Education Ministry Site Reflections

On Thursday April 3, I went with the SI education site leader Anna Parker and my fellow Education site LIFTers down to the lower school in San Miguel. Now, it’s not called the lower school because it’s for the lower grades. Instead, it has to do with the fact that it is actually lower on the mountainside. To get anywhere in San Miguel, you have to either go up or down. We arrive at the school, entering through the community gymnasium to enter through the gate into a small courtyard surrounded by two levels of classrooms. We set up a tutoring station in a supply closet with a table, chairs, and some materials brought by Anna. The first hour, I’m helping a fourth-grade boy work on putting simple syllables together to form words for the pictures on the worksheet Anna gave us. To save paper, she uses clear dry-erase sleeves and markers to write over but not on the worksheets so she can use them for other students. Teaching a child how to read in Spanish isn’t that hard as long as they know the word for the picture. Spanish phonics are much more reliable than English. We spend time putting together simple two-letter syllables into sight words, rolling dice with word starters to write more known words, and reading a pre-K to Kindergarten level book together. This young man is several years behind in reading level for his grade. His teachers work to differentiate instruction and work for him, but extra support is needed.

Anna has been working with the teachers, parents, and community to be able to help guide thirteen students who with ADHD, social-emotional issues, or who are simply not where their grade level dictates them to be. Anna would love to help more students, but she recognizes that the quality of education she can provide requires that she keep her class sizes small. On Tuesday and Thursday, she has the older kids and has the littles on Wednesday and Friday. The elementary school day for San Miguel runs from 7:30 to 12:30, and her after-school program runs from 1:15 to 3:30. The Education ministry site is on the second floor of a yellow and white building above a tienda and a small hardware store. It’s decorated very much like classrooms in the US except all the posters are in Spanish. The posters are educational for both the students and us LIFTers who are still trying to comprehend the language. Before class we spend time playing Jenga and Sorry, building with blocks and magnets, and coloring.

Anna leads a small devotional for the children going through a kid’s curriculum for Tozer’s Attributes of God. Anna’s foremost desire is that the children can grow a deeper understanding of who God is both in Himself and in relation to them. Her practical applications continually focus on how the children pray to God, worshipping Him, giving thanks, and asking for help. The students’ prayer requests are continually focused on their families and their studies. Looking back on my life, I don’t think I ever prayed to pass a grade in school. I never thought I was going to fail, and how much did I care about my performance in school other than competition and comparison with my classmates anyway?

After the devotional, we do regular classroom activities like going over the calendar, story time,singing a kids worship song in Spanish full of hand motions, shouting, and laughing. For time spent on specific school content, Anna splits the class in two, half with her and one LIFTer and the other half with the other two LIFTers to play, color, etc.. I’ve been learning to use the little Spanish I have in order to most effectively teach things like borrowing in subtraction, multiplication, and calculating perimeter. Anna is very helpful giving a word or two that I need to get my point across. I forget the words often, but she is happy to remind me again. When I heard I was going to be in the education site, I expected to be a minimally helpful teacher’s aide, just running to grab what the teacher needs, helping in administrative tasks, or just being a slightly awkward presence in the classroom, just smiling and waving. My expectations were wonderfully subverted through Anna’s leadership and guidance. While my teaching may not have been as easy to comprehend as Anna’s, I got to see improvement in not only the kids I worked with, but also in Christian, Peter MP, and myself in our confidence as teachers and Spanish speakers.

A final thing I would like to note about the work of Anna in the education site is her intentionality in making education a community effort. When traveling anywhere in San Miguel, we have to stop for five or so minutes for Anna to chat with someone in town whether it be a kid she knows from the school, a parent of one of her students, or someone selling avocados or mangoes (which we have eaten plenty of both over this trip). One impactful occasion over this time was a home visit to Ruth, the mother of one of Anna’s students. We sat and listened as she and Anna talked for almost two hours about her life, her family, and her involvement in her daughter’s education. Very little of this time was actually spent talking about education, but that’s okay. This trip has been teaching me about how missions isn’t about productivity. I spent just as much time watching people talk as I was being “helpful.” Anna is focused on prioritizing her relationships with the members of the community to open more doors for the Gospel. Her ministry is so much more than helping kids pass their grade. Her ministry is to see a community transformed into the image of Christ, and education is how God has blessed her with the opportunity to be a worker in His plan for the people of San Miguel and the surrounding areas.

Back to that Thursday. After the first session of tutoring, it’s recess for the kids. Anna goes to talk with one of the teachers, leaving Christian, Peter and I to stand in the courtyard while around a hundred kids are running around, eating snacks, playing games, and waving at us. For a while, we just awkwardly wave back. We give the usual, “Hola,” “Buenos dias,” or “como estas.” We’re kind of awkward standing there, just a couple tall white guys who don’t know how to really connect with all these kids we barely know or even understand (these kids talk really fast).As we sheepishly walk around, we see two kids making a bridge with their arms for a circle of some other kids to run through and around. Christian and I look at each other with a look that says, “Hey, we can do that too,” and put our arms in the air. It starts with the excited shout of one little girl, and within the next 10 to 15 seconds, there’s a mass of thirty children running and laughing around us. Next thing you know, the bridge is me and a little boy with Christian running with the group. Peter starts playing with some boys who got a marble, swatting it to the concrete to bounce it around. He teaches them how to launch a plastic bottle cap out of their hand across the courtyard. Christian and I start playing futbol with a ball of crumpled paper that has been tied into a plastic lunch bag, and then we and 10 kids start throwing it up to some kids on the second level balcony who throw it back down. Those moments were filled with so much joy. We may not have been sharing the Gospel with our words. We may never interact with these kids again. We probably didn’t change their lives that day. But we had an opportunity to show and share love in that moment. And afterwards, we learned that Anna was able to have a very impactful and encouraging conversation with the teacher she left us to go see.

Anna’s work is powerful and is made possible through the Holy Spirit, the prayers of the people who care for her and her work, and the support of those who go to work with her and those who give to make her work possible. Please pray for her and the other SI sites you’ve been reading about. Pray for the community of San Miguel, that they will as a community be transformed through the power of Jesus Christ. Please pray for the kids, that they will be filled with love for learning and not despair when they’re told they can’t succeed. Pray for the parents, that they will value the education of their children and provide the support they need in concert with the teachers. Please pray that God continues to move and work in the lives of every person Anna interacts with. And she interacts with everyone, because everyone says “Hola!” in San Miguel.

A Photo Update!

We have the blessing of having a professional photographer, brother in Christ, & friend of SI Jose Fares with us these past few days, capturing the beauty of what is going on here. Take a look at some of the things we've been up to!

Child Sponsorship Site:

Education Site (not Jose's photos):

Men's Social Work Site:

Physical Therapy Site:

Special Education Site:

Sports Site:

Trade School Site:

Women's Social Work Site:

Morning Devos with SI:

In our final few days, we ask that you continue to pray for strength, hope, and softened hearts towards what God is doing. This is our prayer, if you feel led to join in prayer for this over us:

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2)

Thank you,

LIFT 48

Men's Social Work Update & What I'm Learning

The Men's Social Work ministry site is dedicated to empowering the lives of the people of Magdalena through Christ centered relationships and aid. When I learned I was going to be in the Men's Social Work site I was excited because I was interested in learning about the community of Magdalena and the culture of Guatemala. Also, through taking Missions classes at LIFT, I wanted to learn firsthand about missions in a foreign country in a practical context. Luckily, I've gotten far more than what I asked for in terms of valuable experience, education, and awesome memories. 

The first day at our ministry site we (myself, Zach Baldwin, LIFT Outdoor Adventure Coordinator, and William Hoffman, friend and fellow LIFTer) got to meet the head of the Men's Social Work Site, Gerber (pronounced Hare-Bear in english). For the two weeks that we would be in Guatemala, Gerber has led us into doing and experiencing missions in Guatemala in a very real way. The moral lesson of the trip is that missions is about relationships and being a powerful advocate for the people, especially groups that are often forgotten, on behalf of Jesus Christ. For example, one of our ministry days the four of us got into Gerber's carro and drove to the physical therapy ministry cite to make atole, a warm beverage filled with lots of sugar, vitamins and minerals to bring to the group of alcoholics that Gerber ministers to. We drink this together in an auto shop, listening to their stories and picking up on Spanish. 

The men are struggling with alcoholism, one man was a professional futbol player for five years before he became an alcoholic, and the other a very smart electrical engineer. I thought to myself, in every community there is great suffering and need for support, and for Jesus. At the end of every visit we pray in english for our companions and Gerber ends by praying in Spanish. 

Two days we've visited our friends (Elijah and Peter G and the SI staff) at the physical therapy ministry site and witnessed their mission in action. The staff provide an atmosphere for doing physical therapy work for elderly people who are sick or in pain. Gaby, the ministry site leader, joked that they they talked to their patients about the Gospel during treatment because they couldn't leave and had to listen. It is a great ministry and really serves a great need in the elderly community of people in Magdalena. 

One of our ministry's tasks was to assist in the relocation and building of a pentecostal church. Our first Ministry day in Guatemala, Gerber led us in transporting sheet metal and beams with a truck. The new site was a dirt-patch and a dream. We met Pastor Jose and Santos, who were mapping out the area, digging holes, and putting beams in the ground to support the ceiling to be. I thought the task to be very important and that it would take a while, but Pastor Jose projected that it would be complete in dos semanas, or two weeks! Six days later we returned to find the church with a roof done by Pastor Jose and Santos and help. 

Each day Gerber takes us to a new area in Magdalena to meet the Pastors of the area and pray for them. The hospitality among Gerber's friends is astounding. Every day we have two lunches and eat like kings---from Gerber's favorite Coca-Cola to the many delicious meals of Guatemala. Everyone in Magdalena loves Coca-Cola. It tastes way better than the United States, and they know it. Gerber loves tortillas and jalapenos. At our friendly visits in the community we have eaten guacamole from avocado farmers, made tortillas with humble servants, and have been treated to the kind-hearted hospitality of this beautiful place. 

I've learned that missions is as simple as making relationships with your neighbor in the community. Gerber is a powerful example of a pastor and teacher whose heart is to serve the Lord in obedience.

- Henry

In the Magdalena community, Men's social work offers a unique chance to make a positive impact in vulnerable areas. This involves dedicated work in the social domain, such as addressing the needs of the elderly and individuals grappling with alcoholism. Additionally, Men's social work actively supports local pastors, fostering relationships through home visits, engagement in social support centers, and participation in community churches.

Microfinance Ministry Site

Over the past week I have had the immense privilege to work with SI's Microfinance department! Our site is centered around providing micro loans to local individuals to better there businesses and by extension enrich the community. By giving people small loans we seek to come along side them and the Lord and equip them to use there own talents skills and passions to improve there lives for themselves and not foster unhealthy reliance but to embolden there independence. Above all our goal and ultimate job is to love like Jesus by creating deep relationships centered not on finances or socioeconomic status (although important) but on Christ and His love or them and work on the cross.  Right now SI has 7 active loans of varying amounts with various people of diverse professions. From tailoring to avocado farming to tortilla making and more the each loan we give comes with a unique and compelling story of Gods work in the lives and dreams of these wonderful people. I’m going to do my best to answer some potential FAQs for y'all today starting with..

How does it work? 

Great question! Microfinance gives out small loans of no more than 15,000 quetzales which translates to roughly $1,942 at current rates. Each loan has a very small interest rate of 3-5% just so people don't view it as a hand out and take the privilege seriously especially when it comes to making payments. In order to get a loan each individual must fill out a application consisting fo general background and personal information, plans and goals, and some general socioeconomic questions. typically each application takes about 1-3 months starting from point of interest until acceptance.  the purpose of the application process is to throughly vet the applicant and ensure they are responsible and will use the money wisely for themselves there loved ones and the community. Today, Kyle, Jeff, and I accompanied Leo, SI's microfinance site leader, to visit Sandra and get her started on an application. Sandra owns a tortilleria--or in English--a tortilla shop! She has had this shop for 13 years but has been in the tortilla making business for over 35 years! Last we visited her we went over her plans on what she will use her loan for and today we got to begin filling out an application with her which was super exciting!

What does an average day look like? 

The beauty of microfinance is that no two days are exactly alike, each day is as flexible and subject to change as the lives of those we interact with and I absolutely love it. For the most part, however, each day consists of walking around the town and checking in with its beautiful constituents, both those with loans and those without. We spend A LOT of time simply being with people: connecting, laughing crying--it's beautiful. We have had some 10 or so visits so far and although some have been for specific purpose the majority have been simply to spend time and show love. Here in Guatemala schedules are subservient to relationships, which is awesome and something I wish we prioritized more in the US. The inherent relational intentionality that permeates society here catalyses ministry opportunities and empowers us to graft ourselves into the lives we touch. Each visit could be as short as 10-15 min or as long as 2-3 hours, we might be checking in on their store and sharing a coca-cola, or helping out a farmer and getting down into the dirt.  Whatever the purpose for the visit, God's ultimate purpose for us sharing his love is at the forefront of our minds and dictates our every action. 

Whats been the best part/What is God teaching you?

For me the best part has undoubtedly, unequivocally, incomparably been the people. SI's relationships-first mentality and vision just clicks for me. I love people. Having opportunities to laugh and eat and cook and work and play along side people who don't know me yet welcome me with open hearts ams and homes honestly makes me emotional. Making connections and now feeling and being known in and around the community has been a inexplicable blessing to me. Right now God is teaching and showing me a few things. 1) People are people no matter where they are. This means that they are loved, important, and priceless to God, just the same as anyone else--no matter what language they speak, what country they live in, or how much or little they have. They have dreams and struggles, hopes and regret--just like me or you AND God can and does work in their lives just as powerfully as in you or me. 2) God has given each of us unique talents and gifts, in that we have the choice to either use them for "good things" that are our own wants, dreams, desires; or to use them for better things which is what He has called each of us to do and why He imparted those gifts to us. I am seeing and learning more and more clearly that my goal in life should not be to get rich and frankly squander His gifting on my own personal gain, but should be looking around and seeing where he can use me to be His hands His feet and His light in our world. 

How can you be praying?

Prayer is vital. Firstly, thank you all for all the prayers you have already prayed on our behalf for safety and transformation! For micro finance specifically, please pray for Leo (the site leader) as he continues to diligently work in the local communities, pray for strength innovation and connection. Pray for the people here in Magdalena and its neighbors to truly seek the face of the Lord and to trust and rely on His plan and timing in their lives. Pray for their dreams and struggles, pray for their encouragement. For us, as we begin to wrap up our time here, please pray for continued energy and for us to seize every chance big or small to share the love of out Father with His children. Please pray for a safe return home and for the SI staff who will continue to work here after our departure. 

If you made it this far, thank you! I hope this was an encouragement to you and gave you insight into the work God is doing here in Sacatepequez (the state of Guatemala we are in). We love you all and cannot wait to share more in depth when we return!! <3

Best,

            Ashok Paul Merchant

A Weekend in Antigua

Hola Chicos,

LIFT 48 just spent the last two days (Saturday and Sunday), exploring the streets of Antigua (a beautiful and famous city in Guatemala). The city was absolutely beautiful in the heart of the volcanoes and Guatemalan culture. I know we all had an exciting weekend of wonderful weather, good food, and fun activities. 

We arrived in the city at the start of the Holy Week festivities, and if there is one thing I learned about this culture is that they take Holy Week, very seriously. The locals have different processions--holding the coffin of Jesus, around the entire city of Antigua. The women dress up in traditional widow attire, and the men wear purple robes, kids also dress up for the procession and burn incense to mourn the death of Jesus.

On Saturday we all got the opportunity to split up in different groups exploring the city together. Many of the groups went shopping in the local markets (my group purchasing many wool blankets). There were ruins to explore, birdwatching, and many food places to try. My group went to an art museum; where we viewed many of the cultural pieces that make-up Guatemalan art. On the drive back, our bus driver played karaoke that everyone sang along to, and the driver was thoroughly entertained by us knowing every song. It was a great way to end our Saturday.

On Sunday we went back to Antigua for church at Shoreline City Church. The church was in an old Guatemalan building with a courtyard, but the service was very modern. As someone who comes from a background of modern churches, it was very refreshing. It was definitely different for a lot of us. Afterwards we all broke up into groups and walked around before meeting up again to go to lunch. Sunday afternoon we headed back to Magdelena to get some rest before we did the eco hike again.

In our time in Antigua we got to try many food, I went to three cafes: "Fat Cat", "12 Oz" and "Cafe Barista", trying a chai, lattes and an interesting latte mixed with beet juice which was very delicious. Many of the LIFTers (my group included) decided to try out the Guatemalan Taco Bell, and it had a beautiful courtyard where we got to sit, eat, and watch birds landing on the fountain. There was a crepe place called "Luna De Miel" that was heavily recommended to us by one of the leaders here at Students International, as well as my host mom. The crepes were some of the best I had ever tried. For dinner, we all went out to eat at "Sky Cafe" (a Guatemalan restaurant that has a view of the volcanoes) with the entire LIFT group, which was a nice way to debrief our day and catch up with one another.

Something that the Guatemalans truly value here is relationships and intentionality with their community. Without electronics or random busy schedules to divide our attention, when we are with each other, we get to connect with one another, and listen to each other. It does not matter how long we sit at the dinner table, or at the crepe place, because the importance is not in how much we can accomplish today, but how can we connect with one another today. At dinner I saw such a growth with the people I was sitting with. We were talking about some of the difficulties with communicating with out host families with the language barrier, but how much we are willing to try anyway. I know for me dinners with my host mom are something I have started to look forward to each day. Even though I do not understand everything she says, the excitement she has for the stories she tells is contagious, and it's refreshing that many of the other LIFTers are also willingly getting out of their comfort zones to be intentional with those around us, even with this language barrier.

Some prayer requests I have is for continual intentionality with one another, and even though we are all slowly getting tired, that division will not occur within our team. Please pray for prevention from any ailments that can occur. Finally, pray that we will be focused on God's will for our time here in Guatemala, and that we will listen to how He wants to use us, instead of focusing so much on what we think He is using us for. Thank you all for your continual prayers and support for this mission.

Adios Chicos,

Jess Roesler