Family and Friends,
I guess the 2 week honeymoon is officially over, here Guatemala. The past couple weeks have been a cofriendnt ROLERCOSTER!The culture is neat to learn abou tand the scenery is absolutely breath taking. Life in Guatemala has been so eye opening to the wonderful works of God.
Waiting at the airport for 7 hours would normally be torturous, but with these 40 people they seemed to make it entertaining. We arrived in Guatemala City arotree rund 9 and then road in a “chicken bus” to San Pedro (and hour away) where we would be staying for the next 2 weeks. Luis(the host) welcomed us all with open arms and immediately took us inside.
Living with 40 people is all new experience, since I’m only used to living with 3 others.
The rest of week 1, my team of 5, spent hours in a local city, Antigua. We would walk around and talk to the locals, and sell tickets to a comedy show to help put books for free in local schools. I felt adventurous wandering around a city that I was completely blindsided to.
That Saturday (August the 13th), we had our first off/free day to wander around and explore.My team and I chose to walk up to the Cross. We stopped for after 10 minutes of climbing up stairs at a little picnic table sort of thing. We met a guy from Germany who was planning on staying in Guatemala to teach Mathematics and Physics. He asked us if we were going to see the Cross , and we all walked up the rest of the way explaining to him our spiritual journey. After taking pictures by the cross, we asked if we could pray for him. He seemed surprised that we wanted to pray for him, but he said yes and proceeded to pray for the older gentle man.
That Monday I was not feeling well, minor headache amd stomach ache. That night I was throwing up like crazy. Tuesday morning still wasn’t feeling well. I got up to throw up again amd I threw up blood, then past out. The leaders rushed me to the hospital and 9 hours later the doctor came in and said nothing was found in my blood work and I was cleared to go home. Although we had to pay and work with the insurance before they would take my IV out. After waiting another hour for everything to process, none of my insurances worked and had to pay in full.
When I had a brief moment alone laying in the hospital bed, I asked God “Why me?”. But is responseiwas something much more powerful, he said, ” You asked me to teach you patience, I have put that word in your head for the past couple days, and now I am showing you real patience.”
God is so good you guys! I am so incredibly thankful that all tests came back normal.
The next couple days I stayed home resting, still not being able to hold down most foods. I was not alone however. Carly, another racer, was feeling bad as well. We spent 2 days watching movies on a laptop and bonding like no one else.
We are both not 100% but we are getting there.
I leave for Guatemala City to do my ministry with my team in the morning for the next 2 and a half months. I can’t wait to see what else God will open my mind too.
Thank you all for all your prayers and support! Please continue to send prayers as my journey continues.
