Hola, sorry we haven’t posted in a while. We’ll just tell you what happened in the last few days of our adventure.
Saturday was the day we packed up to leave Panachel and go across the lake to off to San Juan. The boat ride there was really bumpy. The waves were really rough! We stopped in San Diego, a village on the lake, to do some shopping. It took about 25 minutes to get to Sandigo. The people there were very poor and they converged on us to try to sell us something. Emily Schmitz bought a blanket from a woman, Paige bought a knitted ball, and Emily Cole bought a bracelet. We walked around for about an hour then headed back to the boat. Some of the native women followed us all the way to the boat and were still trying to sell their blankets from the pier as we boarded the boat and reached our destination in San Juan (about a ten minute ride). We hired a man, Francisco, and his son, Andres`, to load our luggage in the back of a pickup truck and head up the steep hill to the Maya Hotel. Paul said those of us who wanted a workout could walk up the hill. Everyone accepted the challenge except Emily Cole, who rode in the front seat of the Truck. We ate dinner at a restaurant connected with the hotel. Chicken, pizza, and eggs were popular choices. We were all ready for bed pretty early.

Back up to earlier on Saturday: Paul had a surprise for the kids. We took a tour through a portion of the rain forest, it was beautiful. The kids actually got to feed bananas to some monkeys and also took a precarious walk on five different rickety sky bridges. Paul and Emily had their own special time of bonding during this active, physical time.

Our verse for this trip has been “to count it pure joy when you suffer many trials.” Paul shared this scripture with us our first night of devotions together. It has been very appropriate and quoted often. Our three night stay here in San Juan has not been without challenges, physical, spiritual and emotional. Yesterday, we all loaded up in the back` of a truck for an hour and a half very bumpy ride uphill to a very impoverished village. (Emily stayed back with Linda, who was nursing a bad back; Emily had a wonderful time with Linda and we so apppeciate her willingness to spell us and give Emily a less challenging day) We often talk about being dirt poor, but I don’t think any of us have ever seen that so up close and personal. The men put electricity in a very small, 14’ by 24’ church with a couple of wooden benches. The outhouse was something to behold. The men were successful and as Paul said, we just don’t know who could be attracted to this church now that it has been outfitted with electrity. The children of the village were shy at first but it didn’t take long for them to warm up to Adam, Hannah and Paige. There was a lot of soccer playing, tag, sharks and minnows, (Paul’s favorite) and they were very fasinated with the cameras. The girls and I tried to teach them Jesus Love Me in Spanish. Then we sang Feliz Navidad and Happy Birthday in Spanish. They thought that was hilarious and as you can see, our Spanish is very limited.

The last two days of bible school have been awesome. Last evening we used every last lamb craft, not one left. That is so God. I wish you could have seen the faces of the kids when they each were given a beanie baby. The children here are very loving and loved to be held and cuddled. Laura said that last night, wouldn’t you know that the dirtiest looking, wet pants little gal came and sat on her lap the entire evening. Laura took a deep breath and just loved on her and it was well worth it.

On Sunday we had bible school in the morning and then lunch at a Pastor and his wife’s family. They also have a special needs child and the understanding we had for each other broke any language barrier. Their home we very humble but considered one of the better ones. They were extremely hospitable. Also, the pastor and his wife who are hosting the bible school, lost their only son over a year ago, age 11, in an auto accident. She and I shared some touching moments and comforted one another with the wonderful knowledge that our boys are in heaven and we will be with them some day. Isn’t God incredible?



On Sunday evening the church holds it adult service. It was fairly full and they do a lot of singing! Almost an hours worth! They really know how to praise the Lord and worship Him. Some of the songs were American hymns we were familiar with so we sang along in English. The children here are very fascinated with Hannah and Emily’s hair. They love to play with Hannah’s curls. Robert and I have so enjoyed seeing our girls come out of their comfort zone and also love and spend time with the Guatelaman children.

This morning, which is Tuesday, we are headed for a fifteen to twenty minute hike. Emily will stay back at the hotel with one of the girls or Linda. Then, we will have our final bible school at 1:00. Then, we will take another boat ride to Chi Chi. We will be staying at a campground like facility right next to the orphanage, spending almost all of our time with the children. This is run by two American girls. Paul has prepared the Cole family for our accommodations with a description comparing it to the “old Frankfort campground”. Laura says that nothing can be as bad as Roy’s Northland!

We apologize for the length of this entry but the internet service has not been that great so we post whenever we can. This has been a wonderful experience so far and we again thank you for your prayers.

Love, The Coles