A day filled with moments - Guatemala Day #3
July 20, 2011
Praying Friends:
The training went exceptionally well today. Fifty- three (53) teachers attended the morning training and forty-six (46) were in the afternoon session. They were mostly woman and about 10 men. They were mostly elementary teachers and there were 15 middle school and high school teachers. We repeat the process tomorrow.
The funniest moment of the day was when Betty was introducing the five American teachers to their Guatemalan counterparts. she introduced Jeremy Stewart as her son-in-law. A number of the single woman sighed out loud as they realized he was unavailable. The collective sigh was loud enough that we all heard it. Then the entire group laughed, and it was hard to tell if Jeremy was embarrassed or pleased or both.
The saddest moment of the day was over lunch. We took sandwich makings with us so that we wouldn't be rushed between the morning and afternoon session. The regional supervisor Hector Escun agreed to eat with us. While eating our sandwiches, we learned that Hector oversees 31 schools. The average teacher to student ratio is 1:42, and teachers are paid approximately $263 per month. The schools provide the best way out of poverty in this amazing country and the challenges in the school system can seem overwhelming.
The happiest moment was a discussion with Ryan Donovan. His new missional community is called One Accord. This community raised $1500 prior to this trip for a construction project at the La Paz School. As he saw the impact of his work of coordinating this team of U.S. teachers to conduct this training, I could see vision growing in him.
The most hopeful moment was when we debriefed the day and Hector expressed gratitude and talked about what was next in this emerging partnership. He has invited us to return as soon as we can. And, he has asked Sharon Benka to return and provide some training for the Principals in his district.
For your prayerful moment . . as you read this report please give thanks for Hector Escun. Ask God to give him wisdom and a persevering spirit as he perseveres in his very challenging assignment. And pray for God to guide us all as we look to pray about returning for another training event. Hector has asked us to come back in October 2011 or January 2012 - the time that would work better for the Guatemalans but be more challenging for US teachers. And as you pray, ask God to speak to the lives of additional teachers and administrators in the Houston area, drawing them into this opportunity to serve.
Jim Herrington for Sharon Benka, Ryan Donovan, Betty Herrington, Todd McCombsSarah Ruzic, Jeremy Stewart, and Jovon Tyler