tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77536029556828495572011-12-21T22:43:14.562-07:00The adventures of Shaela en Guatemala!Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-33409961827824557522007-08-23T22:00:00.000-06:002007-10-15T14:47:26.075-06:00

I never realized how much I can worry over things. We needed to find an internet café to clear my camera memory onto a CD again, and even though I don't voice my thoughts, I very often find myself preoccupied with the details of how things are going to work out, and wondering IF they are going to work out. Of course they will! But how often I doubt it. After walking all around town looking

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-46055616959495611582007-08-22T23:05:00.000-06:002007-08-28T18:46:47.306-06:00

Once again, I’m learning how much more I need to trust God one day at a time. Today, I had a 100 quetzale bill left (worth about $13), with an extra 6 quetzales in change. We got to our first destination that morning after a 30 minute van-ride into the countryside of Peten: the Mono Canopy Tour. Unfortunately, (communication again), they didn’t take credit card as we had believed. The cost

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-57722726050227265552007-08-21T23:04:00.000-06:002007-08-28T14:00:54.999-06:00

It was about 8am when we finally reached our destination, which meant we were a few hours behind schedule. Still, it all worked out. We checked into the hotel that Gelion’s cousin owned, thinking we would have two rooms waiting for us, but discovered only one made for us. There’s that Guatemalan communication again, hehehe. I’m learning to expect it, which is helping my heart take everything

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-63842766604493970982007-08-20T23:03:00.000-06:002007-08-28T11:04:11.938-06:00

At last, I’m back to work with the HOPE school teachers! It’s been two weeks, and it feels like forever. We had a great class of sensitivity and characterization, mostly different variations of the mirror exercises, and I could see the growth from the beginning of class to the end. These methods really do work. I have to keep reassuring myself that there is value in what I’m doing here.

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-90206266922332232852007-08-19T22:54:00.000-06:002007-08-28T11:03:40.967-06:00

Sunday service at 9am again. I hitched a ride with Quincho, since Evelyn G. was with the disciples from N.C. in Antigua. I was bummed I didn’t get to go with them, but I just didn’t know the plans in time. Oh well! I’ve had great experiences with the natives of Guatemala these last few days. And next week, I’ll get to do my own tourist trip to Tikal with Anghel! Woohoo! I’m writing this

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-49060856723459979192007-08-18T22:34:00.000-06:002007-08-28T10:36:30.103-06:00

Saturday, I went shopping with Elizabeth (we took a taxi both ways) in the afternoon, then got ready for another date with Quincho, and Gelion was our double. They were encouraging another sister for her birthday today, and we ate some Salvadorian food at his brother’s house, then watched a really good film named “Hotel Rowanda,” or something like that. Very good movie. Dramatic. The area

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-16505337149226523182007-08-17T10:33:00.000-06:002007-08-28T10:34:17.973-06:00

Since Edgar was still in Antigua, Estuardo came and picked me up in his dad’s car, and I had a productive day of work in the church office. I was still a little bummed that we didn’t get to teach a lesson for the teachers, who weren’t ready for a lesson today because of the work they needed to catch up on from all the construction this week. Hopefully I’ll be back to work with them next week,

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-15503477294687194362007-08-16T22:32:00.000-06:002007-08-28T10:33:41.050-06:00

I had a day of indulgence as Edgar took the NC group to Antigua where they would stay until they left Guatemala, so he couldn’t very well pick me up today. Busy guy. Hehehe. I stayed home and read Harry Potter 7, which one of the disciples from the North Carolina group had given to me on Tuesday night, since he had already finished reading it. Could hardly put it down. I’ll give J.K.

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-77830523384159612472007-08-15T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-28T10:32:33.659-06:00

Another fun day of tourist activity! Gelion and another sister came to pick me up, and after getting Anghel, we headed for Tekpan (I hope that’s spelled right). It was great. So beautiful! It was actually the same road we took to Panahachel, so after about a 2 hour drive, we arrived to have breakfast at a quaint little restaurant in the hills. Rincón Suizo, I think is the name. Anyway, they

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-62187145885782153222007-08-14T22:29:00.000-06:002007-08-28T10:30:27.236-06:00

Well, Edgar’s been a busy man with all the responsibility of taking care of the North Carolina group, so I wasn’t too surprised or worried when he forgot to pick me up that morning. They all came to get me on the way back to church, where we had another lunch at Comenzano (where I’ve become an honorary member of the staff). Afterwards, I went to help them paint more of the mural, which by now

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-8312581439389755702007-08-13T22:20:00.000-06:002007-08-28T10:29:20.574-06:00

No lesson again. When Edgar picked me up in the van with all the other disciples to North Carolina, I had a feeling the construction on the school would take the place of any other activities I might have had planned. At least I was able to help improve the school with the others, though I continue to feel disappointed that I’m not able to spend as much time with the teachers as I felt

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-34346800175951174822007-08-12T22:27:00.000-06:002007-08-28T10:28:36.597-06:00

Early morning service at 9am. There was a special welcome for the disciples of North Carolina, and their church minister gave the lesson in Cuban Spanglish. It was entertaining, though I admit to still having trouble following the message sometimes. I get the gist of it, but most of my spiritual food is coming from my own times with God. I really miss the lessons in my home church, the

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-68747426068259507092007-08-11T22:19:00.000-06:002007-08-28T10:27:47.955-06:00

Estuardo picked me up around 8am, and we headed to the church office with a couple of teen disciples. Today, the youth ministries would be cleaning and painting the children’s ministry classrooms. I helped at Comenzano (Betsy King) to prepare lunch for all the North Carolina disciples that would be coming in later that day (about 22 of them). They would be staying for a week to do construction

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-90872295490966804572007-08-10T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-28T10:03:29.053-06:00

WOOHOO! My first real tourist trip since I came back to Guatemala. I found out this Friday morning that Edgar wouldn’t be able to take me to the school, since he was taking Nancy and her family to Panahachel for some sight-seeing. Well, since my lessons depend on my equipment, and since I can’t bring my equipment to the school by bus (not safe), I accepted Nancy’s invitation to come with them.

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-21930043489920875862007-08-09T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-28T11:59:19.966-06:00

MOLE Day! I think that’s how you spell it. Móle? Aaaaanyway… Check out the video recipe! Maybe you can try it at home. I know I’m going to, hehehe. Oh, and Happy Birthday, Lloyd! Tonight, Nancy and her daughter Christine came in, and I felt great talking freely in my own language! Christine is 17, and she and I hit it off. It was weird seeing a bit of my country and culture this

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-51004743560974645462007-08-08T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-28T09:39:03.920-06:00

Well, Estuardo came to pick me up to go to the school, so I could give more demonstrations to the teachers, but as we waited for the bus, I found out that today was examinations for the school. Sooo, I since I’d be just sitting around doing nothing while they took exams, I decided I could be more productive staying home. Poor Estuardo. He came all the way to my house to pick me up. Hehehe, oh

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-13086822283611203002007-08-07T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-28T09:43:15.340-06:00

Another early time with God (this feels great), then it was off to the shower. Edgar picked me up around 9am, and then I got some email answered in the office before going to help Margarita in the kitchen. Whew, this is fun work, but it’s really hard not to nibble on everything while we’re cooking. Mmm… It’s always fun to laugh with Margarita (head chef), Muriel (the tortilla maker), and even

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-49707134484832376752007-08-06T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-28T09:36:19.519-06:00

It’s my brother Jaron’s birthday today. Happy B-Day, Jar-Jar-Bro! How young are you now? I won’t give it away to the whole world, hehehe. I have to say how great it’s been to get to know you more the past few years. You’ve been a great friend to me, and an inspiration. Thanks for continuing to strive to be a better man, and for always supporting my dreams and giving me encouragement to keep

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-67013108256799789852007-08-05T22:17:00.000-06:002007-08-28T14:14:13.274-06:00

Today was the great race for HOPE Worldwide. Well, it was only 5k's, but the jog definitely made me remember how much more I need to exercise. Gelion (the brother I met at the wedding) came and picked up Elizabeth and I at 7 am, and even supplied us with some Gatorade. I regretted drinking it all when I then had to answer the call of nature after we'd parked. Gelion and I ran to a nearby

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-47133256405442241842007-08-04T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-07T18:24:30.244-06:00

August 4th, 2007 (Saturday)Today, it has been 6 years and 6 months since I became a Christian. I had an incredible time of prayer in the fresh morning, gazing at the clouds as they shifted and danced in the sunlight. It had rained during the night. I love the smell after it rains...Later in the afternoon, after some much-needed down time, Evelyn picked me up with the girls to go to the wedding

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-40645440283774951172007-08-03T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T18:45:42.738-06:00

WOOHOO! All I can say is, BEAUTIFUL! I haven't heard silence like that, looking at landscape like that, since...jamas! (Never!) It took us about an hour and a half or two hours to climb to the base of the valcano, where I gave my lesson to the teachers (only an hour or so), and then another 30 or 40 minutes to climb up the volcano. We couldn't climb after a certain distance (about

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-53363582870940388712007-08-02T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:25:22.586-06:00

Another great day in the kitchen of Comenzano ("Betsy King"). I learned how to make Reillenitos today, the GENUINE Guatemalan way. Woohoo! Yum yum yummy. And the ladies in the kitchen are so nice. They give me free lunch for helping them. No arguments there! I'm learning much more Spanish, since I've been downloading pages from an online Spanish dictionary and reading them at home during

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-63126136607154642542007-08-01T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:24:25.568-06:00

I'm into my second month here in Guatemala! I can't believe I'm past the halfway point already. It feels like no time at all, and so much time...at the same time. Hehehe. I went to the HOPE school to do some more demonstrations for the teachers, and got TRIPLE minutes today for my phone. That means I got 3x as many as I paid for. I bought enough for the rest of my trip, which was about $70

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-11848183633655604082007-07-31T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:23:22.857-06:00

¡Divertido en la cocina! I learned how to cook some sopa de vegetales (some vegetables I'm not sure if I can get in the States, like "wiskil"), and helped make tortillas from scratch. Very educational! I REALLY want to learn to make reillanitos and mole con platanos, but they promised that would come in the following week. I hope I can duplicate these dishes. Sooo goood... Work was good,

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-25594612674417217722007-07-30T17:22:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:22:29.170-06:00

Another great lesson with the teachers! I taught them about developing speech through drama, and more specifically, developing confidence to speak at all. It was so fun. We did a few exercises in a marketplace, where everyone became a vendor selling wares of different kinds. I had music to start them off, and to take away the awkard silence at the beginning, and everyone began talking at once

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-63055059146064925612007-07-29T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:19:31.186-06:00

I actually felt a little frustrated today, but don't know why. Evelyn and I went shopping again (this woman is INCREDIBLY patient and giving). She treated me to the best waffle cone and pistachio ice cream I've had in Guatemala since Pollo Campero got rid of their pistachio flavored frosty cones (I'm still praying they bring those back before I leave!), and I picked up a lot of things for the

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-58716614890105508832007-07-28T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:18:09.323-06:00

A pretty kick-back day. The two Evelyns went to a wedding rehearsal while I stayed home with Elizabeth. We had a really great talk, continuing a conversation we'd had last week after the date, regarding hurt and fears keeping us from showing more love to men in the church. Elizabeth hadn't been on a date in 1 and 1/2 years! It was 2 years since she had been asked by any of the Christian men,

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-15859503531127297662007-07-27T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:17:17.899-06:00

A quick call to Brandon in the morning to wish him a Happy Birthday, and I was off to the HOPE school with Edgar. Now, as a Christian, you'd think I'd be relying on the source of my hope and purpose every day, but honestly, I've recently neglected the most important thing in my work with Drama and the vision I have for Education: God. Today, I prayed specifically for my lessons, for specific

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-14925899444517408482007-07-26T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:16:36.205-06:00

Time for Thumby's rebuttle to my roomies' thumbs' challenge. Hehehe. After I finished some work and had a little free time, I made an impromptu parady of Rocky Balboa's training sequence for YouTube. I had a great time at the Single's service tonight, too. Probably the best one yet! I'll be honest, I've almost fallen asleep a few times during the messages these past few weeks. Maybe it's

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-87497137305454011262007-07-25T17:07:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:09:02.540-06:00

No work today! Woohoo! I took the day off so I could rest, and BOY did I rest. I slept until 10:30am! 'went to bed at 10pm-ish, too. That hit the spot. I think the worst of this flu is over. I took the rest of the day to relax, study some Spanish grammar, watch some movies in Spanish with English subtitles, and clean up the house a little. (Laundry and the like.) Gotta get rid of all

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-1949347762544390112007-07-24T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:07:52.894-06:00

Physically, I'm feeling about the same, maybe even a little worse, but medicine is amazing. I was able to pop some pills and go to the HOPE office to get some work done, as well as keep in touch with my friends in America. I got some much-needed encouragement from my roommates' YouTube video challenge for Thumby. I also received a package in the mail (my first one!) from a friend in America,

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-91339244635419113432007-07-23T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:07:08.338-06:00

Okay, so I'm really trying to make each of my lessons count, but lately, I don't feel very effective. The teachers don't seem interested in or won over by the methods I'm teaching them. Sometimes I doubt if these techniques are really effective after all, or worthwhile to anyone but me. Then I remember how much my students have enjoyed the lessons, and how much I myself have, and I realize I

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-61060127733062054022007-07-22T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:05:41.239-06:00

Estoy infermaaaa! (I'm sick...Waaah...) Friday I woke up with a fever and the dizziness of the flu in full swing. I had to cancel one of my classes with the teachers (I was hoping not to miss any days, but it couldn't be helped) and took the day off to rest and recoop. At night, I felt well enough to go shopping with Evelyn for groceries and necessary household items. Evelyn is so giving!

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-91581127626827537612007-07-19T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:04:22.613-06:00

Today I'm feeling the flu coming on. My roommate Elizabeth has been sick all week, and I was afraid it was only a matter of time before I caught it. I hate to say I was right, but I was right. I gargled some nasty salt-water (wakala!) and dropped some hydrogen peroxide in my ear-canal (little tricks I was taught to kill germs at the source). We'll see what happens. I might take a nap in the

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-31397927893571599092007-07-18T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:03:20.322-06:00

Okay, sorry for the long silence (textually), but you can always catch a glimpse of my past weeks via my video blog. Tonight was really hard, emotionally. I caught myself eating mindlessly, which for me is a sure sign of avoidance. What was I avoiding? God, actually. I felt guilty for not praying more the past few days, and instead of just taking the time to pray, I was turning to

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-27174200178464533532007-07-17T22:00:00.000-06:002007-08-09T17:02:09.424-06:00

Remember those missionaries I met within the first few days of my arrival? Well, they stopped by tonight and visited a bit. I explained to them why I was in Guatemala, and they shared a bit about their own trips. (Two of them had been here around a year.) It was a blast to the past, and a bit weird, since it's been over 6 years since I converted to Christianity. (Most of you know I grew up

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-38966468040445154142007-07-09T16:55:00.000-06:002007-08-09T16:56:22.471-06:00

Woohoo! Un gran dia! Out the door at 9am, then I had my second lesson at the HOPE School at 10am, and things went pretty well. The teachers are a bit reticent to try some of the exercises I proposed, so I'll have to find some creative ways to build their confidence and offer more privacy in their work. (It's hard to do these dramatic exercises if you're afraid of what people think of you.)

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-41814818925500638282007-07-08T16:54:00.000-06:002007-08-09T16:55:42.394-06:00

The day started out good, (I bought a guitar for cheap, for my music lessons and personal worship), but took a dive when I let frustration get hold of me before church. I was organizing the house, and the more invested I get in the way I straighten things, the more it bothers me when someone else messes it up. So, I'm embarrassed to say, when Evelin unpacked my stuff and put it in drawers or in

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-36277187497954154382007-07-07T16:53:00.000-06:002007-08-09T16:54:31.761-06:00

Sooo...today was pretty good! I got to go grocery shopping at last, and cleaned up around the house. I felt more at peace in my heart (having time by myself to talk with God or just get organized really helps me) and I felt more and more settled. ¡Gracias por Dios! He's getting me through this somehow. At night, I went with Evelin and Elizabeth (fui con Evelin y Elizabeth) to her parents'

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-47963344774711032202007-07-06T16:49:00.000-06:002007-08-09T16:52:57.817-06:00

Up until now, prayer has been difficult. God feels far-off and I feel tired of reaching for him, but I still make the attempt. There is some wall between us, and I know it has to do with my unresolved friendship. My first lesson at the HOPE school went very well! I was so happy to teach the "maestros" and see the principles I've been researching come to life. I'm so excited to continue

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-40563709321328878292007-07-05T16:47:00.000-06:002007-08-09T16:52:25.580-06:00

My first official day in the office. I got to answer some emails and work on my lesson. Things were still a bit tricky between my friend and I, as I was still debating how to bring up how I felt. Instead of getting distracted by emotions, I fixed my attention on getting my lesson together, and actually felt some real excitement and hope about my purpose for the first time since arriving in

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-65520292505823986162007-07-04T16:42:00.000-06:002007-08-09T16:50:11.290-06:00

The next day, we went back to the HOPE school to plan the rest of my schedule with the teachers. I'll be teaching them for about 5 hours a week, one lesson on Monday, and another on Friday. Not as much time as I was hoping for, but enough. Tuesdays and Thursdays would be my time in the office to prepare and translate my lessons, and Wednesday would be a day for observing the teachers and

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753602955682849557.post-76833199910098257182007-07-03T16:39:00.000-06:002007-08-09T16:50:48.739-06:00

Aside from my plane being delayed an hour, I had a painless flight, and actually made a couple of new friends (Ruddy and Joanna). Ruddy is a native Guatemalan who now lives in Van Nuys, so I invited him to church when we both get back from visiting Guatemala. He's a nice man with a wife and family at home. He was very helpful at the end of the flight, taking me through the airport and helping

Shaelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768749404911775828noreply@blogger.com0