More Stitches

David left home last Friday morning around 7:30 a.m. driving into Guatemala City to pick up some guests.  Our supervisor and his wife were flying in to spend a few days with us.  They were here to see our work, get a better understanding of what we are doing, and most importantly to encourage us.  There is construction going on right now between us and Guatemala City so it can add anywhere from an extra 30 minutes to a few hours to our normal four hour drive.  He arrived in time to get them at the airport and made the return drive back home arriving around 7:30 that night.  He was tired!

We spent most of Saturday out in the mountains showing them around our work area and letting them meet a few of the people we are working with.  We always enjoy getting to show people around.

David showing the boys how to skip rocks in the creek at Muyurco.

a group photo on Saturday night of our family with the Boyters

After eating supper we loaded up in the car and drove into town to watch the annual Pollo Campero fireworks show.  They do a great job and we all enjoyed seeing it this year.

the boys on top of our car waiting for the fireworks to start

A few of the shots I captured.  Aren't they pretty!

We were late getting to bed on Saturday night but excited about the plans we had for Sunday.  We had planned a big combined service on the land in Nearar for our Bible study groups in that area.  Our supervisor had plans to preach and our Nearar group was in charge of getting everything set up for the service and leading it.  We were anticipating a good worship time together.  The boys got up playing that morning as usual.  About 7:00 a.m. while I was in the kitchen cooking breakfast Cruz came running through the kitchen/ dining room pushing a toy train.  He was looking down at the train and not up at where he was going.  He made a loop around our table and was headed back down the hallway when he ran full speed into the edge of the wall that separates our kitchen from our living room.  He immediately grabbed his head and the blood started pouring.  You can imagine my panic! I am not very good at handling situations like that so I am very thankful David was home!

We grabbed a wet rag, loaded into the car, and headed out to the ER.  We first stopped at the hospital that is closest to our house.  There were no on-call doctors available to come in so after waiting a while we were told to try somewhere else.  We were able to get the stitches at another hospital in town but didn't get out in time for church.  We kept thinking that if we could hurry up and get it done David and our supervisor David could still make the service even if I had to stay home with the boys. When we did finally leave the hospital we still had to go by a pharmacy to pick up medicine.  It was almost lunchtime by the time we got back home.  We were really sad to have missed the service that morning!

Cruz at the first hospital.  As you can see he was not thrilled to be there.

You can see some of his cut in this photo.

This picture makes me laugh now (not so much at the time).  David was wanting to comb Cruz's hair out of the way to get a better look at the cut.  Neither one of us had a comb on us so he ran out to the car to see what he could find.  He came back in with a white plastic fork and you know what?  turns out it makes a pretty good comb in times of need.   When I got my camera out he looked up at me and asked "why are you taking this picture?"  My response "Are you kidding! I'm going to enjoy telling this story one day."  ha

Cruz at the second hospital a little more calm but still very nervous.

and here he is all sewed up.

We had planned to attend evening service at Bro. Fito's church that night but got there to find out they had cancelled the service.  We were pretty bummed to have missed both services that day.  My heart was a little sad because we had tried so hard to make something happen and it just didn't work out.  Some days you just can't win!

On Monday morning David left me and the boys and traveled back into Guatemala City with the Boyters to attend the 2016 Indigenous Encuentro.  It is an annual meeting for Indigenous pastors and leaders to come together for a time of sharing and encouraging each other.  This year it took place at the Guatemala Baptist Seminary in Guatemala City.

The boys with David and Ann before they left for Guatemala City on Monday morning.  We loved hosting them!  It was such a fun visit for our family.

The conference was from noon Monday until noon on Wednesday.  Here is one of the photos that David took of some of the attendees.  He said it went great and was such a fun time for those who attended.  Thanks to those of you who prayed for this meeting.  We appreciate it!

The boys and I had a full few days at home doing school.  Our only outing was to piano on Tuesday afternoon.  We called a taxi to take us there.  The boys love when they get to ride in a taxi.   It was practice day for the upcoming recital.  Each one had to perform for the other students and also be recorded by the director.  Cruz did great although he looked stiff as a board because he was nervous.  His recital is next Friday night.  We are excited to see him perform.

 Cruz with his music teacher

 They also took school photos.  This is Cruz's picture.  

It had been a pretty wild week so you can imagine my relief when David returned home on Wednesday afternoon.  I honestly wanted to say "Hello. Glad you are home.  It's great to see you.  I'm going to bed now."  ha  But, I didn't.  My tiredness quickly disappeared when I saw the fun treats he had brought us home.  He came in with KFC Popcorn Chicken and some Dunkin Donuts.  Somehow that made me feel like I could make it a few more hours. 

great treats from Guatemala City

We ended the week with Bible study and have a few fun things planned for the weekend ahead.  I'll write about all of that next week.  We hope you have a great weekend.