After an amazing and exhausting journey from Peru to Guatemala we have finally arrived! Here, we are based in a small touristy type town nestled in what appears to be mountains surrounding a lake. At a closer look, these mountains are actually volcanoes and the lake is just that is a huge crater from a previous standing volcano. Panajachel is a tranquil little town. Everywhere you look, the Guatemalan people are catering to the tourists that pass through. But if you look closely, you will see the people remaining true to their culture.
The women walk the streets with hand stitched blouses and skirts, carrying a baby wrapped in a blanket and strapped on their backs. The men wear handcrafted pants with a skirt like covering over their midsection topped off with a hand stitched shirt. The garments of the people here are beautiful! As you walk down the street, you can hear the people speaking other languages than Spanish (there are 25 official languages of Guatemala due to the number of tribes here). As you look in the shops and even see the catholic processions go down the street, you can see the influence that the Mayan people continue to have on the culture and even religion to this day.
Because of all these different variables, Panajachel is a great place to be a son of God in because Panajachel needs Jesus. In order to be intentional about spreading the Word, we have been part of several project within the community. We are building a retaining wall between two families’ houses to prevent mud slides during the rainy season. A few of us have been going up the mountain outside of town each day in order to weed a property and to plant over a 100 peach trees on a man’s property. We have been digging a well, and will soon begin working on laying a foundation for a building. Though these are all good projects, our main goal in doing them is talking to the people, getting to know them, and speaking to them about Jesus and the Truths of the scriptures when and how the Holy Spirit leads. YES! Sometimes, I have to say, it is quite a mission. But as we press in, we are starting to see the fruits of our labor and pray that this will continue to be the case.
So far, God has taught me so much about His love for people. He has taught me that no matter how awful or messed up or inhumane a person may be, that He loves them. He loves them. He loves them just as much as me and therefore they are worth me fighting for and going after for the kingdom.