Team from Iowa Louisiana

I was a bit nervous about this team coming down. This was the first team we had to feed, house and translate for VBS. There were 10 in the team but I knew most of them very well (Jerry & Sarah Lastrapes and her parents Pat & Kathy). Anytime I would get a bit nervous I would remind myself it was Jerry & Sarah's team.

Here is the whole team from left to right, (back)Danny, Josh, Jerry, Maddy, Cathy, Sarah (holding) Cole, Tara, Caleb, Kathy, (front) Titus, Daphne (holding) Naomi, Chloe Ann, Isaac & Pat.

I tried to include several typical meals on the menu. One morning for breakfast we had scrambled eggs, tortillas, refried beans and a fruit salad. A very typical Guatemalan breakfast. I asked my friend Ana Samuc to help me find someone to make Patin (Typical only to Santiago). Her mother made it for us and the Samuc family came and ate with us. It is Chicken in spicy red sauce wrapped in banana leaves and cooked for several hours.

Everyone liked it, of course it was a team from Louisiana and they eat a variety of foods.

We got to eat at the Pescador, a local little restaurant in Santiago. The specialty is fried fish!! They also have a typical steak plate with guacamole that is delicious.

Mr. Pat & Ms.Kathy brought down Louisiana sausage and

made Gumbo for us one night. It was a great taste of home.

Titus had four full bowls & believe it or not Isaac did too.

They wanted the leftovers for breakfast!

We all stayed in our house in Santiago. We have not moved in yet so the furniture and beds are what came with the house. I think it is all from the 1960s. I wish I could have had my furniture in it the house but Danny keeps reminding me it's all in due time.

Staying at the lake house is like camping. The house is not weather proof or bug proof and the water comes right from the lake!! Titus thought it was funny one morning he went to the bathroom and there was a tiny little fish swimming in the toilet.

It was a fun time and everyone enjoyed their stay.

Mr. Pat brought down fishing rods for the kids and Danny too. It was a wonderful surprise. They had so much fun fishing all week. Thank you Mr. Pat, This will be a gift they use very often.

We went to a school in San Pedro every morning. It was just a short boat ride away. Our boat drive would pick us up from our dock and drop us off every day.

We spent the week ministering at a school. We held a Vacation Bible School for the kids. Since the kids are still in school here. The Director of the School allowed us to teach during class time. We would have the Bible story all together then split the kids according to their grades for Games and craft time. This is Josh and his group showing off their wordless bracelets!!Chloe Ann made friends with these two girls. They loved helping her with the craft that day. It worked very well that way. I translated the Bible story for Ms. Kathy and then once we split up Danny & Titus would translate for Ms. C in Game time, and I would translate for Sarah & Tara during crafts. I must say I am extremely proud of Danny (& Titus) for translating. Translating is not easy and they did a great job.

The Director was excited that we shared the gospel with every lesson. She said there were many students who had not heard the gospel.
The last night they were here we drove to Antigua and stayed the night in a nice little hotel. El Meson de Maria. It was a great treat after a week of "camping". We got to do some shopping and relax at the hotel. Thanks team for inviting us to stay with you at the hotel it was an extra special treat. One awesome feature was the roof of the hotel had table and lounge chairs that you could see all of Antigua, including the Volcanoes.
Maddy & Chloe Ann enjoyed the roof top view.

We went across the street to La Fonda de la calle real (our favorite restaurant) for dinner. It was a nice candle lit dinner for all of us to enjoy.

No visit to Antigua is complete with out a trip to Mc Donalds!!! It was a GREAT burger after all week out at the lake.


Jerry, Sarah, Maddy & Cole came down several days before the team to meet other CAM missionaries. They also met with the field Director Steve Sywilka to get a better idea of their future ministry with us. The Lastrapes are in the process of raising their support to come and work along side us here in Santiago. Their goal is to arrive here in Guatemala fall of 2009 please be in prayer for them as they raise their support. It was a long process when we raised our support but we saw the Lords strength and timing through it all. It was a hard goodbye for all of us. Selfishly we wanted them to stay. We are anxiously awaiting you guys!!!

PICKLES

We have enjoyed all the new tasty foods we have encountered in here Guatemala.

Grocery shopping in Antigua is a bit difficult. Sometimes you can't get what you need or want. Now, I am not complaining because once we get to Santiago I won't even have a grocery store!!

Not too long ago I went shopping in the capital and It was great. I went to Hiper Paiz. It is our Guatemalan Wal-mart.

I managed to get several things we could not find in Antigua one of which was a jar of DILL PICKLES, I know you guys are thinking not that big of a deal. Honestly when I bought them I didn't think anything of it either. We got home and put the groceries away. I think Chloe Ann discovered them first and asked could she have some pickles I said "sure". She got a bowl out and had about 3 slices. She shared with Naomi and we laughed at the faces she made.

Then Isaac & Titus came in and said OOHHH pickles. Can we have some I said "sure thing guys". They each had their share. As you can tell we were about out of pickles, I think Danny came in and had the last two and had a big drink of the pickle juice. Titus said Mom the pickles are all gone. Could I make a pickle pop in the freezer? Like we used to have at Camp Pearl. I said "sure buddy".

As I was thinking about the pickles and I just had to laugh. We devoured a whole jar of pickles in about one hour (well Titus had to wait for his pickle pops to freeze).

Now that I think about it we have not had pickles since we left the states. We must have had Pickle withdrawals!!

Visit from Alabama!!

We went to the Airport last Monday to pick up Jake & Maggie Lane, Danny's oldest niece and her husband. We were so excited to have them come down for a visit. The plane was about 30 minutes late so we were all anxious. We finally saw them walk through the door, but wait... who was with them?! "MEMAW" Titus screamed, I said who? Believe it or not it was Wanda. Danny's mother came down as a total surprise. We had no idea. They asked if we had suspected that she was coming. We had NO CLUE!! I was in such shock I did not take one picture at the airport. I had my camera on my shoulder but did not think to take one. I thought it was so cute when Chloe Ann got in the truck she said "I don't know who to sit by Maggie or Memaw"!

It was so neat to have her here too. We had all kinds of cool things planed and we were thrilled to be able to share them with her too. I know it was especially exciting for Danny to have his mother here.

We spent Monday afternoon and evening in Antigua. We took them to the Artisan Market. Wanda found a basket and loved seeing all the neat hand woven things.

We also went to the Local Market. This is were I buy all my fresh fruits & vegetables. It was a great time to go and see the Market, not too crowed but plenty of vendors still selling.

Pawpaw sent Danny & the boys new hats, they were so excited they wore them that day. Thank you Uncle David(who works at WEBB) & Pawpaw for the hats.We had waited since the first of May to climb the Volcano Pacaya for Isaac's Birthday. Since We knew Jake & Maggie were coming we decided to wait until they came. Memaw said she did not want Isaac to miss out on climbing the Volcano so she waited at the bottom of the Mountain in the little shop until we came back down.

This is the view as we were on our way up the Volcano. Isn't it gorgeous!!

Let me tell you I did not know what we were in for when we decided to climb Pacaya, but it was well worth it. Pedro our friend from Santiago, went as our guide. We even took Naomi!!
Here is the climbing crew minus Jake who took the picture.
Comforting isn't it.

I was so proud of my kids they climbed the whole way up. Chloe Ann did fall on the lava rock and got hurt. After a little consolation we were off to find the hot lava!! Titus & Isaac practically ran the whole way up. I was huffin & puffin. I think it was the altitude not the fact that I am so out of shape. hee hee

My rock climber Chloe!!

We found the Lava it was unbelievable. We were climbing over some rocks and had to turn around and go another way because the rocks were too hot!! Then we found it.The boys found a small hole in the rock that you could see the lava in. They would poke a stick in the hole and it would catch fire. They LOVED it.

This is the lava rock we had to climb as we looked for the hot lava. I liked the shapes it made as it oozed out.

This is the view as we left the mountain it was incredable. God is amazing! It was so awesome to see what He made for us to enjoy.

I just have to say I do not remember the last time time I was so tired. As we were coming down the mountain I did not think I would make it. Danny & I took turns carrying Naomi up and on the mountain but thanks to Pedro. He carried her the whole way down.

We wanted the family to see Santiago Atitlan. We got up early on Wednesday and headed out to the Lake. It's about a 3 hour drive from Antigua.

We stopped when we got our first glipse of the lake to take a group picture.

Chloe Ann just loves Maggie and had a great time with her all week.

We ate lunch at El Pescador, one of our favorites in Santiago. The sauted garlic fish plate is delicious!!

We were excited to show them our house in Santiago. We got the keys when we got there so we all got to stay in it for the first time together. I was a bit overwhelmed. It is an old house with a beautiful view of the lake. But mind you the house is 45 yrs old. So I have a lot of work to do before it is a "home".

We went on a boat ride and got dropped off at our dock.

Jake & the kids went swimming in the lake. The water is a bit cold but the locals bathe in it all the time!!

My monkeys climbing in the tree above the water.

Maggie helped by bathing the girls for me. It was nice having extra help around the house for a week.Jake found out why we call this shower a "widow maker" he tried to adjust the shower while it was on and running. He said it was a bit shocking!!
Maggie just loved the typical dress that the ladies wear. These girls were happy to have their picture taken with Maggie but they were also very emberassed!!

We got up early Friday morning to make the flight by 12:00.

Goodbyes are never easy, but we sure are glad they came down to visit us. We enjoyed seeing them and letting them see a week in the life of the Footes in Guatemala. Thanks for coming guys!

I got my new camera!

I am so excited to say I did get a new camera. I am thrilled to have it. Thanks to my sweet husband for the camera. I got a refurbished Sony cybershot H-7. Sony has been a great camera for me and I could not think of getting a different kind. Thanks to Chrysten for bringing it down when she came to visit her sister Melissa. Thanks to Mom for the memory stick and extra battery and thank you to Mildred & Manolo for bringing those down from Mom. Wow!! it was quite the process getting it all down here. Thank you to every one who helped.
Here are some pictures I took this week of us. I am going to work on a new prayer card soon.

Mission team from Cornerstone Community

It has taken me awhile to post this not because it was not important just because I was hoping to get a few extra pictures but I never got around to asking the team for them so these are the pictures I took.

Cornerstone Community Church came down a couple of months ago. Most of the team has been here before. For a few people it was the first time. It was so awesome to see how the Lord put together this team to come minister her for that week. It was very special for us to be here in Guatemala to help out with the team this year. We are so thankful that Cornerstone has been supporting us for several years now. We are thankful for the friendships we have made and look forward to the long lasting ministry together. We were very encouraged by the team. It was so good for us to have fellowship and times of renewal.

We were able to visit several Schools in Santiago and one outside of town. We had three Spanish translators and three Tz'utujil translators so we split the team into three groups. Pastor Abraham had spoken to the Principles the week prior to our arrival. So we just had to ask permission to go into the school. After we were in the schools we would go into each class room and sing a song, give a short testimony, and then pray for the students and their teacher as we were leaving the class we would give the kids a sticker or something small. Most were very receptive and some even prayed with us and for us!! It was so neat to meet Christian teachers and have the opportunity to encourage them, and be encouraged by them. Everyone on the team was shocked at the fact that we could go in and pray with the students share the gospel and then invite them to our local church. They mentioned that if we would have tried this in the states we would have severe consequences!! Praise the Lord it was an awesome time.

These were our Tz'utujil translators, they are from the Alpha Y Omega church.


In the younger classes they only spoke Tz'itujil. We would have to translate from English to Spanish to Tz'utujil it was a little crazy at times but it was so neat to see the kids understanding why we were there and what we were doing. In the older classes they could understand Spanish but sometimes I would have them translate just to make sure they understood.

Aren't these little girls so adorable? They were sweet and very quiet.


Sometimes getting to the schools was hard. As you can see here we are climbing up to the school.
The tall building on the left. We visited 10 schools in all and were able to share the gospel with aprox. 2500 students and teachers. It was a busy week walking to all these schools then praying with each class but it was well worth it. The pastor told us that he had never had a team come and do this kind of ministry but he loved it. He had many parents call him to say "Thank you for sending the team to my child's school to pray".

In the afternoons Danny would teach some Maya Tz'utujil culture & customs. One afternoon the group went to the catholic church and saw first hand the two religions that have merged. They also went to Market to see how the syncretism is evident in their Art. One question Danny posed was, Is the syncretism in the churches in the states?

Another afternoon we had a question & Answer time with our translators. About their lives as Tz'utujil youth, their family life, their religion, and much more. It was a neat time to see how these young people think.

The kids and I had to relax by the pool a couple of times during the week! Look at this awesome background of the lake and volcano.

Let me just say I was very proud of my kids this week. They went to every school and were very patient as we went to each class room and even participated. They liked handing out the stickers, singing the songs and playing with the kids. They really enjoyed getting to know the team.

Thank you Cornerstone team for an awesome trip!

Foote update- May 2008

I sent this E-mail out today. I thought I would post it so you all could get the update.
If you want to be on our update list please give me your e-mail and I will add you.

We just wanted to let everyone know how things are going. We are all excited about our future in Santiago. Moving to Santiago has been in “our future” for so long it seems strange to think it is so close. We were able to put a deposit down on a house and it should be ours as of June 1st. We wanted to go ahead and start renting it when it came available in case we needed to fix anything or make any repairs. It is a rustic house but we are so excited about the location and the size!!! We will have plenty of room for visitors. Lord willing Danny will be finishing Spanish school in July and we will move out to Santiago.

Danny is doing great in Spanish School, he is going to be taking his second to last test today!! Please pray that he will retain everything he has learned. He covers a lot of material and sometimes I think he is learning so fast it is hard for him to keep up with everything. The last few weeks he has really surprised me with his increased vocabulary. He has gotten far enough along that I cannot answer the questions he has sometimes. I tell him I just speak it “I don’t know why we say it that way, it just sounds right” J

The rest of us are doing great, we are anticipating visits from friends and family starting in a couple of weeks. It will be so good to see some familiar faces.

Please continue to pray for us as we make our final transition to Santiago. We have settled into life here in Antigua pretty well and it is going to be hard to say goodbye ‘again’ to friends we have met. Pray for Danny as he finishes language school. Wow I can’t believe we are getting so close.

New Class mates

I meant to blog about this a couple of weeks ago but my life got a little crazy. So two weeks ago the kids got some new classmates. These classmates are a bit different from the others they too are blonde with blue eyes. We met some really fun friends who live in our Neighborhood. They are the Walls. They are here fro six months and wanted their kids to learn Spanish & culture. Each one of my kids has a Wall child in their class. it worked out great. This picture was taken on the first day the Walls went to school. Sorry its a bit small, when I down loaded it was this small!!!

My kids have really enjoyed having a new friend in the class.

On thing I think is so funny the first time we saw the Walls they were walking down our street with their mother. My kids saw them and said "Mom talk to them I know they must speak english, we can play with them and understand'!!!!

So we did and have become good friends. Praise the Lord for good friendships we have made since we have been here.