Next Stop...Xujuyup, Guatemala

Well, here we go again. Another head-first jump into life in a foreign language. I’ve had enough of this deep south, Peru and Chile business, so this time it’s Guatemala. That’s not even below the equator; it’s like I’m hardly going anywhere!

For the next full year, I'll be living and teaching at the Escuela La Asuncion, in the tiny town of Xejuyup, Guatemala. While school's out for the "summer," from October to January, I'll work in a nearby medical clinic. The school and clinic are both missions established by the Diocese of Helena, and run by Father Jim Hazelton, a priest who's lived and worked in the region for the past forty years. If you're interested in learning more about the mission, check out this website:

http://www.diocesehelena.org/guatemala/default.htm

Right now, I’m still in Helena, but only for a few more days. I’m currently in the process of packing up the past four years of my Montana life, and after a few more difficult goodbyes I’ll make the long drive west for the last time in…well, I have no idea how long. I’m sure I’ll be back, there are too many things I love here, but it’s a bit tough to move on.

Anyways, I’ll be in Oregon for a little over a week. Michael (a close friend from way back) and his lovely fiancée Dayanne will be getting married June 7th, and after seeing all of my old high school friends one last time I’ll soar south from PDX on June 10th.

Although I won’t have internet access at the school, where I’ll be living, a quick trip into town on the back of a crowded truck will soon provide me with a link to the greater world.

It may be a while before I have anything interesting to say, since I’ll still be in the states for several more days. But…stay tuned!