| UPDATE FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2009 |
GUATEMALA TEAM MISSION REPORT WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
We continue to be frustrated being unable to send pictures, but are working on new route.
CAMANCHAJ, GUATEMALA
The second story of the pre-school building has been blocked to the top of the vertical walls!
The weather has been beautiful for outdoor work and on such days it is easy to understand
construction work´s being preferred to indoor toil. Even the ladies laying block much prefer being
up on the scaffold. The re-grouted classroom floors look great, the colorful furniture has been
replaced, and many hands are unloading all those supplies from Joan, the Edgewater teachers,
church members and friends. Teacher training will now have a real homeroom. Tara Peterson
and Carey Cooper, School Director, have been spending each day back in a surgical suite with
Mari and Josefa, the two teachers hired for the opening classes of Susanah Wesley Pre-School.
They are lovely, young and enthusiastic. Tara reports this morning that they are discussing
behavior modification in the classroom and communication with the families.
The soft, smiley bears knitted by our ladies at home have been hung with care from the clinic
ceiling for little patients to choose. Donated clothing is being sorted. Construction continues on
bookcases and additional cubbies; the air is whirring. The guys have to be coaxed inside for
lunch! The mysteries of previous paint has been diagnosed by our two professional artists from
Georgia, and the colorful primary-colored furniture needing a touch-up is getting attention. A
definite NESTING atmosphere prevades. These classrooms will be as warm and stimulating as
our Cormeth Pre-School´s. . . . and perhaps more colorful. Native woven cloth for the curtains
and market purchases of thick blanket/rugs for the cozy reading areas.
We all break for a lunch shared at the long table in the clinic. Barbara and Chris have had
Inge´s help today in the kitchen, also the help of Anne, an Arkansas ex-pat who is a friend and
neighbor of Phil´s. Friends of Phil, and Friends of Salud y Paz have been showing up all week.
Rosalie and Kay are covering the paperback book covers with clear Contac for longer life-span.
So, the grounds are still bustling, but a bit less interesting when clinic is not open. We all enjoy
watching the children playing, families cooking and sharing food, local handicrafts for sale. Bob
Keller now owns two original watercolors painted by a war veteran who paints as we watch on.
Actually. even today there are quite a flock of children and they are requesting ¨the lady with the
gloves¨ to come out and sing. Virginia Hammond Sella has Ole´ MacDonald´s Farm literally her
fingertips and in Spanish!
The week is fleeing by and excitement is mounting as plans are made for the school opening
ceremony Saturday morning. Rumor is that there may be a band !
We who are blessed to be here and enjoy the festivities keep all of you with us in spirit. What an
effort by so many of our congregation!
Signing off for today:
Kay Akins Janet Bernhard Norm Briggs
Sonja Guidry Gil Juarez Bob Keller
Aubrey Lunsford A.J.Mastrullo Chris May
Tara Peterson Pam Rance Silvio Sella
Virginia Sella Elizabeth Shepherd Barbara Travis
Jack Travis Robin Vinay Steve Vinay
Aubrey Woodall Rosalie Wolf
We continue to be frustrated being unable to send pictures, but are working on new route.
CAMANCHAJ, GUATEMALA
The second story of the pre-school building has been blocked to the top of the vertical walls!
The weather has been beautiful for outdoor work and on such days it is easy to understand
construction work´s being preferred to indoor toil. Even the ladies laying block much prefer being
up on the scaffold. The re-grouted classroom floors look great, the colorful furniture has been
replaced, and many hands are unloading all those supplies from Joan, the Edgewater teachers,
church members and friends. Teacher training will now have a real homeroom. Tara Peterson
and Carey Cooper, School Director, have been spending each day back in a surgical suite with
Mari and Josefa, the two teachers hired for the opening classes of Susanah Wesley Pre-School.
They are lovely, young and enthusiastic. Tara reports this morning that they are discussing
behavior modification in the classroom and communication with the families.
The soft, smiley bears knitted by our ladies at home have been hung with care from the clinic
ceiling for little patients to choose. Donated clothing is being sorted. Construction continues on
bookcases and additional cubbies; the air is whirring. The guys have to be coaxed inside for
lunch! The mysteries of previous paint has been diagnosed by our two professional artists from
Georgia, and the colorful primary-colored furniture needing a touch-up is getting attention. A
definite NESTING atmosphere prevades. These classrooms will be as warm and stimulating as
our Cormeth Pre-School´s. . . . and perhaps more colorful. Native woven cloth for the curtains
and market purchases of thick blanket/rugs for the cozy reading areas.
We all break for a lunch shared at the long table in the clinic. Barbara and Chris have had
Inge´s help today in the kitchen, also the help of Anne, an Arkansas ex-pat who is a friend and
neighbor of Phil´s. Friends of Phil, and Friends of Salud y Paz have been showing up all week.
Rosalie and Kay are covering the paperback book covers with clear Contac for longer life-span.
So, the grounds are still bustling, but a bit less interesting when clinic is not open. We all enjoy
watching the children playing, families cooking and sharing food, local handicrafts for sale. Bob
Keller now owns two original watercolors painted by a war veteran who paints as we watch on.
Actually. even today there are quite a flock of children and they are requesting ¨the lady with the
gloves¨ to come out and sing. Virginia Hammond Sella has Ole´ MacDonald´s Farm literally her
fingertips and in Spanish!
The week is fleeing by and excitement is mounting as plans are made for the school opening
ceremony Saturday morning. Rumor is that there may be a band !
We who are blessed to be here and enjoy the festivities keep all of you with us in spirit. What an
effort by so many of our congregation!
Signing off for today:
Kay Akins Janet Bernhard Norm Briggs
Sonja Guidry Gil Juarez Bob Keller
Aubrey Lunsford A.J.Mastrullo Chris May
Tara Peterson Pam Rance Silvio Sella
Virginia Sella Elizabeth Shepherd Barbara Travis
Jack Travis Robin Vinay Steve Vinay
Aubrey Woodall Rosalie Wolf
Sonya
A.J.
Gil
Barb and
kids....
kids....
Janet
Doorway, Dr. Phil, and Inge.