Guatemala :: Day 3

My VERY rudimentary Spanish was tested first thing this morning as we began our four hour one-on-one Spanish tutoring. After a breakfast of the most delicious pancakes the world has ever known, Myra introduced us each to our tutor for the week. Andrea, my tutor, and many of the others speak little to no English so the dictionary got a lot of attention. She very patiently refreshed my memory of verb conjugation and los colores. Two faux pas: 1. She asked me some basic questions about myself--my age, my family, my hometown, etc.--then asked if I had any questions. I confidently replied, "No tengo preguntas," before I realized that she wasn't asking if I needed help with any of her questions, but rather if I had any questions ABOUT her. And I had shut her down so quick. Poor Andrea. And 2. About an hour in, I realized after she had corrected my double "l" sound at least 100 times that I had been taught the European inflections and pronunciations. I tried to explain this and could not for the life of me remember the word for "learn" so I ended up telling her that i TAUGHT Spanish in Spain. *eyeroll emoji* 

After four grueling hours of repeating "yo tú él ella nosotros ustedes" to an unreasonably patient Andrea, our lesson was finished and we loaded up the vans for lunch. Myra is the founder of an organization called Kairos, and the travel agency we used is an arm of that ministry. Its main outreach, however, is a private Christian school for kids whose families can't afford any school scenario. Some of the school staff prepared lunch for us while Myra told us about the projects we would be participating in for the afternoon. The up pcharge from the travel agency arm of Kairos goes to provide a week's worth of food to 4 families as well as a new brick stove to one family in the community. Half of our team got to go choose the groceries with Myra and deliver them to families while the other half went to "build" the stove. 

I, in my business casual ballet flats, was part of the stove building group. I wasn't prepared for the poverty that we saw in the home we visited and the surrounding neighborhood. It was reminiscent of the slums we visited in Uganda--shacks assembled from whatever material has been discarded on the curb. It was explained to us that the stove is a valuable gift because the alternative is essentially a smoke pit that fills the house with smoke every time the family cooks. Guatemalans have a life expectancy of only 50 years, largely because of the horrible lung diseases they develop from this precise problem. The new stove utilizes a pipe that feeds through the ceiling to avoid the smoke issue and protect the family. 

Kelly and Liz got their hands dirty and helped the mason actually add the final piece of the stove. 

Byron was the son of the couple receiving the stove and Jake entertained him with a new toy outside to stay out of the way of the stove construction in the very small living quarters. 

The couple was unbelievably hospitable and welcoming, so kind to answer all of our questions about her day to day life. They made sure we all had somewhere to sit, they told us about their chickens, they talked to us (through Gia and our interpreter) about how this stove will improve their living condition slightly. Much like in Uganda, I was astounded by how much joy and compassion can be exhibited by people who have so little by our very privileged standards. The moment that stood out to me the most was the woman sharing a tortilla with Jake, and not only offering that but salt and water and beans. Y'all, sometimes I get pissed when my roommates use a quarter cup of milk. This woman has no certainty of where her next meal will come from, but she would have given us every last drop of food in her home. Perspective, my friends. It doesn't matter how many places I've seen heart wrenching tragedy, I still need more. 

After we returned back to Kairos we were taken back to the hotel for a short rest before dinner. We had a delicious dinner at the hotel with Myra, her daughter, and her assistant, Jackie. After dinner they answered all of our questions about everything from Guatemalan customs to how Kairos operates. I wish I could communicate everything Myra said to you--this woman is changing the world. She has unbelievable vision and drive. She works tirelessly to provide 85 children, ages 7-16, with an education that will prepare them to escape the poverty cycle and become Christian leaders. She truly does it all. She built this program from the ground up with the help of her husband and parents, and hopes to one day hand it off to her daughter and alumnae of the school. We got to contribute ideas for how to grow the travel agency aspect, how to find donors who can commit to sponsoring each student, how to bring in more revenue to accomplish the things she wants to achieve without having to require more from the families who currently pay only what they can for their child to attend school. She is truly inspiring and I am looking forward to learning more from her this week, as well as witnessing the growth of a partnership with her long into the future.  

Tomorrow we will begin with Spanish lessons again, so pray for Andrea.