Jon's Day

Jon had to pick up something in Oakland yesterday so we went along for the ride.  He was meeting someone at a woodworking shop down by the old naval yard. So we walked along the pier and took pictures of the old ships.  The USS Hornet (aircraft carrier) was now a naval museum, but we didn't have time to go on the tour.  These ships were enormous and the pictures don't really do them justice.  

After Jon finished we took along walk around Merritt Lake and ended our day with dinner at Nido, a trendy Mexican restaurant.

Stop and Smell the Roses

We visited the San Jose Rose Gardens yesterday.  These beautiful pictures tell the story better than I can.

This red and yellow rose is named "Ketchup and Mustard"

 

Not sure what the real name was, but the kids called these roses "Peppermint"

 

"Whipped Cream"

Little artist

Twlight Zone--my person favorite

California Time

We arrived on Wednesday evening and have enjoyed every minute we've spent with the grandkids.  It's great to hang out with them on a daily basis and be part of their routine.  Thursday afternoon we watched gymnastics and Friday morning we went to swimming lessons.

Friday afternoon we went to Cinemark to see Cinderella (a first for us.)  Both of them loved the movie (and the popcorn.) 

Saturday we spent the afternoon at Shannon's parent's condo.  The swimming pool was too cold, but the hot tub was just right.  

On Sunday afternoon, Jon and his friend, Kate, drove up from Santa Cruz.  We had dinner and made homemade ice cream.  Fun times!

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."

Water: No Where and then Every Where

For those of you who don't see my Facebook posts, here's what I had to say today:

At 10:15 a.m.  RAIN!  Unfortunately, it only lasted about 5 minutes.

At 2:30 p.m.  Another post about water . . . . we've been without water in the building since 8:00 a.m. this morning. Have some dirty clothes I'd like to wash before we go to Guatemala in the morning, not to mention the more obvious things for which we need water.

At 11:11 p.m.  Final post about water: today was a day of extremes. Tonight when we walked to our discipleship class, we didn't close the sliding glass door on our balcony nor the window in the spare bedroom. While we were in class, there was a torrential rain. (First real rain we've had in 4-5 months.) We came home to standing "water" all over the floors, wet couch, a soaked mattress and box springs not to mention that the suitcase I had packed for tomorrow's trip was completely soaked. The good news was that our water was back on so we are able to wash all the towels we used to mop up the floor. Going to be a long night and the taxi comes at 6:00 in the morning.

Fortunately, all of our electronics are working, including the computer that was on the coffee table.  Normally we leave it on the floor, but thanking God that I put it on the table instead.  I am a bit concerned about the mattress and box springs--we have them standing up with a fan on them and water is leaking out the bottom.  Praying they dry completely, if not, mold will grow and we'll have to buy new ones.    

It's really too early for the rainy season and although it sprinkled this morning, we didn't believe we would have a storm this early.  In any event, the taxi comes at 6:00 a.m. in the morning and we'll be off to Guatemala for five days--looking forward to visiting with the Rivas family, helping Rosemarie with preparations for a ladies event and attending church at Vida Nueva Guatemala..  

Happy Graduation

We attended Francisco's "high school" graduation today.  This GED-like program basically met all-day every Saturday for two years.  There were 28 graduates today and their ages ranged from 18 to 40+.  There were young, single moms and middle-aged dads and everything in between. It was a day of celebration for the graduating class and we were happy to be a part of it.

Francisco gave the prayer to start the ceremony

Banana split to celebrate

Three Down, Two to Go

Stephen got his third vaccination this afternoon in a doctor's office near our house.  The doctor specializes in infectious diseases and is a member of our church.  After spending five hours this morning, it was great to just walk three blocks to his office, check-in and get the shot and be out in less than 15 minutes.

Even better, we don't need an appointment for the next two shots.  We can just stop by his office on the days the shots are due.  

Thanks for praying us through this process.  

Different country, same story

We went to the "health department" (more or less a government run health clinic) at 7:00 a.m. and got in line.  It's quite a process--there were already 20+ people in the line waiting for a "consultation" with the doctor.  The problem was that there wasn't a doctor, so the line didn't really move.  We weren't concerned about waiting--it's normal for this country.  What we were concerned about was that we could wait and then find out we were in the wrong place.  

Suffice it to say, we finished the process about 12:30 and the result is that Stephen got a tetanus shot.  Unfortunately, they don't have the rabies vaccination on hand.  Instead it has to be requested from the main office.  Unfortunately, the main office doesn't always have it on hand.  We are supposed to call back tomorrow to see when they will have it.  Both the doctor and the nurse indicated that since he'd already had two doses, it wouldn't be dangerous for him to delay the next dose.  

While we were in the middle of this process, we talked with someone from the church and they called Dr. Colato, one of the private doctors in the church.  Dr. Colato then called a colleague who specializes in infectious diseases.  As of now, Stephen has an appointment with this doctor at 3:30 this afternoon, and based upon what Dr. Colato told us, he has the vaccination available in his office.  The difference is that we will have to pay for the shot versus it being free if we get it in the health department.  We aren't concerned about the cost (although our insurance doesn't work here); we prefer that Stephen stay on the suggested protocol and receive the shots on the suggested days.  

I'll post an update after we return from the appointment.  We are trusting God to provide what he needs.  Thanks for praying us through the process.  

El Vive! He Lives!

It was great to be back in El Salvador to celebrate Easter with Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva this morning.  Unlike in the states, Easter Sunday services are not well attended.  Because most of the country is on vacation during Semana Santa (Holy Week), anyone who is able to "get out of town" does so. 

Nevertheless, we celebrated the risen Savior today. 

 Pastor Julio preached from 1 Corinthians 15.  

14 And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Everything is different because He Lives.  Let's live like we believe it!

Friday afternoon update

All three got their second vaccination this morning at the regional health ministry.  They each have a vaccination record to show their doctors back home.  I don't know if I had mentioned that all of the visits, antibiotics and vaccinations have been free.

Guillermo Hernandez (the leader from our church in San Salvador who is in charge of the trip) told the guys that they have "natural" tattoos from Nicaragua.  The scar will be a reminder of the trip and of God's faithfulness.

Thank you for praying along with us . . . all the glory goes to our great God.  

Quick Update/Prayer Request

Today in Managua, all three of our guys (Stephen, Joseph and Hayden) will return to the Ministry of Health for the second dose of the rabies vaccination.  Please pray that there will be an adequate supply and that each of them is able to receive the shot this morning.  All three of them will be traveling tomorrow so it is important that they stay on the protocol schedule.  Each will need a third and fourth vaccination when they return home.  In addition, we are praising God that the antibiotics are working and there is no indication of infection and their wounds are starting to heal.  Thanks for praying all of us through this situation.  

Here are a couple of shots from Tuesday.

al.  Thanks for praying all of us through this situation.