New Year Greeting

New Year Greetings 2008 from Guatemala!

As we ponder the past year, our hearts are filled with awe at the variety of experiences God has given us. We were enriched by: hosting many visitors, teaching and mentoring leaders, visiting churches and new missions, walking alongside a mission intern, and taking trips to Belize to visit with missionaries there. God provided two special renewal events for Kekchi leaders this year which we pray will continue to bless the church.

The end of June we vacationed in the States to connect with our children. We thank God for the regular contact internet and phone provide for us with them. Tim has a web camera that helps us see our growing grandchildren and chat with them at the same time. TJ is almost 5 years old, Simeon - 21/2 years, and Gabriel, whom we haven’t seen yet, - 3 months old.

Rose still lives in Lancaster and keeps herself busy in her job providing in-home services for older folks. Spare time is spent with her many friends. We were delighted by her February visit with us here in Guatemala.

Cindy has been visiting in the Netherlands over Christmas with her friend Jonathan’s family. She plans to spend several more months in India to complete her research for her PhD thesis before returning to the States May 15. We hope to pick her up at the airport when she returns to the States.

We will be traveling to the States in April and spending time with Tim and Julie and the three grandchildren in Iowa before heading east. We hope to make a quick visit to Maine in May. We plan to spend several months in Pennsylvania to be near Rose and Cindy and to connect with family and friends. We look forward to meeting many of you.

Between Christmas and New Year we took a three day retreat in a warmer area which gave us the opportunity to swim while some of you shoveled snow! It provided plenty of time for reading and prayer. How good to get away from work.

Pray with us as we evaluate in the coming year how long we will continue to be involved in the Kekchi work here in Guatemala. We know that God will lead us to continue the work of His Kingdom in whatever place He puts us.

Thank you for your support and love,

Galen and Phyllis Groff