Breaking Ground

As some of you know, Impact Ministries has recently purchased land just outside Tactic. They have not been able to begin building because a new bridge has to be build over the river in order to bring supplies across. This morning we held a ground breaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of the construction of the bridge. Some of the principals, teachers, and leaders of the organization were there for this exciting event. 

Old bridges

New bridge (ie. flatbed trailer)

Walter Dubon speaking to the principals, teachers, and leaders who came out for the ceremony

Rita Peters breaking ground

Impact Ministries leaders (and kids) in front of the land

Some of the land right by the highway

Forever a Student

When I finished university in December, I thought I was done being a student. Wrong! Here are some things I have been learning while down here.

On Tuesdays I am learning sign language in Spanish. The alphabet isn't the same as ASL (American Sign Language), but having learnt that alphabet makes it easier to learn it in Spanish.

On Mondays I am learning Pokumchi, and indigenous language that many students and teachers speak. Those who are learning it or have learned it in school have a textbook. This allows me to read and print the language. This helps in learning it. Some sounds, though, we don't have in English or Spanish, which is a challenge.

Every day I am learning more Spanish. Listening to Guatemalans speak, both formally and in conversation, helps a lot. As does speaking it myself, which of course includes making mistakes, blushing, and trying again.

Every day I am learning more about God and drawing near to Him. Through school devotionals, church, and my personal reading, I find that the more time I spend in the presence of God, the more I want to do so and the hungrier I get for the things of God.

Now, you may ask why? Why am I putting in the effort to learn these things? Spanish sign language will do me no good when I go home. Neither will Pokumchi. Getting better at Spanish will help me get by here, but I will never be perfect and I will always be a canche or gringa or tourista. And spending time with God doesn't really have visible benefits to show for my time, such as having spelling tests marked or my room cleaned. Why do I bother learning these things? Because people care. It matters to them. You should see the smile on the face of the girl who cannot speak or hear. It makes her feel worth it, like she is special. And she is. For those who speak Pokumchi, it makes them feel important, that I would go out of my way to get to know THEIR language. For those who speak Spanish, it shows I care when I make the effort to learn new words and ask for their help with pronunciation. And when I spend time with God, it shows that I care. It shows Him that He is important to me. For these reasons I continue to be a student and continue to learn new things each day. It also gives the feeling of success as I see my own growth over time. So I want to ask you: What do you care about that is worth your time and effort to learn? 

Lesly, the girl who cannot speak or hear

Hamburgers

Last week I was craving a big juicy hamburger loaded with toppings. The next day the staff at Chamche celebrated Valentines Day, and they served us hamburgers! Yay! The bun was toasted a little too dark from the grill, but there was lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup, and mayo, even on a sesame seed bun. And it was a meal without corn tortillas! Then a couple days later a new vendor set up shop directly across the street from our house, and they sell hamburgers. So of course I had to try one. Same toppings, and the patty was even homemade, but about half the size of a normal patty. Maybe she'll get more generous over time. Who knows. Oh, and I couldn't order cheese on mine because they were out, but were getting more at 3:00.
Bottom line: be careful what you wish for. Now the hard part will be not running across the street for an 88 cent burger. I'm still craving a big juicy burger, but that might have to wait a few months.

The staff at Chamche enjoying hamburgers, fruit salad, and cake to celebrate Valentine's Day

Vendor across the street

Learning Names

After 4 weeks of classes, I feel like I can finally start learning students names. I'm getting into the groove of teaching, getting the feel for the different grades and schools, getting to know the students, and the students are starting to get to know me as well. Learning names, though, isn't that easy for a few reasons:
1) Most students look very similar with their dark hair and uniforms.
2) I have over 500 students.
3) Pronunciation of their names is a challenge.

Some names are easy to pronounce: Ana, Carlos, Frank, Maria, Roberto.
Some names are pronounced the same as in English, but spelled phonetically in Spanish:
Anlly = Annie
Greeys = Grace
Yuri = Judy
Deysi = Daisy
Dayan = Diane
Geny = Jenny
Some names are spelled the same as in English, but pronounced the Spanish way:
Jaime = Hymie
Heidy = Aidy
Janis = Hanees
Jonathan = Honataan
David = Dabeed
And still other names can be spelled the English or Spanish way, and it is up to me to guess if it is pronounced the English or Spanish way:
Yaquelin and Jacquelin (Y/J)
Wilmer and Vilma (W/V)
Ervin and Urbin (V/B)
The final thing that makes learning names challenging is that I have many students with the same name. I'm amazed at the variety of names, but I still have:
5 students named Vilma
6 students named Ana
11 students named Carlos

And by the way, I see each student once a week. I can't really play name games in class, because that isn't teaching English, and they already know all the names of their classmates. So if you have any tips on learning and remembering names they would be greatly appreciated. I'm working at it, and this week I have felt a sense of accomplishment in being able to recognize students and give them the correct name tag without asking their name. Some I can even call by name at recess or after school. It's a good thing I have 10 months to learn their names : )

Heidy and Johana, grade 6 students at Mocohan.

One Month

I've been in Guatemala just over a month. I have experienced so much already it feels like 3 months. Some things I've done or seen were predictable. Here are three things that were not.

I did not expect to:
1) iron my sheets (and my quilt and all my clothes to get rid of the bedbugs)
2) learn Pokum (an indigenous language that I've been learning some words in)
3) have a student in my English class who is both deaf and mute.

PS (Profound Statement of the Day): There is no middle ground between a dusty road and a muddy road. It is either one or the other.