Los Cerritos

Also in January, a prayer request was answered that I had been praying about for awhile. Once we determined that I was only needed 2 days at CAG, I wasn't sure where else the Lord wanted me to serve during my time here. While there are a lot of opportunities and plenty of need, transportation presents quite the problem, and many of my contacts have ministries an hour away or more. Not the best use of time or gasoline. I asked our missions pastor what he thought about me partnering directly with Buckner International during my time here and he agreed it would be a great place to check into. One of their Community Transformation Centers is about 25-40 minutes from here (depends on the traffic). A CTC "is a central hub where children and families can receive social services, food, education, job training and build lasting relationships," and Buckner has 3 in Guatemala. They were born out of the idea of stopping the cycle that creates so many social orphans here. I met with the Buckner staff and they had been looking for someone to continue the children's ESL classes that they had last year at their Los Cerritos site, and it all seemed to fall into place.

Los Cerritos is a neighborhood located just off Puente Incienso - a 6-lane bridge that I read is the highest in Central America. The exit for the CTC is the last one on the bridge and then the buildings are right there on the side, with tons of tiny homes going up and down the sides of the ravine. It also has the unfortunate nickname of the 'suicide bridge' - I'm guessing that one doesn't need explanation.

It is run daily by 3 staff members - Patricia, the director, Karen, her assistant, and Christian, the doctor. They have been so kind and helpful since I started.

Front of CTC

Mi clase!

 I have 6 classes each day - which has thoroughly reinforced that I was not cut out to be a 'real' teacher. I really don't know how you all do it - repeating the same information over and over to various groups of kids who may or may not be paying attention. I get so tired! And sometimes my Spanish doesn't quite cut it; luckily they are patient with me. But I am really enjoying getting to know the kids and watching as they put their trust in me a little more each day. I know many of them have home lives in disarray and the CTC is a place of rest and peace. I also like that they are participating in such a positive extra-cirricular activity that can only help with their English classes at school and with their futures. And we have fun while doing it! You should see a room full of them playing "paper, rock, scissors"!

The 50+ students range in age from 4 to 15, so I have quite the adjustment when it comes to planning. I use the lesson plans from the last teacher as well as the internet and try to make the lessons interactive and fun. So far we have been having a new lesson on Monday and Wednesday and on Friday we review and read a story from a children's Bible, which I use as the basis for new vocabulary. For example, last Friday's topic was "In His Image" and we learned names for body parts. I want the kids to know the reason that I'm here, the reason that I'm teaching, and the source of the love that I'm able to share with them. I look forward to getting to know them more and being a person in their life that they can trust loves and cares for them.

Carmencita 

Junior

Ana, Estrella, Sharon

Julio

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
John 17:20-23

Something new

New year, new house, new job, new roommate...I have been busy! After the new year I moved to a little casita behind some other CAM missionaries. It is in a smaller, more closely guarded neighborhood and has some upgraded amenities - like a door to the bathroom and a water heater - woohoo! My CAM roommate also came the first week of January. Her name is Sarah and we had met before at a CAM conference in Dallas. She is from outside of Austin and is teaching 1st grade full time at CAG where I do speech therapy. We've only got one bedroom and one bathroom, but we're working it out.

Living room

Kitchen

Front door

View from the gate :)

Also in January, my parents were supposed to be coming to visit me. I was really looking forward to it after spending the holidays apart, but my mom tore her knee over Christmas and the doctor said that she needed repair surgery right away. We were all upset but knew it was the the best thing for her to get on the road to recovery. So, since I had already scheduled vacation during that time, we decided that I would make a quick trip home, to help my mom and see the rest of my family. It was such a blessing to see close friends and family and attend PCBC on Sunday. I was only home for 10 days but time filled with people that you love sure is refreshing for the soul. I am so thankful for the support that I have from so many. It was a super-quick trip, and I spent most of it with my parents, so if I didn't get to see you, I hope that I will get to the next time.

Good friends

More good friends 

Mi amiga Paulina

Before I left for that trip, I got to participate in the engagement of a dear friend, Allison, who I met here in Guatemala in 2010. She is from Illinois and has been dating Nino long-distance for some time and was coming to visit him on her vacation. He asked me and another friend to be part of the surprise - it was so fun to be part of their important event, and as you can see it was a beautiful evening.

I have started doing speech therapy (in English, of course) 2 days per week at CAG, the school for children of missionaries. I have 16 kids that I see in groups of one to two twice a week - it is definitely a busy day! It is also interesting to do therapy without a shelf full of books or 4 great speech pathologists right outside my office door, but I'm learning, and the internet is a great tool to find helpful resources. I enjoy my time with the kids and the knowledge that by serving these kids, I'm serving their families and their ministries too. And it is about 4 minutes from my house and has a gorgeous campus! I will take some pics of it sometime soon.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers - even though I've been here 4 months, the adjustment continues and I am continually learning more about ministry and about myself and how to truly depend on the Lord to provide all that I need.

Psalm 91: 1-2
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”