The volcano from my rooftop classroom
Veterinary work with Mario
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
January 2009 Newsletter
Dear friends and family,
Happy New Year 2009! I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. I was able to go back home to the Northwest for two weeks to celebrate and play in the snow. I had a great time skiing and snowshoeing (and driving in it), but now it’s time to get back to work.
Early in December, I completed my ninth week of one-on-one Spanish school in Antigua. The view from my rooftop classroom was quite spectacular when the volcano erupted. I was attending this school the majority of my time here last year, and I believe I am able to communicate quite well now.
During my breaks from language school, I moved up the mountain to the town of Magdalena where I lived with
local pastor/missionary/veterinarian Mario Mendez and his family. I began attending his church, where I added the sound of my trumpet to their praise and worship music. I also followed Mario around on his daily veterinary circuit of the surrounding communities. I received a very hands-on education on the care of cows, pigs, and goats. Finally, the week before I traveled to Oregon, I helped out with the Vacation Bible School at the church. The kids are out of school from the end of November until almost February, and we had 200 of them by the end of the week. This exhausted me!
I have really enjoyed living here. The food and weather have been great, and the people are very hospitable. Apart from a couple of bouts with the local parasites, I have remained healthy most of the time. I am looking forward to being here a full two years.
This week, I will began working with Oscar Juarez in the appropriate technology ministry with the first group of students of the year. I will also have my first major opportunities at translating for the students.
I pray, and I ask you to pray with me, that God will give me the wisdom to follow the path He has laid out for me here in Guatemala. I pray I will continue to develop right relationships with those around me, while remembering those strained by geographical separation.
Thank you for all your support,
Matthew McIntire
Happy New Year 2009! I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. I was able to go back home to the Northwest for two weeks to celebrate and play in the snow. I had a great time skiing and snowshoeing (and driving in it), but now it’s time to get back to work.
Early in December, I completed my ninth week of one-on-one Spanish school in Antigua. The view from my rooftop classroom was quite spectacular when the volcano erupted. I was attending this school the majority of my time here last year, and I believe I am able to communicate quite well now.
During my breaks from language school, I moved up the mountain to the town of Magdalena where I lived with
local pastor/missionary/veterinarian Mario Mendez and his family. I began attending his church, where I added the sound of my trumpet to their praise and worship music. I also followed Mario around on his daily veterinary circuit of the surrounding communities. I received a very hands-on education on the care of cows, pigs, and goats. Finally, the week before I traveled to Oregon, I helped out with the Vacation Bible School at the church. The kids are out of school from the end of November until almost February, and we had 200 of them by the end of the week. This exhausted me!
I have really enjoyed living here. The food and weather have been great, and the people are very hospitable. Apart from a couple of bouts with the local parasites, I have remained healthy most of the time. I am looking forward to being here a full two years.
This week, I will began working with Oscar Juarez in the appropriate technology ministry with the first group of students of the year. I will also have my first major opportunities at translating for the students.
I pray, and I ask you to pray with me, that God will give me the wisdom to follow the path He has laid out for me here in Guatemala. I pray I will continue to develop right relationships with those around me, while remembering those strained by geographical separation.
Thank you for all your support,
Matthew McIntire
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