written by Steve Saint who's father was killed along with Jim Elliot many years ago (for those who know "Through Gates of Splendor" and "The End of the Spear"). Projecting Poverty Where it Doesn't Exist I like what he has to say about dangerous charity. Absolutely what we experience here! Anyway--it's a fantastic point of view.

Thank you all so much. The flooding in front of our house is down but there are a ton of other problems and the rain is still coming. It is scary because it's also forecast to go on for a few more days. We just watched a video from a newspaper here of a road falling away while people were on it. You just don't know what's going to happen or when.

Bumping. Thanks for your prayers.

Guatemala has experienced 11 days of straight rain. We've had 2 hurricanes and at least 2 tropical storms hit in that time and the situation is dire. I know that it isn't in the news--Guatemala usually isn't. There are over 500 thousand people who are now homeless and dozens have died. The rain just keeps coming and coming. This morning we woke up completely cut off because the road in front of our house is so flooded. We're fine but I'm so worried about all our neighbors. Antigua is literally in a bowl surrounded by mountains and so many people have houses on the sides of the mountains where mudslides are a huge problem right now. We work with the homeless and the situation with them is serious. There's nowhere for them to go to get dry or warm and we are concerned about chronic problems with their health now. Please pray that this rain stops. It's a matter of life and death now. Thank you

I have mixed feelings on short-term missions. First of all--I want to say that we have been missionaries full-time for 6 years in Guatemala. We work with Youth With a Mission and we host short-term teams as well as working with the impoverished here in our community. I don't have a problem sharing my faith with people and we help anyone regardless of their religious persuasion. I would love them to know Jesus as I know Him but I also respect the beautiful parts of their culture. I'm not here to make them "western". I'm here to represent Jesus. I'm not arrogant about my beliefs. I'm humbled that God even uses me at all. Anyway--we host several short-term teams a year and some are wonderful. Some are less than wonderful;). Bless their hearts! Teams who come here to just serve and come alongside what we are doing (feeding the hungry; reaching out to impoverished children; constructing houses; digging wells) are wonderful. They are humble and teachable and don't have an agenda. They want to experience the culture and work with the people on their level. Then there are those who come with their agenda. They don't listen to instruction of those who actually live here and work here because they think they know better. They criticize everything about the culture. It starts with the leadership of the team. If the leadership is humble then it will be a positive experience for all involved. It's a good thing. They are a blessing to us and those we serve. I think short-term missions is important but not necessarily imperative for teens who grow up in "western" cultures. It's awesome to have a global vision for what can happen once we all get involved in something bigger than ourselves.

:grouphug:so sorry for your loss.:grouphug:

Make your meals you want to make and have sandwich stuff available for an alternative if they don't like what you made. Honestly? I've NEVER in my life heard of someone being so rude as to say "Yuck" when at another person's house to eat. The child is obviously getting her food issues from the mother. Anyway--don't cater to it.

My mom is my best friend. We are super close and I'm extremely close to my mil as well (I know it's crazy!). We have always lived super close to family and those we weren't close to (distance-wise) we visited on a regular basis. We are originally from MN. 6 years ago we moved to Guatemala. It's been tough--not going to lie. But it was a great move for our family. We are so grateful. We have seen my parents about once every 18 months or so and my dh's mom about every 2 years. We have gone back to visit twice. They have come here to visit us the other times. It's been good. The thing is it's a lot easier than I thought it would be. There's skype and so many other ways to keep in contact. The world is a lot smaller now! I liberally use technology to keep up with everyone and it helps a lot. My dad has had several heart attacks since I moved here and it's been hard not being able to be with family but that's what happens when you make the choices you make. This is our home now and we love it here. There are challenges for sure but it's all been good.

:iagree: Knowing the requirements of your state is important. Sometimes things change and it's good to know what's required and what isn't.

Be honest--it's the best thing. You can sit them down and tell them in general terms that things are tightening up around the house and with the family. Be specific with them about what to expect--less treats; less eating out; less extra spending; less movies--whatever it is so they know up front what is happening. Let them know what to expect in way of activities like going out to eat. "We will be going out to eat twice a month now instead of every week." Assure them that it isn't to the point where you all need to worry about anything just cutting back to be wise with the money you have. Ask them to help you all come up with great alternatives you can do as a family that doesn't cost anything or is cheap. It helps them to be a part of the process of cutting back a little so they see that you're working together as a family. It also makes it less scary for them to see that you all are still going to do things you just have to adjust. When we moved here we had to do the same thing. We went from living with a consistent income to living on faith and support as missionaries. At first we tried to keep it from the kids what kinds of things we needed to change and it was hard on us and them. They were a little bit worried when they saw us making cuts but not understanding what was going on. Once we sat them down and let them know (in general terms) what needed to be done it was not a problem for them at all. They like helping us to save and be frugal and they are learning valuable lessons themselves.

2 days in Guatemala and they'll be experts at standing in line.:glare:

Why in the world is almost every other post on my page a poll???? What have you all done and why don't I know?:blink: Should I have made a poll out of it?:confused:

Somebody a few years ago gave me their book on wives. Yeah. I started to read it and had to re-read a few portions because I couldn't believe what I was reading and then I threw it out. I didn't want my dc reading it. They scare me.:glare:

Isn't he an outspoken supporter of terrorism against the US? Then he's a threat to our national security. I don't find it disturbing. He's actively involved in terrorism.

Who's to say what's considered "intellectually challenging"? There are books I've read that challenge me in more ways than just intellectually and then there are books that are so "intellectual" I'm left wondering after a few pages just what in the blazes the author is getting at.:glare: What makes a book "intellectually challenging"? Is it lofty words or ideas or phrasing? Is it a sense of making us think outside the box? Both? For every person that could easily be a different list!

We do something similar to this twice a year (because of where we live and the prevalence of parasites/amoebas here). One thing I do for my family is also load up on pro-biotics before and after using something like this just for immune issues. I know that anti-parasitic things like this don't necessarily work like antibiotics but I've noticed that it helps my kids a lot because they would often times become sick directly after taking the anti-parasitic meds. They don't so much anymore which is good.

:)

Small-minded people probably wouldn't understand the sarcasm. :glare: I would just give a pointed look and walk away--not worth it.

I have homeschooled 5 at once because one year I had 2 extra students--but usually I have 3. I've also taught co-op classes of up to 17 students. At home--usually 3 or 4.

It depends on how much we have when the time comes. We live on support so we don't really have a "budget" for it. I usually start buying a few things a month starting in September and have the stuff sent to groups and teams that are coming down to Guatemala so they can bring them to me--it's usually a LOT cheaper to buy off of Amazon than to try to buy stuff here. Some Christmases we have more than others. It just depends. I also have people bring me special ingredients when they come so that I can make some treats--chocolate chips;peppermint extract; marshmallow creme; brown sugar; hershey's kisses; peanut butter; molasses; etc. Either I can't get that stuff here or it's too expensive (ex: chocolate chips are about $8 a bag). Every Christmas is different and we don't buy for extended family or sometimes even each other--that's just the way it is. One thing I DON'T do--go into debt. NO CREDIT FOR CHRISTMAS! We only spend what we can afford.

A little time in a 3rd world country has put a lot of things into perspective for us. When we actually complain it's because of bigger things--mostly the rain being so dangerous to our neighbors seeing as how we live on the side of a mountain and also the 5 earthquakes we had yesterday.

You want mine?:glare: I feel for you. :grouphug:

I would be at every practice and watch what is happening. I would let the child and mom expose themselves. It won't be long before they do--people like that can't hide forever. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this situation. It's so wrong.:grouphug:

I'm right there with you. It's election day here and even though on the news today there's a lot about 9/11 it isn't on the radar here because everyone is worried about possible rioting and violence due to the elections.