Last week was a week filled with many adventures! Friday night, I went to visit the albergue, the shelter where Juana sleeps at night. I had a conversation with one of the workers, Rodolfo, about the Bible, because he had it sitting out like he was reading something. He told me that he has so much difficulty understanding the Bible and really wants some help. I asked him if he went to a Bible study. He said that he didn't, but knew that that would probably help him. I told him that we could have a Bible study in the albergue! So, Friday night we did! It was pretty neat as we talked about many things and looked up many passages. His knowledge and faith is stronger than I think he realizes. I thank God so much for this opportunity to share His word!
I have to share this story with you all as well. This is actually a very sad, tear-jerking story, but an amazing testimony of true forgiveness. Eliseo is another worker in the albergue. He is 31 with a wife and 3 kids. Friday night he walked me back to my house as it was quite late. He told me more about his past and his family. He grew up having a very abusive alcoholic father. His father used to just beat his mom in horrific ways. His mom told him that he had six other brothers who were born before Eliseo, but they all died because his dad would hit his mom in the breasts and therefore she wouldn't have any milk to feed the children. They were extremely poor and didn't have the money to buy powdered milk, so the children were not able to survive. Eliseo told me that he remembers numerous times when he used to hit his dad because his dad was hitting his mom. Honestly, it is a miracle that Eliseo is even alive today. Well, 3 years ago this December, Eliseo's mom was killed by his dad, with a machete. Before she died, Eliseo began drinking as well. His girlfriend (now his wife) and his mom used to cry out to God in prayers and tears for Eliseo to change his life, so he wouldn't be a repeat of his father. Well, after his mother was killed, Eliseo gave up the alcohol and the prayers of his mom and wife were answered. Shortly thereafter, his father became really sick, and the doctor gave him numerous medicines to take. Eliseo helped his dad buy the medicines and took care of him in his house. However, it just got to be too expensive, so now his father is not taking anything. Eliseo told me that he believes God is the ultimate doctor and that if God wants his father to get better he will. While all this was going on, Eliseo took his father under his care and his dad is currently living with him. To this day, Eliseo doesn't drink and believes that he needs to set a good example for his children, so they don't have to go through what he had to. He said that his situation is extremely difficult, but he has no other choice, but to take care of his father. His father is still his father. Talk about true love and forgiveness.
This past Saturday, was so adventurous that I am not even sure I can describe it! Many of you know that I was wanting to visit Juana in her village. Well this past weekend just didn't quite work out for her. She needed to work to get the last bit of money that the woman had promised her. So, I wanted to go to a village or another area away from Antigua, to see what some of these other areas are like. I was hoping that I could talk someone into going with me, as I didn't want to go alone. However, I could not talk anyone into the idea. I talked to my teacher about an area called Panajachel. It's about 3 hours away. There is a beautiful lake there, that is made out of a volcanic crater and there are 3 volcanoes, surrounding it. It is a pretty amazing sight. Around the area, are little villages. Every day there is a direct bus that leaves at 7am. However, there is not a bus that brings you back until the next day. I decided to take that bus and grab the chicken buses on the way back as I did not want to spend the night alone.
Once the bus arrived, I was absolutely starving as I only had a banana before I left. So, I went to look for a bakery. I found one, but was wanting more than just bread. So, I found a restaurant and had breakfast there. After that, I walked down the street. There were a bunch of vendors. This happens to be a place tourists like, so you have people trying to sell you everything. The whole time I was there I felt so uncomfortable. The touristry stuff is too much for me! Then, I walk closer to the lake and a guy asks me if I want to go to Santiago. That is a pueblo on the other side of the lake. I thought about it for awhile and told him that I wanted to do it, so I bought a ticket. The boat ride took about 25 minutes. Once we arrived, all the vendors bombard you with everything. I wanted to get out of the tourist spots and into the actual village. It was absolutely amazing, because once I walked out of the touristy area and got in to the actual village, I felt so comfortable. It was awesome because there was no one else around me, but the people who lived there and were carrying out their everyday duties. When I saw some of the homes, my heart broke, as some of the homes, didn't even have metal or cardboard walls, but the people used large rocks to construct their walls. Everyday I am constantly amazed at the level of poverty there is here. I wanted to take pictures for you all to see, but I just didn't feel right as this is a normal way of life here. The people get a little offended and I didn't want to do that. So, I am sorry!
Before the boat was going to go back, a little boy about 10 or 11 years old came to me and asked me if I wanted to buy some jewelry from him. I told him no and that I was sorry, but I did not want to right now. I asked him some questions. He then went to ask me if I had parents and I told him yes. He then told me that he did not. He said that his parents had died and he was living with his aunt. I felt like he wasn't telling me the truth, so I asked him if he was serious or if that was a story he was trying to tell me. I believed that his parents were alive. He told me that yes, his parents were alive. I asked him why he said that to me and he said that his aunt told him to tell people that his parents are dead, so that he can earn more money. His parents actually live further away, but now that he doesn't have school, he is staying with his aunt and uncle in this village, trying to earn money. He then went on to ask me how much I had paid for my boat fare to get here. I told him and he told me that I should have paid a lower price. I then told him how I don't like when people tell me a lie or when people treat me differently and that God doesn't like that either. He told me that to lie is a sin and started to explain further. I told him that he needed to be very careful, because when he tells people that his parents are dead, he is telling a lie as well. He thought about that for a minute and said yes, that is true. We talked for some more and then another gentleman showed up. After that, I needed to get on the boat to go back, but it was pretty neat to see how God intervened in that situation. I pray for that little boy as there are so many like him in his shoes, who are being exploited, so that the family can earn some money.
The final story I will share with you really broke my heart. This past Monday, I went to go visit Juana in the park. While I was there I saw a young girl carrying a child on her back. I asked Juana if she knew anything about that girl, if that was her child or a brother. Honestly, it is hard to tell here because the girls start having babies at 15 or younger. She said that he was her brother. Later on, Juana wanted to go in a different direction, so I walked with her, but only so far.
On my way, I saw the little girl again. I sat down beside her and started asking her questions. She told me her name was Myra and her brother's name was Oliver. She said that her mom was selling vegetables in the market, Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and now that she doesn't have school, she is responsible for her brother on those days. She comes from a family of 8 and is the oldest girl. She is 11 years old and her brother is 9 months. While we were talking, she mentioned the cathedral across the street and that the doors were closed. It was unusual because usually they were open. Later on, they were opened and she mentioned that again. So, I asked her if she wanted to go inside. She said that she did. So, we walked over there and went inside. Immediately we met a person who wanted to guide us around and tell us about the history because behind the church are some ruins. Well, after we get done touring, Myra tells me that she was hungry. I asked her if she ate something today. She said that she had lunch, but not very much. She told me that her mom gave her some quetzales, but in reality it was barely enough to buy anything. I honestly don't know what she could have eaten for the amount of money that she had. I asked her if she would like to get something and she said yes and mentioned the dining room-like places in the market. The food is cheap, but probably isn't safe for foreigners to eat. We start walking toward that area, and pass by McDonald's. Yes, Antigua has a McDonald's! She showed interest in wanting to go inside, so we did. I got her food and then there was the play area. She asked if she could play there. I told her that I would watch her brother as she played. She took her brother off of her back and gave him to me. She played for awhile and then asked me if I had a camera. It was awesome because that day I actually had it with me.
So, she wanted to take pictures of me and wanted me to take them of her! After that, we returned back to the park. She asked me if we could go back another day to play because she wanted to bring her friend, Sonia. I told her that yes, we could do that. I am not sure when, but I will keep you all posted! Praise be to God for this wonderful time of fun and fellowship!
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