When I found out that my first country for my second World Race was Guatemala, I can’t say that I was exactly excited. You see, it was my first country for my first World Race. My mind went directly to my month of awkward first Feedback sessions, being scared to leave our compound because I had never been out of the country before, getting sick on my first chicken bus experiences, and sawing rebar with saws made for…well, not cutting rebar. It wasn’t exactly a bad month, but it was one that was easily forgettable. I left Guatemala not really caring if I ever went back.
>>> Fast Forward to exactly one year later >>>
I’m sitting in Bill Swan’s house with a bunch of people who I don’t really know. They are all Squad Leaders for the upcoming September Launch. I’m looking around wondering who could possibly be my co-Squad Leader(s). One of Bill’s first statements was, “I guess you probably want to know who you’re leading with.” Uh, duh. “Clay and Jm are together. You two also have Moe, but she’s finishing up leading a Passport Trip in the Philippines. You’ll meet her at Launch.” Well, I KNEW who I was leading with, but I didn’t KNOW them. God knew along that the three of us would mesh so well, though. Jm and I instantly became, ya know, best friends. (She’ll understand that sentence.) When we met Moe a month or so later at Launch, it was like God’s puzzle was complete. We compliment and honor each other so well. I’m so blessed to be leading alongside these two strong women of God.
Anyway, later that day at Bill’s house, he took us out for lunch to the Mellow Mushroom. Of course, he did. The Mellow Mushroom is a favorite among the Adventures staff. Good reason being. It has some awesome pizza. Over lunch, I found out my Gap Year Route: Guatemala, Thailand, and Botswana (which later turned into Zambia). At first, I was bummed. I’ve been to all three of those countries. I wanted some new stamps in my passport! Then, God reminded me that if I had been to those countries before, I could lead the Squad better in them. Okay. His plan is perfect. I loved Thailand and Zambia…but Guatemala?! NOOOOO! I put a smile on and dealt with it.
>>> Fast Forward to two months later >>>
I arrive in Guatemala. Memories flood my mind. I remember the boring airport. I remember walking out the door to a crap ton of people wanting to give you a taxi ride. I remember the smell of Central America. I think to myself, “I cannot believe I’m here again.” I get all the Racers to the right people at the airport to go to their respective ministries. I get on a bus and drive to Antigua with a couple of the Teams. McDonald’s after McDonald’s. My eyes roll. I also happen to see Pollo Campero, Guatemala’s delicious version of KFC, and Sarita, Guatemala’s ice cream chain. I think to myself, “Those are the best things Guatemala has going for it.” Man, my attitude was stinky. After a few days, I pray, “God, I don’t want to be here again. I need to be excited about this place, so the ones I’m leading will be excited about it. Please change my heart about this.”
He did.
God was not happy with the way I thought about one of His nations. My death-giving thoughts about Guatemala have been replaced with life-giving ones. The Guatemala I remember is not the Guatemala I’m experiencing. I go into every chicken bus ride thinking it’s an adventure. I look out my window and see the volcanos smoking. I see every person as a ministry opportunity even if it is just saying, “Buenas dias”. I look at my Squad and see their excitement about being in Guatemala and can’t help but be ecstatic myself. Guatemala is a beautiful place. I just failed to see it the first time. God brought me back here to prove that nothing He created was a waste of time.
One of the best things about the Gap Year #3n9 World Race is the fact that you are in each country for three months instead of one like the #11n11 World Race. Both are awesome trips. Believe me, I’ve done them both now. However, being in a country for longer allows you to experience and see more. Two weekends ago, I went with two Teams on a little vacation. Last Monday was a holiday, so we had an extended weekend. We went to Las Cuevas De Candelaria to tube through caves, to Isla De Flores where we took a boat to get to our hostel, to Tikal to see Guatemala’s most famous Mayan Ruins, and Rio Dulce to see El Castillo De San Felipe, a castle that was built in the 1600’s to protect the Spaniards' treasures from the Caribbean pirates. Yes. For about five minutes, I felt like I was on the set of “Pirates of the Caribbean”.
If God hadn’t brought me back to Guatemala, I would never have experienced those things. God was bound and determined to prove me wrong about Guatemala. He succeeded. Now, I look at Guatemala – the beautiful people, the history, the landscape, and the Mayan Mochas at Tretto Caffè – and can’t help but fall in love. We have been here for two months now. We've been doing ministry in orphanages, in cerebral palsy centers, in school teaching English and soccer lessons, in construction sites building homes for people who don’t have one, in each other’s lives, and have loved every minute of it. We only have one month left, and to be honest, I don’t even want to think about leaving.
Let God prove you wrong sometimes.
P.S. I still need $935.65 to be fully funded to Squad Lead Gap Year A! If you are interested in making a donation, you can do so by clicking on the "Support Me" tab in the menu on the left-hand side of this screen.
