La fogata

I spent two hours in Parque CentroAmerica finishing My Antonia by Willa Cather. I highly recommend the book though it was strange to read here. I would often look up from words describing the grandeur of the Nebraska prairie to respond to Catarina or Juana, Mayan women who ask me to buy their weavings every weekend - a jarring contrast between the two worlds. But maybe not really...it is still the story of pioneering women working to support their families.
After down-time in the park I prepared for the first "real" theology class. Last week was just the introduction. I was nervous, having never taught anything before let alone theology and in a second language. Class started late, five new students arrived clueless as to the reading, and only four students turned in their homework. A seemingly rough start. So I introduced "Clara" (me...but in a clever disguise with sunglasses). Clara is studying Spanish in Xela and her horoscope guided her to the theology class to teach the students her own version of Christian doctrines. There was laughter, some incredible questions from the students that I couldn´t possibly answer (but tried my best), a warm atmosphere, and great potential for participation and learning. Maybe they won´t ever turn in their homework...but maybe they will.
The class was followed up by a bonfire (fogata) and shared meal of tortillas, cheese, and coffee. I am overwhelmed by the commitment of the youth of Iglesia Emanuel - commitment to each other and to their extended community. We easily enter into serious discussions of race, class, religion - issues that they have thought about and wrestled with. They are not perfect but they are headed towards being strong leaders. The difficulty is keeping focus when many others discontinue studies or keeping hope when unemployment rates are ridiculously high.
This morning´s paper reported that 50 percent of Guatemalan children suffer from malnutrition. I haven´t read the full article yet but the subject of infant mortality is a major theme in the upcoming elections in September.
I am settling in to life here and as expected the three months that felt like an eternity that first week now seem like not nearly enough time. Next trip will be longer.