My Story

Chuchuca, where your child lives, 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. Chuchuca 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. 

Many greetings! It is a pleasure to greet you hoping that you are doing well. My name is Sergio Elias Riz Garcia, and I am a happy and healthy 10-year-old boy. I am in third grade this year. In my free time, I like to play ball and do my homework. My favorite color is blue, my favorite animal is a bear, and my favorite food is fried chicken.

Only one of my biological parents live with me. My father abandoned us 4 years ago, has another family, and does not communicate with us nor help us economically. I only have my mother’s last names because when I was born, he was in the USA. My mother is a hardworking housewife, raises domestic animals to later sell, and weaves typical Guatemalan clothes to support us economically. Additionally, I have an older brother in the USA who sends us money. I have two siblings: 1 brother and 1 sister. I am joyful to say that we are all healthy, and God has taken good care of us. Also, we attend a Christian church. I live in a village called Chuchuca, and it takes me 30 minutes to walk to the feeding center. My humble house has walls made of adobe, the roof is made of tile, and the floor is made of cement. There are two rooms and a separate kitchen. We also raise hens and pigs. We have running water and electricity at home. My older brother pays for the utilities. The house belongs to my family. Our greatest needs are to repair the roof of our house, corn, and beans. I say goodbye to you for now hoping God takes care of you and pours out many blessings upon you!

The Living Waters Evangelism Team is speaking to families in Quiche by phone call. They spoke to my aunt to receive information pertaining to me.

With lots of love,

Sergio Elias Riz Garcia

Translated by: Kalyan Marroquin / AAC Missionary Intern