Rocky and I were sitting down to nice hot bowl of borcht and thought...we should post some of the random pictures we've taken over the past couple of weeks. So...here it is...a little of this and a little of that! I have teased Rocky now for 2 years that one day I want to buy a scooter. It would be so nice to just jump on a scooter and go to the market. I would have a big basket on mine to hold all my goodies! The other day, Hector and Arryn were using his sister's scooter so I decided to try it out! 
I cannot say I am a natural, because that would not be completely truthful. In fact if pictures had sound, you'd hear me making some interesting noises! But...and this is the important part...I did get the hang of it, even if it took a bit. And, I still want a scooter. There is never anywhere to park here, but if I had a scooter, I could just zip in anywhere and park right where I needed to be. Maybe one day! 
Chepi is our gardner. Here in Guatemala if your name is Joshua (Josue) they call you Chepi. I don't know why, but it is what happens. Chepi has worked as a gardener in our neighbourhood for his entire life and he is a sweet man. He speaks no Spanish, only Queqchi, but we seem to be able to communicate. Here he is helping us cut open a coconut because we don't have a machete. Rocky tried using my kitchen knife, but at my insistance, he went and asked Chepi for help. 
This is Wendoly and Daryana. Wendoly was my Spanish teacher and this weekend she had her baby. She is a woman of faith and it was such a huge blessing to have her as a teacher. Today when we visited her, she shared how God had His hand upon her through the challenging time before Daryana came into this world. Here they call it "giving light" when a woman gives birth. I think it is a beautiful expression. Just like we come out of darkness and into the light when we accept the Lord, the miracle of birth is a natural giving of light. 
It is avocado season again! Oh man do I love this time of year. On almost every street corner you can find someone with a basket full of avocados. Right now the big ones are 3 for Q5 which is about 60 cents. Rocky is picking a couple off of a tree in our yard. Our landlords said the taquacines and squirrels were going to get them, and they needed someone of his "stature" to help pick them before the critters got them all. I can already taste the guacamole coming on...!
About a 5 minute walk from our house is one of the many produce markets in Coban. It is just ladden with fruit and vegetables! Today I wanted to make some borcht, so we were hunting for bay leaf, potatoes, carrots, onions and cabbage. No problem. The bay leaf was Q1 for a bag full, cabbage Q3, carrots Q3, a pound of onions Q3, 5 pounds of potatoes for Q6, for a grand total of Q16 or just over $2! And, everything was picked within the last two days. 
We are in the middle of winter here and the temperature at night has started to cool off, but during the day, if the sun comes out, it is hot! But, we also have rain every day. These ladies at the market are prepared for both the blazing sun (which was this afternoon) and the rain (which was this morning). 
Not only is it avocado season, it is also the flower season. It seems like every type of flower imaginable is now available in the market. These Calla Lillies (sp?) are an excellent example. I simply stopped to admire them and the girl selling them wanted me to buy them. She started at Q5 for three flowers. Then it was Q5 for six. Then it was Q5 for a dozen...I had not said a word. She bundled two dozen Lillies along with some greenery and I paid her Q12 - under $2. She was thrilled and I was, too!
This week we are beginning our transition into Mission2Guatemala in Chisec. We really appreciate your prayers as we step out into what the Lord has prepared for us. Blessings! Rocky & Karren
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