Every year, Guatemala holds a massive Christian music festival called Explo Music Fest. The Oasis bought tickets this year for all the girls to go, and all the interns went along. I thought, a music fest is a music fest. This can't be that different from the ones I've gone to in the United States.
I should have learned by now that nothing is ever how you expect it will be in Guatemala.
First off, the church was HUGE. It looked similar to the size of the HSBC arena in Buffalo. It had it's own food court and parking garage, if that puts it at all in perspective. We had to get there at 3:30 for a concert that started at 6:00, just to get seats.
After about 100 games of tic tac toe and hangman, the concert finally started. On Friday night, we listened to Redimi2, a Spanish Christian Rapper whose hit song was "Yo No Canto Basura"- in English- I don't sing trash. Everyone in the audience went wild. I thought at one point I might actually get thrown from my seat into the mash pit below.
On Sunday, I went back for the Alex Campos concert, thinking it would probably be about the same level of enthusiasm. What I failed to realize is that Alex Campos is the current Justin Beiber of Christian music in Guatemala. I could feel Alex before I saw him, from the trembling and screaming of the 10,000 Guatemalans in the arena. The next ten minutes included glamor shots of Alex on the plasma screen T.V., and, surprisingly, even more screaming. Then, amidst the lights and smoke, Alex finally appeared, wearing skinny jeans, a purple v-neck, and sunglasses. The next three hours were spent jumping, dancing, and screaming for Alex Campos, who, of course, gave a "shout out" to Jesus after every song. I left the concert with a pounding headache and a sore throat, feeling like I had just been thrown into So You Think You Can Dance. The girls sang his songs the entire way home and talked about what a wonderful concert it was. I am still trying to figure out just who we were praising- God or Alex Campos.
The girls have off of school this week- mid year vacation. The other interns and I have planned an ice cream night and talent show for Thursday night. They are making us participate as well, so, as I write, we are all crowded up here in the office, trying to come up with a dance to Justin Beiber's "One Time". Who knows- with enough practice, and maybe some sunglasses, we just might get the same response as Alex Campos!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Semuc Champey and a Night as a Tia
This past weekend, the other interns, Betsy, Sarah, Rebecca, and I decided go on a trip to Semuc Champey, a beautiful area in the north of Guatemala. Traveling by ourselves through Guatemala, and putting all our outdoor skills to the test was an adventure for sure!
Semuc Champey is about an 8 hour bus ride away. We were picked up at a gas station in San Lucas. The bus was packed full, so Rebecca and I ended up sitting on those little half seats for 8 hours. It got very uncomfortable, as the last two hours of the ride was a dirt road!
We stayed at El Retiro lodge, a youth hostel composed mainly of straw huts. Our room was in the loft of a straw hut- without a door, but with plenty of bugs! After thoroughly spraying down everything in the room with deet, we felt safe enough to sleep.
The next day, we discovered that Guatemalan tourism is very different than tourism in the states! We started off the day white water TUBING. Following this, we were given a candle and taken into the dark abyss of a cave. We spent the next hour and a half swimming through the cave, climbing dark waterfalls and jumping off cliffs!
After that, we hiked a mountain and were greeted by an incredible view from the top of the mountain springs below. It was an incredible weekend!
When we got back to the Oasis, it was time to embark on our second adventure: TIA-ING. All of the tias (house moms) left Monday for a night out, so Sarah, Betsy, Rebecca and I stepped in! We decided to have dinner late and then organize a movie for the girls to watch together. It turned out there was no need for that. I discovered that Guatemalans have a constant and very time consuming past time- cleaning! After dinner, they washed the dishes, swept the floor, mopped the floor, and disinfected the floor, all without being prompted by me. In the morning, we had to get up at 5 for breakfast. Every morning so far, I have wondered what these girls do between 5:30, when breakfast finishes, and 7:30, when school starts. On Tuesday, I discovered the answer- they clean. They sweep, mop, wipe, disinfect, tidy, and organize, for two hours every morning!
I can't believe how quickly time is passing. I turn around and realize I have only four weeks left here! God is continuing to teach me during my time here. He is opening my eyes to so many needs here below the surface- the need for love, for friendship, for affirmation, and for healing. He has taken my heart and has broken it for the girls of the Oasis: for Sara, a twelve year old in my house who is still in kindergarten. She was found on the streets four years ago after being deserted by her parents while on a picnic. She suffered so much from malnourishment that now she is suspected to have brain damage. Every time she gives me a hug and says "te quiero mucho" ( I love you a lot)I struggle to understand how anyone could not want her. My heart breaks for Mary, who month after month waits for a visit from her parents but never receives one. It breaks for the three sisters who are hear after suffering gruesome sexual abuse. I am slowly realizing that behind every attitude here, and every wall and every pretense, there is a girl who is struggling to come to terms with the thought that someone, somewhere, hurt them or didn't want them. God is showing me the immense need these girls have of love. Please pray that God will use me to show these girls their value in Christ, and that they will be able to see how much he truly loves him.
Semuc Champey is about an 8 hour bus ride away. We were picked up at a gas station in San Lucas. The bus was packed full, so Rebecca and I ended up sitting on those little half seats for 8 hours. It got very uncomfortable, as the last two hours of the ride was a dirt road!
We stayed at El Retiro lodge, a youth hostel composed mainly of straw huts. Our room was in the loft of a straw hut- without a door, but with plenty of bugs! After thoroughly spraying down everything in the room with deet, we felt safe enough to sleep.
The next day, we discovered that Guatemalan tourism is very different than tourism in the states! We started off the day white water TUBING. Following this, we were given a candle and taken into the dark abyss of a cave. We spent the next hour and a half swimming through the cave, climbing dark waterfalls and jumping off cliffs!
After that, we hiked a mountain and were greeted by an incredible view from the top of the mountain springs below. It was an incredible weekend!
When we got back to the Oasis, it was time to embark on our second adventure: TIA-ING. All of the tias (house moms) left Monday for a night out, so Sarah, Betsy, Rebecca and I stepped in! We decided to have dinner late and then organize a movie for the girls to watch together. It turned out there was no need for that. I discovered that Guatemalans have a constant and very time consuming past time- cleaning! After dinner, they washed the dishes, swept the floor, mopped the floor, and disinfected the floor, all without being prompted by me. In the morning, we had to get up at 5 for breakfast. Every morning so far, I have wondered what these girls do between 5:30, when breakfast finishes, and 7:30, when school starts. On Tuesday, I discovered the answer- they clean. They sweep, mop, wipe, disinfect, tidy, and organize, for two hours every morning!
I can't believe how quickly time is passing. I turn around and realize I have only four weeks left here! God is continuing to teach me during my time here. He is opening my eyes to so many needs here below the surface- the need for love, for friendship, for affirmation, and for healing. He has taken my heart and has broken it for the girls of the Oasis: for Sara, a twelve year old in my house who is still in kindergarten. She was found on the streets four years ago after being deserted by her parents while on a picnic. She suffered so much from malnourishment that now she is suspected to have brain damage. Every time she gives me a hug and says "te quiero mucho" ( I love you a lot)I struggle to understand how anyone could not want her. My heart breaks for Mary, who month after month waits for a visit from her parents but never receives one. It breaks for the three sisters who are hear after suffering gruesome sexual abuse. I am slowly realizing that behind every attitude here, and every wall and every pretense, there is a girl who is struggling to come to terms with the thought that someone, somewhere, hurt them or didn't want them. God is showing me the immense need these girls have of love. Please pray that God will use me to show these girls their value in Christ, and that they will be able to see how much he truly loves him.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Rigorous Academics aren't just for Students
"But he said to me, 'my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power will rest on me." -II Corinthians 12:9
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us." II Corinthians 4:7
In the last few days, I have begun to see these passages in a new light entirely.
I thought, when I came here, that if I taught anything, it would probably be English. Never did I think that I would be trying to teach middle school Math in SPANISH! But, the Math teacher was let go last week, and the staff needed someone to help out until they can hire a new one. So, I have spent my last week trying to translate words like "scientific notation" and "maximum common divisor" into Spanish. Those of you who are familiar with my academic history know that Math has never been my strong point. So, trying to teach it without a teacher's manual, and in another language, has definitely brought into light many of my weaknesses! Tonight, instead of hanging out with the girls at my house or drinking coffee with the other interns, I will be in my room with a borrowed math book and a Spanish-English dictionary, trying to at least figure out what I am doing tomorrow... it's kind of embarrassing when the teacher gets it wrong!
I have also been tutoring Spanish grammar- another area that I am not very strong in, as I'm sure my professors are well aware! I am teaching 16 and 17 year old students who are on a 6th and 7th grade level still. It is hard to motivate them and to get them to think for themselves. And, I must say it has been quite the adventure trying to teach them grammar, and then realize halfway through explaining, they are laughing at me because I have been explaining good grammar with bad grammar. Why they keep coming back for tutoring, I have no idea. I keep wondering why God is putting me in these situations. Then I realize- I have been praying over and over that God would put me in a place where he can be glorified. What better place than when I clearly cannot do something on my own?
This weekend, I went with the three other interns, Betsy, Rebecca, and Sarah, to Antigua. Antigua is a beautiful city- it is like stepping back into the fourteenth century! There are loads of Spanish ruins, all the houses are brightly colored, and all the streets are cobbled. We had a great time negotiating the huge market and trying out different coffee shops. The world cup was on at every market stand and in every restaurant. The Guatemalans go crazy over soccer!
If any of you have Math ideas, or ideas for teaching Spanish grammar, I would LOVE to hear from you!
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us." II Corinthians 4:7
In the last few days, I have begun to see these passages in a new light entirely.
I thought, when I came here, that if I taught anything, it would probably be English. Never did I think that I would be trying to teach middle school Math in SPANISH! But, the Math teacher was let go last week, and the staff needed someone to help out until they can hire a new one. So, I have spent my last week trying to translate words like "scientific notation" and "maximum common divisor" into Spanish. Those of you who are familiar with my academic history know that Math has never been my strong point. So, trying to teach it without a teacher's manual, and in another language, has definitely brought into light many of my weaknesses! Tonight, instead of hanging out with the girls at my house or drinking coffee with the other interns, I will be in my room with a borrowed math book and a Spanish-English dictionary, trying to at least figure out what I am doing tomorrow... it's kind of embarrassing when the teacher gets it wrong!
I have also been tutoring Spanish grammar- another area that I am not very strong in, as I'm sure my professors are well aware! I am teaching 16 and 17 year old students who are on a 6th and 7th grade level still. It is hard to motivate them and to get them to think for themselves. And, I must say it has been quite the adventure trying to teach them grammar, and then realize halfway through explaining, they are laughing at me because I have been explaining good grammar with bad grammar. Why they keep coming back for tutoring, I have no idea. I keep wondering why God is putting me in these situations. Then I realize- I have been praying over and over that God would put me in a place where he can be glorified. What better place than when I clearly cannot do something on my own?
This weekend, I went with the three other interns, Betsy, Rebecca, and Sarah, to Antigua. Antigua is a beautiful city- it is like stepping back into the fourteenth century! There are loads of Spanish ruins, all the houses are brightly colored, and all the streets are cobbled. We had a great time negotiating the huge market and trying out different coffee shops. The world cup was on at every market stand and in every restaurant. The Guatemalans go crazy over soccer!
If any of you have Math ideas, or ideas for teaching Spanish grammar, I would LOVE to hear from you!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
I can't believe that I have already been in Guatemala for two weeks! Now that the wild weather has started to calm down a little bit, I have been able to stop thinking about when I will shower, and start thinking about the Guatemalan culture and what makes it different from home. This is what I've come up with.
1. Beans. Every day here includes some type of beans: fried beans, mashed beans, bean soup, beans with eggs, beans without eggs, bean cereal, etc. I think one day we had bean porridge for breakfast.
2. Tortillas. We have tortillas with EVERY meal. They are homemade and so good.
3. The way the girls snap here is just like the Okie snap, except maybe (MAYBE) louder. I heard one girl snap clear across campus yesterday morning. They do it whenever they laugh at a joke or try to get someone's attention.
4. Birthday celebrations are very different here. This morning was my Tia Marisol's birthday. We started blowing up balloons during breakfast while my Tia was in the shower. I thought we were going to be hanging them up in her room for her. Instead, we hid them under her bed covers. Then, when she came out of the shower, the girls pushed her onto the bed so the balloons all popped. Then there was a massive balloon popping contest. I left with my ears ringing and thoroughly confused.
5. The typical greeting here is a kiss- on the left and right cheek. It makes for a very awkward hello if you go the wrong way first.
6. In this culture, now is much more important than later. If I am late to school, and run into my Tia who I haven't seen since yesterday, it is expected that I stop and talk and and see how she is doing. The society is very relationally based, something I have really appreciated about being here.
Ever since the storm passed over, we have had beautiful weather here. The sun here is STRONG. It is not that warm, since we are at 7000 feet, but you still get burned. So I have a really nice sweatshirt tan line going right now.
The first Saturday of every month is a Visiting Saturday, which means that any family who have permission from the court can come visit for two hours. It was hard watching girls look forward to seeing their parents, only to have to say goodbye in two hours. It was also hard to see the girls who got dressed up and waited for parents who never came.
We went to Galelia last Sunday, the church in town. It was a wonderful service- three hours long! The worship was beautiful. It was neat to know that, though I am in an entirely different culture, I am still worshipping the same God with them.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and emails. I love hearing from you!
1. Beans. Every day here includes some type of beans: fried beans, mashed beans, bean soup, beans with eggs, beans without eggs, bean cereal, etc. I think one day we had bean porridge for breakfast.
2. Tortillas. We have tortillas with EVERY meal. They are homemade and so good.
3. The way the girls snap here is just like the Okie snap, except maybe (MAYBE) louder. I heard one girl snap clear across campus yesterday morning. They do it whenever they laugh at a joke or try to get someone's attention.
4. Birthday celebrations are very different here. This morning was my Tia Marisol's birthday. We started blowing up balloons during breakfast while my Tia was in the shower. I thought we were going to be hanging them up in her room for her. Instead, we hid them under her bed covers. Then, when she came out of the shower, the girls pushed her onto the bed so the balloons all popped. Then there was a massive balloon popping contest. I left with my ears ringing and thoroughly confused.
5. The typical greeting here is a kiss- on the left and right cheek. It makes for a very awkward hello if you go the wrong way first.
6. In this culture, now is much more important than later. If I am late to school, and run into my Tia who I haven't seen since yesterday, it is expected that I stop and talk and and see how she is doing. The society is very relationally based, something I have really appreciated about being here.
Ever since the storm passed over, we have had beautiful weather here. The sun here is STRONG. It is not that warm, since we are at 7000 feet, but you still get burned. So I have a really nice sweatshirt tan line going right now.
The first Saturday of every month is a Visiting Saturday, which means that any family who have permission from the court can come visit for two hours. It was hard watching girls look forward to seeing their parents, only to have to say goodbye in two hours. It was also hard to see the girls who got dressed up and waited for parents who never came.
We went to Galelia last Sunday, the church in town. It was a wonderful service- three hours long! The worship was beautiful. It was neat to know that, though I am in an entirely different culture, I am still worshipping the same God with them.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and emails. I love hearing from you!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tropical Storms, Volcanos, Sinkholes, and Earthquakes, oh my!
I have been here less than a week, yet already I am fully convinced that there is no place quite like Guatemala. The last few days have been crazy. We were hit by Tropical Storm Agatha on Friday and Saturday. Commpared to the kind of rain we saw this weekend, even the worst storms in Buffalo, NY are just a drizzle! We lost power and water for three days. It gets dark here at around 6:30, so we have really been making use of the candles in our house! I was so thankful today when the electricity came on and I could finally take a shower!
We also have had more volcano eruptions. Picaya erupted again. From here, it looks beautiful, but there has been a lot of damage to the towns closer to the volcano.
Guatemala City is a mess right now. There is ash rainfall everywhere, and a huge sinkhole. Much of the public transportation has been put on hold.
The Guatemalan people are another thing entirely to adjust to. It is so strange, having grown up and gone to college in primarily white areas, to suddenly be stared and pointed at, and called, "la gringa" (white girl), or "la colocha" (the curly haired girl). The girls love to stare at and touch my eyes too, which can be painful rather awkward at times.
Despite feeling like I am on display, I have loved getting to know some of the girls here. I am helping to teach kindergarten. The girls are so much fun, and have really helped me with my Spanish. Today, some of the girls taught me their latino dance moves. Their hips don't lie for sure! These girls love Justin Beiber and High School Musical. It is so funny watching them try to sing "Baby, Baby, Baby" in English!
I have heard that the Guatemalan people are the most complicated in Latin America. I am finding that to be true. Politness and saving face are very important here. In general, Guatemalans seem to always say what they think you want to hear. For example, if I am lost and ask for directions, even if the Guatemalan doesn't have an answer, he will make something up, because he doesn't want to disappoint me by saying he doesn't know. Also, they seem to be very easily offended, and won't say anything to your face, but will often hold grudges.
Slowly, I am starting to find my place here. In my short time here, I have discovered so many needs below the surface. Please pray that God will continue to give me the grace I need to understand the language and to adapt to the culture, and that he will use me here in whatever way he sees fit. Please pray that he will fill me with love and confidence. Please pray that I will not be so focused on winning the approval of these people that I forget why I am here- to bring the gospel where it isn't.
Please pray for the people of Guatemala- especially the poor. Last I heard, there have been almost 100 deaths this past week. The deaths are mostly the poor, because they do not have solid housing.
Please pray for the girls at the Oasis. Please pray that God will open their hearts and remove them of their hurt, and will fill them with love, for each other and for him.
Please pray for the staff here, that God will encourage them and will use them to bring the light of the gospel to this place.
If any of you get a chance, write me an email! I would love to hear how you are doing!
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- not by works, so that no one can boast. for we are God's workmnship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:9-10
"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God." Ezekiel 11:19-20
We also have had more volcano eruptions. Picaya erupted again. From here, it looks beautiful, but there has been a lot of damage to the towns closer to the volcano.
Guatemala City is a mess right now. There is ash rainfall everywhere, and a huge sinkhole. Much of the public transportation has been put on hold.
The Guatemalan people are another thing entirely to adjust to. It is so strange, having grown up and gone to college in primarily white areas, to suddenly be stared and pointed at, and called, "la gringa" (white girl), or "la colocha" (the curly haired girl). The girls love to stare at and touch my eyes too, which can be painful rather awkward at times.
Despite feeling like I am on display, I have loved getting to know some of the girls here. I am helping to teach kindergarten. The girls are so much fun, and have really helped me with my Spanish. Today, some of the girls taught me their latino dance moves. Their hips don't lie for sure! These girls love Justin Beiber and High School Musical. It is so funny watching them try to sing "Baby, Baby, Baby" in English!
I have heard that the Guatemalan people are the most complicated in Latin America. I am finding that to be true. Politness and saving face are very important here. In general, Guatemalans seem to always say what they think you want to hear. For example, if I am lost and ask for directions, even if the Guatemalan doesn't have an answer, he will make something up, because he doesn't want to disappoint me by saying he doesn't know. Also, they seem to be very easily offended, and won't say anything to your face, but will often hold grudges.
Slowly, I am starting to find my place here. In my short time here, I have discovered so many needs below the surface. Please pray that God will continue to give me the grace I need to understand the language and to adapt to the culture, and that he will use me here in whatever way he sees fit. Please pray that he will fill me with love and confidence. Please pray that I will not be so focused on winning the approval of these people that I forget why I am here- to bring the gospel where it isn't.
Please pray for the people of Guatemala- especially the poor. Last I heard, there have been almost 100 deaths this past week. The deaths are mostly the poor, because they do not have solid housing.
Please pray for the girls at the Oasis. Please pray that God will open their hearts and remove them of their hurt, and will fill them with love, for each other and for him.
Please pray for the staff here, that God will encourage them and will use them to bring the light of the gospel to this place.
If any of you get a chance, write me an email! I would love to hear how you are doing!
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- not by works, so that no one can boast. for we are God's workmnship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:9-10
"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God." Ezekiel 11:19-20
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