Belize

Traveling can be many things, all at the same time: stressful, exciting, intimidating, life-giving, etc. For me, this past week touched on all of these things and many more. Our group was one of three that chose Belize as our final destination, but first we had to accept the challenges of getting there. We started with an early morning bus to Puerto Barrios, on the coast of Guatemala. After a late arrival came a hurried trip to catch a not-so-official looking boat to Punta Gorda, Belize. Another late arrival, and we managed to catch the bus towards Hopkins. The journey ended successfully with a four mile, hitched ride into town, hunkered down in the bed of a pick-up truck. The cabana that awaited us was seafront and serene. Palm trees, hammocks, sea water and salty air welcomed us to heaven. Throughout the week we would spend a lot of time enjoying all of these things, but we’d also learn quickly about what makes Belize so unique.

Lesson #1: People in Belize will be friendly and kind to anyone. Continue reading →

17 February 2015

From the images of the suffering Christ visible on the walls of ancient cathedrals, to the presence of wooden crosses hanging above front doors, it is evident that religion is a large part of culture here in Guatemala. This past week, the visits and discussions have centered around religious expression present throughout the country. On Tuesday, Fabian Cabezos, a Bible professor here at Semilla, spoke about the Neo-Pentecostal movement in Guatemala and discussed the main characteristics that differentiate Neo-Pentecostal churches from others, specifically Pentecostal churches. Later in the week, we had the opportunity to visit a well-known mega church, Casa de Dios. We received a tour of the facilities and learned that it houses around 12,000 people, with 2 services every Sunday. On Friday, Rafael Escobar, dean of the seminary at Semilla, discussed the history of Mennonites in Guatemala. The presentation was intriguing, as many of us learned that the church was founded on Dispensationalism and some Mennonite churches continue to practice it today. The majority of the group attended the morning service at Casa de Dios, along with thousands of others. Several students also attended Casa Horeb, a small Mennonite church in the city. This past week was full of new information and experiences that will hopefully continue to help us gain a better understanding of the lives of those around us.
-Molly White & Kenzie Lapp

To have an opinion about a church is not an easy thing to do, especially when it is a church as big as Casa de Dios. The church is huge. While the designer said it was made to feel small, I wonder if her definition of small and mine are different. Sunday’s service was an interesting experience. The music reminded me of a Christian rock concert I went to once. It was a fun mix of fast and slow songs. The pastor’s wife also led a prayer and told us about providing for the church through the message of a passage in I Timothy.
The main focus of the service was a comical version of Romeo and Juliet or in Spanish Romeo y Julieta. It was really funny, at least the parts that I understood. I am not sure what Romeo and Juliet has to do with God but it was a well-executed performance.
Compared to the other two churches I have been to here, it has its’ own unique style. It is almost nothing like the Catholic Church, with the Mayan flavoring, we went to in ChiChi. While that one seemed very solemn and ritual based, this one was upbeat and lively. The music was similar to the Pentecostal church my host family goes to. There also seemed to be a sense of emotional release shared between the two. However, neither of the others would have performed a comical Romeo and Juilet for the main part of the service.
In total I feel like there must be something people like about this church and God must be present somehow. Personally I don’t feel like I would get much out of such a large church. To me church is about community as much as it is about God. I just don’t see how community is possible in a church that large.
–Molly White

“We evolve into the images we carry in our minds. We become what we see.” -Henri Nouwen

My time here in Guatemala has been filled with sights & sounds that have provoked countless questions and exposed me to ways of life previously unimagined. From the abundance of candles and the aroma of burning incense at mass in Chichicastenango, to the flashing lights accompanied by bass guitars resounding in the auditorium of Casa de Dios, contrast has been an ever-present theme pressing on my mind. I find it difficult to refrain from comparing what I am experiencing to the images I carry in my mind of life in the U.S. An even greater challenge has been trying to consciously push thoughts of “Well, in the U.S…” aside while trying to fully experience things as they are. Images I carry in my mind, as well as numerous advertisements lining the busy streets of Guatemala referencing Western lifestyles, are constant reminders of the unfamiliarity I am experiencing, as well as the familiarity I long for. By resisting the natural urge to categorize and compare solely based on previous knowledge, it is my hope that I will be able to fully experience Guatemala with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
While this would be the ideal way in which I would continue my time here in Guatemala, I realize that the images I carry in my mind are there to stay. I have come to understand that talking with others about contrasting ways of life is a healthy part of processing my experiences in Guatemala. At first, I wanted to build off of a blank slate, but I quickly discovered this was an unattainable feat.
Synthesizing is defined as combining many things to create something more complex, and this process has been important for me to keep in mind. Instead of desperately searching for familiarity and simplicity, I am slowly learning that it is through attempting & encouraging, asking & observing, and finally, listening & receiving that I am able to combine my own images with those around me to create a powerful complexity that remains open to exploration.
-Kenzie Lapp

2 February 2015

Throughout the big transition from the U.S./Mexico border to Guatemala, we experienced many different emotions. Coming off of such a full and difficult two weeks, we felt we had seen so much but hadn´t done anything about it to help. One evening we talked to a Christian border patrol agent, who challenged us with the thought of whether or not it is legal to be a Christian. We didn’t want to forget what we’ve experienced at the border, but at the same time wanted to be present in Guatemala with our host families and at CASAS.

The first full day at CASAS was new and exciting, yet a little intimidating because we had our Spanish placement tests and our first Spanish class. Most classes have only two students, with the largest having four, so we have pretty personal attention. We have 3 1/2 hours of Spanish class every morning, usually a class or fieldtrip with the entire group in the afternoon, and the evenings are spent with host families. It has been fun to come to school each morning and tell each other how our evenings went, because each person’s experience is completely different.

Some educational highlights have been our trips in the afternoons. Monday afternoon the group went to the Central Plaza and toured the green National Palace, which is where the President has his meetings. It took up an entire block and held a lot of history inside, with murals depicting Mayan and Spanish conflict, statues representing peace treaties, and the fingerprint of a president in the handle of every door. We also walked around the area a bit to learn about different historic places. On Tuesday afternoon we went to the National Cemetery, which also helped us learn about the effects of many different countries and cultures on Guatemala, including the Chinese, South Korean, and German. The richer families are able to buy a plot and build a structure for the entire family, but the poorer people rent out a grave stacked above ground, with their families paying a certain amount every year for fourteen years, and after fourteen years the remains are moved so the spot can be rented to someone else. Adjacent to the cemetery is the national landfill, where many men, women, and children work (and used to live), sorting through the trash for recyclables to sell, most only making around 10 Q. per day (about $1.25). We learned how several people have died doing this dangerous work, but they have no choice.

The second half of the week was full of physical discomfort, and consequently a few free afternoons, as nearly every single person in the group strangely got sick over several days. It turned out to be a bonding experience, but we´re all still trying to recover from that. Most of us, however, were feeling well enough to hike the Pacaya volcano on Saturday. Though it was a steep climb up (and was a little harder because of the altitude and the fact that many of us were still a little weak from sickness) the view of the crater, the valley, and the neighboring volcanoes was well worth it. We walked on the hardened lava and saw the effects of the huge 2010 eruption as well as the one just last year. We experienced Mayan makeup, many native plants, and roasting marshmallows from the heat of the volcano. Overall we’ve experienced and shared laughs, tears, hugs, and unforgettable memories this week, and wouldn’t trade them for anything.

I have learned so much this week about myself, the group, and the Guatemalan culture. Guatemala City is absolutely beautiful, but I still find it strange how it very suddenly changes from a gorgeous green wilderness to very urban. I learned that safety is also very relative to culture. My first weekend and week with my host family felt very overwhelming because I couldn’t understand much at first, and translating everything in addition to a full day of learning and seeing new things, learning the bus route, and doing homework drained my energy quickly. I’ve already noticed, however, a significant improvement in how much I understand and know, and my list of new vocabulary words is ever growing.

To sum up my week in the form of senses, here’s what I noticed: the green valley amidst the rushing traffic, the warmth of the sun, the look on many homeless people’s faces when we passed, the stares I’ve gotten because I stand out, the feeling of a much-needed hug from friends, my baby brother’s smile, dancing, and funny gestures, the loud and abrupt song of strange birds, the roar of the buses, the strong smell of someone’s cologne, the shouts of people in the street, the loud voice of a man proclaiming the gospel on the bus, the sounds of Spanish songs, the taste of good food, feeling weak and tired, the smell of the smoke of a volcano, and the feeling of being so overwhelmed I want to go home but battling through it and seeing how God was carrying me through it all.

– Amanda Helfrich