As Thanksgiving quickly approaches and I start to dream of pumpkin pie, mandarin orange jello salad, and scalloped corn, I want to take a moment to share my thanks.
As many of you know, during the first few weeks of school, Javier and I discovered we have been blessed with a long-awaited pregnancy. As I write, I am at 15 weeks and the sickness of the first trimester is lessening. (Many, many thanks for that!!) And so have my hours at school been lessened, due to some continuing medical concerns. And while it has been a blessing to be in a position that has allowed me to be at home and resting, I have also been missing my kids at school. I think, though, that this has been one of those hidden blessings...realizing I can slow down and let someone else take the reins...at home and school...because God is ultimately the one in control anyway...not me.
I am thankful for a great turnout at this year's Harvest Fair, where all the kids worked so hard to serve others. And for the amazing blessings that transpired during High School Retreat last week. I witnessed kids drawing closer to God, bonding with one another, and maturing in the Word. And while I couldn't participate in all of the activities this year, I am thankful to be in a place that recognizes the importance of such for students and sets aside time to make sure they experience them. I am also extremely thankful that Javier was able to come along, as I would not have been able to participate at all without him there to help!!
This year's Thanksgiving will be different for us, as all the folks we usually celebrate with are now away. So instead, we have decided to invite some of our Korean students over to experience their first American (via Guatemala) Thanksgiving feast. I'm excited to share this favorite time with them and am hopeful they will enjoy it!!
And, of course, not at all least on my list of things to be thankful for is you! I'm so very thankful for all of you who continue to show interest in our ministry here and continue to support us through prayer and financial giving.
Love and blessings to you all!!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Some New Shots!
I've added a new album with a few photos of the beginning of the year!! (Finally!!!)
You can check it out by following the link "GuatePics" on the Other Spots of Interest list
or
by clicking HERE!
Enjoy!!
You can check it out by following the link "GuatePics" on the Other Spots of Interest list
or
by clicking HERE!
Enjoy!!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A New School Year for Christ
The start of a new school year!...We've been in classes for two weeks now and already it seems like so much has happened!
A quick recap of THIS SUMMER'S BLESSINGS:
...a trip to Toronto to visit dear friends Jo-anne, Paul, and Mary...seeing things I've never seen before and witnessing God's work in their lives and the closeness of their families
...a reunion with friends from as far back as elementary school at my 20th! high school reunion!! The number of people truly interested in my ministry was inspiring and refreshing!
...a visit from my very dear friend Lydia who flew across the country and endured a bus ride just to spend a few fleeting hours with me; the depth of her love and support is never lost on me
...an adventuresome ride to Tennessee to meet with my very first supporters, the Seekers Class from Bartlett United Methodist Church, and to visit with Auntie Em, Uncle Denis, Allison, Erin, and all of theirs! Their intrigue with Guatemala and how they can be involved touched my heart.
...a day and a half with my former student teacher, Annette, who showed me parts of Chicago I've never seen, shared her YoungLife ministry with me, and inspired me to get back to work here with a positive outlook!!
My three weeks of traveling around refreshed my spirit and made me ready to get back to serving here at Christian Academy.
I knew going in, this would be my most-demanding year so far, and I have yet to be disappointed in that!!
Praises for:
...meeting and caring for my host child (new teacher to CAG), Jordan, who has done an amazing job adjusting to Guatemala even after being hospitalized during his first days here
...the return of teachers and students ready to work, love, and serve together
...a strong reception by staff of my inservices on educational technology
...incoming reading test results showing that the reading program IS making a difference!
...Javier's ability and willingness to serve the needs of the CAG community in the computer lab at school (thus allowing us to work together every day!! :)
...the blessing to work with the senior class! (which will be a source of many prayer requests as well!)
While I am still feeling that overwhelming rush of new challenges that come with getting a new school year started, I am also feeling the blessing of knowing that others are with me in prayer and financial support! Being able to focus on my ministry to these very special kids and families while being secure that God is providing for my work through your contributions gives me peace and fills me with great thanks!
If you would like to know more about my ministry here in Guatemala or help support it, I invite you to please email me at: slynnll@gmail.com or visit my mission's website at cten.org .
A quick recap of THIS SUMMER'S BLESSINGS:
...a trip to Toronto to visit dear friends Jo-anne, Paul, and Mary...seeing things I've never seen before and witnessing God's work in their lives and the closeness of their families
...a reunion with friends from as far back as elementary school at my 20th! high school reunion!! The number of people truly interested in my ministry was inspiring and refreshing!
...a visit from my very dear friend Lydia who flew across the country and endured a bus ride just to spend a few fleeting hours with me; the depth of her love and support is never lost on me
...an adventuresome ride to Tennessee to meet with my very first supporters, the Seekers Class from Bartlett United Methodist Church, and to visit with Auntie Em, Uncle Denis, Allison, Erin, and all of theirs! Their intrigue with Guatemala and how they can be involved touched my heart.
...a day and a half with my former student teacher, Annette, who showed me parts of Chicago I've never seen, shared her YoungLife ministry with me, and inspired me to get back to work here with a positive outlook!!
My three weeks of traveling around refreshed my spirit and made me ready to get back to serving here at Christian Academy.
I knew going in, this would be my most-demanding year so far, and I have yet to be disappointed in that!!
Praises for:
...meeting and caring for my host child (new teacher to CAG), Jordan, who has done an amazing job adjusting to Guatemala even after being hospitalized during his first days here
...the return of teachers and students ready to work, love, and serve together
...a strong reception by staff of my inservices on educational technology
...incoming reading test results showing that the reading program IS making a difference!
...Javier's ability and willingness to serve the needs of the CAG community in the computer lab at school (thus allowing us to work together every day!! :)
...the blessing to work with the senior class! (which will be a source of many prayer requests as well!)
While I am still feeling that overwhelming rush of new challenges that come with getting a new school year started, I am also feeling the blessing of knowing that others are with me in prayer and financial support! Being able to focus on my ministry to these very special kids and families while being secure that God is providing for my work through your contributions gives me peace and fills me with great thanks!
If you would like to know more about my ministry here in Guatemala or help support it, I invite you to please email me at: slynnll@gmail.com or visit my mission's website at cten.org .
"He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing."
(Ephesians 2:10, The Message)
(Ephesians 2:10, The Message)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Further Information on the Crisis in Honduras
Please be in prayer for the people of Honduras, their leaders, and those of us who are traveling there during this time of crisis:
From the Wall Street Journal Today: Honduras Lurches Toward Crisis Over Election
From the Wall Street Journal Today: Honduras Lurches Toward Crisis Over Election
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Deja Vu All Over Again
I am so excited to be heading to Copan Ruinas, Honduras this weekend to celebrate the marriage of two dear friends: Jodi and Kraig!! In addition to the celebration, Javier and I have been looking forward to taking a short vacation together...something with which we haven't had much experience.
After an expected "fijase" with the hotel which required us to find a new one, we were surprised by the one that came from the bus company, Hedman Alas...a reliable name in transport. We had desired to return to Guatemala on Sunday, as all the wedding guests will, at that point, be clearing out...back to the States or on to Roatan to spend the honeymoon with the happy couple. When Javier called me from the bus depot saying: "We have a problem..." I was not expecting it to be quite so political. The bus lady (as Javier affectionately called her) informed him that they would not have bus service to/from Honduras that Sunday due to elections. Wait...what? Presidential elections? Congressional? Did he hear her right? What did an election have to do with buses? I did some quick research and found that general elections in Honduras are held at the end of November. I double checked that the bus lady understood we wanted to return THIS Sunday...in June. She understood, but no one at the bus company had any more information than that. So, our choice was to return either Saturday or Monday. Seeing as we would actually like to be at the wedding on Saturday, we had to opt for the extra night/day and return on Monday. It wasn't until checking the news today that I began to understand why buses may be choosing not to run on Sunday:
After an expected "fijase" with the hotel which required us to find a new one, we were surprised by the one that came from the bus company, Hedman Alas...a reliable name in transport. We had desired to return to Guatemala on Sunday, as all the wedding guests will, at that point, be clearing out...back to the States or on to Roatan to spend the honeymoon with the happy couple. When Javier called me from the bus depot saying: "We have a problem..." I was not expecting it to be quite so political. The bus lady (as Javier affectionately called her) informed him that they would not have bus service to/from Honduras that Sunday due to elections. Wait...what? Presidential elections? Congressional? Did he hear her right? What did an election have to do with buses? I did some quick research and found that general elections in Honduras are held at the end of November. I double checked that the bus lady understood we wanted to return THIS Sunday...in June. She understood, but no one at the bus company had any more information than that. So, our choice was to return either Saturday or Monday. Seeing as we would actually like to be at the wedding on Saturday, we had to opt for the extra night/day and return on Monday. It wasn't until checking the news today that I began to understand why buses may be choosing not to run on Sunday:
And, as I have continued to read various articles,(hard-found) on this topic, I have wondered...are we, in light of events here in Guatemala, going to be jumping from the frying pan into the fire on this trip? And maybe more importantly (and sadly), if Central American countries such as Guatemala and Honduras had oil or nukes would this information have been 1) more easily found and 2) something people in other parts of the world would care about?
I write to ask for prayers for the situation in Honduras, as well as here; for the bridal couple who has long awaited this time, and for all of their guests who will need to be traveling through Honduras on this day that not even the buses will run...
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