Debrief in Antigua
I spent the last part of the first month in Antigua, Guatemala in what we call a few days of "Debrief." Our coaches Seth and Karen Barnes flew in from Georgia to meet with the entire squad and give us refreshing teaching, words of encouragement and to debrief each team's experience in our first month of living in an intentional community, as well as give one on one time with those of us that needed it.
The location of debrief couldn't have been in a more luscious city. Antigua is as inviting as a little Rome in the midst of Central America. It's colorful verandas, painted doorways, ancient ruins, cobble-stoned streets filled with expats all scream beauty and romance, set in the backdrop of volcanic mountains and miles of green hills. The first time I set eyes on Antigua was when my team and I took a trip to look for stories of unsung heroes a few weeks back, and got to see the Volcano Fuego erupt in front of our eyes. And here we are again. The second time is even more of charming than the first. This is a city I shall return back to someday to take my time exploring.
There were many impressions made during debrief, one of which is the unsung heroes dinner, hosted by Seth and participated by my team Fire Starters and attendees included special guests like Marco Estrada, a dear friend of AIM's and several of his pastor friends from the near and far villages. Their ministries reach out to the elderly, the poorest of the poor, and the extremely impoverished of Guatemala. It's exciting to see them all together, and to have the chance to see Orlando, a blind singing pastor to his village whose story is as inspiring as Mother Teresa's.
Yes, they are truly the unsung heroes. Their names may not be in history books, their acts unknown to the rest of the world, while unrecognized, they shake a generation and move a culture, and ultimately build the Kingdom. They are men and women who are working with the poorest population in the world meeting their needs. Their love of God is what motivates them.
The other highlight of debrief was some much needed quality time with our squad coach Karen Barnes, a beautiful woman inside and out and a fellow NFP. I met up with her at Casa Santa Domingo, the grounds of an old monastery turned hotel that looks like a mini coliseum, an European garden and many other otherworldly things that combine ancient and class.
Walking toward her room, I thought I was having quality time with an older and wiser woman who's gone through it. I anticipated some motherly advise, a pat on the back, a shoulder to cry on, and a safe place to share. What I got was so much more. A half hour later, I felt like I got back in touch with the true me, the woman who is a fun-loving, free-spirited artist, a bohemian traveler ready to experience all the misadventures God is placing in front of her and to communiucate that free-spirit expression to the rest of the world.
Yes Karen, you did that for me by simply asking me what I enjoyed doing, "remember to have fun." Karen said. Simple words, profound truth. And to my fellow readers and future racers, no matter where you are on the race or in life, remember to sit back and have fun because that's a free gift you can continue to give to yourself and to others. With Karen's gentle reminder, I realized that after a month on the race, I forgot how to have fun. I was busy leading my team, busy trying to do a good job in ministry projects, busy impressing my squad mates, teammates, leaders and coaches, and I forgot that God enjoys it when I am delighted in being myself and who He's made me to be.
So I am resetting the clock, letting my hair down and fall back in laugher, and allowing my inner child to come out and play. From now on, along with being on the race physically, I am also going to be participating on an artist's journey specified by this book called The Artist's Way, starting with daily morning pages and weekly artist's dates (Salina, if you're reading this, I'm finally joining you on these artists' practices).
The Artist's Way is a spiral path. You will circle through some of the issues over and over, each time at a different level. There's no such thing as being done with an artistic life. Our aim here is to find the trail, establish our footing, and begin the climb. The creative vistas that open will quickly excite you.
– Julia Cameron
The purpose of art is not a rarified, intelligent, distillate, it is life, intensified, brilliant life.
– Alain Anis-Misson
At the height of laughter, the universe is fung into a kaleidoscope of new possbilities.
– Jean Houston
The Most potent muse of all is our own inner child.
– Stephen Nashmanovitch
