This is our community of about 30 homes - at the far end you can see the gate which has barbed electric wire on it and all around this compound - we live in 'lucky #13' - just behind us is a plant that dehydrates potatoes - we don't hear the street noise or the many car alarms as we used to, but the one thing we are blessed with is barking dogs - they seem to think that is the very reason they are here - that language I have yet to learn.

The last month has been a blur for the 2 of us. Our crate arrived the same day that we moved into our apartment here in Guatemala City. We also had to purchase appliances and that can be a real fiasco when your language is not up to that level of communication yet. Nevertheless and in spite of it all, we are moved in and believe it or not, becoming acclamated to living, breathing and driving in this country. The Lord has been so good to get us through all of this without much problems. I have tried to put a picture or two on with this update, but for some reason the blogsite is not accepting it - maybe later. This is 'Semana Santa' (holy week) for the people here and just about everything is shutting down; sounds like a good excuse for the net also. As soon as we are up and running with it, I will show you our place. It is in a gated community; we were told it was either that or a house with a live-in maid - K was not much for that at all, I kinda liked the idea, kinda. Anyway, the guards and our neighbors seem really nice. K and I are the only North Americans here, with 1 other Colombian and some Koreans and the rest Guatemaltecos! We hope they at least like us as much as we like being here!

Why am I so amazed that God is working somewhere before we even get there?! We scouted an area today called Jutiapa with a local pastor, Lucas. He took us to the office/home of a Dr. Noemi who has been praying for a Baptist church to begin in that area for the last 8 months. She had contacted the Guatemalan Baptist Convention, but had received no response until 4 weeks ago. At that time, Pastor Lucas visited Dr. Noemi and implied a possibility of a Op-Go team to work in Jutiapa. On Sunday, Feb 9th, the first Op-Go team will work close to Dr. Noemi's office/home with the hopes of beginning Bible studies in local homes and the end result will be the beginning of a church. Pray for this team as they work from the 9th-14th of Feb; that doors will be opened for hearts & lives to be changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Well, I drove for the first time in Guatemala City; a city of 4-5 million people & I think they all drive a car, especially from 6:30am to 5pm in the day! It is "in-cray-eebly" -so to speak in espanol. I pray very specific before going out on the street. God is gracious to have provided us a tank, such is the 1998 Toyota Landcruiser we drive, which has a cattle guard on the front bumper (no joke!). I am very grateful for it, except I kissed the gate while exiting onto the street for the first time (I forgot it stuck out somewhat on the side as well as the front!). You sit up very high in it; I like that a lot, and, when you are inching along, that cattle guard, when you get the nose of it in just an inch usually gets you in the rest of the way, so I act just like all the big dogs and get around very well. I have not been out on my own yet, but, I am sure that will come as I get more brave. Thanks for all your prayers for safety & protection.

Just wanted to announce the arrival of our newest grandchild

'Andrew Pete Bartley' - born Jan 07 '08 6:29am 6 lbs 12 oz 19 in We were out with our first team from the states, but the lady at the hotel let us use her computer to bring up the pictures - we are truly blessed!

First Team in Jocotenango, Guatemala

Our first work in Guatemala was in Jocotenango, a small village close to the church Mision Bautista Torre Fuerte of Antigua. It was a 13-member team from the Caroline Baptist Association in Arkansas. We worked all week visiting door to door, evangelizing, handing out tracts and inviting people to the church.

ILE Graduation 12/14/07