Life in Tactic!

Hi all,

This past week we have experienced a full range of weather - everything from 2 earthquakes, hurricane strength winds, extreme heat, to only 7 degrees! Everyday has been a new experience.

The sounds of Tactic are as varied as the weather! I remember before I came to Guatemala the first time, I thought roosters only crowed at dawn. I was shocked to find out that they crow all day and - if they want - all night! This weekend was some sort of celebration in town and the music and other sounds continued well into the night. Between that and the roosters, crows, cows, pigs, and, my personal favourite - the vultures landing on our tin roof - and, well, it is a noisy place. Sometimes, when we go to bed, we lie there and have to laugh at all that we hear.

Today was Sunday and church here begins at 4 because Sunday is a major market day. Many of the people who attend the Rio de Vida church sell their produce in the market in the morning. The message today was that we were made to be filled with God and nothing short of that would satisfy. How true! We can seek after all sorts of things - material possessions, etc - but we land up feeling empty and thristy. Only God can truly satisfy.

After church a group of us Canadians went out for Tacos. There are a few great places in Tactic to eat. They aren't much to look at, but the food is amazing. In the photo are Harm and Linda, a couple from Alberta. They look after the team housing and meals. The three girls in the picture, besides Hope and Arryn, are Heather (Saskatchewan), Kara (Manitoba), and Julie (Alberta). The girls are living here for 1 year and working in the schools, among other things. We have really enjoyed getting to know all of them and it is a blessing to share time with them.

I have a new Spanish teacher - Seno Flore - and she does not speak a word of English! Wow, talk about stretching. I'm not sure how much my Spanish is improving, but I am feeling more confident about speaking, even if I sound horrible. Rocky is struggling with the language a little more than I am, but he is improving as well, even if he doesn't think so.

Thank you all for continuing to pray for us; we really appreciate all of the support and encouragement we receive from you all. If you want to communicate with us via email, please feel free (klchupa@yahoo.ca or rockychupa@yahoo.ca). We really enjoy hearing from you.

Bless you,

Karren, Rocky, Arryn, and Hope