Teaching at Horeb - Week 1

The teachers and students prayed for a missionary to come and help at the school.  I guess you got to be careful what you pray for, because they got me.  I honestly still have no idea how to teach English, but they all speak English better now than they did a week ago!  That is progress right?

The Horeb School in Cotzal has 83 students currently (20 more than expected) and I teach all of them.  It is an elementary school from first to sixth grade.  I teach about 30 minutes of each grade each day.  Going in, I really had no idea the speed in which children would learn in each grade.  I tried to make a lesson plan in my head but with six grades and no teaching experience, I figured winging it was the best strategy.

Teachers Mathias and Reina line up the students on the first day

My first day, my only goal for all my students was for them to understand "How are you?,"  "Good," "What is your name?," and "my name is ..."  That was a success or so I thought.  The next day as I reviewed the lesson, most of the first and second graders were staring at me with a blank look on their face.  Over the week, I taught numbers, the alphabet, subject pronouns, and with the older kids even got to the verb "to be."

As you walk into the door of the school, there is a concrete slab basketball court.  I have yet to see any basketball played yet on it though but a ton of soccer.  In fact, during recess, there's multiple games of soccer going on at once in that same court.  In the middle of those games are several other types of games like tag, twirling in circles, etc.  Recess is utter chaos.  I do not know how those kids keep everything straight.

The classrooms are underground.  I have already grown accustomed to them, but if a child in the United States was magically transformed to a classroom here, they would be in a state of shock.  They are small, dirty, with a cement floor, and the windows have broken shards of glass.  Sound travels freely among all the classrooms and if one class has kids screaming, the whole school can hear them as if they were in the same room.  Really all the classrooms put together is probably about the size of one classroom in the United States.  It is hard for me to remember what the size of one looks like now though because Guatemala has become my world.   

There was an earthquake my first week there.  It lasted only a few seconds but it was enough to scare a lot of kids (and teachers).  The construction of the school is not exactly up to earthquake standards and it really felt like the roof was going to cave in.  The kids jumped from their seats and started running for the door, once it was clear it was only a minor earthquake, we shooed them back to their seats.

During a typical school day, I start with the first graders about 9:00.  I then teach the second graders, the third graders, the fourth graders, and finish up with the fifth and sixth graders.  The fifth and sixth graders share a classroom because there are not enough teachers and not enough classrooms.  I was blown away by that class because they had such a desire to learn.  My first day after I finished the lesson, they kept asking me question after question about how to say certain things in English.  They finish their day at 12:30 but I think those students would stay till past 1:00 if they could.  I was amazed how much they learned in a week and I am excited to see how far we can get before I leave.

The fourth graders are all crammed into a tiny classroom that is literally the size of a very small bedroom or like a storage closet in the United States.  Those guys are also eager learners and very enthusiasatic.  I really wanted to ingrain in their brains the subject pronouns: I, you, we, they, he, she.  They yelled them at the top of their lungs as I tested their knowledge.  Having that small classroom is crowded but it also feels more intimate, which is kind of neat.


The third graders grew on me a lot during the week.  The first couple of days, they were very hard to teach.  I think part of the reason is their teacher was not in the classroom with us.  With the cultural differences and language differences, I really have no idea what is appropriate discipline.  In that class are a couple of girls who play futbol at recess with the boys, which I find pretty neat in a machismo culture (which I am happy to say is gradually becoming less so).   They are an interactive and competitive group and once I began testing their knowledge, they really perked up and started learning.  Friday, they were begging me not to leave, to give them another question they could answer.

First Grade classrom

The second graders are my toughest class.  There are some discipline problems and a couple of rowdy boys.  None of the kids are bad kids, they really try to learn, but they just don't have much of an attention span!  As I tried to teach them numbers from 11 to 20 (they had already knew 1-10), when I said 13, 14, 15, etc, they would just say "pepsi! pepsi!" over and over again.  I need to invent some games or teach them some songs or something.  Singing is not my strong suit. 

The first graders are surprisingly quiet and attentive.  Unfortunately, this does not mean they are understanding or listening.  As I ask them what their names are, they whisper in a barely audible voice their full name which is really like 4 names.  Remembering all these names, 80+ in total, in another language, feels like an almost impossible task.  Luckily I have 2 more months.

The teachers and Tabita, the director, have all been very kind.  I really enjoy the teachers I work with and I will write about them in another post.  They want me to teach them English as well.   

Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers!

Lesson 3 - One

One of Jesus' last prayers before he is arrested in Gethsemane:

...that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved me. 
(John 17:21-24)



While Paul is in prison, he writes to the church in Ephesus:

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
(Ephesians 4:1-6)


In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compares this to being one body with many members, with Christ as the head.  Every member has a purpose but not every member is the same.

Something I have thought about for a while, is what does this mean?  What does it mean to be one in Christ?  Everywhere you look, there appears to be disunity in the Church.  In Nebaj for example, there are around 50 evangelical churches in a town of about 23,000 people.  What was once one body has now broken up into many denominations.  If I tell somebody that I am a Christian, the next common question is, which church?  Am I Protestant, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist,  Seventh Day Adventist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Charismatic, etc, etc.  What would it look like for all these different branches of Christianity to be truly one?

First, in my American way of thinking, I pictured an organization.  Christ is the head, 12 apostles are selected to be the lead committee, and all Christian denominations are incorporated into this.  As I thought about this, something about this idea felt wrong.  Organizations belong to this physical world while His Kingdom is spiritual.  To picture a physical organization as possibly representing one Church body is to greatly limit God.

It is possible to have many denominations and still have one spirit.  We can all contribute to ultimately the same purpose in our different ways.  But we have to do it with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love.  What makes us ununited is that people from all denominations possess this sort of self-righteousness, that they believe their way of practicing Christianity is the only or the best way.  Is it possible that there are many different ways to give glory to the same Christ?  If we believe Jesus is the Son of God, He saved us from our sins, and we have invited Him into our hearts, aren´t we brothers?

For now, His kindom is spiritual, and as such our unity is also in the spiritual sense.  I believe some Catholics are part of the body of Christ and some aren´t.  Some Protestants are part of the body, some aren´t.  Some Jehovah Witnesses are part of the body, some aren´t.  Some Luterhans are part of the body, some aren´t.  It doesn´t matter what physical church you belong to, but the spiritual church you belong to.  Either you are one of His or you aren´t.  I also think it´s possible that a person that has never seen a Bible can be part of the body and somebody that has memorized the entire Bible can not.  It isn´t a knowledge thing, it´s a heart thing.  He knows all our hearts and if we are His or not.

So what does being one look like?  I think it´s all having the same heart for God.  It´s having His same spirit. It´s bearing with one another in love.  It´s being at peace with all our brethren and not judging each other.  It´s working together in a lowly, gentle way.  It´s looking not at ourselves, but always toward Christ.   

What do you think?  Comments are welcome, this concept of being one is something I´ve been thinking about for awhile.

I am a little behind on the updating, but hopefully I will have time for a couple of posts tomorrow!





 

Principe de Paz - 1

The Principe De Paz Extension Program is for Pastors and Evangelists in the Ixil area to further their education on the Bible.  There are four different levels taught, each taking a year to complete.  The lowest level is the equivalent of 7th grade while the highest level is the equivalent of 10th grade.  There are eight students in each class.  The past Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday marked the first month of classes for this school year.  Classes are held on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of each month.

On Monday, after completing my first day of school at Horeb, some of my fellow teachers were kind enough to walk me to the Principe de Paz Church.  All the students were outside taking a break.  I asked for Josue Rodriguez, a teacher there and somebody my dad put on my contact list.  Once Josue knew who I was he was very excited and we talked.  All the students gathered around asking me questions.  As we walked in and classes started, I was finally able to observe this program for the first time and came away highly impressed.

The program is well organized and the students are very proud of their further education.  I observed Josue´s segunadrio (8th grade) class and stood up to begin taking pictures.  One of the students immediately got up and asked for me to wait until he put on his nice shirt.  It is a really big deal to them that they are part of this program.

My main goal for January was just to observe the program, take pictures, and get to know the students a little bit.  They had a lot of fun trying to teach me Ixil and I taught them a little English.  We joked around arnd shared some laughs, but as soon as class started, they were all business.  I am looking forward to returning in February to interview some of the students.

Miracle and Crime on Wheels: The Guatemalan Microbus

Every day, I am traveling by bus between Nebaj and Cotzal.  I catch the bus at the Terminal of Nebaj or by the big Catholic church in Cotzal.  The busses leave every 30 minutes and are relatively reliable (as reliable as anything can be in Guatemala anyway).  A Guatemalan microbus is basically a glorified van.  They all have some expression like "Dios es Amor" written on the front.  They are a miracle on wheels as they can hold just about an infinite amount of people.  It is kind of like Jesus feeding 10,000 people with a few loaves of bread.  Yesterday, I was riding in the bus and it felt like a normal busride.  It then struck me that there were 24 people crammed into this vehicle, complete with a mother nursing her baby and 4 youth hanging out the door as the bus sped down the road to Nebaj.  This has now become my new normal.

It was also on this particular busride that my phone was stolen.  That is one negative to this form of transportation.  We are crammed in there like sardines and if somebody takes something out of your pocket, you do not feel anything.  After the ride was over and I related my story to people, they all seemed very nonchalant about it, like it happened all the time.  Yes, that is my new normal as well.  I need to have a firm grasp on my valuables at all times.  

What am I doing?

I am going to change up how I write my blog entries.  I feel like a lot of people will get confused if I continue to write in a chronological manner.  I am involved with four different ministries and I will try to keep each separate as I blog for clarity.  A typical day involves bible study in the morning, catching a microbus to Cotzal, teaching at the Horeb school, eating lunch, spending time at either the Jorai Bible Institute or Principe de Paz church.  Afterward, I take a microbus back to Nebaj, eat dinner, and if I have a little time, do a little cleaning at Cafe Mingo (where I sleep).  Some days, like today, I will stay in Cotzal and sleep at the Bible Institute.  Here are four ministries I am supporting and spending time with:

• Horeb School - I am teaching English here with the children from 1st to 6th grade.  Wind of God just began to support this Christian school, and recently raised funds to support the teachers' salaries.  The money that has been raised for my trip ($3000 now), will go toward this school providing resources.

• Jorai Bible Institute - Wind of God has been supporting this program since 2007.  This is an education program where students in some cases walk many miles to learn typing, computer, and the Bible.  There are currently 150 students in the typing clases, 11 in the Computer classes, and 25 in the Bible classes (in 3 different locations).  I will connect with the students and teachers and get their stories.  I will also look to find former pastors that have been through the program to talk with them and see the difference it has made in their church.  

• Principe de Paz Extension Program - This is a Bible training program for pastors and evangelicals that Wind of God supports.  It is held on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of each month.  I will observe, learn, and build relationships with the teachers and pastors going through the program.  

• Cafe Mingo - This is where I sleep in Nebaj.  It will be a coffeeshop where the youth can come and learn.  It is a place where the love of God can be shared and where bible studies or bible teachings can be held as well.  Cafe Mingo is Domingo's and Kara's vision.  I will help with this project of theirs in whatever way I can, and pray that God would use that place for His glory in Nebaj.

I am also hoping to get powerful stories of Pastors that have been martyred or suffered for Christ during the war here and possibly send those to Voice of the Martyrs.    

I hope this helps with clarity of what exactly I am doing in Guatemala! 

Becoming Culturized

I am not sure, but I may have made the word culturized up.  I am used to that sort of thing by now, with the amount of words I have probably made up in Spanish this last week, they will need to create a Jordan Diccionario.  The last few days have involved getting settled into my new surroundings and preparing for my work here, which will begin in earnest starting Monday.

I have made two trips into Cotzal which is very tranquilo place compared with Nebaj.  My first day here, I met with Tabita, the director of Horeb (the school I will be teaching at).  Tabita says they had been praying for a missionary to come down and help at the school for a long time.  It is always humbling to hear that you are an answer to prayer (and a little unnerving as well).  I also met with Jacinto, who is the director of the Jorai Bible Institute.  I came by right at 12:00 which also coincides with the start of his lunch break.  He looked so tired, I did not meet with him long and let him go home for some rest.

Afterward, I walked the streets of Cotzal.  Gringos are much more of a phenomenon in this town.  Everybody stares.  Us white folk seem to accentuate the characteristics of the children.  They shy children become very shy.  The outgoing children become very outgoing.  I met some friendly, curious kids walking the streets, including soon to be students.  Today I spent time at the Bible Institute just meeting with people, sitting in on a class, and getting the feel for how Jorai runs.  I will tell their strories as time goes on.

I have also been spending time cleaning Cafe Mingo and had a nice devotion with Domingo and Kara yesterday morning.  The coffee has moved in!  I am embarassed to say, Kara had to show me how to use the coffee maker.  On my first attempt, I put the water in the wrong spot!  Coming from Starbucklandia, I never bothered to learn.  I know some of you have not been able to make fun of me for awhile, so there you go. ;)

I will begin teaching English Monday, and I have no idea how to do that, so prayer for that would be helpful.  Also, just that the Lord would continue to help me communicate, and to do so at a heart level.  Thank you all for your prayers!

Lesson 2 - All Your Heart

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)

God knew the Israelites would disobey Him and commit idolatry in the land they were about to take. He tells them what will happen, how they will be destroyed and scattered among the nations if they disobey. But at that low point, when they feel completely separated from God, God tells them that if they seek Him with all their heart, they will find Him. He will not completely destroy them, He will restore them, because He is merciful.  Seeking, following, loving the Lord with all, everything, every ounce of your being, is a theme often repeated throughout the Bible.* When asked by the pharisees what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

It is so simple in theology, but almost impossibily difficult in practice. For me, idols pop up all over the place. The biggest one is myself. I want to be liked, I want to be happy, I want to be comfortable, I want to do things my way, I, I, I. The amazing thing is though, we are saved by His grace.

I may not always love God perfectly, wholly, completely, but He loves me that way. If I repent of seeking Him halfheartedly, of letting something sinful grab hold of my heart, He will be there to forgive and wash me clean. Pray for me, that God would bring to light the little idols that still abide in me, so I can repent and love Him wholly.


*Here are just some I found on biblegateway.com: Deut. 6:5, 10:12, 11:13, 13:3, 26:16, 30:2,6,10, Joshua 22:5, 1 Samuel 7:3, 12:20,24, 1 Kings 2:4, 8:48, 2 Chronicles 6:38, Proverbs 3:5, 4:4, Jeremiah 29:13, Joel 2:12, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, 33, Luke 10:27

Nebaj - First Impressions

I rode to Nebaj with a very friendly man named Carlos.  He works for Agros International and was kind enough to come and pick me up at my hotel in Antigua.  He did not speak English but we were still able to communicate.  I thought I was doing pretty good during the first half of the ride but then my mind just got tired of speaking Spanish and I got progressively worse.  Poor Carlos, having to try to put up with my poor lanugage skills...

We stopped at the Agros office in Nebaj and they helped me reserve a good hotel.  I spent two nights there before moving in to Cafe Mingo today (see last post).  During my first day, if I had been able to describe Nebaj in one word, that word would have been chaotic.  Cars, motorcylces, and tuc-tucs (little golf cart like taxis) are everywhere speeding around the many pedestrians that roam the streets.  All motor vehicles have the right-a-way here, so all pedestrians beware!  Motorists honk their horns literally all the time.  There are many different kind of honks all meaning different things, honking is it's own language out here.  Maybe by the end, I will be fluent in Guatehonkese. 

Not knowing the culture, the language, or the geography of a place can definitely feel overwhelming.  I have spent a lot of time my first couple days here just walking around and getting my bearings.  At first, I definitely had my guard up, not sure about the safety, about the reception of Gringos (white people), etc.  After a couple days though, I'm starting to feel a lot more comfortable.  I have seen no violence around the area and the only time I've really felt wary here is when a gang member, clearly under the influence of something, came over to me and started talking in a very, very slurred Spanish that was impossible to understand (for me anyway).  I think he was just coming over to say hello, but he rolled up his sleeve showing his gang tattoo and hundreds of cuts on his arm.  I said my mucho gusto and he walked away.

I have been surprised that people here don't seem bewildered to see Gringos.  I was expecting people to be constantly staring at me but people seem conditioned to it here.  I'm sure I get more looks than locals do but for the most part, there doesn't seem to be a huge stigma associated with Gringos, at least none that I could pick up from people's reactions.

Aside from the craziness, Nebaj is set in a beautiful area.  I have spent most of my time in the center of the town but just a little bit away from that, it is very peaceful.  Green mountains surround Nebaj in all directions.  Most of the people are helpful and accomodating.

It has been a blessing meeting with Domingo and Kara.  I have also met with Paul and Sharon Townsend.  Paul has been in the area for 30 years translating the Bible into Ixil.  I had a good dinner with them as Paul gave me some much needed education on the ins and outs of education and church in the region.

Thank you everybody and keep praying!  I'm hoping to go to Cotzal tomorrow to connect with some people.

Cafe Mingo

I was sitting at the office of Food for the Hungry (FH).  I had called a friend of my parents, Mike McComb, and he suggested paying FH a visit to see if they could help me with lodging.  I walked in, expecting to come across some Gringos or anybody to speak English with.  I felt weird showing up to the office, trying to explain in Spanish why I was there, when I didn't even know myself.  It just seemed like a good next step in making connections.  They told me to wait 20 minutes for Domingo to come.  I was hungry so I said I would be back in a couple hours but the lady seemed insistent, with the supposed wait time going from 20 minutes to 5 minutes in less than one minute.  So I waited, not sure what for.  I was just stopping by, I wasn't planning on volunteering for FH or anything, figuring I'd be plenty busy once classes started in Cotzal on Monday.  In walked Domingo.

He started speaking to me in Spanish.  I asked him if he speaked English and he said "un poco."  I told him that my father was Rich Rice and his whole demeanor changed.  He took me into his office and started speaking in fluent English.  He told me he could help with anything while I was here and told me about his vision of a coffee shop in Nebaj.

There are no positive outlets for the youth in Nebaj so they turn to drugs and gangs to find the sense of belonging they are looking for.  He told me about his vision for a place that would provide a positive place for the youth to come and inspire them to learn.  God would be at the center.  It would be the first true coffee shop in Nebaj, complete with Espressos and Capucchinos.  There would be a room with computers off to the side, where various educational activities could take place.  There may be pastors, missionaries, etc. that could share God's word.  It could be place where many Bible studies are held.  There would be a room teaching women how to sow.  The possibilities are endless.  He then talked about other areas of ministry in the area but I was hooked on to this idea.  He drove me to the site.

They had purchased this building only 15 days ago.  At this point it is completely empty, but it bristles with potential.  It is close to the center of Nebaj.  As Domingo continued to share his vision, I was hooked, and I also knew that God had just provided a place for me to stay.  I will be staying at this future coffee shop while in Nebaj.  I told Domingo I could help with any little projects when I had the time.  I am excited to be part of this and watch the beginning stages of Domingo's and Kara's vision to come to pass.

Afterward, he took me to his house where I had lunch with him and his wife Kara, who is from Canada.  They have a one year old named Jaden.  I feel completely in awe how God has answered everybody's prayers for me to make connections.  He has provided me not only a place to stay, but also with free internet, an extra laptop that I can use (that was bought for the coffeeshop), and a way that I can be of some positive use away from my duties teaching in Cotzal.  Not to mention two friends!

Please pray for this coffee shop, Cafe Mingo, that He would provide the resources needed and that God could use this place for His glory.

Thank you all for your prayers and I will update more soon.    

Miscomunicadation

One contact I have down here is a man named Mario.  He works for Agros, a non-profit that helps poor indigenous villages become self-sustainable and own their own land.  I called him and left an embarassingly poor message in Spanish.  To my luck, he called me back but then while trying to speak Spanish over the phone, he hung up on me, thinking I was a stranger.  I needed to contact him so I could get a free ride to Nebaj through Agros.  I emailed him and he replied telling me he would be in Antigua today and that I could get a ride to Nebaj with a man named Carlos on Monday.  I called Mario to see if could see him in Antigua.  I was at the central park of Antigua and he told me to wait there and they would come.  An hour later he came and was ready to leave for Nebaj right at that moment.  I had already told my hotel I would spend another night and was totally unprepared to leave.  He thought I wanted a ride to Nebaj today and I thought we were going to meet up to talk.  Miscomunicado.  It was good to see Mario briefly though, he is a good man and the work he and Agros does is really important for the people of this region.  I really need to get better with my Spanish.  Pray for me for that!

Anyway, the plan is to leave for Nebaj on Monday morning.  An Agros worker named Carlos will come and pick me up at my hotel.  I hope you people in Seattle are enjoying your snow. :)

Antigua

View of Antigua from Cerro de La Cruz

Antigua was one of the oldest and most important cities of the colonial period, along with the capitals of Mexico and Peru.  Spain divided the New World into three sections. The section now known as Central America was controlled by Antigua. Located in the Panchoy valley, the city was founded in 1541.  Antigua was one of the first cities in the New World to use the Spanish grid design in the layout of the streets. Today, Antigua retains its original charm and still has cobble stones streets and Spanish Colonial architecture.  As the capital of Guatemala, Antigua was destroyed by the earthquake of Santa Marta in 1773. At that point, the government moved the capital to Guatemala City, where it is today. (http://www.thegringosguide.com/antigua/AntiguaHistory.htm)

I arrived to the airport where my driver Marvin was waiting for me.  I was surprised how quickly the Spanish came back to me (albeit now 24 hours later, my Spanish has gotten significantly worse).  He took me to my hotel and then I went out and explored.  It was late for Antigua as most places were closed except for a few restaurants.  I stopped at an old favorite, Mono Loco, where I had a very late and small dinner.  As I was walking back, there were a few loud bars where tourists had gotten drunk while a woman slept curled up on the street nearby.  Antigua, like many places in the world, is a place where affluence meets poverty in striking ways.

This morning, I ran my errands.  First to the bank, then to get minutes for my Guatemala cell phone, and then to find a cheaper hotel.  Around every corner was somebody trying to sell me something.  Warning to anyone planning on traveling to touristy areas in third world countries (especially if you have white skin), be prepared to be constantly bombarded with people saying some form of "good price for you!"  Once I performed said errands, I hiked up to the cross where the pic was taken above.  This spot has been a special one for me.  I remember after a 10-day mission trip to the region, we hiked up that hill and I just felt an overwhelming peace.  That peace remained allusive on this trip however, I was feeling restless.  Doubt crept in.  What was I doing here?  I was so far from my role I nitched out in Seattle, so far from people I love.  I wanted to go back right then. 

I´ve been through this before.  I remember my first few days in Buenos Aires, the start of an 8 month journey through Latin America.  Everything moved so fast, everything was so foreign, it was overwhelming.  After just a day, I kind of wanted to go home.  This time, it wasn´t as overwhelming.  I have been to this city several times in the past.  I understand Spanish a lot better than I did at the beginning of my Latin America journey.  But I still feel like a fish out of water.  I think the hardest part is coming down alone.  I´m looking forward to connecting with people in Nebaj.  Throughout the bible, people are constantly taken out of their comfort zones and only then does God work through them.

The Lord has continued to remind me of Be still and know that I am God.  I was starting to feel like I wasting my time here in Antigua since I´m not yet at the field where I will be working.  But He reminded me to be still.  I´m going to use my few days here to prepare spirtually, listening to sermons on my i-pod, reading the bible, hanging at the park and talking to locals, and just working on being still.  It´s so hard!  Thank you all for praying for me!

  From the Rooftop of my hotel

Lesson 1 - Be Still and Know that I am God

 The week before I left, my mind was occupied with the tasks I still needed to perform, checking all the items off my list.  It is easy to get into that mode and then begin believing in the illusion that I am in control.  The day before my journey, I read these words in Psalm 46:10.  I felt the Lord saying to me that even if I went down to Guatemala with nothing, completely unprepared, He would still be there and use me if I just became available.  All the stuff that I think I´m in control of, I´m really not.  I shouldn´t feel the need to do, do, do, do.  I felt God telling me to simply be still with the knowledge that God would use me if I sought after Him.

Be Still and Know that I am God (Psalm 46:10 NKJV)

Trip Preparation, Part 3

I leave for the airport in five short hours.  I've said my goodbyes.  I'm fully packed.  Yet, it hasn't yet struck me that I'm going to be out of the country for three months starting tomorrow.  One step at a time I suppose.  My final week here has been miraculous with the amount of support that's rolled in.  Last week, when the people at Action International prayed for me, they prayed for the remaining support to come in before I left.  They wrote it on their white board.  I was a bit skeptical myself.  I had raised $1000 up to that point and I was happy at that, feeling comfortable that I could raise the remaining support while I was down there.  It would not be an ideal situation but I was resigned to it.  At my Home Group bible study, we talked about not putting God in a box.  As more support rolled in the last few days, I realized that that's what I had did to some degree.  Through the bake sale at my church and assorted generous donations, I've now raised $2,401!  Praise be to God!  When my dad and I estimated how much it would cost for 3 months, we guesstimated around $2000.  While traveling can be unpredictable, it is likely that I have now raised over the support I will need!  Whatever I don't use for my living expenses in Guatemala will be used to support the the elementary school that I will be volunteering at in Cotzal.  I am excited to see what God has in store for me.

Pray that God would use me for His glory, that I would go down there and be completely available to His will and not mine, that God would give me peace with the knowledge that He is the one in control.  Thank you all for your support and your prayers!  Keep praying!  

I will update as much as I can.  I want to share what's happening through your prayer and support.  This will be my first missionary trip by myself and also my first for an extended period of time.  A part of me is nervous, that I will not live up to the faith and support people have placed in me.  But then I realize, that all I need to do is go and have faith God will use me.  Have faith to look for that open door.  Let go of the reins and let God grab the reins.  Ultimately, people don't have faith in me, but have faith in what God can do through little me.

I'm looking forward to these three months as I deepen my relationship with God and see what adventure He has in store.  Thank you, thank you, thank you all for everything!

Trip Preparation, Part 2

I stand only a week away from taking off for Guatemala.  I am at 50% of the financial support I'm estimated to need, which is enough to go down with confidence and pray for the remaining support to come in.  My passport is here.  I've received my shots.  I have my travel medications.  My apartment is leased out.  All that's really left to do is pack.  We will be having a bake sale at church this Sunday and I hope to raise more support that way.  Iris has completely taken control of that and my friends and family are really rallying around me, baking goods and strategizing.  I feel so humbled to have so many amazing people in my life that love and support me.  The Lord has truly blessed me abundantly.  I just hope to use His gifts for His glory. 


As I begin to really wrap my mind around the upcoming adventure, I feel so underprepared.  It won't seem real to me until I'm on the plane or maybe not until I'm sitting at some cafe in Antigua and am thinking, "okay, now what?"  The focus of the trip has changed since my parents returned from their trip to Guatemala.  Originally, the main focus was to go down and talk with pastors that have come through the Bible college that WIND supports and do some investigative work on how it has helped their church and their ministry as well as writing their stories for the people back home.  I will still do some of that.  However, when my Mom and Dad went down to Cotzal, God opened a door.

 My dad writes, "This is a picture of a door leading to a classroom in the current space being used for the Christian School in Cotzal; 82 students, grades 1-6 being taught under a leaking roof in dank facilities. The parents of these children have decided it is worth the 25Q per month (about $3) to have their children in a Christian learning environment. Public education would be free – but the public education is not effective. So they dig deep into their limited budget and pay the 25Q. If a family cannot come up with the 25Q, Tabita and the teachers quietly help cover their cost. They do not turn anyone away who wants to learn. Sadly, as the children learn to read and write, the number of students drops off as the parents feel they have learned what they need to know. But Tabita and her staff tirelessly work to inspire the students.

"God led us to Cotzal. He called us to raise the education level of the people in the Ixil. He led us to Tabita, a real saint to the children she teaches. He showed us the way to this open door to new possibilities – an open door to making a difference to the children of Cotzal. An open door to bringing a better tomorrow to a region weighted down by years of war and oppression. But what? How? With what resources?"

I will be volunteering at this school, teaching English to the little ones.  I will also listen to Tabita's heart and help determine where WIND goes from here.  How can God use us to make a true and lasting difference in the lives of these children?  As we navigate the educational landscape of the region, please pray that God will provide direction, not our direction, but His direction, always.  For His glory.