Diane - 12/24/05

Dec. 24, 2004

This was the big day.... The young women who were helping were up at 5 as was I... Sure don't want to miss anything. We started the morning by making tamalitoes. We had cleaned all the banana leafs the night before so now I could see their use. We would tear the parts of the leaf off and wrap the tortilla dough in double leafs. We made hundreds. It kept us all busy for several hours. Ed came down about 6:30 and Steph came down about 7. The girls were chatting and giggling. Of course the language was Tzuthil. Steph said they sounded like a bunch of chicks. There was a little spanish spoken. We communicated enough to know that they wanted to know about my 3 sons and if I would be a good mother-in-law.

When Steph got up she and Chonita went to the market to get bread and some plastic spoons. Steph said at one point Chonita stood in a door way and pointed across the way. She told Steph the 4 young men were robbers. Steph said she would protect her.... Steph of course was about a foot taller then the short Guatemalans. They waited a bit and then went on their way.

The chicken had been cooked the night before so the broth was being made. When Steph got home she went to the roof and started cooking over an open fire. She said it got pretty hot. When the boys got up they all went and started getting the tables ready at the place where we were going to have the party. They had to collect chairs from a nearby church.

The elders started gathering outside about 9:00 even though the party didn't start until about 10:30. We went out and visited with them some. I have been there several times for the project so I have gotten to know quite a few of them. They are so poor. Many have no shoes, most have really bad eye sight, some totally blind. We visited later about trying to do something about their eyes. Ruth is going to see how much it would cost to have an eye doctor come out from the city to check them. We would then like to see what they need. First, will come the educating with them because most of them have never been through that. BJ said he would really like to see if he couldn't find funding for some of this. It is great to see how certain projects touch each one of our children.

At about 10:30 it was time to start. As the elder came into the room they were each given a candy cane. They really enjoyed seeing all the pretty decorations. Chonita had planned a small program. First off there were prayers. The elders stood and prayed mostly in Tzuthil. They are all religions including mayan so it is quite an experience. This lasted for about 10 minutes. Then Chonita talked and then had her pastor give a small talk. She had told me this was going to happen and I asked if he could limit it to 15 minutes. I have gone to church with Chonita before and knew if we didn't limit it, the talk might last for well over an hour. He had a nice talk and thanked all the people in the US who have been sponsoring and helping out the elders in his community. It was very nice. After he spoke they asked me to say a few words. Then it was time to eat.

Oh, I forgot to mention. Chonita and Delores insisted that Steph, Ana and Heather wear the traditional outfits. They were good sports and did it. They actually looked quite cute. I will include some photos of them.

Everyone pitched in and we formed a line to hand out the plates of food. It was a bowl of soup with a big piece of chicken in it, rice with vegatables, and tamalitoes. The elders waited until everyone received their food and then they ate. It was interesting because they didn't eat very much. They all had plastic bags with them and poured about half of their food in the bags for later. I am sure they weren't used to eating very big quantities and wanted to save it. They are such tiny people and most are malnourished.

After we had cleared away the plates. Not a drop was wasted... We did the food project. Each person was given a big bag of food which included, rice, beans, flour, coffee, eggs, and several other things. We do this every month with the same 54 people. Each has a sponsor in the U.S. that gives $10.00 per month so they can have this food. The money for the dinner was given by people in our church in Vermillion. Chonita has the people all numbered so they came up five at a time. They were given their food, a bag of 6 eggs, a big bar of soap and their present. (The towel and flashlight). We all helped pass out the gifts.

BJ, Seth, Miguel, Luis, and Jeff decided they would help deliver some of the heavy items to the peoples houses. Some of the elders have people waiting outside to help them carry, but many of them don't. They appreciated the boys helping them. The guys all thought it was quite humbling. BJ said he carried for one lady and that when they arrived at her one room, dilapated house she started crying and hugged him thanking him profusely for helping him. We all decided that it is hard to believe there is so much poverty in a world that has so much affluence.

During the party the elders sat in the one room and the beaders and the some of the scholarship children sat in another. (We called it the over flow room) After the program the beaders and children went to Chonita's house where they were feed. There just wasn't room for everyone where we were. After they ate the beaders were given their gifts of a small bag with perfume, soap and some lotion. This was given by some generous people in the states too. The scholarship students were given a basket of food for their families that Ruth made up. The food for these baskets were given by friends in the states too.

Scholarship students

Steph with elder

After we distributed the baskets and most of the people had gone we had a bite to eat. We were pretty tired but kept going. We helped the girls clean up the place we had the party. I noticed that when we swept up the dirt their was some kernels of corn in the pile. One of the girls bent over and picked up every kernel and put it in her pocket to take home. Nothing is wasted here.

Since the fiesta was over by 1:30 we had a long day ahead. We rested for about 30 minutes and then Ed and I went for a walk down town to the shops. I wanted to see our friend Humberto who does all the wonderful wood we have for sale. We found him there and he showed us some new things that he and his little group of one other man and 4 boys have been working on. I bought some things to bring back and he said he would bring them to me packed and ready to go the next day. Altho it was Christmas the next day he said he would have it there any time I would want it. He is such a nice young man. When they were young Humberto and Domingo sold fruits and vegetables on the street in Panahajel. Now they both have families and are doing well, this is so good to see. Now they are also helping out alot of young people.

After visiting with Humberto, Ed and I continued our walk. We went to some of the side streets. On one of them we heard music and saw that a procession was about to start. We walked ahead and I tried to find a spot where I could take some photos without being too conspicuous. (As if we can ever do that) Anyhow it was a nice procession with the baby Jesus and statues of Mary. There were alot of candles lit and you could smell the incense.

When we got back to Chonitas we planned out the evening. With so many people involved it was quite the deal. Arcely (Chonita's grandaughter) had a performance at the church so the family was going to go there. The service would last for several hours and be in Tzuthil with some spanish so most of my family said they would rather not go. I thought I would go with Chonita as she sat through many church services with me that she didn't understand when she was visiting me. My family was going to go to the restaurant the Posada and order an evening meal about 8:30 so the rest of us would join them after church.
I did enjoy the service altho it was long. The children started out with different parts they all said. There was probably about 30 children involved. After their program the children sang about 10 songs. They really sing, more like shouting...I enjoyed it ..After the children were done the pastor did a sermon. Boy was it a sermon... It lasted for 45 minutes and then there was about 15 minutes of a continuous prayer. When he finished the children acted out the Christmas story complete with costumes... When this was completed we sang several songs. I enjoyed the singing as I would know what they were singing by the music. All in all it was really enjoyable. My family walked by and looked into the church. They said they could easily spot me as the tallest light skinned person sitting near the front. Whenever we stood up I was at least a head above most people in the church. After the service I was able to greet quite a few people that I knew. My friends Diego and Maria were there. They were the ones that helped us with the school project. I also knew several other people from Chonita's house.
After church Domingo, Delores and their 2 children and Chonita and I went to the Posada to join my family. We were all there except for Luis and Miguel who wanted to go to a taco stand and get tacos. (This is SEth's favorite place to eat in Santiago) The timing was just right as the food was just coming. We had a very nice meal and enjoyed the fellowship together. It was about 10:00 when we left and you would think the evening would be over, but it wasn't. When we returned to the house, Chonita thought we should all walk to the market and get some more fire crackrs. So off we went... The streets were full of people and so was the market. We couldn't believe it was Christmas eve and people were all over. Families with small children were walking around. Vendors were on the street selling shoes, watches, food, Christmas items and fireworks. There was music every where. It was such a festive atmosphere and we all commented about how in the US we would all be closed up in our homes. Although we heard the temperature back home was around O.. so that would prevent too much walking in the streets. Chonita went to a fireworks stand and bought the biggest bunch of fire crackers I have ever seen. They were even called RAMBO. She was really giggling and was looking forward to mid night with the fire crackers.
When we returned to the house Ed and I headed for bed. It had been a long day. All of the kids including Chonita waited until mid night and then headed for the streets for the fire crackers. It was quite a celebration. I could hear all the noise but was just too tired to get up. The boys told us the next day that it was really fun. They said Chonita was giggling and carrying on just like the rest of them. They said when they lit her great big roll of firecrackers it was quite a sight. One of them jumped back and hit Jeff in the side and burned a hole in his shirt and gave him a small burn. We are lucky nothing worse happened. I am so amazed by my friend Chonita. She has endured so much pain in her life. Her husband was torrtured and killed by the military as he was working in his corn patch. She was left with two small children. She worked very hard to get her chilren enought to eat and to go to school. She worked hard enough for her son to go to the University, 5 years ago he was hit by a drunk driver and killed. Through all this she has a gentleness and compassion like very few people. She works hard to make her community better and she takes time to enjoy life, like she did with the kids. Each of our children have a special bond with Chonita. She knows just how to be close to each of them. She and Ana love to cook and watch movies... She and Miguel like to shop and visit...She and Seth like to tease each other mercilessly... She loves teasing BJ about politics...She took some of his vote Nesselhuf t'shirts back to Santiago from the states and said she would have people wear them around town because there are alot of US tourists and some of them might be able to vote for him..... She also has a good time with Stephanie as they talk about projects and other things.
Well that was the end of a very long day. It was wonderful... What an experience for our family. We will all remember this very special Christmas eve day...

go to December 25 Journal Entry

The chicken had been cooked the night before so the broth was being made. When Steph got home she went to the roof and started cooking over an open fire. She said it got pretty hot. When the boys got up they all went and started getting the tables ready at the place where we were going to have the party. They had to collect chairs from a nearby church.
	The elders started gathering outside about 9:00 even though the party didn't start until about 10:30. We went out and visited with them some. I have been there several times for the project so I have gotten to know quite a few of them. They are so poor. Many have no shoes, most have really bad eye sight, some totally blind. We visited later about trying to do something about their eyes. Ruth is going to see how much it would cost to have an eye doctor come out from the city to check them. We would then like to see what they need. First, will come the educating with them because most of them have never been through that. BJ said he would really like to see if he couldn't find funding for some of this. It is great to see how certain projects touch each one of our children.
At about 10:30 it was time to start. As the elder came into the room they were each given a candy cane. They really enjoyed seeing all the pretty decorations. Chonita had planned a small program. First off there were prayers. The elders stood and prayed mostly in Tzuthil. They are all religions including mayan so it is quite an experience. This lasted for about 10 minutes. Then Chonita talked and then had her pastor give a small talk. She had told me this was going to happen and I asked if he could limit it to 15 minutes. I have gone to church with Chonita before and knew if we didn't limit it, the talk might last for well over an hour. He had a nice talk and thanked all the people in the US who have been sponsoring and helping out the elders in his community. It was very nice. After he spoke they asked me to say a few words. Then it was time to eat.

Oh, I forgot to mention. Chonita and Delores insisted that Steph, Ana and Heather wear the traditional outfits. They were good sports and did it. They actually looked quite cute. I will include some photos of them.

Everyone pitched in and we formed a line to hand out the plates of food. It was a bowl of soup with a big piece of chicken in it, rice with vegatables, and tamalitoes. The elders waited until everyone received their food and then they ate. It was interesting because they didn't eat very much. They all had plastic bags with them and poured about half of their food in the bags for later. I am sure they weren't used to eating very big quantities and wanted to save it. They are such tiny people and most are malnourished.

After we had cleared away the plates. Not a drop was wasted... We did the food project. Each person was given a big bag of food which included, rice, beans, flour, coffee, eggs, and several other things. We do this every month with the same 54 people. Each has a sponsor in the U.S. that gives $10.00 per month so they can have this food. The money for the dinner was given by people in our church in Vermillion. Chonita has the people all numbered so they came up five at a time. They were given their food, a bag of 6 eggs, a big bar of soap and their present. (The towel and flashlight). We all helped pass out the gifts.
BJ, Seth, Miguel, Luis, and Jeff decided they would help deliver some of the heavy items to the peoples houses. Some of the elders have people waiting outside to help them carry, but many of them don't. They appreciated the boys helping them. The guys all thought it was quite humbling. BJ said he carried for one lady and that when they arrived at her one room, dilapated house she started crying and hugged him thanking him profusely for helping him. We all decided that it is hard to believe there is so much poverty in a world that has so much affluence.
During the party the elders sat in the one room and the beaders and the some of the scholarship children sat in another. (We called it the over flow room) After the program the beaders and children went to Chonita's house where they were feed. There just wasn't room for everyone where we were. After they ate the beaders were given their gifts of a small bag with perfume, soap and some lotion. This was given by some generous people in the states too. The scholarship students were given a basket of food for their families that Ruth made up. The food for these baskets were given by friends in the states too.
Scholarship students	Steph with elder
After we distributed the baskets and most of the people had gone we had a bite to eat. We were pretty tired but kept going. We helped the girls clean up the place we had the party. I noticed that when we swept up the dirt their was some kernels of corn in the pile. One of the girls bent over and picked up every kernel and put it in her pocket to take home. Nothing is wasted here.

Since the fiesta was over by 1:30 we had a long day ahead. We rested for about 30 minutes and then Ed and I went for a walk down town to the shops. I wanted to see our friend Humberto who does all the wonderful wood we have for sale. We found him there and he showed us some new things that he and his little group of one other man and 4 boys have been working on. I bought some things to bring back and he said he would bring them to me packed and ready to go the next day. Altho it was Christmas the next day he said he would have it there any time I would want it. He is such a nice young man. When they were young Humberto and Domingo sold fruits and vegetables on the street in Panahajel. Now they both have families and are doing well, this is so good to see. Now they are also helping out alot of young people.
	After visiting with Humberto, Ed and I continued our walk. We went to some of the side streets. On one of them we heard music and saw that a procession was about to start. We walked ahead and I tried to find a spot where I could take some photos without being too conspicuous. (As if we can ever do that) Anyhow it was a nice procession with the baby Jesus and statues of Mary. There were alot of candles lit and you could smell the incense.

When we got back to Chonitas we planned out the evening. With so many people involved it was quite the deal. Arcely (Chonita's grandaughter) had a performance at the church so the family was going to go there. The service would last for several hours and be in Tzuthil with some spanish so most of my family said they would rather not go. I thought I would go with Chonita as she sat through many church services with me that she didn't understand when she was visiting me. My family was going to go to the restaurant the Posada and order an evening meal about 8:30 so the rest of us would join them after church. I did enjoy the service altho it was long. The children started out with different parts they all said. There was probably about 30 children involved. After their program the children sang about 10 songs. They really sing, more like shouting...I enjoyed it ..After the children were done the pastor did a sermon. Boy was it a sermon... It lasted for 45 minutes and then there was about 15 minutes of a continuous prayer. When he finished the children acted out the Christmas story complete with costumes... When this was completed we sang several songs. I enjoyed the singing as I would know what they were singing by the music. All in all it was really enjoyable. My family walked by and looked into the church. They said they could easily spot me as the tallest light skinned person sitting near the front. Whenever we stood up I was at least a head above most people in the church. After the service I was able to greet quite a few people that I knew. My friends Diego and Maria were there. They were the ones that helped us with the school project. I also knew several other people from Chonita's house. After church Domingo, Delores and their 2 children and Chonita and I went to the Posada to join my family. We were all there except for Luis and Miguel who wanted to go to a taco stand and get tacos. (This is SEth's favorite place to eat in Santiago) The timing was just right as the food was just coming. We had a very nice meal and enjoyed the fellowship together. It was about 10:00 when we left and you would think the evening would be over, but it wasn't. When we returned to the house, Chonita thought we should all walk to the market and get some more fire crackrs. So off we went... The streets were full of people and so was the market. We couldn't believe it was Christmas eve and people were all over. Families with small children were walking around. Vendors were on the street selling shoes, watches, food, Christmas items and fireworks. There was music every where. It was such a festive atmosphere and we all commented about how in the US we would all be closed up in our homes. Although we heard the temperature back home was around O.. so that would prevent too much walking in the streets. Chonita went to a fireworks stand and bought the biggest bunch of fire crackers I have ever seen. They were even called RAMBO. She was really giggling and was looking forward to mid night with the fire crackers. When we returned to the house Ed and I headed for bed. It had been a long day. All of the kids including Chonita waited until mid night and then headed for the streets for the fire crackers. It was quite a celebration. I could hear all the noise but was just too tired to get up. The boys told us the next day that it was really fun. They said Chonita was giggling and carrying on just like the rest of them. They said when they lit her great big roll of firecrackers it was quite a sight. One of them jumped back and hit Jeff in the side and burned a hole in his shirt and gave him a small burn. We are lucky nothing worse happened. I am so amazed by my friend Chonita. She has endured so much pain in her life. Her husband was torrtured and killed by the military as he was working in his corn patch. She was left with two small children. She worked very hard to get her chilren enought to eat and to go to school. She worked hard enough for her son to go to the University, 5 years ago he was hit by a drunk driver and killed. Through all this she has a gentleness and compassion like very few people. She works hard to make her community better and she takes time to enjoy life, like she did with the kids. Each of our children have a special bond with Chonita. She knows just how to be close to each of them. She and Ana love to cook and watch movies... She and Miguel like to shop and visit...She and Seth like to tease each other mercilessly... She loves teasing BJ about politics...She took some of his vote Nesselhuf t'shirts back to Santiago from the states and said she would have people wear them around town because there are alot of US tourists and some of them might be able to vote for him..... She also has a good time with Stephanie as they talk about projects and other things. Well that was the end of a very long day. It was wonderful... What an experience for our family. We will all remember this very special Christmas eve day...