The value of community and service in Guatemala

Dear CSB+SJU,

¡Hola! This week marks the end of my first month here as a Benedictine Volunteer in Esquipulas, Guatemala, and what a month it has been. The last four weeks have felt like a lifetime with all I have done, seen and especially the people I have met. I have had the privilege of living in the Abadia de Jesucristo Crusificado. The monks here are beyond welcoming; the monastery is beautiful and the food is incredible. My service here through the BVC has been interesting to say the least. I have been serving as an English teacher at the local high school, Colegio San Benito, alongside my service partner, Sam Mancino. I am very thankful to have him here as a friend and a support system through a time where change is a daily occurrence.

After graduating with a business degree, the transition to teaching has been very difficult at times. I must admit that many of these difficulties stem from my very limited experience with the Spanish language, but I have endless opportunities to learn and get a little bit better each and every day. We teach four class sections, consisting of two grades. It can be loud, hectic and a lot to handle at times, yet it is always rewarding to hear students greet us with “Teacher! Hello, how are you?” around the school.

We have also found ways to help with the school’s gym classes after making connections with the physical education teacher. He was eager to let us help with class as an opportunity to practice our Spanish in exchange for some English practice of his own. It has been a great way to build a connection with the students and stay active. As someone with little to no foot coordination, I have felt like a giraffe on ice skates at times when we play soccer. The students never hesitate to remind me of this. However, it made it even more embarrassing for them when the two gringos scored goals in the highly anticipated teachers vs students soccer match.

The town of Esquipulas is consistently bustling. The walk to and from the local coffee shop each day is full of life in ways I could not have imagined before arriving here. Smiles and greetings from strangers everywhere. People are eager to meet us and, in most cases, practice whatever English they have. One of the things that makes this place so special is how centered around the church the entire community is. The Basilica de Esquipulas is home to El Cristo Negro, lovingly called Señor de Esquipulas. It is a black crucifix with a history of miracles, and it is the center point of the city. Catholic pilgrims travel from all over Central America to see this work of art. Every weekend the line to pray before the crucifix wraps around the block. It is spectacular to see the reverence the people of Esquipulas and its visitors have for it.

I have learned a lot about myself already. I realize I am more of a morning person than I previously thought. I found out through some interesting trial and error that I am allergic to papaya. I now know I need a lot of practice when it comes to both soccer and Spanish. But above all else I have learned what it looks like to truly welcome an outsider into your community. I have found myself feeling like a fish out of water many times in this experience. As a tall ginger who doesn’t speak much Spanish, it is not hard to stick out in rural Guatemala. But time and time again the people here have gone above and beyond to take me in, show me grace and welcome me to this beautiful city and all of it has to offer. And with many months left, all I can do now is return the favor.