Month 1 – Quiche, Guatemala
1. What were your living arrangements like? (Bed/tent/hammock? Bathroom/toilet/showers?)
We were lucky enough to stay in dorms this month! I tried to sleep in my hammock for the first couple of days but it ended up not being as comfortable as I thought so I shared a twin bed for the rest of the month. We had hot showers and toilets but you cannot flush toilet paper in Central America!
2. What was the food like? (Favorite food/least favorite food? Cooking? Restaurants?) We did our own cooking as a squad for breakfast and dinner and took turns cooking. We had a lot of eggs and plantains. Lunch was a lot of PB&J. Restaurants sold crepes, coffee, and quesadillas. It was common to see ladies making homemade tortillas all over the city. Our favorite quick stop was the hospital tienda (store) that had delicious tacos.
3. What is the culture like? Quiche is a town of Mayan decent so the culture was fairly strict. We were not allowed to show our shoulders or knees and had to refrain from dancing in public. Half of the population of ladies wore traditional Mayan print fabric and often gentlemen were seen wearing straw hats. The other half of the population wore common “American” clothes (still no shoulders or knees) – and Hollister shirts were everywhere.
4. What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I have the urge to dance a lot haha. I also learned how close to God I feel being around children.
5. What did you learn about how the culture effects the way the people understand the gospel and live as Christians?
Quiche is very traditional and sometimes in America tradition in religion brings forth legalism; in Quiche the Christians are very respectful and accepting to tradition.
6. What was your most memorable moment from this month? (I’m sure it will be hard to pick just one!)
The one that keeps coming back to me is our daily greeting from the kids at Casa de mi Padre with giant hugs and kisses! It was always the best part of the day.
7. What was the hardest thing about your month?
It was pretty annoying to hand wash all of our clothes. Other than that I just wish I knew the language more so I could talk to people.
8. What was the biggest lesson you learned?I learned a lot about making God the anchor of my life and not swaying back and forth by being anchored in other things. I am also beginning to learn a lot more about my identity as who Christ made me to be.
9. What did you see God doing among the people of Guatemala?
God is definitely present in Guatemala. He is exciting people to be part of the church and propelling the hearts of Guatemalan youth to work for His kingdom. Everyone I met has a helping heart for Christ and in worship services they are extremely grateful to God. The children at the orphanage wake up at 5:30 every morning to start their day with a devotional. Each of them have at least one bible of their own that they are very proud of.
10. What did you learn about the community and the people you served?
They have the biggest hearts – we grew close very fast. Guatemalans are extremely friendly and open to making new relationships which made us feel very welcome.
11. What fun activities did you get to do?
We took a day trip to Lake Atitlan where I got to go extreme ziplining on the side of a mountain! I also had the opportunity to go to church a few times and even speak to the congregation.
12. What surprised you the most?
-Quiche is a big, well maintained city
-Fire ants
-Monsoon season
-When you said “Hola” to locals they would respond “Adios”
What are you questions about my time in Quiche?
-C
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