I never thought I would enjoy a ministry such as spending my Monday afternoons with the senior citizens of Guatemala. In the pictures below you will see why it is one of my true elements to work in. These men and women have made me realize so many new things about myself. Every Monday we would spend an hour exercising and stretching and I didn’t think they could make me laugh the way they do or that I would be able to make them laugh.
Even though they are a tad old they still had some wild moves, cool jokes, and good voices. They made me realize what its like to feel loved by a stranger, who am I kidding? They aren’t strangers, they are apart of my family. They made me realize that in other countries it is totally okay to be blunt, as in telling us we need to wash our faces more or telling me my thighs are just too big. The most ironic part about those things is that the woman who was a little more blunt than the others is mute and she just used facial expressions and hand motions. They made me realize how hard and fun it is trying to communicate with each other and not being able to understand a word either of us say but still feel something. It made me realize that language is no barrier when it comes to building the Kingdom. Facial expressions, hugs, love and support and laughter are the most important thing when it comes to how one should live and these old ones showed me a glimpse of what it looks like. They made me realize that growing old can’t be the worst thing. They made me realize that doing the same puzzle every Monday will never get old because they enjoy it so why shouldn’t I?
But most importantly they made me realize what true joy is. From many many hugs to braiding hair to dancing in circles they always radiate joy. I will never forget the memories I was able to make with them.
