An Extra Week at NLCH

Obviously since we had been planning on being in Costa Rica this week, we didn't have much of anything planned to do while we've been back here instead. Of course, it's never difficult to find things to do here. This week has been really nice because it's been a mix of helping out around the office, spending time with the kids, and also relaxing.

We were thankful to get the chance to know some of our fellow New Life missionaries much better this week, Tony and Carrie Taylor. They live in the town of Chichicastenango, where they are involved in a ministry that trains pastors. It was very interesting to hear Tony talk about some of the challenges they face, including the differences in education among the pastors with whom they work. Some are fairly well educated, while many others can barely read or write. In addition, since the area where they live is an almost completely indigenous population, many of the pastors' first language is a local dialect rather than Spanish. Their work seems very challenging, but they love being here and being involved in this kind of ministry.

Another highlight of the week has been that after dinner, I've started to get into a habit of playing basketball with the younger boys. I'm not real sure if I should call it basketball or find another name for it, since none of the rules of basketball seem to apply other than trying to make a basket. There are no out of bounds, no travelling or double dribbling, and certainly no fouls. But they enjoy it, and since I'm 3 feet taller than any of them, I have a pretty distinct advantage.

When we played the first night, Giovani kept trying and trying to make a basket and never did, so I figured I could give him an advantage. Sitting on my shoulders, he's more than 4 feet above every one else- and proud of it. He does get quite a few more shot opportunities when he's about 8 feet tall, but I'm sorry to say that his shooting percentage still isn't very good.

Hopefully it will get a little better tonight...