Cultural Effects

Posted on June 29, 2014 by adrienneorris

As we debriefed as a group, I always enjoy seeing things through the eyes of someone looking fresh at a culture. Even if it was the dogs that repulsed them or the sound of a marimba at night that they could have done with out. These are the things that I don’t see anymore. Things that I have forgotten about. Yet things that scream Guatemala. Embracing and living within a culture is difficult and there will always be things that are counter cultural. Being surrounded by friends though is like having a piece of home here… and so I cherish the days that we spent together and have tidbits to share from each of them …

Things we loved
Laughter of the children and seeing the smiles on their faces
Being greeted everywhere we went and others actually talking to us on the streets
Mountains – everywhere
Beauty of country
Puppies (3 of them living right next to our room)
Hosts
Family atmosphere
Seeing the vision and hospital
Respect for culture

Cultural difficulties
Language barrier
Being careful not to offend people
Sanitation/ lack of
Transportation/ difficulty of travel
Dogs – everywhere and not looking healthy
Cockroaches

I speak on behalf of everyone that this week gave a window into the life and ministry that is in full force in Guatemala. The favorite part of the week was being able to experience first hand the presence of God. Seeing the hospital ground and the school and seeing how the pieces all fit together. Thank you to all who have been a long on this journey.

A Visit to Chiminisijuan

Posted on June 27, 2014 by adrienneorris

Our last day here we were able to visit a village high in the mountains to collect baskets and share a message with the widows in that area. This was a sweet ending to our time here as we were able to see the homes and area of the people from this area. This project has been ongoing with a focus on helping the widow’s provide for their families. They make baskets from the pine needles around their homes and the sale of these supports their daily needs. They are able to make as many baskets as they can make in a month and then they bring them to the clinic once a month. During that time, there is an encouraging word that is given, we ask about their lives and we collect their baskets. This month we also brought a few things for the kids and played with them a little bit. Jaxs with Jim was a big hit! Lisa shared about her own struggles and related to the women, and then we headed home. Here are a few pictures from our day!

Counting baskets

Miguel proud of his jax skills

Flor talking to a widow

Learning how to make a new item (coming in July)

Lisa sharing with the group of women

Playing with the kids

Walking to the clinic

How we roll

A group shot

Wednesday

Posted on June 26, 2014 by adrienneorris

Today was our rest day and we took advantage of the day to spend time together and see the town and surrounding areas. We checked out the Mayan ruins, took a prayer walk through town, got an ice cream cone, headed up the canal for a scenic view. This day was very enjoyable as we were able to learn about the area here and see more of the beauty in this place.

Why We Are Here

Posted on June 25, 2014 by adrienneorris

This is my second trip to Guatemala. Since I knew basically what to expect, I was able to relax more and observe things I didn’t observe last year. One thing that I noticed when coming down this time was the amount of people with means traveling to Guatemala. I also noticed many people who appeared wealthy in Guatemala City. Guatemala City is not an extremely modern looking city. However, it still has people of means-like any other city.
As we flew over the mountains on the way to Canilla, I was once again struck by the beauty of the mountains and the surrounding countryside. It truly is God’s country. This area and the people of Canilla may not be modern, with all the conveniences like in the city, but the simplicity and beauty of the area with the surrounding mountains points your heart to God, the Creator of all beautiful things.
So why are we here? Not for the excitement of the city. Not for what the small village has to offer us, but for what we can offer them. What is that? Not school supplies and books. Not the English language or technology training- all of which are important and part of our day. We are here because we will come. We come to a people that no one else will come to. They are feared, looked down on, misunderstood. But we come. Come to share the love of Christ to a people in an area that others who have the means and ability would never venture. We come and we are blessed. ~Lisa

School Days

Posted on June 24, 2014 by adrienneorris

Monday

As a team, we worked at the school today. When we arrived we sorted all of the school supplies the church, school and others graciously supplied. (Thanks!) Everyone at the school was very thankful for the new supplies (thank you, thank you). We were able to clean the rooms at the school by scrubbing the walls and dusting the ceiling. The ladies worked on school projects for the English school such as making flashcards and games for the students to practice their English. While they ladies worked on school items, Jim painted and helped grill our delicious lunch. We ate lunch at the school with Aaron, Katie, and their family, the Director of the school, Greg, and his children. We worked at the school till around 4:30 and came back to rest. At sunset we walked with the Fickers to view the hospital property. The outline of the property is dug up so we could see the outline of where the hospital will be, very exciting! We ended the evening by enjoying some time together and making our plans for tomorrow. Thank you for your support and prayers during our trip, they are much appreciated and we can’t wait to tell you about the trip.
-Allison

Jim grilling

Megan and Lisa working on manipulatives

Allison and Jim enjoying contact paper!

School supplies sorted and displayed

The hospital property – starting to dig!

A Day in San Andres

Posted on June 23, 2014 by adrienneorris

Today, we went to San Andres to help with the clinic. The people who need to be seen line up really early in the morning and get a ticket with a number on it. We got there a little before 9 and started seeing people. One room was seeing all of the pregnant women and checking on how their pregnancy is doing. The other room was seeing chronic patients, including the people who have diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions. We also helped with the nutrition program, weighing kids and recording their information. We helped out in the rooms for a bit, but none of us have medical training, so there wasn’t much we could do in the clinic part. There was a courtyard where the people waited for their number to be called. We brought some things to do with the kids who were waiting with their parents. Jim made bracelets and necklaces out of pipe cleaners, while Lisa, Allison, and I helped kids do those things where you scrape off the black layer on top and there’s colors underneath. It took a while for them to join in, but once they did, they really liked it. At around 11, Jim, Allison, Lisa, and I went down the road to the market to look for souvenirs to take home. Adrienne stayed at the clinic to help Leslie, so we were on our own! It was a bit difficult to communicate, but we were able to figure out how much they were charging for what we wanted. Adrienne met us and we got some snacks to take back to the girls helping with the clinic while they finished seeing the last people. We rode back to the mission in the truck on a very bumpy, windy dirt road. Allison and I were in the back of the pickup which is something I don’t know if I could ever get used to. We ate lunch and then organized some of the books and school supplies that we had brought. Jim helped Duane work on some electrical stuff while us girls headed up to what they call “Bunker Hill” to watch the sunset. We walked down to the cemetery and enjoyed the end of the day. We grabbed some snacks and debriefed for the night. Tomorrow we will be heading back to the school. ~ Megan

The people waiting to be seen

Playing with the kids

The sunset

A girl in clinic

Leslie talking to a mother

Armando sharing a message with the people waiting

Allison making an animal for a boy

Day Two

Posted on June 22, 2014 by adrienneorris

We had connection problems and did not post about Friday. This day gave us an opportunity to see the families of students at the school. The students had presentations in the morning and then a celebration lunch followed by some activities. The students and parents played some volleyball and the mother’s tested their sling shot ability in one of the activities. It was a realization of how difficult it is when you can’t openly communicate with others due to the language barrier. We are all doing well, healthy and strong!

The mothers with a slingshot

The families gathered for the celebration

Students vs Parents (and Jim)

In Canilla

Posted on June 21, 2014 by adrienneorris

Today we worked as a team at the school. We helped with projects such as planting an herb garden, cleaning the classrooms and talking with teachers to learn ways we can help them with their classes. The students are on a one week break, so this gave us the opportunity to help with projects that can only be done when the kids are not there. Since they have school every day of the week from morning until night, it is a challenge for the teachers to get caught up with things or even get ahead. In the afternoon, we researched activities to help the teachers with their classroom lessons. Then we all took a break and headed down to the river in the Canilla Valley. Because we have been having very dry and warm days, the cool river felt good to all. It was relaxing to see the beauty of the countryside and listen to the flowing of the river. We also found many interesting rocks and plants. The climb out of the river valley was a challenge for most. But the enjoyment of the experience was worth the trip and left us feeling thankful for the blessings of the day. ~Lisa

Megan’s planting partner Anna

Jim preparing the beds and the ladies planting (thanks Jim for your sore muscles tomorrow)

Megan and Allison exploring the rocks

Beauty at the river

Arrival

Posted on June 20, 2014 by adrienneorris

Travel and arrival was as smooth as can be expected and all of my companions are asleep (soon for me as well). The day has been a day of firsts as we saw the countryside from the plane and a little from the truck. We also had a brief visit as the school. Thanks for your prayers as we begin this journey. Tomorrow is a full day at the school.

GOGuatemala

Posted on June 16, 2014 by adrienneorris

Months ago, these four people came together to form a team that would be coming to Guatemala to serve. I am excited to be able to share with them the area, the people and the ministry in which I have been working and for them to experience life in Guatemala. We will be focusing on the school while we are there, but will be part of the bigger picture of what is happening in Canilla, Guatemala. We will keep you updated on the week through our eyes. Come join us. We begin our trek Thursday, June 19th.

On June 1st both Go Teams (there is currently a team in Gabon as well) were commissioned by the church body to go on our trips. It is always a special time when the church gathers to pray for those being sent out.

In Acts, Paul and Barnabas were commissioned to go as well. Acts 13:3 says, “Then after fasting and praying they laid hands on them and sent them off.”

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul asks for more prayer during their trip. Colossians 4:2-4 says,
“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ.”

We are asking you for prayer during our trip. We would ask that you would be devoted to it, and watchful and thankful in it. Please pray that the teachers and students are encouraged during our time there, that the language barriers are dissolved, and that the message of Christ is evident in all that we do.

Thank you for sending us and supporting us in so many ways!