Guatemala

See you tonight

Making solar panels. Electricity is extremely expensive in Guatemala, and villagers can't afford it (or they steal it). This solar panel will be used for heating fish tanks for the aquaponics program. It produces 18 volts which will be used to charge a 12 volt battery. All together, this project cost $50.

The peppers are flowering!

The greenhouse

The greenhouse

Some of the wildlife

Traveling to Irtrat

Irtra is the Disneyland of Guatemala. We went there from Thursday until Saturday with the family that I invited to church. On Thursday, we drove for a loooong time to get there. I sat in the back of the pickup. Pictures soon. The other family was late because the father had work until the afternoon. Later that night, after relaxing by the pool, I hung out with his daughters and son and played mini-golf. On Friday we went to the two parks. In the morning, we stayed at the water park. It was very fun! Many rides and almost no lines! And, I didn't even get sunburnt! After lunch, we went over to the rollercoasters. The set-up there is like a mini-Europe. It was very fun and very beautiful and well-kept. The rides were not as thrilling as Disneyland or great America, but still fun. I got some major whiplash from bumper cars. That night, the girls and I roamed around the hotels. Oh, the hotels are themed. Africa, Guatemala, Spanish-colonial, and Mediterranean. Very cool. Saturday we played some more mini golf and hung out until we left. I rode with the other family, of whom now I am great friends with. We had an exciting car ride, singing and being squished together like penguins! Unfortunately, Naomi threw up in Paul's car. She is still sick, but improving. So that's irtra!

Very different. Ministerios Ebenezer. Well I was invited to go with the family that came to our church, so I went. The first hour was like a rock concert. Worship band, people going nuts, yelling, screaming, crazy. I kind of just stood there and clapped to the beat. They would bring up the microphone to people who were crying so that they could pray. After that was an extremely long prayer in which so many people were whispering and shouting it sounded like a thunderstorm. All the woman wore scarfs on their heads whilst praying. They asked if anyone was there for the first time, and for them to please stand up, and so I did. About half the church (of thousands) came to shake my hand. The preacher preached a shot-gun sermon (went from genesis to revelation to psalms to proverbs to Galatians back to revelations back to psalms to Romans to 2 Corinthians.. Etc) about the tree of life. And then, it was over! 2 hour long church service. Now, don't think I am bashing on the Pentecostal church. I am not. I am telling how I saw it. It was mainly just very different. But, we have in common the same Jesus. We worship him in different ways. Who am I to judge them on how they worship my Jesus? We, as Christians, should be united in Christ, and honestly, I think it's good to go out and experience different types of churches. Have a home church, yes, but every so often go and see other Christians. Don't live in a bubble. And, if they find Jesus in a crazy dancing jumping and singing show, then he is there for them. Better to find him, than to not know. Personally, I find Jesus in the quiet and cool places in this world, with naught but a cup of coffee and a mind full of questions.

<p>One of Paul's neighbors has trouble with her English. In fact, she does not speak any at all. Therefore, she failed, and has to be in summer school. She came to me for help. So, our first session was 3 hours, and our next was 4. Insane amount of time to study English with a girl who doesn't speak any at all. But, after, every day, for 30 minutes, I studied with her. She now speaks enough to communicate with me and read (and understand) her homework. Her test is tomorrow. Pray she does well! And, lastly, I got a family of 6 to come to church this morning. They are Paul and Noe's friends, but have never come because they are so attached to their own. However, something about me being 18 and here in Guatemala intrigued them; something must be important. So, they came, and we had a great conversation about the children being like the kingdom of heaven. Afterwards, I went to their Pentecostal church. I will write about it after. So that's a basic update of what I've done since the kites!

Yesterday. Festival de Sumpango. Barilletas gigantes. For Dia de los Muertos

An update of the aquaponics system. Learning and applying new things everything every day. Hopefully we will get a 100% electricity-free system soon so that we will be able to install these in villages.

The rope pump is finally up and running! I'll post some videos as soon as I can.

My arachnid friend helps in the prevention of plant-eating bugs. You cannot see, but he is very colorful. Red, green, purple, yellow, and more.

It makes it hard on us missionaries.  They think we've come to run away from One Nation Under God.  Why should they listen to us, if we cannot even agree with each other?

See you all in less than a month! 

But, on that note, I am writing every single one of you back.  However, because it takes so long, I will send them (or hand them out in person) when I get home.  Also, if you still wish to write me, please address it to my house.  I will get them when I get home (as I will be home in less than a month) and I will write back; just as promised.