Overload of the Senses

After a long night of traveling, we arrived in beautiful Guatemala. The emerald green mountainsides glow in all their glory. Smoke pours out of the distant active volcano Pacaya. The smell of burning wood fills the air as the residents of Santa Maria provide for their families. Little girls, in their brightly colored outfits, run to a fro through the cobblestone streets. The primary colors of the walls are contrasted with the plum of exhaust from each bus that drives by. This is Guatemala. This is where we get to serve God for 9 days. Why should we be so blessed?

Most of the team left early this morning to begin digging a cistern for a local church here in Santa Maria. There is only running water one hour every two days here in town. It is important to collect and save as much water and rain runoff as possible. Margarito is teaching us about his town and his trade. His eyes show the depth of compassion he has for his own people. By providing clean water, he helps his own people raise up from the poverty that has plagued them for so many years.

Others on the team are building a stage in the girl's school "Proximos Pasos" where we are staying. Early this morning, the large conference room filled with parents who came to hear about the unplanned vacation the school is having to take. All the women, in their typical Mayan clothing, huddled together on one side of the room. The chatter of gossip could be heard filling the room as they waited for the meeting to start. The laughing quickly warmed the cold cinder block room. The crying of babies, who were strapped to their back, didn't seem to bother anyone. A handful of men, in their cowboy hats and boots, tied their mules outside the front door before entering. They all stood on the other side of the room, eagerly awaiting the end of the meeting. One could see they were much more comfortable plowing their fields and tending to their crops then they were at a children's school meeting. The beauty of this country is only outdone by the beauty of the people. Yes, they are poor and worn by the hard work they call life, but they are none less beautiful and precious as people created in the image of God. God's creativity is evident in each face.

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