There have been two encounters with people this month that have God written all over them! It’s been cool to live out these “chance” encounters.
The Couple on the Airplane
On the 28th of April, we were in LAX. We were about to board the plane and two of our squadmates just told us that they were not continuing on with us. We boarded the plane sad, but ready to continue our adventure. Earlier, I had gone to the front desk and gotten my seat switched to an aisle (more space and bathroom availability…didn’t now how that American food was going to sit with me). When I got on the plane I realized that I was no longer with my squad. I was in Row 24 and everyone else was in rows 30+ in the back of the plane. Hearing the couple next to me speak Spanish, I resigned myself to just sleeping on this flight. A minute later, they asked me in perfect English if it was my first time going to Guatemala. Turns out that they were born in Guatemala but have a business in California and return to Guatemala as often as they can. Over the next couple hours they sowed so much life into me! I felt as if I had known them my whole life. They were such a power couple and just showed me a great example of marriage as a team unit. It felt as if God had not replaced the two friends that had left, but given me two more friends to ease the loss. It was definitely one of the best red eye flights.
The Girls in the Coffee Shop
So this was one of the craziest moments that literally had to be God. I was in Chichicastenango, Guatemala in 2014 with Family Christian working with the organization Manos de Jesus. FC just happens to be sending another team there while I’m here this month! I’ve been asking God if there’s any way for me to go up and see my friends there. Then this crazy thing happened…
As I said in my last blog, this month we are divided into 3 teams: English teachers, teachers of values in Spanish, and fundraising. The fundraising committee partnered with a coffee shop in town named Guate Java. I was sitting there one day helping out the ministry (drinking coffee). As a group of people came in, my retail training kicked in and I informed the group about the special promotion mentioning the proceeds went to Nueva Generación the organization that we’re with. Two girls on the couches next to me asked if I worked for NG. I told them that we were working with them for the month. When we asked them what they were doing, they said that they were house shopping in Antigua but were from Chichi. Obviously I got excited and told them that I was in Chichi the last time that I was here, that I worked with Family Christian and worked with the ministry Manos de Jesus. They then said are you serious? We work for Manos! I actually couldn’t believe it. The one girl is the coordinator for the FC group coming in next week and I was able to get her phone number so I can call them if I am able to go up there next week. What are the odds that they would wander into the same coffee shop at the same time as me?
These two experiences have helped to make this month fantastic! TBA if I’m able to get to Chichi!
Katie
