“To ensure quality then, excellence must be an earned word, attributed to us by others. Not proclaimed by us of ourselves.”

― Ed Catmull

29 September 2024

Another couple of weeks down in Xela. Classes at IAS continue to go well. Assimilation into Guatemalan culture continues to develop as I have been learning a lot in the month or so that I have been here! I am still so thankful for all of those that help me through on a daily basis. Huge thank you to those that are there for me when I have the classic text: “hey is this a cultural thing?” They are the real MVP’s! Learning a lot and still so much more to understand.

The past couple weeks have been especially great as I think (prayers prayed and finger’s crossed!) that I have finally crossed the threshold of food poisoning or just an otherwise upset stomach every couple of days! God is good! AMEN!?

This weekend I had the opportunity to see a new part of the country as I ventured to the coast for a restful weekend day! Thankful for the time and means to spend a day in the sun at Champerico Beach!

Thank you for your support and for continuing to follow along on the journey!

Story time

This is a brief description of how my Spanish learning is going… I was at the gym the other morning and one of the super helpful employees came up and started a conversation. He asked what muscle area I was working out that morning in order to offer some feedback / suggestions and I told him proudly that I was a teacher. I simply heard the word for “work” and I’ve been so used to answering the what are you doing in Guatemala question so it seemed right! After we looked at each other for a minute (and a slight chuckle from us both) I quickly realized my error and we used broken Spanish and hand motions for the rest of the conversation. An honest mistake I think… Turns out learning a new language is difficult and my Christian missions professor was 100% correct when he said you have to be ready and willing to laugh at yourself while learning a language because mistakes are part of the game.

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Hang in there & Vive sin miedo,

— Mackell Phillips