Still here

So we are still alive. Since we have been back in the states we have been going, going, and going some more. We have had a wonderful time catching up with family and friends while enjoying the last bits of summer. We absolutely love summer in Washington. The view of the mountains in every direction, the trees and water have such an amazing glow, and the temperatures are so comfortable. What a beautiful place we live.
Our transition home has been smooth as we moved into my (jennifer) parents home temporarily. This has been a wonderful blessing for us as we get our feet firmly planted here again. Craig has resumed working at his old job doing tree work part time and projects/side jobs for family and friends to fill in the gaps. Once again we are reminded of the many blessings God has given us. God has been so faithful to us. This is our third time coming off the mission field and the third time we have to testify of Gods goodness and provision. He is so faithful!
So I do plan on keeping up with this blog but I will give you a warning that I probably won't be quite as regular as before. Thank you to all who follow our blog, we will be in touch.

An update

Isaac con su amigo Alcides (Isaac with his friend Alcides)

el jefe con su cafe (The boss with his coffee)

Well it has been a while since I have written. Part of this is because we have been busy and part of this is because I am full of mixed emotions and I am not sure how to express what I am feeling. We are excited to be going home but sad because we are going to miss it here. We are really going to miss our friends and the boys at the school.
Last week there was a group of 18 people here from Wisconsin with many different skills and all kinds of work and activities were accomplished. They had counselors who met with many individuals needing help, and who also presented a 3 day marriage conference for the people of Guatemala. We had a couple of med students who worked at the clinic teaching about diabetes and gave many people in the community glasses. A few members of the group were teachers and worked at a local school teaching math and music together through fractions. There was an electrician who came and helped at the vocational school. And several young men in the group who are in school preparing to become pastors were able to come and preach at churches as well as give classes on techniques for studying the Bible.
This is just a summary of what happened and there was much more that I can not even begin to write all down. We were blessed to be a part of this and our kids were blessed as they showered them with love and attention. It is always amazing to meet and work alongside other brothers and sisters in Christ!
We are now beginning to start wrapping up our time here in Guatemala. I am sorry if this post has lacked emotion but I am still in the processing mode. But I didn't want you all to think we were lost somewhere. We are doing well and making the most of our last 8 days here!
I hope to be able to post more soon!

A Couple fun pictures of the boys!

Blessed!

Craig has officially survived his time time running the school by himself. Our friends have returned from the states and he can take a deep breath. I have to say that things went amazingly smoothly. He did a great job and had bit of fun with it to.
On Wednesdays they only have school for a half day and they have the afternoon off. So this last Wednesday Craig decided to take the students out to lunch to bless them and thank them for helping him through these few weeks. He had them pile in the back of the truck and took them out to Burger King (not a favorite of Craig's but a special treat for the boys that they LOVE!). After that he decided that they should have some fun and go down to the lake for a swim. He brought them all to our house to get shorts for them to wear because they were all in their work clothes and then of they went. They had so much fun. They swam for several hours. What a blessing it was to see them so happy and having som much fun just being teenage boys!
Well the next day Craig went to work and a couple of the boys asked Craig if he wanted a chicken. They wanted to give him a chicken to say thank you. So Craig said sure and off they went. One of the boys ran back to his house and came back carrying a live chicken. Craig was surprised because this was not exactly what he was expecting. Then they asked if he wanted it alive or dead. Thankfully Craig said dead (probably because he knew what kind of response he would have gotten from me had he brought home a live chicken). So they killed it and cleaned it up to send it home with him. They were so proud of this nice big chicken that they were giving us (probably the skinniest chicken I had ever seen but big for them). We both felt so blessed that they wanted to bless and share what they had with us. They had a chicken so that is what they gave, and it sounds like it was one of their bigger chickens which touches my heart even more. Part of me wanted to give the chicken back because I know they need it more than we do but I knew that this was something that they wanted to do, and it made them happy. Through giving everyone is blessed, the giver and the receiver!

Common Sights

"Tuk Tuks" - they are 3 wheeled taxis. There are probably more of them then there are cars. They are everywhere.

It is very common to see families with little kids, even infants riding motorcyles. It is very rare to see them wearing helmets.

Little stands like this are everywhere in the afternoon and evening. This one is selling tostadas and juice.

Everybody has clothes hanging up to dry. Dryers are rare because it costs a lot for electricity here.

Launcha-these are water taxis. We have ridden them several times to get to different parts of the lake. The kids love riding them.

Tamales- They are wrapped and then cooked in these huge banana leaves. There are several different dishes that they prepare and cook like this. Craig and I haven't been able to figure out the difference between them though. They walk the streets with 5 gallon buckets full of these to sell to people.

Fried Plantains-many people eat these every day. They are very sweet.

A boy and his dad out fishing in their boat.

Bike Cart- this one is selling chips and other snacks

Bike Cart - this one is selling something similar to snow cones

I love the Market!

I love going to the market. We buy most of our produce there because they have such great deals. We bought all of this food in the picture for 137 Quetzals or about $15. So here is a list of what we got: a bag of 100 tostadas, 2 pineapples, 1 watermelon, 1 papaya, 12 oranges, 10 tomatoes, cilantro, 6 mangoes, 4 green bell peppers and 2 red bell peppers, 2 cucumbers, 2 onions, and 2 carrots. Man I love a good deal. When we go home we are going to miss being able to eat pineapple, watermelon and mangoes every week.

School Project Continued

Here are some new pictures of the school Craig has been working on. They have put in new decking, hand rails, and some stairs. They are also having to replace some of the roof. It is going well and everyone is learning as they go. Craig has been challenged but is doing well being there by himself. So far so good!

Isaac's 4th Birthday!

We had a great day for Isaac's Birthday! We started with his favorite breakfast, pancakes, and then his favorite luch, PB&J. We opened presents, played games, talked to family on Skype, played with buubbles, played cars, ate cake and watched a movie. I think it might have been a dream day for Isaac. So glad we were able to have a low key but fun-fillled family birthday! We love you Isaac and we can't believe you are already 4. You are and amazing boy that is full of life and joy. We are blessed to have you as our son.

Isaac's new REAL tools, just like daddy!

School Project

In an earlier post I had shared how a local school had been set fire by some gang members. Now Craig and some of the boys form the center are working on fixing all that was damaged by the fire (pictures below). Craig is the head guy on this project because he has a background in carpentry. It has been going well and the boys are learning a new skill. The carpentry they have done up to this point has been making furniture and things like that. It has been a new challenge for Craig , but a good one. Starting this Sunday he will be flying solo at the school because our friends that run the program will be gone to the states for 3 weeks. He has been given permission to teach whatever he wants after they finish this school project. Pray that he would not be to stressed over this new responsibility and that his communication with the boys would be good even with the language barrier.

Craig's Birthday!

We surprised Craig at the center with cake for his birthday. Some of the boys even brought some firecrackers (well that is the only thing I can relate them to at home). They doen't make anything pretty in the sky but they are exteremly loud and Craig was quite surprised. I wish I could have gotten a picture of his face because it was priceless. Here are pictures of the family and Craig with some of the boys from the center in front of the cake.

Hard Lesson Learned

Isaac had to learn a lesson the hard way last night. He likes to jump off our bed onto his bed. We let him do this but last night he wanted to jump over Josiah. Of course we told him this wasn't okay, mostly for fear that their would be a collision of 2 kids and then lots of screaming. Well, he decided to ignore Craig and jump over Josiah. Thankfully he was extra cautious about Josiah. He jumped extra far. But that posed another problem because he jumped so far he ran right into the cement wall with his forehead. I have never seen an egg so big on someones forehead. The picture doesn't even capture how big and ugly it really was. I guess he had to learn the hard way. Hopefully next time he listens to us.


This is Isaac's head this morning. It is amazing how quickly kids heal. We still have a major bruise but it is 100 times better than last night.

House Projects

We have been blessed to be able to stay at our place here in Guatemala rent free. In return we are trying to do some work on the apartment to make it nicer when we leave. Our most recent project was putting a tile backsplash behind the counter and a tile windowsill between the kitchen and living room. So here are some picture of Craig and Isaac's handywork.

Isaac being ever so helpful!

The finished project!

Newest Project

Near where Craig works at the center is an elementry school. Bio and Derida (our friends we are working with here) used to be involved in the school. Derida was even one of the teachers there teaching English. As they got busier with the center they have stopped working there but are still involved somewhat because their daughter Albana is in 6th grade at this school. Unfortunately last week the school was set fire by some local gang members seeking revenge for a failed attempt at stealing the schools generator the previous week. Thankfully the night guard at the nearby clinic spotted it quickly and called the fire department and the damage was contained relatively quickly. But one classroom and a little more of a hallway was damaged. So Bio, Craig, and the boys at the Center are volunteering their services to fix the school. This will be a blessing to the school and also to the boys who will get to learn more about carpentry (most of their carpentry work is building furniture). Craig will be a key part in this because he is a carpenter by trade, so they are very excited to have hime here to help and teach. Another blessing is that the lumber is being doanted by a local lumber yard and several others have come forward to donate money to help fix the school. I pray that this sad situation ends up being a blessing to all that are involved.

Our trip to Guatemala City

Visiting with old friends Monica and Claudia.

Flooding from Tropical storm Agatha. It was much worse than this but it was raining so hard we couldn't get a picture.

The black sand-like ash from the volcano.

The streets after the volcano errupted

We needed to take a trip to Guatemala city to renew our tourist visa for another 90 days here in Guatemala. The city is on the other side of the country from us so we took an 8 hr bus ride there and planned to visit friends and see a few sights along the way. The trip ended up being quite the adventure. Our visas ended up taking 3 days to get figured out with documents being e-mailed from the states and many photocopies made of everything you could possibly imagine. On day 2 of our trip a volcano only 30 miles out of the city errupted dumping a black sand-like ash to cover the city. Everybody scrambeled to try and clean this up because a tropical storm was coming and all this sand would clog the street drainage causing flooding. Well, day 4 of our trip tropical storm Agatha rolled into town flooding all of the streets and causing some serious sink holes in the city. We had planned on visiting some other nearby sights but new that was now impossible due to mudslides so we determined it best just to catch the bus home. But now the bus couldn't leave either because of a river that had flooded over its banks and the road back home. So, we waited. We were blessed to be staying with friends instead of stuck in a hotel. And we are very thanbkful that we were all safe. Yesterday we were finally able to return and it feels good to be home. Above are pictures of some of the sights on this trip.

What we are doing here

So we have approached and passed our half way mark here in Guatemala. As I think about this I am amazed at how fast the time has gone and how I really want to grasp a hold of what is happening here. So for those of you who know little about what we are doing, here is the scoop.
We are working along side some great friends here in Flores, Guatemala who run a ministry called Buen Samaritano (Good Samaritan). There are 2 aspects to this ministry that run daily. First is a medical clinic that sees people for little or no cost. They will never turn someone away, even if they can't pay a dime. Second is a vocational school for young boys aged 15-20. At the vocational school is where Craig works. Currently there are 10 boys that he works with daily to help them learn carpentry, welding, and others sometimes teach computer and electrical classes. This ministry was started to help young boys to stay out of gangs and get their lives on a path that would guide them to a future of great success. When our friends felt the burden to start this ministry they asked the boys why they join gangs. They gave 2 main reasons 1. quick money through drug dealing and other crimes (minors can't be prosecuted here so they are recruited to do this work) and 2, a sense of family and belonging. Most of the boys come from homes where the father is absent and one boy has no father or mother so belonging is hugely important to them.
So our friends, Ovidio and Derida, have created a place that meets both of these needs. The school is free to the boys and after they have been there for a bit they have to opportunity to make a small salary funded by the projects they make and sell. This gives them a sense of pride and ownership in the work that they have accomplished. Also, this shop where they work becomes a safe place for them to come and place of belonging. The boys are great friends and enjoy what they do together. It gives them a place to be every day and something positive to do. And Bio, Derida & Craig would do anything for these boys if they needed. They have gone to educational school functions when a parent couldn't. They have given them clothes when they were needed. They feed them daily a hearty nutritional snack. And most importantly they love them by sharing life with them daily. The boys love coming to school. They have a great sense of pride in their work and they love having a group that they belong to.
We are so happy to be a part of this and we look forward to an even greater 3 months to come. Thank you to everyone who loves and supports us!

The past week!

Sorry it has been so long since we have published a post. We spent the last week visiting with Papa and Nana Ushler. We had a great time being tourists for a week, seeing the sights and visiting all kinds of new places. Here are a few pictures. I will post more later but the kids are needing my attention right now. Thanks for following our adventures!
Craig and I got to go on a zip-line canopy tour. So much fun!!!


Here are Isaac and Josiah on a horse. Isaac actually went for a ride with Craig (his first ride on a full sized horse). Josaih just sat there for a minute and pet the horse.


Here are a couple pictures from Tikal of old Mayan ruins. It was pretty amazing and beautiful landscape.

Weekend Getaway!

A beautiful view of the sunset from near the pool. My how amazingly beautiful a sunset can be!

Isaac got these new swimming muscles for flotation. He loved them because they allowed him to swim anywhere in the pool, including the deep end, by himself. Apparently I didn't get a picture of him in the water though.

Napping poolside with Josiah. Don't be fooled though, there is a nice layer of sweat between us because it was sooooo hot out!

Josiah jumping into the water.

Last weekend was a holiday here so we took advantage and snuck away for a night to a hotel down the lake from us. It was beautiful with serene gardens and a pool in woods. It was great to have some down time. Honestly most of the time we were there we spent it in the pool because it was record breaking hot, but boy were we thankful for the pool. We had the pool to ourselves pretty much the whole time we were there and we loved every minute of it!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. We are blessed as a family to have wonderful moms and Grandmas that love and adore us. I (Jennifer) feel especially blessed because I look to them as an example of what I want to become. With that said, we love you and miss you and hope that you are having a wonderful Mother's Day!

Random Pictures

A trip to Burger King. We love it because it has a great Air Conditioned play area!


Tired after a long day of swimming and sunshine.

Who needs a motor or oars when you have kid power. They loved it!

This is part of the fence that the boys at the center made for the school.