Mixed feelings

Written by Tim:

Hey everyone, sorry for not having written in a few days, we've been really busy again. The last couple of days have been very busy as we've been wrapping up and trying to get done everything that we can before we go. The Community Center will be nearly fully wired for electricity when we go tomorrow. Travis has finished plumbing in the showers as well, and a bunch of people in our group are busy mudding and sanding today as they finish the drywall.

Almost everyone has gone to El Gorreon today to work on the community center. I got a little ways there and realized that I was going to need to stay close to a bathroom today. As there are no bathrooms or running water in EG, I elected to stay behind and see if there was anything to do around here.

We're pretty mixed up about coming home. I think everyone is looking forward to that feeling of being in our own beds again, and I know I'm looking forward to some family time. But I think for the majority of us, we can honestly say we love it here. The people, the work, the food, it's all been so great! If my family were here with me, I might just stay! ;) Yesterday afternoon, after work we had a debriefing time with the Associate Director where he tried to help us make sense of the feelings we will have when we get home. Everyone has been a little somber since then, I think because it's hitting us, we're really going home! Last night I decided I should really start packing today and teared up a little! Believe me, NO ONE is more surprised than me - even you Sheena.

Last night we had dinners at our host families for the first time, something I actually wish that we had done at least once more. Will was hilarious with the kids, giving them airplane rides and stuff, it was pretty funny. Our whole family laughed for a good long time, now I'm going to miss these guys even more! It was great fun... I hope that's not why I'm sick!

Anyway, one more day. It's going to be hard to say goodbye. Pray that we finish well, God is doing some great things here in Magdalena and EG, we have been so thrilled to be a part of it and now that it's winding down I worry that there will be a temptation to slack a little. Our group is not of the kind of character to which I expect it, but I can see how it could happen. Pray for the emotions. There are several in the group who just don't even want to leave. And pray for safe travel, and that we make our connection in Houston where we have 1 hour to get through immigration and then re-enter security and somehow make it to our gate on time.

Thanks for reading, we'll see about a new post tonight from someone, but with our farewell banquet this evening we may not find the time. Talk to you soon!

Eyes Open

Written by: Tynnea

Lauren and I were back in the school in Magdalena today which was really great as we got to meet some of the kids who need sponsors, and hear some of their stories. As great as it is to hear about these amazing kids, it was also incredibly difficult to hear how much they struggle on a daily basis. We actually got the chance to do a home visit today to one of the families, and to be honest I had no idea what to expect. So to say the least, I was shocked when we arrived to find that their house, walls and roof, were made of tin, and the floor was just dirt. Immediately just walking in, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. So far, I hadn’t gotten a chance to really go to where the people were, they were always coming to us. And now I really understand why some of the other ministry sites, like social work, have been having such a hard time. While we were playing with the kids, I couldn’t help but look around, and try and think and imagine how more than 10 people lived in this tiny space that is smaller than my bedroom. That really hit hard.

The last week, I was really feeling encouraged, and like I was in a good place, and I was just seeing all the good around me. It’s not like I was ignoring the ugly, but I guess I just sort of accepted it. Today was a bit of a rough day for me. Seeing those kids, and the conditions they live in, and how somehow they trust in God so much that they’re still able to have a smile on their face, it just blows me away. I can honestly say that I wish that I could be like them sometimes. It’s very humbling.

Over a week has passed, and I can’t believe that in 4 more days we’ll be home. In many ways, I wish that I could stay here, and find a way to really change things and make a difference. I think there’s a part of all of us that wishes the same thing.

Dirty Laundry

Written by Jennifer.

It's now the second week and many of us are feeling the effects. Please pray for us as many are either physically or emotionally exhausted. Yesterday instead of our normal work day in El Gorrion the social work site went back to Antigua to the SI office to sort through clothing donations. It was really great to see that many donations were coming in, but it was less glamorous work than we would have liked. We had to sort through the clothes determining what was dirty (including undergarments and such) and then sort them in different categories. It was great that many clothes were donated, but it was hard for us to remember that we are serving God even with the tedious little tasks that we do. I know that many other groups were feeling similar emotions as some were twisting little wires for chicken coops and cutting paper for crafts. Please pray that we would be eager to serve in any way that is needed.

Thank you so much for your prayers and it's great to read your comments and know that we have tons of support back home.

Day 8 - A roof over their heads

Written by Will:

So, I have not blogged at all before today.the past few days have been amazing. for those of you who don't know, I am in social work in the tiny shanty town of El Gorion. meeting the people has definitely been an experience for me. today, Javier, Jen, and I just did home visits. It was really cool to meet some new people and get to know them a little deeper than beyond the surface. We also just helped by a pregnant lady buy some "Lamina", or tin roofing for her house, as it is being extended and she needed some. Much thanks to Ben and Jen for giving some money towards that project. Saturday and Sunday we were shopping in Antigua for most of the day both days. It was really exhausting having to barter for everything that you want to buy. Javier is like a complete machine. He would just say a number, and if they didn't go down to that number, he would just walk away and take his business elsewhere. I would just like to ask for prayer for the whole team that God would just give us strength for each day, and that he would help us to show compassion to the poor and needy around us. Peace :)

A Day at Elementary School in Magdalena

Written by: Lauren

Tynnea and I have had the privilege of working at a private Christian elementary school in Magdalena called Colegio Memorial Norma de Monroy alongside Students International staff: Rachel, Nivia & Abby . The school year runs from January to October and this year there are 75 students from kindergarten to grade six. Technically it is a private school but this mostly because more than half the students' tuition is mostly paid for through the SI child sponsorship program. Tuition pays for some materials and their navy blue & lime green uniforms.

Since our time here in Magdalena, Tynnea and I have spent 2 days at the school. Our first day we went around to three different classes to teach a Bible class on Zaccheus or Zaqueo in Spanish. Rachel read the story outloud and then we helped the children with a little paper craft. Our last class of the day was a grade 6 English class. In this class, Tynnea and I were interviewed by 3-4 students in English. They asked questions like "what is your name?", "what is your favourite colour?", "what is your favourite Bible verse?", etc.

Today, Tynnea and I spent our second day at the school. We didn't have any classes to teach. Instead we were asked to help watch the kindergarten class, which actually has a wide range of ages from 3-7, while their teacher met with all their parents to discuss the events on September 15, the equivalence of independence day here in Guatemala. I spent a lot of time pushing two girls, Sharoline & Ixi, on the swings. They were so adorable. Had their teacher not called them inside, they would have easily had me push them on the swings all day. A little girl named Sofia was captivated with Tynnea pretty much from the first moment we went outside to the very end of our playtime. When we were not busy playing with the kids outside, we were busy cutting up different Bible crafts for this week - a sheep craft for our lesson on Psalm 23 and a little soldier with different pieces of armor for our Ephesians 6 lesson.

The partnership that SI has with this school has been a really good thing for this community. Just last week I was able to witness all the sponsor kids receive glasses, of which the families only had to pay 20 Quetzales and the rest was paid for by SI. Each child has a different story but from what I know many of them come from families where there are many struggles. Please pray for these children. And if you are interested in learning more about sponsoring one or more of these children, I would love to give you some more information when I come back home.

Thank you as well for praying for us a team. There have been some really tough moments but through it all I know we will come back home challenged in our faith and changed as people.

Buenos tardes from Guatemala!!! =)

One Week Gone, One Week To Go

Written By Grant:

So...sorry it took so long to write, that's somewhat due to much procrastination and games of scum and crib which happens almost every evening. So overall I have been doing pretty good, Javier, Ben and I are in the same house together which has been really fun! It has proved very useful to have Javier in the house, he gets to do a lot of translating for us, but were getting better. I find that I'm getting a little better each day at Spanish, but it's still hard for me to converse with people, which would be awesome to do! Over the past week, though, we have successfully taught our Guatefamily how to play go fish and 10,000. It's been cool getting to know them and getting a better understanding of their culture.

So yesterday we got to go to church which was an amazing experience! It was so...alive, and everyone was involved. There was a sweet worship band including marimba which was really good, especially because they don't even practice. We got to go up and do our own worship songs in English which was cool! It was definitely a sweet church experience! We also got to go to the market in Antigua for the second time, and went to McDonald's to get a triple bacon cheeseburger! So with much aid from Javier in bartering, I got a lot of stuff, including a MACHETE!!! Definitely had some fun, chill times on the weekend!

So from a different perspective, this trip has been very eye opening. Seeing the living conditions of the people through the agriculture ministry or even just living in there homes, really has brought a whole new appreciation for what I have back home. Some days have definitely been tough just seeing the poverty of some families, you just wish you do more rather than just come by, immunize some animals, then head off. But I guess every little thing we do, even just a smile can positively affect others. It's good to know that we are making a difference, each one of us in our own ministry sites doing God's work.

So (because I feel like starting all my paragraphs with so) Braden and I have been doing some cool stuff in the agriculture site. After many immunizations and a castration, we spent a few days building a chicken coop which we finished today. It's cool because the way this works is that we build it for families with not much income, get them chickens which they feed until their big enough, then sell them for money. It's sustainable because new chickens can be born so really there is a consistent income which is good for some of these families with little money.

So now there is only one week left :( actually only 4 days left! Really I speak for all of us when I say, I'm going to give it my all and serve God and these awesome people to the best of my ability, no matter what he throws my way, this is all about God and loving people!

Talk to all of you guys later ~ Grant (Ding, because my Guatefamily can't pronounce my name)

Day 7 - No idea

Written by Braden:

Wow! After two full days and an hour, Grant, Mario and I finished our first chicken coop. It isn't a five star hotel, but it beats having nothing, and I bet the chickens won't mind. The past couple of days have been very interesting. For the weekend we went down the very large hill to the more urban town of Antigua. There were many marketplaces and hundreds of different stalls, each with their own special thing to offer. Don't worry mom, I didn't spend all of my money, I saved some to buy you some coffee.

Church yesterday was a different, but very entertaining. Everyone in the whole church would clap for the entire 13 minute songs. The marimba definitely added a different appeal to the music, and although we had no idea what the words were for the songs the atmosphere of praise was exuberant. It is cool to see how much the people of the community praise even though they have almost nothing. I can't imagine how I would be if I, or anyone else from North American culture were stuck in the same situation as them. Many with no clean water to drink, and barely enough money to buy beans and rice for their family. Their love for got is amazing.

The plan for the next 2 days is to go around and immunize animals on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, we get another special treat. We get to castrate a 200lb pig. don't you just love it! we are trying to convince Tim to come along for that one and take some pictures so you guys can get the whole castration experience. Wish us luck!!

~Brain