All Posts | Rachel Chapman

Simple Science

August 4, 2012

I didn’t realize being a missionary would require so much knowledge of science. Since we’ve come to the mountains, we’ve found ourselves many times trying to explain complex concepts of Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Botany, Astronomy, and Physical Science in simple words. As we broaden people’s worldviews and teach them about the world around them, […]

Uyuli

August 1, 2012

I was checking words with my language helper a few days ago. When I asked her about “uyulí” Agustina gave the definition as “it re-lived.” “Like what, for example?” I asked. “Oh, you know,” answered Agustina, “like if a plant is getting all dry and brown and you think it’s dead, but then it starts […]

Meet: Leyo

July 29, 2012

I have two main language helpers. One is Leyo. She is great for conversation and practicing what I’m learning. She loves to talk and corrects me when I say something wrong. Then she makes me say it right. She loves to be recorded and sometimes prompts me with, “I have a story to tell you, […]

An old Nahuatl tale

July 19, 2012

A few days ago, one of our friends told Katie Moore the Nahuatl tale of the first man and woman. It’s a fascinating story that echoes some of the Nahuatl values and points of view. I’m sure you’ll recognize some familiar imagery, as well. When the world was lost, it filled with water. Everything was […]

When God waters the earth

June 27, 2012

This is how the mesa where we live looked last week: I just took this picture a few hours ago! This is how the stream looked just a week ago: Now it is gushing!! Thank you, God, for the rain! Thank you for your provision for the Earth, for the Nahuatl people, for us, and […]

Baby Wearing

June 24, 2012

Baby wearing is not a new fad. For hundreds, maybe thousands of years, the Nahuatl and other indigenous mothers have been wearing their babies. Here is a 16 year old mother with her one year old: I got to try my hand, or my back, at this ancient practice. Katie was checking language with one […]

Sharing culture…

June 19, 2012

When we first moved into the village, we were regularly asked, “Do you know how to make tortillas?” That question was rapidly followed by, “Do you guys have food?” and “Are you eating?”. We assured them that yes, we had food, we were eating well, and that we didn’t know how to make tortillas, but […]

This week

June 11, 2012

This week our house became a movie theater – complete with snacks: Tang and animal crackers! The early showing was Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The second showing was Planet Earth. Both were much enjoyed! This week we studied Nahuatl. We have a language evaluation soon, so we practiced as much as […]

Rural Television: Neighbors

June 8, 2012

When you live in a rural community everyone knows everyone. And, everyone knows everyone’s business. We have learned that there is NOTHING sacred or private in our lives. Our neighbors see when we go to the bathroom in the outhouse. Even at night, they can tell by the flashlight making it’s way to the facilities. […]

A little bit of Nahuatl

May 14, 2012

This is a story I’ve been working on the last couple of days. Test your knowledge of Nahuatl (or see if you can decipher the Spanish mixed in!) Be the first person to tell me what the story is about and I’ll send you a prize!! Just click the “CONTACT” tab above or leave a […]