I would love to write about how these last couple months have been completely amazing and there hasn’t been a single problem, which is true for the most part, but unfortunately there has been a couple ups and downs.
During the first week I was thriving. My adventurous side came out full force and I was ready to explore every nic and cranny of Chichicastenango. We climbed to the top of a mountain, road in a TukTuk for the first time, and bartered with some locals for a purse (I’m basically a pro now). I was so amused by the culture and the brightness of everything that I really didn’t miss home. But by week two, we we’re home… We had our local coffee shop, our next door neighbor became our homie, and waving down a TukTuk was second nature. Nothing was new anymore.
And that’s when it hit me…
WE LIVE HERE.
Once the “new” became my “norm”, I missed home. Missed everything about good ole Kenosha, Wisconsin. My cray cray family dinners, game nights with my friends, warm showers, and clean clothes that actually smelled clean. I didn’t complain, but inside I was really struggling. I guess I didn’t mentally prepare myself for the toll these months would have on me.
Towards the end of week, I soon realized what an honor it is to be engulfed in such a captivating culture and to have the opportunity to show the love of God. Being able to go into the schools and not only teach English, but to freely pray and talk about Gods power to these beautiful children has been so rewarding. Everyday students see us “gringos” walking through the streets and with no hesitation they scream our names as they run to embrace us. (I’m known as Candeladia around these parts, btw) LIKE WHAT. Try that in America and there would be some serious issues. But those are the moments that I never want to forget!
We’re getting towards the end of our third week here in Chichi, which means a week left until we drive 4 hours back to Guatemala City. The next two months of our journey will be spent in a different location, different ministry, and a different type of community. I won’t be able to freely walk to the coffee shop to get my daily, sometimes twice a day, Carmel latte (shoutout Bryan the barista) or run to the super market to get some flame orange juice. It will be a completely different life than what we’ve gotten so use to. Which is absolutely terrifying, but yet, I’m so pumped for the new adventures to come!
