We elves try to stick to the 4 main food groups: Candy, Candy Canes, Candy Corns, and Syrup – only the best christmas movie ever (aka Elf)
This line sums up my Christmas here in Guatemala! My squad of 40 pitched in together to provide an awesome day of sugar so that Christmas away from our families wouldn’t feel so far from home.
Christmas Eve is one crazy party here in Guatemala. We stayed home that day and hung out, putting the final touches on small homemade gifts and cards. The evening was spent worshipping our Savior with my favorite christmas carols. One of my teammates, Jacob, gave an awesome message on Mary. He spoke on how God calls the most unqualified, that none of us have an excuse because everyone He used to bring Kingdom to earth was your average joe. Afterwards we had homemade cookies and a drink bar, World Race style! It was all fancy hot chocolates and different flavors of coffee. We stayed up till midnight to view Guatemala’s firework tradition. At exactly midnight everyone sets off their fireworks. And these are no small USA fireworks, they are HUGE! All around you see bursts of color and it sounds like a hundred bombs going off. I am 100% sure no one sleeps through it.
Christmas morning my little team of 9 gathered on the floor and gave each other and assortment of cards, picked flowers, and little candies. We sure are not rich out here, but the lack of money made everyone pull out their creative side and make really meaningful little gifts. After we went into the main room as a squad and gave our Secret Santa their gift. The next hour was spent going around guessing who got who and laughing at some of the comical gifts. Caela got a rock with a face painted on it. The rock even had a whole backstory of its name and what it liked. You get the idea of creative presents:) Brunch was served by some talented squad mates and christmas day was fully underway. That day we watched Elf on the projector and took sugar induced naps.
While I dearly missed my family, and especially seeing my little brothers faces as they figured out what christmas was like, I was overwhelmingly thankful for these people in my life here in Guatemala. My squad mates care for each other so deeply, constantly encouraging me to be more like Jesus. They celebrate each other and small accomplishments so well. They love on complete strangers and find joy in the smallest situation. The Lord has seriously blessed me this year. I am excited for 2019 and what it will bring, but I am sad to say goodbye to such a beautiful year.
Fundraising update, I am almost fully funded!! It is actually insane. When I heard the amount we had to fundraise is $15,800, I legit thought that would be impossible. For a 18 year old right out of high school to raise that much? Nope. But the Lord proved his faithfulness again and again. People who I do not even know donated to me. Friends and family were more than generous in their giving. I was a teacher assistant for a elementary teacher last year named Mr. Goldsmith. When he heard I was headed on this trip, he immediately hopped on amazon and ordered me things I would need. His generosity was unlike anything I have seen. People handed me checks to go toward my trip as they gave me a hug goodbye. I am just overwhelmed and in awe of these wonderful people. As my deadline approached I was still $3000 away with only a month to go. I once again thought this was impossible. But once again I was blown away. I checked today, I have raised $15,300!!! In 3 weeks!!! Insane. Only $500 left and I know the Lord will provide. What is so cool to me is that everyone who contributed in some way is part of this trip. It is not just one 18 year old girl in Central America, there is an army behind me. An army who it would not be possible without to feed, cloth, show people they are seen, watch the sick be healed, and rejoice at God’s goodness with all the nations. I am so thankful for each and every one of you. You are seen and you are loved.
Side note, the wifi frustratingly would not let me add photos from christmas!! So my hope is to add them at the end of my next blog. Or you can see a few of them on my Facebook page. Happy New Year!!
