Guatemala
From the beautiful mountains and volcanos . All the way to the dirt roads with fields of flowers. The sunsets we see right before walking in for dinner. On a chicken bus or a small van headed to Parramos. To the despensa or the mini mart for a snack run. Or even a stop to get nuggets at pollo, or a sandwich from Marie.
Sitting in the grass at Mis Anos Dorados laughing with our best friends .Holding Albertos hand, dancing with Gabriella, deciphering what Augusto is saying, or singing with Abraham, possibly getting a shoulder rub from Maria, sharing cheetos with Candeleriaj, exercising with Jose, and dancing with the whole crew.
Asking the Lord for Guidance, walking around Parramos, speaking life, and loving people. Sometimes Handing out flowers, or even worshipping in the middle of the park, ending at La Fonda with China and Rudy, lesson planning for the next day while eating a chicken crepe, or sharing some fries.
Waving too Yolanda and Juan on the way to and from ministry, always looking for our favorite van guy Eddy, he even tries to get us to get off the van and get into the one he is collecting money for, laughing even when we have no idea what anyone is saying.
Waiting on Junior at the bus stop, heading to Antigua and inviting people to church, laughing with Victor, Zack, Cesar, and Marvin. Going to a hospital and praying for the sick. Going to our church, La Resturando La Familia, dancing and screaming to the heavens as Junior and the band lead us into worship in Spanish, learning to listen to Holy Spirit when I can’t understand, teaching bible stories sometimes with a translator, sometimes without, playing, and laughing, listening to sweet voices pray us in, receiving sweet notes from Candy, laughing hard with Estefani, swinging Genesis and Alejandra around, and taking selfies with Freddy.
Elbow to elbow on a chicken bus, simply just sharing a smile with the person next to me, because love knows no language barrier. Meeting people like David, Alejandro, and Catalina. Learning little things about them in the 35 min bus ride home, sharing a laugh with them.
Activation, corporate worship sometimes getting to lead with the best ministry host, or even with the best squad mates, learning, and taking all of that into our town, going to Antigua ending the night at Refuge with worship room.
Pulling roots out of the ground, gardening, cleaning and mopping with brooms, picking up trash, eating lunch at the fountain, singing worship with Chris while working, rapping at the fountain, making dances, sanding and painting the playground, painting the church walls, or finding ourselves at the Gomez rose farm, running in fields of flowers, eating random fruits, and ending it zip-lining because our ministry host says things like, “want to do something fun?”
Walking the streets of Parramos beside our ministry host and his family, going and getting nachos and frappes, going to a shoe store, laughing, and truly feeling the joy of the Lord. Throwing Mateo and Juan Diego up in the air, listening for their little giggles, admiring Rakes make up and always seeking advice and encouragement from that Woman of God. Always being warned of getting fever from a Plant, and being pushed in the best ways and laughing so hard with Junior.
Adventure days in Antigua, coffee shops, so many chai lattes, new places for lunch, ice cream, marking things off our bucket lists, walking through Central Park avoiding getting pooped on by the pigeons, and seeing our sweet friend Miguel run up to us and give the sweetest hugs. Going to Megapaca and getting way too many clothes. laughter. laughter. laughter.
The base. Buzzing the button eagerly waiting for Kyndawg to open the gate, running in shouting hello to everyone in sight, taking our shoes off, and running into the room we call home, #5. A bathroom for seven girls, twilight marathons, eating pizza, and snacks on the floor, laughing, dancing, sitting together, and shoving all into Charlies bed.Airdropping notes to each other, because we don’t have service. Sitting in the grass at the base, painting, singing, teaching myself how to play the guitar. Squad volleyball, soccer, and frisbee. Late night talks and worship sessions on the sidewalk. Sharing my heart with the incredible aim base staff and being poured back into.
So here’s to the last week! Guatemala, I love you. I love everything that the Father used you to grow me in!! I love your people, your streets, your food, and your culture. You forever will have a piece of my heart.
Here we go:)
