For the iron-stomach traveler with a caboose to match, you have the opportunity to sit atop your mode of transportation to take in the glorious hills, the endless backdrop of volcanoes, and the celestial blue above. Your senses will be overrun by the interruption of the loose earth: the dirt that snuck away from its home and corralled around your eyes, breath, pores, and sweat.
It’s amazing to see how steep a hill can be where corn and other crops are grown. No machine could work on such an angle. From an eagle’s view the land looks like a patchwork quilt displaying different colors and textures in block-like patterns on rolling hills… It’s as if the quilt was lifted from the bed and floated down in a rippled fashion.
We went to a village today. I’m sorry that I don’t remember the name. It’s the second time we’ve come and the first time of truly interacting with the kids. There were hundreds. Little girls giggling quietly on the hills.Hoards of boys playing a sloppy game of futbol. Dirt everywhere. Dirt on faces, dirt on legs, dirt splashing into the air after a solid kick of the soccer ball. Dirt married dust in this place.
We came from dust so it seems fitting to be home…
God brought me to Guatemala with gold. This gold likes to be spent, and as it was fitting, I grabbed it from its shelter and ran back to my group. Boys. Fifty or so.Littles ones, dirty ones, mild ones, wild ones. With eyes wide open, jumping up and down, pointing, yelling, charging. Boys? No. Bulls. “ESPACIO! Necesito ESPACIO!” Suffocation by dust and bulls.
“ESPACIO!”
A clearing came on a mound. Just enough for me to tower my 5’2” frame over this parade. With broken Spanish proclaiming quietness, eyes were closed as a choice was made. Oh Lord, I hope this is right.
Hands shot towards me as boys begged and reached for the treasure. It was so close. Almost they could touch it. Did they really know the value? My hand reached out and touched his. Holding it firmly, I raised it to the sky. Choice made. Open your eyes. He didn’t. Open your eyes. He wouldn’t. Open your eyes. He couldn’t. Only God could make this happen. What are the chances?
Despite his hesitance, I gently pulled him to my side. Here. The strap was placed over his shoulders. The gold swayed at his breast. I placed his dirt-caked fingers over the strings and used my hands as his guide as he went through the motions. All the while his eyes stayed closed…
We serve a Lord who notices the unseen.
