Sunday and Monday

Hello,

well...we are posting again, however, we have not been able to access the computer as often as we have anticipated. We appologise for those of you who have been checking hourly! Thank you to those who have reponded to the blog, and encouraged us with your words and support. It is appreciated. We ask for your patience as you read, as it is hard to get everything written in such a short amount of time, especially when each memory is so thick and could be talked about in great detail.

We will start with several highlights from yesterday.

We bagan our morning with a market activity in which we were given a list in Spaniish....mainly groceries. We were split into teams and had to go and try and get the biggest and best priced item. Well, it was interesting! I am sure the sellers in the market look forward to what they must call 'School the Foreigners Day'. While the people generally gave us great prices, there were times where we were definately taken for a ride!

We later went to visit a Catholic Church called Chixim. Karen told us about how the faith here is very synchrotized with the traditional Myan beliefs. For example, there was a Cross that had corn placed on it as an offering to the corn god. Inside was even more startling, but incredible to learn about, and reflect upon the ways in which our faith is also impacted and changed by our culture. The people here live such a faith of obligation, not freedom. Very eye opening.

IN the evening we went to church in Tactic. Amanda and Ben did an amazing job of sharing their testimony. The singing of the congregations was amazing. If only we could bring back their voices...the singing is engergetic, full of enthusiasm and joy. Its incredible to hear and see. Even though the service was in Spanish we were greatly blessed.

Today we began our DVBS's at the public school next to the cathederal we had visited. It was, we have been told, the first time a missions team has been able to go into a public school and tell the children about Jesus Christ. It was an overwhelmingly beautful experience. The children at both the missions schools, and public were so warm and welcoming. They embraced us with their smiles and their arms. The public school was very simplely built, as most things are here (which is still shocking...except for our accomodations...better than we could ahve dreamed!). However, the time we spent was amazing.

We woke up to the sound of rain, and to the misty clouds rolling over the mountains and through the valley. It was beautiful. The rain stayed with us through the morning, and as we joined the children at the school, we palyed with them and were eventually soaking wet. But happy, and warmed by the people, encouraged by seeing eachother, and confident in the knowledge that we were brought here to bring glory to God. Miss Friesen and Mrs Irvines groupd did a great job today, and we are confident that our story about the prodigal son was able to share with the students about the free gift of love that God calls us into through His Son Jesus Christ.

This afternoon we went to go and work by leveling an area that will become a playing feild at one of the schools. The team worked very very hard, especially since the rain damped the soild and made it heavier to lift.

All in all, it has been a very full time so far, interspersed with opportunities to think about the world we ahve left behind, and to listen for the Holy Spirit who is seeking to change us more and more into the likeness of Christ Jesus. This is a strong theme so far that Karen has mentioned and challenged us with, and in the times we share, we can see that we are taking this seriously.

Requests: energy to work hard; for us to be challenged to be truly unified in Christ, and to serve eachother well; for us to love well and speak the gospel of Christ even when we cannot use words; for continued safety; for Karen and Rocky to continue to challenge us.

Thank you for our prayers, and we give praise to God, the creator of both heaven and earth, who sustains all things, and who has blessed by bringing us to a place such as this.

Yours In Christ