Compassion International

Everyone reading this entry should go out and sponsor a child through Compassion International today! Because it’s awesome! There, I said it. Now I’ll explain. . .

I absolutely LOVE my job! I volunteer at two student centers run by Compassion. The centers provide afterschool programs for local children that meet the specific requirements of the program. Basically, it’s a chance for considerably underprivileged kids to come for fun, fellowship, and food! We sing songs (even though I don´t know the words yet), have a Bible lesson, play games, do a little teeth brushing, learn a little, and have a snack. We even had a big birthday party last week to celebrate the October birthdays! So far, I’m just observing, getting to know the kids, and serving as the in-house freak show. The kids like to stare at me, pet my arms, stroke my hair, poke my freckles, ask me how to say things in English and then laugh at how silly it sounds, and hang all over me. I don’t really mind all the attention since I’m sure I look pretty funny to them (at 5’5” ¾, I stand reasonably taller than all of the teachers and some of them have never seen a white person up close before) but sometimes I have to fight back feelings of 7th grade self-consciousness. The other day a girl asked me if I have lice and then another asked if I eat people. She was dead serious. I told her only on Sundays and then had to explain that that was a joke and that no, human beings are not customarily eaten where I come from.

Eventually I will be giving little classes on basic health and hygiene. I’m really excited and am already decorating posters in my head and have thought of some topic ideas but if anyone thinks of a good one, let me know. I think they also would like it if I would check for lice and skin infections and the like since I’m kind of the resident “health specialist.” The only problem there is that I don’t know what a louse looks like nor do I know what to do with one if I find it. Same goes for skin fungi. I think I’ll have to Google it at some point. I’m pretty sure that sponsoring a child provides them with regular doctor’s apts. anyway so maybe I could just send the licey little angel to the doctor. . .

So there ya go, sponsor a child so they can come and sing songs, play games, and stare at me. I’m really happy with the work that I’m doing here and I like the people I work with a lot. Although, they do like to switch from talking in Spanish to Kekchi or Pokomchi (not spelled right but they are the local Mayan languages) and confuse the mess out of me. I tell them I’m just gonna start speaking in English and see how they like it. Son buena gente (they’re good folks).

I still like my new fam a lot and am getting into a nice little routine. I start teaching English at a library on Friday. Apparently, I’ve got 30 people signed up to take classes. I’m pretty astute at the English language but can’t say that I’ve taught it before so we’ll see how that goes!

I miss everyone and will get pictures figured out soon.

Slight Change of Plans. . .

So there has been a big change of plans and, long story short, I am now living and soon to be working in Cobán, the capital city of Alta Verapaz. We had our last day of class and said our goodbyes last Wednesday and headed off to Guatemala City. Thursday morning we had a get-to-know-you meeting with CEDEPCA, an ecumenical Christian organization that works primarily with women and is where Sarah and I will be working. I will be working with CEDEPCA as a translator/interpretor for mission groups that come to Guatemala with their intercultural program. The people that I will be working with are very energetic and I’m really excited to start working with them!

After our meeting we set off for Coban with a few stops along the way. We stopped in a town called Tactic and while asking for directions, a borracho (drunk guy) walked right into the van! It made a really loud noise and at first we were all worried that he’d hurt himself. Thankfully, he had not and after picking himself up he came up to the window and said, “Ya’ll are Japonese. Why’d you kill me?” but in very slurred Spanish making it that much funnier. After our driver laughed considerably, he said, “Señor, you’re alive,” and we drove away. It was hilarious and will probably be an ongoing joke for the rest of the year.

We finally arrived in Cobán after quite a long journey (4 hours from Xela to Guate and 4 hours from Guate to Cobán). And it is exactly what I was expecting Guatemala to be like! It’s beautiful! Very warm and tropical and SO GREEN! The city is quaint and surrounded by lush jungle-like mountians. It’s very bright and colorful and sort of Mediterranean looking with a definite German influence so the architecture is different from what I’ve seen in other parts of the country (from what I’ve read, Germans took over as the head-hanchos of the coffee industry years ago. And not just the buildings are different, some people even have blonde hair!). We did a lot of visiting on Thursday and Friday to the places where Sarah and I will be working. Along with working with CEDEPCA, my new assignment is to work with a project of Compassion International in two local schools. The project works to weigh, measure, and feed children struggling with poverty and malnutrition. I will be working two days a week at each school and also volunteering as an “English recourse” in a library on the days that I’m not at the schools. The people that I will be working with seem wonderful and are very welcoming and the kids are adorable! I start on Monday so say a little prayer!

Friday night we met my new family and I am happy to say that they are awesome! Irma is my new host mom and she’s young and cool and I also have two new “sisters,” Andrea and Raquel, who are both really sweet. I’ve met lot’s of cousins and aunts and uncles along with a zillion new people at our church. My new family and I attend a Baptist church where my new supervisor is the pastor. This past Sunday, we had a breakfast at the church where I was welcomed by some really great people. I’m excited to be a part of a smaller church community, especially one in Guatemala! At breakfast, however, a lady (who I’m assuming to be sightly on the loca (crazy) side) asked me if I was Irma’s new boyfriend and then asked me if I was a man or a woman. I’m trying not to take it personally, although maybe the haircut wasn’t such a good idea. . .

Saturday the rest of the girls returned to Xela leaving Sarah and I here to get settled in with our new lives. I really enjoyed Xela and language school and it will be weird not seeing the other girls every day but I am pumped to finally get started! I spent the weekend in a bubble of awkwardness, getting to know the fam and my new surroundings. It never fails that when I get to a new place I kind of clam up and can neither think in English nor speak in Spanish. I’ve said many a time in the past few days that I was married (casada) when I meant to say tired (cansada). Oh well, I’ve set the bar pretty low and now the only way to go is up. Yesterday, my supervisor’s husband took Sarah and I to some aguas calientes (hot springs) as a way for us to get to know the area more before we get busy with our work. It was a very relaxing day, the drive was absolutely breathtaking and I couldn’t help but be overcome with gratitude for the hospitality of my new family and the friendships that I’ve made during the past weeks, and with enthusiasm to finally begin mi vida Guatemalteca.