Mi Familia de Guatemala

Before I left the U.S., one of my prayer requests was for the family I was going to live with in Antigua.  As most of you may know, I’ve been living alone since my husband moved out in the middle of 2001.  And, as you probably know, I really liked having my own space!  I was nervous about coming and living with others, especially others who were not going to understand a lot of English. 

When I arrived at 10:30 p.m. on that Saturday night at the end of June, I had no idea how dear my little yellow home and those living in it would become to me – in a relatively short time!

I’ve written about my housemates, especially Haley and Myles, who have become like my (much!) younger brother and sister.  Today I said goodbye to them, although they’ll be back for a couple of days at the end of next week.  I came home from church today and no one was home.  Instead of reveling in all the ‘me-time’ and space I had, I felt quite lonely.  Kind of surprised me, actually!

I’ve also written some about Dona Cristi and how sick she was.  At this point, several weeks later, she is on the road to recovery.  Her daughter, Cristina, changed her doctor, and the new one ran tests and determined that the root cause was a thyroid medication issue. 

Thankfully, an adjustment seems to be improving her health, poco-a-poco.  She is still not able to eat gluten, sugar, most vegetables or milk.  She still has bad days, but her sense of humor and wit are coming back.  It’s wonderful to see!

Tomorrow is Dona Cristi’s 85^th birthday.  Yesterday Cristina told me that Dona Cristi wants me to come with them to Ana Lucia’s house to be a part of the celebration with all of the family here.  I felt so honored!  Dona Cristi is sad because she won’t be able to eat birthday cake.  I hope that in another few weeks she’ll be able to celebrate with a small bit of pastel!

Another member of our little family is the helper, Juanita.  In this culture, many people have a ‘domestica’ who does the cooking and cleaning.  Juanita is a part of the household, and loves Dona Cristi like another mother.  She cares for us – and cooks us delicious meals! – but she is not invited to eat with us. 

Even though I knew coming in that this was a possibility, I have to admit it took a little getting used to.  Thankfully, I am able to help clear the table and wash dishes without insulting either her or Dona Cristi.  (Don’t worry, I checked before I started filling the sink!!)

Juanita is super patient with my attempts to speak Spanish with her.  She lost her mother suddenly nine months ago, and since my mom died several years ago, we share that bond. 

Yesterday Juanita told me she wants me to come to her daughter’s Quinceanera celebration (15^th birthday – a very big deal for a girl here, kind of like ‘sweet sixteen’ in the U.S.) in August in her village.  Again, I felt so incredibly honored!

Juanita has been joined now by Maria, who will spend nights with Dona Cristi after Juanita goes to her home (where she has three kids, one grandson, and another grandbaby on the way).  Maria seems sweet, too, although is much more shy than Juanita.  I’m sure she’s nervous with it being a new position!

Cristina leaves on Tuesday to go back home to the U.S., and the other daughter, Ana Lucia, is across town here. (The three brothers all live on Long Island, too.)  Last week Cristina told me that the two daughters were talking, and both of them feel very thankful that I am going to be there with their mother for the next two months.  And yet again I feel so honored! 

I know many of you who read my blog are prayer warriors, and I thank you!  The prayers of so many are being answered here in such a tangible way.  I’m not just putting in time living among other people, I am becoming a part of their lives, and they are a part of mine. 

I know that is only through the power of the Holy Spirit.  He is softening my heart and expanding it, allowing me to communicate my affection and concern, even when I don’t have the Spanish for it.  All praise to You, for moving in me, Jesus!  Thank you for giving me more than a house here.  Thank you for giving me a home.

Dia de Santiago Apostal

God is good!  Thank you so much for your encouraging words and your prayers for me!  I know I was being lifted up, because even though I still struggled, class this morning went much, much better.  As my teacher reminded me, when you climb a mountain, it’s step by step.  If you try to take too big a step, you fall.  Poco-a-poco!

Marimba concert

This Monday in Antigua was Dia de Santiago Apostal.  At first I thought it was for James, the brother of Jesus, but it was for another Saint James.  This Santiago didn’t live quite that long ago, although the holiday dates back to 1524, so that’s still pretty old!  Santiago Apostal is the patron saint of Antigua and when he lived, he was a defender of the city, helping the poor and needy.

They sounded great!

We weren’t really sure what all would be happening during the long weekend, but we were excited to find out.  On Sunday afternoon I wandered downtown to find a concert of marimbas.  This is the national instrument of Guatemala.  The originals were made of the wood of a specific tree, and the different sounds came from increasingly large gourds placed underneath the wooden keys.  On Sunday there were 14 large marimbas being played by groups from all over this area.  They were joined by drums, bass, and other instruments.

La Senorita de Antigua

La Seniorita de Antigua (Miss Antigua) and her attendant were there, both in fancy gowns and crowns.  (We found out that one of Dona Cristi's granddaughters is a past Miss Antigua.)  At one point a little girl of 7 or 8 in a white dress was brought on stage to meet La Reina (the queen).  I’m sure it was to have been a very special privilege, but the poor nina started crying, and had to be carried off stage by her daddy.  Probrecita, her brush with fame was a bit overwhelming!

On Monday afternoon Haley, Myles and I walked back down to El Parque Central.  We saw lots of school-aged kids in their uniforms (the girls look very smart in their plaid skirts, knee socks, crisp white shirts and vests).  There was a marching band of students in white.  Miss Antigua was back, along with her attendant, both wearing crowns – and very high heels!  It was impressive to watch them negotiate the cobblestones in 5 inch strappy sandals. 

Marching band

The band started to pick up their instruments and get into formation.  We noticed that instead of wearing their chin straps under their chins, most of the boys wore them under their noses.  Boys and girls lifted their drums, xylophones and cymbals into place.  One little boy seemed far too small for his drum, but he wore a great big smile.

Carrying Santiago down the steps
of La Catedral

Suddenly there was movement in La Catedral.  Down the large steps came twenty-five or thirty girls carrying a huge wooden platform with flags, flowers, and a statue of Santiago standing in the center.  This is going to sound a tad morbid, but it looked a bit like a giant coffin being carried by two dozen pall bearers.  Along with the girls, there were boys at the front and back helping steer.

Other people showed up, including a group who almost looked like they belonged at a Christmas manger scene.  There were also three men dressed in clothing like the Spaniards might have worn in the 1700’s – poofy tops and short pants in velvet and brocade, tights and high black boots.  There were nuns, another marching band, men in dark black suits, more students…

Getting into place
(notice Senorita Antigua!)

The band started playing, and the march was on.  But, not before the firecrackers!  We’ve learned that it can’t be called a celebration unless there are firecrackers, fireworks and bombas (air cannons).  The louder the better!

Marching band heading through El Arco
(Diego in the foreground with back to us)

Santiago’s platform almost danced as the girls took five steps forward and then two back.  The entire procession headed down the road.  We walked in another direction toward La Merced and caught the procession as it turned the corner.  At some point they must have changed schools because the girls now carrying Santiago had grey skirts, not red & green.  I can't imagine how heavy he was!

Poofy shirts & high boots

'Manger scene' folks

We saw the grandson of Dona Cristi’s cousin, Angelita.  Diego is around 15, and one of my favorites of all the family who stops over.  He is very sweet, lives with Angelita, and is very attentive and kind to her.  He was snapping pictures of the parade like an expert.  We’re hoping we get to see his work!

Through El Arco.  The girl in the front kept getting
hit on the side of the head.  Ouch! 
(Notice Diego going in for an action shot!)

Later that night there were more festivities, including another concert and fireworks.  We were all tired, so we skipped them, but we were glad to get to be a part of the fun!

La Pared

Yesterday I started learning with my new teacher, Sonia.  She is very nice, and is a Christ-follower.  We love talking together about Jesus.  She brought her Bible to class today, and it is a Spanish language version of the Good News translation. 

My dad used this with his storefront ministry in Toronto many years ago.  It was fun to see those familiar simple line drawings (if you’ve seen that version, you know what I’m talking about!).

If only we could do nothing but talk about the Bible!  Last week I started feeling a bit tired, and I’m afraid that has continued.  Today was as close to tears as I’ve been.  It seemed like I couldn’t get anything to stick in my brain.

We spent some time with Sonia asking me simple questions like: Who are you?  Me llamo Kimberley.  No.  Que estas tu?  Yo soy Americana.  No.  Que estas tu?  Yo soy estudiente.  No.  Que estas tu?  By this point, I was frustrated and sick of trying.  Que estas tu?  Yo no se.  I don’t know. 

The answer she was looking for was Yo soy Kimberley.  I am Kimberley.  She wanted me to know how to respond if someone asks me that question, but I just couldn't get it.

In English we call it ‘hitting the wall’.  The Wall in Spanish is La Pared.  Whack!  Conjugate Tener in Present tense...now in Preterit.  Whack!  Give me a sentence in Preterit..now in Present.  Whack!  A donde… De donde… Donde… Whack, whack, whack.

A dear friend who is a missionary in a closed country gave me some really good advice before I left the U.S.  She encouraged me to treat language school like it was a part of my ministry, not just the road towards ministry that is going to start in the future. 

As a Christ-follower, how do I handle these feelings of frustration?  How do I keep my overwhelmed brain from turning me into a major grumpy-pants?  How do I show Jesus to the teachers and other students, to Dona Cristi and my house-mates, when I’ve run full-out into La Pared?

This morning Sonia and I were looking at Philippians, which is probably my favorite book in the Bible.  She had underlined 4:4-7, where Paul admonishes the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord.  Always.  Even when my brain feels like mush and I cannot answer a simple question.  Rejoice and give thanks.  Even when all I want to do is close my door and eat pan dulce (and maybe some chocolate!)

Today I choose to give thanks for those who went before me, translating the Bible into English so that I can read it in my ‘heart language’.  I choose to give thanks for my parents and others who have shown me Jesus in the midst of their own collisions with walls.  I choose to praise God that through His Spirit, I am able to be here, struggling and learning.   

Thank you, Father, for who You are.  Thank you that when Jesus met walls of unbelief, of suffering, of temptation, He persevered.  In Your power, Holy Spirit, may this wall be transformed from a place of defeat into a testament to Your strength. 

Continue to refine me, removing from me all that is not of You.  Use this weak and exhausted vessel to shine out Your glory.  I rejoice that You are near.  I give you my anxiety, and I embrace Your peace which passes understanding.  Ayudame, Dios!   Necesito tú ayuda!

Las Cafeteras y La Canicula

One month ago I was sitting in the airport in Atlanta after flying from Charlottesville, VA.  I had no idea what I was going to find in Antigua.  I was apprehensive and excited all at once.  In some ways, it feels like that was a lifetime ago.  In others, the time has simply flown by.

Coffee plant with greenberries - harvest season
is November/December here in Antigua.

This past Thursday we visited the Azotea coffee plantation.  It is a working farm, as well as a museum which explains the process of coffee from start to finish.  We learned that Guatemala is ninth in production in the world… but third in quality.  Of course, other countries might argue about that! 

Our guide also told us that the best coffee in all of Guatemala is from… Antigua!  I love the fact that folks here are proud of their city, of things made in Guatemala, and of their Mayan heritage.

Red on the outside, opening up to a pretty yellow flower.

In Spanish, the machine used to brew coffee (in the U.S. a ‘coffee-maker’) is called a cafetera.  A person who can’t start their day without a cup of coffee is also called a cafetera.  Those of you who know me know I’m just a bit of a cafetera!  The Panaderia (little bread shop) close to our house has delicious cafe con leche (coffee with hot steamed milk) and serve it with a yummy little cookie!  A great way to get ready for school!!

Along with the coffee museum was a music museum where we learned about the different instruments used by the Mayans before the Spanish came.  Most were percussion, using animal skins, turtle shells, even the jawbone – with teeth intact! – of a horse.  We also learned about the instruments introduced by the Spanish, like guitars.  Our guide spoke slowly and clearly, and I was able to understand pretty much everything she said.  It felt great to be able to do so!

Almost looks like lobster claws!

Walking through these was way more fun
than those old 60's beads!

Love the Birds-of-Paradise!

The grounds of Azotea are filled with the coffee plants, but also other gorgeous plants and flowers.  I snapped lots of pictures, although I didn’t get the names of them all.  The colors and shapes of the flowers here are amazing.  Exotic is really the only work that fits. 

I especially love the ‘Birds-of-Paradise’ which earn their name!

this one was nicknamed 'pico-de-gallo'.

these flowers looked awesome...
but were kind of smelly. 

This is actually from Dona Cristi's patio.
To me it looks like a bird in flight.

I’ve finished one month of Spanish class.  I feel pretty good about my progress, although at times I just want to stop learning new things so I can ‘digest’ what I’ve been taught.  Dona Cristi’s daughter, Cristina, says she has noticed improvement in me since she got here two weeks ago.  Some days I feel like I’m doing great, and others I cannot remember the simplest of regular verbs in the present tense, so that was encouraging to hear!  Next week I’ll start with a new teacher, which will be challenging, but also good for me. 

This morning Haley, Lisa (my other housemate) and I went to the big market on the outskirts of the city.  It is filled with vendors selling everything from dried beans to toothpaste to gorgeous roses to bootleg DVDs to cell phones to all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables.  It was very hot and crowded, but I loved walking around and seeing the different people there, many in their traditional dress.  It reminded me a bit of walking in Toronto as a little girl with my mom.

I bought a sweet pineapple for 7 quetzales, and a giant mango for 5q.  (The exchange rate right now is 7.7q/$US1.00.)  It’s a bit sad because we aren’t supposed to eat anything with edible skin.  Walking past the strawberries, blackberries and peaches was awfully hard!  I was told if I soak the fruit in pure water with a few drops of chlorine bleach I should be okay.  I’m hoping to try it one of these days!

Even though we are not technically in the southern hemisphere, the rainy season (right now) is called winter.  For the past few weeks the temperature has been pretty consistently in the 70’s, with downpours most days.  I actually had to wear socks to bed a couple of nights last week.  Believe me, I’m not complaining!  :O)

This week, however, the weather has been fantastic.  We haven’t had rain (except a passing shower) in nearly five days.  The temperature has been in the 80’s with bright sunshine.  The people here call this weather ‘canicula’ which means ‘dog days’ or midsummer. 

Speaking of nice weather... time to wrap up and head to the park with Las Cronicas.  The four kids just stumbled back into the wardrobe and are about to meet the Mr. and Mrs. Beaver!!

Las Cronicas

One of my favorite things to do is sit outside and read.  Some of my favorite books of all time are The Chronicles of Narnia.  The first time I heard the story of Peter and Susan and Edmund and Lucy was when I was around eight years old, and my mom read aloud to my sister and me.  I have the books in English, and also on CD to listen to when I walk. 

Before heading down here, I went onto Amazon and ordered them en espanol.  Since I know the stories so well, I thought it would be a great way to practice my Spanish – especially since it’s mostly in the past tense!  And, once I get to El Callejon, perhaps I can read them to the kids there.

Lucia y el fauno Senor Tumnus

Close to my house is a little park.  On Saturday Myles, Haley and I spent some time there reading.  Yesterday I went back – the rain stayed away!  I brought along Las Cronicas de Narnia.  I'm most familiar with The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, so I started with it. 

view from my park-bench

church La Escuela de Cristo
across from the park

At some point I realized, Wow, I’m sitting on a bench… in Antigua, Guatemala… reading Narnia… in espanol… and I’m actually understanding a lot of it!! 

someone pinch me!

For a moment, I had to stop reading and just look around, savoring how amazing it was.  God is so good! 

An update on Dona Cristi:  She has been diagnosed with some form of bacteria.  Her daughter found a new doctor for her who is interested in finding the cause of the problem, not just treating symptoms.  She has good days and bad days, and is still very weak.  She’s able to keep some solid food in her, but after nearly 10 days with very little besides liquids, it’s going to take a while for her to regain strength.

She’s been eating with us again, and always asks about our days.  And, she still makes sure we get plenty to eat!  Cristina asked me if I wanted one taco or two.  One, I said.  Two, said Dona Cristi.  Two, it was!

One prayer request:  One of my friends leaves this Friday, and my housemates leave the following week.  I’m going to be sad to say goodbye!  And, I’m a little anxious about being friendless.  Yeah, it’s silly of me, as God has continued to surprise and delight me with His loving provision in new friends, a wonderful Ama de Casa, etc… but, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t on my mind!

Thanks, friends, for your continued interest and support and prayers!  What a joy to be able to share a bit of my journey with all of you!  What a gift to serve our God together!

Time to take a look at irregular verbs in the past preterit tense!  Until next time, kjs :O)

Past Preterit and the Past

Yesterday morning I finished filling up my first notebook, and started learning the Past Preterit tense.  It’s a good thing to learn how to speak in the past, as trying to tell stories and share things that have happened using only the present tense isn’t so great:  “I am born in Canada.  Then I move to Michigan where I go to college.  Last year I visit the Dominican Republic.  I live in Virginia.  I leave Virginia in June...”  You get the picture! 

It’s hard to believe I’ve finished three weeks of language school already!  On the one hand, I feel like I’ve learned a lot, on the other, I’m realizing just how much I need to learn!

Church in the center of town
(loudspeakers on top blasted music all day)

Yesterday afternoon, I experienced a different kind of ‘Past’.  A bunch of us from school piled in a minivan and headed to San Antonio Aguas Calientes.  At one time, there were ‘hot waters’ there, but they have cooled off.  The name remains. 

Beautiful fabrics at the Coopertiva

San Antonio is a pretty little town around 20 minutes from Antigua known for weaving Mayan cloth in bold colors.  We went to a Cooperative started by Mayan women to help give their families (and especially their daughters) a better life. 



The woman who gave the presentation spoke in a clear, slow voice, so I was able to follow most of what she said.  She showed us a large cloth (approx 1 yard X 1 yard) called a ‘sute’.  Each sute is handwoven and unique.  Different colors have different meanings.  For example, green represents the quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala.  The purple is for the color and smell of the sea.  The sute she held up took one year to complete.  Some can take as many as two years! 

Sute as baby-sling

A woman will use her sute for her entire life.  It can be tied to make a bolsa (purse), folded to place on one’s head for church, wrapped around you for warmth, made into a sling to carry a baby… it was fascinating to watch how quickly she was able to make it into the various things.  It made me wish I had some of my large shawls with me, to experiment with these new ways of tying! 

Sute as worn by a senorita (single girl)

She showed us the way an unmarried woman wears it, over her shoulder, and told us how in the old days, a young man would grab it off of the girl, and in this way ‘claim’ her.  It was very bad for the girls, because it meant they pretty much had no choice whom they would marry. 

Our guide had been married at 16.  One of the reasons for the Cooperative is to help provide for the education of young women so they can go to school and not get married so early. 

After the demonstration, she asked for volunteers.  I was one of them, and I’m glad I was!  A couple other Mayan women came and helped our guide, and we were all dressed in traditional Mayan clothing. 

Getting ready for the wedding.
My 'son' is next to me.

The top the women wear is called a huipil, and depending on how intricate the design, can take from 2 months to a year to complete.  The skirt is called a corte and is a long piece of fabric which is folded and tied with a cloth belt.  I never would have been able to figure it out on my own!  Over my shoulders was placed the sute which my daughter-in-law would have woven for me.  On my head another sute was placed. 

The entire Bridal party ready to head to the church
for the boda (wedding)!

One gal and guy were dressed in wedding wear.  It was fun because they are actually married – with four kids!  Their two daughters participated, and I got to be… the mother-in-law (the mom of the groom).  I think my ‘son’ was my age – or maybe even older!  I got to sprinkle flower petals over them as they knelt and wish them many children.  It was a good day!

The past is far more tangible here than back home in the U.S.  It’s a little jarring sometimes to see these old buildings, all the ruins, and women in traditional Mayan clothing, and then see signs for Internet Cafes and people checking iPhones.  But, somehow it works. 

Walking down the cobblestone streets, munching on a piece of pan dulce (this insanely delicious bread which tastes like cake!) and seeing the mix of past and present is a gift.  What a blessing to experience so much! 

Until next time, I hope each of you has a great day in whatever place (and time!) God has placed you.

My Big, Fat Guatemalan Procession

A couple of posts ago I mentioned there was going to be a Corpus Cristi procession on our street this past Sunday.  I was only half-right…

Before I tell that story, I need to back up and tell you what’s been happening with Dona Cristi.  She was feeling much better on Friday, and we were really excited to think she was going to be well for the procession. 

Unfortunately, on Saturday she started getting much, much worse.  Her two daughters called their brothers, and the family decided she needed to be brought to the hospital.  It’s a different situation here, where medical care is available but can be quite expensive.  The family knew it would likely be necessary to pay the entire bill out-of-pocket.  They took her to a good private hospital called Hermano Pedro, after the patron saint of Antigua.

Cristina’s granddaughter, Sabrina, stayed with us while her mom and aunt went with her grandmother.  She is a very sweet 13 year-old.  We made sure she ate some dinner and then we played a game of Uno to help take her mind off of how worried everyone was. 

Her mom came home and told us that they were admitting Dona Cristi with severe dehydration and a fever of 40 degrees Celsius (approx. 102F).  We found out later the doctors said if she had waited one more day, she probably would not have lived.  Gracias a Dios for His provision!! 

Dona Cristi did not want to stay in the hospital alone, so Cristina and her older sister, Ana Lucia, slept over with her.  Sabrina decided to stay at the house with us for the night.  We felt honored that the family trusted us with their youngest daughter/granddaughter/niece!

As I had mentioned in Saturday’s post, flowers and decorations for the procession had started appearing.  The traditional colors for Corpus Cristi are yellow and white, so the flowers were gladiolas, carnations, and others in those two colors.  They were arranged into four large pots and placed on stands. 

Myles, Haley and I were out and about on Saturday until lunch.  We walked in and found the little driveway area just inside the big front door filled with the flowers, two angels (three feet tall), large candle holders, and incense burners.  There were curtains of white lace and yellow tassels.  Wow, we thought, this is a lot of work just to have people walk by!  In the dining room an 18-inch Virgin Mary presided over the table.   

Our driveway area before the decorations

Cristina came home from the hospital on Sunday morning and Juanita showed up, even though it was her day off.  Both seemed a bit harried, but we still didn’t get it.  Even when two big bags of pine needles were delivered and Cristina asked Sabrina to start working on the ‘alfombra’ (carpet), none of us really got what was going on. 

It wasn’t until Cristina was on the phone with Ana Lucia trying to figure out how to arrange the needles, that the full picture became clear:  the Corpus Cristi was not just going past us.  Instead, our house was going to be a part of it!  The decorations were not simply so people could see them as they walked by.  They were an altar on which the priest would light candles and offer prayers to God.  It meant that for a time, our home would be set apart as holy to the Lord.

Suddenly we all felt a sense of urgency, too!  The needles started in the middle of the street, but then curved in to lead the procession into our house.  Sabrina and Haley were on ‘alfombra duty’.  Myles and I started melting wax onto the big candle holders to secure the large glass candles which were to be set on top.  Ana Lucia and her husband arrived carrying firecrackers. 

the alfombra leading to our house

At one point I had to walk to the back of the house.  Well, really I had to crawl, as the way was blocked by the curtains, altar, angels & flowers!  Juanita was carrying a frying pan of burnt squares.  Juanita is an excellent cook, and I was worried that in all the frenzy she had accidentally burned tamales.  Nope.  She was preparing the charcoal for the incense burners. 

More of Dona Cristi’s family arrived to help out.  It reminded me of the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” when all the bridesmaids are running around getting Tula ready.  Everyone was talking at once, offering advice and pointing out last minute things to be done.  It was fun to be a part of it, although I was only able to catch a few words here and there. 

From way down the road, we could see the procession heading our way.  All along the route, other homes and businesses had put up ribbons and streamers in yellow and white, and made their own alfombras in the street.  Some had flower petals along with the pine.  Ours was the only home into which the priest would enter.

The procession gets closer
(notice alfombra with flower petals)

We opened up the bigger doors and finished spreading the pine needles.  In back, Ana Lucia and Juanita were filling the incense burners.  A young lady in a white robe appeared, carrying some things for the altar.  Now the procession was getting closer.  We could hear the musicians and the priest (who was amplified using a cart with large speakers). 

last minute touches to the alfombra

Suddenly we realized that the big candles were not lit.  I knew the word for matches was fosforos so I ran up to Ana Lucia’s husband.  No, he didn’t have any.  I ran into the sala (living room) and started looking around.  I got a book of matches and ran back out to find the husband lighting candles with the lighter he had in his pocket.  Oh, to have more Spanish!! 

the completed altar

the procession arrives!

The priest and his entourage entered the altar area.  The air was filled with incense and then the earsplitting sound of firecrackers going off at close range.  I squirmed my way outside where the air was clearer and I would be out of the way of this special service.

Ana Lucia on the left with an incense burner

The priest prayed for the children of Antigua and Guatemala, and also for their parents and teachers.  He then prayed for Dona Cristi by name before closing with The Lord’s Prayer.  It was beautiful to be a part of this large group lifting her up!

And then, as quickly as they arrived, they all left.  Ana Lucia started taking things down, so we jumped in again and helped sweep and blow out candles and move the flowers and angels.  Because Myles was so tall, he was a great help in taking down the curtains!

In less than 30 minutes, the altar was gone and our home looked (mostly) like itself again.  The angels and flowers are still in the sala, and the Virgin Mary is still in the dining room.

We found out later that Cristina had Dona Cristi on the telephone during the service, so she was able to hear it all.  We all took pictures, and showed them to Dona Cristi and her family on my laptop yesterday.  We plan to email them to the sisters so they can make copies.  Sabrina took a video of it with her iTouch, so Dona Cristi was also able to see that.

the priest leaves our casa

friends greet the family after the procession
(I'm off to the left, Haley and Myles are on the right)

Once everything was put away, we all breathed a sigh of relief, and looked at each other incredulously.  What an experience!  We felt so honored to participate in this sacred day.  Even though the party afterward was canceled, and our Ama de Casa could not be with us, we knew we had been a part of something we’d never forget.

P.S.  Dona Cristi was discharged on Monday.  She is still weak, but the doctors feel she will continue to improve.  Our difficult housemate moved out Sunday night, and the spirit of tension in the house is lifting.  I was thankful it happened before Dona Cristi came back.  She is enjoying having family around, and being home.  There’s just no place like it!  I’m so thankful that for a time, this is my home, too. 

As scary as this has been, it has also given us an opportunity to pour love into the family, and to see them surround and support each other.  It has been beautiful to see!  I’ve taken on ‘dishes duty’ each night to help out as lots of family keeps descending on us!  Oh, another praise – Dona Cristi had an insurance card which paid the entire amount! 

A Taste of 'Home'

Last Friday I left class early to spend the day with the Students International team here in Guatemala.  Brian and I walked down to the SI office here in Antigua – which is on my street! 

I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned Brian yet.  He is here for a month brushing up on his Spanish because he will be taking over as director of SI-DR after the current leadership moves to Nicaragua to begin ministry there.  It’s so exciting to see God continuing to open countries for SI’s unique and Christ-like approach to ministry!  

Brian is married to Sissy, and they have two girls.  They have done one ‘tour’ and were in charge of teams when we were there in 2008.  I remember Sissy’s passion for living a life which reflects Jesus.  They returned to the states for a couple of years, and now God has called them back to Jarabacoa.  I’m really looking forward to getting to know the family better and to working with Brian and the others coming on staff. 

So… back to Friday!  We were privileged to meet several of the SI-Guat staff, as well as members from the teams which had been here ministering for two weeks.  We got on a ‘chicken bus’ (wildly painted school buses which serve as mass transit here) and headed out of Antigua to a smaller town called Magdalena. 

On the way, I talked with an awesome young woman named Bonnie, who is working with SI for the summer.  She and her husband were both there.  I also met the pastor of one of the groups who have returned each year for six years.  I love it!

Heading to the school in El Gorrian with SI teams.

Close to Magdalena is a community called El Gorrian.  Several years ago a hurricane displaced a number of people, and the government directed them to some land.  This fascinated me, because it sounded so similar to what happened in the D.R. with El Callejon. 

Walking in El Gorrian - a taste of 'home'!

I loved hearing the different ministry sites sharing how God has been at work in them and through them over the past two weeks.  It was obvious from the way the kids ran up, and the tears of the students from the U.S., that although the area was incredibly poor, it had been a rich time for everyone. 

After each group shared, others from the larger team volunteered to pray for the specific needs of the site.  What a joy to see young people lifting up these communities to our Father!

The kids at school perform a dance for us.
They were really good!

It was great to be in El Gorrian, although it also made me feel a bit ‘homesick’ for my new country!  It was a good reminder of why I am here studying Spanish and helped renew in me a yearning to study hard so that I can get to El Callejon this fall, ready to begin ministry there.  

It was also a great reminder of how the Holy Spirit is moving throughout the world.  What an honor to be a small part of His big work!