Understanding Infastructure

Guatemala has been very interesting for me. I have been to many different villages and areas like this in Mexico before and have seen many of the things that are happening in Guatemala. It is amazing to me how kind and generous people are here. They are willing to give us so much and they have so little. They make us feel like celebrities and they really have no reason to do so much for us. At the school we were given two meals that had meat in them. This is such a big deal for them since they never eat meat with any meals and we received two meals with meat in one day. They also cleaned the pool for us and picked up around the school so it was a lot cleaner.
One thing that has bothered me is the lack of infrastructure and the education system in Guatemala. The lack of infrastructure bothers me the most in that they waste so much of the Federal funding on useless projects. An example of this is on our hike yesterday when we were walking along the trail and saw a brick lined road that was only about 100 feet long and out in the middle of no where. Why can’t they use this funding to help clean their water supply or figure out a better option for the trash they just throw everywhere? Everywhere you look there is trash. People here have no care and I blame most of this on the government. The reason for this is that they have no where to put the trash and the government doesn’t educate them on how to take care of it. With the education part I see many flaws in it. Once a teacher has tenured they don’t even have to show up to get paid and don’t even have to show up to class. The government here only provides free education until middle school and once in high school they have to pay for it, which many families can’t afford.
I am still trying to find the source of this problem with the lack of infrastructure and the education system. The source that I keep coming to is that it is the government’s fault. The government here seems very corrupt. They waste their money on very poor infrastructure including roads, electricity, building and they don’t even have money some times to pay their federal employees like the police. At night the wattages goes down because they do not have enough electricity because the power lines were so poorly made.
Growing up I have always wondered why my Aunt Mary who is a US ambassador always stressed to us and told us how hard it was to get stuff accomplished with a government that is not willing to truly help its people with its true needs. She has always told me that I should expand my thinking and not just look at things from one perspective, but rather look at things from many perspectives. I think the government is the major issue with Guatemala and I have no idea on how to change it. The main way we can promote this change is through educating the children so that they will become aware of these issues and to help solve these major problems.
At the Mission we have learned so much not only about the people in Guatemala, but different situations that have happened. The people here are so generous and are willing to help us so much. We have witnessed so much here from the poverty of the people to a little kid trying to pick pocket us. This Mission provides so much for the people here whether it is educating them, helping them in the medical center, or providing them with a source of faith. However, this Mission is just a crutch for Guatemala and doesn’t help the long term outcome for this country. We keep hearing here that the big problems are up to Guatemala to solve. I hope that I will continue to learn about this country on this trip and will try to find the many answers to all the questions I have.

Sincerely,
Mathew Carlin

Sunday!

Once again thank you to so many people who have been praying for us.  I must say I am humbled to read the comments from people.  Please know that we are being served, welcomed, and taken care of far more than we are serving in any way. We are very thankful for the hospitality we are shown.

Today is a more laid back day for everyone.  Several of us are feeling sick and appreciating the opportunity to rest.  Today is market day in Santo Tomas so quite a few of the students have walked the four blocks up the street to check things out.  Last night we went to mass and walked home in an incredible rain storm with water pouring down on us.  We once again sang when the Saints Go Marching in at the end of mass.

In our reflection last night we talked a lot about responsibility.  Seeing so much here does bring up the question of what responsibility we have toward the poor in our communities, country, the world.  As I leave my room each day it is getting harder and harder for me to see the beggars waiting for Fr. Hazelton.  Yet it is getting easier and easier to be tempted to not recognize them or say hello because they are always there.  This really bothers me.  I am reminded of Jesus telling us that the poor you will always have with you.  It is not enough for me to say that in some way we are all poor…  that lets me off the hook too easily.  Yet, to think about responsibility can be overwhelming because there is so much need and no easy answer on how to respond to that need.  I do know that seeing them as people of God is first and foremost the most important response.

We also talked a lot about immersion.  There is no where we can go here and not see the suffering present on the streets and in the villages.  In every way we are affected by it yet in every way we are welcomed and treated well here.

This afternoon we will go to a Mother’s Day celebration.  Even though Mother’s day was last week they still celebrate it here with the mothers and children.  It is hopeful to see in the midst of so much suffering there is still an importance to celebrate.  People here will put on hold other things in order to celebrate.. that is one difference I see in this culture from our own.  We do not take the time to celebrate in this way.  The way that our schedules and commitments guide our lives is almost non existent here.  Things here run day by day and each day the priorities and celebrations are different.  This makes it difficult to plan but I am starting to realize planning is a very American thing to do.  I don’t see it as good or bad but just as a difference in cultures.

Anyway, that is enough for now.  I know more students plan to write today!

Peace,

Colleen

Theft

We have seen and met many kind, friendly, and generous people during our past five days in Guatemala. Right now, however, I am frustrated.

Most of us went for a hike this morning.  After our hike and eating lunch, many of us went up to the office to buy weavings, purses, and bags. I came along and had my first experience with the beggars that approach Fr. Hazelton.

As I approached the office there were many people waiting around the yard.  Many of our students were gathered around a table inside the building choosing which goods they wanted to buy.  I went through the gate to look at the goods too and sat down to wait for the crowd of students to clear before I did my shopping.  As I sat in the chair, Fr. Hazelton arrived in his blue Landcruiser.  The crowd on the lawn immediately surrounded the vehicle, almost preventing him from getting out.  The crowd moved with him as he walked to unlock the gate to his residence.  He spoke to them as he entered and as they clung to the gate, hearing their requests.  He then walked into his office, closed the door, and returned two minutes later to listen to them again.  I felt very awkward sitting behind Fr. Hazelton as the people begged to him from the other side of the gate.  As much as I am sympathetic for their poverty and needs, I am getting frustrated by the amount of time they are spending for the opportunity to beg.

Some of the students have been staying in this same building that the beggars gather around, seeing the same people appear every day.   Some of the Carroll people who did not go hiking today spent some of the morning playing with the children of one of the families that has been on the grounds all week.  After a few hours of play, one of the children has been attempting to steal from some of us.  Some of us were surprised by it and some of us were mad about it.  I think it makes us feel like every child’s smile or wave that we have received so far has been deceptive, an attempt to take advantage of us.  For now, I think most of us are hurt and a little less trusting.

Samuel Hunthausen

Buenos Dias from Guatemala!

The other day we piled into the back of two trucks and headed up a twisty, rough, crazy road to Palacal.  We passed through a few towns during the hour long drive—this has probably been the most eye-opening experience of the trip for me so far.  All of the people, both adults and children, greeted us as we drove by.  We waved and shouted “hola!” and tried to take pictures of the smiling children.  I have never felt so welcomed in my life.

A couple of days ago we had the opportunity to see the Clinica Maxena.  The differences between healthcare in the U.S. and Guatemala are staggering.  At the clinic, we met a woman in her 80’s who had compound fractured her femur two months ago.  She had no family to help her so she had been staying at the clinic.  This week she was able to try walking again—for the first time in two months!  Despite all of this, the woman was smiling and waving at us from her bed—this ultra enthusiastic wave involved her entire arm, not just her hand and wrist!!!  However, only a few minutes later we saw a woman who was at the clinic with her malnourished baby.  She didn’t smile and didn’t make eye contact.  It broke my heart to finally witness the pain and sadness so many Guatemalans are experiencing.

Yesterday we spent the day at La Asuncion, the Catholic school started by Father Hazelton.  As soon as we jumped out of the trucks we were greeted with smiles and hugs from the students.  We spent the day touring the school and attempting to interact with the students and teachers in Spanish.  Of course while we were trying to improve our Spanish, the students were trying to practice their English (I found myself answering their questions in Spanish, even though they had asked me in English!)  Although the entire day was filled with special moments to remember, my favorite was playing basketball with the students.  At first we played a U.S. versus Guatemala game, but then we decided to mix up both teams.  Since we really had no easy way of distinguishing our own team from the other, we were forced to really learn each other’s names and faces.  My Guatemalan teammates were Feliciano, Frederico, Maria, and Gloria.  It was incredible to feel the connection with the Asuncion students, despite the very obvious language barrier.  We passed to one another, cheered, and congratulated.

To end on a funny note, I gotta tell a story about my sad attempt to communicate in Spanish.  Before mass, a 15 year-old boy started talking to me.  It had started to rain and we were talking about how beautiful it is in Guatemala when it rains.  I was trying to say it is more beautiful than the U.S.  I used the word “meyor,” which means older instead of the word “mejor” which means better.  Oops.  After realizing that this made absolutely no sense, I tried to tell the boy that I was trying my best to speak in Spanish.  I said, “Estoy tragando!!” (I’m trying).  The boy kindly informed me that the correct verb is “tratar” and not “tragar” because tragar means swallow.  So I basically said “I’m swallowing” instead of “I’m trying.” Oops again!!!  I will never forget the boy’s confused face.  We got a pretty good laugh out of this and continued teaching each other Spanish and English.

Okay, I think its time for a nap now  Adios!!!

Jacey Stahlberg

By the way, banana spiders are huge.

Still Processing

Well I am not really sure how to begin, so much has happened since I came here and there is so much that I wish to remember and to share with all of you.  I am not good with words and I don’t have eloquent thoughts, I just know what I have seen needs to be shared and it is something that will remain with me forever, no matter what path God has placed before me.  TO BE CONTINUED!!!

James Winegart

On The Fourth Day

‘On the fourth day, Chad hit a wall.’  No amount of trip preparation could have prepared me for this experience.  Rather than spend this blog time talking about the overwhelming amount of poverty, malnutrition, governmental corruption, and social injustices, I’ll focus on the things that make sense to me today.  It will take an unknown timeline to reflect and make sense of the overflow of pictures and conversations raging in my head.

Being a non-catholic and extremely limited in my Spanish language knowledge (not too mention my zero knowledge of the Ki’che language), I have found most days to be a daily search to find commonality between myself and my Guatemalan brothers and sisters that is outside of spoken words.  To my great surprise, this happened in the masses we attended over the past three days.  Whether in one of the impoverished village churches in the Solola Mountains or right outside our doors in the Santa Tomas parish, I have made a universal bond through music and the simplistic power of a smile.  With each mass celebration, I have found my spirit filled and faith rejuvenated through the voices and rhythms of the Ki’che people.  Their smiles radiate the warmth of a beautiful culture, which they have shared without hesitation.  I am truly blessed for this experience.

‘On the fourth day, Chad hit a wall.’  I pray that in time I will be given the opportunity to process how their beautiful eyes hide an overwhelming amount of pain and suffering.  I fear that I will never be able to understand or make sense of it all.

‘On the fourth day, Chad hit a wall.’

Chad Gray

Goodbye to Alex

Wow, what a long day today.  We visited the school in the mountains.  The students all had an amazing time playing basketball, swimming, and talking with kids.  The kids at the school were very welcoming and they put on a program for us in the afternoon which was complete with dances from the Mayan culture.  We were presented with weavings at the end and danced with the students.  It was all very fun.

The day ended with mass with the boarding school students (about 130 of 500 total students live at the school) and then dinner.  Perhaps the most touching part of the day were the goodbyes to Alex.  It is clear he has made an impact on this place and in his service the students and teachers have come to love him.  There were several presentations of gifts and goodbyes to him and I feel very blessed to be here for it after making our first journey here together in 2007 with other Carroll students.

Tomorrow we will hike in the morning and visit a coffee co op in the afternoon, which I am very excited for.  Tomorrow also begins market day in Santo Tomas so I am sure we will be checking that out.  Many more students plan to take time to write tomorrow, so be sure to check back!

Peace,

Colleen

The Realities

It is good to see the students learning more about the world and themselves.  The problems and poverty here are extreme.  The culture causes nothing to change or get better.  We have been talking to people who have been serving the poor here for years.  They talk about how they first started working here and their thoughts of making a difference.  After a few years they realize they can only help in small ways by providing some basic help to the people.  The culture is one where the poor do not have the opportunity to better their lives .   They have known this for so long that even if they were given the opportunity they may not believe in it.   I do believe if they were given hope and opportunity that this would be different.   The change in the President of Guatemala has brought an awareness of social rights which is very good, the problem is everyone wants the rights but are not willing to be responsible to uphold them for others.

Alex Woelkers who has been teaching at the school “Asuncion” for the last year and he talked about his hope of instilling into his students the idea that they can become something more. The students do not take on this hope because for so many years they have seen the same thing, poverty, no jobs, and a culture that teaches to look out for yourself.  It is easy to understand that they believe nothing else is possible for them when you realize that most people wake up with the priority of finding food and fire wood to cook it.

It is beautiful how this mission provides basic health care, an education, and a way for some people to make money for their families.  God is at work here and the seeds of faith have been planted. It is obvious to me that (as a whole) faith is much more important to those who have nothing. There is a lesson in this knowledge for all of us.  It is also important to understand that the work and love taking place at this time take care of the poor only here and now. Guatemala’s problems were here before we arrived and will be here long after we have left.  Poverty is very complicated when it is interwoven with culture.  There are no easy fixes here and for me it makes the work being done here so much more beautiful.  Some would see the work here as futile but really all we are called to do is love our fellow brothers and sisters here and now.

One thing that particularly bothered me today, and I am told this is not an uncommon event. There was a 10 year old girl who came to the clinic who had been having seizures for the past 14 hours. She was diagnosed with typhoid and dingy. She also had something else wrong with her that the clinic could not diagnose.  The clinic wanted to send her to the hospital but the mother and grandparents did not allow her to go. As I understand it, the hospital does not allow the poor to stay with the child. If the child were to die at the hospital the body must be buried within 24 hours. The poor are unable to retrieve the body in that amount of time and there is no way to bring the body back to the village because it cost too much for the transportation. In this case of the 10 year old girl the family decided to take the girl back to the village to pray about it. Most likely the girl has passed away by this time.

We are still working out health care for the poor in the United States, but still even now we have so much more then what is available to the poor here.  It bothers me that I could have made a phone call or two and provided the money to save this girl. It doesn’t sit right with me. It happens everyday but this one just seems a bit more personal. Sheila has been working hard with this family and helping us to understand the situation and issues.  Even though she has seen this over and over again you can still tell it pulls at her heart strings.

It has been a long and complicated day in a complicated place, and culture.

Patrick Harris

Finding Similarities

I don’t really know where to start with this note back home. This experience has truly been unreal. I have been trying to fully grasp this experience, but it is a slow process. This region is absolutely beautiful, but the pollution and the living situations is sometimes enough to turn your stomach. Up until yesterday, I have felt like I have only been brushing the surface of something that is much deeper. As others have written, last night we went to the village of Palacal. The first glimpse of the people and the church was absolutely breathtaking. Words really cannot describe how I felt, but I think that it was the first of many things that will help me to go deeper in this experience and this culture.

The people were welcoming and warm and we had done nothing for them. The older men of the village were the first to greet us. The came and hugged us and shook our hands. The children were too shy at first, but quickly warmed up enough to take pictures with us. I am still processing this experience. The image of two smiling little girls with infections in their eyes and mouth will stay with me for a long time.

During mass, both in Santo Thomas and in Palacal, I have been touched by the similarities with home. I cannot understand either Spanish or Quiche, so I find myself watching the people. In Santo Thomas a young boy and his mother sat in front of me. He was starring at us from under his mothers arm and she was struggling to get him to pay attention. This bears a striking resemblance to kids at home. In Palacal mothers were trying to pay attention while dealing with several small children. These simple similarities help me to realize that they are no different than we are. Even though we may have more we are equal and we all or children of God.

So hello to everyone at home, thank you for your support in this experience and thank you for your prayers!

Hasta Luego,

Erica

Sunburned and Tired

As I sit and write this at 9:00 PM I am relatively sure many of the group are lying in bed.   After a full day of soccer and basketball in the hot sun and a trip up into the mountains, they tell me they are exhausted.  Fr. Hazelton invited us up once again today while at mass in the village to sing “When the Saints Go Marching In.”  It is evident this will be a regular event, so we have committed ourselves to learning more than one verse.  He takes a great amount of pride in the song so by tomorrow we will know more than the chorus.

Tomorrow we will spend the day at La Asuncion’, the school Father Hazelton has supported and built from the ground up about three miles up into the mountains.  This school educates kids from the town and from the mountain villages in hopes that they can make their lives better.  Three languages are taught at the school:  Spanish, Kiche’, and English.  Our Carroll grad, Alex Woelkers, who is a volunteer here this year has been working up at the school for the past months teaching and living with the boys in the dormitory.  Alex’s last day is tomorrow and then he will be returning back to Helena with us next week.

We have more basketball planned with the kids and possibly some swimming.  Also a tour of the school and a stop in the morning at a public school so we can compare.

Each day we have had over 550 hits on our blog which makes me feel that we are being supported by so many thoughts and prayers from people.  As great as this experience is, it is certainly not easy.  Poverty is complex and even more complex when we come from a place where so many opportunities are available to us.   It can be so easy to see smiles and happiness and believe people here have what they need to survive.  It leaves many questions to mind as to what they have a right to:  clean water, good education, going places for better opportunities for their families, and health care are just a few to mention.

I am humbled by the commitment that Sheila, Fr. Hazelton, Sister Mary and Sister Ana have to the people  here.  Change here comes very slow and it can be so easy to want to measure this country by the standards of our own country and try to see things as black and white or right and wrong.  The experience here, however, is so much more complex.

There is so much more to come in our journey and I look forward to where it will take us!

Thank you for your prayers!

Peace,

Colleen