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 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.

Hi! I hope you are fine. This is Walter Danilo Agusto Mendez Morente, and it is a pleasure to tell you about my family and me. I am in good health, and I am 4 years old; I was born on July 25, 2020. I am not attending school yet due to my age. I play soccer and toy cars in my free time. I really love eating fried chicken. I like cats, and my favorite color is red. I have one brother and one sister. My father’s name is Santos Mendez, and he works as a farmer. My mother’s name is Sabina Morente Ajqui, and she works hard at home and takes care of us.

At the moment, my family and I are not attending a church. Please, keep us in your prayers since we are always in need of groceries and corn. We live in a house that belongs to my dad, and we share it with my paternal grandparents. The house is made of adobe with a tile roof and dirt floor, and it has two rooms and a separated kitchen; we only use one of the rooms. We have electricity service, and we use a hose to bring the water from the river to our home. We have hens at home. I walk for 15 minutes to arrive to the feeding program, and it is a blessing to receive a plate of food there. I tell you that my mom helped me to give my information to the Evangelism team. I end my letter giving you thanks for reading it. May God bless you!

With much love

Walter Danilo Agusto Mendez Morente

Translated by: Loyda de Osorio, AAC Secretary/Antigua