First Days

The first two weeks of school (one just for teachers and one with kids) are unbelievable OVER already and classes and activities are full swing. These first days were highlighted by:

• meetings, meeting, meetings

• a fun-fill teacher field trip to the import grocery store where we were able to find Bigelow tea and Jell-O!

• a special anniversary (which meant carrot cake for all!!!)
  

• technology, technology, technology

• a giant caterpillar attack!
  

• praise, worship, prayer

• blessed times of work and fun, but a lack of time for it all!!

Enjoy the video!!

T-Minus Two Days and Counting!

After a busy, sometimes stressful, but definitely exciting and blessed week, I am nearly prepared to greet students on Monday morning! My schedule, like that of all other CAG teachers, is jam-packed with classes and activities. This year I will continue to coordinate the elementary Reading Program, which includes supervising two staff members; teach the Middle School-level English as a Foreign Language, and co-sponsor the Junior Class. A new undertaking that I am so, so, so excited about is starting a Middle School-level Destination ImagiNation class/team! If you don't know this fabulous program, check this out to learn more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yTFBozqpQM

My two big personal goals center around content reading and technology this year. I've made commitments to address these areas both in my classes and by helping others. The realm of technology is way outside of my comfort zone, but is something I am feeling called to address. I've committed my EFL class to spend one class period each week learning online and have started my very own website (allalvarez.webnode.com) which I will need to keep updated daily for the benefit of students, parents, and other teachers. These areas are a prayer focus for me, as I delve into new territory. The verse we've been praying with this week is from John 11:3 - "Lord, the one you love is..."... and in my case: nervous, worried, excited, and overwhelmed. I hope you will pray with me that my endeavors will be of benefit to others in the pursuit of educating God's children.

More to come once classes get underway...

PRAYER REQUEST...

A very dear friend has been working to help a family complete an adoption that they have been working on since the child was born..FOUR YEARS ago! The biggest obstacle that needs to be overcome is finding the child's birth mother so that she can verify that she has abandoned little Shyanne. We have been successful in finding a birth mother in the past, for this friend's own adoption, by working through the missionary community. In this case, however, the pieces don't seem to be coming together quite as easily. We have been working at helping from every angle we can think of...sending people all around the country, arranging for radio announcements, running information through government databases, hanging posters, sending emails, offering a reward...the list goes on. What I would really like to ask is for prayer support for the adoptive family. While obviously we need help in locating this mother, the family who has been worrying and trying to provide for this child for the past four years is in great need of the strength to continue right now. Their hope is fading and their perseverance waning. So, I am asking for prayer support for them now. And I thank you for it on their behalf.

This is the woman we are seeking. I'm posting the information here because you never know....

Her name is Ana Maribel Cruz Giron, born August 21, 1978 in Masagua, Escuintla, Guatemala.

Any information or additional suggestions that you can offer will be mostly gratefully accepted. Blessings...

And they'll know we are Christians by our....spelling presentation?...

The first question I received during the teacher workshop I presented this week...

"Are you a Christian?"

Surprised and very honestly a little confused, I answered: "YES!"

Marta, the young teacher who was asking, told me that she and her husband have just come to Guatemala and are looking for a church to get plugged into. I was more than thrilled to be able to share Union Church of Guatemala with her and her husband Rob over dinner that night.

In my last post I had mentioned how I was so looking forward to giving this presentation because it would offer me an opportunity to testify. So, I know I shouldn't have been quite so amazed that God made doing so possible. He is amazing!! I guess it was my first experience of "random" recognition by a stranger, though, and it did catch me off guard. But how inspiring and motivating! I know I was there to help Marta and Rob find ways to serve God while they're here, but it was also a personal confirmation that God does want to keep using me here as well. (and Yay! for that because I really want to stay here!!) My faith has been strengthened that God will continue to provide for our life here.

On another exciting note...it was our two-year wedding anniversary yesterday. We weren't planning on doing much, as money is tight, and then we were given a restaurant gift certificate by some friends for helping them out last month. So we were able to go out and enjoy a special night, including dessert: Oreo Mad_ess. God is Good!!!

"Just WITNESS While you Work..."

I am so excited to be working on a presentation that I've been asked to give at my former school. I'm about a quarter of the way done with the planning and will be presenting the last week of July. While it is not an official "ministry," I am so glad to have a chance to offer myself as a positive witness of Jesus' love to a different group of people. ( Just like with teaching...you never know who will be watching when!!) In addition, in researching for the presentation, I am learning TONS of interesting (and useful!) information about language and teaching!!

Beware the Mud Monsters!

One thing I L-O-V-E about the missionary life here in Guatemala is how amazingly supportive, helpful, and genuinely generous the missionary community is. Through the InterMissions organization, people are always offering to help one another with small and very big things alike. Sometimes in unbelievable ways. And in ways which I've seen lead to true miracles. So, in the spirit of trying to help others, I (Javier wants no part of this decision!) have volunteered to dog sit for another teacher from CAG while she and her husband are visiting family in the States. Fewer than 48 hours into this "giving" experience, (which has included four dog baths, multiple loads of laundry, and washing and rewashing my floor), I have come to the conclusion that the Mud Monsters simply can't be beaten. Two 75+lb. dogs. The rainiest rainy season in recent history. And me. Needless to say, I do not see myself a victor anytime soon. Your prayers for sunnier days or suggestions for better defenses against these four-legged foes are greatly appreciated!!!

Aside from that, I have today finished all the requirements of Master's program and am looking forward to receiving my diploma sometime in September! I am truly blessed and am excited to be able to bring all my experience and knowledge to help others here!!

This video is dedicated to those who experienced God's blessing
even in one of the world's darkest places.
I thank
Young Life Hinsdale and Young Life Guatemala
for allowing me
a glimpse
at how God uses each and every one of us
to bless one another
in love.