A Love Letter to Guatemala

Antigua,Guatemala  – 3/23/24

You are about to go on and adventure. A story full of history, language, tragedy, flavor, and overflowing love. This is my love letter to Guatemala.

Part one: History

The Guatemalan people have such a beautiful language with flavorful words! Chillero (cool), Que Honda (what’s up), Chistoso (Hilarious), Eso (Let’s go), Guate (close friend, bro), Buen provecho (Bon Appetite). The people here speak with beautiful expressions and love to use sounds when they speak! You walk in a room with friends, you have a fresh haircut and new shoes, everyone goes “CCHHHHHHHH”, while shaking their hands, “Chillero”. Everyone just said you look fire and your haircut is cool! The way they speak is so fun, they love to laugh and joke, and especially to tell stories.

One word in particular stuck out to me off all the phrases and words I learned in Guatemala: Chapin. (Chap-een)

I heard the Guatemalans saying this word, calling each other this word, describing things with this word. I had to know what it meant since it sounded so special and close to their hearts. “Hey Jeofrey, what does it mean when you say Chapin”, I say, “It means Guatemalan with a form of love or affection”, Jeofrey Responds. He was explaining to me; when they call each other Chapin, they’re saying you’re a Guatemalan and it is said with deep love. When they call a food Chapin, they’re saying this food is so Guatemalan but with deep love/respect/affection for it. Why Chapin? Where did it come from? What does it mean?

The origin of this word shook me. Chapin originates from a slang word in the 16th-17th Century Gachupín, a term for a posh Spaniard, one who probably rides horses and has fancy boots, one who was probably overbearing on your town and family during the Spanish Conquest of Central/South America. The Spaniard’s who brought diseases, killed families and towns, who forced a hard bearing catholic religion down the throat of these people who didn’t ask for it. A religion that still has a stronghold on this country with such a heavy yoke.  

How could it even be possible that the Guatemalans today call themselves this loving and affectionate term when its root comes from this?

Part two: Tragedy

While I was living with my host family, I was told a story. This story ripped my heart. I was surprised this family opened up to me, how could they be okay telling this story to me?

The use of language in Guatemala is so beautiful, it’s so flavorful, and the countries is home to over 20 mayan languages. I have heard Guatemalan’s mentioning these languages as if they were a distant folk lore, a lost memory, a lost art . Kaqchikel is the Mayan language that was once spoken often around this region of Guatemala but is almost lost. 

I asked my host parents if they spoke Kaqchikel. They said they didn’t know how to speak it well but have known small phrases, but their children (my age) were not able to speak it. My host mother began to tell me this: Her grandmother spoke Kaqchikel to her when she was younger growing up in the house (which would’ve been during the 1970’s), but for some reason her grandmother and mother wouldn’t teach the language well enough to her for it to be carried for life. I asked why?

She stops to look at her husband, our host dad. He looks to me and says this: “Our Grandparents and parents did not pass this language onto us while growing up because of the civil war”. I found out there was a persecution against the Guatemalan’s who were more mayan, meaning sticking to their roots, instead of moving into the more Spaniard ways. The government committed genocide on the mayan people for their land and mistreated the more mayan people. He continued, “When we grew up, you would get mistreated, shamed, and possibly persecuted for speaking Kaqchikel, so we didn’t learn it or speak, and neither do our kids.” This civil war lasted from 1960-1996. But now they wish they could speak its and pass it to their kids.

How could they possibly call themselves Chapin when their ancestors went through a conquest? How could they call themselves Chapin when their language was ripped from their culture? 

Part Three: Flavorflowing Love

Despite the history, despite the tragedy, the Guatemalans have taken this word Chapin as a term of endearment. They took they shame of conquest and persecution and tattoo’ed it on their chest and screamed “I FORGIVE YOU” to the heavens and God’s throne. Now this word Chapin holds a place of honor for the Guatemalans. Saying I have Guatemalan blood and I’m proud, I’m a descendant of natives and I’m thankful. So when they say Chapin, shame and guilt is erased and love abounds.

Does this sound familiar to you? What people were conquered? What people were shamed for their nationality and heritage? What people were shamed for being descendants of? What people need their brokenness erased in blood and covered by grace?

Israel was conquered by the Romans and Babylons. The Jewish people were shamed for their nationality by the genocide called Holocaust. The Jews are descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob called children of God. The jews need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus and come to the grace of God.

The Chapines have seen horror and hatred, they have faced shame and division. However, they look to God as their helper and healer, they trust so deeply in the man Jesus and built their lives upon His love. They show the love of Jesus like nothing I’ve ever seen before. They welcome you into their home just as if you were a prodigal son. They give you a new robe and ring, the plate of food they worked all day for which was needed to feed their family. They pour you a cup of coke like it’s rich wine, welcome to the feast. They break bread with you and share stories at the table like you were always family. “Jesús, Te amamos, Gracías.” Jesus we love you, thank you. 

Closing

A Chapin knows what the forgiveness of Jesus is. A Chapin know what the love of Jesus does to a person. It transforms your heart, opens you to a real agape love, and compels you to share this forgiving and unconditional love with the world. Thank you to every Chapin who fed me, spoke with me, taught me, and walked with me just like Jesus. God bless you, I love you.

Avtel, our Abuelo of the host family shared something with me. I asked him what He thought about the future of Guatemala now that tradition is changing or being lost some. This is what He said: “Even though the culture here is changing and seems less traditional. I have hope in God for the future here. He will raise up godly men and women who will work hard and righteously, that new jobs/growth/prosperity will come to the land, and that Guatemala will move in the right direction with God.” Abuelo, I admire your faith and hope in Jesus name. Father, bless the nation of Guatemala, be enthroned upon their lives Jesus, and come quickly Lord.

You’re so Chapin; you love well. You’re such a Chapin; you honor family. That’s so Chapin; you honor God in everything you do. Thank you to every Chapin who loved me. Thank you to every Chapin who showed me hospitality. Thank you to every Chapin who showed me the love and grace of God.

Thank you for reading! I hope you were encouraged!

To give: https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/jan-2024-world-race-expedition-11-months/participants/noah-weinstein