This is long overdue.
I'm not really sure where to begin...
I have been in Guatemala for exactly 2 months, 4 weeks, 2 days, 12 hrs and 16 mins. I have 25 days left until I get back on a plane and head home...but who's counting?
I had a taste of home about a month ago when my mom and youngest sister came to visit for 2 weeks!! Their trip was actually not planned until about a week and a half before. There has always been family issues, but there are some pretty important things going on which called for a family meeting and of course my mom made it a priority to be here. It was such a breath of fresh air when I saw my mom, looking a little confused as to how to get out of the airport, pushing the luggage cart with my sister on top enjoying the ride, both with bright smiles and their brown eyes. (it was also nice to speak fluent English!) It's such an amazing thing to have the presence of your mother.
A few days after their arrival, we made a trip to my grandparents home near the coast and spent the day with A LOT of the family. I knew Carolyn, my little sister, would be so anxious and ecstatic to go because she would get to see her cousin. She and her cousin Gabi were born within 7 days of each other. It's an instant connection whenever they meet. I have the image of Gabi grabbing my sister's hand to play as soon as she got out of the car :)
my mom and grandparents
At the beach
"Aunt Carolyn"
Our cute 2nd cousin Luis Roberto
I was set to meet with InnerCHANGE in Xela, Guatemala during their time here. My mom and uncle have a cousin that lives here in Xela who she hadn't seen in 25 years. We planned to leave a few days early to visit her and the family. My drop off was made into a mini trip for everyone.
My mom and her cousin Gloria.
This lady is wonderful. She laughs over
everything and it's contagious.
Xela is the 2nd largest city in Guatemala compared to the largest, Guatemala City, where most of my family lives. It's 3 1/2 hrs away with an elevation of about 8,000 ft. It is very popular for travelers, Spanish schools and universities, and also it's lifestyle and population of the Mayan Indians. The city is not as modernized as the streets are still the original cobblestone and the central park is of antique design. The drive here is so incredible. I haven't seen the beauty of many countries, but Guatemala has got to be one of the most gorgeous.
Volcano Santa Maria in Xela
Xela is known for a lot of its agricultural work. This picture does not do justice for the hard work, colors and beauty of what the lively hood is for many people here.
Pictures of Parque Central
I am living within a 4 min. walking distance.
This is where the dream of Xela InnerCHANGE started.
very common.
poorer streets of Xela
it is hard to see, but in the background (middle right)
there is a sign on top of that building
"Cristo Viene"
meaning "Christ Come"
I didn't even notice it until I was editing. I like those little surprises.
The 4 story house with the cars has been my home for the last 3 weeks.
This is the home of Julio and Olga Avila. They are the parents of 9 (grown) kids, 3 of who are involved with InnerCHANGE. There are about 15 people living here who are all related.
(so much detail to this house and the story of the InnerCHANGE team. I can't wait to share it
with you in person :)
This has definitely been a highlight of the trip here. I have been accepted as a part of the family. Exactly the experience I had hoped for. The family here hosts lots of different people who are studying at Spanish schools and many other reasons. I pay roughly $40 a week for a good size room all to myself, comfy bed, somewhat hot shower, 3 home cooked meals a day (amazing!!), my own key, but most of all the opportunity to be a part of their family and culture.
Though I am in the midst of very loving and hospitable people, there are things that surround me that I have "seen" with my own eyes. I think in a sense I was naive to. Brokenness that I believed was out there, but experiencing and feeling it is obviously far more real than hearing or knowing about it. There is prostitution that happens right next door to where I am. I saw the man who lives there dressed as a woman. I saw a man across the street getting high off of glue one evening. I saw a man sitting in his car fixing his gun as I was walking by. And then his wife and child entered the car. I saw a man sitting in his own urine. I see men urinating anywhere they please. I see trash everywhere. I see sidewalks as a place of rest until the morning.
I've seen it.
I've been scared.
I close my eyes and pray.
One of the streets (hills) I've gone running on.
conquered.
I did something I wasn't planning on doing, but I am so glad I did.
My first week here I went to Spanish school. I only went for the first week because the following week I took a trip to Honduras....more to come about that.
The school was right down the street. I went 8-1 Mon-Fri. 5 hours a day with just you and the teacher is a long time but I made it! I loved the whole experience. I got to meet people from Australia, England, Ireland and of course locals from Xela. Most of them had been studying here for 4-5 weeks! Definitely had lots of good laughs with the teachers and students, but especially hearing all the "extranjeros" trying to speak Spanish with their lovely accents :)
El Portal Spanish School
classroom area
My teacher Luis!!
So fun.
I loved the atmosphere this place brought.
My favorite was the outdoor area.
And now finally some talk about the ministry I have been involved with for the last 3 weeks.
If you are not familiar with the ministry work of InnerCHANGE , you should check them out:
I first met with the team in the central park. I was excited, but way more nervous. I knew their faces before they knew mine. As I saw the 4 team leaders, emotions ran over me. I had this feeling of a light that was shining on them. Seeing hands and feet that were bringing light into the darkness of this city. It was a powerful experience for me. Knowing that I was going to be a part of it.
The leaders of the team are German and Karla Avila and the other long term missionaries alongside them are Julio and Melanie Avila (brothers and sons of the family I am living with).
Their main focus right now is working with the street kids in Parque Central. There are about 14 boys within the ages of 12-17 who have continued relationships with the team. Boys who are here without family, poor, and work daily as shoeshiners or car washers. Fortunately, they do not sleep on the streets. There are 2 different dormitories that are provided. One I know is run by a older lady and her husband. The boys pay 3 Quetzales a night (about 35 cents) to sleep. They aren't allowed to go to the house until after 6 at night and have to leave by 6 in the morning. This means the rest of the time they are on the street. This is what has become their community... but in the midst of it... they are seeing a glimpse of hope.
German and Julio organized a soccer team of the "street kids" through the city league 2 years ago. (something I learned: about 20 years ago, German and Julio used to play soccer at the same park where the kids play now. The city was going to shut down the league and the park, but the brothers fought to keep it going. It is still going and it is now a huge part of their ministry. Someone greater had plans for them and the game of soccer) :)
My first interaction with the boys was at a soccer game. All of you who know me well know that I loooove sports. I was excited to know that this was a big part of the ministry and it could be a way that I could connect. Unfortunately, at least once a week the other team they are expecting to play doesn't show up which happened at the first game I attended. But that meant we got to play each other for fun and of course I got in on the action.
I noticed the uniforms right away.
InnerCHANGE in Spanish is CAMBIOinterno.
The 3 crosses are a very significant part of the values and commitments
of InnerCHANGE as a whole. I just loved seeing what these kids were representing.
This has been a lot harder than I thought it would be. First of all, there is a language barrier. Second of all, they are all boys. Not to say I can't connect with them on some level, but even small talk is difficult. But ultimatley, these kids have stories that I could never have imagined and have never engaged in. Their stories are reality for a lot of children here and in the world. I feel like it is a different approach than what I might normally do with the youth at my church Emmaus...... but then again, maybe not. I just know that it is a much slower process. I know that there is pain and suffering inside of them and also in the leaders for the kids. One thing I have reflected on is something Melanie, a leader and wife of Julio, said when I asked what she has found most difficult when working with the kids. She longs to see the inner healing, the transformation, and the soul of these kids, but many circumstances hinder the boys from opening up to someone, let alone a women. Her husband is able to experience this from them, naturally, and it tends to be a feeling of jealousy for Melanie. I understand and I feel like that is what I am experiencing. But I am not going to be discouraged. At least now, after 3 weeks, I know where I can and was able to use my gifts in this situation.
During my time here things have been very relaxed and go with the flow because the kids are on vacation from school ( I think about 1/2 of the kids attend and the rest have a desire to go, which is so great, but they also need to make money to survive). The kids that do go, would come to the homes of the leaders (always an open door) and receive tutoring. Some of the boys are too old for school so they are focusing on more of a career. They are trying to start a construction school. It is in the works (they need volunteers), but things are going in a great direction. Sometimes the kids come over just because. They know it is a safe place where genuine people who care for them. I had the privilege to share a meal with 2 of the boys at Melanie and Julio's home. One of the boys named German made an impact on me. Just his presence, respectfulness and willingness to help.
This brings me to one of the activities I was able to help with. We put together a Christmas party for all of the kids. It was amazing to see the amounts of food and gifts donated. I helped make angel cards with each of the boys names, shirt, sweater and pant size. People volunteered to buy gifts for the boys and I chose German. (this is starting to become all over the place and thought scattered, so please bare with me :) ) A lot of you know the gift of giving. I had a such a fun time shopping and wrapping it up especially for him. I'll let some of the pictures be a visual for the great time we had :)
This is the outdoor area of the Xela team home.
German called all the boys from the soccer team
up to the front for an awesome surprise!!
Not sure what to expect...
This picture is a bit blurry, but it speaks so much. There was this wonderful girl who worked with another organization that supported the dormitory and a school the boys stayed at and attended. She donated her own money to help buy the team new uniforms! Julio and German were very excited and wore them covered by a sweatshirt and sweat pants until the unveiling! They came running out in them with a mannequin in hand also wearing a uniform. The boys are not that expressive when it comes to words, but this moment was definitely when actions speak louder than words. What a wonderful gift. They loved it :)
Giving my gift to German :)
We had such a fun time. Music, games, tamales,
ponche (a delicious fruit cider), and lots of laughs.
musical chairs is always a hit!!
Another activity I got to be involved in was helping celebrate Christmas at the women's jail. Karla Avila, German's wife, has been serving in this area for awhile along side people from the Catholic church. I wasn't sure to expect, though I wasn't nervous. Again, the amounts of things donated were outstanding: 50 brand new sweaters, more tamales, sweet breads, soaps and toilet paper, and 4 bags full of used clothes. I can not believe how different the jail is here. Nothing is provided for the inmates except a bed and room. Family is constantly providing for them. Also, if you were pregnant or had a baby under the age of 1, the baby stays with you until they are no longer nursing!! I couldn't believe that.
One thing I loved seeing was the 2 daughters and niece of Karla, ages 13 and under, helping with the party. I had to ask them if they had been to the jail before and they said they had been many times!
The jail is like a house. You walk in and it's a big open courtyard with the sun shining in. All the women talking and visiting. I believe we came at visiting hours because there were men and children running around, people barbecuing, and just hanging out!!! Weird.
There was one older lady that I keep thinking about. As we walked in, Karla's daughters approached her with open arms. They all hugged as if she was their grandmother (mind you, she is an inmate). She has been in jail for a long time and I am not sure why, but I saw the fruits of the volunteers and missionaries time there with her. It was a beautiful sight. It was as if I had to remind myself of where I was.
During the gift giving and happy time of celebration, reality hit. People were coming in and out of the jail ( I wish I could have taken pictures of everything, but cameras were not allowed). So when 2 women came in, it didn't phase me, until I heard cries of grief. These 2 had just come from their sentencing at court. They are convicted of being involved with a kidnapping of a very young girl. They were sentenced to 60 years in prison.... Shock.
The 2 men that were also involved escaped from jail. The next day I saw the same girl at the jail on the front page of the newspaper. This is real.
One a lighter note, here are some pictures of the family, a few boys from the streets, and I helping wrap the gifts for the women:
Me and my little elf Samaya :)
German and Karla Avila
Freakin' adorable Genesis
I have so much more to write..... I will get to it. I promise.
I will leave a little glimpse of my trip to Honduras with the InnerCHANGE team.
I love and miss you all. Yeah, you!! :) I hope this Christmas season has been worthwhile and intentional for you.
Let Earth receive her King.
Maria
