Week 7: The Ties That Bind

LISA WRITES:

I feel like I am in a time warp (John says I'm just warped)! Last Saturday we began to hear Christmas music -- and there was no official Thanksgiving. How can it be? Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday and I certainly missed being with family and friends for a long weekend. And cooking -- I miss cooking! And, the weather is wonderfully warm, not really feeling like Autumns back in the States. And thus, the feeling of being in a time warp.

This week we had many things (personal, social, and business) going on that included calls and contacts with family and friends and others in different countries. It was still possible - and a true blessing to be able to communicate - in multiple time zones and two different languages!

But the lesson really hits home about BEING THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS. I am grateful for God and his care and being able to put things into His hands, giving up control. (I know some of you are chuckling because I am a control freak, but really living at the mercy of others gives one a whole new perspective on "control"). I am so thankful for John and his love and support as we live this journey. I am grateful for answered prayers and knowing my children are safe. I am grateful for new friends from around the world and for learning about new cultures and being reassured that different is not bad, it is just different.

And so, as we start the countdown to finishing up classes in Guatemala (3 weeks to go!) and Christmas shortly thereafter, know that I am thankful for all of you -- for your love, support and prayers.

Deuteronomy 12:7 There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.

JOHN WRITES:

Week 7 just concluded at our Spanish immersion school in Guatemala. It was a good week and I earned my highest score yet on my Friday exam. But upon reflection, our time here is not about grades.

Our focus in Antigua is on preparing ourselves to serve others when we get to Santa Rosa de Copan in Honduras. A necessary tool is certainly to understand and speak Spanish.

I am comprehending more and more Spanish every day; unfortunately, I still struggle with pulling the right words and conjugated tenses out of my crowded little mind and putting them into coherent sentences.

I am told it will come with time, patience and practice. I believe my teachers -- but I want fluency now! For the moment, however, I must be content with speaking Spanglish and relying on my limited collection of phrases such as "Pardon, por favor ... el bano?" ... "Como está usted amigo?" and "A mi me gusto mucho" (in reference to breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Seriously, I know more than those phrases I learned many years ago in high school, but speaking correctly has been, and still is, my biggest challenge; that is troublesome for a man who spent his entire career as a journalist, always careful to use proper words and grammar to get the clearest meanings.

There are still many lessons to learn over the final three weeks here, and then in our time to be spent in Honduras. But there was one specific and important lesson I witnessed last week.

The majority of the people working at our school are not related, but they are family. Most show genuine concern for one another. They are not fake or posers trying to impress others. They are thankful for what they have and don't covet one another's things or talents. What you see in most of them is what you get.

On Friday morning one of my favorite teachers (and I have had four excellent ones) started the day by stopping as she arrived at school to hug and kiss her colleagues. It reminded me of 2 Corinthians 13:11-12 -- "... Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet each other with a holy kiss."