Real life

Only 1 more week until I am on a plane back to Indiana! THAT IS 7 DAYS! I am a little excited to be at home for christmas! It's crazy how fast time has gone here. It definitely doesn't feel like I have been here for 3 months.

So two weeks ago we had a huge team come from California! It was mainly families that came, so it was fun to have them here and acting like I was apart of their families too. :) It was the first team for us, so it was pretty exciting. The team came over thanksgiving, so we got to have a huge thanksgiving meal with them. Being away over the holiday's was a lot harder than I expected, so it was really nice to have thanksgiving with a bunch of families!

These people all sacrificed their thanksgiving to come serve in Guatemala, and that was kind of amazing to me. They spent their thanksgiving without the comfort of their homes and familie. They gave up something so special to come and serve God in a community of huge need.

Yeah, I sacrificed stuff to be here in Guatemala for the year. I sacrificed going to a real college, spending time with my family, a lot of freedom from living in the states, money. After thinking about these things, I realized these are the things I sacrificed for myself. But what have I sacrificed truly for God? Are there still things in my life that I don't want to sacrifice for him? Since being a missionary for this year, sometimes it's hard to remember I still need to spend time with God and try in our relationship. Just because I am serving in this community, does not make me better in any way than these people I am serving, because I know I have learned so much more from these women in these past 3 months than they have taught me, if I am being honest.

As I have mentioned in another blog, it is amazing how much these people rely so much on God. They lean on him with all they have. They have SACRIFICED all parts of their life for God.

One of the women I serve in my sight who I have gotten to know pretty well has demonstrated to me giving EVERY part of her life to God. Before she became a christian, she was with a man who abused her. But the problem was, she had two kids with him, there was no way she could leave him. One day she woke up and he was gone, with both of her kids. After this she fell into extreme depression, not even wanting to get up in the mornings. After a little while, she met a new man and had a daughter with him. Even with her new family, she still felt a feeling of hopelessness in her life.

A little while down the road, she got involved with our ministry, and gave her life to Christ. And ever since then she has been a new person. Not that she doesn't still struggle with her past and depression every once in a while, but she has given that part of her life to God. And that is what is most inspirational to me about her story. She has opened the door in heart, and given the most painful part of her life to God.

For me, it is so hard to give some parts of my life to God. Even living here in Guatemala, I thought that a lot of the pain I have from my past would somehow magically be healed, that I would magically turn into a "better christian". But the truth is, it is still so hard for me to open some of the painful doors of my past to God, it's scary. But the thing is, God is our safe place to God. No matter what has happened, he is always going to accept you and be there for you. And I think that's something that a lot of us forget sometimes.

So here's what I want to leave you with. Have you truly sacrificed all of your life to God? I know this is kind of an intense question, but it has been something really big on my heart lately. And it is a good reminder that no matter where we are at in our relationship with God, he wants ALL of us, not only the parts that we want to give Him!

Thanks to all reading this thing!! See you all in a week!

#BLESSED

So last week my mom, grandma, cousin and her sweet son came and visited me (and aunt and uncle) here in Guatemala! I had so much fun showing them around my new home. It is so nice to have people from home to understand what I am talking about here. And it was also very very nice to see my  mom!! We also hiked a volcano and went zip lining. So that was pretty cool. :)

Da crew minus grandma during our hike up the Volcano Pacaya

With having my family come visit me, I have been thinking more and more how truly grateful for I am for them and all I have at home. I was showing my family my around my house and my community, and they were a little bit shocked at the conditions. Which I have just kind of gotten used to. My whole (Guatemala) family shares one bathroom and a shower (that is outside our house). We wash our dishes by hand. Most people in my community washes their clothes all by hand, which is so much harder than you would think!

In a community near me that I work in, they do not have a community pilla to wash their clothes in. They walk all the way down a hill, with baskets of clothes on their heads, to wash their clothes in a little river. And then all the way back up the hill to their homes.

One thing my mom could not get over was the fact that all of the kids were playing in the streets, because no one has yards to play in. I had never really thought about that before. But it is shocking, there are always kids playing soccer in the streets, because none of them have yards to play in! And it's not just the fact that they're playing in the street, but since I live in a mountain, everything is always either uphill or downhill. So if they lose the ball, it is going straight down.

I think about how I grew up. I grew up in a great christian household. Everything I have ever needed has always been provided for me. And everything else within the grasp of my fingertips. I have always had a huge, grassy yard to play in. We have a washer and dryer. A dishwasher. Clean running water to drink from at all times. Cars. A loving family. A house. A shower. Jobs. Education.

Thinking about all of this stuff is almost overwhelming, and I realize how much I take for granted every single day. For a little while, I struggled with this. I felt almost selfish for all of this I have at home. But the fact is, these people don't know any different. They have grown up in these conditions, and are still happier than so many people back in the states.

And it makes me think. If these people can be so happy with so little, why is it so hard for so other many people who have so much more? And I came to one conclusion. These people have Jesus in their lives. They rely on him with all they have. And their lives are such a huge testimony to me, because they have truly shown me how important is to rely on God, how to put your WHOLE life in His hands.

Now while not everyone here may be christians, the people who are have been so inspirational to me.
And these people have given me new motivation on how to show others how awesome our God is. (And not those just here in Guatemala) How He can help fix their problems, pain and hurt. Because these wonderful people here have shown me how true that really is.

With the thanksgiving season coming up, I would like to encourage everyone to truly sit back and realize how they have to be grateful for. To take time to truly appreciate your family. Because you guys are seriously sooo #blessed... Ya know?

Gracias for all who read this blog and continue to support my time here. It means so much more to me than you realize! And also s/o to aunt Joy for sending me puppy chow with mom for me!!

Gringos Locos

This past weekend we went to Panajachel, which is a village on Lake Atitlan. It was absolutely beautiful! Definitely one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. We stayed in a little hotel and I got to take a hot shower for the first time in two months, which felt amazing. Our first day there we ate lunch at a little Mexican place called Gringos Locos, and let me tell you it was definitely crazy. It was an interesting lunch experience to be here with a conservative christian group, but it definitely added diversity to our adventure :) The rest of the day we just kind of hung out and explored, and of course shopped in the markets. It surprised me at how much it was like Antigua. Another thing that surprised me was how much poverty that could be seen in Panajachel. When I think of going to a big touristy place like this, poverty is not something that comes to mind. Although I am 'used' to seeing poverty around me, I was almost shocked to see it on the streets of Panajachel. It opened my eyes to how much poverty this country really has, and it broke my heart. Even in this beautiful town where tourists from all over the world are coming, these people work so hard to make and sell things in the markets and on the streets, and they still can't make enough for their families.

Even though it was a little sad, I still had an amazing experience! Sunday we took a boat ride on Lake Atitlan and visited two small villages on this lake. The villages were very similar to Magdalena! It was a really cool experience. Sunday afternoon we ate lunch over-looking the lake, I did not want to leave!

                                                              LAKE ATTITLAN

One of the villages we visited 

My lunch view :)

Yesterday the Crown students went to San Lucas, a town near us, for two weeks to work with a different organization, so us Global Bridger's got to move into one house together (besides Tyler of course). Yep we have shelves in our room, which means no living out of a suitcase for TWO WEEKS! We are a little excited about our shelves. Yesterday was also the start of second round of language school for us Global Bridger's. I forgot how mentally exhausted I am after class. It is pretty hard, but I am learning a ton so it is definitely worth it. Today me, Alyssa and Brooke came back and took a long nap in Brooke's bed after class, it felt glorious.

Thanks for following my time here!

Inspiration comes from unexpected places

October 1 was national kids day in Guatemala and I am actually really upset we don't have this day in the states. IT WAS SO FUN. We made a cake, well four cakes actually, for the kids and had a big party for them. So Thursday we played games and had pinatas and ate cake and just had fun! I have never been put in charge of 40 kids before, it was a little exhausting. I never realized how difficult 40 kids bouncing off the walls could be to watch, but we somehow made it through! Thursday night we ate dinner at the community center and played games and got our own pinata! It has been one of my favorite days here so far for sure.

our pinata and Logan :)

These past two weeks have been filled with being back in sites. Right now I am working in the woman's social sight, and I love it! I have never felt so much that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. It has been amazing starting to get to know these women a little bit, knowing who they are and then also seeing where they live. I have been on missions trips before, and each time my eyes are opened by the conditions these people are living in. But actually getting to know these people that are living in these conditions is heart breaking. And even though they have so little, they are still so happy and have amazing faith. They are so eager to not only learn about new ways that they can make a living, but also about God. And it is amazing to me that people that have so little, can have such big faith in God. He always provides. I also got the chance to teach these ladies how to make a bracelet and lead a Bible study in Spanish. It was definitely an interesting experience (and I butchered the Spanish part) but it was still such an awesome experience!

In the three weeks that I have spent with these women altogether, I have learned a few things. God didn't just send me to Guatemala to spark a light in these people's lives, he sent me here for these people to spark a light in my life. I have already begun to see God transform my life through all of these amazing people I have met in my short time here and I cannot wait to see where I end up!

Como se dice wifi???

These past two weeks have been pretty uneventful. Our days are filled with four hours of language school everyday.. FOUR HOURS. I have never been so mentally exhausted in my life..  So days I go home and take a really long nap after language school :) But i'm also basically fluent in spanglish right now so that much closer to spanish!!! In the afternoon when I'm not doing homework we either go out and explore Magdalena or there is a mountain right by my house that we have hiked a few times. The top of the mountain is beautiful! The first time we hiked it, it was so clear and we could see many distant towns.

One thing I just cannot get over is how big the CORN is here!! Seriously, it is over double the size of back home. So of course I had to take a pic with it. This one's for you Grandma Dora!!!

                                                So tall it can't even fit in the picture!!!

This past Tuesday was Indepence Day here in Guatemala! We got the day off of language school and spent the day in Antigua. It was very interesting! There were tons of parades literally EVERYWHERE. Antigua was packed with people. We just hung out and watched the different parades come by and also went shopping in the market of course. Indpendence day is different in Guatemala! Instead of people doing their own thing, everyone comes together and is either in a parade or watching them. It is really cool. I am glad I got to have this experience here! 

                                            Acting like tourists but we're actually locals ;)

This morning we went to a Catholic Church in Antigua, which was very interesting to say the least. I have never been to a Catholic service before, so I really had absolutely no idea what was going on the whole time. I just tried to copy what the people next to me were doing the whole time haha. 

                                                   The beautiful church we visited today!

So now here I am writing this blog in a little coffee shop called Fat Cat Coffee listening to/watching the rain outside this little window :) I really do love this beautiful place and am starting to feel more and more at home with everyday! Gracias for reading my blog friends :)

                                                    GLOBAL BRIDGERS

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted"

As many of you know, my Grandpa Hooley passed away yesterday morning in his sleep. He battled Alzheimer's & Dimentia for many years. He spent this past year in a nursing home, and in quite a bit of pain. As sad as it is to see him go, I am relieved to see him out of pain and up in Heaven!

Even through this time of morning for me and my family I can't help but feel so blessed. God has surrounded me in Guatemala with a group of amazingly supportive people and an awesome family here in the states. My roommate in Guatemala had actually just lost her dad 3 months ago.. It's amazing how God works putting us two together. I am so happy we can both be there for each other in this coming semester! The other day in our bible study we talked about "blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted". In all of our difficult seasons, God has promised to be our comforter. How perfect was this, for just days later I would be going through this exact mourning process.. It was such a great reminder to me that my Grandpa is up in Heaven and back to his amazing self!

Lowell, Cheryll and I left late last night back to the states for the week. Even though I only left a week ago, I am pretty excited to see my family again! Especially Reed and baby Adria :) Thanks so much for all of the kind words I have received already. It means a lot! Prayers for these next couple of days for my family and especially my Grandma would be much appreciated!

I am so thankful to have had this amazing man as my Grandpa for the past 19 years. What an amazing testimony of God he is. He was such a great role model to me growing up. I love you Grandpa, RIP.

My first couple of days in GUATEMALA

Buenos tardes amigos y familia!!!

That's about as far as my language skills go. Haha just kidding! Kind of.

So, for those of you don't know I am living in a small town in Guatemala called Magdalena. It has a population of about 18,000 and is at an altitude of 7,000 feet, so we are living in the mountains! Which means you either always walking up hill or down hill. Which gets very tiring! I was planning on running here but I think walking is good enough exercise. Ha!

So traveling here was definitely an adventure to me, I have never traveled alone! I flew from O'Hare to Houston and only had a 30 minute lay over... So basically I had to sprint all the way to the other end of the airport but I made it!! When I got to Guatemala Lowell and Cheryl (My aunt and uncle who are in staff here in Guatemala) were waiting for me, which was awesome! I got here a day earlier than the rest of my people so I got to spend the night with them!

So my first day in Guatemala was awesome! It is so pretty here, I am falling in love with this beautiful place! At around noon me and Lowell went to the airport and picked up 3 of the other Global Bridge girls from the airport. All we were missing was Tyler (the only boy Global Bridger). So after that we went and ate lunch at Pollo Compero. Then we went back to Lowell and Cheryl's house and just kind of hung out for a little bit getting to know each other. 

                            Keara, Brooke, Alyssa and me :)

At 3:00 we went and met our host families. Once I got to my host home my mom, Delores showed my around my room. She tried talking to me and showing me around a little bit but I didn't really know what she was saying so I did a lot of smiling and nodding. But we have been able to communicate a little more! 

                                               My house

My room. We have no dressers/ shelves/ closets!

Tuesday consisted of orientation all day and going to Antigua to get buy phones for while we are down here and for some ice cream at McDonalds. :) Today we went to our sights we will be working at! I am in the women's social sight and my leaders names are Victoria and Sheny. I like them a lot! We walked around a town right by Guatemala called El Gorrio and prayed and did a few home visits. We then walked down to a little river and helped some women was their clothes. It was a very different experience! I have never realized how awesome it is to have a washer and dryer!

                                                      Over looking Magdalena

Thank you for all of the support I have been getting. I appreciate it so much!! Feel free to message me or email me with any questions! kelseygraber1@gmail.com