As I lay here in my hammock, rocking out to some Ne-Yo, writing in the dark while my teammates sleep around (or under) me, I can’t help but think about how much I’m going to miss this place.
In fact, I’ve been thinking about it all day.
The months go by so quickly, and at this point in time we only have 9 days left here in the mountains of Guatemala.
9 blessed days.
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It typically takes a while for me to give my heart over to a place. The selfish part of me tries not to get too attached too quickly, you know, to prevent myself from getting hurt in preparation for when I inevitably have to leave.
I think this whole Race is helping me get over that habit in general, but even aside from that…
This place, Chirraxcaj, captured my heart within a day.
& Every day it captures a little bit more.
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I love the impact we have on the community here.
The pastor we work with, Luis, is so extremely thankful for our presence in this community. Every time he prays in church for us he is brought to tears with joy for the fact that a group of young adults would come all the way from the United States to work with him for a month to advance his ministry and impact in the community. It’s so humbling. I still don’t think I fully understand just how much our presence means to him, but I know it’s a huge encouragement to him and his family.
I love how he always has a smile on his face.
I love how he’s always interested in us and in how we’re doing, even if he can’t speak with us in English.
I love his passion for God and his neighbors.
I love watching his wife lovingly support him.
I love watching her care for her family.
I love watching her work so humbly.
I love her faith.
I love how willing they both are to care for us and give us what they can, even if they don’t have much to give.
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I love the fact that whenever we walk the trails of these mountains, children will come running out of their homes to come see us – just because they heard the sound of our voices passing by. I love that they will stand and talk with us for hours if we let them, struggling to understand us through the language barrier (though, I must say, I’m learning quite a lot of Spanish… I’m pretty much convinced that God has given me a supernatural understanding of this language at times).
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I love the fact that these kids will join us on our adventures.
I love that they will run after us when we go on trail runs through the mountains.
I love that they will voluntarily walk with us on trips to the local tienda, even though they have no personal interest in going there.
I love that they will walk partway back to our home with us, just to spend a few extra minutes with us.
I love that all I have to do is hold out my hand and they will hold onto it as we walk along.
I love that they have so much love to give.
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I love how willing to learn these kids are.
I love that they’re so interested in what we have to teach them in (and out) of school. Whether it be English, Physical Education, or Gardening class – they’re so ready to listen to, learn from, and work with us. I honestly think I would rather be a teacher here than back in the states.
Take the garden I’m helping start for example: I personally believe that most kids in the states would look at me like I was crazy if I came to their school and asked them to clear out a plot of land so they could start a garden. They wouldn’t want to get their hands dirty… but when we asked these kids, they ran to their homes, grabbed their machetes, came back, and tore the ground up. They got their hands dirty in digging up rows for us to plant the seeds in. They willingly did what we asked them to do… and they smiled and laughed while doing it.
I love that they’re always willing to teach me new Spanish words. That they will repeat themselves ten times before I get what they’re saying… and that they will then ask what those words are in English.
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I love that the kids we live with are so loving.
I love that they will say my name a thousand times just to be in some sort of communication with me.
I love how they pretend to be shy… when we all know that all they really want is to be close to us.
I love how much they laugh.
I love how they take care of each other.
I love how they fight and make fun of each other just like siblings do back in the states.
I love how they will fall to the ground and laugh their butts off each time I tickle them.
I love how they have finally warmed up to letting me attack them with five minute long hugs.
I love that they have so much joy despite the fact that they own so little material-wise in comparison to what I’m used to back in the states.
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I love how the women in the church we go to always bless me with a smile.
I love how welcoming they are.
I love seeing them worship God and pray to Him so passionately.
I love how He is their everything.
I love everything I have learned just from watching them.
I love the fact that they enthusiastically clap for hours to songs that all have the same beat and seem to repeat the same verses over and over again – all in fervent praise to God.
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& I’m sure in a few days, I’ll even go as far as to say that I love the rooster that wakes me up at 5 am every day…
as well as the rats that burrow above my hammock at night…
The dogs that stare me in the face while I eat…
and the chickens that cluck all day and lay eggs in our sleeping quarters.
The mud I have to combat to get anywhere on this mountain…
and bugs that are bouncing off of my screen right now as I type.
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Love,
