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We’re just getting started in Nicaragua, but I wanted to give Guatemala a proper farewell. 
 
What I’ve learned in Guatemala…
 
*Setting off firecrackers in the streets is not only for holidays.  In fact, it’s for every day.  Better yet, for no reason.  And it’s just the best when you set them off early in the morning right in front of the sleeping gringos’ house.
 
*Pollo Campero is Spanish for ice cream and free wifi.
 
*If you’re comfortable with your life, don’t ask the Holy Spirit to show up.  You’ll end up on the floor, and it will be impossible to be the same after.
 
*Crossing the street is a 2 part process, and once you get half-way across, mack trucks will stop for you to finish.  Really.
 
*Honking could be a way of saying hi, but it usually means, “Hey look!  A gringo!”  Better honk 5x to make sure.
 

*A white panel van w/ no windows and the heat stuck on is the best way to travel.  Nothing like seeing a panel van full of white people flying down the road.
 
*Words have weight.  Every word we say brings life or death – agrees w/ God or the enemy.  NOW put that in the pressure cooker of living in community!  I’ve never thought so hard about what comes out of my mouth!

 
*You think every day is the sweatiest day of your life.  And you truly believe that. 
 
*Playing soccer with 5 year olds has never been so embarrassing. 
 
*10 year olds will also make you look like a moron at cutting grass with a machete.
 

*A machete is the only real necessity in Guatemala.  It’s great for eating coconuts, cutting grass, intimidation, etc.
 
*It’s absolutely ok to talk about poop on a regular basis.  You’ll know everyone’s business whether you want to or not….especially when 14 are sharing 1 bathroom.

 
*Shofar Radio is the best Christian station I’ve ever heard.  http://www.shofar.fm (both Spanish and English)

*EVERYTHING is so loud!  Cars, motorcycles, music, church, dogs, chickens, etc.
 
*1AM (apparently) is the best time for stray dogs to decide who the alpha-male is.  Better yet, they decide every night.
 

*Roosters in Guatemala wake up at 4AM.  (This only matters assuming the dogs shut up by 4am and you went back to sleep.)
 

*Hiking in the rain forest and swimming in the jungle are totally normal things to do on your days off.  
 
*It’s incredibly cool when Celeste receives a healing anointing and 3 women in a poor, tiny rural church are healed!

 

*Cold showers feel so incredibly good.  (Remember, it’s the sweatiest day of your life.) 

 
*Better say amen every 2 minutes or the pastor will think you’re asleep and start saying, “hello?  hello?”
 
*Geckos living in your house is absolutely normal.

Guatemala was wonderful on all accounts.  We experienced God’s beauty when the Holy Spirit changes lives in a matter of minutes, and when we wandered through the rain forest.  We were blessed by the overwhelming generosity shown to us by Guatemalans in poverty, and by learning to live in community with each other.  We’ve all experienced amazing growth in just one short month.  And you know what?  I’m hooked!  Bring on month 2!