A Divine Appointment with Destiny



John 6:39 "And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day."

     At the end of my last post the fate of our new student "Charlie Brown" was treading very thin ice and all signs pointed to the fact that Hogar de la Roca was not an adequate place for Charlie to receive the treatment he needs.  Charlie had just one more night with us and if his seizures and hallucinations from alcohol withdrawal didn't cease, we were going to commit him to the Guatemalan City mental hospital. However, God works miracles at all the Youth Challenge ministries on a daily basis and Charlie was the most recent recipient of God's mercy and a new chance to start over again. And thanks to God charlie will begin his new life, not in the garbage dump in Antigua from where he came, but surrounded by loving people, prayer, food, showers, and a new family created and tailored just for him and his specific needs by his Father in heaven. 


Luke 6:21 "God blesses you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. 
Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh"


Pictured with Charlie are Mark and Dale, American missionaries living here in Guatemala and operating out of a Church in Antigua.  Mark  came across Charlie by chance on the streets of Antigua, and upon learning Charlies situation they offered him a place to stay with them, they provided him with money, and bought him a beautiful leather bound bible which is a constant source of encouragement and joy to Charlie.  Afterwards, having learned about our ministry, they brought Charlie to us at Hogar de la Roca in the hopes that with these simple selfless acts of love for a fellow human being, Charlie will be forever changed and leave behind his life of alcohol addiction in the streets for ever. That part is up to Charlie, but the change that has taken place in his life after just a week of living with us is incredible and an encouragement to the few who are willing to invest in the previously broken life of a wonderful human being who just needed a little love and a little push in the right direction.


Our annual 3rd sunday in house church Service for the community.  Can you spot Chris in the audience?  He never misses a photo-op.

       And for people like Charlie and many others around the world, that "push" into Youth Challenge/Hogar de la Roca has really been a divine appointment with God and destiny.  It's a place where God sets you apart for Himself, with the purpose of  putting you on his potter's wheel and sculpting you into the masterpiece you were originally intended to be with the touch of the skilled hands of the creator of the universe. This process takes time and it often hurts or seems crazy and impossible.  But after you see the miraculous move of God upon his people, most of which the world have already rendered as hopeless, it seems as though you may never again question with your heart if we live in the midst of a loving God,  father, and creator .  Lives change here, and it is such a blessing to be a part of and witness it all with my own eyes.  There is a very popular saying that goes, "Once an addict always an addict."  This is only true in the sense that someone who abuses drugs or alcohol can no longer have drugs or alcohol in any capacity.  Yet there are some who invest time at our ministry and no longer have a desire to use drugs or alcohol at all and aren't really comfortable with the idea of calling themselves a drug addict for the rest of their lives. They want to move forward  and God has this word for all His people.
2nd Cornithians 5 :17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 

This post is published with the enthusiastic permission of our
newest member to the family, Charlie.

The house fills up and things get crazy!

A brief update!

     For the majority of my internship here at Hogar de la Roca the house had been fairly quiet.  We fluctuated between only two and three students. The two men who remained have already been here for about four months and flow with our routine fairly smoothly.  However after the convention we had three men come in almost at the same time.  We have two rooms, and 9 beds here at the program.  However three of the beds are in my room and students are required to be here for about 6 months before they enter into some of the privileges of their "second phase" in the program.  Add the fact that we are holding the final bed for a young man recently released from prison and you see that we are now just about full.

     Charlie Brown:  The pictures you see of some of the guys reading and sleeping are not indicative of the reality that has encapsulated our house for the three previous nights.  We did the intake on Friday of young man that we will call "Charlie Brown."  One of his names is accurate and the other is not.  I feel it would be unethical to reveal both his name and his history as it would be impossible for me to get his permission.  I hope to do bios in the future with some of the other guys in the house with their consent, but Charlie Brown is a special case.
     Although he claims to be in his early thirties Charlie looks closer to fifty.  He was brought in to us from another missionary group in Antigua.  Charlie is addicted to rubbing alcohol.  It is actually a common problem in a country such as this where alcoholism runs rapid amongst intense poverty.  Whereas the most inexpensive bottle of real liquor would cost around 5 Q., a bottle of rubbing alcohol can easily be obtained  for 1Q.  The only thing more devastating than the effects of the daily intake of rubbing alcohol into your body is the sudden cessation and withdrawal from it.
     Currently here at night four Charlie is lucky to be alive.  He has been continually shaking to the point where he can hardly hold a glass of water at his lips.  He has gone into full seizures onto the floor at random times.  He has thrown up everywhere. He vomited in the middle of a church service on his one and only outing with us,  as well as multiple times in and around the bathrom at the house. And the most severe symptom of charlie's detox is  hallucinations. Although it is most acute in the evenenings Charlie is subject to paranoid delusional episodes. Bashing his head against walls, running from people trying to  "kill him", flossing his teeth violently for seemingly no reason until his mouth is full of blood, and claiming to have sustained severe injuries that don't exist are a just a few examples of what Charlie has been doing all night long for three nights straight, much to this dismay of his exhausted yet supportive roomates and staff.  There are times when he has no idea where he is and tries to break out or just plain insists on leaving.  The last thing we want to do is let him go out in his condition, but as days move forward it is becoming more and more clear that Chris and myself are not equipped to deal with someone in Charlies condition.  As i stated, it is fortunate he didn't die in our house.
     Our hope is that we are reaching the end of an extreme detox and that the hallucinations are merely a temporary symptom soon to be relieved.  There are many "windows" during the day where we get to see the real Charlie.  When Charlie has his wits about him he is a wonderful, gentle, funny, and grateful person who is eager to help and excited to be a part of our house.  It is this Charlie that Chris and I are holding onto. It is this Charlie that we see fairly often that has encouraged us to keep him in the process here. We feed him, give him oral hydration salts, and pray with him continually.  However as time goes on and his symptoms remain we begin to wonder if there is a deeper problem and that maybe his alcohol abuse is actually an attempt to self-medicate his hallucinations and not the other way around.  The bottom line is we are not Doctors and Charlie needs one. However, Charlie has no money and we don't want to commit Charlie to the unknown fate of the city mental hospital when it seems so often like he just may come out of this at any time.  We are in contact with a team of clinicians from the states and are giving Charlie one more chance to sleep through the night and stop hallucinating.  If all the madness continues again through the night, it is for the benefit of the other men in the house and Charlie himself that we will have to commit him to whatever may be in a Guatemalan mental hospital.  As of this moment, charlie is sound asleep, and this blogger is typing as quietly as possible.
     I wanted to give a quick update to anyone who has been kind enough to follow my blog and has yet noticed that the posts have been becoming less frequent.  The simple truth is that with more students i have less time.  However God has put it on my heart to do this whenever i can. Plus i always look forward to sharing my experiences with you with the entirety of my heart.  Please know your feedback is a constant encouragement to me.  Comments are always welcome in addition to any questions or concerns you may have regarding any of the posts. May the grace and peace of the lord be with you all as you interact in your social and family networks making the drink of life just a bit sweeter for those you come across with only simple gestures of patient and genuine love.

Blessings come from the United States!

     Before the missionary team from America heads for home, they are sure to stop at each of the affiliated ministries for a visit.  For people who have travelled to Guatemala for the first time, this is a great opportunity to see the overwhelming need that prevails in this beautiful country, in addition to the attempts of some wonderful people committed to making a difference.  For those who come on the trips annually, they have a chance to see how God has moved in the different programs, meaning, to see how the programs have grown and improved since the year before. They are also able to see the areas that are still lacking, and of course, everyone is given the opportunity to help.

       Our guests from America got the full tour of the facility from top to bottom.  People took a lot of pictures and asked a lot of questions. One man who is enrolled in our program and living at the house was able to give his testimony to the group and share what God has been doing in his life since he arrived here at Hogar de la Roca.  I noticed most everyone on the missionary team took special time throughout the convention to get to know the guys in the program a bit, as well as to encourage them to keep going forward in their new drug and alcohol free life.

         There was an seemingly endless amount of love coming from this group of American missionaries that continued throughout the entire convention.  Above is a picture of myself with my new "moms" from First Cathedral Church.  We had never met before the week of the convention but when i was introduced to these ladies i learned they had already been praying for me since they heard i was sick with parasites. It was like we were old friends after our first meeting.  Some of them were nurses and they were always inquiring how i was feeling, what i was eating, and advising me what to eat and what not to. They gave me bags of antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer, and even durring this picture they were scanning my room to make sure i was getting enough fresh air circulation through the windows.  I learned quickly that everyone on the team, whether i had known them previously or not, had a genuine concern for my well- being.  Every time I turned around i was handed a care bag of Gatorade, some chicken soup, or an impromptu prayer.  It was amazing.

       As the tour was ending and the team was getting ready to leave we all met up on the rooftop.  There people  took turns as they felt led and gave Chris and myself advice and encouragement regarding all the important work that lies ahead of us.  We met in a circle and all prayed together.  Then the team took a financial love offering amongst themselves and gave it to the ministry as a final goodbye blessing.

      After a lot of hugs and goodbyes the mission team was in the bus and on their way.  Chris, the guys, and myself were left with a week of emotional, spiritual, and financial blessings that will help fuel us into the new year and new projects we undertake in this mission and ministry. 

     We spend a lot of time talking about spiritual blessings in this blog, for this moment let's focus on some tangible blessing we have received!

     It is part of the tradition of the convention that on the final night that the group is in the hotel, we have what is called blessing night.  Every year the group is asked to bring a suitcase for themselves (of course), and an extra bag full of clothes or items they would like to give away to the programs.  One morning after the convention i was able to set up and fill two tables full of suits jackets, ties, shoes, sneakers, belts, soaps, jeans and so much more. Many of the clothes had been worn previously but there was no junk here.  These were real blessings consisting of great clothes and cosmetics in excellent condition.  I have been part of 4 or 5 intakes in guatemala (where we bring a new guy into the program) and they have all come in to this ministry straight from the street with literally only the clothes on their backs.  It meant so much to the guys to receive these clothes and toiletries.  Not only does a new pair of shoes and socks help your situation tremendously when you only have one pair that has bonded to your foot through fungal infection, but it also helps your self image to put on some nice clothes before you go out to church or to the market.  When you start to feel like a human being again, the desire to preserver through this difficult time of getting your life back together in the program increases in grand proportions.

      Clothes are terrific.... especially when you have a place to put them!  Up until this convention Hogar de la Roca had no furniture whatsoever in the bedrooms except for bunk beds.  The guys and myself had to pile our clothes neatly in a corner on the floor, live out of a suitcase, or put our clothes on an empty bunk bed if there was one in our room.  I have to admit it was kind of weird to start unpacking and not have a place to put books or deodorant or hang your jacket or dress clothes.  So everything was on the floor or an empty bed. 
     But with the money we were able to collect from the convention, adding up our shirt sales and financial blessings from the team, we were able to bring furniture to Hogar de la Roca!

     Clothes, dressers, closets, chicken soup, Gatorade, soap, and even money.  These are all wonderful things.  A lot of people come to third world countries and start to get resentful towards people who are "rich" or exceedingly comfortable.  There is even the tendency to start bashing America and it's people for maintaining it's blatant and boastful overabundance, and yet remaining seemingly obliviouss to it's starving neighbors on all sides.  While i can understand from where those feelings are percolating, i believe that view is too myopic.  Families need money to support themselves, churches need money to reach people and do their work effectively, and this ministry of Hogar de la Roca needs money to get a hot water heater so the guys don't have to take freezing showers when they come in off the street. In fact,  it takes money to open the doors of any organization designed to aid in a humanitarian capacity.  
     1 Timothy 6:10  For it is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil.  And some people, craving money, have wandered away from true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.  
     Everyone has the ability to make a difference in this beautiful world that sadly remains under the subjection of it's harsh elements and realities.  People are placed in different positions, by God, and are given the ability to help in a unique capacity.  However each one is equally as important.  Just as the human body needs it's arm as well as its leg to function at it's full potential, so does the body of compassionate people need those who are willing to live with less and sacrifice themselves on the mission field for example, as well as those willing to support the work  financially.  In ancient battle formations the treasury was kept way behind the lines of soldiers and protected, as it was their crucial duty to send supplies and funds to the soldiers up front as needed.  That picture is illustrative  of the position America has been standing in  for many years.  America has remained relatively safe, protected, and prosperous since it has been established.  
     However this position comes with great responsibility as well as a a temptation for greed.  There are some, such as the most recent example the American missionary team, and many others of course, who are using the blessings they have received in a rich American pursuit of happiness to look after their families as well as the happiness of others. There are others however, who have more than enough, yet are never content.  Enough, is never enough.  There is a difference between need and want, and yet that line has blurred in places like the United States.  We let ourselves become anxious and discontent over what we merely want.  When we live in this state of a constant and unnecessary compulsion to please ourselves, the desire in our hearts to help others cannot compete nor even exist.  We say to ourselves "When I get "this" i will be all set and can relax and be happy."  A lot of time, after some hard work we get "this" enjoy it for a only a mere moment and then our sights are instantly set on "that."  If we focus only on ourselves, or even the people immediately around us, it is my experience and belief that we will always be let down and left wanting more.  But if we can get a heart for others, and start investing in the happiness of others, either with our time or money, a change will take place in us.  We will start seeing the world with different eyes, and we will then continue on our true journey to the pursuit of happiness.

Y.C.I. Central America Convention!

     Every year in Guatemala a large group of American and Guatemalan missionaries come together under one united vision.  Luke 4: 18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim the captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come."
     The lives of Bishop Raul and Pastor "Willie" Gonzales are evidence of this scripture and vision in action.  Their was a time however until Raul Gonzalez was about thirty years old when he was considered by friends and family to be a hopeless heroin addict with no future.  Overcoming much, Raul Gonzalez left a legacy of love in the hands of his wife and other faithful men and women committed to this vision as well as the many men, women, and children whose lives are made better by his ministries daily.  Here we will focus our attention geographically on just one small piece.
Youth Challenge of Guatemala
Youth Challenge of Guatemala operates under a regional board, under this board exist several Programs

 Programs

 

• Reto Juvenil de Guatemala/Youth Challenge of Guatemala (Hogar de la Roca)

This is where I am living and working as a missionary for the next year.  Like the original Youth Challenge program in Connecticut this is a faith-based residential center that helps individuals with life controlling problems such as substance abuse learn to lead productive and meaningful lives.

• Nuevo Reto de Guatemala/New Challenge

Nuevo Reto (New Challenge) is a Christian ministry that reaches the street children in Guatemala. Founded in 1991, the mission aims to rescue kids from the streets and helping them to grow in a Christian family atmosphere. The program plans to operate in two phases; the first being a house for at least 40 kids under the age of twelve, the second- a house for boys older than twelve.

• La Cocina de Amor/ The Love Kitchen

Cocina del Amor operates as a church and a program. the program have branches throughout Guatemala, Cuba, Nicaragua.

• Libre Infancia/ Children in Freedom

Libre Infancia was founded in 1995. The program serves the children of families that live in the "Basurero Municipal" (city dump) in the capital city of Guatemala City. The program plans to be a small city, housing 500 children, 30 houses in addition to activities centers, health centers and other buildings.

• Amigos del Pobre/ Friends of The Poor
• Casa de Deborah/ Debroah House

This is a home just like Hogar de la Roca but for women.

The convention is held in honor of Raul and Willie Gonzalez, the programs they have begun, the people laying down their own lives to work at them, as well as those in need who are benefiting from them.

The Convention:

     The convention, which is held annually at the Hotel Camino Real, is a time of exhortation and building up.  The various leaders from the different programs as well as associated churches are involved with seminars, teachings, and often biblical preachings.  You need to have a lot of tools in your toolbox to be successfully sustained while laboring in one of these Guatemalan programs.  Here Pastor Willy Gonzalez, aided in translation by Chris Allende, is reminding those in attendance of the importance of patience. There were many opportunities to hear other very gifted and encouraging speakers as well.

     The convention is also a time for fundraising.  What you see are two men from Hogar de la Roca (Alfredo & Edgar), whose lives are in the process of being restored.  They are proudly holding shirts they helped hand screen themselves and are offering them for sale throughout the convention on behalf of our program.  Fundraising demands a lot of attention and creativity from the directors, leaders, and pastors in Guatemala.  This is vital not only to keeping the doors open, but also to keep them supplied with various essentials.  Our director Chris, is very good at thinking outside of the box.  He has learned for instance that American cologne bottles can be sold and recycled here in Guatemala, so he always has people bring them when they visit from the states.  He also breeds and sells puppies. 
     During the convention the are multiple "offerings" and financial gifts collected for all the Guatemalan programs.  The convention is a much needed and greatly anticipated financial boost for ministries that often go without so many things year round.

     The convention is a time for banquets, good food, and fellowship!  And in many ways, this is where the heart of the convention lies.  It can be arduous and desolate, to be a missionary in a third world country.  Their are times when the connected Guatemalan programs are so enraptured in their own schedule that fellowship lacks even between local ministries.  And if your from America, the truth that you are literally thousands of miles from home has the capacity to weigh fairly heavy upon you at times.  The convention is a reminder that there are people who appreciate you, and your sacrifice.  Both the Guatemalan and American missionaries go out of their way to mutually show their vast appreciation for each other.  It's commonplace at the convention to see groups of people feasting, praying together, holding impromptu meetings, and encouraging each other in many various ways. All the ministries are visited by the American missionary team, there are day trips and leisure activities, as well as different outreach and church services attended.

Lunch in Antigua

     I knew Lou Guerra before the convention from church.  Lou is an upbeat and positive person who is always eager to help and serve someone in whatever capacity he is able.  It is no wonder he was recently made a deacon at our church Glory Chapel Intl.  I got to spend a lot of time with Lou this past week.  He is the type of guy who pays his own way to Guatemala, and then volunteers some of his very limited free time to be part of a small team who came to my program to exterminate roaches and help fix our toilets.  He was always there to lay hands and pray for me as I was struggling with parasites during the whole convention, he bought me a beautiful lunch, and was just a complete blessing to myself and everyone around him.
     And it wasn't just Lou.  The whole missionary team displayed this same attitude consistently throughout the whole week.  I, being a Christian, love to see scripture come to life. Being surrounded by so many beautiful people i was reminded of  Galatians 5:22  "The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.
     Anyone is capable, regardless of the faith they adopt, to display theses characteristics in their life at one time or another.  Christians however, must learn to genuinley display these "fruits" regardless of how they are feeling or what their circumstances may be dictating.  Of course this isn't easily done on our own, that is why the scripture begins with "The Holy Spirit Produces..."
     You find too many "Christians" today bombing abortion clinics, protesting gay funerals, and verbally condemning people to hell.  All of which is completely Anti-Christ, unbiblical, and in many cases even unlawful.  If more Christians would just work on their "fruit." Without saying a word, a life lived that is full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control, can speak volumes to Christians and non Christians alike about a more excellent way of life that we posses the power to carry out daily.  This missionary team of hardworking people used their vacation time to come serve, encourage, and bless people in another land.  The local pastors, directors, and missionaries here in Guatemala, lay down their lives daily to continue this vision that was first for Jesus, and now for anyone who chooses to adopt it.
Luke 4: 18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim the captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come."
    

American missionary team arrives!

Open Air Ministry Outreach:

     At almost exactly this time every year a missionary team of people from America come to Guatemala for a week of aid and support.  This is a long-standing tradition involving primarily, however not limited to, Glory Chapel Intl. Cathedral, and First Cathedral.  After the team gets settled they choose a location to set up a tent, sound system, and music to reach out to that community.  Outside Guatemala city, in a very desolate mountain town, all but forgotten by the world at large,  a stage is set.

    First, some loud and lively music.  This provides entertainment for the people, it gets their attention, and most importantly it changes the atmosphere from what people are accustomed to seeing and feeling at a particular time.

     After the music Arch-bishop LeRoy Bailey Jr of First Cathedral in Bloomfield was invited to address this packed little tent in this small barrio in the mountain.  With the help of Pastor Jose Alvarez as an interpreter Arch-bishop brought a visionary message to this wonderful and captivated audience of eager listeners.  They were blown away to hear about how much God loves them and wants to help them through their trials and circumstances.  They were excited to hear about what God had done in the lives of so many of the American missionaries who shared their stories with them, and were overjoyed to learn that God's grace is for everyone including their own family and friends.

     After Archbishop finished speaking people were invited to the front of the tent.  They came to talk to God.  Many needed help and weren't sure what to say.  Many cried out.  Other's couldn't say anything, as they were overwhelmed with tears or had literally fallen to the ground after being prayed with by a missionary and reunited for the first time with their very Creator.  The same one who had knitted them together in their mother's womb so many years before.

     At moments such as these barriers are non-existent.  Cultural, social, and even language barriers no longer exist.  Here you see Rev. Bill Howdy, a plumber from Massachusetts, leading a local man into a new relationship with a loving God.  Bill Howdy, came through the ministry of Youth Challenge many years ago.  Since then he has developed a successful business, a beautiful family, and a desire to show his love and gratitude in as many ways as he is able.       After everything calmed down, and i thought the unseasonable cold evening had come to a close.  These guys came and heated everything up again!

     Meet the "Perlas de Cristo" mariachi group!  http://www.perlasdecristo.com/  As their stage presence suggests these guys were professional and all business up there.  It was a perfect ending to a perfect night.  People shook off the cold by singing and dancing.  Genuine shouts of Jubilee were spilling from the tent and were heard even by those who chose not to attend our open air ministry.

     Coincidentally, these gentlemen were a pleasure on and off the stage as i was able to speak with them and buy their full length CD for the equivalent of $1.10 U.S.

     For so many people this was the first time they had ever heard God revealed in such tangible terms.  Others had heard "the story" so many times it had lost any meaning.  But it takes on a whole new face when people you've never met come half-way across the world to your small town just to look you in the eyes and tell you God loves you.  Then to pray with you, embrace you as you shed tears, and help walk you through any doubts or questions, all at their own expense, and all because God is just that real to them.  Now that changes things.

 

Part 3: Doctor

Third:  Doctor

     Knowing that i am not just a tourist in Guatemala, but that i actually live and work here for the next year, i have been making a strong effort to adapt to life as a "Guatemalan."  I can honestly say that so far, i 've tested the water with both feet.  I've eaten whatever the people i've been with were eating, in the very conditions in which it was prepared, (see part one and two of  previous post).  I brushed my teeth and showered with the same water. I've eaten salad, and other food or beverages made with water as long as they were heated up. I did everything except drink large amounts of water straight from the tap.  And even for that i've been teased on a consistent basis.  Especially because i have a 5 gallon jug of "agua pura" in my room that Hunter and i use daily.  I told the guys after the coming Y.C.I. convention (which will be covered) i would take the drinking water plunge as sort of a final step but now I'm not too sure.  Tuesday morning my whole body was so racked with pain i was screaming out loud uncontrollably.  My stomach felt as if it was overfull of battery acid and razor blades.  My body temperature was giving me sensations as if i were continually walking  from a sub-zero walk-in  freezer, out into the bright burning sun, and then back again.  I promise you it felt like the sun would suddenly start burning my face. It was absolutely maddening. Sometimes i was pouring sweat, sometimes frozen with goosebumps, and all in this while in bed for about 5 days, too weak to even take hunter outside on a regular basis. That Tuesday Chris, and all the guys took their relatively new missionary to the Doctor.

     I wasn't sure what to expect really.  The men who live in the program thought i had probably come down with "Dengue" which is a common and horrible mosquito virus prevalent in Guatemala.  Having fought off mosquitoes on a nightly basis i started to believe it too. When we (Chris had to interpret and translate) told the doctor my symptoms he did a number of tests involving a total of around 5 people in the very small room with me while Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistible" played loudly in the back round. First there was blood work, which he "emergency processed" through the lab.  He was checking for Dengue as well as my white-blood cell count.  If my count was high he would treat for bacteria, if it was low, he would treat for a virus.  Then there was a full battery of normal, however in my condition very painful poking, prodding, and questioning.
     And  then this happened..........

        This shot was supposed to ease the pain and give my body a vitamin boost.  I don't remember any pain "going away" but as you can see from the picture i certainly experienced a lot of pain from the whole ordeal.  Physically of course, and now viewing and sharing this picture emotionally as well. I actually wrestled for a while as to whether or not i would use this picture.  I concluded that since this blog in many ways is a documentary, both the reader and myself would simply have to endure some things.  I settled on shrinking the picture down "to soften it a bit" or something of that nature.  Anyway, I couldn't sit comfortably for at least an hour after. 
         At the end of my visit i gave the receptionist 400.00Q (quensales) which is significantly less if you equate it to US dollars.  I was told however that the express blood work, and extensive staff isn't common procedure and most likely they saw a gringo from Connecticut and hiked up the bill.  However they upped the service along with it and being so sick at the time complaining about extra medical attention was the last thing i planned to do.
        Later that night i got a call from the doctor and he told me I had a bacteria infection from the food i had been eating, and the water i had been bathing in. The medications were delivered to the house/ inpatient drug rehabilitation center, with no prescription needed for 90.00 Q later that night.  The next day Chris got sick himself and was diagnosed with an intestinal parasite.
          IT took only ten days of living "as a Guatemalan" to completely break me physically.  Within a week of my regular running routine (about 40 miles x week) I developed debilitating and painful shinsplints running around this very treacherous concrete jungle with nowhere soft to land my feet at any part of the run.  Shortly after being taken out of my physical exercise routine that i thrive on, the rest of me was taken down by bacteria.  To be honest, the sickness brought on an element of feeling "homesick" which i would have calculated as drastically pre-mature if i were to have pre-calculated it's appropriate place and timeline on my mission.  However, when your lying there in a third world country, with nothing but your thoughts and sick body for days on end,  your mind can start doing some crazy things.  I was so thankful however, for this obvious and yet sorely needed revelation and reminder.
Phillipians 4:12-13  "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
          I have read about Paul's secret many times.  I have tried to apply it to life circumstances here and there.  But living here, in light of the recent posts i've shared, and even more so in the wake of what's to come, i believe i will truly learn that secret for myself.  In fact, i understand that as part of the very reason God has called me here. Formally, i was the kind of guy who could make himself miserable and discontented in paradise and in ideal situations.  I could be touring with my bands and finding myself at the Grand Canyon, the Pacific ocean, or even Europe and somehow find a way to misery. But why figure it all out now?  Because I have to. Because it's time. And because here among me are all good and necessary ingredients for spiritual growth.  Poverty, sickness, impending natural disasters, and pandemics lie all around me.  As I learn the secret of being content here, i'll be able to be truly content if  God elevates me to more "comfortable"  surroundings.  What about you?  I'm willing to bet your not always so content in difficult situations.  That is perfectly normal. We all need to work at how we deal with adversity.  It's still interesting to know that a man just like us found a secret to being content in those situations though isn't it?   How about this, are you content with being well fed, or living in plenty?  Does joy sometimes sort of miss it's mark despite those blessings too?  I believe this secret is attainable to everyone and well worth seeking!  I  also want you to know that i'm at peace even as i write and meditate on the above Scripture.  Finally, as an update, i still have 5 days of anti-biotics left to take, which i will even though they destroy my stomach, but I'm basically healed of infection! .  It's just a matter of getting up and running again now....literally.

Infestations, bacteria, and a trip to the Doctor

     There has been a considerable lapse since my last post.  I mentioned this possibility in my first post but i certainly didn't expect to be completely out of commission and horribly ill for 4 days and counting so quickly.  Let's catch you up on the recent events of Hogar de la Roca.
First: Infestation

It started at the puppy cage.  I guess some food had collected underneath and Chris and myself hadn't noted it.  We also had the window open because the puppy's were starting to stink up the office a bit. Monday night is when we noticed this ant infestation.  There were probably hundreds of thousands, some with wings some without.  They don't look like much in this picture and i was only slightly intimidated by their numbers. That is until they started biting!  These little black ants packed such a massive bite that was completely out of proportion to their size and color.  I thought only red ants bit but these ants bite too, and they leave welts i still have as souvenirs.  I was in flip-flops which rendered me useless until i could run and change into some real shoes, and the puppies were absolutely soaked with ants.  Chris however was well prepared.

With a lot of spraying, sweeping, and washing this particular invading army was put down. But there are a lot of other boys in the band on a consistent basis.

Tortillas anyone?  This is what you find when you walk in the kitchen at night.  My camera has a tough time capturing the whole scope and magnitude and of the way these guys party every night in the kitchen just after lights out, but just imagine dozens of these completely all over the food and utensils you use every day, as well as the occasional late-nite visit to your bed.  This next  image appers "lifesize" on my 15" computer screen.

Combine that with the potentially virus ridden mosquito's that buzz (way louder than American mosquitoes) in your ear all night, the multi-coloured spiders hanging around wherever, the fleas hopping around, and the rat we just found in the office, we have got a lot of friends here at Hogar de la Roca.

Second: Bacteria:  Meet "La Pila"

Meet the CENTER OF SANITATION here at the men's home in Guatemala. This sink, is where we wash our food, dishes and utensils, our dogs, vehicles, and where the students wash their laundry.  It has one tap that provides cold water which potentially carries hepatitis a or b, as well as various other viruses, amoeba's, bacterias, or parasites. (Did i mention that i'm a self-proclaimed germaphobe?) This has all been very difficult for me, and although i mostly keep it to myself, the guys are still quick to remind me that our house is fortunate because the water runs here every day.  There are sections of our neighborhood nearby where they only receive water every other day.
Speaking of water...

 
The shower water carries the same potential for spreading virus and disease.

     Everything posted above is in spite of the best efforts of the director and staff of Hogar de la Roca.  In reference to the infestations it is important to note that we live right on the edge of a Barranco, which is basically a deep valley that is full of all sorts of wild-life and insects, making us their first stop as they migrate into the city.  On the flip side it give us a beautiful view off the back of our roof, overlooking a sort of jungle terrain surrounded by volcanoes and villages. That part is really wonderful.  Also our neighbors, within their small yard contain around 6 dogs, fifteen cats, and a lot of garbage that piles and collects continually.  There have been countless efforts made to control the roaches and insects, and just today we implemented a system to put the dishes through a bleach water rinse before being dried and put away. Chris and myself are currently trying to raise money to bring in real exterminators as well as dedicating extra time for the house to spend on deep cleaning during chores.  The truth is, as far as Guatemala goes the people in this house live pretty well.  And most of the local people don't often get sick on the daily water and food they consume as their bodies are accustomed to it. Sickness generally occurs when something  really bad and different passes a long.  But as for me, I got sick, real sick, real fast.  My next post will be a continuation of this one, dealing with being sick in Guatemala, visiting the doctor etc.  For now i must return to bed.  Although I'm beginning to feel a little bit better, I still have a long way to climb out of this bacteria/ parasite infection.