We certainly weren't all work and no play during VBS time! We got to visit Antigua, where Shelley and I had tea with a friend of hers. The above photo was taken in the central park of Antigua.


Daniel watched the children so that she and I could do some "girl stuff" too, i.e. lunch and shopping. :o) It was fun to have my cousin and childhood friend with us again, and her week with us flew by all too quickly.


Thanks for coming, Shelley! (I know you'll read this in Nicaragua.) Can't wait 'til next time.

This year's Escuelas Biblicas de Vacaciones in La Esperanza went very well. Some of the young people from San Juan came out to help us with the classes, puppets, and refreshments.


The first day attendance was lower than expected, and we were a little discouraged. Then we found out where everybody was...Right down the street, lining up for free toys for Christmas at the municipal building!


The next day things picked up, and we averaged about 75 children through the week, praise the Lord.


The puppets were a favorite. They captured the attention of children and adults alike. We did a couple of skits geared toward good behavior, but mostly they just sang songs with the children and interacted with Bro. Daniel.


My cousin Shelley flew up from Nicaragua to spend her vacation with us. (That's her, holding my J.B.) She helped us out in so many ways, and did an excellent job signing up the children so we would have good records for follow-up visits. Some vacation, huh? :o) But I've never seen such a willing and capable servant for the Lord. If some fellow is ever able to capture her heart, he will be blessed indeed!


Several teens came, including two girls who work as muchachas for families that live close by. One of those girls came to church last Sunday, since she has that day off.


Praise the Lord, there were several spiritual decisions made, and the children raised a good offering for a Scripture and tract printing ministry. Overall, it was a wonderful week, and a good learning experience for us at the new work in La Esperanza. We finished the week tired, but happy!

Hello? Anybody around?


...[crickets chirping]...


Well, I haven't been, either! After three weeks of VBS, and a wonderful (if not altogether too brief) visit from my cousin Shelley, AND being without internet for a few days, it's been too long since I posted. It certainly wasn't for lack of subject matter!

Now that things are getting back to "normal" again, I will be able to write. It's all too much for just one post, so stay tuned.

*****

We've had frost on the ground most mornings, and even during the sunny days our house stays cool enough to need a sweater. We sadly bid adieu to fall, and I made a creamed soup with the last of the squash. The family raved about it, so I'll share my recipe just in case you have a gourd or two still lying around:

Creamed Squash and Potato Soup

one large squash, seeded and cubed
4 to 5 potatoes, peeled and sliced
salt to taste
milk
diced ham

Place the squash, potatoes, and salt into a large soup pot and add just enough water to cook the vegetables until soft. Spoon into a blender and puree until smooth. Return the puree to the pot and pour in enough milk to make it the consistency you want. Add diced ham and simmer for 15 minutes or so.

Even Joseph, my pickiest eater, asked for seconds. This one definitely gets written into my "keepers" recipe book!

I hope you are all staying warm and well this winter, especially those of you in the North.

We are in the midst of Escuelitas Biblicas (VBS) this week, and are we having a great time! My girls and I made ten puppets to use in San Juan and also for VBS in La Esperanza next week. Here are some of them in action:




(That is Hno. Oto, pastor of the church.)

Daniel and I are teaching the 9- to 11-year-olds, and we have a group of fifty or so.

Giving the Bible lesson:

Teaching the memory verse:

Children eager to learn:

Puppeteers:

Puppets resting:

...I think by the end of the last day, we're going to look a lot like the puppets in that last pic! But all the work is so rewarding and exciting, and we are glad to be able to do it.

You might remember that our bathroom has been out of commission, and Daniel got that all fixed up before company came. Here's the finished product:

The tile that we had on the floor was a size that is not standard in this country and was impossible to match, so we took the whole floor out and put this in. It looks really nice with the burgundy bathtub, and makes me smile everytime I see it. It even has a texture to it that makes it less slippery. Well done, Sweetie!

*****

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanks Giving with friends. They arrived around 12:30, and filled my kitchen with side dishes, pies, and laughter. Big Tom came out of the oven just in time, and all crispy-brown. Mmmmmmmm.


After the meal, we chatted and gave testimonies of how the Lord had blessed us over the past year. We sang some hymns, then one of the men gave a brief devotional about what we have to be thankful for - Much!

After company left, we opened our Thanks Box.


Even though it was only a month's time that we had it, there were plenty of slips of paper in there, and on each was written something someone was thankful for. Aren't there so many ways that the Lord blesses us, that we take for granted? Like healthy children, running water and electricity, and anti-slip tile in the bathroom.

*****

In Guatemala, December is Vacation Bible School season, and we are making preparations to have EBV (Escuela Biblica de Vacaciones) in La Esperanza. We also get to help out in San Juan and Xela for churches of like faith there.

This week we are in Xela every day. More about that is posted here.

I took this shot of Santa Maria yesterday after Bible Clubs were over, and the sun was just about to set.

Isn't she beautiful?