Posted in El Salvador by Jeanette Wheeler on 7/11/2008
Spanglish: Up Close and Personal-Part II
Even though it was a short time in El Salvador, it was the most experience into a Latino culture that I have received during our months in Central America. Beside my "family", our friend and contact Silvia, her family, and friend Victor made our time in El Salvador unforgettable…
There was a lot of Spanglish going on between all of us, and multiple usage of …"Can you repeat that again, more slowly, please?" But in the end, our point always got across. Amen!
There was...the multiple beach and amazing scenery visits(the Pier and Puerta Del Diablo),markets, church, papusa making(and eating), and many meaningful conversations and laughter.
The Beaches
The Pier
The Markets
Puerta Del Diablo
Mountain Top Views
My Salvadorian "family" and friends showed me the meaning of love that transcends any language; true unity and connection through Christ.
And even though the language might have been a challenge, I find that if you try hard enough, use your hands (universal and made up signs),mix a couple languages = Spanglish, and love the people through sincere intentions, beautiful friendships can be formed! Among many other things, that's what my ten days in El Salvador taught me.
Posted in El Salvador by Jeanette Wheeler on 7/10/2008
Spanglish: Up Close and Personal
My days in these last ten months have been an emergence into a life so different from my previous one.There has been a variety of cultures, bringing different routines, foods, customs, and the biggest one, language.
I have been around so many different languages that sometimes the routine of hearing gibberish becomes the norm. It becomes shocking and abnormal to hear English spoken around me and when heard, I realize that they too are probably “foreigners” (aka: American or European). On rare occasion, the English comes from a native and it is so refreshing to be able to talk, relate to and know more about them on a intimate level...than just hi, how are you?
When my arrival to El Salvador approached, I was surprised and excited to know that “ministry” would be living with Salvadorian families.My only brief moment of concern was whether I could communicate with my family and that bonding would occur. It was not a big deal; I lived in Brazil for almost a year without really connecting with the language but English speaking native relationships always seemed to be developed. Therefore, either way, I knew I would be ok…but deep down I was hoping for one family member to communicate with well.
The introduction of Sonia was a pure delight. She was a few years older than I was and was an elementary English teacher, what a match! My friend Silvia had shared that after praying about where to place the four of us she knew that we would really connect.
I soon found out that in this culture, until you are married you continue to live at home with your father and mother. Therefore, instead of gaining a Salvadorian sister I gained a whole family, mom, dad, and grandma!
This is where my Spanglish really began!
During my time, I felt as if I was relating to the movie Spanglish. It is about a woman who moved from Mexico years ago to the States with her daughter but never ventured outside of the Hispanic community. Her first experience with English speakers was her job as a housekeeper for an all American, dysfunctional, but loving family.
Her struggles included of course the language barrier, cultural and personality differences, and love at large. There were hilarious, heart breaking and challenging situations that occurred throughout her stay. Ultimately, a bond between her, her daughter and the family became real and surpassed any communication or emotional barrier. A must see movie!
These same situations seemed to mirror my own experiences. I did truly become a part of the Castello family and their routines of life. The easiest part was fitting in and enjoying the home life, the hardest was not being able to communicate.
I was blessed to have my own room and bathroom (the first on the race!), with meals waiting for me, morning, noon and night.
These were probably one of my favorite times because we would eat together, and try to communicate through a mixture of Spanish, English, and mime. At least I could say Buenos Diaz, Buenas Tardes, and Buenas Noches, which always seemed to impress them. Each relationship I soon learned to cherish.
My “dad” was a source of peace and quietness. His mild temperament spoke volumes about his life. His gentleness and dedication to prayer and reading the scriptures showed a life of consistency and faith.
My Salvadorian “mom” demonstrated a life of faith, thoughtfulness, love and servant hood. With a small store at the front of the house, she was the source provider for the family.
Love for the family was shown through the amazing meals, hard work and care that she gave. Our shared connection was a heart for Israel, gardening and love for prayer. I know that I missed many great conversations because we didn’t speak the same language. However, we tried to make up for it through smiles and hugs.
My 86 yr old “grandma” cracked me up! She so badly tried to talk to me and I believe that I would have been so amused and entertained by every word that came out of her mouth.
I know that I was a puzzle to her. She was shocked when I walked around the house without my shoes (apparently unheard of…my feet would get dirty) and very curious about all of my piercings (she had none), and even looked to see if I had a belly button ring (uhh, no!). I almost fell down laughing. Her good intentions were well noted and I even enjoyed her more for her realness and frank approach.
Of course, my friendship and sister hood with Sonia was the piece that made my time so valuable, meaningful, and cherished! Her gentle approach to life modeled one of generosity and kindness.
I loved visiting her school and classes she taught. My time of sharing about missionary life and answering questions was filled with many quizative and interesting conversations with the students.
Through many talks, I learned about her life, desires, and love for clothing
(a woman after my own heart!).
She was an amazing chauffer and was even brave enough to let me drive her car, several times in fact. I was so ecstatic, ahh, the thrill of being behind the wheel.
I sincerely felt loved and welcomed by Sonia’s whole family, including the siblings (her sister and two brothers), nieces, and nephews. Their loving hearts and kind spirits made me easily feel a part of their Sunday gatherings. It was truly a gift to be welcomed into the Castello family.
We found ourselves packing up and leaving Panama City after almost a week helping Carman and tutoring at the school and heading on a journey to the Island of Kuna Yala. As our things were piled on and we squeezed into the front and back of a truck, we prepared our selves for a 1 1/2 hour journey to the Island. After three hours(and still going!) we were introduced to dusty roads, sweltering heat, bumpy rides, steep hills, rivers and still the adventure rolled on. At the half way point (and tallest point of the mountain) we stopped to see the amazing view of where our final destination was. The sparkling Carribean Ocean was seen far in the distance, which at least brought hope to the end of our trucking across the Panama mountianside. Are we there yet?
Our contact from the Island was the Pastor of the church. He served us in many ways... host, translator, transporter and friend.
Our home for the next week was on one of the four Islands where the Kuna Tribe live.
Yes, these are our bathrooms and showers, where does it all go? The Ocean ...of course!
Our home for the next days was cozy and sanctified.It was also the home to newborn muskrats,Ahh!
The Kuna people make their income from tourism and by selling the beautiful "molas" that they sew and create.Their creativity and hardwork is amazing. And of course I couldn't leave without supporting them ;0.
Smile for the camera!
On Sunday morning we led the children's service and at night the Adult service. After doing a DRIME, Traday and Seth shared and Aaron and Traci led worship. Marie (Aaron's mom) was our hero...she was an amazing translator!
Over the next days we were able to pray with some of the islanders and also help out the Pastor's wife in the kitchen.
It looks like I know what I am doing, right?
Where's the car?...boat it is!
I am in awe every time I see a sunset. Beautiful!
Views of Panama City
The Causeway
Metro Centro- the "Old" Panama City
Our second day in Panama we had a Squad day. It was filled with the Panama Canal, Bennigans, the Causeway,and ending at the mall.
It was filled with funny photos, challenges and a creative meal plan...I was the chosen eater...and yes my teammates helped, a little
The Panama Canal
As I returned with Aaron, his parents, and Molly back from the Island to Panama City ,my next days were filled with great opportunities to play, love, and listen.
We stayed at an orphange home with the Beloved Ones. It was a great time eating, loving,and hanging with the kids. I found myself on the day of Renee's birthday being the game coordinator...what fun! Memories of pin the smile on Lightening McQueen(Cars) dance through my brain!
The Birthday Gal
Don't let them fool ya...they can swing...watch out!
One of our days we were able to work with a ministry at a woman's clinic.
We sat down,started conversation(we had a translator), shared our God stories, prayed and handed out bibles.This time was very speicial. God was able to use me to speak truth and life into thier lives. All of us left encouraged through His love and power.
Isn't he adorable?...and only 3 months old! His mom was among three woman that Molly and I were able to pray with and give a bible to.It was certainly ordained especially since they understood our Spanglish!
The last three days of my Panama stay was spent with these gals (Pam and Heather) in a solitude retreat
Our nights were filled with dinner and conversation...what a needed and refreshing time!
My weeks in Panama were truly tailor made for me…our hostel stays (awesome ministry moments), working with Carman and the school, living on an island with the Kuna people, living in the orphanage with the Beloved girls and my three day solitude retreat with Heather and Pam… not overwhelming or too much…but enough… and for that the ministry and impact was abundantly blessed!
Posted in El Salvador by Jeanette Wheeler on 6/24/2008
Where in the World? El Salvador…Nicaragua
So this journey of traveling has been a whirlwind. After Panama(pictures are coming!), I found myself traveling for four days to get to our next destination. Through Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Hondurous, and finally El Salvador there was ten to twelve hour bus rides and overnight hostel stays.
It was quite an adventure of sleep, patience, scenery…and luckily (mainly due to dramamine) no motionsickness(by that I mean throwing up), praise God!
It started off with all twenty-six of us travelers, than we dropped off Seven-Eleven plus Megan in Nicargua and four of the Beloved girls. Then myself , Heather, Molly , and Traday departed the squad in El Salvador, while the others headed to Guatemala.
Our stay in El Salvador was truly a cultural and family experience. We met up with our friend and contact,Silvia, who had it all planned out. Through prayerful consideration we were placed with all different families during our ten day stay. What a God ordained time that was for each of us! Blogs will be coming along with great pics.
Now I find myself in a hostel waiting for our next and last destination. We are heading back to Nicaragua to spend our last and final ministry moments there. I can hardly believe that ten months of ministry has past by and by the 26th of July I will be back in Michigan!
Please continue to keep us covered in prayer. We desire focus for the end weeks, hearts and eyes to be opened to ministry moments, miracles to occur, and our minds and bodies to be geared up for these last weeks of packed filled serving moments.
Until the next time...Where in the world will I be next?
The reflection of my time in Panama brings forth the word enough. At this point in the Race the scripture of God not giving me more than I could handle came in my mind plenty of times. To be amidst fully in my team community, love unconditionally, have the vibrancy and stamina to do ministry with true servant hood and gusto seemed to be a struggle. The desire was there but my energy and patience seemed to be weary.
There was this inner struggle with being ok with the constant change in ministry during these three weeks. I was actually relieved that the serving moments were changeable, brief but impactful. But the questioning of why this was occurring was at the forefront. I knew full well that I did not want my last months to be in vain, counting down the days until I was in my familiar home setting with loved ones. The question of whether it was laziness, complacency, or spiritual attacks kept rolling around in my mind.
Never less when the situation seemed to be overbearing and I was at my wits end God brought relief. There was sickness that provided a day of rest and reflection, change in my environments that brought new people, insights, and relationships. Every time I laid my feelings at His feet He only gave me enough…nothing more or less …and as a result I knew that with Him I could handle what He was asking me to do at that moment and time.
At one particular point of reflection the awareness of a lifetime of routine came to me. It was like a light bulb had been turned on! Since I had been five years old, twenty-eight years of my life, my body has been on the same time frame and response mode. Start school in September, multiple holiday breaks, and in June, schools out for the summer! My elementary school days, high school, college, teaching, graduate school, all of these days followed the same schedule. So in this season of time my body was starting to enter into the shutdown and recoup mode.
This made so much sense of why my mind and body wanted to shut down and this realization brought relief among my mass confusion.
The struggle being, that the WR is not on this same schedule. So…I’m pushing through…and embracing the moments of down time and transition. Keeping my mind focused on making an impact with my prayer life, love, serving attitude and heart, all the while inviting the Holy Spirit to be the forerunner has been the push and motivation throughout my weeks.
My weeks in Panama were truly tailor made for me…our hostel stays (awesome ministry moments), working with Carman and the school, living on an island with the Kuna people, living in the orphanage with the Beloved girls and my three day solitude retreat with Heather and Pam… not overwhelming or too much…but enough… and for that the ministry and impact was abundantly blessed.
Posted in Costa Rica by Jeanette Wheeler on 6/9/2008
Often on the race we (the older WR's) get nostalgic and think about the TV shows and movies of our younger years. It is so fun because it brings up so many pleasant memories. The memories usually come when we gather together as a squad…because we older folks are spread out.
I have been reminded lately of Eight is Enough, about a family with 8 children. And boy, the adventures, troubles, and love that came from that family. Over the course of Costa Rica the whole family, all twenty six of us have stayed together for the month, for the first time. There has been some ministry opportunities (teams were mixed up) ,learning Spanish and times of worship together. All have been powerful and memorable. These moments were challenging, exciting and uplifting!
We certainly have had laughs (we're a funny bunch), and challenges (16 girls in one bedroom…some are early sleepers and others are night owls ; 0), along with extremely frigid girl showers that can make even a saint a little edgy! We have also had celebrations with birthdays (Colleen, Megan and Molly) and reunions (Sarah was reunited with us after going home for 3 ½ months to be with her mother who is ill). We also have had our share of goodbyes. The same day Sarah arrived we said goodbye to Mark. His sister was in a car accident and lost most of her eye sight, so he went home to help out and serve his family during this time of transition. , amaizng Then we had to say adios to the amazing folk at the YWAM base who fortunately have Face book, so we will be keeping in touch! However, this time as a squad has been rare and cherished.
It has always been 26 of us on the September squad. We gain, lose, gain and lose and the number still remains. We originally left with 26. But then there was losing Sarah the first few days in Africa, but then gaining a whole new member to our squad and my team, Traday during that same month, again 26. Finally the excitement of having Sarah return then finding out Mark was going to leave, 26. So many transitions…celebratory and heartbreaking at the same time.
But that number isn't quite enough. It won't be a true complete family until all the members will be present. On July 18th our final debrief occurs. Mark is coming and finally our whole squad will be complete! That will be a date in history and a Kodak moment!
Who can imagine the impact of all twenty seven of us together…the worship, power, and the outpouring of love and affirmation into each other. Can't wait!
But in the meantime we have had some amazing times in Costa Rica, the twenty six of us…enjoy!
The Switzerland Gang
A fun Squad night..dinner and dancing
Celebrating and saying goodbye to our dear friend Silvia
Spanish School
Getting out of the city...a fun trip to Arenal...just Renee, Molly and I
Birthdays... Colleen, Megan and Molly...What fun!
Our life long friends...Chris and Grace...what a blessing they were!
Everywhere we have been around the world you do have to keep a watchful eye and an extra grip on your handbag or backpack but nothing at least for me has happened. It is however a bit more shady as you enter into Panama City especially in Casco Viejo where our hostel has been, but just is life…you move on and venture out.
It was our first day in the city and after resting Tradday and I went to meet up with some of the gang at the mall. We were taking in the sights, observing women walking the streets with big hair curlers in their hair (coming from the salon?), and noticing that there were many more Black people in Panama (very few in Costa Rica). While we were discussing the whereabouts of the bus pickup, Traday said "keep your purse tight". My purse was close up to the side of me but I pulled it even closer and to the front.
This moment of the story too, needs to be backed up. So as we were walking Traday was apparently behind me and noticed a woman as we were passing a hat stand. We were at that time walking on a more crowded street with more vendors. She saw the woman lean down as I passed her as if she was leaning over to pick up a fallen hat.But Traday felt alerted about it and looked right at the woman and then told me the warning.
As these words came out of her mouth, I pulled up my purse and saw that it had been sliced by a blade. And right in view were my wallet and a teammate's passport that I was holding! We immediately looked around and the lady was nowhere in view. What a miracle that the lady didn't have another second to reach in and pull out what was there!
We kept walking and felt very shocked and overwhelmed. Even at the mall Trayday and I several times brought it up and had to process it all over again.
One thing that has calmed my nerves in those moments and thereafter is the way that I have felt especially protected and looked after. After the attack we needed to find our bus to the mall. We had no clue but as World Racers we just go, pray and usually our "angels" of directions will come. And so he did, guiding us after several misunderstandings (the language barrier), to the correct bus. He even came on and got us as we got on the wrong bus, he wouldn't leave until he knew we were going in the right direction. And there after, there have been "persons" who seem to hold out a protective eye out for us. As we are running, crossing over dangerous areas…there is that extra protection and guidance being offered.
I have always teased about the presence of angels in my life. Whether it be "they" are my bodyguards and ward of unwanted men (or wanted onesJ), or protect me in my many times of driving among the craziness of Detroit traffic. But I seriously know that they exist and are here to protect, guide and glorify God's kingdom.
I am so grateful as we are traveling into the depths of the enemy's ground that we are being watched out for. "These protectors" along with the presence of the Holy Spirit and His discernment has made my traveling moments peaceful and not fear-filled. It is so reassuring that I am a child of the King and I am being protected in all circumstances. It is good to know that among us there are angels roaming unaware.
Posted in Costa Rica by Jeanette Wheeler on 6/4/2008
Angels Unaware -Part 1
Growing up in a home setting surrounded by music I found myself involved in many church and school plays and musicals. One particular, was done a couple times in church throughout my childhood. It was "Angels Unaware". It was about the angels and their purpose and calling of God and their roles on earth. I was quite funny and always fun to do.
This memory came to me recently due to several instances I have had. It reminded me of the true existence and protection that Angels have over us throughout our day and lives. Hence to say I have needed some protection. J
A couple of weeks ago in Costa Rica, we were reading and relaxing after Spanish class in our favorite coffee shop. They were great about letting us order and hang around a bit.(reminds me of Starbucks)
I was concentrating on reading but then had an "instinct"
to look around to my surroundings. As I surveyed the room I saw… all the different places we (4 of us) were sitting, Molly's table that was empty and an older man passing by.
So…let me back up. In the "unknown" to me, Molly went to order a drink and asked Heather who was vertically across from her to watch her stuff. No problem…as it wasn't crowded and was more of an upscale shop.
There wasn't anything suspicious looking about "the man" but I felt as if he still needed to be observed. He passed her table once and slowly turned around and backtracked and as sly and quick as he could his hand reached out and covered her purse (which was near the corner of the table…I know not a smart ideaJ)
"No, no, no, no no" came rushing out of my mouth as I leaped up and ran across the coffee shop. Meanwhile he slowly started to leave as if nothing had occurred. I ran and as nicely and fervently as I could I said "No, Senor, No!" (My ghetto side did not come out as usual, because… this was an old man… but my loud teacher voice sure did.)
Then as quick as can be a younger guy came (later found out that he worked there and was just chilling) and started confronting the man. Molly slowly walks up not really sure what was happening. After a few words the younger guy struck the old man in the face and grabbed him by the hair and started to escort him out of the café. As the old man was being pushed down the stairs his head got banged in the meantime. Ouch! I felt bad for him but at the same time still perplexed and overwhelmed with what happened.
Molly was asked if she wanted to press charges…she looked at me and I said "no". So she offered grace up to him instead. Meanwhile Heather and I sat and prayed for him, his circumstances and his heart.
Everything was safe(we were defiantly being watched out for)…Molly and I got a free drink from it… and my afternoon ended up being full of conversation and God time.
She was a few years older than I was and was an elementary English teacher, what a match! My friend Silvia had shared that after praying about where to place the four of us she knew that we would really connect.
