BBQ and the Grublets

Who would of thought it, a BBQ place in Pana?  I had been hearing about the wonderful food since I arrived from Pedro.  A man from Florida runs Smokin' Joe's BBQ but only serve's on saturday's from noon till four.

Ribs, pork loin, bbq sandwhiches, tuna, and shark are featured items with sides of potatoe salad, green beans, coleslaw, and a special side last saturday
of mac and cheese! 



 I chose the potatoe salad, green beans, and mac and cheese (tasted just like my moms) to go along with my slab of ribs.  Really delicious! 

The group that has been here all week have been wonderful.  Paul and Barbara have been coming once or twice a year for 20 years!  Thank goodness Larry suggested I go on this overnight road trip with them.  He said I needed to experience it and I am so grateful I did!

On the hour half drive we saw many areas of the road that were being repaired due to the horrible mudslides back in October.  We passed this bus and Larry said he will be passing us in a minute.  (when we start going downhill) Indeed, it did pass us and then we saw it crashed into the side of the mountain on the downhill.  Going to fast downhill on a curve isn't uncommon around here.   Larry said he doubted many of  the local "chicken bus' drivers had any experience or training.  Reminded me that Pedro had said it was okay for me to take a bus up the hill from Pana to Solola, but to take a tuk tuk or taxi down the hill.  Note to self not to forget this!!

On the way we were to stop and see the Grublets. I had forgotten all about this until Larry pulled over on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere and said here we are!  This is where the Grublets live.

 Barbara and Claire discovered this family on a trip to Xela about five years ago.  They live next to a propane store I believe, on the other side of the cement wall and Claire said they are probably what we would call "squatters."

When we first pulled up I wasn't sure anyone was home but then one by one the children peaked out and saw Barbara, Paul, and Larry and recognized them and came running to greet them.

 

Barbara had a bag with a few clothes items, gloves, scarves, and hats, and some other items.  She had a frisbee that Larry showed the youngest boy how to use and they had great fun playing while Barbara passed out goodies.  I asked all their names and ages and am sorry to say I can't recall them. 

I was so grateful I could speak a small bit of spanish so I could communicate with them a bit.  Their parents had gone to the market so they were home alone which is normal for most families. 

The family consists of four girls and two boys ranging from 5 to 15 - guessing.  Of course I fell in love with them and asked Larry if I could stay and they could pick me up on the way back Sunday!  I was joking - sort of.
Hope to stop by next week on the way to Xela with Pedro and Felis next week as well.

Great day in Pana

On thursday, the right day, I made it down to Pana for great day.
I was going to call for a taxi but got very lucky that a couple was being dropped off for marriage conference  at the exact time I was going to call! So, didn't have to wait, off I went.
First order of business was to go to bank and get some money exchanged.
The banks will only exchange $200.  I had wanted to get more than that so I could buy some things for the Home.  I would of had to wait several days before I could exchange more money.  This was not good.  A grandmother and her grandchild were in the bank and I noticed she spoke excellent English. She heard me asking about getting more money and said I will wait for you outside and take you somewhere to get more money.  So, I left the bank and my new friend, Sarah, took me to a vendor booth that was a friend of hers and I was able to get more money exchanged.  Ends up Sarah grew up here, went to school in the states for college, then came back and had children she raised here.  She said I could buy her coffee for helping me out and I was happy to do so.

She took me to a little place called the "Deli" - supposedly excellent food.  I hadn't eaten breakfast on purpose so I could eat in Pana so I was thrilled to have a local suggest a place.  I had juevos rancheros and it was indeed excellent.  She and I had a wonderful conversation.  I told here I was Eagle's Nest for two months, only had a month left, and was in town to do some shopping and meet up with a a family for lunch and then go to the Crossroads coffee shop.  She knew the American missionary family (Mike and Adele) that run the coffee shop for over ten years.  She also knew  Claire (her and Larry founded Eagle's Nest) although it had been a while since she had seen her.  I mentioned that I wanted to check out another non profit in the area that friends from the States had suggested, Mayan Families.
I had emailed them and not gotten a response and had no idea where they were located.  Your not going to believe it - she has two daughters that work for them.  We walked a few blocks down the road after breakfast so I could chat with them and see what they had going on.  They have an after school program, they assist families in need with school supplies in many different areas around the Lake so the kids can go to school, they have a sewing program that teaches ladies how to sew so they can produce income, etc.  It was a small facility with workers and volunteers jam packed in rooms.  Looks like a wonderful program.

I was then off to meet Lee Radford at  Pollo Campero so he could take me to his home to meet his wife and children.  Angel had a wonderful lunch ready for us when we arrived. They shared about the new non profit they have started in the area. They assist at-risk families around Pana that are in extreme poverty situations, and many single moms. Angel made a wonderful lunch and I so enjoyed visiting with them and their sweet children.  After lunch Lee and Parker, his son, walked me down a rock wall that divided homes on the "river".   I think Parker will be a great tour guide when he gets a bit older!!  One side of wall protects homes from the creek rising when it rains, the other side is unprotected as homes or on the creek-bed.  The homes near the creek-bed are in danger of falling in the creek or being destroyed in rainy or hurricane season.  I saw much destruction of homes that had been destroyed years ago during Hurricane Hugo.  The walk down the wall was probably a good 3/4 mile and literally I could see inside families homes for they were right next to the wall.  Not doors and windows, just holes in cinder blocks or mud homes, corrugated tin walls, and dirt floors.  I asked Lee about taking photos but as in all areas around here you must ask to take a person's photo and because this was an area he is known in and I chose not to take any photos.   He pointed out  a"bathroom" outside a home that was simple black tarp around 4 poles about 25 feet outside the home.  Many children were playing outside along the way.   Very humbling experience and hard to describe.  This photo is how some businesses and homes protect the property.  Since I was on the wall got an up close photo to share. The hospital where Johnny was has the same protection.



old catholic church in pana

 The coffee shop shuts down after lunch till three so Lee and Parker took me to a couple different hardware stores.  Scored at the second big hardware store and got 29 hooks for the Home so kids will have somewhere to put backpacks and jackets when they get in from school.  Not a great deal of storage in the Home so will put the hooks in the long hallway.  Think they will like having a spot of their own!  Got a couple cutting boards and spoons for that were needed in the kitchen.  So glad my tour guides helped me out.  Saved me a lot of time.

The coffee shop - Crossroads Cafe - in not much bigger than a hallway.
The doors open at three after a two hour lunch break and people were waiting in line to go in.  I had a latte and a piece of carrot cake Adele had made and it was delicious.  She makes different desserts daily.  Yummy!  Wonderful couple and excellent coffee from the mountains in the area. 

school in pana across from vendors.

Left them and only had a bit of time to try and get some shoes for some of the older boys at the Home.  That has not been as easy a task as I thought it would be but will press on till I succeed.  Ended up drawing their feet on piece of paper yesterday and hopefully that will help next trip.  Slowly but surely!
Seems I am rambling - it was a great day in Pana for sure!

Ooops - what day is it?

Well, I have for sure been on Guatemala time for I rarely know what day it is and for sure don't know the date!  Usually know when it is a Sunday or Monday because of church and start of school week.  Other than that - not so much.  My dear friend Cindy had to break the news to me Sunday that I was indeed not here for 6 more weeks, I only had a few days over a month!  I was truly sad to hear that news!!

So today, I wake up and get dressed so that after morning devotion with kids at school I can get a taxi to Panajachal.  Need to do some shopping for the Children'sHome, was to meet a family for lunch and then go to the awesome Crossroads Coffee shop.  They are missionaries from the U.S. that have been here many years and met them on my first trip here.  They have wonderful coffee from the area!

But, I was walking with Larry to get my passport to change over money and it somehow comes up that it is Wednesday.  I say no, it is Thursday, he is pretty sure it is Wednesday but to confirm we ask Todd who is walking by.  And he confirms it is indeed Wednesday.  So, all dressed up and nowhere to go.  Thank goodness I discovered this bit of information before I went to the Pollo Campero at noon!  I would of had a long wait!   I had told all the kiddos last night I wouldn't be around today when I said good night to them.  Crazy American for sure!  So, off to plan B.  Going to put paint clothes back on and finish up some things, do some cleaning, help with Manna, and love on the kiddos.  It will be a great day!! 

On another note, I woke up last saturday with a pretty bad back ache.  Couldn't stand upright and the first thing that came to mind was the people I see working in the area that transport items on their back.  I can't even imagine.  Claire and I drove by someone and I was unable to get my camera out quick enough to show you a man with five cinder blocks in a burlap sack on his back.  I had seen him back up this huge stack of cinder blocks and wondered what he was doing.  Then realized he had strapped on this sack with what looked like thick wood sticks to the front of his chest for support.

Absolutely amazing.  So, I didn't feel the need to complain about my back pain.  Simply tried to do some stretches and walked around bent over for most of day and by end of day I was all good.  (flashbacks of airport with Kristen when we both had to walk bent over.  It was hilarious)

 

Anyway, if you are having a bad day at the office, just think it for sure could be worse!  Have a wonderful day and will let you know how the trip to Pana goes on THURSDAY!!

Update on Little Johnny

Little Johnny came to church with is family on Sunday.  He had been released from hospital on Wednesday and rested a few days.  It was so great to see him and he showed us his scar.  He was able to start school on Monday so is just a week behind.  He is one of the children that is able to go to school because of  scholarships that are provided to many students.  If anyone would be interested in helping with scholarships just let me know and I will point you in the right direction!

The kids have really been enjoying the exercise with the kiddos - of all ages!

I was able to help with swim last friday with the school kids and that was alot of fun.  They are so anxious to learn.  After swim a couple of the girls from the Home started doing lunges, then went into pushups, then set ups.  It was so cute! The water is freezing cold so it helped warm them up for sure.

Onoria and Rosalita

It is probably odd to some that I am at a facility that has a pool.  It is a long story how this piece of property was acquired about 6 years ago.  The sequence of events that led up to Larry and Claire actually being able to purchase the property has God's hand all over it.  Wouldn't of been possible under any other circumstances.  The property was to be a resort type facility and was very run down and need of repair.  Plus it was WAY out of price range for them.  Claire felt in her heart that this was were they were to move the Home and just kept bringing people here to show them and prayed that someone could help them.   And someone did.  He was able to negotiate and got the property for about three quarters less than what they were asking for it!!  Hopefully someday Claire will have the time to write about how it happened for it is pretty incredible.  So, while the pool was just a benefit it is now used for the School kids play time, the Home kids get to use it when schedules allow, and the Manna children get to use it.  As I have mentioned before it is the only "bath" many of the Manna children get week to week. 

Earthquake in Guat

So I got back from a short trip to the store.  Larry was kind enough to take me.  I didn't have enough Guatemala money with me and had to put back groceries!!  Left my atm card in the room for didn't think I needed it.  Forgot about spending money on shoes so was a bit short.  Oh well, I will go back and get the yummy rotiesserie chicken another time. 
Get to my room and get groceries unloaded.  Sit on couch to Skype my brother and I start feeling the building shake.  Think it is just from workers below, but the whole room starts shaking and I can see the wood balcony railings moving.  Realize it is an earthquake.  Didn't know if I should run out door or what.  It went on for quite a long time.  So I just sat frozen on my couch looking at the railing.  I guess if something would of broke or shattered I would of gotten off the couch!!  Anyway, it was quite scary.  I left the room to go and check on everyone at school.  Saw Amy and Thelmy outside my room.  All was good, just not something I experience in Texas!!  Felt a small tremor the last time I was here but nothing like this.

Here is link about magnitude of earthquake in case you are interested.

Just wanted to share!  All good here!!

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0007pnj.php

Busy Days

Another wonderful day in Solola, Guatemala.   This morning I helped Claire get the storage area at the School organized while she filled in as "Principal" at the school.  Got a great deal accomplished.  Hopefully the teachers will approve!


After school helped with the "Manna" feeding program.  I think some of the kids are getting more comfortable being around me.  Some are still very shy and will not let me touch them or get very near them.  Language barrier doesn't help.  I am trying hard to speak and learn as much from the kids and mamma's as I can.  My forgetfullness, or memory detention, whatever you want to call it is not helping!!  Larry suggested a website and I have been trying to study it daily - it is alot like the Rosetta program in the way they teach.  I also found flash cards while organizing this a.m. that I will start using to help me out. 

Went to town with Claire in the afternoon to get more paint for the Home.  Had a bit of a mix up on color when the walls in Home got painted a couple weeks ago.  I was able to get most of it done yesterday but need a bit more paint.  I was hungry so Claire suggested I get something from a little place that looks like a chick-fil-a. Got a grilled chicken sandwhich and it was Yummy!

  Also needed to pick up a few pair of tennis shoes for the older boys.  That ended up not being as easy a task as I thought it would be.  Got the sizes requested, two didn't fit, one broke when he tried on. (it was velcro strap for one of the boys that has web feet - thought it might work better for him)
So Claire was ever so kind to take me back to the store in Solola to get correct sizes.  Or so I thought.  Got three different pair and only one ended up fitting properly!!  Oh well, will try again.

Pablo

Helped Lucky and the Mamma's serve dinner and help with clean up.  That has been something I have been doing pretty regular.  Enjoy hanging out with them!  Usually have a P.E. type class with the kiddos about hour before dinner so has worked out perfect.  Some of the kids are asking for the exercise classes now which is great.

  Lucky made that great yellow rice tonight and had a small bowl of it.  She showed me the secret to the yellow rice - Yea!!  Am so excited to finally learn how.  Have tried every time I get back to the states and it never turns out.  Sorry, can't tell you the secret.  You will have to come over for dinner when I


Marisol - Children's Home


get back to find out!!!  Have included some photos of the kids from the Home and from Manna.  So thankful I am able to hug and love on them all!

Claudia and Joselito - Children's Home

School started

School started yesterday.  137 kids enrolled.

 Some of the kids cried and didn't want to leave their mothers.  All the children, except for the babies, from the Children's Home are attending school.

 I noticed that the children from the Home didn't have water bottles for snack at school and asked if that was something I could get for them.  And yea, I could!  Mimi, a "Mamma" who has been with Larry and Claire 12 years, gave me an estimate on cost and I gave her funds to get in town. (thank you sponsors!) Later in the day I saw her walking down the dirt road by the school on the way to Solola to purchase the water bottles.  I asked if I could go with her, she said yes, so off we went.  She speaks a little English and I speak a little Spanish so we communicated pretty well.

 Once we got to a main intersection we got in a van to take the short ride to Solola.  I kept counting how many people got in the van for I couldn't believe how many they stuffed in there! It was a 12 passenger van and I counted 20 and a baby.  The sliding door on the side was left open and people stand and hang onto the roof.  No seat belt law or passenger limit here!  I wished I would of had a camera although not sure I could of moved enough to take a photo!

We first went to what would be like a dollar store but they didn't have any girl color water bottles so we went to the Dispensia and scored big time!  They had plenty of bottles and three colors to choose from and they were about half the cost she expected so we were able to purchase small tupperware containers for them also!  They will have a fruit snack in that to take to school.  Someone provided funds for them to all have new backpacks and they were so excited to get them!  Once again, no camera with me when that happened! 
The kids were so excited when we got back from town and showed them the water bottles and tupperware.  They each came up and said "gracias" with big smiles on their faces.  So wonderful! I have graduated to being called "Mamma Denise" and can't tell you how very special that is to me!!
I wouldn't be here without your prayers and support so will continue to thank you!! 

Little Johnny Update

I apologize for delay in getting this on my blog.  I posted update on Facebook yesterday and simply forgot (shocking I know) to post on blog.
Claire provided this information yesterday:  "An update on Johnny, our little friend from Church and Manna. Surgery was a success and the mass was removed and the doctor said he thought it was not cancerous, but sending it to the lab tomorrow. He will be released on Wed. his scar is about 1 1/2" . We are thankful this part is over for him. He'll miss his first few days, but he will be coming to our school when he recovers. God is so good! Thanks for your prayers and gifts." I will lie to add, THANK YOU to all who gave financially so he could get the tests he needed and the surgery.  And above all else THANK YOU for your prayers for this sweet boy.  I will post some photos of him once he comes to school.  Just fyi, he happens to be the small little boy in my blog post photo - the one with me and all the kiddos.
 

Sandiego and Sunset

Sunday was a tourist day for 18 of us as we traveled across Lake Atilan to Sandiago for the afternoon to do some shopping after church.

 It is a beautiful view of the mountains from the lake and I was so glad to have the chance to experience it!  It always strikes me as odd that this beautiful body of water doesn't have recreational boating like I am so used to seeing in Austin.  No skiers, kayaks, waverunners, paddleboards, or sailboats.  I asked Pedro why they didn't have any of these available for it would bring in income for you do see quite a few tourists down the mountain in Panajachal. He said someone tried waverunners once and they didn't make it.  The local community can't support them when it isn't tourist season so they can't stay in business.

Most of the boats on lake are for transportation to and from the villages surrounding the Lake.  It was a pretty bumpy ride but was just gorgeous.

Santiago was very pretty and lots of shops lined the cobblestone type roads.
More of the vendors were able to speak English since it is a very popular tourist area.  Love the colors of Guatemala and seem to have a thing for the purses here!!  Trying to refrain - don't know if it is going to work. 

Had ice cream at the local shop and Pedro and Felis bought this little boy an ice cream.  He was so excited and I loved his smile!

After a couple hours shopping we took the boat ride back to Panajachal to have dinner at Sunset Restuarant.  As you can see, it was a beautiful sunset and the food was wonderful.  What a great way for everyone to relax and refresh today - Thanks Felis and Pedro for planning this for all of us!!

Lunch at Estella's

Friday we had  "tuk -tuk's" come to Eagle's Nest and pick up the team that has been here this week.  I am so thankful they had room for me!  We were taken to Estella and Javiar's home for lunch.  Estella used to help prepare and serve the "Manna" meals but had to have surgery and was unable to work for months.  Of course, Eagle's Nest had to hire someone else to help with Manna during that time butwere concerned about the lost income it would mean for Estella is she were unable to come back and help with the "Manna" program.  It was discovered they had an extra room large enough to host teams for lunch and a great idea was born.

  Estella has agreed to prepare lunch as well let the teams make home meade tortillas when they arrive.  It is such a great experience for teams to witness how people really live here in Solola. Javiar and Estella were so proud to have us see their home and serve us lunch.  The children were also very proud to have us and the young boys went down to the little store and got "Pepsi" for us to drink. 

The meal was simple and delicious.  Chicken broth soup, piece of fried chicken with rice/veggies.  And of course home made tortillas.  Plus we had small yellow bananas for dessert that were so sweet and delicious.

Sarah, the oldest daughter, is also in my blog photo.  I met her on one of my first trips and she is always so sweet.   She is blind in one eye but that doesn't stop her - she helps with her younger siblings and was very happy to be helping serve us lunch.