Traveling

Buenos Dias! It’s almost 5am here. That’s 6am home time. It’s still dark out and I can hear peaceful morning sounds outside. My internet isn’t working, but if you’re reading this it means at some point it started working again.

It was a long couple of days- or maybe just one. I left home around 8pm Friday night and drove to Indy airport. I was hoping to check in and then get some sleep at my gate. Having never done anything like that before, I had no idea the airport wouldn’t open for check-in until 4 am. So, I hung out in a big area that people stayed in while they were waiting for someone to arrive or, like me, were waiting to check in. With my plan of checking in, I knew my bag would be already checked in and I wouldn’t have to worry about it. Since that didn’t happen, I was worried about keeping everything close and safe. There was a curved bench with wooden slats that I laid on and off and on I was able to doze off. But, not for long periods of time.

One of the best parts of that experience was watching a beautiful moment in a family’s life. I felt like I was glimpsing an epic moment in time. A young woman came in pushing a stroller with a man and woman alongside her. They met up with some other people about the age of the man and woman. They had a posterboard sign that I wish I could have seen. But, they were far away and the sign was always facing another direction. Every time a new arrival came, they stood anxiously waiting, the young woman holding a very young baby and the sign, several with phones out waiting to take photos or videos, and all looking very excited. Many arrivals happened before finally, a young man came in. Even as I write this I get choked up thinking about it. He was crying and hugged the young woman and baby. Then he held the baby for, what I think was the first time. It was obvious that this young father was finally coming home. He then hugged everyone else. I noticed one woman wearing a navy shirt. So, my guess is that he was home from the navy and seeing his daughter for the first time. I felt privileged to witness such a beautiful moment and was so happy for that family.

Around 3:30 am I gave up trying to sleep and decided to go to the check in area. People had already started gathering there and they actually opened before the designated 4am opening. Check in went smoothly and I went to my gate to wait. Again, I tried to sleep but at that point it was useless. Soon people arrived and I started to figure out who was in the team I would be spending the week with. We boarded the plane and off we went. I listened to my audiobook, which is how I know I got a little more sleep. I missed whole sections of my book.  We arrived in Miami and after a short layover, headed to Miami. A few more catnaps and listening to my book and I arrived in Guatemala!

I felt a peace come over me when I arrived, a familiarity and happiness that I had made it back. Getting through everything at the airport and seeing my luggage had also arrived made that peace and happiness grow even more. We drove through Guatemala City and that’s an experience! Traffic is always so hectic, but this was the worst I’d seen. I think it took us at least 4 hours to get to Panajachel. But once we got out of the city, the scenery is so beautiful that it doesn’t seem so bad to be in a van for that long. The sky was clearer than most times and I am always amazed at the sights. I tried taking pictures but riding in the van and taking pictures doesn’t work out so well. There are farms on steep inclines that I can’t imagine people working by hand, hills, mountains, volcanoes, and little towns along the way.

We arrived at River House and got settled. I’m staying in the apartment I stayed in on my 2^nd visit here. They are all beautiful.

I’m working on meeting the 20 people I just met yesterday. I am intentionally doing things to meet new people. At times, I made my youth sit with someone they hadn’t talked to that day. I had many seats to choose from yesterday. I still haven’t talked to everyone. But, I’m slowly getting to know people. I’ve found a lot in common with many in the group and am looking forward to getting to know them better. My shy introverted self is working hard to be outgoing, but it’s worth it! I’ve had a lot of good conversations and am really looking forward to the work week ahead with them! Besides the pastor, none of the others have been here before. I love that I get to experience the newness of everything again through all of my team! There is something special about the first time in this place and I feel privileged to be a part of it again.

Today, we will visit a nearby town and go to the shops, hear a presentation on pottery, and a presentation on weaving. Tonight, I hope to ride a tuk tuk into town (Pana is what it’s referred to here because it’s so much easier than saying Panajachel every time). I’m so excited to see what everything is like and get into the towns to see how the shops are after covid. So far, what I saw along he way was that stores (tiendas) were still open and people were still out doing things.

The sun is up and people are stirring. Time to get the day started!

So, where was God yesterday? He was in the people I met, the experience I witnessed with the family, and in the restfulness He gave me. While I hadn’t slept since about 4am Friday morning except for catnaps throughout the night and day, I never really felt overly exhausted. To me, that was a blessing from God.

Blessings,

Jennifer