Story Time

So today I'm going to tell the story of one amazing woman: Carla. I work with Carla in the kitchen and our daily duties are cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, killing cucarachas, washing dishes, giving water to our thirsty kids, washing dishes, shooing away flies, oh and if I haven't mentioned it before; washing dishes. Carla is an amazing woman who has a smile that can blind cucarachas. I have absolutely enjoyed my time in the kitchen with her.

Carla has a heart and passion for kids. The kids all adore her and she just lights up when she sees them. However, she is stuck in the kitchen all day. She use to work with the kids but they needed a new cook and she rose to the challenge. But even though I catch her looking over to the playground from time to time, she has never had a bad mood in the kitchen. She is such a great example of one of those phrases that we love to use. "Grow where you are planted." She does such a wonderful job in the kitchen and that kitchen has definitely become a little ministry site. Everyday she allows me to have a little glimpse into her life and everyday her inner strength surprises me. Carla is the one that all the other teachers go to for advice and she gives it with such humility.

Carla has one child and she has to leave her at home all day. She is also on her feet all day and is with child!!!!! I look up to her so much.

When I was assigned to the kitchen, I was sad because I came to be with the kids at Casita Benjamin, but after being with Carla she has reminded me that I have come to serve. When I look at Carla, the only thing I see is Philippians 4:11-13 being lived out.

1 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

I am so grateful for Carla and how she has already influenced my life for the better.

TKM
-Jazz

If Neverland Existed

After having a little girl mad at me for a few days for taking her off the swing, I won back her love by slaying Estive the evil monster through my mighty tickling powers. Now we are best friends and Estive the monster comes out to be slain by my tickling powers a lot more often.

Oh if things stayed that simple forever. :)

La Vida Guatamanteca

One thing that I can't wrap my tiny brain around is the fact that I am LIVING in Guatemala!!! I'm actually experiencing daily life here! I'm no longer pouring into my textbooks, but into people's lives. And it doesn't stop there! These amazing people are also pouring into my life as well. I can honestly say that my life has been changed for the better since meeting everyone! I am just in love with this whole experience. :)

Things that have blessed me since being here:
-The Glicks with their huge hearts and Mike with his even bigger stories
-the students here at the seminary and their visions for the future
- being surrounded by Spanish ALL THE TIME! It can sometimes be exhausting, but it is good for the soul. :-)
- those crazy kids at Casita ans surprisingly doing dishes in the kitchen. Who would have thought?
- my AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING roommates! They seriously are so beautiful inside and out and I love eating with them, joking with them, having meaningful conversations, and just BEING with them.
- Finally, all the spiritual and personal growth that I have experienced. Oh growing up is fantastic!









Well that is all for now

Oye Guate!!

On the back of my old dorm room, I had this verse from Isaiah. The verse is Isaiah 6:8.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us? Then I said, Here am I! Send me.

Well, I basically said "send me Lord" and now I am in Guatemala and I will be here for 4 weeks.
There are a couple things that I can't believe 1. That it is not butter. ;) and 2. I am here in Guatemala. To say the least, the people that I have met are amazing. I love the people and kids that I have met so far and it is only day 1. Crazy. Pero, a mí, no me gusta la capital. There is not very much to the city except for the evidence of how a 36yr civil war can really mess up a country. It's hard to see the poverty and decay around here and know that most people will die in it. It is also aggrivating to see honest and good people having to scavage through a dump for leftovers trash while drug lords live like kings. The injusticia makes me want to cry.

I can honestly understand how Ché after seeing poverty and injusticia throughout South America became feuled with the desire to start a revolution. Am I a communist? By all means no, but I have a deeper understanding now of the roots behind the mission. (If that makes sense) Ahora, I am writing on my Kindle Fire in a comfy chair using WIFI. I am so blessed it makes me sick. Sometimes I can hardly think about this without crying. I think about my family in Mexico y en la Republica Dominicana y ahora en Guatemala and I wish that there was a way that I could give them my life, my opportunities, etc.

But I know what they truly need in life is something that I can't give but, cn only show with the same veracity that they've shown me. And that is Christ. The same God that is working and moving in my life, is doing the same in their lives. I have to trust and know that He has me and my extended family in His loving care. But this was one big ramble and I was sorting out my feelings as I was typing this out so I apologize for that. Tomorrow, I will write on what we have been up to in ole Guatemala, Pero por ahora all I have are my little jumbled thoughts. Dtb, Jazz