Heading Home

Today is my last day in Antigua and it is a day of cleaning, washing, reserving my shuttle to the airport, finishing my packing.  My flight is at 8:00 Sunday morning and I will need to take the 5:00 shuttle.  

I have truly enjoyed my time here and can't believe it has come to an end so quickly.  There are certain things that I will definitely miss about being here; there are other things that I will not miss at all.

What I will not miss about Guatemala/Antigua:

--the pollution 

--the pollution

--the pollution

--periods of no electricity or water

--having to buy a "garrafon" (5 gallons) of drinking water each week

--things that bite in the middle of the night

--very large spiders

--firecrackers going off all the time

Things that I will definitely miss:

--the affection and generosity of the people

--the lovely disposition of the people

--banana bread

--banana bread

--banana bread

--the fact that almost all prices are negotiable:  there's always a "discuento y buen precio para ti."

--free movies and dinner combinations

--meeting new people from around the world

--tamales

--the women of the literacy program

--the view of the volcanoes

--new friends

I have loved my time here and have formed some good relationship with some Guatemaltecos/as.   I know that if/when I return, I will have friends here.  However I am looking forward to my new camino and the new church start in Wilkes-Barre, PA.  While here in Antigua I have been able to do a few reparations, including creating a bilingual brochure to advertise a mid-week bilingual dinner and Bible study; and I have also posted on every imaginable online job site a posting for a music director (preferably one who speaks Spanish).  My first hit was from a fellow in the Philippines  with quite a bit of experience.  I need to write him and ask if he speaks Spanish.  I have planned out the Bible study topics for 10 weeks and planned my sermon topics for the next three months.  I am ready to be in Wilkes-Barre and start making connections in the community.

Sad to be leaving Antigua, but excited and ready to start the new journey in PA.

Hasta Luego

Que Les Vaya Bien

Well, yesterday was my last day at Camino Seguro.  On Wednesday the women gave me a wonderful "despedida,"--the common practice in many Latin countries of having a good-bye celebration when someone is going away.  It really tore at my heart:  not just having to say good-by, but particularly the sadness and concern of some of the women that no one would continue to help them with their reading, and for some that they would not get help when they struggle with math.  I reassured them that the other teachers would help them and that at some point another volunteer would come (as of my leaving it was still unclear when or if another volunteer would be able to come to the women's program).  

The last two days were days of hugs and kisses, tears and gifts, homemade cards and prayers.I also now own more jewelry than I have ever owned.  These women who have so very little buying some small token for me to have as a remembrance of them, or using their scant resources to make a piece of jewelry for me.  Some wanted to take a picture with me so that I would remember them.  I have tried to think about what parting gift to give to them, and have decided upon purchasing some office supplies as well as some items for the reading room:  an alphabet chart, and once I am back in the States I will order several copies of some of my favorite children's' books.  In order for the women to practice reading together, there needs to be at least four copies of each book, and for the most part they only have one copy of each.  They also need more early reader books for the women who are just starting to read.  For sure I will order a few copies of "The Runaway Bunny," in Spanish, and I fund a site with some other really good stories (they teach some type of lesson) that are in Spanish.  

I will really miss the women, but have their gifts and many pictures for remembering them. (The pictures are posted on my Facebook site.)  Although I had mixed feeling about Camino Seguro when I first started,  my time with the women's literacy program turned out to be a true blessing.  More important than what satisfaction I was able to receive, was the fact that I was able to share my gifts and love with the women in a way that helped them to feel encouraged and supported.  My love for them is great, and for that reason, I would consider returning to that program at some point to visit with them or bring a team for a visit.

Hasta Luego

Managed to stay healthy for my entire stay here in Guatemala, but now I have come down with a cold!

Last Few Days.

I'm in my last few days here in Guatemala.  Next week is my last week at the project.  I will finish up on Thursday and use Friday and Saturday to prepare for heading home on Sunday.  My flight leaves at 8:00 am which means I should take the 4:00 shuttle. I really don't want to hang out at the airport for all that time, not do I want to be up at 3:00.  I'm pretty sure taking the 5:00 shuttle will get me there still with plenty of time to spare.

As I reflect on my time here, a phrase used by someone at the small church I attended stays in my mind.  When we were discussing the number of people begging in the streets of Antigua, and how difficult it is to walk by not knowing who to give to, he commented that he does not give to those he considers to be "professional beggars."  

What exactly is a "professional beggar?"  Are there people who choose to be poor and therefore decide that they want to provide for themselves and their children by sitting on hot sidewalks all day long breathing in the fumes and exhaust from the inordinate number of cars and buses that are on the roads of Antigua? Do these women, children, disabled and elderly folks decide that they would prefer to spend their days looking at hundreds of people pass them by who barely notice their existence? Is there some reward to watching other people walk by eating the sandwich or some delicious treat from the ice cream store while one's children look on with hunger in their eyes?  Professional Beggar:  I wonder what type of benefits entice someone to choose that line of work?  Is there special training that one must receive before taking up their place on the street corner, or in the middle of the park, or at the entrance way of the church?  

"Professional Beggar:"  May God lead us all to work towards the day when no one will need or want to take such a position.

Hasta Luego

Mother's Day

Today we celebrated Mother's Day with the mothers of Camino Seguro.  It was such a beautiful day.  It was such a lessing to see the women laughing and enjoying themselves, having a day where they were served a lovely breakfast and treated to good music, dancing, laughter and fellowship with one another.  They didn't have to look after children and all attention was focused on them. They particularly loved the dancing competition and also dancing with the male staff of the program.  But I think that the part that received the greatest response from the women was when each male present had to stand before the group as the women shouted for them to do a "sexy turn!"  Some of the guys really had a great time trying to solicit the loudest response from the women!  

For 3 short hours the women were able to forget everything and just enjoy themselves and one another.

Hasta Luego

Continued Prayers

I just returned from visiting my friend Fiona in the hospital. She is doing well but will require anywhere from 3-6 weeks for recovery. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. She and a friend were robbed at knife point and while they were trying to run away fell over a ledge, with Fiona shattering a vertebrae.

Fiona and her friend were visiting a common tourist site called "The Cross." When walking north in Antigua this cross can be seen up on a hillside. It is one of the "must see" places of Antigua. Unfortunately the thieves also know that there are lots of tourists there. I was warned by a friend that the best time to go is very early in the morning (7:00 am or before) to avoid trouble with thieves. Fiona was there in the mid-afternoon and the police had gone on a lunch break. The friend who was with her suffered an eye injury as the result of the thief punching her in the eye.

Fiona was in good spirits and thankful that her injuries were not worse. She says that tomorrow the doctors want her to try to walk.

Keep her in prayer as she embarks on her journey back to good health. Thanks!

Hasta Luego

I left the service at Iglesia del Camino a little early so that I could go to the little group that I had been attending at St. Michael's.  I was going to tell them that I would no longer be with them, but I didn't have the heart to do so.  The faithful three were there along with myself and two visitors.  I did tell them that I have started to attend another church, but that I would still come to the service, but a little later to provide the Eucharist.

What a contrast to the service at la Iglesia del Camino where it was standing room only again this Sunday.  The Bible study that I attended on Wednesday night had between 90 and 95 people present; and the Mother's Day celebration yesterday must have had nearly 100 people present.  I posted a video clip from the celebration on my Facebook page.

I ask for continued prayers for my friend Fiona.  I went to the hospital this afternoon, but was told she was in surgery.  I can only imagine what she must be going through.  First the trauma of being attacked, but then to have it in a foreign country and to be far from family and friends.  She has been in language school for the past few weeks, but I don't know about the strength of her Spanish for this type of situation.  I know that I would be at a lost.

I continue to give thanks that my stay here in Guatemala has been without incident.  A number of people that I know have not been fortunate.  In addition to Fiona's situation, other people I know have had wallets stolen, computers stolen, handbags sliced open (a common occurrence here), had stomach problems, parasites, lice and undiagnosed illnesses.   I am daily grateful to God for my safety and well-being for these past couple of months.

My heart is heavy thinking about Fiona and her situation, and so I keep praying for her physical as well as emotional healing.  I will try calling the hospital later to see if there is any word, and then if possible return to the hospital later this afternoon.  Keep her in prayer.  Thanks.

Hasta Luego

Prayers Needed

Please keep Fiona Smith in your prayers.  Fiona is a woman I've met here in Antigua who is from England and traveling around Central and South America.  She was scheduled to leave Antigua on Monday to continue her travels.  Today I received an e-mail from Fiona's housemate informing me that yesterday she was attacked here in Antigua and suffered a broken back requiring surgery. She is in a hospital here in Antigua and I am hoping to be able to visit her tomorrow.  Please pray for her physical and emotional healing over the days ahead.

Hasta Luego

Jewelry Day

Jewelry day is very exciting at the women's program.  I think I mentioned before that many of the women have learned to make jewelry using recycled materials (magazines and paper) and have been selling the items as a way of making income.  As a result, many of the women no longer have to rely on working in the garbage dump to support themselves and their families.

On Thursdays the women bring their jewelry in to have it inventoried and put on display in the back room.  All the women (and those of us who work there) are very expected to see what is being brought in.  The women gather around each other admiring what each has done and marveling at how someone has used different color combinations of paper and beads, or impressed at the originality and uniqueness of some item that a woman has made for the first time.  They are quite encouraging of one another in their praise of each other's work.  

They do bring in some incredible pieces of jewelry/art and some of these women demonstrate an incredible gift for choosing colors and designing their jewelry.  The other day one woman brought in some rigs that she had made for the first time.  She only made two because it was a new venture for her.  These rings were absolutely amazing!  When I looked at them a I thought they were made of tiny wooden beads, but they wee in fact made from tiny beads which she had made from paper.  ¡Qué calidad!  They were incredible.  

If I had more disposable cash I would certainly be buying more of their jewelry.  Not only because of the quality and originality, but also because it would support the women in realizing their dreams to better their own lives and that of their children.  In fact, one of the pastors in Wilkes Barre has expressed an interest in our working towards selling the jewelry in PA.  We will work more on this once I am there.

Hasta Luego.

Great Night

I went to the Wed. evening Bile Study at La Iglesia del Camino and what an evening.  The Bible study is called Cuerpo y Alma-Body and Soul, and consists of a potluck dinner followed by Bible study.  I was expecting maybe 12 or so people (thinking about Bible study in the States; to my surprise there were probably between 60 and 80 people there.  The evening started wiht the praise team leading worship and while they sang (with words projected in English & Spanish) people were served buffet style.  The team continued to play as people were eating.  After dinner, people were asked to work as a group at their tables on the Bible study question that were on a handout.  After working in small groups for about 45 minutes, there was large group sharing of the responses.  It was only a sharing out with no opportunity for folks to respond to what others had said, and the pastor indicated whether or not the responses were the "correct" answers.  As with everything else in the church, the Bible study was also bilingual.  The whole evening lasted about two hours, but afterwards people hung around chatting.  I met a woman who invited me to another gathering that meets every Thursday evening, so I will attend that tomorrow.

The blessings of the evening were several.  First the ability to gather with other Christians and study the Word.  The second was the dinner itself.  It was quite good, but it also will provide me with a very good meal once each week at the time when my funds are low and I can't afford to buy too much for preparing meals at home.  The other blessing was the opportunity to meet some Christians and have some fellowship with like-minded people, something that does not happen when I am interacting with the other volunteers.  In fact, I don't attend any of the social gatherings for the volunteers because they are usually focused on drinking and talk how drunk they got  or how late they stayed out.  Just not my thing.

On Saturday the church is hosting a fiesta in celebration of Mother's day, but it will be a celebration for all women.  It will include a time of praise, teaching, music, Hebrew dancing and "more."  I have invited some women I know and am looking forward to the time.

Although my time here in Guatemala is almost over, I am thankful to God for providing this Christian community for my last few weeks here.

Hasta Luego

Iglesia del Camino

Today I worshipped at Iglesia del Camino which I discovered quite by accident on the Internet when I was looking for movie schedules.  It was a great worship experience:  totally bilingual.  There were over 100 people there and it was standing room only.  The music was really good and the praise leader was quite skilled at moving between the English and Spanish verses of each song (which were projected).  After service I asked her where she obtained her bilingual lyrics because I would like a resource for my new church.  She handed me the copies she had used during the service and said that if I need any songs in particular I could send her an e-mail!  Some were already translated when she arrived; when she wants to use new songs she has a translator with whom she works.

The church is quite active and offers several Bible study opportunities.  I hope to attend the mid-week gathering which includes a potluck supper, and also the Saturday afternoon gathering which is in Spanish.  The church also offers a number of opportunities for volunteering and assisting in the ministry.  Next week they will pass out information on the ministries that are available.  

I really like the service and the format, and I found the people to be very friendly.  The congregation was an even balance of foreigners and Guatemalans, including a Korean fellow. Some parts of the service were in English and interpreted into Spanish; other parts were in Spanish and interpreted into English.  There was also Sunday school for the kids (tons of kids!). The age mix was also very diverse.  To a certain extent, it resembled the church I hope to have in Wilkes-Barre.

I think I will find myself there every week until I leave Guatemala.

Hasta Luego

Inspiration

"E" is a 75 year old woman who stands about four feet tall and has an incredible smile.  She is always pleasant and the day just lights up when enters a room and greets everyone.  E is a petite woman and when she entered the Women's Literacy program three years ago she signed her name by placing her thumb print on documents.  Three years ago as E was watching television she saw a story about a woman in her 90's who was learning to read and write.  She felt that if this woman could do it then so could she.  At that point she joined the literacy program so that she too could learn to read and write.

E travels 1 1/2 hours  to the program every afternoon on the bus.  Mind you, this is no Peter Pan or Greyhound bus that she is taking.  It is more likely one of the chicken buses, which is just that, a bus the poorer people take to get around and on which they can bring their animals.  They are usually four people to a seat and as many people as possible are squeezed in:  sitting, standing, hanging out the door.  Think of an old yellow school bus with worn down tires, poor maintenance and belching black fumes:  this is E's commute everyday to the program, and after three hours at the project, her ride back home again.  Violence and robbery are common on the buses,  yet this committed tiny 75 year old woman rides the buses twice each day, everyday, because she wants to learn to read and write.  

After three years, E is now reading and writing at about a fifth grade level.  She is in the beginner's reading group, but really should be in the advanced group.  I've told her that but she just laughs and says, "O no, seño (a word used to indicate respect)!" and tells me that she is not that good a reader.  In fact, in the beginning group she is often reading ahead or helping the other women in the group.  

E is such a delightful woman and such an inspiration.  Would any of us be willing to follow her example of determination and commitment to pursue our dreams?

Hasta Luego