Well my first month here in Guatemala has come to an end and needless to say I have made a complete fool out of myself….. and it was awesome.
Preface: This month we worked with different street groups of all ages, males, females, drug addicts,gang members, and people with all sexualities.
Example 1: First day. Meeting the first group. All men my age and older. I think I am asking them their name ( Te llamas) when I am actually saying “Te Amo”… which means “I Love You” in Spanish. So I immediately have 7 Guatemalan boyfriends.
Example 2: To avoid Example 1 I downplayed my appearance (also because we worked in streets where people use the bathroom anywhere and it is crawling with lice/fleas) so I ended up looking like this…
which leads me to Example 3: During one of our first nights doing night ministry I somehow came into a conversation where one of the street girls hugged me and asked if I was in a relationship and I said “Yo tengo novia”…. this is where it gets awkward not only did i accidentally say “I have a girlfriend” but I said that sentence to a lesbian. Classic mixup. Also my appearance didn’t help my case.
Told you I made a complete fool out of myself and why was it awesome you ask?
If anyone among you thinks that he is wise, let him
become a fool
that he may become wise.
//1 Corinthians 3:18//
The people in Guatemala look at people who live on the streets as foolish for leaving their home and becoming addicted to solvent and other drugs. But one thing the people of Guatemala don’t when they pass street groups on the corners or bus terminal is their community and love for one another.
Their community is nothing like I have ever seen. They have formed a family that constantly cares for one another and has each others’ backs. I guarantee half the people that walk past them and treat them like aren’t humans don’t have people that would stay awake while they slept through the night just to make sure no one would hurt them. Yeah they do drugs 24/7 and have zero motivation,
but who are we to judge?
[ In my opinion people who judge them are the ones who need to become fools to realize love in a community is far better than having money or a house. Even the ones who get off the streets and get a job come back to hang out with their group because to according to Luis ( a guy we met who this happened to)
“You can’t just abandon your family.” (preach Luis!)
SO for all those that are scared of the homeless and druggies on the street like i used to be
Don’t be. They are just humans.
[Make eye contact. Ask them their name. Smile.]
no money you throw at them or food you buy for them is worth that.
oh and one more thing never be afraid to make a complete Fool out of yourself yo! I actually prefer it now.
Check out my first month of me and team becoming fools with our street peeps!
Guatemala//1n11 from DeAnna Jarnagin on Vimeo.
