Engrafted...

So, what have the Schrocks been up too?  Let me see….This past month we just finished up two weekends with the Timothy Lay Leadership Training.  It takes 30 men and women (each weekend) who are pastors and lay leaders and trains them to be the most effective pastors they can be. 

            Needless to say, for this guy who loves discipleship, it was awesome to see and witness.  I was even asked to lead some of the devotions (first week had a translator and second week had the help of the Spirit!).

            SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOL!

The kids have been real troopers as they are plugging away with school each day AND Spanish classes for an hour each day.   Vicki and I each have separate times of 2 hours each (each day) of Spanish classes.  WOWzers!

            Having Vicki’s aunt Cheryl here to help with the schooling for the kids has been a true blessing.  It allows Vicki to be in the clinic and myself to connect with Pastors.

            We have decided that we want to take our Saturdays to go exploring a little of this incredibly beautiful country.  Having a little more Spanish under our belts, we are getting brave enough to venture out further.  We have visited, Iximche, Lake Atitlan, and recently went to one of the oldest operational coffee plantations in Guatemala near Antigua.  THAT was awesome.  SO beautiful as well.

            Did you know that there are various kinds of coffee and it takes 1 and half years before the plant is ready for transplanting?  It takes one complete coffee plant (full grown) to produce one pound of ground coffee.  This plantation, only women do the engrafting process…because of the PH in their hands.  They take the root of the Robusta coffee (a strong plant) and graft it with the Arabica coffee (a better flavor and more beans) to create a “super” coffee plant.  They use a razor blade to cut it and then splice the two together and then tape then together and allow time to connect to the two to make one. 

            As I pondered this, isn’t the same so very true with Christ.  When we are broken and cut and fused together.  Part of Him and part of us are then wrapped together.  We reach our best potential when we live not just on our own but when we are   I am His and He is mine. 

Frisbees, laundry baskets, and homemade flags....and you have Disc Golf!

The Restuarant at Finca De La Filadelfia

coffee plants under the shade of bigger trees

baby coffee plants

John Deere even is in the coffee business....

wonder what year this machine is from?

we live in the orange region on this map

wedding day photos for a couple.  They were taking photos at the plantation

guess who LOVES coffee NOW!!!!!!

do you have your crossing the street buddy?

watch out for the cactus Caleb (or is it an act? :) )

crazy kids......

grass + hill + boy = fun for 25 minutes straight!

The Schrock Kids.....

"Bird of Paradise"

Did you know Coffee is a fruit?  Want a second cup of fruit juice?...or three or four or...

We did not buy a zoo, just caught a lizard

Vicki and the big three went to Leslie's church.  They want our entire family to come next time and Justin to preach

Girls grilling for the Staff meeting.....

Learning about "A" in kindergarten...SO, we make applesauce!

having a blast peeling apples

Kira wanted to make supper.....so Chicken Enchiladas it was

Emilee helping in the Kitchen with her authentic Mayan dress that she LOVES

connected to Him.

            We are plugging away at two more weeks of Spanish class then preparing for the Construction Team to come down and work on some much needed remodeling of the clinic and offices (anybody want to come to Guatemala for a week in October?  Let me know!!!!) and then followed by that is the Paradise Bound Board Retreat.  Then on November 4 we will be flying back to Iowa for 8 weeks.  We are looking forward to visiting family, eating Chinese food, chatting with people, churches, schools, and companies about Guatemala, visiting the chiropractor, and beginning the work for the Tim Hawkins fundraiser at Dordt College on April 9….in no particular order (yes, we have our chiropractor appointments scheduled with Dr. Daron De Jong the day after we get back!!!!!.....)

            OH, we also took Emilee to the eye doctor here to have her eyes checked.  She is doing GREAT…the bill?.....only $10 US dollars for the visit!  Yet, to visit the chiropractor here it would cost around $75.  If anyone has ever been here and seen how people carry things on their heads and with their backs, it is to no surprise! 

If you are ever on Facebook, make sure you go to the Paradise Bound Ministries page and like it to receive even more info about the ministry.

Many blessings and love!

~Justin