Guatemala

Reflections on an Incredible Summer

2009-08-24T20:40:00.002-04:00

I spent my summer in Guatemala City, Guatemala. If my entire time in Guatemala was anything like my first week I don’t think I would have any inclination of ever going back. Luckily, after the first week it all got better. Of course there were days when I felt alone, but overall I had the best summer of my life. I truly hope to go back.

After being in the country for a total of 5 hours I was dropped off and left alone at the house that would soon become my home. I was not prepared for what I was about to encounter. In the course of 20 minutes I met at least 13 people. I later found out that all of them live in the house that I just toured. After putting my things in my room I was brought down to the living room and the family asked me question after question. I was so overwhelmed! I had been awake since 3 am, I was in a country I had never been in, a house that was not my own, with people I had never met before, and a language that I only knew somewhat. All I wanted to do was go to my room, call my mom, and sleep. All I really wanted to do was go home. I wanted something familiar. I wanted to be somewhere where I could speak English. Not only was my question time difficult for me but so was dinner. I did not feel well, and I was not about to eat the beans, fried plantains or the eggs that were set before me. I also didn’t want to be rude. After taking a bite of each I said I wasn’t hungry anymore and I went to bed. Luckily for me, I was really, really tired, so my nerves and all the noises outside did not keep me awake my first night.

Unfortunately, the next few days didn’t get that much better. I spent the days trying to figure out the names of everyone in the family, trying to understand what the students in my class were saying, and trying to feel better so that I could eat food. I never expected it to be so hard, but I truly understood that when you feel weak God is strong. When I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore, God could. When I felt like I would never be able to communicate in Spanish the way I wanted to, God would speak through me. When I felt like I would never be able to eat anything my 2 months there, God gave me the appetite, and I finally started to feel better.

I’m not sure if there was a definite turning point for me or not. I’m not sure if there is an exact moment that I can look back on and see where I finally started to love it there. It just took a little time. It took time to get used to the food. It took time to learn more of the language and more about the culture. It took time to get to know the family and learn more about their lives. I think I was expecting adjustment to be faster, or maybe even just easier. It wasn’t easy, but in the end I learned so much.

First of all, I learned so much about their family. I learned all of their names in my first few days there, which was incredible since there were 13 people plus all of the orphans and students. I learned how the family first started the school in the city dump. They saw a need for kids to be educated so they brought materials to the dump and taught them outside in the blazing heat. After a year at the dump, they rented the building across from their house and that is where they have been now for 8 years. They started with 20 some kids and now have 132. They really can’t afford to do what they do, but they survive because they truly depend on God. God truly is good.

I also learned so much about community. Living with a family of 13 and sharing a bathroom that had a curtain for a door was a huge stretch at first, but then I learned to love it. Being home now has made me miss that aspect of their culture. Where nothing is their own and everything is shared. I loved riding in the car with the entire family of 13 just so we could all go to church together on Sundays. I loved never being alone. I loved learning how my family of 13 took in 7 orphans because it wasn’t about them or the money. It was more about people. They saw a need and did something about it. My mama always told me that one day she will have a bigger house (not because she is cramped in the house they have) because she wants to take in more orphans. What a beautiful sense of community.

This summer I also learned about Guatemalan time. This is just another look on how important community is to them. Time is more about people and less about deadlines. My church for the summer was a 3-3 ½ hour long service. (One Sunday it was only 2 ½ hours and the first thing my family mentioned on the way out of church was how short the service was.) No one was angry when the service went long, and the pastor was never constrained to fitting his sermon into a service that could only last 1 hour. It was also very understandable if I was late. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work in the states.

I also learned about being thankful for the things I have. Seeing how people live has never made me more aware of the things that I have. It makes me wonder if I really need everything that I have. I lived out of one suitcase for two months. I never once missed the other clothes that I had at home. Once home, I kept wearing the clothes that I had worn this summer instead of all the things that I left behind. I also became very aware of water. One thing I really missed was being able to drink from the faucet, and drinking fountains in malls. I became thankful for hot showers and running water. I became more aware of the little things that I took for granted. I will never do that again, because once I do they are taken away from me.

Also, I learned a great deal about the organization that I worked with this summer. Seeing this ministry work in Guatemala has forever changed my view on missions. Here in Guatemala, The Strategy of Transformation has made it their mission to identify the least, last, and lost of society. They identify them in their culture and work among them, seeking transformation. One of the most hated people groups in Guatemala is gangs. One Friday I had the opportunity to visit one of the prisons and talk with some of the men. It was an amazing look at incarnational ministry. Just being in a place where no one wants to go and showing God’s love by just talking to the men was an unforgettable experience. These men are hated and blamed by society for all of the crime and corruption. Everyone hates them, and even in prison the justice system treats them unjustly. It’s great to know there are chaplains who care enough about them to visit them and just care for them.

Most importantly this summer I learned how to depend on God. This summer took away some of my independence and my plans for the future. I now know that I don’t have it all figured out, and I’m okay with that. I learned to depend on God when life felt like it was too hard to handle. I learned that God has plans for me that I never would have imagined. Trusting God to take care of me and knowing that I don’t need to have my life planned out was a hard lesson to learn, but now knowing all of this I am very glad that He is in charge of my life and I’m not.

This summer was absolutely incredible. I spent the summer helping my host sister with her class of 3, 4 and 5 year olds. I helped teach some English but mostly I just helped her with whatever she needed. I spent the rest of my time learning about the culture, the country, and the ministry happening in the city. I couldn’t have asked for a better learning environment. I learned about community, how time is more about people and less about deadlines, how to be dependent on God, about being thankful for tiny blessings like running water, and I learned about the huge love a family of 13 can have for people that they would choose to take in 7 orphans and me, a gringa. Guatemala stole my heart this summer. I can only count the days until I will be able to return once again. Whatever God has planned for my life I am now more than ready to do it.

Reflections on an Incredible Summer

2009-08-24T19:56:00.005-04:00

1. My family (missing 3 people and the orphans)

2. My second family :) all the interns

3. Saying goodbye to my class on my last day

4. My classroom in the school

5. A few of the students in my class all dressed up in typical clothing for a special dance

5. Doing exercises with class during gym time on Fridays

6. All the teachers in the school (and the interns that came to help train that day...they are usually in other schools

Time has Flown By!

2009-07-20T18:11:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it...but I have been here for 6 weeks now.
They have been the most challenging and most fun weeks of my life. I will never forget this summer (with all of my pictures I never would be able to:)
Today, Nikole, Tiffany, and I went to the the Justice Building. There some women are having a hunger fast and sleeping under a tent for 8 days. We went there to meet and talk with them and to give them support. One of these women had her child stolen from her almost 3 years ago. Since then she has tracked down where she is. (she was adopted illegally by a family in the US) She knows exactly where she is but can't do anything about it. The US government says since the little girl is now a citizen they can't do anything. They are trying to raise awareness for her case and 6 others. It's an amazing and sad story. Please pray that she may get a just decision.
Tomorrow I head to Lake Atitlan. We have an intern retreat for 2 days. I am really excited to go and see this beautiful lake and reflect on my time here. (Joel said there is the best view in the entire world there)
I am also excited that I get to go swimming. :) I have not been swimming or in a bathing suit since the first week of June before I left...now that is a rare summer for me.
That's all for now. See you all in 2 weeks!
Bendiciones!

Over half way!

2009-07-10T18:40:00.002-04:00

I have been here for almost 5 weeks (on Monday)

I can´t even believe it. It really has flown by.

These weeks have been amazing.

One of my favorite experiences here was yesterday.

I went to a prison. It was a women´s prison but I had to walk through a men´s prison to get to where the women were.

Once there we talked with the women and ate lunch with them.

I was timid at first, but then I just jumped in. These were women like me. (Literally there was a 19 year old there)

They may have pasts that I wouldn´t want to live but meeting them brought a new light to prisoners. Seeing them interact with their families (that rode with us there) was heartwarming.

We listened to there stories and learned from them what it was like to live there. Wow! Bucket showers aren´t really all that bad...neither are the cockroaches that live in my room...and crawl over my bed.

I thought that working with children would be my favorite...but I love the prison ministry here. They do amazing things. The men that visit them regularly have amazing relationships with the women there.

My time here has been great! I wish I could write more...but I have been busy and internet access is limited. I will be sure to tell you all, all about it once I get home. Just ask!

See you in a little over 3 weeks!

My Summer

2009-06-29T15:25:00.003-04:00

Every night I go to bed to the sound of planes flying over the house, dogs fighting in the streets, thoughts in Spanish in my head, and with the hope that there will be running water in the shower in the morning. (I have take bucket showers all week!)
I love being here! It has been an adjustment, but now I know the family and have made friends. I have experienced life changing events. I'm glad I'm here.
It was hard at first-no one spoke English...now I can call a taxi and get around here by myself! :) I love the independence. I was told I spoke better Spanish than a missionary couple that have been here for 8 years. :) That makes me feel good.
The family was an adjustment too. There are 13...and I wasn't used to that. Now I love them! I wouldn't change it for the world. There is always something going on. Last night I rocked my 7 month old "neice" to sleep. The age differences are amazing. :)
The food has also improved! I now eat! :) I actually crave the tortillas...I don't know what I will do without some of the food here...chocobananos especially!
School starts on Wednesday after a 2 week break. I'm excited to get back into the swing of things. Teaching English to 2-5 year olds is a challenge. But I love them all so much. I love them for their energy for life and their energy to learn.
Praise God for his faithfulness through everything! :) I love where I am right now. I am completly and happily content. I have my down days still...but I always know it will get better...I will always have another bucket shower morning. :)
Miss you all!

Love it Here!

2009-06-24T20:59:00.000-04:00

I don´t have time to post. But I´m just going to say that I love it here. If I don´t come back to school in the fall this is where I will be. :)

Adjustments

2009-06-09T20:07:00.002-04:00

Estoy en Guatemala, and it´s an adjustment. It has been very hard for me. Living alone. I am the only one that speaks English. I know that it will get better, but right now it has been tough.

I love the kids at the school, but even that is different and new. It will take some time for me to become comfortable with it. It´s like a new job...everyone hates being new. :)

Pray for health and for adjustments. I haven´t been feeling well, and I haven´t been eating a lot. Nothing ever sounds good. The food is very different than at home.

I also don´t have a lot of contact with the other girls. I´m hoping as time goes on that will improve. But in the time being it has not been easy.

I keep telling myself it´s a new experience. It gets better day by day.

God is doing great things here. It is amazing to listen to the stories of what He has done.

God is faithful and right now the only friend that truly understands. That is definitely a comfort. I am definitely becoming more dependent on Him. I wouldn´t change that for the world.

Bendiciones! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

I hope to come back on the internet soon, but I am very busy. Until then... :)

Me voy

2009-06-07T21:20:00.002-04:00

In about 6 1/2 hours I will be on my way to the airport to start my summer in Guatemala.
It will be a summer of new challenges and experiences. It will also be a summer of learning. I can't wait!
Please pray that I will be able to adjust to this new type of summer within the first few weeks. I'm nervous, but I know that once I am there I might never want to come back. :)
I will try to update this as much as possible but I can't guarantee anything.
It also might be in Spanish pretty soon... :)
I can't wait to see what God has in store for me this summer. I know that He will do great things because He is faithful.
Now it's time for bed.

New Information

2009-06-05T06:51:00.002-04:00

This morning I found out some new information on where we will all be living and what we will be doing. We were hoping that we would stay all together in one house but it doesn't look like that will be happening. We will all be staying with different families with quite some distance in between. It's good in that we will be able to fully experience living on our own with host families, but we also had all these plans of getting together for devotions and talking about our days each night. We will just have to work extra hard at getting that together.

I will be working with a school and day care called Preciosos Momentos (Precious Moments) :) I will be staying with the principal of that school. The other girls are working with different organizations and living with different families.

We will be together for breakfast on Friday mornings for the ResQ ministry which is for the homeless in Guatemala. Wednesday mornings will also be training mornings with all the other interns.

This will be difficult. I ask for prayers as living on our own will be stretching and as we work with different ministries. It will be a growing experience,and through it all God will be there.

First Day at Calvin

2009-06-02T22:32:00.003-04:00

Today was my first day at Calvin. I felt like I was moving in all over again...but not really because I didn't have as many things. My whole life is in a rolling duffel-that is clothes and shoes wise...not people. :)

After we all arrived, we ate dinner. We had chicken tacos and chips and salsa. It was a good meal. We then watched a video on the global church and had a discussion about it. I need to remember this summer that I don't have all the answers. I can learn so much from the people that I will meet. The global church is a body and all the parts are needed. I want to go into this summer with a "posture of learning".

After the video we introduced our team members to the rest of the group. There are 13 of us in all. My team members are wonderful. I can't wait to get to know them better.

After, out team competed against the other teams in a variety of challenges. Unfortunately our team came in last....but it was so much fun!

We then did devotions as a team. We all received that book Taste and See by John Piper. It will be a great way for us to reconnect during the day.

That's all for now. I have to wake up early tomorrow for a day of being orientated. :)

My Prayer

2009-05-30T13:46:00.000-04:00

"The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the Church’s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.We are prophets of a future not our own" -Oscar Romero

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." -Mother Teresa

Anticipating a New Adventure

2009-05-23T18:45:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone!

Come here to find out more information about my summer in Guatemala. I will try to update this as much as I have time for.

Thanks for all of you support through donations, thoughts, and prayers. They all mean so much.

Here is my information for now:

June 2: I move back into Calvin for about a week of training.

June 8: I fly out of Grand Rapids for Guatemala.

August 3: I fly back into Grand Rapids.