Fireworks, fireworks and more fireworks!

Ahhhh the fireworks on Christmas eve was just as amazing as everyone said it would be! It was so cool to sit on the roof of a house and watch fireworks go off all across the city! It was super loud (of course) but so very cool!

We went to a Christmas service at church Christmas eve which was good. Was fun to see Andres in the drama (most of Guatemalans are natural actors I think!). We then went round to Harvey and Sharons (the Falconers son and daughter n law) about 11pm for Christmas dinner. That was followed by fireworks! The fireworks are still going off, I just heard some then.

So here in the Guates they celebrate on Christmas eve so the 25th was low key - I slept until 12pm, couldn't believe it! Family came over for a late lunch and we had fun playing charades.

Its been a low key week, just been hanging at home. But I am super excited for Thursday morning, heading to another part or Guatemala with the Franco brothers for a few days (about 3. 5 hours away) and then going from there to the second Vacation Bible School near the coast till Thursday I believe. I am looking foward to seeing another part of Guatemala. Tried to put up a video of the fireworks at midnight but I am a bit technologically challenged. Will try again later.

Andres in the Christmas play at Church

Choir

Rooftop fireworks viewing with Mel

Fireworks!

Christmas day lunch

Feliz Navidad!

Bid Caroline farewell on Thursday! So sad to see her go but I am so grateful that she was here with me for my first month here in Guatemala AND I get to see her in a few months time :) It was just a blessing to have her here! I can't imagine what my time would have been like without her. I am going to miss her A LOT

Hmm not too much has happened this week. We took a trip to the doctors to get Caroline a little fixed up and I have a gum infection so we got some drugs for me too. Helped Betty do some painting, went for a couple of runs and decided how quickly you become familiar to things. During my run I run by a security guard with a huge rifle! He stands only 1m away from me yet it does not phase me one bit, I barely even notice now!

On Wednesday, Caroline's last night, we had some friends over for a kiwi dinner! We (well I assisted Caroline) cooked a chicken roast and had pav and ambrosia for dessert! I love playing Charades with Guatemalans! They are so animated and hilarious (Enjoy the video below of our friend Emilio during charades). Our dear thoughtful friends also brought over some fireworks as Caroline will be missing the fireworks spectacular that happens over Christmas and New Years.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve here which is when they celebrate Christmas. I am very excited for fireworks (there has been a very big build up to it so I hope I am not disappointed!). I have also been reflecting on God's grace recently. It is uncomprehendable, it is overwhelming, it is undeserved, it can break down all barriers, it can heal, it forgives. Ahh it is just. so. amazing!!!

May you have a blessed Navidad (Christmas)! And may we reflect on the true meaning of the season. Thank you for being a blessing in my life xx

Painting

Fireworks

Our Guatemalan amigos!

Emilio playing charades

Guatemala has stolen a piece of my heart!

Another week has passed by and I have been in Guatemala 1 month (and I left NZ 6 weeks ago). It is such a blessing and privilege to be here and I am hoping I am not taking it for granted!

Last Sunday night we went with some friends to an English speaking church. It was funny to see a few blonde haired people and white faces! It was a Christmas service and the choir was a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

Camp was on the agenda this week! We were up there from Tuesday morning till Thursday night. Betty was on cooking duty so we helped out in the kitchen and once again were the dishwasher pros! We had 6am morning starts to help get breakfast ready...don't think we (Caroline and I) talked to each other in that first hour of the day - we were still half asleep! On the Thursday night we had dinner with some friends of the Falconers in the village. I cooked (well patted) my first tortilla! It was not quite as pretty as the others!

Went to Mira Flores mall Friday night with Marisol. AND the big news is I had dairy queen! Ahh it was so good! I think a blizzard a week until I go back will do me just fine (I'm sure it will do wonders for the waist line too!). Saturday arvo we went back to the beautiful city of Antigua with Marisol and Rudy. We went up a mountain to a restaurant and had a beautiful view of the city. We then looked around the markets back in Antigua - love those cute cute markets!

And no my spanish is not really improving. Sure I am learning more words but I can't talk in sentences. On a sadder note Caroline is cutting her trip short and heading home early on Thursday. She has not had the best run of health since being here and is going to make it home in time for a NZ Christmas. I will miss her A LOT! She has helped make this past month here in Guatemala so fun! I also don't know what I would have done without her spanish interpretations for me. Please pray with me for her health and that the fresh NZ air will do her a load of good!

Dish washing duty

Sweetest lady (the non-circular tortilla is mine)

In her kitchen

Blizzards!

Over looking Antigua

Antigua

That silly little westerner!

I feel I have had way too many moments here in Guatemala when the locals are probably just thinking 'that silly westerner'!

These moments occur way too frequently for my liking!

-The number 1 moment is when people find out I can't speak Spanish. I mean who travels to stay in a country for a couple of months and doesn't know the language AND does not seem to be improving after 3 weeks! Then she tries to speak English to us!
-Up at camp I feel there were a few of these moments, one was when I was sick - Silly westerner can't handle the altitude and the new country.
-Sometimes I forget to greet people with a kiss on the cheek (their customary greeting).
-Was playing basketball with a group of young adults at their Christmas party yesterday.
   No.1: I was wearing a skirt (who plays basketball in a skirt?)
   No.2: My ring fell off and so the whole game stopped (because Guatemalans are so sweet) to look for my ring. I felt just a little silly.

Some of you are thinking 'Cilla these moments don't just happen in Guatemala but for you -  anytime and anyplace.' And yes you may be right but they are accentuated here because I am the foreigner! :)

Doesn't this photo say it all? What the 'hang is that girl doing?

Thankful

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1

What does that look like? Am I living for God's glory or mine? Am I being intentional with my time for God?
I love this verse but in truth, I don't really know what it looks like. I want it to be true in my life, believe me I do. But I don't think it is very true. There is way too much of me! I love the last part of the verse "because of your love and faithfulness". Why should I live for God? Because he is love and is faithful! Just a little something I have been thinking about for a while.

It has been another stellar of a weekend here in Guatemala with our friends. In the afternoon we went to Lago (lake) Amatitlan about a half n hour drive from the city. Our friends were going to surprise us with a trip on a gondala but it was closed down due to maintenance so instead we went for a boat trip on the lake. God's creation is just beautiful! It was so nice! We (the 6 of us) had a boat to ourself and we had the most amazing views of the surrounding land and volcanoes! We then had Pollo Campero (Guatemalas equlivent of KFC) for dinner.

Sunday after church we again hung out with our friends. We are so thankful for their friendship and their willingness to take us places and to help me with my spanish. Rudy gave me a spanish/english dictionary so I now have no excuse not to learn! We went to a look out area where people fly their kites. One mans kite was flying (while still attached to him) about 1km away! The lookout gave us yet another beautiful view of God's creation. Am so thankful also for Graham and Betty too. Who willingly have us in our home and make us feel like this is our home too. They are so loving and caring and good to us! I love hearing stories of their adventurous life. They truly are an awesome couple!

Lago Amatitlan

The joys of travelling!

It has been an up and down week this past week. Sunday afternoon was fun where we once again hung out with some friends from church and saw a bit of Guatemala city. I think the highlight of the afternoon was when we were pounced on by a bunch of asian tourists! We (Caroline, Marisol, Andres and Rudy) were outside the presidents palace in the city and then a bunch of asian tourists who had a million cameras between then started taking our photos as if we were famous people! We are still not sure what the story was but we will claim our moment of fame!

We then went onto camp where we were based for the week. The leaders were all from the Falconers church so it was nice to be able to spend the week with them and to get to know then better. My problem? I cannot communicate in espanol so it made making friends a little tricky. In that respect it was a hard week. I am thankful that there were people who could speak in english but by not speaking spanish, I ostracised (yes I did look up the spelling for that one!) myself. Then by doing that I felt a little down...it was a bad cycle I got myself into! I feel if you want to have an identity crisis, go live in another culture that speaks a different language you don't understand!

It wasn't all bad but I think I can't just blog my good times. Its not all fun and games! Andres and Caroline are very patient and helpful in trying to teach me spanish but I have a terrible memory! They teach me words one day and the next day I have forgotten! Funny thing happened yesterday at camp. I was giving the kids a 2 sentence instruction for a game and one kid as he was leaving said in english "you need to learn english". I think he was meaning to say spanish but it was still funny!

Anyway the routine for the week was to prep for the kids programme during the day then the programme was from between 2.30-4.30. Caroline and I helped (in the litttle way we could) with Andres and the teenagers. By 'help' I mean I kind of just stood there and Caroline helped with some spanish instructions. Felt a little useless.

To make matters a little worse, I had a tummy bug on the thursday (guess what pleasant tummy bug it was)! Spent most of the day in the cabin. Caroline was also not feeling well during the week. Being in the higher altitude (camp is even higher up than Guatemala city) did not help things!
So the week had its ups and downs. I am still enjoying being here and I know that with the good times comes the not so good times. Its a beautiful country with beautiful people!

 The paparazzi

 Vacation Bible School

Some of the leaders

My espanol is not improving!

I know its only been a week, but the fact is it is frustrating not being able to speak Spanish. It has not mattered too much because I am living with 3 other kiwis, but its difficult having to rely on others to do the talking for me (maybe I am frustrated that I cannot say all the thousands of words I need to say everyday haha). Despite this it has been a good first week here. I am feeling settled and enjoying being here. We have had a fairly quiet week here at home adjusting to our surroundings.

We have been out a few times with Betty shopping for various things which has been fun. At home Caroline and I read, play duets on the piano, help with some vacation bible school prep and 'facebook' :). We also try to go for a walk each day. At first it was a little nerving as there are many security guards around carrying huge rifles! Its now becoming such a normal thing to see massive guns everywhere! I am not sure if it makes me feel safer or not! I try to read my spanish books a bit each day but I have decided I have never learnt how to study effectively so it is proving to be difficult challenge as to the best way to take it all in.

On Thursday we went up to camp with Graham and Betty, about a 45 min drive away. It was a beautiful clear day and we got a magnificent view of some of the surrounding volcanoes. Camp is where we are going for the week tomorrow afternoon to help with the vacation Bible School. We helped with a few things at camp during the day, went to a market then had dinner at some friends place before attending church that night at the local village. All I really know is that Graham's sermon was on Revelation 18..I didn't really catch the rest.

Guatemalans are so friendly, polite and loving! I love them! We always feel so welcomed wherever we go! Today our friend Andres (whom I met last time I was here in Guatemala) took us to a Mayan museum (that is built on/next to Mayan ruins). He was a great tour guide, and is very knowledgeable about Guatemala's history. We then went to a big fancy mall! It was fun to look around and we love trying Guatemalan candy and treats. Andres brother Emilio and Dad then picked us up and we went to look at Latin Americans biggest Christmas tree. It is very impressive! I didn't have my camera but will go back another time to take pictures. The funniest moment of the day was when we were driving along a fairly busy 3 lane road trying to find a park. People are running alongside both sides of the car shouting 'parque! parque!' meaning park. I was surprised that no one was run over! It cracked us up (well Caroline and I anyway) cos it sounds like the are swarking like a bird! It sounded like 'Cuckoo, cuckoo'! A classic Guatemalan moment for me that was so normal for the others. It was such a fun afternoon!

Tomorrow afternoon after church we are heading up to camp. Would love your prayers for the leaders, for the kids and teenagers that are going to hear God's word, for my spanish, and for Caroline's health. Patience for me too please! With my spanish and all the frustrations that come with that! Thank you for your continued support, prayers and encouragment. I appreciate you all!

Chimaltenango markets

Random cd/dvd store 

Guatemala we are here!

It is a pretty creative title I know, it flows from the previous one right?

So Caroline and I are here in Guatemala! And we are already in love with this place (well I already was from my last visit 2 years ago). We connected in Dallas fine and had no problems with customs when we arrived in Gutemala. Graham and Betty picked us up and we got to our home for the next 2.5 months around 9.30pm on the 18th of November.

The weather here is just perfect! It is not too hot but just right so we are able to hang out in shorts and t-shirt all day. We just stayed around home on Saturday which was nice as Caroline is quite tired from jet lag! Our dear neighbour Dilmah then brought us over lunch which was delicious! She then took us to the annual Christmas parade that celebrates the start of the Christmas season! It was the coolest Christmas parade I have ever been too and Caroline and I particularly like all the marching bands (gave Putaruru College band a run for its money) and the food we were surrounded with. We tried these yummy wafers spread with caramel -  delicioso! Was a good introduction to Guatemalan culture!

Sunday morning we went to church. Caroline's espanol is going very well..mine on the other hand is something to be desired. I am so glad Caroline is here to interpret for me, though soon we are going to stop with that so I don't rely on her. The people are so friendly and loving and patient with the fact I don't speak Spanish...yet. We had lunch back at home with the falconers family and some friends from church which was nice. I am feeling rather stupid not knowing Spanish! Then our new friends Marisol, Emilio and Rudy took us to Antigua, the old capital of central America. It is a stunning city! The buildings are Spanish colonial buildings and are so colouful! We went to an old nuns home (nunnery?) which was cool to look at something so old. Our tour guides then took us to a hill over looking Antigua (I need to write down all the place names we went too) which gave us a stunning view of the city and surrounding volcanoes. From there we went back down to Antigua and looked round some markets and ate some good Guatemalan food. It has been a great start to our stay here!

Christmas parade with our neighbours

One of the many cool floats!

Antigua

The old nunnery

Caroline and I at the old nunnery ruins

Overlooking Antigua

Central Park in Antigua

Guatemala here I come!

I cannot believe that tomorrow morning my stay in Minneapolis is over. If you have not already read between or even on the lines, I have loved loved loved my time here! It feels so right to be here. Yea that sounds pretty cheesy but it is so true. The only thing that can console me right now is knowing that I will see the Johnsons again in 3 months. Mer and I booked their flights together last week! I am so excited to see them again and to show them my home ground!

It has been a great week spending more time with the family, friends and seeing the things on my must do list. Spent time in various parts of Minneapolis and St Paul seeing the sites and treasuring time spent with people I am blessed to have in my life.

So tomorrow I fly out at 10.30 and have a layover in Dallas where Caroline and I will meet at our departure gate! Its not every day you can say to someone "See you in Texas!". We then arrive in Guatemala City 8pm Friday night and the Guatemala adventure begins!

Pomegranate & orange bubble tea from the Tea Garden

My American Home

Minneapolis skyline from 50th bridge

Minnehaha parkway

Packers vs Vikings

Lake Harriet

My American Family

10 reaons why I love Minneapolis

1. The amazing Johnson family
2.  Great American (plus non-American) friends
3. The lakes and the parkway system
4. The food (tea garden, chipotle, DQ, Meredith's food)
5. Fall - it is so beautiful here (in fact all 4 seasons are)
6. Downtowns skyline
7. Uptown
8. The Mall Of America
9. The houses
10. Hope Community Church

There are many more things I could add to this list, but this is the top 10!

Let the good times roll!

Time is just going so fast! In some ways I feels like I was just here last week in MN, in other ways I know I haven't and there is so much I want to do still in less than a week!

Caught up with my friend Annalise on Thursday for coffee in uptown (my friend who I ran into at the lake). It was so good just to hang with her and catch up on each others lives. Mer actually originally introduced us way  back when I first came to MN. Meredith was very good at finding friends for me!

I am just love hanging out with the kids again. They are just so precious and I have missed them a tonne! Issac and I like to play soccer and wrestle, Gigi (Gracie) and I have done some piano practice together and Matty and I play whatevers going.

Went to Issac's class on friday morning as his class was reading books they had written to their parents. It  was so cute! Then the big news is I went to Target in the afternoon. I had a list of things I needed to get and I ended up buying a few more things than I needed. Target is just the greatest! It has everything that you could ever need or want and at great prices too!

Friday night was the best! I went out for dinner with friends from my old small group and wow was it good to see them! We went out for a lovely dinner in St Pauls then we went back to Liz's for dessert. Liz had made some chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing with peanut butter m&ms! So good!

Went for a walk round a beautiful neigbourhood with Liz Saturday morning and saw the governors mansion. Went to Gracie's pianno recital, for a run round lake Harriet with Mer and took a trip to the MOA with Stack.

It felt so good to be back at Hope Community Church this morning! I love so much about that church: the music (pretty unique to Hope), the people, the pastor, and the building!

This afternoon was the family road trip in the Sprinter van to Cannon Falls, a small typical American town about 40 mins from home. All the Johnson family, Laura (their German exchange student) and I piled in the van and boy was it fun! Keith has decked out this sprinter which he uses for work plus they use for road trips. It is so cool! It has recliner chairs and a TV! It cracks me up! I am not enjoying the fact that I only have 5 more days left in MN...

Annalise

Downtown Minneapolis

Piano practice

The worlds best ice cream!

Fall leaves

With Matty at the neigbourhood park

Back of the house

Dinner with friends

Family road trip

 Laura and Mer

Thee Sprinter