Blessings and goodnight.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
A Buenos Dia: Friday, July 18, 2012
It has been a buenos dia, a good day, but it has been a long one. We just finished for the night, and for that reason, I will post a of photo of our team with the Guatemalan missionaries and share more about our time here tomorrow. It was another extraordinary day.
Blessings and goodnight.
Blessings and goodnight.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Pupusas: Thursday, July 17, 2014
Before today, I just didn't know what a pupusa was. However, what a difference a day can make. Pupusas are our new favorite food discovered on our Thursday excursion to Amatitlan about 45 minutes from Guatemala City where Groundwork serves at Gonzales Park.
Groundwork sponsors about 180 students in schools in Guatemala City, El Rincon, Buena Vista, and Amatitlan. Many of the sponsors are short-term team members who have been able to meet their student in one of the four sites where Groundwork serves. Kelsey and I were privileged to reconnect with our sponsored students today, and additionally, Joel's family invited the entire team for a Salvadorian lunch of pupusas in their home.
Kevin took pictures in Joel's home, but there is no way to share with you the depth of the sacrifice that this meal must have been for this family. We were stunned by their generosity and at the same time thoroughly enjoyed the delicious meal of pupusas (tortillas stuffed with cheese or beans, topped with a cabbage slaw) and lemonade. The pupusas were hot, slightly spicy, and unusually exotic. Even the idea we were eating real Central American food in a humble Guatemalan home felt like we were living on the cultural edge. Joel's mother encouraged us to eat heartily and we did. Jim seized this opportunity to add another culinary skill to his repertoire. It was an extraordinary experience.
Honestly, I don't know how to describe their home. It was up on a hill surrounded by other shanties and homes made from cinder block, metal sheets, and plywood. The house was dark, since there were very few windows, and the furnishing sparse. Nevertheless, we had a glorious meal in a warm, welcoming Guatemalan kitchen. What an experience.
The afternoon was faith lessons at Gonzales Park, a slab of concrete in Amatitlan. It was our most highly attended day; I would guess about 300 people. Gloria put it best when she said that when we we arrived it was just an inner city piece of concrete and after we set up tents, stools and supplies, it came alive with women and children of all ages not to mention the street dogs, unique carts and wheels for folks with handicaps, and an elderly man or two. It was hot and exhausting but exhilarating. Kelsey was thrilled to reconnect with her sponsored student, Karen. She had changed a lot in the past year and it was enjoyable to watch them. Ben discovered young men that he had played basketball with as children a few years ago. And we were all thrilled to spend time with Francisca and the only bathroom available for gringos. Each ministry location has a slightly different feel, but each reflects the needs and spirit of these people. And again, it was a blessing to experience another.
I know there is much more, but it may not make it in the blog today. We stopped at Lake Amatitlan for just a few minutes this afternoon. It was beautiful, polluted, yet fascinating. "It" just never stops here. We are blessed each day with new views, new experiences and new relationships. We continue to share the faith but the faith that has been shared with us is immeasurable.
Buenas noches,
Sarah, Sally, Ben, Jim, Bruce, Keely, Gloria, Kelsey, Val, Gloria, Kelsey, Erin and Sam
Groundwork sponsors about 180 students in schools in Guatemala City, El Rincon, Buena Vista, and Amatitlan. Many of the sponsors are short-term team members who have been able to meet their student in one of the four sites where Groundwork serves. Kelsey and I were privileged to reconnect with our sponsored students today, and additionally, Joel's family invited the entire team for a Salvadorian lunch of pupusas in their home.
Kevin took pictures in Joel's home, but there is no way to share with you the depth of the sacrifice that this meal must have been for this family. We were stunned by their generosity and at the same time thoroughly enjoyed the delicious meal of pupusas (tortillas stuffed with cheese or beans, topped with a cabbage slaw) and lemonade. The pupusas were hot, slightly spicy, and unusually exotic. Even the idea we were eating real Central American food in a humble Guatemalan home felt like we were living on the cultural edge. Joel's mother encouraged us to eat heartily and we did. Jim seized this opportunity to add another culinary skill to his repertoire. It was an extraordinary experience.
Honestly, I don't know how to describe their home. It was up on a hill surrounded by other shanties and homes made from cinder block, metal sheets, and plywood. The house was dark, since there were very few windows, and the furnishing sparse. Nevertheless, we had a glorious meal in a warm, welcoming Guatemalan kitchen. What an experience.
The afternoon was faith lessons at Gonzales Park, a slab of concrete in Amatitlan. It was our most highly attended day; I would guess about 300 people. Gloria put it best when she said that when we we arrived it was just an inner city piece of concrete and after we set up tents, stools and supplies, it came alive with women and children of all ages not to mention the street dogs, unique carts and wheels for folks with handicaps, and an elderly man or two. It was hot and exhausting but exhilarating. Kelsey was thrilled to reconnect with her sponsored student, Karen. She had changed a lot in the past year and it was enjoyable to watch them. Ben discovered young men that he had played basketball with as children a few years ago. And we were all thrilled to spend time with Francisca and the only bathroom available for gringos. Each ministry location has a slightly different feel, but each reflects the needs and spirit of these people. And again, it was a blessing to experience another.
I know there is much more, but it may not make it in the blog today. We stopped at Lake Amatitlan for just a few minutes this afternoon. It was beautiful, polluted, yet fascinating. "It" just never stops here. We are blessed each day with new views, new experiences and new relationships. We continue to share the faith but the faith that has been shared with us is immeasurable.
Buenas noches,
Sarah, Sally, Ben, Jim, Bruce, Keely, Gloria, Kelsey, Val, Gloria, Kelsey, Erin and Sam
Mother and son, Gloria and Ben, with Lake Amatitlan in the background
Erin leading the children's lesson
Bruce leading the adult lesson with Ody translating
Jim with the cooks; Joel's mother is in the middle
Sally and Joel
Team at Gonzales Park
Kids at Gonzales Park
Kelsey with Karen and Ody
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
The Mountain Top: Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Today was a mountain top day. That is not to say there was not a guatever moment. That moment occurred this morning when we realized that 3 out of 12 of us were under the weather with unrelated issues and in need of rest. We are all well this evening and explains one missing face yesterday in the photos and two more today. All is right with the world this evening; however, they were missed.
The two hour ride to Buena Vista was truly extraordinary. A range of active and inactive volcanoes lined the route; it was beyond majestic. As we traveled this morning toward the Pacific, the altitude dropped and the temperature rose. The heat in Buena Vista is an essential ingredient in this experience. How can you appreciate the lives of the people you meet if you don't experience the heat that is the tropics?
Wednesday in Buena Vista is a National Geographic day. Cut out of a sugar cane field, Buena Vista has no electricity, no running water, no conveniences of any kind... just natural beauty and humble, subsisting folks. In addition, some of us were able to visit homes and the community of Xawa (Mayan and sounds like Shyaw) just beyond Buena Vista.
Holy cow! Today turned out to be another chapter in the National Geographic experience. Seriously, we walked among cows, chickens, horses, dogs, cats, cacoa (chocolate) trees, plantains, bananas, wash day at the river (people and clothes), horses, a cattle drive, and of course the people. While in Xawa, one group of us visited a woman who had injured her head 40 days earlier and over time had worsened to the point she was lying on the floor of her home in what felt like 100+ degrees dying. The Guatemalan and American missionaries prayed at her side. In another home, a mother climbed up into a cacoa tree to retrieve pods of cacoa seeds and proceeded to break one open and show us the raw cacoa seeds and explain how they are chewed and roasted... after inviting us in to pray for her family and the well-being of her children. And again, HOT does not capture it. Bruce's mantra was "drink or die" and we drank.
It was a unique experience to take in so much cultural information all the while staying spiritually in the moment. It was a lifetime blessing to experience it.
Thank you again for your continued support and prayers. Have I mentioned how grateful we are? I know that we all have people in our lives with whom we wish we could share a particular experience this week. I met a 16 month old boy named Wilbur, swinging on a homemade baby swing, in a cacoa tree, pulled and pushed by his extremely young mother. All I could think about was my own daughter doing the same thing with her children at George George Park in Mount Clemens. God's world is frequently indeed very, very small.
.
Blessings and goodnight,
All of us
Proof of Life
The two hour ride to Buena Vista was truly extraordinary. A range of active and inactive volcanoes lined the route; it was beyond majestic. As we traveled this morning toward the Pacific, the altitude dropped and the temperature rose. The heat in Buena Vista is an essential ingredient in this experience. How can you appreciate the lives of the people you meet if you don't experience the heat that is the tropics?
Wednesday in Buena Vista is a National Geographic day. Cut out of a sugar cane field, Buena Vista has no electricity, no running water, no conveniences of any kind... just natural beauty and humble, subsisting folks. In addition, some of us were able to visit homes and the community of Xawa (Mayan and sounds like Shyaw) just beyond Buena Vista.Holy cow! Today turned out to be another chapter in the National Geographic experience. Seriously, we walked among cows, chickens, horses, dogs, cats, cacoa (chocolate) trees, plantains, bananas, wash day at the river (people and clothes), horses, a cattle drive, and of course the people. While in Xawa, one group of us visited a woman who had injured her head 40 days earlier and over time had worsened to the point she was lying on the floor of her home in what felt like 100+ degrees dying. The Guatemalan and American missionaries prayed at her side. In another home, a mother climbed up into a cacoa tree to retrieve pods of cacoa seeds and proceeded to break one open and show us the raw cacoa seeds and explain how they are chewed and roasted... after inviting us in to pray for her family and the well-being of her children. And again, HOT does not capture it. Bruce's mantra was "drink or die" and we drank.
The Children's Lesson
Kevin and Bebe
After what was possibly the worst sunflower butter and jelly sandwich on gluten free bread (my fault for bringing that bread for Sarah and me), we again taught our lessons. Since Sarah was not with us today, Ben and I taught our teen lesson again with Guatemalan missionary and translator, Cesar. Our topic was abstinence based in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and Proverbs 4: 23, in particular, which reminds us to guard our hearts. Guatemala has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in Latin America and the girls with whom we work are generally pregnant at 10-14 and the father of children split. In this way the cycle of poverty is perpetuated generation after generation. Girls in extreme poverty don't even realize they can say no to a boy nor do the boys know they can be turned down. Since dads in these families are either drunk, high, or dead, boys have a lot of power over fatherless girls. We talked about personal goals for the future and what might prevent teens from reaching their goals. Actually, it was like an eighth grade Trinity, coed health class in the middle of the rain forest...health box and all. And it was another mountain top experience. If it had not been for our friends not feeling well back at the mission house, it would have been perfection.
Bruce and Buena Vista Elder
Blessings and goodnight,
All of us
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Muchos Photos: Tuesday, July 15, 2014
We ran into this little guy walking down the road in El Rincon. He wasn't too sure he wanted his photo taken just because he had worn his "gray" shirt today.
Keely Reading Before the Lesson
Sarah and Many Friends
Val and Friend
A Home Visit
Sam with Kara's Sponsored Child
Jim Groovin' with the Kids
Kelsey singing with the Kids
Oscar with a Family durning a Visit
Visiting Carlos and Margarite
A Small Sampling of the Kids
Monday, July 14, 2014
Nuevas Experiencias: Monday, July 14, 2014
There is no way to capture in a few words the experiences we had today. We met and talked with sisters and brothers we will never forget. We began with George Leger, a friend of the ministry and a founder of his own ministry, Only a Child. Twenty years ago, George felt called to Guatemala from Boston to reach out to the growing number of street boys in Guatemala City. His story is compelling
and his ministry impressive. We had an opportunity to meet and talk with his boys and tour their carpentry workshop. Keely and Val particularly enjoyed meeting George and his boys seeing first hand from whence the boxes they received in eighth grade had been made, and more importantly, by whom.
From the workshop we moved on to the public cemetery that overlooks the Guatemala City garbage dump. I know it may seem strange to visit a cemetery but it provides the perfect vantage point to look out into the sea of humanity and trash that is the primary source of income for individuals and families in this part of the city. (Actually, the cemetery is another experience unto itself. Some of what is dumped comes from the cemetery. Yes, it is what you can't bear to imagine.)
The growth of the shanty towns around the dump can be traced back to the 20 year Guatemalan civil war which ended in 1986. There are many spillover effects of that war but one was that rural farmers and artisans were driven out of their ancestral homes in the country and from the mountains into the city. Most were Mayan, and many did not speak English as Spanish is only one of the 23 languages spoken in Guatemala. The only work available to them was picking through the garbage for recyclable materials. And the only place to live was to squat on on a previously filled dump next to the existing one. It was this location where Groundwork Guatemala and a previous ministry originally reached out. And it is the home of most of the Guatemalan missionaries with whom we work and from whom we learn. I think the photos say it all. The smell is staggering, particularly in the rainy season as it is now; the visual is of vultures, men, women, and children, as well as garbage trucks, all competing for the same rewards. Keep in mind, all bathroom paper is placed in the trash rather than flushed because the infrastructure in Guatemala is not up to that challenge. Now picture that in this sea of "stuff." It is quite the reality check.
After a lunch of rice, beans, and tortillas, we headed out for home visits in two of the shanty areas outside the dump, La Libertad and Sandra Colom, where most have family members working in the dump. We spit into two groups, accompanied by Guatemalan missionaries, so I can only speak first hand about half of those visits. I do have photos from both groups, and although each visit is special and unique, there are common threads that tend to run through most visits. First, the homes are humble. They tend to have dirt floors, communal beds, bootleg electricity or none at all, plywood or corrugated metal sides and tops; they tend to be hooked to the house next door and narrow muddy paths connect them in maze-like configurations...and they are filled with women and unwashed children. Most of these homes have no men or if they do, they are alcoholics or drug addicts. I will explain more about one of the reasons for that tomorrow, but for now, struggle is everywhere. We all face illness, death, relationship issues, employment challenges, but this is that on steroids. Extreme poverty is unhealthy, it's dangerous, and filled with threats most Americans can't even imagine. This is where we were today. And still, we met kind, thoughtful, gracious women struggling to do the best they could to enable their children to survive one more day...and they tend to be doing it with great faith. We treasured our time with them and were blessed to hear about their lives. We are better for knowing them.
I hope the photos help put a face on our day's experiences. They don't even begin to capture it.
Blessings,
Sarah, Erin, Keely, Jim, Bruce, Gloria, Emma, Ben, Kelsey, Val, Sam, and Sally
and his ministry impressive. We had an opportunity to meet and talk with his boys and tour their carpentry workshop. Keely and Val particularly enjoyed meeting George and his boys seeing first hand from whence the boxes they received in eighth grade had been made, and more importantly, by whom.
From the workshop we moved on to the public cemetery that overlooks the Guatemala City garbage dump. I know it may seem strange to visit a cemetery but it provides the perfect vantage point to look out into the sea of humanity and trash that is the primary source of income for individuals and families in this part of the city. (Actually, the cemetery is another experience unto itself. Some of what is dumped comes from the cemetery. Yes, it is what you can't bear to imagine.)
The growth of the shanty towns around the dump can be traced back to the 20 year Guatemalan civil war which ended in 1986. There are many spillover effects of that war but one was that rural farmers and artisans were driven out of their ancestral homes in the country and from the mountains into the city. Most were Mayan, and many did not speak English as Spanish is only one of the 23 languages spoken in Guatemala. The only work available to them was picking through the garbage for recyclable materials. And the only place to live was to squat on on a previously filled dump next to the existing one. It was this location where Groundwork Guatemala and a previous ministry originally reached out. And it is the home of most of the Guatemalan missionaries with whom we work and from whom we learn. I think the photos say it all. The smell is staggering, particularly in the rainy season as it is now; the visual is of vultures, men, women, and children, as well as garbage trucks, all competing for the same rewards. Keep in mind, all bathroom paper is placed in the trash rather than flushed because the infrastructure in Guatemala is not up to that challenge. Now picture that in this sea of "stuff." It is quite the reality check.After a lunch of rice, beans, and tortillas, we headed out for home visits in two of the shanty areas outside the dump, La Libertad and Sandra Colom, where most have family members working in the dump. We spit into two groups, accompanied by Guatemalan missionaries, so I can only speak first hand about half of those visits. I do have photos from both groups, and although each visit is special and unique, there are common threads that tend to run through most visits. First, the homes are humble. They tend to have dirt floors, communal beds, bootleg electricity or none at all, plywood or corrugated metal sides and tops; they tend to be hooked to the house next door and narrow muddy paths connect them in maze-like configurations...and they are filled with women and unwashed children. Most of these homes have no men or if they do, they are alcoholics or drug addicts. I will explain more about one of the reasons for that tomorrow, but for now, struggle is everywhere. We all face illness, death, relationship issues, employment challenges, but this is that on steroids. Extreme poverty is unhealthy, it's dangerous, and filled with threats most Americans can't even imagine. This is where we were today. And still, we met kind, thoughtful, gracious women struggling to do the best they could to enable their children to survive one more day...and they tend to be doing it with great faith. We treasured our time with them and were blessed to hear about their lives. We are better for knowing them.
I hope the photos help put a face on our day's experiences. They don't even begin to capture it.
Blessings,
Sarah, Erin, Keely, Jim, Bruce, Gloria, Emma, Ben, Kelsey, Val, Sam, and Sally
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Alaba a Dios: Sunday, July 13, 2014
We began today praising God with Guatemalans at Ministerios Sendero de la Cruz (Way of the Cross) in Guatemala City around the corner from the mission house. After a warm welcome from local Guatemalans we were invited to stand and sing. Many of the words in these songs were cognates, words that are similar in English which helped us somewhat keep up with the locals. The music was led by a keyboard musician not unlike Paul Finazzo. However, the convention here is to stand and sing at least 45-60 minutes before the rest of the service ensues. This includes "rocking out" while young liturgical dancers perform in unison. It is a cultural explosion of prayer, dance, light chatter, song, Mayan/Spanish/Guatemalan culture, and heat. Good stuff.
The biblical lessons from the sermon today spoke to us directly. From 2 Corinthians 7:4, "I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you; I am greatly encouraged in all our troubles; my joy knows no bounds," and Juan 14:15, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." More about our lessons later, but the sermon was a meaningful experience memorable because despite our limited understanding of the language, it spoke directly to us as we continued to prepare for a week of ministry, service, and lessons on obedience. We never forget that what goes out from us comes back many-fold. Also good stuff.
Developing nation/third world countries seem to worship in natural, unabashed, and perhaps even primal ways. One of the many tragedies of the exodus of young Guatemalans running from the violence and lack of economic opportunity here may the destruction of a culture that seems to value extended family and is rich in faith. The entire situation is a tragedy for both countries. Although far beyond my pay grade, it is on our are minds as we serve the population most likely to desire immigration to the United States. Tough Stuff.
This has been a day of honest conversation, joyful planning, and playful exchanges. We are each so grateful to God, each of you, and Ginny and Kevin Holmes, long-term mama and papa de Groundwork, for the opportunity to grow in faith and expand our understanding of God's world.
Blessings and good night.
Alaba a Dios
The photos are of each group fine-tuning lessons today. The first is Val, Erin, Sam, Jim, Kelsey, Emma, and Keely preparing the children's lesson in the main ministry room where we eat; the second is Gloria and Bruce perfecting the adult lesson on the roof ; and the third is Sarah, Ben, and Sally, upgrading the teen lesson in the "upper room". FYI, the money for the black chairs and couches you see was donated by Trinity about five years ago. It is where every weekday Gutemalan and American missionaries gather for devotions. It is a place of peace. The last photo is a volcano from the ministry house roof. Pretty cool, right? And as you can see, we are safe and sound.
P.S. Happy 90th Birthday, Dad!
The biblical lessons from the sermon today spoke to us directly. From 2 Corinthians 7:4, "I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you; I am greatly encouraged in all our troubles; my joy knows no bounds," and Juan 14:15, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." More about our lessons later, but the sermon was a meaningful experience memorable because despite our limited understanding of the language, it spoke directly to us as we continued to prepare for a week of ministry, service, and lessons on obedience. We never forget that what goes out from us comes back many-fold. Also good stuff.
Developing nation/third world countries seem to worship in natural, unabashed, and perhaps even primal ways. One of the many tragedies of the exodus of young Guatemalans running from the violence and lack of economic opportunity here may the destruction of a culture that seems to value extended family and is rich in faith. The entire situation is a tragedy for both countries. Although far beyond my pay grade, it is on our are minds as we serve the population most likely to desire immigration to the United States. Tough Stuff.
This has been a day of honest conversation, joyful planning, and playful exchanges. We are each so grateful to God, each of you, and Ginny and Kevin Holmes, long-term mama and papa de Groundwork, for the opportunity to grow in faith and expand our understanding of God's world.
Blessings and good night.
Alaba a Dios
The photos are of each group fine-tuning lessons today. The first is Val, Erin, Sam, Jim, Kelsey, Emma, and Keely preparing the children's lesson in the main ministry room where we eat; the second is Gloria and Bruce perfecting the adult lesson on the roof ; and the third is Sarah, Ben, and Sally, upgrading the teen lesson in the "upper room". FYI, the money for the black chairs and couches you see was donated by Trinity about five years ago. It is where every weekday Gutemalan and American missionaries gather for devotions. It is a place of peace. The last photo is a volcano from the ministry house roof. Pretty cool, right? And as you can see, we are safe and sound.
P.S. Happy 90th Birthday, Dad!
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Almost a Rainbow: Saturday, July 12, 2014
Nothings says new beginnings like a rainbow. After an early start, unanticipated turbulence, and too much caffeine, we happily arrived safely in Guatemala today. We had a spectacularly nutritious dinner of Guatemalan rice, vegetables and pineapple and are presently unpacking, organizing by "genre," counting, and storing the substantial number of medical, school, office, and hygiene supplies Trinity donated over this past year. Again, on behalf of our mission team and Groundwork, thank your for your generosity.
Detroit in the early A.M.
When I started writing this tonight, it was going to be a metaphorical attempt about the symbolic nature of rainbows and new beginnings in Christ here in Guatemala. Then I realized that even though it was pouring rain and the sun was out, there was no rainbow...but it was a beautiful evening on the roof of the mission house, nevertheless. Then lack of sleep overtook me, and I lost the whole message. In lieu of that, I am posting pictures of us unpacking. I have pledged to write less and post more photos this year. That will definitely be the case tonight. We are feelin' saucy and lookin' forward to a faith adventure together. As you can tell from the pictures, we have bonded.
Blessings and thank you for your prayers,
Sally, Sarah, Ben, Sam, Val, Erin, Kelsey, Jim, Bruce, Gloria, Keely, Emma
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