Things on the race have quite literally been shaken up this month.
For starters, we were welcomed by an 8.1 magnitude earthquake on our very first night at our host home. Don’t worry though, everybody’s fine. Está todo bien.
While I’m throwing in some good ‘ol Español, I’ll share that I’ve been pushed to practice my skills acquired in 10th grade Spanish nonstop this month. I’m serving as an English teacher to students who know some topical vocabulary, but have very little knowledge of conversational English. This means I’m not only teaching for the very first time, but I’m doing it without a translator in a Guatemalan private school. It’s safe to say I have lots of space for growth and I’m learning a lot. Thankfully, these kids are the bomb and they’ve given me grace like crazy. They’re actually learning a thing or two and having fun, so that’s a major plus.
Instead of doing ministry with our teams, the squad has been split into groups of three at seven different locations (mostly schools) around the city of Chimaltenango. This is not the normal ministry structure on the World Race, but we are going joyfully along for the ride. It’s obvious that God has his reasons for this curveball. I’ve loved serving alongside my ministry partners Abby and Taylor. I learn a ton from them every morning as we make the 20-minute trek to Santa Teresita.
Speaking of curveballs, a few weekends back, half the squad loaded into a chicken bus headed for Antigua. To paint you a decent picture, this is a pimped-out school bus complete with metal embellishments and Spanish phrases plastered all over. I’m thinking they received their name due to the resemblance between a poultry truck full of chickens soaking up their last moments of life before heading to the inevitable chopping block. It was miserably overcrowded when we boarded, and that was before 20 extra bodies were picked up at various stops along the way. If my description hasn’t quite connected the dots for you, check out the photo of these bad boys below. Like most good adventures, that particular chicken bus ride let me walk away with a great story. It seems to make it all worth it, ya know?
Having waited until the last minute, many hostels in Antigua were unable to accommodate 16 people for that same night. Our logistics leader, Will, tried several places and came up short. Finally, he pinned down a hostel called Vagamundo. We arrived at our hostel to find an eclectic tye-dye VW bus outside of the entrance. Ah, major hippie vibes. Yes. This is soooo cool, I thought. And it was cool – until it wasn’t. I can’t really describe Vagamundo beyond the fact that it was up there with the sketchiest places I’ve ever laid my head. With no small fear of catching bed bugs or lice from the sheets embellished with cigarette ash and some other person’s hair, we checked out scotch free the next morning. Thankfully, the only thing we carry now is the emotional trauma that ensues from that experience. Okay, I’m half-kidding, but it was major sketch. Believe me. Again, this adventure gifted me with a colorful story, so I wouldn’t want to change it for something more comfortable even if I could.
Apart from these large punctures to my always-fragile comfort bubble, God has thrown the unexpected at me in the small moments too.
I’ll be walking down the street and suddenly I meet someone who is clearly a divine appointment from the Lord. I’ll have plans and get carried away in conversation about childhood with a squad mate. Ministry will be cancelled last minute and we’ll spend hours exploring the local market. I’ll have my path all planned out and God will completely surprise me with an interruption.
I share these mini stories because I want you to know that God is teaching me to take him out of the box. He’s showing me that outside of my expectations, routines and comfort level, He can bring me closer to him.
I’ve experienced this before in the heartbreaking moments – the moments that make you say “Why, God, WHY?”
It’s a fresh revelation, however, to see God use the petty, ironic, almost comical things to show me His ability to help me grow into the woman He intends me to be.
All of these situations, though uncomfortable and stretching, have been some of the most fun times of the race yet. Each one has brought feelings of uneasiness and excitement all in one fell swoop. He is bringing out the wonder of my inner child and I’m embracing it fully.
God is a good, FUN, exciting Father. If you haven’t discovered this yet, I encourage you to step out in faith to find out for yourself. He is full of surprises and I’m learning that every day here in Guatemala.
