Food preparation entertainment - ala Rebecca :)

Yesterday was the annual harvest service in Big Falls. This of course means work, and lots of it on the part of the hosting church. Saturday was spent with preparations. Clifford was in demand early with the pickup to help carry things to the church, which included bringing a pig that was destined to become part of the feast.

His grandmother, (who lives next door to me) was up early working on projects she was going to take to the church. She made the most delicious buns... but it involved opening and grating several coconuts and making milk from them to include in the buns. What a lot of work! She baked them over an open fire... a skill I have not yet mastered (not to mention the fact I haven't even attempted).

Sandra and I were busy as well, we baked several cakes and made some cookies, besides doing normal Saturday washing.

Around 4:30 we walked to the church to help with the activities there. Sandra went in to help the youth decorate the church,while I stayed in the kitchen with the ladies. Outside the men were busy roasting the freshly killed pork and making chicharon (fried pig skin), while inside the ladies were busy cooking the liver and feet, making poch (a sort of meatless tamale to be served with the pork meat the next day), and making corn tortillas.

I observed the rhythm of the work for a while, listening to the cheerful banter and weighing the best opportunity to take my turn at the low table where the tortillas were being whirled out by practiced hands. Making corn tortillas is an art, and requires the successful completion of several steps. The corn must be cooked just right with just the right amount of lime. Then it mus be ground fine enough for soft tortillas. The resulting "dough" (masa) is then kneaded to the right consistency with water before being placed in the center of a small, three legged wood table about 18 inches high. Around this table are even lower benches, perhaps six inches high. Small amounts of the masa is taken and placed on a circular piece of thin plastic, and crafted by the fingers into a thin, round tortilla which is then placed on the hot comal (metal disk placed over an open fire). At the right moment, it is turned over by hand, then again to the first side, where it puffs up and is removed, placed carefully in the waiting vessel, where they are kept until being devoured.

I can make tortillas. Really, I can. From the first step to the last (even the devouring part). I was taught by a dear old lady who is now with the Lord. I make them on a regular basis in my home. However, most people don't expect a white lady to be able to do so, so it can cause quite a stir. I know this and was prepared for it on Saturday. It was the first time I have joined the circle around the table in Big Falls, so I knew I would provide the evening's entertainment for a while. Finally, I took the plunge... walking over to one of the ladies at the table, I offered to take her place so she could rest, her face registered surprise, but she got up, giving me her seat. I smiled inside as there was instant notice by everyone in the room. Those who seemed so absorbed in their various tasks were suddenly focused on one thing in the room - me. I pretended not to notice, even though I knew all eyes were on my hands, and I wished fervently that I could understand Kek'chi (I only speak Maya) so I could hear what was being said. I worked the masa under my fingers, thankful for all the practice I have had, finally handing the completed tortilla to the next lady to place on the comal... the murmurs rose a little louder, I could hear approval in the tone, and pretty soon they all settled back to work. I provided entertainment several more times as others came in, or as men passed through, but continued whirling out tortillas until someone tapped my shoulder and offered to give me a break... and so the cycle continued.

I was thankful for the opportunity to be a small part of preparation for the harvest service. Making a few tortillas probably didn't make a big difference in the long run, but I was blessed to be part of the family, one of the body, working together to accomplish the job too big for any one by his or herself.

Some day I will have to get some pictures so you can see the process yourself :)

Our new coworker is busy with her Kek'chi translation. She seems to be doing well so far. Her husband and children went with us this past Wednesday for the Bible study in San Jose. They can't understand Maya, but we wanted them to have the opportunity to see how we usually conduct them, since they will be the ones teaching in Kek'chi.

We hope to make a trip to San Benito Poite this week to talk to the pastor about starting Bible study there in Kek'chi. It will be a big sacrifice... Poite is a loooong way away on a rough road... but since it is one of the further villages, they do not get a lot of help. We would like to encourage them, if we can. Please pray for all the details, especially as the road is bad and we are needing new tires!

And the work goes on...

Last night was the second Bible study we held in San Jose at the new time: during the Wednesday night service. So far this time has worked out really well. We have more people involved, and even have a number of men, whereas it was only women before. Clifford continues to do an outstanding job of presenting the truths in a clear way, and we have been encouraged by the interaction in the class. One dear older lady has been our most faithful attendee, and she always has something good to share. She is such a joy to have in class, because she delights so much in discovering truths! Please continue to pray for this Bible study, especially for the new ones that are attending, that they would continue to come and would gain understanding as they do.

Monday will be an exciting day - we will have a new coworker! Several weeks before I moved, Clifford had suggested someone as a possibility, but I didn't think it would work as it would be inconvenient for her to travel to the Center every day. God had a plan... he moved me to her village! When I spoke to her and her husband about the possibility, God had been preparing their hearts, because they didn't hesitate in giving a positive answer right away! She speaks K'ekchi, and has actually done a little translating before, so it should work out well. Her and her husband will both go with us to teach Bible studies, and her husband will be able to provide more manpower next time we have an adventure with the pig project! We are excited about being able to begin work with K'ekchi again. I will try to get a picture and introduce you to her later.

Thanks again for your prayers!

God is good!

Thank you all for your prayers. The hurricane went north of us, and we only experienced a little breeze, a slight drizzle.

The storm did hit north of us, so we are waiting to hear what the damages are. My dear friend was by herself with her children (her husband is a policemen and was on duty), and a small section of roof came off where they were, but they just got wet, nothing worse. We have heard reports of housed being blown down up there. That is about three hours north. Please continue to lift people there up in your prayers.

Hurricane Richard

Please pray for Belize as a hurricane threatens within the next 36 hours!!

Busy Days

Things have been busy here, as we have worked to get the new place setup up for Sandra and I, as well as the office. Shelves have been built, a loft put in, shower and sink... it has been a project! There are still a few things to finish up, but for the most part we are settled in and getting used to the place.

Tonight we will have Bible study in San Jose. They moved it to the Wednesday night service, so that will be different. We are looking forward to it, and hope that the Lord uses the changes in schedule to help others hear the truths of His word! Please pray for safe travels and the Lord's presence in the service/study tonight!

Moving!

Greetings once again, everyone!

Sorry again for the long delay in posts! Things have been busy since the break-in: there was a pastor training seminar here, so that took some time, but also a decision was made for me to move. This has not been an easy decision. The Nazarene campground has been my home for the last eight years and holds many wonderful memories for me. The Teck family was staying here when I first came, and helped me adjust to so many things. Of course I have many memories from the students at the school I used to run, but also from teams and pastors and other local people who come in for seminars. My family built my apartment for me, and I have been very comfortable and happy here. However, I have been praying about being more involved in a village, so I guess this will be a good change, albeit rather unexpected and sudden. Also, not quite the direction I had planned on moving, but God knows what He is up to!

I will be living in a K'ekchi community, so that will be a new challenge for me, since I speak Maya, and not K'ekchi. However, we have been praying for a K'ekchi co-worker, so this may be God's way of bringing that about.

I am partially moved, and hope to complete the process in the next couple of days. I'll be back with an update soon! Thank you for your continued prayers!

Great is His faithfulness!

Greetings everyone!

I am sure some of you have been wondering about the absence of a new update. This week has been an interesting one, and makes me stand back and thank God for His great faithfulness. He never fails us.

Monday and Tuesday were spent up in the capital checking on some details for the pig project. We came back Tuesday night to no electricity, making the place very dark. Sandra and I lit some candles and made the best of it. Electricity was still off Wednesday, so in the evening, we went to Big Falls to recharge computers and phones, and let Sandra iron her school uniform. We enjoyed Wednesday evening service there, as well as a cup of coffee and good conversation with Pastor Andres after service.

When Sandra and I arrived back home, we discovered my apartment had been broken into. In fact, the robbers must have been inside when we arrived, as they left many of their things behind, including the tools they had used to enter. A long night followed, I went to get the police and Clifford, and they searched unsuccessfully for the suspects.

The only things found missing were my lighters (for my gas stove), an envelope with a small amount of Guatemalan currency, and several pieces of chicken out of the pot on the stove. They had just been in the middle of searching my things when I arrived, minimizing the loss.

The next day, Clifford and Sabastian, the caretaker, followed the footprints to a house not far away. Once again they retrieved the police, and he detained a young man for questioning. That is the last information we have heard.

Sandra and I have spent the last few nights away from the Center, just to be on the safe side. However, most of all we are thankful for God's wonderful hand of protection... that we were gone when they came, but came back in time to scare them away. That they didn't take much, and we were even able to bless them with chicken!

Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf. God is faithful to answer them. Please continue to lift us up before the throne of grace.