A day of reflection

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. 1 Chronicles 16:29

Today we had a special treat. We visited the same K'ekchi' church that we went to the first Sunday we were in Guatemala. We arrived here on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006. We spent that first weekend in Coban. That Sunday we went to church with Jim, our supervisor, Josue, a local friend of the McGriff's, and fellow missionaries Allen & Laurelle Stoudenmire.

Here are a few of us outside of the church that day.

Although we do not remember everything about that first service, we do have fond memories of it. At the time we did not know any Spanish or K'ekchi', so we did not understand a single word that was said. We remember seeing how the K'ekchi' ladies dressed and thinking it was pretty. We liked the music, although it was VERY loud. We didn't know what they were singing, but some of the tunes were familiar to us. The women sat on one side of the church and the men on the other. That was different to us. I noticed in the above picture that in my hands were my journal and an English Bible. I guess I thought I was going to take notes and follow along, ha.

After the service we went to the pastors house. I remember us being nervous thinking they were going to feed us. We were glad when they brought out pieces of light bread and bottled orange crush and coke!! We were very happy although we were still a little nervous to eat that.

I am looking at my supervisor as if to say, "Are you sure this is ok to eat?" Boy, have we changed.

We have come a long way since that first Sunday. We could not imagine then the places we would go and the things we would do. Now we really enjoy services and are starting to understand a good bit of it. We like when they feed us and don't really dread it like we used to. We have grown to love the K'ekchi' people, their ways, customs, and all. They are a unique people and we could not be any happier that God called us to work among them.

Here is a picture of the church today. The color (outside appearance) is about the only thing that has changed. But, like most everything else in Guatemala, nothing stays the same color for long.

Here are photos of us:

Back on December 31, 2006

And today, September 14, 2008. Unlike the church, not much of our outside appearance has changed, but our insides have really changed and grown to love a people and culture that just a few years ago we knew nothing about. We give all thanks and praise to the Lord! He is good!