This update brought tears to my eyes... maybe it's just that it's been one of those days (will the snow never end???) but also just from a sincere heart for these kids ... The thought of Rian and his friends... the ones that usually just hang out in front of the X-box... actually communicating with each other is kind of overwhelming in itself!!! And then Rian enjoying Math???? That would be nothing short of miraculous! :o) Although I say these things with a hint of sarcasm, there is also some serious truth in those statements!
From Liz:
I can't believe it's Thursday already! Where has the time gone! I don't have much time, so sorry if this sounds hurried...
Two nights ago, Scott and I had a neat thing happen.... We were on our way back to the hotel to change before supper when we ran into a friend of ours (someone I was close with when I was living here, and someone who has now become good friends with Scott - his name is Bartolo, and he used to be the gym teacher at Colegio Bethel). We didn't think that we would get to see him this year because he's working elsewhere, so it was quite the pleasant surprise! We talked in the street for a few moments, and, knowing that we were now late for supper, asked him to join us. What a treat for both him, and for us! He agreed, of course, and we chatted all through supper, catching up on what's happened in the last year for all of us. It was quite special, and definitely not long enough, but such a treat to catch up with him. He's a dear friend.....
After supper, we all headed to the school where we got a little chat from the pastor, Emilio, about Mayan culture, and then got a lesson in the Mayan number system from Campa, the director of the "junior high." (Their school system is a bit different from ours, hence the quotes.) Boy did we have the time of our lives learning how to count the Mayan way! I've never seen youth so excited to do math! It's impossible to explain over the internet, so you'll just have to ask your kids to show you how it's done....
Yesterday was another early morning for us. Boys headed off to the volcano to cut firewood, girls went to make tortillas, most went to build stoves, Scott went to work on a special project that Pam needed a "handyman" for, and I, once again, found myself working in the kitchen. (For those who don't know, when I was living here, I spent most of my time in the school's kitchen, as my job was to plan and get up and running a food program for the elementary kids at the school.) It was neat to see how far the food program has come since Dora and I got it up and running 5 years ago.
In the later afternoon, we had games of basketball and soccer - the Alaskans against the teachers of the school. I think this was the first year that we've won a game of basketball in YEARS! BUT.... we got "schooled" when it came to soccer! All had a great time playing, laughing, teasing, and chatting. Afterwards we all - teachers and Alaskans - ate burgers and hotdogs at the school. The youth kept saying how much fun they had afterwards. I think it was a highlight for some. There's something special that happens here when we're intentional about being relational with the people. Sometimes, though, all that looks like is trying to say in one's best Spanish, "Do you want some mustard?" It's not complicated... In fact, we had the best time watching Scott try to teach David, one of the teachers, to say, "Who's your daddy?" in English. If only you could have heard the laughter......
That night we did a devotion on the roof of the hotel, and afterwards Scott told the kids that we were halfway through the trip and that he wanted to know what had touched them so far... The youth chimed in with all sorts of things, but among them were how grateful and joyous the people are here in spite of the lack of "things"; how we don't even know these people, yet they always greet us with kisses and hugs; how they treat us as if they love us, which is hard to comprehend since they don't even know us; how it was impressive that the youth were willing to give up their spring break (normally a time to hang out with friends and do whatever one wants) to come and WORK; and how great it was to be really relational with others - others in the group as well as those we're here serving. It was great to hear the youth share - even those who've been here before, and were still seeing God in new ways.
And with that, we sent them to bed. It's quite obvious that everyone is tired. A couple of the youth even asked to go back and take a nap at one point yesterday. We wanted to say yes because WE wanted a nap too, but knew we couldn't - there was still work to be done! So... parents, give 'em a little bit of a break if all they want to do when they get home is sleep!
Okay.... I'm off again! I don't know if you guys are praying for our health or not, but it's working if you are! : ) All our guts have been a little fussy, but no one has been SICK so far. The trip isn't over, but this is the healthiest trip we've had in a while... PLEASE keep praying for us! What a blessing - for those who are on the receiving end of our work - to have ALL of us healthy and able to serve.
Okay! Adios.....
-Liz Luber
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