Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks for stopping by the Guatemala ABST blog! The 2016 group is still getting to know each other but we'll start sharing our journey together soon. In the mean time, please take some time to read previous trips' blogs to get an idea of what we'll be doing.

Photos...Again!

Guatemala- country of happiness

Growing up in Israel, going to school in the US, and traveling around the world have made me appreciate other cultures and countries. In Guatemala I'm impressed to see how happy the locals are without clean water, big houses, technology, and many other Western developments. People here work hard and live in difficult conditions but keep the smile on their faces and enjoy every day of creation and togetherness

Raz Yuval 

Making Stoves

Dear family and friends,

Thursday's activities have come to a close in San Lucas.  Before the specifics of the day, a couple of general comments.  When we saw the light of day on Sunday and enjoyed our boat ride, God's handiwork was on display.  A beautiful, blue lake nestled under high mountain peaks.  Quite breath-taking.  Second, the people of San Lucas are delightful, normally sharing broad smiles and polite greetings, even though my greeting in Spanish was weak.

The Gannon crew was delivered by van to a "housing development" 20 minutes from San Lucas.  We broke into two groups to go to separate homes.  We assisted the men there that were installing brick stoves for these families.  The bricks and smoke stacks were in place, we helped filter dirt to be combined with cement.  Once the cement was mixed, we each tried our hand at spreading the cement on the outside walls of the brick.  We did okay, but the men in charge wrapped up the jobs with their cementing skills.  They also sealed the cement on the stacks and added tile to the top of the stoves.  We are told that within two weeks these families will be able to use the stoves, which will make a huge difference in their lives.  You can't spend a few hours in a person's home (we are talking one to two cement blocks rooms and aluminum sheeting for a roof) without getting to spend time with the children.  They adore playing with us and talking to us.  Very enjoyable for us as well.  

To the moms and dads reading the blog entries this week, you can be very proud of your kids (not that you aren't already).  They have meshed well and enjoy spending time with each other.  They have also put up with the "parent presence" (me) this week.  Most of all, they have directed their energies to serving and learning, just what we came to do.

Coming home soon,

Jeff

Meredith's Post

Hola familia y amigos! It is extremely hard to believe that we just wrapped up our final day of work in San Lucas. Tomorrow we will be heading to Antigua and then Guatemala City to prepare for our early flight back to the states on Saturday. I feel like just as I am growing to love the city of San Lucas, it is time to leave, but who knows, maybe I'll be back some day!

Last night after dinner our group had the chance to watch a video about the life of Padre Gregorio, a priest from Minnesota who was sent to minister to San Lucas for what was only supposed to be two years. Although he originally did not want to come to Guatemala, he quickly fell in love with the people and the mission. One thing led to another and Padre Gregorio ended up staying for 48 years. While the video shared stories about his life and how the mission has been responding to the needs of the San Lucas community over the years, it also showed footage from Padre's funeral in 2012. Over 30,000 people came to pay their respects to a man who truly showed Christ to this portion of the world.

I was extremely moved by Father's impact on the people here. It is crazy to think that I would have never learned about this man's life and work if I didn't have the chance to be in Guatemala this week. The more I travel in the United States and abroad, the more I realize that people like Padre Gregorio labor and love all over the world. This simple fact gives me hope. I feel extremely honored to have been here and to have been able to touch some of the projects that Padre Gregorio and others poured their lives into. Whether I was digging a trench to increase water access in the town, repainting the walls of the mission school, learning the rich culture and history of the region, or helping to build a stove for a local family, I saw Christ. This week has renewed my spirit and has once again helped me to realize that although there are many different people in this world, we are united in Christ.

Hay muchas personas en este mundo, pero hay solo un Dios. Por eso, nosotros estamos unidos. Gracias a Dios por todo.

Meredith

More Photos to Enjoy

The Women's Center

Today, we visited the women's center here in San Lucas. The women's center is a place where almost all of the women here in San Lucas attend daily to learn how to weave, sew, and cook.  It is also a place where people in the community go to wash their clothes. Today, during our visit to the center we had the chance to learn how to make tortillas, carry the basin that women here in Guatemala put their clothes and food stuff inside. We also learned how to wash clothes using water from the rain and also how to  carry fire wood on our back. Learning how to carry the basin connected to my childhood experience as a young girl growing up in Ghana, West - Africa. In Ghana, we always carry basin to and from whether from the market, damping garbage, and to the River side. 

Louisa Afriyie 

Danielle's post

Hola friends! 

During yesterday's reflection we were asked to close our eyes and envision and reflect on our experience and our return home. I felt relaxed as I played out the events of the day in my head; it was then that I really noticed my environment and the sounds of Guatemala. 

I was sitting under the gazebo and the sun was down; a cool breeze was present. In the distance there was music and a few dogs barking. Other than that, there was no other sound. At that moment I felt at peace and so thankful and privileged to be sitting under that gazebo with such an amazing group of people. 

Earlier that day we were assisting with a water project. To allow people to live on land higher up the mountain, a community was working together to build an irrigation system that would pump water up the mountain to be supplied to the people's homes. We were guided on a small hike up the mountain to see the progress the local volunteers have made. At the top where the water basin was going to be placed were multiple giant boulders and four men chiseling away at them. With no machinery to carry away these boulders, there is no other option than to break the boulders into smaller pieces to remove them. The men were so happy and proud to be able to contribute to the project. They didn't see the chiseling as tedious, they saw it as an opportunity. It was the most beautiful thing.

We hiked back down and began digging trenches where the pipes will soon be placed. At first the shoveling was easy, but the deeper we dug the more we ran into buried boulders. We worked together trying to remove these giant rocks, and as frustrating as it was at times, we were able to look at the 60 feet of trench we dug and feel proud. It may have seemed like only a small stretch of trench, but it was tangible progress made. It was 60 feet of trench that the workers didn't have to dig themselves. 

Every moment spent here in Guatemala is an amazing blessing, and each day is a new learning opportunity. 

Peace

Danielle

P.S. Shoutout to my family! Miss you and love you! 

Coffee demo and tasting!

I really don't like coffee.  drinking coffee is something I have never picked up on in college.  Everyone asks "what do you do for caffeine?" My answer: "Pepsi!" Even though I don't drink coffee, learning and working with the coffee is one of the aspects of this trip that I was looking forward to.  

Yesterday afternoon we watched Carlos present the process of roasting, grinding and brewing the coffee. When the beans come off the plant, they are a very light color. Each bean needs to be de-shelled.  Then the are put into the roaster.  The roaster has to reach 300 degrees and then the beans roast for about 15 minutes.  At this point we were able to smell coffee.  

After they have been roasted, they are placed in the grinder.  This is what the coffee looks like when we purchase it in the store.  He then brewed it in the coffee pot.  Carlos used a coffee pot just like we use, however he recommended to use a french press because it keeps more of the flavor of the coffee. 

Everyone was poured a cup of coffee.  Even though I had a strange feeling that I wouldn't care for it, I tried a few sips.  What can I say? I am a college student who does not drink coffee! However, members other members of the group said it was excellent.  Carlos was asked by one of us about how we can start becoming acquired to the taste of coffee.  Carlos said he started by adding creme and sugar, which makes sense to me.  Maybe at some point in my life I will like up to that "advice" but for right now, I will stay with pepsi.  

We look forward to the second half of this trip, while the other members of this group enjoy the coffee!!

Much love,

Madeline Boucher 

House Construction - Carly Bone

Hello friends and family!

Today a group of 4 of us; Raven, Louisa, Ashley, and myself had the opportunity to help lay the cement floor in a house that is currently being built for a Guatemalan family in the mission's neighborhood. The first thing we had to do before we could begin putting down the cement was level off the dirt. This required us to remove the excess dirt and transport it to the nearby carpenter shop where it could be reused as fill dirt. Following that we collected wheelbarrows full of sand and rocks and brought it back to the area where we needed the cement. We then mixed in the cement powder and the sand and rocks into a big pile on the ground. We transported conserved water from a near by rain barrel, and by making a hole in the cement pile, poured it in with the sand and rocks. We mixed the cement manually using shovels until it reached the appropriate consistency. Our Guatemalan friend in charge of the project explained to us that this was the best way to make the cement because of the quality and its ability to hold up much longer than machine mixed cement. By the end of the day we were tired, dirty, and sweaty to say the least but it was more than a blessing to step back and look at the work we accomplished for this family. We saw a patch of dirt transform into a floor of a home that will serve as both shelter and a place for a family and their friends to enjoy each other's presence. We thank God for our strength and abilities and also for the opportunity to take part in this project. 

Love and blessings from Guatemala,

Carly

Water Project

Hello friends and family!

Eight of us worked on the "water project" this morning. The water project is a relatively new project of the Mission. Its purpose is to bring water farther up the mountains so that the land can be cultivated and lived on (there is currently no irrigation at the higher elevations, rendering the land useless). This project is very important to the Mayan people that own that land. 

We helped dig trenches that the pipes will be laid in. One pipe will carry water from Lake Atitlan to the tank at the top of the mountain, and another pipe will go down from the tank to the houses on the mountain. 

Before we began, we hiked up to the top of the mountain to see where the tank will be. This area is very rocky; stonecutters have been working diligently (using a chisel and hammer) to break up the boulders and remove the rocks. Then, we set to work, digging the trenches 75 cm deep. Over two hours, we added approximately 60 feet to the trench.

Andres was the local man who oversaw the project. He explained that the Mayan people performed a ceremony to ask a blessing to open the land and build the trenches. This helped us see the importance and relativity of the indigenous culture.

There were other local men working alongside us. One of them was 14-year-old Juan Ronaldo, who told us he worked 5 days a week on the project. I worked closest to him in the trench, so he and I talked about our families. Although it was a brief conversation, I felt a closer connection to him, the people working on the trench and of San Lucas, and the land itself; this showed me the importance of solidarity with the people here. On our way home, we ran into a man who owns land on the highlands and who will benefit from the water project. He thanked us repeatedly for our work and reassured us God would repay us. This tied the project together for me and showed us all how valuable water is to the people of San Lucas. 

Con mucho amor (with much love),

Katie

Pictures to Enjoy

The group wanted to give thanks to everyone for being patient with our blog while we figured out the technical issues. Here are some of our favorite photos from the trip so far!

The Small Things in Life

Hola a todo de nuestra familia y amigos en los Estados Unidos (Hello to all of our family and friends in the United States)! I am so happy to be able to write our first blog post from Guatemala. For those following our adventure here, this is Raven posting. I visited San Lucas last year with a different ABST group, so I thought it would only be fitting to let everyone in on a little secret: there has been TONS of progress and I could not be more excited for the beautiful people here! There's plenty of new projects underway, improvements to existing vehicles, and the town is as lively as ever. 

Today was an exciting one as the whole group was able to tour neighboring towns. We all loaded up on a boat in Lake Atitlan and set sail. There was more than enough excitement to go around. Today was not only our day to settle in, but it was a day to begin learning. Here in Guatemala it is so important to learn: learn about the culture and language, but about the history offered in every street as well. We have been realiizing that it is the small things that matter most. It is the fact that you are greeted with an eager wave and hello, it is the appreciation for you trying Spanish, and it is stories shared. As our first full day unfolded I am happy to say that this will be a great week, but sad to say it will probably be a quick one.

I say it's the small things in life that matter because today was a little personal for me. San Lucas mission receives hundreds of volunteers monthly, so in choosing to come back and lead this year, I never would have imagined any of the locals remembering me. But, above in our photo are Paulina and Ana...they remembered me! I cannot express in words how much that made my entire week. In a way, this was a small confirmation that the relationships we build do matter. It was even better seeing our group build relationships with them as well. We were blessed with a boat ride back to San Lucas with both of them. We conversed and shared stories; we tried their native language (Quetch or Mayan), and we laughed. It is the small occurences each day that make a difference. We may all be different, but we all possess the capability to turn someone's day around.

I look forward to sharing more as the week unfolds.

- Raven

Safe Arrival

After a long delay in Newark and last leg journey from Guatemala City to San Lucas Toliman, the group has safely arrived at the San Lucas Mission!

Some more facts about Guatemala

Hello everyone!

It's officially less than hour until we leave! We will post tonight upon arrival in San Lucas so you know we made it there safely! In the meantime, here's some more facts about Guatemala:

Coffee:

• Coffee has been an important part of Guatemala's economy since the 1850s.
• In 1880, coffee was 90% of Guatemala's exports and is still their largest export today.
• Guatemala was the top coffee producer in Central America until 2011, when Honduras overtook them.
• Many indigenous people were evicted from their ancestral home without benefits in order to produce more coffee.
• Harvesting the coffee crop depends on a massive, seasonal influx of migrant workers who travel to supplement their meager income. They are paid $2 a day (48 cents less than minimum wage); this only pays for a third of a family's calorie requirements.
• Half of their coffee is exported to the US.

We will most likely be harvesting coffee while in Guatemala. Please keep in mind that some of your coffee you drink in the morning may be produced by these workers who are paid sub-poverty-level wages - try fair trade coffee, where workers are paid fair living wages!

Powerful Women Figures:

• Rigoberta Menchu is an indigenous Mayan woman born in 1959. She has renounced marriage and motherhood so that she can dedicate her life to raising awareness about racism in Guatemala and work toward equal treatment of the Mayan people. She received the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts. 
• Guatemala's Attorney General is a female, Claudia Paz y Paz.
• Irma Flaquer Azurdia is a psychologist known for her critique of the Guatemala government.
• Maria Josefa Garcia Granados y Zavala is an intellectual, writer, journalist, poet, and feminist.

Jade:

• Jade is an ornamental green rock.
• It was rare in southern Mayan cultures; therefore, it was very valuable.
• It was used in Mayan art and for religious purposes.

Thank you for all your support as we prepared for our journey, and please continue to keep us in our thoughts and prayers as we travel!

Some facts about Guatemala

History & Disappearance of the Mayan Civilization

The Mayan civilization was the most dominant society in Mesoamerica (Mexico & Central America)
 Earliest Maya settlements date to around 1800 B.C. These civilizations were agricultural. They grew crops such as corn, beans, squash and cassava. They also become culturally advanced and started building pyramid buildings and developing cities.
During the classic period around 750 AD is considered the Golden Age for the Maya Empire. The civilization grew to about 40 cities, and may have reached a population around 2,000,000.
The Maya were deeply religious and they worshipped God related to nature. At the top of the Mayan society were kings. These kings were thought of the earth. The inscriptions of temple walls led people to believe they were very violent. As a part of religious ritual they performed torture & sacrifice.  During this time they also made advancement in math & astronomy, and created the 365-day calendar.
From the 8th - 9th century the Mayan society started to fall classical cities were abandoned and by 900 AD the Mayan civilization had collapsed.

These popular theories exist as to why the extinction of society occurred one theory is the people completely exhausted the environment to the point it could no longer sustain the population. Another theory is that the constant warfare caused the society to breakdown the final common theory is extreme environmental change, like an intense drought.

San Lucas Mission

The San Lucas mission was founded by the Franciscan order in the late 16th century, the mission church was founded in 1584. In 1958, the catholic church in Rome called for greater involvement of clergy and lay people in world missions. Diocese of New Ulm launched a partnership with the Diocese of Sololá Guatemala. Father Greg Schaffer a Diocesan priest from New Ulm began serving as a pastor for the San Lucas Mission in 1962.

Devotion has been the enhancement and enrichment of the whole person - spiritually, intellectually, and physically addressing immediate effects of poverty and its underlying causes.


Father Greg Schaffer

Father Greg was born on January 29th, 1934 in St. Paul, Minnesota.  He entered the seminary in 1954 and started working at San Lucas Mission in 1963.  He stayed for nearly 4 decades and oversee the mission and always made upholding the dignity of the Guatemalan people.  He also started many aspects of the mission such as medical and dental clinic, elementary school, library and a women's center . Many awards were bestowed on him, specifically order of the Quetzal.

Civil War

During the civil war thousand were killed and many more unclaimed.  People  were forced from homes or killed because the rich people wanted the lands. Men were recruited and they were killed or kidnapped if uncooperative.

Introducing: Linsy Simanowski

Hello everyone!

There's only 39 days left until we depart for Guatemala! With that being said, there's only two members left to introduce, and today, we're introducing Linsy Simanowski. Linsy is a senior biology major.

Q: Why Guatemala?

A:  I want to see and experience the world!  I want to admire the beauty the world has to offer through different landscapes, peoples, cultures, and customs.

Q: What is something you’d like to learn about Guatemala before going?

A: Before going, I would love to learn if there are any “secret” special places to go.  Often times, you hear from others that there can be hidden treasures to be discovered (i.e., a small waterfall, open meadow with flowers in bloom, etc.).  If there are any special places to experience, I don’t want to miss out.

Q: Words to live by?

A: “It’s okay to not be okay.”  I live by these words because I am at a point in my life where everything is subject to change.  I am learning about myself on levels that I never knew existed.  Through this journey, I have realized that you don’t always feel okay… And that’s okay.  You don’t always have to know what your next step will be, what you’re doing tomorrow, or why something happens. No one has life all figured out, and it’s okay to be confused sometimes.  Just take things day by day; keep your head up and lean on the ones you love. 

Q: What would you do with 10 more hours in the day?

A: If I had 10 more hours in the day I would start reading more.  I used to love reading for pleasure.  However, the older I get, the busier I become.  It seems that by the time I lie down at the end of the day I just want to sleep.  If I had more time AND energy, I would snuggle up with a book and read for hours!

Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one thing, what would you want it to be?

A: This may be unrealistic, but if I were stranded on an island with 1 thing, I would want that thing to be an emergency raft with an abundance of supplies!  Hopefully that will NEVER happen though!

Q: What is something interesting about yourself?

A: Something interesting about myself is that I was an exceptional athlete when I was younger.  I was a competitive gymnast, ran track, was a cheerleader, and more.  Unfortunately for me, I fractured my back in 3 places and am not allowed to do sports anymore!

Q: What is something unique you can bring to the group?

A: I have a gift (which is also a curse) of feeling for other people and understanding them.  I have been through a lot in my life, and therefore I easily relate to/understand others.  This is seen as the “gift” aspect.  On the other hand, sometimes others’ problems weigh me down and I can’t separate myself from them.  This is the “curse” aspect.  Either way, I hope to use this gift while in Guatemala to relate to the peoples there.  I also feel like it will help me to appreciate their way of life and culture.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: My dream JOB is to be a mom.  I hope to have a successful career as well, but happiness doesn’t come from money.  I want to be close to my family always.  I hope that I can be an amazing mom someday just as my mom was for me.

Q: What inspires you?

A: My mom inspires me more than anyone or anything in this whole entire world.  She has always been my rock.  She is one of the most understanding, compassionate, intelligent people I have ever been around.  Luckily for me, I can call her mama!  She is an incredibly strong woman and continues to inspire me through her personal gains in life.  I am truly blessed beyond words to have been placed on this earth as her child.

Introducing: Danielle King

Hello friends and family!

The spring semester is now underway, which means there's only 46 days until we leave for Guatemala! There's only 3 members left to meet, and today, we're introducing Danielle King, a junior nutrition and exercise science major!

Q: Why Guatemala?

A: I've always wanted to travel and I have a passion for service; traveling to Guatemala through an ABST is an opportunity of a lifetime! I am so blessed to be involved in such an amazing mission.

Q: What is something you’d like to learn about Guatemala before going?

A: I'd like to learn more about Guatemala's exports and the economy in Guatemala.

Q: Words to live by?

A: Never regret anything in life. Regardless, at one time in your life that is exactly what you wanted.

Q: What would you do with 10 more hours in the day?

A: Probably sleep. But if I was feeling well rested, I would definitely spend the extra time going on adventures, appreciating the beauty of this planet, and advocating world peace.

Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one thing, what would you want it to be?

A: Sunscreen; I'd have to protect my skin from the desert's harsh sun.

Q: What is something interesting about yourself?

A: I collect garden gnomes. I have over 50 gnomes, all unique and special to me.

Q: What is something unique you can bring to the group?

A: I'm really good at jokes and puns. There's never a bad time for a joke or pun :)

Q: What is your dream job?

A: I would love to be a princess at Disney World. Spending my days in a beautiful gown taking photos with children at the happiest place on Earth would be simply amazing! I would love to be the Little Mermaid or maybe Belle from Beauty and the Best.

Q: What inspires you?

A: My family. They're beautiful and I couldn't have accomplished anything without their love and support.

Introducing: Carly Bone

Hello everyone!

Tomorrow begins the spring semester, but we still have a few more members of the ABST Guatemala group to introduce. Today, we'll meet Carly Bone, a junior majoring in nutrition and health performance.

Q: Why Guatemala?

A: I chose Guatemala because I have never been anywhere outside of the United States and I found the Guatemalan culture and lifestyle to be the most interesting and unique. I am looking forward to experiencing a different type of lifestyle outside of my comfort zone.

Q: What is something you’d like to learn about Guatemala before going?

A: I attended a technical school during high school for culinary arts and have always been interested in food culture so I would love to learn more about the cuisine of Guatemala.

Q: Words to live by?

A: Remember to stop and enjoy life.

Q: What would you do with 10 more hours in the day?

A: Study and sleep. I feel like there is never enough time in the day for either.

Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one thing, what would you want it to be?

A: I would probably bring a burrito kit because burritos are my favorite food and I could use the foods that the island has to offer to make all sorts of different burritos and that would be amazing!

Q: What is something interesting about yourself?

A: Something interesting about me is that I am obsessed with owls. I think they are the most beautiful animals.

Q: What is something unique you can bring to the group?

A: Something unique I can bring to the group is a fun time and a sense of humor. I like to be silly and make others smile/laugh.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: My dream job would be to work in a hospital with severely malnourished patients and patients who need feeding tubes.

Q: What inspires you?

A: My family is my biggest inspiration. No matter what I am going through in life, they are always there cheering me on, congratulating me, or picking me up when I fall.

Introducing: Louisa Afriyie

Hello friends and family!

There is only 50 days left until our departure - it's coming fast! Today, let's meet Louisa Afriyie, a respiratory care major. She is also a co-blogger for ABST Guatemala!

Q: Why Guatemala?

A: I want to go to Guatemala because I heard the people there are very nice. I also want to sit by the fresh water, lagoons, and lake, and enjoy nature. 

Q: What is something you’d like to learn about Guatemala before going?

A: I want to know more about the community as well as background information about Guatemala.

Q: Words to live by?

A: To respect the people and their culture

Q: What would you do with 10 more hours in the day?

A: With ten hours, I want to complete all my errands or spend time with some people who are in need or need help.

Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one thing, what would you want it to be?

A: If I was stranded on a deserted island with only one thing, I want it to be a novel.

Q: What is something interesting about yourself?

A: I am laid back, very caring, and loving. I find it easy to get along with everyone I come across. I like to put myself in other people's shoes.

Q: What is something unique you can bring to the group?

A: One thing I hope to bring to the group will be unity. I want us to stick together, stand up for one another, and respect each other. 

Q: What is your dream job?

A: My dream job is to become a respiratory therapist.

Q: What inspires you?

A: My family and other people - especially people who have the same  vision as me. 

Introducing: Jeff Taylor

Hello everyone!

Today, we're introducing the other faculty member accompanying the students to Guatemala, Jeff Taylor! He is the Controller in the Finance Office. 

Q: Why Guatemala?

A: The Center for Social Concerns thought it would be a good match for me.

Q: What is something you’d like to learn about Guatemala before going?

A: What the people are like and how they view Americans

Q: Words to live by?

A: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind….and your neighbors as yourself.

Q: What would you do with 10 more hours in the day?

A: Spend more time with my granddaughters, volunteer more, pray more, and nap every afternoon!

Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one thing, what would you want it to be?

A: My wife

Q: What is something interesting about yourself?

A: I sang the National Anthem at an Erie Seawolves' game.

Q: What is something unique you can bring to the group?

A: An older person's perspective

Q: What is your dream job?

A: Shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Q: What inspires you?

A: God's Word (the Bible)

Introducing: Katie Kapp

Hello friends and family!

As of today, there's only 55 days until we leave - pretty exciting! Today we're introducing Katie Kapp, a sophomore chemistry major. Katie is also one of the bloggers for ABST Guatemala!

Q: Why Guatemala?

A: Last year, I went on the ABST to Merida, Mexico. I thought it would be interesting to go to Guatemala this year and see how the two cultures compare and contrast, since both are influenced by Spanish and Mayan traditions.

Q: What is something you’d like to learn about Guatemala before going?

A: I just finished reading I, Rigoberta Menchú: An Indian Woman in Guatemala, the autobiography of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Rigoberta Menchu. That helped me get an overview of some indigenous Mayan traditions, what caused the Guatemalan Civil War, and the Civil War in the 1960s and 1970s. From there, I’d like to learn more about Guatemala’s current economy and political system, as well as the present-day lifestyle of Guatemala’s Mayan Indians.

Q: Words to live by?

A: "Don't forget to smile every once in a while."

Q: What would you do with 10 more hours in the day?

A: I'd like to read, write, and exercise more, but in reality, I'd probably sleep.

Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one thing, what would you want it to be?

A: A friend to keep me company

Q: What is something interesting about yourself?

A: I taught myself how to cross-stitch this past summer.

Q: What is something unique you can bring to the group?

A: My enthusiasm and dedication - I put my whole heart into everything I do.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: Nothing specific, but something that combines serving others and chemistry

Q: What inspires you?

A: Christianity, music, and my family