I’m sitting here back in Antigua at the same hostel we stayed at during debrief a few weeks ago. The owner knows how to sell things, specifically homemade, fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies. I’ve failed to resist temptation but, accompanied with a cup of coffee (all day every day) it’s the perfect addition to start off a much needed update blog.
El Salvador
We finished up month one in El Salvador doing a few more team oriented activities: a hike in a national park to a gorgeous waterfall and swimming hole. The last weekend we hiked Cerro Verde, one of El Salvador’s many volcanos – and an active one at that. Fun fact: in order for us to start the hike up Cerro Verde we had to climb down 1500 stairs. Which means… after hiking up and down a vertical slope for 2.5 hours we still had 1500 daunting steps awaiting us in order to get to the summit where our transportation home remained. Here are a few fun photos!
My Canadian partner in crime (and coffee).
An optimistic team ready for a hike!
Our Volcano: Cerro Verde
Lola and I both made it to the top. A little winded, but nonetheless we made it!
Debrief in Antigua
All four of our teams gathered back together after a month serving at different ministries around El Salvador for a few days of debrief in Antigua, Guatemala. It was a time of rest, recovery, processing with Squad Mentors and Leaders from the States and personally, a time of figuring out what it means to be vulnerable and how to live without fear holding me back. I still don’t have it all figured out but am piecing things together as the days progress. Days were filled with exploring the city and spending time in our favorite café. Afternoons and many evenings overflowed with worship, tears, breaking down of walls and steps toward recovery in many areas of my life. All in all, it was a good time of rest to be filled up by my brothers, sisters and our mentors.
Kaffee Fernando’s – the best americano, straight up fruit/veggies smoothies and outdoor ambiance to spend your afternoon reading and journaling.
Xenacoj, Guatemala
The biggest change to adjust to in Xenacoj (pronounced “Shenacoh”) was the temperature difference. We had highs in the 90’s in El Salvador and now experience warm days and very chilly evenings. Of course I know this is nothing in comparison to my home in Dubuque, IA. But it’s enough of a difference to wish I packed more long sleeves and am very grateful for the one pair of jeans I kept.
Our ministry partner this month is with Go! Ministries, our American contact Dave and Guatemalan contact, German. This month involves developing the vision of this ministry and several of it’s pillars to reach the town of Xenacoj and neighboring pueblos. We also are helping out with their widow/orphan ministry and feeding program. This takes us to two local schools to serve breakfast to students, play and teach – yes, all during their class time. I certainly feel out of my comfort zone interrupting their class but the teachers have been open to our presence and the few hours we take to sing, teach English and love on the children.
This is our All-Squad Month so all of 29 M-Squad members are here serving together. It’s been great to catch up with my teammates, their experiences from the prior month and hear how God is currently at work in their lives. The coffee pot runs all day and there is sure to always be a game of cards going on during down time. When I’m not doing ministry I’m catching up on some alone time (it’s a good thing when you live with 28 other individuals) and practicing my 3rd language. I’ll keep you posted on how that is going in future blogs.
This blog doesn’t even begin to cover the work that Go! Ministries is doing nor our team as we partner with them. There are only internet cafés (no WiFi) in Xenacoj but I will continue to work on blogs in the meantime to update you on the work we’re doing and photos of the beautiful people we meet. Hasta la próxima!
This is how we ride, on top of cars and in the back of trucks.
