Seond Graduation

About three weeks ago I posted pictures of our trip  to Guatemala for Fabi Rivas' high school graduation.  It was a formal, elegant occasion with long dresses, excellent food and a special time to celebrate with dear friends.  I have been in Guatemala this week to help with VBS preparations, and, as such, had the opportunity to attend Fabi's second graduation.  What? Why?

Let me explain.  First, graduating from the German School of Guatemala is no small accomplishment--all of the students are tri-lingual (German, Spanish, English.) I can't even imagine!  Some of the students in the class pursue the International Baccalaureate diploma, as well, and those who complete all the requirements and receive the requisite scores on the oral and written exams, were honored at the IB graduation ceremony on Wednesday night.  The event was held at the German Club of Guatemala and consisted of speeches (in German with a written translation into Spanish) by the German ambasador to Guatemala and other dignataries, seemingly endless repetition of Pomp and Circumstance and the typical calling of the graduates to the stage for handshakes and pictures.  What was different was that we were in a banquet room and when the ceremony was over we had an excellent dinner.

A benefit to receiving the German IB diploma is that graduates receive a full scholarship to attend their choice of colleges in Germany.  Wow! 

Fabi and her family haven't yet decided if she will go to Germany for college.  Right now she is taking a SAT prep class to prepare for the January test and is working on applying to several Christian colleges in the US.  They are praying for God to open doors for Fabi and are trusting Him to provide the resources for her to go wherever He wants her to go.

I was so honored to be a part of both of her graduations!   Enjoy a few of the pictures.

Joseph, the Dreamer

Last night Tiffany and I attended the third presentation of Joseph, the Dreamer, at our church in Lourdes.  The group of 40+ cast, sound, stage/props workers began rehearsals in January.  The production was amazing!  What is even better is that it is a great evangelistic tool; there have been professions of faith at each presentation.

Christmas in October

Christmas projects are in full swing at Hilo, Aguja y Biblia--today the ladies were working on three different things.  

1) Christmas tree made of yo-yo's--some of the women weren't able to come last time so they were cutting their circles and making the 16 yo-yo's which form this little tree.  You can see Marisol explaining the process, the ladies working and Leslie's finished tree, complete with a star on the top

2) Angel ornament made of yo-yo's--a group of ladies who were finished with their tree began the process of drawing and cutting out the circles for the angel ornament. Every lady received two circles of fabric with instructions to make one yo-yo for the angel body and one for the wings.  Next meeting we will paint the cherub faces, add the halo and other adornments.  Here's an idea of what it will look like when finished, minus the painted face and ribbon to hang on the tree.

3) Christmas placemats--we are making 100 Christmas red placemats for the upcoming women's retreat at the end of November.  Three ladies spent their time today hemming the placemats.  We have about half of them done and will continue to work at our next session. If we don't finish them all at our November 8 meeting, we will send them home with women who have access to a sewing machine.

In addition to the ladies, Max joined us--he is Daysi's husband and our sewing machine repairman!  As he says, our machines are "antiques," so it takes a lot of TLC to keep them running.   

Isabel continued the Bible study from the book of Esther.  It was a great morning with the ladies!

What a difference a day makes!

Got to love the way the Royals came back and tied up the series.  So happy for the fans that were at the game tonight--what a difference a day makes!

World Series

Although it didn't turn out like they wanted it to, Daniel and Jon had the opportunity to see the Royal's game in person and with their cousins, Jensen and Laken.  Here was the view from their seats:

Here they are . . . four cousins in a row.

Pretty surprised that they all have smiles on their faces with a 7-1 loss.  I was hoping to get a glimpse of them on TV, but no luck!  

IDEM Cycle 7

Tuesday night we started the seventh cycle with our IDEM (discipleship) group.  It was a night for catching up after a 6-week break, planning our Thanksgiving celebration and beginning our study of the Sermon on the Mount.

Longest and Strongest

Just before ten o'clock last night El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua were shaken by a 7.4 earthquake which occurred out in the ocean off the coast of El Salvador/Honduras/Nicaragua.  It was more than 164 kilometers (100 miles) from San Salvador, but felt very strong and lasted almost 30 seconds.  

I was outside walking at the time and began to hear the windows rattling, but didn't give it much notice.  After about 5-10 seconds the sound increased and everyone started coming out of their houses.  I turned around and headed back to our house to find Stephen outside, as well.  

There has been one reported death in the country and some damaged property/homes in San Miguel, about 3 hours from where we live (much closer to the epicenter.)  There have been some landslides and a tsunami warning was issued along the coast of El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Celebrating Fabi!

Just have time for a quick post about Fabi's fabulous graduation!  It was so much fun celebrating her and spending time with her family and friends in Guatemala City.  More about the weekend later, but here are a couple of photos--thanks to a host of people (Roxana Magana, Fabi Rivas, Rosemarie Rivas) for helping me switch my look from normal to elegant.

First Time in Paradise

Our October campaign started on Saturday night, but a huge storm pushed through just after the team finished going door-to-door. 

Last night we had a great evening campaign in a closed neighborhood in Lourdes.  There were hundreds of people who heard the gospel message. 

 This morning we went to an all girls school and shared the lesson on "redeeming time." 

 Tonight, we made the long (hour +) trip to Paraiso (Paradise,) a small town up north, where Pastor Manuel is hoping to plant another Vida Nueva church.  We had two inflatables going for the kids.  The team did a great job sharing with the people who lived near the downtown and with others who worked in or near the park.

PROUD TO BE A KC ROYAL

It's been a very long time since KC fans have been able to stand tall and proud, but there time has now come.  The amazing season left them a bit short of the division championship, and, instead, found them first in the wild card race.  Their post season started with an unbelievable victory in the wild card game on Tuesday night.  There was a little bit of everything in that game:  ahead, behind, behind more, tied, extra innings, behind, tied, bottom of the 12th, VICTORY.  All of that to get a chance to play the Angels in the American League Division Series.  

The good news continued with a great game last night . . . also extra innings, but with the same result--VICTORY.

We are believing here in San Salvador and cheering along with all our family and friends in Kansas City.  Proud to be a KC Royal.