Its hard to capture all I’ve experienced in Guatemala in words, so I thought I’d add a couple photos. I hope you can catch a glimpse of the magic I’ve seen during my time through this images and stories.
On the first night in Guatemala, it down poured so hard we had to stop the orientation because the tin roof only amplified the sound. Instead of wasting our time we decided to run, dance, and even wrestle in the rain for hours. The perfect way to initiate our time into Guatemala was showing that nothing was going to ruin our joy even after a long day of travel.
On the first weekend we arrived, it happened to be Independence Day in Guatemala. It is custom for people to light ceremonial torches and run down the streets singing, blowing whistles, and making noise. Bystanders are bestowed the honor of standing on the sides of the street and throwing bags of water on the people running. (We asked Guatemalans why this is a tradition and they don’t even know) After throwing water on a family they came up to me handed me a match and asked me to do the honor of lighting their families torch. This is the picture of the match I used to light their torch and was a perfect way of being welcomed into the community.
In this picture we felt like we were at a Disney land resort. The church invited us to a women’s retreat and we were dined with traditional Guatemalan breakfast in the most beautiful restaurant we had seen. A truly magical morning full of testimony sharing and community.
We were invited to help out at the national kids day party in our town Parramos. We didn’t really have that big of a role besides telling kids to get in lines for the inflatables but we sure did have fun and got to hangout with some of our favorite kids
One Monday the boys closed off the kitchen area all day and decorated it for a special evening for all of us girls. They wrote us all notes with placards, washed our feet, and served us dinner. Afterwards we did swing dancing (a T squad original) and had a party. Still one of the most special parts of the race.
On one weekend we took a trip to a town called hobbitenango. A location created to replicate the hobbit movies. Iv’e maybe seen half of a hobbit movie, but this place was more than magical and we had a blast exploring and laughing as Tylynn tumbled down the hills.
During debrief we had the opportunity to go cliff jumping into one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. ( not even my words, its actually up there on the list) I don’t know of a time I’ve felt more alive than in this moment.
Also during debrief I decide to go paragliding. While horrifying since I went first and had to stand on the edge of a mountain for around 20 minutes so the wind could pick up enough that we wouldn’t just fall, It was an exhilarating experience. I still have no idea how my guide decided the wind was enough for us not to die, but we made it.
The president of Guatemala causally decided to land his helicopter outside of our base and we got to hear him speak about the opening of a highway.
During Wednesday nights we run bible school for the church during service and this is one of my besties Jenifer looking like she’s just committed a crime. This is one of the ministries that brings me the most joy because the kids carry so much of it in them.
During ATL we met a man plucking the kernels of corn off the cob. He taught us how to use the machine he has to make it easier and we decided to finish his work for the day for him while we talked. While taking a break from plucking, I sat next to his adorable grandson. He was pretty shy and didn’t like me all that much until I grabbed a truck and made driving sounds. Now I imagine us as at least buddies.
This is Maria Elena. A women who sits on the streets of Antigua and tries to sell miscellaneous things to provide for her family. We met her, prayed for her, and then bought her lunch. She explained how she had gastritis and for years had intense pain after she ate every single time. After her meal we sat with her and talked for around an hour. She told us that she had absolutely no pain anymore.
For Halloween, my team allowed my idea of dressing up as one direction. I still don’t know how I got away with this without too much opposition and while I had to dress up as my least favorite member (sorry Liam) it was a night where I realized I lived in the best community I could ever ask for.
November skies is real in Guatemala. While the sunsets in Iowa are just as cool, you don’t get the view of a volcano with it. These sunsets were the highlights of dinner each night as we would run outside after a bite or two of the empanada just to stare at the beauty around us.
A hostile in a different town we found way out in the middle of nowhere. This place was incredibly heavy and we were welcomed in to pray over the place. Within all of the tension this place brought I found the back courtyard to be beautiful. Afterward the lady who let us in brought us to her house for a meal and we were able to pray over and get to know her whole family. Chance encounters that lead to friendships are apart of everyday ministry here in Guatemala. Just remember to bless the unclean water before you chug it out of respectful.
Wow. So incredibly joyful to be able to experience this moment with our hosts. Truly my greatest friend here, Chris graduated from high school and we got to be there with him. I am going to miss this family more than anything. I could talk about them and their impact on me for hours. I am so grateful that my team was able to partner with them and the church these last three months. I am fully ready to fly to Florida in a moments notice anytime they come to the US to preach.
Manuel. A man with so much joy and passion. We met him while visiting his sick mom. Every time we visit him he has his kids take out their instruments and gives us a full band performance. The last time we went he had just written some new songs and we got to listen to his new work
The beach weekend was one to remember. The sunsets and sunrises were breathtaking and getting to experience them with my best friends made it all the more special. We got to see baby sea enter the sea which defiantly crossed a line off my bucket list.
Juan the Pizza Guy!!! If you wanna hear more about him you can read my last blog.
One of the cutest little boys who is a part of one of my favorite families we got to spend time with during this time. The family who lives in the back of a cornfield, has been the most welcoming family we’ve experienced. Every time we come we share tears and laughter. This last time we visited to say goodbye we made each other traditional food from each of our countries and ate together. So many sweet tears and hugs. She told me she would be praying for God to bring us back to her, so if I end up back in Guatemala, you know why
This last weekend we hiked Acatenango, the third tallest volcano in Central America. I was in no way prepared for this hike. It was hands down the hardest physical thing I have ver done in my life. I would never ever ever ever do it again but it was more than worth it. Being above the clouds and getting to sleep on top of a volcano while watching the volcano next to us erupt was surreal. Surely a moment where I realized how cool my life was.
Sometimes at night in Guatemala, we had finger painting parties. I am learning how important creativity is in the kingdom. God is the ultimate creator and he created us to be creative beings. Figuring out I was born to create, that everyone is creative, and that art can be messy and beautiful at the same time was such a sweet reality.
P.S thank you to all of my supporters I officially only have $50 left to fundraise. I am so grateful everyday for this gift. If you wanna be the person who officially ends my fundraising that would be awesome 🙂
