These ladies were posing in front of an old church in Antigua. This shows the traditional dress for the indigenous people (Mayan - 21 different ethnic groups) in Guatemala; they are very colorful and delicately woven and they still proudly wear this "traje"

Luis, Julio and Bryan - our van driver and interpreters - really a lot of fun and they are our right arm when we go out on our trips. We are blessed to have them and they enjoy the teams tremendously; our teams definitely enjoy them!

This is a team from Lake Village, Ark that worked with us in Monjas, about 30 minutes from Jalapa. Believe it or not, the weather was rather cool during this time of year there and it was quite pleasant, but our work was very hard. There is a great need for a baptist work in that area. Pray God will open doors and hearts.

We hit the ground running again; our first team for the new year, Jan 3rd, was Caroline Baptist Association from Arkansas. We worked in Flores Costa Cuca with Pastor Carmelino and church. On Wednesday evening in the central park, the team concluded with a wonderful praise and worship service. They were tremendously blessed with a potential of 28 Bible Studies from that community.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We were blessed to be able to go to the States for both and be with our families. Our son, Josh and his wife, Steph and our grandson, Drew, who turned one year old in January, were with us in Tennessee. As our custom, we also cooked the 'hog-jaw and black-eyed peas' with the help of Keith's sister Sharon, on her wood cook stove, to celebrate the New Year; the meal was delicioso! The time was too short.

This was not only our last team for the year, but, the largest team we have had the whole year of 2008 - and - contrary to what we may have previously thought to expect, one of the best - and - certainly, one of the more enjoyable. They did Vacation Bible School for 100 kids morning and afternoon - and - we might add, a terrific job at that! We appreciate all the efforts put forth and their great attitude every day. The last day they handed out Barbie dolls for every little girl and matchbox cars for the boys; wish you could have seen their faces! Pastor Herberto, at the church there in Los Laurelles, gave an invitation and 31 children prayed to receive Christ - God be praised!

Our last team was from Columbus, GA. They worked in Jalapa doing door-to-door evangelism and inviting people to a Vacation Bible School for adults and children to be done by the next team coming on Nov 22nd. They were lots of fun and we had a great time, but I do remember going to bed early every night, so it must have been hard work also. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to be with and to do work with these people - til next time, maybe next year!