What I Took Home from Guatemala

Often times we set out on an adventure with a certain agenda
in mind, and then God takes that agenda, rips it apart, and sets you on course
for His own plan.

I just got back from a pretty awesome experience serving at
Casa Bernabe orphanage, right outside Guatemala
City. Yet, it was not the experience I had expected.
In my mind, I saw myself going as support for my friend Emily and her mom,
maybe doing some manual labor as a help to the orphanage, and hanging out with
older kids some (since I definitely know nothing about babies). Nice try,
Steven.

This trip was an absolute crash course in learning how to
serve in the absence of a specific agenda, and serving in areas that I
certainly did not think I would be comfortable. When we first got to the
orphanage we were not given any sort “welcome” session, and we were basically
on our own with regards to our plans. I’m the sort of person that likes
specific instruction, i.e. “Steven, go paint this house”, so this was a bit troubling.
However, God used this ambiguity to direct me to the baby house (ages birth-3).
I’ll be honest, I initially just went to the Casa de Los Angelitos simply
because I figured they’d be cute, which they were, and that I wouldn’t have to
use much Spanish beyond “Hola, Si, and No.” By the end of the week I was so
attached to these kids, and really didn’t want to leave. It was such a blessing
getting to play with them everyday, learn all their names and personalities,
and see them smile and run up and grab my leg every time I walked into the
yard. I’m pretty sure if I had endless resources and room in my house I would
have adopted every last one of them.

I’d love to share more about the details of this trip with
you, but don’t want to bore you with an overly long blog. So I just thought I’d
summarize with the things I learned and am taking home with me  from my time in Guatemala:

– Well, to start out I am literally taking home with me from
the Antiguan market: a cool poncho sweater, some delicious dark roast native
grown coffee, a David Villa Barcelona jersey courtesy of my friend Javier, a
few gifts for family members, and lots of bug bites.

– The meaning of “Guatemalan time”. Basically, in the words
of my new friend Javier, there is no sense of urgency in the Guatemalan
culture. Time means almost nothing. And its no big deal if you are late, it is
almost expected! I experienced this a few times, much to my initial frustration
as an American where “be there at 8:00” means “be there at 7:55”. 

– The value of making native friends. My first night at Casa
Bernabe I made friends with Javier, and through our friendship I was able to
learn so much more than I otherwise would have. We had countless awesome
conversations about our lives and spiritual matters, and he also took me to
church with him, as well as to some other cool sites in the city. I really
wouldn’t have been able to have the experience I had without making this
friendship. As a “gringo”, or white person, it’s pretty unsafe to travel
without a native guide. 

– Speaking of safety, I also learned that Guatemala gets
a bad reputation because of its serious gang problems. However, by using common
sense and traveling with natives, Guatemala is a wonderful country to
visit. There are many cool historical sites, bustling markets full of unique
items, and a beautiful landscape of mountains and volcanoes.

– That Guatemalan people are incredible; kind and generous,
open to share with you, and always welcoming you into their homes. If you are a
friend of a Guatemalan, you are instantly a friend of their whole family and
all their relatives.

– God answers prayers in tangible ways. This trip was full
of times where I prayed for something and saw or felt a physical response to
those prayers, often almost immediately.

– I realized that I could do something like this long term,
and that nothing would be more fulfilling. I kept thinking that the World Race
is like this, only a bit more extreme, and 50 weeks longer. I kept getting so
excited thinking about this and eagerly anticipating my future on the World
Race!