Is it November 1st?

It is November 1st!
These past couple of months have been busy ones for us! Since our last newsletter we have had non-stop activities here in Guatemala, as well as an emergency trip that had me (Ben) fly to the US. So we have plenty of updates to share with you about our work and life, and I hope you enjoy them.

August
As stated in the previous newsletter, our church in Zacapa was celebrating their 75th anniversary this year. For the last Sunday in August, I got all my students together to play that Sunday as part of the service. They did an excellent job!

September
September is always a festive month in Guatemala because it is the month the country celebrates its independence. The end of the month brought a road trip to us musicians as we were invited to play for the anniversary service of the Lutheran church in Puerto Barrios (Scarletts home church).

October
The 1st of October is Children’s Day in Guatemala! So of course, church activities for the kids were planned for that weekend, as well as the weekend prior. Scarlett, being in charge of the Sunday school activities, planned the celebrations for two villages, La Trementina and El Maguey, and also the activity in the central church we serve in. Piñatas, balloons, candy, games and a pool were all part of the fun organized by Scarlett and many youth and members of the churches.

October 2nd brought sad news to my family as my grandfather, Edwin Mattson, was called to his heavenly home. It was a sad and difficult week, but we rejoice in knowing that Grampie is now in heaven and one day we will see him again.

On October 20th we celebrated Scarlett’s birthday!

Here in Zacapa the church celebrates the Reformation on the 31st, so yesterday evening we held our service accompanied by flutes and trumpets and followed by a snack and fellowship. Way to go Luther, 505 years!

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