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 corps. 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 Arnoldo Alberto Ruiz Ajqui. I was born on November 12, 2011 in Zacualpa, Quiche, and I am 12 years old. I am a healthy boy. I am in 3^rd grade this year at school. I enjoy playing soccer in my spare time. I love the color blue, and I like cows. My favorite food is grilled meat. I have one brother. I walk to the program in twenty minutes.  At the moment, we are not attending any church. I am under the care of my mother.

My father’s name is Agustin Ruiz Gomez.  Unfortunately, he has not lived with us for 1 year because he did not support the family financially.  Currently, he established another family. He earns a living by working as a farmer, and sometimes he sends us a little money. We do not have communication with him. My mother’s name is Felipa Ajqui Chivalan, and she works in a tortillas business in order to support us economically. Thankfully, one of my uncles supports my mother with the home expenses. We live in our maternal uncle´s house. The house has two rooms and one separated kitchen. Our house is made of adobe, tin sheet roof and cemented floors. We have running water and electricity. My mother and uncle are who pay the services monthly. Our current needs are groceries. This is my personal information, and I hope you find it interesting. I want to let you know that my mother gave this information to LW evangelism team. I hope you enjoy reading it.  God bless you!

Warm wishes,

Arnoldo Alberto Ruiz Ajqui

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