Merry Christmas 2013

My seven presidents
Mickey, Pierce, Clint, Kate, Meg, Morgan & Reagan

Greetings from Guatemala. And Feliz Navidad. First of all, I want to apologize for our poor communication via e-mail. We are fairly regular with Facebook. But those of you not on there or regulars there will feel terribly disconnected with our family. We still try to post about once a month or so to raisingsevenpresidents.blogspot.com.
This has been an incredibly different year from any other we’ve experienced as a family. I believe we’ve finally all adjusted to what is termed “culture shock”. I think it would be better termed, “missionary shock”. We all seem to be getting a grip on the language, which sure helps living here much smoother. Most of you are probably more curious about how our kids are faring more than any other news I could share with you. So here goes…

Mickey (16) has come a long way since moving here. He still talks often of going home “where he belongs”. But he now speaks well with the locals, often hangs with our security guards, and takes as many biking trips as he can. He still could care less about school, but is confident he will be ready to leave here when he's eighteen. We’ll see. He’s also been growing as expected, nearly catching up to his dad, but yet wondering why it’s taking so long to get to his full height.
Pierce (14) surprised me this year with his schooling, going from a power-struggle student to one of the top kids of the six schooling together. He and Clint were able to spend two weeks working with their good friends, Jack and Levi (whom they have many sleep-overs with), helping build a house for the 12x12 Love Project. They so enjoyed the hard labor and time with their friends. And we enjoyed seeing them leave the cave of their bedrooms with the glow of their iPads.
Clint (14) is known by all for secluding himself in his room with his iPad. He wants to design games for APPs someday soon. I hear him Skyping with friends from home more often than any of the other kids. He misses home pretty close to the most of any of us, but is usually the quietest about it.
Kate (13) has been blossoming into quite the young lady. She’s frustrated, yet resigned to the fact that she’s not going to ever really be that tall. She had her first paid babysitting job in October and loved it, especially the getting paid part. She also got braces a few months ago (costing us nearly one-tenth of the State-side dental costs).
Meg (10) is usually found hanging out with Trooper the guard dog, the security guards or Isabela the staff cook. Her Spanish is rather impressive. And she seems to have the hardest time of all the kids finding her place. She has a few local missionary friends. But on a regular basis, she tends to not fit in. As a result she tends to often be Britt’s shadow, always ready to go...anywhere.
Morgan (6) and Reagan (4) spend their weekday mornings with Alejandra, who travels from Antigua to teach them Spanish, pre-school lessons, and generally keep them out of trouble so Britt and I can be free to be involved in the ministry here. Morgan has lost two teeth and has become very creative with the tubs of Lego’s he inherited from his older brothers.
Reagan has become quite the talker after his first three years of nothing but grunts. He still sucks his fingers, which has become a frustrating battle of wills. However, he no longer comes into our bed in the middle-of-the-night…since we got smart and started locking our door. He tends to get lots of unwanted attention from the locals because of his bright blonde hair.

A few months back at a staff meeting, we divided up the different facets of the ministries between us four adults. Britt became head over maintenance and facility operations, which includes many conversations with our property manager, Jose and the two security guards. He enjoys many hours outdoors and running errands often, which suits his ADD personality well. I took over responsibilities involving the kitchen and Isabela our staff cook, and preparation and care for teams that come throughout the year. We both have been enjoying our roles. Britt has been coming up with some new ideas, brainstorming with Jose. This coming year will be interesting to see what comes of it all. I've enjoyed many hours in the kitchen with Isabela, forming a friendship and learning the language. It's rather ironic when she has to translate my Spanish to another local because she understands me when others stare at me blankly not getting my broken Spanish.
We’re excited to watch the new year unfold. To see what God has planned for us each and every day. And hopefully become truly fluent in this language.
Please pray for us as we often struggle, because of all the things going on in this ministry and just daily living, and desire to stay a close family unit. Pray for our marriage as well. I came here thinking I would have so much more one-on-one time with Britt. But just like in the States, it’s something we have to really work at. We still have to make an effort to be alone to talk through life, to plan ahead, and to stay spiritually connected. Also pray that we will have a great spiritual influence on the community here. It’s so easy to become distracted by our daily tasks and lose track of why we’re really here.
We are so thankful for your abundant prayers. We know life here would be impossible without them. We’ve also been very blessed with random financial gifts and several feeling led to take us on monthly as well. We are so thankful to God for moving in your hearts to sacrifice for our ministry here. Consider a visit here. There’s no better way to truly understand the gravity of what God is doing here without seeing it in person.

Love to all,
The  Harman’s
Serving in BV, Guatemala

P.S. If you have Christmas cards for us, send them to Britt’s parent’s address to save for our next visitors.
6726 N 500 W, Leesburg, IN 46538