November 2004

The Dead

October ended with Scarecrows–November began with Day of the Dead. We were having “Benchmark Testing” at the time, so the kids found making paper skull masks (in the Mexican tradition) a welcome diversion. After that, things got pretty busy from there, so those skulls are what decorated our walls as we approached Thanksgiving. The month passed so quickly, they didn’t come down until after the turkey was long gone. Since nearly all my students are Hispanic, Day of the Dead and other such customs fit in really well.

The Hammer

A highlight of the month was the “If I Had a Hammer” field trip to Blinn College in Bryan, Texas. “Hammer” was designed to show students how everything they are learning in school is important for their future. They discover this by working together to build a house. It’s a miniature version of a house, but big enough to challenge them and require everyone’s cooperation. The leader/instructor/builder takes frequent breaks with the kids to talk about a variety of things, like finding square nails on the internet for his personal project of restoring a cabin. Once the house is complete, he challenges the students to name one school subject they wouldn’t need for what they did that day. They couldn’t do it. Every single subject, both the dull and the intriguing, was covered. “Hammer” has locations nationwide and is offered free of charge.

The Birds

My commute is taking on a snowy appearance. Each day the fields grow whiter as Canadian Geese arrive from the North. I had forgotten just how many geese, ducks, and other birds migrate through here each year. Unfortunately, the building boom on this side of Houston has meant the disappearance of many of the wet fields they loved, and fewer birds. Still, it’s a nice sight.

Aside from the geese, I see a dozen or so hawks along the way each morning and afternoon. Usually, they’re perched on the power poles eyeing their hunting ground and sometimes they swoop down then soar back with their catch. I enjoy looking for these serene sentries as I drive.

The Train

Well, the Training is more accurate. At last, I was able to receive some formal training for the Read-180 program I use at school. What can I say? I went. I learned. I feel better. We’re beginning to see some real progress in the kids with the Read-180. They still scramble for the computers when it’s their turn...something you don’t often see when it comes to reading.

The Trip

Thanksgiving was spent in Guatemala. It had been a long, long time since I’ve been there. For the past decade and a half I had spent a good part of each summer there, but this year was different. Selling a house, buying a house, moving everything, settling in, and starting up at a new school just made it impossible. Thanksgiving–for which we had a full week of vacation–was my first opportunity to return.

It was a short trip, but I really enjoyed it. I spent a lot of time with Dan Finley, an LBT Missionary in Antigua who has become a great friend over the years. I also would have visited his wife, Kay, but she had to be in the states at the time. So, Dan and I had Thanksgiving together. No. No turkey and dressing and no table full of guests, but it was Thanksgiving all the same.

I also got to spend time with Guadalupe and Miriam, good friends in the village. Guadalupe still struggles with his responsibilities for the church’s school. Partly due to unfulfilled promises stateside, the school is running in the red big time which weighs heavy on him as administrator. At times, he wonders if it would be better to step aside and let the school find someone else to deal with the headaches. I feel for him and am very disappointed he’s been put in such a uncomfortable position.

School is out in Guatemala until January, so I didn’t seem the school kids or the teachers, except for Guadalupe and running into Celia in Antigua one day. But I was able to visit the school in Guatemala City one day. A friend who is part of the leadership there invited me to visit their “summer school” program and go on a field trip with them. The school was known as “Castillo Fuerte,” or Mighty Fortress, but changed it’s name this year to “The Lutheran School of Guatemala.” It’s been open for only four years and has come a long way. Interestingly, it has developed a sister relationship with a Lutheran Church and School in Bend, Oregon. That is where my friend Bob Fowls is principal. He was my principal in Fort Worth when the sister school idea, student exchanges, and prayer partnerships all began. It’s nice to know he’s still involved. My friend at the Guatemala school had many good things to say about him and everyone else in Bend. It sounds like they have a bright future together.

The Story

I was in Guatemala only a week, but there was one story I heard over and over again from friends at every social level: Guatemala is more dangerous now that it was during the last days of the Civil War.

The number of people who have been personally assaulted, robbed, mugged, kidnapped, and car jacked escapes me. It seemed like every person I spent time with had the same story to tell. I know the U.S. Embassy has issued a travel advisory and the Lutheran missionaries have advised not sending any more volunteer teams for the time being. I made it through the week without incident and will be returning as soon as I can, but I can’t really advise others on what to do.

The Story

One version of the story bears repeating. While traveling in Mexico, a Guatemala friend of mine was kidnapped by Zapatista guerillas. Kidnapping for profit is a popular activity among the Zapatistas. They target Ladino (non-indigenous) Mexicans, but took my friend by mistake.

She’s been sworn to secrecy by the Mexican government–they don’t care for the publicity–so I can’t tell you all the details, but her story is incredible.

She and three others were taken by armed men as they were touring Chiapas, in southern Mexico. There was a lot of angry shouting, all in a Maya language my friend does not understand, and the kidnappers had not less than gentle. They were taken to a remote village and kept in a small, rustic building, under constant armed guard. They didn’t know what to expect.

Toward evening, my friend told the men she needed to use the bathroom. After some talk, they agreed to take her down the road to one in the village school. As she left where she was being held, she could see a group of women and children sitting in the darkness across the street. They said nothing, but watched closely. When she returned, one of the women grabbed her arm and said, “We’re here to make sure they don’t hurt you.” It was like angels had been sent to keep watch and ensure the kidnappers did no physical harm.

As the days passed, and they were many, my friend would read from her Bible to fill the time. She always travels with her Bible.

It may sound a little odd, but even as she and the others were held prisoner, people came and went, including children. The children saw her reading, and being children, they were curious. They began to stop and ask questions.

My friend found this an unexpected opportunity not readily associated with being kidnapped. She began telling the children Bible stories. She has taught Sunday School for years and now she found that experience being put to use in such an unusual setting. Still not knowing what was being done on the outside to obtain her release, she began pondering what it would be like if this was how she would spend her life; a prisioner, witnessing to young children the love of Jesus. Even in such a dangerous, uncertain situation, she was at peace knowing God had a purpose for her.

In time she was released. Her government failed to provide any assistance and it was the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala that won her release.

Like I said, she had to promise the Mexican government not to speak publicly of this, but I think you had to know.