. For years I have had a sticker on the top of my podium at school that says, "Respond, don't react" to remind me of exactly that. My goal for this coming school year is to work to deal appropriately with the situations that confront me every day; every day will probably not be a sunny happy day, but I hope to control any unexpected storms and push the clouds away when it gets hazy or overcast.

Birds, bugs, and butterflies are all willing to pose for a picture in Armenia, Colombia

It is interesting to look at the different creatures God has put on the planet and to marval at how unique each one is. They act unexpectedly and you never know who or what you will see where or when. Unlike us though, I don't think they compare themselves to each other. Nothing good comes from comparing yourself to others and living in the land of 'er - better, stronger, bigger, etc. We are all uniquely made exactly as God had planned. Everyone's circumstances are different so any comparison really is moot. Be happy with who you are - live the life you love and love the life you live because the choice is up to you.

But since we belong to the day, leet us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as the breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
1Thessalonians 5:8

One suggestion we got from some of the missionaries we work with here in South America is for people who are coming to help to learn some Spanish. It helps to make a greater impact and really build relationships that can't be accomplished with a language barrier. As we have traveled, we have seen that we can communicate with about 70% of the people we meet in either English or Spanish, so knowing both of those languages can help reach a lot of people.
We are here in Guatemala for another year and hope to be able to show friends and family a few of the sights here that make this a beautiful country. I hope you enjoy the pictures from our summer travels to the Caribbean and Costa Rica!

Steve and Cathy Carpenter

Prayers

Requests
- the Tulcanaza family in Ecuador, especially Fabiola's health and their family finances
- for the new and old teachers at CAG for a successful and fruitful school year 2012-13
- God's mercy and grace in our lives
- family members who are facing tough decisions in their lives
- successful search for a church herein Guatemala

Praises
- opportunities to support more mission work and projects in Ecuador and Uganda
- continued good health, safe travel, and a blessed life
- successful mission trips of family and friends
- meeting a student from 15 years ago who was on a mission trip to Guatemala and remembered me as a positive influence in his life
- marriage of my niece to a wonderful young man

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