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.

Hello! My name is Elvis David Benito Alvarez. I am so glad to greet you by this means, and I hope you and your family are keeping well. Today I am writing you this letter to tell you more about my loved ones and me. Praise God! I am in good health. I was born on March 6^th, 2012, and I turned 13 years old recently.  I am not studying because I do not like it. I prefer to stay at home and play ball. My favorite meal is noodles, I like cats, and the color I like the most is blue. I enjoy attending the feeding program, I go with three of my six brothers that are also registered, and we walk one hour to arrive. 

Thankfully, my parents are in good health. My father covers our needs by working as a farmer and traveling to the coast to pick coffee beans. My mother is a housewife, but she also rises some hens. We need corn and groceries, but we put our needs in God’s hands and trust He will provide fo us. As a family, we attend Prince of Peace Church. Thankfully, we live in our own house that is made of adobe walls, tin sheet roof, and cement floor; it has three rooms, a separate kitchen, and we share the house with my sister-in-law and my nephew. We get our water from a water spring, and we have a solar panel to have electricity. Let me tell you that my mother gave this information to the Evangelism teacher. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope you like it, and it would be nice to hear from you soon.

Many Blessings,

Elvis David Benito Alvarez

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