to see the face of God...

These are just some of the faces that keep me going and keep us here...

Tomas

Miguel

Manuel

Cristobalina

Vivian

Josue

Santiago

Belem

Dolores

Ana Estella

Ricardo

Dina

Pedro

Berlen

Maria Angelica

Sandra Sofia

Yoni

Yovani

Claudia

Refreshed Energy

This past week was the Spring Break at many universities, so we were able to host a group of students taking a Tri-S trip from AU.  The group dynamic was very strong and encouraging. They were able to participate in some great service opportunities, such as installing stoves in impoverished homes and handing out goodies at pre-schools, but upon themselves they really took it to the next level. I mean, they were constantly conscious of the needs around them and thinking of ways to connect themselves to the community.  This group was all about being 'in' the community, rather than spectators of it.

This stove was installed in a dirt floored home where 9 people lived (who previously just cooked on an open flame).  A group of 6 of us carried sender-blocks up into the mountain side for about a 15 minute hike...it was exhausting.  Us boys carried 3 at a time, then on my way down the mountain I saw a woman carrying 4 on her head (with a small padding resting in between on her head)...I know that sounds impossible, but it indeed happened.  Culturally, everyone has strong necks, which is way smarter than relying on arm strength.  The women walk with stuff on their heads, while the men strap something on their back with the 'band' around their foreheads'.

It was an honor to be able to get to know the students and leaders (one of which was Esther!), and they've helped us to refocus our own attitudes as we seek to engage in service opportunities and authentically connect to the community in our remaining time living here.  Their time here has helped us to renew our senses to 'cherish each moment', because seeing how difficult it was for them to leave after only being here one week reminded us how blessed we are to be living here.

I am fully confident that this group of young leaders will be able to continue strong in their experiences stemming from this trip.  They recognized ways to serve in their own, back-home, communities rather than just seeing Guatemala as a place of 'great need'.  If you're passionate about passing out candy to children in schools or on the streets here in Guatemala, what is preventing you from doing it in the States (other than most kids are told not to take candy from strangers)?  If you volunteer to provide basic necessities to families in need here in Guatemala, what's to prevent you from initiating those opportunities elsewhere?

I am fully confident that this group also has what to takes to learn more about the tragic history of violence in Guatemala.  Their interest to understand the culture and history during tours and meetings while here gave them a good start, but it's just as important to take it a step further and realize how the mere fact of being a US citizen plays a role in that history.

Additionally, I'm proud to report that one of the members was a never-met distant relative (second cousin), Mark Sipka, who along with his counterparts, displayed spectacular character and praised God through actions and faith.  

Mourning Baby Mirari

I woke up yesterday (Sunday) starting to write a post about a week that just came to an end as a Tri-S group of students left on Saturday following a strong, positive week of service during their Spring Break.  Unexpectedly, Jenny received a phone call at 7:30, with the quick, wailing explanation that baby Mirari passed away.

We are shocked.  This is a baby that our families have been involved with since her birth when they found out she has a rare genetic disease and requires extreme dietary measures to stay alive.  The group that visited last week delivered the next load of milk formula for her (allowing us to skip the 'shipping costs'), so she had plenty of it to last for more than a month.  We've always known the risk as she grows older, and the statistics that she's not likely to reach adulthood, but she seemed so healthy, so beautiful just a mere one week ago.

Please pray for this family to be released of their anger and to be comforted and held lovingly.  This mother had previously lost 3 babies, unknowingly to this same genetic disease (MSUD), then they were finally able to diagnose Mirari to help prolong her life.  She would have been 2 years old in July.

So our day yesterday was filled with grieving and a trip to Parramos, to show our love and support to the family.

How You Livin'?

When asked the question "How you livin'?", I once had to answer "in mansions and Benz, given ends to my friends and it feels stupendous."  When I had to answer that question I was told how to respond because I was rushing a social club, so it was not a real world answer that I gave, but it came from a real world answer some people do give.  The quote actually came from a rap video, however I do not know which one.

It is interesting for me to think back to that rushing experience, because I essentially lived a week of my life through someone else's directing, and yet it was acceptable.  But now that I reflect on it, years past, I can't help but think about other situations I come across where my life is directed by yet another [human], such as school or work.  We are positioned under someone else who has the power of doing something to their liking, so we at times find ourselves doing something that we may not even agree with.  Simple, but we expect that kind of directing from others because it is our job and we have a boss, right?  But take this as another example...we have the option of living our daily life by the directing of Jesus.  We can be plugged in to the needs of others; we can be so far outside of ourselves that we can't do anything but ask for God's direction because we know we can't do it any other way.

But what are we to do when the worldly system [school, work, etc] has us do something that interferes with Jesus' directing.  I struggle with that question because we tend to place so much importance on a job or education, after-all it does provide us with our way of life, income and knowledge base, but where is the fine line of distinguishing what we need to do for a job versus what we need to do for Christ?  I mean are we actually at the point where we do things for our workplaces for the money?  The question takes us to another question which is "do we work to live, or live to work?"  I feel that living to work would put us in the cycle and temptations of greed, always doing more work and spending more time just to acquire more things and live more comfortably.

Or we can just ignore His directing and keep up with the Jones' in our mansions and Benz.  Being in Guatemala gives you the 'in your face' reality that you need to work to live (obviously), but it also helps you learn about what you're working for.  Traditionally speaking, Guatemalans don't work to keep up with the Jones'.  They work simply to live, and they barely get-by doing it, through tremendously hard labor and low-reward type positions.  It amazes me to see the work ethic that it takes to 'work to live', because they aren't even trying to think of ways to 'live to work'...they know there's more to life than that.

I hope to better learn those ways...attitudes...as we continue to live here...working.

For entertainment purposes, here's a music video that I can remember watching and 'really liking' way back while I was in high school student.

Q of D

"To have what we want is riches, but to be able to do without is power."
-George MacDonald

this is my Father's world...

Lately I have had this wonderful song in my head. I will be walking to work in the morning, or trying to find my way through the crowded market, or just sitting with some kids at work...and in my head I hear...

"This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet."

And it just makes me smile and realize even more that all I see and everyone I meet are part of God's world and part of His beautiful creation. For years, I feel like I've worked hard at trying to see the face of God in every situation I encounter. And I now (finally) feel like it's becoming easier and easier, almost natural, to look around me and see His love, His hand, His world all around me everyday and all day.

I honestly do not think I could survive my job here in Guatemala without the grace He's given me to see Him in each family I interview, in each pain I encounter, in each loss I see before me. Every day I come home hearing another exceptionally difficult story of another family paralyzed by poverty. But regardless, I believe that God is in control of His world, that He has the final say, and that He is present in each family, no matter how hopeless it may appear from my viewpoint.