Descubriendo Guatemala

What a week it has been!  It seems hard to believe that I have been in Guatemala for a little over a week.  So much has happened; it seems that I have been here for a longer time.

I arrived in San Pedro Carcha last Wednesday, after traveling a very scenic route through the mountains with long-term EMM workers, Galen and Phyllis Groff.  Find out more about the Groff’s work through their blog: http://groff-guatemala-missions.blogspot.com/

Last Friday, I left to spend time with Wilmar Caal and his family near Chiquixji, a remote little K’ekchi’ village.  Wilmar’s father, Felipe, works with a sustainable farming organization to improve farm productivity throughout Central America while caring for the natural environment.  The family grows coffee and cardamom as cash crops.  Maize, beans, and other vegetables and fruits are raised for their own sustenance.

Last Saturday, I was able to help harvest some of the family’s maize crop.  I was a fun morning.  I pulled ears off the stock, bent the stalk over (a sign that it was harvested), partially husked the ear and then hurled the ear through the air to a pile in the middle of the field.  I did that over and over again all morning.  Then the full ears were loaded into sacks (to a weight of about 150 pounds) and carried out to the pick-up truck.  All in all it was great exercise!

   

North Americans may say such harvesting is inefficient compared to modern self-propelled grain combines.  However, these machines cannot maneuver the steep slopes I did that morning.  Neither can a combine operator enjoy the sounds of nature, carry on a conversation with nearby workers or enjoy the breathtaking view I experienced while working.

 

On Monday and Tuesday, I participated in the harvest of cardamom.  It reminded me of picking strawberries in Pennsylvania: back-braking work.  A plus is that harvesting cardamom is in the shade; a minus is that, while eating a cardamom berry is excellent breath freshener, it does not compare to popping a vine-ripened strawberry into one’s mouth every so often while working. 

Besides fieldwork, I enjoyed the children I interacted with in the community.  Children too young for school, follow their parents into the field.  After he worked up enough courage to talk with me rather than simply smiling a cute smile while I asked him questions, I was able to have fun Spanish conversations with Chester, while harvesting cardamom.   I also enjoyed playing marble games and drawing pictures with Brian, Chester, Cristy and Litzy (not pictured) at the Caal's  home. 

At the K’ekchi’ Mennonite Church of Chiquixji, I was invited to play guitar with the musicians at the first service I attended and played in all the following services as well.  It was fun and I felt warmly received by the congregation.

 

 The first time I ever attended church in rubber boots!

 

I left my time with the Caal’s pondering their way of life.  I have been studying the book of Ecclesiastes this past week and conclude that all in all, the K’ekchi’ Christians may have a better grasp on the important matters in life than many Christians in developed countries.   For the K’ekchi’, family and friends are the most important.  Parents and grandparents are present to teach the younger generation; parents are present to hear the first words uttered by their children and share in their creative games and quest to explore the world.  Most modern parents have traded this exciting adventure for a “professional” career, permitting someone in a childcare center or the secular media to influence their children.

 

Felipe feeding the ducklings with his grandson, Brian.

Some other fun facts about my past week:  I finally have a guitar to play!  Wilmar and I went guitar shopping this past Thursday and we found a quality instrument for a reasonable price.  I am looking forward to playing it throughout my year here.

Wimar, testing a guitar in Coban.

My new guitar!

I can also add the American Redstart,

Azure-crowned Hummingbird,

Great Kiskadee,

and the Yellow-faced Grassquit to the list of new birds I have seen here in Guatemala.

 

Next week, I begin my preparation and plans for the coming growing season at the Bezaleel School.  I will be collaborating with some other workers who are involved in various agricultural programs throughout Alta Verapaz.  I am looking forward to getting out into Guatemalan agriculture!