One of "Those" days...In Need of a New Vehicle  It was one of "those" days here in Guatemala last Friday. We have had so many of them these past six or so years in our adventures in Central America that it does not faze us anymore. And many of our adventures have occurred in our trusty 1995 green Jeep Cherokee. Whether it is the first adventure, an 8 day drive of 6500km from Edmonton to Guatemala where me and my friends had to pay an crazy bribe to the Mexican police, or the 3 hour drive that turns into 13 hours because of a tropical storm that washed out major bridges and brought kilometres-long landslides 10 feet deep onto the highways or the 2 inches of volcanic ash falling on the jeep as we drive through Guatemala City, or the 70km long "road" that took 5 hours to drive with huge sections missing. Last Friday we were out on a wonderful family day; swimming, eating out and buying groceries. We were cruising along about 1 hour from home and suddenly from underneath the jeep: BAM!!! Clunk, clunk, clunk. We pull over and find out that our drive shaft busted. We call the towing service we know so well and sit and wait. While we are waiting on the side of the road with traffic flying by, a kind Guatemalan man lends us a good idea and a tie strap. We are in a dangerous area and it is getting dark. So we strap the drive shaft up, put it in 4 wheel drive (now we have a front wheel drive) and drive about 1 km to a safer area to wait for our tow. We grab supper and sit on the curb. Once the truck arrives, we load it up on the flat bed, put the kids in the cab with the driver and get in the jeep for the 2 hour drive home on the truck; feeling every bump. On our dark drive home the rain pours down with a huge lightning storm that makes us go even slower. We pass an overturned semi tanker full of gasoline that has a crane lifting it upright. We get home safe and sound. We pray to God every time we venture out on the Central American highways and byways and always thank him for his guidance and protection. We share this story because we are in the process of purchasing another vehicle. We were already thinking of getting a new one, but now this confirms it. "Old Betsy" is 20 years old and has seen many adventures, but she is getting older, our kids legs are getting longer and we need a more trustworthy vehicle. We will be purchasing one very soon and we would like to ask if you are interested in helping covering some of the cost to help us with another vehicle. It would be most welcome. We are purchasing one in Guatemala for around $10,000. This vehicle will be used for our family and ministry purposes. If you would like to help purchase a vehicle, you can send a donation by cheque to: CTF T7X 1T3 or donate online through PaypalHERE You will receive a tax receipt for your donation. God Bless you and God Speed. Matt, Kerry, Abby, Hayley and Liam | 
