We have made it to Antigua, Guatemala! It was quite a journey, but we are in one piece.
Our trek started at 5 am with a wake- up call that I will not soon forget. We were sleeping cozily in our tents at our debrief location just outside of Palenque, Mexico when we heard a car horn sounding. In my state of sleep I assumed a car alarm was going off. I quickly realized I was mistaken when our host, Samuel started banging pots and pans together and shouting, “Amigos, amigos, despierta!!” (Friends, friends, wake up!!)
We dragged ourselves out of our tents and realized it was time to Race to Guatemala! This was a surprise to us because we had been told we were leaving later that day, but plans had changed, to say the least!
Each team received their tasks for the ensuing journey, the first of which was to submerge ourselves up to our necks in the river and take a team photo. Not quite the warm shower I am used to waking me up at home…but it certainly did the job!
We quickly packed our bags and took our wet tents down. Then we headed to the road and hailed a cab that would eventually take us all the way to the border.
After an eventful 14 hour journey we made it to Antigua, Guatemala!
Little did we know that the Race had just begun!
We found out that in the morning we had a few more tasks to complete before a winner was announced.
My team and I roused ourselves just after 6 am this morning and prepared for the rest of our race. Our mission, if we chose to accept included the following:
1. Run up the steps of a hill, Serro de la Cruz.
2. Pray over the city of Antigua for one hour.
3. Race to the plaza in the center of the city and take a team photo.
We successfully completed the race and came in 2nd place, just one minute behind team Zeo!!!
It was a great journey and the race aspect of the trip, as always, serves as a reminder:
Hebrews 12:1-3
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
So, that brings us the Antigua. We are not 100% sure of what the Lord has in store for us here, but we are excited to serve.
Until next time……
