Our New Home

Well... we survived week one in the Valley. Actually "survived" is a pretty harsh word; I think I can actually say that we really enjoyed our first week in the Valley. There is nothing more peaceful than waking up and having some quiet time while watching the morning clouds rolls through the Valley. There is nothing more humbling than looking up at a gorgeous night sky full of stars, periodically lit up by a distant lightening storm. There is nothing that brings a bigger smile to your face than the sound of the Colvett kids playing and laughing with their new Guatemalan friends. And there is nothing that brings about a greater sense of acceptance and community than having a 70-year-old Guatemalan woman named Angelina ask you to dance at the Independence Day fiesta. Truthfully, living without hairdryers and indoor plumbing and washing machines is not quite as daunting as it sounds. Living simply is proving to be a great blessing.

We spent most of the past week just setting up home. By "setting up home," I mean putting up tarps as room dividers, building makeshift wooden beds and shelves, blowing up air mattresses, setting up an outdoor "shower" (four tarp walls and a hose full of cold water), and organizing our kitchen and tool shed. Hopefully we can post some pictures sometime soon. When we weren't building and organizing, we were eating DELICIOUS food provided by Cata, or we were trying to stay clean and warm during the afternoon rains. One of our highlights of the week was when a couple of ladies from a neighboring community invited us to their Independence Day fiesta on Friday. We did lots of standing around and listening to Q'eqchi' muffled by a microphone and large speakers, but we were certainly blessed by invitations to dance (if you can consider shifting from one foot to another and swinging your arms dancing) to music provided by a live band and by a lunch consisting of soup with beef in it (a delicacy for the Mayans). We've had very few opportunities to practice our Q'eqchi' this week, but the way the faces of the Mayans have lit up when we have tried to start conversation with them in their mother tongue has reassured us that our efforts to learn their language are not in vain.

We look forward to what the weeks ahead may hold as we begin to pursue some of the objectives of Project Ulpan, such as water projects, agricultural training, baseline studies, and setting up secondary schools. We appreciate your continued prayers for our adventures here. It is very evident to us that God is present in this place, and we are thankful that he is willing to include us in his work here.

Preparing for "The Big Move"

Well... it's almost here. I know many of you thought that the big move already happened- four weeks ago, right? Well, that move was difficult in relation to us leaving our family and friends behind, but in relation to living conditions it hasn't been much of a challenge at all! Grocery shopping is certainly different and so is our mode of travel (most everywhere by foot), but actually, the bed we have had here in Antigua is BIGGER than our bed at home (don't tell anyone we told you)!

Now, the BIG move is coming up this weekend, when we finally settle in to the Ulpan Valley. No running water... well, except for that which flows through the pipes which my husband installed two years ago. No electricity... except for that provided by solar panels. No dishwasher, no washing machine, no running toilet, no TV.... no hair dryer! Now, I remember one day back when Kris and I were just friends and he told me that I was "high maintenance" (which, to his credit, was actually just said in efforts to convince me that I should not date his friend)... I would like to remind him of this when we're in the Valley and I haven't showered for a week and I'm cleaning out one of the latrines(which I'm actually pretty sure I'm gonna delegate as his job- ha ha)!

I can certainly joke about our move, but actually the jokes just cover up the fears and doubts. I really don't know what it will be like to live day-in and day-out without all of the modern technologies that I have come to depend upon for a "comfortable" life. I don't know what I'll do when I see that first big spider in my bed. I don't know how much washing all of our dishes and clothes by hand will wear on me. I don't know if the women will accept me into their community or if they will shun me. I don't know quite how frustrating trying to speak in Q'eqchi' will be. There are many unknowns that I can dwell upon until they become deeply-rooted anxieties....

BUT, I know that I serve a God who is bigger than my doubts and fears. I know that even though I may "grow tired and weary," I serve a God who "renews the strength" of "those who hope in the Lord." I know that even though I will be living in conditions that to many seem very poor, I will in many ways be richer than I was in the States. I know that dependence upon land and the water cycle and community will humble me to a position of greater dependence upon God, as well. And for these reasons, I am looking forward to our big move, and I feel prepared (but only because I know the Lord is by my side).

Kris and I chose this scripture to read together every night this week, and I pray that it would be my mindset as I move into the Valley and embark upon this amazing journey:

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

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...

La Ultima Vez a Coban (The Last Time to Coban)

Well, this past weekend we returned once again to the beautiful mountains and peoples which we have grown to love. And this time, we carried along a fellow Spanish student by the name Dominique. On Friday morning we began talking to him about our project in Benitzul Ulpan and our return there for more research, and during our morning break between classes, he asked if he could come with us. We checked with Christian and said, "Sure! We would love for you to see another side of Guatemala." (We also warned him of possible rain and of tired feet and legs following an eternally long hike.) So after classes, he threw together a few things in his backpack and joined us on our third journey.

We arrived at our hotel fairly late, ate some dinner, and headed to bed b/c we knew we had a long day ahead of us. Early Saturday morning, as arranged by Christian, we met with another landowner of an adjoining finca to the one in which Benitzul Ulpan is located. Apparently two of the pueblos that we had looked at during our last trip were located on his land, he had heard of our work, and he wanted to offer his support and help with our projects. This was great news, and although we have no concrete plans made as of now, we see his partnership as a great advantage for the future!

We proceded after breakfast on to the mountains, and we were very happy to find that the gate at the river was not locked, which meant that we had less ground to cover by foot! We were forced, however, to leave our car a little further away than we had hoped because the roads- if you can call them roads- were too muddy. First, we hiked up a pretty good mountain to look for a water source in one pueblo Secaj (that we had not yet visited) that could be gravity fed to the pueblo Sejabal that we visited last time (the one that has no good water source and mainly uses rainwater catchment systems). We found one great water source, but it was a bit below the school of Secaj (which we decided could also use a clean water system), and then our guide led us to two more sources higher up. God provided three very useful springs in this one village that we are thinking can possibly be used to deliver clean water to three pueblos. Praise be to Him who always provides!

We descended the mountain much more quickly than we had climbed it, and we headed to a meeting of the leaders of two pueblos- Sejabal and Ulpan 2. Ulpan 2 is situated between Secaj and Sejabal; therefore we would have to route the water for Sejabal through Ulpan 2. Apparently at first, the leaders of Ulpan 2 were not too fond of this idea, especially if nothing was going to be done for them as well. So, we met with the leaders all together, and Christian led the meeting. Christian shared our dreams of helping all the villages in the area (not just one or a few) by establishing clean water systems, secondary schools, a literacy class for women, etc. Over and over again Christian impressed upon them the importance of "Kekchi helping Kekchi." He told them that we would never be able to help with their community development if they could not learn to help one another. Throughout the meeting, it seemed as if the men began to understand this concept, and not only did Ulpan 2 seem to agree that the water system for Sejabal could travel through their village, but the men of Sejabal seemed to agree with the idea of helping Ulpan 2 meet some of its own needs (such as filling the road with gravel to make it easier for driving), and we also agreed that although Ulpan 2 has a very nice creek running through it, we should probably seek to provide them with CLEAN water as well. Hey, we may not have degrees in Conflict Resolution, but somehow God worked through our feeble efforts to strengthen the bonds between these Mayan peoples. We left with spirits uplifted. (Mine and Kris's spirits were uplifted also because we were able to understand almost all of the meeting IN SPANISH... woohoo!)

We returned to Sejabal for one last meal of Kacik, this time with beef in it... we will never cease to be surprised at the sacrifices these communities make to treat us hospitably. We also had a "town meeting" to explain to the people our plans to help ALL the villages and to tell them that we could not promise specific dates for the water project to be completed. They seemed to be a bit let-down but understanding nonetheless (who can blame them for being eager to receive clean water for the first time in their lives?!).

We made one last stop at the furthest village- Sesache 2- to talk with them a bit more about which water sources would be best to funnel to them and to get a better contact number. Then we began to head out, ready to return to the hotel and rest, and we ran into one of the leaders of Sejabal who said he thought the gate was locked to get out of the finca (the land owner requires that it be locked so that his cows don't get out or get stolen). We tried our luck and went on to the gate, only to have to return once again to the furthest village to find the ONE man with the key (why the man with the key lives in the furthest village, we have no idea!). It took a bit of a fight to convince the man that we would lock the gate back and return his keys immediately, but we finally got them! And two very humble gentlemen from Sejabal accompanied us to the gate so that they could take the keys back (mind you, this meant walking 5 kilometers or more in the dark). After our last trip over the bumpy mountain roads, we returned to the hotel for the night.

We left from Coban fairly early on and had some good talks with Dominique about Catholic traditions and their heirarchy of leadership... I forgot to mention that he is a seminarian from Indiana studying to be a Catholic priest. We had some really nice discussions about the unification of all believers, as well. I believe God was telling us that maybe we should research more and learn to respect other churches and their beliefs and traditions. We arrived in Antigua around noon and ate at one of our favorite restuarants- Mono Loco, i.e. "Crazy Monkey," then took a nice stroll around the city because it was the first completely clear day (with no afternoon rains) in several weeks.

As of today, we only have one week left of classes... which is really hard for us to believe! It seems as if our time has flown, but it also feels like we've been studying Spanish and living here forever. We can tell that our Spanish is getting better and feeling more natural day by day... our main challenge will come as we try to keep it up when we return home!

A beauitful young boy of the Secaj community.

Famous Arch and Volcan Agua on an awesome Sunday afternoon.

Enjoying a great Sunday!