Guatemala 2015? "Let us not grow weary . . ."

June 24, 2015

Dear friends,

Those who know me well know that I love thrift stores. I have a few favorites and because I shop there regularly, I have gotten to know some of the staff and they to know me. They know I am a teacher and they know I have summers off. They also know that I go to Guatemala each summer. Yesterday I had a few minutes to stop at one of my regulars. The store manager was working and remarked that I must be off school because I looked more rested than he had seen me in a long time. I admit that made me chuckle. I have felt very weary lately and actually considered NOT going to Guatemala this summer. God had other plans for me. Just as I thought I had made the decision to skip this year, I found myself drawn to Galatians 6:9, "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." After that, I could not get away from this message. My pastor preached it, the worship leader chose music about it, and my principal chose morning devotions with this message. But, I thought that I had all my reasons lined up – all the reasons that I am tired – all the reasons to take a summer off.

Since August of 2013, I have lost a younger cousin, three very close friends and, just last week, my uncle -- my father's only sibling. My dear companion, Riker, crossed the Rainbow Bridge last October and we have lost three of our four original series cats. My mother is in poor health and we are concerned for her. My “nest” emptied for real and one of my daughters was in a car accident (not her fault). Not long after that, I hydroplaned in another daughter’s car and totaled it. In addition I have been writing curriculum for the classes I teach at Cary Christian School while trying to keep up with other required reading not to mention grading papers. All these things together made me feel that I should skip a summer. Yet, that was not God’s plan for me and He continued to nudge – actually push -- me. He made a way for me to buy a ticket for a good price long after the time for good prices had past. I can tell that Satan is continuing his attempt to discourage me. I have struggled with my health for six weeks. As a result, I have lost some of the vision in one of my eyes. And yet, God continues to remind me not to grow weary. He is my strength and comfort.

So, I am going to Guatemala! In fact, I leave this Friday (June 26th)! But, I still need to raise about $1,200 in support. I have a ticket but I owe funds for it.  I am so far behind but God continues to confirm that He is calling me back to Guatemala.

I will be working with two teams in Huehuetenango. One of the teams generally serves with Edwin Martinez's sister, Delmi, and her husband, Carlos. They want to know the Martinez family ministry from Edwin's point of view. The second team is from Kalamazoo, Michigan. They are not a specifically Christian group but are led by Rob who brings groups from his church youth every other year. I enjoy working with Rob and his groups and look forward to this one as well.

I am also very excited to return to the community of Arenal. This precious group has had many serous trials lately. Last summer all three of their crops failed. They are subsistence farmers as it is. The loss of the crops was devastating and threatened the entire village. I am grateful that my sending church, Christ Our Redeemer PCA (COR), was able to send funds to purchase beans and rice for them. This was made possible in part from your support from last year.  Just recently I was overjoyed to see that a group was able to roof the new church building in Arenal. It has been sitting for several years waiting for funds to roof it.  This new facility will significantly expand ministry there. I have included two pictures of the church below.

As I was about to speak to my church group recently, I prepared to read Galatians 6:9 as part of my testimony. That's when I “just happened” to read verse 10, "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." God tells me not to grow weary -- and I am challenging those who have supported me in the past, or who are called to support me this year, with verse 10. This is an opportunity to do good not only to me but through me to the people I will serve in Guatemala. It’s not too late!

I covet your prayer support.  Prayer is the most important support you can give me but the fact remains that I need the financial support as well. If God is leading you to contribute financial support, there are steps that must be followed for your contribution to be tax deductible.

Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law and you will receive a report of all charitable contributions in January 2016, as long as you follow these steps:

• Checks should be made to Christ Our Redeemer PCA.
• On the memo line write, “Guatemala Ministry." Please do not write my name on the memo line. Checks with specific names on the memo line cannot be accepted and will be returned.
• Mail donation directly to:

Guatemala Ministry

Christ Our Redeemer PCA

131 Castlefern Drive

Cary, NC  27513

I look forward to what God has in store for me in Guatemala this summer – He wants me there and continues to confirm it. He has a ministry for me. Thank you for being part of my ministry team!

En manos de la gracia!

In the Hands of grace!

Angela Kennedy

Working on the roof in Arenal

The newly roofed church. The building to the right is where this congregation has worshiped for many years.

 

In La Antigua Guatemala, even McDonald’s has a beautiful garden. I couldn’t resist the opportunity for a cheesy photo.

Neither could the interns!

Way Way Back to Huehue

For those of you who do not know, what looks like "Hughie Hughie" is really pronounced "way way." While it is only about 265 kilometers from Guatemala City, it takes 5-1/2 hours to drive. We start at about 5,500 feet elevation and climb around and around and around mountain roads to 10,000+ feet then back to about 6,500 feet. The highest point is called "Alaska" and it is the highest point on the entire Pan American Highway which stretches from the US state of Alaska to the tip of South America. It's a little confusing to newbies when we reach a certain part of the journey and they are told, "Hey look!! We are in Alaska."

Last Tuesday, as planned, I made my fifth trip in thirteen days up the Pan Am Highway. Edwin and Rob, the leader of the Kalamazoo group, picked me up in Antigua and we headed for Huehue. Rob, his wife, Sharon, and their two children stayed a few days longer than their group. Rob accompanied his team to Guatemala City to see them off and then returned to Huehue. 

Our trip was very pleasant. Even the delay for road work gave us a chance to stretch our legs some. We stopped at a little comedor (restaurant) and enjoyed some local cuisine then continued our journey. It was good to be back "home" in my "own" room. 

There's always work to be done at the house in Huehue especially between teams. The laundry takes center stage but the cooking and cleaning also continue. Beds must be stripped and all the linens including towels and such must be washed, folded and put back into place for the next group. After the chores are done there's time for play. Tuesday night we piled into the back of the pick up truck and drove up above the city to see the lights. Every year it seems that the city lights take up more space. Huehue is growing.

On Wednesday, Edwin took us to the fish farm. Like every trip in Guatemala, the countryside is beautiful and a truck full of gringos attracts a lot of attention. Some just stare, some giggle and wave, and usually we hear at least one call out, "gringos!" The fish farm is also a day trip destination with a pool and horseback rides and a little zoo. Last year it seemed to have only birds and an iguana. This year there was a puma who did not look happy and a coyote who was even less amused. The parrots stole the show. They whistled at all of of us -- even the guys -- and very plainly said, "Hola." We were only there for fish and a quick look at the animals but it was an interesting cultural experience.

Thursday was our day for some fun. Rob, Sharon, and the kids were leaving Friday so this was our last day to enjoy a treat. After the breakfast dishes were done, we loaded up the van and truck and drove. We drove and drove and drove. Our destination was Nebaj way up the Cuchumatanes. Lindsey, Rachel, Karen and I had been to Nebaj once before. It's one of those communities that anthropologists used to study for it indigenous peoples.

About eleven years ago, Edwin decided he wanted to take some of us to Nebaj. One of his brothers had done ministry there and it seemed like a good time for us to check it out. We drove about four hours over mostly dirt roads. When we arrived, the Parque Central was fenced off for renovation. There really wasn't much to see so we got a snack and went home. When I posted to Facebook that we were taking a day trip to Nebaj, Lindsey quipped, "were you that desperate for a Pepsi?" Karen's commented, "was that the place we went for a coke?"  So much for their memories of Nebaj. I wish they could have been with us Thursday.

Like eleven years ago, we drove several hours but the roads are much better and the country side is breathtaking. The real surprise still awaited us. We parked the van in the city and continued driving. This time we were on dirt roads. We finally arrived at a dairy farm named Hacienda Mil Amores -- Thousand Loves. The family who owns it operates a sort of bed and breakfast. We sat down in a beautiful dining room at an enormous table and were fed an amazing meal. We started with soup which was probably a cream of some kind of squash. It was wonderful. Next came the main course: thin melt in your mouth grilled to perfection steak, rice, and a cucumber and tomato salad. At the same time we got tortillas with fresh cheese melted between them. Dessert was a pudding of some kind. We think it was rice but whatever it was, it was delicious. The meal, the home, the countryside, and the company blended to create a little slice of heaven on earth. For me, Nebaj is no longer a long way to get a coke. I hope someday I can share it with my children. 

Friday brought the changes. The Bradford family left very early and the Canadians finally arrived. That's the subject of my next blog. For now it's way past time for bed. The house is quiet. I'm the only one up.  We are getting up early in the morning to pack the truck and head to Agua Dulce for three days. The laundry is almost done and it's my time to sleep!

Blessings!