Hot. Dirty. Unsafe drinking water. Black beans. Scorpions. Out houses. Wood plank beds. More black Beans.
The living conditions in Nueva Guatemala are far from ideal. In fact, most Americans will do just about anything to avoid the things listed above. So, why am I returning to Nueva Guatemala for the third time?
A welcoming community. Beautiful relationships. Laughter. Joy. Faith. Hope. Love.
It is hard to go to Nueva Guatemala and see only the negative side of these people’s living condition. There is an unexplainable joy in this community even though the residents of Nueva Guatemala experience a number of hardships daily.
The main point of our congregations partnership with this community is to build relationships. We have sent a delegation representing our church to Nueva Guatemala almost every year for the past five years. We go expecting to help these people, teach them more about Christianity, build relationships and encourage them in their daily lives. But every trip I feel as if I have left getting more out of the experience then I gave to the Guatemalans. This resilient group of people has taught me so much in the last few years. They have taught me the importance of finding joy, not matter what my circumstances may be. They have shown me the importance of relationships and community. They continually express love to us. Finally, they have encouraged me to live by faith.
I excitedly anticipate my return to Nueva Guatemala. I cannot wait to be reunited with my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ. I look forward to playing with the children, helping the women cook, visiting the homes and the farms of the families, and worshiping God alongside the members of this community. Most of all, I look forward to seeing God continue to work in this community and in the hearts of the members of our delegation.
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