Dream Come True

Wow! I love being here!  I keep staring out the windows, daydreaming, realizing that I am living my dream right now!  I am amazed at God’s faithfulness!

I have dreamed of being a missionary who teaches English since I was 13 or 14 years old.  In the Philippines, I was living my dream, but I couldn’t receive it in the way that I can now.  The time I spent and the lessons I learned in the Philippines are allowing me to receive this dream-come-true.  And to think- this is only the beginning!!

Yesterday, I went to many different places in Guate (short for Guatemala City).  Officer Castillo, Suly and I visited a 3-D relief map of the nation, the park where Guatemala’s Declaration of Independence was signed, a famous cathedral and its surrounding park, and the National Police Station museum.  The day ended with a trip to the criminal branch of the police.  I taught Castillo and Suly English throughout all of the day’s adventures.

At one point, I needed to exchange money.  Castillo drove around the city for a while until he saw someone he recognized.  He stopped, rolled down the window, and negotiated a deal.  It’s the strangest form of money exchange I’ve ever seen.  But it is completely legal and normal here.  Through the negotiations, I learned that the people here want one-hundred-dollar-bills.  Twenties are used by drug traffickers.  So, if anyone wants to visit Guatemala, they need to have big bills to make sure they are not contributing to the drug trade.  And, it is ok to exchange money through a car window.

I was out and about so much yesterday that I didn’t get to teach classes in the traditional sense.  But today, I did.  It was so much fun!!

My class was much smaller than the first class… only 7 students.  The students had so much more talk time than when I had 15 students. (The size of the first class.)  They learned faster and more in depth than when there were 15.  I also had time to ensure the success of each student.  We are planning on having class for 2 hours every day.  There has been a rumor that this weekend (and tomorrow) will be filled with fun, though.  We shall see!  The students (and everyone here) is already asking me to stay longer.

It is a good thing I packed everyone’s advice. I am already having to use it. ;-) 

Here are pictures from the journey so far... (I am trying to figure out how to use Picassa or some other slide show widget to make viewing easier.  Any advice??) 

Getting Ready for the Day:

 WATCH OUT WORLD! HERE I COME!

At the Police Museum

This cross and its Cathedral survived a fire when nothing else did.  The following pictures are of the Cathedral and the park surrounding it.

The flowers were beautiful, but actually didn't have any smell.

Look at the size of those vines!!

Somehow, I turned into a model....

This a 3-D relief map of the country of Guatemala.  It was made by this guy who went out and measured every mountain and valley, traveling on a mule.  He brought the information back to create this map. It took 5-10 years to create it.

This is Castillo, friend of Pastor Juan

This is Suly and I

The Central Park...There was a festival going on, "Dia de los Jovenes"

English Lessons on the fly...Castillo recorded new words on the back of a place-mat at a fast food restaurant!

I'm Here!

I arrived yesterday around noon and was taken by the police to the hotel where I picked up my bag of clothes.  (Remember, the police are friends.)

We went to the police station where I dropped off my things.  Then we went to a "Comedor" for lunch.  It is kind of like a mom and pop fast food place.  The word doesn't translate.

I am currently typing on a Spanish keyboard and borrowing someone's computer.  It says I am misspelling every word!(A little distracting as I am trying to type!)

Where I am staying is very comfortable.  I have a bed and two lockers.  I will share my room with other female officers later, but last night I had it to myself.  The police station is located right next to a bus terminal.  So, starting at around 3 am, loud buses and motorcycles started honking and yelling to come get rides.  I will be able to sleep through anything after being here!

Suli is the office assistant here.  She speaks English well enough to serve as a translator when my Spanish breaks down.  She is a sweet-heart!  Everyone here is SO EAGER to learn English!  There is a buzz of excitement all around whenever I am introduced.

I will start classes this afternoon.  They will be held for 2 hours at a time.  From my understanding, everyone is required to attend.  Suli will act as my assistant, but I will give her (and anyone else here that is on her level) separate classes at a different time.

I will post pictures once I have my own internet connection. For now, know that I am doing well, am very well received, and very happy.

(PS: I had soup, rice, and chicken for lunch yesterday, and fish and chips for dinner last night.  This morning, I ate beans, tortillas, and eggs.  I can get through all of my meals on only $6/day.  This includes a drink with each meal.)

Packing

It is less than 24 hours before I leave.  Am I packed?

Yes and no.

I sent almost 50 pounds of essential clothing and toiletries ahead of me over a week ago.  The hotel (that I'm not staying at) is holding it and a cell phone for me.

I have most of my teaching supplies put in a separate suitcase that still must be repacked and added to.

But, I am still packing in the memories to take with me.  Today, one my best friends (who lives out of town) is going to church with me.  And this afternoon, another dear friend of my mine will celebrate her wedding.

Before these amazing events can be enjoyed however, I must finish the research paper required as part of my course credit.  It is killing me.  It is over the culture of Guatemala and supposed to help prepare me for the trip.  The activator side of me just wants to spew stuff on a page, not cite it, and get into the country. "The country itself will teach me about the culture!" Activator screams.  For some reason, graduate school does not look favorably on this tactic. So, finish it, I will.

More than anything, though, I want to get this paper done so I can hide away with the Lord and hear His heartbeat for this trip. Yes, I will be teaching English, but I can do nothing without Him.  The Misty Edwards song lyrics, "What are you saying?  What are you doing? I have to know," come to mind and mouth.  I must know Him. Truly, this trip is about knowing God and making Him known.  Teaching English is just the means to do so.

As I pack and write, I keep laughing at the rules everyone keeps telling me.  My friends and roommates seem the most concerned that they will be broken.  I have been quizzed by them more than once.

1. You cannot get married.  
2. You can, however, fall in love. 
3. The engagement and wedding must be stateside.  
4. You cannot stay there.
5. You must come back.
6. You cannot bring home any people.
7. You cannot adopt any children.
8. No visas by marriage.
9. You must stay in touch.
10. You must stay safe.

Apparently, there is a general apprehension that I will fall in love while I'm away and have a shotgun wedding without them! Don't worry, friends and family, I am packing this advice and will let you know when I use it.

Now that I have unpacked this morning's thoughts, I will get back to writing that paper...

Guatemala: The Next Foreign Adventure

Hello Blog world...

The last few months have been a whirlwind of adjusting back to American life, being a full-time graduate school student, and running my own tutoring company.

I leave in just a few days to go to Guatemala now.  (Trip dates: May 28-July 30.) While there, I will be teaching English as a Foreign Language to the police officers who guard tourists.  I will immerse with them, staying where they stay and going where they go. I will be in three different cities for 2-3 weeks at a time. It is sure to be an adventure!

Many people have asked me, "How did you find this opportunity?"  Well, last November, I asked my pastor if there was anywhere I could go to teach English for the summer. I wanted to go back to Argentina.  He replied stating that the chief of the tourism police in Guatemala had been praying for 3 years to have someone come teach English to his officers. So, with that, I became an answer to prayer.

The whole point of this trip is not just to teach English, but to show the country the love of Jesus.  May salvation come to the hearts of these precious people through this crazy endeavor.

I am now compiling teaching materials that will be easily transported and reusable.  It is my goal to plan for one city and reuse my lessons and materials for the next cities.  I am also learning as much as I can about the country and its people.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions regarding the details of this trip.  But I know one thing for sure: God goes before me, with me, and behind me.  I am never alone nor in need of something He cannot supply.