Guacamole in Guatemala

I’ve passed one of my first milestones on the race. Month one has come and gone. My team and I traveled throughout the country of Guatemala and saw the needs of the people. It is difficult to express all that I experienced, felt, saw in one month. Here is just a glimpse into my month in Guatemala . . .

• Sometimes, it is better not to voice your opinion. Some things are better left unsaid.
  
• At times . . . communication and community will be difficult. Living in community is like a marriage. You have to love people whether or not you want to love them in the moment.
  
• Perception and assumptions are two of the biggest forms of miscommunication.
  
• The presentation of your idea does affect another’s acceptance of your idea.
  
• Be quick to listen and slow to speak.
  
• Try to understand where someone is coming from before you discount their opinion. You never know what wisdom you will glean.
  
• Everyone can learn from someone in one way or another. Older, younger, same stage of like as you- everyone has a story. Learn from them.
  
• You can only be loved to the same extent that you are known.
  
• Don’t let the sun go down on your anger is a wise statement. Little things do build up over time. Life is so much better when people communicate with each other.
  
• Encouragement is one of the greatest gifts that you can give someone.
  
• Smiles are universal.
  
• Playing with children breaks all language barriers.
  
• “Ministry” opportunities surround us everyday.
  
• Letting go of a schedule can be one of the most frusterating, yet freeing experiences.
  
• Providing basic needs such as clean water and hygiene education provides a perfect opportunity to share the Gospel and impact communities.
  
• Global transformation starts with one individual. An individual can transform communities. Communities transform cities. Cities transform countries. Countries transform the world. (perfect example: Christ’s life)

“Never had I ever . . .”

• Roasted marshmellows on top of a volcano.
  
• Lived with roommates 24/7. Alone time was a rare comodity.
  
• Shopped for groceries for 7 people in another country.
  
• Lived on such a specific budget. Its a great skill to have.
  
• Worn the same outfit 4 days in a row AND not cared. (the word “clean” has been redefined for me 🙂
  
• Worshipped with 50 God-loving Guatemalan kids at 7:30 am. I experienced a sliver of heaven. 50 kids praising the LORD in unison and thanking HIM in their own way for everything in their life is beautiful. Nothing compares to childlike faith.
  
• Slept under a tin roof.
  
• Painted so many yellow boxes.
  
• Been so frusterated using the internet.
  
• Spent so much time sending one e-mail. It is an art overseas with poor internet connection on a netbook. No worries. I am strategic now. I’ve learned to have a plan when I go to the internet cafe.
  
• Bleached vegetables. (I’ve traveled overseas on several occasions, but I never had to prepare my own food while I was there).
  
• Made cornmeal from scratch.
  
• Had so many dishes with corn as the main ingredient in one meal. Corn tortillas. Corn tamales. Corn beverage.
  
• Heard of Moringa. Consumed Moringa. Saw so many forms of Moringa.
  
• Used a pic axe.
  
• Leveled ground for a home.
  
• Hiked through the jungle to reach someone’s future home.
  
• Had so many divine appointments connecting me to a specific place. (read my last blog).
  
• Been overseas for longer than 30 days at a time.
  
• Sewed using an antique sewing machine.
  
• Been in two “worlds” in within 15 minutes . . . one moment I was in the mountains with no running water, and the next moment I was . . . in a food court in a mall for dinner.
  
• Assembled a bio-layer water filter.
  
• Painted a mural.
  
• Slept on a ferry docked at a port. (When plans change on the race, we adapt to change. 🙂
  
• Traveled through 4 countries in less than 48 hours.
  
  

[School in El Tizate]

• Ministry Servants 4 Him and founders Forest and Carol- Their ministry provides basic needs such as clean water, hygiene education, and stoves as an avenue to share the Gospel and build relationships with Mayan families.
  
• Marco Antonio and his wife Clara, our ministry contacts in Guatemala.- They network with various ministries all throughout Guatemala. Pray for an increase in resources, strategies, and workers for this ministry.
  
• Community transformation in El Tizate (where we lived for most of the month)

Favorite ministry moment was . . . when my team and I gave Pastor Luis and his family money from our team money to send 5 of his school-aged children to school for one year.

Bed count on the race: 9




Cities visited/traveled through: 14




Countries visited/traveled through: 5




Plane rides: 5




Number of times that I have packed my belongings: 10



(P.S. I am now living on an island on Lake Nicaragua. No worries. I already checked out the lake for bull sharks. I will share more about the island and our ministry site later.)