Friday, February 23, 2007
I looked at Sheila today at lunch and said, "This is sure some adventure. Living here is like being on a different planet." And for a number of reasons.
It seems unfair that a place could have so many perfect days stacked on top of each other. It seems like we have lived 2 or 3 summers already. It is hard adjusting to the fact that it is dark every night at 6:30. Warm days at home mean late nights with plenty of light for fishing...but not here.
Everyone is up and on the move with first light (maybe the roosters wake them up?). I guess this is to make use of the 12 hours of daylight. They eat here from 1-2 pm, and then at 7 or 8 each night.
There is a Catholic church 2 blocks east of here that has an insane bell ringer. I jokingly say insane because the number of times the bell rings is amazing. For example, at 6:45 this morning, I counted 40 rings and I know he started before 6 am. Walking home tonight, it rang for 15 or 20 minutes.
Then there is the moon hanging with the quarter crescent visible on the bottom. All the stars look different and the angles are all wrong.
Most of the people ae just a hair taller than my belly button. I walked into the library and heard one boy say, "Whoa, mucho hombre!"
The term 'gone south' means more now than it did in Canada. Everything seems marginal here and JUST works, JUST functions. Wiring and building codes and water systems are all sadly lacking compared to Canadian standards. We see babies sleeping on the fuel tanks of motor bikes as their parents drive to and from work. Sometimes, there are 4 people on one scooter. It's all very dangerous. Talk about a different world view! Even removing the aspects of my Christian faith, I bring with me a view of a very different society, safer, easier on children and women, a place where order and respect for others is higher. A society where the downcast are supported, etc. Most people work here, though, which I believe is good, but the wages are terrible and the indigenous people suffer. Everyone's dream is to get to the US so that they can pursue the American dream and indulge in material possessions. I suppose that if the British had settled this country, the layout of the towns would be more organized and a very different society created, but... It was the Spanish, and well, fireworks and firecrackers are huge down here. Every day they go off!! Almost every morning 6 am, someone is setting off firecrackers to announce someone's birthday, and in the evening there are fireworks and some kind of a loud explosion device used that is so loud, it sometimes sets off vehicle alarm systems. If the owner is not close by, they just go on and on and on....
I am grateful to God that we are here to meet a most urgent need, which is to provide a practical training so that individuals can work at a decent job for decent pay. All humanitarian aid is good, however I am beginning to think that many of the short term missions organizations are in place to meet the needs of the 'rich' believers rather than the needs of the developing Third world. A few skits, a few trinkets and the feeling that all the little people like you all makes for a feeling that we rich gringos are doing something meaningful. Actually, the locals know that if they stay close to you, they will benefit in some way with clothes and ongoing funds of some kind. The fact is that the problems are systemic and best addressed through education. I thank God for the meaningful work we have been given and pray that together we can continue to partner together to help the underprivileged of Guatemala.
It seems unfair that a place could have so many perfect days stacked on top of each other. It seems like we have lived 2 or 3 summers already. It is hard adjusting to the fact that it is dark every night at 6:30. Warm days at home mean late nights with plenty of light for fishing...but not here.
Everyone is up and on the move with first light (maybe the roosters wake them up?). I guess this is to make use of the 12 hours of daylight. They eat here from 1-2 pm, and then at 7 or 8 each night.
There is a Catholic church 2 blocks east of here that has an insane bell ringer. I jokingly say insane because the number of times the bell rings is amazing. For example, at 6:45 this morning, I counted 40 rings and I know he started before 6 am. Walking home tonight, it rang for 15 or 20 minutes.
Then there is the moon hanging with the quarter crescent visible on the bottom. All the stars look different and the angles are all wrong.
Most of the people ae just a hair taller than my belly button. I walked into the library and heard one boy say, "Whoa, mucho hombre!"
The term 'gone south' means more now than it did in Canada. Everything seems marginal here and JUST works, JUST functions. Wiring and building codes and water systems are all sadly lacking compared to Canadian standards. We see babies sleeping on the fuel tanks of motor bikes as their parents drive to and from work. Sometimes, there are 4 people on one scooter. It's all very dangerous. Talk about a different world view! Even removing the aspects of my Christian faith, I bring with me a view of a very different society, safer, easier on children and women, a place where order and respect for others is higher. A society where the downcast are supported, etc. Most people work here, though, which I believe is good, but the wages are terrible and the indigenous people suffer. Everyone's dream is to get to the US so that they can pursue the American dream and indulge in material possessions. I suppose that if the British had settled this country, the layout of the towns would be more organized and a very different society created, but... It was the Spanish, and well, fireworks and firecrackers are huge down here. Every day they go off!! Almost every morning 6 am, someone is setting off firecrackers to announce someone's birthday, and in the evening there are fireworks and some kind of a loud explosion device used that is so loud, it sometimes sets off vehicle alarm systems. If the owner is not close by, they just go on and on and on....
I am grateful to God that we are here to meet a most urgent need, which is to provide a practical training so that individuals can work at a decent job for decent pay. All humanitarian aid is good, however I am beginning to think that many of the short term missions organizations are in place to meet the needs of the 'rich' believers rather than the needs of the developing Third world. A few skits, a few trinkets and the feeling that all the little people like you all makes for a feeling that we rich gringos are doing something meaningful. Actually, the locals know that if they stay close to you, they will benefit in some way with clothes and ongoing funds of some kind. The fact is that the problems are systemic and best addressed through education. I thank God for the meaningful work we have been given and pray that together we can continue to partner together to help the underprivileged of Guatemala.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Juhlin Missionaries to Guatemala
Tim Here!
It has been some time since I made an entry. I am just too serious about learning Spanish, and because I am so serious I am not much fun to be around. Lighten up! I say this to myself each evening and morning and then just get demoralized with my inabilities. I can say good morning and do so at the wrong times and so goes the day. I have many technical words but putting them together into an actual sentence is beyond me at this time. I can write them out and read them off but my commador 64 just does not process word meanings fast enough. I will give it some time, perhaps 7 years and if I can't communicate by then I will have to go fishing in Northern Canada. Speaking of clean water, the streams here stink and look even worse. Think of vomit in a hot station wagon and that is as close to the smell of streams as I can get you. In other countries where standards are in place, the streams begin to get cleaner, in lands such as this were every one is struggling under a system of oppression that does not allow a worker the basics of life, the environment suffers the most.
For one who is struggling with the language, I sometimes feel like the smartest person down here. Give me one week with a paint brush and stencil and every street corner in Antigua would be labelled, which would make life easier for the average tourist. Canada and the USA had this figured out years ago, but down here it is a foreign concept.
I have so many wise thoughts down here as I walk the streets to school each day but they often vaporize by the time evening arrives! I have just finished 2nd Corinthians and now am rolling into Galations. I started reading Bonhoffers book "The Cost of Discipleship" and again am challanged. Christ has fulfilled the law, was the only one who could and we are to follow him, and stay in close fellowship with him .... sounds good so far doesn't it!!!! Well Dietric goes on to say that we can fulfill the law by staying close to Christ. Now we are in a different theological kettle of fish. Well I am not agreeing either way just chewing the matter over.
Please pray that the good Lord will assist me in lightening up and give me wisdom for learning and in understanding the culture we are called to operate in.
Yours in Christ.
Tim
ps. We found a different place to stay, and will move on Saturday morning. The new place has HOT WATER, a PRIVATE bathroom, cooking facilities, a sitting room we can use and a roof top patio. Heaven awaits!!!
Tim Here!
It has been some time since I made an entry. I am just too serious about learning Spanish, and because I am so serious I am not much fun to be around. Lighten up! I say this to myself each evening and morning and then just get demoralized with my inabilities. I can say good morning and do so at the wrong times and so goes the day. I have many technical words but putting them together into an actual sentence is beyond me at this time. I can write them out and read them off but my commador 64 just does not process word meanings fast enough. I will give it some time, perhaps 7 years and if I can't communicate by then I will have to go fishing in Northern Canada. Speaking of clean water, the streams here stink and look even worse. Think of vomit in a hot station wagon and that is as close to the smell of streams as I can get you. In other countries where standards are in place, the streams begin to get cleaner, in lands such as this were every one is struggling under a system of oppression that does not allow a worker the basics of life, the environment suffers the most.
For one who is struggling with the language, I sometimes feel like the smartest person down here. Give me one week with a paint brush and stencil and every street corner in Antigua would be labelled, which would make life easier for the average tourist. Canada and the USA had this figured out years ago, but down here it is a foreign concept.
I have so many wise thoughts down here as I walk the streets to school each day but they often vaporize by the time evening arrives! I have just finished 2nd Corinthians and now am rolling into Galations. I started reading Bonhoffers book "The Cost of Discipleship" and again am challanged. Christ has fulfilled the law, was the only one who could and we are to follow him, and stay in close fellowship with him .... sounds good so far doesn't it!!!! Well Dietric goes on to say that we can fulfill the law by staying close to Christ. Now we are in a different theological kettle of fish. Well I am not agreeing either way just chewing the matter over.
Please pray that the good Lord will assist me in lightening up and give me wisdom for learning and in understanding the culture we are called to operate in.
Yours in Christ.
Tim
ps. We found a different place to stay, and will move on Saturday morning. The new place has HOT WATER, a PRIVATE bathroom, cooking facilities, a sitting room we can use and a roof top patio. Heaven awaits!!!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
"....and a river runs through it..", the dump, that is. On February 3, Tim and I took our home stay mom, Rebeca, for a ride in our car. Who knows when she was last in a vehicle?? She didn't know how to use the seatbelt!! We were on a brand new carratera (highway) into the countryside. We passed a pueblito (village) where the local dump covered both banks of the river. The urge to 'clean' here is almost overwhelming at times. No one seems to care that trash is blowing everywhere.On the main streets of Antigua, we see men with trash bags and long barbecue tongs picking up the major pieces, but gum wrappers, beer bottle tops and and bits of plastic litter the streets. Empty lots become mini dumps, with coffee cups and plastic bottles crowding out the grass and bushes.
Dust is everywhere. The streets are cobblestone, but the stones are just set into dirt. Some areas have been cemented down, but not all. We are in the dry season now, so we don't have the settling effects of the rain to keep things washed down. We've been watching a vine slowly turn dry and wither in the constant 25+ degree heat.
Exhaust fumes are only partially cleared by the occasional breeze - no pollution controls here! The city is even worse than Antigua. It's all part of a country that is rebuilding after 30 years of civil war. The money just isn't there to solve all the woes - pollution, poverty, education and health care issues - all at once.
Little by little, though, things ARE improving. It's exciting to be a part of the positive changes, even if our contribution is small. All small things add up!!!
Dust is everywhere. The streets are cobblestone, but the stones are just set into dirt. Some areas have been cemented down, but not all. We are in the dry season now, so we don't have the settling effects of the rain to keep things washed down. We've been watching a vine slowly turn dry and wither in the constant 25+ degree heat.
Exhaust fumes are only partially cleared by the occasional breeze - no pollution controls here! The city is even worse than Antigua. It's all part of a country that is rebuilding after 30 years of civil war. The money just isn't there to solve all the woes - pollution, poverty, education and health care issues - all at once.
Little by little, though, things ARE improving. It's exciting to be a part of the positive changes, even if our contribution is small. All small things add up!!!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Juhlin Missionaries to Guatemala
Tim here.
We seem to be unable to insert pictures although did so in Canada.
The routine is starting to develop and unfortunately it involves me going into my silent act which is part of some sort of coping mechanism to deal with the excessive information overload we are receiving. Verbos conjugation and more verbos! For example lets take the word Habler to talk. I talk is yo hablo, you talk is tu hables, he she you (usted) is hable usted, we talk is nosostros hableamos and they speak is hablen ustedes. Every verb has this wonderful string of words attached. There are the standard verbs then heaps of non standard that you just have to memorize. Anyway I am living spanish and would rather be fishing! Working on this picture problem and hope to have it solved soon.
Tim
Tim here.
We seem to be unable to insert pictures although did so in Canada.
The routine is starting to develop and unfortunately it involves me going into my silent act which is part of some sort of coping mechanism to deal with the excessive information overload we are receiving. Verbos conjugation and more verbos! For example lets take the word Habler to talk. I talk is yo hablo, you talk is tu hables, he she you (usted) is hable usted, we talk is nosostros hableamos and they speak is hablen ustedes. Every verb has this wonderful string of words attached. There are the standard verbs then heaps of non standard that you just have to memorize. Anyway I am living spanish and would rather be fishing! Working on this picture problem and hope to have it solved soon.
Tim
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