My Story

Pasojoc is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiche, Guatemala. Life in this area is very difficult and very isolated from the outside world. It is more than a two hour walk to the nearest market town of Zacualpa. Pasojoc is a farming area where corn and black beans, the staple elements in their diet, are the major corps. The Quiche Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiche - however, Spanish is becoming more common. Very little money ever changes hands in this area as they live on a barter system.

Receive a cordial greeting on behalf of our Heavenly Father. I hope you are well when you receive this letter, and I am excited to let you know more about me. My name is Ofny Isaac Benito Toj. I am in good health. I was born on October 2^nd, 2020, so I am 4 years old. I am not studying yet because I am still too little for it, so I spend my time playing with toy cars and soccer. My favorite color is red, I love eating fried chicken, and I like sheep. I have the blessing of having four brothers and four sisters; three of them are registered at the feeding program like me, and we love to go together to there. It takes us one hour walking and our big sister goes with us to take care of us. 

My father earns a living by working both as a farmer and as a day laborer. He suffers from high blood pressure. He has not been assessed by a doctor lately, but he is taking natural medicine and has felt a little relief; please, keep him in your prayers so he can get better. My mother is in good health> She is a housewife, but she contributes with our home expenses by embroidering bags for selling. Besides that, she raises hens, and we also have pigs at home. Some of our needs are groceries and clothes; we pray to God for provision, and we trust He will bless us. We attend Prince of Peace church. Fortunately, we live in our own house that is made of adobe, tile and tin sheet roof, and dirt floor; we have two rooms and a kitchen. We do not have running water, so we carry it from a stream that is about 10 meters away from our home, and we bring it with jars; we have a solar panel to have electricity at home. It is time to say goodbye to you, but I want you to know that my mother provided this information. Thank you for reading my letter. May God bless you and have a nice day. 

Kisses and Hugs,

Ofny Isaac Benito Toj

Translated by: Luisa Reyes de Solis, A-A-C Secretary/Antigua