Blessed New Year!

It has been a while since we last posted something to our blog. This is not because we have nothing to write about, but more because of lack of time or desire to write. We apologize to those who faithfully follow our blog and we will try and do a better job of keeping you up to date. 

There is much we could write about in this first post of 2014, but we will limit it to a few things. First we want to wish all of you a blessed New Year and pray that the year 2014 will be one where each one lives under God's blessing. God's blessings comes in different forms and ways, and they are not always pleasant initially. Nevertheless in whatever form it comes it brings Him glory and it refines us more and more into the likeness and image of His Son.
We spent much of the Christmas vacation in Cubulco doing ministry. We had the privilege this year of not spending it "alone", but the Everts family was there as well. For those of you who do not know the Everts laboured in Cubulco together with us for 6 years from 2002-2008. For several years they had talked about wanting to come and visit again as a family and finally they were able to come. It was nice having them here and continuing on where we had left off. Since the office was closed for December, the Everts "moved" back into their old house and we into ours. It was like nothing had changes except that we all are a little bit older. Their kids have grown up, most are not living at home anymore, and some are getting married and brought their fiances along. Also in church things were like they used to be. Evert preached, Evert junior played the guitar, and Rina sang. The people in the church really enjoyed their presence and of course asked when they would move back to take up the work once more (that probably will not happen). We also went on a hike and visited the aldea of Patuy. We spent our time there mingling with the people, swam in the water hole, attended the Christmas service, and spent the night "sleeping" on the floor of the church. 

On Christmas Day we had a meal together as families and enjoyed each others company. After spending a little over a week in Cubulco we left back to the City and the Everts did some traveling around. We did get together a couple more times in the city. We spent a day together hiking Volcano Pacaya. There was not much to see as there was little activity. (Interestingly enough, a few weeks ago Pacaya became very active once more and has been erupting for several days covering parts of the city with ash.) We also had them over the day before they returned back to Holland at our house in the city. Although they were here for only a few weeks it was encouraging to have them. They are a special family.