Over and out

This will be my last post written in Guatemala. Tomorrow morning I am flying out and will say goodbye to my 2 and a half amazing months here.

I came to bless but I have been blessed. I came to serve, but I have been served.

I have been blown away time and time again by Guatemalans. They are so hospitable, loving, warm, kind, patient and happy. The people I met have touched me deeply and I will forever remember them and the wonderful experience I have had here.

I have loved staying with Graham and Betty. Their kindness and work for the Lord has encouraged and inspired me tremendously.

I spent Sunday afternoon with some friends after church and we headed back to my house about 6.30pm. There were a few cars parked outside but still nothing clicked. We walked into the living room and sat down and THEN I looked over and saw some other friends crouched down behind the table. They threw me my first ever surprise party! It was so fun and special to have so many people that I loved in one room that night. I cannot say how much I love them!

Above all I thank my heavenly Father for this amazing blessed opportunity to come to Guatemala. I know its not a everyday thing. I am thankful how everything came together to get here, for the people I met, the lessons I learnt, my safety, and the continuous love, mercy, forgiveness and joy that I received and continue to receive.

Thank you to all those that have supported me on this adventure through prayer, encouraging emails, skype calls, friendship and love. Muchas, muchas, gracias xx

Friends at the last supper

Volcan de Agua

Guatemala has 33 Volcanos. I had to at least climb one while I was here. I did, it was great, and I'm sore today.

Started the ascent with Rudy at about 5pm Saturday afternoon. Over 10,000 people had climbed the volcano that day for a fundraiser against violence in homes so for the first hour we were battling the hundreds of people coming back down the mountain! After about an hour we joined up with Rudy's friends to walk the rest of the way in the dark. It took about 6 hours with a few breaks on the way. It made me chuckle (on the inside) to find a little shelter about an hour from the top selling coffee and other things. Only in Guatemala!

Arrived at the top at about 11pm and set up the tent in the crater(!!) then tried to get some rest. It was very difficult, people were yelling, it was freezing and very uncomfortable. I felt sorry for the people who weren't sleeping in tents!

Missed the sunrise but awoke to a funny scene. A donkey was eating from a pile of trash not too far from my tent. It was a beautiful day to walk around the top of the crater and to see Antigua, Chimaltenango, Guatemala City and we think, the ocean too!

I think I prefer hiking up the volcano. The 3-4 hr descent down was kind of sore on the knees. But we eventually made it down to find that where we had left the car there was now a market. So we had to wait round for an hour for the market to close down so we could drive out!

Was such a great experience! Enjoyed my first time up Volcan de Agua with Rudy - it was his 21st time! Don't think I would be that keen.

The view from my tent the next morning

Slept in a crater!

Rudy and a shell of a helicopter

Done.

Nearing the end of my stay here

In just under 2 weeks I will be on my way home to NZ. Time just flies! I am not ready to write this post yet so I will fill you in on what I have been up to lately.

Well not a whole lot.

A week ago on Sunday the whole church went up to camp to have the service there, a couple of baptisms and to have lunch together. I taught a bunch of them how to play touch rugby which was exciting. They learnt pretty quickly considering they don't play any sports here that are at all similar to touch rugby. Because I don't speak spanish I was giving Andres the english instructions and he would translate them to everyone. Haha that was quite funny, especially as Andres was learning them as well!

I tried to learn a few instructions to yell at my team. One was to get back 5 metres (when on defence) so we would be on side. The instruction is 'atras', I was yelling 'atres' which translates to 'to three'. Hmm so thats why they wouldn't get back...It was funny though!

On Saturday went to Emilios birthday party, he turned the big 21 (happy bday Emilio!). He was given a saxophone by his Dad, but I am pretty sure the pineapple lumps I gave him were better.

Hung out with my friend Bertha and her Mum Vilma after church this past Sunday. We went to a mall, a very new fancy shopping complex that felt like you were in Spain or something (reminded me of massey uni) and walked along 6th ave in zone 1. It was such a fun day and they were so kind and generous and thoughtful taking me to places I had not yet been to. I cannot say enough of how kind and thoughtful Guatemalans are! Bertha and Vilma both speak English as they lived in the states for a few years.

Marisol and I have started doing a bible study together on 1 Timothy. We have only had one so far and are doing our second this afternoon. It enjoyed doing a little reading up on 1 Timothy before hand and having that special fellowship time with Marisol. Her friendship to me is very special indeed!

So the countdown to my departure is on. I don't like goodbyes.

Touch Rugby

Bertha & Vilma

Reality.

I feel that in my blog I have not really talked about how corrupt Guatemala is. What reality is for people here.

There is corruption in all aspects of life here. In the government, in the police force, in universities, in jobs, in families, in everything! NZ is placed at no.1 or 2 in the list of honest countries. Guatemala on the other hand is waaaay down the list.

I found out on Friday via (ironically) the NZ Herald online that a Guatemalan congressman had been shot dead. He was looking at switching political parties to the newly elected party. Then he gets shot.

The last presidents wife is not a popular woman here. The things are I hear about her are crazy. She stole a whole lot of money from the government, money that should have fixed some of the crazy roads I drove along during my road trip. She then divorced her husband because she wanted to run for presidency and you can't if you are married to the president.

I hear countless stories that are full of such corruption its ridiculous. Of students in university who take a lot longer to get their degree because other students have paid the professor so they will pass their exam. These stories make me wonder how a country can operate at such a level of corruption.

Just last week literally 2 blocks from my house 2 people were shot in a taxi.

ALL of my friends at somestage have been robbed at gunpoint. A lot of the time this has been on buses. Many people have 2 cellphones so that when they are held at gunpoint and asked to hand over their phone they hand the cheaper of the 2 over.

You do not walk along the streets with a cellphone visible. That is asking for trouble!

I am not writing these things to shock you that I am living in a place this unsafe. I have never once felt in danger. I am writing these things to make you aware of what life is like for Guatemalans.

A new president was sworn in on Saturday and he said things like how change is going to start now. He even talked about the past corrupt government. Lets hope he accompanies his words with actions.

It makes me sad to hear these stories. I didn't realise how blessed I am to live in a country like NZ. We don't choose where we are born or raised do we? Maybe its about what we do with what we have.

Children waving to the cars as they pass by

Overwhelmed.

I started this blog post of with a different title but it has now changed.

Graham and Betty have guests for the night. Brian and his father are from Ocosito and arrived this afternoon about 5 and leave tomorrow morning around 5am.

They are up in the city because Brian has an appointment at the hospital. He is 9 years old now, but when he was 6 he was diagnosed with Leukemia. It was also highly likely that he had had leukemia for a few years before he was diagnosed.

Brian is a miracle. He is a walking, talking (though I cannot understand him) miracle. He is (obviously) alive and is free of the cancer! They are just in the city for him to have a check up. I had met Brian last week at vacation Bible School but it was another thing to have him sitting at the table eating dinner with us. It overwhelmed me for some reason.

His Father is so polite and loving. Whenever they have been up in the city for Brian's treatment over the years, Betty said they have been such a delight to have. I could see why.

Every time they come up to the city (a 3 hour car ride away) they have to take a more expensive bus because of Brian's health. I can't imagine what this family has been through over the years, how this has affected them. But I can tell that they are strong, they have love and they are centered by their faith in our Heavenly Father.

The greatest thing? Just last week Brian and his older brother accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour at Vacation Bible School. Not only is Brian free from cancer, but he is also now free with Christ! He is part of God's family. He saw his need for salvation, his need to be a child of the most loving Father in the world and he accepted the best free gift anyone could ever accept.

Overwhelmed.

Vacation Bible School No. 2 at Ocosito

On the afternoon of the first Andres and I were dropped of at the village of Ocosito (not far from Reu) where we would be till Thursday for Vacation Bible School. The rest of the troups from church arrived a few hours after us.

Graham and Betty have had a lot to do with a church there and this was the second Vacation Bible School that they have held there. Here our quaters were a lot more basic than where we had been. I shared a blow up mattress that was half deflated when we woke up in the morning. The toilet was in a outhouse alongside a shower that consisted of a trough of water that you scooped out with a bucket. There was a few hammocks round there which I loved laying in.

Washing dishes in a Pela

The Vacation Bible School was held in the afternoons from 2.30 till 5pm. There may have been around 70 kids (just a guess). They all met as one group at first in the church for songs then split off into age groups to look at a Bible story. I was "helping" Andres with the teenagers. I say "helping" cos I didn't really do anything. I still can't speak Spanish, yip its still a problem. They then all re-gather to play games on the field. The leaders were all so great with kids. It was fun to see them run the games. It was exciting to hear that on the last day that over 20 kids accepted the Lord as their saviour. Programmes like these can change peoples lives. One thing that I could do was pray for the programme and the kids, so I was excited when I heard that news!

Kids playing games on the field

I think one of the worst things about not knowing the language is when you are hanging out with a group and they all crack up laughing at a joke and you don't know what they are laughing at. And then they question if you are sad, why because I am not smiling constantly? Haha I was even questioned if I like hanging out with people (in a conversations about hobbies) as sometimes I just chilled by myself. So the lack of spanish is still a problem (though I constantly find out more people understand english, not good for my attempts at spanish).

I really enjoyed my time in Ocositi. It was different and I like different. It enjoyed the different experience that was very opposite to life in the city. Had a lot of traditional food which was yum too! Came back to the city yesterday afternoon and its also good to be back here and have a hot shower and the comforts of 'home'.

Rubber trees!

Pineapple plants!

Heading to the field with the kids

The leaders!

Best. Road. Trip. Ever.

That road trip I mentioned I was going on with some friends? Well it was good. It was great. It was the best road trip ever!

Left Guatemala city early Thursday morning (29th December) and had Pollo Campero for breakfast (first surprise of the trip). We then detoured and went to Lago Atitlan, one of the most beautiful lakes of the world. It was on the list of things to see here so it came as the best surprise to learn we were going there! We took a boat trip from Panajachel across the lake to another town, San Pedro and had a look round. I was caught out and got my first taste of sunburn in Guatemala. Had a lovely rudolph nose for the next few days. It was spectacular to cruise across the lake surrounded by volcanoes. Moments like those, I wonder how people can question that God exists. We then carried onto our destination for the night, Retalhuleu (Reu). Just out from Reu traffic was crawling, we found out that a dead body was further up on the road holding up traffic.

Lago Atitlan

With Andres and Emilio heading across the lake

We stayed at relatives in Reu who were so lovely! Meet half the family that night - a whole lot of cousins! The next day was water/theme park day! It was such a fun day! Best water park I have ever been too. The slides were soo huge and it was mayan themed and very well kept. We were there (xocomil) for the morning then went across to the theme park (xetulul) for the afternoon. That too was great, it had country themed areas in the park so I visited Germany, Italy, France and Guatemala all in one day! The highlight of my day (yes I know this sounds ridiculous) was having a ride on a 4wd motorbike round town with one of the cousins! It seems like every second person in the town has a motorbike or moped. It was so fun! Just casually taking a ride round town passing tuk tuks!

Best waterpark EVER!

Xetulul

On the Saturday, last day of 2011, we ventured out to the beach. We went on a road that reminded me of NZ car rally roads - but worse! A whole lot of pot holes! Apparently the government should be looking after these roads better but they don't. So that was an interesting journey, the car was covered in dust by the time we got to the beach. I never imagined palm trees in Guatemala for some reason, but there were a lots! The sand was a little black but not that dark. It was so good to see the ocean again! And so refreshing to swim in it! The temp was about 30 degrees. We drank fresh coconut milk and bought water out of bag (so cool!). That night we had a nice dinner prepared by their aunt and then let of fireworks! A great way to bring in 2012! It was such a fun road trip with Andres, Emilio and their Dad Ludwig. They were the best hosts and I was treated like a queen!

Guatemalan ocean!

Drinking water out of a bag

Happy New Year Friends!

Fireworks, fireworks and more fireworks!

Ahhhh the fireworks on Christmas eve was just as amazing as everyone said it would be! It was so cool to sit on the roof of a house and watch fireworks go off all across the city! It was super loud (of course) but so very cool!

We went to a Christmas service at church Christmas eve which was good. Was fun to see Andres in the drama (most of Guatemalans are natural actors I think!). We then went round to Harvey and Sharons (the Falconers son and daughter n law) about 11pm for Christmas dinner. That was followed by fireworks! The fireworks are still going off, I just heard some then.

So here in the Guates they celebrate on Christmas eve so the 25th was low key - I slept until 12pm, couldn't believe it! Family came over for a late lunch and we had fun playing charades.

Its been a low key week, just been hanging at home. But I am super excited for Thursday morning, heading to another part or Guatemala with the Franco brothers for a few days (about 3. 5 hours away) and then going from there to the second Vacation Bible School near the coast till Thursday I believe. I am looking foward to seeing another part of Guatemala. Tried to put up a video of the fireworks at midnight but I am a bit technologically challenged. Will try again later.

Andres in the Christmas play at Church

Choir

Rooftop fireworks viewing with Mel

Fireworks!

Christmas day lunch

Feliz Navidad!

Bid Caroline farewell on Thursday! So sad to see her go but I am so grateful that she was here with me for my first month here in Guatemala AND I get to see her in a few months time :) It was just a blessing to have her here! I can't imagine what my time would have been like without her. I am going to miss her A LOT

Hmm not too much has happened this week. We took a trip to the doctors to get Caroline a little fixed up and I have a gum infection so we got some drugs for me too. Helped Betty do some painting, went for a couple of runs and decided how quickly you become familiar to things. During my run I run by a security guard with a huge rifle! He stands only 1m away from me yet it does not phase me one bit, I barely even notice now!

On Wednesday, Caroline's last night, we had some friends over for a kiwi dinner! We (well I assisted Caroline) cooked a chicken roast and had pav and ambrosia for dessert! I love playing Charades with Guatemalans! They are so animated and hilarious (Enjoy the video below of our friend Emilio during charades). Our dear thoughtful friends also brought over some fireworks as Caroline will be missing the fireworks spectacular that happens over Christmas and New Years.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve here which is when they celebrate Christmas. I am very excited for fireworks (there has been a very big build up to it so I hope I am not disappointed!). I have also been reflecting on God's grace recently. It is uncomprehendable, it is overwhelming, it is undeserved, it can break down all barriers, it can heal, it forgives. Ahh it is just. so. amazing!!!

May you have a blessed Navidad (Christmas)! And may we reflect on the true meaning of the season. Thank you for being a blessing in my life xx

Painting

Fireworks

Our Guatemalan amigos!

Emilio playing charades

Guatemala has stolen a piece of my heart!

Another week has passed by and I have been in Guatemala 1 month (and I left NZ 6 weeks ago). It is such a blessing and privilege to be here and I am hoping I am not taking it for granted!

Last Sunday night we went with some friends to an English speaking church. It was funny to see a few blonde haired people and white faces! It was a Christmas service and the choir was a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

Camp was on the agenda this week! We were up there from Tuesday morning till Thursday night. Betty was on cooking duty so we helped out in the kitchen and once again were the dishwasher pros! We had 6am morning starts to help get breakfast ready...don't think we (Caroline and I) talked to each other in that first hour of the day - we were still half asleep! On the Thursday night we had dinner with some friends of the Falconers in the village. I cooked (well patted) my first tortilla! It was not quite as pretty as the others!

Went to Mira Flores mall Friday night with Marisol. AND the big news is I had dairy queen! Ahh it was so good! I think a blizzard a week until I go back will do me just fine (I'm sure it will do wonders for the waist line too!). Saturday arvo we went back to the beautiful city of Antigua with Marisol and Rudy. We went up a mountain to a restaurant and had a beautiful view of the city. We then looked around the markets back in Antigua - love those cute cute markets!

And no my spanish is not really improving. Sure I am learning more words but I can't talk in sentences. On a sadder note Caroline is cutting her trip short and heading home early on Thursday. She has not had the best run of health since being here and is going to make it home in time for a NZ Christmas. I will miss her A LOT! She has helped make this past month here in Guatemala so fun! I also don't know what I would have done without her spanish interpretations for me. Please pray with me for her health and that the fresh NZ air will do her a load of good!

Dish washing duty

Sweetest lady (the non-circular tortilla is mine)

In her kitchen

Blizzards!

Over looking Antigua

Antigua

That silly little westerner!

I feel I have had way too many moments here in Guatemala when the locals are probably just thinking 'that silly westerner'!

These moments occur way too frequently for my liking!

-The number 1 moment is when people find out I can't speak Spanish. I mean who travels to stay in a country for a couple of months and doesn't know the language AND does not seem to be improving after 3 weeks! Then she tries to speak English to us!
-Up at camp I feel there were a few of these moments, one was when I was sick - Silly westerner can't handle the altitude and the new country.
-Sometimes I forget to greet people with a kiss on the cheek (their customary greeting).
-Was playing basketball with a group of young adults at their Christmas party yesterday.
   No.1: I was wearing a skirt (who plays basketball in a skirt?)
   No.2: My ring fell off and so the whole game stopped (because Guatemalans are so sweet) to look for my ring. I felt just a little silly.

Some of you are thinking 'Cilla these moments don't just happen in Guatemala but for you -  anytime and anyplace.' And yes you may be right but they are accentuated here because I am the foreigner! :)

Doesn't this photo say it all? What the 'hang is that girl doing?

Thankful

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1

What does that look like? Am I living for God's glory or mine? Am I being intentional with my time for God?
I love this verse but in truth, I don't really know what it looks like. I want it to be true in my life, believe me I do. But I don't think it is very true. There is way too much of me! I love the last part of the verse "because of your love and faithfulness". Why should I live for God? Because he is love and is faithful! Just a little something I have been thinking about for a while.

It has been another stellar of a weekend here in Guatemala with our friends. In the afternoon we went to Lago (lake) Amatitlan about a half n hour drive from the city. Our friends were going to surprise us with a trip on a gondala but it was closed down due to maintenance so instead we went for a boat trip on the lake. God's creation is just beautiful! It was so nice! We (the 6 of us) had a boat to ourself and we had the most amazing views of the surrounding land and volcanoes! We then had Pollo Campero (Guatemalas equlivent of KFC) for dinner.

Sunday after church we again hung out with our friends. We are so thankful for their friendship and their willingness to take us places and to help me with my spanish. Rudy gave me a spanish/english dictionary so I now have no excuse not to learn! We went to a look out area where people fly their kites. One mans kite was flying (while still attached to him) about 1km away! The lookout gave us yet another beautiful view of God's creation. Am so thankful also for Graham and Betty too. Who willingly have us in our home and make us feel like this is our home too. They are so loving and caring and good to us! I love hearing stories of their adventurous life. They truly are an awesome couple!

Lago Amatitlan

The joys of travelling!

It has been an up and down week this past week. Sunday afternoon was fun where we once again hung out with some friends from church and saw a bit of Guatemala city. I think the highlight of the afternoon was when we were pounced on by a bunch of asian tourists! We (Caroline, Marisol, Andres and Rudy) were outside the presidents palace in the city and then a bunch of asian tourists who had a million cameras between then started taking our photos as if we were famous people! We are still not sure what the story was but we will claim our moment of fame!

We then went onto camp where we were based for the week. The leaders were all from the Falconers church so it was nice to be able to spend the week with them and to get to know then better. My problem? I cannot communicate in espanol so it made making friends a little tricky. In that respect it was a hard week. I am thankful that there were people who could speak in english but by not speaking spanish, I ostracised (yes I did look up the spelling for that one!) myself. Then by doing that I felt a little down...it was a bad cycle I got myself into! I feel if you want to have an identity crisis, go live in another culture that speaks a different language you don't understand!

It wasn't all bad but I think I can't just blog my good times. Its not all fun and games! Andres and Caroline are very patient and helpful in trying to teach me spanish but I have a terrible memory! They teach me words one day and the next day I have forgotten! Funny thing happened yesterday at camp. I was giving the kids a 2 sentence instruction for a game and one kid as he was leaving said in english "you need to learn english". I think he was meaning to say spanish but it was still funny!

Anyway the routine for the week was to prep for the kids programme during the day then the programme was from between 2.30-4.30. Caroline and I helped (in the litttle way we could) with Andres and the teenagers. By 'help' I mean I kind of just stood there and Caroline helped with some spanish instructions. Felt a little useless.

To make matters a little worse, I had a tummy bug on the thursday (guess what pleasant tummy bug it was)! Spent most of the day in the cabin. Caroline was also not feeling well during the week. Being in the higher altitude (camp is even higher up than Guatemala city) did not help things!
So the week had its ups and downs. I am still enjoying being here and I know that with the good times comes the not so good times. Its a beautiful country with beautiful people!

 The paparazzi

 Vacation Bible School

Some of the leaders