Women's Ministry Breakfast

I picked up Misha this morning to go to the women's ministry breakfast.  We parked at church and took the "shuttle" to the restaurant because parking there is very limited (like 25 spaces or less.)  

Although the original reservation was for 100 women, the restaurant was willing to accommodate 180 women by the time everyone arrived.  The addition of so many women at the last minute created some difficulties with the seating arrangements, table groups and the craft.  However, our ladies are nothing, if not patient, and eventually everyone was seated and working to decorate their own box.  Look how cute the boxes are!

Breakfast was served; it took quite awhile because of the number of women and because it was very close quarters with the wait staff having to make many trips with small trays.

After the singing, my good friend, Maria Elena, did the teaching on friendship.  She used the story of Elizabeth and Mary as her text.  Her talk was interspersed with humorous dramas which is something our ladies love.  The morning ended with the recognition of invited guests and distribution of a special treat.

Cambio de Rumbo--Sunday morning

The rain from Saturday night forced a schedule change on Sunday morning.  Originally, we were going to have a very early devotional (6:00 a.m.) at the big tree up on top of the hill.  However, it was too wet and muddy, so we were able to sleep in, do our personal quiet time and be ready for breakfast at 7:30.  

After a time of worship, we met in small groups for our third study in Jonah.  Like the other sessions, we had two hours to talk about everything that happened in Chapter 3.  The power of the study came from the personal, application questions.

After the morning session, it was craft time.  The ladies of Hilo, Aguja y Biblia worked really hard to sew 140 fabric whales.  Earlier in the week, Maria Elena and I put the fabric whale (still wrong side out), a needle, buttons and a bookmark with instructions in individual bags.  Maria Elena gave the four-step instructions relating each step to our lives.  

Step 1:  Change your direction:  turn the whale so it is right-side out.  Be sure that your whale maintains the correct form.

Step 2:  Focus your eyes on God:  sew on the two white buttons first and then add the black buttons on top. 

Step 3:  Fill your life with the Word of God:  pour in a pound of dry rice.

Step 4:  Hide his words in your heart:  Sew the opening closed.

(The rice bag serves a practical purpose, as well.  It can be heated in the microwave (1-2 min.) and used on sore muscles OR it can go in the freezer to be used on swollen feet, ankles or to cool down after exercising.)

It was quite a process trying to explain the steps to everyone at the same time, but we had excellent table leaders who helped with the process.  

A Morning of Ministry

Today, as representatives of Hilo, Aguja y Biblia, Ena, Isabel and I went to our campus in Apopa to share with the ladies ministry.  We didn't arrive in time to have breakfast with them (they start at 7:30 a.m.) and we had a bit of a drive, but we did get there in time to join them for the praise/worship time.  

After the singing, Isabel taught the Bible study lesson.

When she finished, all 35 of the ladies moved to the room next door for craft time--we made fabric flowers which they can put on headbands, in their hair or on their clothes.  It was a little crazy trying to explain to all 35 at the same time, but we made it and they loved the results.

It was a great opportunity to get to know these precious women better.  

Maria Antonia--leader of the women's group in Apopa

Isabel, Ena and Me

Why we love visiting Guatemala

For us, there's nothing better than getting away to Guatemala City for a few days.  Yes, the country is beautiful and, yes, the weather is amazingly comfortable.  However, the real reason we love visiting Guatemala is these two amazing people:

Nelson and Rosemarie Rivas

When we're here in Guatemala, we just "do life" with them.  Yesterday, Rosemarie, Fabi, Cami and I left the house at 7:00 a.m.  The first stop was to drop Cami off at school.  The three of us made our way across town (the short cut took a little over an hour) to a home where Rosemarie is leading the Beth Moore, "Breaking Free" Bible study.  We were a little early, so we stopped for coffee/tea at McCafe.   After an ample "snack" the study started about 10:00 a.m.  I think we finished about 1:00 p.m., made a stop to buy Cami a pair of tennis shoes and then worked our way back home.  

There's always a concert when Stephen and Nelson get together--the piano is set up in the living room!  Stephen and Fabi also find time to "jam."

In the afternoon, I helped with preparations for the next ladies event--a celebration of Mother's Day at the end of May.  Washing and drying plastic containers, cutting felt, gluing and more.  Look at the cute favor they're making for each woman.  

This morning they treated us to Capistrano--our favorite breakfast place.  Today equals more work on the favors; Stephen is also helping to clean and then paint bottles.  

LIke I said, we enjoy doing "life" with them.  We love them and their girls, and we know it's true that "friends are a gift from God."