When I leave next July for the World Race, I will be visiting a variety of countries across the globe with a plethora of needs that can’t be fully understood until I witness them first hand. I am incredibly excited to visit each country on the list, however, there are a few that sand out above the rest. India, Swaziland, and Central America [Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua]. **I know, Central America is not a country, it is a region of North America located south of Mexico and north of South America (specially Colombia).**
I will in later posts be writing about why each region/country/or continent interests me. But I am writing about the last three countries on my route first because they are the easiest to talk about. When it comes to India and Swaziland, my interest in them is hard to explain because it does not come from personal experiences, but a tug at my core from the holy spirit. Central America, however, is a bit different.
Central America is full of problems and crisis that break my heart. Many of their struggles are things that I have a desire to help combat world wide. But my excitement surrounding these countries comes as much from God as my personal interests and experiences throughout my life.
GUATEMALA:
Guatemala is a country just south of Mexico on the Pacific Coast side (the West). It is home to large dense jungles that hide undiscovered Maya Ruins. In fact, Guatemala is home to the oldest Mayan ruins ever discovered. This location has what seems to be a historical time line of Mayan civilization dating back farther than believed, what archeologists think is the first formation of the written Mayan language, and the begins of what became the Mayan calendar. The Mayan presence in Guatemala dates back to circa 2000 BC. (Yes, Before Christ) and it is still a huge part of Guatemala today. A vast majority of the population is Mestizo (part Spaniard and part Mayan) and Spanish is not their first language, the regional dialect of Mayan is usually the first language most Guatemalan children learn.
The indigenous history of Guatemala fascinates me, however, I am only giving you this history lesson because it is the Mayan influence in Guatemala that makes this country so different from other Latin-American countries. This culture is unique, the spoken Spanish is unique, and the people have unique struggles because of this influence. Guatemala excites me because of the uniqueness of it’s culture and its history, both indigenous, colonial, and modern history. I am excited to minister to these unique people. To love them and to show them the Love of My God, Jesus.
HONDURAS
Honduras is a country south of Guatemala. It’s coastal region boarders the Caribbean and has a very tropical climate. It is peppered with Mayan and Aztec ruins and still has some Mayan and Aztec influence, though, not to the extent that Guatemala does.
The Hondurans have endured both political and economic troubles since the formation of the nation. And now, the country is “ruled” by Cartel Lords that reap havoc on the country. It is an intensely poor country, so the promise of money easily pulls youth into the gang life. People outside the cartels are bi-standards in the middle of battle field. The cartels fight violently in cities and towns and outsiders are just in the line of fire. It is very unsafe, it is very poor, it is economically and politically unstable, and the people there are in need of hope. The kind of hope that can only be found in Jesus.
I am excited to visit Honduras because I am excited to minister to these people in their native language (Spanish). But I am also excited to go to a place that is struggling with many of the same issues as my “home town” (But on a much larger scale). I know that I am not technically from Chicago, but I still see the impact that the gang violence, drug sales, and murders have on the people living in and around Chicago. For example, a local high school has had a large number of students die from cocaine over doses because of how easily accessible it is in the area. I hope that I am able to sympathize with their struggles because I have seen them in my “home town” as well.
NICARAGUA:
Nicaragua is the country directly south of Honduras and directly north of Costa Rica. It its western boarder is the Pacific Ocean and its eastern boarder is the Atlantic. Given that fact that I am a Spanish Major and that I have taken every Latino Studies class my University offers, I’m pretty sure my professors would be appalled about what I am going to admit here. I know absolutely nothing about Nicaragua other than a vague memory of watching a video that talked about the people wearing top hats and indigenous clothes (and I may be associating this with the wrong country). It also has a lake that holds the only fresh water sharks (but I don’t think that counts).
What I do know, is that the people are poor, starving, and that their is a huge orphan problem. All of which are problems that break my heart. I hope to be able to show the love the children of Nicaragua what it means to be loved and to be able to do it in Spanish. I look forward to reaching out to the poor and to bring them the joy that comes with knowing Jesus (hey-suesse).
I am excited to go to Central America because I look forward to ministering to people in their native language (in Spanish) and without a translator. I am also glad to have to opportunity to reach the needs that break my heart, poverty and the father-less.
If you would like to support my trip and help me bring the Truth and good news of Jesus to central America, please click the link below.
