When we finished our meetings in Mexico, the Epps family flew home with us to Guatemala. They are our direct supervisors. They serve in South America and are over all Indigenous work throughout the Americas. Just like how we make in person visits with the families we supervise, the Epps needed to visit us in Guatemala. It was their first time come here.
David and Aaron visited some of our local work areas. He also took him on an overnight trip to Quetzaltenango to see where the Stones and Robertsons live and work.
The Whites and the Epps
While the guys were out seeing ministry sites, I kept Tiffany and the kids busy around town. One afternoon we went biking at Finca Azotea. It is a coffee farm in Jocotenango.
Finca Azotea
We also did the chocolate class at ChocoMuseo.
MK friends
grinding cacao beans
The class includes a time to build your own chocolate bars. They offer a wide assortment of toppings to put on it. Each person gets to take their bar home at the end of the class.
Everyone with their chocolate bars.
We also visited the market and the cross overlook. We played cards/games most every night, and had great fellowship around the meal table. It was fun to host them, and our favorite part was the one on one time we had together to better strengthen our friendship. When you can also call your "boss" your friend, it makes for a sweet work relationship. We are thankful for wonderful leaders like the Epps!
In mid-June we hosted a mission team from The Church at LifePark in Mount Pleasant, SC. They have been one of our partner churches since 2015. Many of the team members have come down numerous times and they feel like family to us. We had a wonderful week serving together.
The team arrived on a Saturday afternoon. As soon as they checked into their hotel we walked to Artista de Cafe for coffee.
A highlight of this team was having one of our 2022 Summer Sojourners on the team. Katelyn served with us last summer and helped host a team from LifePark. She made a connection with them and this summer is serving as their missions intern. Because of that she was able to return with the group. We loved having her back here in Antigua!!
a team photo
the boys with the Masons
They are dear to our hearts and have a great love for Guatemala.
The boys with Rick, the missions pastor
They call him Tio Rick (Uncle Rick) and love him greatly!
They were extra excited for the chocolates and candy the team brought them.
a Sunday morning photo with Katelyn and Sara
Our Summer Sojourners were still here so David and I split up on Sunday morning. I took the students to a local church in Antigua and then got them to Camp Guamiski orientation that afternoon. David took the team to San Rafael where they shared and preached in the morning service.
On Sunday night I joined the team and we all attended worship in Parramos. Several of the team members shared during the service.
Sunday night supper at TaCool
Katelyn and the boys
On Monday and Tuesday we made home visits in two different areas.
Our boys went to camp on Monday morning so David and I hosted the team alone. It was our first time to host a team without kids since 2009!
Mr. David ready to share scripture at a home visit.
David, Rick, and David
Myriam sharing scripture.
We had visited in this home the week prior with our Summer Sojourners. The elderly man of the house was very sick and we prayed for his family knowing his time on earth was short. Three days later he died. I was happy to get to return with the team to pray for them again and encourage them.
This lady prayed to receive Christ during our home visit. It was a highlight of the week.
Closing our time out in prayer.
We had a supper meal at El Bosque in Antigua and enjoyed our team time/ debrief around the fire.
Here is a video I made highlighting El Bosque.
We hiked up to the cross.
David and I with Katelyn
a team photo overlooking Antigua and the Agua Volcano
a short video of our time at the cross
the team did the chocolate class at ChocoMuseo
a short video of them making chocolate
three amigos all dressed in green
Mr. Ken, David, and Rick
lunch at Pollo Campero before we visited the market
afternoon Phase 10 and coffee at our house
Can you tell who wasn't winning?
Our last meal of the week was at Pappy's BBQ.
a video of our week together
We love this church, its members, and the way they have loved on our family over the years. More than that, we are thankful for the invest they have made and continue to make in the lives of the Guatemalan people.
One of our favorite things to do with guests is take them to do the chocolate class at ChocoMuseo in Antigua. They learn about the chocolate making process such as harvesting, roasting, tempering, and molding. They also learn about the origin and history such as how the early Mayans used the cacao beans. It is always interesting and fun for everyone!
On a recent free day, we took our seven Summer Sojourner students to do the class. Here are some photos and videos of them there.
ready to make chocolate
Isaac and Trey
Melanie, Bella, and Olivia
Karsyn and Mollie
filling their molds
They have a wide variety of toppings you can add to your chocolate such as coffee beans, sea salt, nuts, sprinkles, chili, cinnamon, mint, and more.
Cruz hanging out while the students did the class.
At one point during the class they do a competition to see who can grind the cacao beans into paste the fastest. Trey competed against Olivia.
Olivia won.
The best part is getting to take home your chocolate bar at the end of the class. It is dark chocolate though, and some like the flavor more than others.
