Guatemalan Update #4 - Yes we are STILL here.
YES, we are STILL in Guatemala. We have been told that we may be here for at least 60 more days. Although the process has been much longer than we originally thought we are thankful for the lessons that we are learning and for HIS faithfulness. Now, for some of the latest happenings.
Semana Santa
Wow! This year we celebrated Easter for about 40 days. In this very Catholic town, for almost the entire 40 days of lent there are celebrations of the death and burial of Jesus. It has been a good reminder for us of the price that was paid for our salvation. The sad thing is that in the midst of the these remembrances very little time celebrating the resurrection of the RISEN SAVIOR. I have uploaded some new pictures to our blog site that show this beautiful time of the year.
Panajachel
For Maria's birthday we decided that a trip outside of Antigua was in order. After all, 21 is VERY old. We went to the lake town of Panajachel. It was absolutely beautiful. The lake was formed in a crater created by one of the 2-3 volcanoes that surround the lake. We had a very relaxing trip, and got to go to several indigenous villages, which was a REAL highlight.
Jocotenango
In addition to the wonderful Thursday night English speaking church that we attend, we have been going to a small CAM church in a small town called Jocotenango. It is outside of the tourist infested Antigua and so we get a taste of real Guatemalan life. My Spanish teacher attends this church and his son and daughter-in-law who are our age attend there as well. We have become very good friends with Selvyn and Nancy. The church is doing an evangelistic outreach this next weekend so we are excited to be able to help out with that.
The Rest of the Story
We have been saddened by the fact that the orphanage that Maria has been helping out at has made it very difficult for outsiders to help out there. Betty and I are missing it as well. We enjoyed the times that we were able to go there and spend time with the children. We have since heard of several Christian orphanages and have been invited to go visit one of them. We have also heard of a project that has done some neat things with fostering unadoptable children. This is very similar to the vision that I feel like the Lord is laying on our heart, so we are anxious to find out more.
Joelle is doing better everyday, she does not even seem like the same child. The boys are all doing very well and are growing like weeds. Please pray for us as we decide how to proceed with our stay here. We feel very sure that there is a bigger reason for the delay than meets the eye. We feel like there are lessons that we still need to learn and vision that He still wants to impart to us. Our tickets home expire in May, and so if Joelle's paper work is not done by then, I will probably fly home and bring our van down. This will give us a bit more freedom to roam the country a bit. Please help us pray that He would guide us regarding all of this.
Well, I would love to write more, but I am falling asleep at the wheel. We would love to see you all (HINT HINT - Come visit us!!)
Prayer Needs
- Continued Wisdom, Direction, Provision, and Protection
- Continued Healing for Joelle
- That we would keep our priorities focused where they need to be
- My Spanish Studies
- Joelle's Paperwork and the Adoption Process
- Traveling mercies for you all that are going to come visit us. (Por Fe).
We love you all,
Josh, Betty, Abel, Abraham, Joelle, and Nathanael
Semana Santa
Wow! This year we celebrated Easter for about 40 days. In this very Catholic town, for almost the entire 40 days of lent there are celebrations of the death and burial of Jesus. It has been a good reminder for us of the price that was paid for our salvation. The sad thing is that in the midst of the these remembrances very little time celebrating the resurrection of the RISEN SAVIOR. I have uploaded some new pictures to our blog site that show this beautiful time of the year.
Panajachel
For Maria's birthday we decided that a trip outside of Antigua was in order. After all, 21 is VERY old. We went to the lake town of Panajachel. It was absolutely beautiful. The lake was formed in a crater created by one of the 2-3 volcanoes that surround the lake. We had a very relaxing trip, and got to go to several indigenous villages, which was a REAL highlight.
Jocotenango
In addition to the wonderful Thursday night English speaking church that we attend, we have been going to a small CAM church in a small town called Jocotenango. It is outside of the tourist infested Antigua and so we get a taste of real Guatemalan life. My Spanish teacher attends this church and his son and daughter-in-law who are our age attend there as well. We have become very good friends with Selvyn and Nancy. The church is doing an evangelistic outreach this next weekend so we are excited to be able to help out with that.
The Rest of the Story
We have been saddened by the fact that the orphanage that Maria has been helping out at has made it very difficult for outsiders to help out there. Betty and I are missing it as well. We enjoyed the times that we were able to go there and spend time with the children. We have since heard of several Christian orphanages and have been invited to go visit one of them. We have also heard of a project that has done some neat things with fostering unadoptable children. This is very similar to the vision that I feel like the Lord is laying on our heart, so we are anxious to find out more.
Joelle is doing better everyday, she does not even seem like the same child. The boys are all doing very well and are growing like weeds. Please pray for us as we decide how to proceed with our stay here. We feel very sure that there is a bigger reason for the delay than meets the eye. We feel like there are lessons that we still need to learn and vision that He still wants to impart to us. Our tickets home expire in May, and so if Joelle's paper work is not done by then, I will probably fly home and bring our van down. This will give us a bit more freedom to roam the country a bit. Please help us pray that He would guide us regarding all of this.
Well, I would love to write more, but I am falling asleep at the wheel. We would love to see you all (HINT HINT - Come visit us!!)
Prayer Needs
- Continued Wisdom, Direction, Provision, and Protection
- Continued Healing for Joelle
- That we would keep our priorities focused where they need to be
- My Spanish Studies
- Joelle's Paperwork and the Adoption Process
- Traveling mercies for you all that are going to come visit us. (Por Fe).
We love you all,
Josh, Betty, Abel, Abraham, Joelle, and Nathanael
posted by Joshua Scott Family at 3:05 AM
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