It rains more afternoons & evenings than not here. One of my favorite things is the pitter patter on the tin roof as I lay awake, wishing sleepiness upon my always-running mind. The sound is constant and steady, muffling the sniffles and sleepy sighs of the 12 women scattered about the room. I’ve never experienced a rainier place than my dearest Guatemala. It had never really dawned on me that water could actually steadily fall from the sky for hours upon hours. I don’t mind. Late afternoon, the house fills up as people trickle in from their ministry sites. I like to sneak outside onto the porch. The rain fall is deafening under the thin plastic roof that separates me from the downpour. I sit and close my eyes and the world melts around me. These are the moments I feel the most Me.
Approaching week four of the race, I am starting to face feelings of suffocation, which is bound to happen living in a house of 21. This week, God has been teaching me about how to love people despite an overwhelmed spirit that craves silence. I am incapable of loving my sweet squad mates through these feelings. But thankfully, I reach the end of me & God steps in to love them through me. When my flesh can no longer bear another boisterous dance party or extra body in the kitchen at meal time, I hear a still, small voice. A patience is mustered from within me that I didn’t know existed. This peace in the chaos can only be one thing; My Sweet Jesus whispering “Breathe, Ali. Let my love for you overflow into the hearts of those around you.” Praying I would cultivate this calm-hearted spirit day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment.
Alex & Aaron, my male teammates, treated us girls to bouquets of beautiful flowers. SO SWEET.
Squad leader & friend JM & I at Tretto, one of our favorite cafe’s.
A rare blue sky.
You can hate the rain or embrace it here. Makayla and I decided to embrace it after walking into town for chips and of course got caught in a torrential downpour. Insert corny “dancing in the rain” quote here.
Venturing around town with JM & Anni.
Rooftop lunch at Sky Cafe.
