Josh & Courtney's Miracle House and Garden

Earlier this year Josh and Courtney were expecting a new baby due in late October. Their small house on the mountainside would be less than adequate for a family of five. Funds to upgrade were lacking, but a huge miracle occurred. A well-to-do couple,

friends of Josh’s parents, offered a large amount of money—no strings attached--for them to purchase a bigger house. By Guatemala standards, it was a small fortune. Fortuitously, a British contractor-entrepreneur wanted to sell his spacious, exquisite property bordering Courtney and Josh’s school. He is married to an Argentine woman who wished to return to her native country. What could be better for our daughter’s family than a well-built, stylish, three-bedroom house with a spacious, picturesque garden in a prime gated location right next to their school? It would truly be a gift from God but not totally free. Its hefty price was a little more than the donor’s gift, so a loan from the Brit seller was required. However, as soon as the small house on the mountain sells, that loan will be repaid. Meanwhile, the house being sold is rented to one of their new teachers.

It is difficult to describe Josh and Courtney’s recently acquired gorgeous property—truly one of the most beautiful in the village. Since the previous owner could not expeditiously move his upscale, hand-made furniture to Argentina, most of it was left behind. One can see a high mountain with billowing clouds from the garden as well as Lake Atitlan from the master bedroom. The garden would certainly be the highpoint of any U.S. city garden tour if indeed it could even be replicated stateside. The children and Leroy, their trusty old Great Dane, seem to relish this tranquil setting. Flagstone sidewalks and terraced steps wind through heavy, green, tropical foliage and colorful flowers. Except for the rainy season, sunny, warm, breezy weather prevails daily.


The spacious property requires the expertise of a part-time gardener, Antonio, who worked for the previous owner. The inside of the brightly colored masonry home has high, stained,  tongue-“n” groove wood ceilings and glossy, stained beams. It is lovingly cared for by Lydia, who also serves as three-year old Mirabai’s sitter. We don’t want to leave the impression that Josh and Courtney are wealthy; they are not. It’s just that household labor is inexpensive in San Marcos. They have many friends, so having a showplace property gives lots of added joy. Some were present at a party as we honored Mirabai’s third birthday.  Because of Gloria’s cold we did not get to celebrate Althea’s 10^th. This young lady is remarkable sharp, mature, and demonstrates patient care for her little sister. She can also sometimes beat Grandpa as we often play a card game called 3-13.

Along with miracles, we all must cope with “downers” traveling through the journey of life. Before the deal on the new home could be consummated, a heart-wrenching thing happened. The baby that had been due in the fall arrived prematurely on July 6 with many physical problems. She was named Mercedes but lived less than two full days. It was a terribly sad time for all of us, even for precocious toddler, Mirabai who kept sadly asking, “Where is the baby?” after Courtney came home from the hospital in Guatemala City. (You may read more about Mercedes by going back to our July posts.) The baby was cremated, but we wanted a tangible remembrance for the family. So we purchased a memorial stone to be crafted by a local artist, Mateo. We have always been impressed with his wonderful, expressive stone work found throughout the city. Josh and Courtney designed the sculpture, and it was delivered by Mateo one evening while we were having dinner at their home. The humble, little crafted angel has been carefully positioned in a serene corner of the garden framed by grass and lovely flowering bushes. Yet, she can be seen in the distance from the front door of the house. Upon leaving the dinner table to view her, we could not have been more pleased with our memorial gift. Ten year old Althea and we placed roses from the garden at her base, and Jerry offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the life of Mercedes, though brief, and for her sweet family. According to a dream Althea had, real angels attended to Mercedes during her abbreviated life in the hospital with Josh and Courtney. Now her little body has been made whole in heaven by a loving God, and we look forward to someday meeting her.   *NOTE: Click photos to enlarge them; use back arrow to minimize.