Guatemala, Part 2

Here is the continuing story of our mission trip to Guatemala. . .

Monday (7/22/13)

I slept pretty good last night. I got up around 6:30 a.m. I went to shower and had a hard time turning it on. It went from warm to cold, but at least it worked.

Then I did my devotions and journaled. We had a small team meeting in the morning about our plans for the day. For breakfast we enjoyed pancakes, watermelon, pineapple, and cocoa puffs. We left the house around 9:00 a.m.

Ready to go!

The mission house.

After picking up a few people (translators) we drove across town to the school in Zone 17. The drive was just beautiful! When we arrived, we met Pastor A. It felt like we were celebrities! Hundreds of children were shouting and waving at us.

Today we broke up into 6 colored groups with the 4^th-6^th graders. We made a group flag, dance, and chant. They performed them before everyone and then got judged.

One of the groups performing.

Then we had about 10 minute “Huddle Groups” where we shared some testimonies and teaching time. I got to share my testimony on the fly. J We then repeated all this with the 1^st-2^nd graders.

Doing our “Huddle Group.”

We finished around 12:30 p.m. and drove over to the Opportunity Center. It’s actually in the basement of a furniture store.

We ate lunch with the B’s. We had hot dogs, chips, and Chiky cookies, and just visited for awhile. All 40 kids arrived by 2:00 p.m. and we started. First we played a game to practice their English. Then we broke into groups to do the craft. Meanwhile, we took pictures for their frames.

The kids at the opportunity center painting their picture frames.

When they finished, we regrouped and explained the gospel bracelets we’re making tomorrow. Then we waited in the bus awhile before pulling away around 4:00 p.m. There was a bit more traffic this time. We got to drive by La Limonada, one of the worst slums in Central America. Juxtaposition is the word that comes to mind.

Sorry about the pole, but this is the backside of La Limonada.

When we arrived back at the mission house, we relaxed and talked for awhile. Then H and I wrote an update email for our families back home. We also went up on the roof and enjoyed the view. That night for dinner we had a Guatemalan feast of chicken, rice, tortillas, potatoes, and an amazing cilantro sauce with it. We also had some steamed veggies.

Dinner!

Eating together around the dining room table.

After dinner we walked to Iglesia Biblica (the church the B’s started.) It’s a beautiful church with lots of echoes. J

Ben and me at Iglesia Biblica.

After church we walked to a little market, where we bought chocolate-covered desserts. I had a frozen waffle and a piece of frozen mango. I tried Ben’s frozen strawberries. The whole team shared a frozen banana and a piece of coconut. It was *so good!!!*

Ben and me at the choco-banana place.

We walked back to the house and about half of us went to Walmart. It was actually cleaner and nicer than the ones in the States. We met a friend of M’s (one of our translators) who is from Washington D.C. He stood out because of his blue eyes and blonde hair. J

Goofing off outside of Walmart. J

I think all of us found what we needed in about half an hour. We drove back to the mission house and had our debrief meeting. We shared some stories and personal moments from the day as well as first impressions.

Debriefing.

During the meeting a HUGE cockroach ran through the room. It brought out the best in people. J Once we finished, some went to bed while others played cards. I journaled and read. I went to bed around 11:00 p.m.

To be continued . . .

Guatemala, Part 1