The Goodness of Guatemala.

Safe to say that Guatemala has had an irrevocable impact on my life. I don’t know if I have the vocabulary or talent to write about all the ways that my heart has been totally captivated by this beautiful country but I will do my best. 

 

Guatemala is a country that exerts strength and resilience. A country that has been hurt and broken by war and religion. A country that has bounced back from said war and fought on hands and knees for healing and restoration. 

 

The people of Guatemala are a people that approach everything with open, scarred hearts. A lot of the people that I’ve encountered have been undeniably hurt and traumatized, and still they welcomed me into their homes and lives ready to offer me a coke. I’ve met people so desperate for a touch of Jesus that they’ve stopped my team in hopes that we’d pray for them. I’ve encountered kids that would run after me through parks in hopes that they could simply be hugged. Kids that would run ahead and get all of their siblings to the door in the off chance that they could get a coloring book for the first time. 

 

I’ve met women who were unbelievably strong. Women who are giving up everything, daily, to be there for their kids. Women who are going through separation, death, pain, and sacrifice. Women who have lost their children or parents and are fightingfor a sense of normalcy. Women who are balancing work, church, and family with grace, peace, and kindness. I’ve met women who kids are the only reason that they’re alive.  And all of them have given us everything that they possibly could at that moment in time, specifically because they love the way that Jesus does. 

 

I’ve seen earth shattering views while my team walked to the farthest parts of Itzapa. I watched the day break from the shore of lake Atitlan. I’ve gaped in awe while watching fireworks explode from every direction on every mountain at midnight on Christmas and New Years. I’ve run out of dinner to dance in the pouring rain. I’ve watched Volcano Fuego erupt through my frozen eyelashes after summiting Acatenago. I pray that these views will remain vivid in my brain for as long as they can. 

 

There are certain experiences that I hope to never forget. Like riding on chicken buses with no wiggle room and sweating from pure body heat. Like walking to every tienda to try all the choco bananas. Like watching Cookie dance with Luis. Like watching Sofia be the boss of her brothers. Like letting Mateo take pictures on my camera. Like riding in questionable Ferris wheels, and getting lost in Chimal for hours on end. Buying flowers from the women in the street markets and lastly, all of the street dogs that I’ve fed and loved. 

 

I remember arriving in Guatemala in the middle of the night. My whole squad packed into 2 rented chicken buses. I remember staring out of the window bubbling over with anticipation of what the next 88 days would entail. My first thought as soon as the reality of living in Guatemala set in was, “I didn’t expect Guatemala to have such a different smell.” But now that smell is normal to me. Now it’s in my clothes. In my bags. In my hair. I hope that even my Bible smells like chicken busses and trash fires. 

88 days,

2,663 pictures,

21 coffee shops, 

14 flower bouquets,

 

Will be dancing around my memory for a very… very long time. 

Goodbye Guatemala.

 

~Alyssa King