Work!

My YL team safely arrived around 9:00 on Saturday night and the trip officially started with a hike up a volcano on Sunday. It was fun sharing the Pacaya experience with my friends from home. The pyromaniac in a few boys came out and that was a little scary, but we all survived.

Monday morning our work started. We are divided up into five teams that are in two neighboring communities in zone 3. Zone three is built around the city dump and many people make their living sorting through the stuff in the dump. Groups are mixing and laying concrete floors for families living on dirt, rebuilding houses, putting roofs on, and more. It's hard work, which is good for our group!!!!

I don't have time for a full update, so I want to share one highlight: one of my students who I worked with all semester was adopted out of a terrible life in the neighborhoods that we are working in. She has never shared her story with more than 2 or 3 people, and only close friends. When I told her about our group, she said, "Miss Witte, I want to share my story with them. I think I can help or impact at least one person." So on Monday, Felicita shared her story...and she impacted us all. I'm so proud of how God's working in her life...for a 17 year old girl to say that she's angry at God about the crap she went through, BUT knows he was in control is a powerful experience.

More to come, but Brady, the YL staff person here has more consistent internet and started a blog specifically for our group: www.vjguatemala.blogspot.com

and so it begins...

When you work with Young Life, the phrase "why not?" becomes a large part of your vocabulary. It reflects the flexibility that is inherent to the ministry...and so it begins. All but three of the group of 30 coming down actually missed their flight to Guatemala and are hanging out in Houston for the day. Why not? Hopefully they're having some good bonding stateside while I wait patiently for them to come here!!!!

A Dutch Bingo update for all who appreciate the game: Last weekend I went ziplining in Panajachel. In our group was a group of about 9 Canadians who were all studying Spanish in Pana. One girl did not have a crazy accent, so I got suspicious and curious. Here's the conversation we had:

Me: Wow, those earings are great. Did you get them here?
Girl: No, I got them at a free trade store in Canada.
Me: Oh, you're from Canada! Where?
Girl: Toronto. Where are you from?
Me: Michigan
Girl: I was born there!
Me: Really? Where?
Girl: Grand Rapids
Me: No way, that's where I'm from.
Girl: I thought you looked Dutch and CRC...I can spot em from miles away! My parents met at Calvin!
Me: Wow, small world.
Girl: What are you doing here?
Me: Teaching at a missionary school in the city (actually gave a longer explanation)
Girl: My sister knows some people doing that...the Wirrels?
Me: Huh, they teach at my school!

You get the gist...I'm sure I made my family proud on that connection!

An Update and a Disclaimer

Update: I've been busier than I thought with school wrap up over the past few weeks, but I've also had some time to relax and reflect on my time in Guatemala. My friend Emily Baker came down for a whirlwind visit to Guatemala last week. We did as much as we could--and she got the true Guatemalan experience as she suffered from the common traveler's illness: fever, chills, and other unpleasantries. Mom, Emily wants to commiserate with you. She feels your pain!!! We still had a great time...which she remembers now that she's healthy again! I have some curriculum work to do before 30 Hinsdale Young Life people come down here for a work trip. I am so excited to share my life here with people from home! Which leads to the disclaimer :)

Disclaimer: I offered my blog as a place where people on the trip can reflect on the experiences, post pictures, etc. I don't know how many opportunities there will be to post, but there will be 30 people who have reign to reflect and process their time in Guatemala, so you'll be getting more perspective (and different perspective) than just me. Take that into account with posts from the next week!

Blessings and enjoy the beginning of summer weather...we haven't seen the sun in about a week as the tropical storms in other areas are pulling LOADS of rain here!