Tony’s Guatemala

Well, I’m here again, but at two different places that previously had been unrelated…

Less than a year ago, I lost my dad, and I’m still coping with that loss…

I’m in New Orleans, Rachel and I drove here on Saturday after hearing that her grandmother was very ill. we arrived Saturday evening, and went directly to the hospital. We spent a little time with The family members that were there, and then went and checked into the hotel. Rachel’s sister was at the hotel already, and helped us get checked in… 4 people, 4 hotel rooms. but apparently there was a surplus of rooms open in the hotel, so it was no bother.

Sunday I couldn’t handle going back to the hospital, as it brought up too much memory of my dad’s passing. I spent the day in quiet reflection, as I was trying to just be at peace. The girls had  good day spending time with Gan, and I ended up grabbing some coffee, and a little food.

Monday morning came the knock at my door that seemed inevitable… Gan had passed away. Rachel’s dad was on his way to town a few ours later, but since he had a 13-14 hour drive, we knew it would be the next morning before he arrived.

Tuesday was Rachel’s birthday, it was also Gan’s. Rachel and I went and had a quiet lunch in the quarter, and then we all went to dinner with 2 uncles, and their wives/ girlfriends. It was surreal. Rachel’s Grandmother would have been 79 that day. We had dinner at a restaurant that you could see from Gan’s bedroom window. No-one knew how to act, that to say, or what to do. We celebrated life the best way we knew how, in the midst of death.

The funeral is tomorrow, and I better get some sleep between now and then…

Well, I’m getting ready to make another road trip.

Rachel’s Grandmother Gan is in the hospital in New Orleans, and the prognosis isn’t good. We’re getting ready to hit the road to go see her.

Gas prices are scary right now, with a rise from $3.65 a gallon to as high as $5.49 a gallon on my trip from Quincy to Tallahassee. I hope we can find gas along the way. The unknown is kinda scary.

The hurricane, Ivan I think his name is, is bearing down on the refineries in Texas, and they’ve shut some down. The panic is the only reason for the sudden jump in prices.

I saw a sign today that said “Hurricane season is only 2 days away, are You ready?” I thought that was funny.

Well, it’s been months in the planning, and a long time coming, but after much prayerful consideration, I’ve written a letter to ask for people to partner with me in my upcoming ministry in Guatemala…

You can find the letter here

Well, I never found all the missing posts, not sure exactly what happened to them. kinda frustrating, but alas, more posts are on their way!

I turned another year older over the weekend, and oddly enough, I’m now the same age as my grandmother’s been for years.

Yup, I’m 29.

Got some Bad news from Rachel’s family on my birthday, and if you could be praying for them that would be much appreciated.