No, we haven't forgotten about our blog....

Hello one and all!

Just so you all know, Mary and I have not forgotten about our blog....we've just been kind of busy. You know, getting Tetanus and Typhoid shots, copying our passports, thinking about packing, and talking to Rick Harper about more details for our trip. We did that last one yesterday and found out a lot of good information. For instance, Mary and I WILL be able to see each other once we are back in our host town of Xepocol (shepocol)....we were worried that once we got home at the end of the day we would be banished to our rooms (0k, not really...)

We also found out that both of our host "dads" are elders in the local church and have only sons...so maybe the mothers will welcome some female companionship. These are our family assignments along with the ages of family members:

Mary will be with the family of Gaspar Chan Sente. Gaspar is a health promoter that works with us in the mobile clinics.
1. Gaspar Chan Sente (36) and Juana Xirum Calgua (36)
Children: 4 sons
Tomas – 17
Manuel – 15

Noe – 13

Josue – 9

Gaspar’s work:Health Promoter for Health Talents Family Trade: Weaving, Juana and the 3 older boys make cortes which are skirts used locally.

Agriculture:Corn, Avocados, Apples, Peaches, Plums. Some of these are for family consumption and some are for sale. Gaspar’s mother is a mid-wife and his father has a small store. They live close by.

We were told that the "white girl" is not part of Gaspar's family :)

Nicole -The family of Juan Chan Salvador. Juan primarily works in agriculture and other jobs around his community, anything from building, etc. He is one of the goto guys if you need something done.

1. Juan Chan Salvador (42) and Maria Sen Sut (38)
This is Gaspar’s uncle
Children: 6 boys
Sebastian – 19
Tomas – 15
Esteban – 10
Julio – 7
Emilio – 5

Juan’s work: Agriculture (may have more land than the others as this is his primary source of income)

Agriculture: Corn, Avocados, Apples, Peaches, Plums.

This is probably our most exciting news as of late! It is really amazing to start to put faces to the names we've been hearing about. As the time gets closer I am getting more and more excited, but also a little nervous. Please continue to pray for Mary and I!

Oh, and if anyone is planning on getting a Typhoid shot any time soon....they make your arm really sore...so don't get it in the arm you write with :)