Goodbye Guatemala

When we arrived in Guatemala two months ago this day felt like a lifetime away, and now I am on a plane headed to South Africa. It feels so surreal, and trying to process everything the Lord did in the last two months feels quite impossible right now. 

 

I was recently asked the question, “What was the biggest culture shock in Guatemala?” That is a great question, but I honestly have a hard time answering because I got so used to everything. It is crazy how quickly you grow comfortable in a foreign culture. Right now it is difficult for me to process and truly know how to explain the differences, but they are there. Please ask me questions. It is sometimes nice to stop and truly think about how to answer, and I love inviting people into my life. 

 

As I sit here looking out the window I am overwhelmed. This experience is so incredible. It was such a privilege to live in Guatemala for two months. On mission trips people often have the view that the missionary is the one giving, but in reality I feel like I have received so much. My mind flashes through all of the crooked smiles, awkward broken Spanish conversations that end in silly motions and laughing, the kids sprinting to hug me as I walk up the street, the late night dance parties with my team, the thoughtful notes that found me at the perfect time, the tears, the late night walks around base, the fireworks, the bus rides, the moments with Jesus in our secret space, and so much more. This time is truly priceless and completely life changing. I am so grateful the Lord invited me to go on this adventure with Him. 

 

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Things Loved

• Guatemalans are the most hospitable people ever, and my view on hospitality will forever be changed.
• The flowers. SO BEAUTIFUL. SO CHEAP 🙂 …and they make people’s days when you hand them out. 
• Base. I loved the base in Guatemala. It was such a peaceful place.
• The chicken bus…most of the time. I hated it at first, but then it became a place of rest for me. I loved dreaming with the Lord and praying for the people around me. 
• The simplicity. 

 

Things Learned

• The enemy is not creative. He attacks the same things.
• God’s word will truly set you free.
• How to let the Lord break my heart, so I could feel deeply for others but not be crushed by the weight of those feelings. 
• More Spanish!!
• How to turn on the hot water and not shock myself in the shower. 
• How to play futbol! Soccer!! After many weeks of playing with the kids I finally scored a goal the last time we played! 🙂
• So many things that I do not remember right now, but one day I will be so thankful. 
• I don’t have to be miserable to be following Jesus. 

 

Challenges 

• Most kids in the villages did not have much hope in their futures. Many of them were already working in the fields, selling in the markets, or making the traditional clothing (a top takes months to make). A lot of kids drop out of school to start working before they reach middle school. Once we asked an eleven year old girl what her dreams were and she replied, “I have no dreams. My life is already planned out for me. I am already learning how to make the traditional clothing, and I will live here the rest of my life.” 
• Language. I learned some Spanish, but not near enough. I longed to simply have a conversation with people, but the Lord moved in other ways. I will never take easy communication for granted again. 
• I miss my people at “home” a lot. I knew this would be hard, but it is also so worth it. 
• I struggled with making obedience my god instead of God. He loves me, and He wants my heart more than my obedience. 

 

Favorite Memories

• We brought a piñata to surprise one of the girls on her birthday! The kids loved it. 
• Playing soccer on the mountain side and playing tricks on Jason. 
• Teaching English. Specifically when the kids couldn’t understand my broken Spanish and would just smile at me confused. ALSO! Playing musical chairs in English class.
• Ask the Lord days with Anna. We went out and just followed God’s lead.
• Activation Thursdays! The Lord always revealed more of Himself to me in our quiet time. 
• Thanksgiving and Christmas as a squad!
• Hiking Acatenango. We stayed the night on the side of a volcano and watched Fuego erupt right next to us
• Getting baptized!!
• Going to the lake! Cliff Jumping!
• Preaching at Youth Group in Joco.

 

Taking Away

• More patience. 
• A grateful heart.
• Confidence in myself and what God has planned in my future. 
• Boldness.
• Fresh fire.
• A passion to awaken those who are asleep.
• An urgency to introduce people to Him, so they truly know His love and not just religion. 
• So many memories.

 

Leaving Behind

• Fear.
• Apathy. 
• Control.

 

Thank you Guatemala. Thank you God. 

 

Jeffrey’s Bay…yes, there was a miscommunication! We are headed to Jeffrey’s Bay!! We stayed the night in the Guatemala City airport last night. We stay in Newark, NJ tonight, and I get to see my mom and sister!!! EEK! We leave at 9pm on January 14th, land in Johannesburg at 6pm on the 15th, stay the night, and then arrive in JBay on January 16th!!! 

 

Thank you all for staying in the loop 🙂 I am not sure what internet will look like over the next two months, so you may or may not hear from me! Know that I appreciate all of your prayers, and I am praying for all of you too!! 

 

Praying you get uncomfortable today and desire to know Him more <3

– Abigail Grace