Category: Guatemala

Five days back from the mission trip….stories and pictures are falling out of my hands, my mouth and my dreams.  My rugged backpack has been traded in for my beautiful purse. My bandana is back in the drawer and my hair is all in place.  I preached a sermon for Ash Wednesday and no one spoke Spanish behind me.  Coffee has been distributed. Stories shared. Secrets whispered. Prayers requested.

As I fumble with the calendar and try to get my mind around the beginning of Lent…I keep stopping. And when I stop, I remember.  Today our team photographer and tech guy extraordinaire, Howard, posted all of our pictures in an online documentary. It is really fabulous.  Who will want to sift through the days? The team, of course.  And if any of you are so inclined I am posting the link for you.  http://www.baulch.us/vim/ and then click on the 2011 Guatemala mission. They are not glamour shots but they are authentic glimpses into the doors God opened while we were in another land. And that is beautiful.

Pictures and memories…our way of saying, “something important happened in this moment”.  Today I’ve been missing a Korean pastor friend of mine, Jinsoon Song.  For the past 3 months or so we’ve been meeting every week and sharing life. She is an ordained pastor in Seoul, Korea and has been visiting Vanderbilt as part of her doctoral dissertation work.  She left for Korea two days after I left for Guatemala. We said our goodbyes many days ago. I’ve missed her today.  We had no pictures to say, “something important happened here” over our many cups of coffee – but by some miracle Jinsoon had her camera on a night we went to a Kurt Elling concert just a few weeks ago. 

I don’t think a picture is required to capture every moment. And I would even argue that some of our most treasured memories come from the times when we are so taken by the moment that we dare not bring a camera into view.  Still, the face of a friend in a photograph reminds me of the graciousness of God.  I am thankful for the blessing of friends.

 “Iron sharpens iron, so one friend sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17). 

 

 

Sunday morning when our team woke up we were all back in our respective places. Our own homes, appreciating our own showers, drinking coffee from our own cups.  There was no team devotion. There was no bus to take us to our day’s destination.  We each walked into our churches with a host of stories on our hearts. We carried in the smiles of the children. We came with our blisters and memories. We came with greater love. 

 

The transition from one culture to another after experiences like this is difficult.  People from home want to hear the stories, and we will want to tell them. But there is also a sense of hesitation in me:  how can I tell your story without holding your hand on the playground? How can I share your culture without your voice joining me in the telling? How can we speak for your children, your families and your land….and offer fully what you have offered so graciously to us in friendship and hospitality?

Still, these questions and the hesitation cannot hold back our sharing.   Each of us will have to find our way to do it while honoring God and the people we have come to know and love.  During worship yesterday I served at the Communion table, which we call “The Great Thanksgiving”.   As part of “giving thanks” around that table I shared this art from a few of the children at the La Toma School. Here you are seeing the pictures we took with the children,  and at our communion table, the church was able to see the originals. God is faithful. God is faithful in the moments. God is faithful in transitions. 

 

 

After Jesus had “big” encounters with the people, he would slip off to the mountain and spend some time in solitude.  What did he do? We know he talked to the Father about all that had happened.  (Mark 6:46) Maybe he posed questions that weren’t clearly answered.  Certainly he offered words of thanks for the miracles and being given the words to teach. Maybe he talked about the disciples and his hopes for how the experience would impact their lives.  He rested his spirit and body for the next time…which was only a few hours later when he took a walk on the water! (Mark 6:47-52)

What about you? What helps you transition from the mountain tops of amazing spiritual experiences to the ordinary (and still miraculous) moments of daily life?

We arrived Thursday night in Antigua, which is a strong contrast from the dirt, poverty and heat of Mazatenango.  Antigua is a beautiful place full of history, art, architecture, religion and romance. 

I opted to hike the Volcano Pacaya on Friday and thankfully others were willing to join me.  It was not a hike to do alone!  B.J. was sweet to let me borrow her shoes as I left my worn out tennis shoes full of Penta, in the trash back in Mazatenango. 

Pacaya erupted 8 months ago so much of the landscape had changed and it was hot!  Woody went with us and said this was the toughest (or maybe second toughest) hike he had experienced with the volcano.  I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before now but Woody, our team leader, has been coming here and doing work for 11 years.  He is a fine leader and a deeply grounded man.  He and Robin (the dentist) are both from Columbia FUMC.   OK…back to the hike.

My partners in adventure:  Woody, Russell & Diane Little and Calvin, from 61^st Ave UMC.  I talked to Calvin’s wife, Annette, before we left on the hike and promised he would survive the adventure …and he did, but not without a few moments of doubt; I know he’ll get me back for this one! Our hiking guide, Gabriel, spoke very little English but was gracious and kind with us.

We roasted marshmallows over an unending cavern where the heat was 3600 degrees Fahrenheit.  We stepped down into a cave that was a “natural” sauna where you could only stay a few minutes it was hot. The lava we hiked over was everything from big rocks, to deep sandy gravel.   It was mostly straight up or straight down. We had to dump the tiny rocks out of our shoes several times along the way.  The views were stunning – the challenge everything a good adventure should be. I loved it.  Every part of creation offers us some clue to the wideness of God’s creativity.  If the Creator of the universe can do this, surely I can trust that same profound divine power to guide and direct my life. 

 

We are at the airport now and we have a lot of waiting to do on our journey back home.  I need the time – as I have not written anything since Thursday.  My heart is full of tears and full of joy. As life should be when you are living.

 

The last day of our work at the La Toma School was as if many days were passed; the memories are too great for only one day.  We all will have our own perspective; here I can only share mine. Chester and I went into the 4^th grade class (12 year olds) and began a conversation/teaching with them about what they believe gives them a good life and what hopes they have for their families. 

Their list was a bit different from the previous class and I loved this because God allowed us to hear their hearts.  For me, being able to hear what is inside them and to teach in tandem with someone from this land….this is the greatest gift.  My heart for multicultural experiences and ministry is no longer a dream – the seeds are sprouting.

The pictures can tell the story, but in general, we listened to their thoughts, we had some discussion about it and then went to the Colossians 3 scripture as it offered some direction for their thinking. We then asked them to connect the Colossians verses with some artistic expression.  Thus, you see on the white board, our own drawings. 

The bird on Chester’s side is the Quetzal, which is the national bird and very beautiful. He has long tail that helps him to fly with much power.  Very amazing. I really like this bird – he is very special.

About 10:30 we were assembled into a classroom and the Principal, teachers and children began to make presentations to express their thanks for our work and friendship.  The team I am with has been coming here for several years and we have experienced the fruit of those long friendships. The culture in Guatemala is very rich and each expression of their presentation has much to teach us about the people and tradition.  A series of dances were shared and we received it all with much joy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After this I went with John, Jerry and Diane to the home of Elvia and Daniel.  They invited us as John and Jerry are working on sponsorships to keep the children in school.  It was just a short walk (everything is just a short walk) through the jungle. 

It was wonderful to go to their home and meet all the family.  They are faithful people and the children are hard workers, humble and very polite.  

 

 

And then, a great adventure!  Elvia and Daniel took Diane, Chester and me to the river.   More fun than I can express!  We hiked up to a rock, dove into the river and floated downstream.  The kids loved that we did it and it gave me much joy!  This was my third escape to the river but my first true swim.  We found some crabs or giant crawfish.  We walked back to the work site soaking wet with big smiles on our faces.  And admittedly…saying a few prayers along the way that the water, which we know is highly contaminated, will not hurt us. 

Back at the work site, the job was clear: finish the roof! It was hard and we worked very long to get it done.  I spent the remainder of the afternoon on the roof.  As we covered the decking with tin, it became very slick.  Woody tethered me with a rope and then with great patience, he and Howard allowed me to assist, screw and nail until the roof was complete. It was hard work and good work.  My appreciation and respect for these team members – every single person – grows deeper with each day.

I am so thankful for my years of youth ministry because that is when I learned to trust God completely, take big risks and get deeply involved in the life God has given us to live.  Being tethered by a rope and trusting someone to do what they could to keep me from falling off is one of many ways that happens.  Running to the river with amigos, teaching youth whose culture and language I do not know, and agreeing to spend  2 weeks away from all that I do know….these are all encounters with trust and faith.

Thursday morning we packed our bags and shared our stories around the communion table before leaving Mazatenango.  I carried Treasure deep within my heart, and even now.  Hasta Luego…