We have been blessed to have formed some really great
relationships here in Panajachel over the last 4 weeks, and now that it’s
getting closer to our time to leave, EVERYONE wants to have us over for dinner.
It’s great! 🙂
Terri and Alan Graham, and their daughter Jen, are from the Chicago area. We met them
at the Crossroads Café through Mike and Adele Roberts. They are recently
retired and moved to Guatemala
in January, completely open to whatever God would have them do here. Alan is
currently working on a project installing donated stoves in houses of some of
the needy families in Santiago
(one of the villages on the lake.) Terri and Jen are teaching English in one of
the local schools. Last Thursday the Grahams invited us over for a Thanksgiving
dinner with all the trimmings. It was amazing! We had turkey, mashed potatoes,
corn, stuffing, salad, fresh wheat rolls, homemade lemonade, and apple pie.
Terri and Jen must have spent all day in the kitchen, and we were definitely
thankful for it!
Jen is actually
thinking about applying for the World Race…we should get a bonus for
recruiting! 🙂
Then on Saturday night we were invited over to the home of
one of the families we’ve gotten to know through the Baptist church. They
served us grilled beef, guacamole, baked potatoes, and tortillas. I was still
recovering from being sick in bed all day on Friday, but it was still really
good!
On Sunday, we went to the “American” church service with all
the local missionaries which was of course followed by a potluck dinner.
(Sorry, no pictures…we were all to busy eating!)
Monday afternoon we were invited to the church for lunch by
the 2 pastors we’ve been working with (Felix and Pedro.) They fed us fried
chicken, French fries, and green bean salad. This was right before Kari,
Ginger, and I took off to go swimming with Bill and the kids, and Felix made
sure to remind us to wait 30 min. after lunch before we went swimming.
And finally, tonight we were invited over for pizza by Mike
and Adele Roberts (and their two daughters Kasia and Lungi). Their family moved
here from California
7 years ago to open up the Crossroads Café coffee shop. Their family has been more than generous during our time here and have really helped to make us feel at home here in Panajachel. And did I mention that Adele is a fabulous cook? We had a great night with their family!
We have been extremely blessed this month with so many friendships and relationships that will hopefully last well beyond our month here. Thanks to everyone who made our time so memorable! We love you!
