It’s really hard to sum up in a few minutes my short term missions trip to Guatemala, but I’ll try. I’ve traveled abroad before, but never anything like this. I’ve experienced other cultures, but this one was quite different. Naturally, anybody going on an important trip is going to have some expectations. I had mainly two. I had enormous drive to see where God was leading me, because I’ve had a feeling he was taking me somewhere my whole life. My first expectation was to learn more about where God wanted me in his kingdom. My second expectation was to see him at work. The latter of the two I saw firsthand; more so than ever before. We had many blessings, even when we had just first arrived to Guatemala City. Everyone got their baggage, which let me tell you is an enormous blessing. Also, on the way to Nebaj , one of our bags fell off right next to a ditch, or something of the sort. If it had gone one foot further, it would have gone in, and probably all the way down the mountain. And that was just at the beginning of the trip!

During the trip there were also a lot of problems my teammates and I had to endure. But once again God showed his presence to us. The first night we were in Nebaj, all night there were explosions, as well as this annoying music from an ice cream truck. The whole night it didn’t end. I’m pretty sure the explosions were fireworks. They use those to celebrate all kinds of occasions. The next morning I woke up a wee bit annoyed, and more than that tired. But God fixed that by sending me off to a home visit, where I could rest in the car first. The next problem I had to endure almost every day until we left Vipec Balaam. Personally, I’m a guy with many problems, my back being one of them. However, whenever I needed a break to stretch it out and what not, the guys would take over for me. Also, with a language barrier, and our first translator and FH staff Amy sick, God once again provided us with all we needed. Jason and Shawn stepped up to the plate.

Another thing that struck me as I was working in Vipec Balaam, apart from the actual landscape itself, was the people. Even with so much, they were still so happy. The kids didn’t seem to complain, and except for being called Gringo every now and then, they really seemed to enjoy our company. I didn’t think it was possible to feel such a close connection to people that I couldn’t communicate well with. The hardest thing I had to do the whole trip was leave those sweet, loving children that had so warmly welcomed us. Apart from learning to expand my comfort zone, the most important thing I learned by far was how good it felt to be doing Gods work, rather than only trying to satisfy my own desires. There was a strong feeling of community in Vipec Balaam, and it amazed me that it was all Gods doing. Even though I still believe that he created everything that was, is, and is to come, it was still incredible, as well as humbling, to see him working right before my eyes. Not just in the people of Vipec Balaam, but in my team members, as well as me. Going on this trip has strengthened my resolve to get up and do something for God, and made the presence of him all the more real to me. And that’s all I have to say about that.