Q'eqchi' y Vida Real

Well... we have completed one week and one day of Q'eqchi', and it has definitely been more of a challenge for all of us (except for maybe the Colvett twins) than Spanish ever was. However, we can say that we are all growing through the language learning experience, and we're getting pretty good at that back-of-your-throat-hock-a-loogey sound that is so prevalent in the Q'eqchi' language. Although there are very few word associations to be made between Q'eqchi and English, we thought we would share a couple of our favorites:

Chu (Q'eqchi')= smells bad= our interpretation: someone waving their hand in front of their nose and muttering "Shew!"

Atink (Q'eqchi')= to take a bath= our interpretation: "I stink"

On a different note, for the past two Sundays, we have visited Vida Real Iglesia Cristiana in Antigua. We have really enjoyed practicing our Spanish as we sing some more contemporary worship songs such as "How Great is Our God" and "God of Wonders." Thankfully, they include a set of notes in their morning pamphlet so that we can follow along with the sermon (since it's kinda hard to follow a preacher who seems to speak at warp speed). This past Sunday one section of the sermon notes had this list that we'd like to share with you... fairly simple but quite profound if we truly believe it and live it out day-to-day:

"Paradojas de la vida cristiana (Paradoxes of the Christian life):

1) Dar es mejor que recibir (To give is better than to receive)

2) Perdonar es mejor que vengar (To pardon is better than to seek vengeance)

3) Humildad es preferible a la soberbia (Humility is preferible to pride)

4) Servir en lugar de ser servido (To serve in place of being served)

5) Morir para vivir (To die in order to live)"

Charity

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. ( . . . ) I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

I am reminded of these verses every time I pass one of Jesus's "brothers" in the streets of Antigua. I am also reminded (and ashamed) of all of the times I have looked over "the least of these." There have been several encounters that I have had over the past week that have allowed me to live out the first part of the verses above (if even in a very superficial manner)... by dropping my few extra quetzales in the cup of the elderly blind woman who is always begging outside of the restaurants surrounding Parque Central, by buying some bread to give to the elderly man who was searching through the trashcans on the streets, or by giving my leftover lunch to the eight-year-old shoe shiner who asked me what I had in my hand. I know that I am serving Jesus when I serve these brothers of mine; yet, I am left with the feeling that both I and they are still unsatisfied. A few coins have been dropped, some pieces of food have been given, but is their hunger truly quenched? What is at the root of this poverty, this begging without shame? I struggled with the same questions while working in an inner-city school in Nashville. I could offer bits of knowledge and show love to my students through encouragement and hugs, but what was the long-term effect when they were returning to the same homes and neighborhoods (some consisting of an even deeper and darker poverty than that which exists on the streets of Antigua)?

I think the key lies in relationship and commitment. Maybe I'm the only one, but I think I tend to focus on the first two phrases in the verses above, thinking, "Sure, I can spare some food and water (or a few coins) for someone in need." Meanwhile, I push aside the suggestion that I might invite in, clothe, or visit with someone because (as I might say to myself) that is too dangerous or it takes too much time and energy. I don't believe Jesus meant for the former to be separated from the latter. I think that living the life of a disciple means not just giving of food or money to "the least of these," but also giving of self. Perhaps if we engaged more in relationship with the "brothers" out on the streets or living in the projects, we could discover the root of the issues they are dealing with. Perhaps we would realize that their desires and needs are not much different than our own. Perhaps we would both leave a little more "satisfied"...

~DeeDee

Week 1 has Passed...

We just completed a week of Spanish study at the same school at which we studied two years ago (PROBIGUA). I was able to have my same maestra (teacher) which was a great blessing, and Kris enjoyed his new teacher, as well. More important than the Spanish that we learned, we were both impressed by the conversations we had with our teachers this week and the ways they expressed their faith to us.

I (DeeDee) was talking to Cristina about the atmosphere of Coban (the city closest to where we are moving), which has gotten a lot of publicity lately concerning violence related to drug trafficking. After saying that she felt that it was a very tranquilo (calm, peaceful) place, which was somewhat relieving, she also said, "Necesita tener fe. La fe puede mover las montanas." (You need to have faith. Faith can move mountains.) This has been a message which God has given to me over and over again during my months of preparation for the move and my times of doubting. Related to this idea of faith is a thought that was part of my daily devotional reading this morning: "When you walk through a day with childlike delight, savoring every blessing, you proclaim your trust in Me, your ever-present Shepherd." I desire to be more like children who have such faith in the provision of their Father.

I (Kristopher) was also extremely blessed to have a wonderful maestra, Miriam. She was extremely patient with me as I began re-learning some of the same things I had learned 2 years ago. On Thursday I had one of the best days of aprendiendo (learning) as I read a Spanish story and almost pronounced all the words correctly. Learning Spanish has been a difficult journey for me and my pronouncing has been even more difficult. But my confidence has grown as I have had an extremely supportive wife and maestra. Regarding the faith of our maestras, I also got to know a woman of great faith this week. One of the routines we began early this week was to spend the first hour to hour and a half just in conversation. During those conversations Miriam shared how deep and strong her faith had become through family situations. It was an enormous encouragement for me to hear about how her struggles had brought her closer to God.

As DeeDee and I have also settled in the routine of daily life here in Antigua, I was struck during my quite time this week. I have been spending time in Psalms and James and have come away with this desire: “I desire to be like Abraham, that my faith is made complete by what I do each day, not by just what I say. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart and the actions of my hands be pleasing in your sight.”

Tomorrow morning we begin yet another part of our journey, Q’eqchi’ language school. This will also be a grand challenge for us, but we know that in Christ all things are possible.

We're Back!

Yesterday morning we arrived in Guatemala City at 11 AM after one of the easiest and fastest flight schedules that we've ever had to this country, and we found ourselves once again in one of the most beautiful and relaxing cities which we have ever traveled to as a couple- Antigua, Guatemala. This is just one extended stop on our way to our final destination in the Ulpan Valley, but we are thankful for our time here, and we are excited about the weeks of language study ahead!

Our arrival here came after MONTHS of prayer, fundraising, and planning. We are extremely thankful for the support and prayers of friends, family, and church family... we truly believe that God is hearing and fulfilling those prayers (which are in accordance with his will) day by day. We are especially thankful for the faith of our parents in a God who will watch over us and take care of us while we are distanced from them. We are learning to trust Him more each day.

Some may ask, "Why in the world would you want to move to a third world country that is so dangerous and lacks many of the comforts and amenities that you can enjoy in the United States?" Our reply is multi-faceted and might be something like this:

• We have grown to appreciate and love Guatemalan culture, specifically that of the Q'eqchi' Mayan Indians in the mountains near Coban.
• We believe that our gifts (Kris- engineering, project planning; DeeDee- education, serving women and children) specifically align with the needs of the people of the Ulpan Valley.
• We have been serving the people of the Valley for several years now solely through short-term trips, and we believe we can be much more effective with water projects and health education and building relationship through an extended stay.
• We desire to learn more about the religion of the Mayans in the Valley and to engage in some intentional conversations about the work of God among them (hence the need to first learn some Q'eqchi'/Spanish).

We hope you are blessed as you join in our story...