New Years Greetings!

My, it has been a long time since we wrote.  We are truly sorry!  Here is an update of what has happened since, well, September.

Our basic daily life is pretty boring really, unless you count the traffic jams, psycho motorcycle drivers, people riding hanging off busses, firecrackers at 5 am....I guess for us it is boring - the rest of y'all should come visit to remind us that our normal has changed.

Seriously though, our day to day life is not filled with directly helping orphans, feeding hundreds, or healing the sick.  We wake up, go to school, have rehearsals and piano lessons, come home, eat and go to bed.  (Most of the time we remember to eat before collapsing into bed.  If we didn't have three hungry kids we would probably forget.  Although, if we didn't have three hungry kids we probably wouldn't be so tired at the end of the day either.)

So, we'll highlight the big events.

September was pretty uneventful - we had one day off of school during which we sat around the house.  Wait - there was one event.  Guatemalan Independence Day was celebrated in style at school with Sara doing a traditional dance with her class, and Abigail doing a dramatic recitation of a Spanish poem.  (Hard to imagine her being dramatic I know.)  Every day Joy, and some days the girls, had rehearsal until 6 or 6:30.  The dog did get groomed once during the month, for those of you who care about her needs.

This is a picture of Sara and her best friend ("though sometimes she is mean to me") in their "traje tipicos" worn by the Mayan here still.

Sara enjoying the music during the dance

Sara and her classmates lining up for the dance

Abigail dressed up as our national bird, the quetzal, about whom the poem was

October brought our annual Harvest Fair.  The theme was Mario (from Nintendo) and the girls went dressed as Koopa Troopa (a turtle), a knight, and a butterfly.  Not so close to the theme on a couple of those - but who has that kind of time or money, besides they chose and made their own costumes with help from Maribel.  Kenneth had the job of watching the girls as Joy is a class advisor and was helping work the sophomore class booth.  She was also a good sport (if she does say so herself) by participating in the pie in the face booth.  She made quite a bit of money for the juniors that night.  Not that she isn't well liked, she just teaches the whole school.  Really, we have lots of great testimonials about how well liked we are - we just don't share them - that would be kind of arrogant we think.  If you want to hear some though, let us know - we'll share :-).

One of the elementary kids letting her have it

At the end, pretty sure she had whipped cream in her ear for days

Emma the knight

                         Abigail the turtle                                                     Sara the butterfly

October was also the High School Retreat, which Joy had to chaperone.  It was great fun, but she realized she's not as young as she was when we did youth group staff and Snow Camp. Joy also spent most of October, and all of November, and well December battling some sort of laryngitis.  Since she really couldn't rest her voice she still hasn't fully recovered.  Some days he can sing, others not so much.  If it lasts much longer a doctor's visit will need to happen.  (Great, she loves doctors and communicating medical things in Spanish.)

November was the farthest thing from boring.  Rehearsals for the musical started going until 8 some days.  (That made for 13 - 14 hour days for the Eisners as we didn't get to go home between school and rehearsal like most others did.)  We also had lots of Saturday rehearsals.  It was SO worth it in the end though.  The musical productions are the one thing that our whole family does together, and it is a huge ministry to these students and joy for us to serve together.  On the 20 - 22 we presented Seussical the musical and it was a rousing success.  Even Joy thinks so, and she is pretty critical of her work.  We have only a few pictures, since well...we were kind of busy the whole time.  These are stolen from facebook.  (By the way - if you want to see pictures of the stuff we are involed in, and you are on facebook, like and follow the Christian Academy of Guatemala page on fb.)

The Cat in the Hat and Mayzie - both seniors who have been in our shows since year 1

Emma as Cindy Lou Who, posing with her teacher

Who knows what number this is - Joy choreographed it so she should, but not so much

Horton the Elephant and Gertrude - both first time on stage and phenomenal performers

Cast Picture - But this is only about HALF of the cast:  Yes, we are gluttons for punishment :-)

Abigail is in the second to last row, 2nd from the left in the orange - she really shone vocally in this performance (even in the shadow of the amazing student who played her mom)

So, that was it.  Just kidding!  We can't stop at one big production.  Two weeks later we begin the Christmas concert season.  In our last post we talked about getting a concert at our local mall.  It was a great success!  All the choirs sang, the band played, and the band director (who being Guatemalan has way better Spanish than us - go figure) was able to share the gospel..right there, in the mall, in the sound system.  The week after the mall concert we had our school wide concert on campus.  Even the preschoolers performed in that one.  We were able to use the new instruments that one of our supporters purchased and it was enjoyed by all.  (If you wish to see videos of that - go to our CAG facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CAGMKS and search for the Christmas concert section.)

The High School Choir - New concert attire!

Vox Laudis - audition only children's choir we started in January (E and A in front row)

The small, but extremely fun, middle school choir

The secondary girls and Vox Laudis singing Sleigh Ride

Joy with the Creative Arts Mission Statement we were asked to display at the mall

The preschool through 1st grade students at the school Christmas concert

The audience:  These are the missionaries who you support by supporting us as we educate their children.  Quite a big crowd - and that is not all of them!  (OK, some of those are Guatemalan family members so I guess it works out to be about the right size for the body we support.)

December 14 Emma turned 8 - and she and Abigail participated in the church Christmas pageant.

December 20-27 we had friends and supporters from the States come for a visit.  We had a big party at our house Christmas Eve (as is the tradition) to watch the midnight fireworks.  We spent part of Christmas day ministering at an orphanage.  It was so much more exciting than sitting around waiting for the turkey to cook!

December 30 Joy's Dad arrived.  He will be "snowbirding" here this year (and hopefully many other years - hint hint Dad.)  When he opened his lap top, and our blog was the home page, we realized what slackers (at least in blogging) we are and resolved to make it our home page so we feel guilty more often and take care of the problem.

December 31 - Joy and her Dad went to the hospital to visit a couple of kids from the orphanage who had taken ill.  Praise God they should be able to go home tomorrow - and remembered Joy and lit up when she went in the room.

Thanks for taking the time to read, or at least look at the pictures and skim (hey, we're realists.)  Hopefully we will not take so long to post next time.  May you have many blessings in 2015!  Thank you for your continued emotional, spiritual, and economic support which allows all of the above to happen

Who's really in charge here?

It was an experience like none I can remember in my directorial career.  The office was in the basement of a parking garage.  An armed guard stood at the entrance.  The waiting room was filled with various religious statues.  Not various as in Buddha next to Mary next to Jesus - all Catholic in nature.

Even with the armed guard at the door the experience could have taken place in North America, but the religious statues were a big reminder - "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."  (Of course, I've never actually been to Kansas....)  Now maybe the statues would have been there if I was at an Arch Diocese or something, but that's the thing - I was at the mall here in our town.  (Which probably shouldn't be called a town with a population of more than 650,000...)

Really the whole experience was kind of surreal, one of those parts of living here that I haven't had cause to get used to.  (The background is this:  as a creative arts department we are trying to get more involved with the community.  It was suggested to us that we try to perform during the Christmas season at this mall.)  I was going in there with my very American mindset.  I was concerned about being a representative of a Christian school, wanting to sing sacred music, and that they might just say no.  I went armed with videos of last year's choir and band and a mentally prepared (because this was to be all in Spanish of course) explanation of our desires.  After all, in most instances if I were walking into an American establishment with those conditions I would have cause for my concerns.

Those were instantly set at rest when I stared into the face of a lit up smiling saint of some sort.  I still could not imagine what would follow however.  We were dealing with the person we thought was in charge (I say we because I thankfully had a friend and parent of a choir alum along to help in any translation emergencies,) and after the usual greetings we sat and showed her the video.  It was difficult to tell from her face what her opinion was, and I was getting my proud director speech mentally ready.  That's when the real boss walked in.

First we realized that she was friends (or rather volleyball teammates) with one of our teachers at school - easy to tell since she had been referenced in a conversation earlier in the week as about to have a baby.  She greeted us with the traditional friendly kiss, not usual for a business meeting I don't think, and sat down to business.  At this point the secretary very excitedly told her she had to watch the video we had brought and started to talk about how good they were.  (Proud speech cancelled and replaced by proud smile.)

The conversation from there was a bit hard to follow for me at times, we went from talking about music to cancer to volleyball and back again a few times, but I can sum it up for y'all.  The first thing we were asked is if we would be willing to perform for Children's Day.  That was an easy "I don't think so" for me as Children's Day is next week.  The boss responded by telling me that it wouldn't have to be perfect (to which the parent snickered because she and many of you know me better than that.)  This opened up a conversation about how we train our students to treat performances as something that they are offering to God as a thank you for giving them talents.  That turned into a conversation about how her daughter is an artist and isn't getting any of that training.  That turned into how important we believe discipleship, and discipleship of artists as Christian artists is.  That turned into her asking us if when we perform (so now I guess we are approved) we could have a sign that talks about our beliefs and values for everyone to see.  Seriously - in a mall - they want us to talk about Jesus at Christmas.  How exciting!  (They were appalled to hear that in the USA that would be a very rare occurrence.  Not surprising considering most stores in malls here have nativity scenes in their windows - I should have thought of that.)

It was so humbling to see how God had orchestrated this entire thing.  It turns out that, as always, He is who was really in charge.  It was excited to hear that Abigail made all her friends stop and pray with her when it was time for the meeting.  It was uplifting to have a parent be so supportive of the program that she would give up her morning to come with me.

We left there with not only the opportunity to perform at Christmas (two times, with them doing publicity) but also an offer to do a few songs in costume before our show in November and have a ticket booth there for a weekend, and a request to prepare something for next Children's Day, bring our art classes there, have the ballet students perform, and other stuff that I can't remember.  But above all we can sing our sacred music, and they actually want us to talk about our beliefs and values.  Another day when I am absolutely enthralled with the ministry God has called me too, and the way He shows himself to me in ways that I totally get.

Thanks for your support and encouragement which is allowing us to be part of such great happenings!

Joy

And yes, I find it amusing that this morning Kenneth wrote about our seemingly boring existence (not that any day here is ever actually boring...)

Days Come and Days Go

When asked recently, "what's new?" I was forced to reply with, "Oh, nothing - same as before." Unlike some other missionaries, who split their time between C.A.G. and another mission, we are here for C.A.G. and the students/families therein. This is where God wants us and we're doing what we feel God wants us to be doing. We remain thankful to the numerous people and churches who continue to support us, both financially and prayerfully, so that we can remain here doing this important work.

We certainly applaud the other missionaries who are splitting their time. For sure they are reaching and helping different peoples and accomplishing many great and wonderful things for the Kingdom - and that is wonderful. They are where God wants them doing what they feel God wants them to be doing.

I believe I have figured out why we do not blog more often. There are not a lot of variances in our day-to-day activities. We rise, get ready for school, go to school, sit in traffic, do our various after-school-things, come home, do homework, get ready for bed, go to bed and sleep. Repeat. Oh, I forgot eat...

However, that said there are a couple things which some folks might find interesting: I continue to facilitate some street hockey on the weekends. We had an excellent turnout last weekend with four families. Great fun! Abigail participated in the recent Guatemalan Independence Day celebrations by performing a poem (en Español!) She was fantastic! Joy is continuing preparations for the upcoming musical. Emma continues to sing and dance (and from time-to-time chop people down with her light-sabre.) Sara has been with a low-grade fever for a couple days so we are nursing her back to health as best we can (rest & liquids.)

Not much else going on in these parts.
Blessings and Thanks to all!

-knm/jr/ac/eb/sje

Perspectives on the New Year

Overall the start of the year was just as crazy as every other year. There were times where I stepped back and said, "wow, we have this under control." Then, that was quickly dashed with a figurative fire here or a new teacher there... or a new family plus two students over yonder. We've included a few snippets from each of us - minus the dog, cats and bunny. They pretty much exists and their schedules are fairly uncomplicated.

Ken:  This past Sunday was the first day of recreational hockey! And man, what a hoot! We had a small turn out but really that doesn't matter. It was just a small taste of home in our own back yard (or school.) I've talked with a number of other families and they are excited to come out next week. I will be substitute teaching for the Elementary PE teacher later in September and a couple times in October so we will have opportunity to do some hockey with them. Just between you and me the thought of a bunch of kinder students running around with sticks is a wee bit unnerving but ya gotta start out somewhere, eh?

Ken, as goalie

Ken, as goalie, again

I've also been asked to serve on the Communications Committee at our local church. I know, some of you are saying, "... wait a moment - y'all aren't the greatest communicators and you are going to do what?!" ... And that is pretty much what I said but who knows... maybe some truly remarkable things will come of it, right?

On the note of the tech stuff - things continue to move along. The Tech Department has a number of projects we're working through. I continue to be blessed to have Edgard and Alan working with me (Greg has returned to teaching a full course load.)

Joy:  Busy, but "vale la pena" - it's going to be worth it.  Rehearsals are underway for Seussical the Musical, and my three choirs, and I am teaching a full load of classes.  I thank God daily for my husband pulling the weight (like all of it) with the family while I am at school from 8 - 6.  Mondays are a hard day as I teach 5 classes, 2 piano lessons, and an hour and a half of rehearsals.  (For that reason we will be switching our updates to a different night, so they will actually happen.)

Abigail:  "My teacher is crazy, she has lots of really fun ideas."  She is doing well in school, continuing with piano - though only needing to have lessons once a week.  (Praise God - that has saved us a lot of money!)  She is also taking ballet at school once a week, and quite a natural.  She is going to be the baby kangaroo in our musical.   Her relationships at school have gotten much stronger as she has grown and matured, and her classmates have too.

Emma:  "My favorite part so far is that today we got to eat every part of a plant, even the flower.  Every part was very, very good.  It was a sunflower plant."  (Who knew you could eat it all?  Not sure I believe it - since now she is telling me the stem was celery and the roots were carrots.)She loves her new teacher.  Her teacher is really new in fact, she signed on to teach classes the day new teacher orientation was due to start.  She has lots of experience in public schools in the States and used to live in Guate years ago.  Emma is excited to be able to join Vox Laudis, our elementary choir, this year.  Emma has also been leading worship up front in church most Sundays with a group of us.

Sara:  Well, what can you say - she's Sara.  Full of energy, laughs, and attitude.  Most of the time she is very sweet.  One of the Dads who also teaches was telling a story the other day about Sarita.  Apparently they were all running in the gym together, he was intentionally going slow.  She felt bad for him so she went back and held his hand and helped him get to the finish line.  (I have spied her doing that with other kids before too.)  It's those moments I hold on to when she gets a time out for telling her teacher "You don't control me."  Geesh!

We will try to post more interesting, cute stories of the kids and stories of our ministry.  Once we start updating on a different night, when we have brain cells left, that will be much easier.

Thank you for reading, and a special thank you to all who support us in prayer and financially.  We really couldn't do what we have been called to without you being on our sending team.

Blessings,
-knm/jr/ac/eb/sje + Snickers, Milkyway & Trixie

Summer?! Where are you going?

I can hardly believe that the summer is almost gone. We're already over the 4th of July hump. We have twenty-seven (27) days until I (Ken) start back to school for new teacher orientations. Classes resume in thirty-nine (39) days. While this is both terrifying and exciting we realize time is slipping away.

Certain hopes we had when the summer began are quickly evaporating.  We made a large list of summer fun ideas, many of which may get left out with the additional things we have had (and will have) opportunity to do.

One thing we added was a week spent with TJ Hanken and the missions team from Parkersburg, IA. This was an incredible week spent serving a family and church in a very difficult area of Villa Nueva. (The area is primarily settled by squatters who came in from the villages affected by the Civil War.) In a nutshell, a family of nine were living in a rustic tin shack on the side of the barranco (ravine.) By the time we joined the team they had already helped remove the old tin shack and had dug the trenches for the new concrete foundation. We were able to help with setting up the rebar forms, sifting sand, and unloading rock, sand, and concrete. All this was done to help, not take over for, the Guatemalan church with whom we were working.  There was a Guatemalan cement worker/architect in charge the entire time, and actually much time was spent sitting around talking with the church members who were there to do the build.

One day we took a break from this work and went to another church near the Guatemala City dump and helped serve food at a children's feeding center. This also was an eye opening experience.  Many of these children's families used to live in the dump and have since been displaced by the government.  Many ministries have been involved in the process of helping them relocate and caring for them.  The day to day life of the children, their survival, the fact that the meal we served them was probably their only hot meal of the day were very impactful to us.  We were also surprised to learn that it only costs the church (which is primarily made up of dump "workers") $100 a day to feed 260 children.

In addition to the physical labour we formed some new relationships, not only with the team, but with the local community church as well. Pastor Jorgé, Gerson, Mynor, Bryan, and Carlos - just to name a few. The work these folks are doing is just incredible.  Beyond building the home, they run a home for children whose parents can't care for them, a workshop where single moms can learn skills, and they work in conjunction with the public schools to form relationships with more children from the neighborhood.
Here are some photos we took from the week.

One other story from the week touched Joy. One of the young men in the church, Bryan, lives nearby. About three years back it was discovered that he had talent with the piano so the church paid for him to attend the national music education school. Three years later he is playing at a level which takes most people six to seven years to achieve. Sadly, who can tell how often this happens around the world? Undiscovered and unrealized talent which never gets the opportunity to shine due to the lack of opportunity. Thanks to God, and the church, at least for Bryan he has that opportunity.

Thanks to all who continue to support us both prayerfully and financially to make these opportunities possible.

Blessings,

The Eisner Family

Can I get your door?

5 years we have lived here, and today another first.

We drove into the parking lot of a local fast food place.  (We had found some money from teaching piano shoved in a pile of papers - so we pushed the easy button after church.)  The guards will always open the door of the restaurant for you.  Today, however, we had a guard that went above and beyond.

He directed us into a parking space (normal) and then proceeded to reach out and open Ken's door.  Now at that moment my brain immediately went to - we're done for, the guard is robbing us, Lord keep us safe.  No robbery.  Then he opens the sliding door, helps the girls out, takes Emma by the hand and walks her to the restaurant.  Needless to say one of us walked closely behind and the other was 10 feet parallel with eyes pealed.  Turns out he must be just a good guy that really likes his job - but boy that had me on edge.

I was sort of wishing some of you were here today to see first hand a little of what our girls experience here.  Beyond the overly friendly gun toting guard, there were the normally friendly restaurant people.  People here are drawn to our girls, mostly Sara because of her hair.  We get stared at, openly, every time we go out.  Today was no exception.

The older girls, especially Abigail, get pretty sick of it - but I swear Sara thinks it is the way life should be.  She has Guatemalan culture in her.  Here you greet people, even those you don't know.  You kiss those you do (on the cheek.)  Normally the two don't cross - unless you are Sara.  People seem to think it totally acceptable to pet her head, kiss her cheeks, grab her hands, pet her face, and ask to have her eyes.  She smiles (and soaks up the attention.)  Today, when a fellow eater was passing by the table and doting on Sara, she stood up greeted the woman with a hug and sat down like it was totally normal to talk to and hug strangers.  We didn't know that woman and will probably never see her again.  So un-northeast our third daughter is.

Please, pray that God will keep that culture in her - but help her to approach strangers with wisdom as she grows older.  Love our little Guatemerinadian.

What every little girl wants

Ok, so maybe every little girl wants a canopy not a mosquito net, but I guess it will have to do.  The mosquitoes have been so bad at our house for the girls have been waking up every morning with new bites.  Let's see what happens if they have to get up in the middle of the night, hopefully it won't fall down on their heads.

Abigail left for missionary kid camp today.  She was so excited to go but then got very sad when it was time for us to leave.  Please join us in praying that she will have an excellent week.