This last week has been trying for Guatemala. If you haven't heard, last Thursday the peacefully active volcano, Volcan de Pacaya, had its biggesst eruption in at least 14 years and it devastated some nearby communities as well as covered part of the country in ash. And yes, it's the same volcano that we hike up the weekend before. Then even worse, tropical storm "Agatha" hit the next day and it has caused some deaths and much destruction. Many people have lost their homes to flooding and mudslides.
Please keep Guatemala in your prayers. Pray that no more damage will occur from the storm and that God will provide for the people that have lost their homes.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Spanish flub of the week! Our friend Robyn (gringa) introduced us to her friends (guatemalans) and told them that we had been married for three years. I was shocked when Kallie responded "posible mas", meaning possilbly longer. I and the three women looked at Kallie with confusion, and I answered, "I sure hope so". Kallie quickly realized they were not talking about the three years we will be living in Coban. 
We hiked Volcan de Pacaya and saw lava for the first time!
Shane and I came walking home one night, when a young man came into sight acting a bit odd. Naturally, as paranoid gringos we tensed up a bit wondering if the unusual behavior was potentially threatening. As we briskly walked passed he tried to say something and held out his hand. Thinking back, obviously this man was probably dehydrated (which can be fatal) and sick which explained why he was off balanced and confused. "Fortunately", we had just purchased a cold gatorade for the boy that is usually selling flowers, but had already left for the day. So without thinking much we handed it to the man and then walked the last few feet to our door. Just as we opened the door the maid, Marta, (who works for the Gonzalez)was leaving the house since her shift was over. I pointed towards the man and in broken spanish told her that something was wrong. She sort of shrugged and responded, "yes, the man is very poor." Shane and I were so quick to first assume that the man was drunk or dangerous, but when looking back he was probalby dehydrated and in need of a meal.
Later that evening the encounter was still on our minds. Why hadn't we encouraged him to sit down and then make sure he was ok? Why hadn't we gone to the nearest tienda and bought him something to eat? Is he ok right now? Surely we could have done something more? We have seen many, many beggers, but this was different. He was more desperate. God convicted us that in this situation we did not react how Jesus would have. So we did the only thing we could do after fleeing the situation, we prayed. We asked God to stabalize his condition, and also asked God to give us wisdom for other times that we will have these encounters. We can't help every poor person we see, but we can study God's word to learn how Jesus interacted with the poor. This verse came to mind, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me..." Mathew 25:35-36
Shane learning how to wash laundry by hand from Marta (family maid). It takes Marta 1 hour of hard scrubbing for one load of laundry - hard work.
We hiked Volcan de Pacaya and saw lava for the first time!Shane and I came walking home one night, when a young man came into sight acting a bit odd. Naturally, as paranoid gringos we tensed up a bit wondering if the unusual behavior was potentially threatening. As we briskly walked passed he tried to say something and held out his hand. Thinking back, obviously this man was probably dehydrated (which can be fatal) and sick which explained why he was off balanced and confused. "Fortunately", we had just purchased a cold gatorade for the boy that is usually selling flowers, but had already left for the day. So without thinking much we handed it to the man and then walked the last few feet to our door. Just as we opened the door the maid, Marta, (who works for the Gonzalez)was leaving the house since her shift was over. I pointed towards the man and in broken spanish told her that something was wrong. She sort of shrugged and responded, "yes, the man is very poor." Shane and I were so quick to first assume that the man was drunk or dangerous, but when looking back he was probalby dehydrated and in need of a meal.
Later that evening the encounter was still on our minds. Why hadn't we encouraged him to sit down and then make sure he was ok? Why hadn't we gone to the nearest tienda and bought him something to eat? Is he ok right now? Surely we could have done something more? We have seen many, many beggers, but this was different. He was more desperate. God convicted us that in this situation we did not react how Jesus would have. So we did the only thing we could do after fleeing the situation, we prayed. We asked God to stabalize his condition, and also asked God to give us wisdom for other times that we will have these encounters. We can't help every poor person we see, but we can study God's word to learn how Jesus interacted with the poor. This verse came to mind, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me..." Mathew 25:35-36
Shane learning how to wash laundry by hand from Marta (family maid). It takes Marta 1 hour of hard scrubbing for one load of laundry - hard work.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN GUATEMALA WHEN...............THERE'S BLACK BEANS IN YOUR DOUGHNUT! Sweetened of course. Unusual but surprisingly tasty.
Shane and I just celebrated our three year anniverary. Wow are we're getting old. We spent the weekend in Monterrico (pacific coast) and had a great time. We saw geckos and crabs in our hotel. This wasn't the Cancun of Guatemala that's for sure! The water is way to strong to swim in, the sand is black, very few tourists and the hotels are uh.....rustic. It was a great way to celebrate.
We spend 4 hours a day with a private teacher and then have about 2 to 3 hours of homework a night. The great spanish learning happens when the books are put away and we are spending time with our host family. We visit about all sorts of things over dinner and it is amazing what one can understand from body language, gestures, and slowed speech. We play uno (card game) with Marsala (10 year old) in the evenings too. It's much less intimidating to speak to a 10 year old than to peers. We are so thankful for where God has placed us for the next three months.
My language teacher Majo. Yes, Shane and I both look like giants.
Shane's teacher Erica.
Shane and I just celebrated our three year anniverary. Wow are we're getting old. We spent the weekend in Monterrico (pacific coast) and had a great time. We saw geckos and crabs in our hotel. This wasn't the Cancun of Guatemala that's for sure! The water is way to strong to swim in, the sand is black, very few tourists and the hotels are uh.....rustic. It was a great way to celebrate.
We spend 4 hours a day with a private teacher and then have about 2 to 3 hours of homework a night. The great spanish learning happens when the books are put away and we are spending time with our host family. We visit about all sorts of things over dinner and it is amazing what one can understand from body language, gestures, and slowed speech. We play uno (card game) with Marsala (10 year old) in the evenings too. It's much less intimidating to speak to a 10 year old than to peers. We are so thankful for where God has placed us for the next three months.
My language teacher Majo. Yes, Shane and I both look like giants.
Shane's teacher Erica.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Antigua, Guatemala
We are blessed to have such a beautiful place to learn spanish. We certainly haven't been "roughing it" the last week.
Downtown Antigua!
At a barbeque with fellow staff
We hope to hike Volcan Aqua (Volcano)
Believe it or not this is McDonalds. Perfect study destination.
Some Mayan children wearing their traditional dress.
Thanks for the prayers about language learning. Our Spanish studies are very important for our future work in Coban.
Downtown Antigua! 
At a barbeque with fellow staff
We hope to hike Volcan Aqua (Volcano)
Believe it or not this is McDonalds. Perfect study destination.
Some Mayan children wearing their traditional dress.Thanks for the prayers about language learning. Our Spanish studies are very important for our future work in Coban.
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