One year already?!

Almost everyone knows it’s April fools today, some are celebrating Easter, and only a few know it’s my one year anniversary. One year ago, I purchased a one way ticket with Guatemala City written on my boarding pass. One year since getting my passport stamped, making a storm through the nearest Walmart, and having to restart the old van about 6 times while sitting in traffic for 3+ hours (normally 40 minutes) making our way from the airport to my new home. One year of so many hello and goodbyes. One year full of new emotions I’ve never felt before. One year of loving on so many children, I’ve lost count. One year of saying “yes” to the calling God has placed on my heart.

Throughout these past 365 days, I’ve learned several things. I’ve list a few below. I’ve learned:

-how to fit 25+ in a 15 passenger van

-the skill of bartering at the local markets

-that a dishwasher is a person not a machine

-to be grateful for a hot shower

-how to climb a volcano

-more than I ever needed to know about how the meat on our plates is prepared

-what an earthquake feels like

-the beauty of a quinceañera party

-the true celebration of Holy Week

-many more spanish words than I ever learned in my 5+ years of taking spanish classes in school

-that most English speakers will ask if you can speak English after overhearing you speak to a chil or staff member in Spanish

-how good it feels to get into bed at 8:30 after a full days work with a bunch of kids (parents, I now know how you feel!)

-how to get the majority of my work done while the wifi is strong

-take advantage of the moments during the workday without an interruption

-of the emotions that come when watching a child get adopted

-the value of a video chat and visits back to the states

-how to make the most of a small carryon bag

-the strength of relationships shared between kids and fellow missionaries

-to value relationships while they’re present, because they may disappear without warning

-the amount God is willing to test and stretch you to further His work

-and a bunch more that I am still picking up along the way!

It’s still surreal that my first year of being a full time missionary is over. Like I’ve said, I’ve gotten to do so much in these past 365 days, but I know a lot is waiting for me in the years to come. I’m looking forward to the new opportunities, new children, and new adventures God has in store for me!

A few of us missionaries who live on site decided we’d stuff Easter eggs to celebrate Easter with the kids today. We found a suitcase and a black garbage bag full of leftover plastic Easter eggs. Great, we don’t have to purchase anymore. We all sat down and realized quickly that it was a lot harder to find a match fitting for each half of the egg. 15 eggs each stuffed for 75 kids. We were stuffing and snapping eggs together from about 7:30-12:15. A great way to start my first year anniversary!

Good Friday, we spent all day in Antigua watching processionals. Churches and a few schools would gather together to carry a large heavy wooden sculpture depicting an image of Jesus through his last days, whether carrying the cross, last supper, praying the evening before, or the like. Depending on the size of the sculpture, about 40 men and/or women would carry it for blocks down the streets of Antigua, usually with a marching band following behind, and two lines of people on either side to hold back the crowds watching. But, before marching, people would decorate the streets in colored sawdust, pine needles, fruits, flowers, branches, rice, and whatever else they could manage to find! They’d spend hours on one covering 5×20 feet of road, only to watch it be destroyed by those in the processionals. After the processional, trucks would come by to gather the dead plants, and they’d start again before the next processional started. It was incredible to see all that went into celebrating Holy Week. And, it’s just a glimpse of what Christ went through while wearing a crown of thorns.

Have a Happy Easter!