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!