Hmm it´s been a while since ive last written, I dont know where to begin!
So in the last week or so there has been a lot of change and traveling. I have been to Antigua twice in the past week, the first to send off Alex my fellow LTV and friend back to the states with a blast and second to send off four University of Virgina friends that I met here. Both times were ridiculously fun and refreshing, a little break from working with volunteer groups was very much needed. At the same time it was very sad to say goodbye to such amazing people, strangers that had become the closest friends I´ve had here. It was kind of a time where I was not looking forward to returning to San Lucas alone, but also just really thankful for the friendships that I was able to make here. I would have never had the chance to make these connections otherwise so I am beyond greatful for that!
Nonetheless I returned to San Lucas with, in all honestly, a bad attitude. Meeting new people every day can sometimes get to be draining and having closer friends was a really comforting way to rejuvinate from the day. The mission was once again packed upon my return, which was a little overwhealming at first but now in retrospect I wouldnt want it any other way. Ive been able to meet some really amazing people in just the past few days and make some friendships that feel like Ive known them forever. Ive also met some super encouraging adults who have just confirmed and refuled my desire and passion to be in this place. It is just simply amazing what God has done through some of the volunteers here that have encouraged me far more than they know. I feel like God wanted me to go through that feeling of loneliness to rely on him more and believe in his plan he has for me. I think Ive had about four different people on different occasions tell me that I am supposed to be right here right now and that God has made a plan that is perfect for me. I think God really wanted to drive that pont down this week!
I´ve only about a week and a half left in this place so I just ask that you would pray for more passion, energy, humility and openness as I finish strong here! I am excited to go home, but I want to fully take advantage of this opportunity and remember to embrace every minute!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Numbers
Things I will miss greatly about San Lucas:
1. friendly people and children
2. greeting everyone you see on the streets
3. lake atitlan and the gorgeous boat ride across it
4. fresh squeezed orange juice
5. the panadaria (the bakery)
6. not doing my hair or shaving haha
7. our neighbors of whome weve named bear
8. being surrounded my mountains and volcanoes
9. not having a cell phone or computer
10. barganing down prices
11. the wonderfulo people ive been blessed to meet and know through the mission
12. clear blue skys and stars i can see
13. going with the flow everyday, never planning anything
14. fiestas in the community and also on our roof top
15. real coca cola in a glass bottle
16. no worries or responsibilities apart from being in this place
17. learning fun new games with people
18. perfect weather in the mornings
19. walking everywhere and never driving
20. hotel toliman (a gorgeous place to eat)
21. random new adventures
22. tuk tuks
23. getting plenty of sleep every night
24. cheap beer and food
25. working at the projects
26. funny spanglish converstaions
27. fresh fruit and amazing guac
Things I will not miss about San Lucas:
1. barking scary mangy dogs
2. roosters that start to crow at 3 am every morning
3. our neighboring goose that honks alll the time
4. the water and having amebeoas (i currently have them, my second time...)
5. poop all over the streets
6. not knowing the language (ive told people thank you for hugging me in spanish, instead of thank you for teaching me a few times this past week, found that out after i had said it bahaha)
7. lack of hugs. i miss hugs
8. washing all my laundry by hand and waiting for them to dry (its the rainy season so this is about a three day process)
9. the dress code
10. dealing with volunteers who are... interesting
11. crazy rains that pour at inconvienent times
12. not being about to do my hair
13. the smellls of fish in the market
14. eating meat of the bone
15. carrying everything with me in a backpack all the time
16. the 9pm curfew and zero night life in town
17. the keyboards, i still dont understand the one im using now hence the lack of punctuation and capatilization haha
1. friendly people and children
2. greeting everyone you see on the streets
3. lake atitlan and the gorgeous boat ride across it
4. fresh squeezed orange juice
5. the panadaria (the bakery)
6. not doing my hair or shaving haha
7. our neighbors of whome weve named bear
8. being surrounded my mountains and volcanoes
9. not having a cell phone or computer
10. barganing down prices
11. the wonderfulo people ive been blessed to meet and know through the mission
12. clear blue skys and stars i can see
13. going with the flow everyday, never planning anything
14. fiestas in the community and also on our roof top
15. real coca cola in a glass bottle
16. no worries or responsibilities apart from being in this place
17. learning fun new games with people
18. perfect weather in the mornings
19. walking everywhere and never driving
20. hotel toliman (a gorgeous place to eat)
21. random new adventures
22. tuk tuks
23. getting plenty of sleep every night
24. cheap beer and food
25. working at the projects
26. funny spanglish converstaions
27. fresh fruit and amazing guac
Things I will not miss about San Lucas:
1. barking scary mangy dogs
2. roosters that start to crow at 3 am every morning
3. our neighboring goose that honks alll the time
4. the water and having amebeoas (i currently have them, my second time...)
5. poop all over the streets
6. not knowing the language (ive told people thank you for hugging me in spanish, instead of thank you for teaching me a few times this past week, found that out after i had said it bahaha)
7. lack of hugs. i miss hugs
8. washing all my laundry by hand and waiting for them to dry (its the rainy season so this is about a three day process)
9. the dress code
10. dealing with volunteers who are... interesting
11. crazy rains that pour at inconvienent times
12. not being about to do my hair
13. the smellls of fish in the market
14. eating meat of the bone
15. carrying everything with me in a backpack all the time
16. the 9pm curfew and zero night life in town
17. the keyboards, i still dont understand the one im using now hence the lack of punctuation and capatilization haha
Friday, June 28, 2013
San Lucas Toliman
Overview: I am currently in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala volunteering for the San Lucas Mission. I one of orignally four long term volunteers but now it is down to just two for the rest of the summer. The mission has a number of projects that we bring groups to to do work. The main projects are reforrestation, coffee, construction, the womens center and building brick stoves. Every week there are different groups of Americans that come down and as LTV's (long term vollunteers) we take them to various sites show them how work is done and do the work with them. Typically a group will do one project in the morning and another in the afternoon. I am living in a house with the other LTV's and the vollunteer coordinator and we all happen to be from Minnesota! It's nice to have a piece of home here with me! I have noe been here for two weeks and will be here for a total of two months.
Before heading out on this adventure I wasn't really sure what I was doing or why. I just knew that God wanted me to go and so I was excited scared and had no idea of what to expect. I guess upon arrival I was kind of looking for a sign or a reason as to why I was here, it wasn't intentinal and I didn't even know that I was searching for a purpose untl one of the group leaders had pulled me aside. She told me that the members of her group had really appreciated me and that simply my presence, even when I wasn't speaking was enough to make them all feel at home. Boom. Purpous. I guess I had wanted something ´´greater´´ from God but at that exact point in time I realized that I had to learn to just rely on him and let His presence within me be simply enough. This is a hard thing for a busy bee such as myself to grasp. So far it has been so wonderful. There is a lot of down time between working and meals so I have had some time to just chill out. I've already read three books in my time here and normally I never have time to sit down and read for enjoyment! San Lucas is also on lake Atitlan which is seriously the most beautiful lake I have seen in my entire life. Surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, this lake is SO beautiful to go across! There are a few touristy towns across the lake which take about half an hour to get to by boat, the boat ride alone is worth the trip! God is just doing a lot through the people here who have already blessed me so much, I am simply in awe.
My favorite project as of now would be working in Reforrestation. There is something about filling dirt bags for new trees and weeding gardens that is just so refreshing to the soul. The Guatemalans who work there are also refreshing to the soul. The main worker Don Tribio is so amazing, I feel like I just gain wisdom simply by being in his presence! They've also taught me how to use a machete so I've started carving a fork from wood which I am very excited about!
Pray for:
-Two of the four LTV's are no longer here/working and we have a massive amount of groups coming this next week, there is going to be a total of 80 people and we're only used to about 45 people with four vollunteers. So just pray for extra energy for me and my fellow LTV Alex to tackle the groups!
-The continuation of deeper relationships with the Gutemalans here and for God to really bless my Spanish becuase I'm currently not very good at it
-That God would just openen the eyes of the groups that are here for a short period of time.
<3
Before heading out on this adventure I wasn't really sure what I was doing or why. I just knew that God wanted me to go and so I was excited scared and had no idea of what to expect. I guess upon arrival I was kind of looking for a sign or a reason as to why I was here, it wasn't intentinal and I didn't even know that I was searching for a purpose untl one of the group leaders had pulled me aside. She told me that the members of her group had really appreciated me and that simply my presence, even when I wasn't speaking was enough to make them all feel at home. Boom. Purpous. I guess I had wanted something ´´greater´´ from God but at that exact point in time I realized that I had to learn to just rely on him and let His presence within me be simply enough. This is a hard thing for a busy bee such as myself to grasp. So far it has been so wonderful. There is a lot of down time between working and meals so I have had some time to just chill out. I've already read three books in my time here and normally I never have time to sit down and read for enjoyment! San Lucas is also on lake Atitlan which is seriously the most beautiful lake I have seen in my entire life. Surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, this lake is SO beautiful to go across! There are a few touristy towns across the lake which take about half an hour to get to by boat, the boat ride alone is worth the trip! God is just doing a lot through the people here who have already blessed me so much, I am simply in awe.
My favorite project as of now would be working in Reforrestation. There is something about filling dirt bags for new trees and weeding gardens that is just so refreshing to the soul. The Guatemalans who work there are also refreshing to the soul. The main worker Don Tribio is so amazing, I feel like I just gain wisdom simply by being in his presence! They've also taught me how to use a machete so I've started carving a fork from wood which I am very excited about!
Pray for:
-Two of the four LTV's are no longer here/working and we have a massive amount of groups coming this next week, there is going to be a total of 80 people and we're only used to about 45 people with four vollunteers. So just pray for extra energy for me and my fellow LTV Alex to tackle the groups!
-The continuation of deeper relationships with the Gutemalans here and for God to really bless my Spanish becuase I'm currently not very good at it
-That God would just openen the eyes of the groups that are here for a short period of time.
<3
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