Guatemala ...Your stories, Your experiences
Many people who come to Guatemala in order to help the
people leave having been impacted by God and the Guatemalan people in some
profound ways. We are always excited to see how God both blesses the people
of Guatemala and those who come to help. Rather than attempting to describe
their experiences, we thought you might enjoy reading a few of their stories
and impressions first hand.
KAREN PIRINELLI, DALLAS, TX
My husband and I have traveled to Guatemala twice
this year. We knew that the trips would be wonderful experiences for the two of
us, but we didn't really anticipate the impact the trips would have on our ten
year old daughter. We live in a neighborhood where most people lack for
little. As a result, she has not ever really been exposed to people who are
truly in need. The sights she saw, and the people she had a chance to interact
with, have changed the way she views her world. Like us, she saw firsthand how
few material things people need to be content, and that things are not what make
a house a home. With God, there can be hope and happiness even in very humble
surroundings. God is at work in so many ways in Guatemala and it was a joy to
be a part of it even in some small way.
JEFF PIRINELLI, DALLAS, TX
When we
initially decided to go to Guatemala I knew nothing about the country, just that
our friends, the Capeharts, were there. They had described a beautiful place
full of mountains, rainforests, friendly people, and ancient ruins. Who wouldn’t
want to go? So we asked Leslie what we needed to bring, and her reply made me
stop and think twice. “Don’t bring anything you wouldn’t gladly give up at
gunpoint,” she wrote. Central America was going to be a different kind of
vacation…
We went for a week and saw what Matt and Leslie had described. The first morning
we arose early to see the sun coming up against the towering volcano Fuego in
Antigua, while sipping Café con Leche at a rooftop table. But the glass
high-rises and BMW’s of the City and the Spanish Colonial villas of Antigua
turned to cinder block structures and chicken buses just outside of town.
Further out were bicycles and adobe houses, or bare feet and cornstalk huts. My
first day there I was shocked at the level of poverty I saw all around me.
The second day, though, I noticed that many of those people were smiling and
waving as we drove by. They called out to Matt by name, and welcomed us into
their homes. They were rich in spirit, and glad to share with us. In the market
in Chichi we walked comfortably through the crowds. We saw the traditional
clothing, hand woven in colors and patterns specific to each village. We watched
Mayan rituals still being performed in honor of their gods, and saw the
intermingling of Mayan and Spanish Catholic religions at a cathedral. It affirms
the depth of their cultural heritage and the importance of their history to
these people. We saw CD vendors in the markets, new school buildings, and new
churches being built. We felt the changes slowly making their way into the
culture. I chuckled while watching young women in traditional garb taking each
other’s pictures with digital cameras in front of two thousand year old Mayan
ruins. Guatemala is a fascinating mix of old and new. And we watched Matt and
Leslie chat with people they’d helped and healed. Broken people from broken
homes or broken families who had been led to Christ and were walking in the
light. New homes, new skills, new jobs, even new lives because of the work of
Christian missionaries. Their new strength, peace, and confidence will help them
lead others to the Lord.
Through it all was the natural beauty of Guatemala. Awesome mountains, volcanoes
rising out of a flat plain, Lake Atitlan shining in the evening light, and many
other amazing wonders. That first trip was a life changing experience I’ll not
forget. We’ve already gone back, and the second trip was even better than the
first. And I can’t wait to go again and again…
|
Clara and Victor
Clara and her daughter work
for Matt and Leslie as house help and caring for their kids. Victor is
Clara’s husband and was one of the town drunks. His drinking had lead
to the deterioration of his liver and progressed to the point that the
hospital sent him home to die. The bleeding out of his liver was
beginning to happen and he was sent home to die. Clara went to Matt and
Leslie and asked that they come to pray. Matt and Leslie at first
resisted, saying “you need a Pentecostal. We are not that kind of
missionaries.” They went, prayed…and God healed Victor.
Clara and Victor have decided
to donate part of their property for a wheel-chair bound woman
(Anastasia) and her daughter (product of a rape) to have a home.
Currently they are without a home and Anastasia makes her money begging
in the market. For a family to donate land to another person, let alone
a woman in a wheelchair, in order to build a house, is simply not done
in this culture. On Sunday, we were able to celebrate the work, sing and
pray with Victor, Clara, and their four kids. Again, it was an amazing
and moving time for all of us. Later we were able to meet Anastasia and
give her a big hug. She is yet to see the house. I wish I could be
there the day she moves in. Be prepared if you ever meet her…she will
hug you and hardly let go!
READ MORE STORIES
|
Aaron Elliot, Indianapolis, IN
Sebatiana and Manuela
were mother and daughter. They own some land,
but do not have adequate living space. In fact, they live in garbage.
Sebastiana has a mental disorder where she hoards trash. Literally, she picks
up anything and everything and collects it. The town thinks of her as a witch.
Matt, whose deep love for Sebastiana was evident, sent a team up to clear trash
and build a house for Sebastiana and her daughter.
On Sunday, the team was just finishing just
finishing up the work. The first two days were spent doing nothing other than
clearing trash. Matt had to stick close by those two days because Sebastiana
was very upset that they were moving her stuff, and kept threatening the team
with her machete. After two hundred trash bags were filled and moved, the team
was able to get to work on building walls, laying a concrete foundation,
installing the roof. By weeks end, all that remained was to put on a door and
finish out a window.
Besides the amazing transformation that took place
on the side of this mountain where they live, the transformation that took place
in Sebastiana was probably more amazing. She was shaking hands and very
grateful for all the work that was done. The team was able to sing a few songs
with both Sebastiana and Manuela and to pray with them. Manuela just wanted
prayer that her mother would continue to get better. Manuela had been to the
market and bought a present for every single person on the team. I don’t think
there was a dry eye in the place as we sang and prayed and thanked God for what
He had done this week, and asked him to continue to heal Sebastiana to her right
mind.
| Many thanks to Jeff, Karen &
Aaron for contributing. If you would like to share your experience with
missions in Guatemala, let me know. |
 Clara |
