My Story

Pasojoc is an area located high on the side of a mountain in the state of Quiché, 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 crops. The Quiché Mayans who inhabit this area trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization. They normally speak a Mayan dialect called Quiché - 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 Rigoberto Elias Ruiz Gonzales. I was born on May 10, 2019, in Zacualpa, Quiche, and I am 4 years old. I am a healthy boy. I am not enrolled at school this year due to my young age. My favorite color is blue, and I love cats. I spend my time playing football. My favorite food is fried chicken. I have two brothers and three sisters. Three of them are part of the Feeding program, and we walk to the program in one hour.  As a family, we are attending King of Ages Church. I am under the care of my parents.

My father’s name is Rigoberto Elias Ruiz Gonzales. He works as a farmer and day laborer. Moreover, he travels to the coast along with the whole family to pick coffee beans during the season in order to support the family financially. My mother’s name is Roselia Gonzales de la Cruz. She is a housewife and takes care of the family. In addition, she embroiders napkins to sell and get some income. We live in our own house. It has four rooms and one separated kitchen. Our house is made of adobe, tin sheet roof, and dirt floors. We have running water and electricity. and my father pays for the services. We have some sheep and hens at home. As a humble family, our needs are groceries. This is my personal information, and I hope you find it interesting to read. I want to let you know that my older sister gave this information to the LW evangelism team.  God bless you greatly!

Lots of love,

Rigoberto Elias Ruiz Gonzales

Translated by:  Gladys Chavez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua