Ned & Mary in Guatemala

Things You See in Guatemala   This post won't follow a theme, but comes from photos Mary took while waiting for us to replace the tires on our car. Another testament as to the climate in which we live comes from the produce that is sold on the side of the road. There are quite a few fruit stands and, this time of year, they are often dominated by pineapple. We have enjoyed those we have eaten. I didn't get pictures but there are many coconuts and bananas sold around here as well. As we travel along the highway, we often see people who have been harvesting firewood for their houses. They carry wood on their backs supported by a strap that goes over their forehead. As you can see, this gentleman is carrying quite a load. Many men here carry a machete strapped to their side. Former school buses, probably purchased used from the US, are the most common form of public transportation around here. As you can see, they like to decorate the buses and name them. This one is "Danieli

Special Invitations for Church We had been asked by our area president some time ago to make a special effort to invite others to our church meetings yesterday. We and the other couple who have been serving in the Taxisco branch decided to do all we could to support this effort. This included providing a lunch after the meeting block. A week ago yesterday, we gave the active members and young missionaries some of the following invitations (created by Mary and me) asking them to use the invitation to invite others.  We went shopping for ingredients early in the week and got together Saturday afternoon with the Wades to make up most of the sandwiches. We didn't make all of them thinking that we could have substantial leftovers that would be hard to deal with. We left yesterday morning to start our two-hour drive full of hope. However, about half way there, we hit a terrible hole in the road and damaged to two right tire rims so that both those tires went flat. We replaced one with th

Nearby Walking Areas Today, we enjoyed some time with Wayne and Sue Arnett who are missionaries from Gilbert. He is an attorney and provides legal support to the Area. First, we went for a walk through a gated neighborhood where some of the rich folk live. This is a map of the gated community and, as you can see, it is fairly large. We hiked up a hill that was fairly steep but had steps. Here is a view from about half way up. Later, we went to the central market of Guatemala City, as they call it. It was very much like the indoor market we went to in Antigua so I didn't take any photos of the many, many sales stands set up. However, they had a lower level almost completely committed to restaurants and selling produce.  Later, we went to the central market of Guatemala City, as they call it. It was very much like the indoor market we went to in Antigua, so I didn't take any photos of the many, many sales stands set up. However, they had a lower level almost completely committed

Nueva Santa Rosa Branch   Yesterday, we went with the couple who live next door to us to a baptism in the branch where they serve. We have meant for some time to take a picture of some of the motorcyclists in the city (of which there are very many) and how they interact with the other traffic on the roads. This isn't the best picture but you can see the long line of motorcycles taking advantage of the space between lanes of traffic to get ahead. Even on rainy days like this one, there are many on motorcycles and they are quite aggressive in their efforts to get ahead. Besides doing this they will mostly ignore traffic signals, and when needed, go on the sidewalk. I should note that, when using the sidewalk, they will yield the right of way to pedestrians. It seems that, when in an area of perpetually mild weather, you have options that you might not have in other areas. One such option would be to have your baptismal font outside. We later learned that they used all of the water st

September 15th, Guatemalan Independence Day Today, September 15, is Independence Day for Guatemala and most of the other Central American countries. The celebrating starts on the 14th with people going to the following location about in the middle of the city. Certain members of each group get a torch lit. Then they march to places in the city that hold some meaning for them. (I don't understand this part yet.) I understand some may actually go to a number of places in the country. Then they gather to celebrate, including singing their national anthem. (I understand it is quite long but the people seem to have it committed to memory.)

The Local Mall   About 1/3 mile from where we live is a huge, modern mall. Of its many stores and restaurants, more than  half are from the US. I thought I would only take pictures of what I considered to be the most unique. There are several play areas but this one caught my eye. The slide from one floor to another below looked like it would be quite the ride. I thought about trying it but worried at the reaction I would get. It is unique that they had a full-sized carousel on the third level. Last night, we went to a local burger spot with other missionary couples.   The food was great but the company was better.

Traditional Guatemalan Nativity   I thought I would share a photo of the Guatemalan nativity which we bought at the market. The man from whom we bought it said his mother made it. That wasn't the only time we heard that a mother had made something being sold, or that we would get a price "only for you."

Area Communication Directors Seminar in Antigua Thursday, we joined with the Communication Directors from all the Central American countries for team building and instruction that lasted through mid-day Saturday. The training was excellent but the real benefit came from hanging out with some amazing people. Here is a picture of them. I have noticed several times since being down here that I am the tallest one in the group. That is a new feeling for me. The shirt says (translated) "One voice, one message, one point of responsibility." Here is the courtyard of the hotel where we stayed and met. My picture doesn't do it justice. Here are photos of the three volcanos you can see from the dining area of the hotel. If you look closely you can see a plume of smoke from the one on the left. Here are photos of the three volcanos you can see from the dining area of the hotel. If you look closely you can see a plume of smoke from the one on the left. This is the front door of the ho