Tomando un descanso de Estudiar

I am now at the halfway point of my language school in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala... and tonight, my "home" is quiet because the kids all shipped out to their aunt & uncle's for a sleepover and I am basically here alone...except for the oldest daughter who has a friend over... thinking I should study but my brain just isn't thinking clearly, so I am doing everything BUT study.

The other day, I was playing with the camera and its ability to macro-zoom... I had fun, but a story line came to mind as I was shooting, so enjoy this little diversion with me!

Time for a break!
In school, which begins at 8:00 AM (en punto, en español) we have a break (pausa) at 10:30 for 1/2 hour... after 2-1/2 hours of grammar, believe me this is a welcome break!!! We usually congregate in the outdoor patio to chat and soak up some of the wonderful sun and climate of Xela... the teachers engage in conversation with the students (extranjeros). Then, we head back for another 2 hours of instruction. Since my goal is to become functionally fluent, I must be diligent everyday about my studies and homework.

Most of the students in our school are world travelers... for most, Guatemala is just one stop along the way for them and the typical stay is about 1 week. Most are students on leave or are in between studies and have between 3-8 months to travel. So, for me and my 8 week stint in Xela, and the fact that I am older than most of these kids' parents, I am sort of set apart while the "party crowd" learns slang and avoid homework like the Plague!

Thinking of Home...
At times like today when the house is empty... or when my brain is so fried and I cannot form a sentence or ask a question, I long to be home where everyone speaks my language...to see Lee Ann and my family and friends...and finally to not have to study Spanish grammar and memorize conjugations! I cannot wait until late June when Lee Ann and I will be back together...Skype is great, but it just doesn't compare with face-to-face!


And my family here in Xela is awesome - they have hosted students for ovr 20 years and I honestly feel like I am part of the family - especially today - all were gathered for a family lunch and it was just so cool to experience their family dynamics.

I must persevere - I have learned a lot in four weeks - and in the next four, I imagine that I will continue to do the same. Prayers, please for the week after next - I venture into the unknown territory of THE SUBJUNCTIVE. Our younger daughter Lauren said to prepare for my world to turned upside down...yikes, I thought up to this point, I had approached meltdown status a few times!

God has plans for me and I realize they are not always easy to follow or understand. I was blessed this week by a devotion on Jeremiah 29: 11...it just brought back to mind that God, who is ever-present (even in my classroom when I am ready for a meltdown!), has big time plans for me... and I am comforted by that!

Porque yo sé muy bien los planes que tengo para ustedes —afirma el Señor—, planes de bienestar y no de calamidad, a fin de darles un futuro y una esperanza. Jeremías 29:11

For those of you that do not have any translation software...

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

So, for now, I will escape into my studies... maybe soon, I will have the ability (and the guts!!) to go out and talk with folks I do not know in the park... in the market... on the street. This has got to be one of the hardest things I have done in my life...I pray that God continues to give me the strength and the patience to keep at it.


¡Doy a Dios la gloria y la alabanza!
Go ahead... figure it out...es facil!

Rick's Home Away From Home

I have been in Quetzaltenango Guatemala for language school since Saturday April 18th...after flying from Albany - Newark - Guatemala City, I took a bus from there to Xela - about 4 hours, non-stop, then a short taxi ride to my host family's home. I was warmly greeted by my sister in Christ Ruth Gramajo (Ruth is Lesly Najjar's Mom, so we immediately had something in common which began my adventure in Xela on a positive note!)

For five hours per day, 5 days per week, I will immerse myself in language studies at El Portal Language School until June 12th. In addition to that, I have been participating in 2x per week conversation sessions that last about 2 hours each - this is areal challenge as I am not a long conversationalist to begin with! So far, my experience although difficult to initially adjust to has been wonderful. Slowly but surely I am learning the language...so you can teach an old dog new tricks!!! ;)

Please pray for my ability to continue to learn and apply what I have learned. My effectiveness as a team leader is dependent on my ability to effectively communicate with the ministries we serve in Central America.