to market, to market

As I waded through knee high bags and boxes of fruit and vegetables which my husband brought home from the market my memory drifted back to the many times I myself have shopped there.  

One of the truly unique experiences while living in Guatemala has been going to the market to buy fresh produce, meat, cheeses, and just about anything else you can imagine.  One of the largest markets in the city is found in zone nine at the bus terminal.  Thus its name "la Terminal".  La Terminal extends over several city blocks and amongst its many wares you can find just about anything, from hand made furniture to flowers, from fresh produce to recently butchered meat.  Firewood can be purchased, kitchen utensils, clothes, and so on and so forth. 

Often I have trudged through the dirty streets, trying to miss the largest ruts while dodging trash on the ground below and squeezing though the mass of people alongside.  The smells assault my senses as the sweet frangrance of freshly cut flowers and ripe, delicious fruit mingles with the not so pleasant odors of human sweat and animal dung.  The hundreds of voices announcing the sale of goods and haggling for the best price struggle to be heard over the car horns and motors as vehicles attempt the almost impossible task of meandering througt the sea of people which have overtaken the street.  In the distance the bleating of goats can usually be heard and soon the small herd will come into view as the goatherd guides his small crew down the busy thoroughfare.  For just pennies fresh goat's milk can be purchased.  These nanny goats will gladly stand still and allow their udders to be relieved as you purchase warm, fresh milk which the goatherd hands to you in paper cup.

This is the way of life for so many.  The children of those who work in La Terminal grow up there and when they are older take part in the family  business.

Precisely today our faithful few: Alfonso, Yolanda, and Chrissy woke up early and left home before 7am in order to be at La Terminal in time to make the purchases necessary for tomorrow's Mother's Day celebration.  Each year we celebrate the mom's who faithfully send their children to the Little Giants Bible Clubs.  It is a "gala" event so to speak.  These mothers, who are dirt poor, put on their best clothes and get all "gussied up" to spend an afternoon with us.  Each year we look for donors to help with the resources we need (food, gifts, craft, decorations) as well as to help us serve on the day of the event.  Each year we look for a special speaker to bring an encouraging message to these village ladies.  Below you will see some pictures from events in years past.

Tomorrow's event should be a blast.  It makes for a long day for all of us involved.  Not only will a good portion of today be spent making purchases and preparing the room, but tomorrow will start early as we arrive in the morning to start cooking and finish the decorating.  The ladies will arrive around 2pm for a 2 hour mother's day gala event.  Then the staff and I will stay behind to clean, wash dishes, and leave the ministry building spotless.  Shew!  It is quite an endeavor, but one that brings much satisfacion.

Pray with us for lives changed and souls saved as we minister not only the love of God but also the Word of God.