Category: Uncategorized

Chicabol

Vona Wilson

What better way to spend a Saturday than a rigorous hike up a volcanic crater so you can see a beautiful laguna?  And so we did! Laguna Chicabal is a mysterious and lovely place where the fog hangs over the lake and the Mayan people hold ceremonies on the shore.  The Mayan culture is an entire adventure of its own and each encounter I have gives me pause. Today that pause was the various “stations” of ceremonial expression that we came upon as we walked around the lake.  The cross is the center of the altar for each one.  At the cross are carefully placed flowers, corn, and other expressions of nature the people bring as they offer prayers and thanksgivings.

Mayan altar on the path around the lake

I’m not sure if this was the first time I’ve actually come upon one of their ceremonial altars… but this is the first time I have been struck by the cross.  The cross is our identifying symbol as Christians. If we go to a church that doesn’t have a cross, within seconds someone will say, “where is the cross?”  And for the Mayans the cross sets up the altar as a place where they set apart the distractions of the day and focus for sacred time.  The water at the laguna is considered a sacred place for them so there is no swimming, no boats, no pollution. The water is beautiful and clear.  The fog moves over and out many times throughout the day and night, creating a mysterious and ever-changing picture of this special place.

View of the Laguna...worth the climb!

The Presidential elections are coming up in mid-September here so there is advertising everywhere, of course. I have learned from my new Guatemalan friends and my fellow students from Taiwan that all of us disdain the inordinate use of political jargon and advertising that litters our landscapes…no matter the country where you are walking. Many people of Guatemala have apologized for it, just as we would if someone was visiting us. Anyway — that political trademark made it’s way all the way into the laguna of Chicabol so on every cross there was a little political sticker!

We removed every one of them and hope the Mayan people never saw that they were there. With it being the rainy season it is not likely any of them had been up more than a few hours.

The funeral procession through the village. A striking thing about this culture is the importance of family and when something happens (like a death) everyone stops and makes time to honor this passage in a very visible way. The whole village walked this way...

As we finished our hike and made our way back into the village for our bus, we came upon a funeral procession. The entire village was involved which means we were as well. We walked in the crowd of Mayan people….hundreds of them, all following the casket in a Toyota pick up truck.

The tradition is to do this and to bury only at 3pm since that is when  Jesus died. After 3 days there is a return to the cemetery to see if the resurrection has occurred for the loved one.  Is anyone having trouble finding the lines?  Crosses, 3 days, and the hope of resurrection…

Kicki, Kristian (our school activity leader) and Ean

All of this led to some great conversation with Kicki and Ean who are from Taiwan and neither Christian, Buddhist or anything.  We all are pondering much of what was shared today.  Kicki and Ean say that in Taiwan their friends who are Christian are very happy and they also say they can see that I am as well…that my work is meaningful.  They have both taken a year off from their stressful work to travel Central & South American and learn Spanish in the process.  He is a computer program guru (big business like GroupOn) and she is in public relations.

And so…a day at Chicabol. I walked home while the sun was setting and the night air of  Xela made me pull the jacket from my backpack.  People are coming and going in the cathedrals for Saturday night mass.  The streets are full of music, baskets of bread and sounds coming from the rooftops of the homes. Lilian made me another amazing Guatemalan meal. I am tired and full of joy.  I’m thankful and certain that as we walked along the path today, Jesus was walking with us.  Let it be.

Bienvenidos Guatemala!

Vona Wilson
Sunrise above the clouds flying to Guatemala

It is good for the soul to watch the sunrise from a different view every now and then.  On Tuesday morning this was on my way south above the clouds; today it is over the rooftops of my “home away from home” in Xela (Quetzaltenango).  I’ve never arrived anywhere looking for a stranger with a sign until now.  A lady named Raquel met me at the airport and drove me to the local bus station where I traveled with all the regular Guatemalan people to Xela.  This is a very different arrival from a mission team experience!  Everyone I meet is new to me; everywhere I go is from a different perspective.   My eyes are wide open now. I am seeing all things new.

When the bus arrived in Xela I called a number and the next “new” people showed up; Jaime and Luis…to take me to the home where I will stay this week.My host family is wonderful. Lilian is the “head of household” for lack of better words. Her husband died of cancer 10 years ago; she is 55.  Two of her daughters (along with three grandchildren) are here most of the time. Her mother, Elcira is here and her brother, Tuto came by last night for a visit. He is an orthopedic doctor here in Xela. Lilian is a baker and does this from her home…events…weddings, etc. They have provided me with a nice room where I can study and sleep.  And food! My spinach, salmon, almonds, oatmeal…basics are nowhere to be seen so far. I am learning how to eat as the family eats.  I hate to admit how hard it is to do it.  However, contrary to my mission trip visit…no one has offered me Pepsi yet so that is good! Politely passing the offer for tea, I am very content with water and coffee.

Casa Xelaju

Casa Xelaju is my school for the next two weeks. It is great– I completed my first day yesterday.  My personal instructor is Lily de Leon. She has been gracious with my stumbling and stammering – patient and enjoyable. There are students here from Holland, Texas, Taiwan and one from sometimes  Knoxville, sometimes St. Louis and sometimes Guatemala…just depending on the conversation.

Lily de Leon, my instructor this week

The school has many students during the high season, which has just ended.  They come from all over the world to study here in Xela – and particularly this school.  Of those here, two are teachers, two are mission/humanitarian focused and two are traveling and learning for the fun of it.

Xela is high altitude and cool.  I knew to bring my jacket and a rain parka for the afternoon and evening rains.  There is a beautiful cemetery here and I visited it during my last trip to Guatemala.

The street of my "home away from home"

The house where I am staying is next to it, which is nice. It is, at least, a familiar spot for me. I suppose because I am here to study and alone, the culture “shock” is quite profound to me this time. This is the city where most of the people I know
live: Adolfo, Chester, Doris of the VIM office, Juan Pablo, etc.  As I walk the streets, hear the sounds and breathe in the air…I am touching and experiencing their daily life
experience.

my walk to school each day..about 10 minutes from the house. Common view of the morning walk...past the market and street vendors

Of course, everyone’s situation is different, but the common places of life are still the common places.  It is a developing country.  The streets are enchanting in one
perspective….rough stone obviously laid by tired hands over many years…but I’m
also thinking as I walk them…”will my shoes even last for one month on this terrain?”  It is not even a thought I want to write, but it is true. Or…after the bus ride to Xela (4 hours of
curves, jostling and window views), there is no comfy easy chair to slide into and kick back for the evening. There is a plastic patio chair. Period.   I brought my yoga cheat sheets and that was a stroke of genius because yoga is needed right now!

So, I am here! It is most humbling and exciting.  There is much I can learn in one month – and also the very real truth is that in one month I will know so little of this
language and culture.  This is a glimpse. It is a glimpse God isn’t going to let me avoid. There are no distractions to keep me from seeing. I am knee-deep in a culture I do not know and a language I’ve yet to speak.  I’m OK with that. We all have to take our steps of obedience on our way to saying “yes” to the life we are given to live. Let it be. Beinvenidos de Guatemala!

Grace in the Moment

Vona Wilson
A Fathers Day gift arrived yesterday from Uncle Bill's, daughter, Angela. A book of pictures from this past year.

My sister and I name each year – a name one or both of us “hears” before January rolls around. The word for this year, 2011, is Grace. It is the Year of Grace.  This is affirmed to us over and over again. For the past 8 days it has come in the way of an unexpected visit from Uncle Bill.

With his wife at Stallworth for medical rehab, our Uncle Bill has found our home his “home away from home”.  My nights and early mornings have been laced with stories on the patio. Stories of wisdom, stories of God’s faithfulness, stories of love.  I’ve written down every word I had time to capture – every nugget of wisdom that emerged from his sharing.

He just walked out the door a few minutes ago.  I watched him drive down the driveway and I felt the hole that comes in his leaving; but of course, it is time.  He will pick Aunt Margie up and take her home to Kentucky.  He leaves me with a week of blessing and a host of wisdom.  This time with him is the most profound gift of God’s grace.

The ring on his hand represents 57 years of marriage to Aunt Margie. The ring has never been off of his finger. The book...pictures from this special chapter in their lives. His hand...Christ's presence on earth.

This morning as we were on the patio he took my hand and said, “I just want to say a prayer of praise this morning”.  For Uncle Bill the blessings he is thankful for are unlimited, but especially today he offered praise to God for his wife of 57 years, for his family and for God’s love that never seems to stop overflowing our lives.  How could it be that I would be so blessed to share in his praise??

Sometimes treasure is hidden in the circumstances of life.  We may have to search for it; we may need to discover it…and occaisionally, we will have to let go of something else to receive it.  What is God offering you in your circumstance?

Building Plans

Vona Wilson

my life journal musings from today….

SCRIPTURE:  “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”  Hebrews 3:4

OBSERVATION:  God uses people to “build” the house of God’s presence on earth.

APPLICATION:  When I read the stories of our faith I can see the obvious purposes of God being carried out over the generations. Moses had his part in leading the people out of slavery; Joseph had his part in feeding the hungry and leading a community; Solomon had his part in building the temple; Lydia had her part in funding radical ministry; Paul had his part in sharing the gospel in other lands. The list goes on and on.

Uncle Bob does his part in keeping us grounded in the simplicity of how life works. he built bridges in his career. Today he builds hope and delivers it all over the nation. Sometimes it is in his own community teaching in church; another time it is delivering a truck load of Bibles to a community that needs them; on any given day it might be him just showing up with a truck when you are sitting there saying, "I sure do need a truck to haul away this stuff!" Uncle Bob is quite simply, an answer to prayer for many people, most of whom are complete strangers.

My Lester grandparents had their part too. P.E. and Myrtle Lester were a poor couple raising 9 kids and farming in Western Kentucky. It was a hard life.  P.E. brought the gift of faith to the mix. Myrtle brought the gift of unconditional love.  What started out as two young, poor but determined people, has grown into over 100 of us now that make up this small part of the  “Lester generations”. We are scattered everywhere…building our part of the plan.  When we are together we can see the diversity and richness of what God has created with us….what God is building with us. We have all been given the gift of unconditional love. It was not something we earned or gained by skill or even deserved. It was passed onto us by our grandparents as a gift from God.

Aunt Cozi, Nancy & Ouida with Alan and Angela. Three of P.E. & Myrtle's 9 kids doing an adventure in Alaska this year. Aunt Cozi builds joy, Aunt Nan builds courage, Aunt Ouida builds people. Alan builds communication that respects and honors people. Angela builds love. Just a glimpse of that far-reaching "plan". In this picture it is reaching from Southern California, through Colorado, Washington D.C. and on down to Florida. Pretty amazing!

For my grandparents – it was building a family based on faith and unconditional love, while also caring for the land to make it fruitful for feeding the world. They had no idea how far their part of the “building plan” would reach.  We have no idea how far our part of the building plan will reach.  My cousins are all busy with their part.  When I see them I am reminded that God is designing a house on earth that changes the daily experience of people we encounter.  I want to be part of that building plan. What about you? What building plans have you been given?

Cousins! Luis and Elizabeth came into our family by way of Costa Rica when we were all kids. Teresa, on the far right, was a welcomed guest at our reunion this year. She is a friend from Mexico.
Cousins! Dustin and Ellyana. These cousins build in Kentucky!
Cousins! Sean and Kevin Fitzpatrick. They build in Alaska, Hawaii, and soon...Kevin will be building in India. Sean builds people and environments where they can flourish. Kevin is just receiving his part of the "building plan" and we know it involves India!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for reminding me of how you work. Thank you for showing me this in my family. I am happy to do my part in whatever way you choose. Thank you for involving me at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YIELD:  I will give attention to the plans of the Lord and be faithful to do my part.

Joy Comes in the Morning

Vona Wilson

My life journal musings for today….

View from Long Bay in Alaska. A God that creates this kind of beauty can handle whatever comes up in our lives. "I will exalt you, O Lord"

Scripture:  Psalm 30:1-3. I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifeted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.  O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down to the pit.

OBSERVATION:  King David was a great man that loved God with all of his heart.  He was a great leader, a man of great compassion and a strong warrior. Still, David made a lot of mistakes, just like us.  He also had tough life experiences that were not his own choosing, but that were very hard to live with each day.  When these situations happened in his life,  (whether by his own actions or the actions of others)  David did not run from God – he ran to God! He prayed.  The Lord heard his cries and responded.

APPLICATION:  As I read this Psalm (and the II Samuel 24 reading ) I can relate to how faithful God is when we call out for help.  It feels awful to make mistakes and face the consequences of them.  It feels awful to realize that there are destructive paths that lead us into dark places where we don’t need or want to be.  The “enemies” of our lives today are different. They are the enemies of busyness, distraction, depression, addictions, rage, fear, over-indulgence….etc., etc.  The “grave” and the “pit” are those places where poor decisions create a life we don’t want.  Or maybe the “pit” is that situation that you want so much to get out of but it feels like you can’t.  Maybe the “grave” is the reality of a big disappointment, a lost job, a relationship gone bad, or an illness that is taking up more of your life than you expected.  That is the time to pray! That is when we stop trying to do it on our own and we ask God to help us.  God is faithful.  As the Psalm reads…”weeping may remain for the night, but joy comes in the morning!” Whatever your situation is – take it to God and know for certain that God is faithful. Prayer changes things.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for caring enough about me that you hear and respond when I call for your help.  Thank you for changing circumstances every day when we invite you into our lives. Your faithfulness is my strength every day! I love you.

YIELD:  Whatever comes up today, the Lord will be in it with me.

Where is Your Tesoro? (Treasure)

Vona Wilson
Dogwoods are in bloom!

I am home in Tennessee. The dogwoods and honeysuckle are in bloom. The fields are green and the pine trees in our yard stand tall and strong.  While I was away my sister (whom I call “Pincho”) took care of my dog, Tiki, in addition to the home we share. 

Just before I left we had a big storm and several of our trees fell down so she has been busy taking care of everything from the storm damage.  This morning I was just thinking about all the people who went to Guatemala with me.  Maybe not “in person” but were still on the journey in spirit.  There are many!  Norris who was given a vision for Tennesse to be in relationship with Guatemala over 20 years ago; Sarah Mc Ginley who led the charge for our church to be involved in that mission; Debbie who covered my Bible study on Wednesday nights; John who covered my worship responsibilities on Sunday; Lynn who shouldered the care of the congregation; Pincho who kept our home in order; Fido Fitness who stepped into take care of Tiki when needed; and every person who offered a prayer or read the blog or had a conversation to tell a portion of the story.  So many people – too many to count or even know. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

 

My reading today is from Matthew 6. It is rich. It encourages us to store our treasure in the spiritual realm where NOTHING can take it away. Everything mentioned in this teaching is done in spirit – with the wisdom that wherever your treasure is – your heart will be also.  We do it by

1.  Praying (verse 6)

2.  Surrendering to God’s will (verse 10)

3.  Fasting (verse 17)

4.  Seeking kingdom righteousness (verse 33)

Those who have taken this journey “in spirit” by praying,  by hearing the story and by covering the gaps so I could go…every one is part of the treasure God revealed during this return to Guatemala. I am confident God will bless every one of you – those I know and those I don’t.  Because when we are engaging in the spiritual with our Creator, we are no longer limited by distance or ability or resource. I am thankful for this amazing power of God! What treasure are you storing up in your life today?

Singing a New Song

Vona Wilson
Cathedral in Retalhuleu, a nearby town

I’m on my way home to Tennessee.  Last night we were at the grocery store and we ran into Ana, the Principal of the La Toma School. She had her family with her so we met children and grandchildren. It was so good! It is that feeling that you have when you live in a community and you run into your friends as you go about your day. We were all excited.  What a blessing…unexpected…pure gift.  I call this God’s grace – just showing up and making life more beautiful than we deserve or can even imagine.  I have friends in this land.

from the cemetary in Xela

The experience preaching at Manuel’s church was a good one.  They have a strong church. I wasn’t sure what it would be like to preach in English while Chester translated but it all worked just fine. He is used to it, of course, and I was much more comfortable than I expected to be.  The message began with Revelation 5:1-10 for a vision of who we are as a church of all tribes, nations and languages to serve God on earth.  We looked at John 15:9-17 to remember the primary instruction Jesus gave us before he left earth and then we ended with a reading of I Corinthians 13.  The power of God’s love is able to cross every barrier and we have to brave enough to embrace it.  

Even in the poverty, dust and heat of La Toma people have decorated for Holy Week. I was delighted to see their creative expression!

 

When we left Manuel’s I wanted to go back to La Toma. I really didn’t get to say goodbye to Elvia and Daniel’s family and they invited us for lunch again but we were with the teachers and had to decline. So we went to their house.  By this time in the whole adventure, Adolfo had loaned us his car until Monday so we were driving. The road going into the community is awful. It’s like driving in a river with rocks that over which you can’t imagine you would ever drive your car.  Four-wheel drive Jeep – yes; Toyota Camry – no! We were nervous and also unsure of what the kids might do to the car while we were visiting. But our concerns were of no regard. We didn’t get stuck, the kids didn’t storm the car (they would have only done it out of energy and excitement) and we got out before dark.  It’s all good!

This is from the day we went home with a box of bananas!

 The visit with Daniel & Elvia’s family was awesome.  The father/ husband was home because it was Sunday.  He talked and talked. We were able to thank him for being such a good father and raising the kids so well.  As soon as we got there we received a stool to sit on and a class Pepsi, of course.  Elvia ran to get Daniel, Eduardo and David – all of whom had gone to the river to swim.  In a few minutes here came Elvia and her mom came with a live chicken.  Knowing this was a sign for the chicken to soon become supper, we explained we couldn’t stay for dinner.  So they got a box and string and began to tie the chicken’s feet together so we could take it with us!!!  Chester and I both began to talk like crazy and when he explained I was leaving and we didn’t have a place to cook anyway, they said he could take it home with him to Xela!!  It was so funny.  Chester said, “I don’t know how to kill a chicken and then I don’t know how to cook it!”   We laughed so hard; one of many hilarious things that have happened over the past 2 weeks.

I had a lot of peace as we drove out of La Toma this time.  Peace about leaving and peace about the time to come.  A door has been opened here.  At breakfast this morning I was talking to Adolfo and he said, “a WIDE door has been opened” and all three of us spoke of the future and what God may be doing.  We agreed to pray on it.  Last night Manuel said he would like for us to teach the youth in his community just like we did at La Toma.  So he is praying too.  

The abandoned train station in Retalehulah. Revolution came and time just stopped. Many things are left standing still.

There is a need for spiritual nourishment and encouragement in this land.  There is a need for us to recognize the state of life in this culture that has been ravaged by war, corruption, hurricanes, earthquakes and simple despair.  For me, I know God is showing me something I need to see.  It is like what I was shown when I went to Nicaragua in 2004 and again in 2008 – but something is different this time.  Something is pressing, even urgent. Something is rising in a generation of young people that I see and understand.  I know God opens windows and doors in special timing – the timing of the Divine.  I don’t know why or what makes the “timing” perfect – but I’ve watched it happen over and over again so I know it is true.  

The municipal building in Retalehulah. It has a working clock!

 What I see rising in the students at La Toma is the same that I see rising in the students in our church in Franklin, Tennessee.   

I know this is part of why I was called into ministry as a pastor at this time in history.  It will look different than years before.  It will surprise all of us in ways we can’t imagine. But the grace of God is so amazing – it will be easy for all of us to recognize and sing the new song being placed in our hearts.  It will not replace the ancient songs  – it will simply add to the beauty of what God is doing.  In a way it is like the story of creation when God created light and saw that it was good. And then God created the waters and the land and saw that it was good. And then God created the vegetation and fruits…and saw that it was good. 

God is still creating.  And the song I hear gets a little more beautiful every day.  

And they sang a new song, saying:

   “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God
   persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
   You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
   and they will reign on the earth.”

Let it be!

Every step we take places us a little bit closer to the dreams God breathed into us when we were created. Keep taking steps.
Luis at his front door (This is the home of Douglas who lives in San Antonio. Luis is his little brother)
The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. Daniel 4:11-12) “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32)

 

 

 

grace

Vona Wilson
Entering the city of Quetzaltenango. Love this lion of Courage! This is a very proud city.

The trip to Quetzaltenango changed many things, again.  When you are trying to learn a culture you have to be willing to be changed over and over again.  Going to the city where Chester, Adolfo and Doris all live was a blessing for me, even though it stirred more in me than I may ever have time to sift through.  I experienced beauty, pain, friends, culture, mountains, pride, laughter, tears and ultimately a flood of God’s grace. 

Adolfos church at night. Pastor is Juan Pablo

I was able to see Adolfo’s church as the band was having a late night practice when we arrived. His pastor, Juan Pablo, was there so it was nice to see him again.  It helps to see people more than one introduction. By now I have seen Juan Pablo several times and in different contexts: Jacqueline’s baptism, the visit of he and Mario at  La Toma and now in his own church preparing for weekend worship.

The highlands of Xela are completely different from other parts of the country.

Beautiful vegetables! I love this.

The air is cool. The vegetables grow in abundance and the city is surrounded by mountains.  It is beautiful.  Xela was meant to be a “little France” so the architecture and streets are exquisite.  

one of the student floats. This particular processional is part of the tradition for the 5th Friday in Lent

 

When we arrived the students from the local university were making processionals (parade) which involves floats of all types and demonstrations of sarcastic humor toward the government and other leaders.  Chester had told me about this so I was glad to see it for real.

Pasqje Enriquez. A local place for hanging out, eating, etc. Lovely and fun!
Fresh flowers are available for purchase outside the cathedral so you can take them inside. It is a beautiful expression of love.

 

We visited Doris in her home and I got to meet all of her family.  We went to Adolfo’s home and sat at his kitchen table for tea and conversation. Adolfo and his wife open their home to so many. Their hearts are full of compassion for others. Visiting these homes was very humbling for me. And my heart began to open in a place I didn’t know was there.  When I started to pray my words became few and tears emerged from that place in my heart. 

The cross at the top of the hill in Parque Zarrol el Vaul. The view is of "Xela" which is short for Quetzaltenango
The Parque Zarrol el Vaul was one of my favorites and if I lived here this is where I would run on Saturday mornings. Stunning nature with beautiful views of the city. The squirrels and chipmunks were about triple the size of ours in Tennessee.  It was funny to see a big chipmunk!

 

me with Victor Rauel Zepeda

I met Chester’s father and we had a great visit with him. He also knows a lot of history so l learned even more.  It is great to meet all of these families.  Being on a mission work site with people from a different culture is one thing.  Being with them in their own setting and context – seeing family & friends, the places they go and live life everyday – that is so much more!  I can’t begin to say how thankful I am to have this experience.  It changes things – as it should!

I preach at Manuel’s church  this afternoon (church happens at 3pm here).  I’m nervous about it and also excited to have the opportunity.  I’m so aware of what I don’t know… and how much I have to trust God every day to speak only what I am given to speak – no more, no less.  I hope I hear that message well today because it feels completely vulnerable and risky to stand in front of a faithful people and preach the word of God in a culture where I cannot speak the language or begin to know the depths of their life experience.

Today I am struggling with the reality of things.  Things like countries who have so much violence, poverty and hardship while I have so much.  And things like no health care or limited health care and the impact of a society that has known too much war.  Things like the long hot shower I can have any time I want at home, while others search for clean water.  Things like how self-centered I am when it comes to just using up natural resources as if there is no shortage and it is all for me (the yucky reality). And things like tomorrow when I pack my bags and fly to Tennessee.  What I hold and know is God’s amazing love, God’s amazing grace.  I believe that is a good place for me to hold.  It is what I’ve been given to hold.  Let it be.

The cemetery holds beautiful monuments from Italy and Spain. The art and sculptures are incredible. I have many pictures and enjoyed walking through the history and beauty of this place. This is one of my favorites.

 

“The grace of God is sufficient for power is made perfect in weakness.”   II Corinthians 12:9

The deaf shall hear….

Vona Wilson
a note given to us at the end of our last class on Thursday. "Thanks for all you taught us. I learned many things about God. I am very thankful. Take care a lot and God bless you and goodbye. Adios. "

Thursday was a very long day and I think I need to be very grateful that Chester sticks with my crazy schedule. He has been a champion on this adventure.  We are on site for 10 hours today and left after dark.  Ricardo is our taxi each day and he laughed at us because we were exhausted on the way home. 

Because of the strike we have had a lot of time with the students and their teachers – in small numbers.  We focused on 4th-6th grades and the teachers and students all came on their own initiative. Today they presented us with an awesome cake (with Pepsi, of course) and we shared many thoughts and much laughter. It was fun and the friendships have truly sprouted leaves this week. 

Awesome cake with a special "3 milk" receipe! Yummmmmmy! Celeste, Miriam, Claudia, me, and Ana

 

Chester and Marvin. We received several speeches of gratitude from the boys in this last class. They didnt want to leave...nor did we?

 

Glimpses of future leaders at La Toma!

 

Mary Magdalene with her family (Ezekial and Brandon are the boys we know).

A poignant part of our day was a home visit with Ezekiel and his family. We met Ezekiel when the team was here last month. He is deaf and does not speak (though I think he will eventually).  Thomas Overstreet made a connection with Ezekiel and following our arrival home, he arranged for a Guatemalan Sign Language book to be sent to the school. That book arrived  a couple of weeks ago and Ezekiel’s teacher uses it to help him.   When we visited on Thursday we learned that Ezekiel was attending sign language school here in Mazatenango but had to stop due to the cost of keeping the older two children in school.  His father works a lot but they have 8 children and are trying to work themselves out of debt. To make a long story short – the school is twice/week and is excellent. When Ezekiel attended there he made much progress in his ability to communicate. 

Ezekial with his mom, and the teachers at Halo, a school to help those who are deaf learn to communicate

So this morning we arranged to meet his mother and we all went to Halo together, the school that helps teach those who are deaf. We registered him back in and he can begin attending classes again. He will go twice per week.   The cost is minimal compared to anything we can imagine and I am confident we can keep him in school all year.  Maria Magdalena is a beautiful lady and a caring mother.  We had her son, Brandon, in class with us this week. He made us an incredible speech of gratitude for our teaching.  So very special.  Please pray for it to all work for this family. The father works very hard.  Ezekiel is well able to communicate if he has good tools. 

We spent the late afternoon/early evening teaching the leaders in Felix’s church. They were so gracious and sent warm greetings to our church and friends in Tennessee.  They welcome our return. We had a new baby in the mix so a prayer was given for him and several speeches of gratitude on both of our parts. Felix is a kind and compassionate pastor.

Luis ...a very grateful boy

 It was hard to leave the school yard last night. The darkness helped…just made you want to get “home” because night is not so easy.  We packed up our suitcase of supplies which weighs about 47 less pounds now.  Our next big thing is for me to preach on Sunday at Manuel’s church. So I am thankful that tomorrow I can rest my brain and let my heart process a little. We are going to Quetzaltenango where Adolfo and Chester live, and where the VIM offices are located. I hope to see mountains, cathedrals and the moon because it is supposed to be very big there. We will see how it all unfolds. I am full of peace and grateful beyond words.

Second Time Around

Vona Wilson
Christina, Me and Chester

Everyday there is something to shout about.  I know most of life is ordinary “stuff” – but I cannot help but see that there is SO MUCH extraordinary in spite of it!  Today we worked with the two 5th grade classes. One of these classes we had last week so this was our second session. Oh my goodness! It was so much fun.  This is Christina’s class.. the one I mentioned earlier on the blog. So today we did our process with them:

Read the Scripture (John 15:1-8)

Talk about what it means (they share their thougths FIRST and we clarify and keep drawing it out of them, teaching as we go)

Pray to God about how we want this teaching to be real in our lives.

Express what we learned by saying what we will DO with it! (today this was not art, it was action)

Our work on John 15:1-8. This was so fun! Our first time to do it without having to do the background work...we just took a passage and jumped right in. I loved it!

Chester did a lot of the teaching today. We seem to get better as we go and he takes on more of the lesson and adds his stories to it.  It is very good!  Our time discussing this John 15:1-8 passage today with the class was just incredible. Christina helped and we all learned from one another.  This is what just gives me so much joy. God is so faithful when we humble ourselves and listen to what is in the heart of those who seek to the wisdom and love of Christ.  How will they know if no one will teach them? 

The reason I know about the Life Journal practice of daily reading and applying the Scripture to my life is because my Bishop, Dick Wills, taught us about it at the 2006 Tennessee Annual Conference. The reason he knew about it is because Pastor Wayne Cordiero in Hawaii taught him.  The reason I know the Bible is because my mom raised me in the church and every Sunday School teacher I ever had taugth me daily to read and memorize Scripture. When I later needed those verses (in my teenage turmoils) I knew how to find them and use them!  The list goes on and on and on……  I bet you have a list too?

We ran into Manuel today which was an answer to prayer. I gave him pictures from BJ (a member of our team last month) and also the last 5 Life Journals. He invited me to preach on Sunday so we accepted and I will preach for his church. It is about 20 minutes from La Toma.  Manuel’s church is very strong and our Tennessee mission teams have done much work there.

Thursday is a big day so please pray for us.  We will teach the 5th graders and we spend about 1.5 hours with each. Then we teach more people (I’m not clear how many) at Felix’s church and he will bring us a white board to use:)  After this Hanniah has invited us out to dinner so we will end the evening with this sweet fellowship.   Pray for me to know the best things to teach and share. Pray for Chester to have everything he needs to translate for me. Pray for both of us to have energy, good health and complete focus for whatever God gives us to do as the day unfolds. 

I can feel the prayers of so many and it is a great blessing.  I keep telling the students and adults here… God is raising up a generation for something amazing.  it is happening in Franklin, TN and it is happening here.  It will take all of us and we are in it together. It is an honor to serve and to see the reign of God’s love cover the wounds of all.  The gospel of Jesus Christ says that we can do NOTHING without Christ (John 15:5) and it also says ALL THINGS are possible with God!  (Matthew 19:26). I trust God completely.  Let it rise.