While in Guatemala, Nancy had a trip to the hospital in Zacapa. Following is her story about what happened during that time:
"How many bug bites does it take to get your attention? In my case., about 100! There have been times I've wondered why the Lord doesn't just heal me from my disease of 31 years, Multiple Sclerosis? But, He keeps using it to bring me together with someone who needs His encouragement in times of crisis. Little did I know that when I came to Guatemala this year that I was part of a plan even bigger then the convocation where I was teaching.
After the first night of our stay in Zacapa, I awoke with two legs full of bug bites. Pulling back the sheets, I discovered many fleas, dead from being so engorged with my blood. My friends said the blood must of been too "sweet", like me...hah. Well, what followed could hardly be described as sweet by any measure.
After the third day of teaching the afternoon workshop, I could barely walk and my bites had festered into very painful, red, raised welts with a redness under the skin of both legs, warm to the touch. It became apparent that my attempts at treating the bites over the past few days had failed and infection had set in. Little did I know how timely it all was.
Driving to the hospital late Thursday night was probably more dangerous then the infection with all the crazy drivers on the road, but we made it safe to a very "modern" hospital in the middle of nowhere...opened just 3 months ago and built with "private funds"...if you know what I mean. The parking lot was dark and empty and the hospital lights darkened as well...the ER had one lonely nurse manning the posts, they had to call the doctor at home, and it just looked plain deserted. Turns out there were only 2 patients in the whole hospital at the time and I was one of them! Creepy...
Placed in my own beautiful room, they installed the TV right then at 11:30 pm, sort of a "finish" the room as needed situation. There were two nurses on the floor and they got me hooked up on my IV's right away. That night I didn't sleep a wink...legs elevated, on my back, with two IV's in my hand and having to stay still to ensure the medicine dripped in properly. My friend Ingrid stayed with me.. She didn't sleep much either. Yet, God was so good to give me just the right place to go...a clean hospital, my own room, and a great doctor who really knew his stuff.
In the morning they gave me another type of antibiotic straight into my arm. I cried....the pain was so intense that I thought I was going to hit the ceiling...all my "child birthing ‘hehe’ breathing" barely got me through...so I went to my praise music and found comfort in that special place with Jesus that can be found while in the middle of pain.
I spoke to many nurses about the Lord and spent the day with a special friend, Adriana (from Columbia) sharing life and spending time laughing and encouraging one another. In the evening I mentioned to my doctor that I felt there was a reason beyond the bites as to why I was in the hospital. He told me that a woman had just been brought into intensive care and was in the room right next to me in grave condition and her family was right outside my door. He said, "I think you have your reason".
Taking the Spanish Bible I'd just “happened” to bring in my hand, wheeling my IV's on the apparatus tubes dangling into my hand and my friend with a wheelchair behind me, I opened the door and the Lord began working big time...I was just an available vessel...bug bites and all.
Eliana and her family and about 18 friends were in such pain and grief and they allowed me in to bring comfort from the Word. What a poignant moment..to bring God's Word to a family who needed His truth and love to hang on to in their moment of distress. We read Psalm 91 and then I began to quote scripture, words of comfort and peace...all in a Spanish that I knew wasn't my own. The words just flowed out like a balm for a wounded heart...I could see Eliana's heart comforted...not from my words but from the Lord's. I realized the truth of Jeremiah 1:9 where God told Jeremiah that He would put His words into his mouth and not to worry but that God would speak through Him...and this was my experience...I prayed with the group in words that were definitely Spirit filled and powerful and the Lord was praised by all present…it was amazing...when God says in the Bible not to worry, that the Holy Spirit will give remembrance it's a promise that is true. I just experienced it...the gift of language just at the right time for the purpose of making Christ known.
We prayed for Nena and the next day I awoke to find out that she had stabilized in the evening and the prognosis was looking better. The family was so encouraged that they hugged and kissed me and gave God great thanks...in their time of great need, the Lord sent a messenger to bring comfort and His Word from the most unexpected place... A woman from California, bitten by bugs, infected and in pain who loves Jesus more then anything.
So, why hasn't God healed me from this disease that is slowly progressing downward??? Well He still needs me to walk in surrender to His power. His power is perfected in my weakness...the “disease” still has a purpose...I was the one who needed to get bit...my immune system is suppressed because of the medication I take for my MS...thus making it easier for me to suffer infections quickly and end up in the hospital just in time to be there for a family who needed the Lord to cling to in their time of need...and the Lord did just that! Praise His name. I'd go through the pain all over again for the joy of experiencing the closeness of His presence, the privilege of seeing Him work and the reality of His bringing comfort to us all...
"And in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus". 1 Thess 5:18
"We are more then conquerors through Christ who loves us…” Romans 8:37
To God be the Glory great things He has done....thank you to all who prayed…"
~Nancy
CBC 2011 Team
CBC 2011 Team: Cherri, Nick, Lana, Diana, Karie, Christy, Sherry, Rebecca, Steve
Friday, March 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
TEAM STORIES FROM ZACAPA, GUATEMALA ISP TRIP # 936, FEB. 25-MARCH 7, 2010
From Amy Smith, Elementary Track
“When I asked my group what they expected from this conference, many stated ‘how to incorporate morals and values’ in their classroom. One teacher (in her 2nd year of teaching) said she was expecting to learn about what morals and values are, and once she understood this, she would try to put them in her classroom. Through attending the conference, she now sees that God is the basis of all morals and values; if you want your students to live properly then you will teach them about God, not about rules or by giving definitions. This teacher is very excited about how the curriculum, along with her new realizations, will change her classroom. Through this conference the teachers are becoming aware that they need God and values in their own lives before they can expect it from their students.”
From Janell Morris, Elementary Track
“Andre, my interpreter, came to the conference as an attendee, but agreed to serve as an interpreter when asked. I learned that Andre is from Brazil and has studied history and theology. He wanted to teach students about God and the Bible, but all schools in Brazil became public schools that did not teach these things. Andre asked his pastor where he could go to teach about God. His pastor suggested Guatemala, so he left home and friends and came here. He is now chaplain and teacher of Christian Morals at a school of 400 teenagers. This school even has a dormitory to house over 60 students who live too far away to permit daily travel from home to school. Andre impressed me as a young man with a heart for God, who also is a natural leader.”
From Audre Hunn, Elementary Track
“My interpreter met me before the conference began on Day 2, and we discussed the previous day. She said ‘they’ (meaning the teachers in our group) ‘really liked it.’ Then she said, ‘They have heard that you might be giving us Bibles and they want me to ask you if it is true!’ I said, ‘Yes, it is true….but not today.’ Her eyes lit up and with so much excitement she said ‘Oh, they will be so happy---but I will keep it a secret for now!’
From Alex White, Elementary Track
“Milton is a second year teacher at a one room school house of 7 children, ages ranging from 7 to 14 years of age. He shared with me all of the responsibilities and obstacles he faces in his village: the lack of teaching materials or the encouragement of the students’ families. He said he begins his day very early in the morning despite his role as a husband and father of a 6 month old baby girl. He believes that educating the children of his small village is very important for the improvment of the next generation. Everyone should be given that opportunity to learn how to read and write. He begins his role as teacher by going to each child’s home, helping to get them dressed if needed. Then they all walk to their schoolhouse. He begins the lesson or lessons, since his students’ ages range. He cooks lunch for them at lunchtime and as the day ends he walks each student home, making sure that if they are in need of extra help with their assignments, he makes home visits after school. Milton shared that he has yet to grant a promise he promised his students one year ago: building a lunch room with an indoor working stove and a roof as shelter.
“Milton was very appreciative and his smiles said it all as he received a new, wrapped Bible as one of the teaching materials. He said he was going to present the Bible to his students as a new teaching book. He will allow his students to unwrap it and take ownership of this new book that they will now be learning from.
“The most significant thing I’m taking away with me is the great memories of the teachers that have the desire to share the tools they’ve learned and applying them to their classroom and the transformation that has been taking place in their hearts to be the key role model of the students. Only they, the teachers, can make the difference in changing the lives of the students and the families.”
From Peggy Smith, Elementary Track
“I was talking with a teacher during the break and asked her what she enjoyed most about the conference so far. She stated that she really enjoyed Ray Albrektson’s sessions because she knows she believes in the Bible, but if someone asked why she believed it was true she couldn’t explain in an intelligent way why it was true. She feels she now has the tools to do that and welcomes that challenge now.
“One of the teachers in my group came to the conference expecting to just get educational information. She said she got her soul fed instead, and didn’t even know how hungry she was! She was telling us how much better she felt after coming and was so grateful.
“I am awed that 50 or so people who don’t know each other can gather together to present the Gospel and everyone can get along, love each other, and love the people we came to help. Only through God’s power is it possible!”
From Dave Wiley, Admin Track
“It was hard to get my group to come together. Their interaction rarely went very deep, yet by the end of the conference they were expressing genuine enthusiasm about using the curriculum and encouraging other teachers to use it as well.
“The most significant things for me were: seeing God quickly bring a group of mostly strangers together into an effective team; and seeing God bring about a MAJOR impact in the lives of so many in such a short period of time!”
From Marisa Waye, Elementary Track
”I had a difficult week with my group and really struggled to find something positive about the experience. My group was not cooperative but I was able to have one conversation with Mario (one of my bigger troublemakers) about forgiveness. He believed people cannot forgive each other, only God can forgive someone. I asked him why he thought this and, he said, ‘When people say they are sorry they don’t mean it and God can only forgive because He means it.’ I said. ‘I believe that people use the word sorry too often and don’t mean it, much like the word love.’ But I also said, ‘I do know that I wouldn’t be able to forgive if Jesus hadn’t first forgiven me.’ (I shared my life map earlier in the lesson.) Later, Mario shared his life map. A few years ago while he was married and had two children, he had an affair and as a result the other woman became pregnant. I asked him if his wife forgave him. He said she must have because she told him he could claim the child if he wanted. I asked him if he ever asked forgiveness of the woman he got pregnant and then left to have a child on her own? I also asked him about the child….did he need to ask for forgiveness of the child?
“We weren’t able to talk about this anymore but I came to realize as difficult as my group was, I pray that some seeds were planted. I pray that they would remember the things we talked about and maybe change for the better. You know, someone has to plant the seeds, and I hope for my group, I was able to do that.”
From Sharon Bedier, Admin Track
“One of the men in the Admin track has 23 teachers under him with whom he plans to share what he has learned at the convocation. He expects these 23 whom he trains will train the 430 teachers under them.
“I was impressed by the willingness and openness of the principals and administrators to embrace new methods of teaching; also their passion to share the training with other teachers as well as use the curriculum with their students.”
From Sherry Rutkoskie, Elementary Track
“After viewing the The Story of JESUS for Children, I asked the group what they thought about it. One young man said ‘I don’t know anything about God or Jesus – the film was wonderful!’ He was excited to get his own Bible and DVD of the film.
“After the final closing meeting, I asked my interpreter to stay and talk with him. I asked if he would like to have Jesus with him and in him and he said ‘YES’….he was going to do that. I told him I could pray with him right then and he agreed to do that. Hallelujah! A new brother in Christ!
“I feel ISP is playing an integral part in the development of youth. Being a part of that is exciting! Using the Bible as a ‘tool’ to teach young people to lead moral lives….what a concept!”
From Maria Serapiglia, Elementary Track
“One of the teachers in my group brought ten other teachers. She said she went on a crusade to make sure the young, new teachers would attend the conference so that they would have a longer opportunity to impact the lives of others. She said, ‘I am old and out the door; but these young people can teach for many years!’ She was a strong advocate for the curriculum and has a strong personality.
“The harvest is plentiful. Teachers appeared to have a hunger for material that will teach about morals and is structured. The teachers have knowledge of God and Christ and I feel this curriculum will assist in teaching the truth. Also, the five steps or parts of the learning cycle was ‘caught’ by every teacher.”
Marilyn McCann, Secondary Track
“On the 4th day of the convocation, during lunch, a teacher from elementary was at my table. During a conversation with my interpreter, this teacher shared that at the morning break, she left her curriculum on her seat and when she came back, the curriculum was gone. She believed it had been stolen. I shared this event with Anibal and he said to give her another curriculum which I was able to do.
“Then in the afternoon sessions, one of the teachers in my small group gave me a curriculum, explaining she found it and wanted to return it to the person whose name was written in it. So at the closing ceremony, I searched until I found the teacher (from lunch) and returned the original book to her, and encouraged her to share the additional curriculums with other teachers who had not been able to come to the conference. I also told her that the teacher who returned the book was an honest and ethical teacher!”
From Nick Heath, Admin Track
“The most significant thing I am taking away from this experience is that I was able to do this at all! I’m not a teacher!
“One person told me that this is the best conference he has ever attended.
“The Life Map is a great tool to open up the people.”
From Donna Dungan, Elementary Track
“A 25 year old young woman in my group was the first to speak up on the second day to say she did not understand the activity they were to do. No one else would admit they were lost until she spoke up. This teacher had to leave early two days in a row to care for her infant. She came back each day with her homework completed….eager to learn. On her action plan she indicated she would read her Bible more herself and develop the curriculum at her school even though there would be no one there to help her do that. In addition to the curriculum, the only tools she will need are copies, a Bible, and her own research.
“All of the teachers in my group said they would use this curriculum in their classrooms. One said the principal at her school required them to show him the curriculums they planned to use. Usually, they have to make their own.
“One teacher works at a rural school where they do not have desks for the students. She has 30 students in two different grades in her class and teaches them with no help.
“I learned that caring for people and having an excellent curriculum is more important than being an expert in the field of education. I also feel like this was a time of healing for me. I had a death in the family in January, followed by three very stressful weeks. What a blessing to be helping these beautiful people.”
From Sandy Williams, Secondary Track
“On the last day, one of my very quiet ladies who rarely spoke, broke down [she had not shared her life map previously] saying she wanted to tell us something. Apparently her father and uncle had a falling out years ago. Her uncle is a teacher and so she saw him at the conference. She explained that because of the conference, she forgave him….she spoke to him and told him that! What an amazing thing this was to hear!”
From Audre Hunn, Elementary Track
“When my group received the DVD of THE STORY OF JESUS FOR CHILDREN they were so happy. They were telling me how much they loved the conference, how much they had learned, how they could use the curriculum. Bit when Johanna received the DVD of the film she immediately said, ‘OH, I’m going to show this to all my community! I will show it one time for the adults and one time for the children. And I’m going to do it THIS Sunday!!!”
From Lynn Maynard, Secondary Track
”So many needs came up this week, but someone was always there to share and help out. Just one example: our Secondary Track leader, Nancy Pryor, had some infected insect bits and went to the hospital. Our Guatemalan track leader jumped in and finished us out on Day 4. I had trouble making my group understand our assignment for that day, so she (Hilda, the track leader) spent an extra 10-15 minutes to make sure they understood.”
From Christy Scott, Elementary Track
I Samuel 16:7: “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
“On Day 1, I had a gentleman named Fernando in my group who sat slightly outside the circle and did not participate. I did not even think he was listening. At the end of our lesson on promises, I asked the group to learn their homework verse and challenged them to memorize all 4 verses if they could. I said that I would do the same and bring treats for those who did their homework. For the first time Fernando spoke up and said ‘How do I know you will keep your promise?’ He was listening! I told him that I haven’t always kept my promises, but that this one I would keep. So I made sure to have all four verses memorized and I even learned two of them in Spanish.
“On Day 2, Fernando stuck around after the morning session and helped set up our group circle. He seemed to be curious why these Americans & Canadians would come and help them. When our small group started after lunch I recited two verses in Spanish and the other two in English, and rewarded ALL my teachers with candy for saying them also. Fernando was still outside the group, but at least he shared his verse. At break time he came to talk to me privately and asked if I was a Christian. He said that he was a Christian who needed prayer for his family because his sister-in-law just lost her baby at 7 months. I said we would pray and I now understood the real reason for his disconnection. After the break that afternoon he joined the group a little more, and I was trying to be sensitive to his circumstance. Later that afternoon, several of us [on the ISP team] prayed for his family and a hopeful recovery of his sister-in-law.
“The next morning, Day 3, during the break, I saw Fernando on the phone and he did not look well. Diego came with me and I asked him if everything was o.k.? It turns out his sister-in-law had just passed away from complications and she was only 18 years old. He had to leave to be with his family but he was torn because he did not want to miss my group. Linda and Nancy helped me gather all the materials that he would be missing and I gave those to him. Sussy [my interpreter] met me out front with him and we prayed with him and gave him the Bible and the DVD of THE STORY OF JESUS FOR CHILDREN, and other materials. He was very grateful and we were all sad to part. Our group was not the same without him that afternoon.
“On Day 4 he called for me on someone’s phone. This other teacher came and handed me her phone and told me it was Fernando. He wanted to thank me again on behalf of his family for what I had done for them. He also wanted to know if I would be staying in Zacapa for a few days because they wanted to meet me, and he wanted to show me his school where he teaches. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that, but I was so touched that this man would be calling me in the midst of what his family was dealing with.
“Thank you Lord for using me to be an encouragement to him during this time, and through him to a family I have never met. It shows me that first impressions are not necessarily accurate, and I think Fernando learned the same thing about me.”
From Steve Truitt, Admin Track
“As a missions pastor, I have enjoyed the interaction with other church leaders, the dialogue has been good as a reflective tool for my own ministry. I also have been encouraged by the commitment to integrity and excellence from every level of leadership. I will be recommending ISP to our member staff.
“I enjoyed the interaction with my small group and interpreter and found it satisfying.
“The leadership training has reinforced the need to use the same Biblical model in Church Team Leadership.”
From Dick Aced, Admin Track
“For the first time I saw how vulnerable people can be when sharing their life-maps. Then to see the life-map experience carry over to the forgiveness exercise was humbling. I marvel each time I take an ISP trip to Guatemala how receptive the people are. How many places in the world will open their doors to outsiders and then say that they are incorporating ISP curriculum throughout the Department of Education….. And the country?”
From Brenda Heath, Elementary Track
“Being able to share my life story with my teachers was a tool that brought all of us together. There is no doubt that they all came to an understanding of the Gospel. Maybe not all have a personal relationship, but they all knew about Jesus, except one who only attended Tues. & Thursday. All said they would use the curriculum in their classroom. So in that we know they clearly were here and experience (hopefully) the joy we have in Christ! My testimony was ‘For such a time as this.’”
From Linda Sheffield, Elementary Track
“When asked what one thing impressed you the most about the conference Karla replied, ‘I learned not to judge other people based on what I think about them. I learned many people have things in their lives that make them the way they are that I don’t know. I will not judge my students anymore because I don’t know everything about their lives. I learned this from doing the life maps.’
“Marleny said she did not know anything about the Bible and was so glad to find out about what it said.”
From Janell Morris, Elementary Track
“When Zulma shared her Life Map, she told how she had married and had two children. She found out her husband had another woman, so she divorced him. The church helped her find God. Later she met and fell in love with another man. Two years later he was killed in an accident. With tears in her eyes, she said she was okay because she had her two children and God.
“Victor shared how he had lived a worldly life until he met God and read the Bible. Now God has changed him and his life is different.
“After interpreters shared how thankful they were that ISP had come to Zacapa and how they would try to train other teachers, just as we had trained them, so more students could benefit from the curriculum, my interpreter, Andre, said that now many teachers could reach many students with the message of God’s love, while he could only reach students in one school. (He is a chaplain at his school.”
From Rebecca Dyck, Elementary Track
“From various teachers in my group: ‘We need this! Here, we put on a happy face but on the inside we are in a lot of pain.’ From another: ‘Our children really need this!’
“My group seemed to change a little each day as we grew closer. By the last day, they said they came knowing no one but now they had new friends to have as a resource for ideas. The Good News was shared with everyone and they were receptive.
“The biggest change was in my interpreter. The first day he was nice, but didn’t really seem excited about this. After I shared my life map, he said, ‘I never would have thought that about you.’ He became very receptive to what we covered in the Greatest Promise Booklet. After than, in our down times, he began to share some personal times in his life. He said the curriculum was really good and he was going to use it. Last year he gave it to his brother. He wanted the DVD of the film for his students. As we said our goodbyes and exchanged gifts, he gave me his book bag or one just like it, just because I had admired it so much! “
From Pat Mossman, Elementary Track
“In my group was a young man who teaches sixth grade (39 students!) He and I seemed to ‘click’, and when it was time to say goodbye, he put his hands on my shoulders so that I would look him in the eyes, and said, (in English) ‘When you come back, I will speak better English.’ (Notice he said ‘when’ not ‘if’.)
“One lady was somewhat older than the others. She came in the first day with a sour look on her face, and I thought, ‘This one is going to be a challenge!’ She became my best friend! One day she brought in a big collection of pictures for me to look at, so that I could see ALL her family.
“One of the young ones had such a servant’s heart. If I dropped something she hurried to pick it up. If she could tell I needed something (i.e. for the group to quiet down) she took care of it for me. She was always trying to anticipate needs and meet them. Even thought she didn’t speak English, she had great observance and sensitivity skills.
“I could write something about each one [in my group.] They are all wonderful people! The most significant thing I am taking away from this conference is love for those in my group. I was told this would happen, but wasn’t really prepared for what I now feel for them. The word ‘love’ is inadequate for that. They are a part of me. Another thing is gratitude for the way ISP operates. The tremendous amount of planning and work done before, during, and I’m sure after the convocation, resulted in the smoothest running conference I have ever experienced.”
From Russ Williams, Admin Track
“The most significant thing I am taking away with me from this conference is the genuine and continuing desire of the Guatemalan people to embrace the ISP mission. They sincerely wish to instill the values and morals taught in the Bible and exemplified in Jesus Christ. It is an inspiration and a blessing to work with these wonderful people.”
From Jeanette Mossman, Elementary Track
“The day after we did our Life Maps and discussed forgiveness, one of my teachers shared with us that he had gone home, gone to the internet, and looked up ‘forgiveness’. He told us a quote he had found:
‘The lack of forgiveness is like a small shot of poison; soon you are infected all over.’
“Maria struggled with her life map because she said she knew she should forgive, she wanted to forgive, but was having such a hard time doing it. She even said that the person forgave her for something big. I think she was encouraged by our stories.
“Then, on the last day, she read from her Bible and was so happy to have one. She said that sometimes she reads but doesn’t understand. I talked to her about the Holy Spirit who helps us understand. I will pray for her.
“I also had a woman named Vilma. She was most concerned for two of her students who struggle with stuttering. I was amazed and impressed at how so many people worked together to help her. Another team member (Linda S.) wrote out what she did to help her son. Edgar translated it for her. I also e-mailed my step-sister, a speech therapist who emailed me back loads of helpful information, which I copied down. I gave it to Deborah, my interpreter, who is translating it and will e-mail it to Vilma. I am amazed and humbled at the servant’s hearts of all these people.
“I had a woman who missed the afternoon we handed out the music CD. I had saved one for her and gave it to her. Evidently Cheryl also gave one to her. The next day she told my interpreter that she had been given two, and she gave one to a teacher friend, but her conscience bothered her. She asked me if it was o.k. I told her ‘not really’ because her friend didn’t attend the conference so she won’t understand the concepts…..so SHE will have to talk to her friend about it! She said she tucked the 2nd CD in her pocket and now she was confessing. I smiled and said at first she was deceitful, then she showed her values by being honest. I told her I was pleased!
“I loved day 2 and the sharing of life maps. Seeing my small group get the concepts being taught, and I loved interacting with the teachers in my group.”
From Soheir (Sue) Girgis, Secondary Track
“Many of my small group members were already believers. Their greatest excitement and delight was that brothers and sisters in Christ had come to Guatemala to encourage and equip them to become better teachers and evangelists in their own schools. To them, this was an incredible gift of love.
“God has moved the hearts of those in authority in the Guatemalan educational echelons to open the doors to ISP. They gave official sanction at high levels; this is God’s doing, and as long as He gives ISP favor, ISP must move fast and furiously to reach the whole country. We do not know how long the door will be open. But the seeds planted will be watered by the Holy Spirit to produce an abundant crop.
“What is the most significant thing I am taking away from this conference? The richness of the vision ISP has….to change the face of an entire country for Christ….what a challenge….what a vision!!! To impact an entire generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Go ISP GO! And God go before you!”
“When I asked my group what they expected from this conference, many stated ‘how to incorporate morals and values’ in their classroom. One teacher (in her 2nd year of teaching) said she was expecting to learn about what morals and values are, and once she understood this, she would try to put them in her classroom. Through attending the conference, she now sees that God is the basis of all morals and values; if you want your students to live properly then you will teach them about God, not about rules or by giving definitions. This teacher is very excited about how the curriculum, along with her new realizations, will change her classroom. Through this conference the teachers are becoming aware that they need God and values in their own lives before they can expect it from their students.”
From Janell Morris, Elementary Track
“Andre, my interpreter, came to the conference as an attendee, but agreed to serve as an interpreter when asked. I learned that Andre is from Brazil and has studied history and theology. He wanted to teach students about God and the Bible, but all schools in Brazil became public schools that did not teach these things. Andre asked his pastor where he could go to teach about God. His pastor suggested Guatemala, so he left home and friends and came here. He is now chaplain and teacher of Christian Morals at a school of 400 teenagers. This school even has a dormitory to house over 60 students who live too far away to permit daily travel from home to school. Andre impressed me as a young man with a heart for God, who also is a natural leader.”
From Audre Hunn, Elementary Track
“My interpreter met me before the conference began on Day 2, and we discussed the previous day. She said ‘they’ (meaning the teachers in our group) ‘really liked it.’ Then she said, ‘They have heard that you might be giving us Bibles and they want me to ask you if it is true!’ I said, ‘Yes, it is true….but not today.’ Her eyes lit up and with so much excitement she said ‘Oh, they will be so happy---but I will keep it a secret for now!’
From Alex White, Elementary Track
“Milton is a second year teacher at a one room school house of 7 children, ages ranging from 7 to 14 years of age. He shared with me all of the responsibilities and obstacles he faces in his village: the lack of teaching materials or the encouragement of the students’ families. He said he begins his day very early in the morning despite his role as a husband and father of a 6 month old baby girl. He believes that educating the children of his small village is very important for the improvment of the next generation. Everyone should be given that opportunity to learn how to read and write. He begins his role as teacher by going to each child’s home, helping to get them dressed if needed. Then they all walk to their schoolhouse. He begins the lesson or lessons, since his students’ ages range. He cooks lunch for them at lunchtime and as the day ends he walks each student home, making sure that if they are in need of extra help with their assignments, he makes home visits after school. Milton shared that he has yet to grant a promise he promised his students one year ago: building a lunch room with an indoor working stove and a roof as shelter.
“Milton was very appreciative and his smiles said it all as he received a new, wrapped Bible as one of the teaching materials. He said he was going to present the Bible to his students as a new teaching book. He will allow his students to unwrap it and take ownership of this new book that they will now be learning from.
“The most significant thing I’m taking away with me is the great memories of the teachers that have the desire to share the tools they’ve learned and applying them to their classroom and the transformation that has been taking place in their hearts to be the key role model of the students. Only they, the teachers, can make the difference in changing the lives of the students and the families.”
From Peggy Smith, Elementary Track
“I was talking with a teacher during the break and asked her what she enjoyed most about the conference so far. She stated that she really enjoyed Ray Albrektson’s sessions because she knows she believes in the Bible, but if someone asked why she believed it was true she couldn’t explain in an intelligent way why it was true. She feels she now has the tools to do that and welcomes that challenge now.
“One of the teachers in my group came to the conference expecting to just get educational information. She said she got her soul fed instead, and didn’t even know how hungry she was! She was telling us how much better she felt after coming and was so grateful.
“I am awed that 50 or so people who don’t know each other can gather together to present the Gospel and everyone can get along, love each other, and love the people we came to help. Only through God’s power is it possible!”
From Dave Wiley, Admin Track
“It was hard to get my group to come together. Their interaction rarely went very deep, yet by the end of the conference they were expressing genuine enthusiasm about using the curriculum and encouraging other teachers to use it as well.
“The most significant things for me were: seeing God quickly bring a group of mostly strangers together into an effective team; and seeing God bring about a MAJOR impact in the lives of so many in such a short period of time!”
From Marisa Waye, Elementary Track
”I had a difficult week with my group and really struggled to find something positive about the experience. My group was not cooperative but I was able to have one conversation with Mario (one of my bigger troublemakers) about forgiveness. He believed people cannot forgive each other, only God can forgive someone. I asked him why he thought this and, he said, ‘When people say they are sorry they don’t mean it and God can only forgive because He means it.’ I said. ‘I believe that people use the word sorry too often and don’t mean it, much like the word love.’ But I also said, ‘I do know that I wouldn’t be able to forgive if Jesus hadn’t first forgiven me.’ (I shared my life map earlier in the lesson.) Later, Mario shared his life map. A few years ago while he was married and had two children, he had an affair and as a result the other woman became pregnant. I asked him if his wife forgave him. He said she must have because she told him he could claim the child if he wanted. I asked him if he ever asked forgiveness of the woman he got pregnant and then left to have a child on her own? I also asked him about the child….did he need to ask for forgiveness of the child?
“We weren’t able to talk about this anymore but I came to realize as difficult as my group was, I pray that some seeds were planted. I pray that they would remember the things we talked about and maybe change for the better. You know, someone has to plant the seeds, and I hope for my group, I was able to do that.”
From Sharon Bedier, Admin Track
“One of the men in the Admin track has 23 teachers under him with whom he plans to share what he has learned at the convocation. He expects these 23 whom he trains will train the 430 teachers under them.
“I was impressed by the willingness and openness of the principals and administrators to embrace new methods of teaching; also their passion to share the training with other teachers as well as use the curriculum with their students.”
From Sherry Rutkoskie, Elementary Track
“After viewing the The Story of JESUS for Children, I asked the group what they thought about it. One young man said ‘I don’t know anything about God or Jesus – the film was wonderful!’ He was excited to get his own Bible and DVD of the film.
“After the final closing meeting, I asked my interpreter to stay and talk with him. I asked if he would like to have Jesus with him and in him and he said ‘YES’….he was going to do that. I told him I could pray with him right then and he agreed to do that. Hallelujah! A new brother in Christ!
“I feel ISP is playing an integral part in the development of youth. Being a part of that is exciting! Using the Bible as a ‘tool’ to teach young people to lead moral lives….what a concept!”
From Maria Serapiglia, Elementary Track
“One of the teachers in my group brought ten other teachers. She said she went on a crusade to make sure the young, new teachers would attend the conference so that they would have a longer opportunity to impact the lives of others. She said, ‘I am old and out the door; but these young people can teach for many years!’ She was a strong advocate for the curriculum and has a strong personality.
“The harvest is plentiful. Teachers appeared to have a hunger for material that will teach about morals and is structured. The teachers have knowledge of God and Christ and I feel this curriculum will assist in teaching the truth. Also, the five steps or parts of the learning cycle was ‘caught’ by every teacher.”
Marilyn McCann, Secondary Track
“On the 4th day of the convocation, during lunch, a teacher from elementary was at my table. During a conversation with my interpreter, this teacher shared that at the morning break, she left her curriculum on her seat and when she came back, the curriculum was gone. She believed it had been stolen. I shared this event with Anibal and he said to give her another curriculum which I was able to do.
“Then in the afternoon sessions, one of the teachers in my small group gave me a curriculum, explaining she found it and wanted to return it to the person whose name was written in it. So at the closing ceremony, I searched until I found the teacher (from lunch) and returned the original book to her, and encouraged her to share the additional curriculums with other teachers who had not been able to come to the conference. I also told her that the teacher who returned the book was an honest and ethical teacher!”
From Nick Heath, Admin Track
“The most significant thing I am taking away from this experience is that I was able to do this at all! I’m not a teacher!
“One person told me that this is the best conference he has ever attended.
“The Life Map is a great tool to open up the people.”
From Donna Dungan, Elementary Track
“A 25 year old young woman in my group was the first to speak up on the second day to say she did not understand the activity they were to do. No one else would admit they were lost until she spoke up. This teacher had to leave early two days in a row to care for her infant. She came back each day with her homework completed….eager to learn. On her action plan she indicated she would read her Bible more herself and develop the curriculum at her school even though there would be no one there to help her do that. In addition to the curriculum, the only tools she will need are copies, a Bible, and her own research.
“All of the teachers in my group said they would use this curriculum in their classrooms. One said the principal at her school required them to show him the curriculums they planned to use. Usually, they have to make their own.
“One teacher works at a rural school where they do not have desks for the students. She has 30 students in two different grades in her class and teaches them with no help.
“I learned that caring for people and having an excellent curriculum is more important than being an expert in the field of education. I also feel like this was a time of healing for me. I had a death in the family in January, followed by three very stressful weeks. What a blessing to be helping these beautiful people.”
From Sandy Williams, Secondary Track
“On the last day, one of my very quiet ladies who rarely spoke, broke down [she had not shared her life map previously] saying she wanted to tell us something. Apparently her father and uncle had a falling out years ago. Her uncle is a teacher and so she saw him at the conference. She explained that because of the conference, she forgave him….she spoke to him and told him that! What an amazing thing this was to hear!”
From Audre Hunn, Elementary Track
“When my group received the DVD of THE STORY OF JESUS FOR CHILDREN they were so happy. They were telling me how much they loved the conference, how much they had learned, how they could use the curriculum. Bit when Johanna received the DVD of the film she immediately said, ‘OH, I’m going to show this to all my community! I will show it one time for the adults and one time for the children. And I’m going to do it THIS Sunday!!!”
From Lynn Maynard, Secondary Track
”So many needs came up this week, but someone was always there to share and help out. Just one example: our Secondary Track leader, Nancy Pryor, had some infected insect bits and went to the hospital. Our Guatemalan track leader jumped in and finished us out on Day 4. I had trouble making my group understand our assignment for that day, so she (Hilda, the track leader) spent an extra 10-15 minutes to make sure they understood.”
From Christy Scott, Elementary Track
I Samuel 16:7: “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
“On Day 1, I had a gentleman named Fernando in my group who sat slightly outside the circle and did not participate. I did not even think he was listening. At the end of our lesson on promises, I asked the group to learn their homework verse and challenged them to memorize all 4 verses if they could. I said that I would do the same and bring treats for those who did their homework. For the first time Fernando spoke up and said ‘How do I know you will keep your promise?’ He was listening! I told him that I haven’t always kept my promises, but that this one I would keep. So I made sure to have all four verses memorized and I even learned two of them in Spanish.
“On Day 2, Fernando stuck around after the morning session and helped set up our group circle. He seemed to be curious why these Americans & Canadians would come and help them. When our small group started after lunch I recited two verses in Spanish and the other two in English, and rewarded ALL my teachers with candy for saying them also. Fernando was still outside the group, but at least he shared his verse. At break time he came to talk to me privately and asked if I was a Christian. He said that he was a Christian who needed prayer for his family because his sister-in-law just lost her baby at 7 months. I said we would pray and I now understood the real reason for his disconnection. After the break that afternoon he joined the group a little more, and I was trying to be sensitive to his circumstance. Later that afternoon, several of us [on the ISP team] prayed for his family and a hopeful recovery of his sister-in-law.
“The next morning, Day 3, during the break, I saw Fernando on the phone and he did not look well. Diego came with me and I asked him if everything was o.k.? It turns out his sister-in-law had just passed away from complications and she was only 18 years old. He had to leave to be with his family but he was torn because he did not want to miss my group. Linda and Nancy helped me gather all the materials that he would be missing and I gave those to him. Sussy [my interpreter] met me out front with him and we prayed with him and gave him the Bible and the DVD of THE STORY OF JESUS FOR CHILDREN, and other materials. He was very grateful and we were all sad to part. Our group was not the same without him that afternoon.
“On Day 4 he called for me on someone’s phone. This other teacher came and handed me her phone and told me it was Fernando. He wanted to thank me again on behalf of his family for what I had done for them. He also wanted to know if I would be staying in Zacapa for a few days because they wanted to meet me, and he wanted to show me his school where he teaches. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that, but I was so touched that this man would be calling me in the midst of what his family was dealing with.
“Thank you Lord for using me to be an encouragement to him during this time, and through him to a family I have never met. It shows me that first impressions are not necessarily accurate, and I think Fernando learned the same thing about me.”
From Steve Truitt, Admin Track
“As a missions pastor, I have enjoyed the interaction with other church leaders, the dialogue has been good as a reflective tool for my own ministry. I also have been encouraged by the commitment to integrity and excellence from every level of leadership. I will be recommending ISP to our member staff.
“I enjoyed the interaction with my small group and interpreter and found it satisfying.
“The leadership training has reinforced the need to use the same Biblical model in Church Team Leadership.”
From Dick Aced, Admin Track
“For the first time I saw how vulnerable people can be when sharing their life-maps. Then to see the life-map experience carry over to the forgiveness exercise was humbling. I marvel each time I take an ISP trip to Guatemala how receptive the people are. How many places in the world will open their doors to outsiders and then say that they are incorporating ISP curriculum throughout the Department of Education….. And the country?”
From Brenda Heath, Elementary Track
“Being able to share my life story with my teachers was a tool that brought all of us together. There is no doubt that they all came to an understanding of the Gospel. Maybe not all have a personal relationship, but they all knew about Jesus, except one who only attended Tues. & Thursday. All said they would use the curriculum in their classroom. So in that we know they clearly were here and experience (hopefully) the joy we have in Christ! My testimony was ‘For such a time as this.’”
From Linda Sheffield, Elementary Track
“When asked what one thing impressed you the most about the conference Karla replied, ‘I learned not to judge other people based on what I think about them. I learned many people have things in their lives that make them the way they are that I don’t know. I will not judge my students anymore because I don’t know everything about their lives. I learned this from doing the life maps.’
“Marleny said she did not know anything about the Bible and was so glad to find out about what it said.”
From Janell Morris, Elementary Track
“When Zulma shared her Life Map, she told how she had married and had two children. She found out her husband had another woman, so she divorced him. The church helped her find God. Later she met and fell in love with another man. Two years later he was killed in an accident. With tears in her eyes, she said she was okay because she had her two children and God.
“Victor shared how he had lived a worldly life until he met God and read the Bible. Now God has changed him and his life is different.
“After interpreters shared how thankful they were that ISP had come to Zacapa and how they would try to train other teachers, just as we had trained them, so more students could benefit from the curriculum, my interpreter, Andre, said that now many teachers could reach many students with the message of God’s love, while he could only reach students in one school. (He is a chaplain at his school.”
From Rebecca Dyck, Elementary Track
“From various teachers in my group: ‘We need this! Here, we put on a happy face but on the inside we are in a lot of pain.’ From another: ‘Our children really need this!’
“My group seemed to change a little each day as we grew closer. By the last day, they said they came knowing no one but now they had new friends to have as a resource for ideas. The Good News was shared with everyone and they were receptive.
“The biggest change was in my interpreter. The first day he was nice, but didn’t really seem excited about this. After I shared my life map, he said, ‘I never would have thought that about you.’ He became very receptive to what we covered in the Greatest Promise Booklet. After than, in our down times, he began to share some personal times in his life. He said the curriculum was really good and he was going to use it. Last year he gave it to his brother. He wanted the DVD of the film for his students. As we said our goodbyes and exchanged gifts, he gave me his book bag or one just like it, just because I had admired it so much! “
From Pat Mossman, Elementary Track
“In my group was a young man who teaches sixth grade (39 students!) He and I seemed to ‘click’, and when it was time to say goodbye, he put his hands on my shoulders so that I would look him in the eyes, and said, (in English) ‘When you come back, I will speak better English.’ (Notice he said ‘when’ not ‘if’.)
“One lady was somewhat older than the others. She came in the first day with a sour look on her face, and I thought, ‘This one is going to be a challenge!’ She became my best friend! One day she brought in a big collection of pictures for me to look at, so that I could see ALL her family.
“One of the young ones had such a servant’s heart. If I dropped something she hurried to pick it up. If she could tell I needed something (i.e. for the group to quiet down) she took care of it for me. She was always trying to anticipate needs and meet them. Even thought she didn’t speak English, she had great observance and sensitivity skills.
“I could write something about each one [in my group.] They are all wonderful people! The most significant thing I am taking away from this conference is love for those in my group. I was told this would happen, but wasn’t really prepared for what I now feel for them. The word ‘love’ is inadequate for that. They are a part of me. Another thing is gratitude for the way ISP operates. The tremendous amount of planning and work done before, during, and I’m sure after the convocation, resulted in the smoothest running conference I have ever experienced.”
From Russ Williams, Admin Track
“The most significant thing I am taking away with me from this conference is the genuine and continuing desire of the Guatemalan people to embrace the ISP mission. They sincerely wish to instill the values and morals taught in the Bible and exemplified in Jesus Christ. It is an inspiration and a blessing to work with these wonderful people.”
From Jeanette Mossman, Elementary Track
“The day after we did our Life Maps and discussed forgiveness, one of my teachers shared with us that he had gone home, gone to the internet, and looked up ‘forgiveness’. He told us a quote he had found:
‘The lack of forgiveness is like a small shot of poison; soon you are infected all over.’
“Maria struggled with her life map because she said she knew she should forgive, she wanted to forgive, but was having such a hard time doing it. She even said that the person forgave her for something big. I think she was encouraged by our stories.
“Then, on the last day, she read from her Bible and was so happy to have one. She said that sometimes she reads but doesn’t understand. I talked to her about the Holy Spirit who helps us understand. I will pray for her.
“I also had a woman named Vilma. She was most concerned for two of her students who struggle with stuttering. I was amazed and impressed at how so many people worked together to help her. Another team member (Linda S.) wrote out what she did to help her son. Edgar translated it for her. I also e-mailed my step-sister, a speech therapist who emailed me back loads of helpful information, which I copied down. I gave it to Deborah, my interpreter, who is translating it and will e-mail it to Vilma. I am amazed and humbled at the servant’s hearts of all these people.
“I had a woman who missed the afternoon we handed out the music CD. I had saved one for her and gave it to her. Evidently Cheryl also gave one to her. The next day she told my interpreter that she had been given two, and she gave one to a teacher friend, but her conscience bothered her. She asked me if it was o.k. I told her ‘not really’ because her friend didn’t attend the conference so she won’t understand the concepts…..so SHE will have to talk to her friend about it! She said she tucked the 2nd CD in her pocket and now she was confessing. I smiled and said at first she was deceitful, then she showed her values by being honest. I told her I was pleased!
“I loved day 2 and the sharing of life maps. Seeing my small group get the concepts being taught, and I loved interacting with the teachers in my group.”
From Soheir (Sue) Girgis, Secondary Track
“Many of my small group members were already believers. Their greatest excitement and delight was that brothers and sisters in Christ had come to Guatemala to encourage and equip them to become better teachers and evangelists in their own schools. To them, this was an incredible gift of love.
“God has moved the hearts of those in authority in the Guatemalan educational echelons to open the doors to ISP. They gave official sanction at high levels; this is God’s doing, and as long as He gives ISP favor, ISP must move fast and furiously to reach the whole country. We do not know how long the door will be open. But the seeds planted will be watered by the Holy Spirit to produce an abundant crop.
“What is the most significant thing I am taking away from this conference? The richness of the vision ISP has….to change the face of an entire country for Christ….what a challenge….what a vision!!! To impact an entire generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Go ISP GO! And God go before you!”
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Praise
Thanksgiving and praise for all the Lord allowed to be accomplished for His glory.
Please continue to pray for the Guatemalan National CCC Staff as they follow-up with teachers in the weeks to come.
As well as, for ongoing open doors to new cities in Guatemala; plans & preparations beginning for July conferences.
Please continue to pray for the Guatemalan National CCC Staff as they follow-up with teachers in the weeks to come.
As well as, for ongoing open doors to new cities in Guatemala; plans & preparations beginning for July conferences.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Opportunities
The team from Bakersfield have arrived home safely. We did arrive by 4:00PM at the church, and hugs & kisses all around as we said more goodbyes and long awaited hello's.
When I arrived home, my husband and I shared our weeks with each other. He made us dinner, while Joshua helped me unpack. We sat down & enjoyed a dinner of Lasagna and SALAD (yay!). Then we watched a slide show of all the photos from the trip as I explained everything going on & who people were. Shortly after that we seemed to hit a wall and we were all in bed by 8:30 PM.
It was good! It was fun! Next year is another one!!!
Please pray for all the teachers & interpreters whose lives were touched by His grace; pray for continued growth in Christ.
Please pray for opportunities for team members to share and for opportunities that the Lord may lead you to join us next year.
Thanks again for all your support and prayers!
When I arrived home, my husband and I shared our weeks with each other. He made us dinner, while Joshua helped me unpack. We sat down & enjoyed a dinner of Lasagna and SALAD (yay!). Then we watched a slide show of all the photos from the trip as I explained everything going on & who people were. Shortly after that we seemed to hit a wall and we were all in bed by 8:30 PM.
It was good! It was fun! Next year is another one!!!
Please pray for all the teachers & interpreters whose lives were touched by His grace; pray for continued growth in Christ.
Please pray for opportunities for team members to share and for opportunities that the Lord may lead you to join us next year.
Thanks again for all your support and prayers!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Travel back home
Travel from Guatemala City to LA. Once in LA, we will get on our church bus and head back to Bakersfield. We should be in around 4:00pm.
Please pray that the weather will be clear, safety in our travels, health for all, flights to be on time and uneventful, luggage to arrive with us, energy for team, reunion with family members.
Thanks, again, for all your prayers and support in this adventure. I look forward to sharing more stories and photos with you in the next few days.
Please pray that the weather will be clear, safety in our travels, health for all, flights to be on time and uneventful, luggage to arrive with us, energy for team, reunion with family members.
Thanks, again, for all your prayers and support in this adventure. I look forward to sharing more stories and photos with you in the next few days.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Day 4 Zacapa Convocation-team contributions
The following is a run down of the last day of Convocation covering the whole team:
Buenas Noches, one and all!
Today was our final day of the convocation here in Zacapa, and it seems impossible that our time here has come to an end. Tonight we are packing up our things, and after a debriefing session with all the team tomorrow, we will climb on a bus and head back to Guatemala City. We should arrive mid-afternoon, have a final dinner together, and on Sunday depart for our homes. While we are ready to be home with our friends and family members, there is always a touch of sadness, too, as we leave our ISP ‘family’ and of course the dear teachers we have come to know and love in such a brief time.
Our journey here has been adventuresome, fun, exciting, rewarding, and sometimes difficult as well. One of our track leaders became quite ill last night and has had to stay in bed today. Fortunately our very well trained and qualified national assistant was able to take over the track and finish the afternoon with the teachers and to lead the small group facilitators. It went very smoothly. Once again we say with thanksgiving, God has graciously provided for ALL of our needs.
The morning sessions went very well, with Dr. Ray Albrektson & Paul Neumann concluding their sessions. National staff member Haroldo Arreaga was also a featured speaker this morning, bringing to the teachers some useful information on Leadership in the Classroom.
Workshops resumed after lunch for their final time together, with all three tracks staying very consistent in attendance. The total number of teachers attending this afternoon was 345. In all three tracks the teachers were actively engaged in preparing a lesson from the curriculum to either demonstrate to another small group or to the entire track. Elementary teachers used the Elementary curriculum, Secondary their curriculum, and Administration also the Elementary (Yesterday they used a lesson from the Secondary curriculum.). This is always such a gratifying day, as the small group facilitators realize they have completed their task of helping the teachers review the curriculum and helping them realize they truly can use it!
Good-byes on this final day are always a struggle as the teachers want to give one last hug, a note of appreciation, one more picture with their group leader and new friends within their circle. But finish we must, and after the workshops everyone gathered again for the closing ceremony in the main auditorium.
The regional education dignitaries once again were part of these proceedings, and today, the representative from the Regional Director’s office could not have been more enthusiastic in her comments regarding the success of this convocation. She said, ”I want to give my personal thankfulness for this conference. Thank you for your professionalism; this was such an effective & coordinated effort. The regional Department of Education has already given a request for ISP to come back to Zacapa and hold another conference in 2011.” (With that comment, all of the teachers clapped and cheered loudly!) To the attending teachers she said, “Please apply what you have learned this week in your classrooms and with other teachers… so this training might go further.” She reminded the teachers that the national curriculum for the country [of Guatemala] allows the incorporation of other educational materials to enhance those already approved and being used. She concluded by saying “May God bless each and every one of you!”
With these comments, and the presentation of some plaques of appreciation to the Zacapa region and also to some of our national ISP staff, the conference officially came to a close. There were many hugs and pictures taken as the teachers made their way outside the auditorium to pick up their Certificate of Participation before heading home. Meanwhile our team with our interpreters headed to another, more private area to say our good-byes to these very special new friends that had become such an integral and joyous part of our days during this journey. Our ISP country director mentioned to the interpreters that ISP would be holding another conference this summer and to please let us know if they might be interested in helping us out. Many of them enthusiastically said they would love to help us out again!
And that, dear amigos, amigas y familia, brings us to the end of our time in Zacapa. It was, truly, an exceptional conference in so many ways. We were told by one of our main plenary interpreters that Zacapa is known as being ‘tough’… they have a lot of crime and a lot of drug-related problems in the region. But, she said, she could tell from the reactions and comments of the teachers, that this conference had really touched their hearts, challenged them, and encouraged them. We will be praying for this region and these teachers, because our team is leaving little pieces of our hearts here. And hopefully God will allow us to make a trip back here again one day to see how the teachers are doing. Meanwhile, our in-country staff will do all they can to follow-up with the teachers that attended and with the Zacapa Ministry of Education.
We cannot begin to thank all of you, our supporters, for joining us on this journey. We fully understand the meaning of ‘prayer covering’ when challenges, obstacles to health, and other circumstances arise during the course of one of these conferences. ALWAYS we know we are supported by your faithful prayers for us, because personal ‘miracles’ occur for each of us on a daily basis, and we feel and see God’s provision and protection for us. So thank you, to each of you reading this report, for your continual support and encouragement through these days.
Que Dios te bendiga,
Linda
For all the Guatemala Team
p.s. Because of our travel itinerary, I wasn’t able to get this sent to all of you until Sunday. March 7th. So by the time you receive this or read it, most of our team will already be home! Tired and weary, perhaps, but thanking God for this joyful and amazing adventure with Him!
Buenas Noches, one and all!
Today was our final day of the convocation here in Zacapa, and it seems impossible that our time here has come to an end. Tonight we are packing up our things, and after a debriefing session with all the team tomorrow, we will climb on a bus and head back to Guatemala City. We should arrive mid-afternoon, have a final dinner together, and on Sunday depart for our homes. While we are ready to be home with our friends and family members, there is always a touch of sadness, too, as we leave our ISP ‘family’ and of course the dear teachers we have come to know and love in such a brief time.
Our journey here has been adventuresome, fun, exciting, rewarding, and sometimes difficult as well. One of our track leaders became quite ill last night and has had to stay in bed today. Fortunately our very well trained and qualified national assistant was able to take over the track and finish the afternoon with the teachers and to lead the small group facilitators. It went very smoothly. Once again we say with thanksgiving, God has graciously provided for ALL of our needs.
The morning sessions went very well, with Dr. Ray Albrektson & Paul Neumann concluding their sessions. National staff member Haroldo Arreaga was also a featured speaker this morning, bringing to the teachers some useful information on Leadership in the Classroom.
Workshops resumed after lunch for their final time together, with all three tracks staying very consistent in attendance. The total number of teachers attending this afternoon was 345. In all three tracks the teachers were actively engaged in preparing a lesson from the curriculum to either demonstrate to another small group or to the entire track. Elementary teachers used the Elementary curriculum, Secondary their curriculum, and Administration also the Elementary (Yesterday they used a lesson from the Secondary curriculum.). This is always such a gratifying day, as the small group facilitators realize they have completed their task of helping the teachers review the curriculum and helping them realize they truly can use it!
Good-byes on this final day are always a struggle as the teachers want to give one last hug, a note of appreciation, one more picture with their group leader and new friends within their circle. But finish we must, and after the workshops everyone gathered again for the closing ceremony in the main auditorium.
The regional education dignitaries once again were part of these proceedings, and today, the representative from the Regional Director’s office could not have been more enthusiastic in her comments regarding the success of this convocation. She said, ”I want to give my personal thankfulness for this conference. Thank you for your professionalism; this was such an effective & coordinated effort. The regional Department of Education has already given a request for ISP to come back to Zacapa and hold another conference in 2011.” (With that comment, all of the teachers clapped and cheered loudly!) To the attending teachers she said, “Please apply what you have learned this week in your classrooms and with other teachers… so this training might go further.” She reminded the teachers that the national curriculum for the country [of Guatemala] allows the incorporation of other educational materials to enhance those already approved and being used. She concluded by saying “May God bless each and every one of you!”
With these comments, and the presentation of some plaques of appreciation to the Zacapa region and also to some of our national ISP staff, the conference officially came to a close. There were many hugs and pictures taken as the teachers made their way outside the auditorium to pick up their Certificate of Participation before heading home. Meanwhile our team with our interpreters headed to another, more private area to say our good-byes to these very special new friends that had become such an integral and joyous part of our days during this journey. Our ISP country director mentioned to the interpreters that ISP would be holding another conference this summer and to please let us know if they might be interested in helping us out. Many of them enthusiastically said they would love to help us out again!
And that, dear amigos, amigas y familia, brings us to the end of our time in Zacapa. It was, truly, an exceptional conference in so many ways. We were told by one of our main plenary interpreters that Zacapa is known as being ‘tough’… they have a lot of crime and a lot of drug-related problems in the region. But, she said, she could tell from the reactions and comments of the teachers, that this conference had really touched their hearts, challenged them, and encouraged them. We will be praying for this region and these teachers, because our team is leaving little pieces of our hearts here. And hopefully God will allow us to make a trip back here again one day to see how the teachers are doing. Meanwhile, our in-country staff will do all they can to follow-up with the teachers that attended and with the Zacapa Ministry of Education.
We cannot begin to thank all of you, our supporters, for joining us on this journey. We fully understand the meaning of ‘prayer covering’ when challenges, obstacles to health, and other circumstances arise during the course of one of these conferences. ALWAYS we know we are supported by your faithful prayers for us, because personal ‘miracles’ occur for each of us on a daily basis, and we feel and see God’s provision and protection for us. So thank you, to each of you reading this report, for your continual support and encouragement through these days.
Que Dios te bendiga,
Linda
For all the Guatemala Team
p.s. Because of our travel itinerary, I wasn’t able to get this sent to all of you until Sunday. March 7th. So by the time you receive this or read it, most of our team will already be home! Tired and weary, perhaps, but thanking God for this joyful and amazing adventure with Him!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Convocation - Day 4
This is the fourth and final day of Convocation.
Last night, one of our dear team members, Nancy Pryor, was taken to the hospital. She has MS and infected bug bites. She has an IV of antibiotics and will spend another night in the hospital. We have packed her belongs and she should be well enough to travel with us to Guatemala City tomorrow and then back home on Sunday. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. She is an awesome woman and I cannot wait to tell you more about her.
As we finished today, my group picked a lesson & presented it to me. They clearly were very attentive and learned what we came here to teach. They even came up with a "readiness" project of making a heart out of paper that turns into a flower when you open your heart to the truth!!! I was so proud of them! When I asked them if they would use this curriculum in their classroom, they said, "Absolutely!" They loved that it was easy and full of good ideas that they can use with all/any subject. They also agreed that the children really need to learn about morals & values.
At the end, we said our goodbyes by taking pictures and exchanging gifts & addresses. Then we had the closing ceremonies and hugged our teachers "goodbye." :(
After the Convocation, we met with the interpreters to say goodbye & exchange gifts. I received the most awesome burlap messenger bag from "my Guatemalan" that says, "Cafe de Guatemala." I love it!!!!! It's the perfect size to fit my laptop.
He also gave me a CD of the Guatemalan music! I gave him some fun books & an English/Spanish New Testament, as well as, the Chronicles of Narnia & a calendar. It was a fun time and a very sad time to have to say "Goodbye, see you on Facebook." LOL
Then Christy and I hung out with the interpreters that were staying at the hotel. What a bunch of fun people! You will see lots of pictures soon!
Tomorrow: we will travel to Guatemala City by bus. We should arrive at 3:00, settle in and have one final dinner with the team at 5:30.
Thanks so much for your much needed prayers and support. Check back tomorrow for what has happened so far and for our travel schedule.
Last night, one of our dear team members, Nancy Pryor, was taken to the hospital. She has MS and infected bug bites. She has an IV of antibiotics and will spend another night in the hospital. We have packed her belongs and she should be well enough to travel with us to Guatemala City tomorrow and then back home on Sunday. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. She is an awesome woman and I cannot wait to tell you more about her.
As we finished today, my group picked a lesson & presented it to me. They clearly were very attentive and learned what we came here to teach. They even came up with a "readiness" project of making a heart out of paper that turns into a flower when you open your heart to the truth!!! I was so proud of them! When I asked them if they would use this curriculum in their classroom, they said, "Absolutely!" They loved that it was easy and full of good ideas that they can use with all/any subject. They also agreed that the children really need to learn about morals & values.
At the end, we said our goodbyes by taking pictures and exchanging gifts & addresses. Then we had the closing ceremonies and hugged our teachers "goodbye." :(
After the Convocation, we met with the interpreters to say goodbye & exchange gifts. I received the most awesome burlap messenger bag from "my Guatemalan" that says, "Cafe de Guatemala." I love it!!!!! It's the perfect size to fit my laptop.
He also gave me a CD of the Guatemalan music! I gave him some fun books & an English/Spanish New Testament, as well as, the Chronicles of Narnia & a calendar. It was a fun time and a very sad time to have to say "Goodbye, see you on Facebook." LOL
Then Christy and I hung out with the interpreters that were staying at the hotel. What a bunch of fun people! You will see lots of pictures soon!
Tomorrow: we will travel to Guatemala City by bus. We should arrive at 3:00, settle in and have one final dinner with the team at 5:30.
Thanks so much for your much needed prayers and support. Check back tomorrow for what has happened so far and for our travel schedule.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Convocation - Day 3
From Linda:
"Hola to one and all!
Another busy day is behind our team, and it is hard to believe tomorrow will be the final day of our conference here in Zacapa. If we look at our daily schedule we can see where we have been spending our time, but it truly does seem to fly by as we have moved through our days here with these wonderful teachers.
Our team experienced quite an evening last night as the Ministry of Education here in Zacapa gave us such a cultural treat. As our team arrived for dinner, a marimba band was playing music, which continued throughout our leisurely dinner outside. From there we adjourned to the main auditorium, where a very unique program had been arranged for us to enjoy. There were small children of elementary age and younger, (as young as two years of age) Jr. High age kids, and teenagers too, all presenting dances that were representative of this region. One interpreter explained to me that Zacapa is known as the ‘wild west’ of Guatemala, so the dances had much more of a ‘cowboy’ feel to them: the young men wearing straw cowboy hats, and the girls, while wearing the traditional full, flowing skirts we have seen before, these skirts were beautifully hand painted with cactus and trees indigenous to this area. Also, because there really is no Mayan influence in this area, the other heavy influence here is the Caribbean , island influence. And so a few of the dances had this flavor to them in the music and in the dancing. All of them were excellent, energetic, and truly well done. Some of the dancers came to the audience to get members of our team up and moving, making for lots of laughs and some great photo opportunities!
The Ministry of Ed. Also presented each team member with a ‘certificate of participation’ that had our individual name on each certificate and signed by the Regional Director of Zacapa. Truly a thoughtful expression of their gratitude for us volunteering to come here at our own expense, and to give them all of the materials absolutely free as well. One of the big surprises of the evening was the Governor of Zacapa being part of these festivities and speaking to our team. He expressed deep gratitude for ISP coming to Zacapa and the great need for the teachers to receive this training and for the students to benefit in turn. After the governor spoke, the Regional Director also thanked the team. He said, “Zacapa will always have open hearts for all of you! A lot of teachers have told me that the strategies you have given us already will be so helpful and they will show these to the children in their classrooms. In order for us to have a moral society we must begin with a spiritual foundation. I thank God for this conference and all of you, most excellent professionals.” The evening ended with a traditional ‘snack’ representative of this region while we visited with one another outside the auditorium.
Today, Day 3, things moved smoothly from one session to another: Ray Albrektson began with his talk on “Honest Answers to Hard Questions.” Following Ray and the morning break (with more yummy food!) conference director Bob Wilson spoke on “Why Teach Character in Education.” Paul Neumann’s session just prior to lunch began the words and hand motions to some of the major events described in the Gospels of the New Testament, concluding with a wonderful description of each of the twelve apostles. We did not have an exact count for the morning sessions, but the auditorium was quite full with many of our team members and interpreters standing in the back. So we think there was well over 360 teachers attending this morning.
After lunch, the workshops began their busy afternoon. Administrative track did a lesson from the secondary curriculum, each group depicting in a unique way the Parable of the Prodigal Son; the Secondary track while discussing objections to Christianity, also had fun playing a game based on the film ‘The Story of JESUS for Children’ that the teachers saw yesterday morning; the elementary track looked at another lesson from the elementary curriculum, reviewing one of the songs, making a small paper booklet, and looking together at The Greatest Promise Book. And then each group, in each track, began planning for their group presentations that will be part of tomorrow’s workshops. It is always such an exciting conclusion to the convocation to see the teachers actually pick a lesson from the curriculum to present in part or whole to another small group or to their entire track. The music of these teachers voices, laughter, and enthusiasm as they plan these lessons is simply WONDERFUL and so beautiful to hear! All total, we had 347 teachers in workshops this afternoon.
The afternoon concluded with the optional special interest seminars. Today’s choices were: Haroldo Arreaga speaking on Leadership Skills for Effective Leaders; Dr. Russ Williams presenting Leadership and Workplace Ethics; and Hilda Ajsivinac, tackling the topic of HIV, AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Once again many teachers did stay for these informative sessions as well. There were about 300 teachers attending between the three different seminars.
This evening our team is busy preparing for tomorrow; they have various forms and information to fill out on the teachers within their small groups as well as preparing a very small gift to give each teacher as they bid them farewell tomorrow. It will be a day of smiles and tears and definitely difficult to believe we are at the end of our time with these precious teachers.
In signing off this evening I would like to share two stories from our time here in Zacapa. I pray they will bless you just as we have been blessed here by the response, enthusiasm, and gratitude of these delightful teachers. Thank you for being a part of this journey and standing with us in thoughts and prayers as we do our best to bring God’s love and truth to Zacapa.
May God’s abundant blessings be yours.
Serving together,
Linda
For all the team here in Zacapa"
From Amy Smith, Elementary Track
“When I asked my group what they expected from this conference, many stated how to incorporate morals and values in their classroom. One teacher (in her 2nd year of teaching) said she was expecting to learn about what morals and values are, and once she understood this, she would try to put them in her classroom. Through attending the conference, she now sees that God is the basis of all morals and values; if you want your students to live properly then you will teach them about God, not about rules or by giving definitions. This teacher is very excited about how the curriculum, along with her new realizations, will change her classroom. Through this conference the teachers are becoming aware that they need God and values in their own lives before they can expect it from their students.”
From Janell Morris, Elementary Track
“Andre, my interpreter, came to the conference as an attendee, but agreed to serve as an interpreter when asked. I learned that Andre is from Brazil and has studied history and theology. He wanted to teach students about God and the Bible, but all schools in Brazil became public schools that did not teach these things. Andre asked his pastor where he could go to teach about God. His pastor suggested Guatemala , so he left home and friends and came here. He is now chaplain and teacher of Christian Morals at a school of 400 teenagers. This school even has a dormitory to house over 60 students who live too far away to permit daily travel from home to school. Andre impressed me as a young man with a heart for God, who also is a natural leader.”
"Hola to one and all!
Another busy day is behind our team, and it is hard to believe tomorrow will be the final day of our conference here in Zacapa. If we look at our daily schedule we can see where we have been spending our time, but it truly does seem to fly by as we have moved through our days here with these wonderful teachers.
Our team experienced quite an evening last night as the Ministry of Education here in Zacapa gave us such a cultural treat. As our team arrived for dinner, a marimba band was playing music, which continued throughout our leisurely dinner outside. From there we adjourned to the main auditorium, where a very unique program had been arranged for us to enjoy. There were small children of elementary age and younger, (as young as two years of age) Jr. High age kids, and teenagers too, all presenting dances that were representative of this region. One interpreter explained to me that Zacapa is known as the ‘wild west’ of Guatemala, so the dances had much more of a ‘cowboy’ feel to them: the young men wearing straw cowboy hats, and the girls, while wearing the traditional full, flowing skirts we have seen before, these skirts were beautifully hand painted with cactus and trees indigenous to this area. Also, because there really is no Mayan influence in this area, the other heavy influence here is the Caribbean , island influence. And so a few of the dances had this flavor to them in the music and in the dancing. All of them were excellent, energetic, and truly well done. Some of the dancers came to the audience to get members of our team up and moving, making for lots of laughs and some great photo opportunities!
The Ministry of Ed. Also presented each team member with a ‘certificate of participation’ that had our individual name on each certificate and signed by the Regional Director of Zacapa. Truly a thoughtful expression of their gratitude for us volunteering to come here at our own expense, and to give them all of the materials absolutely free as well. One of the big surprises of the evening was the Governor of Zacapa being part of these festivities and speaking to our team. He expressed deep gratitude for ISP coming to Zacapa and the great need for the teachers to receive this training and for the students to benefit in turn. After the governor spoke, the Regional Director also thanked the team. He said, “Zacapa will always have open hearts for all of you! A lot of teachers have told me that the strategies you have given us already will be so helpful and they will show these to the children in their classrooms. In order for us to have a moral society we must begin with a spiritual foundation. I thank God for this conference and all of you, most excellent professionals.” The evening ended with a traditional ‘snack’ representative of this region while we visited with one another outside the auditorium.
Today, Day 3, things moved smoothly from one session to another: Ray Albrektson began with his talk on “Honest Answers to Hard Questions.” Following Ray and the morning break (with more yummy food!) conference director Bob Wilson spoke on “Why Teach Character in Education.” Paul Neumann’s session just prior to lunch began the words and hand motions to some of the major events described in the Gospels of the New Testament, concluding with a wonderful description of each of the twelve apostles. We did not have an exact count for the morning sessions, but the auditorium was quite full with many of our team members and interpreters standing in the back. So we think there was well over 360 teachers attending this morning.
After lunch, the workshops began their busy afternoon. Administrative track did a lesson from the secondary curriculum, each group depicting in a unique way the Parable of the Prodigal Son; the Secondary track while discussing objections to Christianity, also had fun playing a game based on the film ‘The Story of JESUS for Children’ that the teachers saw yesterday morning; the elementary track looked at another lesson from the elementary curriculum, reviewing one of the songs, making a small paper booklet, and looking together at The Greatest Promise Book. And then each group, in each track, began planning for their group presentations that will be part of tomorrow’s workshops. It is always such an exciting conclusion to the convocation to see the teachers actually pick a lesson from the curriculum to present in part or whole to another small group or to their entire track. The music of these teachers voices, laughter, and enthusiasm as they plan these lessons is simply WONDERFUL and so beautiful to hear! All total, we had 347 teachers in workshops this afternoon.
The afternoon concluded with the optional special interest seminars. Today’s choices were: Haroldo Arreaga speaking on Leadership Skills for Effective Leaders; Dr. Russ Williams presenting Leadership and Workplace Ethics; and Hilda Ajsivinac, tackling the topic of HIV, AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Once again many teachers did stay for these informative sessions as well. There were about 300 teachers attending between the three different seminars.
This evening our team is busy preparing for tomorrow; they have various forms and information to fill out on the teachers within their small groups as well as preparing a very small gift to give each teacher as they bid them farewell tomorrow. It will be a day of smiles and tears and definitely difficult to believe we are at the end of our time with these precious teachers.
In signing off this evening I would like to share two stories from our time here in Zacapa. I pray they will bless you just as we have been blessed here by the response, enthusiasm, and gratitude of these delightful teachers. Thank you for being a part of this journey and standing with us in thoughts and prayers as we do our best to bring God’s love and truth to Zacapa.
May God’s abundant blessings be yours.
Serving together,
Linda
For all the team here in Zacapa"
From Amy Smith, Elementary Track
“When I asked my group what they expected from this conference, many stated how to incorporate morals and values in their classroom. One teacher (in her 2nd year of teaching) said she was expecting to learn about what morals and values are, and once she understood this, she would try to put them in her classroom. Through attending the conference, she now sees that God is the basis of all morals and values; if you want your students to live properly then you will teach them about God, not about rules or by giving definitions. This teacher is very excited about how the curriculum, along with her new realizations, will change her classroom. Through this conference the teachers are becoming aware that they need God and values in their own lives before they can expect it from their students.”
From Janell Morris, Elementary Track
“Andre, my interpreter, came to the conference as an attendee, but agreed to serve as an interpreter when asked. I learned that Andre is from Brazil and has studied history and theology. He wanted to teach students about God and the Bible, but all schools in Brazil became public schools that did not teach these things. Andre asked his pastor where he could go to teach about God. His pastor suggested Guatemala , so he left home and friends and came here. He is now chaplain and teacher of Christian Morals at a school of 400 teenagers. This school even has a dormitory to house over 60 students who live too far away to permit daily travel from home to school. Andre impressed me as a young man with a heart for God, who also is a natural leader.”
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Convocation - Day 2 Zacapa
Today was an awesome day! We went over life maps. The small groups put the story of their life on paper and told the story. I shared mine first and many of them were very supportive through the difficult part and all of them were willing to share. Everyone in my group has bonded and opened up. They are like sponges and very eager to put this curriculum to work in their classrooms.
Here's an update from one of our directors:
"Buenas tardes from sunny Zacapa!
Our morning began with early breakfast outside, followed by a team meeting and prayer time for the activities of the day. The very first thing for the teachers this morning was the showing of the film “The Story of JESUS for Children”. Once again the auditorium was nearly filled, even without all of our team members present. The film was in Spanish so our workshop teams elected to train during this time.
Following a break, Dr. Ray Albrektson presented his 2nd talk on world view, this one titled “Tools for Analyzing Worldview.” And the last speaker of the morning was Paul Neumann, taking the audience through the book of Genesis with specific words put to hand motions to help them remember this historical book of the Bible. As always, the teachers were completely involved with this learning technique. We ended the morning with a total count of 352 teachers, and those working the registration tables said at least 32 of this number had not been here on Day 1.
As I wandered through each workshop I heard lots of discussion, laughter, and groups thoroughly engaged in various activities: learning cycle demonstration, singing a song from the curriculum, life maps, drama activities and more. It is always such a wonderful sight to see the teachers enjoying this time in their small groups and tracks. One teacher attending the conference, a principal of a private school, canceled school for the week to allow her teachers to all be at the conference. She said “I don’t want them to have any excuse for not being here!” Our final count this afternoon for all three tracks was 344 teachers, with an additional 37 interpreters, many of those teachers as well!
This evening our team is being treated to a special evening of cultural entertainment by the regional educational officials. This is usually such a fun and interesting time as we are exposed to many of the traditional costumes and dances of this region.
Tomorrow is Day 3 of this conference ALREADY! So hard to believe after all the months of planning and preparation for our team to be here. But so far it is going so well, and we have all of our supporters to thank for this. We know, without a doubt, that we could NOT continue on, day after busy day, without your prayer covering for us. Thank you for joining us on this journey by your support. We are so very thankful to each of you for your care and concern for our team.
Dios te bediga,
Linda
For all the team in Zacapa"
Here's an update from one of our directors:
"Buenas tardes from sunny Zacapa!
Our morning began with early breakfast outside, followed by a team meeting and prayer time for the activities of the day. The very first thing for the teachers this morning was the showing of the film “The Story of JESUS for Children”. Once again the auditorium was nearly filled, even without all of our team members present. The film was in Spanish so our workshop teams elected to train during this time.
Following a break, Dr. Ray Albrektson presented his 2nd talk on world view, this one titled “Tools for Analyzing Worldview.” And the last speaker of the morning was Paul Neumann, taking the audience through the book of Genesis with specific words put to hand motions to help them remember this historical book of the Bible. As always, the teachers were completely involved with this learning technique. We ended the morning with a total count of 352 teachers, and those working the registration tables said at least 32 of this number had not been here on Day 1.
As I wandered through each workshop I heard lots of discussion, laughter, and groups thoroughly engaged in various activities: learning cycle demonstration, singing a song from the curriculum, life maps, drama activities and more. It is always such a wonderful sight to see the teachers enjoying this time in their small groups and tracks. One teacher attending the conference, a principal of a private school, canceled school for the week to allow her teachers to all be at the conference. She said “I don’t want them to have any excuse for not being here!” Our final count this afternoon for all three tracks was 344 teachers, with an additional 37 interpreters, many of those teachers as well!
This evening our team is being treated to a special evening of cultural entertainment by the regional educational officials. This is usually such a fun and interesting time as we are exposed to many of the traditional costumes and dances of this region.
Tomorrow is Day 3 of this conference ALREADY! So hard to believe after all the months of planning and preparation for our team to be here. But so far it is going so well, and we have all of our supporters to thank for this. We know, without a doubt, that we could NOT continue on, day after busy day, without your prayer covering for us. Thank you for joining us on this journey by your support. We are so very thankful to each of you for your care and concern for our team.
Dios te bediga,
Linda
For all the team in Zacapa"
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Convocation - Day 1 Zacapa
Today we will meet over 300 teachers and introduce the curriculum. Following the main speakers we will form into small groups with our interpreters.
Please pray for:
-The main speakers: Bob Wilson, Ray Albrektson & Paul Neumann
-The small groups
-protection around the facility
Here's an update of the day from Linda:
Buenas Noches to all of our Friends and Family!
Day numero uno of our convocation in Zacapa has happened! After months of planning, this morning we experienced great joy and excitement as the teachers began to arrive and line up outside the auditorium to register for the conference. Probably the most exciting thing was to actually see them coming…after the teacher strike last week, we just were not sure if they would be able to come. But here they are and our first day of the conference has been a spectacular success!
Our opening ceremony followed the same pattern as it usually does here in Guatemala: the presentation of the national flag (with the teachers singing as it is ceremoniously brought forward,) and then the singing of the Guatemalan national anthem. It is most impressive that every single teacher sings all eight stanzas of this beautiful anthem!
After the anthem, the Regional Director of Education for Zacapa addressed the audience with his opening comments. He said, “It is an honor for the Education Department of Zacapa to receive these professionals from the U.S. & Canada . I want to share with you that it is an honor to receive this teaching. We agree to replicate this teaching with our students and fellow teachers. It is necessary for the development of our human quality as well as our professional quality…we need this in Zacapa. May God bless each of you.” And then the Regional Director officially opened the conference.
Anibal Duarte, Country director for ISP, welcomed the teachers next, and he was followed by the introduction of the leadership team for the conference. Our team director, Bob Wilson, gave the opening educational session with his talk on “The Heart of Teaching.” This is always a very motivational and challenging talk for the teachers to listen to, and there was one teacher I saw who was weeping as Bob finished this talk. I am sure there were probably more as it is such an emotional story.
Following the break, Dr. Ray Albrektson presented his first talk on worldviews, really engaging the audience with humor and excellent stories to illustrate how important it is for a teacher to identify their worldview, because it definitely impacts the way you respond to your students, your work, your family, and the decisions you make for your own life. Paul Neumann gave our last presentation for the morning, and the teachers loved his demonstration of practical learning techniques and were enthusiastically engaged in learning what Paul was teaching.
After a hot lunch outside on the lawns and around the hotel swimming pool, the teachers made their way to their ‘track’ room, choosing to attend that group which would address their educational specialty: elementary, secondary or administrative. The small groups began forming, and soon each group in each track room was leaning forward in their chairs and getting to know one another. We had about 336 total teachers between the three tracks attending in the afternoon. We understood that several teachers had to leave to take care of something at their school or with their students and were unable to stay. All of the track leaders and our team small group facilitators reported excellent participation within their groups for this first day together. One team member said an administrator in her group told her “A teacher from another nearby city where ISP came last year told me this conference was NOT to be missed!”
Our afternoon concluded with three different Special Interest Seminars: “How to Teach Values and Develop Character in Students” given by national staff member Martita Arreaga; Jose Ajsivinac presented a seminar on “How to Develop Leadership;” and Paul Neumann gave a talk on “Teaching with Style.” We had 300 teachers stay for these seminars, rather than hurrying home after a very long day.
For all of our team here in Zacapa….
Hasta Manana y muchas gracias!
Linda"
Please pray for:
-The main speakers: Bob Wilson, Ray Albrektson & Paul Neumann
-The small groups
-protection around the facility
Here's an update of the day from Linda:
Buenas Noches to all of our Friends and Family!
Day numero uno of our convocation in Zacapa has happened! After months of planning, this morning we experienced great joy and excitement as the teachers began to arrive and line up outside the auditorium to register for the conference. Probably the most exciting thing was to actually see them coming…after the teacher strike last week, we just were not sure if they would be able to come. But here they are and our first day of the conference has been a spectacular success!
Our opening ceremony followed the same pattern as it usually does here in Guatemala: the presentation of the national flag (with the teachers singing as it is ceremoniously brought forward,) and then the singing of the Guatemalan national anthem. It is most impressive that every single teacher sings all eight stanzas of this beautiful anthem!
After the anthem, the Regional Director of Education for Zacapa addressed the audience with his opening comments. He said, “It is an honor for the Education Department of Zacapa to receive these professionals from the U.S. & Canada . I want to share with you that it is an honor to receive this teaching. We agree to replicate this teaching with our students and fellow teachers. It is necessary for the development of our human quality as well as our professional quality…we need this in Zacapa. May God bless each of you.” And then the Regional Director officially opened the conference.
Anibal Duarte, Country director for ISP, welcomed the teachers next, and he was followed by the introduction of the leadership team for the conference. Our team director, Bob Wilson, gave the opening educational session with his talk on “The Heart of Teaching.” This is always a very motivational and challenging talk for the teachers to listen to, and there was one teacher I saw who was weeping as Bob finished this talk. I am sure there were probably more as it is such an emotional story.
Following the break, Dr. Ray Albrektson presented his first talk on worldviews, really engaging the audience with humor and excellent stories to illustrate how important it is for a teacher to identify their worldview, because it definitely impacts the way you respond to your students, your work, your family, and the decisions you make for your own life. Paul Neumann gave our last presentation for the morning, and the teachers loved his demonstration of practical learning techniques and were enthusiastically engaged in learning what Paul was teaching.
After a hot lunch outside on the lawns and around the hotel swimming pool, the teachers made their way to their ‘track’ room, choosing to attend that group which would address their educational specialty: elementary, secondary or administrative. The small groups began forming, and soon each group in each track room was leaning forward in their chairs and getting to know one another. We had about 336 total teachers between the three tracks attending in the afternoon. We understood that several teachers had to leave to take care of something at their school or with their students and were unable to stay. All of the track leaders and our team small group facilitators reported excellent participation within their groups for this first day together. One team member said an administrator in her group told her “A teacher from another nearby city where ISP came last year told me this conference was NOT to be missed!”
Our afternoon concluded with three different Special Interest Seminars: “How to Teach Values and Develop Character in Students” given by national staff member Martita Arreaga; Jose Ajsivinac presented a seminar on “How to Develop Leadership;” and Paul Neumann gave a talk on “Teaching with Style.” We had 300 teachers stay for these seminars, rather than hurrying home after a very long day.
For all of our team here in Zacapa….
Hasta Manana y muchas gracias!
Linda"
Monday, March 1, 2010
More Training
Today will be general set-up. We have more training and will be meeting our personal Interpreter for the first time. We kick off the Convocation tomorrow morning! Can't wait! We are expecting 350-400 teachers and I am looking forward to meeting them and developing new friendships.
Please pray:
1. Good relationship for group leaders with their interpreters
2. My interpreter is Jerry Jordan; please keep him in your prayers.
3. Final preparations
Please pray:
1. Good relationship for group leaders with their interpreters
2. My interpreter is Jerry Jordan; please keep him in your prayers.
3. Final preparations
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Natural Disasters
Guatemala's location between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean makes it a target for hurricanes, such as Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and Hurricane Stan in October 2005, which killed more than 1,500 people. The damage was not wind related, but rather due to significant flooding and resulting mudslides.
Guatemala's highlands lie along the Motagua Fault, part of the boundary between the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates. This fault has been responsible for several major earthquakes in historic times, including a 7.5 magnitude tremor on February 4, 1976 which killed more than 25,000 people. In addition, the Middle America Trench, a major subduction zone lies off the Pacific coast. Here, the Cocos Plate is sinking beneath the Caribbean Plate, producing volcanic activity inland of the coast. Guatemala has 37 volcanoes, four of them are active:Pacaya, Santiaguito, Fuego and Tacaná. Fuego and Pacaya erupted in 2010.
Natural disasters have a long history in this geologically active part of the world. For example, two of the three moves of the capital of Guatemala have been due to volcanic mudflows in 1541 and earthquakes in 1773.