Friday part 3: The Guatemalan mission leaders

This past week in Guatemala has been an amazing one. All of us have formed strong relationships, not only with each other, but with the children in Guatemala and the Guatemalans that work with Groundwork Guatemala. Our week was made even more meaningful with the help these wonderful Guatemalans.

The five Guatemalans that work at the mission are Sandra, Ruth, Manuel, Oscar, and Julian. Each one of them is always cheerful and willing to help. Some of them have come from rough places or backgrounds, and they still manage to be happy everyday. When they are out helping others, you can tell that they are genuinely happy to be there and working with the children and adults.

These five people are what keep the mission going. After a long day when the teams are tired, they find a way to make a team smile and become energized again. These leaders are teachers, friends, and an ear to listen. They truly are the perfect examples of God working in some one's life.

Everyone, thank you for reading these blogs and always encouraging us to keep going. Without all of you, we wouldn't have been able to go on this trip, meet amazing people, and have the experience of a lifetime. We really appreciate all you have done for us. All of us are sad to have left Guatemala, we miss the people and the country, but we're also glad to be home; we can finally drink the water! Please keep Groundwork Guatemala and the people that work there all year-round in your prayers, and again, thank you for always supporting us.

Love,

Your 2010 Trinity Guatemalan Mission Team

Friday: Part 2, Information on Sponsorship, and Many Thanks!

I am sorry we were unable to finish our account of Friday in the airport on Saturday; customs took a little longer than we anticipated, there was a quick stop at McDonald's to confirm we were back in the States; then we just flopped at our gate, until the "young ones" decided to sing again. Oscar in Guatemala had told them they should open the window of the plane and just start singing, and since we were pretty sure that would not work, they chose to surprise and entertain weary travelers at Gate 87 in Houston. Our flights were "interesting" and we arrived home safely about 6:30 P.M. last night (Saturday). But, now back to Friday afternoon.

Friday afternoon, the children in Guatemala City that are sponsored by Groundwork Guatemala, walk to the mission house to spend time with the mission teams and the Groundwork staff, to talk, play, receive medical attention, and receive encouragement in life, school, and faith. No one ever officially put it that way, but it seemed to me that was what was going on. The kids come from the shanties and areas we visited Friday morning and have been selected for sponsorship because of their willingness to study, desire to attend school, parent/parent's belief in the importance of education, and willingness to participate in Groundwork activities to spread the love of Jesus in their communities. Groundwork also sponsors children in Amatitlan and Buena Vista. If you are interested in the sponsorship program, you can learn more on their website at http://www.groundworkguatemala.org/, but I want you to know that 100% of the $30 per month that it takes to sponsor a child goes to pay for their schooling. Their school supplies are also provided by Groundwork thanks to your generous donations; school supplies also go to non-sponsored children so they too can attend public schools...a less desirable education, but children cannot even attend a public school in Guatemala unless they have the required school supplies. Sponsored children must also turn in their grades as proof they are working hard and to make them accountable; it may sound harsh but it is done to teach the kids the importance of a work ethic and to help ensure these children will have a chance at a better future and as a result, hopefully improve the lives of their families, not to mention to set an example for all who watch them change and grow. Of course, all of this is coupled with God's word and His love for all of his people, and His special love for those who suffer. Groundwork has a tough job, but they are making a difference, one relationship at a time in three different locations. It is all very impressive, and again if you are interested in being an active partner, check out their website, talk to any team member, or email me at sbuss@trinityct.org.

So back to Friday afternoon...Again we sang with the sponsored kids, their mothers, a father, and some of their siblings, then Manuel worshiped with the parents on the roof. We took the kids...and again used volleyball to bond as sisters and brothers, and to just have fun in a safe, loving environment. The Groundwork van was moved to the street, the gate closed as usual, and we played volleyball over a clothes line (note the clothes line in the picture) in the small ministry house yard. In attempt to cut down on the "destruction" we used beach balls, but you would be amazed how a determined kid can spike a beach ball, particularly when that particular game was the Guatemalan kids versus the Americans...in our defense the sun was in our eyes and we were greatly outnumbered. (They are quick learners.) After we said our good-byes, it was time to tell the Guatemalan leaders of Groundwork good-bye, which is difficult for so many reasons, not the least of which is the fact they are going home to the shanties and block houses by the dump, in the dangerous areas we had just experienced that morning. Again, you have no idea...and frankly we just just have a glimmer of an idea of the width and depth of what goes on here. I just know that Groundwork Guatemala and their American and Guatemalan staff "give their all" for the extreme poor in Guatemala everyday, and they do it with determination, grace, patience, a sense of humor, and always with God and His word.

Friday night we debriefed with Kevin and Ginny, an emotional and essential part of processing the experience and preparing for the return home. We also, as a team, exchanged small Guatemalan secret sister gifts, further cementing our friendship and commitment to each other, to God, and this opportunity to serve. As we fell into bed Friday night, we felt a little melancholy, a little relieved, incredibly fortunate, and physically and emotionally exhausted.

Again, thank you for following our experience these past 10 days. The only thing as good having this experience, is having loving people to share it with. Thank you for your support, your concerns and encouragement, and most especially your prayers. It has been an honor to be known as Trinity Clinton Township in Guatemala, and all of you made that possible. Thank you and thank God.

Lovingly and In His name,
Ali Corace, Kayla Napier, Anna Page, Nicole Paquette, Emily Racey, Jenna Thompson, Lisa Voiland, and Sally Buss, very fortunate Guatemalan sisters
P.S. More pictures will be attached in a second posting later today.

Friday, Part I

Today's blog may not get finished tonight, but perhaps in the Houston airport tomorrow. It's late and we have to leave for the airport at 4:30 A.M.

What a day! This morning we went to "Sandra" the newest squatters area outside the Guatemala City garbage dump. It defies words. There is probably a significant difference between urban poverty and rural poverty. Urban poverty may be more dangerous, but what we saw in "Sandra" was the worst of the worst in extreme, urban poverty. "Sandra" sprung up on an area that was formerly part of the dump and declared open for squatters. There is no water, electricity, unless it is boot-leg, and no sanitary facilities. It is a disgusting place where most children are beyond filthy, "smells" emminate from the obvious and not so obvious, and still children want to play ball, color, and sing. It was hot and uncomfortable as we prepared to begin, in part because we were shaken by what we were experiencing. It was a heartbreaking scene...precious children thrilled to play, talk, and be hugged, in a setting too unsettling to get your head around. Older children watched us from a distance, with suspicion and perhaps even some curiousity and some contempt. It was hard, really hard.

When we were done, we jumped back into the van and headed the short 3 minute drive to La Libertad, which in comparison seemed like the suburbs, and believe me it is not! We hung out with kids of all ages, again singing, coloring, and holding babies for the young children who had brought their even younger siblings to enjoy the fun. Babies in Guatemala are swaddled much of the time and kept extremely warm, despite the tropical weather, and that includes wearing knit beanies. They believe it will keep the babies from getting chilled or sick. They were beautiful children in the ugliest of conditions...again, very hard to witness. It is clear childhood means something very different here than it does at home. It is almost nonexistent.

Forgive me, but this is going to be completed tomorrow or Sunday with photos. They are being downloaded now. We look forward to finishing the description of our day and to sharing pictures of the Guatemalans and Americans who do this work tirelessly every day.

Again, thank you for sharing in our faith walks. It has again been a life altering experience. I feel a little sorry for our families and friends; we have a lot of pictures and even more stories. And although we hate to leave, we are anxious to get home.

Please pray for our safe return, Groundwork Guatemala, and the people here who endure so much and still find the heart of Jesus in their midst.
Blessings, always,
Your Michigan Guatemalan sisters

Laughter/Reir

It was a great day; it stopped raining! Early this morning we headed off to Amatitlan again, this time to the city. We have been singing in the van on the way back from our destinations each day, but the mornings are different. There are about 13 or so of us in the van each day, but mornings are a scramble for the least offensive location in the van and a few extra minutes of sleep. This morning Oscar (25 year old Guatemalan), Emily, and I were sitting/sleeping in the last row of seats in the van (and Emily had the not so good fortune to have the center seat, which is really no seat at all). Emily was sound asleep when we hit a bump, and next thing we knew, her head was on Oscar's shoulder. It was good stuff...Anna and Ali will never let her forget it.

Upon our arrival in Amatitlan, we again set out on home visits, this time in three groups. Each group had different experiences. My group, Anna, Ali, Manuel, Oscar, and I drove to the other side of the city, which was basically on the side of a mountain. We climbed more steps than I could remember to count as we climbed, only to find the nicest grandmother, mother, two sons, young neighbor and young son at the top. It was an unusual visit because the the sons were in their twenties and were still living in the home. Many Guatemalan men in poverty disappear, dessert their wives and children, or spend all their money on alcohol and then abuse their families. Manuel wanted to reinforce what the sons' responsibilites were to the family, particularily because many young men in Guatemala father children, then take off. Young men in Guatemala are also murdered in random and not so random violence at incredibly high rates. The grandmother wanted us to pray for peace...domestic (Guatemalan) peace, something most Americans take for granted. It was also another opportunity to watch a Guatemalan baby learn to crawl. Not surprisingly, babies seem to be held a lot, in some pretty clever ways, but I can't figure out when or how they learn to walk since many of their homes are dirt or mud floors and really not fit for crawling or exploring of any kind.

Lunch was a treat. A friend of the ministry in Amatitlan makes teams lunch on Thursdays in her block house...beans and rice. After lunch we set up the volleyball net in the "park" (a slab of cement between two block houses) across the street and got ready to do our thing again...music with increasingly animated (and original) hand-motions, our volleyball lessons, our Jesus lessons, and lots of reir...laughter. Because we are not allowed outside unless we are with the Guatemalans during our daily planned activities, the opportunity to teach and play volleyball and other random forms of ball outside is a joyous event. The kids don't have much going on in their lives, so they seem to love to play, although every game has the potential of turning into soccer. We each bonded with different kids, again ranging in age from about 3 to 15. It was tons of fun and it didn't rain a drop, well, maybe a drop, but that's all.

Before we left Amatitlan, we stopped to see Lake Amatitlan. It is beautiful, although polluted, surrounded by volcanic mountains. We also took a short, spur-of-the-moment boat ride on the least sea-worthy vessel I have ever seen. The whole time I keep asking the girls if they could swim; they could, but it turned out the Guatemalans couldn't. No worries...there were lots of empty 2-liter pop bottles to use as flotation devices. At any rate, it was thrilling to be carefree for a few minutes.

Thank you for reading and looking at our picutres. We are high on life today...lots of good stuff and less of the sad stuff on this day. It was hard to pick out pictures tonight; none that we hurriedly picked, caught the moment perfectly, but we will have a few hundred to share later. Again, thank you for your interest, and again forgive the spelling.

Blessings,

Ali, Jenna, Anna, Emily, Alyssa, Nicole, Kayla, and Sally