English classes

English classes are still in session at our house every week.  Elena teaches two students individually, Jeovani and Haydee, and I (Heather) am currently teaching one student, Joe.

Jeovani, studying English with Elena

Mud, birds, and leaks

It has rained quite a bit during rainy season, and one day we discovered mud had run down the hill and under the door of our classroom building.  Our builder went right to work constructing a temporary mud barrier.  Later, when we have grass in the yard, we will have to divert the rainwater runoff, but hopefully not more mud!

Also inside the classroom building, we found a bird's nest with a dozen eggs!  Our builder got the nest down and sealed up the edges of both buildings all around with pieces of styrofoam.

Then, after a heavy, blowing rain, we discovered leaks in two different windows.  The windows were made here in Chichicastenango and were not sealed well.  Our builder put silicone caulk in and around the window frames. 

So far, so good... no more mud, birds, or leaks!

Forest fires

This summer there were some large forest fires near our land in Chichicastenango.  The fires were likely started by someone burning brush after clearing their corn fields.  Unfortunately, the best time of the year for clearing fields is also the driest and windiest time of year.  We were happy that the fires went out after a couple of days because there are very limited firefighting resources here.  In the whole municipality, there are only about four fire trucks and a couple of water tank trucks. 

This photo was taken out behind our land.

This photo was taken along the drive to
our land.

Motorcycles

When we first moved to Guatemala, I was worried about people on motorcycles because I had heard they would rob your cell phone.  Maybe that is true in Guatemala City, but here in Chichicastenango, my view has changed!

I snapped this photo outside the school on the same street as our house because it is a common sight here.  Now that we have lived in Chichicastenango for over six years, I actually know many of the motorcycle riders in our town.  It isn't unusual for Tomás or Kike or Víctor, who attend our church, or Kevin or Juan or Ernesto, who work at stores in town, to ride by me and shout, "Hola, Erica!"

Hardly anyone here wears a helmet, however.  That is a very unsafe practice of course, but at least I am able to see the person's face as they ride by!  Now, instead of being afraid of unknown motorcyclists, I find myself looking at riders to see if I know them!

A Bible for Ernesto

We ALMOST had another great K'iche' teacher... Ernesto, who is 30 years old.  I (Heather) met him 6 years ago when we first moved to Chichicastenango, where he worked in our town's grocery store.  He was also studying business administration in a nearby university, where they require a few English classes for graduation.  He asked me to help him, so I agreed to tutor him in English.  Then, after his class finished, he agreed to teach us K'iche' once a week.

Michael began by teaching Ernesto the K'iche' grammar rules that we have figured out.  He is very smart and was able to grasp his native language's grammar quickly.  BUT, after only a few K'iche' classes, the grocery store relocated him with an upgrade to a management position in another city!  This is a common practice for business chains here, and Ernesto wasn't able to turn down the offer without losing his job altogether.  Jobs are very hard to find in Guatemala, so he needed to keep his employment.  His wife, Tomasita, who also works in our grocery store and doesn't want to give up her job either, and his 7-year-old daughter, Lindsay, are still living here in Chichicastenango.  They were very sad about the separation. 

I had bought a Bible as a gift for Ernesto, since he isn't a Christian, but the store relocated him before I had a chance to deliver the gift!  His family has believed in the traditional Mayan religion for generations, and this was a great chance to teach him about Jesus since he agreed to help Michael translate the Bible. 

So I ended up giving the Bible to his wife, Tomasita.  She cried, saying there are many people who say they are your friends but don't follow through.  She said we showed we really are their friends by giving them a Bible!  I was able to share with her that if she will give her life to Jesus, he will always be with her.   Then, on one of his days off of work, Ernesto came to our house to visit us and thank us for the Bible.  He also cried when I told him that Jesus loves him and always offers to protect him and his family while they are apart.

Please pray for our continued ministry to Ernesto, Tomasita, and Lindsay, who has become friends with Veronica.  Please pray for their salvation and that a management position will open up here in our grocery store in Chichicastenango.  We would love for Ernesto to move back home so that his family can be reunited and we can have an excellent K'iche' teacher again!

Burglar bars

Burglar bars are common here.

First the bars were fitted,

then painted.

The classroom, sporting its new look.

Windows and doors

The buildings are starting to feel civilized now, with windows and doors!

First the styrofoam and wooden blocks,

then the steel-sheeting frame,

then the installation of aluminum-frame windows,

and sturdy metal doors.

The classroom on left, outhouse in back, and
ministry building on right.