A GLIMPSE OF LIFE IN GUATEMALA

June 2006

Dear All,

Why a picture of roses and oil? Currently oil prices are a major topic of discussion in the United States but what does this have to do with life in Guatemala? The price of the roses and the oil tells us much about the economy of Guatemala.

The price of gasoline in Guatemala has always been high and when prices increase in the states, they also increase in Guatemala. Regular gasoline is now $3.25 per gallon. The roses normally cost $ 2.50 per dozen and are fresh and beautiful and bought from people peddling them at busy street corners. (North Americans have had some influence though, because on Valentine's Day the price doubled and tripled for these same roses.) Men, this is an opportunity like never before to bring your wife fresh flowers every week. The last time I checked in the states, a dozen roses was $ 30-$50.

Things grown in Guatemala such as flowers and fruits and vegetables are usually inexpensive. Manual labor is also very inexpensive. A typical housekeeper will earn 6 to7 dollars per day. A skilled carpenter (when he can find work) will receive 12 to 13 dollars per day.

Many of the people we work with live in villages and have no sellable skill. The men rent a small piece of land and plant enough corn to feed their family for a year. They do not have the mind-set to plant twice as much corn and sell some of it. The only farming implements I have ever seen are a machete and a broad, flat hoe. The people go to their fields every day and do all the work by hand. Their fields are very neat and orderly. But if a drought or flood occurs and the crop is lost, there is NO social or government infrastructure to help. Consequently, the people are never able to "get ahead". They live on the edge of life with many, many hardships. This is why they are so appreciative of all we do to help them. Not only are we able to provide them with food and medical care, but also we are able to help them with the inevitable crises of life. We recently gave money to a family to help pay funeral expenses for their 19 year old son who had been randomly shot while buying bread at one of the many small bakeries found throughout the city. He lived 3-4 miles from our home.

When a death occurs in Guatemala, there is no embalming. People who die are in the ground within 24 hours. Unfortunately, there is much governmental red tape and many papers must be obtained which put a very heavy financial burden on the poor people. As we are more personally involved with the people we are able to see even more of their many hardships and needs. As you can see the opportunities to help are endless.

Guatemala is not an entirely safe place to live. Often times businesses of all sizes need and have armed guards standing in front, always alert to danger. These businesses include not only supermarkets but very small "tiendas" about a third of the size of the average convenience stores in the states. One of the most amazing things is to see a Pepsi Cola truck (Pepsi has taken over the market from Coca Cola) making deliveries with an armed guard riding on the top. When the truck stops, the guard does not help unload as his entire attention is directed to protect the merchandise and the workers. One of the reasons for the security is that there is virtually no mail system in Guatemala. The delivery truck collects the money as it delivers. I have often wanted to take a picture of the guards on the Pepsi trucks but this is not allowed as it might seem that a robbery is being planned and one might encounter the business end of one of those shotguns.

All bills (electric, gas, cable, phone) are paid in cash. One must go each month and pay the bill before it comes. Usually three or four weeks after the bill is paid, a hand delivery bill is received for what has already been paid. It can be really confusing. Service can be terminated for not paying a bill that has never been received. Once terminated, a bureaucratic nightmare and a lot of time stand between you and reinstated service.

As with many businesses, almost every neighborhood has a gated entrance with armed guards. Our complex is comprised of 24 housing units surrounded by a high concrete wall with electrified razor wire. At night, a second armed guard patrols the area in addition to the armed guard at the gate. There is only one entrance and exit. Persons entering the area who do not live there must leave a driver's license with the guards at the gate.

We have talked about roses, but what about the quart of oil? While roses are an inexpensive purchase, a quart of oil is not. The cost of the oil was $ 4.25. Very few goods are manufactured or produced in Guatemala. Consequently, these goods cost at least 25 % more in Guatemala than they would in the United States and sales and special offers do not exist. Selection is limited and a long trip by vehicle through much traffic might be required to find it. Because labor is much less expensive than in the United States, many items are repaired or rebuilt rather than replaced. Recently the starter on our car stopped working. Instead of buying a new one, it was removed, repaired and replaced.

Similarly, electricity is quite expensive. When a very low level of usage is reached, the rate doubles. Fortunately we live at 5000 feet of elevation where the weather is mild and does not become significantly cold or hot for a prolonged period of time. Because of this, the houses have neither heating nor air conditioning. Over all, it costs only slightly less to live in Guatemala than in the States.

Every day is a new learning experience with language, people, government, and traffic. God has given us grace and peace to be here. He has also given us a great love for the people. The cost to be here is great, but as the Master Card commercial says, the smiles and gratefulness of the people we help, are "priceless".

We are very grateful for and dependent upon all of you who have continued to pray for us and to send financial support. We would love to hear from each one of you. (JCHINES@CTEN.ORG). Please continue to send financial support to CTEN, P.O. Box 291307, Kerrville TX 78029-1307.

Why we are here...........