Teaching in Fragua

Saturday, I watched the Barcelona vs. Manchester united soccer game at the house of Maribel's sister, Arabela.  It was pretty fun watching soccer with a bunch of soccer fans.  Maribel and Reynaldo were there along with Arabela, her family and some of Maribel's nephews.  It was especially comfortable too, because there was air conditioning- a bit of a commodity here.

I talked to Arabela a little bit and she asked if I could come and talk about Jesus at a small school for some underprivileged kids.  I said "sure, sure I can," because that is kind of the whole reason I am here, to share Jesus with whomever I can.  So today, Monday the 30th, I got the phone call to come and talk to the kids.  I had no idea what to expect.  Reynaldo gave me a ride to this office off of the main highway and I met a couple of people there, Alfonso and Rosa.  I talked to them a bit and it sounded like they expected me to come and teach English to these kids, they didn't say anything about evangelizing.

We talked and I thought we got things straightened out and I went with Alfonso to this school to meet with the teacher there.  Now it sounded like today I was only going there to meet with the professor to talk about what I would do tomorrow for the class (a lot has been getting lost in translation lately).  We arrived at the school and I met with the teacher there and I guess he understood that I was going to be teaching English at the school every day all summer.  I don't know where he heard this but I had to tell him that I couldn't teach all summer and that I had other responsibilities with CALMS.  I am sure he was disappointed.

After our meeting he took me into the class and introduced me to the students and then handed the class over to me to teach.  Yet again I was taken by surprise, for then I thought I was simply meeting the teacher.  So now I had the full attention of the class and they were looking to me to teach them some English.  I did so, I was pretty nervous because I hadn't prepared at all to teach English.  I shared with them some common phrases and they seemed to enjoy it.

After this a proceeded to share with them the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet and how we are to be servants.  This I had prepared to do in advance.  They were pretty shy the whole time, and only one little boy answered my questions.  Alfonso told me that they are not used to seeing strangers here (I am sure he meant to say Gringo).

 I am sorry, because I didn't take any pictures of the school or the kids.  I forgot my camera.  Tomorrow, hopefully I will remember.

Please pray for me tomorrow as I return to the school to share the Good News of Jesus.  Also pray for these kids and their well being.  Many of them are children of single mothers and do not get a lot of attention or instruction.  But thanks be to God, and thanks to some generous donors that they have a place to go to school and teachers to instruct them.

Friday, May 27th

After a 4 hour bus ride from Guatemala City this morning I am now in Zacapa.  My flight came in on Tuesday and I have been staying with the kids of my host parents (Maribel and Reynaldo) in Guatemala City until today.  Here is a picture of Ximenna, Jossymar, and their Grandma, Maria.  

They have another kid named Nimrod, but he doesn't like his picture taken, I never found out why.  I had a good time hanging out with these guys in their tiny apartment and I also had fun getting to know the Capital a little better.  Jossymar took me to "El Palacio" in "Zona Una," this is the capital building and the center of the city.  On the square there was the palace, the big catholic church and many shops and what looked residential living.  Here are some pictures of the town square.

Jossymar finished his bachelors degree in biology/chemistry, I believe, and now he is seeking further education in nutrition and ultimately wants to move back to Zacapa to help some of the poorer regions here with their diet and nutrition.  Ximenna is at the university studying pharmacy.  And the youngest, Nimrod is studying Psychology at a University in Guatemala City.  

There were five of us in this little apartment that had just three small bedrooms.  Their grandpa died recently and now their grandma stays with them during the weeks and then goes to her house near Guatemala City on the weekends.  They were very hospitable and friendly.  

Today, Jossymar took me to the bus station to catch a ride to Zacapa.  We left the house at 6:00 this morning and arrived at the bus station around 6:30.  When I got out of the car several men tried to direct me to their bus and take my bags and Jossymar told me not to listen to them.  He took me to a bus and I jumped on and didn't ask any questions.  

Maribel and Reynaldo are both lawyers and I am now sitting in one of the three offices they have here in Zacapa.  This week I will be getting familiar with my new surroundings and Wednesday I will be going to La Avanzada, a small town in the mountains, with Ramiro (CALMS housing coordinator) to talk to and prepare the people there for the coming of the first group I will be working with- a group of 19 from my home church, Divine Shepherd, Omaha.  They arrive on Saturday, June 4th and I will be going to the airport in Guatemala City to pick them up. 

Thank you for reading my blog,

Dios te bendiga!

Monday, May 23rd

Today is my last day in the states.  I am getting ready to depart for Guatemala tomorrow, flight leaving at 6:08 am.  I am starting this blog in order for you all to keep up to date on how my trip is going this summer.  I leave tomorrow, May 24th and I will return on Tuesday, August 16th.

I am really excited to find out what God has in store for me there in Guatemala.  I ask all of you to be praying for me as I travel and also while I try to settle in.  I will try and update the blog every couple weeks or so to keep you informed on my adventure and what you can pray for specifically.

Thank you all for the support!