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 Jose Israel Elias Morente Gomez. I was born on April 16, 2017 in Zacualpa, Quiche, and I am 6 years old. I am a healthy boy. I am not enrolled at school yet due to my young age. I enjoy playing with balls at home. My favorite color is green, and I love dogs and cats. My favorite food is rice with chicken. I have six sisters. I walk to the program in thirty minutes.  As a family, we attend the Prince of Peace Church. I am under the care of my mother.

My father’s name is Genaro Morente Ajqui.  He lives and works in Guatemala City. He earns a living by working carrying heavy packages for others. He visits us every two or three months and supports us financially.  My mother’s name is Maria Gomez Grave, and she is a housewife and takes care of us. We live in our own house and one of my aunts lives with us. It has two rooms and one separated kitchen. Our house is made of adobe, tiles roof and dirt floors. We do not have running water. We get water from a natural spring near our house, but we have electricity. We have some hens and sheep at home, but we would like to have some chickens. As a humble family, our need is groceries. This is my personal information, and I hope you find it interesting to read. I want to let you know that my mother gave this information to LW evangelism team.  God bless you and take care of you greatly!

Huge hugs,

Jose Israel Elias Morente Gomez

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