Una Bendición

I cannot believe that my flight takes off in exactly 8 days. I can make the number 8 on my two hands. Before, I would have needed 10 hands to show how long I'm here. But this is just one way to look at it. The other way I can see it is that I've already been here for six amazing weeks. Now I am going to catch you all up on my last week in Punta de Palma, Izabal, Guatemala, at a mission called El Faro (Lighthouse). Dennis and Chochy Ruano are a part of Carol and Forrest's ministry here. Dennis is their dentist, and Chochy hosts concerts and travels to all parts of Guatemala with her group of singers and dancers. They have three kids, Dennis and Rosanna (12-year old twins) and Bryan, their 10-year old. They're all incredibly smart and know English pretty well. Bryan is a bit like a bilingual dictionary. However... just because they know English doesn't mean they use it when they don't have to. So I had a week of complete immersion. All the workers at the mission knew English but refused to use it. Another American, Nathan, was with us as well. But every time we tried to talk in English they made us stop. So that was one great thing about the week. I learned a lot and became much more confident in what I understand. The hardest thing about Spanish here in Guatemala is that there are palabras chapinas. Most of these words start with "ch" but there are other phrases as well. And these words are no where to be found in any dictionary. Anyways these are phrases used only by Guatemalans, some of them being chilero (cool), chambom (clumsy), chucho (pig as in someone who eats a lot... but it actually translates as dog), or tienes huevo (which literally means: do you have egg? but translates as: are you tired?) Now onto what we actually did. Like I said in my quick update we had two of Chochy's concerts on Sunday. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we went to different aldeas (villages) to do dentist clinics. Even though I am not a dentist nor do I have any desire to be a dentist it is amazing to see some of the transformations. On Monday, in a village called Escobas, I was assisting Dennis (and by assisting I mean getting him the tools he needs, letting people squeeze my hand, oh and suctioning all the blood out of their mouth) with a 17-year old girl named Carol. She had three partially rotten teeth. Those teeth right in front on top. Essentially her smile was partially rotted. But Dennis did his thing, I held her hand and smiled, and after some time she had a brand new smile--one of the greatest gifts a person can be given in my opinion. After she was all finished she got up and walked towards the door. Then she turned around, walked back to me and gave me a hug and told me how thankful she was...all the while flashing her beautiful smile. That was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had here. Later that day, I found her and all of a sudden, she started talking to me in English. She is a tour guide. She told me she learned English in her school and it amazes me that anyone can learn anything in the awful public schools. But some people just do. The second place we went on Tuesday and Wednesday was a bit poorer. The unfortunate thing was that they didn't speak Spanish. It's very difficult not to be able to communicate through words. However, that does not mean that communication is impossible. We were still able to show compassion and love through our actions. There was a group of 4 or 5 little girls and a few of them were still waiting to have their teeth fixed. One of those girls had already been seen the day before but had to come back for more. The first day she was crying and screaming and it took her mother, her grandmother, and me to hold her still enough for Dennis to work. The second day, I went and sat with her beforehand and made her a glove balloon to play with. Then when it was her turn she held my hand, got right up on the chair, and didn't make a noise. Little things like that are things that I remember forever. Along with the work though came play. One day the villagers treated us to a hen soup with limeade (which is actually made of what they call lemons but they taste like limes) and tortillas of course and then we swam in the river. We also swam in the ocean every day. But the ocean was not refreshing at all because it was like a lukewarm bath. One day I got really car sick (because the roads are terrrrrribleeeeee) and I was completely overheated and so I decided the best thing I could do was to take a cold shower. To say the least, the water was not cold enough. You know that you are so completely overheated from the inside out when the coldest water is not enough to cool you down. Along with swimming Rosanita and I made cookies and cake for everyone. However, they became filled with ants... but hey this is Guatemala so we ate them anyways... We also had a karaoke night and we played a lot of cards. It goes without saying that it was a blessing that I met the Ruano's and they invited me to go with them.

Quick Update

Hello All!! This is just a quick update because I haven´t written in a while. I am here with the wonderful Ruano family on the Caribbean Coast...specifically El Faro en Izabal. Tomorrow we start dentist work. Today, Chochy had two concerts for niños and of course they enjoyed every minute of it. It is REALLY hot here...and not just hot, but sticky. But the water is warm and there´s usually a breeze so it´s not a problem. That´s all for now, but thank you for your prayers for my health... I have felt good the last week. I ask for continued prayers so that I dont get sick in the last 2 weeks of my trip! I can´t believe that my time here is almost over. I hope to make it up to the orphanage one more time before I leave. Hasta tarde.

Tears of Joy and Sadness

Excitement. Laughter. Smiles. Appreciation. Adoration. Sadness. Gratefulness. Passion. Joy. But the greatest of these is Love. I could leave it at that to sum up this last week. But I know my mother would not appreciate that. So, here goes. Monday the team arrived. Tuesday we began adding onto what Forrest, Daniel, Jorge, and Fernando had already done on the house. They had already started the work that is not quite as gratifying because the progress is not always visible. But the team started on the 4th or 5th level of laying blocks. By the end of the week we had pretty much finished the walls and now that the team is gone the men are back at it preparing to put the roof on. Yesterday, Monday, was a really unforgettable day. It was the team's last day at the village. To say the least, I wasn't even leaving the country and I cried at least 10 times. We stood inside the house we were blessed to provide and just prayed for it. Candida, the mother of the household, brought everyone to tears who was not already crying. She broke down and could not stop thanking God for what he was doing in her and her family's life. She able to move a whole group of people. The amazing part: she was speaking a different language. Her actions and her emotions displayed her message, so clearly, that at that moment, the separation that comes with different languages no longer existed. At the same time this idea of praying in other languages really opened the eyes of some of the people on the team. It was a great reminder of how infinite our God really is. When we think of prayer we think of praying in English. We don't think of that African language only a couple hundred people speak. Probably not many people think of praying in sign language. It just shows how small our minds are... how little we grasp. God understands everything and everybody and this is His great power. God has really been looking out for me this entire trip. He placed some people here that I know either had or will have a lasting effect on me. Guatemalan or American I have made some great new friends. New accountability partners. People I can share my experience with who already know what I'm talking about. I know God will continue to bless my next month here as many opportunities have arisen for me to immerse myself further into this beautiful place. I ask that you just keep praying for strength for me. It's a terrible feeling when I don't feel well enough to play duck duck goose with the kids or when it hurts to smile because I'm so sick. However, more importantly, I ask that you continue to pray for the work I am doing. For the relationships I am building. That I am able to truly make a difference in these people's lives... both young and old. If you want to see more pictures add me on facebook! www.facebook.com/stephanie.lockhart Also be sure to visit servants4him.org if you want to know more about the ministry!

Wonderful Maker

Well, the fact that I haven't updated in about a week only attests to how busy I have been. Really, the only reason I have time to update now is because I am staying behind this morning. I don't want to stay behind but my stomach is not agreeing with something I ate. > To catch you all up, a team from Destiny Church in Leesburg arrived on Monday. This week we have been working on building a two room block house for a family of 7. This may be one of the greatest families I have ever met. The parents names are Jorge and Candida and they have five of the sweetest kids. Milka is the oldest and she just turned eleven. She is very smart and always surprises me with random phrases in English. She also remembers everything I teach her how to say. Then she has a little sister named Elsa, and two younger brothers named Josue and Presley. And there is also a year old baby who's name is very difficult, but one day I will get it right. This family has never asked for anything but they have been living in a straw house with dirt (or mud) floors. Right now all seven of them sleep in one bed. Their father, Jorge, rarely speaks and never complains. He works non stop and always has a bright look on his face. He is truly a servant of God. If you ever feel like complaining or don't want to work anymore all you have to do is look at him and you'll be encouraged to continue working through the rain to try and finish this house for the poor family. > While the construction is going on, we are also holding a VBS type thing for the kids in the afternoon. We are teaching them songs, making crafts, and telling Bible stories. The greatest gift of all is to see that they are happy. Again I'm sad that I couldn't make it this morning because I miss the kids so much when I am not there. I just want to pack some of them up and take them home with me. But I would have to take their families, too! > Aside from the relationships that I'm making with the children, I have also met some people on the team that have helped me. They've made me think of things I wasn't thinking of before. It's a really good group of people. I'm lucky I get to be a part of it. > One of the greatest things that I will miss very much when I come back to the States is standing in the middle of the volcanic ash soccer field and looking up. To one direction you can see Agua, a huge volcano with patchwork crops all the way up to the top. On clear days you can see the top of the volcano. And in all other directions are great big mountains with more crops growing. God's great imagination and artwork are so evident here. It's impossible to think that someone less powerful than our God had the ability to create this world.

Fotos!

The walls are coming up. Some of my favorite pictures are ones like these. Caught in the moment. Josue, in his little straw house. Had time on Saturday to visit Casa and see Cristina.

Head, Shoulders...

Today was the first day of English classes!

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The kids were so so excited. When we drove up, there were about 10 boys waiting at the door. They came and rushed all around the car before we even got out. In total, there were probably just under 30 people there. Mostly kids, but some older siblings, and some younger siblings. Still gotta take care of the babies!

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We learned how to say "My name is ____" as well as "I am ___ years old". They have difficulty with 'name' and 'years'. But they won't stop trying! They also knew the parts of the body song in Spanish and so we learned it in English. So they know those 8 parts really well... it's the other parts of the body that are more difficult to remember. I think I need to spend time making up tunes and putting words to them.

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Another thing that makes teaching a bit difficult, is that half of them don't know how to read or write in Spanish, let alone English. So the only way they can practice the words is if they have an older sibling or friend willing to help. They also just have to listen. Imagine learning a language based solely upon what you hear.

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Anyways, it was just as exciting for them as it was for me. Tomorrow I will be there the whole day. In the morning I will be teaching the high schoolers and the adults. The women want to learn numbers and I guess I'll find out what the high schoolers already know and then see what more they want to learn.

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I'm still hoping that I'll get my laptop hooked up this week and then I'll post pictures of the kids.

Hasta Luego!

El Examen (The Test)

Hola familia y amigos!

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I hope that all is well. It rained from 2 pm on today, but the beginning of the day was amazing weather. Carol and I started our day with Iglesia down the road. The sermon was a blessing. It was all about the difference between ignorance and apathy. In the end, God is not going to hold us accountable for what we didn't know, but for what we didn't want to, or CHOSE, not to know. We can't always use the excuse, "Ay, no sabia, lo siento, no sabia" (Oh I didn't know, it's not my fault, I didn't know). It's that we didn't CARE to know. And that is what it is all about. We can't just walk the walk, and talk the talk; we have to be living in the Word daily. It is not enough to only be "una persona buena" and hope that others see the light of Jesucristo in you. Yeah, sure, maybe some will see that and be saved. But why depend on that small chance? We need not have our own opinions. Our opinions are only those of Christ. Just as the opinions of Jesus were not his own--they were of His Father in Heaven. This really spoke to me and exactly what I am having a hard time with right now. I know what I believe, and I know how I want to live my life... but it's a matter of whether or not I take the time to indulge myself in all that God has to offer me. There is no lack of information only a lack of initiative. Now the only question left is... do I accept the challenge? Or will I fail the test?

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I love church down here because everyone is always so passionate and full of energy. They do not go to church here like it is a chore. They go because they have the desire. It's a beautiful thing to see.

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After church, Carol and I took care of some stuff for the team that is coming next week, and then we went out to lunch. After that, we rested and watched the end of the soccer final. Go Espana! Which reminds me...my friend, Sophie, who lives across the street, took me to La Canoa, a sports bar, and we watched the game between Uruguay and Alemania (Germany) yesterday. Every one had so much energy. Then today, while the final was on, the streets were empty and you could hear the buzz of the stadium in South Africa resonating off every stone building we walked by.

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As for the title of my post (and the challenge I mentioned above), I was doing some reading in 2 Corinthians two nights ago, and came across a verse that really hit me. I also thought it went along well with the sermon today.

I thought this translation really said it the best... 2 Corinthians 13:5-6:

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Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. I hope the test won't show that we have failed. But if it comes to that, we'd rather the test showed our failure than yours. We're rooting for the truth to win out in you. We couldn't possibly do otherwise.

Examínense para ver si están en la fe; pruébense a sí mismos. ¿No se dan cuenta de que Cristo Jesús está en ustedes? ¡A menos que fracasen en la prueba! Espero que reconozcan que nosotros no hemos fracasado.

I should go to sleep now because, God willing, we will make it out to the village tomorrow! Can't wait to get started with my classes. Again I ask for your prayers, and for the hand of God to guide me in everything that I do.

Que tengan una semana buena, y buenas noches,

Stephanie

Solo el Principio (Only the Beginning)

Buenas tardes.

Hello to any who are reading. It is Friday and so my fifth day here. Already my Spanish has come back to me and although sometimes I still don’t understand at first, eventually I do. I’m to the point where I forget that I am talking to a Gringo (or white person) and I start speaking in Spanish until they look at me with very confused looks on their faces. I had a great time at Casa… spent time with my old friends and made some very good new friends. It’s such a good feeling when you walk around and you hear your named being called out instead of “Hola Gringa!” Even though I hadn’t slept much and I was getting sicker each day, it was a wonderful experience, yet again. I was able to play music for the kids on guitar and sing for them, and actually taught my new friend, Jose, or, Cu, as he likes to be called, how to play a song. For Rosmeri’s birthday, Bret treated her entire dorm to dinner, cake, and games at Chuck E. Cheese’s in the city. That means we took about 40 girls on a bus to the city for 5 or 6 hours. They really enjoyed it and as a bonus, they got to experience a little fright. There was a good sized roller coaster in the mall and all the girls who wanted to, got to ride. It was actually pretty fast and after eating pizza and cake, it made my stomach turn. But they all loved it despite how scared they were. I know it’s an experience that they will never forget. Yesterday, around dinner time, Carol and her driver and his family, came and picked me up and it’s about a 25 minute drive back to her house in Antigua. In the states, the drive would probably take 15 minutes, but it takes about 10 minutes to go a mile or two in the stone streets. It is a very bumpy drive.

The place here is beautiful. Everywhere in the house is open. In the middle of the house there is no roof and so sunshine, rain, or darkness, whatever it may be, are inside the house. There is no need to turn on any lights during the day because there are sunroofs everywhere and windows in every part of the house. They have a dog named Shakira and she is a German Shephard. Their maid, or muchacha as they call it here, is named Juanita and she is very sweet. We all went to el Mercado today to get frutas y verduras. After lunch we will be visiting the village where I will be teaching, called Santiago Zamora, and so I will get to meet the kids there.

If you want to pray for me, as always I ask for patience and guidance, but also for my health. I am pretty sick right now and so sometimes with all the congestion in my head it is hard to think straight.

I will add photos as soon as I get my computer hooked up the internet sometime next week.

Que Dios les bendiga

Preparations

I am in the stage of emotionally preparing for this journey I am about to embark upon. I have never had to plan to be gone so long, and for the majority of the time, I am staying somewhere I've never been before. This trip pushes me further towards the edge of my comfort zone. The unknown is exciting, but the known is not dull. The first few days I will be returning to the orphanage I have come to know very well over the last five years. The link is attached for curiosity's sake.

For the rest of the time, I will be staying with a couple in Antigua. My mission will be to teach English classes for the village. The little kids need it especially, because in order to move on to the next grade, they must know a certain amount of English. However, their teacher is sexually abusing many of the students. But the ninos are not the only ones who need English. The older women (and by older I mean 20 and up) need to know English in order to make a living. They are vendors and sell the items that they weave. In order to sell them, they need to know how to communicate with the tourists who do not speak Spanish. It might be an extra challenge to teach these women...Even though I do speak Spanish, some of them do not. They speak the Indian language, Quetchekal. Yet another language I need to add to my list to learn.

The verse that has guided me through many enduring situations,

Philipians 4:13:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.

Casa Para Niños Aleluya