This is our website which has our updates and pictures of our trip abroad during 2004-2005.
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Tom and Ronit Ricoy
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Ricoy Update No. 4
Hi Friends,
Here’s the complete update (in detailed sections – IMEB, Pana, Social, Health, Funds, Itinerary -- so you can skim or skip around)!
IMEB Update: My role here has really changed. In the fall of 2001, I spoke of a 5-year plan towards self-sufficiency for the school, a plan to make myself and other volunteers eventually unnecessary. I can’t say it’s going to work out exactly that way but it’s definitely moving in the right direction. This is one of the first trips I have made to Guatemala in which I did not feel needed every minute of the day, sun-up to sun-down – and I am so used to crazy Guatemala trips that I almost don’t know what to do with myself! I’m helping Madeleine finalize the English curriculum, Tom is working on the computer lab, I’ve attended various planning meetings to address school issues, have met with several students and parents individually, am helping with a local fundraiser, and we are planning cleaning and painting days for the school – but there is usually a lot more to do.
In January, Quinn Ulrich took over as volunteer subdirector. In June, Madeleine Schamehorn took over not only as English teacher and on-site volunteer but also as asesora tecnica and project coordinator (volunteer positions I had held since 2001, after serving as director). Each year, we have given back more and more responsibility and decision-making to the local Mayan Guatemalans, and Edwin Cua Sancoy is the director now in a very real way. Though Edwin has been a challenge over the years, he seems (as of very recently) to be turning over a new leaf. (He worked for me as a teacher when I was director in 2001 and I and each subsequent volunteer either fired or nearly fired him as he was irresponsible and dishonest, but with small town politics he made his way back and into the position of director, and he has his eyes on the next mayoral election. As of late, he seems to have had an epiphany of sorts, has been remarkably easy to work with, and seems to have some good ideas and plans for the school. We are all cautiously optimistic and very sincerely pray for his personal, professional and spiritual growth as that would be beneficial both for him and for the school. Please join us in that prayer!) Madeleine has been developing a complete English curriculum and will be training a new volunteer English teacher, Kevin Garrison (he will arrive in January and stay 1 to 2 years; Madeleine and her husband Earl will stay until April).
The school’s process has been two steps forward, one step back. It is frustrating to see things that I or Laura, for example, worked hard to fix or to implement that have fallen apart, but I am learning that this is part of the process in a developing nation. (I am also reminded that it was valuable for the students to see that things can function better even if Flavio or Edwin did not manage to continue it… someday some of those students will be teachers and administrators and they will know there is another way.) On the other hand, it is very gratifying to see those things we have implemented that have stuck, or to see Edwin coming around to ideas which seem basic to us (and to the administrator of any decent Guatemala City school) but which are foreign to rural San Marcos and which he and others here once vehemently rejected, and it’s great to see the things that Madeleine and Quinn are doing with Edwin. Overall, we can see tremendous progress.
Tom and I had intended to return in March, but we will not be needed in the way we have been previously. (A as you will see below, we will be re-routing our itinerary.) I believe we may be of future service (for example, there is still a tremendous need for teacher training, just to mention one area of need and I could see potentially returning Janaury 2006 as they start their school year… we’ll see), but March may not be the time for a couple of reasons. One, there will be three school volunteers here at that time and it makes more sense to come when others are not already available to address needs. Two, I need to be sensitive to Edwin’s authority. That is, I am a previous director, was once his boss, and we have a history. Although he would never turn me away, Edwin is still trying to prove himself, and for me to come in with a program in addition to the other volunteers could threaten his sense of authority or frustrate him (and the last thing we need is for him to revert to old behavior as a way to stand his ground). I think it is wiser, politically speaking, to wait. I pray that when the time comes either I will be available and willing to return or God will provide others to meet the need when help is requested, but I no longer feel March is that time.
This school and project are very dear to my heart and I have literally worked thousands of volunteer hours on behalf of the school over the past few years, but this year it was time for me to step back and I am eternally grateful to Madeleine and Earl for coming to Guatemala and taking over. Likewise, I want to recognize and (profusely!!!) thank Louise Rothwell (consistent San Marcos contact 1999 to 2004, original project coordinator, and the reason I became involved), Gail Goers (teacher and assistant, July – October 2001), Laura Greeson (2002 Subdirector), and Katherine, Marisol and all the volunteers who have made it possible for Mayan students in this village to have and attend secondary school (equivalent to 7th, 8th, and 9th grades – before this there was only a primary school, nothing more). And of course thank you to Quinn Ulrich, who has settled here for the time being and is providing continuity with his work as subdirector. I also want to remind those of you who contributed financially in those early, desperate days (when we had no books, no money to pay teachers, no desks, almost nothing) that none of this could have been accomplished without your support – THANK YOU. Thanks to the work of locals, supporters and volunteers, a village’s future and many individual lives have been changed.
Pana: There is a Christian school in Panajachel that I’ve volunteered at here and there since 1999 (and which our UP Missions team spent a couple of days at in 2003 when we came to San Marcos). They have never been in dire need like San Marcos, so I have not focused my energies there, but it is nice to help when we can, and the directors have always been extremely warm and appreciative. We are donating funds and making arrangements so that Madeleine’s new English program (developed for San Marcos) can also be implemented in Pana (since they offer English classes at the secondary level, as required by law, but do not have a complete curriculum or English books). We will be visiting with them next Tuesday.
Social Update: It’s been fun to spend time with current volunteers Madeleine and Earl (they have been so good to us!). The other night we all stayed up and watched the meteor shower – beautiful. It’s great to see so many of my old students, their parents, and all the other people I’ve known and/or who know me in this small town! (It is strange to see so many new faces too, as my students have now graduated.) I just had dinner with a former student named Rebeca, and it is such a joy to see how this young woman has grown. Had it not been for IMEB, she might have stopped studying after elementary school (as is common here), but today she has graduated, is motivated to continue her studies in another town, and has big plans for the future. Not only that, but she has worked with Madeleine on the weekends to make a Learning Center available to current and former IMEB students. She is also growing in her Christian faith, and Madeleine recently had the opportunity to take Rebeca and her sister to a women’s conference in the city. Every day I see other current or former (or future, in the case of the younger kids!) students and their parents, and as word has spread that I am here, more and more people have showed up on my doorstep! (I have to keep a dayplanner of sorts with me because when I see people on the path they want to know when they can meet with me!) Most of it is pleasant, but there have also been some hard conversations and tears – one woman just lost her baby, two others are dealing with family crises, etc. There have also been the normal series of requests for help, most of which, unfortunately, must be denied (we want to help but not to enable, and the requests are never-ending).
Funds Update: We initially asked our friends to partner with us as we sought to fundraise for the Oaxaca Missions Trip (each team member was asked to raise $1600, so that’s $3200 for the both of us – that money includes team expenses, a special wheelchair for a severely disabled woman, etc), November Guatemala and March Guatemala, and Bridges for Peace ministries. However, all of the support we have received thus far (that totals about $900) will go toward the January Oaxaca Ministry, and we will pay the rest ourselves. We are no longer fundraising. Our spring ministries are up in the air – we will likely not be returning to Guatemala or going to Puerto Rico in the spring, as originally planned. We want to thank those who have supported us – the financial contribution is a tremendous help, but more than that is knowing we have your support. Although we will ask for no further funds, we do ask that you all remember us in prayer and remember to send us an e-mail from time to time to update us on your lives back home. We appreciate you and we appreciate hearing from you!
Health Update: 1) Tom’s Arm: About a week ago (Saturday night) SOMETHING bit Tom and the next day his elbow was discolored and swollen. Sunday night he came down with a fever. Over the next few days, it spread up and down his arm, halfway up to his shoulder and all the way to his wrist. Tuesday he went to the naturalistic clinic. They were concerned about the degree of swelling and the possibility of blood poisoning and gave him treatment directions. Then Wednesday he saw a doc in Pana, got a cortisone injection and antibiotics. And in addition to all this, he’s gotten local Reiki treatments. Thank God, the swelling is finally going down and he is feeling better, though tired. 2) Accident Injuries: We are much improved but are, unfortunately, finding that we are still suffering the results of the June accident. Carrying backpacks is painful and it is very difficult for me to sleep on the thin foam mattresses found in most hostels, hospedajes, or rentals. We stayed at a place in Pana the other day that had a real mattress and I had the first full night’s sleep I’ve had since we got here. This really impacted our itinerary decision, as you will see below. 3) Knees: My knees are doing well considering the amount of walking and the steps. They are consistently swollen (ice every night helps) but not too painful. We brought a travel wheelchair, but it is useless in rural San Marcos – will be more helpful in other places. 4) Treatments: San Marcos has a wonderful holistic center (owned and opened by my friend Louise and currently run by Katherine) and Tom and I have been taking full advantage of the opportunity for quality, inexpensive treatments.
Itinerary Update: We have decided to completely change our travel itinerary. Our dream of backpacking through Central America does not seem realistic until our health improves, so we have decided to leave that for another day and pursue some other dreams first. We feel that the school in San Marcos has made sufficient strides that we do not need to return in March. And bureaucratic issues have postponed any Puerto Rico plans. So, for our health it makes more sense to leave the backpacking til later and we have completely changed the order of our itinerary. We are planning to go to Spain in January (after the Oaxaca mission trip and Mexico travel) and try to set ourselves up for work and study (and maybe volunteering) there for a few months until our health improves (staying in one place for a while, with a real mattress). While in Europe, we plan also to go to Switzerland and study at L’Abri. How long we are in each place and what will come next will depend upon our health and the opportunities that present themselves, but we are confident God will open doors, whether it be for paid or volunteer work, and we are excited to go to Europe.
So that’s the update! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
WE’LL BE IN OAXACA, MEXICO FROM DECEMBER 24 TO JANUARY 7 (and the church team will be joining us there), so please pray for the work in Oaxaca.
God bless,
Ronit and Tom Ricoy
Here’s the complete update (in detailed sections – IMEB, Pana, Social, Health, Funds, Itinerary -- so you can skim or skip around)!
IMEB Update: My role here has really changed. In the fall of 2001, I spoke of a 5-year plan towards self-sufficiency for the school, a plan to make myself and other volunteers eventually unnecessary. I can’t say it’s going to work out exactly that way but it’s definitely moving in the right direction. This is one of the first trips I have made to Guatemala in which I did not feel needed every minute of the day, sun-up to sun-down – and I am so used to crazy Guatemala trips that I almost don’t know what to do with myself! I’m helping Madeleine finalize the English curriculum, Tom is working on the computer lab, I’ve attended various planning meetings to address school issues, have met with several students and parents individually, am helping with a local fundraiser, and we are planning cleaning and painting days for the school – but there is usually a lot more to do.
In January, Quinn Ulrich took over as volunteer subdirector. In June, Madeleine Schamehorn took over not only as English teacher and on-site volunteer but also as asesora tecnica and project coordinator (volunteer positions I had held since 2001, after serving as director). Each year, we have given back more and more responsibility and decision-making to the local Mayan Guatemalans, and Edwin Cua Sancoy is the director now in a very real way. Though Edwin has been a challenge over the years, he seems (as of very recently) to be turning over a new leaf. (He worked for me as a teacher when I was director in 2001 and I and each subsequent volunteer either fired or nearly fired him as he was irresponsible and dishonest, but with small town politics he made his way back and into the position of director, and he has his eyes on the next mayoral election. As of late, he seems to have had an epiphany of sorts, has been remarkably easy to work with, and seems to have some good ideas and plans for the school. We are all cautiously optimistic and very sincerely pray for his personal, professional and spiritual growth as that would be beneficial both for him and for the school. Please join us in that prayer!) Madeleine has been developing a complete English curriculum and will be training a new volunteer English teacher, Kevin Garrison (he will arrive in January and stay 1 to 2 years; Madeleine and her husband Earl will stay until April).
The school’s process has been two steps forward, one step back. It is frustrating to see things that I or Laura, for example, worked hard to fix or to implement that have fallen apart, but I am learning that this is part of the process in a developing nation. (I am also reminded that it was valuable for the students to see that things can function better even if Flavio or Edwin did not manage to continue it… someday some of those students will be teachers and administrators and they will know there is another way.) On the other hand, it is very gratifying to see those things we have implemented that have stuck, or to see Edwin coming around to ideas which seem basic to us (and to the administrator of any decent Guatemala City school) but which are foreign to rural San Marcos and which he and others here once vehemently rejected, and it’s great to see the things that Madeleine and Quinn are doing with Edwin. Overall, we can see tremendous progress.
Tom and I had intended to return in March, but we will not be needed in the way we have been previously. (A as you will see below, we will be re-routing our itinerary.) I believe we may be of future service (for example, there is still a tremendous need for teacher training, just to mention one area of need and I could see potentially returning Janaury 2006 as they start their school year… we’ll see), but March may not be the time for a couple of reasons. One, there will be three school volunteers here at that time and it makes more sense to come when others are not already available to address needs. Two, I need to be sensitive to Edwin’s authority. That is, I am a previous director, was once his boss, and we have a history. Although he would never turn me away, Edwin is still trying to prove himself, and for me to come in with a program in addition to the other volunteers could threaten his sense of authority or frustrate him (and the last thing we need is for him to revert to old behavior as a way to stand his ground). I think it is wiser, politically speaking, to wait. I pray that when the time comes either I will be available and willing to return or God will provide others to meet the need when help is requested, but I no longer feel March is that time.
This school and project are very dear to my heart and I have literally worked thousands of volunteer hours on behalf of the school over the past few years, but this year it was time for me to step back and I am eternally grateful to Madeleine and Earl for coming to Guatemala and taking over. Likewise, I want to recognize and (profusely!!!) thank Louise Rothwell (consistent San Marcos contact 1999 to 2004, original project coordinator, and the reason I became involved), Gail Goers (teacher and assistant, July – October 2001), Laura Greeson (2002 Subdirector), and Katherine, Marisol and all the volunteers who have made it possible for Mayan students in this village to have and attend secondary school (equivalent to 7th, 8th, and 9th grades – before this there was only a primary school, nothing more). And of course thank you to Quinn Ulrich, who has settled here for the time being and is providing continuity with his work as subdirector. I also want to remind those of you who contributed financially in those early, desperate days (when we had no books, no money to pay teachers, no desks, almost nothing) that none of this could have been accomplished without your support – THANK YOU. Thanks to the work of locals, supporters and volunteers, a village’s future and many individual lives have been changed.
Pana: There is a Christian school in Panajachel that I’ve volunteered at here and there since 1999 (and which our UP Missions team spent a couple of days at in 2003 when we came to San Marcos). They have never been in dire need like San Marcos, so I have not focused my energies there, but it is nice to help when we can, and the directors have always been extremely warm and appreciative. We are donating funds and making arrangements so that Madeleine’s new English program (developed for San Marcos) can also be implemented in Pana (since they offer English classes at the secondary level, as required by law, but do not have a complete curriculum or English books). We will be visiting with them next Tuesday.
Social Update: It’s been fun to spend time with current volunteers Madeleine and Earl (they have been so good to us!). The other night we all stayed up and watched the meteor shower – beautiful. It’s great to see so many of my old students, their parents, and all the other people I’ve known and/or who know me in this small town! (It is strange to see so many new faces too, as my students have now graduated.) I just had dinner with a former student named Rebeca, and it is such a joy to see how this young woman has grown. Had it not been for IMEB, she might have stopped studying after elementary school (as is common here), but today she has graduated, is motivated to continue her studies in another town, and has big plans for the future. Not only that, but she has worked with Madeleine on the weekends to make a Learning Center available to current and former IMEB students. She is also growing in her Christian faith, and Madeleine recently had the opportunity to take Rebeca and her sister to a women’s conference in the city. Every day I see other current or former (or future, in the case of the younger kids!) students and their parents, and as word has spread that I am here, more and more people have showed up on my doorstep! (I have to keep a dayplanner of sorts with me because when I see people on the path they want to know when they can meet with me!) Most of it is pleasant, but there have also been some hard conversations and tears – one woman just lost her baby, two others are dealing with family crises, etc. There have also been the normal series of requests for help, most of which, unfortunately, must be denied (we want to help but not to enable, and the requests are never-ending).
Funds Update: We initially asked our friends to partner with us as we sought to fundraise for the Oaxaca Missions Trip (each team member was asked to raise $1600, so that’s $3200 for the both of us – that money includes team expenses, a special wheelchair for a severely disabled woman, etc), November Guatemala and March Guatemala, and Bridges for Peace ministries. However, all of the support we have received thus far (that totals about $900) will go toward the January Oaxaca Ministry, and we will pay the rest ourselves. We are no longer fundraising. Our spring ministries are up in the air – we will likely not be returning to Guatemala or going to Puerto Rico in the spring, as originally planned. We want to thank those who have supported us – the financial contribution is a tremendous help, but more than that is knowing we have your support. Although we will ask for no further funds, we do ask that you all remember us in prayer and remember to send us an e-mail from time to time to update us on your lives back home. We appreciate you and we appreciate hearing from you!
Health Update: 1) Tom’s Arm: About a week ago (Saturday night) SOMETHING bit Tom and the next day his elbow was discolored and swollen. Sunday night he came down with a fever. Over the next few days, it spread up and down his arm, halfway up to his shoulder and all the way to his wrist. Tuesday he went to the naturalistic clinic. They were concerned about the degree of swelling and the possibility of blood poisoning and gave him treatment directions. Then Wednesday he saw a doc in Pana, got a cortisone injection and antibiotics. And in addition to all this, he’s gotten local Reiki treatments. Thank God, the swelling is finally going down and he is feeling better, though tired. 2) Accident Injuries: We are much improved but are, unfortunately, finding that we are still suffering the results of the June accident. Carrying backpacks is painful and it is very difficult for me to sleep on the thin foam mattresses found in most hostels, hospedajes, or rentals. We stayed at a place in Pana the other day that had a real mattress and I had the first full night’s sleep I’ve had since we got here. This really impacted our itinerary decision, as you will see below. 3) Knees: My knees are doing well considering the amount of walking and the steps. They are consistently swollen (ice every night helps) but not too painful. We brought a travel wheelchair, but it is useless in rural San Marcos – will be more helpful in other places. 4) Treatments: San Marcos has a wonderful holistic center (owned and opened by my friend Louise and currently run by Katherine) and Tom and I have been taking full advantage of the opportunity for quality, inexpensive treatments.
Itinerary Update: We have decided to completely change our travel itinerary. Our dream of backpacking through Central America does not seem realistic until our health improves, so we have decided to leave that for another day and pursue some other dreams first. We feel that the school in San Marcos has made sufficient strides that we do not need to return in March. And bureaucratic issues have postponed any Puerto Rico plans. So, for our health it makes more sense to leave the backpacking til later and we have completely changed the order of our itinerary. We are planning to go to Spain in January (after the Oaxaca mission trip and Mexico travel) and try to set ourselves up for work and study (and maybe volunteering) there for a few months until our health improves (staying in one place for a while, with a real mattress). While in Europe, we plan also to go to Switzerland and study at L’Abri. How long we are in each place and what will come next will depend upon our health and the opportunities that present themselves, but we are confident God will open doors, whether it be for paid or volunteer work, and we are excited to go to Europe.
So that’s the update! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
WE’LL BE IN OAXACA, MEXICO FROM DECEMBER 24 TO JANUARY 7 (and the church team will be joining us there), so please pray for the work in Oaxaca.
God bless,
Ronit and Tom Ricoy
¶
9:59 PM
Friday, December 10, 2004
Ricoy Update No. 3
Hi All!
We are in Pana for a few hours before returning to San Marcos. Lots to be thankful for! We´ve been blessed!
What a beautiful welcome we had to San Marcos! The lake was smooth and the boat ride over was wonderful. Almost every time I get to that lake, I get this silly grin that is just me bursting with happiness at the experience of being here.... the last couple of years some of the school issues have been so stressful it affected that, but I felt my joy return. In San Marcos, the familiar faces and hearing my name over and over again in the way the locals pronounce it made me smile. It´s hard to walk anywhere without hearing my name and having to stop to talk. And then there was the beautiful welcome Madeliene, this year´s school volunteer, and her husband Earl gave us. They found us a little house to rent while we are in SM for Q300, which is about $40, per week. Madeleine had a card, flowers, candies, and all kinds of little welcome treats for us, then they had us over for dinner. It was so sweet! And yesterday´s meetings with the director, subdirector, Madeleine, and the parents all went well. The meetings with the director were quite smooth and productive, almost eerily so considering his past behavior, but I´m cautiously optimistic. With the progress the school has made and all that Madeleine, the current volunteer, and Quinn, the subdirector volunteer, have done, there´s no need for 14 hour work days or my workaholic mentality of the past, which is really, really nice, but there are still lots of problems to tackle, but so far so good. Please pray for all of us as we try to address these. We could also still use prayer for health as my knees are very swollen and even with our mattress topper the small foam on wood is not much of a bed, so back and neck pain are keeping me up most nights, and Tom´s shoulder and hip are bothering him. However, we´re both feeling positive. Tom worked on the school´s computer lab during our meetings and, though he has his work cut our for him, he was pleased with the current state of the lab, given that it has sometimes needed quite a bit more work. Tomorrow is another meeting, a town meeting of sorts, and then Madeleine and I will work on the curriculum she is developing. Monday we all meet with the mayor. And so on. We also have cleaning days scheduled in prep for painting the school. They´re trying to get the mayor to pay for the paint, but if he doesn´t, it will be purchsed with donations. Please keep praying for the right volunteer for this coming year, ideally someone who will stay two years, but even one year would be great. Gotta run!
Ronit
We are in Pana for a few hours before returning to San Marcos. Lots to be thankful for! We´ve been blessed!
What a beautiful welcome we had to San Marcos! The lake was smooth and the boat ride over was wonderful. Almost every time I get to that lake, I get this silly grin that is just me bursting with happiness at the experience of being here.... the last couple of years some of the school issues have been so stressful it affected that, but I felt my joy return. In San Marcos, the familiar faces and hearing my name over and over again in the way the locals pronounce it made me smile. It´s hard to walk anywhere without hearing my name and having to stop to talk. And then there was the beautiful welcome Madeliene, this year´s school volunteer, and her husband Earl gave us. They found us a little house to rent while we are in SM for Q300, which is about $40, per week. Madeleine had a card, flowers, candies, and all kinds of little welcome treats for us, then they had us over for dinner. It was so sweet! And yesterday´s meetings with the director, subdirector, Madeleine, and the parents all went well. The meetings with the director were quite smooth and productive, almost eerily so considering his past behavior, but I´m cautiously optimistic. With the progress the school has made and all that Madeleine, the current volunteer, and Quinn, the subdirector volunteer, have done, there´s no need for 14 hour work days or my workaholic mentality of the past, which is really, really nice, but there are still lots of problems to tackle, but so far so good. Please pray for all of us as we try to address these. We could also still use prayer for health as my knees are very swollen and even with our mattress topper the small foam on wood is not much of a bed, so back and neck pain are keeping me up most nights, and Tom´s shoulder and hip are bothering him. However, we´re both feeling positive. Tom worked on the school´s computer lab during our meetings and, though he has his work cut our for him, he was pleased with the current state of the lab, given that it has sometimes needed quite a bit more work. Tomorrow is another meeting, a town meeting of sorts, and then Madeleine and I will work on the curriculum she is developing. Monday we all meet with the mayor. And so on. We also have cleaning days scheduled in prep for painting the school. They´re trying to get the mayor to pay for the paint, but if he doesn´t, it will be purchsed with donations. Please keep praying for the right volunteer for this coming year, ideally someone who will stay two years, but even one year would be great. Gotta run!
Ronit
¶
9:55 PM
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Musical Group in Antigua
Here is a picture of a musical group playing their instruments at night in the center of a street during the Christmas celebration in Antigua, Guatemala. This was very romantic.
¶
4:03 AM
Ronit in Antigua Center
Here is a picture of beautiful Ronit sitting in front of the fountain in the center of the main square of Antigua, Guatemala.
¶
4:01 AM
Antigua Church at Night
T&R w/Spanish Instructors
Maya Sacraficing to Idol
Women Prepare Sacrafices
Here are three women in the church courtyard preparing their sacrafices of candles and other goods (they often sacrafice animals as well) to their Saint/Idol. These cost them a fortune.
¶
3:55 AM
Candles in Maya Church
Maya Candle Significance
A sad reality: this is a sign explaining to the Maya people in Guatemala the significance behind the colors of the candles they buy for sacrafices and for worship of their Saint/Idol.
¶
3:33 AM
Ronit in Antigua Restaurant
Here is a picture of Ronit inside a beautiful restaurant in Antigua, Guatemala near the Spanish School where we studied for one week.
¶
3:31 AM
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Antigua Volcano
Antigua Center Corridor
Church in Antigua Center
Picture of famous church in main ceter square of Antigua, Guatemala (the former Spanish government capital for much of Central America and Mexico in the 1500's.)
¶
3:24 AM
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Ricoy Update No. 2
Greetings from Guatemala!
We arrived in Antigua on Thanksgiving Day, giving thanks for this incredible opportunity. I´ve been to Antigua numerous times (between San Marcos and the city), but I´ve never had the chance to stay more than a few days or to study here -- something I've always wanted to do -- so this has been a great week. Antigua itself is a beautiful colonial city with colorful buildings and cobblestone streets. It was the original capital, back in the 1500's.
We stayed our first night in my regular Antigua lodging -- a room in the back of the store that rents for Q25 per person (Q = quetzales and $1 = Q7.8, so that's about $3 per person) -- I think it´s the cheapest place in Antigua and it comes complete with a barking dog, several varieties of pet birds, and the steady presence of a number of drunks who buy liquor at the store. The owner is usually the first person I see each time I arrive in Antigua!
Antigua is famous for its proliferation of Spanish language schools. As I said, I have always wanted to study here but never had the chance, so this is the time! Guatemala is a great place to go for language school because you can get ONE-ON-ONE tutoring for anywhere from $45 to $100/week (that's 4 hours/day, 20 hours/week, although you can arrange to study as many hours as you'd like). We are studying at Ixchel Spanish School for one week. I have a very good teacher and I have FINALLY learned the subjunctive! (Oh how I wish I´d had time to study in 2001 when I was volunteering in San Marcos... it was very difficult to find ways to say certain things without knowing the subjunctive!)
Tom is studying double-time as he is also taking on-line university classes to get his degree. He studies a few hours/day and then must go to an internet cafe before the end of the week in order to turn in his homework on-line.
We feel really blessed to have found this particular school -- it is close to the Parque Central and has limited on-site housing around a lush courtyard where the lessons take place. We have a huge room and access to a communal bathroom and a communal kitchen. The location and on-site room are real blessings because of my health. Since high school I´ve dealt with serious knee problems and pain (constant pain but differing in degree depending on activity, have to ice the knees daily, can't climb stairs, can't walk too far, etc), so the close-in location is really helpful for my knees. It is also great for my ribs, back, and neck, because since last June´s accident, I have to lie down frequently and have my back supported, and there is no way I would be able to study 4 hours/day without these breaks. I am able to take frequent breaks throughout the day and lie down because of the on-site room. I´ve gotten used to the knee issues and have always been headstrong and determined enough to find ways around the limitations -- everything from installing ramps in San Marcos to asking strangers for piggy-back rides when I got stuck on the wrong end of a staircase in Mexico, Ecuador, etc. And "Hielo" (ice) is a very important word for me! However, I am having a harder time dealing with the rib, back, and neck problems from last June's accident. I have days when no one would know I am hurting, but other days when I am pretty much stuck in bed. Sadly, for someone who wanted to backpack around the globe, travel really seems to exacerbate the accident injuries. I would really appreciate prayer on this... It just seems to be taking forever to heal and the smallest thing (like a cobblestone street) sets me back. Anyway, we are also very thankful for the on-site kitchen. Tom (my hero, the cook) makes most of our meals there, which really helps us to save money, and then we're able to fully enjoy (without stressing about money) some wonderful meals out (like tonight's treat -- fantastic food, but at $5 a plate, a lot of money in Guatemala).
I am fortunate to have married not only a chef but a model! Tom had his modeling debut this morning. We went in search of massages for our aching backs. Sadly, they were booked -- no massages. However, the spa happened to be taking photos for their brochure and they asked Tom to be their male model. He got about a 5-minute massage while they snapped photos. (It reminded my of Doug, Yvonne and our group at Roatan in the cruise ship promotion filming!) We also used the "instalaciones" -- the saunas and hot showers. I lived for a whole year (2001, San Marcos) with mostly cold showers and really learned to appreciate the gift of a hot shower. I LOVE hot water! (When you walk into your bathroom tonight, be thankful for hot water, flushing toilets, etc. Most people in Guatemala live without these, and many people still live without running water, electricity, etc. Even in San Marcos, my first visit there -- 1999 -- was before electricity. And my first home there in 2001 did not have a flush toilet.)
Tomorrow morning we are going on a school excursion to a nearby village and church, where we will learn more about Mayan religious beliefs and rituals.
We had planned to go to the lake on Saturday, but I have been communicating with Madeleine about the volunteer search, and I may stay in Antigua a few days to try to make some helpful connections here and to post the position advertisement in more places, so we may not go until Tuesday. Please really pray about a new volunteer for San Marcos. We need an English teacher volunteer (with various other duties) to commit to one-year, starting in Janaury. There is a stipend but it is a volunteer position. Madeleine has worked really hard this year to put together the English program and will train this person (she'll be there through March) to keep it up, as well as to handle scholarships, etc. If you know of anyone who might be interested or know of a place you could post the job description (churches, colleges, etc), please e-mail me or Madeleine and we will send you the complete job description. (Madeleine = madeleine@schamehorn.com)
So we will be traveling to the lake sometime between Saturday and Tuesday. This is the same route we were taking last June, when we had the accident. I have taken that route maybe 20 times over the past 5 years. The first few times I was sure we were going to die -- dangerous drivers on dangerous roads in dangerous vehicles with no seatbelts. However, after seeing your life flash before your eyes a dozen times (the first dozen curves), you get immune, it becomes old hat and you never think anything bad will happen. It's actually fun. I guess that after the accident, and knowing how fragile I still am, we are a little stressed about the ride, although, as I said, I´ve done it probably 20 times and it was fine 19 of those times. But we'd appreciate your prayers for safety on that trip and in all of our travels!
When I say, we'll go to the lake, I mean Lago de Atitlan in the Western Highlands. Only the most BEAUTIFUL lake in the world, a magical place. I´ll tell you more about it in my next update as this is already quite long. While in San Marcos (the place I volunteered at a school all of 2001 and have worked with ever since), Tom will work on the school's computer lab -- fixing problems, installing new computers, installing DeepFreeze, etc. I'm really looking forward to meeting with Madeleine and going over the new curriculum, as well as meeting with others regarding the school's progress and problems, seeing friends, etc. I'm not looking forward to everything -- like if the projector is still missing, I am going to track down those responsible! -- but that comes with the territory. There is also a holistic center there and I'm going to get some treatments that I hope will help me physically. It is just always amazing to see San Marcos and the school and to see the amazing changes. From January 2001 with no desks, no books, almost nothing TO today's growing school, complete with books, computer lab, etc. Wow! Thank you, Lord!
Thank you friends for keeping in touch as we travel. We would love to hear from you!
Ronit (and Tom) Ricoy
We arrived in Antigua on Thanksgiving Day, giving thanks for this incredible opportunity. I´ve been to Antigua numerous times (between San Marcos and the city), but I´ve never had the chance to stay more than a few days or to study here -- something I've always wanted to do -- so this has been a great week. Antigua itself is a beautiful colonial city with colorful buildings and cobblestone streets. It was the original capital, back in the 1500's.
We stayed our first night in my regular Antigua lodging -- a room in the back of the store that rents for Q25 per person (Q = quetzales and $1 = Q7.8, so that's about $3 per person) -- I think it´s the cheapest place in Antigua and it comes complete with a barking dog, several varieties of pet birds, and the steady presence of a number of drunks who buy liquor at the store. The owner is usually the first person I see each time I arrive in Antigua!
Antigua is famous for its proliferation of Spanish language schools. As I said, I have always wanted to study here but never had the chance, so this is the time! Guatemala is a great place to go for language school because you can get ONE-ON-ONE tutoring for anywhere from $45 to $100/week (that's 4 hours/day, 20 hours/week, although you can arrange to study as many hours as you'd like). We are studying at Ixchel Spanish School for one week. I have a very good teacher and I have FINALLY learned the subjunctive! (Oh how I wish I´d had time to study in 2001 when I was volunteering in San Marcos... it was very difficult to find ways to say certain things without knowing the subjunctive!)
Tom is studying double-time as he is also taking on-line university classes to get his degree. He studies a few hours/day and then must go to an internet cafe before the end of the week in order to turn in his homework on-line.
We feel really blessed to have found this particular school -- it is close to the Parque Central and has limited on-site housing around a lush courtyard where the lessons take place. We have a huge room and access to a communal bathroom and a communal kitchen. The location and on-site room are real blessings because of my health. Since high school I´ve dealt with serious knee problems and pain (constant pain but differing in degree depending on activity, have to ice the knees daily, can't climb stairs, can't walk too far, etc), so the close-in location is really helpful for my knees. It is also great for my ribs, back, and neck, because since last June´s accident, I have to lie down frequently and have my back supported, and there is no way I would be able to study 4 hours/day without these breaks. I am able to take frequent breaks throughout the day and lie down because of the on-site room. I´ve gotten used to the knee issues and have always been headstrong and determined enough to find ways around the limitations -- everything from installing ramps in San Marcos to asking strangers for piggy-back rides when I got stuck on the wrong end of a staircase in Mexico, Ecuador, etc. And "Hielo" (ice) is a very important word for me! However, I am having a harder time dealing with the rib, back, and neck problems from last June's accident. I have days when no one would know I am hurting, but other days when I am pretty much stuck in bed. Sadly, for someone who wanted to backpack around the globe, travel really seems to exacerbate the accident injuries. I would really appreciate prayer on this... It just seems to be taking forever to heal and the smallest thing (like a cobblestone street) sets me back. Anyway, we are also very thankful for the on-site kitchen. Tom (my hero, the cook) makes most of our meals there, which really helps us to save money, and then we're able to fully enjoy (without stressing about money) some wonderful meals out (like tonight's treat -- fantastic food, but at $5 a plate, a lot of money in Guatemala).
I am fortunate to have married not only a chef but a model! Tom had his modeling debut this morning. We went in search of massages for our aching backs. Sadly, they were booked -- no massages. However, the spa happened to be taking photos for their brochure and they asked Tom to be their male model. He got about a 5-minute massage while they snapped photos. (It reminded my of Doug, Yvonne and our group at Roatan in the cruise ship promotion filming!) We also used the "instalaciones" -- the saunas and hot showers. I lived for a whole year (2001, San Marcos) with mostly cold showers and really learned to appreciate the gift of a hot shower. I LOVE hot water! (When you walk into your bathroom tonight, be thankful for hot water, flushing toilets, etc. Most people in Guatemala live without these, and many people still live without running water, electricity, etc. Even in San Marcos, my first visit there -- 1999 -- was before electricity. And my first home there in 2001 did not have a flush toilet.)
Tomorrow morning we are going on a school excursion to a nearby village and church, where we will learn more about Mayan religious beliefs and rituals.
We had planned to go to the lake on Saturday, but I have been communicating with Madeleine about the volunteer search, and I may stay in Antigua a few days to try to make some helpful connections here and to post the position advertisement in more places, so we may not go until Tuesday. Please really pray about a new volunteer for San Marcos. We need an English teacher volunteer (with various other duties) to commit to one-year, starting in Janaury. There is a stipend but it is a volunteer position. Madeleine has worked really hard this year to put together the English program and will train this person (she'll be there through March) to keep it up, as well as to handle scholarships, etc. If you know of anyone who might be interested or know of a place you could post the job description (churches, colleges, etc), please e-mail me or Madeleine and we will send you the complete job description. (Madeleine = madeleine@schamehorn.com)
So we will be traveling to the lake sometime between Saturday and Tuesday. This is the same route we were taking last June, when we had the accident. I have taken that route maybe 20 times over the past 5 years. The first few times I was sure we were going to die -- dangerous drivers on dangerous roads in dangerous vehicles with no seatbelts. However, after seeing your life flash before your eyes a dozen times (the first dozen curves), you get immune, it becomes old hat and you never think anything bad will happen. It's actually fun. I guess that after the accident, and knowing how fragile I still am, we are a little stressed about the ride, although, as I said, I´ve done it probably 20 times and it was fine 19 of those times. But we'd appreciate your prayers for safety on that trip and in all of our travels!
When I say, we'll go to the lake, I mean Lago de Atitlan in the Western Highlands. Only the most BEAUTIFUL lake in the world, a magical place. I´ll tell you more about it in my next update as this is already quite long. While in San Marcos (the place I volunteered at a school all of 2001 and have worked with ever since), Tom will work on the school's computer lab -- fixing problems, installing new computers, installing DeepFreeze, etc. I'm really looking forward to meeting with Madeleine and going over the new curriculum, as well as meeting with others regarding the school's progress and problems, seeing friends, etc. I'm not looking forward to everything -- like if the projector is still missing, I am going to track down those responsible! -- but that comes with the territory. There is also a holistic center there and I'm going to get some treatments that I hope will help me physically. It is just always amazing to see San Marcos and the school and to see the amazing changes. From January 2001 with no desks, no books, almost nothing TO today's growing school, complete with books, computer lab, etc. Wow! Thank you, Lord!
Thank you friends for keeping in touch as we travel. We would love to hear from you!
Ronit (and Tom) Ricoy
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10:26 PM