Imagine how the chapter titled "The Hot-Potato Man and Other Mothers" would play out.
I see the main character as a big round man who is known for sweating, aka The Hot-Potato Man. In his gang along Market Street, we'd have Corn Dog Bob, the skinny and pimply street vendor; Here Boy, the short old man who grunts for his answers but comes at the shortest whistle blown just so; and, of course, Salsachup, the slick youth whose ways are as greasy as his hair. Average, or sub-average, people during the day, terrors to the neighborhood by night with their revolvers and penchants for attempting to rob any living and moving creature.
What a twist to the The Whipping Boy's chapter titled "The Hot-Potato Man and Other Matters."
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Antonio-ism #1
While playing with the kiddoes, I knelt down to pick up something Antonio dropped. He studied the top of my head while I studied the ground, and then he announced that my hair was gray.
"Gray!" I exlaimed. "I don't think so! How about yellow or brown?"
"Hmm," he said, thinking seriously over the matter. "Yes, you're right. It's gold. Pure gold."
I about died laughing right there.
Tonight he joined our teenage Bible study. He's 5. But he sat quietly and listened, later helping me prepare the snack. He laid out the napkins for each person, carefully straightening each one on the table and then counting and recounting to make sure there were enough.
I think I should nickname him Sombra--Shadow.
"Gray!" I exlaimed. "I don't think so! How about yellow or brown?"
"Hmm," he said, thinking seriously over the matter. "Yes, you're right. It's gold. Pure gold."
I about died laughing right there.
Tonight he joined our teenage Bible study. He's 5. But he sat quietly and listened, later helping me prepare the snack. He laid out the napkins for each person, carefully straightening each one on the table and then counting and recounting to make sure there were enough.
I think I should nickname him Sombra--Shadow.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
"Street" Evangelism
Antonio, Ian, and I were playing together this afternoon. We'd already played by the swings, and now the boys were flipping through a Toy Story 3 coloring book as we sat along the curb. I was reading to them from the children's Bible, attempting to translate it into Spanish.
We landed on the story about the lost sheep. Antonio was very attentive, coloring quietly and interjecting a question or two. Ian, at three years, ran around, interested neither in the coloring nor the story about the sheep.
I started to read a sentence that said, "God loves us so much..." when Antonio announced he had some bad news about God. "What is it?" I asked him.
"God dies," he said, his face downcast in due respect for the dead.
"Hmm," I said. "Well, I have some good news for you. He raises from the dead three days later." And we talked a little more about Jesus and our sins and forgiveness and God's love for us and Easter.
We returned to the story of the lost sheep, and then kicked around a little green ball that was too hard for soccer.
We landed on the story about the lost sheep. Antonio was very attentive, coloring quietly and interjecting a question or two. Ian, at three years, ran around, interested neither in the coloring nor the story about the sheep.
I started to read a sentence that said, "God loves us so much..." when Antonio announced he had some bad news about God. "What is it?" I asked him.
"God dies," he said, his face downcast in due respect for the dead.
"Hmm," I said. "Well, I have some good news for you. He raises from the dead three days later." And we talked a little more about Jesus and our sins and forgiveness and God's love for us and Easter.
We returned to the story of the lost sheep, and then kicked around a little green ball that was too hard for soccer.
Weekend Buckets
An opportunity came up to help out church families in a nearby town that is known to be fairly poor. With the home fifth graders (Mimi, Yeny, Phillip, Victor, and Brandon (4th)), we worked together to put together food bins, using money that someone had donated to be used here. Johana helped us out a ton in Chimaltenango's market, negotiating lower prices given the quantity of product we were buying. We also enjoyed the excitement of a scuffle breaking out four feet from us. As I shooed the kids to the car to drop off some purchases, I was reminded that high school isn't the only place fights break out.
With $200, we were able to make 26 bins with a little money left over to give one family whose cow died--the animal was their primary source of income. Each bin had a pound each of rice, beans, oatmeal, and sugar; soap for the pila; and cooking oil. Pam and Steve also donated avocados from their trees and maseca, corn flour Guatemalans use to make tortillas.
The kids and I attended the church service last Saturday night and delivered the goods to the church. The pastors texted the next day to let us know that there were enough bins for each family and that the people walked away with smiles on their faces.
With $200, we were able to make 26 bins with a little money left over to give one family whose cow died--the animal was their primary source of income. Each bin had a pound each of rice, beans, oatmeal, and sugar; soap for the pila; and cooking oil. Pam and Steve also donated avocados from their trees and maseca, corn flour Guatemalans use to make tortillas.
The kids and I attended the church service last Saturday night and delivered the goods to the church. The pastors texted the next day to let us know that there were enough bins for each family and that the people walked away with smiles on their faces.
Brandon
Measuring out the maseca
Ready to go!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Expectation
The buses had already left. Only a handful of students played around the principal's office, shooting marbles or running back and forth to the treehouse while waiting to be picked up. Prof William and I sat on the cement against the office wall; Anita stood guard at the imaginary line separating the anxious students from the dangerous driveway of moving vehicles.
One little boy spotted his mom pulling up to the gate at the bottom of the hill. He quickly picked up his lunchbox and shouldered his bookbag. He took a forceful step forward, as if to run; then, checked by an unseen hand, stopped abruptly. He shuffled his lunchbox in his hands and stared longingly at the white SUV just now passing through the gate and past the guard, and sighed at the delay. His eyes, locked on the vehicle, with his thoughts surely on the person within, followed it to the top.
The three of us exchanged grins as we appreciated his intensity and unabashed anticipation. Miss Anita extended her hand, and he eagerly rushed forward to grasp it, his ferry across the invisible line separating him from home.
One little boy spotted his mom pulling up to the gate at the bottom of the hill. He quickly picked up his lunchbox and shouldered his bookbag. He took a forceful step forward, as if to run; then, checked by an unseen hand, stopped abruptly. He shuffled his lunchbox in his hands and stared longingly at the white SUV just now passing through the gate and past the guard, and sighed at the delay. His eyes, locked on the vehicle, with his thoughts surely on the person within, followed it to the top.
The three of us exchanged grins as we appreciated his intensity and unabashed anticipation. Miss Anita extended her hand, and he eagerly rushed forward to grasp it, his ferry across the invisible line separating him from home.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Post #200: Beating Me to the Punch
One of the highlights of the day is being in charge of the hand-washing line in the preschool room prior to their morning snack. The kids are super cute (as long as I don't have to teach them). I've decided this is a good time to help them practice their English.
We're working on answering the question, "How are you?" instead of simply repeating it.
This past week we began working on manners. I prompt students to say, "Soap, please," when it is their turn.
On Friday, one kid finally had it figured out. Before I even had a chance to ask him how he was, he put his little hands out together in front of him, looked up at me, and quickly said, "Fine, thank you. Soap, please."
He knows how to get things done.
We're working on answering the question, "How are you?" instead of simply repeating it.
This past week we began working on manners. I prompt students to say, "Soap, please," when it is their turn.
On Friday, one kid finally had it figured out. Before I even had a chance to ask him how he was, he put his little hands out together in front of him, looked up at me, and quickly said, "Fine, thank you. Soap, please."
He knows how to get things done.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Afternoon Tea
Last Sunday I had the pleasure of having a few La Senda and neighborhood girls over for a tea. They came dressed in their favorite clothes, and with the new tea set my Spanish teacher helped me find in the market, we had a delightful tea with all sorts of goodies to eat. We also talked about true beauty, the gospel, and who we are in Christ, with the overarching idea that we are daughters of the king.
Ready for the tea party! (No, it was not political. :))
Several of the lovely young ladies.
Yumminess! Litzy helped me cook the night before.
Astrid shared she always wanted to be a princess.
One of the teenagers.
Yenifer's eyes lit up when she heard as daughters of the king, we are princesses to God.
Post-tea relaxation time.
La Senda chicas
Overheard...
Just heard the little neighbor kids whispering outside my door before they knocked. "Only a little kiss [of greeting] and then we go!" They kept their visit that short. :)
On the Outskirts of Mourning
I drove down dirt roads for the first time yesterday. Canvasing the bumps and different grades of dirt was a bit challenging, especially given my low-sitting car with all five of us inside. Lito made a face as I scraped the bottom of my car--again--only to reverse and let him guide me through.
We asked the man who had his cows tied to the tree if we could park there, because there was no other flat space. He said yes.
We walked from there through the little neighborhood, with its pentecostal church, tienda, visiting neighbors, and houses built from cement block with tin roofs. We found her house up the lane. She was sitting up in bed, watching TV.
We came, my colleagues and I, because her husband was killed this week. My colleagues wanted to pay her a visit since she used to work with us; though I knew who she was, I was more the chauffeur. We sat all together in her room and listened to her story. How her husband had left at the normal time. How he hadn't returned home. How she had decided not to worry about it. How she found out the next day of his death. How the newspaper had picked up its story, and how her young son had rifled through the pages under pretense of looking for futbolistas only to end his search when he found the article about his father's death.
She shared that she is feeling sad, of course, but she has a sense of peace. And these last few months had been good months in her family, having made good memories, ones they can pass on to the little one due later this year.
She is my age. With one son and another on the way, and now a widow.
We asked the man who had his cows tied to the tree if we could park there, because there was no other flat space. He said yes.
We walked from there through the little neighborhood, with its pentecostal church, tienda, visiting neighbors, and houses built from cement block with tin roofs. We found her house up the lane. She was sitting up in bed, watching TV.
We came, my colleagues and I, because her husband was killed this week. My colleagues wanted to pay her a visit since she used to work with us; though I knew who she was, I was more the chauffeur. We sat all together in her room and listened to her story. How her husband had left at the normal time. How he hadn't returned home. How she had decided not to worry about it. How she found out the next day of his death. How the newspaper had picked up its story, and how her young son had rifled through the pages under pretense of looking for futbolistas only to end his search when he found the article about his father's death.
She shared that she is feeling sad, of course, but she has a sense of peace. And these last few months had been good months in her family, having made good memories, ones they can pass on to the little one due later this year.
She is my age. With one son and another on the way, and now a widow.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sex Ed
In college I breathed a mental sigh of relief every time the professors alluded to the phys ed majors' resposibility to teach health--and with that, sex ed. Glad I don't ever have to teach that in English! I thought to myself.
Well, wouldn't you know. God has a sense of humor.
I started teaching about human reproduction today. Okay, I don't have to get into all the nitty gritty details about sex, but as one who blushes at the name of those body parts, it's going to be an interesting three weeks.
Before we get to the science of it, we are starting off with what the Bible says about our bodies. We are created in his image. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Some parts are designated by special modesty, as are some parts in the body of Christ. We are the body of Christ. And, our speech--about anything, including references to sexuality and others' bodies--should be uplifting and glorifying to God.
With this unit, we [Pam has given me a lot of good advice] hope to give the students a healthy framework to learn this material, so not only are their educational and intellectual needs met, but also their emotional and spiritual needs, too.
Education. Rarely a dull moment.
Well, wouldn't you know. God has a sense of humor.
I started teaching about human reproduction today. Okay, I don't have to get into all the nitty gritty details about sex, but as one who blushes at the name of those body parts, it's going to be an interesting three weeks.
Before we get to the science of it, we are starting off with what the Bible says about our bodies. We are created in his image. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Some parts are designated by special modesty, as are some parts in the body of Christ. We are the body of Christ. And, our speech--about anything, including references to sexuality and others' bodies--should be uplifting and glorifying to God.
With this unit, we [Pam has given me a lot of good advice] hope to give the students a healthy framework to learn this material, so not only are their educational and intellectual needs met, but also their emotional and spiritual needs, too.
Education. Rarely a dull moment.
Finding Humor in their Mistakes
Seeing how I add almost daily to my growing list of Spanish faux pas, I don't mind chuckling at a few of my students'. Most recently, from their quizzes:
May I go to the badroom?
Sure, but make sure you put your nose in the corner once you're there.
May I go to the batroom?
If I get to be Robin!
May I go to the badroom?
Sure, but make sure you put your nose in the corner once you're there.
May I go to the batroom?
If I get to be Robin!
Sunday, February 06, 2011
I'm dreaming...
Can dreams get any weirder?
During one of my 12 hours of sleep in the last 24 hours, I dreamed I was in a delectable bakery where every bread and cookie item was covered in chocolate. White chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate. Oh, the choices! I couldn't decide which two to pick to put in my basket.
And in a new twist on my recurring dreams of making painstakingly careful revisions to the blueprints of familiar buildings (most notably, the building for Christian Tabernacle and the house of family friends I used to dogsit for), I rearranged geography last night. I was in search of Estonia. I zoomed in (Google Earth style) on a country I was sure to be it. A little later I realized, no, I was wrong, and that Estonia was on the other side of the body of water. Hmmm, I thought. That's an odd shape. Which was when I realized Russia had moved all of the population of Estonia to the other side of the continent. Why? I don't know.
Weird, I tell you. Weird. But I'll take these over dreams that prey on my fears.
During one of my 12 hours of sleep in the last 24 hours, I dreamed I was in a delectable bakery where every bread and cookie item was covered in chocolate. White chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate. Oh, the choices! I couldn't decide which two to pick to put in my basket.
And in a new twist on my recurring dreams of making painstakingly careful revisions to the blueprints of familiar buildings (most notably, the building for Christian Tabernacle and the house of family friends I used to dogsit for), I rearranged geography last night. I was in search of Estonia. I zoomed in (Google Earth style) on a country I was sure to be it. A little later I realized, no, I was wrong, and that Estonia was on the other side of the body of water. Hmmm, I thought. That's an odd shape. Which was when I realized Russia had moved all of the population of Estonia to the other side of the continent. Why? I don't know.
Weird, I tell you. Weird. But I'll take these over dreams that prey on my fears.
Prayer
Prayer has been something that I have been trying to figure out since high school. "Why do we pray?" I remember asking my youth pastor while studying Know Why You Believe. Yes, Jesus prayed. So we should follow his example. Yes, Paul encourages us to pray "on all occasions." Somehow, though, these answers and several others weren't enough for me.
I still wondered why we should pray when God already knows everything.
As a result, my prayer life has gone in cycles. Very disciplined at times, I've made lists of people to pray for, which in high school turned into 5 pages long. Thus, I ended up having a separate list for each day of the week. Later, trying to move out of my legalistic ways, I decided to pray "as the Spirit led." Well, this quickly turned into praying very rarely--evidently, I was not tuned into when the Spirit was leading. Other times, I made shower times my prayer times, or bed time, or when I first woke up.
Always in search of what prayer should look like and be, I am always eager to hear other people's opinions or to learn something new.
Today, then, when it was time for Day 4, Week 3: "The Obstacle [to living a victorious life in Christ] of Failure to Pray" in Beth Moore's Breaking Free study, I knew that it could be a big deal.
In her commentary she pointed to a familiar scripture: Philippians 4:4-7.
I thought to myself, that's it! An answer I've been looking for for nearly 15 years--right in front of my face! What joy!
Why pray? One solid reason: so we know God's peace.
For some reason, I find this answer more sustaining, more satisfactory, than anything I've heard or learned before.
And I continue to be pleasantly surprised at how God knows these little things about me--my doubts, my fears, my confusion--and how he surreptitiously meets these needs through Bible studies or church services or an encouraging word from another.
Which leaves me feeling thankful. And humbled. And excited.
I still wondered why we should pray when God already knows everything.
As a result, my prayer life has gone in cycles. Very disciplined at times, I've made lists of people to pray for, which in high school turned into 5 pages long. Thus, I ended up having a separate list for each day of the week. Later, trying to move out of my legalistic ways, I decided to pray "as the Spirit led." Well, this quickly turned into praying very rarely--evidently, I was not tuned into when the Spirit was leading. Other times, I made shower times my prayer times, or bed time, or when I first woke up.
Always in search of what prayer should look like and be, I am always eager to hear other people's opinions or to learn something new.
Today, then, when it was time for Day 4, Week 3: "The Obstacle [to living a victorious life in Christ] of Failure to Pray" in Beth Moore's Breaking Free study, I knew that it could be a big deal.
In her commentary she pointed to a familiar scripture: Philippians 4:4-7.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Why pray? One solid reason: so we know God's peace.
For some reason, I find this answer more sustaining, more satisfactory, than anything I've heard or learned before.
And I continue to be pleasantly surprised at how God knows these little things about me--my doubts, my fears, my confusion--and how he surreptitiously meets these needs through Bible studies or church services or an encouraging word from another.
Which leaves me feeling thankful. And humbled. And excited.
Friday, February 04, 2011
School Life in Full Swing
What a busy week! One teacher quit this week to attend the university, and another of the English teachers was sick for four days. Since our only "substitute" is also the school secretary, we all had to pull a little extra weight this week. Hence, I'm tired. :)
Notable notes and quotes:
Notable notes and quotes:
- One little 2nd grader cried in the bathroom yesterday. I asked her what was wrong, and she said she missed her grandparents. "Where are they?" I asked. "With God," she sobbed. "I just want to be with them!" How heartbreaking!
- A 5th grader had written a note to me in her notebook, which I noticed while walking around checking homework. My high school experience put me instantly on alert as I read: "Miss Elizabeth, I have something very important to tell you. I know I have told you before I have something important to tell you. But I just want to say--" the big reveal? [big intake of breath] "I love you, Miss Elizabeth!" Whew!
- Tattling, tattling. "Angel's chewing gum!" "Dara is eating!" "Mimi's talking!" I've got to figure out a way to prevent this. It's amazing how interested everyone is in everyone else's business.
- I broke a little 2nd graders' pencil sharpener. Oops. Don't worry, I replaced it.
- I told my 6th graders that I would be running late since I had to stay with the 2nd graders. Would they please start their handwriting when they returned from devotions? One of the boys responded, "Don't worry, my life [an expression of affection]." Cheeky already.
- A 5th grader was extremely surprised that after biting off the end of a red pen, he had red ink running down his tongue and on his lips. Of course it looked like blood. As he ran to the bathroom, I couldn't help but laugh at the memory of his expression. Mimi chided me, "Don't laugh, Miss Elizabeth." Me? "Sometimes," I said, "you just have to laugh when somebody does something stupid."
- "Miss Elizabeth, he writes so slow," the girls complained of our new 5th grade student. "Well, how fast did you write when you first started learning English?" I queried. Props, though, to the group--they abided by the philosophy "Leave no man behind" in spite of suffering from impatience.
- Still getting used to doing the little things for the little people: putting their hair in ponytails, putting earrings back in, tying shoes, opening food containers.
- Several of the 5th grade girls make it their mission to spy on me while I'm heating their lunches up in the microwave. Not sure what the attraction is, but they have a blast sneaking around, hiding in the bathroom and ducking below the windows when I look their way.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Cositas
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| Yaquelin helping me bake cookies. Looks like she's learned all of my techniques, even how to decorate herself with flour! She definitely won the tortilla making contest... |
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| Gabriela and I are shoe twins. |
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| Mimi and Yeny |
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| The younger boys are ready to play futbol. |
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| Dorcas, hard at work studying. |
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Weekend with the Kids
Enjoyed spending time with several of the La Senda kids this weekend. On Friday, Gabriela, Lupita, and I went to Eskala--the mall--to hang out and go grocery shopping. We also found our way to the movie theater there and watched Tron. Not my favorite flick, but the girls loved it. On Saturday, I got to take Gerson, Jefy, Carlos, and Brandon to a birthday party. Today, Steve let me ride along with him, Gabriela, Yaquelin, and Samy to drop Samy off at school. His school is nearly 3 hours away, a little farther than Lake Panajachel, and a little higher up in the mountains.
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| The boys' present was a hit--one big bag from the four of them, dubbed by the parents as the "Bag of Surprise" for the birthday boy. |
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| On the way to Quiche (I think that's the city's name). Lake Panajachel is somewhere in the background... |
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Anita: The embodiment of patience and discipline
Anita and I share a classroom. She has patiently explained things to me in Spanish when I have questions, many times repeating herself for me. She is also very disciplined in her work habits, which is good for me considering my New Year's resolution is to be more disciplined in various areas of my life.
We attended a birthday party for one of our students. He turned 10. We took four of the La Senda boys with us--evidently, it was the first off-campus birthday party for several of them. They had a blast!
Antigua
Thankful to have started Spanish classes again at CSA in Antigua.
McDonald's! After finishing the Daniel Fast on Wednesday, I've really been hankering for a cheeseburger. It was yummy!
The most beautiful McDonald's in the world? I think so. Check out Ronald chillin' on the bench. In the background, the volcano, though today the clouds covered much of it.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Bright Spots
This week has had it's ups and downs emotionally--at one point, I felt not much different from the little 2 year old crying for her mother. However, I'd rather focus on the many bright spots I've experienced this week:
Visiting Veronica's House and Meeting Her Family. Last weekend I stayed with Veronica, another teacher, and her family in Chimaltenango. It was such a blessing! It definitely afforded me the refreshment and time with people I needed. We were able to walk around the city, go to the mall, eat yummy food that her sister prepared, play cards, and watch movies. I was also thankful to meet her sister and brother-in-law, who have moved back here to Guatemala from the States to serve as missionaries. I am hopeful that I will be able to spend more time with this family in the future.
Making it to the Pacific Coast in Daylight. I got to tag along with Steve on a trip to Hawaii--no joke, the pueblo's name--to pick up Brandon, one of the little boys who boards here. Here, we met Alex, a 12 year old who is in the third grade. Education there, evidently, is not nearly as systematic as other places. A half day of school. Maybe a few times a week because sometimes the teachers just cancel. But as he showed me the ocean and explained about the numerous fish they catch and the different types of shells and the process of the endangered sea turtles a few hundred yards up the beach, it is very clear what an intelligent boy he is. And he was intrigued that I was a teacher. He asked me five times, I think, if I was.
Zucy and I had the same idea. It's grown a little bit over the course of the week. Wouldn't it be great to go there on the weekends? Maybe open up a learning center for the kids there, sort of an extension of La Senda?
Getting my Car Fixed. Now, the bill's not so much a bright spot. But driving home from Guatemala City today, I could already feel the difference with new breaks and ball bearings. No noisy sound. No pulling on the breaks. I feel safer already. And, it was the first time I drove to the city. There's much the city has to offer if you can make the time to go there and deal with the traffic. So, that's another goal for this year--get familiar with it.
Realizing I Do Love Teaching. Sometimes it's easy to get bogged down by the rhythm of teaching--all that planning and grading stuff. And sometimes after a long break, I start to get nervous and wonder if I really can do it another year. But then when school starts, I remember how much I enjoy it. I love seeing the students. I love seeing them learn to be organized. I like the material. I am glad when they ask good questions and show interest in what they are doing. It's exciting to plan for them and think about ways to help them learn.
Washing Clothes in my Pila. Not only is it a good muscle toner for the biceps, but it's a good thinking spot. Right before the cold spell hit, I had a pleasant afternoon enjoying the warmth of the sun and the mindless work that let my mind take a break and think and pray a little.
Participating in the Daniel Fast. La Senda is doing the 10-day version of the Daniel Fast (only eating fruits, veggies, anything grown from seeds, and drinking water). Pam and Steve have been reading a chapter of Daniel a day with the kids. I've been reading it on my own, and I have been so intrigued by Daniel's genuine faith, resolution to serve God, and humility. Today, I loved what Daniel said in Chapter 9 because it speaks to me about prayer and perspective: "We do not make requests of you [O God] because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy" (18).
Amen for bright spots.
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