Feb.7, 2008
“The author of souls”, she told me, and she looked so deep into my spirit that I believed her. Author of souls, I kept reflecting. After she said that I almost couldn’t concentrate on everything else she had to say. In a pause in the conversation I asked “do you always feel compelled to tell others what you think about them like this?” And she said “no, very rarely if I do. Not often have I had someone come into my mind as much as you do. Usually you would be just another mother of one of my students, but you are different.” Mmmm. I thought to myself. This is not the first time this has happened to me. I know of other instances, my father used to tell me how very special I was, and I a person approached me in Colorado in a church that I visited and looked right at me as she did and said, “you are going to do something very special!” and they were gone. That was 20 years ago. I know I have a story to tell others, about the wilderness I have wandered through, the mountains I have climbed, the wild horses I have ridden and broken, the real moments I have had with God, the times I have wanted to end it all and go home, the people I have touched and the ones that have touched me. Is it time….now to express this? Whether in words, speeches, art, love…..how? I do not know. But to stand on a mountain and tell the world about my conclusions or resolutions is what I need to do.
Like a blank canvas…where do I start? I am staring and staring waiting for my hand to make a move. Once it starts I can not stop it.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Intimate journeys
The touch someone can give you through their eyes to their souls is the most intimate place we can go together as humans. It brings us to a common place of existence and survival. Basic needs are met when we meet at the soul level, needs of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (for the moment), and gentleness. Fruits of the spirit that God says can rule this world in Peace. I thank God for these adventures and journeys I have been so blessed to experience. It brings tears to my eyes and jolts my heart to jump with joy. I can only hope that I can be a blessing to others; a light in this not so “lit up” world, a hope in times of despair, joy when things are glim.
Today a wealth of words and expressions comes forth from inside of me that needs to be shared with others. I begin my journal to write about the people who have touched me and created me along this short life we live. We must all realize that our lives are a book for all to read, each day we live it, we write a new chapter. But certainly the affects of how we touched someone else today could last a lifetime, and have the potential to be carried on from generation to generation until the time comes when the way we touched the lives of others will be held accountable. We are created in the image of our creator, and as images go, they can be burned into time, last forever, and continue creating this life which we refer to as our existence. So if you and I would consider ourselves as creators, and realize the power of our tongue, the impact of our touch, and the stamp of our footprint creates the lives of others and their future, maybe we would be more responsible and considerate of our actions.
Today a wealth of words and expressions comes forth from inside of me that needs to be shared with others. I begin my journal to write about the people who have touched me and created me along this short life we live. We must all realize that our lives are a book for all to read, each day we live it, we write a new chapter. But certainly the affects of how we touched someone else today could last a lifetime, and have the potential to be carried on from generation to generation until the time comes when the way we touched the lives of others will be held accountable. We are created in the image of our creator, and as images go, they can be burned into time, last forever, and continue creating this life which we refer to as our existence. So if you and I would consider ourselves as creators, and realize the power of our tongue, the impact of our touch, and the stamp of our footprint creates the lives of others and their future, maybe we would be more responsible and considerate of our actions.
Guatemala 2008 - Guastatoya water installation
April 14
Left Nashville in anticipation of working with people and a church for their water installation. The group is skeptical about how we will get through customs and yet thrilled with the unknown. I am looking forward to seeing old friends we made last time and have only been emailing them. We all have two bags one with clothes, and one with equipment or for me and Elaine, education materials.
Arrived at the Guatemala City airport to hug Miriam, Guilder and Carlos. WE made it through customs no problems. Feels good to be here again. I hope the new team members feel our confidence and trust level in our international partners.
We are staying at Carlo’s bungalows, or villas, just outside of a house that he takes care of for a friend. Carlos’s best friend used to live in the house, he died some years back, and his wife asked Carlos to take care of the place while she moved to another place.
There is a mini soccer field as our front yard. Doris cooked dinner and it was good. We ate lunch at Pollo Compello.
April 15
Didn’t get much sleep. Woke up early to jog or exercise, Ran for 50 minutes around the soccer field. Breakfast at 7, Left at 8 to go to church and see what we need to do to get started. My classes don’t begin until Wednesday. I have learned some Spanish, which has come in handy and I enjoy trying to speak with them. It is like being with old friends. Elaine and I got all our stuff unpacked and set up in a small classroom. The guys are getting all their stuff together for the installation.
Dinner at Carlos’s and lunch was made by the ladies of the church, my gosh, the food is in great proportions, I have a feeling we will not be hungry. Such jovial cooks, and servants to us. We pray and hold hands at every meal so far. Someone different prays.
April 16
Not much sleep again. Up and running only 35 minutes today, 10 times round makes a mile I decided today. Todd, Ken, Joseph and I go and sit by the river. Horse walks through with ribs showing and acts like we are not even there. So much trash in the river. Their septic systems all run to the river, such a beautiful country yet with no time to pick up or even be concerned about trash. People are burning trees or places in the mountains probably for agricultural reasons.
Another day of lots of good food, and commradery .Elaine and I taught our first class. I think it went well. Miriam interpreted for us. It was fun and we have 2 nurses, 1 person from the health department, and some one from the Utility department and 5 cooks, a retired lady, 3 children, 3 teenagers and some others. Looking back I wished I had asked what everyone did, and told them what we do in the states. But I didn’t
Doris cooked another great meal.
April 17
Miriams’ Birthday today. We planned a lunch surprise with cake and a blanket we bought back home. I made a necklace and gave it to her the first night. No running today, not much sleep and I slept in until breakfast. I was supposed to run with Carlos, but did not communicate well about it.
Breakfast, Ham and cheese sandwiches. Yum, Typical day, left at 8. Breakfast at 7. Elaine and I plan all day for our lesson and get drinks for the guys.
This was great day for lessons. Everyone laughed and had a great time. We did the Red sea Crossing that was a drama. Too fun.
Again, more food than our bodies need.
April 18
Ran with Carlos for 1 hour and 40 minutes. WHEW!!!! All up hill, and the most beautiful views. First cow farm I see today from the top of the mountain. Carlos and I tried to speak and we did manage to communicate some. He said he went to the top of the mountain and painted JESUS SAVES above the house we were staying out. Took him two hours to get up there and back and 45 minutes to paint. (Christo Salva in Spanish I think). Then all the way down, apparently I surprised him on how well I could run, and he took me another 10-15 minutes. Long run….
Got home and breakfast was bout to be served. WE hate hamburgers this morning.
Also great lunch and we are planning our celebration !! Guys had to repair some spots in the system, and were a little frustrated. I have observed that AMERICANs on this trip wanted to work, work work. From 8-9 at night our guys made the guastatoyans work. Carlos and Guilder would say to me, Americans like to work…..Si, I would say back. But it was intense and everyone was tired each night but felt like it was successful. Juan and Bryan are two operators learning the installation too. But tonight we celebrate and have our last class and church. Went great again. We have had some fun times trying to ride the bike that delivers the waters. I am so happy with the way it has turned out. Elaine and I decorated. Very hot and sticky day. Our church service was touching and Elaine and I had to learn to say, You are a beloved child of God, which was Tu eres el hijo amado de Dios in Spanish. And we made the sign of the cross on their heads and they took a clear glass stone to remember their baptism. They also did the play for the church and I had to speak about baptism. This was scary. I hope I did a decent job. I get so torn up inside when I have to share about the God we love so much, and that has brought this group and all the people together. I did not cry…….yeah.
We had pizza and cake. Glows necklaces….LIVING CLEAN WATER!!
April 20th
REFLECTION AND SUMMARY THUS FAR
Been in Guatemala for 6 days now. Left my notebook and bible last time I came. They found the notebook, but not the bible. Carlos had a wreck that totaled his car 1 week after we left the last time, so I am lucky or blessed to have the notebook/journal back.
Awesome trip so far. Very good relationships built between the team members and with the folks at the church, the Estradas, and Miriam and Guilder. They love to give us gifts too. So I am making a note as to what each of them likes so when I come back I can bring gifts. Miriam, likes novels like John Grisham, my watch she keeps talking about, ART
Carlos- coffee, and God
Guilder- art, music, Christian music,
Carol- beauty school
Doris- cooking and clothes
It has been quite an experience so far, I learned some Spanish before I came, which helped at times, but made me realize how far off I am. It was sad leaving Guastatoya today, Sewanee cried and we did the Salud we taught her. (hitting our hips together-thanks to Elaine, ha) I cried in the car, knowing that our friendships were temporary, but they will be in our hearts forever. I am now lying in Miriams bed in her house, which she willingly gave up for me, so she could sleep with her dogs in her computer room. We are in Xela now and it is a very busy city. Dangerous at night Miriam says. We went to the central park and it was fairly crowded with young couples and teenagers, some adults, people out walking their dogs. Long walk, Joseph’s knee and ankle are really bothering him, so Miriam’s brother picks him up. I know Miriam is very proud to have us, just like Carlos. She is proud of her city and wants to show us a taste of her life. Very different from ours, even in this big city. Her house is nice from what we have seen so far. She has 3 floors. Here sister and her husband live there some, her daughter and her grandbaby. Her brother lives across the small sidewalk across from her house.
The Guatemalans seem proud of what they have. They keep their clothes nice, and do not wear many t-shirts. They wash with a washer sometimes, or a wash bin. But all clothes, hang out to dry. I think because this makes them last longer, and they all seem very frugal and nonmaterialistic. So they want what they have to last a long time. Like Don’s pen. (funny story).
We celebrated Miriams birthday again at her house with her family. It was a nice experience. Tomorrow we head for the lake. I write Miriam a note about the appreciation I have for her. Then I write to Carlos (and family) and Guilder. I am starting to feel the pain of saying Goodbye. To know that I will have friends across the globe that have become a part of my heartbeat is filling my eyes with tears of joy, possibly, sadness too.
April 21,
Whew, crying when we leave Miriam, we have laughed so much and enjoyed each other’s company. She is just now 40 years old, and that is a common denominator so to speak, since this happened to me in October.” Parting is such sweet sorrow.”, I know the saying, and now I feel it.
We head for the lake in Panajachel. We get there around 6 and go eat dinner. First night we all relax, have a beverage and hear some American music familiar tunes, sung by a Latin American. Kind of strange, but a glimpse of home. We have fun, still reviewing what just happened installing our system , being among friends of such different cultures and values, yet not divided by race or religion. We all had a common goal to help those who do not have access to clean water. To hear Carlos give his tearful inauguration for the system, not knowing exactly what he said, but feeling the pain and joy come from his speech and prayer and seeing the look of relief, concern and love on his face, I can feel good about our cause.
So sitting among other people here, celebrating the success, it feels good. We laugh, we take a deep breath, and know that our God is so good, and yet this was only one small piece of the puzzle. In our ventures we have seen so MANY people that need our help. They need to be concerned for the future of their children, and their children. People drinking water from a surgical tubing that is plugged at one end and has the other in an irrigation tank at the top of the hill. (Stealing water in a way) Millions of houses that have access to NO water. Not just pure water, but NO water. Frightening to see this. Here we celebrate one small successful installation. We saw this when Ken and Carlos and I walked to town. The need is so great.
April 22
Leaving Guatemala, I am sitting on the plane, wiping away the tears. Antiqua was very nice. Many Americans or Caucasians “escaping” whatever there. Our team had a good dinner again, accept Ken was sick. The hotel Palacio Chico was by far the nicest hotel we have stayed. Carlos and Guilder have been very good to drive us around and help us with our trips. Tonight at dinner we laughed a lot and got to see a little. WE had intentions of seeing more, but the driving and mal planning kind of slowed our intentions down. We did do a lot of shopping. Even though we did not experience what we wanted to experience. We have so much more wealth now than when we came. THE Estradas almost whole family drove 2 hours to meet us at the airport. It was a cry fest for me. I started as soon as we got in the car this morning. I looked at Todd and said, “I gotta get it together”. Guilder was playing “ I can only imagine” in Spanish. I could not stop the tears. Doris, Carol, Nancy & Louis (and their kids Sewanne and her little sister) Cindy and her daughter. Cindy looked at me with tears filled in her eyes, grabbed my hand and put her ring on it. I did not know what to say, because the words I had were only in English and she could only speak Spanish, but this language barrier did not prevent us all from saying “ we love you and we will miss you” with our tears, hugs and kisses. Carlos gave me his running suit with Guatemala on it to show his appreciation and a gift of the time we all spent and to remember Guatemala. Guilder was hard to say good bye to also, He is such a great Christian guy and touched everyone on the trip, he was also an interpreter for us.
We have taken off now and I can not hold back the tears still. Friendship that lasts forever in our hearts, but with the reality that we may not see each other again. This kind of relationship building is a taste of what heaven will be like. Each of us being a servant to one another, loving with no parameters, and giving with no expectations. The companionship and god-given experiences were so intense for me. I do not know if the rest of my team feels the same way. I know I want to do more mission work. I thank my family for sharing me, my Rotary club for its financial support, and the First Presbyterian Church for their financial support. Spiritual friendships run deep and are long lasting. This also reminds me of my friends in Germany. I have such great friendships that will never cease because of the common ground of love, understanding and God. Eyes that see deep into my soul as I look into their eyes. God, Thank you for the glimpses of your love and being able to understand you better through other people, and helping other people.
We had no jealousy, no hatred, and no anger….just love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…..all the fruits of the spirit.
To me Guatemala is like the Garden of Eden in so many ways. With plants producing fruit in your back yard continually. Every part of the earth there is used for harvest or food. Yet they are being slowly poisoned by their water, and probably lack of cleanliness of their rivers. All their septic runs to the rivers. But Guatemalans are very frugal culture and do not let anything go to waste. I will miss them very much and I will pray to God for their safety, love, and continued prosperity.
A note, Carlos’s mother died also within the first week that we left in October.
Left Nashville in anticipation of working with people and a church for their water installation. The group is skeptical about how we will get through customs and yet thrilled with the unknown. I am looking forward to seeing old friends we made last time and have only been emailing them. We all have two bags one with clothes, and one with equipment or for me and Elaine, education materials.
Arrived at the Guatemala City airport to hug Miriam, Guilder and Carlos. WE made it through customs no problems. Feels good to be here again. I hope the new team members feel our confidence and trust level in our international partners.
We are staying at Carlo’s bungalows, or villas, just outside of a house that he takes care of for a friend. Carlos’s best friend used to live in the house, he died some years back, and his wife asked Carlos to take care of the place while she moved to another place.
There is a mini soccer field as our front yard. Doris cooked dinner and it was good. We ate lunch at Pollo Compello.
April 15
Didn’t get much sleep. Woke up early to jog or exercise, Ran for 50 minutes around the soccer field. Breakfast at 7, Left at 8 to go to church and see what we need to do to get started. My classes don’t begin until Wednesday. I have learned some Spanish, which has come in handy and I enjoy trying to speak with them. It is like being with old friends. Elaine and I got all our stuff unpacked and set up in a small classroom. The guys are getting all their stuff together for the installation.
Dinner at Carlos’s and lunch was made by the ladies of the church, my gosh, the food is in great proportions, I have a feeling we will not be hungry. Such jovial cooks, and servants to us. We pray and hold hands at every meal so far. Someone different prays.
April 16
Not much sleep again. Up and running only 35 minutes today, 10 times round makes a mile I decided today. Todd, Ken, Joseph and I go and sit by the river. Horse walks through with ribs showing and acts like we are not even there. So much trash in the river. Their septic systems all run to the river, such a beautiful country yet with no time to pick up or even be concerned about trash. People are burning trees or places in the mountains probably for agricultural reasons.
Another day of lots of good food, and commradery .Elaine and I taught our first class. I think it went well. Miriam interpreted for us. It was fun and we have 2 nurses, 1 person from the health department, and some one from the Utility department and 5 cooks, a retired lady, 3 children, 3 teenagers and some others. Looking back I wished I had asked what everyone did, and told them what we do in the states. But I didn’t
Doris cooked another great meal.
April 17
Miriams’ Birthday today. We planned a lunch surprise with cake and a blanket we bought back home. I made a necklace and gave it to her the first night. No running today, not much sleep and I slept in until breakfast. I was supposed to run with Carlos, but did not communicate well about it.
Breakfast, Ham and cheese sandwiches. Yum, Typical day, left at 8. Breakfast at 7. Elaine and I plan all day for our lesson and get drinks for the guys.
This was great day for lessons. Everyone laughed and had a great time. We did the Red sea Crossing that was a drama. Too fun.
Again, more food than our bodies need.
April 18
Ran with Carlos for 1 hour and 40 minutes. WHEW!!!! All up hill, and the most beautiful views. First cow farm I see today from the top of the mountain. Carlos and I tried to speak and we did manage to communicate some. He said he went to the top of the mountain and painted JESUS SAVES above the house we were staying out. Took him two hours to get up there and back and 45 minutes to paint. (Christo Salva in Spanish I think). Then all the way down, apparently I surprised him on how well I could run, and he took me another 10-15 minutes. Long run….
Got home and breakfast was bout to be served. WE hate hamburgers this morning.
Also great lunch and we are planning our celebration !! Guys had to repair some spots in the system, and were a little frustrated. I have observed that AMERICANs on this trip wanted to work, work work. From 8-9 at night our guys made the guastatoyans work. Carlos and Guilder would say to me, Americans like to work…..Si, I would say back. But it was intense and everyone was tired each night but felt like it was successful. Juan and Bryan are two operators learning the installation too. But tonight we celebrate and have our last class and church. Went great again. We have had some fun times trying to ride the bike that delivers the waters. I am so happy with the way it has turned out. Elaine and I decorated. Very hot and sticky day. Our church service was touching and Elaine and I had to learn to say, You are a beloved child of God, which was Tu eres el hijo amado de Dios in Spanish. And we made the sign of the cross on their heads and they took a clear glass stone to remember their baptism. They also did the play for the church and I had to speak about baptism. This was scary. I hope I did a decent job. I get so torn up inside when I have to share about the God we love so much, and that has brought this group and all the people together. I did not cry…….yeah.
We had pizza and cake. Glows necklaces….LIVING CLEAN WATER!!
April 20th
REFLECTION AND SUMMARY THUS FAR
Been in Guatemala for 6 days now. Left my notebook and bible last time I came. They found the notebook, but not the bible. Carlos had a wreck that totaled his car 1 week after we left the last time, so I am lucky or blessed to have the notebook/journal back.
Awesome trip so far. Very good relationships built between the team members and with the folks at the church, the Estradas, and Miriam and Guilder. They love to give us gifts too. So I am making a note as to what each of them likes so when I come back I can bring gifts. Miriam, likes novels like John Grisham, my watch she keeps talking about, ART
Carlos- coffee, and God
Guilder- art, music, Christian music,
Carol- beauty school
Doris- cooking and clothes
It has been quite an experience so far, I learned some Spanish before I came, which helped at times, but made me realize how far off I am. It was sad leaving Guastatoya today, Sewanee cried and we did the Salud we taught her. (hitting our hips together-thanks to Elaine, ha) I cried in the car, knowing that our friendships were temporary, but they will be in our hearts forever. I am now lying in Miriams bed in her house, which she willingly gave up for me, so she could sleep with her dogs in her computer room. We are in Xela now and it is a very busy city. Dangerous at night Miriam says. We went to the central park and it was fairly crowded with young couples and teenagers, some adults, people out walking their dogs. Long walk, Joseph’s knee and ankle are really bothering him, so Miriam’s brother picks him up. I know Miriam is very proud to have us, just like Carlos. She is proud of her city and wants to show us a taste of her life. Very different from ours, even in this big city. Her house is nice from what we have seen so far. She has 3 floors. Here sister and her husband live there some, her daughter and her grandbaby. Her brother lives across the small sidewalk across from her house.
The Guatemalans seem proud of what they have. They keep their clothes nice, and do not wear many t-shirts. They wash with a washer sometimes, or a wash bin. But all clothes, hang out to dry. I think because this makes them last longer, and they all seem very frugal and nonmaterialistic. So they want what they have to last a long time. Like Don’s pen. (funny story).
We celebrated Miriams birthday again at her house with her family. It was a nice experience. Tomorrow we head for the lake. I write Miriam a note about the appreciation I have for her. Then I write to Carlos (and family) and Guilder. I am starting to feel the pain of saying Goodbye. To know that I will have friends across the globe that have become a part of my heartbeat is filling my eyes with tears of joy, possibly, sadness too.
April 21,
Whew, crying when we leave Miriam, we have laughed so much and enjoyed each other’s company. She is just now 40 years old, and that is a common denominator so to speak, since this happened to me in October.” Parting is such sweet sorrow.”, I know the saying, and now I feel it.
We head for the lake in Panajachel. We get there around 6 and go eat dinner. First night we all relax, have a beverage and hear some American music familiar tunes, sung by a Latin American. Kind of strange, but a glimpse of home. We have fun, still reviewing what just happened installing our system , being among friends of such different cultures and values, yet not divided by race or religion. We all had a common goal to help those who do not have access to clean water. To hear Carlos give his tearful inauguration for the system, not knowing exactly what he said, but feeling the pain and joy come from his speech and prayer and seeing the look of relief, concern and love on his face, I can feel good about our cause.
So sitting among other people here, celebrating the success, it feels good. We laugh, we take a deep breath, and know that our God is so good, and yet this was only one small piece of the puzzle. In our ventures we have seen so MANY people that need our help. They need to be concerned for the future of their children, and their children. People drinking water from a surgical tubing that is plugged at one end and has the other in an irrigation tank at the top of the hill. (Stealing water in a way) Millions of houses that have access to NO water. Not just pure water, but NO water. Frightening to see this. Here we celebrate one small successful installation. We saw this when Ken and Carlos and I walked to town. The need is so great.
April 22
Leaving Guatemala, I am sitting on the plane, wiping away the tears. Antiqua was very nice. Many Americans or Caucasians “escaping” whatever there. Our team had a good dinner again, accept Ken was sick. The hotel Palacio Chico was by far the nicest hotel we have stayed. Carlos and Guilder have been very good to drive us around and help us with our trips. Tonight at dinner we laughed a lot and got to see a little. WE had intentions of seeing more, but the driving and mal planning kind of slowed our intentions down. We did do a lot of shopping. Even though we did not experience what we wanted to experience. We have so much more wealth now than when we came. THE Estradas almost whole family drove 2 hours to meet us at the airport. It was a cry fest for me. I started as soon as we got in the car this morning. I looked at Todd and said, “I gotta get it together”. Guilder was playing “ I can only imagine” in Spanish. I could not stop the tears. Doris, Carol, Nancy & Louis (and their kids Sewanne and her little sister) Cindy and her daughter. Cindy looked at me with tears filled in her eyes, grabbed my hand and put her ring on it. I did not know what to say, because the words I had were only in English and she could only speak Spanish, but this language barrier did not prevent us all from saying “ we love you and we will miss you” with our tears, hugs and kisses. Carlos gave me his running suit with Guatemala on it to show his appreciation and a gift of the time we all spent and to remember Guatemala. Guilder was hard to say good bye to also, He is such a great Christian guy and touched everyone on the trip, he was also an interpreter for us.
We have taken off now and I can not hold back the tears still. Friendship that lasts forever in our hearts, but with the reality that we may not see each other again. This kind of relationship building is a taste of what heaven will be like. Each of us being a servant to one another, loving with no parameters, and giving with no expectations. The companionship and god-given experiences were so intense for me. I do not know if the rest of my team feels the same way. I know I want to do more mission work. I thank my family for sharing me, my Rotary club for its financial support, and the First Presbyterian Church for their financial support. Spiritual friendships run deep and are long lasting. This also reminds me of my friends in Germany. I have such great friendships that will never cease because of the common ground of love, understanding and God. Eyes that see deep into my soul as I look into their eyes. God, Thank you for the glimpses of your love and being able to understand you better through other people, and helping other people.
We had no jealousy, no hatred, and no anger….just love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…..all the fruits of the spirit.
To me Guatemala is like the Garden of Eden in so many ways. With plants producing fruit in your back yard continually. Every part of the earth there is used for harvest or food. Yet they are being slowly poisoned by their water, and probably lack of cleanliness of their rivers. All their septic runs to the rivers. But Guatemalans are very frugal culture and do not let anything go to waste. I will miss them very much and I will pray to God for their safety, love, and continued prosperity.
A note, Carlos’s mother died also within the first week that we left in October.
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