Our Container

Thank you so much for your prayers for our container. It was suppose to arrive yesterday at 8:00, so we all got up around 5:30 to load up the Boggs’ belongings, for them to move to Solola. 8:30 we got a call saying that our container would not be delivered until tomorrow. After a couple a phone calls from Jimmy to the moving company, our container finally arrived at 3:30.

Our stuff did not arrive in the same container in which we loaded it in Jacksonville, it was all thrown into a much smaller one and my truck was driven separately from Guatemala City. Just the fact that my tuck made that drive safely is a blessing in and of itself! So far only a couple things were damaged and nothing was stolen that we know of, so that is a big praise! It all smells really gross though, especially the inside of my truck! I am sure that will eventually go away. You just have to learn not to expect anything to go as planned, it is more interesting that way anyway! I love our apartment. My 2 favorite things are that you can flush the toilet paper and we have closets! (By the time I remember not to flush toilet paper, not to turn right on red, not to yield on green when turning left, and not to rinse my toothbrush with water from the faucet, it will probably be time for a furlough.)

I drove my truck to our first day of language school. (Later we found out that we are not allowed to drive it yet... that’s not our first mistake here!) It is so nice to have somewhat of a schedule again, we haven’t had that since last September. I am so excited about finally learning the language, especially the correct pronunciation. One of my books looks like one I use to have in kindergarten... it’s a good thing, because I am starting from scratch! Our teachers are wonderful. Mine doesn’t speak any English from what I can tell and Jimmy’s understands English pretty good, but does not like to speak it, even though he is probably really good at it... so it is sink or swim for us!

Here is something that is not very missionaryish. Before we started school this morning all the seminary students had to go to chapel. My first thought was - I didn’t sign up for chapel. The only word I understood the entire 45 minutes was “milk.” I guess they have it twice a week. God must have decided that I needed more motivation to learn Spanish faster! I cannot wait until I can finally understand sermons again. Anyway, we still love it here and are enjoying our new way of life! Thanks for reading our blog and for your prayers.

Back In Xela!

Xela is the Indian name for Quetzaltenango. Last night we got back from Guatemala City. Over the last week we have gone from nearly 9,000 ft to around 300 ft, back to 9,000 ft... your body really feels that. At first I thought I had the flu! You really notice it when you try to take a deep breath.

Claire gave me a crash course in oil painting. I was so surprised with the finished project. I am not artistic at all so Claire must be a really good teacher (even though she laughed at my red boat)!

(Mine)

(Claire's)

Tonight Nery and Xiomara came over to Larry & Claire’s for dinner. They wanted to talk about their future plans. Please pray that God would show them where He would have them after Nery graduates from seminary next year. It is very difficult for national pastors when they are starting out in a new city or village because many times there are not jobs available so that they can support their families while there church is growing. They make such big sacrifices.

Wilder and Helen came over later too. They are our language instructors. They are in the center in the picture below.

Our container is scheduled to be delivered on Monday. I am trying not to get excited just in case. They made us pay more money, but our moving company State side is trying to get it back for us.

The Journey

Our first picture together in Guatemala!

I was sitting at the gate in Wichita, KS (just me & God) around 6:00am waiting to board my flight and I realized, “This is it.” I am finally headed to my field! I am sure Jim feels the same way. Anyone who has worked towards a goal for several years has to understand how exciting this is. We are so thankful for this opportunity. Three things bring me comfort during unsure times (we are only a couple hours into this and there has already been several.) First, I am completely at peace that this is God’s will for our lives. Second, I know people all over the States are lifting up this endeavor in prayer. Finally, just as Jimmy has preached so much on deputation, God promises fruit. (not that we will see fruit, but that there will be fruit and that it will last forever!)

Our flagsGuatemala City Airport

There was a couple hundred people at the airport waiting to pick people up. Jimmy was worried that I wouldn’t be able to pick him out of the crowd, but Jimmy was easy to find, he was the only big tall white boy there, just like we had often joked about. We went and got a tax ID number and then just rested. For dinner JImmy had Pollo Campero (a fried chicken place) and I had Sincronizadas. It was delicious! Tomorrow we are going to a wedding in Solola where we will meet up with the Boggs. Thanks for praying. Jimmy’s dad made it back safely to Kansas.

Thank You!

Thank you so much for all of your prayers! They are sleeping safely now. Jim and his dad made it to their hotel finally. There was a pretty bad wreck, so it took them a couple hours longer than expected. I fly out tomorrow at 6:30am. I can’t wait to be with Jimmy again.

Done With the Border

After 8 hours and $400 they are finally through the border. Please pray that they will be safe all the way to Guatemala City. They were given a hard time at the border and are still concerned. Just pray. Thanks!

At the Border

Jim and his dad are crossing the Guatemalan border this morning. Please pray that it goes smoothly. It only takes about 3 hours to get to Guatemala City from there and that is where they are going to pick me up and drop Larry off. Jimmy said that they had to go 1,000 miles into Mexico before they were stopped at a military check point. About six guys with assault rifles stopped them. There was a Hummer with a .50 cal pointed at them too. They both got out for questioning. One of the men started talking to Jim’s dad in Spanish. He yelled for Jim to come and translate. Jim said he was trying to ask if he could open the back of the truck. Jimmy’s dad said, “Why would he ask, he has the gun.” Jim told them he was a missionary moving to Guatemala. They really like Jim’s truck bed cover and wanted to see how it worked. Please pray for their health, they are both exhausted. Thanks!

Ahead of Schedule

First, thank you so much for praying. Jimmy called around 1:30. They will be at the border tonight. Evidently when you drive non-stop it only takes 3.5 days to get to Guatemala City from Wichita! They finally found a Carl’s Jr last night, nothing today though. Jimmy said that the interstate close to the coast is the worst road he has ever seen. We should be able to call Guatemala home by Friday!

This is the medical kit/complete hospital that Jimmy’s mom, Melissa, put together for us!

Still Driving

Last night at about midnight, Jim was able to ichat with me. It was so good to hear from him. He and his dad were not able to find anyplace to eat all day long, so they had been surviving on beef jerky! They are way ahead of schedule, but that is because they drove so many extra hours last night looking for a hotel. Thank you so much for praying for their safety. They both seem as though they are enjoying this adventure!

Travel Update

Thank you so much for praying for Jim and his dad. They made it through customs by 8:00 this morning. That is such an answer to prayer! They were not held up at all!

Unfortunately (just for our plans...not for God’s) when they stopped to buy a travelog from Sanborn that tells you the best routes with gas stations, food, and lodging, it was closed. Please pray that God will show them the best route to take. We know HE is with them!

The Road to Guatemala

Jimmy and his dad are driving to Guatemala with his pickup and I will fly and meet them in Guatemala City on Friday.

Jim got in the truck this morning, all ready to go, & turned the key to start the truck. It was dead! How is that for a good start! God knows everything, my dad had given us a portable power supply & jump starter when we started deputation. It came in handy this morning. I am glad that they will have that with them on the road.

They will cross into Mexico tomorrow morning. Please pray for their safety & that they will not loose much time at the border. Thanks!

Send Off Party

Yesterday evening Jimmy’s parents had a send off party for us at Messiah. About 70 people from our church came to celebrate. That was such an encouragement to us. These are the people we know have been praying for us. This has made such a difference in our deputation. We are so thankful for them. Each one of them has played a part in what God is going to do in Guatemala. We love our church family!

Both sets of Jimmy's GrandparentsOur friends the Atkinsons
My dear friend from work, Barb

The Humbles, Todd put together our awesome video for deputation, Ginger is the Boggs' daughter.
Thank you to everyone who came!

More Shots!

Today we got the last of our shots. We were also approved by our overseas health insurance company. Yesterday we got a call from Larry Boggs that our container is in port. They should let us know about the taxes in the next day or so. After they are paid we will be able to get it about a week later. Please pray that all continues to go smooth. Jimmy was also finally able to get the paper work that gives him permission to take his truck out of the country, since we are still making payments on it. Almost everything is ready now. Thanks for your prayers!

More Stuff Completed

Jimmy has been working so hard to take care of everything before we leave. Today we opened a Roth IRA for part of our retirement (not that we ever plan to come home, but we want to be responsible) and had our wills notarized. The man who did our wills charged us 1/8th of what we were expecting and the notary did not charge us at all. We have never asked for anything to be discounted because we are missionaries or told someone that we needed anything; God just keeps working everything out and meeting each need as they come and setting us up with the people he has chosen.

We are in Wichita now. Jimmy’s mom bought us these two water bottle purifiers for Guatemala. They kill 99.9% of all bacteria, viruses, and pathogenic cysts, including Giardia. I’m glad our mothers are still taking care of us even when we are countries away.

See You Soon

This morning we left for Wichita. My parents have helped us so much while we have been on deputation. We love them and will miss them. They promised to come visit us in February!

Last Service At Trinity

Tonight was our last service at Trinity. They had a time of prayer for us and our ministry and also gave us some money for moving expenses. We really appreciate those who came by afterwards and told us they would be praying for us. That means a lot to us. We are almost there!

A Day of Goodbyes

Today we were able to catch up with a lot of our friends and say our goodbyes. These goodbyes are one more step closer to Guatemala.

Adam and Eli, my old students

This is Danielle. She accepted Christ on my bus route and was the flower girl in our wedding. Please pray that God will protect her and that she would grow closer to Him everyday. I wish we could take her with us!

Tonight my dad’s side of the family got together at my Grandmother’s house. I have a wonderful family. I am so thankful for their love and support. I thought I took more pictures than this!

Our friends Ross and Rea came too!

Done With Deputation!!!

We are now officially done with deputation! Thank you so much for all of your prayers (Please don’t stop). God has been so good to us. We are so thankful that He has chosen to bring our support in so quickly (11 months)! 14 more days until Jimmy leaves for Guatemala!

Putting together packets

If anyone is interested in being a missionary to Guatemala here is what it took us...

We have been traveling for 11 months

Made over 3,000 phone calls

Sent out over 550 packets of information

Slept in 67 different beds (we use this term

loosely)

Visited 47 churches

Driven over 53,000 miles (enough to circle

the equator twice) in 33 states

Survived 2 bouts with food poisoning

For our Deputation photo album click here.

Hello... Hello?

Jimmy has been trying to call all the churches that we have visited to let them know that we are leaving for the field July 31st and also to thank the ones that have taken us on for support. Many times it is difficult to get to speak to the pastor because they are so busy, so it takes several phone calls per church. Many said that they wanted to take us on while we were there. Please pray as Jimmy continues to follow up this week. Thanks!

Winch

We are not traveling very much this month and it seems a little strange. We planned it this way so that we could be able to get everything done we need to before we move to Guatemala.

Recently Jimmy and my dad installed a winch on his 4-wheel-drive pick-up (our “Jungle Truck”). It only took about 7 hours. This is for the Peten since it has a 6 month rainy season.

The guy that Jimmy ordered it from was a Christian and gave him a good deal and several free extras. God always has everything worked out before we even begin.

Daytona Beach

It was so wonderful to be back at Crossroads Baptist Church in Daytona Beach. People still knew our names! I don’t think we could explain what that feels like. I didn’t even realize how much I missed it until we got out of our truck and several people yelled across the parking lot, “Hey Jimmy, Hey Shelley!” There are definitely people in this church praying for us. Jimmy got to preach tonight and they had a time of prayer for us at the end. We got to spend a lot of time with the pastor and his family. Everyone was such a blessing to us!