Missionary Journey

Dear friends and family

It has been a wonderful journey so far. Again, I am a tourist for the first part of my trip. We toured Guatemala City with two doctors in training. Dr. Mario is studying to be an internist and his friend, who drove his car, is training to be a vascularsurgeon. So they have many more years of study. After conversations with these men, I have much honor and respect for all they have to give up to go through such arduous training. They live on a shoestring, cannot develop any serious relationship with the opposite sex, and are exposed to a lot of vices and temptations as medical students. Vicky and I enjoyed their company and their openness to their spiritual battles as these are men of God. We were able to pray for their future, their present, their protection and bless the home we were in.

On Sunday, we drove to Antigua, Guatemala. It is a very old city with ancient churches and cobblestone roads. It was truly beautiful, but the most beautiful are the people. Their clothes are colorful and they are very gentle people. Mario and Oscar gave us a driving tour, Vicky and I checked into a hotel, then we all went to lunch. Afterward the boys went back to Guatemala City and Vicky and I continued exploring Antigua. I loved it.

Monday, we looked for hotels for the group coming in October. We found a very quaint and cheap inn that will be wonderful for the group. Only $25-night per person. After we did our work, we got on a shuttle for a 3 hour ride to the beautiful lake Punachab in Atillia. We found a wonderful hotel and walked around. We have taken a boat ride across the lake to another town which is where I am writing from now. We are about to eat lunch then return to Atillia where we will get on a shuttle back to Antigua.

In all these places are rows and rows of vendors wanting to sell their wares to us. It is so hard to say NO all the time, but we do. I have been purchasing small items, but my suitcase cannot handle any more! So, I am trying not to buy any more. If I find a deal I cannot resist, Ill have to buy another suitcase! Will write more when I get a chance.