January Newsletter

It’s officially time, friends. School starts this Monday! We have been praying, preparing lesson plans and meeting with teachers and principals. Even the Ministry of Education. We have an Intern, Maddy, with us for the next five months. She will be teaching English at a school in Chimaltenango called CETACH that we met with last June. 

Dia de Los Maestros (Teacher's Day)
In June we were invited to speak at a conference for the faculty of CETACH. 

So very excited for new opportunities and open doors! This day hasn’t come without opposition. A tree fell on our Ministry House this week (aka my home). There were twenty-five people in the houae at the time. Hallelujah no one was hurt. The damage, though, is great... 

We have had to find alternate living and meeting spaces. Though slightly inconvenienced, we are just thankful no one was hurt and that repairs are being made. (And that all other trees within the compound are being cut down!) 

For my birthday, I finally got around to seeing other parts of Guatemala! My sweet friend Ashley blessed me with a trip to the Lake! Lake Atitlan is just as gorgeous, if not more, than the pictures depict! 

Lago de Atitlan; Panajachel

S/O to Ashley for a great bday <3

Hotel Santo Tomas (Chichicastenango)

Iglesia de Santo Tomas.
There are 18 steps leading up to the Church, each representing a month on the Mayan Calendar.
Inside the K'iche Maya Priests perform rituals and burn incense.

The market in Chichicastenango
92% of the population here in Chichi speak a Mayan language called K'iche.  I was lucky enough to go on a Sunday (aka Market Day). Crazy crowded, but crazy beautiful.

Last year I made some friends in the market here in Antigua. The first day I met them, they handed their littlest, Abigail, over the colorful stacks of fabric in their tienda and into my arms. It's been really sweet to visit with them and get to know their family. 

Abigail and her brother, Josias.
Big brother's apparently still very unsure of the whole thing!

Please join me in prayer for this new year! I am expectant that The Lord has big things in store. I am about 40% funded for this year. That leaves a remaining fundraising goal of about $7,000. Please, if you feel led to support me financially, donate and receive a tax deduction here. Thank you for believing in me and for believing in what God is doing in this country. Thank you for your prayers and support. Feliz Año Nuevo. Happy New Year! Love and many blessings - Ellen

I Almost Quit

It’s the first day of school and I have no idea what I’m doing. Luckily I have a sidekick with me. Her name is Ashley and although I only met her two days ago, I have a feeling she’ll be my saving grace here in Guatemala. Having spent a good amount of time in Guate over the past couple of years, culture shock wasn’t something I expected to deal with. Today, though, the differences between the world I lived in for 23 years and the place I now call home are hitting me like a ton of bricks. Our journey to school had been an adventure in and of itself. 6am on a Blue Bird School Bus refurbished with bright paint colors and a speaker system blasting Daddy Yankee was one way to make sure I was awake for the day. Hanging out of the door with the chauffeur who’s yelling “Antigua! Antigua! Dale! Dale-ale-ale!” I can see a sign written in English above the driver: “Maximum Occupancy – 55. Stay behind the yellow line.” And I laugh to myself because where North America says 55 is capacity, Guatemala says “Move over!” Because we can fit AT LEAST 60 more. 45 minutes and two buses later we’re in a town called Jocotenango. Today Ashley is introducing me as a new teacher and giving a values lesson in a private school called SEL. The kids here are 13-20 years old. They interact with Ashley play a couple games and have a lesson on the honesty. We take two more Chicken Buses and get off at a public school called INVAL. I learn that INVAL is the name of the high school and I will be teaching at “INEBE” the middle school. I notice the differences between the previous school and this one almost immediately. As we walk up the stairs it opens to a large concrete space where students are playing soccer. The classrooms are huge, white, and completely trashed. Desks are overturned and there’s trash all over the floor. The only light is coming from a wall of windows, many of which are broken. The others have been drawn on with paint and sharpies. When the kids finally make their way to the classroom, it’s 1:30 and class should have started thirty minutes ago. There’s about 35 students in one class. Ashley does the best she can to control the chaos and give her lesson. The kids here range in ages from 12 to 20 years old and they are extremely closed off. I can tell this is not going to be easy. I can tell that the students don’t like the idea of this random gringa coming into their classroom to teach them a language they don’t want to learn.

Days and weeks went by and my goodness were those days were HARD. I can tell you that I almost quit. I asked God to step in – to please give me something, anything, to work with. I asked Him to please do something. While I waited for that, I decided to show the kids that I was not going anywhere and as much as they pushed me away, I would push harder to get in. I think one day they just realized I wasn’t going anywhere. It took a good amount of time, but the difference in my kids from that first day to the last day of school has me in tears every time I think about it. The kids that used to have the worst behavior are the ones who run up to me when they see me yelling “Seño! Quiero dulces, seño!” / “Miss, I want candies, Miss!” Because I may have used candy to get them to like me... (Hey, nobody ever said we couldn’t bribe them!) I’ve seen the kids who for the most part don’t care about their grades turn into kids who do care. They chant “Que Canta! Que Canta!” when they want me to sing for them and I have to oblige. Our rocky beginning ended with me asking to continue at the same schools with the same kids next year, not knowing that the kids had also asked the principal for me to continue working with them next year. They are respectful and kind. They ask questions about schoolwork, but also life. We get to talk about English, but we also get to talk about life and have real and raw conversations.

An estimated 75% of Guatemala’s population lives below the poverty line. Good father figures are slim to none. Alcoholism runs almost as rampant as poverty runs wide. Most of the kids I have in my classrooms are broken. Many of them feel unloved, unhappy, and insignificant. These are the kids who at 19 and 20 years old are still in sixth grade. Some are here because they’re lazy. Others are here because they worked at 7 and 8 years old to put food on their tables. Many of them work in the mornings and come to school in the afternoon to pay for their education. Many of the girls have been sexually abused and assaulted and were at a very young age. These are the kids who get drunk in school bathrooms, but whose mothers are too far gone to care when the principal knocks on their front door. These are the kids whose previous teachers have quit and said “I don’t want to deal with them anymore.” These are not all the kids. There are kids that have good lives. Most don’t care to learn English.

“Why in the world are you doing this?” If that is the question running through your mind right now, don’t worry. It’s a fair question. Why in the world would I move to a foreign country to teach English to a bunch of punk kids who don’t care to learn a new language? It’s a question I asked myself and The Lord. And His response to me and my response to you is: Oh, this is so much bigger than that. This is about relationships. Healthy, God-centered relationships. They might be a bunch of punk kids, but they’re MY bunch of punk kids. This is about them having a safe place and someone constantly telling them how loved and valued they are. This is about this generation knowing their worth. This is about them having an hour each week where they are filled up. This is about them having someone on their side. This is about them seeing Jesus.

And this is the reason I do this. This is why I left my home and moved to a new one. And no, it’s not always safe. No, I don’t really get to stay out after dark. No, I can’t touch my showerhead because it’s heated with live wires. Yes, there are spiders the size of my head. Yes, it’s hard. But I believe in what God is doing here.

And I must ask - If this has moved you in any way… if you also believe in the work God is doing in the next generation of Guatemala would you prayerfully consider supporting me? One time donations. Monthly donations. $5,$500, or $5000. Anything and everything is so needed and appreciated. All donations are tax deductible with this link: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/MissionImpact/Ellen_Reyna.html 

If you cannot partner with me financially (and even if you can), would you please partner by prayer? Thank you for taking the time out of your day to learn about this country and people I have fallen in love with and the work that The Lord is doing. I am so thankful for you!

Bendiciones, bendiciones, y mas bendiciones -Ellen

A Resounding Call to "Go."

     The past three years have been a whirlwind of airline miles, passports, and moves of God. I've seen the Lord perform miracles in both my life and the lives of others. I've held malnourished babies on dirt floors in homes made of trash in one of the largest garbage dumps in Latin America, sang Jesus loves me with a six year old suffering from Cerebral Palsy, and recited the alphabet more times than I can remember. I've found a passion in teaching English. I've seen prayers prayed and seen pain disappear in response. I've stood with 100,000 Guatemalans and hoped and prayed for the resignation of a corrupt President and celebrated as a new one was elected. I've seen immense poverty and injustice. I've wrestled with The Lord. I've questioned Him and asked "Why?" I've asked how there could be such a high degree of hurt in this world, why it weighs so heavy on my heart, and how anything I can do would make a difference. And on the other side of those questions I found a God whose peace surpasses all understanding and a resounding call to "Go."

     In June, I will be heading back to Guatemala. With the ultimate goal of sharing Jesus, my friend Luis at Nueva Generacion has created a new English program to implement into schools. I've found that building relationships and trust is the best way to share the Lord with those you desire to come to know Him. Through playing UNO, watching movies, and other extra-curricular activities we'll have the opportunity to come alongside students and simply do life with them. Our lessons will include Bible stories and Christian songs that give us the window to share the Gospel.

     I have taken a stand and accepted this call of God on my life and, as I have found this too great a burden to bear alone, I am asking you to join me. There are two ways you can be a part of what God is doing in Guatemala:

     Prayerfully- Pray for Guatemala. The country has seen a steady rise of hope and air of change, but there is still much work to be done. Pray for peace. Pray for me - pray for safety and health and to live each day in the Holy Spirit. Pray for all that God is doing.

     Financially- The cost of living for half a year is estimated at least $6,000 USD. The support that I raise will go towards lodging, classroom supplies, transportation, emergency expenses, and all that comes with living in a developing, third world country. When you partner with me financially you are making a difference in the lives of students across Guatemala. You become part of the movement of God that is sweeping the Central American Nation.

                  To donate with a debit or credit card, please visit my YOUCARING site. 

Cash/Check donations can be given to me directly and/or sent to 2521 Wool Drive Corpus Christi, Texas 78414. 

     God is moving in Guatemala. I am so grateful to be able to come alongside others who are doing crazy work for the Lord in this beautiful country. Thank you for coming alongside me. Thank you for becoming a part of this movement. Your love, support, and partnership mean the absolute world to me and I couldn't do it without you.

Instagram: @elle_rey93

Facebook: Ellen Reyna

Twitter: @ellerey93

Email: ellenmarie23@gmail.com

Nonetheless

Around this time two years ago I was preparing to spend a week in a Country I'd never been on my first mission trip. I had given God an exceptionally feeble "yes" and wasn't fully aware of the size of the journey I was about to embark on with Him.

Seven days ago I returned from that same Country.

The three months I spent in Guatemala were good. I taught English and learned Spanish. I sang the Alphabet song more times than I can remember. I fell in love once again with how beautiful the people and the Country are. I rode in the bed of a pick up truck through the Guatemalan mountains. I drank coffee and lots of it. I formed friendships with the best people and found it exceptionally difficult to say goodbye. I got really alone with Jesus and He taught and showed me so much. I didn't learn to play the guitar, even though I told myself I would. I saw Church in a new and extremely refreshing light. I learned new definitions for worship and what it really means to be a worshiper of Jesus.  

The days I spent there were good, but they were hard.

I sat in the middle of homes composed of trash in communities found in one of the largest garbage dumps in Latin America. I saw faces of injustice. I saw hurt and held babies in my arms who'd seen more brokenness in their short two years than most people do in their lifetime. I saw remnants of destruction brought on by brutal civil war. I saw brokenness and countless forms of poverty. I saw things I still don't have words for.

And I wondered why.

I questioned God.

Why does poverty and injustice to such an extent exist? How do I to make a difference when the need is so great and the hurt is so deep? I wondered how it was possible that flying 3,500 miles to a country where, for the first month and a half, I couldn't even hold a meaningful conversation with anyone because of the language barrier, was worth it. I had countless questions.

And I think it's okay to be in that place. It's okay to sit down and throw a little fit. Cry. It's okay to be speechless. It's okay to get angry. Get righteously angry. But you have to get up from that place. You can't stay there. Allow your anger and brokenness to propel you forward into what you are called to do.

Love.

Over the past sixth months, I have experienced heartbreak. I've had backs turned on me and in return I wanted to turn mine. I have wanted to walk away from Ministry and the Lord. I've wanted to lock my heart away and close myself off from His people. But as God healed my hurt and as He continues to restore the hardened parts of my soul, I come face to face with the fact that we are called to love. And y'all. Loving hurts.

Loving people hurts. It's messy. People are messy. Sin is messy.

But we are called to love despite the hurt and the trust issues and the brokenness.

Nonetheless, we're called to love hard and love well.

 Even when time is short and goodbyes are inevitable. We're called to fight. Fight for the people God has placed in front of us. We are called to come alongside each other and pick people up. Whether that's across an ocean or across the street, God has people around each and every one of us who need to be loved.

We are called to respond. There is no other option.

Overwhelmed

Standing on the corner of the cobblestone square, my mind was in twelve places at once. It was taking in the glorious sight of one of Guatemala's most frequented tourist attractions and very active volcano, Fuego. The gigantic mountain had clouds hanging near the top and smoke seeping out the top. There were two little boys behind me, attempting to convince me to buy a wooden flute. They all played the same sweet little melody and asked if I wanted one. There was a man strumming a guitar a few yards behind me. I wondered if he would let me play with him. The tuk-tuks in the street were driving at terrifyingly fast speeds and splashing water up from the puddles that had formed between the stones that devised the streets. It was rainy season and I wasn't sure if the discomfort I was feeling was the 100 % humidity or the words of a team member.

I snapped back to reality and processed what he was saying, "We're doing ATLs. You have the afternoon. Take a partner and Ask The Lord how he wants you to spend it."

PANIC.

Overwhelming panic.

What if I didn't hear anything? What if what I 'hear' is really just something my mind came up with? What if I think I hear one thing and my partner hears another? Speaking of partner... we have to pick partners?!

I was afraid I wouldn't hear from God. As other team members paired up, I stood frozen in the same spot and happened to lock eyes with our sweet team leader. As we leaned against a giant column, Angela softly spoke a sweet prayer asking God to reveal something to us. I'm glad she prayed without hesitation, because I was milliseconds away from throwing up. I told her about the man with the guitar who'd had my attention since we walked over.

Fast forward about twenty minutes.  There was some arguing with God on my part and lots of God convincing me that somehow I could do this... that I was a good communicator. And suddenly, in the midst of my personal chaos, a feeling of overwhelming peace took over my overwhelming panic. We found that Kenneth was a charming young man who was excellent at his craft of playing guitar. We found that he walked with the Lord, but had recently strayed off the path. He worried that if he returned once again to his Father and fell back into the partying and the drugs, God wouldn't take him back again. We shared with him the story of the prodigal son. A story that, in my personal walk with Jesus, has given me hope. As we spoke words of life and truth and declared freedom over our new friend, I felt God sweetly speaking over me as well.

The voice of the Lord is sweet. It is soft and it speaks with love and authority. And I have found that although my stomach twists and turns, there is a peace that transcends it all. When you obey, the voice of Jesus whispers sweet expressions of hope; hope that resounds louder than the fear of the unknown.

Restless

Sometimes I feel restless. Anxious. Aching to be a place 1,500 miles away.

Restless.

Not because I'm bored or because I'm unhappy with the place I'm in, but restless because I fell in love with a place and a people I met in another world. And when I left, I left parts of myself with them... I left parts of myself in a place where suffering runs rampant, but hope for a better day has yet to fade.

The tension I feel as I go about my life here, wondering, and praying for my friends, can be a little overwhelming at times...

It keeps me up at night.

And sometimes I seem like a mess to other people when I can't explain 'what's wrong'. But I wouldn't change it for the world.

Because the days I spent there...

The days I spent covered in dirt, surrounded by the laughter of kids whom I had met just that day...

The days I spent sitting in the middle of houses put together by pieces of garbage...

The time I spent bawling my eyes out cuddling a five year old boy with Cerebral Palsy and coloring with an 18 year old boy struggling with the same...

Those days changed my life.

And as I sit here, plagued with emotions that I sometimes I feel I can't handle- praying, wishing, and hoping for my friends and for the day that my feet are back on that soil… I’m fully aware of a God who is Sovereign. I believe in a God who acts on our behalf even when we are not aware of it. I believe in a God who speaks in quiet whispers, gently reminding me of His goodness.

Journey to Guatemala {Deeper: Pt. Two}

This time tomorrow morning, our Guatemala team will be less than an hour out from landing in Guatemala City. I have been overwhelmed at the amount of support I have received on this journey. Thank you, for allowing me to not only fulfill a dream, but also say yes to my God and obey His calling in my life. If you are looking to support us while we are over there, prayers are so welcome!!! Pray that we would be open- open to what God has in store. Pray that our hearts and eyes would be open to what He has to show us... open to His Spirit and It's promptings. Prayers for immediate obedience. Prayers for safe travels and peace that comes only from God. Thank you, in advance, for these prayers... and thank you for the ones you have sent up even before this. God has been in even the smallest of details of this trip from the very beginning and I believe with every fiber of my being that what He has in store for these next five days will be life-changing for all.

Who knew that 6 months ago, when I asked God to take me deeper, that it would mean going to a place I'd never been, to love on a people I've never met. I'm in pretty deep. My feet are not touching the bottom and I'm not standing on my own. And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.


Waiting in expectation...
-Ellen